Kotzk Blog

by Rabbi Dr Gavin Michal

I have always been drawn to the teachings of the Rebbe of Kotzk. His approach was predicated upon uncompromising truth and intellectual independence. This allowed him to be fearless and never to succumb to societal pressures. He knew that Judaism was so much deeper and more profound than the way it was perceived by the masses and bent by religious populism. These essays, although not necessarily Kotzker in essence, are certainly Kotzk inspired.

Monday, 16 October 2017

IS THIS HOW RAMBAM'S STUDENTS WOULD HAVE PUT HIS TEACHINGS TO SONG?

Translation:
Our desire - and the desire of all those intellectual individuals – is to (always first try to seek a rational explanation instead of a mystical one).
This is opposite to the common approach of the masses (who prefer a more mystical and literal approach as their first option).
(It is evident that) the most underlying principle guiding the masses of Torah observant people - because of their stupidity - is to regard Torah and human logic to be mutually exclusive!
These (Torah observant people) take everything which they cannot understand with their logic and (immediately) categorise it as miraculous.
They flee from (an interpretation) which could explain a phenomenon as natural.