I told my mom about the eruv thing, and she was floored. Same goes for "shuckling" at the Western Wall (as well as what the Wall actuallly is).
As for the rules, it still goes back to the Bible. Those rules were punishments by God to make them crazy.
Ezekiel 20:25..."Therefore aI gave them statutes that were not good, and ordinances through which they could not live."
The next verse is rather instructive too..."I let them become defiled by their gifts, by their immolation of every first-born, so as to make them an object of horror."
I cannot help but think of MANY famous people who've had younger siblings die in strange circumstances. Anderson Cooper's brother immediately jumps to mind. And of course Molech.
verse 31 sums things up pretty well..."By offering your gifts, by making your children pass through fire, you defile yourselves with all your idols even to this day. Shall I let myself be consulted by you, house of Israel? As I live! says the Lord God: I will not let myself be consulted by you."
I told my mom about the eruv thing, and she was floored. Same goes for "shuckling" at the Western Wall (as well as what the Wall actuallly is).
As for the rules, it still goes back to the Bible. Those rules were punishments by God to make them crazy.
Ezekiel 20:25..."Therefore aI gave them statutes that were not good, and ordinances through which they could not live."
The next verse is rather instructive too..."I let them become defiled by their gifts, by their immolation of every first-born, so as to make them an object of horror."
I cannot help but think of MANY famous people who've had younger siblings die in strange circumstances. Anderson Cooper's brother immediately jumps to mind. And of course Molech.
verse 31 sums things up pretty well..."By offering your gifts, by making your children pass through fire, you defile yourselves with all your idols even to this day. Shall I let myself be consulted by you, house of Israel? As I live! says the Lord God: I will not let myself be consulted by you."