Language:
English
Year of publication:
2022
Titel der Quelle:
Journal of Jewish Thought & Philosophy
Angaben zur Quelle:
31,1 (2022) 73–101
Keywords:
Volozhiner, Ḥayyim ben Isaac,
;
Talmud Torah (Judaism) History of doctrines
;
Mysticism Judaism
;
Mitnaggedim Philosophy
Abstract:
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.
DOI:
10.1163/1477285x-12341346
URL:
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