Joseph Dov Soloveitchik (1903–1993)

On the eve of the 1956 Suez War, Rabbi Soloveitchik wrote the key text of non-messianic religious Zionism. This polemic, first delivered in Yiddish at Yeshiva University, insists that God is knocking at the door, trying to rouse us to a miracle: the creation of the State of Israel. But that is only the historical side of the argument. Rav Soloveitchik’s core theological claim is that suffering—terrible, inevitable suffering—is meaningless, until (or unless) you wrest something from it. show more Israel is the meaning that must be wrested from the Holocaust. A miracle, he says, must be seized, or else remain a mere historical event. show less

Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik's And From There You Shall Seek was originally published in Hebrew in 1978 and appears in English here for the first time. Soloveitchik uses The Song of Songs as the starting point for an extended argument on the necessity of following Jewish law, or halakah, in order to build a meaningful relationship with God. Soloveitchik was a seminal voice in the Modern Orthodox movement and his writings reflect many aspects of Modern Orthodox theology and worldview- the show more importance of education, of engagement with society at large and of combining studying and living halakah with the performance of good deeds and righteous acts.

Soloveitchik begins his treatise with an analysis of the Song of Songs as the longing of man for God- man constantly cleaves to God, constantly longs for God, but God is elusive and slips away just as man believes he will finally unite with Him. So how then to join with God? Soloveitchik argues that man joins with God through engagement with the world, studying Torah, living Torah through obedience to halakah and studying Torah through recitation and study of the works of other Torah scholars. He ends by suggesting that man stays close to God by being part of a larger community and identifying with the fate of the Jewish people.

Soloveitchik's purpose is not to explain or justify individual aspects of halakah but to present an argument which advocates for its adoption as a whole and connects halakah to a deeper relationship with God; this he does persuasively and passionately. His work here is intellectually rigorous and challenging but still accessible and it is highly recommended for academic collections of Judaica and for those seeking a greater understanding of Modern Orthodox theology and principles. show less

This is my first ever reading experience with the Rav, which is actually surprising to me. Nonetheless, the experience was enriching. While I don't necessarily agree with a fine heap of his finer points, the educated clarity is refreshing. I always say that books should make me reach for a dictionary. This one certainly did, especially for fascinating latin phrases.

The book opens with an eloquent d'var torah, which serves as the basis for the entire book's message, which is: we must be show more engaged in this world on the spiritual and secular planes. One will not do without the other. One necessitates the other.

Just like Kosher Nation made me appreciate kashrus, so did this book make me appreciate prayer. In a single paragraph, he explained its purpose better than anyone ever has to me.

Certainly I will be reading more of his works. What took me so long? Well, philosophy has always been difficult for me to wrap my head around, but my recent onslaught of reading has made things easier.

Perhaps now I'll revisit Kant and actually understand what he's saying. show less

Rabbi Soloveitchik (1903-1993) needs no introductions, least of all to American readers. Known simply as “the Rav”, he is arguably the most prominent Jewish thinker and philosopher of US Jewry in the 20th century. He was less well known in Israel, even though some of his pupils became famous rabbis and religious leaders there (most prominently Rabbi Aharon Lichetenstein, head of the Har Etzion yeshiva, married to Rabbi Soloveitchik’s daugther). All this started changing in the last few show more years, as the leading Israeli publisher began publishing the Hebrew versions of the Rav’s writings and lectures. The book “אדם וביתו” (A Man and his Home) is part of this series, known as the “MeOtsar HaRav” series (from the treasure of the Rav).

The book deals with two main aspects of Jewish family life. The first topic is married life and marital union, covered in three essays: “Adam and Eve”, “Marriage” and “Redemption of Marital Relationship”. The second topic deals with parenting and the relationships between parents and their children, also covered in three essays: “Natural and Redemptive Parenting”, ”Honouring and Fearing Parents” and “Torah and Shekhinah (Presence of God”.

As usual, the Rav’s essays are a wonderful blend of Jewish thought (Torah, Midrash, Rambam) and general philosophical thought, a mix that is so sorely missed from most of today’s Jewish religious discourse. The Rav manages to illuminate well-known mitsvot, such as the duty to respect one’s parents, in a totally new light, bringing humanity and compassion into otherwise “dry” Torah decrees. His writing may be a little difficult for those not familiar with philosophical terms, but at least the Hebrew edition of the essays are translated in a way that makes the text accessible to almost everyone. show less