http://newvoices.org/2010/10/07/questioning-the-objectivity-of-text-interpretation/ The Jewish College Student Conversation Sun, 21 Apr 2013 23:18:43 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.5.1 http://newvoices.org/2010/10/07/questioning-the-objectivity-of-text-interpretation/#comment-6363 These and Those » Blog Archive » Bereishit – The Beginning of My Chumash Project Thu, 13 Jan 2011 01:49:49 +0000 http://blog.newvoices.org/?p=4626#comment-6363 [...] to my reading of this verse back when it came up, and so rather than re-hash it all here, I will point you to it – though feel free to leave comments [...]

]]> http://newvoices.org/2010/10/07/questioning-the-objectivity-of-text-interpretation/#comment-6362 Bereishit – The Beginning of My Chumash Project « WhatIBelieveIn Thu, 13 Jan 2011 01:26:59 +0000 http://blog.newvoices.org/?p=4626#comment-6362 [...] to my reading of this verse back when it came up, and so rather than re-hash it all here, I will point you to it – though feel free to leave comments [...]

]]> http://newvoices.org/2010/10/07/questioning-the-objectivity-of-text-interpretation/#comment-6361 Aaron Laye Thu, 07 Oct 2010 17:50:39 +0000 http://blog.newvoices.org/?p=4626#comment-6361 hi Ben,
I’d like to respond to a couple points you brought up. Firstly, you point out that the Torah states, “… fill the earth and subdue it…’” which, you imply, was applicable to humanity, and Jews in particular, many many years ago, but have “far surpassed” that “commandment”. However, I think, that it is very difficult for us to really know what “fill the earth” really means – there are over 6 billion people in this world, but maybe the commandment really meant 7 billion? Or to fill to capacity until it’s unhealthy? To me, either the law is left unto personal interpretation OR it is simply “missing” the “until (when)”.
Furthermore, you state that “Jews were encouraged to do this [procreate] for fear of extinction due to all sorts of horrors that befell Jews as a people. Both of those considerations, for the most part, are no longer applicable (or at least as applicable as they once were).” However, for some ethnic groups, Jews in particular ARE in a sort of “danger”. NOT danger of persecution but danger in terms of identity (dwindling). It is not clear now, but with the same trend, in my assimilationist (Vs. transformationist) perspective eventually Jews DO face a possible extinction or at least a more “melting pot” future.
Therefore, it seems to me, humanity, nor Jews should refrain from having more children, rather it should be left unto perosnal choice and moral judgement (should I have children – am I capable of taking proper care?, etc.).

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