Rabbi Meza

[Zardoz]

A very interesting video, as are all of his lectures.

While I am not always in agreement with his positions, it's valuable food for thought.

Review, and perhaps link one you wish my opinion on.

Shalom

 

[Eliab ben Benjamin]

Meshuggah !

 

[Zardoz]

Shalom, IDK you were MJ?!

Exactly what is 'meshuggah'?

 

[Eliab ben Benjamin]

No Rav Zardos, i am not MJ .... .... but OJ ...

well perhaps the whole messianic concept within the lecture ...
the very idea that our lives are lived for some reward in the afterlife ..
whilst my own perception is that Mitzvah (law) and Torah are to teach us
how to live correctly in this life ... duty rather than some sort of banking
for future reward .. all of it somewhat meshuggah (crazy) and far removed
from Judaism ,,,

Sh'ma Yis'ra'eil Adonai Eloheinu Adonai echad.

 

[Zardoz]

So, it seems you feel (like me) that we agree with Rav Meza (I'm not a Rav, btw, I just am a student of a Tsaddik)

 

[Sariel]

Ah yes I totally agree. One example I always to bring up is that King Cyrus (probably a zorastrian) was blessed by god and called His mashiach and Job was called totally righteous, neither of which were Jews. To me, this shows God as far more concerned with our behavior than specific creeds or dogmas.

Edit: I watched some of Meza's other vids, not really a fan of his whole: gentiles MUST take on more mitzvot if they want a decent share in Olam haBa theology. He's drawing from a lot of xenophobic opinions from the middle ages that even most Orthodox Jews don't take seriously anymore. That's a very dangerous position to take for both sides.

 

[Zardoz]

I dislike both the 'full conversion or why bother' approach OR the '7 Laws are all that's needed' approach.

I advocate the status of Ger Toshav as a path that is worthy for both the Ger and Jewish people. (an unpopular opinion to be sure)

Ger toshav - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[Zardoz]

...

Edit: I watched some of Meza's other vids, not really a fan of his whole: gentiles MUST take on more mitzvot if they want a decent share in Olam haBa theology. He's drawing from a lot of xenophobic opinions from the middle ages that even most Orthodox Jews don't take seriously anymore. That's a very dangerous position to take for both sides.

True, there's many positions he holds that I don't agree with. Still, I've personally met enough Rabbis who hold to those 'xenophobic opinions' that a voice to the contrary is a welcome change. Even then, he softens the critique a bit, but as someone who's involved in Outreach and therefore hears the horror stories of sad and perplexed converts, he does not go far enough in condemnation of those who violate the actual Torah command about harming the Ger.