People have become so sophisticated that they no longer believe in or understand anything anymore. Basic words, such as "friend", "enemy", "land" and "life" become totally incomprehensible
I agree 100%. That is one reason I love my "uneducated, uncultured, lower middle class" husband born of a Jewish womb so much. He is spontaneous, witty, about as unsophisticated and child-like as a person can get. And he makes a decent living too. And brings much joy to those around him. Incredibly unpretentious. I am one of the most blessed women on the face of the earth, throughout history....
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The overall point presented here is extremely well taken. In a humble attempt to embellish upon it, allow me to introduce the logically and linguistically "catchy" alternative to such sophistication, that of "emulating the simpleton". Although, by "modern standards", one should be very much ashamed of labelling oneself in such a manner, I choose to openly declare it here and now! I AM A SIMPLETON AND I AM PROUD OF IT TOO! The yearning to call oneself sophisticated, has all of the features and trappings of a serious disease/mental disorder/derangement. It is unG-dly, profane and hubristic. To act to undo the effects of one's carrying the attitude of an ever increasing "need" for more sophistication is an antidote to this, otherwise known as Tikkun Olam!!
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! The splendor of TRUTH ! It rings out, peals like a bell in the quiet night. Bold, sonorous.
Brothers and Sisters--we need to get back to the basics. Love/hate, warmth/cold, before we wrap ourselves in the shroud of death called "sophistication."
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Sophistication in people may lead to negative consequences, but sophistication in other forms is a blessing to have. Indeed a person who behaves in a sophisticated manner is not to be respected. A pompous or arrogant individual isn't a good role for others to copy. Technology may have made life and people appear superficial, for instance my sister & her friend text on their cell phones 24/7 using code language, it makes them seem like they don't have time to interact with those around them. I know of other machinations that aid in the knowledge and health of others, these things are sophisticated yet prove beneficial to society. My grandpa teaches at the PCOM medical school in Philadelphia, he's told me they have a robot of a pregnant female, it serves as a study tool for students and prepares them for their future professions as surgeons. The Torah is sophisticated by nature, it's parables (Sodom, Job) can be interpreted many ways. Sophistication good sometimes.
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I liked your article.
But here is a simple, unsophisticated reaction to one thing: Maimonides may have been a very wise and great man, and so on.
But how does he go off deciding who lives and who dies, may it be in this life or next?? Isn't this a little too much for a human being to decide?? No matter how wise, he is a human being, mortal just as the rest of us. He is not God! Why not let God decide who lives and who dies?
I guess this just makes me a bit annoyed in a straightforward unsophisticated kind of way :)
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