[NGFP-BookClub] Dessler

[Michael Schwartz]

One thing that strikes me is that Dessler's choice of metaphor, namely
the battlefield, seems so un-Jewish to me, and also inappropriate: he
mentions Yetzer Ha-tov - but that is just another side, or facet, of
Yetzer Ha'ra. They are not enemies, but two different choices of how
we use the same abilities and characteristics that God gives us. And
your raising the Joseph story shows just how simplistic Dessler's
world view is - the choices we face are rarely between clear cut good
and evil, and in fact choosing good in those cases is nto a big deal,
not something that elevates you spiritually. If you want to sue a
metaphor of battle - then Joseph's wrestling with the angel is a far
better one. Jacob didn't know what the right thing to do was and how
he should approach his brother, given his own morally ambigous
treatment of Esau. He stayed up all night wrestling with his
conscience and in the morning reached a clear answer - he must appease
his brother since he wronged him.