tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649296739635327765.post6735312388400616871..comments2022-11-18T02:18:03.095-08:00Comments on Chabad-Revisited: Immanent TranscendenceChabad-Revisitedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12507040680453821805noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649296739635327765.post-11134162326344820262011-11-26T19:55:47.533-08:002011-11-26T19:55:47.533-08:00I'm not sure I understand why Torah Lishmo, in...I'm not sure I understand why Torah Lishmo, in the words of R' Chayim Volozhiner, learning Torah for no ulterior motive except to learn Hashem's Torah isn't the sum total of what is required. For example, learning Torah in order to "come closer" to Hashem (call it atzmus or whatever) is Shelo Lishmo and Mitoch Shelo Lishma Ba Lishma. Similarly, someone who learns Torah as an academic exercise, is also Shelo Lishma. The result of learning Torah for Torah's sake is certainly magnificent and uplifting.<br /><br />PS. I'm also a fan or Professor Wolfson. He almost knocked me out with his vocabulary in the introduction to one of his books and sent me scurrying to my dictionary.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649296739635327765.post-33134269792102084232011-11-20T09:20:01.543-08:002011-11-20T09:20:01.543-08:00My interest in Prof. Wolfson's exposition stem...My interest in Prof. Wolfson's exposition stems firstly from his reputation as someone who has both broad knowledge of, and deep insight into, Chabad Chasidic literature and Jewish Mystical texts in general, and secondly from the fact that he has a certain advantage in being an "outsider". I am fascinated by the fact that despite his "outside" objectivity, he is obviously in love with the depth and beauty offered by Jewish Mysticism and Chabad Chasidus specifically.<br /><br />Not all of his premises are necessarily in accord with Yidishkeit, he does bring the methodology and freedom of thought of the academic world to the table. But as an academic he does try to understand Chasidus as it is meant to be understood, and he clearly does grasp his subject at a very high level.<br /> <br />On another note, talking about Chasidus in language that we understand, rather than falling back on "code words" whose true meaning is often not at all explicit, is integral to understanding Chasidus. Often an insider fails to grasp what Chasidus is really saying, because they fail to re-frame the message in language that carries real meaning. I do not think that all insiders should turn to Prof. Wolfson for instruction, but I do think that everyone can learn from his enthusiasm and from his commitment to really engage (at least intellectually) with the essence of Chasidus. <br /><br />Certainly, the event that "outsiders" like Prof. Wolfson take the Mayonos of Chasidus so seriously is itself an example of the "Chutzah" itself becoming a Mayon.Chabad-Revisitedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12507040680453821805noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649296739635327765.post-80323610969489726942011-11-20T08:06:21.269-08:002011-11-20T08:06:21.269-08:00Could you clarify your interest in Prof. Wolfson&#...Could you clarify your interest in Prof. Wolfson's exposition of the subject? Moreover, is his analysis a product of an outsider's perspective? In other words, are his premise's in accord with Yiddishkeit? And what of his conclusions and/or insights?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com