Martin Buber and the I/Thou Relationship

"What do those Jews who do talk about it say?" I asked curiously.

"There are some Jews who do talk about these things," Rabbi Stern responded. "One of the most articulate modern philosophers of Jewish mysticism was Martin Buber, of whom I’m sure you’re aware. His most vocal American exponent was a man by the name of Maurice Friedman who translated many or most of his books from German into English, and who had them published in the United States. Most of what we read of Buber today translates through Maurice Friedman.

"Maurice Friedman tells a story of a student who came to his New York apartment and asked Dr. Friedman to explain Buber’s ‘I/Thou’ relationship. Maurice Friedman said, ‘I’d be happy to do so,’ and took the student for a walk in the park. They walked side by side for quite some time — quietly. It was a lovely day. Eventually they meandered their way through the park and finally, as they were nearing the edge of the park, the student turned to Dr. Friedman and said, ‘Well, I’m waiting for your response.’ Dr. Friedman said, ‘I’ve been answering you for half an hour now.

"That’s very profound," I said.

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