The Lonely Man of FaithJoseph B. Soloveitchik, the rabbi known as “The Rav” by his followers worldwide, was a leading authority on the meaning of Jewish law and prominent force in building bridges between traditional Orthodox Judaism and the modern world. In THE LONELY MAN OF FAITH, a soaring, eloquent essay first published in Tradition magazine in 1965, Soloveitchik investigates the essential loneliness of the person of faith in our narcissistic, materially oriented, utilitarian society. In this modern classic, Soloveitchik uses the story of Adam and Eve as a springboard, interweaving insights from such important Western philosophers as Kierkegaard and Kant with innovative readings of Genesis to provide guidance for the faithful in today’s world. He explains prayer as “the harbinger of moral reformation,” and discusses with empathy and understanding the despair and exasperation of individuals who seek personal redemption through direct knowledge of a God who seems remote and unapproachable. He shows that while the faithful may become members of a religious community, their true home is “the abode of loneliness.” In a moving personal testimony, Soloveitchik demonstrates a deep-seated commitment, intellectual courage, and integrity that people of all religions will respond to. |
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The Lonely Man of Faith Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik,Joseph Dov Soloveitchik No preview available - 2011 |
Common terms and phrases
act of faith action Adam the First's Adam the second aesthetic awareness axiological Bava Kamma Biblical colloquy commitment community of Adam confrontation contemporary cosmic cosmos covenant covenantal community covenantal faith community creation creative cultural destiny dialectical dialogue dignity earth and subdue Eighteen Benedictions ence encounter eternal ethico-moral existence existential experience faith gesture feel FOREWORD God's Halakhah Halakhic homo absconditus human ical in-depth personality individual interpret JOSEPH kavvanah kerygma lakhah logical loneliness LONELY Lord Maimonides majestic Adam majestic community man's matter Mekhilta metaphysical Midrash mind mitzvot modern moral Moses munity Nachmanides natural community never nity norm one's ontological perience philosophy prayer community prophecy prophetic quest Rabbi Soloveitchik Rashi reality realization redeemed redemption religion religious role secular Shabbat Shema society success Talmud Tefillah teleology Tetragrammaton thou tion Tosafot transcendental transcends translated translated religion unique unto utilitarian Vide Berakhot wants words Yesode Yesode ha-Torah כבוד