[Avodah] "I, who in my simplicity have no dealings with mysticism" RSRH

[Prof. Levine]

The following is from pages 38 and 39 of Rav Breuer - His Life and His Legacy.

  Most poignant are the tone and contents of a letter addressed in 
1864 to R. Tzvi Hirsch Kalischer, rabbi of Thorn and a founder of 
Chibat Zion. The letter was sent in response to R. Kalisher's 
"complaint" regarding R. Hirsch's lack of enthusiasm for his programs 
for Jewish resettlement.

If my vision is so shortsighted that I can not recognize the good and 
the truth that will result - as your exalted opinion contends - from 
your efforts regarding settling Eretz Yisrael and that which you hold 
as a great mitzvah and responsibility - my humble opinion differs. 
I,  who in my simplicity have no dealings with mysticism, see no 
greater good than in holding on to the path paved by our forefathers . ..

And if my understanding is so blunted that I can not see the dawning 
of redemption being manifested in the emergence of a number of 
families who are close to power,  [it is because] almost all of them 
- with the exception of the one who lives here in Frankfurt - have 
distanced  themselves from the ways of Torah and mitzvos and they are 
counted among those who have thrown off the yoke of religion. My eyes 
have been blinded so that I can not imagine that God would choose 
such light-headed people as His agents.
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