Q&A: Psychology
Psychology
Question
Hello and blessings,
A. Today there are people trying to propose a Jewish psychology, such as Dr. Baruch Kahane, Rotenberg, and the like, by mixing Western psychology with the insights of Hasidism and Kabbalah about the soul. Does the Rabbi think there is any significance to this?
B. There is an institute called Torat HaNefesh, of Rabbi Ginsburgh, where they teach psychology based only on Hasidism, without wandering into foreign fields. 1. Does the Rabbi think it is possible to know how to treat people based only on those sources, without wandering into foreign fields? 2. Does the Rabbi recommend the institute?
Answer
I’m not familiar with it, and I don’t understand psychology (though I get the impression there isn’t much to understand). A priori, I am very skeptical of the entire field, including these proposals as well.
Discussion on Answer
I have column 405 on psychology. See there.
Does the Rabbi not think psychology can help?