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Rabbi Friedman

David1967

Well-Known Member
Premium Member
I came across this gentleman on youtube. I took the time to listen to it. His views on the afterlife, nature of the soul and resurrection I found his most interesting. The video is rather lengthy, but IMHO well worth it. Opinions?

 

leov

Well-Known Member
I came across this gentleman on youtube. I took the time to listen to it. His views on the afterlife, nature of the soul and resurrection I found his most interesting. The video is rather lengthy, but IMHO well worth it. Opinions?

He says from ancient wisdom.
 

Rival

Si m'ait Dieus
Staff member
Premium Member
I was never and still am not Rabbi Freidman's biggest fan but I'm glad you've found him.
 

David1967

Well-Known Member
Premium Member
I was never and still am not Rabbi Freidman's biggest fan but I'm glad you've found him.

Please elaborate. What is it you don't care for about him. I found his view that our souls have always existed as a part of God intriguing. Although his using "Jewish souls" sounded a bit exclusive unless I am misunderstanding him.
 

leov

Well-Known Member
Please elaborate. What is it you don't care for about him. I found his view that our souls have always existed as a part of God intriguing. Although his using "Jewish souls" sounded a bit exclusive unless I am misunderstanding him.
Jewish soul, it is kind like a rain drop forms on a speckle of dust, and rain falls.
 

Rival

Si m'ait Dieus
Staff member
Premium Member
Please elaborate. What is it you don't care for about him. I found his view that our souls have always existed as a part of God intriguing. Although his using "Jewish souls" sounded a bit exclusive unless I am misunderstanding him.
I find he talks a lot and doesn't say much. I'm not really one for storytelling and reaching things in a roundabout way; just throw facts at me, scripture quotes, beliefs and evidences and I'm much happier. I'm not saying he's a bad Rabbi or that he's wrong or even that I disagree with him, but that his teaching style isn't for me.
 

leov

Well-Known Member
I find he talks a lot and doesn't say much. I'm not really one for storytelling and reaching things in a roundabout way; just throw facts at me, scripture quotes, beliefs and evidences and I'm much happier. I'm not saying he's a bad Rabbi or that he's wrong or even that I disagree with him, but that his teaching style does not much for me.
Some people really need this kind of style.
 

David1967

Well-Known Member
Premium Member
I find he talks a lot and doesn't say much. I'm not really one for storytelling and reaching things in a roundabout way; just throw facts at me, scripture quotes, beliefs and evidences and I'm much happier. I'm not saying he's a bad Rabbi or that he's wrong or even that I disagree with him, but that his teaching style isn't for me.

Fair enough. Question. He referenced Jewish souls as being small pieces of God. What are gentile souls in the grand scheme of things? Or was he simply saying that because his audience was Jewish. I did enjoy the video.
 

Rival

Si m'ait Dieus
Staff member
Premium Member
Fair enough. Question. He referenced Jewish souls as being small pieces of God. What are gentile souls in the grand scheme of things? Or was he simply saying that because his audience was Jewish. I did enjoy the video.
I am not sure, truly, as this is an area I haven't studied a lot. What I do know is that, as usual, there are various opinions. My issue is that much of it appears to go into Kabbalah, with which I'm not comfortable. Suffice it to say, I'm sure you can find videos of Rabbis talking about this or articles (note that Chabad Lubavitch, while often people's one stop spot for Jewish info, may differ considerably from other views).
 
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David1967

Well-Known Member
Premium Member
I ma not sure, truly, as this is an area I haven't studied a lot. What I do know is that, as usual, there are various opinions. My issue is that much of it appears to go into Kabbalah, with which I'm not comfortable. Suffice it to say, I'm sure you can find videos of Rabbis talking about this or articles (note that Chabad Lubavitch, while often people's one stop spot for Jewish info, may differ considerably from other views).

I'm going to watch a few more of his videos to get a better idea of his beliefs. As long as he doesn't think that non Jews are lesser humans in God's eyes,.,......
 

Tumah

Veteran Member
Please elaborate. What is it you don't care for about him. I found his view that our souls have always existed as a part of God intriguing. Although his using "Jewish souls" sounded a bit exclusive unless I am misunderstanding him.
Traditional Judaism is exclusive as a rule.
Fair enough. Question. He referenced Jewish souls as being small pieces of God. What are gentile souls in the grand scheme of things? Or was he simply saying that because his audience was Jewish. I did enjoy the video.
I didn't watch the video, but I assume he's speaking about a concept spelled out in one of his sect's (Chabad) major works. That text explains that there are two souls, the souls everyone has which gives us life and the additional soul that Jews have that's often called a "part of G-d on high (Job 31:2)". It's not to be taken literally as a part of G-d Himself though, because G-d is indivisible and more ... removed ... from our reality in a certain way that would make this obviously in error if understood literally.
I'm going to watch a few more of his videos to get a better idea of his beliefs.
There's no reason to watch his stuff, really. He's talking to Jews, for Judaism. Like I mentioned earlier, we are exclusivist.
As long as he doesn't think that non Jews are lesser humans in God's eyes,.,......
I think you have the baseline wrong. One cannot be more or less human. Everyone is created with the same image of G-d that demands our respect.
 

Rival

Si m'ait Dieus
Staff member
Premium Member
I'm going to watch a few more of his videos to get a better idea of his beliefs. As long as he doesn't think that non Jews are lesser humans in God's eyes,.,......
I've just had a quick look around and this seems to be a Chassidic idea, which Chabad falls under, and R. Friedman is a Chabadnik. I think what you'll very likely find is something along these lines,
"A clear distinction as to the level of spirituality that a Jew can achieve as opposed to a non-Jew (unless they convert)."
Gentile and Jewish Souls


 

David1967

Well-Known Member
Premium Member
There's no reason to watch his stuff, really. He's talking to Jews, for Judaism. Like I mentioned earlier, we are exclusivist.

But regardless of whether he is talking to Jews, if he is correct about the soul, wouldn't all souls regardless of whether or not they are Jewish return to God?
 

David1967

Well-Known Member
Premium Member
I've just had a quick look around and this seems to be a Chassidic idea, which Chabad falls under, and R. Friedman is a Chabadnik. I think what you'll very likely find is something along these lines,
"A clear distinction as to the level of spirituality that a Jew can achieve as opposed to a non-Jew (unless they convert)."
Gentile and Jewish Souls


Thank you @Rival
 

Rival

Si m'ait Dieus
Staff member
Premium Member
No wonder I'm not converting to Judaism; along with all the new stuff I have to buy now I have to buy a new soul as well?? How much do those cost?!
 

Tumah

Veteran Member
But regardless of whether he is talking to Jews, if he is correct about the soul, wouldn't all souls regardless of whether or not they are Jewish return to God?
Not exactly. Like I said before, the difference between us and G-d is too extreme for something literal like that. We would cease to exist as unique individuals long before that would happen.
 

David1967

Well-Known Member
Premium Member
Not exactly. Like I said before, the difference between us and G-d is too extreme for something literal like that. We would cease to exist as unique individuals long before that would happen.

Interesting.
 
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