The Office of Rabbi Sacks The First Psychotherapist (Rabbi Sacks on Vayigash, Covenant & Conversation)
Jan 2, 2025
Explore the fascinating intersection of Jewish thought and psychology, highlighting contributions from influential figures like Viktor Frankl. Dive into Joseph's transformative journey as he reveals his identity to his brothers, showcasing themes of forgiveness and purpose. Discover how Joseph's ability to reinterpret past traumas resonates with modern psychological insights, embodying a path from resentment to meaning. This dialogue on the human soul emphasizes choice and emotional well-being, blending ancient wisdom with contemporary thought.
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Jewish Thinkers
- Some Jewish thinkers contribute to general knowledge in a distinctly Jewish way.
- This is evident in fields like psychoanalysis and psychotherapy, where many prominent figures were Jewish.
Post-War Psychotherapists
- Viktor Frankl, Aaron Beck, and Martin Seligman, all Jewish psychotherapists, offer unique approaches.
- Frankl's logotherapy emphasizes finding meaning, Beck's cognitive therapy focuses on realistic thinking, and Seligman's positive psychology promotes optimism.
Shared Beliefs
- These therapists share the belief that interpretations of events are changeable and influence feelings.
- This aligns with Chabad Chassidut, a Jewish philosophy emphasizing intellect's power to shape emotions.