All Orthodox Jews are basically on the same page in terms of theology and practice. As I have shown in previous posts, there are differences, but what unites us is far more than what divides us. One fairly central division, however, is one of emphasis more than substance. The differences may seem huge, but the argument is not about the destination, but rather about which route is best to arrive at that destination.
We all acknowledge the centrality of Torah study. For some , all else pales in comparison. One Talmudic rabbi who emphasized study said to a colleague who spent the greater part of the day in prayer "You neglect Eternal Life for the needs of temporal life!" Those who take this approach are careful to observe the Mitzvot (commandments), but see study as the ultimate way of finding G-d. One group even says that study is NOT for knowledge, but the ACT of studying is the ultimate connection with G-d. One twentieth century advocate of this view was once sitting and studying while the congregation was dancing with the Torah scrolls on Simchat Torah. A student came up to him and asked "Rabbi aren't you going to dance?" he responded "I AM dancing".
Another approach is to see learning as important, but observance of the mitzvot in the strictest and grandest way possible is the ultimate connection with G-d. Holding on to a mitzvah, is to "grasp the King through his garments". Let's do that as well and as beautifully as possible. This image is found in the Tanya, the central work of Chabad Chassidism.
Rabbi Nachman of Breslov disagreed with this. he felt that stringencies led to depression. No human being can do ANYTHING perfectly. He commanded his followers to avoid stringencies. He said that the only part of the mitzvah that can be perfect is our DESIRE. Fulfill the letter of the law, as spelled out in the Shulchan Aruch, but put your all into connecting to G-d through the mitzvah.
The Ari (Rabbi Isaac Luria) said that he age of depth in study had passed. We are in an age where prayer is our main connection. Slow, meditative prayer, struggling within ourselves to have mastery over our inner forces, is the ultimate connection with G-d. We soar both inner space and "outer space". We need to study, we need to perform mitzvot, but prayer is the key.
Rabbi Yoel of Satmar, commenting on the Talmudic dictum "The world stands on three things; Torah, Divine Service, and acts of loving kindliness" There were three eras in Divine service; the era of Torah study, when there were scholars of immense proportions who found G-d in every crown of every letter, the era of intense, transcendent prayer, as described by the Ari, and the era of loving kindness, where our primary connection to G-d is by helping others.He felt that in our era, although we must study and pray as best we can, the emphasis must be on helping the poor, they sick, the orphan. He set up vast charity institutions on this basis.There have been times in my life where I was the beneficiary of these institutions.
So, are we really at odds? No! We seek G-d. We try to do His will. Which is the best road? We have different paths to the same goal!
We all acknowledge the centrality of Torah study. For some , all else pales in comparison. One Talmudic rabbi who emphasized study said to a colleague who spent the greater part of the day in prayer "You neglect Eternal Life for the needs of temporal life!" Those who take this approach are careful to observe the Mitzvot (commandments), but see study as the ultimate way of finding G-d. One group even says that study is NOT for knowledge, but the ACT of studying is the ultimate connection with G-d. One twentieth century advocate of this view was once sitting and studying while the congregation was dancing with the Torah scrolls on Simchat Torah. A student came up to him and asked "Rabbi aren't you going to dance?" he responded "I AM dancing".
Another approach is to see learning as important, but observance of the mitzvot in the strictest and grandest way possible is the ultimate connection with G-d. Holding on to a mitzvah, is to "grasp the King through his garments". Let's do that as well and as beautifully as possible. This image is found in the Tanya, the central work of Chabad Chassidism.
Rabbi Nachman of Breslov disagreed with this. he felt that stringencies led to depression. No human being can do ANYTHING perfectly. He commanded his followers to avoid stringencies. He said that the only part of the mitzvah that can be perfect is our DESIRE. Fulfill the letter of the law, as spelled out in the Shulchan Aruch, but put your all into connecting to G-d through the mitzvah.
The Ari (Rabbi Isaac Luria) said that he age of depth in study had passed. We are in an age where prayer is our main connection. Slow, meditative prayer, struggling within ourselves to have mastery over our inner forces, is the ultimate connection with G-d. We soar both inner space and "outer space". We need to study, we need to perform mitzvot, but prayer is the key.
Rabbi Yoel of Satmar, commenting on the Talmudic dictum "The world stands on three things; Torah, Divine Service, and acts of loving kindliness" There were three eras in Divine service; the era of Torah study, when there were scholars of immense proportions who found G-d in every crown of every letter, the era of intense, transcendent prayer, as described by the Ari, and the era of loving kindness, where our primary connection to G-d is by helping others.He felt that in our era, although we must study and pray as best we can, the emphasis must be on helping the poor, they sick, the orphan. He set up vast charity institutions on this basis.There have been times in my life where I was the beneficiary of these institutions.
So, are we really at odds? No! We seek G-d. We try to do His will. Which is the best road? We have different paths to the same goal!
During our journey to seek G-d there are a lot of obstacles and distractions along the way but how to manage the right route to reach the right destination?
ReplyDeleteJogil John Camacho Matunog