Lashon Hara -- Guarding one's speech

Our mouths are an extremely important part of our bodies and are involved in most of our activities day in and day out. (In addition, a quick aside, the tongue is the most powerful muscle in the body.) Our speech is therefore something which we must use with precision. Think for a moment about the taunt we all knew as kids 'sticks and bones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me.' Is this really true? Can words not hurt?
Please ponder for a moment on this idea, and share your thoughts about the effects of your speech.

REMEMBER: Comments will be counted on Wednesday morning! A new post will be available then to further the thoughtful discussion.

HaKarat HaTov - 'Being Thankful'

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, this week we are presenting the Hebrew term for the concept of being thankful-- HaKarat HaTov.

“One who learns from his friend a single chapter, a single law, a single verse, a single expression, a single letter, should accord him respect.” --Pirkei Avot 6:3

Please share your understanding of this quote from Pirkei Avot, and give a personal example. (YES, I want you to thank someone in this 'public' forum.) I will be tallying posts for credit on Wednesday night, due to the fact of it being a short school week.

Kashrut

We are a community of learners, and learners help one another learn and succeed. Therefore, I am asking each of you to help one another with finding articles on the world wide web (a.k.a. the Internet) which will assist in writing the next paper.

The assignment, in brief is to take a position on the concept of 'keeping kosher.' As your teacher, I have provided you with a number of texts on the topic; however, I am not limiting you to these alone. I encourage you to search the web and texts for sources and opinions on the matter, and share them with your classmates. Whether or not you, personally use the source, someone else might find it useful so PLEASE SHARE.

Your contributions to this sign will be a component of your grade for this assignment.

Kibbud Av v'Eim PART DEUX

I must say that I am impressed the thought that many of expressed in your posts. I would like to encourage you to continue to think deeply about each word you write, and share meaningful ideas.

The common thought throughout the previous thread was one of respect for our parents, which I whole heartily agree with. I want to pose here a different question, simply for the sake of thought and discussion.

Do you believe there is instance when one should not obey one's parents? If so when, and if not why?

REMINDER: Please sign your post with a unique 'tag' and if I cannot decipher who it is then tell me so that you can receive full marks.

Kibbud Av v'eim - Honouring your Father and Mother

“Honor your father and your mother.” –Exodus 20:12

What does this mean to you, to them? Is this an easy commandment/mitzvah/trait or a difficult one? Please elaborate and explain as to why and how you find it easy or difficult.

Guide to being a host.

There have been a number of interesting posts made to this week's value, and I think we'll be visiting each other's homes to be made to feel extremely welcome.

The second task for the week is to go out into the World Wide Web and find a site that gives suggestions on how to be a good host. Please post a link to the site on the blog and write a sentence or two about how it helps to be a 'good host.'

Hachnasat Orchim -- Being a Good Host

"The righteous say little and do much"
-Talmud, Bava Metzia 87a

This week's quote is again from the Talmud. I have two questions which might help guide our comments and ultimately the discussion.
1. What does it mean to be a good host?
2. How does the quote relate to being host?

Please post your ideas and comments, by Wednesday morning. I will return later this week with another task for this value.

Rabbi Harvey, Nathan the Candlemaker & The Clothing Merchant

Do you think that Nathan suspected the clothing merchant to be dishonest? Elaborate not only on your post, but also on the posts of your classmates.

How did the clothing merchant's greed work against him? Do you think he got what he deserved? Why or why not?

Geneivat Da'at -- Not Stealing Someone's Mind

"One should not put the nicer and fresher beans at the top of the bushel, because he is being deceptive by making the customer think that the entire bushel is full of those nice beans."
-Talmud, Bava Metzia 60a-b