Various things

Question

First, as always, thanks to R. Abadi for this site. A breath of fresh air in our times. Second, a couple of things posted on the site prompt me to respond, or at least put my two cents in. Chaim's question about Ashkenazim/Sephardim and how Pesak can be the same for all: based on a very disturbing misconception, namely that Sephardim and Ashkenazim are radically different - to the point of almost being a different religion. How else could one ask if pesak could be for both groups??? We follow Halacha, all of us. During the years of the Golut Rabbis of different communities had divergent pesak for various questions, and that became the pesak of that community - much like today where most people follow the "norm" (however abnormal that is) and some follow R. Abadi or other poskim - so we have some who use the eruv, and some that don't. Some are more lenient on Cheese, and some aren't. Thus we have two 'groups.' These communities, over the years, became generally Ashkenazim and Sephardim, and even within those groups there are differences (ever dealt with Spanish/Portuguese vs. Farsi vs. Turkish vs. - you get the idea). Sorry for the rant, it bugs me when anyone thinks the Jews are such a discordant group (well, besides the "movements" outside of Torah). Enough problems with factions based on stupidity and misunderstanding. Second rant/response: regarding Oneg Shabbat, it seems what some of the posters are trying to say is that something is "shabosdig" when it is different from the rest of the week. The point they miss is that Shabbat is not just a day of rest, it is a day of learning. Oneg is there to help put one in a state that learning can be accomplished free from distractions (of hunger, sexual urges, sleep, and so on - and is one of the reasons we don't engage in productive activities, i.e. Melacha) and music definately falls in that catagory (see the Neviim). If it is a hot day, one can argue a swim will help alleviate ones state. Of course my argument about Oneg Shabbat is theoretical and is not a Halachic arguement - that is R. Abadi's job. I am just 'discussing' the misconceptions people have about Oneg Shabbat. R. Abadi, maybe there should be two forums, one for questions of Pesak, and one for discussions about Pesak, Hashkafa and other issues. Thanks again!