[Avodah] cave or desert island

[T613K at aol.com]

Avraham Avinu is the paradigm of how Jews are supposed to be -- somewhat  
isolated from society and somewhat engaged with society.  He avoided living  in a 
city altogether -- certainly he wouldn't have considered living in Sodom  but 
he didn't live in /any/ urban area, didn't even live in a house.  He  created 
his own society in a rural area, his compound of tents, family,  employees.  
OTOH he and Sarah were constantly engaged in outreach and  hachnasas orchim -- 
attempting to influence other people for good.  They  were extremely sociable 
people, benefiting other people both materially and  spiritually.  
Significantly, they interacted with others mainly on their  own turf and on their own 
terms.  This balance of isolation and engagement  is the ideal.
 


--Toby Katz
=============
Romney -- good  values, good family, good hair
Best hope against  Hillary



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