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April 1975

Questions for Finals BC 636 (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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Final questions for 75.2A

According to RMM, the difference between immanence and transcendence is that immanence is differentiated and finite – since it depends upon the absorptive capacity of all existing objects – whereas transcendence is uniform and unlimited. From this it follows that the Ein Sof creates by means of transcendence, for only the unlimited can create, and relates through immanence – whereas the converse is not true, i.e., He does not create through immanence, nor does He relate through transcendence. Regarding eschatology, according to RMM, the difference between Gan Eden and Olam Habah is that Gan Eden is attained through Torah, consisting of the study of Torah (in its mystical, not halakhic, aspect), and this is a function of immanence. Olam Habah – which includes Techiyat Hametim – is achieved through observance of the mitzvot rather than Torah study, and it is then that man will have revealed for him the fullness of transcendence.
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Finals 75.2 class BC

Question 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; possible Sabbatian misinterpretation). Ditto: How does the author, R. Moshe Chaim Ephraim, interpret the Hebrew word חטא to demonstrate the principle of immanentism? (The silent א 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.)
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