ב"ה

A Relationship With G‑d

with J. Immanuel Schochet and Michael Chighel

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A Relationship With G‑d

For man and G-d to be in relationship with each other there must be some common denominator that bridges the gap between the finite and the infinite.

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Topics:	G-d and Man, Mitzvah, Tanya

with J. Immanuel Schochet and Michael Chighel

Rabbi Immanuel Schochet (1935–2013) wrote and lectured extensively on the history and philosophy of Chassidism and topical themes of Jewish thought and ethics. He was a renowned authority on Jewish philosophy and mysticism. He was rabbi of Cong. Beth Joseph, and professor of Philosophy at Humber College, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Michael Chighel (Kigel) received his Ph.D. in philosophy from the University of Toronto for his dissertation on the Book of Job, after a specialization in 20th-century French and German thought. In Canada he taught in the departments of philosophy and of Jewish studies at the universities of York, Queen’s and Waterloo. He produced Passages and Messages for eleven seasons on Canadian television (CTS). Until this year he held the Rohr Chair of Jewish Studies at the Lauder Business School in Vienna, where he taught Torah, European ethics and political economy. He has translated a number of books and published various articles in Jewish thought. Michael and his family have made aliyah, and now live in Jerusalem.

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5 Comments

Suzanne Steinberg Arizona, USA March 11, 2014

I found this discussion interesting. I think what they are touching upon is the balance between appreciation of what G-d has given us, appreciating the physical, the beautiful sun set, the tangible, and creating within our own appreciation a working relationship that is a constant mentor to our inner development, so we can integrate the outer beauty and inner beauty into one. In our physical world it is so hard to understand the infinite, just as it is hard in a spiritual world to understand the finite. I feel as if it is part of the purpose of both women and men to create the middle ground of communication, so we can see G-d in not just what we do not do, but in also what we do and we can see the levels of our connection with G-d become higher as we do more and more. That innersight is something as all humanity we can work towards. It is easy to say look at that beautiful sunset, it is not as easy to say look at that beautiful person, there is G-d too. Reply

Anonymous USA August 5, 2013

A Relationship With G-d Watching Rabbi Schochet's video, and the explanation of how we relate to G-d, has given me a broader understanding of what really is to understand Him. Up until now my understanding has been blurred. One thing more I need to understand is: In dealing with "others" non Jews. Those who belief in idols. How do we bring Heavens down to them? They certainly do no want to hear the version of who G-d really is, because they already have their own. We cannot proselytize, this way is not the Jewish way. Then, what is there for us to do. Mostly for those we love most, and want to be safe, and saved from destruction, our family. I am constantly praying for them. My frustration is painful. Coming from the Anusim. I want, and need, them to return to our roots. This is such a wonderful teaching. May Rabbi Schochet be remembered for ever. I will be watching this video over and over until ingrained in my whole being. He had such a concept of G-d. We are living such a difficult existence. Great man! B''H Reply

Dan balitmore, md November 24, 2011

Levi, non religious jews do mitzvot too Hi, Torah and mitzvot are the only ways to relate to G-d. It just the when the nonreligious jew is doing mitzvot (and chazal say they are as full of mitzvot as a pomegranate is full of seeds) they don't think of it as such. Just in being a decent human being so many mitzvot that are done! Just being doesn't buy a whole lot with G-d. There's just a dissatisfied soul that has come down to this world all over again.

Thanks Chabad.org for segments of this great series! As one trained in Greek classics I love hearing such clear Torah responses to questions that arise from the Greek philosophical perspective. Reply

Levi Kaplan Brooklyn, NY February 7, 2009

Response to "relationship with G-d" The rabbi is discussing a realtionship that we develop not one that is!
There are people who are free of mitzvot, they are connected to G-d but not through their work, just by their existance. Reply

Michal Germany November 1, 2008

Relationship with G-d The Torah is God?? God is more than Torah.
I am what I know??? Chas ve Shalom! -
May be after a frew years I get Alzheimer desease. Than I know nothing. But that does not mean I am nothing. I have a neshama, G-d breathed into me, when He created me. And that neshama is my most important part and will go back to my creator when He calls me. To really have a relationship with God, means I love Him. (Its written in the Shema.) Reply

Tanya Interviews

Host, Michael Chighel, talks to some of the world's greatest experts about the masterpiece of Hasidic thought, the book of Tanya.

A Relationship With G‑d

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