3/10/2005

Jewish Evangelism Revisited

To qualify the post on the Yehei Shmei Rabbah of 20,000:
After looking into the applications of 'b'rov am' and thinking about this issue further, I can refine the critique.

Had a big deal been made about the fact that 20.000 people were in a gigantic room, and while everyone was davening shmoneh esrei you could hear a pin drop, then I would have been really impressed and inspired.

Interestingly, MB applies 'rov am' to tefilla be-tzibbur (i.e., davening 18 together) but not to 'dvarim she-bikedusha' (kaddish, kedushah, barchu) which makes it entirely consistent w/ the mishna in Brachot. Acamo"l.

And, behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and broke in pieces the rocks before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake; but the LORD was not in the earthquake and after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice.

I Kings 19:11-12

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