In the course of the continuing conversation about whether a Gadol can be manipulated I have made reference to Rav Nosson Kamintesky’s exposition of how his book, “The Making of a Gadol” was banned. He describes how Rav Elyashiv was manipulated by his Askanim to ban that book ahead of schedule. Of course this is disputed by those who refuse to believe that it is even possible. They try and spin the words of Rav Kaminetsky to make it look as innocent an event as possible. Nobody was deceived. It was just a missed communication.
And I have a bridge to sell you.
But there is another statement that Rav Kaminetsky made with respect to Rav Elyashiv. Bear in mind that Rav Kaminetsky considers Rav Elyashiv to be the Gadol HaDor. Rav Kaminetsky says that this entire episode could never have happened if Rav Shach were alive. What could he possibly have meant by that? Was that a disparaging comment about Rav Elyashiv? I don’t think so.
He was just stating a fact which he observed about Rav Elyashiv in light of behavior he observed by Rav Shach. Was Rav Kaminetsky bashing a Gadol? Of course not! The fact remains that a Gadol can make mistakes. And we have a right to say so if we perceive it as such. And we have an obligation to point out the negative consequences of such mistakes when we see them happen.
I received the following e-mail from a Chashuva Charedi Rav. Lest anyone think this is some radical individual shooting from the hip and masquerading as a Charedi, I can assure you he is not. He is about as mainstream Charedi as one can get. The only difference between him and many other Charedim is that he does not automatically endorse pronouncements from Rabbinic leadership if he feels they are wrong. He forthrightly protests it to them in private when he feels it appropriate. And, yes... he does disagree with them quite frequently. The El Al boycott is one such area of disagreement. Strong disagreement!
For reasons having to do with his very active position in the Charedi community and maintaining his good relationship with the rabbinic leadership so that he can effect change from within, he chooses to remain anonymous to the public. Never-the-less, his frustration with respect to the boycott generated the following letter to me.
Bearing in mind his standing in the Charedi world and his level of frustration with the boycott, I present... with permission... his e-mail in its entirety. I have only deleted his name and any identifying remarks that would reveal his identity. The words are entirely his, not mine. Here is the letter:
Chachomim Hi'zharu Bidvarechem
Harry:
This El Al "psak" is causing such hardship for Charedim. Not the phonies, but the sincere ones. And it is always like that.
Someone I know very well (lives in bnei braq-large family-starting to get into shidduchim-no $$ to buy apt's for them-not getting shidduchim for their daughters.........) just came to USA to visit elderly mom. SHE CANCELED 3 TICKETS "the gedolim said we should"
Cost her $2400. That is for an Israeli!!!!!!
Yesterday a wealthy friend of mine was solicited by an Israeli meshulach. He gave my friend his terribly sad tale... and told him how he needs money for this and that .... AND TO BUY A NEW TICKET TO EY since he cancelled his.
Read through the Gemorah and see the care in which real Gedolim had for the $$ of the common folk. And weep that we have elderly Tzadikim surrounded by controlling thugs who are in cahoots with the heads of the "Vaad for Mishmeres bla bla" on and on.
All the while, these thugs are pocketing millions to control access to the Tzadikim. I'll bet their kids and grandkids don't worry about popping $700-800 for a ticket. That's the take on one American "balabos" who will slip them money for a Bracha from the Tzadik.
I think this is the crux of the issue. There is confusion nowadays between a Tzadik and a Gadol. A Tzadik is just that -- a Tzadik. A Gadol is a wise, bold leader. They are very different from each other.
I am close to someone who lived in Muncatch pre-war Europe. The Minchas Eluzar, who was quite the firebrand, was known to almost never 'Assur' a chicken on Erev Shabbos since he knew how poor his people were and they wouldn't have food to eat. He would turn over heaven and earth looking for a Heter.
Today, these fellows seem to spend every waking moment looking for the "Chumrah de jour"
BTW; I keep seeing the same mindset re internet -- Kanoish Roshei Yeshiva telling people to leave jobs where there is internet.
May God have mercy.
Update: At the request of the Rav who wrote this post, it has been modified from the original. He apologises for those words used in reaction to what he heard about the impovrished people who cancelled tickets.
