[Avodah] The Kuzari, vindicated

[Arie Folger]

RMB wrote
> Whereas I have been arguing that the beris in Shemos is with individuals,
> and the national aspect is the second beris in Devarim. IOW, mitzvos
> acheive personal redemption, AND creates a nation entrusted with bringing
> redemption to the world.
>
> I would not deny the role of a national covenant. I just can't fit much of
> what I was taught to the notion that there is *only* a national covenant.

Which exactly what I am saying. The notion of national covenant does not 
supplant the individual obligation and value of Torah and mitzvot, but is 
rather an additional aspect.

> I learned something similar to RRW's in RYLeibovitz's writings. That
> mitzvos need not work for every individual because they are laws created
> for a society. They therefore address norms.

Which is exatcly what I am up in arms about. For an eloquent statement of the 
problems with Reb YLeibowitz's  idea, see
Negative Theology and the Meaning of the Commandments in Modern Orthodoxy,
by R.Daniel Statman, in Tradition of spring 2005.

Essentially, he argues that YL's position is untenable. It is excessively 
rationalistci, robbing qiyum mitzvot of all their inherent meaning, making it 
also unlikely to maintain long term commitment to halakhah. Similar to 
Mendelsohn's failing. Such a position is also unprecedented historically 
(well, before Mendelsohn, if you'd count him as a precedent).

That ties in to the thread we had a while ago, that even the philisophical 
Rishonim also have some mysticism, just not necessarily Spanish qabalah. (now 
that I think of it, isn't this the same thread? I am not sure)

KT, good Shabbos,
-- 
Arie Folger
http://www.ariefolger.googlepages.com