by Rabbi Dr. Zvi Leshem
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed here are that of the writer and do not necessarily represent the views of the Union for Traditional Judaism, unless otherwise indicated.
במשך חייו התוססים, גרשם שלום (1897-1982) ידע פולמוסים לא מעטים. בין ברי-הפלוגתא המפורסמים שלו נמנים גדולי החוקרים וההוגים, כגון מרטין בובר, חנה ארנדט, ישעיהו תשבי ויעקב טאובס. עוד מחלוקת מפורסמת הייתה זו שבין שלום ובין חוקר הספרות, פרופ’ ברוך קורצווייל (1972-1907) מאוניברסיטת בר-אילן. …
During his spirited life, Gresham Shalom (1897-1982) knew quite a few controversies. Among his most well-known disputants are the great scholars and thinkers, such as Martin Buber, Hannah Arendt, Isaiah Tishby and Jacob Taubes. Another famous dispute was the one between Shalom and the literary scholar, Prof. Baruch Kurzweil (1907-1972) from Bar-Ilan University. …
אין בכוונתי להרחיב את הדיבור על המצב העגום הזה, כבר רבים וטובים עשו כן. רצוני רק להאיר על זווית חדשה על פי ההתכתבות בין קורצווייל ובין מו”ר הרב פרופ’ דוד הלבני ז”ל בנושא.
My intention is not to expand the the disucssion about this sad situation, as many and good people have already done. [Rather], my intention is only to shed light on a new angle based on the correspondence between Kurzweil and my rabbi and teacher, Rabbi Rabbi Prof. David Halivni of blessed memory on the subject.
Translations by Noah Gradofsky based on Google Translate.
Read more at https://blog.nli.org.il/sodot-kurzweil/
Enjoying UTJ Viewpoints?
UTJ relies on your support to promote an open-minded approach to Torah rooted in classical sources and informed by modern scholarship. Please consider making a generous donation to support our efforts.
Rabbi Dr. Zvi Leshem made Aliyah in 1979. He was ordained by the Chief Rabbinate of Israel and holds a PhD in Jewish Thought from Bar-Ilan University.
Rabbi Leshem directs the Gershom Scholem Collection for Kabbalah and Hasidism at the National Library of Israel. He previously served in senior positions in Jewish education and as a community Rabbi.
His research focuses on Hasidism, Jewish Education, Gershom Scholem and the thought of Rav Shagar.
He and his wife live in Jerusalem.
Rabbi Leshem is the author of Redemptions: Contemporary Chassidic Essays on the Parsha and the Festivals (2006). Many of his academic and rabbinic articles are available at https://nli.academia.edu/zvileshem.