|
Rabbi Chaim of
Volozhin
Born:
Volozhin, near Vilna, Lithuania, 1749
Died: Volozhin, 1821
Popularly known as Reb Chaim Volozhiner. Talmudist, ethicist
One of the most prominent disciples of the
Vilna Gaon, Reb Chaim Volozhiner
established the Yeshivah of
Volozhin.
It endured for more than 100 years, becoming
the mother of all Lithuanian yeshivas. He continued to teach the Vilna
Gaon's study method of penetrating analysis of the talmudic text, seeking
to elicit the intent and meaning of the
writing of the Rishonim - the early
commentators. This approach was followed by all the great Lithuanian yeshivas,
such as Slobodka, Mir, Kelm, Klezk, and Telz.
His major work is Nefesh HaChaim. It reflects the saintly
purity of his character, his greatness in
Torah, and his profound wisdom. Its purpose
is "to implant the fear of G-d, Torah,
and pure worship into the hearts of the upright
who are seeking the ways of G-d." In his
Nefesh HaChaim he emphasizes the power of
Torah study and fulfillment of mitzvot to
bring a Jew close to G-d. In a famous
section of that work, he takes issue with those (an obvious reference
to Chassidim) who see dveikut, or cleaving to G-d, as a prerequisite
to fulfillment of mitzvot.
While the layman is forbidden to perform the actions of the Cohen and Levite
in the physical Temple, he is by no means
forbidden to perform their spiritual
counterparts. Indeed, Rabbi Chaim of Volozhin, writes in the following
quote from his Nefesh HaChaim
(gate 1, chapter 4)
that the layman Jew is supposed to perform
the spiritual counterpart of the physical
Temple service. This is the responsibility
and duty of every Jew. "Do
not think that the purpose of the building of the tabernacle (was for the
sake of) having an external building. Rather, know that HaShem's desire and
purpose (in the building of) the tabernacle, and all its vessels was to hint to
us that we should observe them and learn that (like the tabernacle vessels), it
is we ourselves that are to be the tabernacle (of the Shekhina).
We,
by our admirable actions must be a tabernacle, full of all its vessels,
all being holy, worthy, and ready to have the Shekhina dwell within us
specifically. This is the meaning of the verse, "Make for Me a tabernacle,
and I will dwell within them" (Shemot 25, 8). "Within them"
specifically, for as HaShem has shown us the order of the building of the
tabernacle, so should we learn, and make ourselves to be the tabernacle of
HaShem."
On Suffering...
Rabbi Chaim of Volozin, explains this idea by a parable about a child
seriously ill and plunged in a deep sleep. The doctors warn the father that if
sleep continues, the worst can happen and that everything has to be done to keep
the son awake. The father uses several means to disturb his sleep. He first
removes his pillow, then he replaces his soft bed with a hard couch. Since this
causes only a momentary awakening of the child followed by a new deep sleep, the
father starts to take more radical measures to an extent of even torturing him
by laying him on a bed of thorns. The suffering of the father who, out of love
for his son, has to act with cruelty, is not less than that of the son. Once the
latter is healed, he will redouble his love and attachment to his father, in
gratitude for the sufferings he made him endure to save him.
________
Rabbi Chaim of Volozin wrote
a commentary on Tractate Avot, entitled Ru'ach Chaim, and a
collection of responsa under the title Nishmat
Chaim. Nefesh HaChaim became the
most widely studied text in the Mussar yeshivas.
The ever-increasing number of great yeshivas in America, England, and Israel
are carrying on the tradition of Volozhin. They are
a living testimonial to its
illustrious founder, Reb Chaim Volozhiner.
May the merit of the tzaddik Rabbi
Chaim of Volozhin,
protect
us all, Amen.
|