Interesting Posts and Articles #203

1. At Daat Torah, explaining the position of the Meshaneh Halachos on child abuse. And though I don't typically link here, see Failed Messiah for an expansion of this view. The mustering of sources in this way to make those who report into moserim and rodefim and so on seems like a perversion of Judaism, and reminds me of the midrash of the laws of Sodom.
   
   
2. At Rationalist Judaism, three more posts in his review / critique of Rabbi Reuven Schmeltzer's Chaim BeEmunasam.
   
   In part five, he discusses how the sefer copes with Rambam denying demons. After all, if every word of Chazal is true, and they talk about demons, how could the Rambam deny the reality of demons? The two answers offered, based on sources, are apologetics that the Rambam did not really deny the existence of demons, and that Rambam did do this but was wrong, led astray by philosophy. But if the point of the book is that there is only one acceptable masorah about statements of Chazal being all true, then the Rambam himself is a bar plugta with those who condemn him; and furthermore, there are several, who remain unmentioned -- in this book purporting to be comprehensive -- who read the Rambam in a straighforward manner and some of whom even agree with him.
   
   In part six, he considers how the book treats Moreh Nevuchim, as either outreach but not seriously intended; with a hidden kabbalistic meaning; or invalid because it was before Kabbalah was revealed. These, though, are not the only positions on the Moreh. It is selective quoting on the part of the book.
   
   In part seven, he considers how the book treats the issue of Rabbi Avraham, son of the Rambam, who explicitly says we need not defend Chazal's knowledge of science. It is relegated to a footnote, together with a claim that it is a forgery, and that it is not in our masorah, possibly conflating the two statements. And then Rabbi Slifkin responds.
   
3. At Vos Iz Neias, a Jerusalem court decides there is enough evidence to think it possible that the mother accused of Munchhausen by Proxy poses a danger to her other children. Watch the comment section for the reactions.
   
   
4. Life in Israel about how Rav Chaim Kanievsky served in the IDF.
   
   
5. At the OU, Rabbi Dr. Zivitovsky discusses the idea that the kohen gadol wore a golden rope, so that they could pull him out if he died. He notes this only occurs in Zohar but not in the Talmud; that there are halachic issues with the kohen wearing this extra beged, especially one of gold; and that there are contrary stories in the gemara which indicate the lack of such a gold rope.
   
   Though he does not note this, that the Zohar is a much later source is also important. If it is a late 13th century forgery, falsely attributed to a Tanna, then we should lend it no credence where it is contrary to halacha and history as related in the gemara.
   
   
6. The Loch Ness monster spotted on Google Earth... or, not.
   
   
7. Hirhurim cites an interesting segment of a book review, in order to spark a discussion, about wearing Tzitzit out. I am reminded of Rabbi Gorelick's famous retort.
   
   
8. Rabbi Avi Billet discusses shiluach hakan in the Jewish Star. Though I don't agree with the assumptions that lead to his questions. It is only if you need the eggs or baby birds -- to eat -- that the instructions are given, perhaps to mitigate the cruelty involved. Putting them back might fulfill the mitzvah, but this is cruelty in and of itself, not to mention just silliness. Of course, there are kabbalistic reasons that some have proposed.
   
   
9. Emes veEmunah comments on the awful comic which appears to have been published by the Edah Chareidis (they give an email address), which compares Hadassah hospital to Nazis who kill chareidim and let chilonim live.
   
   
10. My roundup of parshablog posts on the parsha.