Shanna Tova Rabbi Sendor….It seems that for The Rav ( Halakhic Man ) and for The Rambam Tshuvah is an expression of innate human capability and freedom, and not Divine Grace….Tshuvah is possible because man has been created with the capacity to create himself….Thoughts ?
Hi Peter
Always great to hear from you — and to get your thought provoking comments. Yes, the Rambam and the Rav z”l make the point that Tshuvah is an expression of human freedom to change and correct course. Chasdei Ha-Shem applies to Ha-Shem’s acceptance of our Tshuvah. I’m not sure I understand what you mean by “man has been created with the capacity to create himself.” Much of 20th century philosophy and psychology focused on how drive-driven and un-free we are. And some post-modern philosophers analyze the constructed nature of personality and self. If this is what you mean by “create himself,” okay, but I still wouldn’t speak of it as a “capacity to create” oneself. We’re not that fully in control. It’s more of a responsibility for self that runs ahead of us and with which we never quite catch up. Much of our constructed personality is absorbed and patched together from family, social and cultural influence impressed upon us. It seems to me that most of the time we are somewhat free to make modest course corrections in behavior and attitude, but only with hard struggle and hard-won insight into what makes us tick. Radical transformation is possible, but that, too, is not in our complete control, but more of a process that sweeps us up when we let go. My two cents. Gemar Hatimah Tovah to you and your whole wonderful family!
Shanna Tova Rabbi Sendor….It seems that for The Rav ( Halakhic Man ) and for The Rambam Tshuvah is an expression of innate human capability and freedom, and not Divine Grace….Tshuvah is possible because man has been created with the capacity to create himself….Thoughts ?
Hi Peter
Always great to hear from you — and to get your thought provoking comments. Yes, the Rambam and the Rav z”l make the point that Tshuvah is an expression of human freedom to change and correct course. Chasdei Ha-Shem applies to Ha-Shem’s acceptance of our Tshuvah. I’m not sure I understand what you mean by “man has been created with the capacity to create himself.” Much of 20th century philosophy and psychology focused on how drive-driven and un-free we are. And some post-modern philosophers analyze the constructed nature of personality and self. If this is what you mean by “create himself,” okay, but I still wouldn’t speak of it as a “capacity to create” oneself. We’re not that fully in control. It’s more of a responsibility for self that runs ahead of us and with which we never quite catch up. Much of our constructed personality is absorbed and patched together from family, social and cultural influence impressed upon us. It seems to me that most of the time we are somewhat free to make modest course corrections in behavior and attitude, but only with hard struggle and hard-won insight into what makes us tick. Radical transformation is possible, but that, too, is not in our complete control, but more of a process that sweeps us up when we let go. My two cents. Gemar Hatimah Tovah to you and your whole wonderful family!