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<DIV><FONT style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" color=#000000 size=2
face=Arial>From: Micha Berger <micha@aishdas.org><BR><BR>>>For that,
I would point to the Torah's language coined by someone<BR>whose congregation
really was comprised of honotheists -- Malkitzedeq<BR>(Bereishis 14:19, and used
by Avraham in v. 22). "Keil elyon" is at<BR>worst a statement that the RBSO is
quantitatively superior; but it's<BR>still an objective superiority, not a
henotheist's subjective choice<BR>of god to be loyal to. But more telling is
when he calls G-d the "Qonei<BR>shamayim va'aretz", since that places Him
qualitatively apart from the<BR>other forces people might choose to
worship.<BR><BR>Interestingly, this language found its way into Birkhas Avos. We
still<BR>have "Keil Elyon", but only a paraphrased "Qonei hakol". However,
in<BR>Nusach EY and preserved in the mei'ein Tefillah of Shabbos Maariv
the<BR>phrase is "Keil elyon". We call it Birkhas Avos, and yet make a
point<BR>of calling the Borei in pre-avos language.<<<BR><BR><BR>--
<BR>Micha
Berger <BR>micha@aishdas.org
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<DIV>>>>>></DIV>
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<DIV>The point you're making is not absolutely clear. I hope you're not
saying that a trace of "henotheism" found its way into the Shmoneh Esrei.
I hope you are saying that G-d is above all powers and forces in the
world. (Not, "He is above all the other gods.")</DIV>
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<DIV><B><BR><FONT color=#0000ff>--Toby Katz</FONT><FONT lang=0 color=#ffffff
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