Course · 8 Lessons · 9 hr 13 min

Majesty and Humility: The Life, Legacy, and Thought of Joseph B. Soloveitchik

Noted Jewish historian Rabbi Dr. Jacob J. Schacter offers an exploration of the subtle philosophy and complex personality of Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik—the 20th century's most important Orthodox Jewish thinker.

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Taught By

Rabbi Dr. Jacob J. Schacter
Rabbi Dr. Jacob J. Schacter is University Professor of Jewish History and Jewish Thought and senior scholar at the Center for the Jewish Future at Yeshiva University. From 2000 to 2005, he served as dean of the Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik Institute in Boston, and from 1981 to 2000, he served as…

Lessons in this Course

1
01:07:12
Setting the Stage: Life Story
In this opening lecture, Rabbi Schacter outlines the life of Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik, from his birth in the town of Pruzhana, to his time at the University of Berlin, to his long and fruitful career in the United States.
2
01:10:54
Centrality of Torah Study and Halakhah: Act and Emotion
For Rabbi Soloveitchik, a life lived in obedience to Jewish law can be transformative, inspiring, and even romantic.
3
01:08:30
“Man” Interacts with the World: Education and Action
Rabbi Soloveitchik was a staunch adherent of Jewish law who was also engaged in learning from and contributing to the general culture.
4
01:09:51
Relating to God: Prayer and Repentance
How is prayer even possible? And what does it have to do with repentance?
5
01:10:49
Individual, Family, and Community
Through the lens of Jewish law, Rabbi Soloveitchik’s writings carefully probe the nature of man’s relationship to God as well as man’s relationship to those around him.
6
01:16:38
Zionism and the State of Israel
Though it represented a break with his family tradition, Rabbi Soloveitchik was a passionate religious Zionist.
7
01:16:09
Jewish-Christian Relations
Rabbi Soloveitchik believed that different faith communities could cooperate in certain non-religious spheres, but had to maintain absolute independence in theological and spiritual matters.
8
00:53:13
Communal Leader: Taking a Stand
In this last lecture, Rabbi Schacter discusses key moments of decision in Rabbi Soloveitchik’s life as a communal leader as well as the enduring influence of Rabbi Soloveitchik on world Jewry.

Taught By

Rabbi Dr. Jacob J. Schacter

Lessons in this Course

Setting the Stage: Life Story

Centrality of Torah Study and Halakhah: Act and Emotion

“Man” Interacts with the World: Education and Action

Relating to God: Prayer and Repentance

Individual, Family, and Community

Zionism and the State of Israel

Jewish-Christian Relations

Communal Leader: Taking a Stand

Tikvah Ideas All Access

Lessons in this Course

Setting the Stage: Life Story

Centrality of Torah Study and Halakhah: Act and Emotion

“Man” Interacts with the World: Education and Action

Relating to God: Prayer and Repentance

Individual, Family, and Community

Zionism and the State of Israel

Jewish-Christian Relations

Communal Leader: Taking a Stand