This is too short and sharp to be accurate, so take it as a springboard. The middos used here for comparison purposes are taken from the Table of Contents of Otzaros HaMussar by R' Moshe Tzuriel shlita.
Issue | Misnagdim | Mussar Differences | Chassidim | Torah im Derech Eretz |
Ahavah | Downplayed and underdeveloped theme; too elusive to define and too dangerous to use as a focus. | Similar to other Misnagdim | Central theme (although not much time is spent developing it); essential for Dveykus. | The highest level of accomplishment, but internal, not external. |
Achilah U'Shesiyah | A physical activity only moderately elevated by Torah and Zemiros. | Similar to other Misnagdim | An essential catalyst for Ahavah; for Ha'olas Nitzotzos. Meals with Toiroh and Niggunim are core experiences. | To be enjoyed, so long as performed according to the Torah's parameters. |
| Unrelenting focus on reality, to the detriment of possible ecstasy – is it for real? | If anything, even more so – but reality lies more in the character and personality than in the Blatt Gemara. | A little blurry at the edges: If the experience is uplifting, does it matter if it's “really real?” | Unrelenting application to interpersonal activities "Better glatt yosher than glatt kosher." |
Bushah V'Azus | Harbors doubt, sometimes lacks confidence. | Paradoxical trends toward doubt and boldness co-exist. | Bold and confident in the service of core values. | Steadfast against Reform, willing to attack. |
Bitachon | Hashem has his plans. | Could go either way. | Everything is Good! | You must make a Hishtadlus! |
Ga'avah V'Anavah | Takes pride in personal accomplishments, built on drive. Tool for aliyah. | Paradoxical trends toward ambition to achieve and negation of kavod (see below). | Bittul – negation of self; role in system more important than personal satisfaction. | Pride in meticulous observance, decorum and conduct. |
Dveykus Ba'Hashem | Nice, but not essential | Similar to other Misnagdim. | It's Everything! | What does it mean? |
Dibbur U'Shesikah | Intellectual conversation most important. | Mussar b'Hispa'alus and shmuessen in Yirah and Middos also important, | Chassidic stories most important. | Humor and irony., but somewhat high falutin' |
Derech Eretz, Nikayon, Seder | Essential to Mussar-refinement. | Critical, but even the non-Mussar school holds that these elementary characteristics enhance accomplishment. | Not inspirational, not particularly important. | This is where it's at! Avodah is expressed primarily in these characteristics. A greatly expanded definition of Derech Eretz. |
Hakoras Tovah | A logic | A middah. | An emotion | Obvious. |
Zerizus V'Atzlus | Is of greater value than more profound kavanah. | Similar to other Misnagdim. | Is of lesser value than profound kavanah. | Similar to Misnagdim. |
Chaver, Shachen, Nosei B'Ol | About the same. | Much more important than either of the other derachim | About the same. | About the same. |
Chesed V'Rachamim | Only when not learning. | Only when not learning, but then a focus. | A legitimate option instead of learning. | For most people, the preferred primary focus. |
Yirah | Central theme. Mostly onesh, some romemus. | Similar to other Misnagdim. | Secondary theme. All romemus, little onesh. | Not as heavy as the others, basically cognition of Hashem. |
Kavod | Can be used as a shelo lishmah, major emphasis on Kavod HaTorah. | Eradicating Kavod is one of the most central of Mussar's themes | Preferable to eradicate, with the exception, obviously, of Rebbes. | In the form of decorum and dignity, very positive and important. |
Kavanah when performing Mitzvos | Nice, but tafel – not worth bending the rules. | Similar to other Misnagdim. | Important, an ikkar – worth bending the rules. | Similar to Misnagdim. |
Ka'as, Refraining from | Very Important. | Very, Very important | Very Important. | Very Important. |
Lev Tov | Very Important, but not as much as Torah. | If one does not accomplish a Lev Tov, then one has not accomplished anything. | Very important, but not as much as Dveykus. | Very important, and for most people more important than Torah. |
Limud Torah | Everything. | Similar to Chassidim. | Important – for some, very important, but not Everything. | Nice, but for most people on a relatively low level – much more reliance on Rabbonim. |
Tzenius | Very Important. | Same. | Very Important. | Important, but defined very much differently than others define it – more openess to participation of women. |
Kiruv | Positive attitude, at least in theory. | Similar to other Misnagdim, but more l'ma'aseh. | Except for Chabad and Breslov, neutral or negative attitude | Positive attitude, but separation from Reform institutions is more important. |
Shalom U'Machlokes | We pay lip service to shalom, but in reality... | More of an attempt to put principle into practice. | We pay lip service to shalom, but in reality... | Similar to the Misnagdim and the Chassidim. |
Simchah V'Atzvus | Not much attention paid to these concepts. Some Misnagdim are pretty depressed. | Similar to other Misnagdim. | A lot of attention. In theory, and often in practice, Chassidim are happy, avoid sadness, and are more happy-go-lucky. | Not much attention – but, its attainment is not limited to Jewish means – it, and other emotions, can be cultivated from general culture. |
Tochachah, Kana'us, Chanufah | Not much attention. | Same. | Not much attention. | For principles – significant kana'us. |
Teshuvah | Very Important. | Same. | Very Important. | Similar to the Misnagdim and the Chassidim. |
Avodas HaShem | Intellectual. | A combination. | Emotional. | Holistic and systemic. |
Note: Readers noted three other important differences that must be noted:
1. Mikveh. Chassidim stress the need for extra taharah as facilitation of dveykus; Misnagdim find no greater source of taharah than Torah – and, anyway, are not big on dveykus. Yekkes never even heard of men going to the mikveh.
2. Levush. Chassidim stress the religious significance of dress to a greater extent than Misnagdim. The stress is evidently an externalization of the quest for dveykus. For Misnagdim, dress is more a matter of social identity and cohesion. For Yekkes dress should not differ from surrounding standards of dignified attire.
3. Connection to Tzaddikim. For Chassidim this is a part of the quest for dveykus – the tzaddik is the devek. For Misnagdim, the leader is more of a teacher and counselor. For Yekkes, he is the arbiter of religious life.
4. Yiddish. For most Chassidim, the use of Yiddish is a core value – "shelo shinu es leshonam." And if English "chotsh a tzubrokhener English, tzu zein anderish vi di Goyim. For Misnagdim it really doesn't matter that much, as long as satisfactory communication takes place. For Yekkes, Yiddish is an anathema – the pure and eloquent use of the local language is an ideal.
The leftmost column (with the headings) seems to be obscured.
ReplyDeleteI redid it at:
ReplyDeletehttp://rygb.blogspot.com/2005/08/trying-better-format-for-table.html