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May 8, 1975

Final Exam Questions for BC 41 and 75 - on Buber (1975)

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Final Questions for 75.2 (1975)

According to RMM, what are the differences between imminence and transcendence? Answer: imminence is differentiated, and transcendence is uniform. Hence, imminence is finite (since it depends upon the absorptive capacity of all existing objects), and transcendence is uniform. From this it follows too, that the En Sof creates by means of transcendence, for only the unlimited can create, and relates through imminence -- whereas as the converse is not true, i.e., He does not create through iminence, nor does He relate through transcendence.2 Eschatology: according to RMM, what is the difference between Gan Eden and 01am Habah? Answer: GA is attained through Torah,and it consists of the study of Torah (in its mystical aspect, not the halakhic) and this is a function of imminence. OH which includes Techiat Hametim is achieved through observance of the mitzvot rather than study of Torah, and it is then that man will have revealed for him the fullness of transcendence. Finals 75 – clw.BCQuestion on A–8 – Why is the author so hesitant and apologetic about offering his interpretation? Answer: Because of the radical nature of the Besht’s statement that God is present even in sin; there is a risk of Sabbatian misinterpretation. Question on A–8 continued – How does the author, R. Moshe Hayyim Ephraim, interpret the Hebrew word Anokhi to demonstrate the principle of immanentism? Answer: The silent kaf at the end indicates the hidden, concealed presence of God. Question A–7 – How does R. Nahman of Bratzlav interpret the Jerusalem Talmud’s passage that when one is asked, “Where is your God?” he should answer, “In Rome”? Answer: To indicate that even in the center of materiality, where the questioner thinks God is absent, there too God is present. Material for Final 75.2A – Short answers from Minkin (last half of book):Question on A–6 – According to RMM (author of excerpt), immanence by itself is incapable of creation ex nihilo, because immanence, according to Habad, is defined as…
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Judaic Studies 41K: Final Examination (1975)

Answer all questions in your exam booklet (Minkin) 15 points. 1. Which city became the symbol of the Hasidic movement during the life of the Besht? a) Brody b) Shnipishok c) Lizhensk d) Mezeritch e) Mezhibozh. 2. The highest form of Kavvanah is: a) complete abandonment of self b) knowing the meaning of the words c) love of God. 3. R. Dov Baer is also known as: a) Rabbi of Lemberg b) "Preacher of Mezeritch" c) the Kohen of Polonnoye. 4. A contributing factor to the success of R. Dov Baer was that: a) Kahal was dissolved at that time b) the Gaon had died c) R. Gershon of Kutov went to Palestine. 5. Give the name of a volume of utterances of R. Dov Baer collected by R. Solomon of Lutzk: a) Likkutei Amarim b) Ketonet Passim c) Noam Elimelekh.Who was considered Hasidism's literary master?a) R. Dov Baerb) R. Jacob Josephc) R. Gershon of Kutovd) R. Nachman of KossowR. Jacob Joseph was a:a) philosopher and theologianb) innovator and teacherc) polemicist and TalmudistR. Gershon of Kutov was:a) the son of R. Adam Baal Shemb) one of the Sages of the Kloyz of Brodyc) a student of the author of Shaagat AryehR. Shneur Zalman was the author of:a) Shulhan Arukhb) Arukh Hashulhanc) neither of the aboveResidents of Vilna were shocked when the Gaon died becuase:a) R. Shneur Zalman died the day afterb) R. Hayyim of Volozhin refused to succeed himc) Zealous Hasidim celebrated his deathRabbi Avigdor of Pinsk was:a) the first Sephardi follower of Hasidimb) a saintly reclusec) an informerWho was in charge of the distribution of charity funds to Palestine?a) Abraham of Kaliskb) Beshtc) AvigdorThe fact that more has been written about R. Nahman of Brazlav than about all other Hasidic leaders proves:a) that he impressed himself upon the modern mind as the most originalb) his eminence as a theologianc) that he restated the Besht's principles in philosophical idiom.What inconsistency was found in R. Nahman's character?a) he was indifferent, while teaching enthusiasmb) he was ignorant, while pr…
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Questions for Finals BC 636 (1975)

Difference between Jew and Gentile according to HaBaD — Gentile has no נפש אלוקית. Identify the five souls according to HaBaD, and describe the lower three. How does RSZ answer the question: How is it possible to command love of God? What are the two definitions of "revelation" according to RSZ? Remember to include questions on my article of The Letter of The Besht. FROM RABBI POLLAK'S LECTURE: 1. Matching: R. Hayyim Halberstam of Sanz -- Divrei Hayyim. 2. Controversies in which above was involved: renting דtore to non-Jew for Shabbat; machine Matzohs. 3. The strongest influences on above: the ”Seer” of Lublin, and R. Naftali of Ropschltz. 4. Above was the source of religiousness zealousness for Hasidim in Galicia and Hungary. For final exam in May 1975 -- responsible for assigned readings in Minken, IN PRAISE, SCHOLEM, my TRADITION article on the letter of the BESHT, the entire B series, all notes, lectures of Fleer, Pollak and Mlndel, I also taught them the concept of בינוני from the Tanya, Chapters I, II, XI, XII. Emphasize that a major difference between Bratzlav and HaBaD is: former is geared to אמונה, latter to ratio; former holds that anyone can become a Zaddik, latter holds that צדיק וטוב לו is one who is born with a propensity to extirpate evil if he tries hard enough, and only that kind of person can become a Zaddik (paradoxically, the more democratic Bratzlav had no successor/good enough to follow R. Nahman, whereas the elitest HaBaD formed a dynasty!) For final — Minkin, Shivhei HaBesht, Wiegel pg. 3-81, my lectures and guest lectures.
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