Repost:
Rashi comments (Devorim 1:13):
And understanding: -- who understand one thing from another. This is what Arius asked of Rabbi Yose: What is the difference between wise men and understanding men? A wise man resembles a wealthy money-changer: When people bring him "dinars" to examine [and exchange] he examines them, but when they do not bring them to him he (merely) sits and does nothing. An understanding man resembles a merchant money-changer, when people bring him money to examine, he examines them and when they do not bring it to him, he seeks about and brings money of his own.
The Lubavitcher Rebbe suggests that what is going on under the surface is a discussion of... Trinity:
"Arius was an early christian bishop who established a new denomination in christianity which emphasized unity in G-d, as opposed to the standard christian belief in the trinity. As a result of his "heresy," he was denounced, disrobed and exiled, but was later reappointed to his station.
The difference between unity and trinity in Arius's philosophy may be analogous to the difference between secular wisdom and understanding. Unity symbolizes the unitary spark of wisdom, while trinity alludes to the three stages of understanding. Therefore, Arius who represented unity (wisdom) questioned and challenged the "understanding" of trinity. "
To explain: Chochma is the unitary genesis of an idea in the mind. As it develops into Binah-understanding there are three stages of expansion.
Sichos In English
Volume 32
Shabbos Parshas Devorim
4th Day Of Menachem Av, 5746
The explanation is daring and striking. The curious application of Chabad categories of thought to christian sectarianism shows the incredible breadth of knowledge and universal scope of the Rebbe's concerns.
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