Re: [asa] Sefer Yetzirah

In a message dated 8/30/2006 11:19:22 AM Eastern Standard Time,
jarmstro@qwest.net writes:
So, Randy, the bottom line is that it depends upon the particular
sector of
this particular community how these writings are regarded. Much as is
the case
in the Christian community with the extrabiblical writings, it looks
like the
Kabbalist writings are enjoying broader interest these days. JimA

Let's be careful not to minimize/distort the influence of the kabbalah.

Francke wrote at the turn of the 20th century. Scholem wrote until
his death
only recently.

Do not confuse the kabbalah clubs that madonna associates with, with
serious
study of the kaballah.

Maimoides, (ramban), studied the kabbalah seriously. he is revered and
quoted today by the hasidic lubavitchers, the most powerful orthodox
group in the
world.
Scholem called the hasidic renewal of eastern euroope the most powerful
religious revival that had ever occurred, producing the most
religious genius (in
The Messianic idea in Judaism).

My remark is made just so you understand the kabbalah is esoteric, not
tangential.

If a - particular sect of a particular community - is centralized and
has
enormous political leverage, it is extremely important to know what
they regard
as esoteric and tangential. The likud conservative political party of
Israel is
formed of just such orthodox groups.

Kabbalah "clubs" conceal the importance of the kabbalah the way paul
hartung belittled the talmud at hbes2000.

http://www.kevinmacdonald.net/HBES2000.htm

"I=E2=80=99d heard John Hartung, who had written on the evolution of
in-group
morality, was supportive of MacDonald and I eagerly anticipated
Hartung=E2=
=80=99s taking the
floor. When he did, his exaggerated air of authority struck me as
inappropriate. He began to strut back and forth addressing the
audience in a=
  somewhat
cavalier manner while talking about the Jewish Talmud.
The Talmud is a compilation of Jewish oral law and rabbinical
teaching datin=
g
from the 3rd to the 6th centuries with regulations for every step in
a man=
=E2=80=99s
life from cradle to grave. The Talmuds (there are Jerusalem and
Babylonian
versions) are important enough to be referred to as either the
cornerstone o=
f
Jewish law or the foundation of Jewish culture. Many Talmudic
passages are
hostile references to Jewish adversaries such as Samaritans and
Christians. =
In his
trilogy, MacDonald cites passages from the Talmud, which speak
contemptuousl=
y
of non-Jews. Talmudic passages run the gamut from the permissibility of
deceiving Christians and the right of Jews to appropriate the goods
of Genti=
les, to
the inherent bestiality and immorality of Christians.
In an effort to dismiss the Talmud as a meaningful document worthy of
consideration in the eyes of the audience diverting their attention
from its=

provocative content, I listened in amazement as Hartung cited a
somewhat obs=
cure
scatological Talmudic prohibition against touching your genitals
while urina=
ting.
Hartung=E2=80=99s unbelievable message: the Talmud is silly and
MacDonald ta=
kes it
seriously. Therefore, he can=E2=80=99t possibly understand Judaism.
In a lam=
e attempt at
humor, Hartung grimaced and shook his pants leg as if to say -- you see,
because I haven=E2=80=99t touched my genitals, I=E2=80=99ve pissed my
pants.=

It might have been funny in another place under different
circumstances but
as a response to Kevin MacDonald=E2=80=99s brilliant elucidation of
the proc=
esses of
the =E2=80=9Canti-Semitic=E2=80=9D cycle it was a tragicomic display. "

The kabbalah is important for fleshing out Jewish theology. So is the
talmud=
.
Take them seriously. Their most influential intellectuals do, but not in
public, because the knowledge is supposedly for a chosen few as I
posted in =
the
quote from Francke on the differential effect of the knowledge on
different
rabbis.

rich faussette

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Received on Sun Sep 3 19:15:20 2006