In 1917, Franz Kafka (1883-1924), a surrealist writer living in Prague, published in Martin Buber’s Zionist journal, Der Jude, a short story entitled “Jackals and Arabs.” The plot of the story is rather simple; the meaning—like that of most of Kafka’s works—continues to mystify readers to this day. A European gentleman camped in the desert […]
Rav Kook and Rav Shlomo Elyashev (“Leshem”) (1841-1926) The Hebrew word “Kabbalah” means literally “receiving” or “reception.” Implicit is the idea that authentic Jewish mysticism is a received tradition, into which one must be initiated by a bona fide master. Rav Kook’s rebbe in Kabbalah was none other than Rabbi Shelomo Ben Hayim Haikel Elyashev […]
(Adapted by the Author from “Du-Partsufin shel ha-meshihiyut,” which first appeared in Bezalel Naor, Avirin [Jerusalem, 5740/1980], pp. 16-24) Copyright © 2013 by Bezalel Naor In Messiah Son of Joseph is revealed the characteristic of Israel’s nationalism per se. However the ultimate goal is not the isolation of nationalism, but rather the longing to […]
Reflections on Yom ha-‘Atsma’ut By Bezalel Naor Click here to read as a PDF: Reflections on Yom ha-Atsma’ut The fifth of Iyyar commemorates the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948. When it came to the State of Israel, the Orthodox community adopted three different stances. At one extreme was Rabbi Abraham Isaac […]
Forced to Be Free By Bezalel Naor The Talmud (Shabbat 88a) takes literally the verse in Exodus 19:17: “They stood beneath the mountain.” Said Rabbi Abdimi bar Hama: This teaches that the Holy One, blessed be He, held the mountain over them as a vat, saying to them, “If you accept the Torah, good; […]
Image above: “Rabbi Israel ben Shabtai, Maggid of Kozienice (d. 1814).” An Exchange Concerning the Jewish-Christian Dialogue Daniel, I just came across an amazing quote from Rabbi Israel ben Shabtai Hapstein, known as the Maggid of Kozienice (Yiddish, Kozhnits) (c.1733-1814). Martin Buber (1878-1965), who popularized the legends and teachings of the various Hasidic […]
An Analysis of Rabbi Avraham Yitzchak HaKohen Kook’s Orot ha-Emunah (Lights of Faith) Ours is an age of externals-glitter and tinsel. How do you look? How do you talk? How do you dress? What do you profess to believe? What do you eat? If that’s o.k., then you’re o.k. The world is much too complicated […]