In the two stories in the middle of the page we learn Roman decrees (similar to the decrees of Rehovam ben Navat - they never miss a chance to bash him) to keep Jews from bringing bikkurim offerings to the Temple. But the Talmud proudly reports about the upright and sin-fearing people of that generation who outsmarted the decree and were able to bring their offerings in spite of it.
Though the simple way to look at this type of situation is to call these people who beat the system heroes, it makes me wonder what are the limits of protesting against the government? When do we say that we follow the laws, even if we don't agree with them, of the government and when do we rise up against them? Though there are a number of situations to apply this, here I am thinking about the dat'tim in Israel who threaten revolt over the peace gestures made by the government. When do we choose obedience to God (which is subject to interpretation to be sure) to obedience to human governments?
Oh -- and make sure you pass along the shout out to Adin on the amud as well.
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
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Another great point. This is the question, ultiamtely, of civil disobedience, and the question of the State's authority versus religious authority. Dina demalchuta dina obviously has its limits, if this story is any indication, and Jesus' famous "render unto Ceaser" also seems to me the opposite of a wholesale submission to the will of the state.
But where are the lines? How far is the leap from the heroes of this story of worship to a member of the machteret? Violence perhaps, is one line: the mode of protest and disobedience may not simply be a question of tactics, but of morals as well. Sitting a lunch counter at Woolworths (to use an example inyana de yoma) is not just a different tactic in the battle for civil rights compared to throwing a molotov cocktail at a cop: it is a different kind of protest all-together.
In that way we could argue that the rabbis highlight this story while in other places denigrating the rebellion of Bar Kochbah, (not to mention creating a God given miracle on Hanukah to take focus away from the violent victory of the Hasmoneans) to make percisely this point. Hiding your first fruits is one thing, taking up arms against the state is quite another.
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