PTIJ: Which Dr. Seuss books should one obtain? [on hold]












30















The Torah warns us that we should not accumulate too many Dr. Seuss books, as it states in Deuteronomy 17:16




רַק, לֹא-יַרְבֶּה-לּוֹ סוּסִים



One should not amass Seusses




Being that one should only get a minimal amount of Dr. Seuss books, I was wondering which ones are recommended to get. Also, which ones should be avoided?
Please bring sources from Scripture or Rabbinic writings.





This question is Purim Torah and is not intended to be taken completely seriously. See the Purim Torah policy.










share|improve this question















put on hold as off-topic by msh210 21 hours ago


This question appears to be off-topic. The users who voted to close gave this specific reason:


  • "Purim Torah questions are on-topic only once a year, and will be closed after Purim. For details, see: Purim Torah policy" – msh210

If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.












  • 11





    Obviously, we want to avoid green eggs and HAM

    – רבות מחשבות
    Mar 18 at 14:04






  • 2





    One should be encouraged to read "One fish two fish red fish blue fish" on Shabbat. It is a mitzvah to eat lots of fish. And both red and blue fish are kosher.

    – DanF
    Mar 18 at 14:58






  • 2





    Seuss is actually properly pronounced "Soice". Clearly the confusion was caused between thinking the vav in סוס was a shuruk instead of a choilem.

    – ezra
    Mar 19 at 5:12








  • 1





    @רבותמחשבות: Actually, חמירא סקנתא מאיסורא. If forced to eat one, you're supposed to choose the ham over the green eggs.

    – Micha Berger
    Mar 19 at 18:20






  • 2





    Sorry to step off the Purim Torah train for a second... You can do some really good chinukh about the nature of emunah with Horton Hears a Who.

    – Micha Berger
    Mar 19 at 18:22
















30















The Torah warns us that we should not accumulate too many Dr. Seuss books, as it states in Deuteronomy 17:16




רַק, לֹא-יַרְבֶּה-לּוֹ סוּסִים



One should not amass Seusses




Being that one should only get a minimal amount of Dr. Seuss books, I was wondering which ones are recommended to get. Also, which ones should be avoided?
Please bring sources from Scripture or Rabbinic writings.





This question is Purim Torah and is not intended to be taken completely seriously. See the Purim Torah policy.










share|improve this question















put on hold as off-topic by msh210 21 hours ago


This question appears to be off-topic. The users who voted to close gave this specific reason:


  • "Purim Torah questions are on-topic only once a year, and will be closed after Purim. For details, see: Purim Torah policy" – msh210

If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.












  • 11





    Obviously, we want to avoid green eggs and HAM

    – רבות מחשבות
    Mar 18 at 14:04






  • 2





    One should be encouraged to read "One fish two fish red fish blue fish" on Shabbat. It is a mitzvah to eat lots of fish. And both red and blue fish are kosher.

    – DanF
    Mar 18 at 14:58






  • 2





    Seuss is actually properly pronounced "Soice". Clearly the confusion was caused between thinking the vav in סוס was a shuruk instead of a choilem.

    – ezra
    Mar 19 at 5:12








  • 1





    @רבותמחשבות: Actually, חמירא סקנתא מאיסורא. If forced to eat one, you're supposed to choose the ham over the green eggs.

    – Micha Berger
    Mar 19 at 18:20






  • 2





    Sorry to step off the Purim Torah train for a second... You can do some really good chinukh about the nature of emunah with Horton Hears a Who.

    – Micha Berger
    Mar 19 at 18:22














30












30








30


1






The Torah warns us that we should not accumulate too many Dr. Seuss books, as it states in Deuteronomy 17:16




רַק, לֹא-יַרְבֶּה-לּוֹ סוּסִים



One should not amass Seusses




Being that one should only get a minimal amount of Dr. Seuss books, I was wondering which ones are recommended to get. Also, which ones should be avoided?
Please bring sources from Scripture or Rabbinic writings.





This question is Purim Torah and is not intended to be taken completely seriously. See the Purim Torah policy.










share|improve this question
















The Torah warns us that we should not accumulate too many Dr. Seuss books, as it states in Deuteronomy 17:16




רַק, לֹא-יַרְבֶּה-לּוֹ סוּסִים



One should not amass Seusses




Being that one should only get a minimal amount of Dr. Seuss books, I was wondering which ones are recommended to get. Also, which ones should be avoided?
Please bring sources from Scripture or Rabbinic writings.





This question is Purim Torah and is not intended to be taken completely seriously. See the Purim Torah policy.







purim-torah-in-jest






share|improve this question















share|improve this question













share|improve this question




share|improve this question








edited Mar 18 at 13:56







Y     e     z

















asked Mar 18 at 13:33









Y     e     zY     e     z

45.5k372203




45.5k372203




put on hold as off-topic by msh210 21 hours ago


This question appears to be off-topic. The users who voted to close gave this specific reason:


  • "Purim Torah questions are on-topic only once a year, and will be closed after Purim. For details, see: Purim Torah policy" – msh210

If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.







put on hold as off-topic by msh210 21 hours ago


This question appears to be off-topic. The users who voted to close gave this specific reason:


  • "Purim Torah questions are on-topic only once a year, and will be closed after Purim. For details, see: Purim Torah policy" – msh210

If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.








  • 11





    Obviously, we want to avoid green eggs and HAM

    – רבות מחשבות
    Mar 18 at 14:04






  • 2





    One should be encouraged to read "One fish two fish red fish blue fish" on Shabbat. It is a mitzvah to eat lots of fish. And both red and blue fish are kosher.

    – DanF
    Mar 18 at 14:58






  • 2





    Seuss is actually properly pronounced "Soice". Clearly the confusion was caused between thinking the vav in סוס was a shuruk instead of a choilem.

    – ezra
    Mar 19 at 5:12








  • 1





    @רבותמחשבות: Actually, חמירא סקנתא מאיסורא. If forced to eat one, you're supposed to choose the ham over the green eggs.

    – Micha Berger
    Mar 19 at 18:20






  • 2





    Sorry to step off the Purim Torah train for a second... You can do some really good chinukh about the nature of emunah with Horton Hears a Who.

    – Micha Berger
    Mar 19 at 18:22














  • 11





    Obviously, we want to avoid green eggs and HAM

    – רבות מחשבות
    Mar 18 at 14:04






  • 2





    One should be encouraged to read "One fish two fish red fish blue fish" on Shabbat. It is a mitzvah to eat lots of fish. And both red and blue fish are kosher.

    – DanF
    Mar 18 at 14:58






  • 2





    Seuss is actually properly pronounced "Soice". Clearly the confusion was caused between thinking the vav in סוס was a shuruk instead of a choilem.

    – ezra
    Mar 19 at 5:12








  • 1





    @רבותמחשבות: Actually, חמירא סקנתא מאיסורא. If forced to eat one, you're supposed to choose the ham over the green eggs.

    – Micha Berger
    Mar 19 at 18:20






  • 2





    Sorry to step off the Purim Torah train for a second... You can do some really good chinukh about the nature of emunah with Horton Hears a Who.

    – Micha Berger
    Mar 19 at 18:22








11




11





Obviously, we want to avoid green eggs and HAM

– רבות מחשבות
Mar 18 at 14:04





Obviously, we want to avoid green eggs and HAM

– רבות מחשבות
Mar 18 at 14:04




2




2





One should be encouraged to read "One fish two fish red fish blue fish" on Shabbat. It is a mitzvah to eat lots of fish. And both red and blue fish are kosher.

– DanF
Mar 18 at 14:58





One should be encouraged to read "One fish two fish red fish blue fish" on Shabbat. It is a mitzvah to eat lots of fish. And both red and blue fish are kosher.

– DanF
Mar 18 at 14:58




2




2





Seuss is actually properly pronounced "Soice". Clearly the confusion was caused between thinking the vav in סוס was a shuruk instead of a choilem.

– ezra
Mar 19 at 5:12







Seuss is actually properly pronounced "Soice". Clearly the confusion was caused between thinking the vav in סוס was a shuruk instead of a choilem.

– ezra
Mar 19 at 5:12






1




1





@רבותמחשבות: Actually, חמירא סקנתא מאיסורא. If forced to eat one, you're supposed to choose the ham over the green eggs.

– Micha Berger
Mar 19 at 18:20





@רבותמחשבות: Actually, חמירא סקנתא מאיסורא. If forced to eat one, you're supposed to choose the ham over the green eggs.

– Micha Berger
Mar 19 at 18:20




2




2





Sorry to step off the Purim Torah train for a second... You can do some really good chinukh about the nature of emunah with Horton Hears a Who.

– Micha Berger
Mar 19 at 18:22





Sorry to step off the Purim Torah train for a second... You can do some really good chinukh about the nature of emunah with Horton Hears a Who.

– Micha Berger
Mar 19 at 18:22










9 Answers
9






active

oldest

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11














Any self-respecting Kabbalist needs a copy of Yertle the Turtle, which hints at the deep mysteries taught in Tikkunei Zohar 147b.



In Tikkunei Zohar’s discussion of the properties of a stack of turtles, we learn:




ומאן דידע שיעור קומה דילה איהו ירתעל מאד אתי



He who knows the measure of its height is Yertle, [the one who eventually] to the mud comes.




(It is of course no surprise that Kabbalah discusses stacks of turtles, an ancient meditation on the nature of infinite regress.)






share|improve this answer































    15














    Green Eggs and Ham would be a great choice for teaching children about brachot. Take this Mishnah Berurah (205:9), which explains when to bless, and on what.




    בהם ירקות וכו' - ר"ל שרוצה לגמוע המים לבד דאלו אם אוכלן עם הירק אין שייך שום ברכה על המים דנעשין טפלה לירק:



    With Ham and Greens etc. - Meaning to say, that he wants to swallow only the ham, for if he would eat it together with the green, no Bracha would be necessary on the ham because it becomes secondary to the green.







    share|improve this answer





















    • 1





      I wish I could give two checkmarks, but Joel's find of Yertle is hard to beat. This was very clever, though!

      – Y     e     z
      Mar 21 at 1:47



















    8














    I am quite surprised that though there are already quite a few answers, all the answers either approve of certain books or disapprove of certain books. As this is a site about Judaism, surely there should be at least one book about which there is a machloket!



    After searching far and wide, I have found such a book. At the very end of Oh, the Places You'll Go! Dr. Seuss gives us one last bit of advice:




    Just never forget to be dexterous and deft.
    And never mix up your right foot with your left.




    Note how he emphasizes the "never" in the last line. This must be to tell you that it literally means "never, under any circumstance whatsoever", which includes if the Sages of the High Court tell you that right is left and left is right.



    Yet this very idea is the subject of a dispute between the Jerusalem Talmud and certain Midrashim. The Jerusalem Talmud (Horayot 1:1) agrees with Dr. Seuss that you should not listen to the Sages if they tell you that right is left and left is right:




    יכול אם יאמרו לך על ימין שהיא שמאל ועל שמאל שהיא ימין תשמע להם ת"ל ללכת ימין ושמאל שיאמרו לך על ימין שהוא ימין ועל שמאל שהיא שמאל




    However, the Sifrei (Parshat Shoftim # 154) says that you must listen to the Sages even in such a case:




    ימין ושמאל אפילו מראים בעיניך על ימין שהוא שמאל ועל שמאל שהוא ימין שמע להם




    As R. Judah Loewe points out in his supercommentary to Rashi's commentary to Deuteronomy 17:11, this is not just a metaphor; it means that you must listen to the Sages even if they literally say that left is right and right is left:




    ונראה שאפילו אם אמרו ממש על ימין שהוא שמאל ועל שמאל שהוא ימין




    Accordingly, Oh, the Places You'll Go! would be a fine book according to the Jerusalem Talmud. According to the Sifrei, however, it undermines one of the most fundamental concepts of Judaism – rabbinic authority – and would thus obviously be a forbidden book.






    share|improve this answer































      7














      Oh, the Thinks You Can Think! is obviously a must-have.



      Its philosophy is very much in line with that of Mishlei 19:21:




      רַבּוֹת מַחֲשָׁבוֹת בְּלֶב־אִישׁ



      Many thoughts are in a man's mind.







      share|improve this answer



















      • 1





        We also see that the ברכה given to בצלאל is "לחשוב מחשבות", which clearly references the positive aspects of thinking.

        – eykanal
        Mar 18 at 20:26






      • 6





        Hey! You can't steal my username!

        – רבות מחשבות
        Mar 19 at 2:15





















      7














      The Lorax teaches the dangers of non-differentiated clothing. Thneeds are the embodiment of sin that Lorax the Prophet speaks out against.



      They encourage displacement of workers in favor of the factory-owner's family, a diaspora of Bar-ba-loots who leave in search of kosher foods to eat, and devastation of the land.



      While his use of the Truffula tree was not for food, the factory owner has removed fruits from the Bar-ba-loot population, therefore violating Torah.




      When you besiege a city for many days to wage war against it to
      capture it, you shall not destroy its trees by wielding an ax against
      them, for you may eat from them, but you shall not cut them down. Is
      the tree of the field a man, to go into the siege before you? However,
      a tree you know is not a food tree, you may destroy and cut down, and
      you shall build bulwarks against the city that makes war with you,
      until its submission. (Deuteronomy 20:19-20)




      Yet, there is teshuva.




      Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to
      get better. It's not.




      The factory owner shares the story of his destructive ways and passes the means for reclaiming the land to the next generation.






      share|improve this answer

































        6














        Sorry, but this answer is an anti-recommendation: there is no apparent evidence that The Cat in the Hat is authentically part of Jewish tradition.






        share|improve this answer



















        • 6





          Thing One and Thing Two??? The Cat is clearly a Brisker.

          – Micha Berger
          Mar 19 at 19:15



















        5














        The verse specifically refers to not acquiring Seusses that are also horses. So these books are definitely not suitable:




        • Dr Seuss' Horse Museum

        • If I Ran the Horse Show


        However, given that just in the last 3 weeks, a new Dr Seuss manuscript has been discovered, and it is also horse related, we may tentatively perceive how wonderfully all-seeing is the Almighty, and that this book above all should not be bought.






        share|improve this answer








        New contributor




        Stilez is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
        Check out our Code of Conduct.




























          2














          דע את עצמך is a Seuss classic, which is sold in many Jewish book stores.






          share|improve this answer































            1














            Reread Deuteronomy 17:16. It's the KING who should not amass too many Seusses. You are not a king, so indulge to your heart's content. But, as was pointed out, I would still avoid Green Eggs and Ham.






            share|improve this answer



















            • 1





              Well, you're probably not a king. In the US, the din is that a man's home is his castle. And who lives in castles???

              – Monica Cellio
              Mar 21 at 18:08











            • "Probably" reminds me of this "syllogism": If you are a woman, you are probably not a queen; Elizabeth is a queen; Therefore Elizabeth is probably not a woman.

              – Maurice Mizrahi
              Mar 21 at 19:06


















            9 Answers
            9






            active

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            9 Answers
            9






            active

            oldest

            votes









            active

            oldest

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            active

            oldest

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            11














            Any self-respecting Kabbalist needs a copy of Yertle the Turtle, which hints at the deep mysteries taught in Tikkunei Zohar 147b.



            In Tikkunei Zohar’s discussion of the properties of a stack of turtles, we learn:




            ומאן דידע שיעור קומה דילה איהו ירתעל מאד אתי



            He who knows the measure of its height is Yertle, [the one who eventually] to the mud comes.




            (It is of course no surprise that Kabbalah discusses stacks of turtles, an ancient meditation on the nature of infinite regress.)






            share|improve this answer




























              11














              Any self-respecting Kabbalist needs a copy of Yertle the Turtle, which hints at the deep mysteries taught in Tikkunei Zohar 147b.



              In Tikkunei Zohar’s discussion of the properties of a stack of turtles, we learn:




              ומאן דידע שיעור קומה דילה איהו ירתעל מאד אתי



              He who knows the measure of its height is Yertle, [the one who eventually] to the mud comes.




              (It is of course no surprise that Kabbalah discusses stacks of turtles, an ancient meditation on the nature of infinite regress.)






              share|improve this answer


























                11












                11








                11







                Any self-respecting Kabbalist needs a copy of Yertle the Turtle, which hints at the deep mysteries taught in Tikkunei Zohar 147b.



                In Tikkunei Zohar’s discussion of the properties of a stack of turtles, we learn:




                ומאן דידע שיעור קומה דילה איהו ירתעל מאד אתי



                He who knows the measure of its height is Yertle, [the one who eventually] to the mud comes.




                (It is of course no surprise that Kabbalah discusses stacks of turtles, an ancient meditation on the nature of infinite regress.)






                share|improve this answer













                Any self-respecting Kabbalist needs a copy of Yertle the Turtle, which hints at the deep mysteries taught in Tikkunei Zohar 147b.



                In Tikkunei Zohar’s discussion of the properties of a stack of turtles, we learn:




                ומאן דידע שיעור קומה דילה איהו ירתעל מאד אתי



                He who knows the measure of its height is Yertle, [the one who eventually] to the mud comes.




                (It is of course no surprise that Kabbalah discusses stacks of turtles, an ancient meditation on the nature of infinite regress.)







                share|improve this answer












                share|improve this answer



                share|improve this answer










                answered Mar 18 at 17:28









                Joel KJoel K

                14.1k22796




                14.1k22796























                    15














                    Green Eggs and Ham would be a great choice for teaching children about brachot. Take this Mishnah Berurah (205:9), which explains when to bless, and on what.




                    בהם ירקות וכו' - ר"ל שרוצה לגמוע המים לבד דאלו אם אוכלן עם הירק אין שייך שום ברכה על המים דנעשין טפלה לירק:



                    With Ham and Greens etc. - Meaning to say, that he wants to swallow only the ham, for if he would eat it together with the green, no Bracha would be necessary on the ham because it becomes secondary to the green.







                    share|improve this answer





















                    • 1





                      I wish I could give two checkmarks, but Joel's find of Yertle is hard to beat. This was very clever, though!

                      – Y     e     z
                      Mar 21 at 1:47
















                    15














                    Green Eggs and Ham would be a great choice for teaching children about brachot. Take this Mishnah Berurah (205:9), which explains when to bless, and on what.




                    בהם ירקות וכו' - ר"ל שרוצה לגמוע המים לבד דאלו אם אוכלן עם הירק אין שייך שום ברכה על המים דנעשין טפלה לירק:



                    With Ham and Greens etc. - Meaning to say, that he wants to swallow only the ham, for if he would eat it together with the green, no Bracha would be necessary on the ham because it becomes secondary to the green.







                    share|improve this answer





















                    • 1





                      I wish I could give two checkmarks, but Joel's find of Yertle is hard to beat. This was very clever, though!

                      – Y     e     z
                      Mar 21 at 1:47














                    15












                    15








                    15







                    Green Eggs and Ham would be a great choice for teaching children about brachot. Take this Mishnah Berurah (205:9), which explains when to bless, and on what.




                    בהם ירקות וכו' - ר"ל שרוצה לגמוע המים לבד דאלו אם אוכלן עם הירק אין שייך שום ברכה על המים דנעשין טפלה לירק:



                    With Ham and Greens etc. - Meaning to say, that he wants to swallow only the ham, for if he would eat it together with the green, no Bracha would be necessary on the ham because it becomes secondary to the green.







                    share|improve this answer















                    Green Eggs and Ham would be a great choice for teaching children about brachot. Take this Mishnah Berurah (205:9), which explains when to bless, and on what.




                    בהם ירקות וכו' - ר"ל שרוצה לגמוע המים לבד דאלו אם אוכלן עם הירק אין שייך שום ברכה על המים דנעשין טפלה לירק:



                    With Ham and Greens etc. - Meaning to say, that he wants to swallow only the ham, for if he would eat it together with the green, no Bracha would be necessary on the ham because it becomes secondary to the green.








                    share|improve this answer














                    share|improve this answer



                    share|improve this answer








                    edited Mar 18 at 15:38









                    Isaac Moses

                    32.6k1287273




                    32.6k1287273










                    answered Mar 18 at 15:19









                    Dr. ShmuelDr. Shmuel

                    4,2571951




                    4,2571951








                    • 1





                      I wish I could give two checkmarks, but Joel's find of Yertle is hard to beat. This was very clever, though!

                      – Y     e     z
                      Mar 21 at 1:47














                    • 1





                      I wish I could give two checkmarks, but Joel's find of Yertle is hard to beat. This was very clever, though!

                      – Y     e     z
                      Mar 21 at 1:47








                    1




                    1





                    I wish I could give two checkmarks, but Joel's find of Yertle is hard to beat. This was very clever, though!

                    – Y     e     z
                    Mar 21 at 1:47





                    I wish I could give two checkmarks, but Joel's find of Yertle is hard to beat. This was very clever, though!

                    – Y     e     z
                    Mar 21 at 1:47











                    8














                    I am quite surprised that though there are already quite a few answers, all the answers either approve of certain books or disapprove of certain books. As this is a site about Judaism, surely there should be at least one book about which there is a machloket!



                    After searching far and wide, I have found such a book. At the very end of Oh, the Places You'll Go! Dr. Seuss gives us one last bit of advice:




                    Just never forget to be dexterous and deft.
                    And never mix up your right foot with your left.




                    Note how he emphasizes the "never" in the last line. This must be to tell you that it literally means "never, under any circumstance whatsoever", which includes if the Sages of the High Court tell you that right is left and left is right.



                    Yet this very idea is the subject of a dispute between the Jerusalem Talmud and certain Midrashim. The Jerusalem Talmud (Horayot 1:1) agrees with Dr. Seuss that you should not listen to the Sages if they tell you that right is left and left is right:




                    יכול אם יאמרו לך על ימין שהיא שמאל ועל שמאל שהיא ימין תשמע להם ת"ל ללכת ימין ושמאל שיאמרו לך על ימין שהוא ימין ועל שמאל שהיא שמאל




                    However, the Sifrei (Parshat Shoftim # 154) says that you must listen to the Sages even in such a case:




                    ימין ושמאל אפילו מראים בעיניך על ימין שהוא שמאל ועל שמאל שהוא ימין שמע להם




                    As R. Judah Loewe points out in his supercommentary to Rashi's commentary to Deuteronomy 17:11, this is not just a metaphor; it means that you must listen to the Sages even if they literally say that left is right and right is left:




                    ונראה שאפילו אם אמרו ממש על ימין שהוא שמאל ועל שמאל שהוא ימין




                    Accordingly, Oh, the Places You'll Go! would be a fine book according to the Jerusalem Talmud. According to the Sifrei, however, it undermines one of the most fundamental concepts of Judaism – rabbinic authority – and would thus obviously be a forbidden book.






                    share|improve this answer




























                      8














                      I am quite surprised that though there are already quite a few answers, all the answers either approve of certain books or disapprove of certain books. As this is a site about Judaism, surely there should be at least one book about which there is a machloket!



                      After searching far and wide, I have found such a book. At the very end of Oh, the Places You'll Go! Dr. Seuss gives us one last bit of advice:




                      Just never forget to be dexterous and deft.
                      And never mix up your right foot with your left.




                      Note how he emphasizes the "never" in the last line. This must be to tell you that it literally means "never, under any circumstance whatsoever", which includes if the Sages of the High Court tell you that right is left and left is right.



                      Yet this very idea is the subject of a dispute between the Jerusalem Talmud and certain Midrashim. The Jerusalem Talmud (Horayot 1:1) agrees with Dr. Seuss that you should not listen to the Sages if they tell you that right is left and left is right:




                      יכול אם יאמרו לך על ימין שהיא שמאל ועל שמאל שהיא ימין תשמע להם ת"ל ללכת ימין ושמאל שיאמרו לך על ימין שהוא ימין ועל שמאל שהיא שמאל




                      However, the Sifrei (Parshat Shoftim # 154) says that you must listen to the Sages even in such a case:




                      ימין ושמאל אפילו מראים בעיניך על ימין שהוא שמאל ועל שמאל שהוא ימין שמע להם




                      As R. Judah Loewe points out in his supercommentary to Rashi's commentary to Deuteronomy 17:11, this is not just a metaphor; it means that you must listen to the Sages even if they literally say that left is right and right is left:




                      ונראה שאפילו אם אמרו ממש על ימין שהוא שמאל ועל שמאל שהוא ימין




                      Accordingly, Oh, the Places You'll Go! would be a fine book according to the Jerusalem Talmud. According to the Sifrei, however, it undermines one of the most fundamental concepts of Judaism – rabbinic authority – and would thus obviously be a forbidden book.






                      share|improve this answer


























                        8












                        8








                        8







                        I am quite surprised that though there are already quite a few answers, all the answers either approve of certain books or disapprove of certain books. As this is a site about Judaism, surely there should be at least one book about which there is a machloket!



                        After searching far and wide, I have found such a book. At the very end of Oh, the Places You'll Go! Dr. Seuss gives us one last bit of advice:




                        Just never forget to be dexterous and deft.
                        And never mix up your right foot with your left.




                        Note how he emphasizes the "never" in the last line. This must be to tell you that it literally means "never, under any circumstance whatsoever", which includes if the Sages of the High Court tell you that right is left and left is right.



                        Yet this very idea is the subject of a dispute between the Jerusalem Talmud and certain Midrashim. The Jerusalem Talmud (Horayot 1:1) agrees with Dr. Seuss that you should not listen to the Sages if they tell you that right is left and left is right:




                        יכול אם יאמרו לך על ימין שהיא שמאל ועל שמאל שהיא ימין תשמע להם ת"ל ללכת ימין ושמאל שיאמרו לך על ימין שהוא ימין ועל שמאל שהיא שמאל




                        However, the Sifrei (Parshat Shoftim # 154) says that you must listen to the Sages even in such a case:




                        ימין ושמאל אפילו מראים בעיניך על ימין שהוא שמאל ועל שמאל שהוא ימין שמע להם




                        As R. Judah Loewe points out in his supercommentary to Rashi's commentary to Deuteronomy 17:11, this is not just a metaphor; it means that you must listen to the Sages even if they literally say that left is right and right is left:




                        ונראה שאפילו אם אמרו ממש על ימין שהוא שמאל ועל שמאל שהוא ימין




                        Accordingly, Oh, the Places You'll Go! would be a fine book according to the Jerusalem Talmud. According to the Sifrei, however, it undermines one of the most fundamental concepts of Judaism – rabbinic authority – and would thus obviously be a forbidden book.






                        share|improve this answer













                        I am quite surprised that though there are already quite a few answers, all the answers either approve of certain books or disapprove of certain books. As this is a site about Judaism, surely there should be at least one book about which there is a machloket!



                        After searching far and wide, I have found such a book. At the very end of Oh, the Places You'll Go! Dr. Seuss gives us one last bit of advice:




                        Just never forget to be dexterous and deft.
                        And never mix up your right foot with your left.




                        Note how he emphasizes the "never" in the last line. This must be to tell you that it literally means "never, under any circumstance whatsoever", which includes if the Sages of the High Court tell you that right is left and left is right.



                        Yet this very idea is the subject of a dispute between the Jerusalem Talmud and certain Midrashim. The Jerusalem Talmud (Horayot 1:1) agrees with Dr. Seuss that you should not listen to the Sages if they tell you that right is left and left is right:




                        יכול אם יאמרו לך על ימין שהיא שמאל ועל שמאל שהיא ימין תשמע להם ת"ל ללכת ימין ושמאל שיאמרו לך על ימין שהוא ימין ועל שמאל שהיא שמאל




                        However, the Sifrei (Parshat Shoftim # 154) says that you must listen to the Sages even in such a case:




                        ימין ושמאל אפילו מראים בעיניך על ימין שהוא שמאל ועל שמאל שהוא ימין שמע להם




                        As R. Judah Loewe points out in his supercommentary to Rashi's commentary to Deuteronomy 17:11, this is not just a metaphor; it means that you must listen to the Sages even if they literally say that left is right and right is left:




                        ונראה שאפילו אם אמרו ממש על ימין שהוא שמאל ועל שמאל שהוא ימין




                        Accordingly, Oh, the Places You'll Go! would be a fine book according to the Jerusalem Talmud. According to the Sifrei, however, it undermines one of the most fundamental concepts of Judaism – rabbinic authority – and would thus obviously be a forbidden book.







                        share|improve this answer












                        share|improve this answer



                        share|improve this answer










                        answered Mar 21 at 5:09









                        AlexAlex

                        22.7k155130




                        22.7k155130























                            7














                            Oh, the Thinks You Can Think! is obviously a must-have.



                            Its philosophy is very much in line with that of Mishlei 19:21:




                            רַבּוֹת מַחֲשָׁבוֹת בְּלֶב־אִישׁ



                            Many thoughts are in a man's mind.







                            share|improve this answer



















                            • 1





                              We also see that the ברכה given to בצלאל is "לחשוב מחשבות", which clearly references the positive aspects of thinking.

                              – eykanal
                              Mar 18 at 20:26






                            • 6





                              Hey! You can't steal my username!

                              – רבות מחשבות
                              Mar 19 at 2:15


















                            7














                            Oh, the Thinks You Can Think! is obviously a must-have.



                            Its philosophy is very much in line with that of Mishlei 19:21:




                            רַבּוֹת מַחֲשָׁבוֹת בְּלֶב־אִישׁ



                            Many thoughts are in a man's mind.







                            share|improve this answer



















                            • 1





                              We also see that the ברכה given to בצלאל is "לחשוב מחשבות", which clearly references the positive aspects of thinking.

                              – eykanal
                              Mar 18 at 20:26






                            • 6





                              Hey! You can't steal my username!

                              – רבות מחשבות
                              Mar 19 at 2:15
















                            7












                            7








                            7







                            Oh, the Thinks You Can Think! is obviously a must-have.



                            Its philosophy is very much in line with that of Mishlei 19:21:




                            רַבּוֹת מַחֲשָׁבוֹת בְּלֶב־אִישׁ



                            Many thoughts are in a man's mind.







                            share|improve this answer













                            Oh, the Thinks You Can Think! is obviously a must-have.



                            Its philosophy is very much in line with that of Mishlei 19:21:




                            רַבּוֹת מַחֲשָׁבוֹת בְּלֶב־אִישׁ



                            Many thoughts are in a man's mind.








                            share|improve this answer












                            share|improve this answer



                            share|improve this answer










                            answered Mar 18 at 13:57









                            Joel KJoel K

                            14.1k22796




                            14.1k22796








                            • 1





                              We also see that the ברכה given to בצלאל is "לחשוב מחשבות", which clearly references the positive aspects of thinking.

                              – eykanal
                              Mar 18 at 20:26






                            • 6





                              Hey! You can't steal my username!

                              – רבות מחשבות
                              Mar 19 at 2:15
















                            • 1





                              We also see that the ברכה given to בצלאל is "לחשוב מחשבות", which clearly references the positive aspects of thinking.

                              – eykanal
                              Mar 18 at 20:26






                            • 6





                              Hey! You can't steal my username!

                              – רבות מחשבות
                              Mar 19 at 2:15










                            1




                            1





                            We also see that the ברכה given to בצלאל is "לחשוב מחשבות", which clearly references the positive aspects of thinking.

                            – eykanal
                            Mar 18 at 20:26





                            We also see that the ברכה given to בצלאל is "לחשוב מחשבות", which clearly references the positive aspects of thinking.

                            – eykanal
                            Mar 18 at 20:26




                            6




                            6





                            Hey! You can't steal my username!

                            – רבות מחשבות
                            Mar 19 at 2:15







                            Hey! You can't steal my username!

                            – רבות מחשבות
                            Mar 19 at 2:15













                            7














                            The Lorax teaches the dangers of non-differentiated clothing. Thneeds are the embodiment of sin that Lorax the Prophet speaks out against.



                            They encourage displacement of workers in favor of the factory-owner's family, a diaspora of Bar-ba-loots who leave in search of kosher foods to eat, and devastation of the land.



                            While his use of the Truffula tree was not for food, the factory owner has removed fruits from the Bar-ba-loot population, therefore violating Torah.




                            When you besiege a city for many days to wage war against it to
                            capture it, you shall not destroy its trees by wielding an ax against
                            them, for you may eat from them, but you shall not cut them down. Is
                            the tree of the field a man, to go into the siege before you? However,
                            a tree you know is not a food tree, you may destroy and cut down, and
                            you shall build bulwarks against the city that makes war with you,
                            until its submission. (Deuteronomy 20:19-20)




                            Yet, there is teshuva.




                            Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to
                            get better. It's not.




                            The factory owner shares the story of his destructive ways and passes the means for reclaiming the land to the next generation.






                            share|improve this answer






























                              7














                              The Lorax teaches the dangers of non-differentiated clothing. Thneeds are the embodiment of sin that Lorax the Prophet speaks out against.



                              They encourage displacement of workers in favor of the factory-owner's family, a diaspora of Bar-ba-loots who leave in search of kosher foods to eat, and devastation of the land.



                              While his use of the Truffula tree was not for food, the factory owner has removed fruits from the Bar-ba-loot population, therefore violating Torah.




                              When you besiege a city for many days to wage war against it to
                              capture it, you shall not destroy its trees by wielding an ax against
                              them, for you may eat from them, but you shall not cut them down. Is
                              the tree of the field a man, to go into the siege before you? However,
                              a tree you know is not a food tree, you may destroy and cut down, and
                              you shall build bulwarks against the city that makes war with you,
                              until its submission. (Deuteronomy 20:19-20)




                              Yet, there is teshuva.




                              Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to
                              get better. It's not.




                              The factory owner shares the story of his destructive ways and passes the means for reclaiming the land to the next generation.






                              share|improve this answer




























                                7












                                7








                                7







                                The Lorax teaches the dangers of non-differentiated clothing. Thneeds are the embodiment of sin that Lorax the Prophet speaks out against.



                                They encourage displacement of workers in favor of the factory-owner's family, a diaspora of Bar-ba-loots who leave in search of kosher foods to eat, and devastation of the land.



                                While his use of the Truffula tree was not for food, the factory owner has removed fruits from the Bar-ba-loot population, therefore violating Torah.




                                When you besiege a city for many days to wage war against it to
                                capture it, you shall not destroy its trees by wielding an ax against
                                them, for you may eat from them, but you shall not cut them down. Is
                                the tree of the field a man, to go into the siege before you? However,
                                a tree you know is not a food tree, you may destroy and cut down, and
                                you shall build bulwarks against the city that makes war with you,
                                until its submission. (Deuteronomy 20:19-20)




                                Yet, there is teshuva.




                                Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to
                                get better. It's not.




                                The factory owner shares the story of his destructive ways and passes the means for reclaiming the land to the next generation.






                                share|improve this answer















                                The Lorax teaches the dangers of non-differentiated clothing. Thneeds are the embodiment of sin that Lorax the Prophet speaks out against.



                                They encourage displacement of workers in favor of the factory-owner's family, a diaspora of Bar-ba-loots who leave in search of kosher foods to eat, and devastation of the land.



                                While his use of the Truffula tree was not for food, the factory owner has removed fruits from the Bar-ba-loot population, therefore violating Torah.




                                When you besiege a city for many days to wage war against it to
                                capture it, you shall not destroy its trees by wielding an ax against
                                them, for you may eat from them, but you shall not cut them down. Is
                                the tree of the field a man, to go into the siege before you? However,
                                a tree you know is not a food tree, you may destroy and cut down, and
                                you shall build bulwarks against the city that makes war with you,
                                until its submission. (Deuteronomy 20:19-20)




                                Yet, there is teshuva.




                                Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to
                                get better. It's not.




                                The factory owner shares the story of his destructive ways and passes the means for reclaiming the land to the next generation.







                                share|improve this answer














                                share|improve this answer



                                share|improve this answer








                                edited Mar 18 at 20:28

























                                answered Mar 18 at 20:23









                                CynCyn

                                6491118




                                6491118























                                    6














                                    Sorry, but this answer is an anti-recommendation: there is no apparent evidence that The Cat in the Hat is authentically part of Jewish tradition.






                                    share|improve this answer



















                                    • 6





                                      Thing One and Thing Two??? The Cat is clearly a Brisker.

                                      – Micha Berger
                                      Mar 19 at 19:15
















                                    6














                                    Sorry, but this answer is an anti-recommendation: there is no apparent evidence that The Cat in the Hat is authentically part of Jewish tradition.






                                    share|improve this answer



















                                    • 6





                                      Thing One and Thing Two??? The Cat is clearly a Brisker.

                                      – Micha Berger
                                      Mar 19 at 19:15














                                    6












                                    6








                                    6







                                    Sorry, but this answer is an anti-recommendation: there is no apparent evidence that The Cat in the Hat is authentically part of Jewish tradition.






                                    share|improve this answer













                                    Sorry, but this answer is an anti-recommendation: there is no apparent evidence that The Cat in the Hat is authentically part of Jewish tradition.







                                    share|improve this answer












                                    share|improve this answer



                                    share|improve this answer










                                    answered Mar 18 at 14:22









                                    Isaac MosesIsaac Moses

                                    32.6k1287273




                                    32.6k1287273








                                    • 6





                                      Thing One and Thing Two??? The Cat is clearly a Brisker.

                                      – Micha Berger
                                      Mar 19 at 19:15














                                    • 6





                                      Thing One and Thing Two??? The Cat is clearly a Brisker.

                                      – Micha Berger
                                      Mar 19 at 19:15








                                    6




                                    6





                                    Thing One and Thing Two??? The Cat is clearly a Brisker.

                                    – Micha Berger
                                    Mar 19 at 19:15





                                    Thing One and Thing Two??? The Cat is clearly a Brisker.

                                    – Micha Berger
                                    Mar 19 at 19:15











                                    5














                                    The verse specifically refers to not acquiring Seusses that are also horses. So these books are definitely not suitable:




                                    • Dr Seuss' Horse Museum

                                    • If I Ran the Horse Show


                                    However, given that just in the last 3 weeks, a new Dr Seuss manuscript has been discovered, and it is also horse related, we may tentatively perceive how wonderfully all-seeing is the Almighty, and that this book above all should not be bought.






                                    share|improve this answer








                                    New contributor




                                    Stilez is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                                    Check out our Code of Conduct.

























                                      5














                                      The verse specifically refers to not acquiring Seusses that are also horses. So these books are definitely not suitable:




                                      • Dr Seuss' Horse Museum

                                      • If I Ran the Horse Show


                                      However, given that just in the last 3 weeks, a new Dr Seuss manuscript has been discovered, and it is also horse related, we may tentatively perceive how wonderfully all-seeing is the Almighty, and that this book above all should not be bought.






                                      share|improve this answer








                                      New contributor




                                      Stilez is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                                      Check out our Code of Conduct.























                                        5












                                        5








                                        5







                                        The verse specifically refers to not acquiring Seusses that are also horses. So these books are definitely not suitable:




                                        • Dr Seuss' Horse Museum

                                        • If I Ran the Horse Show


                                        However, given that just in the last 3 weeks, a new Dr Seuss manuscript has been discovered, and it is also horse related, we may tentatively perceive how wonderfully all-seeing is the Almighty, and that this book above all should not be bought.






                                        share|improve this answer








                                        New contributor




                                        Stilez is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                                        Check out our Code of Conduct.










                                        The verse specifically refers to not acquiring Seusses that are also horses. So these books are definitely not suitable:




                                        • Dr Seuss' Horse Museum

                                        • If I Ran the Horse Show


                                        However, given that just in the last 3 weeks, a new Dr Seuss manuscript has been discovered, and it is also horse related, we may tentatively perceive how wonderfully all-seeing is the Almighty, and that this book above all should not be bought.







                                        share|improve this answer








                                        New contributor




                                        Stilez is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                                        Check out our Code of Conduct.









                                        share|improve this answer



                                        share|improve this answer






                                        New contributor




                                        Stilez is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                                        Check out our Code of Conduct.









                                        answered Mar 19 at 1:37









                                        StilezStilez

                                        1511




                                        1511




                                        New contributor




                                        Stilez is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                                        Check out our Code of Conduct.





                                        New contributor





                                        Stilez is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                                        Check out our Code of Conduct.






                                        Stilez is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                                        Check out our Code of Conduct.























                                            2














                                            דע את עצמך is a Seuss classic, which is sold in many Jewish book stores.






                                            share|improve this answer




























                                              2














                                              דע את עצמך is a Seuss classic, which is sold in many Jewish book stores.






                                              share|improve this answer


























                                                2












                                                2








                                                2







                                                דע את עצמך is a Seuss classic, which is sold in many Jewish book stores.






                                                share|improve this answer













                                                דע את עצמך is a Seuss classic, which is sold in many Jewish book stores.







                                                share|improve this answer












                                                share|improve this answer



                                                share|improve this answer










                                                answered Mar 18 at 14:04









                                                Y     e     zY     e     z

                                                45.5k372203




                                                45.5k372203























                                                    1














                                                    Reread Deuteronomy 17:16. It's the KING who should not amass too many Seusses. You are not a king, so indulge to your heart's content. But, as was pointed out, I would still avoid Green Eggs and Ham.






                                                    share|improve this answer



















                                                    • 1





                                                      Well, you're probably not a king. In the US, the din is that a man's home is his castle. And who lives in castles???

                                                      – Monica Cellio
                                                      Mar 21 at 18:08











                                                    • "Probably" reminds me of this "syllogism": If you are a woman, you are probably not a queen; Elizabeth is a queen; Therefore Elizabeth is probably not a woman.

                                                      – Maurice Mizrahi
                                                      Mar 21 at 19:06
















                                                    1














                                                    Reread Deuteronomy 17:16. It's the KING who should not amass too many Seusses. You are not a king, so indulge to your heart's content. But, as was pointed out, I would still avoid Green Eggs and Ham.






                                                    share|improve this answer



















                                                    • 1





                                                      Well, you're probably not a king. In the US, the din is that a man's home is his castle. And who lives in castles???

                                                      – Monica Cellio
                                                      Mar 21 at 18:08











                                                    • "Probably" reminds me of this "syllogism": If you are a woman, you are probably not a queen; Elizabeth is a queen; Therefore Elizabeth is probably not a woman.

                                                      – Maurice Mizrahi
                                                      Mar 21 at 19:06














                                                    1












                                                    1








                                                    1







                                                    Reread Deuteronomy 17:16. It's the KING who should not amass too many Seusses. You are not a king, so indulge to your heart's content. But, as was pointed out, I would still avoid Green Eggs and Ham.






                                                    share|improve this answer













                                                    Reread Deuteronomy 17:16. It's the KING who should not amass too many Seusses. You are not a king, so indulge to your heart's content. But, as was pointed out, I would still avoid Green Eggs and Ham.







                                                    share|improve this answer












                                                    share|improve this answer



                                                    share|improve this answer










                                                    answered Mar 18 at 22:46









                                                    Maurice MizrahiMaurice Mizrahi

                                                    2,162315




                                                    2,162315








                                                    • 1





                                                      Well, you're probably not a king. In the US, the din is that a man's home is his castle. And who lives in castles???

                                                      – Monica Cellio
                                                      Mar 21 at 18:08











                                                    • "Probably" reminds me of this "syllogism": If you are a woman, you are probably not a queen; Elizabeth is a queen; Therefore Elizabeth is probably not a woman.

                                                      – Maurice Mizrahi
                                                      Mar 21 at 19:06














                                                    • 1





                                                      Well, you're probably not a king. In the US, the din is that a man's home is his castle. And who lives in castles???

                                                      – Monica Cellio
                                                      Mar 21 at 18:08











                                                    • "Probably" reminds me of this "syllogism": If you are a woman, you are probably not a queen; Elizabeth is a queen; Therefore Elizabeth is probably not a woman.

                                                      – Maurice Mizrahi
                                                      Mar 21 at 19:06








                                                    1




                                                    1





                                                    Well, you're probably not a king. In the US, the din is that a man's home is his castle. And who lives in castles???

                                                    – Monica Cellio
                                                    Mar 21 at 18:08





                                                    Well, you're probably not a king. In the US, the din is that a man's home is his castle. And who lives in castles???

                                                    – Monica Cellio
                                                    Mar 21 at 18:08













                                                    "Probably" reminds me of this "syllogism": If you are a woman, you are probably not a queen; Elizabeth is a queen; Therefore Elizabeth is probably not a woman.

                                                    – Maurice Mizrahi
                                                    Mar 21 at 19:06





                                                    "Probably" reminds me of this "syllogism": If you are a woman, you are probably not a queen; Elizabeth is a queen; Therefore Elizabeth is probably not a woman.

                                                    – Maurice Mizrahi
                                                    Mar 21 at 19:06



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