Study Questions for
Martin Buber's
The Way
of Man
1. What is the key message of the first
story (pp 9-10), and why is it said "But his heart trembled?"
2. What is the key point of the second
section, "The Particular Way?"
3. Explain, as best you can, the point Buber
is making on p 18, lines 8-24.
4. In section III, what do you see as the
difference between "patchwork" and "resolution?"
5. What do you consider "oneness of soul"
(in section III) to consist of?
6. Explain the main message of Section IV.
(Much of it is clarified on pp. 28-29).
7. Try to think of an example, perhaps from
your own experience or from imagination, that can illustrate this Hasidic
principle that says: conflicts we have with another person are often just
mirror images of the same conflict going on within our own psyche. Please
describe that example.
8. What does Buber mean in Section V, by
not being "preoccupied with oneself?" How might forgiveness
of oneself (or forgiveness of another) fit into that?
9. What do you see as the main theme of Section
VI.
10. How might there be a "treasure"
buried in your own present life situation? What might the "treasure"
be that can be found only in your particular place?
11. What do you think Buber means by the first
line on p 41?
(If you like, see the additional
-- not required --
personal reflection questions for The Way of Man)
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