Comments on Comments
This is a “baby” blog. It was born in December 2007. One of the ways I hope to bring it from babyhood to toddlerdom is by honoring my commenters.
Taking a cue from the Rambam, the twelfth-century philosopher and expert in Jewish law who talks about 8 degrees of charity, I came up with 4 levels of commenting etiquette.
Level One: this is kind of a pre-level. It just learning how to leave a comment on someone else’s blog. You are not writing a whole post, but stating something in as clear a fashion as you can.
Level Two: Thank those who leave comments on your site. I still remember when I posted a comment on E-Kvetcher’s site on loshon hara (laws of gossip–a topic I would like to blog about, some time, some day). Look what a nice comment he left for me, after I left a few longish comments (I initiated the use of the term ‘blab’): “Leora, welcome and feel free to blab away.”
Level Three: If someone comments on your site, and you have never visited their site, go back and visit their site. And leave a comment. On something. Here was Jack’s first comment on my site, on my anti-pantyhose post: “Men are far more practical. No pantyhose, no pumps, no girdles.” So I went back to his site to find a post on which I could leave a comment. No comment on the particular post I found; it was one of Jack’s strange ones. I’ll give a link to Jack’s Comments on Commenting instead.
Level Four: Finally, the highest level is to link to a blogger or a blogger’s post in one of your posts. Search engines don’t follow the links in comments. But they do follow the links in posts. So here are links to blog posts by people who commented in the past week:
- Larry: Tazria/Metzorah Thoughts
- therapydoc: Black Holes
- Batya: About a certain bonding between parents whose kids have been hospitalized
- Mother in Israel: About the film A Lonely Man of Faith, about Rav Joseph B. Soloveichik
- Gail at Rubicon3: McCain sings Barbra
- A Simple Jew: With an eye for interesting Jewish art, here’s a drawing by Leonard Baskin.
Finally, thank you to Jill, and here’s a link to her Flower for Kiersten painting.
Hakarat hatov = Recognizing the good (Hebrew expression)
mother in israel says
Can't find that comment about my post. Mind you, I saw the post about the movie and thought about telling you about my post, but I didn't get as far as commenting.
Jack says
A strange post. I have strange posts. Oy. ;)
Jack says
I should add that commenting on other blogs is one of the best ways to build your own blog. You are being smart by acknowledging your commenters as well.
I try to make a point of responding when people comment on my blog. It is the polite thing to do, I am not always good about it, but...
Leora says
You are guys are fast! I've been thinking about this post for several weeks, finally took out some time to write it, and you've both already read it!
Mother in Israel, the movie about the Rav was one of your first posts I read and really liked. I remember having a hard time with the pink on fuschia. We solved that one, right?
Jack, if you must know, the strange post was about the woman stuck on the toilet.
Gail says
Thanks for the link, Leora. I've been blogging for almost 5 years. I used to link to other blogs and comment more, but I guess I've gotten a bit lazy. If I do comment or link, you know you've written something very special in order to have moved me out of my sedentary blogging habits.
Leora says
Gail: Five years! Wow. Was it an interest in politics that got you started?
I mostly just wanted to learn WordPress. I've been learning much more than that.
Gail says
Yes, politics was a big part of it. I have been communicating with a group of people on a message board since 1997. I am the only Jew. They are very nice, I've learned a lot from them and they've become my friends, but there were certain things I felt that I needed to express on my own.
Jack says
Ah the toilet woman, well it was kind of different. Part of the joy of blogging is pulling out all sorts of interesting people and places.
Gail,
I remember those days long ago when you used to comment more. ;) I am the same way now, almost four years in and...
Jill says
Thanks for thanking me Leora!
How's that for good etiquette?
Jill
mother in israel says
And PS: For a baby blog you're doing quite well. I enjoy your posts.
Leora says
Thanks, mother in israel. A compliment on my posts is helping me as I prepare (buy and/or cook) for Shabbat on a Thursday food that I won't be eating but my family will. I'm blocking out of my mind all the Pesach cleaning I will have to do when I return.
Jill, I really enjoyed linked to your Flowers for Kiersten painting.
Lion of Zion says
this is my rule #1: don't post more that one new post if you haven't responded yet to the comments on older posts. if people take the time to leave a comment i think it is proper to respond.
Leora says
Lion of Zion,
rule #1: don’t post more that one new post if you haven’t responded yet to the comments on older posts
That's an interesting idea. Since sometimes I like to post what I would call very HEAVY posts, like about cancer or dealing with anger, I prefer to add a post of jokes at the same time. Just to lighten our human load.
And on Friday I wanted to leave some kind of dvar torah before I left for my trip, so I waited to respond to comments until after I came back.
Please leave a comment! I love to hear from you.