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דבר אחר looking for alternative explanations

"דבר אחר (pron. dawar akher) is Hebrew.Literally, it means “another thing”; it is employed in the Babylonian Talmud as a means of introducing an alternative explanation on a topic.In that sense, it is fitting as the title for a blog composed by one who seeks alternative explanations.There is, however, another interpretation (דבר אחר)Rather than viewing the first word as a noun and the second as an attributive adjective, they can both be viewed as nouns.In that case, the first word would be in the genitive, and the phrase would have the meaning “The word (or the speech) of Akher“.Akher, otherwise known as Elisha ben Abuya, was a sage of the Babylonian Talmud who lost his faith in God. So great was he that his and subsequent generations continued learning from him - to the extent that the authors of the Talmud needed to create a story that would serve to legitimise his teachings despite his apostasy. His lesson is a lesson for us all: that great stature is not contingent upon blind faith, nor high learning upon the observation of Torah precepts."

Author(s):  Holloway, Simo
Format:  Blog
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