On 9/8/2010 12:33 AM, Nick Cramer wrote:
> Orlando Enrique > wrote:
>> Ellen > wrote:
>>> What I am thinking to try next is to come up with a recipe that will
>>> still count as bread for the purposes discussed in the thread about
>>> eating bread on the sabbath, but have the same BG effect as the low-carb
>>> tortillas. I need to get clearer on a few technical issues such as what
>>> percentage of such a recipe has to be FLOUR from one of the five
>>> specified grains, e.g. would "oat fiber" (anybody know if this is the
>>> same as oat bran???) count the same as oat flour, etc. I think if oat
>>> fiber counts the same as oat flour I could create something that would
>>> meet both my religious and health needs.
>>
>> I don't know how else to say this. If your religion even suggests that
>> you compromise your health for a mere ritual, I suggest you consider
>> another religion. Whether or not you eat bread before pronouncing a
>> sabbath blessing will neither make you a better person nor ensure your
>> standing with Hashem.
>
> Nor give you a longer life in which to do His good work. I think Judaism,
> and most religions, make exceptions for people who are sick.
>

The problem here is that in order to say the blessing on bread and to
say the grace after meals, which on the Sabbath is a big part of the
celebration, her rabbi declared she has to eat a certain amount of
bread. She doesn't have to eat the bread, but she can't partake in these
prayers if she doesn't eat it.

I don't think it's Ellen's problem as much as it's a rabbi who is
somewhat clueless about dispensations for these kinds of things.
Wherever he found the rules about the size of pieces of bread that
qualify for the blessing, he could also have found something about
making the blessings without bread if there is an illness involved, but
he didn't.

This is how she chooses to practice her religion. If she doesn't eat the
bread and says the prayers, she will have considered herself as having
committed a sin.

Let's leave it, please.
--
Janet Wilder
Way-the-heck-south Texas
Spelling doesn't count. Cooking does.