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To: alogonquin
You are absolutely correct in this. The Rebbe actually held that the Copernican view was rendered obsolete by Einstien, who proved that all bodies in space are moving so there really is no absolute vantage point to determine what is the actual center. Physics has also proven the power of free will to bring events into existence. So I think in essence that the Rebbe's point was that we are the center of existence when we *choose* to be the center of existence and act accordingly (not with arrogance but with all due humility - that G-d gave puny beings like us the ability to have a massive impact on all of creation.)

Thanks for the feedback, but I was referring to a much more literal definition of pre-Copernican: that the earth is the literal center of the universe, absolutely unmoving, and everything else revolves around it. I read something in a book on the CHaBa"Dniks in a bookstore that led me to suspect they might object to the traditional Copernican and post-Copernican helio- and a-centrism.

Of course maybe you're saying the same thing in a more profound way. I'm afraid I ain't that profound.

Besides, as I understand it, Einstein merely came up with a theory. It has neither been proved nor disproved, and it possibly never will be.

80 posted on 06/23/2004 1:10:36 PM PDT by Zionist Conspirator (Kisei' vaMizbeach! (BiYrushalayim HaBenuyah!!))
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To: Zionist Conspirator
I was referring to a much more literal definition of pre-Copernican: that the earth is the literal center of the universe, absolutely unmoving, and everything else revolves around it.

If I understand correctly, the Rebbe held that both the earth and sun, as well as all heavenly bodies, are moving around each other (as per Einstien) so there really is no room to say definitively that *we* are revolving around the sun. Rather it depends on your perspective, and the way we choose to base our perspective affects the outcome. I think the success of the Rebbe's movement can be attributed in large part to this approach: Each emissary moved to a new city with the firm belief that Judaism in that city revolved around him and the Rebbe's teachings, and so it became in reality. This might come across as offensive to some so I apologize for that in advance; in my last post I pointed out that viewing yourself as the center must be accompanied with all due humility, of knowing that G-d placed you in that position etc.

81 posted on 06/23/2004 1:33:12 PM PDT by alogonquin
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