Sunday, October 18, 2015

Opinion

בס"ד
It is interesting that the less Torah learning an individual has, the more opinion they use. Opinion is based on life's experiences and not so much on knowledge. When I was doing Kiruv, outreach (helping fellow Jews find their way in life), in the states, I saw it all the time that you can teach Hashem's opinion on a subject and get as a response: "I always believed it was this way or that way." I find the more Torah that I learn, the less I know. When I discover the truth about a subject, I find I have a lot more to learn and that I have been running on my opinion for years on whatever the subject is at hand.

I am experiencing, almost every day, "the me of the past (the way I used to think when I had an opinion)" since most people, who are without Torah answers, think they know much more than Torah scholars – after all, they have an opinion. The biggest problem is, unlike when I was face-to-face with my Kiruv (outreach) students, the web is a cold hard place to correct and help people. In person, we provide instant help and a much friendlier atmosphere. People are much more brave and show much more belligerency when they deal long distance by writing. Since they can say any nonsense they want and even use the name Anonymous to spout their misgivings, they become as brazen as they want without consequence.

Or, is it without consequence? Anyone who has fear of heaven knows very well that everything one does, every word one says and even every thought one has is known and is recorded in heaven. Psychologist will tell you that people like to have a scapegoat. Jews have been the most famous scapegoats in history. It's very difficult for us to admit our own shortcomings. If we have a way to vent our frustrations, blame someone else in a way that we think is safe, we take advantage of it. The web has perpetuated much hatred, especially Jew-hatred, because it is a haven for cowards. It is so easy to blame someone else for one’s problems; especially a stranger that I will probably never see or encounter in any way.

A few years ago there was a debate on another blog about whether my blog really was the Absolute Truth. Most of the 110 comments were positive and even complimentary. But, I saw within the comments, individuals with a great lack of Torah knowledge, screaming for help. It was a vent for personal problems and frustrations. The big problem was it hurt good people. It definitely included Lashon Harah, and the permanent damage it could cause. You can’t take it back and can’t fix the damage. I saw on my blog a decrease in comments and a decrease in page views. This indicates to me that many of my readers may have lost confidence in some of the material that I was presenting, because they were victim to believing Lashon Harah. I was getting more personal Emails from people who wanted to talk, but did not want the other readers to read their questions or concerns. The sad part is that I did not get challenged when points of disagreement were voiced. Instead of somebody doing it the Torah way by saying to me “I disagree with something and here is my evidence to prove my point,” I received anger and nonsensical accusations. Anger is always a sign of frustration and lack of knowledge on the part of the individual. I can see that they were not angry at me; but, they just could not admit it that the psychological failing is on their part. In other words, they were angry at themselves and were merely looking to vent their frustrations and using the safety of the internet was the perfect outlet.

Since I am aware of this, I am in no way concerned about myself, but I'm very concerned about those who are having this problem, since I cannot help Anonymous (the name that is almost always used by the one not able to cope). The biggest frustration of all is how many people listen to Lashon Harah and believe it. Both are grave sins in the eyes of Hashem – listening and/or believing. I know that I can control the comments on my blog. I can delete any comment that is inappropriate. But when it appears on somebody else's blog and as Lashon Harah, I have no control over the hurt it causes good people. What the moderator of another blog prints becomes that moderator’s responsibility, even if it contains very sinful and damaging rhetoric. Printing Lashon Harah is a way of condoning Lashon Harah. That hurts everyone involved: the one being talked about, the one saying the Lashon Harah, the blogger allowing it and the readers who read it (even if they don’t believe it). What is sad is that no topic that came from my blog was questioned or debated. I was just told I was wrong and end of story. In every case, I had excellent sources to prove my arguments. In some cases I had to do further research, since it was dealing with something that I had heard many years prior, but I was still able to vindicate my position.

I take very seriously the idea of presenting the absolute truth as I spend many hours a day researching and writing before I post. It's amazing how someone with a total lack of scholarship on the subject can, with a distorted opinion, voice dissension the way they do. I find almost no one will ever research the subject; only that they comment based on what they have experienced themselves – an opinion based on flawed human logic. I know basically people are lazy; but, if they really know how much damage they are doing to themselves and others, they would become more ambitious. Don’t forget: this is damage for all eternity.

I am with very little concern about myself. I know that everything in this world is for the good. I see this as testing for myself and for any blogger who faces the same situation. In other words, Hashem is providing me with challenge to help me grow, which gives me Tikun. I thank Hashem for the personal growth, but I still feel bad if any of my readers have been led astray and had their personal growth negatively affected. Also, I feel bad for the frustrated individual who comments in an incorrect way by not asking questions, but just voicing dissention. That person’s entire future depends on it as well. I have mentioned that we are getting close to the Day of Judgment "the two late date." How much I wish everyone would take this seriously. It's not the anger that you are venting, it is the fact that you may be shooting yourself in the foot while doing it. Other bloggers should note that taking the Absolute Truth off of your favorites list has sent a very strong message to your readers and mine. It condones Lashon Harah and hatred. It says that judging a fellow Jew is not important. Judging is against Torah, especially if you state publically that Hashem’s truth is not your opinion. That is a grave sin. Remember that one of the greatest traits for which Hashem is judging us is Ahavas Yisroel, love of one’s fellow Jew.

When you read something on the web ask yourself: “Am I seeking the truth or just giving in to the loudest protesters to appease them? Fairness is the Torah way and is the best lesson for readers of all the nonsense on the web. Your eternity will be reviewed on Judgment Day; do the right thing.

I have a love for all people and those who can't control their own emotions, I wish to help. I am neither a hateful person nor a vengeful person, but only one who wants to do the will of Hashem and help everyone. If you lack knowledge on the subject that I am covering, then join me in learning. If you know more than I on any subject and wish to contribute, I'd like to consider myself as open-minded an individual as can be, and I am ready to learn from you. All I ask is if you frequent blogs, be nice to the other readers and any blogger to whom you provide comments. I am sure you will receive niceness in return, especially from Hashem. That's the Torah way; and, that's what makes Hashem happy.

One word of advice is the best way to learn the Absolute Truth is through books that are based on Hashem’s opinion, not the horrible web that is mostly the flawed human logic opinion of people.

Tomorrow, B”N, I would like to discuss the danger of having an opinion – it is more complicated than you might think.

14 comments:

  1. Shavya Tov Rav,
    Personally, i cannot imagine anyone ever disagreeing with what you write.

    I can say for myself, i have been helped tremondously by your writing, and i thank you.
    Hashem bless you..
    stella c.

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  2. Sorry for the spelling errors'
    I meant "Shavua Tov".. and 'tremendously"

    Blame my fingers. (not)
    sc

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    1. I am always happy to hear from you even with spelling errors.

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  3. "Opinion is based on life's experiences..."

    Opinion based on honest assessment of one's experiences is a form of knowledge. I suppose it really matters how you define knowledge.

    Further, there are (broadly) two different styles of argumentation: rhetorical and dialectical.

    They are two entirely different languages. One truth I have come to see through observation and learning is that those who argue rhetorically (resorting to tactics like name-calling and the like, which are attempts to trigger an emotional response back) are literally incapable of dialectical (that is, reasoned, logical) argument.

    Aristotle put it like this:

    "[B]efore some audiences not even the possession of the exactest knowledge will make it easy for what we say to produce conviction. For argument based on knowledge implies instruction, and there are people one cannot instruct."
    - Rhetoric, Aristotle

    Rhetoric is argument based on emotion. Most people, even most Jews, would fall into this category (alas). It's also why mass media and propaganda are so effective. But that's a different topic.

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    1. What you are saying is correct. I would only add if your knowledge and arguments are in concert with Hashem's opinion, they are valid and solid to guide you through life. Any deviation from the Torah, which is perfect, is less than perfect and will get you in trouble.

      Are you familiar with the letter that Aristotle wrote to his student Alexander the Great? In the end of his days, Aristotle admitted that the only truth in the world is Torah. It is an amazing letter which can be found in the Me’am Lo'ez, The Torah anthology, English, (Yalkut ME’AM LO’EZ) - Volume 6, Page 154-155. It is also on the web. I reproduced the letter in my book as well.

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  4. Of course. Your conclusions must be in alignment with Torah. Nonetheless, Chaza"l say there is chochma among the nations. Don't think I am familiar with the letter. I have a complete set of the English Me'am Lo'ez. I'll check it out.

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  5. You must look no further than the gemora in Soita, or any one of the numerous sources, which describe this generation as mockers of the truth.
    Whether its rabbanim, heads of state, politicians, or bloggers, anyone who dares speak anything close to the truth is duly mocked.
    Its been said, "the further a society drifts from the truth, the more they hate those that speak it".
    On a simple level you can say "they cant handle the truth". Without going into the depth of the matter, this is true to some degree, based on how the Ramchal describes the geulah process.
    Either way you cut it, if one spends a mere 5 minutes paying attention to current events and politics, on anything from a local to national to global level, unless your head is buried in sand, you'll see that the world today is upside down. Good is bad, and bad is good. Again. all predicted in torah sources.
    May we see the geulah soon.

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    1. Thank you, it is so true what you are saying. I have written posts on Sotah 49 and Pesachim 50 telling exactly what you are describing. But, I look at this as very good news, since it says that this is what it will be like just before Moshiach. I always get excited seeing prophecy fulfilled.

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  6. A tehillim read for the safety of ALL Am Israel please read one Perek And together complete books, please forward

    http://tehilimyahad.com/mr.jsp?r=xLXNmOhmBI

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  7. Hello Annoymous, i went there, but the site is all in Hebrew. Is there the same in English where one who does not know Hebrew could go and read and pray?
    Thank you.
    sc

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    1. When we say Psalms, we generally do all 150 Psalms over several days. The site that Anonymous referenced stressed Psalm 91. Many times a group of women will get together and break up the Psalms, each doing a group of Psalms that all 150 are said. Whatever you can do is appreciated.

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  8. The text of the tehillim is in Hebrew that is correct. I checked on top you can change the language so that at least you know how to work the program. Basically a tehillim shows up and once you read it you click on the green button, it then thanks you And asks if you want to read another one. This way people can read one or more And complete books together b"h. You could consider just to read a few psalms by yourself in English also to be found on the internet. Every act of kindness helps to tip the scale from bad to good b"h. Tiski le Mitswot for trying Sc. Kol ha Kavod! Rivka

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    1. Of course the easier way is to open your Tenach (Bible) to Psalms and read it directly, whatever Psalms you want. Anything that can be done without the computer is better.

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  9. That is true there is nothing like the original Sefer. Rivka

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