Q&A: Studying Hasidism and Kabbalah
Studying Hasidism and Kabbalah
Question
Hello Rabbi, I would be happy to know your opinion regarding the study of Hasidism and Kabbalah. Where do they fit into what is said in the Talmud, “A person should always divide his years into thirds: one third Scripture, one third Mishnah, and one third Talmud,” and into what Maimonides wrote, that after one has studied all his life he should occupy himself with Talmud? Thank you very much.
Answer
The recommendation to divide one’s years into thirds is not clear to me. Do they really mean it literally? Nobody actually does that. Rabbenu Tam already said that everything is included within Talmud. So there is no point in asking such questions. One can discuss how meaningful it is to study Hasidism and Kabbalah. In my view, Hasidism is a waste of time (and there was already a column about this here), and Kabbalah can definitely be beneficial. It depends on each person according to his inclinations.
Discussion on Answer
I think Kabbalah is indeed included within Talmud. It is another interpretation of Scripture and of the Talmud. As for Hasidism, I’m more skeptical. Perhaps if it speaks to someone, one can see it as Torah in the personal-subjective sense (search here on the site for definitions).
There are various introductory books, but it’s worth doing this under the guidance of someone knowledgeable. There are also many approaches in this area, and in my opinion there’s no avoiding choosing one approach and progressing with it, and afterward, if one wants, expanding to additional approaches.
Hello Rabbi. Why is it advisable to do this under the guidance of a knowledgeable person? How is it different from other schools of thought?
It’s simply more efficient. It’s hard to understand without that.
I’d be glad to know what those introductory books are.
I’m not familiar enough. The classics are Introductions and Gateways by the author of Leshem. Shomer Emunim HaKadmon by Rabbi Yosef Ergas, and of course there are books by the author of HaSulam. But today there are quite a few introductory books that may be more accessible and clearer. It’s worth asking people who are more knowledgeable.
Are there Kabbalistic sources for the removal of providence from the world at the end of days? Something about the world returning to chaos? 🙂
Best regards, H.D. Charuv
Hello Rabbi!
In what way can studying Kabbalah be beneficial? (Not sarcastically.)
Thank you very much!
You can study Kabbalah when learning tractate Avodah Zarah:
“If one finds fragments of statues, these are permitted. If he found the form of a hand or the form of a foot, these are forbidden, because objects like these are worshipped.
They asked the elders in Rome: If He does not desire idol worship, why does He not abolish it? They said to them: If they worshipped something the world had no need of, He would abolish it. But they worship the sun and the moon and the stars and the constellations. Should He destroy His world because of fools? They said to them: If so, let Him destroy what the world has no need of and leave what the world does need. They said to them: In that case, we would also be strengthening the hands of the worshippers of these, for they would say: You should know they are truly gods, for behold, they were not abolished.”
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/70/Kabbalistic_tree_of_life.png
It gives a different perspective on various things. There are connections made there that are hard to see from the perspective of the revealed parts of the Torah.
Is everything included within Talmud, including these areas as well?
Also, regarding the study of Kabbalah, for someone who has never opened the subject before, how can one begin studying these areas? I’d be glad for a recommendation.
Thank you very much.