[Avodah] Aristotle was an Orthodox Jew and the Rivash apposed Kabalah?
jew at when.com
jew at when.com
Thu Feb 11 01:07:06 PST 2010
"There is a true story of a great philosopher
renowned throughout the world, whose name was
Aristotle - that at the time of his old age he wrote
a letter to his student Alexander the Macedonian -
the king of Greece (See source Shalshelet
HaKabalah) this text:
Blessed is Hash-m [the G-d of the Jews - the sole
G-d of the universe and of all], that opens eyes of
the blind, that shows the sinners the straight path.
He is exalted with praises that are worthy of Him -
For I do not know how to praise Him upon all of
the mercy and great kindness that he bestowed
upon me.That he took me out of this foolishness that I was
immersed in all the days of my life in dealing with
wisdom of philosophy to explain everything
according to nature - that's understood through
rationalization.
And I made many books on this wisdom - like the
sand that is on the banks of the of the sea.
Until I was rebuked now by the mingling of my
life with one (Jewish) sage from the sages of
Israel. And in his speaking to me, he
demonstrated his tremendous wisdom.
And I recognized the high level of the holy Torah,
that was given at the Mount Sinai.
And he drew my heart with the words of the Torah
that showed me and explained to me true novelties
and wonders that were done [by Hash-m, the G-d
of Israel]." - Aristotle
http://www.jerusalemlife.com/torahkids/arisheb.pdf
"Although Isaac was very strict in his halakic decisions, he was farfrom being narrow-minded. He has nothing to say against secularknowledge; he disapproves the study of Aristotleonly because the latter professed belief in the eternity of matter anddenied God's providence. Isaac's responsa evidence a profound knowledgeof the philosophical writings of his time. In one of them (No. 118) Heexplains the difference between the opinion of Levi ben Gershom (Ralbag) and that of Abraham ben Davidof Posquières (RABaD) on free will, and gives his own views on thatcomplicated subject. He shows himself a decided adversary of the Kabalah. His teacher says Isaac never spoke of the Sefirot, and Isaac cites the words of a certain philosopher who reproaches the cabalists with believing in the "Ten" (Sefirot) as the Christians believe in the Trinity (No. 159)."
http://www.statemaster.com/encyclopedia/Isaac-ben-Sheshet
-- I have also heard a rumor that anyone who does not believe in kabalah is considered an apikorus. Certainly, the Ramchal (who has the status of a rishon according to many) practiced kabalah. Can anyone reconcile these two views? Is this letter from Arisitotle accurate? I would say the author has a migoo because he could of made it sound so, so much less ridiculous.
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