[Avodah] Shelo Asani Ishah

[Esther and Aryeh Frimer]

From: Yosef Gavriel Bechhofer 
Sent: Thursday, August 25, 2011 12:09 AM
> I don't feel a necessity to deal with RRM, as kevodo b'mekomo munach,
> he is practically contemporary.

> As for the Maharsha, you did not quote him in context. He is not coming
> to explain the mindset with which the brachah should be made, but why
> it is not necessary, once one has said Shelo asani Ishah, to also say
> Shelo asani Boor.

Dear RYGB,

I guess we'll just have to agree to disagree. The "Hayav" of Rabbi
Meir is Hayyav. I believe we are obligated to learn Pshat in the Bavli,
Yerushalmi and Tosefta that is not motsi La'az on Hazal. The explanation
of Maharsha and Rav Reuven Margaliyot Ring true to me - and hence that
is the one I will continue to champion. Kabel et haEmet mimi she-amaro.

    Yiyasher Kochaha
            Aryeh

[Email #2. -micha]

In continuation of my ongoing discussion with RYGB re' Shelo Asani Isha,
RYGB has maintained that the Berakha is a reshut. I have maintained that
the language of Rabbi Meir is "Hayyav", hence the berakha is obligatory.
I've just noted that both the Tur and Shulhan Aukh use the language
"Tsarikh" (needs to). Most Rishonim merely quote the Gemara as is, but
the Meiri, Berakhot 60b, s.v. Berakhot, does not - yet he too uses the
word Hayyav.

Regarding My comments to Chana Luntz Sasoon that an eved is considered
much lower than a woman because he is not only patur from MASh"G,
but lacks kedushat Yirael and cannot marry a Jewess - Kivanti le-da'at
haAbudarham, Birkhot haShahar. He adds that an Eved also lack Zekhut
Avot and lack ne'emanut

 --------------------------------
Dr. Aryeh A. Frimer
Chemistry Dept., Bar-Ilan University
E-mail (office): Aryeh.Frimer at biu.ac.il or FrimeA at biu.ac.il
E-mail (home): FrimerA at zahav.net.il