Q&A: Wisdom versus Tradition
Wisdom versus Tradition
Question
1) It is written in the Kuzari (Essay 1, end of paragraph 99): “And in the service of God there is neither speculation, nor inference, nor sophistry; and if it were so, then the philosophers, with their great wisdom and intellect, would have attained twice what the people of Israel attained.” It seems to me that his intention there is to say that Judaism is first and foremost tradition, and only afterward wisdom.
And in fact, in the second book of the trilogy, first section, you say exactly the opposite. I know that what the Kuzari writes doesn’t trouble you—he thinks this way and you think that way, fine—but could you explain to me what the basis of the disagreement is here? And how would you answer his argument?
2) And indeed, I’ve heard several times that in order to accept the words of our sages, you first have to switch off your intellect—that is, first acquire humility and become a proper receptacle, and only afterward reflect on the matter. As though in order to argue, you first have to agree. What do you think? Have you heard things like that before?
Answer
1. I don’t see an argument here. What is there to answer? He made a declaration, not an argument. Obviously, you need foundational assumptions to be given to us, and after that we use our intellect. Who said you can reach everything through reason?
But that is with regard to Jewish law. Thought, by contrast, is entirely his own invention. So if he is speaking about thought, this seems to me a self-refuting claim. He himself comes up with ideas and then says that you can’t arrive at things without tradition?
2. Of course I’ve heard that, and there is something to it. Not only in Torah, but in every field. When you begin, you need to listen carefully and not jump immediately to form an independent position. But listening is not switching off the intellect; at most it is suspending it. Listen well—and in order to listen, you need to use your intellect (how can you learn when your mind is switched off?)—and when you become capable, use your intellect to form a position of your own.