[Avodah] individualism

[Zvi Lampel]

Tue, 24 Mar 2026 Joel Rich posted:

From, The Paths of Providence -Chaim Gross:


One of the hallmarks of modernity was the adoption (in the 18th and 19th
> centuries) of individualism as the basis by which political and social
> groups are structured. This principle values the individual over the
> community to a much greater extent than under previous political and social
> systems; the focus is on the moral worth of each person, and the freedom
> by each person to achieve his separate goals and desires.


... according to longstanding Jewish tradition ... the main emphasis has
> always been on the community. The Torah typically addresses itself to the
> nation in its entirety.



> ... Thoughts?


Rabbi Berel Wein z"l with a different nuance:

https://www.rabbiwein.com/blog/post-2225

[In contrast to the] Marxist view [in which] ...  great external forces
such as the competition of the classes, stages of economic development and
powerful historical and sociological forces somehow determine human
behavior and explain human history as well as current events ... Judaism
sees history as the work of individuals, who, because of their own free
will and individuality, shape events, form ideas and influence the progress
of human civilization. Individuals created Judaism and the Jewish nation
was formed by the actions and beliefs of individuals ....

[On the other hand.] Too much individuality can lead to narcissism and
arrogance. No individuality makes life meaningless and without true
purpose. Judaism always preaches balance in life in order to avoid social,
intellectual and religious pitfalls.
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://lists.aishdas.org/pipermail/avodah-aishdas.org/attachments/20260325/89b0cac3/attachment.htm>