עיון בפרק The Kotzker and Job[1] a draft in progress

עיון בפרק  The Kotzker and Job[1]

 The complete failure of all consolation, the love of life despite its absurdity, holds out the certainty of a meaning that transcends our understanding.

A.J. Heschel, A Passion for Truth, Jewish Lights Publishing, p. 290

 

To Exalt the Heavens

I Am Choking

Submission ?

Problems with God

One Foot in Heaven, the Other in Hell

The Eloquence of Silence

The Cossack Wants a New Song

Barrels Full of Holes

The Solution Is in the Problem

God as Antecedent

Meaning beyond Absurdity

The wonder is that, while our meaningful efforts sometimes lead to absurdities, we are also given infinite opportunities to carry out acts rich in meaning.

At the beginning there was chaos, until the Lord said, "Let there be light !" and the chaos was partly overcome, but partly it stayed on.

Lamentably, we take the light for granted and voice our misgivings because of the continuing darkness enveloping us.

A.J. Heschel, A Passion for Truth , Jewish Lights Publishing, p. 296

Man's Responsibility for God

 At times we must believe in Him in spite of Him, to continue being a witness despite His hiding Himself.

A.J. Heschel, A Passion for Truth , Jewish Lights Publishing, p. 302

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[1] "This chapter is not an exposition  of the Kotzker's views but, rather, an essay on a major problem of faith which is guided by his sayings"

 

"'In this world,' said Oscar Wilde, ' there are only two tragedies. One is not getting what one wants, and the other is getting it. The last is the real tragedy.'"

A J Heschel, Who is Man ? Stanford U Press, p. 87

כלל גדול בתפיסת התורה שהתורה לא נתכוונה לעשות דברים שהם בניגוד לדרכי נועם ושלום.

א. י . השל , תורה מן השמים באספקלריה של הדורות, בעריכת דרור בונדי, הוצאת ספרי מגיד, הוצאת קורן, כרך ב, עמ' 1142