daas torah pages 1-42

�� A Jewish Sourcebook

Faith (Emuna)

Truth (Emes)

Trusting G-d (Bitachon)

Providence (Hashgacho)

Suffering (Yesurim)

Effort (Hishtadlus)

Mazel

Daniel Eidensohn

Author of Yad Moshe & Yad Yisroel

Emunah Press Jerusalem

2005

Daas Torah

A Jewish Sourcebook

© 2005 Daniel Eidensohn

394 East 2nd Street

Brooklyn, New York 11218

e-mail [email protected]

All rights reserved including that of copying by all means including

photographic and electronic. This also applies to the translation as well as

edited Hebrew text. In other words—no Xeroxing of pages without

written permission from the author—even for good purposes. Violating

this prohibition constitutes stealing.

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The following data bases were utilized. Bar Ilan’s Responsa Data Base, Davka’s Judaica Classics, DBS’s Data Base, Encyclopedia Judaica. Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan’s Handbook of Jewish Thought. Rabbi Menachem Kasher’s Torah Shleima and Rabbi Dr. Shmuel Adler’s Aspaklaria were also indispensable. A number of English translations were useful aids in my translation. Soncino Tanach, Talmud, Medrash and Zohar. Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan’s Living Torah. Rabbi Chavel’s Ramban. Rabbi Eliyahu Munk’s Rabbeinu Bachye, Akeidas Yitzchok, Shaloh and Ohr HaChaim.

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I would like to thank the following for their pleasant and helpful library assistance. R’ Yaakov Aronson of Bar Ilan University. Mss. Cyma Horowitz, Michelle Anish and my mother—Mrs. Esther Eidensohn—of the Blaustein Library. Mss Jackiesue Singer, Sarah Friedman and Adina Feldstern of the Abramov Library

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I would like to thank my mother—without her efforts this sefer and my previous works would never have been produced. My family has provided the environment for my work to advance. My chavrusa of many years—Dr. Baruch Shulem—has discussed and debated much of the material with me. This compendium owes much to his intelligent commonsense.. Rav Meir Triebitz has contributed a great deal to this project—not the least is the profound introduction he wrote for it. Besides the many hours of discussion and debate, he has directed a chabura in which some of these issues have been discussed in depth. I would like to thank the participants in the group for their help and feedback. Rabbi Yaakov Bear has helped in many ways to clarifying the material. Even more important was his arranging my meeting with Rav Eliyashiv. R’ Micha Berger has provided a unique internet forum [[email protected]] which has been very helpful in articulating hashkofa. Rabbi Chananya Greenwald has often forced me to reexamine fundamental assumptions and arranged the vital meeting with Rav Moshe Shapiro. R’ Mordechai Schiller’s incisive observations and support are greatly appreciated. R’ Daniel Soibelmann helped organize a chabura to discuss these ideas and offered helpful comments on part of the manuscript. R’ Yisroel Liebowitz provided encouragement when the project was just a dream. There were many others that have discussed and critiqued the material—I apologize for not mentioning them by name.

Rabbinic Guidance

When I started thinking about this project years ago, various concerns were raised about the appropriateness of making a sourcebook. I consulted with a number of talmidei chachomim who validated the idea of a theological sourcebook containing a range of views. It is important to note that none of these rabbis were involved in the actual composition of this sourcebook nor did they see the resulting compendium prior to publication. I am solely responsible for its contents. Rav Eliyashiv stated that making a sourcebook with a range of views was permitted. Furthermore, the fact that conflicting views might cause confusion in some readers was not a reason to avoid teaching them. He stated that any confusion that might result should be clarified by consulting the reader’s rabbi or rosh yeshiva. However, he indicated there were two conditions for a legitimate sourcebook. Firstly, that the sources needed to be accepted ones and not those from recently discovered manuscripts of questionable validity. Secondly, the views needed to be the authentic views of major authorities—and not the distorted assertions found in some polemical works. While I believe I have succeeded in fulfilling these conditions—there is not universal agreement as to which material should be classified as mainstream. For example, concerning the Ramban’s statement of Agada, there are many—such as Rav Yaakov Kaminetsky—who asserted that it is not the authentic view of the Ramban. However, the Chasam Sofer accepted it as valid. When faced with this type of dispute between recognized authorities, I have brought the views from both sides. I have not attempted to decide between positions or give my personal opinion concerning who is right. This is in accord with the advice of Rav Moshe Shapiro. While he told me to proceed with writing this sefer, he advised me not to present my own views or interpretations and to let the sources speak for themselves. Rav Nachman Bulman zt”l helped me clarify what I was trying to do and provided encouragement. Rav Moshe Heinemann spent time clarifying issues and validating the project. Rav Joseph Elias provided valuable sources when I first started working on this project. Rav Noach Weinberg asserted the critical importance of studying theology—especially for baalei teshuva. Rav Yaakov Weinberg zt”l was encouraging and provided critical understanding of some of the underlying issues. Rav Avraham Pessin reviewed some issues and provided me with unique insights. Rav Moshe Eisemann took time to patiently explain the relevance of hashkofa. Rav Moshe Chaim Geldtzahler has provided important help as well as profound comments on some of these issues. Rav Yosef Rottenberg’s deep understanding and commonsense opened new vistas.

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9

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Agada

Anger

Answers

Ascribe Suffering to Sin

Astrology

Atheist

Auerbach, Rav Shlomo Z.

Authority

Avraham

Bad Things Happen

Belief—Principles of Faith

Bitachon

Bitachon—Lack

Bitachon—Levels

Bitachon—Harm

Blessing

Chasam Sofer

Chazon Ish

Children Suffer

Chutzpah

Complaining to G-d

Concepts

Contentment

Converts

Creation

Crusades

Daas Torah

Death

Decline of Generations

Doubts

Effort

Eilu v'eilu

Elisha ben Abuyah

Eliyahu

Faith

Fear of Harm

Feinstein, Rav Moshe

Free will

Gadol

Gam zu l'tova

Gavriel

G-d

G-d Knows

G-d Suffers

G-d’s Anger

Gidon

Goal of Creation

Goals

Goals of sourcebook

Greatness

Halacha

Heresy

Heresy—Study to refute

Heretic

Hirsch, Rav S. R.

Hypocrisy

Idan Rischa

Intellect

Interest on loans

Israel

Jews

Kabbala

Kaminetsky, Rav Yaakov

Karaites

Klaussenberger Rebbe

Knowing

Knowledge

Leshem

Magic

Maharal

Maharetz Chajes

Marriage

Martyrdom

Mature Faith

Mazel

Medicine

Medrash See Agada

Meiri

Meshech Chochma

Messianic age

Metarules

Michah

Michtav M'Eliyahu

Miracles

Moshe

Nature

Noach

DAAS TORAH 10

Non-Jews

Occupation

Ohr HaChaim

Oral Law

Perfection

Philosophy

Piety

Pilpul

Poverty

Prayer

Principles of Faith

Prophesy

Prophets

Protection from Harm

Providence

Providence—Animals

Providence—Views

Providence—Israel

Providence—Jews

Providence—Harm

Questions

Rabbinic laws

Rambam

Ramchal

Rav Hai Gaon

Rebbe See Teacher

Reincarnation

Religion

Revenge

Reward and Punishment

Rosh HaShanna

Sages

Salanter, Rav Yisroel

Scholars

Science�Religion conflict

Serenity

Sickness

Silber, Rav Binyamin

Simple Faith

Sinai

Skepticism

Soloveitchik, Rav Yosef

Spirituality

Spirituality and Religion

Success

Suffering

Suffering—Good

Suffering of Love

Suffering—Sin

Suicide

Teacher

Temimos—purity

Temple—Destroyed

Theology

Theology is problematic

Tinok SheNishba—Naive

Torah

Torah Study

Torah Study & Working

Tradition

Translations

Trials and Tests

Truth

Tzadik

Tzorech Gevoha See G-d

Volozhner, Rav Chaim

War

Wolbe, Rav Shlomo

World to Come

Yaakov

11

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Agada

Absolute statements are often relative .....220 Correct explanation—rest apologetics......234 Defined .....................................................225 Differing from—major topic .......................222 Divinely given—was not............................230 G-d's word—must be accepted ................228 Halacha—not used for ..............................236 Inspires or should be ignored ...................235 Major topic ................................................225 More interesting than gemora...................235 Poetic interpretations of verses ................232 Profound truths .........................................226 Rambam—rejected nonrational ................233 Ramban ....................................................225 Rejection—major topic..............................231 Rejection—only minority ...........................232 Rejection—Outside of Talmud..................231 Rejection—possible ..................................232 Shmuel HaNagid ......................................225 Theology is scattered through medrash ...225

Anger

Assailant—G-d caused suffering ..............338 Bitachon—shows lack ..............................340 G-d causes everything..............................337 G-d's .................................... See G-d’s Anger Moshe's anger—lack of faith ....................339 Never justified ...........................................337 Torah scholar—inflamed by Torah ...........341 Unjustified—issues are trivial....................341 Yaakov was angered with Rachel.............339

Answers

Absolute are rare ......................................206 Admitting not knowing—important ............210 Authority—false attribution .......................210 Commonsense or Tradition—not logic .....210 Distortions—true for questioner ................206 Don't know—cover-up ignorance..............210 Faith is required..........................................52 Faith is ultimately required........................203 Faith of masses & scholars differ..............205

Foolish questions ....................See Questions Issues—not everyone can answer all .......207 Major topic.................................................203 Must be understandable............................204 Questions ................................See Questions

Ascribe Suffering to Sin

Bad to punishment ....................................353 Belief in chance brings punishment ..........349 Belief in chance is heresy .........................352 Belief that everything is just ......................348 Blaming suffering person—wrong.............351 Don't assume but find reason ...................354 Even if not so ............................................352 Failure is always punishment ....................349 Failure to repent ........................................347 G-d causes everything ..............................353 Ignore conflicting verses & experiences....351 Must belief sin is cause.............................348 Pray to stop suffering—don't .....................350 Reasons no longer known.........................352 Two types of calamities.............................350

Astrology

Be whole hearted with G-d........................594 Magic—not considered .............................592 Mazel..............................................See Mazel Permitted for mitzva or study ....................593 Permitted if no prophets ............................593 Permitted to use knowledge......................592 Prohibited ................................................591 Rambam rejects ........................................587 Rambam's view rejected ...........................588

Atheist

Worse than idol worshipper.........................58

Auerbach, Rav Shlomo Zalman

Validity of view of Rambam's son .............138

Authority

False attribution to major authority............210

DAAS TORAH 12

Avraham

Believed—promises not fulfilled................328 Sacrificing son ..........................................328 Ten trials...................................................329 Tested because of philosophical faith ......328 Tested G-d................................................328 Tests—major topic....................................328

Bad Things Happen

Even with bitachon—major topic ..............419

Belief ........ See Principles of Faith

Accepting is difficult ..................................183 Commonsense—be consistent with .........133 Faith.................................................See Faith General principles critical—not details .....131 Kabbala & Philosophy are similar .............184 Knowing is different—major topic .............124 Knowledge is a consequence...................127 Knowledge is different ..............................124 Knowledge—belief is beyond ...................128 Logic—be consistent with .........................134 Man created to know about G-d ...............184 Non-rational—Rambam rejected ..............136 Obligatory ...................................................56 Obligatory—major topic ..............................56 Predisposition to faith needed ..................128 Protection only from G-d...........................373 Psychological or intuitive ..........................126 Science—be consistent with.....................132 Skepticism—Jews are inherently..............130 Tradition can not be proved......................127 Tradition or authority is basis....................125 Truth ............................................... See Truth

Bitachon

7 characteristics—Chovas HaLevavos.....395 Alone not sufficient—major topic ..............460 Amount depends on spiritual level............360 Awareness that G-d causes all .................356 Bad converted to good .............................368 Bad things happen...See Bad Things Happen Bad things still happen—major topic ........419 Balance between effort & faith..................480 Benefit from Heaven requires ...................376 Bothering G-d ...........................................475

Chazon Ish—nothing is chance ................368 Chazon Ish—Rav Dessler’s critique..........369 Choice—Life of bitachon or effort..............483 Clinging to G-d ..........................................356 Developing—10 stages Chov. HaLevav. ..325 Deviation from true level ...........................361 Doctors not needed—Tzadik only .............495 Effort increases bitachon...........................465 Effort not needed for Tzadik......................495 Effort required for success ........................464 Effort—major topic ..........................See Effort Everything is good is mistake....................368 Faith increases bitachon ...........................367 Faith is foundation.....................................366 Faith—bitachon is the source....................366 Faith—higher than faith.............................367 Faith—most important aspect ...................366 Faith—single entity....................................365 Fear of G-d leads to ..................................359 Fearing only G-d is basis ..........................400 Feeling that wishes were obtained............383 Foundation of serving G-d.........................358 Grace—undeserved good.........................378 Happiness results......................................396 Harm prevented ........................................367 Harm protection and wish fulfillment .........383 Harm—miraculous salvation .....................372 Harm—protection only for highest level ....385 Hope required to benefit............................359 Hope results in G-d's kindness .................383 Insurance—contradiction? ........................487 Interest on loans—reduces .......................487 Lack................................See Bitachon—Lack Levels.......................... See Bitachon—Levels Levels—major topic...................................360 Luxuries provided......................................383 Martyrdom is aspect..................359, 375, 447 Martyrdom with equanimity .......................398 Merit is produced by bitachon ...................379 Merit not needed ...............................372, 379 Miracles......................................See Miracles Miracles—vinegar burn .............................383 Nothing happens by chance—Chazon Ish368 Optimism is not bitachon...........................398 Piety is consequence ................................360 Prayer is part of.........................................540 Prayer not needed.....................................535

Index of Topics 13

Prayer—harmful to assume answered .....357 Protection—G-d fights be silent ................374 Protective state .........................................376 Protects from harm—major topic ..............367 Providence more obvious with Bitachon...255 Provides everything without cost ..............381 Requests—all are done ............................382 Righteous lack—major topic .....................403 Salvation reduces merit ............................379 Security—G-d cares more ........................395 Serenity ..................................... See Serenity Serenity & Happiness produced ...............392 Serving G-d—not getting wealthy .............377 Shmittah teaches......................................323 Sin reduces benefit ...................................381 Sinner with bitachon .................................360 Sinner with bitachon—superior.................435 Sin—sinners helped by bitachon ..............381 Spiritual level determines protection.........370 Strengthening ...........................................358 Success .....................................See Success Success—bitachon alone .........................493 Success—needs effort .............................464 Suffering in spite of bitachon ....................351 Suffering—all that happened is good .......355 Suffering—compensation in WTCome .....583 Temimos—purity is essence.....................357 Theft—spend more than have ..................478 Torah—main reason for giving .................358 Trials..............................See Trials and Tests Trials implant ............................................318 Trusting G-d—Major topic.........................355 War—serenity & protects from harm ........532 War—serenity and protection ...................374 Wishes always granted—major topic........381

Bitachon—Lack

Avraham ...................................................405 Dovid ........................................................407 Evil inclination causes ..............................401 Fear of sin.................................................404 Fear shows lack of bitachon .....................399 Patriarchs .................................................405 Shlomo .....................................................410 Shmuel .....................................................413 Troubling G-d—avoid ...............................404 Tzadik doesn't trust his merit ....................389

Tzadikim don't trust their merit ..................403 Tzadikim don't want mercy........................413

Bitachon—Levels

Bitachon depends on spiritual level...........360 Chofetz Chaim—3 levels...........................362 Chovas HaLevavos—10 levels .................363 Major topic.................................................360 Rabbeinu Bachye—8 levels ......................363 Rambam's son—4 levels ..........................362

Bitachon—Protects from Harm

War....................................................See War

Blessing

Hidden miracle ..........................................573

Chasam Sofer

Agada—Ramban correct...........................232 Debate of Rashbi—Israel & work ..............274 Innovation prohibited.................................209 Jewish education is different .....................159 Majority determines beliefs .........................68 Medical books & halacha ..........................132 Principles of Faith—everything ...................67 Prophecy of Sages....................................103 Upgrading mitzvos ....................................209 Wisdom is based on prophesy..................123

Chazon Ish

Authority from decline of generations........106 Bitachon—everything good is mistake ......368 Heretic—not if accept Written Law..............79 Levels of faith exist....................................131 Non-observant—treat kindly........................91 Perfection—not moderation ........................43 Prophetic power—source of Sages.............78 Simple faith is best ....................................146 Tradition valid with great sages.................100

Children Suffer

Atonement—vicarious ...................See Tzadik Compensation in WTCome.......................301 Father's sin—not responsible....................301 Mamzer for parents' sin.............................301 Parents don't mourn properly....................301

DAAS TORAH 14

Parent's sins .............................................300 Parents' sins—major topic ........................300 Reincarnation ...........................................302 Sedom—children died ..............................301 Sins of their generation.............................300

Chutzpah

Amalek & Jews have ................................558 Channa spoke with Chutzpah...................547 Choni demanded rain ...............................551 Eliyahu......................................................550 Essential to spirituality ..............................558 For sake of G-d only .................................560 Good and bad...........................................559 Increase in Messianic era .........................560 Levi became cripple..................................554 Noach—because of suffering ...................557 Useful against G-d ....................................560

Complaining to G-d

Abel's blood ..............................................546 Adam blamed G-d for his sin ....................546 Avraham ...................................................546 Avraham—belief in astrology....................547 Avraham—faith was intellectual................547 Chavakuk..................................................550 Chutzpah ................................. See Chutzpah Destruction of Sedom ...............................546 Dovid ........................................................551 Eliyahu......................................................549 G-d said—let us determine .......................553 G-d’s justice—Major topic.........................545 Inherent trait of Jews ................................545 Job—because he was confused...............554 Moshe.......................................................554 Moshe claimed G-d caused rebellion .......555 Moshe complained about G-d's injustice ..554 Moshe punished .......................................555 Moshe—food in Wilderness......................556 Prophets—about Jewish suffering ............547 Prophets—claim they didn't problematic ..548 Prophets—major topic ..............................547 Prophets—punishment through wicked....549 Providence is reason for complaint...........546 Shlomo .....................................................551 Splitting of Sea preceded by.....................558 Yaakov—about bad life ............................558

Yeshaya ....................................................550

Concepts

Needed to understand system ....................38

Contentment

Absolute necessities .................................453 Major topic.................................................452 Spending too much—theft.........................453 Wealth is contentment...............................452 Whatever G-d gives ..................................453

Converts

Love of Torah greater than FFB..................52 Oral Torah is from converts.........................52 Principles of faith required...........................70 Spirituality greater than FFB .......................51 Torah—Majority associated with them........51

Creation

Belief—foundation principle ........................72

Crusades

Martyrdom..............................See Martyrdom

Daas Torah

Concept more important than details ........172 Context critical for inferences....................171 Dialectic thinking .......................................168 Gedolim—perceive essence .....................172 Idealization which is rare...........................169 Integrating diverse sources.......................171 Jewish thinking—major topic.....................168 Knowledge ............................ See Knowledge Knowledge dialectics & metarules ............168 Metarules ................................ See Metarules Metarules—rules of the system.................169 Understanding develops from questions...173 Unique way of thinking ..............................168

Death

Live forever if no sin ..................................522 Natural sickness causes most...................579 Negligence is usual cause ........................564 Premature .................................................578 R' Akiva's—profanation of G-d's name .....556

Index of Topics 15

Unjust .......................................................577 War—from free will & accident .................562

Decline of Generations

Earlier generations superior .....................104 Failure to serve teachers caused it...........107 Intellectual decline ....................................106 Leaders slow down decline ......................105 Major topic ................................................104 Spiritual decline ........................................104 Suffering is cause .....................................107 Talmudic authority is result .......................106 Torah study primary—originally ................105

Doubts

Logic alone—causes doubts ....................155 Theology resolves doubts.........................160 Tradition alone doesn't resolve.................166

Effort

Adam worked more than us......................480 Adam's sin—reason for effort ...................463 Amount required—major topic ..................480 Amount—appears natural.........................480 Amount—excessive ..................................481 Amount—natural.......................................482 Amount—none if have now ......................480 Amount—token only .................................481 Appearance of natural causality—lottery ..480 Baal teshuva—relying on miracles ...........463 Bitachon alone for Tzadik .........................495 Bitachon alone unsuccessful ....................464 Bitachon—effort required too....................469 Bitachon—inverse relationship .................481 Blessing—Effort is precondition................470 Bothering G-d—avoiding ..........................475 Cause of success—punished ...................474 Choice—Life of bitachon or effort .............483 Dispute—Ramban vs.Chovas HaLev. ......474 Distracts from sin ......................................489 Divine intervention after effort...................477 Fear of sin requires...................................475 Flaying carcass.........................................490 G-d benefits—tzorech Gevoha .................490 G-d feeds all creatures .............................475 Greater than miracles ...............................479 Harm avoided by effort .............................470

Insurance policy ........................................487 Intent to serve G-d—required....................482 Involvement with world required................478 Israel requires—not outside ......................471 Job ........................................See Occupation Job is obligatory ........................................498 Job—before marriage ...............................470 Major topic.................................................460 Miracle—Noach made Ark ........................472 Miracles—not relying on............................467 Nature, Miracle & Beracha........................471 Occupation ............................See Occupation Occupation—major topic...........................482 Required to get—Rosh HaShanna............476 Required—obtain what G-d gives .............476 Spiritual & mundane require......................475 Success—G-d alone .................................453 Three keys—G-d has................................475 Yaakov's labor saved his life .....................479

Eilu v'eilu

Multiple truth....................................See Truth

Elisha ben Abuyah

Heretic from suffering of righteous............552

Eliyahu

Threatened to become heretic ..................550

Faith

Accepting beliefs is difficult .......................183 Attachment to G-d .....................................149 Attachment to G-d—pure heart .................152 Attachment to G-d—Torah study ..............152 Belief .............................................. See Belief Belief needed to not be heretic ...................56 Beliefs are intellectual & unnatural............182 Bitachon increases faith ............................367 Bitachon is the source...............................366 Bitachon—foundation of bitachon .............366 Bitachon—higher than faith.......................367 Bitachon—most important aspect .............366 Bitachon—single entity..............................365 Blind isn't genuine faith .............................166 Blind without theology ...............................165 Develops from unjust suffering..................317 Errors more than theology.........................168

DAAS TORAH 16

Grateful—Jews inherently ungrateful........131 Gratitude is basis not reverse ...................131 Heart—constantly implanted ....................181 Idol worship can co—exist ..........................55 Idol worship—at Sinai .................................55 Importance—most important—Rambam ....62 Inherent in Jews .......................................151 Knowledge is lower than belief .................128 Knowledge is not faith ..............................129 Knowledge result of ..................................151 Levels—qualitative & quantitative.............131 Lusts can overcome faith............................55 Mature ................................ See Mature Faith Mitzvos require awareness of G-d ..............57 Most important commandment ...................61 Must be in heart ........................................150 Natural is very rare ...................................184 Originated with Avraham ..........................212 Passionate vs. Philosophical ....................184 Philosophic vs. passionate .......................184 Psychological & intuitive ...........................126 Pure heart is goal of all faith .....................150 Rational—recognition of Judaism.............186 Scholarship without intent for G-d ............153 Simple..................................See Simple Faith Simple—threatened by: ............................161 Sinning is spite of .......................................55 Trials implant ............................................318 Tzadik—faith in tzadik leads to G-d..........129 Understanding—not dependent upon.........52 World to Come obtained with faith..............57

Fear of Harm

Bitachon is to fear only G-d ......................400 Bitachon lacking—evil inclination .............401 Danger avoided even by tzadik ................403 G-d should be feared as man ...................401 Health protection for complete tzadik .......401 Indicates a sinful person...........................399 Intelligent characteristic ............................399 Law enforcement needed for crime ..........399 Major topic ................................................398 Miracles not wanted by tzadik ..................402 Natural but must be overcome .................398 Protection ............. See Protection from Harm Shortens life..............................................400 Sinner—even tzadik should assume ........401

War—is sinful ............................................400

Feinstein, Rav Moshe

Bitachon for past—job...............................355 Burn commentaries written by wicked.......213 Doctor—heretic .........................................458 Eilu v'Eilu—both true.................................116 Eilu v'Eilu—only one true ..........................112 Halacha overrules—abortion.....................299 Job is obligatory ........................................498 Kollel—must take money ..........................502 Life insurance—bitachon...........................487 Marry wrong person—prayer ....................512 Not influenced by outside sources ............214 Sages' knowledge advanced ....................102 Suffering of Love.......................................283 Summary of Igros—prohibited ..................204 Teacher is critical ........................................44 Textbooks—author not religious .................79 Torah and financial security ......................460 Translation—concerns ................................41

Free will

Avner punished—intent to embarrass.......563 Egyptians hurt more than decreed............563 Kings don't have........................................564 Lavan not killing Yaakov was miracle .......568 Mazel is not contradiction..........................589 Providence always agrees ................342, 566 Providence is subordinate.........................565 Providence overruled—major topic ...........562 Sarah afraid of Pharaoh killing Avraham...568 Suffering from failure of police ..................570

Gadol

Conceputal understanding ........................170 Daas Torah .......................... See Daas Torah Living Torah ..............................................170

Gam zu l'tova

Bad is good—major topic ..........................442

Gavriel

Right to argue with G-d .............................552

Index of Topics 17

G-d

Actions should not be questioned.............343 Benefits from man's efforts .......................490 Communicates with man—rejecting .........257 Complaining..............See Complaining to G-d Omnipotent—principle of faith ..................382 Only in Israel.............................................273 Tzorech Gevoha .......................................490

G-d Knows

Ein Sof only knows everything..................275 Everything.................................................275 Generally but not all details ......................276 Heretics deny............................................256 Job questioned G-d awareness................277 Major topic ................................................275 Man would sin—why create him...............276 Philosophers say He doesn't ....................256 Sages of all generations—from Creation..277 Telescope refutes not knowing .................276

G-d Suffers

Exile of Jews.............................................450 Prayer is for sake of G-d...........................451 When man suffers ....................................450

G-d’s Anger

G-d gets angry everyday ..........................430 Idan Rischa...............................................430 Pray for wicked to reduce anger ...............431 Prayer is avoided......................................542 Prayer should be avoided.........................431 Punishment for positive commandments..430 Tzadik suffers also....................................430

Gidon

Power from defending Jews .....................553

Goal of Creation

Knowing and fearing G-d ............................57

Goals

Perfection—not moderation ........................43

Goals of sourcebook

Primary texts ...............................................37 Reference tool.............................................37 Survey of tradition .......................................38

Greatness

Proportional to desire for sin .......................56

Halacha

Agada—not used for .................................236

Heresy

Books prohibited .........................................79 Books prohibited for children.......................88 Caused by contradictions—Acher...............87 Caused by doubts .......................................85 Caused by intellectual analysis ...................86 Caused by limited intellect ..........................84 Caused by lust ............................................85 Caused by misunderstanding of students ...87 Caused by Philosophy ................................93 Caused by secular studies ..........................87 Caused by Theological analysisSee Theology Causes—major topic...................................84 Doubts.........................................................85 Fighting—prohibit or ridicule? .....................94 Hypocrisy ....................................................61 Jewish status lost ........................................82 Labelling opposing views is problematic .....77 Learning from heretic—prohibited...............80 Learning—mature adult permitted?.............80 Major topic...................................................75 More errors in Faith than philosophy...........91 Opposing views—labeling...........................43 Punishable if Providence manifest ......82, 238 Questions—Acher became heretic ...........192 Refutation from knowledge .......................186 Refute.......................See Questions Heretical Reject Oral Law...........................................77 Reject Oral Law—if accept Written Law......78 Repent for thoughts harder than deeds ......84 Repentance accepted?—Rambam.............83 Reward for mitzvos—none..........................83 Simple faith endanged by heretics ............166 Suffering is accident....................................77 Teachers—learning from—major topic .......80

DAAS TORAH 18

World to Come is lost..................................75

Heresy—Study to refute

Debate only non-Jewish heretics................93 Major topic ..................................................92 Obligation ...................................................92 Protected against heretical thoughts ..........92

Heretic

Debate only non-Jewish heretics................93 Inadvertent (nebach apikorus) ....................88 Inadvertent is not a heretic .........................89 Inadvertent—is still a heretic ......................88 Inadvertent—R’ Chaim Soloveitchik ...........90 Know to refute own heresy .........................94 Nebach ..................................See Inadvertent Person raised that way—not responsible ...91

Hirsch, Rav S. R.

Age of universe.........................................133 Bible not science book..............................137 Facts validated by tradition .........................95 Involvement with world required ...............478 Letter on Agada ........................................226 Nature & science both revelation..............110 Science conflict—must teach ...................143 Torah not altered by wishes .....................111

Hypocrisy

Observance without belief ..........................61

Idan Rischa

G-d's anger .......................... See G-d’s Anger

Intellect

Judaism is inherently intellectual ..............182 Mature faith......................... See Mature Faith Theology...................................See Theology

Interest on loans

Rejection of Providence............................258

Israel

Providence................ See Providence—Israel Religious activity needed less ..................274

Jews

Providence ................ See Providence—Jews Repentance requires suffering ..................432 Stiff-necked ...............................................561 Stiff-necked - Maharal .................................51 Torah given to tame aggression................561

Job........................ See Occupation

Kabbala

Dangers.....................................................218 Theology—true source............. See Theology

Kaminetsky, Rav Yaakov

Astronauts and Rambam ..........................133 Avraham saved Lot vs. Halacha .................48 Effort—Ramban vs.Chovas HaLevavos....474 Ramban regarding agada .........................228 Truth—must be moral ...............................110

Karaites

Rejection of Oral Law—not heresy .............78

Klaussenberger Rebbe

Halacha fromTradition not Science...........142

Knowing

G-d—mitzva ..............................................121 Tranquility & joy required ..........................121

Knowledge

Authority—unverified is not knowledge.....120 Basis of all knowledge—Torah..................123 Belief based on convincing proofs ............117 Concept more important than details ........172 Daas Torah .......................... See Daas Torah Faith is not knowledge ..............................129 Levels—parable of palace.................122, 185 Limits.........................................................121 Major topic.................................................117 Originated with Torah & prophets .............139 Proof or direct experience.........................118 Prophesy is basis of all .............................123 Purpose—know you don't know................119 Torah is root of all .....................................124

Index of Topics 19

Tradition or intellect ..................................117 Training and personality needed ..............119

Kotler, Rav Aaron

Sages—indispensable foundation ............101

Leshem

R' Abahu gave distorted answer...............206

Magic

Providence can be overruled ............252, 569

Maharal

Belief superior to knowledge ....................129 Criticism of learning Tosfos first..................41 Eilu v'eilu—Shammai & Hillel....................113 Heresy - refute ones own ...........................94 Heretic - not if accept Written Law..............78 Jews repent only with suffering ..................51 Learn what interests him ............................42 Master Torah before analysis .....................41 Miracles - contradict logic .........................132 Questions—not asking—heresy ...............190 Questions—not silencing ..........................202 Sage is living Torah ..................................101 Secular knowledge - learning ...................156 Secular knowledge - permitted? .................92 Stiff-necked & spirituality ............................51 Truth is that which is appropriate..............110

Maharetz Chajes

Concepts are important ..............................38

Marriage

Announced in Heaven before birth ...........509 Broken engagement is good.....................512 Dowery predetermined .............................513 First & second—two types........................514 First is pre-ordained..................................513 Foreknowledge of righteousness..............513 Free will determines..................................510 Free will is overcome................................510 Intermarriage ............................................514 Job before.................................................470 Predestined—Major topic .........................509 Reward & punishment ..............................284

Reward & punishment for deeds...............512 Wrong person....................................511, 570

Martyrdom

Bitachon—aspect ......................................359 Comrade in Heaven of Baal Shem Tov.......60 Crusades.....................................................58 Equanimity with bitachon ..........................398 Halacha.......................................................58 Killing family to stop conversion ..................59 Required to defend beliefs ..........................58 Secular Jew in Auschwitz............................60 Sinners ........................................................60

Mature Faith

Creativity important ...................................180 Heart—constantly implanted .....................181 Intellect—only if causes fear of G-d ..........173 Intellectual analysis after tradition .............174 Intellectual analysis—major topic..............173 Intellectual—Judaism is inherently............182 Rational inquiry can then be used fully .....159 Teacher—wise needed .............................182 Theology .................................. See Theology Theology—for those capable ....................177 Theology—obligation to study...................175

Mazel

Altered by merit .........................................590 Astrology .................................. See Astrology Blades of grass controlled.........................591 Change is harder than nature ...................596 Confusion of some Sages.........................587 Determines morality ..................................586 Free will.....................................................589 G-d's agent................................................584 Influence is disputed by Sages .................586 Influences individuals only—not people ....588 Jews can overcome ..................................262 Judge influenced by mazel of litigant ........596 Judges influenced in lititgants mazel.........537 Major topic.................................................584 Non-Jews—controlls .................................590 Overcome by work and prayer ..................544 Providence can be overruled ....................586 Success & failured caused by ...................584 Yaakov's success from G-d ......................589

DAAS TORAH 20

Medicine

Book of Cures concealed .........................518 Danger of natural view..............................355 G-d cures—take medicine ........................456 Halacha limits use ....................................521 Major topic ................................................515 Natural as farming—major topic ...............522 Natural efforts with bitachon .....................525 Refusing on Shabbos—stupid? ................528 Refusing treatment—piety ........................529 Refusing treatment—stupidity ..................528 Righteous—Rambam vs. Ramban ...........526 Sickness ................................... See Sickness Treatment for external illness only............519 Treatment required for everyone ..............531 Treatment—Chazon Ish vs. Rambam ......527 Treatment—not for righteous....................371 Treatment—Rambam & Ramban agree...528 Treatment—righteous also need ..............527 Treatment—righteous don't need .............526 Tzaras not natural illness..........................521 Unnatural—but necessary major topic......524

Medrash....................... See Agada

Meiri

Community leader needs to communicate .47 Educate children—simple faith .................147 Faith must be based on tradition ..............146 Live in Israel—even with non-Jews ..........273 Non-Jew who keeps 7 mitzvos ...................50 Torah knowledge requires role-model ........45 Torah should be enjoyable .........................40 Ultimate goal—Serving G-d ........................61

Meshech Chochma

Creativity in spirituality ..............................180 Judaism is intellectual and unnatural........182

Messianic age

2000 years................................................242 Desire for good only .................................451 Filled with knowledge of G-d ....................123 Need to know variety of viewpoints ............38 No bad ......................................................451 No beracha on evil....................................451

Principle of faith...........................................64

Metarules

Be holy ......................................................171 Daas Torah .......................... See Daas Torah Do good in G-d's eyes...............................170 Examples ..................................................170 Rules of the system...................................169 Unconscious typically................................170

Michah

Threatened to become heretic ..................550

Michtav M'Eliyahu

Critique of Chazon Ish—Bitachon .............369 Kiruv only reason to differ with Sages.......224

Miracles

Avoiding ....................................................499 Beracha.....................................................471 Bitachon alone produces success.............493 Bitachon alone—success..........................493 Blessings are hidden miracles ..................573 Built into Nature.........................................571 Easier than livelihood................................501 Good and bad ...........................................575 Localized ...................................................575 Logically impossible ..................................575 Mercy not justice .......................................402 Minimize change in nature ........................574 Minimize—Noach's Ark .............................472 Nature—Major topic ..................................571 New aspect of creation..............................572 Not to expect .....................................498, 499 Righteous rely on miracles........................501 Righteous—crops harvested by others.....500 Sun moved while stationary ......................575 Transcend nature......................................571 Work is greater..........................................479

Moshe

Book of Job—wrote...................................556 Complained about suffering ......................554 Complaining to G-d was only curiosity ......555 Suffering concerned him deeply................556 Threatened to become heretic—Korach ...557

Index of Topics 21

Nature

Exists ........................................................578 Medicine is totally natural .........................522 Medicine is unnatural................................524

Nebach Apikorus

Major topic ..................................................88

Noach

Absolute or relative Tzadik .......................331 Doubted Flood would happen...................333 Lacked faith ..............................................332

Non-Jews

Beliefs naturally stronger ............................49 Creation not improved by .........................263 Decency found in all men ...........................48 Repent readily—Jews don't ........................50 Spiritual.......................................................49 World to Come for righteous.......................50

Occupation

Best—Businessman .................................490 Change—failure not reason to..................490 Change—from family occupation..............490 Choosing—Interesting and attractive........486 Choosing—major topic .............................482 Completing world—work needed..............485 Job is obligatory........................................498 Marriage—job before................................470 Success—symbolic or cause....................485 Tests person—keeps from sin ..................488 Torah thoughts while working ...................486 Worrying about—not appropriate..............488 Worst—farming.........................................490

Ohr HaChaim

All new explanations are from Sinai..........223 Don't reveal Yehoshua wrote verses ........191

Oral Law

Rejection is heresy? ...................................77

Perfection

Rather than moderation..............................43

Philosophy

Dangers.......................................................93 Errors in emuna are more common ............91 Originated with prophets ...........................139 Rambam believed it? ................................205

Piety

True—not among narrow scholars............161 True—not among the ignorant ..................161

Pilpul

Maharal's criticism.......................................41 Restoring halacha by using.......................123 Texual analysis—important.........................43

Poverty

Lack of effort causes.................................563 Provides wealthy chance for merit ............439 Rewarded in WTCome..............................438

Prayer

Answered—after Divine decree? ..............541 Answered—harmful belief .........................374 Answered—harmful to assume .................357 Answered—if whole hearted? ...................544 Answered—Iyun Tefila ..............................536 Answered—not always for righteous.........541 Answered—not main purpose...................540 Answered—reasons why not ....................542 Answered—typically not............................543 Avoid at time of G-d's anger......................431 Bitachon eliminates need..........................535 Bitachon—Iyun Tefilah ..............................536 Bitachon—part of ......................................540 Danger—rescue from................................535 For wicked—to reduce Divine anger .........431 G-d’s anger—don't pray ............................542 G-d's promises require prayer...................541 Judges influenced by prayer .....................537 Major topic.................................................535 Marry wrong person—accepted ................536 Natural events—not miracles ....................540 Needs—don't since all is good..................537 Needs—don't since debases G-d .............538 Needs—major principle...............................75 Needs—only G-d’s ....................................537

DAAS TORAH 22

Needs—required ......................................538 Nullifies bad decree ..................................541 Praise of G-d—answer is secondary ........540 Principle of faith ........................................539 Recognition that perfection is from G-d ....543 Sinner prays for success ............................56 Sinning more successful...........................543 Temporal life requires...............................540 Tzadik relies on—not merit .......................536

Principles of Faith.........See Belief

Acccepted views are binding ......................68 Belief in G-d ................................................70 Bitachon......................................................72 Converts must accept .................................70 Creation ......................................................72 Creation is foundation.................................72 Creation is not foundation...........................73 Everything is fundamental ..........................66 Four—Rabbeinu Bachye ............................62 Free will ......................................................75 G-d can do everything ..............................382 Intellect alone determines...........................67 Limited number...........................................62 Logical proof not irrefutable ........................69 Major topic ..................................................62 Miraculous redemption from Egypt .............74 Mishna Torah..............................................64 Moshiach ....................................................72 Prayer .......................................................539 Prayer for personal needs ..........................75 Providence..................................................71 Providence according to spiritual level .....266 Rambam's 13..............................................63 Rambam's are universally accepted...........65 Shabbos .....................................................73 Sinai is source ..........................................215 Six constant commandments—Chinuch.....62 Teaching—reasons ....................................65 Three—Sefer HaIkkarim.............................62 Torah from Heaven.....................................74 Torah from Heaven—last verses ..............191 Torah is same as Moshe's..........................74 World to Come is dependent on accepting.64

Prophesy

Basis of all knowledge ..............................123

Image not physical seeing.........................124 Sages are type of prophet.........................103

Prophets

Complained about G-d’s justice ................547 Replacement for diviners ..........................595

Protection from Harm

Bitachon .................................... See Bitachon Bitachon—major topic ...............................367 Bitachon—only highest level .....................370 Bitachon—only unexpected harm .............369 Bitachon—saves from enemies ................372 Fear....................................See Fear of Harm G-d alone has power.........................286, 373 Merit ..........................................................375 Mitzva done perfectly ................................375 Providence .................... 285. See Providence Rain,birth and resurrection in G-d's hand .286 Righteous protected against sin................286 Torah fulfillment.........................................375 War....................................................See War Wind to winnow crops is from G-d ............286

Providence

Amalek rejects...........................................258 Angels sometimes involved.......................242 Animals .................See Providence—Animals Avraham started in year 2000...................241 Awareness—four historic stages...............238 Awareness—major topic ...........................237 Awareness—pious always aware .............239 Chance doesn't exist .................................237 Concealed—hestair ponim........................252 Creation shows Providence ......................243 Denying—major topic................................256 Egyptian redemption .................................253 Free will always agrees.............................566 Free will can overcome .............................565 G-d determines all—except fear of Him....287 G-d determines what happens..................288 G-d feeds all creatures..............................252 G-d intervenes for all creatures.................286 G-d knows............................. See G-d Knows G-d's goodness is sole reason..................237 General—major topic ................................244 Harm is lack of Divine protection...............309

Index of Topics 23

Harm is message to repent.......................288 Heretics deny............................................256 Interest on loans—rejection ......................258 Israel ......................... See Providence—Israel Jews ..........................See Providence—Jews Leaf falling from tree—is not.....................251 Magic can overrule ...........................252, 569 Major topic ................................................236 Man only—individual providence......243, 281 Manifest only with Divine Presence..........237 Mazel can overrule ...........................240, 586 Mazel is agent of G-d ...............................253 Mazel not relevant for Jews......................253 Mezuza protects .......................................254 Miraculous manner ...................................240 Natural manner.........................................240 Nature, Beracha and Miracle ....................239 Non-Jews have general providence .........245 Obvious to those with Bitachon ................255 Philosophers claim—G-d doesn't know ....256 Philosophers—deny communication ........257 Prayer shows validity ................................255 Proportional to attachment to G-d ............264 Proportional to knowledge about G-d .......279 Proportional to time thinking about G-d ....281 Protection ............. See Protection from Harm Protection ........See Providence protects from Harm Protection only from G-d...........................373 Protection proportional to level .................265 Protection—reward for righteousness ......285 Rejecting causes extra suffering ..............259 Reward and Punishment ..........................236 Rosh HaShanna ........... See Rosh HaShanna Sickness—Natural vs. Providence............519 Sources from Biblical verses ....................237 Suffering caused by sin—only if believe ...581 Sukkos manifestation of providence.........254 Supervision of G-d ....................................236 Thief punished—doesn't believe...............258 Tzadik ...........................................See Tzadik Tzadik only—constant Providence ...........267 Views—5 presented by Rambam .............277 Years of Chaos—till year 2000.................242

Providence protects from Harm

Harm is always lack of Providence...........309

Major topic.................................................285 Mezuza......................................................288 Travelers,sick and prisoners .....................287 Wild animals hurt only sinners ..................288

Providence—Animals

Birds caught if G-d decrees.......................248 Fed by G-d ................................................248 Fish have no Providence...........................249 Fish have Providence................................249 G-d intervenes for safe birth......................248 General providence only ...........................247 Harm only sinners .....................................251 Major topic.................................................247 Providence only with link to man...............251 Punished in Flood .....................................251 Ramban & Rambam agree .......................250 Ramban & Rambam disagree...................250

Providence—Different Views

Everything is chance.................................277 Everything is Providence...........................278 Heavens but not for earth..........................278 Justice is only in Next World .....................279 Rambam—Degree of knowledge of G-d ...279 Rambam—Degree of thinking about G-d..281 World is totally just ....................................279

Providence—Israel

Israel is directly supervised by G-d ...........273 Live outside—have no G-d........................273 Source for other lands...............................274

Providence—Jews

Blessing & punishment—from Jews..........262 Creation improved only through Jews.......263 Exiled—must keep mitzvos .......................262 Exiled—still punished severely..................261 G-d directly supervises..............................260 In Egypt—no individual Providence ..........252 Mazel—can overcome ..............................262 Most have only general Providence..........246 Protected not to be obliterated ..................261 Punished more severely than non-Jews ...260 Sin—still G-d's children .............................262 Special Providence ...................................260 Special—started in Egypt..........................261

DAAS TORAH 24

Works against Jews as test ......................261

Questions

Absolute refutations are rare ....................206 Answers .....................................See Answers Answers must exist to ask ........................200 Concealing problematic material ..............190 Concealing Yehoshua wrote verses .........191 Concealing—secular knowledge ..............190 Concealling by oversimplifying .................191 Dialectic thinking.......................................168 Familarity with material first ........................40 Fear—causes lack of understanding ........195 Foolish should be answered.....................189 G-d's justice—only if answers...................545 Heresy ......................................... See Heresy Heresy result of not asking .......................190 Heresy—Acher could answer ...................192 Heretical—Influenced if no answer...........191 Heretical—need to be refuted...................191 Humility required.......................................193 Humilty & respect required .........................42 Important only if causes fear of G-d .........173 Incomprehensible issues—can ask ..........196 Incomprehensible issues—can't ask ........199 Incomprehensible—work stops.................201 Observing Teacher ...................................195 Perfection depends on questioning ............43 Pure heart is more important ....................196 Required for understanding—Major topic.189 Respectful questions of teachers .............194 Silencing is wrong.....................................202 Sin causes—mitzvos provide answers .....201 Understanding requires questions ............189 Understanding—lacking if afraid to ask ....195 Unlimited after commitment to faith ..........159 Warfare—metaphor for questioning..........196 Who? vs. What? .......................................199

Rabbinic laws

Exaggerating prohibition—problematic.....209 Seriousness—emphasizing ......................207

Rambam

Letter on Astrology .....................................37 Non-rational rejected even in Talmud......136, 233

Palace parable ..........................................185 Philosophy—believed it?...........................205 Providence—5 views.................................277 Repentance—contradiction.........................83 Suffering of Love—rejects.........................307

Ramchal

Absolute statements are often relative......220 General prinipcles important .......................38

Rav Chaim Volozhner

Segula for protection—Only G-d ...............373

Rav Hai Gaon

Avoid polemics ............................................37

Rebbe .........................See Teacher

Reincarnation

Suffering....................................See Suffering Suffering for previous existence................299

Religion

Positive—not just prohibitions .....................54

Revenge

Prohibited—all suffering from G-d.............341 Prohibition for money only.........................342

Reward and Punishment

Complicated chains sometimes involved ..282 G-d is not lax in punishing.........................282 Harm is message to repent .......................288 Harm—protection of righteous ..................285 Heretic no reward for mitzvos ...................282 Just—always.............................................285 Major Topic ...............................................282 Marriage is determined .....................284, 512 Mitzva—miraculous connection ................284 Mitzva—natural connection.......................284

Rosh HaShanna

Decree modified—not nullified ..................347 Determines success—why work? .............344 Effort required to get portion .....................345 Irrevocable decree for year? .....................344

Index of Topics 25

Judgement daily or Rosh HaShanna........346 Profits & losses for year............................347 Suffering not decreed—just protection .....345

Sages

Attatchment to Sages is way to G-d .........103 Commonsense criticism invalid ................231 Conceal information..................................220 Foundation of Torah understanding ...40, 101 Knowledge is unique ................................102 Living Torah..............................................101 Prophetic power—source ...........................78 Prophet—type of.......................................103 Scientific knowledge .................................138 Source & transmitters of tradition .............101 Words are from G-d not intellect...............103 Worked for living .......................................504

Salanter, Rav Yisroel

No general rule how to serve G-d...............38

Scholars

Blessing for Torah & secular ....................124

Science—Religion Conflict

Age of universe—Hirsch ...........................133 Astronauts—Rambam vs.Ramban ...........133 Bible not sceince book—Hirsch ................137 Chasam Sofer—medical books ................132 Commonsense contradicts both ...............140 Hirsch—both are revelation ......................110 Hirsch—must teach ..................................143 Knowledge advance—R' Sherira Gaon ....138 Logical proofs can not refute Torah..........144 Major topic ................................................132 Miracles can contradict science & logic ....132 R’ Soloveitchik—of no interest..................132 Rambam rejects irrational.........................136 Rambam's son's views - valid...................138 Ramban—rainbow....................................132 Rivash—science unreliable ......................143 Sages presumed to be correct .................144 Sages vs.Science—Pesachim 94b...........132 Sages’ knowledge superior ......................144 Sages’ science—outdated ........................137 Science not absolutely valid .....................142 Science—not of interest to Sages ............137

Scientific proofs can’t refute Torah............141 Torah validated from direct experience.....141 Torah valid—even if incomprehensible .....145 Validity of Halacha not based on science .141

Serenity

After effort .................................................393 Despite calamity........................................393 Indifference is not Bitachon.......................392 Judgment turned into mercy......................395 Occupation—not to worry..........................488 Optimisim is not Bitachon..........................392 Purity of thought to serve G-d ...................359 Rosh HaShanna determines wealth..........394 Security .....................................................394

Sickness

Desirable for the righteous........................530 Doctors obligated to cure ..........................517 Doctors permitted to cure by Torah...........516 G-d cures but treatment required..............515 Medicine....................................See Medicine Natural is main reason ..............................520 Natural vs. Providence......................519, 579 Neglect of health—main reason................580 Negligence—not sin ..................................562 Repentance required.................................522 Treatment required....................................516

Silber, Rav Binyamin

Diverse views needed.................................38

Simple Faith

Best without analysis.................................145 Blind faith if relying on Tradition ................165 Children should have ................................147 Faith ................................................ See Faith Heart—constantly implanted .....................181 Heretics are dangerous.............................166 Intellectual sterility—is dangerous.............163 Intuitive not intellectual..............................148 Major topic.................................................145 Mature Faith........................See Mature Faith Mechanical observance—not true faith.....163 Pure heart better than analysis .................196 Spiritual environment precludes theology .152 Theology ........... See Theology is problematic

DAAS TORAH 26

Theology—should avoid ...........................148 Wagon driver of Alshich............................496

Sinai

Hearts directed to idol worship ...................55 Knowledge—not belief................................99

Skepticism

Inherent Jewish characteristic ..................202 Jews are inherently...................................130 Proof of Torah validity...............................203 Questions ............................... See Questions Reject truth worse than being naive .........203 Undesirable as accepting everything........203

Soloveitchik, Rav Yosef Ber

Not troubled by science—religion conflict.132

Spirituality

Creative—prevents assimilation ...............180 Creativity is critical ....................................164 Crushed physically—more spiritual ..........442 Ignorant can be spiritual .............................48 Non Jew—beliefs naturally stronger ...........49 Non Jews can be spiritual...........................49 Not automatic result of religion ...................54 Religion—major topic..................................48 Sinning despite spirituality ..........................55 Suffering is required .................................449

Spirituality and Religion

Commonplace becomes mechanical..........53 Integrity—knowledge & deed......................53 Spirituality not automatic result...................54

Success

Abilities matter—but G-d gave..................466 Abilities required .......................................467 Bitachon alone—major topic.....................493 Bitachon alone—not enough ....................464 Bitachon alone—profanes G-d's name.....464 Bitachon—advance reward for mitzvos ...357, 376 Bitachon—left to what one trusts ..............467 Bitachon—Major topic ..............................375 Bitachon—not needed ..............................465

Bitachon—without effort—determines.......494 Everything has source of sustenance .......470 Father's must teach son trade...................508 G-d alone deterimines...............................453 G-d feeds all creatures..............................475 G-d's kindness is reason...........................497 Interest on loans—prohibited ....................487 Mazel causes ............................................584 Medicine—G-d cures ................................456 Miracles......................................See Miracles Prayer—necessity .....................................539 Righteousness doesn't guarantee.............462 Sinning more successful with prayer.........543 Sinning—praying for sucess .......................56 Sources.....................................................375 War—G-d determines outcome ................494 Wealth from effort—punished ...................474 Wealth—G-d determines—not effort.........494 Work & prayer overcome mazel................544

Suffering

40 days without—problematic ...................435 Accept joyfully ...........................................439 Accepting what G-d wants ........................433 Accidental—viewing gives mazel control ..585 Amount—able to handle............................436 Ascribe it always to sin..............................347 Ascribe to sin......See Ascribe Suffering to Sin Atonement for others.................................390 Atonement—vicarious .......... See Tzadik. See Children Atones for WTCome..................................291 Atones—if greater than others ..................582 Bitachon—all is good ................................355 Bitachon—rewarded in WTCome..............583 Bruised finger from Heaven ......................288 Cause—G-d removes protection...............288 Cause—lack of Divine protection ..............582 Chance & Nature—major topic .................575 Chance vs.Providence ..............................575 Children........................... See Children Suffer Collective vs.Individual judgment ..............576 Contradictions to faith—ignore..................435 Criminals—from failure of police ...............582 Death..............................................See Death Die so others don't sin...............................433 Exile is severe—not chance......................297

Index of Topics 27

Explanation—prophets offered none ........547 G-d suffers—major topic....... See G-d Suffers Good.............................See Suffering—Good Good and bad...........................................432 Harm is from lack of Providence...............309 Individual's—unable to understand...........309 Insignificant in this world—G-d ignores ....582 Just—suffering always just .......................291 Love............. 282, 303. See Suffering of Love Lust is weakened......................................305 Major topic ................................................432 Mamzer suffers for parent's sins...............301 Messianic age—major topic......................451 Mitzva done to prevent suffering ..............351 Mitzvos don't cause ..................................298 Natural danger harms...............................576 Natural—from others or self neglect .........567 Others—don't say deserved .....................439 Perfection—only if not ..............................437 Poverty—compensation in WTCome........583 Poverty—rewarded in WTCome...............323 Providence—rejecting causes extra .........259 Questioning G-d—don't ............................433 Ramban's summary..................................310 Reason determined not assumed.............308 Reason—deeds must be examined .........302 Reasons—always exist.............................307 Reasons—bad luck—heresy ....................309 Reasons—Incomprehensible ...........309, 311 Reasons—obvious if G-d manifest ...........313 Reasons—should be determined .............307 Reincarnation ...........................................302 Repentance—required by Jews................432 Righteous—many reasons .......................385 Righteous—punishment more severe ......388 Sickness ................................... See Sickness Sickness punishment for sin .....................294 Sin ................................... See Suffering—Sin Slavery only for sinners ............................435 Torah obtained by suffering......................432 Undeserved—reward in WTCome...282, 315, 583 Unpleasant even for tzadik .......................428 Wild animals harm sinners only ................297

Suffering of Love

G-d crushes those He loves .....................305

Major topic.................................................302 Sin always involved...................................306 Unbearable sometimes .............................307 Undeserved...............................................282

Suffering—Good

Accept bad ................................................440 Accept joyfully—major topic ......................439 Accept lovingly ..........................................446 Accept—temimos......................................440 Always—major topic..................................439 Broken engagement is good .....................441 Cherishing suffering—reasons..................441 Crushed physically—more spiritual...........442 Education requires rebuke ........................447 Gam zu l'tova ............................................442 Hishtavut—good & bad equal ...................444 Martyrdom is aspect of bitachon ...............447 Pray for chance to do good.......................447 Rejoice more than for good.......................439 Rejoicing—R' Akiva at R' Eliezer ..............448 Righteous—dispute if good.......................386 Sanctification of G-d by accepting.............449 Sin—only if not from sin ............................432 Spiritual development requires suffering...449 Suffering of others—rejoice?.....................448 Surgery done by G-d.................................440 Too much to handle? ................................437 Tzadikim also? ..........................................449

Suffering—Sin

Always cause (Shabbos 55a)....................289 Always cause—Major topic .......................289 Cause—not always (Shabbos 55a)...........581 Cause—only if believe it............................581 Cause—unresolved dispute ......................581 Death only result of sin..............................522 Justice—chain of events ...........................435 Merit & Promises reduced by sin ..............292 Mitzvos don’t cause suffering....................298 Natural suffering is different ......................579 Protection removed...................................292 Reincarnation—previous existence...........299 Tzadik also suffers for sin .........................298

Suicide

Murder through free will ............................567

DAAS TORAH 28

Teacher

Authority to elminate doubts .......................45 Authority—removes doubts ......................182 Fear of admitting ignorance— ....................48 Heretic ........................................................80 Importance..................................................44 Indispensible for Torah ...............................46 Required to learn properly ..........................44 Righteousness is required ..........................46 Role model .................................................45 Spiritual parent ...........................................45 Theological expertise is rare.......................47

Temimos—purity

Essence of bitachon .................................357 Whole hearted with G-d—Major topic.......594

Temple—Destroyed

Bitachon didn't stop it................................428 Halacha is only place for G-d ...................152 Intolerance and fanaticism..........................53 Lacked military skills .................................564 Letter of law caused .................................322 Men of faith disappreared.........................105 Prophets ended with destruction ..............103

Theology

Ancient books were lost............................216 Baal Shem's revelation reduce need for...154 Beliefs studied analytically like halacha....178 Blind faith without theology.......................165 Concealment by Sages ............................220 Doubts ......................................... See Doubts Faith is not theology .................................149 Faith of scholar & masses differs..............160 Heresy refuted by knowledge ...................186 Heresy—protection against ......................185 Jewish sources only .................................212 Kabbala is true source ..............................217 Majority of authorities determines.............224 Mature faith......................... See Mature Faith Mechanical interpretations........................219 Medrash contains many issues ................225 Moshe taught G-d—sins of fathers...........557 Not restricted to prophet & philosopher ....219 Obligation to study ....................................175

Problems........... See Theology is problematic Purpose—refute heresy ............................187 Purpose—understand prophets ................187 Purpose—understand Torah & world........188 Rashi wrote with Ruach HaKodesh...........222 Reading interpretations into text ...............221 Sages differ from—peshat ........................223 Sages—differ from for confused people....224 Sages—explanations which differ .............222 Sanhedrin did not deal with it ....................214 Sources.........................................See Agada Sources—major topic................................211 Sources—original not summaries ...............37 Sources—understanding—major topic .....219 Spiritual darkeness requires......................167 Study not relevant today ...........................154 Sytematic is recent development ..............211 Torah and prophets...................................215 Traditional faith learned first......................157 Understanding today is superficial ............179 Women also need understanding .............188

Theology is problematic

Analysis of foundations is dangerous........160 Avoid unless there are doubts...................160 Danger of exceeding intellect....................156 Dangerous to faith.....................................155 Faith of scholar & masses differs ..............160 Intellect readily misleads...........................160 Major topic.................................................155 Primitive state of Jews at Sinai .................159 Relatively unimportant...............................160 Simple faith ...............................................155 Thoughts rejecting faith—prohibited .........156 Tradition must be learned first...................157

Tinok SheNishba—Naive

Heresy—exempt .........................................91

Torah

Derivable also from reason .......................138 From Heaven—required belief ....................74 Gadol is a living Torah ..............................170 Identical to Moshe's ....................................74 Truth—axiomatic like nature .....................110 Truth—not alterable for wishes .................111

Index of Topics 29

Torah Study

Attachment to G-d ....................................152 Conceptual understanding is critical .172, 235 Enjoyment is important ...............................42 Faith is considered Torah .........................175 Familiarity with material—first.....................40 Maharal's view of Tosofos ..........................41

Torah Study & Working

Charity is profanation of G-d's name ........502 Combining—Shulchan Aruch....................502 Early days—didn't have to work ...............496 Earning living—major topic .......................502 Financial security required........................504 Job is ideally combined with .....................506 Kollel—required to take money ................502 Minority only shouldn't work......................505 Minority—full time study............................497 Miracles only for early generations...........505 Miracles—not for baal teshuva .................508 Miracles—not to expect ............................507 Rambam's brother supported him ............503 Sages worked...........................................504 Son doesn't need job training ...................506 Stealing is result of no job ........................508 Torah thoughts while working ...................486 Working interferes with study....................503 Working part time .....................................505

Tradition

Acceptance critical for every society...........96 Alone—if incapable of understanding.......162 Belief—basis.............................................125 Blind faith without theology.......................165 Faith—basis..............................................100 Folk practice against halacha ...................100 Major topic ..................................................94 Miracles are not absolute proof ..................98 Miracles—preserving memory ....................98 Remembering miracles of Egypt & Sinai ....97 Sages—source and transmitters ..............101 Sinai—knowledge not belief .......................99 Transmitters must be reliable .....................94 Unprovable ...............................................127 Validity—major topic ...................................94 Validity—parents don't teach lies................95

Translations

Literal are false............................................42 Tentative understanding only ......................41

Trials and Tests

Avraham....................................See Avraham Avraham—major topic...............................328 Avraham—ten trials...................................329 Challenge vs. Examination........................321 Eliyahu at Mt. Carrmel...............................331 Everyone is tried .......................................317 Examples—major topic .............................328 Faith develops from unjust suffering .........317 Faith in self—don't have............................330 G-d tried 10 times in Wilderness ...............335 Glorifies G-d ..............................................326 Hinnei—accepting test ..............................331 Implant faith...............................................318 Job tested to defend Avraham ..................331 Lack of fish in Wilderness .........................333 Manna trained Bitachon ............................330 Miracles.....................................................321 Noach............................................See Noach Noach—major topic...................................331 Providence—proportional and result of.....327 Purim—70 year exile.................................333 Purim—relation to Sinai ............................334 Purpose—3 Netziv ....................................327 Requesting test leads to failure—Dovid ....322 Response not always obvious...................322 Reveals person's heart—even to G-d .......323 Rewarded in WTCome..............................315 Satan has permission to test.....................323 Sea split only after entering.......................333 Sets examples for others ..........................325 Sinai—doubts............................................334 Spiritual elevation is precededed by .........317 Teaches values and beliefs.......................314 Wilderness taught need for prayer ............320 Wilderness—rebelled against mitzvos ......336 Yaakov—promised Israel ..........................335 Yitzchok—fighting for right to Israel ..........335 Yosef with Potiphar's wife .........................336

Truth

Absolute—only G-d & Torah .....................108

DAAS TORAH 30

Conflicting views—major topic..................111 Disputes—merely perspective ..................116 Eilu v'eilu..................................... See Multiple Eilu v'eilu—Shamai & Hillel only ...............113 Faith is aspect ..........................................109 G-d's will—even if not factual ...................110 Meaning—major topic...............................108 Multiple—attachments to Heaven.............114 Multiple—eilu v’eilu major topic ................111 Multiple—given at Sinai ............................115 Multiple—one side is wrong......................112 Multiple—only one true .............................112 Mutiple—beyond understanding ...............115 Objective—Independent of source ...........108 Relative—man's limited understanding ....109 Sanhedrin—dispute ..................................111 Torah—axiomatic like nature ....................110 Torah—not alterable for our wishes..........111

Tzadik

Always afraid—doesn't trust merit ............389 Bitachon alone works ...............................495 Changes G-d's decrees ............................386 Controls G-d .............................................263 Danger—must avoid .................................403 Death atones for others’ sins ....................390 Doctors not needed ..................................495 Faith in—leads to G-d...............................129 Fear of judgment—for this or next world...388 Miracles—wants justice not mercy ...........402 Noach—absolute or relative tzadik...........332 Poverty—can not be poor .........................389 Poverty—doesn't want wealth ..................387 Poverty—never lacks food........................390 Protection from all harm............................384 Protection from all harm—bitachon ..........385 Protection from harm—major topic...........384 Providence according to deeds ................269 Providence is constant .............................267 Providence—major topic...........................264 Punishment more severe..........................388 Serenity—denied ......................................386 Sin—not protected ............................269, 270 Sin—not protected from prohibited food...272 Sin—protected against .............................286 Sin—protected from prohibited food.........271 Sin—Protected from sin............................269

Son—never lacks sustenance...................390 Suffering atones for others’ sins................391 Suffering unpleasant .................................428 Suffering—dispute if good.........................386 Suffering—many reasons..........................385 Suffers from G-d’s anger also ...................430 War conducted miraculously .............389, 497

Tzorech Gevoha............... See G-d

G-d benefits from man—major topic .........490

War

Bitachon protects and gives serenity ........374 Census of soldiers.....................................534 Death even with G-d's help .......................534 Death result of free will & accident............562 Figthing against wicked is required ...........532 G-d determines outcome...................455, 533 Major topic.................................................531 Miraculous.....................................See Tzadik Natural way—even if miraculous...............531

Wolbe, Rav Shlomo

General concepts required..........................39

World to Come

Accepting Rambam's 13 principles .............64 Belief is required .........................................57 Children dying—compensation .................301 Heresy causes loss .....................................75 Non-Jews who are righteous.......................50 Poverty rewarded..............................323, 438 Sickness is preferrable to health ...............436 Suffering despite Bitachon ........................583 Suffering required......................................435 Trials and tests—compensated.................315 Undeserved suffering increases................282 Undeserved suffering—compensation .....303, 583

Yaakov

Bitachon—Yaakov lacked—major topic ....415 Complained about bad life—punished ......558

Yosef

Lacked bitachon in jail...............................418

31

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��G-d commands us to study the Torah twice—in Deuteronomy (11:19) and again in Deuteronomy (4:9–11). Each verse, however, is uniquely distinguished by its own internal semantical and syntactical form as well as the context in which it appears. Deuteronomy1(11:19) states, “You shall teach the commandments to your children to speak about them, while at home, while traveling on the road, when you lie down to go to sleep and while you rise up.” This verse appears in the description of the reward and punishment which will result from the fulfillment For transgression of the commandments. Consequently, this verse is generally understood to refer to the study of the halachic obligations of the Torah—in all their variegated details. In contrast, Deuteronomy2(4:9) concerns the necessity of recalling the monumental events of the giving of the Torah at Sinai. Here the Torah informs the Jewish people, “Be careful for yourself, and guard your soul greatly, not to forget the events that your eyes beheld at Sinai. That is in order that they shouldn’t leave your heart for the rest of your life, and you shall tell them to your children and to your children’s children.”

Ostensibly, the second verse deals with our obligation to effectively communicate the experience of the mass revelation of the Torah at Sinai. It requires us to preserve the memory of the event which constitutes the pivotal historical proof of the truth of the Torah and Moses’ prophecy. However, the Talmudic Sages3(Kiddushin 30a) understood the verse to be a command to study the Torah.

Furthermore, Nachmanides4(Maimonides’ Book of the Commandments) asserts that it is specifically a command to study the “faith of the Torah.”

Consequently, the two verses which obligate us to study the Torah actually refer to two types of study. One refers to the study of the legal part of the Torah, and the other refers to the study of Torah’s theology. Each form of study is deemed a separate scholarly enterprise. Given the fact that each is based on a separate verse, it is incumbent upon us to explore the unique features of each, what they have in common, and their differences.

In the world of Talmudic and Rabbinical epistemology, the idea itself and how we derive it from its source in the Torah are inextricably intertwined. Therefore, one can explore the nature of a Torah concept, even to its fine details, by careful scrutiny of the verse from which it emerges. Towards this end, it is instructive to compare the two verses with respect to their salient contrasting features. Such an analysis yields three notable distinctions.

1) The first verse, dealing with the commandment of the “legal” study of the Torah is expressed in the plural, while the second verse, which deals with the commandment of “faith” study, is expressed in the singular form. This grammatical difference between plural and singular is representative of the more general textual context in which the two verses appear. The discussion of reward and punishment is formulated in the plural since it addresses the nation collectively. In contrast, the whole exhortation not to forget the experience of Sinai is formulated in the singular. In other words, the

DAAS TORAH 32

punishments and rewards enumerated in this chapter are ones of communal bounties and disasters emphasizing collective responsibility, while the existential experience of Sinai emphasizes a unique individual spiritual approach. This would seem paradoxical in light of the fact that performance of the commandments usually depends solely on the individual Jew whereas the revelation at Sinai was a national experience, upon which the Jewish nation was founded. The resolution of this paradox can only be explained by the intrinsic interdependence of the individual and the community which forms a dyadic unity unto itself. (This will be elaborated in a future work.)

2) The first verse uses the verb “to teach,” whereas the second verse utilizes the verb “to tell,” or “to make known.” Teaching refers primarily to an intellectual activity, while story-telling requires a more visceral mode of transmission. This distinction would seem to make sense in light of the fact that we are dealing with the two very different epistemological types. One is more legal and analytic, requiring the transmission of clearly elucidated concepts, while the other involves the transmission of an existential state of revelation and spirituality. In other words, legal study by definition involves scholarship, while describing transient experiences seems incompatible with an intellectual process. How can they both be considered aspects of the commandment to study Torah? We find a possible reconciliation of the “study” and “experience” duality in the views of the medieval commentator Seforno. Seforno5(Deuteronomy 4:9) interprets the phrase “and you shall tell your children” to be formulating the existential experience in terms of “conceptual proofs.” These intellectual proofs can then be transmitted to those who were not actually present at Sinai to witness the revelation.

3) The final distinction I would like to note is the difference in enumeration of generations between these two verses. The “legal” study verse only lists two generations—parents and children—while the “faith” study verse lists three generations—parents, children and grandchildren. The profound significance of this distinction is noted in the Talmudic discussion in tractate Kiddushin (30a).

Having discussed the salient syntactical and semantical distinctions between these two verses, we can now proceed to the corresponding consequences of these distinctions. Knowledge of these consequences will help us understand the distinction between the methodologies of faith-study and legal-study.

1) The first distinction noted was between the singular formulation of faith-study as opposed to the plural formulation of legal-study. The significance of this can best be understood in light of the fact that the Ten Commandments spoken to the Jewish people at Sinai are all stated in the singular. This is understood by the commentators as expressing the personal aspect of the Sinai revelation. As explained above, the medium of conveyance of the Commandments at Sinai points to the faith study of the Torah. Faith, it is argued, is a more intensely individual experience and as such demands a more individualized imperative. The legal study of the Torah which has a greater legal dimension requires a less subjective and more objective orientation and is therefore expressed in the plural. On the basis of this, we can draw an analogy to the two verses at hand, and their respective commandments to engage in the study of Torah. The goal of faith-study is to direct a person to a more perfect and complete faith in G-d and is therefore expressed in the singular. In contrast, legal study is expressed and formulated in the plural.

This idea is beautifully expressed in the Tannaic commentary to Deuteronomy (Sifrei6—Parshas Eikev): “Is it your desire to recognize the One who spoke and created the world? Study Aggadah, for

Introduction by Rav Meir Triebitz 33

thereby you shall recognize Him.” The faith-study of the Torah in fact deals primarily with the Aggadic part of the Torah. Therefore, we see that faith study is being equated with knowledge of G-d—the very essence of the first two commandments. The language of the Sages, “your desire to recognize,” is a beautiful expression of the highly intensive personal dimension which is intrinsic in the study of Aggadah, and in the study of the faith of the Torah in general. A pedagogical consequence of this is that the approach to the study of hashkofa must take into careful consideration the specific needs, goals, and “desires,” of each individual in order that he is allowed to personally “recognize the One who spoke and created the world”.

2) The second distinction was the distinction between the verbs “to teach” and “to tell.” The “to tell” of faith-study is related to the methodology of converting psychological and intuitive insights into clearly expressed language and concepts, and the inverse process of penetrating language and ideas to their core psychological and intuitive origins and recesses. The purpose of this is to capture the inner spiritual experience of Sinai when the Jewish people witnessed clearly G-d’s word and Moses’ prophecy. An important goal of the faith study of the Torah is that the formal intellectual process of analysis touches the spiritual consciousness of the student so that his faith is properly “felt” as well as thought. A Cartesian type dichotomy of mind and body undermines the faith study process, for it does not produce true “believers.” In fact the relationship between thought and feeling, idea and intuition, must be truly hybrid and coexistent. Just as analysis must be buttressed by feeling, intuition, and psychological insight—they in turn must be buttressed by analysis. That is because lack of logical clarity can produce a feeling of uncertainty and inner confusion which is dangerous to personal faith. For this reason, the study of faith requires the harmonization of thought and feeling to attain his goal of understanding.

3) The third and final distinction involves the contrast between the dyadic father—son formulation of legal-study with the triadic grandfather—father—grandson formulation of faith-study. This distinction can be understood best in terms of viewing study of the Torah as an interpretation of sacred canonical texts, with the teacher and/or father viewed as the text, and the student and/or son viewed as the one who studies and interprets the text. This process is a central feature of all Torah study. In terms of this model, the legal-study of the Torah is formulated in the Pentateuch as a text and an interpretation. The faith-study of the Torah, however, is formulated as a text (grandfather), an interpretation of the text (son), and a second, perhaps alternative, interpretation of the same text (grandson), or even a more general interpretation which mediates between the text and its interpretation. Where the dyadic formulation of legal-study is essentially a dialectic of text and interpretation, effort and resistance which produces a clear legal conclusion, the triadic formulation of faith-study produces a multiplicity of interpretation each representing an irreducible truth—“these and these are words of the living G-d.” This expresses the very nature of Aggadic interpretation which seeks to produce multiple interpretations which serve to express the multi-dimensional ontology of Aggadic and hashkofic concepts. On a pedagogical level, the faith-study of the Torah is essentially the discovery and elaboration of the spectrum of ideas which defines both the possibilities and boundaries of acceptable positions. A consequence of this is that the student must be exposed to a full spectrum of hashkofic thought in order to fully appreciate the issues, and then formulate his own position. The implications of these three principles and their relevance to this volume will be discussed in detail in the final section.

DAAS TORAH 34

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��Traditional Jewish historiography views the progression of time as epochal. Each epoch is distinguished by a unique spiritual ontology which provides the tools for earmarking historical events and developments from a Torah perspective. For example, the Talmud in tractate Avoda Zara7(9a) divides up all of history into three epochs. There are also the Rabbinical divisions of the Patriarchal pre-Sinaic epoch, the Tannaic epoch and the Amoraic epoch. These epochs are frequently delineated by epochal compendiums which conclude the earlier epoch and provide the starting point for the next one. Hence, the Mishnaic compendium of Rabbi Judah the Prince concludes the Tannaic period and forms the interpretive text of the Amoraic period. The Talmudic compendium of Ravina and Rav Ashi concludes the Amoraic era and serves as the interpretive texts of the medieval era known as the Rishonim.

The significance of inter-epochal compendiums is more than the facility of transition between eras—it is the device through which a veritable continuum of Tradition is preserved through the vicissitudes of Jewish history. The commensurable dialogue between seemingly different eras is a hallmark of the Jewish claim to authentic tradition in contradistinction to postmodernist views of irreducible paradigms which by definition resist communication and, hence, continuity. It is important to note the famous words of Rabbi Yosef Karo in his introduction to his commentary to the Tur: “Who will be brazen enough to place his head between the lofty mountains to resolve their disputes based on rational arguments…for due to our many sins, our minds are too constricted to be able to understand them, let alone to surpass them (in halachic resolution)…”

Through the words of Rabbi Yosef Karo, who authored the authoritative Jewish code of law known as the Shulchan Aruch, we are able to understand the very nature and purpose of inter-epochal compendiums. That is, to create the medium through which an intra-epochal dialectic can now be canonized and serve as the basis for the halachic decisions of the next epoch. In addition, this very medium will serve as the textual basis for the intra-epochal dialectic of the next epoch. This methodology is what preserves the integrity of the halachic process, and insures the continuity and authenticity of the Torah from Moses to the present day.

The concept of inter-epochal compendiums is not only a halachic concept but also an Aggadic and hashkofic one. Whether it is the non-legal parts of the Pentateuch itself, or the Aggadic texts of the Tannaic and Amoraic eras, inter-epochal compendiums provide the basis through which the faith-study of the Torah is taught and communicated across generations. While the ontological basis of this idea is rooted in the structure of Jewish spirituality, the details of which are certainly beyond the scope of this introduction, we clearly see the usefulness of the compendium concept in all areas of Torah study.

In addition to the canonical compendiums discussed above, there is a utilitarian value, in my opinion, to non-canonical compendiums as well, especially in areas where there is no central access to the relevant ideas. The present volume which you now hold in your hands is an example of such a

Introduction by Rav Meir Triebitz 35

compendium. It is a work desperately needed in order to communicate the faith of the Torah to those Jews who are deeply steeped in today’s post-modernist culture. It is found, unfortunately, in today’s age, that even highly educated people who are intellectually open, have difficulty comprehending and therefore relating to the faith-study of the Torah. To my mind, this is partly due to the lack of a suitable compendium to facilitate the commensurable transmission from the thoughts of the most important rabbinical thinkers and commentators to today’s Torah-hostile intellectual environment. The present volume serves admirably to redress this egregious lack. In this impressive compendium, Rabbi Eidensohn has provided the Torah world with an invaluable treasure. It is the fruit of many years of arduous labor of selecting, arranging and translating thousands of citations. It places before the reader the rich spectrum of Daas Torah in a number of crucial areas of Jewish thought.

Part of the uniqueness of this volume is that it presents the ideas in their original exposition. It avoids the use of modern and postmodern (i.e., non-Jewish) concepts and interpretations. These non-Torah concepts are often used to produce an apologetic “politically correct” theology. Instead, this volume presents the pure undiluted expression of Torah-true concepts. In other words, it lets the sources speak for themselves without distillation or interpretation. This was done in order that the teacher and student can literally stand at Mount Sinai and relive the existential experience of the Giving of the Torah in its most pure and direct form.

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��In the first section of the introduction, I presented the three basic principles which underlie the faith-study of the Torah. In the second section, I discussed the phenomenology of the Jewish spiritual-legal continuity across historical and cultural divides. This continuity provides the basis for the authentic transmission of Jewish faith and thought. This volume, which you are now reading, is a productive tool for integrating these two pillars in the construction of a pedagogical approach to the faith study of the Torah. It involves a process constituting three steps.

1) Surveying the spectrum of opinions on each topic and organizing them into a coherent ordering running from the more visceral, intuitive, existential positions to the more analytical and conceptual positions. (This corresponds to principle #3 above)

2) Establishing a dialectic between the visceral-intuitive view and the rational-analytic view which will bring out the important underlying dyadic dynamic of the issue which faces the student. (This corresponds to principle #2 above)

3) Seeking out the individual approach of the student which comes from the visceral-analytic dyad in order to produce a powerful personal “hashkofa” and approach to the issue involved. (This corresponds to principle #1 above)

DAAS TORAH 36

It is important, however, to bear in mind the following precautions.

1) Someone who is not experienced in the formal study of theology will inevitably lose himself in the myriad array of opinions and views. Consequently, meaningful benefit from this momentous volume will be reaped only with the direction and guidance of a qualified teacher. One who is steeped in the traditional study of Jewish texts.

2) The usage of this volume to teach the material to someone intelligent—yet uninitiated—requires a painstaking organization of the material. In particular, it requires an eye and ear to the specific needs and goals of each student. In this way, the sheer volume of material can be made manageable and allow the student to absorb the material and not feel overwhelmed.

3) At every stage, it is always important to consult a proper rabbinical authority—both with regard to methodology and content. Indeed, not every Rabbinical authority will necessarily be an expert in every area of Hashkofa, and they may well steer questioners to higher authorities. This is crucial in order to achieve the maximum success and avoidance of pitfalls which always arrives by attempting to teach new material and a different way of thinking.

My advocacy of the present volume as a teaching resource is not just based upon the above theory but also my personal experience. I have successfully utilized part of this material—some of which is found in the present volume and some from the future volumes—in teaching a select group of students. The results have exceeded our expectations. Despite its apparent daunting nature—in practice it leads to spirited discussion and spiritual growth not obtainable by other means.

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Rav Meir Triebitz

I would like to acknowledge the vital help and advice I have received

from all my students at Machon Shlomo, the Moreshet and Maalot Institutes

at Neve Yerushalayim, Kollel Derech HaChaim and the “think-tank”. Most

notably Andrew Kaye, Jake Greenberg, Dan Shatzman, Prof. David Rier,

Zevy Horowitz, Gamliel Shmalo. My discussions with Rabbi Dr. Dovid

Refson have sensitized me to the challenges of kiruv. Working with Rabbi

Beryl Gershenfeld has given me the opportunity to carry them out in

practice.

Goals of this Sourcebook 37

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The main purpose of this work is to provide a source of relevant texts—organized for

ready access. By translating the material into English it also enables self-study for those

who wish to explore the material on their own—prior to discussion with a rabbi. It also aids

in assembling relevant material for teaching these issues. Thus, it is to be viewed primarily

as data to be discussed and presented by a knowledgeable teacher. It is thus a reference

tool—not a comprehensive exposition of Judaism.

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Rav Hai Gaon8(#99):.... You should know that our approach is not like that of others who study something and then explain it differently then the intent of the author of the text. In fact, we are committed to offer explanations from the perspective of this particular authority and the actual content of what he wanted said and what he truly thought. It is important to remember—that despite the accuracy of our presentation—that we don’t guarantee that these words are in fact the unquestionably correct Halacha. There are many statements of great authorities that are not accepted as Halacha. We are simply explaining the text from the viewpoint of the author.

Rambam9(Letter on Astrology): I know of course that it is possible to search and find isolated opinions of some sages in the Talmud and Medrashim whose views contradict [what I have said.] ... These statements should not trouble you. One simply doesn’t discard a clearly established Halacha and revert to the initial analysis. Similarly, it is not appropriate to discard a well-validated principle and simply rely on a minority opinion of the sages instead. That is because the sage [is not infallible and] might have erred by overlooking some important facts or hints when he stated his views. Alternatively, he might have stated his view only concerning a unique situation that had been presented to him and he had not meant to state a general principle. This caution is illustrated by the fact that many verses of the Torah are not meant to be taken literally—as has been clearly established by impeccable proofs. Therefore, they are explained in a way that makes sense rather than taken literally. The general rule is that a person should never easily toss aside his well-considered views. His eyes should look unflinchingly forward and not backwards.

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Raavad10(Mishneh Torah—Introduction): The Rambam wrote: “I called this composition Mishneh Torah because if a person first reads the Torah and then reads this work—he will have no need for any other source to know the Written and the Oral Law.” The Rambam thought he was making an improvement by only describing the final law and not describing how he arrived at it. In fact he has not produced an improvement. That is because he has deserted the approach of all previous authorities. They all bring proof to their words. They cite the source of their material. Knowing the original material is very important. That is because sometimes a judge will rule based on a particular proof. If he knew that greater authorities than he would have rejected this proof—he would alter his position. Therefore when faced with a view stated by the Rambam—I simply don’t know how to use the material. I don’t know the nature of the authority he is using. Consequently when I find a view that contradicts my own traditions and learning, I don’t know whether I should reject it or accept it. If the authorities were greater than me, I would accept it and reject my own view. But if I am a greater authority than the one being cited—why should I change my position? Furthermore there are issues

DAAS TORAH 38

that our predecessors disagreed about. The Rambam picks one side of the dispute. Why should I rely on his choice? Perhaps the view of the other side is correct. I simply don’t know the basis of the Rambam’s choice and therefore have no way of knowing whether I would agree with it. He is acting as an oracle.

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Rav Binyamin Silber11(Otzair Gedolei Yisroel): By means of the study and analysis of the range of [legitimate Orthodox] approaches it will aid—G-d willing—in fulfilling the words of the prophet Malachi (3:16), Then the religious people will speak to each other. The prophet is commanding in G-d’s name that in the Messianic Era that the barriers be removed between the different religious factions and their different ways of serving G-d and consequently they will communicate fully with each other. In view of the anticipated full communication, it is not surprising that there is in this era—immediately preceding the Messianic Era—an increased problem of internal splits and divisions between religious Jews supposedly for the sake of Heaven. Even if we are only lacking in this ability to communicate [without heated disputes] that itself is indicative of divisions and factionalism. Therefore, [to aid in achieving this full communication] it is important to be aware of the variety of legitimate approaches and therefore it is good to gather them together…. Rav Yisroel Salanter said there is no general rule of how to serve G-d properly and this rule is also not an absolute rule. This is because the majority of distinctions and differences are a function of the place and time and thus it cannot be said one approach is “the approach”…[Therefore] In this generation—standing at the very end of exile—there is a greatly increased desire to create divisions. Consequently, we must strive to minimize the barriers to communications to fulfill the words of the prophet [Malachi (3:16), Then the religious people will speak to each other.]

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Ramchal12(Introduction to Derech HaShem): Knowledge which is viewed in the context of a systematic framework is superior to non-systematized knowledge... The perception of many details is a heavy and unsatisfying burden. One struggles and exhausts oneself without obtaining satisfaction. Curiosity is aroused but is not satisfied because of the absence of an overall picture. This is because a large part of the meaning is in the interrelationships of the components rather than the thing itself. Since he is lacking the knowledge of the interrelationships, he cannot possibly comprehend the thing properly and is therefore doomed to failure and frustration. In contrast, one who knows the full context sees the thing as it really is as well as all its implications. This success causes tremendous pleasure and excitement. Therefore, it is of primary importance in the study of any subject to know its relative place in a conceptual framework... One should be aware that since the number of possible details is incredibly large that is ultimately incomprehensible to the human intellect. Consequently, what is appropriate is to try to understand the underlying concepts. Each concept contains many details and therefore the comprehension of a concept enables him to understand the multitude of details that make up the concept. The knowledge of the details is not automatic. However, one who knows the concept will readily understand the details when he is confronted with them and has the ability to see how they conform to his previous knowledge. This conceptual approach is prescribed by Chazal (Sifri Devarim 32, 2). They say: Your comprehension of Torah should always be conceptual rather than merely a collection of details...

Maharetz Chajes13(Introduction to Toras Neviim): I didn’t go in the path of most authors, who typically explain only the details of the mitzvos and how to perform them while the foundation principles of Torah are ignored. It is obvious that the knowledge of the fundamentals of Torah is weak among many and consequently there are an increasing number of unacceptable opinions. ...The

Concerns and Cautionary Notes 39

importance for a beginner in secular fields to have a clear introduction is obvious, but it is even more important when studying Torah. ...This is the intent of the statement in the Medrash14(Shir HaShirim 2:16) ‘Originally when Torah was learned “Clall,” people wanted to learn Mishna and Gemora, but now that it is not “Clall,” people want to learn just Tanach and Agada’. That means that when people had the general rules (Clall) it was easy for them to listen to Mishna and Gemora. Now that they just see the isolated details, they get lost and confused by the Talmud and they just want to hear Tanach and Agada and they run from the Talmud. The Yerushalmi15(Shabbos 87a) also says, ‘that any Torah without a Beis Av [foundation] (handle) is not Torah’. That means Torah without an understanding of a conceptual framework....

Rav Shlomo Wolbe16(Alei Shor 2:1): We find concerning our Sages and the Rambam that they searched for general principles for the commandments of the Torah. For example, Berachos (63a) states: “What is the small principle that the entire Torah is dependent upon? In all your ways you should know Him.” Makkos (24a): Chavakuk established Judaism on a single commandment—that the righteous lives by his faith. Bereishis Rabbah (24:8) R’ Akiva said: Loving your fellowman as yourself is a great principle of the Torah. Rambam (Shemonah Perakim Chapter 5)… Why do our Sages seek general principles for the Torah? What would be lost if a person fulfilled the 613 commandments according to the details without knowing the universal concepts? This is comparable to people saying that a person can’t see the forest because of the trees. In other words, he sees only the details but not the overall picture. He fulfills the details of the commandments but he doesn’t see and understand what G-d wants of him—because obviously there is a purpose to the commandments. In learning gemora, the importance of the general rule or concept is obvious. That is because there is an overwhelming amount of detail requires summary concepts of principles. The Talmudic scholar determines the general principle for each discussion…the Talmudic scholar knows how to determine the fundamental concept underlying the principles. In fact in exactly the same way that the Talmud is analyzed so it is necessary to study the fundamental theological principles of the Torah. This search for universal principles and concepts is not just limited to Torah study but also applies to personality traits… Thus, we find the great masters of mussar looking for fundamental principles underlying proper personality and behavior. Consequently, a person should strive to be a true scholar (lamdan) in all areas—including personality and spiritual perfection. This requires many years of devoted effort…

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The material cited in this work assumes the validity of Orthodox Judaism and is not

an attempt at proving it. For example, Orthodox theology accepts that the Torah we have

today—is the Torah that Moshe received on Sinai—without any creative input from human

beings. Therefore, I present no discussions concerning the validity of biblical criticism, the

degree of support from historical and archeological evidence, nor support from scientific or

secular philosophical evidence. There are also no discussions concerning the validity of

Judaism in relationship to religions that have claimed to have supplanted it, nor secular

philosophies that claim to be more correct. The entire effort is directed to understanding

Orthodox theology. While it is true that in earlier generations the rabbinic scholars did feel

it necessary to defend Judaism against attacks from Christianity, Islam, Science and

academic scholars—this is not typical of contemporary Orthodoxy.

DAAS TORAH 40

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There is a special status according to the rabbis of the Talmud. They are sometimes

referred to as Chazal—Sages of Blessed memory. In order to differentiate them from

post-talmudic rabbis they will be referred to as Sages with a capital “S” or Rabbis with a

capital “R.” Rabbinic legislation as well as the Talmud and medrashim are a product of the

Talmudic Sages. Therefore, the post-Talmudic periods of the Gaonim and the Rishonim—

despite their superiority to contemporary rabbis—are inferior to that of the Sages. Thus,

such post-Talmudic figures as Rashi, Rambam or the Shulchan Aruch have a lower

authority than the Sages. The different gradations and the reasons for differences in

authority—while a very critical issue—will only be addressed indirectly in the present

volume.

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Rav Aaron Kotler17(Osef Chidos): Rambam (Me’ila 8:8) writes: It is correct for a person to try to understand the laws of the Holy Torah to the full limits of his intellect. However, that which he cannot find a justification should not be viewed with contempt and not be treated as he does with secular knowledge. We can understand this principle from the concern the Torah has for the profane use of a physical entity which has been sanctified to G-d by our words. Even if this profanation is done by accident, it requires atonement. So surely concerning the Divine commandments that one should not reject them and treat them with ridicule because he doesn’t understand their reason…. G-d’s Torah is incredibly deep and profound. When a person with his limited intellect attempts to understand and evaluate it with his miniscule understanding, he is lowering the Torah to his level. There is no greater profanation than this. Man has to know that just as there are limits to the senses … there are limits to his intellect. He needs to accept the explanations of our Sages for every word and letter of the Torah. That is because the language of the Torah is not ordinary language and is not based on our understanding. Therefore, in order to understand it requires tremendous mental abilities, pure study of the Torah in a sanctified manner, and a reliable direct tradition. Only by means of the traditions of our Sages—who knew how to explain and interpret every letter in the Torah—are we able to comprehend even a tiny part of Torah. These words of the Rambam apply to all aspects of the Torah including Halacha and agada, laws and stories. None of them are comprehendible relying solely on our understanding. Furthermore, one needs to take the greatest care in understanding the stories found in the Torah since they are extremely likely to be misunderstood. The errors have great consequence and undermine the foundation of the Jewish people. It is obvious from what we have said that it is prohibited to say that some aspect of Torah should have been written differently or is unnecessary. Such an attitude constitutes rejection of the Torah and causes eternal punishment and loss of the World to Come. According to the Halacha (Rambam Teshuva 8:8), a rejecter of the Torah is one who asserts that even a single letter was not said by G-d. It is even prohibited to say that some words of Torah (e.g., the Ten Commandments) are more important than others… 2) It is one of the basic principles of Torah that every letter of the Torah includes and is in fact the underpinnings of Creation itself… Bereishis Rabbah (1:1): G-d looked into the Torah and created the world. Eiruvin (13a): A scribe has to be very careful in writing a Torah because if he deletes or adds one letter he destroys the world. Also included in the Torah are all events—past present and future—of the entire universe and concerning everyone one of us...

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Meiri18(Avoda Zara 19a): A person should not learn except in a place which his heart desires. He should first familiarize himself with new material and only afterwards analyze it in depth. Finally, a

Concerns and Cautionary Notes 41

person should not despair of learning even if he cannot remember what he learned and even if he doesn’t understand what he is learning. Our sages say that if a person says: “I tried but didn’t succeed”—he is not believed.

Maharal19(Avoda Zara 19a): It is not correct to learn Torah and deeply analyze only that small part which was learned. Rather a person should learn Torah until it is fluent in his mouth and only then analyze it. This is because a person should not be engaged in analysis and conceptualization at first when he is not knowledgeable about Torah. Only when he has the status of having mastered Torah then he can successfully engage in analysis. Successful analysis is a Divine gift because when a person has mastered Torah and is lacking the analysis and conceptualization then G-d helps him reach completion with analysis. However, a person who has not mastered Torah at all is not lacking analysis because he is still lacking Torah. Therefore, people must first master Torah and then engage in analysis.

Avoda Zara20(19a): One should first study the Torah to be familiar with it and then afterwards analyze the material. Furthermore, he should study even if he forgets the material and even if he doesn’t understand it…

Berachos21(63b): A person should always learn Torah first by rote and then afterwards analyze and think deeply about what he has learned.

Rashi22(Berachos 63b): A person should be quiet and pay careful attention to the material until he is thoroughly familiar with it even though he doesn’t understand it. Only afterwards, he should ask questions and clarify the difficulties.

Maharal23(Nesivos HaTorah #5): Woe to the embarrassment and degradation that we have changed our way of learning Torah from previous generations. It is entirely because people say they need to sharpen themselves with subtle textual analyses (pilpul). Even there was such a need but our sages (Berachos 63b) have said: You should first learn the text and thoroughly familiarize yourself with it before deep analysis is done…. Therefore, even if genuine analysis is to be done on the text—it is still a precondition that the text be learned. Surely, with the analysis that is actually being done today for sharpness—it in fact stupefies with utter nonsense. We see what this “sharpness” is and what it is producing. Typically, one would expect young students to be learning and mastering many tractates before marriage. However now when a student marries he has mastered nothing. This is because they are learning Tosfos—which was meant as a supplement to the gemora. They should be acquiring the gemora itself first. The reason for the focus on Tosfos is simply because it was printed on the page of the gemora. If the Rosh or other halachic commentaries had been printed there instead, they would be learning Halacha instead… What is the need for the young student to be involved in subtle textual analysis in the same way as the mature student? The consequence of this misplaced focus is that the students do not achieve mastery of Halacha. If you try explaining to the students’ fathers that they should be learning Halacha and not Tosfos, they react as if you were trying to convince them that their children should stop learning Torah. This is because all the father is concerned about is that their children have a reputation as a sharp mind—rather than that he learns Torah properly…

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Rav Moshe Feinstein24(Igros Moshe Y. D. 4:38:5): … There is no prohibition to translate even Mishna and Halacha. However, the most important thing is that the translator must be fully aware of his responsibility and that even a small error can cause a major problem for those studying the translation… Surely, those who translate from Hebrew to another language have to be concerned about error and therefore it is best to refrain from translation…. In conclusion, I would advise not to

DAAS TORAH 42

be involved in studying from translated works and it is best to learn in the original language and this will to lead greater success.

Rav Moshe Feinstein25(Igros Moshe Y. D. 4:38:6): … but concerning the writings of more recent sages whose works are not so well known, it is necessary to bring their reasoning for two reasons. 1) In order that their words should not be ridiculed when they are misunderstood. The reader of the translation might not attempt to obtain the original work to try to understand it. 2) Those reading the translation might not assume that the author had an intelligent reason for what he said. Therefore, if the author’s words are brought without explanation the reader might simply reject them.

Kiddushin26(49a): A literal translation is [often] a lie while a free translation risks heresy

Tosfos27(Kiddushin 49a): … Rabbeinu Chananel explains that a person who translates literally e.g., “They saw the G-d of Israel”(Shemos 24:10)—is stating a lie because it is impossible to see G-d… On the other hand one who translates this verse that “They saw an angel of G-d” is stating heresy because they are attributing the praise of G-d to a mere angel. However, the correct way of translating is that “They saw the glory of the G-d of Israel.”

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Avodah Zara28(19a): A person only learns Torah if he finds it interesting… Levi and R’ Shimon were learning Torah with R’ Yehuda HaNasi. When they finished that book of the Torah, Levi requested that they start learning Mishlei while R’ Shimon requested that they learn Tehilim and he forced Levi to accept his decision. When they reached the verse in Tehilim (1:2): But whose desire is in the G-d’s Law, R’ Yehuda HaNasi offered the following explanation. “One only learns Torah if he finds it interesting.” Levi—who had been forced to learn Tehilim—commented that he now had an excuse for leaving the study session…

Rashi29(Avoda Zara 19a): A student should only be taught the gemora that he is interested in. If he is taught a different gemora, it will not be retained since attention is dependent upon interest.

Mishna Berura30(Biur Halacha 553): … A person only learns what he finds interesting. Consequently, we see that many Torah scholars are negligent in learning the few topics permitted on the fast of the Ninth of Av, because it is unpleasant learning something different than normal. I am one of them.

Maharal31(Chidushei Agada Avoda Zara 19a): … The reason that a person only learns the Torah that he finds interesting is because Torah requires a connection to the recipient. That is why it is called “his Torah” when he accepts it. Therefore, one should only learn that which he finds interesting because then he will relate to it and it will be “his Torah.”

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Rav Chaim Voloshner32(Ruach Chaim 1:4): It is prohibited to passively accept the words of ones teachers if one has questions. Furthermore sometimes the Truth is with the student and not the teacher.” Mishna 33(Avos 1:4): One should sit in the dust at the feet of ones teachers and drink with unquenchable thirst what they say. The word for sitting avek can also mean struggle or warfare. Therefore, we have the right to question what they say and not to blindly accept their words—but one must love the Truth. Since ascertaining the Truth is the prime concern—we must be very careful not to be conceited and egotistical in the discussions and to imagine that we are as great as the teacher or author with whom we are disagreeing. We should be aware in our hearts that we might simply be misunderstanding their words—therefore we must always be very humble. We must have the attitude—‘I am not worthy to argue but this is Torah and I must know the correct answer’.

daas torah pages 1-42

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