Monday, July 25, 2011

Is it the thought that counts?

Hi,

"The Khazar king asked: Since you believe in all you have mentioned, Gd knows what is hidden in your heart and Gd desires the heart, He knows the hidden things and reveals that which is secret [and you need not act on these desires]!

"The Jew replied: This is true when action is impossible, but a person is situated between his desires and his deeds, and he is guilty if he does not convert his visible desire into visible proper action."

(R' Yehudah haLevi, Kuzari 5:26-27)

המצפה לישועה,
Mordechai

1 comment:

  1. The Tanya(Chap.17) teaches that the desires of the heart are for the most part involuntary feelings.On the other hand free will is expressed by the process of intellectual introspection (mochin) It is through this process that one proceeds from thought to the desired action. According to this view it is indeed "the thought that counts"

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