[Avodah] ain Od Milvado v. Bechira

[Micha Berger]

On Thu, Apr 28, 2011 at 04:00:31PM -0400, David Riceman wrote:
> RMB:
>> In Izhbitz thought the only bechirah we have is whether we interpret
>> our decisions as being in concert with that Plan, or in rebellion.>>

> Is this any different from Spinoza?

I never looked at Spinoza, as I never came across a baal hashkafah who
builds on / defines a contrast to him.

However, Spinoza taught pantheism, whereas lehavdil Chassidus teaches
panentheism.

(From wiki:
    Panentheism (from Greek ... "all-in-God") is a belief system which
    posits that God exists and interpenetrates every part of nature,
    and timelessly extends beyond as well. Panentheism is distinguished
    from pantheism, which holds that God is synonymous with the universe.)

How Chassidic panentheism relates to what you quoted me saying above
depends, yet again, on how one understands tzimtzum as being both real
and not quite.

Tir'u baTov!
-Micha

-- 
Micha Berger             Today is the 9th day, which is
micha at aishdas.org        1 week and 2 days in/toward the omer.
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