I have just read a wonderful exposition of the elements of Centrist Orthodoxy by HaRav Aharon Lichtenstein. This essay has been around for awhile and I have only periodically looked at portions of it. Today, I took the time to read it.
I must say, I have a newfound awe for Harav Lichtenstein. I never met him personally, but am quite familiar with his Hashkafic perspective and do not recall ever disagreeing with it.
After reading this essay, I stand in awe of his brilliance and his ability to define, describe, delineate… contrast and compare all of Centrism’s components and to compare them with the Hashkafos of the right. I never realized just how identical our positions are until now. His views are mine, my views are his. There is virtually no difference between us, except for the very obvious genius he has and I can only be envious of.
Just about everything he discusses in his essay, I have discussed and have presented from the same perspective… the only difference being the eruditeness and thouroughness of his presentation.
As my bio indicates, my Hashkafos are a result of many influences in my life, primary amongst them being my Rebbe Rav Aaron Soloveichik. But the essence of my philosophy of Judaism is not identical to any of those august individuals. For the first time in my life, I can say with great clarity that I have found my ideological (although far from intellectual) twin.
While it is likely that one can find differences between us, they are probably insignificant. If one wants to know the essence of my Hashkafos, indeed, the essence of Centrism, read the article available here. He does a far better job explaining what I consider to be the Amito Shel Torah than I ever could.
