Assignment: Ask one of your Judaic studies teachers, administrators, rabbis, rebbetzins, or other spiritual role models which one of these great Jewish thinkers has had a significant impact on their life, and why (you can transcribe an interview with them in person, by phone, or by email). Please copy their answer in a comment below, and then tell us what intrigues you about their answer. Does it motivate you to want to learn more about that philosopher? What else does it make you want to know about the person you interviewed?
I would like each of you to respond to this post in the comments section below. After you contribute a comment of your own, read your classmates' comments and write an additional response to at least one of them.
This assignment must be completed by Monday, Feb 23. If you have not heard back from the person by Sunday night, please inform me. Make sure to (politely) request a response by then so that you will be able to complete this assignment on time, but do so right away so as to give them enough time to get back to you.
*Keep in mind: Although I am not going to be grading this assignment on the basis of your English language skills, I do fully expect you to use your best writing, so that you can be sure you're communicating clearly and efficiently. That includes using proper spelling, grammar, punctuation, and writing conventions (complete sentences and paragraphs, topic sentences, etc.).
**Please note: Before you post anything at all on this blog, create a Google Doc titled "JL&F Blog" and write everything there first. Then copy and paste it into the blog (this goes for all blog submissions). Occasionally people will write a lengthy response and then hit "submit", only to see it all instantly disappear. As long as you've got the original version in your Google Doc, this isn't a big problem; you can just send me your submission and I will post it for you.
The second Mrs. Wittlin assigned this blog, I immediately knew who I wanted to interview. One of my greatest role models and friends, Mrs. Rivki Weiner, was the one! Since she has moved here, she has been there for me through the ups and downs, guiding me through tough situations and cheering me on during positive ones. So when I asked Rivki which one of these great Jewish thinkers has had the most significant impact on her life and why,I was completely inspired by her response.
ReplyDeleteShe said: "The Baal Shem Tov would have to be the individual who has had the greatest impact on my life. My family comes from a both vishnitz and kasanoy chasidim. Our family growing up and my own family now live by the spiritual guidelines of chasidut: love of HaShem and the ability to get close to him and feel his presence anywhere, every Jew has his own unique relationship with Hashem and has special gifts given to him by Hashem to use in this world , love ,Emunah ,Simcha, ahavat Yisrael, tzedakah ,and so much more... Chasidut takes over when one is feeling lost and uninspired. To us it is like a light that guides the way when we are feeling lost. The ideas of chasidut allow any Jew to be spiritual no matter their level of education and observance. I feel a closeness to the teachings of the Baal Shem tov and his Talmidim . I feel his teachings have kept me connected to Hashem in a way through good times and bad times. I strive each day to live up to the ideals set forth by the Baal Shem Tov."
As I was reading this, I was stunned by the level of connection she and her response displayed. Rivki uses the Baal Shem Tov's teachings as a way to guide her life, throughout every situation. Now I can see what helped her show me the light when I was stuck in a dark tunnel! Though I love every single thing she said, the most impactful on me was the part where she mentioned how the ideas of chasidut allow any Jew to be spiritual no matter their level of education and observance. I think this is a beautiful concept and I can see how Rivki emphasizes this throughout her home, making sure everyone feels comfortable, no matter their background. My appreciation for Mrs. Rivki Weiner and her family was already pretty high, but after hearing her response, it is even higher! Maybe I should learn a little more about the Baal Shem Tov...
I love Mrs. Weiner's thoughts about the Baal Shem Tov, and find it inspirational how she implements his teachings into her daily life. I really see how she treats every single person as if they were her own child, and truly cares about every single Jew, and that is one of the many reasons why I love her so much!
DeleteThis is beautiful Rena. I'm so glad you have such a close relationship with her and were able to ask her about this. It was very nice to read how Mrs. Weiner can pin point the ideas she find helpful from the Ba'al Shem tov and incorporate them into her life, and grow from those ideas. It's also nice to see how people put these ideas practically into their lives.
DeleteMrs. Weiner is an amazing role model and her answer to your question was absolutely beautiful. We are all so lucky to know her. I know many people who strive to be the best person they can be every day but Rivki truly shows this in her life and it is clear that the source of her inspiration comes from the Baal Shem Tov. Although the Baal Shem Tov is her inspiration to become a better person, Rivki is mine!
DeleteRabbi Levi Klein: "The Baal Shem Tov is the founder of Chassidim, and living as a Chassid, which lives according to the teachings of Chassidus, it gives meaning and purpose to every detail of Judaism and my life. Primarily, the fact of Hashgacha Pratis, that everything that happens is by Divine Providence, gives meaning and purpose to every encounter in my life, not just while I am observing religious rituals, but even the seemingly mundane activities of my regular day are also infused with godly meaning and purpose. Growing up in a Chassidic home and living my life as a rabbi who teaches Chassidus, it is the fundamental teachings of the Baal Shem Tov that guide me, direct me, and infuse everything that I do, primarily the teachings of unconditional love of every single Jew. The idea that god cherishes the favor that one does for a fellow human being as much as anything else serves a great importance in my life, and teaches me to care for each and every Jew, no matter who they are. The teachings of the Baal Shem Tov that defer no one but god alone, and that everything that happens in life happens for divine providence, is a daily inspiration in all that I do, teach, and practice.
ReplyDeleteFor this blog post, I chose to ask Rebbitzen Melissa Perl which rabbi has had the most impact on her life. Although she was only officially my teacher for one year, she has had a huge impact on my life, especially on my growth as a Jewish woman and im”H a future Jewish role model and teacher. Since she has taught me so much through her wisdom and attitude towards torah, I was very interested to hear who she was inspired by. Mrs. Perl said, “I think Ramchal. I started learning mesilat yesharim in 11th grade and it really gave me pause and caused me to reflect on the path I was taking in life.”
ReplyDeleteThe Ramchal had a huge impact on Jewish thought especially after his time. He expressed new ways of thought that explained G-d, the world, Judaism, what our role is and countless other things we often find ourselves wondering about. At first, many of his ideas were controversial and not accepted, but fortunately we have the opportunity to learn from them now. I think it’s also fascinating that, similar to Mrs. Perl, I have just started learning Derech Hashem, another book by the Ramchal. I have only just started the sefer, but I am already amazed with everything the Ramchal talks about. I am excited to be learning from the Rabbi who inspired my teacher, who has inspired me. Maybe in the future I will continue this chain of inspiration from the Ramchal and Mrs. Perl to my future students.
I love Mrs. Perl and agree with her that the Ramchal had a huge impact on Jewish thought especially after his time. Just like you, Eliana, I am starting to learn the Ramchal's book, Derech Hashem, and I love it. Even by just reading a few of the pages, my perspective on some thoughts of Judaism have changed for the better. I can't wait to continue reading and learning more from the Ramchal!!
DeleteI really like everything Mrs. Perl said! It's interesting to see that the Ramchal was one of her early sources of inspiration.
DeleteI really liked hearing what Mrs. Perl had to say. It is interesting to hear how that the Ramchal was one of her main inspirations
DeleteThat is such a great book so far! I'm so glad I choose it. It really makes me feel connected in so many ways I didn't think I would be. Just like Mrs. Perl said, it really makes you reflect.
DeleteThe moment you gave us this assignment one specific role model came to mind. Of course, I could've asked so many other people that are great role models, but this role model I currently learn with and learn from almost everyday. I decided to ask Ayelet Prero, my advisor from NCSY. Ayelet is one of the most amazing role models in my life and she has a big impact on my life, she has definitely inspired me in my path to having a stronger connection to Judaism. Ayelet said, "Ramchal, Rabbi Moshe Chaim Lutzato, has had an impact on my life through his two most famous works, Derech HaShem and Messilas Yesharim. I have learned parts of these sefarim in classes in high school and seminary as well as b'chavrusah with peers. Ramchal's words solidified within me many crucial and foundational beliefs every religious Jew should have. Derech HaShem taught me the proper perspective regarding Hashem, the workings of the world, and life in general. Messilas Yesharim has enhanced my development as an individual and my avodas HaShem. I hope to continue learning from the Ramchal's wise words and using them to improve myself." Ayelet and I are going to learn Derech Hashem together, and it will definitely have a bigger impact since it had an impact on Ayelet and it will make it more meaningful. Just like Ayelet, I hope to continue to learn from the Ramchal and improve myself.
ReplyDeleteYay Batya for taking on Derech Hashem!! I agree 100% with all that Ayelet said. And shout out to Ayelet for being an awesome adviser! I feel that its really important to read works like these that make a clear path of ideas that helps the average human grow in their Judaism and in life. It also lets us know that its okay to ask questions about our religion and provides us with answers for the questions we are many times not able to ask.
DeleteRebbetzen Bracha Polstein:" Wow- that's a hard one! So many different important personalities.
ReplyDeleteSo, I believe for me it would be the Ramchal- Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzatto, who wrote
Mesilas Yesharim.
I actually learned this sefer and my brother gave it to me for my graduation from high school.
(go figure- what was he thinking?) but for some reason I read it and even memorized parts of it and took it with me to my interview to get into seminary for Israel. I got in, of course.
It teaches you how to grow and become closer to HaShem.The hebrew was easy also.
I was happy to see Rabbi Emanuel Feldman on the list. He was the Rabbi in Atlanta
who truly built the frum community in Atlanta and I believe he was very instrumental in
making my husband (the famous Rabbi Yosef Polstein) frum when he was a teenager.
He actually sent my husband to learn in Ner Israel in Baltimore, and I probably would not have met him and married him if he had gone somewhere else.
He wrote many fine books and him and his wife and children are all wonderful role models-
even still today!"
Mrs. Polstein is the directer of the camp I went to the previous 2 summers. She is one of the most amazing person I have ever met. She is so inspiring and nice. I agreed with her when she said that the Feldman family are all role models.
That is so nice to be able to connect one of the people on this list to her own life. It really shows how much these people affected Klal Yisroel. Especially since many people, including me, have gained from learning with Rabbi and Mrs. Polstein. It really shows how Rabbi Emanual Feldman effected all of our lives.
Delete"Rav Soloveitchik – I actually used to see the Rav when I went to YU. Although he was no longer giving public shiurim, I davened in his minyan on several occasions, and many of my Rabbeim were top students of his, so I was able to get a feeling for his method of learning and for the depth of his learning. Years later after his passing, I began to read many of his writings, and discovered an entirely different side of him. Whereas before, I had just seen keen intellect, there was also an emotional side to him which was just as impressive. The Rav described this as the influence he received from his father and his mother – the pure Torah and knowledge he learned from his father, with the deep emotional love for Torah and mitzvot that he learned from his mother. I have always tried to keep this in mind – understanding the technical details of Torah or a mitzvah, and how that effects one’s feelings at its performance or understanding." - David Fleischhacker
ReplyDeleteFrom my dad's words on Rav Soloveitchik I learned the importance of realizing that you are a role-model for thos around you. Everyone can learn, either positively or negativly, from your actions. Before my dad started reading Rav Soloveitchik's works, he said he was already learning how to study Torah in depth from his rabbis who were students of him and was inspired by his davening. He also said one thing he really took away from his works, once he read them, was the fact that he gained his torah knowledge and how to learn torah from watching his father and mother.
“Baal Shem Tov- he took a group and brought lots of spirituality into what they did in order to enhance the meaning for them. I look for meaning in what I do. The spiritual aspect brings the meaning to life. It made things that I knew were important but did not understand exciting and fulfilling. His ideas really helped me through my search for a stronger connection to Judaism.” -Hirsch Serman
ReplyDeleteFrom what my dad said, I realized the importance of not only fulfilling the mitzvah, but also understanding them. Anyone can just follow a bunch of commandments, but bringing them into your life is completely different. You can always find meaning in the things around you.
So.... my plans for interviewing the original person I wanted for this assignment fell through but I decided to interview someone just as great, Mrs. Tsuna!
ReplyDeleteMrs. Tsuna is an ivrit teacher, English teacher, and in charge of SAT prep and college guidance at our school. On top of all of that, she is a great Jewish role model to me as well. It is truly shocking how she takes on so much and still has time to connect strongly to Judaism!
When I asked her this question about the Jewish philosophers, it took her a few seconds to figure it out. She then told me that all of those men and philosophers are influential in helping her connect to Judaism. Each and everyone of them has contributed something whether it was from a book or a speech, that has had an impact on her Jewish identity. She has been inspired by each of them in a different way and all of them are equally important to her.
I think that everything in life has to have multiple components contributed to something for it to be successful. Just like Mrs. Tsuna said that all of the philosophers were equally influential and she cannot just pick one, I think that everything in life has to have a combination of other parts too.