Breslov (or Bratslav) is a unique Chasidic group, or stream, one of the oldest extant. R. Nachman was a great-grandson of Baal Shem Tov himself. Yet it has been enveloped in mystery, misunderstanding, and controversy for many, many years. Can we perhaps get a better grip on it, by examining the context of the turbulent times R. Nachman lived and operated in?
Why did the Shpole Zeide and some other Chasidim oppose R. Nachman of Breslov? Where did the idea of a "Tikkun Klali" come from? Were R. Nachman's famous stories totally new, or related to previously existing tales?
Those and other aspects of the mystery of Breslov are addressed in a fascinating and thought provoking new post at the Kotzk blog. Read and learn.
I think we can address your posting by quoting from Devarim 29:29 "The secret is for G-d and the revealed is for us." Several years ago I was in Shul and I saw this book which was in Russian but I could make out that it's title said Kabbala(I'm familiar with a few of their letters.) One of my friends saw me holding the book and started beaming. I told him, "We got Yoshka because of Kabbala, we got Shaabtai Tzvi because of Kabbala, and now we have Chabad because of Kabbala." He looked at me and said, "Yaakov, they didn't understand Kabbala." But this Gaon, who can't learn a Mishna is Baki. Call me old fashioned but I appreciate doing what's expected of a Torah Jew and that's learning Gemara and Halacha. A shpritz of Mussar is also useful, but as for esoteric Torah, to me it's meaningless. I once said this to a Chabad friend and he told me that it takes years until you learn to appreciate the depth of Chassidus. Nonsense. Now I'm sure that there are lofty individuals who can benefit from Tanya but for the overwhelming majority it means absolutely nothing. When I grapple with a difficult piece of Gemara(just finished Shabbos 95-96 on Tumah in a Kli Cheres) I feel a sense of accomplishment that my mind is cleansed, but all these self styled Mekubalim not only fool others but they fool themselves into believing that this is Avodas Hashem.
ReplyDeleteI agree of course that first one needs to learn basic Torah, before trying more advanced studies. Some people delude themselves and/or pretend to understand things that are beyond their level. That goes for both basic revealed Torah as well as advanced, inner Torah.
ReplyDeleteAlso, even the Baal HaTanya, the first Chabad-Lubavitch Rebbe, held that people have different types of souls, and that based on that, some are more attracted to certain areas of the Torah, while others are more attracted to other, different parts. So you may be attracted to the type of gemara you described, another person may be attracted more to Tanach, another more Aggadita, "Penimiyus HaTorah", etc.
I do object though to the conflating of "Chasidus" with Kabbalah, or Penimiyus HaTorah. Chasidus is a broad term, encompassing different things, aspects. Some Chasidus is just plain drush, for example. And some Chasidic teachings are of course disputed, at times by other Chasidim, groups, or Rebbes, at times by Misnagdim.
And WE HOLD Everyone is born within the same as benoni category
Deletethough some will and can elevate
higher and lose their yetzer
Chassidus inverted it's claimed egalitarian essence with the multilevel
irony
Could you clarify what you're trying to say?
DeleteI admit that I don't know much about Chassidus or Kabbalah, but I'm critical based on what I've been exposed to. Yochanan Gordon regularly infuses Chasidus into his articles and I can't recall one cogent point that he ever made. I'm sure that there are people who really delve deeply into Chassidus and Kabbalah and benefit from it, but what I've seen hasn't impressed me. To be fair, for many people, learning is doing the daf in fifteen minutes. What you get out of studying Torah is a function of the effort you put into it.
ReplyDeleteI'd like to bring something to the group's attention. While the Toras Avigdor is generally a good Shabbos read, I can't say the same for the Toras Avigdor Junior which is a blatant attempt to brainwash children and adults with the author's understanding of Rabbi Miller's Hashgofah. I welcome feedback.
ReplyDeleteI can't claim great familiarity with TA Junior, which I generally do not read. Since you brought up this issue, however, I looked at one of them (the latest issue which I saw at a Shul). From what I saw, it seemed to be quite different from the standard Toras Avigdor. While the regular TA seems to be almost exclusively a transcription of the words of Rav Miller zt"l (although it does say that it is based on his books, tapes, and writings of talmidim, so perhaps it not always 100% his words literally), the Jr. appears to be a new, independent composition. Although written with a goal to promote Rav Miller's hashkafa, nevertheless, since it is not his words, there definitely would be more room to differ with it, if a Torah basis exists for such.
Deleteכנלענ"ד
The author has a few themes which he harps on. One is that the only real happiness is in Olam Hazeh. So this was a recent story. Three classmates go to the Stern's bakery and they're allowed to eat as much as they can. The boys get stomach aches and then they're told that this is what happens when we try to find happiness in this world. Obviously our ultimate goal is Olam Habo but this doesn't preclude living normally.
Delete"One is that the only real happiness is in Olam Hazeh."
DeleteYou meant to write Olam Haboh. :)
Allow me to clarify my position. Toras Avigdor Junior posits that Olam Habo is the Ikkar. I totally agree. Where I disagree is TAJ's belief that one must reject Olam Hazeh to have a share in Gan Eden.There is nothing inherently wrong with wanting to enjoy this world as long as this is done within the framework of Torah. TAJ argues that only those who withdraw from the "good things" is worthy of Olam Habo.
ReplyDeleteHmmm...In the regular Toras Avigdor, Rav Miller has spoken often about enjoying olam hazeh...things like the pleasures of sunlight, fresh air, walking, indoor plumbing, etc., and being grateful and thanking Hashem for them. But, he was definitely an advocate for simple living, enjoying and appreciating the simple pleasures of life, rather than running after luxuries.
DeleteRe what is the ikar - we are taught in Pirkei Avos that one hour of Torah and maasim tovim in this world is "better" than all the life of Olam Habo. And that one hour of קורת רוח in Olam Habo is "better" than all of Olam Hazeh. So each one has great value.
These things cannot always be reduced to simple soundbites I guess.