Nick Riviera

I am new to this board so forgive me if I am posting in the wrong forum.
Let me start off by saying that I am not a religious person and have only recently read Genesis.
A question that has been on my mind is why did God accept Abel's offering and not Cain's.
I know there must be a simple explanation, but like I said, I am new to this and I just can't figure it out.

[ August 11, 2002: Message edited by: Nick Riviera ]

[ August 11, 2002: Message edited by: Nick Riviera ]</p>

Jayhawker Soule

The following commentary appears in the Stone Edition Tanach (OT) Edited to reformat and add that the same explanation can also be found in the Etz Hayim Torah and Commentary.

[ August 11, 2002: Message edited by: ReasonableDoubt ]</p>

Nick Riviera

Thanks for the explanation ReasonableDoubt, but I have to dissagre with the Sages justification of this act.
Are we to conclude that when giving gifts we must give of only the highest quality, as anything else would be viewed as inferior and be disregarded? Should we judge people based on the quality of their gifts?
I guess it's not the thought that counts afterall.

S.D.Jim

Reasonable: If Nick's quotes are correct, nothing is said about the quality of Cain's offerings.
Thus I would have to agree with Nick that this is just the sages trying to rationalize and justify this passage.

Jayhawker Soule

You're most welcome. It was offered solely as explanation.

As for the rest, I view Genesis as awkward myth rather than something requiring justification.
Duh! Ya think?

[ August 11, 2002: Message edited by: ReasonableDoubt ]</p>

Jayhawker Soule

I'm curious, Nick? Your initial post notes: "I know there must be a simple explanation, but like I said, I am new to this and I just can't figure it out." Were you, in fact, requesting an explanation, or was this intended as rhetorical bait with which you had hoped to catch some unsuspecting inerrantist?

S.D.Jim

Reasonable: "duh you think?
Jim: Yes I do think, but am put off by the belittling tone of your response. In your original post you offered the sage's justification, but did not indicate that you viewed Genisis as myth. Granted in my post I did state the obvious, pardon me for being naive.
However you did not offer an explanation to address Nick's 'stated' confusion, but rather the concerned religionist's justification. I realize that those who wish to uphold the word of god would resort to justification through interpretation, but this is not, in fact, an explanation of God's seeming unreassonablness.

Jayhawker Soule

OK.
I took time to look up, and provide, and honest answer to what I accepted as an honest question. I distinguish between

• "What is the [typical/common/standard] explanation for X?", and
• "How can you theists justify X?"

My personal views were not relevant.
Stating the obvious has nothing to do with naivete.
I researched and answered the question asked. You boldly jumped in on the side of the obvious.
I could care less what you think you realize about underlying motivation, I was providing information.
You are simply wrong. It not only is "an explanation", it is the explanation offered by two standard sources. That you find it untenable is an entirely different issue.
What's unreasonable? I always prefer a good steak to old vegetables.

[ August 11, 2002: Message edited by: ReasonableDoubt ]</p>

Nick Riviera

Reasonable, I was infact requesting an explanation, but that doesn't mean that I have to agree with whatever explanation is put forth. I was simply stating that I disagree with God's reasoning (if infact the sages are correct) and went on to use those examples in an attempt to further illustrate the reason for my disagreement.

Marduk

I've heard Rabbis give the explanation that Abel's gift came from the heart, he gave the best stuff he had, a real 'sacrifice' where Cain gave a token, rather begrudging gift of the low quality stuff he didn't mind parting with, he really didn't love the Lord.

[ August 11, 2002: Message edited by: marduck ]</p>