lonely-man-of-faith.md (2557B)
1 +++ 2 title = "A Foray into Theology" 3 date = 2023-12-20 4 [extra] 5 book = "The Lonely Man of Faith" 6 author = "Joseph B. Soloveitchik" 7 finished = 2023-12-17 8 rating = "★★★★☆" 9 +++ 10 11 *The Lonely Man of Faith* was a birthday present from a dear friend. It 12 is written from a perspective that challenges my own, running quite 13 contrary in some aspects from the way in which I have chosen to live. 14 Indeed, this is what made it a fascinating book to read: the interaction 15 of differing opinions and views is where there is perhaps the most room 16 for growth. Furthermore, *The Lonely Man of Faith* is written at quite 17 an abstract level, and as such there are many things within its pages 18 that Rabbi Soloveitchik and I agree on and indeed within which we can 19 find shared meaning. 20 21 <!-- more --> 22 23 Now, assorted quotes and commentary: 24 25 > The Halakhah believes that there is only one world—not divisible into 26 > secular and hallowed sectors... 27 > 28 > *Page 79* 29 30 This aligns with how I think of Jewishness. I am a Jew in every context, 31 not just those that may be considered "religious" by those on the 32 outside. 33 34 The dual-nature image of man proposed by Rabbi Soloveitchik is this 35 book's central focus. At times I find this description becomes fairly 36 romantic: 37 38 > However, [the discovery of a companion], since it is part of the 39 > redemptive gesture, must also be sacrificial. The medium of attaining 40 > full redemption is, again, defeat. **This new companionship is not 41 > attained through conquest, but through surrender and retreat.** "And 42 > the eternal God caused an overpowering sleep to fall upon the man." 43 > Adam was overpowered and defeated—and in defeat he found his 44 > companion. 45 > 46 > *Page 38* 47 48 The emphasis above is mine. There is something I enjoy about the framing 49 of deep human relationships being formed through mutual surrender. 50 51 If the Rabbi were to appraise my life, I am certain he would say that I 52 spend far too much time in the conquesting mode of his "Adam the first," 53 and it may be beneficial for me to explore other ways of existing. 54 Perhaps there is value in this. I am certainly sympathetic to, and 55 involved myself with, the individual search for meaning. However: I do 56 think there is a vast chasm between that and not touching light switches 57 on Shabbat. 58 59 *The Lonely Man of Faith* is a book of philosophy—it is difficult to 60 draw from it hard conclusions. Much of the worth of these things comes 61 from the reading itself, and clashing with the ideas on the page. The 62 journey, not the destination, as it is said. The book is not long. I 63 enjoyed it.