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Common Knowledge

Birthdate: 1903
Date of death: 1993-04-08
Burial location: West Roxbury, Massachusetts, USA
Gender: male
Nationality: Belarus (birth)
Birthplace: Pruzhany, Belarus
Place of death: Brookline, Massachusetts, USA
Places of residence: Boston, Massachusetts, USA
Education: University of Berlin
Occupations: rabbi
professor
philosopher
Organizations: Yeshiva University

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Reviews

The Lonely Man of Faith by Joseph B. Soloveitchik

This is my first ever reading experience with the Rav, which is actually surprising to me. Nonetheless, the experience was enriching. While I don't necessarily agree with a fine heap of his finer points, the educated clarity is refreshing. I always say that books should make me reach for a dictionary. This one certainly did, especially for fascinating latin phrases.

The book opens with an eloquent d'var torah, which serves as the basis for the entire book's message, which is: we must be engaged in this world on the spiritual and secular planes. One will not do without the other. One necessitates the other.

Just like Kosher Nation made me appreciate kashrus, so did this book make me appreciate prayer. In a single paragraph, he explained its purpose better than anyone ever has to me.

Certainly I will be reading more of his works. What took me so long? Well, philosophy has always been difficult for me to wrap my head around, but my recent onslaught of reading has made things easier.

Perhaps now I'll revisit Kant and actually understand what he's saying.… (more)

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MartinBodek | 2 other reviews | Jun 11, 2015 |

Kol Dodi Dofek: Listen, My Beloved Knocks by Joseph B. Soloveitchik

I read this on a plane ride to Israel, to put myself in the proper and appreciative frame of mind. The Rav's insights are marvelous and unique, and the 6 knocks gave me lots of pause and reflection. It made me think, a lot, and me realize, plenty. I fell a little more in love with his teachings, and a lot more in love with Israel.

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MartinBodek | Jun 11, 2015 |

Before Hashem You Shall Be Purified : Rabbi Joseph… by Joseph B. Soloveitchik

I read this over the High Holidays, to put me in the proper frame of mind. It seems the Rav's books do this trick for me: as Kol Dodi Dofek gave me a better appreciation for Israel, and as Lonely Man of Faith gave me great inside into the title topic, so did this book give me a solid understanding - and newfound respect - for the assembly, order, and construction of the Yom Kippur prayers.

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MartinBodek | Jun 11, 2015 |

Lonely Man of Faith, The by Joseph B. Soloveitchik

I had to read this twice before I had even a basic understanding of what he was talking about. If you can get through the book in the first run, you are a better person than I am. It is remarkably dense, but is a very important book in Jewish philosophy.

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melsmarsh | 2 other reviews | Apr 14, 2015 |

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