Rabbi Daniel, thank you for the opportunity to add to the mix of factors that you mentioned.



Absinthe wrote:
Debby, isn't that why we're supposed to ask questions, so we understand?

Absolutely.



Absinthe wrote:
I'll be honest. I don't understand much of what's in the Torah (or even the OT for that matter)

All honest human beings will say something similar. Human beings just do the best they can with human intellect. Anyone who says "I am absolutely certain that I possess the single correct truth" is kidding himself (and his followers).



Absinthe wrote:
As for the value system... (Another question...) Do you mean how someone was raised/their life experiences? What they were or were not taught was right and/or wrong? Or what they learned through life experiences that MIGHT be wrong but hey, I got away with it once, let's see if I can get away with it again? If I get away with something, then it's not wrong, right?

Yes, our value systems are partially determined by "Nurture." But "Nature" also plays a large role. In other words, each one of us has hard-wired personality and intellectual attributes which can help us overcome the impact of life experiences and upbringing. Studies of identical twins that were separated at birth are very interesting in this regard.



Absinthe wrote:
Isn't Gd's reality in the Torah though? Isn't that all we need to know? To understand the Torah to the best of our ability and then to carry that understanding with us day to day and try to do the best we can within those laws and commandments of Gd?

No human being can honestly lay certain claim to the single correct understanding of the Torah. Our greatest Sages argued on one another. Surely, the rest of us are not more privileged than the greatest Sages to say with certainty whose understanding is correct and whose is incorrect. Therefore, honest people do their best to understand, but keep a proper sense of humility regarding human fallibility.



Absinthe wrote:
I don't think I understand your point about revulsion at all.

Simply put, revulsion is the emotion that typically drives condemnatory statements (such as "God is evil and cruel").

Rabbi Daniel, thank you for allowing me to clarify my own words. I will respectfully withdraw, per your request.