Responsibility of religious person according to R. Chayim Wolozhiner and R. Sneur Zalman from Lyady

• In Event: Memory and Research in Jewish Studies

Abstract

I my paper I will address problems of the difference in the interpretation of Kabbalistic teachings by founders of Mitnageddic (Litvak) and Chassidic Judaism. Historically, the most significant differences between Chassidic and Litvak Judaism were in the realm of ideas. In his book „Nefesh ha-Hayyim“ ( "Soul of the Life"), Hayyim from Wolozhyn (a disciple of the Gaon of Vilna) has developed a peculiar anthropology, filled by references to Kabbalistic teachings, and it can reveal several features of Lithuanian (mystical?) rationalism that became one of foundations for a redefinition of the core Jewish identity. On this maybe lay the foundations of religious life: significance of intelligence for realization of the freedom of will, in order to overcome constant threat to succumb to feelings and incentives of senses that lead to what is called „Avoda zara“, “The foreign service”; as well as the significance of the study of the Torah for its own sake, and also uncompromising ethics, based on the Torah. In his teachings, Rav Eliyahu Dessler (20th century), follower of Wolozhiner, also formulated ontological idea of the only one and true Being, localized beyond all to whom/what can be attributed predicates of creation. On the other side we see a Chassidic way, emphasizing, by contrast, feelings, spiritual experiences, Dvekut (highest concentration during prayer), which are based on the same Kabbalistic teachings. What are the most fundamental issues of the foundation of Judaism that were formulated by Chaim from Wolozhyn in 19th century, and by Rav Eliyahu Dessler in 20th? These and related questions that will be addressed in my paper. What are the differences between the two ways?

Short Bio

I am assoc. prof. of the History of Religions at the Centre for Study and Researches of Religion (Vilnius University). I am teaching academic courses “History of Religions”, “History of Jewish Thought”, “New Religious movements”, and other. My main academic researches are focused on Lithuanian Jewish religious and philosophical Thought. My PhD theses were “R. Israel Salanter and Mussar movement in Lithuania in 19th century” (2003). On the basis of these researches I have published study “The formation of Lithuanian Jewish Orthodoxy” (“Litvakiško ortodoksinio judaizmo formavimasis Lietuvoje”, Versus Aureus, 2005). Actually I am working on the new studies, “Inheritance of Lithuanian Jewish religious and Philosophical Thought”, and “Responsibility of religious person: Lithuanian rabbinical Thought between rationalism and Chassidic Mysticism“.

Author

• Aušra Kristina Pažėraitė, Vilnius University