Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
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Path: utzoo!linus!security!genrad!decvax!tektronix!reed!gil
From: gil@reed.UUCP (Moskowitz)
Newsgroups: net.religion
Subject: Kashrut and rel. obsolescence
Message-ID: <424@reed.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 6-Dec-83 21:54:48 EST
Article-I.D.: reed.424
Posted: Tue Dec  6 21:54:48 1983
Date-Received: Fri, 9-Dec-83 04:09:01 EST
Organization: Reed College, Portland OR
Lines: 23

To Andy Tannenbaum-
     Yes, Jewish Law is there to be obeyed just
as speed laws are there to be obeyed.  But there 
is a reason for the existence of those speed laws,
and there are probably reasons for the existence
of the Jewish laws.  Various discussions as to
what they are and why they exist took place in 
the fourth (?) century, in the writing down of the
Gemmarah.  If others could discuss the laws,
why cannot we?  True those men were great scholars,
but how did they become so but by questioning
and looking at all of the evidence they had.
So we must question and come up with our own
answers, to live the way we feel most comfortable
with our own beliefs, Jewish or not.  If one
is Jewish, one is expected to at least be
aware of the laws, and if one finds personal
reasons to follow them which do not have 'official
sanction,' who are we to say no?  Why does it 
matter as long as no harm is done to other people 
and one is happy with ones choice(s)?

		Gil Moskowitz