Lessons from yeshiva - the chicken or the egg
Trip Start
Nov 13, 2006
1
37
80
Trip End
Oct 21, 2008
Jerusalem,
Israel
Thursday, February 7, 2008
The philisophy: We live in a finite universe and so outside that must be an infinite first cause that exists outside of time. the universe is a matrix where the limits of physicality hide the infinite nature of reality.
Me: A point of will being tugged at between my soul and my body
Why create a universe: So I can have the pleasure of choosing a relationship with something infinite
The Language: There is no word for 'have' (things dont really belong to us ), or coincidence (obvious reasons), the word for world 'olam' means withdrawal (of the infinite to something finite), 'Adam' contains the words for earth and blood. By manipulating the letters in hebrew words you can come up with all sorts of clever inferences and mystic numbers appear in all sorts of clever ways. Hebrew is the language of creation. (we'll ignore phenecian)
The Evidence: Divine revelation to 300,000 people at mount Sinai cant be faked.
Broken down none of it really stands up to scrutiny; the word 'infinite' is banded about but how can something boundless have a will? What really is a soul? Many of the rabbis will simply brush past flaws in their logic. After all they are preaching absolute truth so they cant be wrong. Whats more it messes with your head. When your studying deep concepts all day it probably detaches you from reality and when I went to Tel Aviv the other day it seemed somehow unholy.
However Yeshiva has a lot to offer that we have missed in secular education. Through learning Torah, you learn about the 'soul', you learn about yourself, you learn how to develop. Students progressing together form strong bonds, and I expect that many remain lifelong friends.
Last week it snowed in Jerusalem. A few of us walked from the old ciy up Jaffa road. My feet got soaked and I dont rmemebr a time when they were colder. This week the weather has suddenly improved and equally suddenly the jewish quarter of the old city has come to life; groups of tourists, crepe stands, and busy cafes. this weekend I will stay here for shabbat. Everyone has told me its an amazing experience. As for my plans, I'll stay another week.
