From Rational to Metaphysical: R. Hayyim of Volozhin’s Torah Lishmah as a Radical Concept
Many see the mithnagdim as total rationalists. Therefore it has been assumed that R. Hayyim of Volozhin’s approach to Torah study was the same. Although rationalism may be a correct characterization of the method he used in talmudic study, it does not capture how R. Hayyim understood the essence of...
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| Type de support: | Électronique Article |
| Langue: | Anglais |
| Vérifier la disponibilité: | HBZ Gateway |
| Journals Online & Print: | En cours de chargement...
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| Fernleihe: | Fernleihe für die Fachinformationsdienste |
| Publié: |
Brill
2023
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| Dans: |
The journal of Jewish thought & philosophy
Année: 2023, Volume: 31, Numéro: 1, Pages: 73-101 |
| Sujets non-standardisés: | B
Mysticism
B Hasidim B mithnagdim B Vilna Gaon B Kabbalah B R. Hayyim of Volozhin B Torah |
| Accès en ligne: |
Volltext (kostenfrei) Volltext (kostenfrei) |
| Résumé: | Many see the mithnagdim as total rationalists. Therefore it has been assumed that R. Hayyim of Volozhin’s approach to Torah study was the same. Although rationalism may be a correct characterization of the method he used in talmudic study, it does not capture how R. Hayyim understood the essence of Torah study. Some have described Nefesh ha-Hayyim as demystifying Kabbalah. I agree that R. Hayyim opposes ecstatic Kabbalah. However, already in 1972 Norman Lamm noticed that R. Hayyim saw Torah study as a form of clinging to God. In my article, I go further and demonstrate how torah lishmah for R. Hayyim is a radical idea that includes a legitimate path to unio mystica, and even a way to divine inspiration. |
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| ISSN: | 1477-285X |
| Contient: | Enthalten in: The journal of Jewish thought & philosophy
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| Persistent identifiers: | DOI: 10.1163/1477285x-12341346 |