[Avodah] honest emotions

[D Rubin via Avodah]

From: Micha Berger via Avodah <avodah at lists.aishdas.org>
Date: Sun, 5 Feb 2017 12:53:45 -0500
> There is a specifically Litvishe idea that emotions are to be kept
> private. Eg this story told by RYBS about parting from his father
...
> So much of spirituality is emotional, that to this branch of Litvisher
> through, emotions are the qodesh haqadashim of the soul. (Note how Shir
> haShirim is also likened to the QhQ...)

> But as RYBS is emphatic when telling that story, the feeling is there,
> and to someone else living in that culture, they know it's there. But
> it's not for public.

Date: Sun, 5 Feb 2017 14:03:11 -0500
> Thinking about it more... If there is a seed of truth in the depiction
> of a chassidic court in Potok's The Chosen, I want to amend that answer
> to being a stream of thought in a number of East European mehalakhim.

As a descendant of eminent Chassidish and Litvish lines, I can attest
to this.

My mother's maternal side were descended from the Gra's family and were
known as 'die kalte [cold] _ _ _' [insert family surname]. They never
showed their emotions. But a fire burnt within.

My father's paternal family were part of a Galitsiana Chassidic
dynasty. Even in davening, they took care that outward displays of emotion
be kept to the minimum. Tears were hidden, voices subdued. This was the
'old' Galitsiana derech that I saw also by other true remnants. Visible
emotion was the result of overflowing.

I cannot recall which chasidishe sefer says, that not being able to hold
in one's love and fear of G-d is the sign of a flawed soul.

Dovid [Rubin]