Halakhic Man

Welcome to our new series (of indeterminate length) on Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik’s “Halakhic Man”. Texts will eb visible on the screen of our interactive classroom, but you may find it useful to acquire a copy of the book (either in its original English 1983 JPS English edition or the newer expanded, 40th anniversary edition: https://jps.org/books/halakhic-man-40th-anniversary-edition
In the meantime, attached is the opening section and accompanying notes (including the all-important footnote#4).
Please be in touch with any questions or feedback: jeffreysaks@gmail.com and joint he class WhatsApp group: https://chat.whatsapp.com/BA8WmqxnkKvJDSy9lOhKbV

Opening of Halakhic Man with discussion of the role of dialectic in the work and in the Rav’s thought.
Links to some of the essays mentioned:
On the Rav’s 1935 visit to Eretz Yisrael (including his meeting with Rav Kook): “Rabbi Soloveitchik Meets Rav Kook,” Tradition 39:3 (2006): https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/webyeshivamedia/Jeffrey+Saks+Bibliography/Rabbi+Soloveitchik+Meets+Rav+Kook.pdf
On his potential candidacy foe Chief Rabbi (1959-60): ): “Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik and the Israeli Chief Rabbinate: Biographical Notes (1959-60)” B.D.D. 17 (2006): https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/webyeshivamedia/Jeffrey+Saks+Bibliography/Rabbi+Joseph+B+Soloveitchik+and+the+Israeli+Chief+Rabbinate+(BDD+17).pdf
Join us in Prague, Vienna and Budapest (June 21-30): https://agnonhouse.org.il/summer2026
The class will NOT meet next week (Dec. 9) on account of a wedding in the community.