Shevat 22, 5771 · January 27, 2011
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Building Blocks of Jewish Thought
The landscape of classic Jewish thought-and
therefore, of Chabad.org-is painted with a finite set of themes and
motifs. For many of these themes we have standard terminology, single
words or phrases that pack a whole lot of history, controversy and
weltanschauung. Others appear in multiple guises, awaiting your
discovery that within them hides a single soul.
Recently, I began a project to gather the most vital of these
theme-words and provide for each one a concise yet enlightening
overview. From my perspective, it's an exciting challenge: to isolate
the core elements of each subject and present these with clarity for
expert and novice alike. For our readers, I hope this lexicon will
render much of our heavier material a little lighter and open up new
portals of knowledge. Reader comments provide an opportunity for
collaboration between author and audience-since we are, after all,
dealing with a dynamic, live media.
If it's Torah, it must have practical application. And so I've
attempted to present not only the metaphysics, but the applied physics
of each concept for life-on-Planet-Earth. In addition, each entry is
sprinkled with links, branching out to the vast library of essays, audio
and video we've collected here over the years. For the searching mind
and soul that seeks yet wider vistas, I hope to see many new pathways
forged as this work progresses.
-Rabbi Tzvi Freeman |
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