The Alter of Slabodka's Doctrine as Noted by his Leading Disciples

The Alter of Slabodka's Doctrine as Noted by his Leading Disciples

 

Binder of mussar talks by the Alter of Slabodka, the gaon Rabbi Nathan Tzvi Finkel, patriarch and progenitor of the mussar movement's Slobodka school of thought and one of the leading rashei yeshivahs in Lithuania and the Land of Israel at the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century. The discourses are in the handwriting of his disciple and successor, 'the Kohen, greatest among his brothers, ' the gaon Rabbi Aharon Cohen, rosh yeshivah of the Chevron yeshivah.

The binder consists of eight mussar talks by the 'Alter of Slobodka.' It opens with a notation by the gaon Rabbi Aharon Cohen: "Words from the mouth of the 'Alter, shlit"a, Aharon Kagan - from the discourses of Slabodka." These discourses constitute a summary of the mussar doctrine of the Alter of Slobodka' principally 'Gadlut HaAdam' (The reverse approach to that of Novoradhok, which emphasizes negation and breaking [bad] character traits). The first discourse in the binder already presents us with the essence of the Alter of Slabodka's method: "A solid foundation for our words on the greatness of man" with the Alter expounding that not only is the spiritual part of man very lofty, but even man's body expresses Divine wisdom." This is the way of all these discourses, carefully woven in the unique approach of the Alter of Slobodka's approach with respect to "Man's greatness."

These discourses were written by the leading disciple of the Slobodka yeshivah, the Lithuanian prodigy, 'Rebbe Archick Kovner (the gaon Rabbi Aharon Cohen), who later married the daughter of the rosh yeshivah of Slobodka (the gaon Rabbi Moshe Mordechai Epstein, the Alter's in-law). He also became head of the yeshivah in the Land of Israel, which was already known by its new name: Yeshivat Chevron. The discourses, which were written precisely as delivered by the Alter of Slabodka when he gave them in the hall of the yeshivah, and especially as they were written by the gaon Rabbi Aharon Cohen, who was known for his astonishing genius and his extensive precision with each word, constitute a unique and authentic source of the Alter of Slobodka's doctrine, who, as is known, did not leave writings behind; his philosophies and methods were printed solely from writings by other disciples. We have found innumerable differences, primarily in style, but occasionally also in the meaning of the topic itself.

Refer to the Hebrew catalog text for brief biographies of the geonim Rabbi Nathan Tzvi Finkel and Rabbi Aharon Cohen and a brief discussion of the Slabodka school of thought.

[1] lined notebook, [12] written pages. Approximately 15x21 cm.

Fine condition: Very detached leaves. Jacket cover. The back cover is lacking.