[Avodah] Interesting Netziv

[Moshe Y. Gluck]

[This was already posted to Areivim, and R' Micha suggested it be posted
here.]

See Birchas HaNetziv on Mechilta, Yisro, 4, s.v. Kol Zman She'hu Holech
where he says that at Churban Bayis Sheini there were three groups, the
Essenes, the Philosophers, and the Anshei Knesses Hagedolah (not in
actuality, but their Hashkafic descendents, Perushim/Pharisees). The
Essenes, he says were ascetic, separated from people and were a Merkavah
L'shchinah. They were unsuccessful at ensuring the survival of Klal Yisroel.
The Philosphers ended up producing the Tzedukim. Only the Perushim, who were
Osek B'pilpula D'oraisa and were Marbeh Talmidim succeeded in ensuring Klal
Yisroel's survival.
The reason why I bring this up - and it might be obvious to everyone here
but me - is that it seems from this that the Volozhin school of thought, as
explicated by the Netziv, which was predisposed against Chassidus (which
could be seen as a parallel to the Essenes) and against secular study
(analogous to the Philosophers), saw itself as keeping alive the tradition
which dated back all the way back to the Churban Bayis Rishon and the Anshei
Knesses Hagedolah who said Haamidu Talmidim Harbeh (see the Netziv who
discusses that Mishnah). Given that context, it seems foolish that anyone -
from the right or the left - would think themselves able to change that
tradition. Also, it provides context to why the newer movements weren't seen
as Shiv'im Panim but as Kefirah (almost) because they had already been
demonstrated as unsuccessful in keeping Klal Yisroel alive. I'm curious what
the Olam thinks about this, and also if the Netziv was the originator of
this school of thought, or was he continuing a trend of thought that began
earlier, say with R' Chaim Volozhiner or the Gaon, or even earlier.

KT
MYG

P.S. Sorry for rambling.