[Avodah] Asara B'Tevet

[Zev Sero via Avodah]

On 12/29/2015 03:02 PM, Micha Berger wrote:
> : he repeated it for the same reason that we all do, almost every time
> : the topic of Asara Betevet comes up; it's a startling idea, and also
> : gives the fast a bit more importance, perhaps to make up for its
> : short duration in the northern hemisphere.
>
> Actually, it is repeated on-list annually because baalei agadah use the
> idea so frequently someone heard a new variant. It is your opinion that
> they are all off-base because the Avudraham's position isn't even worth
> such consideration. I really would prefer to understand things in a way
> that justifies the Chasam Sofer's or R' Yonasan Eibshitz's spending time
> on the notion.
>
> Apparently they take the "the fact it's even a shitah tells us something"
> approach to this machloqes. Which would not be consistent with the just
> for fun attitude you've been advocating.

No, that's the exact opposite of what I've been saying.  My point is
precisely that it's *agadah*, and the BY brings it for its aggadic
value, not because it's a serious shita in halacha.  And perhaps that
even the Avudraham didn't really mean it as a serious shita in halacha,
but only proposed it because he knew it was impossible, and made an
interesting point with aggadic implications.


-- 
Zev Sero               All around myself I will wave the green willow
zev at sero.name          The myrtle and the palm and the citron for a week
                And if anyone should ask me the reason why I'm doing that
                I'll say "It's a Jewish thing; if you have a few minutes
                I'll explain it to you".