<br><div><span class="gmail_quote">On 10/7/07, <b class="gmail_sendername">Micha Berger</b> <<a href="mailto:micha@aishdas.org">micha@aishdas.org</a>> wrote:</span><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="border-left: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); margin: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0.8ex; padding-left: 1ex;">
<br>I think that there is a similar confusion caused by the word "mysticism".<br><br>In its broadest sense, anyone who believes in a Borei and mal'akhim<br>believes in mysticism. But I'm sure that's not what is being debated here.
<br><br>To me, the word means belief in an Intimate G-d, and centering one's<br>religiosity on the attempt to experience Him. (I realize that that's<br>Gnosticism in particular; however, it is the mental image I associate
<br>with the word "mystic".)<br><br>T<br>-mi<br><br>--</blockquote><div><br>This is tangential to Micha's post and Micha you can leave if off<span style="font-weight: normal;" class="lg"></span> the list<br>
</div><br></div>This is like the 80-20 rule. 80% of the debates in Hlacah in general an donthis lsit in particular are probably about definitions.<br><br>I was not the greatest Talmid of Brisk, but the Brisker methodology re-inforced in me the concept of getting precise defintions that are often contextually based.
<br><br>For example 2 definitions of kavvanah<br>1) awareness that one is davening [reguried for entire amidah]<br>2) understanding what is being said (peirush hamilim) [required for just 1st bracha]<br><br clear="all">
I also strongly concur that nearly ANY religious person must subscribe to SOME form of mysticism - becasue I defined mysticism essentially as 'bridging the gap between n,man and God." To rambam THIS kind of mystiicms sems primarily rational and intellecutal but the goal of LEIDA Es Hashem is paramount - no loess than one who uses methods of Kabbalah or other forms of d'veikus. [Sufis perhaps used Dervish style methods]
<br>- <br>Kol Tuv / Best Regards,<br><a href="mailto:RabbiRichWolpoe@Gmail.com">RabbiRichWolpoe@Gmail.com</a><br>Please Visit: <br><a href="http://nishmablog.blogspot.com/">http://nishmablog.blogspot.com/</a>