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I am a little surprised that an English-and-Hebrew phrase would be created by people who commonly used Yiddish. My limited experience has been hearing the phrase from orthodox Jews who spoke English perfectly well. Obviously, your experience has been different. Too bad I couldn't follow the link; did the author indicate where he thought the phrase originated?
Here is something on the origin
"Off the derech (OTD), from the Hebrew word derech (meaning "path"), is an expression Orthodox Jews use to describe someone who intentionally stops practicing the tenets of his or her branch of orthodoxy. The phrase was first used by the medieval sage Rashi to describe the actions of the rebellious son of Deuteronomy."
I am a little surprised that an English-and-Hebrew phrase would be created by people who commonly used Yiddish. My limited experience has been hearing the phrase from orthodox Jews who spoke English perfectly well. Obviously, your experience has been different. Too bad I couldn't follow the link; did the author indicate where he thought the phrase originated?
"Off the derech (OTD), from the Hebrew word derech (meaning "path"), is an expression Orthodox Jews use to describe someone who intentionally stops practicing the tenets of his or her branch of orthodoxy. The phrase was first used by the medieval sage Rashi to describe the actions of the rebellious son of Deuteronomy."
Can someone explain for readers of the board what OTD "off the derech" means, give a definition or meaning for that term? That would be helpful for clarity.
Thank you. This reader did a Google search on the term.
Care to try again as OTD is an derogatory American created term.
I agree it is a derogatory term. For that reason I would never call anyone that. I am mystified why anyone would use a derogatory term such as this to describe themself. Why do you use a derogatory term to describe yourself?
I agree it is a derogatory term. For that reason I would never call anyone that. I am mystified why anyone would use a derogatory term such as this to describe themself. Why do you use a derogatory term to describe yourself?
I'm not offended by mere words, thus I don't care. Why are you offended when people bring up your former non-Jewish religion?
Reminding a convert of the status as a convert seems to go against the Rambam's statement (Hilchot Mechira, Chapter 14, halacha 13) which is derived from the talmud, Bava Metzia 58b: "One may not say to a convert's son 'remember your ancestors' deeds!' One may not say to a convert who wants to learn 'your mouth ate forbidden foods. Will it learn Torah, which was given from Hash-m?!'."
And if we know that the reminder embarrasses the person (whether or not we think it SHOULD), then the decision to mention it which will cause embarrassment is forbidden lower down on 58b.
Reminding a convert of the status as a convert seems to go against the Rambam's statement (Hilchot Mechira, Chapter 14, halacha 13) which is derived from the talmud, Bava Metzia 58b: "One may not say to a convert's son 'remember your ancestors' deeds!' One may not say to a convert who wants to learn 'your mouth ate forbidden foods. Will it learn Torah, which was given from Hash-m?!'."
And if we know that the reminder embarrasses the person (whether or not we think it SHOULD), then the decision to mention it which will cause embarrassment is forbidden lower down on 58b.
Then why is okay for them, and you, to constantly remind me that I'm no longer Orthodox by the use of snarky comments?
Every Jew is precious Pruz. We are as precious to Hashem as gold coins are to a miser, as diamonds are to a rich man who never gets tired of gazing upon them each and every one.
When you seek to insult me, first I say gamzu l'tova this too is good. thank you Hashem for the mitzvah of remaining silent in the face of insult. And then I say thank you Hashem for the reminder to find good in every Jew and I note how learned Pruz is, how extensive his Torah learning is and what a strong person he is on the CD forum in speaking out for Judaism in the many threads where anti semitism is expressed. His words of peace in many posts are inspiring to me and his knowledge of history in the area of the Holy Land is detailed and he expresses himself in an articulate way.
Then I say thank you Hashem for reminding me to do tshuva in the places where my soul is tarnished and needs polishing. And thank you Hashem for this insult in place of something larger and more drastic which I am surely deserving of and was headed my way but which you Hashem in your kindness and mercy and compassion reduced to this minor bit instead.
And I say thank you Pruz for saying kind things about tff yes he is an inspiration to us also may his light shine. And thank you for reminding me to stay focused on Judaism and that time on CD can be a distraction and to be mindful to put Torah first, that is valuable and you are spot on so thank you for pointing me in the right direction.
And thank you also for our resident Rabbi for providing halachah in this area we all learn from that so thank you for this Torah learning.
Last edited by Tzaphkiel; 04-09-2017 at 08:14 PM..
Then why is okay for them, and you, to constantly remind me that I'm no longer Orthodox by the use of snarky comments?
1. I never said it was OK for anyone to remind anyone of anything.
2. Please show me where I actually did this. Hint -- you won't find it.
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