And saying "because God told me to" isn't a good enough answer. Why do you care that God told you to? Why do you believe in this god vs. any other god?
Why do you keep mitzvot?
Started by
writer.at.heart415
, Jan 05 2012 06:45 PM
48 replies to this topic
#1
writer.at.heart415
-
- Members
-
- 612 posts
Gabbai
Posted 05 January 2012 - 06:45 PM
"I'm the Hebrew Mamita, long-lost daughter of Abraham and Sarah, the oy-vaying matzo-eating chutzpah-having non-cheaping non-conspiracizing always-questioning hip-hop listening Torah scroll-reading all-people loving pride-filled Jewish girl." - from Hebrew Mamita by Vanessa Hidary
"If patriarchy had a specific beginning in history, it can also have an end" - Maria Mies
"...I only know that people call me a feminist whenever I express sentiments that differentiate me from a doormat" - Rebecca West
"Only the woman whose neck is bent will bear the oppressor’s heel"
"Well-behaved women don't make history" - Laurel Thatcher Ullrich
"We are the women men warned us about" - Robin Morgan
"We’ve made our cholent. We need to take to the streets and protest" - Blu Greenberg
"If patriarchy had a specific beginning in history, it can also have an end" - Maria Mies
"...I only know that people call me a feminist whenever I express sentiments that differentiate me from a doormat" - Rebecca West
"Only the woman whose neck is bent will bear the oppressor’s heel"
"Well-behaved women don't make history" - Laurel Thatcher Ullrich
"We are the women men warned us about" - Robin Morgan
"We’ve made our cholent. We need to take to the streets and protest" - Blu Greenberg
#2
israeli4ever
-
- Members
-
- 2,502 posts
Godol Hador
Posted 05 January 2012 - 07:18 PM
Why isn't 'God said so' good enough?And saying "because God told me to" isn't a good enough answer. Why do you care that God told you to? Why do you believe in this god vs. any other god?
If I accept that God gives me life, then I have a moral obligation to do what He asks.
Disclaimer: The comments made by this poster do not necessarily represent an actual opinion, they are merely the latest output of an infinite amount of monkeys working on Shakespeare
________________________________
"Frumkeit without Mentchlichkeit is not Yiddishkeit!" - Razie
"If you don't sin... Jesus died for nothing."
"because teaching is all about obscuration and obfuscation.." - Snag
________________________________
"Frumkeit without Mentchlichkeit is not Yiddishkeit!" - Razie
"If you don't sin... Jesus died for nothing."
"because teaching is all about obscuration and obfuscation.." - Snag
#3
Shemmy
-
- Members
-
- 5,361 posts
Orthodox Ethiopian Hebrew
Posted 05 January 2012 - 07:35 PM
After quite some time studying the history of the African diaspora and all the religions and philosophies that it has touched upon, I decied for a handful of reasons close to heart that the way of life outlined in the Torah was the proper path to apotheosis (no, I don't believe that Judaism is not for everyone - I believe the opposite).
Israelite by birth, Hebrew by adoption, Jewish by conversion
Hagebbir Shemaria Israel bar Abraham de Israel
#4
Snag
-
- Banned
-
- 11,108 posts
הבל יפצה פי
Posted 05 January 2012 - 07:41 PM
because G-d told me to.
"Spiritual wants and instincts are as various in the human family as are physical appetites, complexions, and features, and a man is only at his best, morally, when he is equipped with the religious garment whose color and shape and size most nicely accommodate themselves to the spiritual complexion, angularities, and stature of the individual who wears it."
"The despotism of heaven is the one absolutely perfect government. An earthly despotism would be the absolutely perfect earthly government, if the conditions were the same; namely, the despot the perfectest individual of the human race, and his lease of life perpetual. But as a perishable perfect man must die, and leave his despotism in the hands of an imperfect successor, an earthly despotism is not merely a bad form of government, it is the worst form that is possible."
-Mark Twain
"The despotism of heaven is the one absolutely perfect government. An earthly despotism would be the absolutely perfect earthly government, if the conditions were the same; namely, the despot the perfectest individual of the human race, and his lease of life perpetual. But as a perishable perfect man must die, and leave his despotism in the hands of an imperfect successor, an earthly despotism is not merely a bad form of government, it is the worst form that is possible."
-Mark Twain
#5
spectra
-
- Members
-
- 712 posts
Gabbai
Posted 05 January 2012 - 07:44 PM
And saying "because God told me to" isn't a good enough answer. Why do you care that God told you to? Why do you believe in this god vs. any other god?
Noah had a good reason to keep mitzvot.
#6
Snag
-
- Banned
-
- 11,108 posts
הבל יפצה פי
Posted 05 January 2012 - 07:45 PM
hi, spectra! haven't seen you for a while...
"Spiritual wants and instincts are as various in the human family as are physical appetites, complexions, and features, and a man is only at his best, morally, when he is equipped with the religious garment whose color and shape and size most nicely accommodate themselves to the spiritual complexion, angularities, and stature of the individual who wears it."
"The despotism of heaven is the one absolutely perfect government. An earthly despotism would be the absolutely perfect earthly government, if the conditions were the same; namely, the despot the perfectest individual of the human race, and his lease of life perpetual. But as a perishable perfect man must die, and leave his despotism in the hands of an imperfect successor, an earthly despotism is not merely a bad form of government, it is the worst form that is possible."
-Mark Twain
"The despotism of heaven is the one absolutely perfect government. An earthly despotism would be the absolutely perfect earthly government, if the conditions were the same; namely, the despot the perfectest individual of the human race, and his lease of life perpetual. But as a perishable perfect man must die, and leave his despotism in the hands of an imperfect successor, an earthly despotism is not merely a bad form of government, it is the worst form that is possible."
-Mark Twain
#7
Shaina
-
- Members
-
- 3,423 posts
Resident Phlebotomist
Posted 05 January 2012 - 07:46 PM
Because I want to.
#8
LoveToLaugh
-
- Members
-
- 5,340 posts
Huh?
Posted 05 January 2012 - 07:50 PM
Because I was raised to believe that its what we are supposed to be doing. And even though things confused me at times, I don't have enough of a reason NOT to keep them.
(Some of them I just plain enjoy
)
(Some of them I just plain enjoy
)
God, grant us the...
Serenity to accept things we cannot change,
Courage to change the things we can, and the
Wisdom to know the difference
Patience for the things that take time
Appreciation for all that we have, and
Tolerance for those with different struggles
Freedom to live beyond the limitations of our past ways, the
Ability to feel your love for us and our love for each other and the
Strength to get up and try again even when we feel it is hopeless.
Serenity to accept things we cannot change,
Courage to change the things we can, and the
Wisdom to know the difference
Patience for the things that take time
Appreciation for all that we have, and
Tolerance for those with different struggles
Freedom to live beyond the limitations of our past ways, the
Ability to feel your love for us and our love for each other and the
Strength to get up and try again even when we feel it is hopeless.
#9
Savannah
-
- Members
-
- 20,505 posts
~*~ pixie smile ~*~
Posted 05 January 2012 - 07:51 PM
Is there really a good answer for this that isn't going to sound like something out of the Aish playbook?And saying "because God told me to" isn't a good enough answer. Why do you care that God told you to? Why do you believe in this god vs. any other god?
#10
spectra
-
- Members
-
- 712 posts
Gabbai
Posted 05 January 2012 - 07:57 PM
I was thinking that keeping mitzvot also brings blessings...Noah, Abraham...it is also written in the law. A "building" of trust.
#11
writer.at.heart415
-
- Members
-
- 612 posts
Gabbai
Posted 05 January 2012 - 08:37 PM
Is there really a good answer for this that isn't going to sound like something out of the Aish playbook?
I don't know. That's why I asked.
I'm also just a yenta and curious.
because G-d told me to.
That was annoying.
"I'm the Hebrew Mamita, long-lost daughter of Abraham and Sarah, the oy-vaying matzo-eating chutzpah-having non-cheaping non-conspiracizing always-questioning hip-hop listening Torah scroll-reading all-people loving pride-filled Jewish girl." - from Hebrew Mamita by Vanessa Hidary
"If patriarchy had a specific beginning in history, it can also have an end" - Maria Mies
"...I only know that people call me a feminist whenever I express sentiments that differentiate me from a doormat" - Rebecca West
"Only the woman whose neck is bent will bear the oppressor’s heel"
"Well-behaved women don't make history" - Laurel Thatcher Ullrich
"We are the women men warned us about" - Robin Morgan
"We’ve made our cholent. We need to take to the streets and protest" - Blu Greenberg
"If patriarchy had a specific beginning in history, it can also have an end" - Maria Mies
"...I only know that people call me a feminist whenever I express sentiments that differentiate me from a doormat" - Rebecca West
"Only the woman whose neck is bent will bear the oppressor’s heel"
"Well-behaved women don't make history" - Laurel Thatcher Ullrich
"We are the women men warned us about" - Robin Morgan
"We’ve made our cholent. We need to take to the streets and protest" - Blu Greenberg
#12
Snag
-
- Banned
-
- 11,108 posts
הבל יפצה פי
Posted 05 January 2012 - 08:45 PM
i apologize. (it's true, though...)That was annoying.
"Spiritual wants and instincts are as various in the human family as are physical appetites, complexions, and features, and a man is only at his best, morally, when he is equipped with the religious garment whose color and shape and size most nicely accommodate themselves to the spiritual complexion, angularities, and stature of the individual who wears it."
"The despotism of heaven is the one absolutely perfect government. An earthly despotism would be the absolutely perfect earthly government, if the conditions were the same; namely, the despot the perfectest individual of the human race, and his lease of life perpetual. But as a perishable perfect man must die, and leave his despotism in the hands of an imperfect successor, an earthly despotism is not merely a bad form of government, it is the worst form that is possible."
-Mark Twain
"The despotism of heaven is the one absolutely perfect government. An earthly despotism would be the absolutely perfect earthly government, if the conditions were the same; namely, the despot the perfectest individual of the human race, and his lease of life perpetual. But as a perishable perfect man must die, and leave his despotism in the hands of an imperfect successor, an earthly despotism is not merely a bad form of government, it is the worst form that is possible."
-Mark Twain
#13
Village
-
- Members
-
- 1,135 posts
Rebbe
Posted 05 January 2012 - 09:08 PM
1.Because my father keeps mitzvos and his father kept mitzvos and there are plenty of smarter people than me keeping mitzvos,and as time goes on i grow up and think for myself and search and understand that there is a G-d,but look around the world and see that no one else really cares about their G-d like the Jews do and learn about it and develop my Emunah in Hashem and learn more and keep mitzvos at the ned based on simple complete emunah even if i dont understand what im doing but i do know that by doing this i will live the best fulfilling life possible in this crazy freaking world.
The greatest sophistication is trying to figure out how not to be sophisticated - Rebbe Nachman
www.soundcloud.com/kabbalisticvillage - Please take a listen.
www.soundcloud.com/kabbalisticvillage - Please take a listen.
#14
happyduck1979
-
- Members
-
- 1,296 posts
Rebbe
Posted 05 January 2012 - 09:44 PM
Habit, routine and comfort.
"Don't listen to people who try to defend what God has done to you. God is a big boy. He can take care of himself. You take care of you"-unknown comforting visitor after we lost Gabbi
Empty Cradle, Empty Heart My thoughts, rants against God, and prayers after have a still birth of a very wanted little girl in February of 2011.
Why I choose to put private information in a public location
Our Aliya Blog Lots of pictures.
Yes, still another blog. This one is about quick kosher cooking and is more like my personal recipe box
Coming soon. A blog to keep track of my other blogs.
New Site. New Stuff. New Sales. Swirsky Designs
Empty Cradle, Empty Heart My thoughts, rants against God, and prayers after have a still birth of a very wanted little girl in February of 2011.
Why I choose to put private information in a public location
Our Aliya Blog Lots of pictures.
Yes, still another blog. This one is about quick kosher cooking and is more like my personal recipe box
Coming soon. A blog to keep track of my other blogs.
New Site. New Stuff. New Sales. Swirsky Designs
#15
Shemmy
-
- Members
-
- 5,361 posts
Orthodox Ethiopian Hebrew
Posted 05 January 2012 - 10:15 PM
Is there really a good answer for this that isn't going to sound like something out of the Aish playbook?
See post #3
Israelite by birth, Hebrew by adoption, Jewish by conversion
Hagebbir Shemaria Israel bar Abraham de Israel
#16
Savannah
-
- Members
-
- 20,505 posts
~*~ pixie smile ~*~
Posted 05 January 2012 - 10:29 PM
Points for originality! I guess someone who isn't an FFB is likely to have a better answer for this question.See post #3
#17
LAGoff
-
- Members
-
- 134 posts
Hocker
Posted 06 January 2012 - 06:27 AM
Depends on how you define/see "keep mitsvot".
If you return money in a wallet, you are "keeping mitsvot". If you respect your mother... if you leave a note on a car you hit..., if you don't go through a red light(a halakha actually from "law of land is [Jewish] law"), if you act kindly toward someone, etc. you "keep mitsvot".
It's impossible not to "keep mitsvot"!
BUT if you see "keep mitsvot" as that 24/7 intense thing that the bearded-Borselano and the streimeled-kitteled do, then I don't "keep mitsvot".
So you have to define/tell us what you mean by "keep mitsvot". For me it's: I do a mitsva; I don't do a mitsva... i.e., I do what I can and move on.
If you mean by "keep mitsvot" daily prayers, tefilin, blessings, kashrut(I'm vegan), tahara(I'm not married), etc.(the ritual aspects), then you have a claustrophopic view of Judaism(or a 1/10th view, if you go by the 10 Commandments, as only one of them is "ritual"[Shabbat])
If you return money in a wallet, you are "keeping mitsvot". If you respect your mother... if you leave a note on a car you hit..., if you don't go through a red light(a halakha actually from "law of land is [Jewish] law"), if you act kindly toward someone, etc. you "keep mitsvot".
It's impossible not to "keep mitsvot"!
BUT if you see "keep mitsvot" as that 24/7 intense thing that the bearded-Borselano and the streimeled-kitteled do, then I don't "keep mitsvot".
So you have to define/tell us what you mean by "keep mitsvot". For me it's: I do a mitsva; I don't do a mitsva... i.e., I do what I can and move on.
If you mean by "keep mitsvot" daily prayers, tefilin, blessings, kashrut(I'm vegan), tahara(I'm not married), etc.(the ritual aspects), then you have a claustrophopic view of Judaism(or a 1/10th view, if you go by the 10 Commandments, as only one of them is "ritual"[Shabbat])
#18
israeli4ever
-
- Members
-
- 2,502 posts
Godol Hador
Posted 06 January 2012 - 08:58 AM
How is keeping all of God given halacha a "claustrophobic view of Judaism"?Depends on how you define/see "keep mitsvot".
If you return money in a wallet, you are "keeping mitsvot". If you respect your mother... if you leave a note on a car you hit..., if you don't go through a red light(a halakha actually from "law of land is [Jewish] law"), if you act kindly toward someone, etc. you "keep mitsvot".
It's impossible not to "keep mitsvot"!
BUT if you see "keep mitsvot" as that 24/7 intense thing that the bearded-Borselano and the streimeled-kitteled do, then I don't "keep mitsvot".
So you have to define/tell us what you mean by "keep mitsvot". For me it's: I do a mitsva; I don't do a mitsva... i.e., I do what I can and move on.
If you mean by "keep mitsvot" daily prayers, tefilin, blessings, kashrut(I'm vegan), tahara(I'm not married), etc.(the ritual aspects), then you have a claustrophopic view of Judaism(or a 1/10th view, if you go by the 10 Commandments, as only one of them is "ritual"[Shabbat])
Disclaimer: The comments made by this poster do not necessarily represent an actual opinion, they are merely the latest output of an infinite amount of monkeys working on Shakespeare
________________________________
"Frumkeit without Mentchlichkeit is not Yiddishkeit!" - Razie
"If you don't sin... Jesus died for nothing."
"because teaching is all about obscuration and obfuscation.." - Snag
________________________________
"Frumkeit without Mentchlichkeit is not Yiddishkeit!" - Razie
"If you don't sin... Jesus died for nothing."
"because teaching is all about obscuration and obfuscation.." - Snag
#19
Monte Cristo
-
- Members
-
- 1,752 posts
Rebbe
Posted 06 January 2012 - 01:54 PM
A combination of habit and wanting to do so.
1) "I pray my wife has a sex addiction, because I'm more than happy to be an enabler" - Frummy frum
2) "Hanukah is about throwing spears at people who assimilate" - Rentsy
3) "Are you trying to say that consummating one's marriage is bittul Torah?" - Savannah
4) "Men are so insecure in their sexuality. If they see two men with a deep friendship -- gay. If they see a man who isn't constantly lusting after women -- gay" - Savannah
5) "Isn't a divine hora'at sha'ah an even better license to kill than whatever James Bond has?" - Rentsy
"D*mn right" - Snag
6) "Facebook is spiritual chametz, because one becomes inflated with one's sense self importance while sitting around doing nothing" - Rentsy
7) "I always thought belle was a woman........am i wrong?" - Village
8) "When searching for the common denominator for all the members of this site (marketing purposes), I discovered that all the participating members are 'black sheep' in their own cirlces. On Hashkafah.com, the mainstream is truly wacked" - Silent J
9) "oy. bible porn. that seems wrong" - Jewess
"I didn't write the script!" - Moshi
10) "I was recently involved in a discussion about the "Yeshiva Uniform", you know where jeans epitomize Satan, and God dresses like an Oreo cookie...." - Isreali4ever
2) "Hanukah is about throwing spears at people who assimilate" - Rentsy
3) "Are you trying to say that consummating one's marriage is bittul Torah?" - Savannah
4) "Men are so insecure in their sexuality. If they see two men with a deep friendship -- gay. If they see a man who isn't constantly lusting after women -- gay" - Savannah
5) "Isn't a divine hora'at sha'ah an even better license to kill than whatever James Bond has?" - Rentsy
"D*mn right" - Snag
6) "Facebook is spiritual chametz, because one becomes inflated with one's sense self importance while sitting around doing nothing" - Rentsy
7) "I always thought belle was a woman........am i wrong?" - Village
8) "When searching for the common denominator for all the members of this site (marketing purposes), I discovered that all the participating members are 'black sheep' in their own cirlces. On Hashkafah.com, the mainstream is truly wacked" - Silent J
9) "oy. bible porn. that seems wrong" - Jewess
"I didn't write the script!" - Moshi
10) "I was recently involved in a discussion about the "Yeshiva Uniform", you know where jeans epitomize Satan, and God dresses like an Oreo cookie...." - Isreali4ever
#20
Kalashnikover_Rebbe
-
- Members
-
- 26,049 posts
fine, nice looking, batampte Ben Torah
Posted 07 January 2012 - 01:23 PM
Cuz chix dig it 
[/flirting]
0 user(s) are reading this topic
0 members, 0 guests, 0 anonymous users
