From: david@bourbon.ee.tulane.edu (David Kaufmann)
Subject: Tanya and Secular Science
Nntp-Posting-Host-[nntpd-27813]: bourbon
Organization: E.E. Dept., Tulane University, New Orleans, LA
Date: Sun, 11 Oct 1992 04:04:28 GMT


Well, with all the noise on the net of late (redundant threads on
false messiahs and other foolishness), I guess I shouldn't be
surprised someone got around to Chabad-bashing, although I thought
better of Herman Rubin.

He writes (the article got eaten by the phone line) about a statment
in Tanya  the science of the nations is worse than idle chatter and
uses that to lambast isolationist Judiasm. It would be nice if people
spent half as much time studying sources before talking as they did
gaining expertise in their area of livelhood.

In chapter 8 (not 9), the Alter Rebbe discusses the source for the
impulse to forbidden foods and other non-kedusha items, a continuation
of a discussion begun in chapter 7. Briefly, as background, the Alter
Rebbe explains that there are 3 impulses - the impulse for that which
is forbidden (using food and relationships as examples), which comes
from kelipa (literally, a shell) and is evil; the impulse for that which is
permitted, which may be good or evil, depending on whether it is done
to serve G-d or satisfy a desire, and comes from kelipa nogah
(literally, translucent shell, an intermediate state between evil and
holiness); and the impulse to holiness. In chapter 8 he also talks
about the process of cleansing the soul from accumulated evil (or
uncleanness, if we can use that term without any pejorative
implications).

The Alter Rebbe does not object to the study of science, per se, but
only to the study of anything when that time could be spent studying
Torah. Quoting from the English translation (p. 33-34):

"Likewise, he who occupies himself with the sciences of the nations of
the world is included among those who wsat their time in profane
matters, insofar as the sin of neglecting the Torah is concerned..."

The next quote needs some explanation. First the quote:"Moreover, the
uncleanness of the science of the nations is greater than that of
profane speech, for the latter informs and defiles only the _middot_
which emanate from the element of the holy _ruach_ within his divine
soul with the contamination of the kelipat nogah that is contained in
profane speech...yet he does not defile the [intellectual] faculties
of Chabad in his soul..."

What this means is that profane, idle speech only touches the middot,
emotional attributes or character traits, not the higher intellectual
aspects of the soul. It defiles because it is directed to personal
pleasure, rather than serving G-d. 

"Not so in the case of the nations' science whereby he clothes and
defiles the intellectual faculties of Chabad in his divine sould with
the contamination of the kelipat nogah contained in those sciences..."

The original Hebrew term, by the way, is Chochmah, meaning wisdom. It
refers, I think, not to science per se, but to intellectual endeavors
(philosophy, art, etc.) as well. What the Alter Rebbe means here is
that spending time studying any subject other than Torah, when the
time could be spent studying Torah, defiles the kedushah of the
intellect, since one is engaged in self-indulgence, rather than using
one's time to serve G-d, even and especially with his intellectual
faculties. This becomes clear from the final passage of chapter 8.

"Unless he employs [these sciences] as a useful instrument, viz., as a
means of a more affluent livelihood to be able to serve G-d, or knows
hos to apply them in the service of G-d and His Torah. This is the
reason why Maimonides and Nachmanides, of blessed memory, and their
adherents, engaged in them."

In other words, studying science or the wisdom of the nations in order
to earn a living, so that one may properly perform mitzvot and serve
G-d, or using them to enhance Torah observance and kedusha (working on
computer programs either to earn a living or to enable forums such as
scj for dissemination of Torah, for example). In such cases, learning
the wisdom of the nations is not only permitted, but commanded
(assuming the knowledge itself, such as medicine, is kosher.
Statistics, I'm not so sure about (just kidding, of course)).

As the purpose - or one purpose - of Tanya is to show the average Jew
how dedicate his life to the service of G-d, despite all the
difficulties and conflicts, this discussion of one's activities is
only part of that. Since earning a living is a mitzvah (six days you
shall work), if one has a talent for an area of science, one should
earn one's livelihood that way. But the purpose should not be for
selfish reasons, but in order to serve G-d.

And through the individual's proper service of G-d, he/she brings
holiness to the whole world, non-Jews included.

I hope this clarifies the point. 
N3


















ATdt 865-5088


David Kaufmann
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