Comments on: Answering Questions http://www.beyondbt.com/2009/02/16/answering-questions/ Baalei Teshuva / Baalei Teshuvah and Other Growth Oriented Jews Fri, 30 Jul 2010 01:49:02 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 By: Bob Miller http://www.beyondbt.com/2009/02/16/answering-questions/comment-page-1/#comment-316873 Bob Miller Tue, 17 Feb 2009 17:02:13 +0000 http://www.beyondbt.com/?p=1174#comment-316873 Nathan, Your best option may also be to avoid a fight. Nathan,

Your best option may also be to avoid a fight.

]]> By: Nathan http://www.beyondbt.com/2009/02/16/answering-questions/comment-page-1/#comment-316819 Nathan Tue, 17 Feb 2009 01:27:19 +0000 http://www.beyondbt.com/?p=1174#comment-316819 The Oral Law is one of our most important concepts, yet it is one of the most difficult to explain corrrectly. Sincere questions from the not yet observant often concern hashkafah topics that are not emphasized in most of our schools. Referring the not yet observant to Torah web sites like: www.aish.com, www.njop.org, www.ohr.edu and www.torah.org may be your best option when: [1] You do not have the knowledge, time or patience to answer correctly. [2] You want to avoid a fight. The Oral Law is one of our most important concepts, yet it is one of the most difficult to explain corrrectly.

Sincere questions from the not yet observant often concern hashkafah topics that are not emphasized in most of our schools.

Referring the not yet observant to Torah web sites like: http://www.aish.com, http://www.njop.org, http://www.ohr.edu and http://www.torah.org may be your best option when:

[1] You do not have the knowledge, time or patience to answer correctly.

[2] You want to avoid a fight.

]]> By: Charnie http://www.beyondbt.com/2009/02/16/answering-questions/comment-page-1/#comment-316809 Charnie Mon, 16 Feb 2009 23:33:07 +0000 http://www.beyondbt.com/?p=1174#comment-316809 As part of Project Inspire, Rabbi Orlofsky covered how to answer questions in kiruv: http://www.torahanytime.com/scripts/media.php?file=media/Rabbi/David_Orlofsky/2008-05-27/Uniting_the_Jewish_People/Rabbi__David_Orlofsky__Uniting_the_Jewish_People__2008-05-27.mp3 As part of Project Inspire, Rabbi Orlofsky covered how to answer questions in kiruv: http://www.torahanytime.com/scripts/media.php?file=media/Rabbi/David_Orlofsky/2008-05-27/Uniting_the_Jewish_People/Rabbi__David_Orlofsky__Uniting_the_Jewish_People__2008-05-27.mp3

]]> By: Gary http://www.beyondbt.com/2009/02/16/answering-questions/comment-page-1/#comment-316764 Gary Mon, 16 Feb 2009 15:58:46 +0000 http://www.beyondbt.com/?p=1174#comment-316764 We should be aware of the statement disguised as a question. For example, if someone asks "doesn't Orthodox Judaism treat women as second class citizens?" you are probably encountering a strongly held opinion rather than an inquiry. I think it's good in some cases to give a partial answer. For example, if a non-observant person asks about Sabbath observance, we can explain the special rituals, meals and services, along with the caveat that full observance includes a number of restrictions that can be discussed at another time. After all, many of us made our transitions and commitments gradually, and I think we can provide others with the same opportunity. We should be aware of the statement disguised as a question. For example, if someone asks “doesn’t Orthodox Judaism treat women as second class citizens?” you are probably encountering a strongly held opinion rather than an inquiry.

I think it’s good in some cases to give a partial answer. For example, if a non-observant person asks about Sabbath observance, we can explain the special rituals, meals and services, along with the caveat that full observance includes a number of restrictions that can be discussed at another time. After all, many of us made our transitions and commitments gradually, and I think we can provide others with the same opportunity.

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