SEFER HA'KUZARI: "Intention and Deed"

B"H 

Once a week, I am participating in an online class given by Rabbi Chaim Eisen. The topic is SEFER HA’KUZARI. We have just started and if anyone fluent in English wants to join may do so. Just sign up HERE ! Everything is for free and without any spam. 

As a matter of fact, Rabbi Eisen has been also teaching at Jerusalem’s ORTHODOX UNION (Israel Center) for many years, where I have been participating in another class. Live and not online. :-) Actually he is the only lecturer at the OU I go to because he is a real professional and knows his stuff. 

Anyway, our last online class on SEFER HA’KUZARI was about INTENTION and DEED. 

Intentions are important but they are not enough. The serious deed is what counts.

Rabbi Eisen gave the example of a Yeshiva student setting his alarm clock for Shacharit but when it is ringing, he slams it against the wall and continues to sleep. In this case, the intention was good but the output was lousy. 

However, the question is: WHAT IS A GOOD INTENTION ? In my opinion, this may depend on every person’s potential. G – d is looking at your level of potential and then sees your level of intention. There are times when your level of intention could me much greater because you are not using all of your potential. 

Rabbi Eisen listed people from the TANACH whose intention was good but the deed was just the opposite. Let us look at Nadav and Avihu whose intention was serious but they weren’t commanded to burn incense. It could have been that they were just to overwhelmed and wanted to bring a sacrifice before G – d. However, there are rules and they weren’t allowed to do this at that very moment. 

Another example is the EGEL (Golden Calf). Many Jews participating in the Golden Calf thought that this is the right way to worship G – d. It wasn’t necessarily idol – worship but a different way of acknowledging the Creator. The intention was good, the deed was a catastrophe. 

Another example we find in DIVRE’I HA’YAMIM (Chronicles II), 26:16 – 23: 
King Uzziyahu (Uzziah), a good king who had accomplished a lot, wanted to thank G – d and also burn incense on the Altar. However, burning incense on the Mizbeach is a task for Cohanim only and anyone else taking over this task will be due to G – dly punishment. Despite all warnings, Uzziyahu burnt the incense and was punished with Za’arat (leprosy) on his forehead. The result was that Uzziahu was cut off from the House of G – d and his son Yotam took over kingship.

Why was THE KUZARI written in Arabic ?

B"H

"Sefer Ha'Kuzari - The Kuzari" is playing a tremendous role in most Israeli Yeshivot. Besides Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzattos (Ramchal's) "Path of the Just" it is being taught almost everywhere. As well as in national religious as in haredi Yeshivot. 

The great Spanish Rabbi and Philosopher Yehudah HaLevi (born approx. 1075, was murdered by an Arab near Jerusalem in 1141) actually wrote THE KUZARI in Arabic and not in Hebrew or Spanish. A few years later, the famous translator  Yehudah ibn Tivon translated the book into Hebrew. His translation is known to be a very literal translation without any personal remarks or interpretation as we see in other translations. 

My KUZARI edition translated by Ibn Tivon

Photo: Miriam Woelke

 

Nevertheless, why did Rabbi Yehudah HaLevi wrote his book in Arabic and not in Spanish or any other more common European language ? Most Jews in medieval Europe didn't know any Arabic.

Rabbi Chaim Eisen from Jerusalem provided the answer to my question: For many years, medieval Spain had been occupied by Muslims and therefore, the official language of Spain was Arabic and not necessarily Spanish. However, Rabbi Yehudah HaLevi wasn't the only one publishing a book in Arabic. Almost 200 years later,  Rabbi Moshe ben Maimon (theRAMBAM, 1135 – 1204) wrote his famous MOREH NEVUCHIM (Guide for the Perplexed) in Arabic. Please note that both Rabbis quoted Gemara texts in Hebrew and not in Arabic.

THE KUZARI mainly dealt with questions the King of the Khazars had. He pointed his questions to a Muslim, a Jew, a Christian and to a philosopher in order to find out the true religion / ideology. In the end, the Jew convinced the King that only Judaism is the true religion and the Khazars converted to Judaism. An apparently historical fact although Rabbi Yehudah HaLevi probably made up the conversation between the King and the others in order to discuss the purpose Judaism in this world. 

In those days, Spanish Jewry seemed to get very much involved in Greek and Arabic philosophy and in order to prevent Jews from going astray, Rabbi Yehudah HaLevi presented a discussion between the King, a Jew and further religions and the philosopher in order to show where the latter are wrong and Judaism is right. The Jew, however, didn't just make a few claims but presented proof the King couldn't ignore.  

As a matter of fact, later on, the Rambam again approached the Jews in his MOREH NEVUCHIM trying to break apart the arguments of Greek philosophy. Especially Aristotle's ideas but, on the other hand, the Rambam also agreed to some of Aristotle's statements or, at least, he was extremely familiar with his philosophy.  

THE KUZARI was written for Spanish Jewry in order to teach them the beauty and basics of Judaism. Nevertheless, it would be great if someone, maybe a well - learned Rabbi could write a book or essays on "How Greek and other philosophies actually did find their way into Jewish thought. At least up to a certain extend". This would be a great subject. Actually I know one chassidic Rabbi writing about this particular subject but I am not sure whether he is able to continue due to health problems. 

Q & A with Rabbi Chaim Eisen (Jerusalem)

B"H

I have known Rabbi Chaim Eisen for quite a while. Participating in one of his weekly classes at Jerusalem's Orthodox Union (Israel Center) I can say that he has a great knowledge. Especially when it comes to THE KUZARI, Gemara, the RAMBAN as well as the RAMBAN.

Not too long ago, he introduced his free - of - charge online classes and I signed up for THE KUZARI, Ramban and Rambam. My favourite subjects and I like listening to Rabbis who have a vast knowledge on these kind of topics. However, Rabbi Eisen also answers all kinds of questions. No matter whether from Jews or non - Jews. Here is a great example:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7xfKEVpKmHs&feature=plcp