The Lonely Man of Faith

by Joseph B. Soloveitchik

Book Overview

Rabbi Soloveitchik addresses in practical terms the paradoxes and difficulties of living in the modern world of reason while maintaining one's faith in God.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0385422628
• ISBN13: 9780385422628
• Release Date: February 1992
• Publisher: Doubleday Books
• Length: 112 Pages
• Weight: 0.65 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.8" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

Soloveitchik Always Blows Me Away

Whenever I read anything by Rabi Soloveitchik, he blows me away. The reader may find it benefitial to learn something about the ideas of covenant before engaging this book. It is also benefitial to learn the concept of revelation as understood in Judaism. Otherwise, a dictionary will do. Among the gems in the essay are the following: 1) A very interesting interpretation of the two creation stories in the bible. 2) A Jewish notion of redemption. What does it mean to have a redeemed existence? 3) A Jewish concept of the original sin. I didn't even realize one existed. Find it among the pages of the book. 4) A wonderful analysis of human psychology that resulted from two polarities ordained by God revealed to us within the two creation stories. 5) An explanation of the loneliness of the man of faith. This book is truly wonderful. I did notice one thing that seemed pretty poor (likely not the author's fault). The final mem and sameh seem to be interchanged in the Hebrew language. The author does write some stuff in Hebrew, but also translates it into English.

The Rav's picture of himself

One cannot help feeling that in presenting the picture of the lonely man of faith, the Rav is presenting a picture of himself. The contrast is by now famous between the two Adams, the Adam of conquering the earth, the technological modern man, and the second Adam, the Adam of inwardness, the lonely man of faith. The enormous dedication and effort that the Rav shown in his teaching and communal work have their parallel in the tremendous dedication and effort he gave to his own thinking, and inner life. This work is not only an important Jewish work of thought but can be of instruction to anyone who wishes to have a glimpse of what authentic religious experience is.

interesting . . .

and not totally incomprehensible - don't let other reviewers' comments scare you off (though I do think if I reread this book in a few years when I know more, I would get more out of it). Solovetchik asserts that each of us has two halves- the "majestic" half that seeks to conquer the universe, and the half that seeks spirituality through contemplation. He further asserts that people of faith are "lonely" in two ways: (1) though they wish to focus on contemplation, they must also spend time in the material world to be completely fulfilled; (2) in our culture in particular, even religion tends to be oriented towards "majestic" considerations (that is, utilitarian goals) rather than passive contemplation of and obedience to our Creator.

A Spiritual Journey

The subject of a class titled "A Spiritual Journey" taught by our Rabbi, this small book has engendered the deapest spiritual discussions-yet on an intellectual level-which one can imagine. However, be prepared! If you expect to get the most out of this book, you will need a very comprehensive dictionary. While any serious reader will probably find Soloveitchik's insights helpful, it has to be said that if you don't have a solid, working knowledge of the Hebrew language and its development, together with a thorough knowledge of the Jewish religious traditions, you will miss much. Therefore, study with a Rabbi, as well as with others, is highly recommended to extract the full benefits from this book.But is it worth it? Absolutely! You will want to read this book over and over again, something which will be easy to do because every sentence of this small volume packs hours of thought provoking insight into its discussion of the two stories of The Creation.

Difficult but rewarding view of man and God.

Soloveitchik published only a few titles during his long life as the leading Orthodox rabbi of this century. This is the one new readers should start with. It is rather difficult, and for some a dictionary may be needed, but its rewards far surpass its difficulties. Soloveitchik's thesis is that there are two stories of creation in the Bible, not because there are two literary traditions, but because there are two sides to man. Majestic Adam sees God in the splendor of the universe, and shows reverence through science. Lonely Adam craves a personal relationship with God, which is glimpsed in fleeting moments. Soloveitchik has no use for cheap "spirituality." His is the real kind, which takes deep thought and a lot of work. His is also the kind which, once attained, lasts a lifetime.