(Today is the yahrzeit of Reb Zadok of Lublin, which makes it a good time to share some relevant thoughts.)
One of the Hasidic authors that has become popular among some in the wider Jewish world in recent decades is Reb Zadok of Lublin.
One big fan of Reb Zadok recently wrote a tribute to him, in which he claims that the line in Reb Zadok which people are mostly familiar with is his teaching that 'just as a man must believe in Hashem, he must believe in himself'. This fine writer, who described himself as having four American born grandparents and without any even remotely distant Hasidic relatives, describes how, hearing those words in his Modern Orthodox high school from neo-Hasidic leader Rabbi Moshe Weinberger, mashpia at Yeshiva University and Rabbi in Woodmere, turned him on to Reb Zadok/Hasidus (though he says that he is mainly interested in Reb Zadok, as opposed to Hasidism in general).
Now I have heard that before from others, that those words of Reb Zadok made a big impression on them. But I have some trouble understanding what the big deal is.
Didn't the משנה itself, eons before ר' צדוק, say that every person is obligated to say בשבילי נברא העולם, the world was created for me?
Don't believe me? Take a look at סנהדרין פרק ד (for greater clarity, see the words of רש"י there, either in a gemara volume - e.g. last Rashi, bottom of page - or in the תוספות יום טוב on the mishna).
So okay, Reb Zadok said a similar thing in a different way, but it seems that he basically reinvented the wheel here.
יגדיל תורה ויאדיר
Just don't tell me that he made the whole thing up יש מאין.
Many people do not realize the significance of the renewed interest in R Tzadok and similar seforim , and how much of a radical departure it is from mainstream Judaism.
ReplyDeleteIt is fine if a person finds a particular sefer or seforim inspiring and enjoyable. But adherents of this movement believe that these seforim and ideals transcend Gemara learning and that that the main focus must be on these altruistic ideas("penimiyus"), and that one who does not-even if he is steeped in Torah and avodah- is missing an integral part of Judaism. This is why we almost never find this group enthusiastically referencing gemara or other "non-penimiyus" in their chatter.
These notions had somewhat slipped into obscurity over the years but unfortunately is actively being resuscitated by activist Neo-Chassidim .
Some such people are busy with what they sometimes call "ספרים הקדושים", a problematic term (are other Torah works not holy?), which is usually a code word for Hasidic works when they use it.
ReplyDeleteIf you want to be a real Jew you gotta learn R. Zadok, Nesivos Shalom (maybe Zera Shimshon, if they will allow a non-Hasidic work) they think....that is why guys like you and me are out of it for them. We don't always follow their fads.
May הקב"ה help us.
"If you want to be a real Jew you gotta learn R. Zadok, Nesivos Shalom (maybe Zera Shimshon, if they will allow a non-Hasidic work) they think"
DeleteWho in the world says this???
Reread what I wrote. I didn't say that they say it, voice it aloud. But they may think it. :)
DeleteMy apologies for misquoting you.
DeleteI'll fix it and rephrase my question.
"If you want to be a real Jew you gotta learn R. Zadok, Nesivos Shalom (maybe Zera Shimshon, if they will allow a non-Hasidic work) they think"
Who thinks this and how in the world do you know what people think?
"how in the world do you know what people think?"
DeleteSpecial secret Litvishe powers of observation, conversation, and intution. :)
"But I have some trouble understanding what the big deal is.
ReplyDeleteDidn't the משנה itself, eons before ר' צדוק, say that every person is obligated to say בשבילי נברא העולם, the world was created for me?"
If this statement of Reb Tzadok that has made an impression on people, is really the same as the mishna, הא גופא קשיא, why did it take hearing Reb Tzadok say it to make such an impression and not hearing the mishna itself. אלא מאי this idea is is not necessarily the same as the mishna or is not so explicit that that's what it means. And maybe it is what the mishmash means but like with a lot of pshatim and peirushim it's easy in hindsight to say oh yeah obviously that's what the mishna/gemara meant. It's interesting that Reb Tzadok who often bring ראיות to what he says doesn't quote this mishna as a source or ראיה.
"So okay, Reb Zadok said a similar thing in a different way, but it seems that he basically reinvented the wheel here."
"Just don't tell me that he made the whole thing up יש מאין."
Isn't all of Torah really like that? Extracting, explaining and bringing out ideas that are already there but were perhaps subtle or not readily recognizable or clear to our minds.
There are pages and pages of אחרונים to explain one line in a ריטבא.
Would you say about Mesilas Yesharim, meh what's the big deal it's really all in the ברייתא of רפב"י already what did the Ramchal really add.
And who in the world claims he made it up יש מאין? Reb Tzadok is one of last people I would say that about. Like I said, he almost always extrapolates or brings ראיות from Chazal.
You make some good points there, but I think my point is still valid. :)
DeleteThe mishna says that everyone is חייב to say בשבילי נברא העולם. Over time, it could have been forgotten and de-emphasized, of course. The idea of people saying בשבילי נברא העולם turned into a pejorative at times, describing egocentric people. But ב"ה in recent years there has been a renewed emphasis on the proper understanding and use of this very important מאמר, from what I have gathered.
I'll be dan you l'kaf zechus (although I'll admit it's starting to get difficult, but I'll push myself) that you didn't receive my comment on this post as I can't imagine what about you would think is inappropriate to post.
ReplyDeleteI received it, but, for one thing, it needs some editing. But, if you want, I will let it through without editing first, so you will see what I mean.
Delete