Comments on: Bike rental controversy reawakens issues of religion and government in Israel

By: Matt Chalmers

Matt Chalmers — Fri, 16 Nov 2012 09:33:00 +0000

Very well said. I'm a late bloomer.

By: Alain Mordezki

Alain Mordezki — Sat, 22 Sep 2012 00:24:34 +0000

For me as an Israeli who made aliyah 7 years ago, I came to understand that making Yom Kippur a "biking day" does not oppose the sacredness of the day but rather enriches it with a new meaning: we, the modern time jews in Israel who came to the land to destroy it with highways and millions of cars, let for one day reconsider leaving the public space for our children to run freely as it once was. This day we contribute to silence, to meeting one another face to face, and to consider if a better future is possible learning from mistakes of the past…isn't that Yom Kippur or I misunderstood?

By: Shimmy Rosenblum

Shimmy Rosenblum — Tue, 11 Sep 2012 08:20:35 +0000

All good points on both side however Rav Dov I must point out that it is impossible for a bycicle to be forbidden on Shabbat. The Rabbis of the Talmud had full power to say You may not ride a horse on Shabbat lest you break a branch while whipping him. You may not swim lest you build a raft etc. etc. However since the close of the Talmud no Rabbi has the right to make a gezirah (unless of course the Sanhedrin has regrouped, I dont allways keep up to date on news headlines but as far as I know that has not happened). Riding a bycicle on Shabbat at the very worst not Shabbosdik or inapropriate making it either a personal decision not to do or since ones own Rabbi has told him not to he should follow his Rav and in this case he is ignorng the words of his Rav (if his Rav doesnt allow it) but not violating Shabbos. I think a better way to address this is that the current Rabbi's in leadership positions shoud phrase things properly.

By: Greg Smith

Greg Smith — Tue, 11 Sep 2012 00:02:47 +0000

Dov… as far as you can see.

By: Dov Blair Epstein

Dov Blair Epstein — Mon, 10 Sep 2012 23:58:10 +0000

There is no such thing as the Psalmist.

By: Greg Smith

Greg Smith — Mon, 10 Sep 2012 23:18:09 +0000

Dov Blair Epstein empty to you because you can't see! Yep, my summer vacation pics! Legs so white they could blind the unsuspecting! (that's a joke, of course… though you're so smart you probably already knew that!) The Psalmist? Go ask your sages…

By: Dov Blair Epstein

Dov Blair Epstein — Mon, 10 Sep 2012 23:09:33 +0000

yes, like the empty FB profile…hiding something?And who is the Psalmist?

By: Greg Smith

Greg Smith — Mon, 10 Sep 2012 23:05:25 +0000

Save for the difference between empty and restricted… and a couple more things we've already gone into but you're too proud to acknowledge…

By: Dov Blair Epstein

Dov Blair Epstein — Mon, 10 Sep 2012 23:00:45 +0000

I'm a born jew, my knowledge is far beyond anything you'll ever acquire. You're not a member of the 'club', you understand nothing.

By: Greg Smith

Greg Smith — Mon, 10 Sep 2012 22:57:30 +0000

Dov Blair Epstein "As for your angry epithet, it was expected from someone with no knowledge, who tries to create an argument with no support save opinion, and hearsay." By that criteria you should be swearing up a storm!

By: Dov Blair Epstein

Dov Blair Epstein — Mon, 10 Sep 2012 22:42:23 +0000

the article began "Residents of Tel Aviv have demanded the right to make use of the city’s bicycle rental service, Tel-O-Fun…" it's an official city institution, yes. As for your angry epithet, it was expected from someone with no knowledge, who tries to create an argument with no support save opinion, and hearsay. My Elul is safe from you, but I'm afraid yours was just downgraded.

By: Marc Goldberg

Marc Goldberg — Mon, 10 Sep 2012 22:17:39 +0000

Not really the whole city doesn't get to have bikes any more because some people aren't interested in religion…thanks a lot i'm sure now they'll repent and start studying Torah.

By: Amy Pesner Morris

Amy Pesner Morris — Mon, 10 Sep 2012 22:11:56 +0000

No in cases of life and death ER responders operate.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Mon, 10 Sep 2012 22:11:07 +0000

I too am against religious coercion but Lipman confuses being against a gov't funded Yom Kippur bike race with forcing pple to be in shul on Yom Kippur. A very, very bad comparison.

By: Jeff Eyges

Jeff Eyges — Mon, 10 Sep 2012 21:46:40 +0000

Right.

F*ck you, Rabbi. Take that into Elul with you.