Abstract
Many see the mithnagdim as total rationalists. Therefore it has been assumed that R. Hayyim of Volozhin's approach to Torah study was the same. Although rationalism may be a correct characterization of the method he used in talmudic study, it does not capture how R. Hayyim understood the essence of Torah study. Some have described Nefesh ha-Hayyim as demystifying Kabbalah. I agree that R. Hayyim opposes ecstatic Kabbalah. However, already in 1972 Norman Lamm noticed that R. Hayyim saw Torah study as a form of clinging to God. In my article, I go further and demonstrate how torah lishmah for R. Hayyim is a radical idea that includes a legitimate path to unio mystica, and even a way to divine inspiration.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 73-101 |
| Number of pages | 29 |
| Journal | Journal of Jewish Thought and Philosophy |
| Volume | 31 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - 2023 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:This article has been facilitated by a grant from the Israel Science Foundation.
Publisher Copyright:
© Raphael Shuchat, 2023.
Keywords
- Hasidim
- Kabbalah
- R. Hayyim of Volozhin
- Torah
- Vilna Gaon
- mithnagdim
- mysticism