bogus comments on The Shabbos goy - Less Wrong

35 Post author: PhilGoetz 26 March 2010 04:16PM

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Comment author: PhilGoetz 26 March 2010 09:00:27PM *  10 points [-]

I see - If people use "Jew" to mean "the agent you need to help you work around problems in your morals", the negative association bleeds over onto the word "Jew", even though it's the Christian (in the money-lending example) who's committing the error.

Writing is more memorable when you use emotionally-laden terms, but also riskier.

I used the term "Christian" a lot, too; and implied the Christians were the ones at fault. But that wasn't uncomfortable?

I'm thinking how to reword it so that it doesn't go flat, but so far nothing comes to mind.

Is there an existing term to refer to the person you use to commit your sins for you? Scapegoat isn't right. Is there a word for a person hired to operate electric devices for you on the Sabbath?

In looking for the answer to this, I found this absolutely wonderful page explaining different rules about the use of electricity on the Sabbath. Studying it would make an excellent preparation for law school. Here's a quote:

It is forbidden on the Sabbath to set the alarm of a battery-operated transistorized alarm clock or a wind-up alarm clock even though the alarm was wound before the Sabbath. The reasons are that he is creating sound with an implement built to produce sound and he is temporarily improving the clock. Even if the clock was prepared before the Sabbath, some authorities prohibit this because making noise on the Sabbath is a degradation of the Sabbath unless it is needed in order to perform a mitzvah such as getting up to make it to the synagogue on time. It is however, permitted to close the alarm if his intention is to stop the noise or an other reason, but not if his intention is to save the batteries. This is because it is comparable to dismantling an implement on condition to rebuild it. However, on Yom-Tov it is permitted unless it is an electric clock plugged into the wall outlet. The reason is that high voltage sparks created by opening and closing the alarm when the alarm is to go off may be hot enough to ignite fuel and is consequently in the category of kindling a fire.

Comment author: bogus 26 March 2010 09:24:03PM *  1 point [-]

Is there an existing term to refer to the person you use to commit your sins for you? Scapegoat isn't right.

"Henchman" or "cat's-paw" seem fine to me.