http://text.rcarabbis.org/purim-and-the-challenge-of-human-sexuality-by-gidon-rothstein/ Tradition's Blog of Orthodox Jewish Thought Tue, 07 Feb 2012 20:29:58 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9 hourly 1 http://text.rcarabbis.org/purim-and-the-challenge-of-human-sexuality-by-gidon-rothstein/comment-page-1/#comment-610 Abe Weschler Thu, 04 Mar 2010 07:20:01 +0000 http://text.rcarabbis.org/?p=774#comment-610 Shalom! While the Gemara's derashot and aggadot are fascinating, I believe that they always try to make a point within the realm of halakhah, philosophy, ethics, etiquette, or some other practical application in deed or thought. And even though historical points are discussed, what is interesting for the Gemara is the attitude that we take to history rather than the actual facts or details. Thus, as can be seen from many of the Rishonim in their comments to numerous Aggadot, many of them (if not all of them) cannot be used to study the history which they are discussing from a historical perspective (this is a very general claim of course). In regards to your insightful article, while the Gemara discusses the possibility of Mordokhai and Ester having been married, I would not think we could take that as an historical given as you seem to do in the opening of your closing paragraph. Just a thought. Shalom!
While the Gemara’s derashot and aggadot are fascinating, I believe that they always try to make a point within the realm of halakhah, philosophy, ethics, etiquette, or some other practical application in deed or thought. And even though historical points are discussed, what is interesting for the Gemara is the attitude that we take to history rather than the actual facts or details. Thus, as can be seen from many of the Rishonim in their comments to numerous Aggadot, many of them (if not all of them) cannot be used to study the history which they are discussing from a historical perspective (this is a very general claim of course). In regards to your insightful article, while the Gemara discusses the possibility of Mordokhai and Ester having been married, I would not think we could take that as an historical given as you seem to do in the opening of your closing paragraph.
Just a thought.

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