High Holidays 5781: ”The Emotions of Repentance: Rav Soloveitchik, Rav Kook and the Lubavitcher Rebbe” (3/3) with Rabbi Dr. Yosef Bronstein

Handout: https://drisha.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Handout_Bronstein_Emotions-of-teshuva_Part3-RavKook.pdf

In addition to delineating the technical process of repentance, Jewish literature has also explored the emotions that are supposed to accompany this process. In this class we will trace The Emotions of Repentance from the medieval authorities (Rambam and Rabbeinu Yonah) through the great twentieth century thinkers, Rabbi Soloveitchik, Rav Kook and the Lubavitcher Rebbe.

Studying this topic comparatively will highlight the continuities and ruptures between the medieval and modern perspectives as well as the unique approaches of these three innovative and influential leaders.

Covered in this session: Rav Kook advised against embracing the traditional range of emotions associated with repentance in earlier Jewish literature.  This class will analyze the rationale for this conscious departure and the new texture of repentance for which Rav Kook advocated.