[Avodah] 12 steps

[Micha Berger]

On Tue, October 10, 2006 11:31 am, RAM <kennethgmiller at juno.com> wrote:
: In the case at hand (alcoholism) the individual may feel that this
: temporary measure might be needed for only a century or two...

The problem need not be as immediately life threatening as alcoholism or
narcotics. Most O Jews in a 12 Step program are in Overeaters Anonymous.

A local rav and psychologist has a tape on the subject, which I didn't yet
have a chance to hear. One prelude I was given, though, WRT my original
question. If we are not supposed to "let go and let G-d" run our lives for us,
what do we mean by "vekhof es yitzreinu lehishtabed Lakh"? He holds that the
only hashkafic problem with 12 Step programs is the belief that they're only
for addicts. More once I get ahold of the tape. (With thanks to RZL for
pointing me to said rav.)

BTW, RSS defines "ritzreinu" to be the yeitzer hatov (we wouldn't use the
posessive for the yh"r), which if not in proper shibud can lead one to
fanaticism and doing some horrible things.

Tir'u beTov!
-mi

-- 
Micha Berger             One who kills his inclination is as though he
micha at aishdas.org        brought an offering. But to bring an offering,
http://www.aishdas.org   you must know where to slaughter and what
Fax: (270) 514-1507      parts to offer.        - R' Simcha Zissel Ziv