Introduction to Israel Orthodox Forum Volume (2003)

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Judaism & Art (2003)

So many YU people – Brovender, Saks – I hereby declare all others as honorary alumni. In contemplating the question of Judaism and art, I thought about the Hasidic–Mitnagdic divide. It occurred to me that receptivity to art (plastic, graphic, music) is much greater among Hasidim than Mitnagdim – thus my visit to the Kozhnitzer Rebbe with the violin, Lubavitch painters (can’t imagine a Soloveitchik into music or painting...). היכל השירה קרוב להיכל התשובה – Hasidim and music – in contrast to Yaakov Kahan: ברוך אלקינו (only song). Why so? Brovender emphasizes the value of Torah study; I value emotions; ...ברגש ועבודה בשכליות – so עבודה בגשמיות. The above is some idea of how the Hasidic–Mitnagdic split affects Judaism and art. These examples are from Eastern Europe. But Western? Yes – there is a relationship if תורה עם דרך ארץ... thus Samson Raphael Hirsch... and so for Torah u-Madda, no matter what the background. Comment on the relation of beauty and truth: the sixth sefirah is Jacob, with two names – תפארת and אמת – which hints at their mutual interaction: the innate antinomianism of beauty is harnessed by truth–halakhah, and the monochromatic conception of truth is enlightened by the freedom and harmony of aesthetics. I am happy that the YU Museum is hosting this, because anything that works on the premise that Judaism is חובק זרועות עולם is welcome.

Torah Umadda

Lecture on Torah Umadda (2002)

פותחין לכבוד יאכסניא – ... המורים והתלמידים. TOD: מדע only/תורה only/TuM – Y.U. and pattern all D.S. ST: 12-14 yrs ago, 2 divers emerg fr Medittrnean near Acco, 2 sacks snails, open dye changes yellow → green → blue → blue → deep purple: תכלת! They=2 br-I-1 (dentst/physcst – Sterman/Greenspan – YU grads) – EX: TUM! TOR = ות"ת כנגד כולם...והגית בו יומם ולילה AND: מורשה קהילת יעקב NOT only priestly clss... So; B proud Y J-only rel. Source TuM: בראשית-שמו; also: (רב בקר) שמואל (ירחינאה)

Torah Umadda

Torah Umadda Lecture (2006)

Premise: Tor = centrl value; bt not nglct world: TuM explain... is guidng prncpl YU; your school Two forms Reveln: word/world; logos/cosmos;. ה'/אלקים __; ברכות ק"ש = Nat/Histry בראשית/שמות TuM diffcult but sublime; grtr scope o deeper comphnsi Truth: שבת ק"ד מ"ט שקר מקרבין מיליה, אמת מרחקין מיליה. Precedens TuM Is based on generations of גדולי ישראל – RJBS-Kook-Hirsch-Ger/Maharal/Rambam/Rav UShmuel/Tannaim/ רמ"א... Philo/Kab/history

Torah Umadda