[Avodah] Intuition - sources

[Daniel Eidensohn]

Daniel Eidensohn wrote:
> I am interested in sources which say to rely on intution to know answers 
> for spiritual and existential issues.
>
> Have the following so far:
> The Seridei Aish says that faith is intuitive rather than rational
> Chovas HaLevavos (4:3) says that one knows which is the correct job 
> because it is enjoyable.
> Avoda Zara (19a) One should learn that which the heart desires
> Gra in Mishlei says theoretically we know intuitively what our avodas 
> Hashem is but since we are not spiritual refined enough we can't rely on it.
>
>   
To add to the list. Rav Wolbe in Alei Shor has an extensive discussion 
of the Gra in Alei Shor I page 167 and Alei Shor II page 550

*Alei Shor (2:550): *G‑d judges every single individual according to 
what he is – that means according to his true nature – and who can 
survive that judgment? When G‑d created  man he planted in the source of 
his soul – that means “his true nature” – the rules that govern his 
life. In other words the guidelines for his unique existence. Therefore 
each man was sent into this world to fufill the mission in this world 
that he alone is able to fulfill. That mission is implanted into the 
source of each man’s soul. This is allluded to in Mishlei (22:20)… When 
a person returns to G‑d at the end of his life this is the basis of his 
judgment – did he in fact act truly in accord with his mission – 
“according to what he is.” It seems from the Maharal that the true 
essence of a person is ascertained through experience if not – G‑d 
forbid! – through suffering. Bereishis Rabbah (32:3), “‘G‑d tests the 
tzadik’, The artisan  does not test a bad container which is not strong 
enough to withstand a blow without breaking. What does he test? Only the 
good containers that even if they are hit many times they do not break. 
So it is with G‑d. He does not test the wicked but  only the righteous 
as it says, ‘G‑d tests the tzadik’ and it says ‘G‑d tested Avraham.’” It 
is only in regards to what has been implanted in the essence of his 
being that a person is tested because that is what he has the ability to 
withstand. It it hadn’t been that Avraham had learned the entire Torah 
on his own in his youth, G‑d would not have tested him by means of the 
Akeidah in his old age. (This that we  typically call “tests” are in 
fact only the difficulties that we bring on ourselves through our sins. 
In truth they are not truly tests which G‑d brings – chas v’shalom). 
This is the reason for the beracha of “the true judge”. That means that 
G‑d judges man justly according to his true essence  and according to 
man’s true essence brings on him the events of his life and his 
death.However these matters are too theortical and abstract. One’s true 
self is so concealed in a person that a person likes ourselves is not 
able to determine what it actually means. Who amongst us is capable of 
knowing what the principles of our lives actually are? Nevertheless 
despite our apparent inability to ascertain our intrinsic life 
principles we are judged specifically on whether we accomplished them. 
Obviously then a person is expected to determine what his personal life 
principles are. The Gra reveals to us an amazing approach to 
understanding this profound mattter and many important things are 
learned from his holy words in his explanation of Mishlei(16:1-4)...

Daniel Eidensohn