אות - ה

The Rebbe emphatically denounced all books dealing with philosophy. He said that such works contain absolutely no wisdom compared to such sacred works as the Maharsha 7 Acronym for Moreinu HaRav Shmuel Eliezer Edeles (1555-1631), referring to his Talmudic commentary. and the Maharam Schiff , 8 Acronym for Moreinu HaRav Meir Schiff (1605-1641). which are penetrating and profound. All that philosophy can do is to build propositions based upon logical arguments in a vain attempt to arrive at some conclusion. But wisdom such as that of the Torah is not found there at all (cf. Oneg Shabbat , p. 200) .

The Rebbe said that one who knows nothing of such books, but walks a simple path and fears God’s punishment, is fortunate.

The only way to begin to serve God is through the fear of retribution. Without that, it is impossible to take the first step. Even the righteous must have such fear, since very few can devote themselves to God merely because they love Him so deeply. The main thing is fear of punishment.

One can also serve God out of a sense of awe, because He is so great and powerful ( Zohar I, 11b) . This is a higher level of fear, but it is also very difficult to attain. For most people, the path to devotion is founded upon the simple fear of punishment. 9 Cf. Likutey Moharan , I, 87; Likutey Halakhot , Netilat Yadayim 6:99; ibid., Hoda'ah 6:12; ibid., Bekhor Behemah 4:14.

When a person becomes involved in philosophy, his mind becomes filled with doubts and questions. These reinforce man’s inborn wickedness, that is his nature to be drawn to worldly temptations. This can be overcome only through the fear of punishment. Only then can he actually begin to serve God. But philosophy raises doubts and questions, which strengthen one’s natural inclination towards the desires of this world.

This is why we never find a person who has become upstanding and God-fearing through the study of philosophy. Although such works do contain some discussion of good traits and the like, they add up to nothing. One loses much more than one gains, as the end result is great confusion.. The severe prohibition against studying such works has been noted elsewhere. 10 See “ His Wisdom ” #40, #102, #216; Likutey Moharan I, 19.

The Rebbe often told us how fortunate we were because Moses our teacher showed us the right way. Moses began the Torah without any philosophical proof, with the simple words, “In the beginning, God created the heaven and the earth.” 11 This was one of Rebbe Nachman's common expressions; see Tzaddik #407; “ His Wisdom ” #219. He directed us to believe in God through faith alone and not to enter into speculation.

Although the Zohar belittles the mere fear of punishment ( Tikkuney Zohar , introduction, end of 5b) , our moral classics write that this is still the main gateway to true devotion (cf. Reishit Chokhmah 1:14) .

The Rebbe said that all scientific discoveries and inventions, such as powerful weapons, machines and tools of various kinds, come from on high. Without such inspiration, they could never have been discovered. But when the time comes for an idea or invention to be revealed to the world, the necessary inspiration is granted to a researcher from on high. A thought enters his mind, and it is thus revealed ( Kokhavey Or , p. 84, note 2) .

Earlier scholars may have sought this idea previously, but it eluded them. Only when the time comes for for a discovery or invention to be revealed is the insight granted to a scholar seeking it. However, inspiration comes from the place associated with the seeker; if he seeks secular wisdom, then his inspiration does not come from the realm of holiness, but from the Other Side.

[To beg the comparison, a similar thing occurs when an individual discovers new meanings and ideas in his sacred studies. Were the ideas not sent from on high, they would never have occurred to him. Every insight comes from on high, each thing emanating from its specific place. Each idea has its own place, and there are thousands and thousands of different levels. All discoveries, sacred or profane, are sent to people from above, to each as is fitting]