L'shem yichud

Asked by Pinhas Eliyahu · May 15, 2003 · Ethics

Question

Rabbi Abadi, I ask the following questions solely to better understand how to grapple with issues like this that arise constantly in avodat Hashem (at least, in my avodat Hashem). Issues of "majority" versus "minority" versus "individuals" have appeared on this site in the past, and I would like to gain clarity on how to deal with them. I, also, have read the t'shuvot of the Noda b'Yehuda regarding the saying of l'shem yichuds prior to performing mitzvot. How do we put his rejection of l'shem yichuds in context with the acceptance of l'shem yichuds by the entire Jewish world of Mizrachim, Ashkenazim, Chasidim, Mekubalim, etc.? How does one weigh his position against the position of the Ari'zl, Chaim Vital, the Ramak, the Mechaber, the Rashash, the Ben Ish Chai, the Kaf haChaim, all Mekubalim, Chasidim, etc., etc.? If the vast majority of the Jewish world accepts the l'shem yichuds, and many, many other rites, as Torah that generations before our time did not know of, as the Noda b'Yehuda writes, then who can stand and say that everyone else is wrong? Unless, everyone else IS wrong. But on what ground can a person possibly stand to say such when innumerable Torah giants going back 500 years have embraced these rites?

Answer

Answered by Aaron Abadi

The Chassidic movement started this & it itself is not even 300 years old. We should follow the word of God passed through the Torah & our Mesorah which is Moshe to Yehoshua to the Zekainim (elders) to the prophets to the Anshei Kenesset Hagedolah to the Tanaim in the Mishnayot to the Amoraim in the Gemara to the Rishonim to the Achronim to the Chafetz Chaim, Chazon Ish, Etc... If we were to follow the majority, we would be Islamic, Christian, or Jews for J... Think about it..... Most generations in Tanach the truly observant Jews were the minority.... AA