Letter: Rules which play tricks on God
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Sir: The Jewish religion forbids travel on the Sabbath, with one or two exceptions (Faith and Reason, 31 May).
One exception is travelling over water, because sailors in Biblical times may not have known exactly when the Sabbath began or ended, nor would it have been easy to stop travelling while at sea. Nowadays, some pious Jews sit on a water-filled cushion in their cars so as to allow them to drive on the Sabbath, and God is tricked.
The eruv debate is on the same level. Make a set of arbitrary rules. Tell everybody that God made them. Then fiddle your way round them. It has no more to do with religion than Scrabble or football.
Concepts such as monotheism, compassion, intellectual freedom, love of your neighbour (no restrictions on whether he is Arab, Buddhist or Christian), and "do-unto-others", which were developed by Judaism and the religions which followed, are all submerged by the antics of these arrogant beetle- browed trickers of God, who know all the answers, but none of the questions.
FABIAN ACKER
London SE22
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments