QUESTION:
What is the path being taught by Rav Yitzchok Ginsberg? Is it Chabad? And, can the Bilvavi approach be integrated with Rav Ginsberg’s approach?
ANSWER:
The root of Rav Ginsberg’s path is in the Chabad path, but he has also expanded his path to include the paths of other great leaders.
From an external viewpoint, there is a big difference between the two approaches [between Rav Ginsberg and my approach]. His views about Eretz Yisrael, the Israeli government, and the Israeli army, and using internet [for kiruv and Torah], and other matters, differ with my view on these matters. And, going deeper, his view differs from mine regarding the structure of the spiritual world. Rav Ginsberg’s view about the 13 soul faculties is that the highest points are emunah-taanug-ratzon, but my view is that the highest points are havayah-emunah and taanug-ratzon. This is a fundamental argument, because it is about the root of all roots, and therefore it is an argument which also affects the branches of these roots.
It is not my way to speak about certain people, only the ways of serving Hashem. I don’t know what his way of treating issues are [so I cannot give my opinion on his ways]. I recently [made an exception to my rule and] stated an opinion on the Amshinover Rebbe whom I was asked about, and this was because I had to defend him by saying that he serves Hashem with mesirus nefesh.
From an external viewpoint, there is a big difference between the two approaches [between Rav Ginsberg and my approach]. His views about Eretz Yisrael, the Israeli government, and the Israeli army, and using internet [for kiruv and Torah], and other matters, differ with my view on these matters. And, going deeper, his view differs from mine regarding the structure of the spiritual world. Rav Ginsberg’s view about the 13 soul faculties is that the highest points are emunah-taanug-ratzon, but my view is that the highest points are havayah-emunah and taanug-ratzon. This is a fundamental argument, because it is about the root of all roots, and therefore it is an argument which also affects the branches of these roots.
It is not my way to speak about certain people, only the ways of serving Hashem. I don’t know what his way of treating issues are [so I cannot give my opinion on his ways]. I recently [made an exception to my rule and] stated an opinion on the Amshinover Rebbe whom I was asked about, and this was because I had to defend him by saying that he serves Hashem with mesirus nefesh.
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