The truth has come out. Mel Gibson is an anti-Semite. This was made quite clear in recent media reports about his arrest for drunken driving.
I bring this up as a mea culpa. I now regret defending him against accusations of anti-Semitism of which he was accused during the release of his movie, “The Passion of the Christ”. At the time, I examined the objectionable portions of that movie and various interviews given by Gibson, and concluded the movie was not anti-Semitic. I also concluded that Gibson himself was not the anti-Semite many people were accusing him of being (incorrectly, as now seems evident).
At the time, in interview after interview a sober Mel Gibson professed that he was not in any way anti-Semitic in what seemed to be as honest a fashion as one could have. And that this movie was merely an expression of his lifelong religious beliefs. References to some minimal Jewish complicity in the movie about the Crucifixion were taken from New Testament sources and, he said, were only meant to reflect the crucifiction as accurately as possible.
It was known at that time, that Gibson’s father was an avowed holocaust denier. But when Gibson was confronted with this he said he did not agree with his father, but also said his father never lied to him. I took this to mean that Gibson thought his father was telling the truth as his father understood it, but that he was wrong. And Gibson himself did not deny the holocaust.
My over all impression was that… at the end of the day, Gibson was indeed not an anti-Semite. He was only a very religious Catholic who was of the old pre Nostra Etate belief that the Jews were partially at fault for the crucifixion of his god (a view that Nostra Etate has now repudiated in its entirety). But he blamed no Jews living today for it and considered it sinful to do so. Or so he said.
Based on this, I wrote a strong defense of Gibson in a commentary which was published in the Chicago Tribune at that time. I felt it was necessary because of all the negative press surrounding the Jewish response to that film. Too many Jews were protesting a movie they saw as anti-Semitic by an actor who they thought was anti-Semitic. I did not see the anti-Semitism of either the film or of Gibson. I felt that there would be a backlash from such protests that in any case did not reflect the reality that the move was not anti-Semitic at all.
But there was no shortage of prominent Jewish figures who criticized the movie and who predicted a wave of anti-Semitic incidents once the movie was released. None of this ever happened. But, at the time the relentless rhetoric by people like ADL director, Abe Foxman and the antics of Rabbi Avi Weiss (who convinced a group of followers to wear holocaust prison uniforms and picket a theater in New York showing the film) did not help matters. There was potential for a real blow-up in the ever increasing good relationships that were developing between Jews and Evangelicals on the one hand… and Jews and the Catholic Church on the other. All that good will built up in recent years trashed by a few misguided individuals, in the mistaken belief that the movie would dredge up old anti-Semitic feelings laying dormant in many Americans. Just as passion plays of the past did in Europe. Thank God those protests died down. Christians across America saw the movie, not as a tool for anti-Semitism but as an illustration of the suffering of their Christ. My faith in the American people was once again re-enforced.
But, although I was right about the movie, I was wrong about Gibson. He has now revealed himself to be a true anti-Semite. It is well known rabbinic adage (found in the Talmud) that a man’s true character is revealed when his inhibitions are removed under the influence of alcohol. Under such conditions, the truth comes out. And it did.
A drunken Mel Gibson revealed his innermost thoughts about Jews. And it wasn’t pretty. He has since apologized and said it was the alcohol talking. Well his apology is not accepted. All it really means is that he is sorry that his true feelings were revealed. If he wants absolution from the Jewish people he will have to do a lot more than say he is sorry. The burden of proof is on him to convince us that his innermost thoughts are no longer like that. It’s easy to say the right thing when you are in control of your true feelings.
And words alone will no longer suffice. He will now have to do it with deeds. It requires the kind of deeds that will leave no doubt about his innermost thoughts. I’m not even sure how he can do that. Right now he has a presumption of guilt. And I regret ever giving him a pass. I was misled by his seeming sincerity. And, I am not going to be misled by him again.
Monday, July 31, 2006
Sunday, July 30, 2006
The Dating Game
One of the biggest problems facing the Torah world today is that of the growing number of singles. And it cuts across all Hashkafic lines, from left to right.
The Ultra Orthodox community has indeed fallen victim to this plague. This can be seen the great number of singles living in Lakewood. The problem is so severe, that there is a well known “Kula” utilized. The ban on dating for a few months upon entry into the Yeshiva is removed for all Lakewood girls.
What’s the problem? Why has it come to this? In my view there has been a de-emphasis on the real purpose of marriage and an over-emphasis on being supported by the father-in-law. The “better” Bachurim look for money. This makes a Lakewood girl far less appealing, since their fathers are more often than not, Klei Kodesh who have sacrificed making a good living in favor of learning full time themselves. There is also another little publicized, but major factor in that community: Looks. Appearance has become a major factor.
Many Bachurim tell their Shadchanim that a pre-condition for any possible date is that the girls must be thin. Of course I don’t blame anyone for considering appearances. But it does seem to be rather shallow for a Ben Torah to make it a pre-condition. Money and Looks. That is a major source of the crisis, in my view. Those values seem to have become a priority over and above the values of character and the ability to be a good wife and mother. And the concept of marrying a Bas Talmid Chacham?... out the window. It doesn’t exist as a value anymore. It is off their radar. If it were truly valued, then Lakewood girls would be at a premium.
As bad as the situation is in the Charedi world, it far worse in the Modern Orthodox world. The Upper West Side of Manhattan, which is the bastion of Modern Orthodox singlehood, has become a cesspool of the worst of Western culture. I know this is strong language but it’s true. Most of the singles there have forgotten what the Tachlis of dating is. They have entirely bought into Hollywood’s concepts of the social life. They have immersed themselves in it.
As such one can theoretically never get married and yet still be totally accepted. Furthermore one does not have to give up social interaction with the opposite sex. No commitment necessary.
This fosters an environment of tremendous Nisayon in the area of Isurei Arayos. Harchokos such as physical contact are observed more in the breach than in the practice. I do not have personal knowledge but there has been much written about actual violations of Issurei Biah. I’m not talking about the majority. But I’m convinced that it does exist in far greater numbers than one might expect of observant Jews. This is quite understandable if one is so immersed in a culture that glorifies non-marital sex.
And for those who succumb to temptation, I doubt very much that there is any level of Tahara observed and Issurei Kares are probably violated by Jews who are otherwise quite observant in the other areas of Torah observance such as Shmiras Shabbos and Kashrus. I definitely believe this to be the case. It would be naive to believe otherwise.
If this is true, there is a mindset that begins to take hold. Why get married? And even if there is no sex, a false sense of security develops amongst them. They are happy in their lifestyles, which is justified by American cultural values and satisfying careers. And they have the sociological support of the vast number of singles that are in the same boat as they are.
But it is all an illusion. At some point they come to realize just how empty their lives are and what the future holds for them. They see some of their friends get married and get on with their lives in a far more purposeful way than the vacuity of their own.. Old friends who have gotten married and have children will make them realize at some point that their future will be one of loneliness. They will contrast that with the realization of Nachas of others and then look at their own lives as a relatively empty one of missed opportunity. They will see their friend’s children growing up and realize that life is just passing them by. But by that time it is too late. They have been too entrenched in that lifestyle and there is little they can do about it except look at their married friends with envy.
The claim from some in the singles community that here is too much pressure to marry is a false claim. True there is such pressure. And yes, they are right there is too much of it… to get married and get married young. This can and often does cause problems in a marriage. This too is no good. But the idea of living a singles lifestyle is not a Torah value. There is no sin in it per se, but it is a fallacy to think it is an acceptable lifestyle. It isn’t. The Mitzvah of Pru Urvu requires all males to try to get married and procreate. And though it is not a requirement for women, it is a strongly recommended proposition. There is a happy medium between marrying too young and never getting married.
This Mitzvah has all but been forgotten by the residents of the Upper West Side of Manhattan. Yet, it is still part of the basic psyche of anyone brought up in a Torah environment, even a Modern Orthodox one. And this creates a dichotomy… a conundrum… one which plays itself out in the form of far too many singles being depressed about a situation they have little control of in an environment of the glorified singles lifestyle that is the Upper West Side.
There was a suicide reported in the media of an Upper West Side Orthodox young girl who had just broken up from a relationship. While clinical depression is most likely to have been an underlying cause, the breakup almost certainly contributed to it. This young girl saw a future that looked bleak after her breakup. She did not buy into the idea that a singles lifestyle is the way to live. But she lived in a community that just about worships it. If one feels there is no hope… no way out, suicide is all too often the irrational conclusion a clinically depressed person comes to.
This ought to be a wakeup call for the Torah world. It is not enough to say… it’s not my problem. This is everyone’s problem. We cannot allow the situation to exist the way it does. We must redouble our efforts to not only find Shiduchim for our singles but to re-educate them about the Tachlis of dating… both in the Charedi world and even more so in the world of the Modern Orthodox. Otherwise the situation will only get worse. We should not idly stand by and watch it happen.
The Ultra Orthodox community has indeed fallen victim to this plague. This can be seen the great number of singles living in Lakewood. The problem is so severe, that there is a well known “Kula” utilized. The ban on dating for a few months upon entry into the Yeshiva is removed for all Lakewood girls.
What’s the problem? Why has it come to this? In my view there has been a de-emphasis on the real purpose of marriage and an over-emphasis on being supported by the father-in-law. The “better” Bachurim look for money. This makes a Lakewood girl far less appealing, since their fathers are more often than not, Klei Kodesh who have sacrificed making a good living in favor of learning full time themselves. There is also another little publicized, but major factor in that community: Looks. Appearance has become a major factor.
Many Bachurim tell their Shadchanim that a pre-condition for any possible date is that the girls must be thin. Of course I don’t blame anyone for considering appearances. But it does seem to be rather shallow for a Ben Torah to make it a pre-condition. Money and Looks. That is a major source of the crisis, in my view. Those values seem to have become a priority over and above the values of character and the ability to be a good wife and mother. And the concept of marrying a Bas Talmid Chacham?... out the window. It doesn’t exist as a value anymore. It is off their radar. If it were truly valued, then Lakewood girls would be at a premium.
As bad as the situation is in the Charedi world, it far worse in the Modern Orthodox world. The Upper West Side of Manhattan, which is the bastion of Modern Orthodox singlehood, has become a cesspool of the worst of Western culture. I know this is strong language but it’s true. Most of the singles there have forgotten what the Tachlis of dating is. They have entirely bought into Hollywood’s concepts of the social life. They have immersed themselves in it.
As such one can theoretically never get married and yet still be totally accepted. Furthermore one does not have to give up social interaction with the opposite sex. No commitment necessary.
This fosters an environment of tremendous Nisayon in the area of Isurei Arayos. Harchokos such as physical contact are observed more in the breach than in the practice. I do not have personal knowledge but there has been much written about actual violations of Issurei Biah. I’m not talking about the majority. But I’m convinced that it does exist in far greater numbers than one might expect of observant Jews. This is quite understandable if one is so immersed in a culture that glorifies non-marital sex.
And for those who succumb to temptation, I doubt very much that there is any level of Tahara observed and Issurei Kares are probably violated by Jews who are otherwise quite observant in the other areas of Torah observance such as Shmiras Shabbos and Kashrus. I definitely believe this to be the case. It would be naive to believe otherwise.
If this is true, there is a mindset that begins to take hold. Why get married? And even if there is no sex, a false sense of security develops amongst them. They are happy in their lifestyles, which is justified by American cultural values and satisfying careers. And they have the sociological support of the vast number of singles that are in the same boat as they are.
But it is all an illusion. At some point they come to realize just how empty their lives are and what the future holds for them. They see some of their friends get married and get on with their lives in a far more purposeful way than the vacuity of their own.. Old friends who have gotten married and have children will make them realize at some point that their future will be one of loneliness. They will contrast that with the realization of Nachas of others and then look at their own lives as a relatively empty one of missed opportunity. They will see their friend’s children growing up and realize that life is just passing them by. But by that time it is too late. They have been too entrenched in that lifestyle and there is little they can do about it except look at their married friends with envy.
The claim from some in the singles community that here is too much pressure to marry is a false claim. True there is such pressure. And yes, they are right there is too much of it… to get married and get married young. This can and often does cause problems in a marriage. This too is no good. But the idea of living a singles lifestyle is not a Torah value. There is no sin in it per se, but it is a fallacy to think it is an acceptable lifestyle. It isn’t. The Mitzvah of Pru Urvu requires all males to try to get married and procreate. And though it is not a requirement for women, it is a strongly recommended proposition. There is a happy medium between marrying too young and never getting married.
This Mitzvah has all but been forgotten by the residents of the Upper West Side of Manhattan. Yet, it is still part of the basic psyche of anyone brought up in a Torah environment, even a Modern Orthodox one. And this creates a dichotomy… a conundrum… one which plays itself out in the form of far too many singles being depressed about a situation they have little control of in an environment of the glorified singles lifestyle that is the Upper West Side.
There was a suicide reported in the media of an Upper West Side Orthodox young girl who had just broken up from a relationship. While clinical depression is most likely to have been an underlying cause, the breakup almost certainly contributed to it. This young girl saw a future that looked bleak after her breakup. She did not buy into the idea that a singles lifestyle is the way to live. But she lived in a community that just about worships it. If one feels there is no hope… no way out, suicide is all too often the irrational conclusion a clinically depressed person comes to.
This ought to be a wakeup call for the Torah world. It is not enough to say… it’s not my problem. This is everyone’s problem. We cannot allow the situation to exist the way it does. We must redouble our efforts to not only find Shiduchim for our singles but to re-educate them about the Tachlis of dating… both in the Charedi world and even more so in the world of the Modern Orthodox. Otherwise the situation will only get worse. We should not idly stand by and watch it happen.
Friday, July 28, 2006
Causes of an Eis Tzara
Rabbi Gil Student has an interesting post today about the idea of introspection whenever there is an Eis Tzara. Therein he references Rav Mordechai Willig’s essay who discusses the Halachic basis for this. It is based on a Pasuk Bamidbar 10:9: It is a Torah commandment to cry and to sound trumpets when any trouble besets the community, as it is said, “Against an enemy who oppresses you”… and a Pasuk in Yirmiahu (5:25) that says: …all will know that because of their bad deeds evil was done to them as it is written, “your sins have overturned these [good things] and your transgressions have kept goodness away from you” And this will cause that the trouble will be removed from them.
This is all well and good. We should always be mindful that there is room for improvement in our lives. And Teshuva is certainly the remedy that can turn our fortunes around. When something goes wrong for us on a national level we would all do well do a serious Cheshbon HaNefesh, on both a personal level and on a national one.
What troubles me, however, is when individuals point out specific events that they feel are the cause of the problem. It often becomes very subjective and when this happens, they lose me. I want to be clear. I do not mean to impugn what Rabbi Willig says. The areas he mentions are truly valid areas to look at and I don’t disagree that these areas need to be pointed out. But sometimes there are Rabbanim with agendas and their assertions about spiritual causes are entirely subjective, related to the specific biases of those Rabbanim. For example when PM Sharon took ill, it was suggested that God struck him down because of the Gaza pullout.
Rabbi Willig points out areas that need improvement, and surely they do. I am very sympathetic to his perspective. But I stop short of endorsing it as …the… cause of the current crisis. It’s not that he necessarily says that they are. But I think suggestions like these from prominent Rabbanim tend to be looked at as the exclusive reasons for our problems. But the truth is we don’t really know. We can’t know what the real spiritual reasons are. Who is to say that …any… specific area that may need improvement is the specific reason for our trouble now?
There are a great many problems plaguing the Torah world now which perhaps should be examined that need improvement. For example, maybe it is the fact that not enough is being done about Lubavitch Messianism. Or maybe it is the fact that many of our our rabbinic leaders, especially in Israel, are allowing a national tragedy to occur by discouraging Bnei Torah from preparing themselves for Parnassos. Or the perhaps it is the implementation of ill advised bans by rabbinic leaders and the resultant destruction of Kavod HaTorah. Or not doing more about the plight of Agunos. Or the willingness of rabbinic leaders of all stripes to cover-up sexual abuse.
Yes indeed, there is much introspection and much Teshuva to be done by all of us.
There are many possibilities that can be the spiritual cause of our problems now and it behooves us to look at any and all of them. And it behooves us more to not pick out the one which reflect our own biases. Yes, we should look at what our rabbinic leaders say. But that should only be the starting point. The ending point is the Teshuva required in all areas where we have lapsed... as individuals and as a community. Perhaps then we will finally merit to see Moshiach Tzidkenu in our own time.
This is all well and good. We should always be mindful that there is room for improvement in our lives. And Teshuva is certainly the remedy that can turn our fortunes around. When something goes wrong for us on a national level we would all do well do a serious Cheshbon HaNefesh, on both a personal level and on a national one.
What troubles me, however, is when individuals point out specific events that they feel are the cause of the problem. It often becomes very subjective and when this happens, they lose me. I want to be clear. I do not mean to impugn what Rabbi Willig says. The areas he mentions are truly valid areas to look at and I don’t disagree that these areas need to be pointed out. But sometimes there are Rabbanim with agendas and their assertions about spiritual causes are entirely subjective, related to the specific biases of those Rabbanim. For example when PM Sharon took ill, it was suggested that God struck him down because of the Gaza pullout.
Rabbi Willig points out areas that need improvement, and surely they do. I am very sympathetic to his perspective. But I stop short of endorsing it as …the… cause of the current crisis. It’s not that he necessarily says that they are. But I think suggestions like these from prominent Rabbanim tend to be looked at as the exclusive reasons for our problems. But the truth is we don’t really know. We can’t know what the real spiritual reasons are. Who is to say that …any… specific area that may need improvement is the specific reason for our trouble now?
There are a great many problems plaguing the Torah world now which perhaps should be examined that need improvement. For example, maybe it is the fact that not enough is being done about Lubavitch Messianism. Or maybe it is the fact that many of our our rabbinic leaders, especially in Israel, are allowing a national tragedy to occur by discouraging Bnei Torah from preparing themselves for Parnassos. Or the perhaps it is the implementation of ill advised bans by rabbinic leaders and the resultant destruction of Kavod HaTorah. Or not doing more about the plight of Agunos. Or the willingness of rabbinic leaders of all stripes to cover-up sexual abuse.
Yes indeed, there is much introspection and much Teshuva to be done by all of us.
There are many possibilities that can be the spiritual cause of our problems now and it behooves us to look at any and all of them. And it behooves us more to not pick out the one which reflect our own biases. Yes, we should look at what our rabbinic leaders say. But that should only be the starting point. The ending point is the Teshuva required in all areas where we have lapsed... as individuals and as a community. Perhaps then we will finally merit to see Moshiach Tzidkenu in our own time.
Thursday, July 27, 2006
Israel’s Finest
During the course of the current war in Lebanon, there have been many inspiring images from the front. Photos and videos abound of soldiers in Talis and Teffilin in all manner of circumstances. Just this evening on NBC there was an image of a young soldier sitting atop his tank wearing a pair of teffilin and Davening Shachris. There were many other images like this being broadcast all over the world almost daily: a single soldier Davening Shmoneh Erseh alone... photos of various army units Daveining Shachris with a Minyan of fellow soldiers. There was one of a group of soldiers Davening with a group of civilians on the other side of a fence. In virtually every circumstance that has been broadcast or photographed, you find a Kippah among the mix.
Young men serving their people putting their lives on the line for their fellow Jews… and all the while showing Bitachon in HaShem. It has been the same in every single Israeli war that I am old enough to remember: 67, 73, and 82. During her high school years my oldest daughter kept a poster in her room of soldiers from the six day war in full army fatigues out in the field somewhere doing Kriyas Hatorah . It is quite amazing sight to see; a real Kiddush HaShem. Mi K’Amcha Yisroel.
But these young Frum soldiers aren’t the only ones making a Kiddush HaShem. It is being made by every single soldier there. Everyone, no matter how secular,is doing the same thing. Fighting for Klal Yisroel.
I will never forget my first encounter with a Frum soldier. It was in Bnei Brak shortly after my parents made Aliyah in 1974. He was a fellow in army fatigues carrying a rifle over his shoulder and with a huge Black Kippah and long beard. I believe he was a Gerrer Chasid. I remember being very impressed that such a Frum looking person was serving in the army, How unusual I thought… and how impressive! I turned to my mother and said What a wonderful sight… seeing a Frum soldier like that. She said, yes it is, but she then said somewhat surprisingly to me that not only could she kiss this soldier, she could kiss any soldier.
Now, my mother was very Charedi by this time, living in Bnei Brak. But even though my during my formative years she was not at all Charedi she was never the less the most Tzanua woman I have ever known, without exaggeration. The idea of my mother kissing anyone other than immediate family was something completely foreign to her. Public displays of affection were totally abhorrent to her. Yet she said she could kiss any soldier, not only the Frum ones. She knew what they were all about. She knew the IDF was not about social engineering. She was a holocaust survivor. She knew that it was about defending the Jewish people. And that truly is what the Israeli army is all about: young people defending the Jewish people. That is the Ikkar. Anything else is the Taful. And no one should ever lose sight of that fact.
Young men serving their people putting their lives on the line for their fellow Jews… and all the while showing Bitachon in HaShem. It has been the same in every single Israeli war that I am old enough to remember: 67, 73, and 82. During her high school years my oldest daughter kept a poster in her room of soldiers from the six day war in full army fatigues out in the field somewhere doing Kriyas Hatorah . It is quite amazing sight to see; a real Kiddush HaShem. Mi K’Amcha Yisroel.
But these young Frum soldiers aren’t the only ones making a Kiddush HaShem. It is being made by every single soldier there. Everyone, no matter how secular,is doing the same thing. Fighting for Klal Yisroel.
I will never forget my first encounter with a Frum soldier. It was in Bnei Brak shortly after my parents made Aliyah in 1974. He was a fellow in army fatigues carrying a rifle over his shoulder and with a huge Black Kippah and long beard. I believe he was a Gerrer Chasid. I remember being very impressed that such a Frum looking person was serving in the army, How unusual I thought… and how impressive! I turned to my mother and said What a wonderful sight… seeing a Frum soldier like that. She said, yes it is, but she then said somewhat surprisingly to me that not only could she kiss this soldier, she could kiss any soldier.
Now, my mother was very Charedi by this time, living in Bnei Brak. But even though my during my formative years she was not at all Charedi she was never the less the most Tzanua woman I have ever known, without exaggeration. The idea of my mother kissing anyone other than immediate family was something completely foreign to her. Public displays of affection were totally abhorrent to her. Yet she said she could kiss any soldier, not only the Frum ones. She knew what they were all about. She knew the IDF was not about social engineering. She was a holocaust survivor. She knew that it was about defending the Jewish people. And that truly is what the Israeli army is all about: young people defending the Jewish people. That is the Ikkar. Anything else is the Taful. And no one should ever lose sight of that fact.
Wednesday, July 26, 2006
Dire Straits
I received the following comment in an earlier thread:
”I live in Israel and find it difficult to make ends meet and my kids are little. I was curious to know how is it that so many fathers are still learning full time and then they marry off children who are as well learning full time and they all for most part are making it. Perhaps you can find us a guest blogger who can explain this phenomenon. I imagine you are worried about your grandchildren how are they going to make it but I assume your son has bitachon and is not consumed by worry. I my self I am very concerned about making a living and it botheres me no end that I am overdrawed in the bank by over 15000 shekel and I am worried how I am going to get out of this situation.”
This is but one letter of several I have received on this subject and demonstrates quite clearly one of the major problems facing the Torah world in Israel. I have addressed it several times but I have as of yet not offered any solutions. And the truth is that I really don’t have any realistic ones. The problem is so entrenched in the Charedi system that it would take an upheaval of major proportions to even begin to solve it. There are several thing which contribute to this crisis… and it is a crisis.
There is a complicating factor which Israeli Charedim have that those in the US do not: the draft. This is a real obstacle to those Charedim who might otherwise work. But, the problem is not with the draft. It is with the Charedi attitude toward the draft. But, as I said this is only one factor, albeit a big one. This particular problem can be solved in one of two ways: 1) Eliminating the draft and making an all volunteer army, or 2) Taking advantage of the Tal Law which entails some basic training courses after the completeion of one's full time learning... and then integrating into the work force.
The problem is that the first solution will not fly with the gvernement and the problem with the second solution is that it does not fly with the majority of Charedi leadership. But the draft is not the real problem. It is only an obstacle, albeit a big one.
The real problem is that Charedism in Israel has led Klal Yisroel astray. I’ve been through all the details as to why that is the case in the past and am not going to repeat them here. The fact is that Charedi rabbinic leadership has succeeded in their goals of creating a Makom Torah beyond their wildest dreams. It has created and nurtured a system that produces tens of thousands of Talmidei Chachamim. But it produces absolutely no Baalei Battim. It reinforces the mentality that a Baal HaBos is a substandard human being... one who “didn’t make it in learning”. Of course no Charedi leader would say so and when asked they would deny it. But it is an unmistakable truth. Given this mindset it is no small wonder that the writer of this letter and others I have received letters from privately feel that way too.
The system is therefore only a partial success. If producing a Torah nation in all of its component parts is any measure… then it a failure. I say this full well knowing that it is near blasphemy to say so in certain circles. But it is a failure none-the-less. The current system cannot continue without totally imploding at some point. In the meantime there must be hundreds if not thousands of people like this letter writer who are in dire straits.
He asks how it is possible for other full time learners to survive and even do well in the system. First I would tell him that outward appearances can be deceiving. But admittedly there are quite a number of Avreichim who seem to manage. I can’t really speak for all off them but in every case there are unique circumstances that enable them. Some of the wives have good jobs. Some have rich fathers or father-in-laws. Others go to every G’mach in the city and are always in debt. Still other max out every credit card and just don’t worry about it in the short term. And still others live far below the poverty line and struggle to put food on the table. And any combination of these and other factors combine for some to make ends meet.
But obviously this cannot work for everyone. Some, like the above letter writer cannot stomach the debt. If my relatively limited readership has generated a few letters asking for advice, I can imagine there are many others like this who haven’t written. Multiply that by the actual number of the vast majority who don’t read my blog and it is quite clear the problem is of epic proportion.
And it doesn’t end with the inability to make ends meet. Somewhere down the road these Charedim will have to come up with additional yet non-exsistent funds for Diros to marry off their children. And it is not uncommon to find famiies with 8 or 9 children or more. And what about the future of their children and grandchildren who will be facing the same problems further on down the road. If not solved, this problem will only multiply exponentially.
One might at this point say that we just need to have Bitachon. That God will not forget His people and will provide for their needs. In fact Bitachon has always worked for me. I had to marry off four children and I did not know where I was going to get the money. But when the time came, the money was there. God did not forget about me.
But one cannot rely entirely on Bitachon. One cannot eat Bitchon. One needs to do his Hishtadlus. Ein Somchin Al HaNes. I did did my Hishtadlus. I worked for my bread and butter and when I needed more than my income provided, God was there to help me out.
Though communism is anathema to me and one of the worst ideologies to ever present itself on humanity, there is one very famous line that line from Marx’s Communist Manifesto I would paraphrase: “Charedim of the world unite.” It is time for some organized movement within the Charedei system to buck this trend of eschewing work at all costs in favor of learning full time. Of course I realize that asking Charedim to do that is tantamount to asking them to violate Daas Torah. And all my protestations to the contrary... that learning for a Parnassa and working is not against Daas Torah... will fall on deaf ears. Their Daas Torah says don’t study for Parnassa, don’t go to the army, don’t leave learning full time… Who are we, they will say, to contradict the Gedolim.! "I should leave learning when they say no?! ...Oif Meine Plaitzes?! No way!"
But, to paraphrase Rav Dessler. “That is the price!” The future of Klal Yisrael depends on it. There has to be a legitimate and recognized track for learning a Parnassa in a field of one’s choosing. Charedi leadership has to be literally forced into it or it will never happen. The only way is for there to be a groundswell of people like this letter writer who cannot take it anymore.
How does one force entrenched Charedi thinking about learning Torah? One way would be to just leave the system and take your lumps from your peers, Rebbeim etc. Another way would be to actually change Hashkafos and leave Charedism. One does not have to become Modern Orthodox. One can try to the best of his ability to retain the Hashkafos he has been inculcated with. But he will have to have the courage to go it alone.. unless he can convince others in similar circumstances to join him.
Another solution is to simply leave the country! I realize that this too is anathema to many. Israel needs people. And Yishuv Etetz Yisroel is an important Mitzvah. But if the alternatives I suggest above are not viable for whatever reason, what alternative is there other than settling for a life of poverty which can precipitate clinical depression and put so much pressure on a marriage? I know of one such case in Israel right now where an idividual in full time learning who suffers from depression and is undergoing a divorce.
I would put into a category of Pikuach Nefesh. There has been more than one suicide in the Charedi community that resulted from the kind of severe depression that is more than exacerbated by such circumstances.
If every Avreich that suffers the way the above letter writer does would opt for one of these suggestions, it would impact the system... perhaps enough to change the Charedi mindset to see that learning full time for the rest of one’s life is not for everyone.
The solution to leave the country and go back to the US is the most sensible if one is concerened with remaining a Charedi in good standing. There are plenty of Charedi communities here that do not eschew Parnassa training. Going to college, technical schools, becoming apprentices, learning a trade... are far more of an opition in the US than they are in Israel. There are plenty of opportunities to make a living here without feeling shame. One can be a Charedi in good standing here and still be working.
True, there is an anti-work, pro full time learning mentality in the US too. But it is far less severe. With respect to work, Charedim here are far more accepting. Going to college, while frowned upon is still relatively acceptable in most Charedi communities if it is done solely for Parnassa and after some years of learning in a Kollel.
I know it will be hard. Having made the decision to make Alyiah was probably tough enough. And getting acculturated to the Israeli life style could not have been easy. But it was certainly worth it to be able to live in the spiritually elevated atmosphere that is Jeruslalem. And anywhere in Eretz Yisroel has greater Kedusha than anywhere in the US. There is no doubt that there will be a Yiridah on that level. But the price for living in such an atmosphere is way too high for all too many people.
As of right now, with very few exception, Charedi leadership in Israel refuses to address the problem. And it will only get worse. Unless there is a major impact on ithem, things will not change.
Leave the country. Even if you are the only one, at least your problem will be solved. If enough people do it, then it will impact for the better on everyone else. So, I again say, Charedim of the world. Unite! For those of you in dire straits, you have noting to lose but your chains.
”I live in Israel and find it difficult to make ends meet and my kids are little. I was curious to know how is it that so many fathers are still learning full time and then they marry off children who are as well learning full time and they all for most part are making it. Perhaps you can find us a guest blogger who can explain this phenomenon. I imagine you are worried about your grandchildren how are they going to make it but I assume your son has bitachon and is not consumed by worry. I my self I am very concerned about making a living and it botheres me no end that I am overdrawed in the bank by over 15000 shekel and I am worried how I am going to get out of this situation.”
This is but one letter of several I have received on this subject and demonstrates quite clearly one of the major problems facing the Torah world in Israel. I have addressed it several times but I have as of yet not offered any solutions. And the truth is that I really don’t have any realistic ones. The problem is so entrenched in the Charedi system that it would take an upheaval of major proportions to even begin to solve it. There are several thing which contribute to this crisis… and it is a crisis.
There is a complicating factor which Israeli Charedim have that those in the US do not: the draft. This is a real obstacle to those Charedim who might otherwise work. But, the problem is not with the draft. It is with the Charedi attitude toward the draft. But, as I said this is only one factor, albeit a big one. This particular problem can be solved in one of two ways: 1) Eliminating the draft and making an all volunteer army, or 2) Taking advantage of the Tal Law which entails some basic training courses after the completeion of one's full time learning... and then integrating into the work force.
The problem is that the first solution will not fly with the gvernement and the problem with the second solution is that it does not fly with the majority of Charedi leadership. But the draft is not the real problem. It is only an obstacle, albeit a big one.
The real problem is that Charedism in Israel has led Klal Yisroel astray. I’ve been through all the details as to why that is the case in the past and am not going to repeat them here. The fact is that Charedi rabbinic leadership has succeeded in their goals of creating a Makom Torah beyond their wildest dreams. It has created and nurtured a system that produces tens of thousands of Talmidei Chachamim. But it produces absolutely no Baalei Battim. It reinforces the mentality that a Baal HaBos is a substandard human being... one who “didn’t make it in learning”. Of course no Charedi leader would say so and when asked they would deny it. But it is an unmistakable truth. Given this mindset it is no small wonder that the writer of this letter and others I have received letters from privately feel that way too.
The system is therefore only a partial success. If producing a Torah nation in all of its component parts is any measure… then it a failure. I say this full well knowing that it is near blasphemy to say so in certain circles. But it is a failure none-the-less. The current system cannot continue without totally imploding at some point. In the meantime there must be hundreds if not thousands of people like this letter writer who are in dire straits.
He asks how it is possible for other full time learners to survive and even do well in the system. First I would tell him that outward appearances can be deceiving. But admittedly there are quite a number of Avreichim who seem to manage. I can’t really speak for all off them but in every case there are unique circumstances that enable them. Some of the wives have good jobs. Some have rich fathers or father-in-laws. Others go to every G’mach in the city and are always in debt. Still other max out every credit card and just don’t worry about it in the short term. And still others live far below the poverty line and struggle to put food on the table. And any combination of these and other factors combine for some to make ends meet.
But obviously this cannot work for everyone. Some, like the above letter writer cannot stomach the debt. If my relatively limited readership has generated a few letters asking for advice, I can imagine there are many others like this who haven’t written. Multiply that by the actual number of the vast majority who don’t read my blog and it is quite clear the problem is of epic proportion.
And it doesn’t end with the inability to make ends meet. Somewhere down the road these Charedim will have to come up with additional yet non-exsistent funds for Diros to marry off their children. And it is not uncommon to find famiies with 8 or 9 children or more. And what about the future of their children and grandchildren who will be facing the same problems further on down the road. If not solved, this problem will only multiply exponentially.
One might at this point say that we just need to have Bitachon. That God will not forget His people and will provide for their needs. In fact Bitachon has always worked for me. I had to marry off four children and I did not know where I was going to get the money. But when the time came, the money was there. God did not forget about me.
But one cannot rely entirely on Bitachon. One cannot eat Bitchon. One needs to do his Hishtadlus. Ein Somchin Al HaNes. I did did my Hishtadlus. I worked for my bread and butter and when I needed more than my income provided, God was there to help me out.
Though communism is anathema to me and one of the worst ideologies to ever present itself on humanity, there is one very famous line that line from Marx’s Communist Manifesto I would paraphrase: “Charedim of the world unite.” It is time for some organized movement within the Charedei system to buck this trend of eschewing work at all costs in favor of learning full time. Of course I realize that asking Charedim to do that is tantamount to asking them to violate Daas Torah. And all my protestations to the contrary... that learning for a Parnassa and working is not against Daas Torah... will fall on deaf ears. Their Daas Torah says don’t study for Parnassa, don’t go to the army, don’t leave learning full time… Who are we, they will say, to contradict the Gedolim.! "I should leave learning when they say no?! ...Oif Meine Plaitzes?! No way!"
But, to paraphrase Rav Dessler. “That is the price!” The future of Klal Yisrael depends on it. There has to be a legitimate and recognized track for learning a Parnassa in a field of one’s choosing. Charedi leadership has to be literally forced into it or it will never happen. The only way is for there to be a groundswell of people like this letter writer who cannot take it anymore.
How does one force entrenched Charedi thinking about learning Torah? One way would be to just leave the system and take your lumps from your peers, Rebbeim etc. Another way would be to actually change Hashkafos and leave Charedism. One does not have to become Modern Orthodox. One can try to the best of his ability to retain the Hashkafos he has been inculcated with. But he will have to have the courage to go it alone.. unless he can convince others in similar circumstances to join him.
Another solution is to simply leave the country! I realize that this too is anathema to many. Israel needs people. And Yishuv Etetz Yisroel is an important Mitzvah. But if the alternatives I suggest above are not viable for whatever reason, what alternative is there other than settling for a life of poverty which can precipitate clinical depression and put so much pressure on a marriage? I know of one such case in Israel right now where an idividual in full time learning who suffers from depression and is undergoing a divorce.
I would put into a category of Pikuach Nefesh. There has been more than one suicide in the Charedi community that resulted from the kind of severe depression that is more than exacerbated by such circumstances.
If every Avreich that suffers the way the above letter writer does would opt for one of these suggestions, it would impact the system... perhaps enough to change the Charedi mindset to see that learning full time for the rest of one’s life is not for everyone.
The solution to leave the country and go back to the US is the most sensible if one is concerened with remaining a Charedi in good standing. There are plenty of Charedi communities here that do not eschew Parnassa training. Going to college, technical schools, becoming apprentices, learning a trade... are far more of an opition in the US than they are in Israel. There are plenty of opportunities to make a living here without feeling shame. One can be a Charedi in good standing here and still be working.
True, there is an anti-work, pro full time learning mentality in the US too. But it is far less severe. With respect to work, Charedim here are far more accepting. Going to college, while frowned upon is still relatively acceptable in most Charedi communities if it is done solely for Parnassa and after some years of learning in a Kollel.
I know it will be hard. Having made the decision to make Alyiah was probably tough enough. And getting acculturated to the Israeli life style could not have been easy. But it was certainly worth it to be able to live in the spiritually elevated atmosphere that is Jeruslalem. And anywhere in Eretz Yisroel has greater Kedusha than anywhere in the US. There is no doubt that there will be a Yiridah on that level. But the price for living in such an atmosphere is way too high for all too many people.
As of right now, with very few exception, Charedi leadership in Israel refuses to address the problem. And it will only get worse. Unless there is a major impact on ithem, things will not change.
Leave the country. Even if you are the only one, at least your problem will be solved. If enough people do it, then it will impact for the better on everyone else. So, I again say, Charedim of the world. Unite! For those of you in dire straits, you have noting to lose but your chains.
Tuesday, July 25, 2006
Jew and Jew, Jew and Non-Jew
My post, “Halacha He: Esav Sonei L’Yaakov” generated the following comment:
“Yesh stirah; you say it's wrong for teenagers in Yeshiva to claim that "Esav sonei l'Yaakov", but it's ok in this case to say it about all of "Europe" (as if that were one united political entity) and all European citizens hold the same viewpoint?”
There a few other comments along these lines and I see it is time for a little lesson on how Esav Sonei L’Yaakov (Rashi on Breishis 33:4) should be understood and practiced.
There is a major difference between making a judgment based on history and current events… and one based on unfair bias. History has proven Europe to be an Esav. And European reactions to Israeli actions re-inforce the well deserved title as an Esav as a rule. (There are of course exceptions.) Not so Americans. Americans have earned the right to not automatically be considered an Esav. Yet for many Bochrim (and many adults I'm afraid) there is no distinction. This is wrong and against Halacha.
Rav Aaron Soloveichik explains exactly what our attitude should be. It is in the chapter entitled, “Jew and Jew, Jew and Non-Jew” in his book “Logic of the Heart, Logic of the Mind”.
The concept of Arevus as mentioned in Meseches Shavuos (39A) is a fundamental tenet of Judaism. There is a fundamental obligation for Jews to maintain morality, humanity, and decency within the Jewish community. But this obligation does not only extend to Jews. It extends to all of humanity. Arevus, on the other hand is something which applies only between Jews. It does not extend to non-Jews. It goes beyond the concepts of morality, decency and humanity. Arevus includes the Mitzvah of Tochacha, reproof, which is based on Ahavas Yisroel.
We are also commanded in Ahavas HaBriyos, the love of mankind. This is different than Ahavas Yisroel which is a more inclusive Mitzvah. Ahavas HaBriyos, is based on the idea that man was created in the image of God. We Jews are commanded in the concept of brotherly love. Arevus entails more however. It entails VeAhavata L’Rei’echa Komocha: loving your fellow Jew as yourself.
What does this mean? It means that Jews are required to love one another blindly. It is an emotional love. It springs from the heart.
Non-Jews however are to be loved intellectually. Ahavas HaBriyos is a mandate to love one’s fellow man because all of mankind is endowed by their Creator with the attributes of Kavod, dignity… and Hadar, majesty. It is a love that springs from the mind.
Love of the heart is a somewhat irrational approach. It is the kind of love one might see a parent have for a rebellious child. While grieved that a child rebels, a parent does not diminish his love for the child. He still loves him while reproving him This is the kind of love one that is required between fellow Jews. But it is not granted to non-Jews. Their loved is derived from the logic of the mind.
The concept of Esav Sonei L’Yaakov has been demonstrated time and again throughout hsitory. It is illogical that the descendants of Esav should be so hateful of the descendants of Yaakov. But so it has been. Rabbi Soloveichik points out that even the saintliest among them have shown an internal feeling hatred against he Jews. One of the Chasidei Umos HaOlam, Thomas Masaryk who was in part responsible for the Balfour declaration, had once revealed in an interview that he had an irrational hatred of Jews and that those feelings had to always be overcome.
So how is one to reconcile this with the requirement of brotherly love for our fellow human beings, created in the image of God? It is through the logic of the mind. Our love for non-Jews is not automatic. We are not to love them blindly, but to judge them by their actions. When they fullfil the their mandate to bless Yaakov, they in turn will be blessed. And we are then required to love them too. It is commensurate with their behavior. We can see by their actions and deeds who is deserving of our love and who isn’t.
And so I judge the European nations. While they had their heroes over time… like Raul Wallenberg, Oskar Schindler, and Chiune Sugihara… during the holocaust, the overall evidence of their hatred over the millenia is unfortunatelly massive. And as Rabbi Soloveichik pointed out even the best among them had to be overcome this innate hatred.
In the case of Americans their actions have spoken very loudly. And their words very clearly. They have thus earned a presumption of innocence with respect to our obligations to love them. America has earned the appelation given to them by Rav Moshe Feinstein as a Medinah Shel Chesed. The Logic of our minds keeps showing us this. The American people truly are different and deserving of our brotherly love.
“Yesh stirah; you say it's wrong for teenagers in Yeshiva to claim that "Esav sonei l'Yaakov", but it's ok in this case to say it about all of "Europe" (as if that were one united political entity) and all European citizens hold the same viewpoint?”
There a few other comments along these lines and I see it is time for a little lesson on how Esav Sonei L’Yaakov (Rashi on Breishis 33:4) should be understood and practiced.
There is a major difference between making a judgment based on history and current events… and one based on unfair bias. History has proven Europe to be an Esav. And European reactions to Israeli actions re-inforce the well deserved title as an Esav as a rule. (There are of course exceptions.) Not so Americans. Americans have earned the right to not automatically be considered an Esav. Yet for many Bochrim (and many adults I'm afraid) there is no distinction. This is wrong and against Halacha.
Rav Aaron Soloveichik explains exactly what our attitude should be. It is in the chapter entitled, “Jew and Jew, Jew and Non-Jew” in his book “Logic of the Heart, Logic of the Mind”.
The concept of Arevus as mentioned in Meseches Shavuos (39A) is a fundamental tenet of Judaism. There is a fundamental obligation for Jews to maintain morality, humanity, and decency within the Jewish community. But this obligation does not only extend to Jews. It extends to all of humanity. Arevus, on the other hand is something which applies only between Jews. It does not extend to non-Jews. It goes beyond the concepts of morality, decency and humanity. Arevus includes the Mitzvah of Tochacha, reproof, which is based on Ahavas Yisroel.
We are also commanded in Ahavas HaBriyos, the love of mankind. This is different than Ahavas Yisroel which is a more inclusive Mitzvah. Ahavas HaBriyos, is based on the idea that man was created in the image of God. We Jews are commanded in the concept of brotherly love. Arevus entails more however. It entails VeAhavata L’Rei’echa Komocha: loving your fellow Jew as yourself.
What does this mean? It means that Jews are required to love one another blindly. It is an emotional love. It springs from the heart.
Non-Jews however are to be loved intellectually. Ahavas HaBriyos is a mandate to love one’s fellow man because all of mankind is endowed by their Creator with the attributes of Kavod, dignity… and Hadar, majesty. It is a love that springs from the mind.
Love of the heart is a somewhat irrational approach. It is the kind of love one might see a parent have for a rebellious child. While grieved that a child rebels, a parent does not diminish his love for the child. He still loves him while reproving him This is the kind of love one that is required between fellow Jews. But it is not granted to non-Jews. Their loved is derived from the logic of the mind.
The concept of Esav Sonei L’Yaakov has been demonstrated time and again throughout hsitory. It is illogical that the descendants of Esav should be so hateful of the descendants of Yaakov. But so it has been. Rabbi Soloveichik points out that even the saintliest among them have shown an internal feeling hatred against he Jews. One of the Chasidei Umos HaOlam, Thomas Masaryk who was in part responsible for the Balfour declaration, had once revealed in an interview that he had an irrational hatred of Jews and that those feelings had to always be overcome.
So how is one to reconcile this with the requirement of brotherly love for our fellow human beings, created in the image of God? It is through the logic of the mind. Our love for non-Jews is not automatic. We are not to love them blindly, but to judge them by their actions. When they fullfil the their mandate to bless Yaakov, they in turn will be blessed. And we are then required to love them too. It is commensurate with their behavior. We can see by their actions and deeds who is deserving of our love and who isn’t.
And so I judge the European nations. While they had their heroes over time… like Raul Wallenberg, Oskar Schindler, and Chiune Sugihara… during the holocaust, the overall evidence of their hatred over the millenia is unfortunatelly massive. And as Rabbi Soloveichik pointed out even the best among them had to be overcome this innate hatred.
In the case of Americans their actions have spoken very loudly. And their words very clearly. They have thus earned a presumption of innocence with respect to our obligations to love them. America has earned the appelation given to them by Rav Moshe Feinstein as a Medinah Shel Chesed. The Logic of our minds keeps showing us this. The American people truly are different and deserving of our brotherly love.
One Picture…
This picture really says it all. This morning I actually saw a better one on television news. The very first image I saw before the reporter even began reporting on the story was the American Secretary of State standing at a podium with a white background, between two flags, the US and Israeli ones. It spoke volumes to me. I doubt that it was intended that way since any visiting dignitary from any country will have his flag displayed next to the Israeli one, but it really represented to me the incredible ties that the United States has with Israel. This, in spite of incredible pressure from the international community and much of the media for an immediate cease fire.
We are nearing the end of the conflict one way or another. The carnage Hezbollah has caused its own people to suffer (and for which Israel is being blamed) is reaching crisis proportions. But apparently the US and Israel are in complete agreement as to when its military actions should end: when Hezbollah is either destroyed or defanged. As the Headline in one of Israel’s mainstream newspapers said of the US’s attitude to Israel: “Take Your Time!” But Israel does not have forever.
On the other hand, it may not have any choice but to continue fighting until it does complete the job, even if it takes longer than originally expected.
There is talk of an international force buffering the Southern Lebanese border. Israel in theory has agreed to it. But the international community is also aware that this time it can’t just be a token UN type force with no mandate to fight. This time it needs to have teeth. And that means taking over for Israel when if and when Hezbollah tries to move back into its positions and fire rockets at Israel. The mandate would have to mean conflict of the type where lives can be lost or permanent injury could ensue to the peacekeepers. The world has not forgotten the hundreds of US marines killed in 1983 by Hezbollah in a terrorist attack.
Well, the US isn’t going to send any Americans there. The Arabs won’t accept that as they believe the US will always side with Israel. The Europeans have once again shown their true colors, they will not risk any of their soldiers, not France, not Germany, not England, no one. They have all written off any participation. Yet they have all said that is the only solution that will work. The fallout of this is that they will have to allow Israel to finish the job and they know it. They can squawk about it all they want but they have neither the will or the power to do anything about it.
One more thing that bothers me. This idea that is always thrown in by reporters and pundits that all this devastation and bombing of Lebanon by Israel is creating more haterd for Israel and the US. The carnage and mayhem is increasingly being blamed by the Lebanese on Israel and the US and Hezboallah is seen as the solution.
But this ignores the truth. The hatred was already there. They have always blamed Israel for their problems. This has been drilled into them form the earliest ages. It is a deep rooted hatred that at best was latent until the current conflict. Of course they are going to blame Israel instead of Hezboolah. They simply never recognized that Hezbollah was anything but a “Party of God”… there to serve the people and kill the enemy… Jews. The current crisis has just brought all those feeling to the fore. Any fair analysis easily points to Hezbollah and its Jew hating, Islamist ideology as the real source of their problems. It’s a no brainer.
The carnage is occurring for one reason. Israel’s attempt to protect itself and Hezbollah’s determination to maximize even its own civilian casualties so as to make Israel look bad. Israel has no choice but to fight Hezbollah wherever it finds it… which is deeply imbedded amongst Lebanese civilians for that purpose. To protect itself from over twenty years of indiscriminate rocket attacks designed only for one purpose: to kill Jews.
It’s about time someone in the mainstream media starting reporting it that way instead of always sympathizing with the victims and reporting their point of view as the sole reason for their problems. It is an ignorant and myopic approach based on knee jerk responses to the carnage without care as to what is really to blame: Islamism.
Monday, July 24, 2006
Halacha He: Esav Sonei L’Yaakov
I knew the window of opportunity was going to be short. And that window is finally beginning to close. The BBC for the first time since the Israeli invasion of Hezbollah in Lebanon has reported in a very anti Israel fashion. The focus was all on the carnage in Lebanon. The spin on the part of the BBC reporter was that “When is big bad Israel going to learn that violence doesn’t solve anything. Didn’t they learn anything from their first invasion back in 1982?”
This is the European mindset that is Esav. They look at the current hostilities as an equivalency... the famous "cycle of violence" mentality. Sure, Hezbollah attacked Israel, they say. But look at the carnage inflicted by the State terror that is the Israeli military. The proportions of dead in Lebanon are tenfold that of Israel. Nothing about context. Nothing about what the purpose of the new Amalek is: the annihilation of the Jews. Nothing about the reason there are so many civilians casualties in Lebanon. Or the fact that Israel warns civilians to get out of a target area (which in essence warns Hezbollah to get out as well) while Hezbollah has been targeting civilians for over 20 years!
The reason there are so many civilian casualties is because this is the way Hezbollah wants it. They imbed themselves amongst the civilian populations. It is a win/win for them. If Israel refuses to attack civilians they are safe. If Israel goes after them in civilian neighborhoods and civilians die... all the better. They can trumpet to the world, “Look world! Israel is killing innocent civilians!” “And with American made weapons yet!” A compliant BBC reports it exactly that way. To Hezbollah (and one can substitute any Islamist group one wishes, like Hamas) it is just martyrdom for the cause. If civilians die, so be it. It is Allah’s will. If it makes Israel look bad, it’s worth it!
The continuous images shown today on the BBC was of the carnage Israel is inflicting followed by UN officials blaming Israel for it and condemning them in the process... even promising prosecutions against Israeli leaders for war crimes. Never a word about who is really to blame here: Hezbollah! No war crimes trials for them were announced. But they are the ones that are completely responsible for every death, every blown off limb, every killed or maimed child. So much for the Esavs of the world.
Contrast that with what America has done. It is expediting shipments of advanced weaponry such as “bunker busters” so they can get those Nazi/Arab cockroaches hiding 100 feet below in those bunkers. The US knows who the real enemy is. They know who is really to blame for the carnage and they know it is not their ally Israel. And the Secretary of State is there right now making sure Lebanon and Europe knows where it stands, that Israel will be supported until it gets the job done. I just hope it is soon.
God bless the United States of America.
Thank God Esav (in its current incarnation, the European nations) is experiencing negative population growth. Who knows, maybe in a few generations, they will breed themselves out of existence. Good riddance!
This is the European mindset that is Esav. They look at the current hostilities as an equivalency... the famous "cycle of violence" mentality. Sure, Hezbollah attacked Israel, they say. But look at the carnage inflicted by the State terror that is the Israeli military. The proportions of dead in Lebanon are tenfold that of Israel. Nothing about context. Nothing about what the purpose of the new Amalek is: the annihilation of the Jews. Nothing about the reason there are so many civilians casualties in Lebanon. Or the fact that Israel warns civilians to get out of a target area (which in essence warns Hezbollah to get out as well) while Hezbollah has been targeting civilians for over 20 years!
The reason there are so many civilian casualties is because this is the way Hezbollah wants it. They imbed themselves amongst the civilian populations. It is a win/win for them. If Israel refuses to attack civilians they are safe. If Israel goes after them in civilian neighborhoods and civilians die... all the better. They can trumpet to the world, “Look world! Israel is killing innocent civilians!” “And with American made weapons yet!” A compliant BBC reports it exactly that way. To Hezbollah (and one can substitute any Islamist group one wishes, like Hamas) it is just martyrdom for the cause. If civilians die, so be it. It is Allah’s will. If it makes Israel look bad, it’s worth it!
The continuous images shown today on the BBC was of the carnage Israel is inflicting followed by UN officials blaming Israel for it and condemning them in the process... even promising prosecutions against Israeli leaders for war crimes. Never a word about who is really to blame here: Hezbollah! No war crimes trials for them were announced. But they are the ones that are completely responsible for every death, every blown off limb, every killed or maimed child. So much for the Esavs of the world.
Contrast that with what America has done. It is expediting shipments of advanced weaponry such as “bunker busters” so they can get those Nazi/Arab cockroaches hiding 100 feet below in those bunkers. The US knows who the real enemy is. They know who is really to blame for the carnage and they know it is not their ally Israel. And the Secretary of State is there right now making sure Lebanon and Europe knows where it stands, that Israel will be supported until it gets the job done. I just hope it is soon.
God bless the United States of America.
Thank God Esav (in its current incarnation, the European nations) is experiencing negative population growth. Who knows, maybe in a few generations, they will breed themselves out of existence. Good riddance!
HaRav HaGaon…
There is a certain arrogance that pertains to some right wing Roshei yeshiva which is absolutely galling. Yet they retain great prominence in the Yeshiva world and tremendous loyalty from their students. But when to it comes to basic Halacha it is almost embarrassing to see them in action.
Such was the case a few years ago when I attended a wedding where such a Rosh HaYeshiva was the Mesader Kedushin (the officiating rabbi). This was no ordinary Rosh HaYeshiva either, he carried one of the most prominent names in the Torah world and was the son of a true Gadol, one of the last generation’s greatest and most prominent Rosshei Yeshiva… both in Europe and in the US.
He had all the trappings: Long beard, Kapoteh, Yeshivishe black hat, and walked around with a Sefer in his hand the whole time. You could see the respect he commanded from his Talmidim, not the least of which was, of course, the Chasan. There was a palpable sense of awe emanating from the Chasan, his friends and the two fathers …all directed towards him.
So what’s my problem? I’ll tell you. During the Kabalas Panim He was very meticulous in making sure all the Chiuvim (Requirements) were correctly done. One such Chiuv was making absolutely sure that not only the Chasan made a Kinyan Chalipin (symbolic acquisition) on the Kesubah in front of the Eidim (witnesses) so as to be Mischaiv himself (obligate himself) on its terms… he also made absolutely certain that the Eidim made a Kinyan Chalipin, too.!
I’ve seen many a rabbi do this as well but, I just chalked it up to basic ignorance. But, when I saw a Rosh Yeshiva with such a prominent family name do it , I was a bit surprised. I walked up to him afterwards and respectfully asked him exactly what the witnesses were making a Kinyan on? He looked at me a bit sheepishly, his face turning bright orange and turned away to the behated, bearded, Kapoteh wearing Charedi guy standing next to me (I was wearing my Kippah Serugah) as though …he… had asked the question. He then answered the most unresponsive answer one could imagine… something to the effect of, “You know... there are Seforim…” Almost a verbatim response like that! No follow up after the three dots. Just: You know... there are Seforim…”! To a fellow that barely heard me ask the question!
This is nothing short of pure ignorance and pure arrogance. He obviously had incorporated a common mistaken practice in to his “act” and when confronted with it he just feigned that it was somehow legitimate and that he had some sort of phantom source. And I was treated as though I didn’t even exist! So not only was he ignorant and arrogant, but he was insulting! He refused to even acknowledge that he might have made a mistake. This was, remember, not just a Rebbe, not just a Mashgiach, and not just a no name RY of a small Yeshiva but a major name in the Torah world. (I’m not sure how big his own Yeshiva is.) And he commanded that kind of respect.
There is today’s Yeshivishe role model for you. He had dozens of very Charedi looking Bachurim there… all fawning over this man who had absolutely blundered in a very basic Halacha and had no respect what-so-ever for anyone outside of his own community.
And then he had gall to do something Roshei Yeshiva rarely if ever do… speak at the Seudah. He started a harangue about how wonderful the world of Torah is that eschews all the Falchkeit (fakery) of the world including their secular education and by contrast how Emesdic his world was. He praised his Bachurim, especially the Chasan who exemplified that Hashkafa and was going to continue learning full time for as long as he could.
Now I will grant that this is but one individual case. But I will not grant that it is the only one in existence. But even if he is the only ignorant and arrogant Rosh Yeshiva with such disadian for people outside of his circle in the world, he is getting away with it. And educating students along these lines year after year… all of them integrating themselves into other Yeshivas and communities, all of them teaching their own children such Midos Ra’os such as the near hatred of Frum Jews who aren’t Right wing enough… and God knows what else.
Have I seen arrogant and ignorant Modern Orthodox leaders? Sure. Plenty. But it is the right wing that constantly sets themselves apart as the true standard bearers of the Torah. They say that they are the real wave of the future.
And you know what? They may be right. And I am terrified of that prospect.
Such was the case a few years ago when I attended a wedding where such a Rosh HaYeshiva was the Mesader Kedushin (the officiating rabbi). This was no ordinary Rosh HaYeshiva either, he carried one of the most prominent names in the Torah world and was the son of a true Gadol, one of the last generation’s greatest and most prominent Rosshei Yeshiva… both in Europe and in the US.
He had all the trappings: Long beard, Kapoteh, Yeshivishe black hat, and walked around with a Sefer in his hand the whole time. You could see the respect he commanded from his Talmidim, not the least of which was, of course, the Chasan. There was a palpable sense of awe emanating from the Chasan, his friends and the two fathers …all directed towards him.
So what’s my problem? I’ll tell you. During the Kabalas Panim He was very meticulous in making sure all the Chiuvim (Requirements) were correctly done. One such Chiuv was making absolutely sure that not only the Chasan made a Kinyan Chalipin (symbolic acquisition) on the Kesubah in front of the Eidim (witnesses) so as to be Mischaiv himself (obligate himself) on its terms… he also made absolutely certain that the Eidim made a Kinyan Chalipin, too.!
I’ve seen many a rabbi do this as well but, I just chalked it up to basic ignorance. But, when I saw a Rosh Yeshiva with such a prominent family name do it , I was a bit surprised. I walked up to him afterwards and respectfully asked him exactly what the witnesses were making a Kinyan on? He looked at me a bit sheepishly, his face turning bright orange and turned away to the behated, bearded, Kapoteh wearing Charedi guy standing next to me (I was wearing my Kippah Serugah) as though …he… had asked the question. He then answered the most unresponsive answer one could imagine… something to the effect of, “You know... there are Seforim…” Almost a verbatim response like that! No follow up after the three dots. Just: You know... there are Seforim…”! To a fellow that barely heard me ask the question!
This is nothing short of pure ignorance and pure arrogance. He obviously had incorporated a common mistaken practice in to his “act” and when confronted with it he just feigned that it was somehow legitimate and that he had some sort of phantom source. And I was treated as though I didn’t even exist! So not only was he ignorant and arrogant, but he was insulting! He refused to even acknowledge that he might have made a mistake. This was, remember, not just a Rebbe, not just a Mashgiach, and not just a no name RY of a small Yeshiva but a major name in the Torah world. (I’m not sure how big his own Yeshiva is.) And he commanded that kind of respect.
There is today’s Yeshivishe role model for you. He had dozens of very Charedi looking Bachurim there… all fawning over this man who had absolutely blundered in a very basic Halacha and had no respect what-so-ever for anyone outside of his own community.
And then he had gall to do something Roshei Yeshiva rarely if ever do… speak at the Seudah. He started a harangue about how wonderful the world of Torah is that eschews all the Falchkeit (fakery) of the world including their secular education and by contrast how Emesdic his world was. He praised his Bachurim, especially the Chasan who exemplified that Hashkafa and was going to continue learning full time for as long as he could.
Now I will grant that this is but one individual case. But I will not grant that it is the only one in existence. But even if he is the only ignorant and arrogant Rosh Yeshiva with such disadian for people outside of his circle in the world, he is getting away with it. And educating students along these lines year after year… all of them integrating themselves into other Yeshivas and communities, all of them teaching their own children such Midos Ra’os such as the near hatred of Frum Jews who aren’t Right wing enough… and God knows what else.
Have I seen arrogant and ignorant Modern Orthodox leaders? Sure. Plenty. But it is the right wing that constantly sets themselves apart as the true standard bearers of the Torah. They say that they are the real wave of the future.
And you know what? They may be right. And I am terrified of that prospect.
Sunday, July 23, 2006
The Price of a Ben Torah
I just spent a very nice Shabbos with a Menahel of a day school somewhere in America, and with his younger children. He told me that he is a bit worried about his son who is 24 years old and looking for a Shiddach. He said that his son is a bit too picky …and is looking for support.
Well, the Menahel does not know my views on this subject and I wasn’t about to spoil his Shabbos by telling him. So I just gave him a nod of assurance and told him that his son surely will find a great Shiddach and that he would shep much Nachas from them.
But the truth is that he hit one of my hot button issues: the idea that finding a proper Shiddach seems to increasingly involve money. It is no longer about finding an Ezer K’Negdo… a woman (or should I say lady) that will be a good mother to his children, and a companion for life. No… those aren’t the most important factors anymore. Nor is the age old advice of seeking a Bas Talmid Chacahm. …or finding a true Baalas Chesed or Baalas Midos. Nope. It’s all about the money. “How much am I gonna get for marrying your daughter?”
This is what’s going on in the Yeshiva world today. Make no mistake about it. If you are a member of the RW or Charedi Torah world and you have a young daughter, sart saving your pennies… your number one concern is how much money canyou pay regularly to your future son-in-law… and for how long.
I am hearing about such Shidach demands more and more. Well, what about those who have bought into the ideal of learning full time, barely making ends meet on a meager Kollel income and what ever the wife can earn (after paying for childcare needs)? Such Bnei Torah have been taught and touted as the cream of the Torah world… reaching the epitome of what God wants of us to. They have sacrificed a more materially improved way of life and lived modestly for twenty years and now have marriageable young ladies in the Parsha.
The fact is they too will have their potential Shiduchim making financial demands of their future father in laws. And that’s why Lakewood has relaxed its residency requirements for Lakewood students before they can date if they date a Lakewood girl. A few years ago Lakewood instituted a policy that any one coming to Lakewood cannot date for at least a year (if I recall correctly). This was done to discourage Bnei Torah from setting up residency in Lakewood for purposes having Lakewood credentials… an important factor amongst young Charedi women (or should I say ladies) looking for Shiduchim. But if one is willing to date a Lakewood girl the restrictions are removed and he can date her immediately. What a double standard! Live this lifestyle but your daughters? … well Nebech. Well try and help them but….
I know all the arguments. I’ve written about this before. But this problem only seems to be getting worse. This mindset is becoming more and more entrenched. It can’t bode well for the future, if money… is number one.
Well, the Menahel does not know my views on this subject and I wasn’t about to spoil his Shabbos by telling him. So I just gave him a nod of assurance and told him that his son surely will find a great Shiddach and that he would shep much Nachas from them.
But the truth is that he hit one of my hot button issues: the idea that finding a proper Shiddach seems to increasingly involve money. It is no longer about finding an Ezer K’Negdo… a woman (or should I say lady) that will be a good mother to his children, and a companion for life. No… those aren’t the most important factors anymore. Nor is the age old advice of seeking a Bas Talmid Chacahm. …or finding a true Baalas Chesed or Baalas Midos. Nope. It’s all about the money. “How much am I gonna get for marrying your daughter?”
This is what’s going on in the Yeshiva world today. Make no mistake about it. If you are a member of the RW or Charedi Torah world and you have a young daughter, sart saving your pennies… your number one concern is how much money canyou pay regularly to your future son-in-law… and for how long.
I am hearing about such Shidach demands more and more. Well, what about those who have bought into the ideal of learning full time, barely making ends meet on a meager Kollel income and what ever the wife can earn (after paying for childcare needs)? Such Bnei Torah have been taught and touted as the cream of the Torah world… reaching the epitome of what God wants of us to. They have sacrificed a more materially improved way of life and lived modestly for twenty years and now have marriageable young ladies in the Parsha.
The fact is they too will have their potential Shiduchim making financial demands of their future father in laws. And that’s why Lakewood has relaxed its residency requirements for Lakewood students before they can date if they date a Lakewood girl. A few years ago Lakewood instituted a policy that any one coming to Lakewood cannot date for at least a year (if I recall correctly). This was done to discourage Bnei Torah from setting up residency in Lakewood for purposes having Lakewood credentials… an important factor amongst young Charedi women (or should I say ladies) looking for Shiduchim. But if one is willing to date a Lakewood girl the restrictions are removed and he can date her immediately. What a double standard! Live this lifestyle but your daughters? … well Nebech. Well try and help them but….
I know all the arguments. I’ve written about this before. But this problem only seems to be getting worse. This mindset is becoming more and more entrenched. It can’t bode well for the future, if money… is number one.
Friday, July 21, 2006
Ladies and Gentleman
In yet another Areivim thread (I love Areivim) there is a discussion about the propriety of calling women (non family members) by their first names.
I found it interesting that a poster there claimed that many feminists strongly dislike the idea of women being called by their first names especially when it comes to work relationships. Though it is a step up from "honey" or "sweetheart" using the more formal Mrs. or Miss or Ms. plus the last name (e.g. Mrs. Smith) is the more preferred way of being addressed.
I’m not quite sure how true that is but it is true that this approach to addressing women is brought down in Seforim. Although I do not believe it is brought down as Halacha L’Maasah, those Seforim say that it is a too familiar way to interact with them which can lead to... let's say mixed dancing.
I know people who practice this habit. They are people whom I greatly admire and respect. And I can understand the Chumra. It is one more “fence” in protecting ourselves from Issurei Erva. But in my case, I find it truly odd considering the culture we find ourselves in. In our day, calling a woman by her first name is hardly an enticement. Our less formal culture certainly wouldn't consider the friendly gesture of calling an individual by their first name as means of expressing an unwanted sexual reference. In no way is does it indicate that your Libah is Gas Bah. (i.e. that you have a sexual attraction to her). It is just common parlance.
My own practice is to call people… men and women… by their formal names until I become friends with them. Once we are close friends it doesn't make any sense to call a couple by anything other than their first names. For example take my friends the Feders. I can't call my close friend Larry by his first name and turn around and call his wife, Elizabeth, Mrs. Feder. It would be awkward beyond words, in our culture… in this day and age.
One of my pet peeves is the current trend amongst some of the more Charedi Klei Kodesh to use the word "lady" or "ladies" instead of "woman" or "women". Frankly when I hear it I cringe. I have been told that the reason for this new practice is that the word “lady” is a more refined way of referring to a woman… and that the word woman is just plain course with possible sexual or degrading overtones. I never thought of those words in that way until I was told this.
This, it seems to me is a prime example of the “Chumra of the month club” mentality. And it is quite a ridiculous approach. Is a “woman of valor” lowlier than a “lady of the evening”? Isn’t context important? Is it more dignified to say something like: “ladies of valor” instead of “women of valor”? There is an appropriate time to use the word woman and an appropriate time to use the word lady, just like there is an appropriate time to use the word “man” and an appropriate time to use the word “gentleman”. Sometimes there is overlap. But all too often I hear what I consider to be a mangling of the English language by an overly PC emphasis on terminology. Are there really any women out there who object to being called a woman? ...and who would prefer being called a lady no matter how awkward it sounds? I hope not.
I found it interesting that a poster there claimed that many feminists strongly dislike the idea of women being called by their first names especially when it comes to work relationships. Though it is a step up from "honey" or "sweetheart" using the more formal Mrs. or Miss or Ms. plus the last name (e.g. Mrs. Smith) is the more preferred way of being addressed.
I’m not quite sure how true that is but it is true that this approach to addressing women is brought down in Seforim. Although I do not believe it is brought down as Halacha L’Maasah, those Seforim say that it is a too familiar way to interact with them which can lead to... let's say mixed dancing.
I know people who practice this habit. They are people whom I greatly admire and respect. And I can understand the Chumra. It is one more “fence” in protecting ourselves from Issurei Erva. But in my case, I find it truly odd considering the culture we find ourselves in. In our day, calling a woman by her first name is hardly an enticement. Our less formal culture certainly wouldn't consider the friendly gesture of calling an individual by their first name as means of expressing an unwanted sexual reference. In no way is does it indicate that your Libah is Gas Bah. (i.e. that you have a sexual attraction to her). It is just common parlance.
My own practice is to call people… men and women… by their formal names until I become friends with them. Once we are close friends it doesn't make any sense to call a couple by anything other than their first names. For example take my friends the Feders. I can't call my close friend Larry by his first name and turn around and call his wife, Elizabeth, Mrs. Feder. It would be awkward beyond words, in our culture… in this day and age.
One of my pet peeves is the current trend amongst some of the more Charedi Klei Kodesh to use the word "lady" or "ladies" instead of "woman" or "women". Frankly when I hear it I cringe. I have been told that the reason for this new practice is that the word “lady” is a more refined way of referring to a woman… and that the word woman is just plain course with possible sexual or degrading overtones. I never thought of those words in that way until I was told this.
This, it seems to me is a prime example of the “Chumra of the month club” mentality. And it is quite a ridiculous approach. Is a “woman of valor” lowlier than a “lady of the evening”? Isn’t context important? Is it more dignified to say something like: “ladies of valor” instead of “women of valor”? There is an appropriate time to use the word woman and an appropriate time to use the word lady, just like there is an appropriate time to use the word “man” and an appropriate time to use the word “gentleman”. Sometimes there is overlap. But all too often I hear what I consider to be a mangling of the English language by an overly PC emphasis on terminology. Are there really any women out there who object to being called a woman? ...and who would prefer being called a lady no matter how awkward it sounds? I hope not.
Thursday, July 20, 2006
Chazal
During a discussion on Areivim a poster reminded me of a Gemarah I had come across. Chazal believed that the sex of a baby was determined by whether the man or the woman is Mazria first.
I remember that Gemarah quite well. It is yet another instance, one of many I’ve come across that leads me to conclude that Chazal could have been easily, through no fault of their own, mistaken in matters of science. They were limited by the extent of scientific knowledge of their day. Of course as practitioners of the most correct form of Judaism they were quite knowledgeable in matters of Mada. At least as much as their secular counterparts were.
Apparently this was the best knowledge of that era about how the human reproductive system works. Of course now we know that there is no such thing as a woman being Mazria. To be fair, Chazal probably knew that women do not produce seed. They probably used Mazria as a euphemism for ovulation. But the mistake is clear. Chazal believed that there was some kind of relationship between how one’s sex is determined and who “seeded” first. If a woman produced an ova first, then it is one sex. If the male produced the sperm first, then it the other.
There is absolutely no scientific basis for this. We now know how sex is determined. It is the x and y chromosomes. Nothing to do with what comes first, ova or sperm. It is an entirely random (or if you prefer, God ordained) process.
That Chazal attributed this to a mistaken understanding of natural phenomena, does not lessen their authority or greatness. Their redaction of Torah She Bal Peh is not in question. Though there are much Machlokes about exactly what that Mesorah actually was (e.g. Beis Hillel-Beis Shamai, Rava-Abaye, Rav-Shmuel) there is no dispute that the Halacha as we practice it is considered a binding and sacred transmission through the Gemarah, of Torah and Rabbinic law. Even the Conservative Movement acknowledges that.
One of the more famous instances of Chazal’s scientific mistakes is all of the Refuos… elixirs and treatments of disease. Blood letting was considered by Chazal to be so effective, that one could be Mechalel Shabbos for it. They believed it saved lives. And that is what the medical community believed well into the 19th century. Again... a mistake. We now know that bloodletting does nothing but weaken, not strengthen a seriously ill person.
One of the more troubling aspects of the ban on Rabbi Nosson Slifkin’s books is not the one most frequently spoken of… the age of the universe. It is his claim, backed up by Rishonim, that Chazal could have been wrong in matters of science. In fact, if I remember correctly they objected to that even more. But there is really no getting around the obvious questions. How can so many obvious mistakes be explained? Maybe one can squeeze out an answer here and there. …but maintaining Chazal’s every single pronouncement on matters of science is accurate science? I don’t know about that.
At this point, I will confess that I part company with my own Rebbi on this issue. He held that Chazal were completely infallible. And he went to great lengths trying to explain difficult Gemmros, like explaining that Mazikin are really bacteria …all to support the position that if it was brought down in the Gemarah then it’s true… or was true. I do not agree. One can explain some Gemaros that way but not al of them. I can’t personally accept that as a legitimate explantion. For me, it would entail a massive amount of intellectual dishonesty.
The explanation often put forth is Nishtaneh HaTevah, that nature has changed. …that during Chazal’s time those Refuos actually worked and that descriptions of how the natural universe worked were accurate only that for some of them nature has changed our own time.
But blood-letting? Isn’t it more reasonable to assume that since blood-letting was a legitimate medical treatment almost up to our own time it was simply mistakenly considered to be an effective medical treatment? …that it is not… a “change in nature? …that it was a simply a mistaken but widely accepted medical practice for centuries? I certainly think so.
I remember that Gemarah quite well. It is yet another instance, one of many I’ve come across that leads me to conclude that Chazal could have been easily, through no fault of their own, mistaken in matters of science. They were limited by the extent of scientific knowledge of their day. Of course as practitioners of the most correct form of Judaism they were quite knowledgeable in matters of Mada. At least as much as their secular counterparts were.
Apparently this was the best knowledge of that era about how the human reproductive system works. Of course now we know that there is no such thing as a woman being Mazria. To be fair, Chazal probably knew that women do not produce seed. They probably used Mazria as a euphemism for ovulation. But the mistake is clear. Chazal believed that there was some kind of relationship between how one’s sex is determined and who “seeded” first. If a woman produced an ova first, then it is one sex. If the male produced the sperm first, then it the other.
There is absolutely no scientific basis for this. We now know how sex is determined. It is the x and y chromosomes. Nothing to do with what comes first, ova or sperm. It is an entirely random (or if you prefer, God ordained) process.
That Chazal attributed this to a mistaken understanding of natural phenomena, does not lessen their authority or greatness. Their redaction of Torah She Bal Peh is not in question. Though there are much Machlokes about exactly what that Mesorah actually was (e.g. Beis Hillel-Beis Shamai, Rava-Abaye, Rav-Shmuel) there is no dispute that the Halacha as we practice it is considered a binding and sacred transmission through the Gemarah, of Torah and Rabbinic law. Even the Conservative Movement acknowledges that.
One of the more famous instances of Chazal’s scientific mistakes is all of the Refuos… elixirs and treatments of disease. Blood letting was considered by Chazal to be so effective, that one could be Mechalel Shabbos for it. They believed it saved lives. And that is what the medical community believed well into the 19th century. Again... a mistake. We now know that bloodletting does nothing but weaken, not strengthen a seriously ill person.
One of the more troubling aspects of the ban on Rabbi Nosson Slifkin’s books is not the one most frequently spoken of… the age of the universe. It is his claim, backed up by Rishonim, that Chazal could have been wrong in matters of science. In fact, if I remember correctly they objected to that even more. But there is really no getting around the obvious questions. How can so many obvious mistakes be explained? Maybe one can squeeze out an answer here and there. …but maintaining Chazal’s every single pronouncement on matters of science is accurate science? I don’t know about that.
At this point, I will confess that I part company with my own Rebbi on this issue. He held that Chazal were completely infallible. And he went to great lengths trying to explain difficult Gemmros, like explaining that Mazikin are really bacteria …all to support the position that if it was brought down in the Gemarah then it’s true… or was true. I do not agree. One can explain some Gemaros that way but not al of them. I can’t personally accept that as a legitimate explantion. For me, it would entail a massive amount of intellectual dishonesty.
The explanation often put forth is Nishtaneh HaTevah, that nature has changed. …that during Chazal’s time those Refuos actually worked and that descriptions of how the natural universe worked were accurate only that for some of them nature has changed our own time.
But blood-letting? Isn’t it more reasonable to assume that since blood-letting was a legitimate medical treatment almost up to our own time it was simply mistakenly considered to be an effective medical treatment? …that it is not… a “change in nature? …that it was a simply a mistaken but widely accepted medical practice for centuries? I certainly think so.
Wednesday, July 19, 2006
A Shining City Upon a Hill
As Ronald Reagan emphasized, America is a shining city upon a hill whose beacon light guides freedom-loving people everywhere.
This is yet another one of those days when I am proud to be an American. As Israel continues to fight for its very existence, the US Senate has unanimously passed (by voice vote) a resolution that asserts Israel’s right to self defense. In the resolution Hezbollah and Hamas were condemned as were their state sponsors, Syria and Iran.
This is the wonderful thing about the US. They know the difference between right and wrong. They know who is at fault here. And this is true across the entire political spectrum. But no one sees this in clearer terms than former house speaker, Newt Gingrich. He clearly understands what Radical Islam wants. And their willingness to do what ever it takes to get there. He too has called upon Israel to continue fighting until there is complete victory.
And of course the President deserves a lot of credit for his unwavering support as well. He has resisted all attempts by other world leaders to call for a cease fire. He knows that there is a job to do here. And Israel is doing it. And it’s about time.
The war on terror is really a war on radical Islam. And the good guys (the US) are finally realizing it. It is no longer sufficient to point to terrorists. It is an ideology that is being fought. This was made clear to most Amaricans in the US on 9/11. But I was beginning to wonder about this lately as more and more leftist congress people started calling for a withdrawal from Iraq. The Cindy Sheehans and John Murthas of the world were starting to get traction. Don’t they realize that such a withdrawal gives a victory to radical Islam?! It is after all the radical Islamists who are blowing themselves up as suicide bombing martyrs for Allah. The suicide bombers in Iraq are the same people who blow themselves up on busses and restaurants in Israel. Islamic Jihad, Hamas, Al Qaida, Hezbollah… it’s all the same thing: radical Islam!
To be honest, I always felt that Israel should have been on the front with the US in Iraq. But the US did not want the Iraq war to be perceived as an Israeli invention. By leaving Israel out of it, the US probably felt that they can claim this war has nothing to do with Israel. I understand that.
But it has become painfully obvious that the US cannot do it alone. With Iraq on one front, Afghanistan on another… and Iran threatening the world with nuclear weapons there was just too many places for US military forces to be.
So in essence Hezbollah and Hamas did the US a favor by forcing Israel to go to war with them. Israel can join the fray and fight Radical Islam on it’s own front… in Lebanon and in Gaza. And with the US cheering them on until the job is done.
Aside from Israel ridding itself of an implacable enemy, by destroying Hezbaollah and Hamas, Israel will have 2 major players in the world of terror eliminated. And this victory will not be lost on Iran and Syria either. This will be a major victory in the war on terror.
Israel and the US are on the same side in this war fighting exactly the same enemy. May God protect our soldiers both Israeli and American (in Iraq) and bring them home safely.
This is yet another one of those days when I am proud to be an American. As Israel continues to fight for its very existence, the US Senate has unanimously passed (by voice vote) a resolution that asserts Israel’s right to self defense. In the resolution Hezbollah and Hamas were condemned as were their state sponsors, Syria and Iran.
This is the wonderful thing about the US. They know the difference between right and wrong. They know who is at fault here. And this is true across the entire political spectrum. But no one sees this in clearer terms than former house speaker, Newt Gingrich. He clearly understands what Radical Islam wants. And their willingness to do what ever it takes to get there. He too has called upon Israel to continue fighting until there is complete victory.
And of course the President deserves a lot of credit for his unwavering support as well. He has resisted all attempts by other world leaders to call for a cease fire. He knows that there is a job to do here. And Israel is doing it. And it’s about time.
The war on terror is really a war on radical Islam. And the good guys (the US) are finally realizing it. It is no longer sufficient to point to terrorists. It is an ideology that is being fought. This was made clear to most Amaricans in the US on 9/11. But I was beginning to wonder about this lately as more and more leftist congress people started calling for a withdrawal from Iraq. The Cindy Sheehans and John Murthas of the world were starting to get traction. Don’t they realize that such a withdrawal gives a victory to radical Islam?! It is after all the radical Islamists who are blowing themselves up as suicide bombing martyrs for Allah. The suicide bombers in Iraq are the same people who blow themselves up on busses and restaurants in Israel. Islamic Jihad, Hamas, Al Qaida, Hezbollah… it’s all the same thing: radical Islam!
To be honest, I always felt that Israel should have been on the front with the US in Iraq. But the US did not want the Iraq war to be perceived as an Israeli invention. By leaving Israel out of it, the US probably felt that they can claim this war has nothing to do with Israel. I understand that.
But it has become painfully obvious that the US cannot do it alone. With Iraq on one front, Afghanistan on another… and Iran threatening the world with nuclear weapons there was just too many places for US military forces to be.
So in essence Hezbollah and Hamas did the US a favor by forcing Israel to go to war with them. Israel can join the fray and fight Radical Islam on it’s own front… in Lebanon and in Gaza. And with the US cheering them on until the job is done.
Aside from Israel ridding itself of an implacable enemy, by destroying Hezbaollah and Hamas, Israel will have 2 major players in the world of terror eliminated. And this victory will not be lost on Iran and Syria either. This will be a major victory in the war on terror.
Israel and the US are on the same side in this war fighting exactly the same enemy. May God protect our soldiers both Israeli and American (in Iraq) and bring them home safely.
Tuesday, July 18, 2006
Raising Small Souls
There has been an interesting ad floating around the Internet for a few weeks now. I highly recommend it. It very effectively demonstrates the principle of Chanoch L’Naar Al Pi Darko. For those who haven’t seen it yet, it is located here .
I happen to believe that one of the major problems with Jewish education today is the lack of applying or even understanding this principle. And it isn’t only about student being pressured into conformity. That of course is a major issue leading to many of the problems we have today with people staying too long in learning, and not properly preparing themselves for a Parnassa. But it is also in many ways responsible for the Kids at Risk phenomenon.
Lack of appreciation of the principle of Chanoch L’Naar Al Pi Darko is problem that cuts across all Hashkafic lines. In the world of the right, it manifests itself in the form of extreme pressure, from Mechancnchim, parents, and peers to follow the path of Torah learning only. Much of the thinking behind this is the Desslarian view that we need Gedolim, and we need to put all of our eggs in this basket in order to produce those Gedolim. And even though the rest of the student body gets sacrificed, that’s the price of producing Gedloim!
As I have said in the past, this is a premise with which I completely disagree and have said so many times. Suffice it to say that Gedolim are not produced through insisting on the conformity of learning Torah only in the Beis HaMedrash. Gedolim are unique individuals who if raised properly and allowed to follow their natural inclinations, will become Gedolim on their own without the need to sacrifice others.
Let’s examine what we mean when we say sacrificing others. These are the various levels of bright individuals who are encouraged to stay in learning and abandon all other ambition. This produces a class of young men that never quite make it in learning, although they are very bright and do have a certain level of achievement. Yet, they were not Mechanech al Pi Darkom. They did not follow their natural ambitions which were forced to be sublimated into learning full time.
It is my contention that many of these people end up frustrated later in life when they realize they will not rise to the great levels they were encouraged to pursue and are left with a sort of burnt out feeling, unable to go back and pursue goals abandoned early in their learning years.
And the other big problem is the fact that there are young people whose inability to measure up in learning with their peers is discovered early on, and are never the less encouraged to just continue “applying themselves” convincing them that they will reach that learning achievement. Most of the time, that doesn’t work of and these young people start tuning out at a very early age only to become dropouts from school ...and even Torah Judaism.
These are the young people that truly need to be Mechunach Al Pi Darkom. Not every person is a genius in Talmud Torah, the sciences, or math. But they may have great artistic genius. A great artist may not be a great rational thinker he may not “get” math or physics... or Gemarah. But his talent lies in producing great art. But that is either ignored or put down entirely as Bitul Torah. To me this is criminal. To force young people into the conformist modes of either Talmud Torah in Charedi schools or academic modes in much of the Modern Orthodox schools is damaging to the very fiber of our people.
We need to understand the meaning and importance of Chanoch L’Naar Al Pi Darko. And no where is thisa bigger problem than in the Charedi world in Israel. There are absolute conformist standards there. In the Charedi school system individualism is a non starter. All Charedi children are enrolled in schools that push only Talmud Torah and completely ignore everything else after 8th grade. There is no possibility for the artistic child to flourish. He will be forced into the straight jacket (for him) of Talmud Torah only to be completely frustrated.
And what about all the young married Avreichim who have gone through this system and have been snookered into learning for as long as possible in a Kollel? What happens to them when they burn out? Where do they go? There is virtually no possibility that their original interests will be re-kindled. Those interests have been so effectively purged from their psyches that they wouldn’t know it if it hit them in the face. And at age thirty five or forty, married, with a large family and in desperate need of a job... who is going to go back to school and pursue a career even if they knew what kind they wanted? It is a rare breed of individual who can do something like this. More often than not, such people will leave Kollel and find some menial low paying job and be very depressed by his condition
Everyone agrees with the principle of Chanoch L’Naar Al Pi Darko. But it many cases it is mere lip-service. It is time for parents to arise and do what’s best for their children and find schools that practice it, rather than only preach it.
I happen to believe that one of the major problems with Jewish education today is the lack of applying or even understanding this principle. And it isn’t only about student being pressured into conformity. That of course is a major issue leading to many of the problems we have today with people staying too long in learning, and not properly preparing themselves for a Parnassa. But it is also in many ways responsible for the Kids at Risk phenomenon.
Lack of appreciation of the principle of Chanoch L’Naar Al Pi Darko is problem that cuts across all Hashkafic lines. In the world of the right, it manifests itself in the form of extreme pressure, from Mechancnchim, parents, and peers to follow the path of Torah learning only. Much of the thinking behind this is the Desslarian view that we need Gedolim, and we need to put all of our eggs in this basket in order to produce those Gedolim. And even though the rest of the student body gets sacrificed, that’s the price of producing Gedloim!
As I have said in the past, this is a premise with which I completely disagree and have said so many times. Suffice it to say that Gedolim are not produced through insisting on the conformity of learning Torah only in the Beis HaMedrash. Gedolim are unique individuals who if raised properly and allowed to follow their natural inclinations, will become Gedolim on their own without the need to sacrifice others.
Let’s examine what we mean when we say sacrificing others. These are the various levels of bright individuals who are encouraged to stay in learning and abandon all other ambition. This produces a class of young men that never quite make it in learning, although they are very bright and do have a certain level of achievement. Yet, they were not Mechanech al Pi Darkom. They did not follow their natural ambitions which were forced to be sublimated into learning full time.
It is my contention that many of these people end up frustrated later in life when they realize they will not rise to the great levels they were encouraged to pursue and are left with a sort of burnt out feeling, unable to go back and pursue goals abandoned early in their learning years.
And the other big problem is the fact that there are young people whose inability to measure up in learning with their peers is discovered early on, and are never the less encouraged to just continue “applying themselves” convincing them that they will reach that learning achievement. Most of the time, that doesn’t work of and these young people start tuning out at a very early age only to become dropouts from school ...and even Torah Judaism.
These are the young people that truly need to be Mechunach Al Pi Darkom. Not every person is a genius in Talmud Torah, the sciences, or math. But they may have great artistic genius. A great artist may not be a great rational thinker he may not “get” math or physics... or Gemarah. But his talent lies in producing great art. But that is either ignored or put down entirely as Bitul Torah. To me this is criminal. To force young people into the conformist modes of either Talmud Torah in Charedi schools or academic modes in much of the Modern Orthodox schools is damaging to the very fiber of our people.
We need to understand the meaning and importance of Chanoch L’Naar Al Pi Darko. And no where is thisa bigger problem than in the Charedi world in Israel. There are absolute conformist standards there. In the Charedi school system individualism is a non starter. All Charedi children are enrolled in schools that push only Talmud Torah and completely ignore everything else after 8th grade. There is no possibility for the artistic child to flourish. He will be forced into the straight jacket (for him) of Talmud Torah only to be completely frustrated.
And what about all the young married Avreichim who have gone through this system and have been snookered into learning for as long as possible in a Kollel? What happens to them when they burn out? Where do they go? There is virtually no possibility that their original interests will be re-kindled. Those interests have been so effectively purged from their psyches that they wouldn’t know it if it hit them in the face. And at age thirty five or forty, married, with a large family and in desperate need of a job... who is going to go back to school and pursue a career even if they knew what kind they wanted? It is a rare breed of individual who can do something like this. More often than not, such people will leave Kollel and find some menial low paying job and be very depressed by his condition
Everyone agrees with the principle of Chanoch L’Naar Al Pi Darko. But it many cases it is mere lip-service. It is time for parents to arise and do what’s best for their children and find schools that practice it, rather than only preach it.
Monday, July 17, 2006
The Emergence, Role and Closing of Edah
An Analysis of Rabbi Berman's article
The following is a guest post from Steve Brizel. It is lengthy analysis of Rabbi Berman’s article with respect to the Modern Orthodox organization Edah. While I tend to agree with the general thrust of this analysis, these are Steve’s words and not mine. It should be read in that context. I would also add that even though I disagree with Rabbi Berman on many issues I have nothing but the highest regard for him as a sincere and honorable man with strongly held beliefs who acts on them.... It is with this in mind, that I now present Steve’s critique.
Guest Post
As a matter of introduction, this article should be compared with an article authored by R Berman in the February 2001 issue of Shma. There is a great deal of similarity between the two articles. In fact, one can posit that the February 2001 article was written around the time of Edah's Second International Conference on or before February 19, 2001 while the Jewish Press article marked the closing of Edah and the absorption of some of Edah's functions and personnel, including R Berman, by Yeshivat Chovevei Torah.Yet, there is much similarity between both articles that is apparent upon a careful reading. That being the case, I think that one can pose a series of comments, critiques and observations with respect to this article that should lead to discussion, but not rancor within our communities.
1) Rabbi Berman views Rabbis Yaakov Ettlinger, Samson Raphael Hirsch, Seligman Baer Bamberger and Azriel Hildesheimer Zicronam Livracha in one hashkafic or ideological camp. Yet, despite many similarities, R Hirsch advocated separation from the secular and Reform driven German Jewish communities, as opposed to Rabbis Bamberger and Hildesheimer. That view can be fairly stated to be the ideological basis of the contemporary Charedi world. Rabbi Ettlinger's view of the nonobservant Jew as a Tinok shenisba was viewed with favor by none less than the Chazon Ish. One can also posit numerous differences among these Gdolim as to Torah study and many other issues.
2) It is true that some Talmidie Chachamim studied medicine, science,literature and history because they wished to "know God." Yet, many Talmidie Chachamim who never studied these sciences were fascinated by the interplay of Halacha and science.The Chazon Ish , R Moshe Feinstein and R Shlomoh Zalman Auerbach, Zicronam Livracha are three examples among many in this regard. One cannot claim that one approach is necessarily superior or capable of producing Torah observant and ethical Jews.
3) More fundamentally, R Berman conflates the role of secular knowledge per se. One sees no appreciation of the fact that medicine, science, literature of history, while helpful and informative, simply are not a Cheftza Shel Torah. Simply stated, there is no requirement to engage in any halachic act of any consequence when a secular book is dropped or burned for any reason whatsoever. Although R Berman recognizes that popular culture today is not the culture of the 1950s, one sees an overly sanguine view of the same and no recognition of the ideological and cultural dangers of the typical American college campus.
4) Neither in the Shma or Jewish Press articles do we see any discussion of either Kiruv or Chizuk as epitomized by such important institutions and group such as NCSY, NJOP or the many Charedi Kiruv groups. Instead, the Shma article stated that we should maximize cooperation with heterodox movements. In the Shma article, R Berman defined outreach as aiding non affiliated Jews to become the best possible Jews that they can be at that point in time with respect for the autonomy of the other and without demeaning the possible choice of affiliation with non Orthodox movements.It is not a strained interpretation of this point to argue that R Berman viewed pluralism as more important than kiruv or chizuk. More critically, the notion of granting any spiritual legitimacy to a heterodox movement is essentially saying "I'm Jewish, you are Jewish and our hashkafic and halachic differences are irrelevant." One can certainly question the intellectual honesty and almost inherent low level of Modern Orthodox communal self-esteem in such an approach, especially as the differences between the heterodox movements are steadily evolving towards a loose ideology of contemporary liberalism, very low maintenance educational and membership requirements and a few Hebrew phrases or rituals that impose no sense of obligation but rather are "feel good" in nature. One can ask what is the halachic or hashkafic basis or Mesorah for such a radical point of view and why R Berman essentially repudiated the importance of kiruv and chizuk. .
5) Chumros are not a contemporary invention. The Talmud has many area of halacha where chumros are part and parcel of many halachos on a Torah and rabbinic level. The notion of safek doraissa lchumra and the tendency to pasken lchumra in many other areas is one instance of many where the Talmud and all subsequent decisors of halacha must rule lchumra, in the absence of an exigent circumstance. We also know that there are many Chumros that affect Halacha Lmaaseh that are of Talmudic antiquity. A short list would be eating a kzayis, blowing all shofar sounds and the seven clean days. The Talmud has many other chumros that Chazal imposed in many areas of halacha because the uneducated could not differentiate between the permitted and prohibited. Similarly, the notion of fulfilling all possible opinions has many Talmudic antecedents as well. Talmud Torah requires a Jew and especially a Talmid Chacham to master and sweat the details-the ins and outs, the machmir, meikill, lchatchilah, shas hadhachak, patur, chayav, tame and tahor-which are the lifeblood of halacha prior to being able to expound on the Jewish view on any subject. ( For more on this subject, see Nefesh HaChaim , Shaar Daled and Emunah UBitachon). The notion that psak must focus on "spiritual transformation" is in my opinion a concept that is almost antinomian and which begs for content and meaning. One can legitimately ask whether it includes allowing a kohen to marry a convert or another application of situational ethics , ecumenical dialogue on interfaith issues and celebrating a Chag HaSemicha with representatives and heads of heterodox institutions.
5) R Berman in both articles views Talmidie Chachamim as highly trained functionaries whose responsibility is to teach Torah and render Halachic descisions. In other words, R Berman views Emunas Chachamim as limited to these roles. However, this truncated role and the elevation of "autonomous decision making" cannot be reconciled with the view that Talmidie Chachamin and Gdolim, in particular, have the right and duty to express their view on all issues affecting the spiritual and physical welfare of Klal Yisrael . More critically, one can legitimately ask- what would be R Berman's outer limits of autonomy?
6) R Berman's views on the leadership of Modern Orthodoxy's flagship institutions, ( i.e.YU, the RCA and OU) struck me as remarkable. In the first instance, YU has never been lead by Charedi or Charedi sympathetic leadership.In fact, the prospect of that event ever happening is nonexistent. Some of the executives of the OU may have been Charedi yeshiva graduates, but they always viewed the OU's goals as paramount. The RCA has never been lead by a Charedi oriented executive vice president or president.YU, RIETS, the RCA and OU have always expressed the classical Religious Zionist positions.
7) Like it or not, the RCA , the OU and RIETS were influenced for many years by the positions of the Rav ZTL on a wide variety of issues, both in writing and orally. The issues that easily come to mind are ecumenical interfaith relations, mixed seating and the limits of cooperation with heterodox movements. The simple facts are that the Rav ZTL viewed ecumenicalism as dangerous, opposed mixed seating and allowed for inter-denominational activity only by lay groups subject to a veto by either the RCA and the OU , as opposed to meetings and groups with Orthodox and heterodox clergy. In my opinion, it is obvious that the Rav ZTL was well aware of the views of the German Gdolim that R Berman mentioned and viewed both absolute separatism of the Hirschian variety and complete interdenominational cooperative activity as equally inappropriate. One wonders why R Berman champions the point of view of the German Gdolim on this issue.
8) R Berman champions the view of the Merii as a lodestar of Jewish-non Jewish relations. The Meiri's point of view may in fact be correct. Yet, one wonders whether we should be so facile and apply this view automatically to those who were responsible for 9-11, suicide bombers and those who are vocal supporters of disinvestment from Israel .
9) In a review of Dr. Samuel Heilman's recently published "Sliding to the Right", I offered a detail critique of the Edah Journal. I invite the more curious reader to read the past issues. In my opinion, the Journal went beyond simply "pushing the envelope" of halacha and hashkafa. With all due respect, articles that advocated a permissive stance on playing sports on Shabbos , gave fawning attention to the views of heterodox movements' leaders and their views and viewed the singles crisis as an attempt by rabbis to regain control over educated women are excellent examples of passing off the heterodox and non-halachic as Modern Orthodox. Too many articles displayed a yawning and almost hostile view to accepted Psak as the province of Charedim. Finally, the discussion on women's prayer groups seemingly ignored the views of the Rav ZTL on this issue. Its chat rooms contained far more discussions on dealing with Modern Orthodox children who had "flipped out" as if this was cult like behavior, as opposed to any concern about Modern Orthodox adolescents who were dropping their level of observance.
10) The Edah Conferences struck me as dealing with power issues, as opposed to people issues. By the time of the founding of Edah in 2000, it can be fairly said that family issues were far more powerful and compelling issues than feminism, such as the many issues buffeting the frum family. Yet, Edah faithfully always had sessions on feminism, etc and featured speakers whose topics had little, if anything, to do with the quality of Modern Orthodox life. One cannot discuss the demise of Edah without recalling that it was initially supported and funded by many prominent Modern Orthodox lay leaders. However, Edah never seemed to gain traction beyond the precincts of the Upper West Side, the Upper East Side, and some sympathizers in Riverdale and elsewhere. Perhaps, the failure of Edah to gain any traction on a national level because its vision was irrelevant to the issues faced by the average Modern Orthodox Jew caused it to never become a threat to the flagship organizations of Modern Orthodoxy. In short, it can be fairly stated that Edah focused on the issues of a small sector of Modern Orthodoxy in the early to mid 1970s almost three decades later,when these issues ceased to have much in the way of any significance. The jury remains out whether Edah's former leaders will be able to partner with such organizations as Yeshivat Chovevei Torah, Meimad and similar groups and what effect, they will have on the Modern Orthodox world in the long run as Marbitzei Torah, Avodah and Gmilus Chasadim.
11) One issue that R Berman seemingly ignored is that the Modern Orthodox community and leadership could have produced user friendly basic texts such as Siddur, Chumash, Tanach, Machzorim. Mishnayos and Talmud. Instead, it supported the publication of these works by a decidedly non Modern Orthodox publisher-ArtScroll, which included almost nothing from the Rav ZTL on many issues. Despite claims of revisionism of the legacy of the Rav ZTL, we see a steady production of hashkafic works by the Toras HaRav Foundation and sefarim by many of the Rav ZTL's Talmidim Muvhakim on many areas of halacha.
12)RIETS Kollelim produce a wide variety of sefarim and articles on many areas of halacha. The Chavrei Kollel serve as heads of community kollelim and as scholars in residence around the USA. . We also see many of RIETS's Roshei Yeshiva and their talmidim either teaching at Kollel Yom Rishon or Midreshet Yom Rishon and in RIETS, MBP, the revived JSS and Stern College for Women. We also see a Beit Medrash for women at Stern as well for those women who wish to study Talmud. The notion that RIETS Roshei Yeshiva are uneasy about discussing a halachic issue with a female audience cannot be sustained by the above evidence on the ground.
The RCA and the OU continue to have important roles within the Modern Orthodox community . Perhaps, instead of jettisoning the legacy of the Rav ZTL on many issues and the main institutions of Modern Orthodoxy, the supporters of Edah should support the important work of the still very vibrant institutions of Modern Orthodox life
I trust that the foregoing will lead to a meaningful discussion and not rancor with respect to these issues.
One more point-Edah would have developed instant credibility and posed a real threat to the OU, RCA and YU/RIETS if R D Norman Lamm, Shlita, had been attracted by their message to become its primary North American spokesman/fundraiser. R D Lamm is a superb fundraiser, speaker, and thinker whose abilities turned YU away from near bankruptcy and expanded RIETS and the Kollelim way beyond their capacities as they existed in the 1970s when he assumed the Presidency of YU. Although one could criticize some of his views and policies ( such as letting JSS decline and almost closing MTA and Revel as well as some of his public statements vis a vis the Charedi world and his not so close relationships with some of the RY-noticeably RHS), he was not enticed by Edah, YCT , their public figures or mega donors. In fact, when a YCT mega donor publicly bashed RHS and YCT offered a private apology, R D Lamm refused it as inadequate. IMO, that took a lot of guts. FWIW, neither R Berman nor R A Weiss are in R D Lamm's league as Talmidie Chachamim, intellectuals or fund raisers. YCT may fill some out of town pulpilts and Hillel houses-Yet IMO, its products and hashkafa have a long way to go before they can be compared with RIETS.
The following is a guest post from Steve Brizel. It is lengthy analysis of Rabbi Berman’s article with respect to the Modern Orthodox organization Edah. While I tend to agree with the general thrust of this analysis, these are Steve’s words and not mine. It should be read in that context. I would also add that even though I disagree with Rabbi Berman on many issues I have nothing but the highest regard for him as a sincere and honorable man with strongly held beliefs who acts on them.... It is with this in mind, that I now present Steve’s critique.
Guest Post
As a matter of introduction, this article should be compared with an article authored by R Berman in the February 2001 issue of Shma. There is a great deal of similarity between the two articles. In fact, one can posit that the February 2001 article was written around the time of Edah's Second International Conference on or before February 19, 2001 while the Jewish Press article marked the closing of Edah and the absorption of some of Edah's functions and personnel, including R Berman, by Yeshivat Chovevei Torah.Yet, there is much similarity between both articles that is apparent upon a careful reading. That being the case, I think that one can pose a series of comments, critiques and observations with respect to this article that should lead to discussion, but not rancor within our communities.
1) Rabbi Berman views Rabbis Yaakov Ettlinger, Samson Raphael Hirsch, Seligman Baer Bamberger and Azriel Hildesheimer Zicronam Livracha in one hashkafic or ideological camp. Yet, despite many similarities, R Hirsch advocated separation from the secular and Reform driven German Jewish communities, as opposed to Rabbis Bamberger and Hildesheimer. That view can be fairly stated to be the ideological basis of the contemporary Charedi world. Rabbi Ettlinger's view of the nonobservant Jew as a Tinok shenisba was viewed with favor by none less than the Chazon Ish. One can also posit numerous differences among these Gdolim as to Torah study and many other issues.
2) It is true that some Talmidie Chachamim studied medicine, science,literature and history because they wished to "know God." Yet, many Talmidie Chachamim who never studied these sciences were fascinated by the interplay of Halacha and science.The Chazon Ish , R Moshe Feinstein and R Shlomoh Zalman Auerbach, Zicronam Livracha are three examples among many in this regard. One cannot claim that one approach is necessarily superior or capable of producing Torah observant and ethical Jews.
3) More fundamentally, R Berman conflates the role of secular knowledge per se. One sees no appreciation of the fact that medicine, science, literature of history, while helpful and informative, simply are not a Cheftza Shel Torah. Simply stated, there is no requirement to engage in any halachic act of any consequence when a secular book is dropped or burned for any reason whatsoever. Although R Berman recognizes that popular culture today is not the culture of the 1950s, one sees an overly sanguine view of the same and no recognition of the ideological and cultural dangers of the typical American college campus.
4) Neither in the Shma or Jewish Press articles do we see any discussion of either Kiruv or Chizuk as epitomized by such important institutions and group such as NCSY, NJOP or the many Charedi Kiruv groups. Instead, the Shma article stated that we should maximize cooperation with heterodox movements. In the Shma article, R Berman defined outreach as aiding non affiliated Jews to become the best possible Jews that they can be at that point in time with respect for the autonomy of the other and without demeaning the possible choice of affiliation with non Orthodox movements.It is not a strained interpretation of this point to argue that R Berman viewed pluralism as more important than kiruv or chizuk. More critically, the notion of granting any spiritual legitimacy to a heterodox movement is essentially saying "I'm Jewish, you are Jewish and our hashkafic and halachic differences are irrelevant." One can certainly question the intellectual honesty and almost inherent low level of Modern Orthodox communal self-esteem in such an approach, especially as the differences between the heterodox movements are steadily evolving towards a loose ideology of contemporary liberalism, very low maintenance educational and membership requirements and a few Hebrew phrases or rituals that impose no sense of obligation but rather are "feel good" in nature. One can ask what is the halachic or hashkafic basis or Mesorah for such a radical point of view and why R Berman essentially repudiated the importance of kiruv and chizuk. .
5) Chumros are not a contemporary invention. The Talmud has many area of halacha where chumros are part and parcel of many halachos on a Torah and rabbinic level. The notion of safek doraissa lchumra and the tendency to pasken lchumra in many other areas is one instance of many where the Talmud and all subsequent decisors of halacha must rule lchumra, in the absence of an exigent circumstance. We also know that there are many Chumros that affect Halacha Lmaaseh that are of Talmudic antiquity. A short list would be eating a kzayis, blowing all shofar sounds and the seven clean days. The Talmud has many other chumros that Chazal imposed in many areas of halacha because the uneducated could not differentiate between the permitted and prohibited. Similarly, the notion of fulfilling all possible opinions has many Talmudic antecedents as well. Talmud Torah requires a Jew and especially a Talmid Chacham to master and sweat the details-the ins and outs, the machmir, meikill, lchatchilah, shas hadhachak, patur, chayav, tame and tahor-which are the lifeblood of halacha prior to being able to expound on the Jewish view on any subject. ( For more on this subject, see Nefesh HaChaim , Shaar Daled and Emunah UBitachon). The notion that psak must focus on "spiritual transformation" is in my opinion a concept that is almost antinomian and which begs for content and meaning. One can legitimately ask whether it includes allowing a kohen to marry a convert or another application of situational ethics , ecumenical dialogue on interfaith issues and celebrating a Chag HaSemicha with representatives and heads of heterodox institutions.
5) R Berman in both articles views Talmidie Chachamim as highly trained functionaries whose responsibility is to teach Torah and render Halachic descisions. In other words, R Berman views Emunas Chachamim as limited to these roles. However, this truncated role and the elevation of "autonomous decision making" cannot be reconciled with the view that Talmidie Chachamin and Gdolim, in particular, have the right and duty to express their view on all issues affecting the spiritual and physical welfare of Klal Yisrael . More critically, one can legitimately ask- what would be R Berman's outer limits of autonomy?
6) R Berman's views on the leadership of Modern Orthodoxy's flagship institutions, ( i.e.YU, the RCA and OU) struck me as remarkable. In the first instance, YU has never been lead by Charedi or Charedi sympathetic leadership.In fact, the prospect of that event ever happening is nonexistent. Some of the executives of the OU may have been Charedi yeshiva graduates, but they always viewed the OU's goals as paramount. The RCA has never been lead by a Charedi oriented executive vice president or president.YU, RIETS, the RCA and OU have always expressed the classical Religious Zionist positions.
7) Like it or not, the RCA , the OU and RIETS were influenced for many years by the positions of the Rav ZTL on a wide variety of issues, both in writing and orally. The issues that easily come to mind are ecumenical interfaith relations, mixed seating and the limits of cooperation with heterodox movements. The simple facts are that the Rav ZTL viewed ecumenicalism as dangerous, opposed mixed seating and allowed for inter-denominational activity only by lay groups subject to a veto by either the RCA and the OU , as opposed to meetings and groups with Orthodox and heterodox clergy. In my opinion, it is obvious that the Rav ZTL was well aware of the views of the German Gdolim that R Berman mentioned and viewed both absolute separatism of the Hirschian variety and complete interdenominational cooperative activity as equally inappropriate. One wonders why R Berman champions the point of view of the German Gdolim on this issue.
8) R Berman champions the view of the Merii as a lodestar of Jewish-non Jewish relations. The Meiri's point of view may in fact be correct. Yet, one wonders whether we should be so facile and apply this view automatically to those who were responsible for 9-11, suicide bombers and those who are vocal supporters of disinvestment from Israel .
9) In a review of Dr. Samuel Heilman's recently published "Sliding to the Right", I offered a detail critique of the Edah Journal. I invite the more curious reader to read the past issues. In my opinion, the Journal went beyond simply "pushing the envelope" of halacha and hashkafa. With all due respect, articles that advocated a permissive stance on playing sports on Shabbos , gave fawning attention to the views of heterodox movements' leaders and their views and viewed the singles crisis as an attempt by rabbis to regain control over educated women are excellent examples of passing off the heterodox and non-halachic as Modern Orthodox. Too many articles displayed a yawning and almost hostile view to accepted Psak as the province of Charedim. Finally, the discussion on women's prayer groups seemingly ignored the views of the Rav ZTL on this issue. Its chat rooms contained far more discussions on dealing with Modern Orthodox children who had "flipped out" as if this was cult like behavior, as opposed to any concern about Modern Orthodox adolescents who were dropping their level of observance.
10) The Edah Conferences struck me as dealing with power issues, as opposed to people issues. By the time of the founding of Edah in 2000, it can be fairly said that family issues were far more powerful and compelling issues than feminism, such as the many issues buffeting the frum family. Yet, Edah faithfully always had sessions on feminism, etc and featured speakers whose topics had little, if anything, to do with the quality of Modern Orthodox life. One cannot discuss the demise of Edah without recalling that it was initially supported and funded by many prominent Modern Orthodox lay leaders. However, Edah never seemed to gain traction beyond the precincts of the Upper West Side, the Upper East Side, and some sympathizers in Riverdale and elsewhere. Perhaps, the failure of Edah to gain any traction on a national level because its vision was irrelevant to the issues faced by the average Modern Orthodox Jew caused it to never become a threat to the flagship organizations of Modern Orthodoxy. In short, it can be fairly stated that Edah focused on the issues of a small sector of Modern Orthodoxy in the early to mid 1970s almost three decades later,when these issues ceased to have much in the way of any significance. The jury remains out whether Edah's former leaders will be able to partner with such organizations as Yeshivat Chovevei Torah, Meimad and similar groups and what effect, they will have on the Modern Orthodox world in the long run as Marbitzei Torah, Avodah and Gmilus Chasadim.
11) One issue that R Berman seemingly ignored is that the Modern Orthodox community and leadership could have produced user friendly basic texts such as Siddur, Chumash, Tanach, Machzorim. Mishnayos and Talmud. Instead, it supported the publication of these works by a decidedly non Modern Orthodox publisher-ArtScroll, which included almost nothing from the Rav ZTL on many issues. Despite claims of revisionism of the legacy of the Rav ZTL, we see a steady production of hashkafic works by the Toras HaRav Foundation and sefarim by many of the Rav ZTL's Talmidim Muvhakim on many areas of halacha.
12)RIETS Kollelim produce a wide variety of sefarim and articles on many areas of halacha. The Chavrei Kollel serve as heads of community kollelim and as scholars in residence around the USA. . We also see many of RIETS's Roshei Yeshiva and their talmidim either teaching at Kollel Yom Rishon or Midreshet Yom Rishon and in RIETS, MBP, the revived JSS and Stern College for Women. We also see a Beit Medrash for women at Stern as well for those women who wish to study Talmud. The notion that RIETS Roshei Yeshiva are uneasy about discussing a halachic issue with a female audience cannot be sustained by the above evidence on the ground.
The RCA and the OU continue to have important roles within the Modern Orthodox community . Perhaps, instead of jettisoning the legacy of the Rav ZTL on many issues and the main institutions of Modern Orthodoxy, the supporters of Edah should support the important work of the still very vibrant institutions of Modern Orthodox life
I trust that the foregoing will lead to a meaningful discussion and not rancor with respect to these issues.
One more point-Edah would have developed instant credibility and posed a real threat to the OU, RCA and YU/RIETS if R D Norman Lamm, Shlita, had been attracted by their message to become its primary North American spokesman/fundraiser. R D Lamm is a superb fundraiser, speaker, and thinker whose abilities turned YU away from near bankruptcy and expanded RIETS and the Kollelim way beyond their capacities as they existed in the 1970s when he assumed the Presidency of YU. Although one could criticize some of his views and policies ( such as letting JSS decline and almost closing MTA and Revel as well as some of his public statements vis a vis the Charedi world and his not so close relationships with some of the RY-noticeably RHS), he was not enticed by Edah, YCT , their public figures or mega donors. In fact, when a YCT mega donor publicly bashed RHS and YCT offered a private apology, R D Lamm refused it as inadequate. IMO, that took a lot of guts. FWIW, neither R Berman nor R A Weiss are in R D Lamm's league as Talmidie Chachamim, intellectuals or fund raisers. YCT may fill some out of town pulpilts and Hillel houses-Yet IMO, its products and hashkafa have a long way to go before they can be compared with RIETS.
Sunday, July 16, 2006
Meshichism Must Be Eradicated
This week’s internet version of the Yated Ne’eman has an article by Modern Orthodox Rabbi Dr. David Berger. This is quite a departure from the Yated’s normally anti Modern Orthodox position. But if there is one area where Charedim and Modern Orthodoxy are in complete agreement it is in the area of Lubavitch Messianism. Dr. Berger, as many of you may know is in the forefront of trying to get the Torah world to recognize the truth about them. Unfortunately there have been all too few voices raised in the public square about this issue. Aside from Dr. Berger’s heroic efforts, an occasional article by Telzer Rosh Yeshiva, Rabbi Chaim D. Keller, and Rabbi Gil Student’s book, there has been little else. There is no other voice anywhere like Dr. Berger's. It is as though there is a quiet hope that if we ignore the problem it will go away. But it hasn't. And it won't.
I have been trying to raise consciousness in this area in my own limited way by writing about it several times here and elsewhere. My audience is limited. But the future of Judaism depends on getting the message out. So I continue to do so from time to time each time with a greater readership. Hopefully the message will get out.
What message? The message that Lubavitch is consumed by the belief that their now deceased Rebbe will rise from the dead in a second coming as Moshiach. I cannot say it enough times or emphasize it enough.
I can predict what the response to this will be. It will be along the lines of my unfairly bashing Lubavitch... or that my obervations are wrong... or that what I say simply isn’t true... or that Dr. Berger is a known Lubavitch basher and can't be trusted. But how do you counter the damning evidence brought by Dr. Berger in the Yated article?
This article should be a mandatory read. It is very clear. It provides example after example of doublespeak by Lubavitchers who say they are anti-Meshichist in one venue while clearly indicating they are Meshichist in another. Dr. Berger shows over and over again their use of deceptive tactics, something I have been accusing them of for many years and have written about extensively.
In this case it is about their ends… trying to show the world they are not Meshichist… justify their means… lying about it. All so it won't hurt the public image. Dr. Berger has demonstrated something I have strongly suspected for a long time now, that the vast majority of them are Meshchist at one level or another. The fight is only over whether they should makes those beliefs public. I have yet to hear the most ardent Lubavitcher anti-Meshichist specifically say that their dead Rebbe cannot be Moshiach. They always dance around it… saying that they are the loudest in denouncing Meshichists... that the Rebbe was against people saying he was Moshisach… it is counter to his wishes to promote this idea especially now… it is counter productive to their cause…, mostly true but none of which is an outright repudiation of the belief. In fact the opposite is true. One of their most ardent anti Meshichists, Dr Immanuel Shochat, when pressed against the wall fiercely defends that belief as well within normative Judaism!
The Lubavitch anti-Meshichists and have literally gone to war with the Meshichist factions. But as Dr Berger points out it is all in the cause of PR. Their true beliefs are demonstrated over and over again and are virtually identical to those of the early Hebrew Christians. They too believed that their leader was Moshiach and would have a second coming. They did not think their leader was a Diety. That came later from Paul. And just like the Meshichists of today they too were followers of Halacha. The abrogation of Halacha came later from Peter.
Will Lubavitch follow the path of Christianity? Well hasn’t’ it already begun down that path? They have their “Pauls” now. They are the Boreniks referring to The Rebbe as God in a body. How far is that from Christianity? Sure Most Lubavitchers are horrified themselves by these people and claim they are but a handful of crazy people. But they are only repeating the ideas spoken of by the Rebbe himself…. that as a human perfects himself and gets closer to God he can achieve such perfection that he reflects the essence of God in a body. The Rebbe, they say, achieved such perfection. And as such he can be worshipped and prayed to in the same way that one prays to God provided that one realizes that that such an individual is not a separate Deity but God Himself! Though they are a small minority amongst Lubavitch, I suspect the numbers are far greater than they would have us believe.
I implore everyone to read the internet Yated link I provided above. And then I urge everyone to contact their rabbinic leaders, Roshei Yeshiva, and anyone who will listen and is in a position to do anything about it to… do something about it! Direct them to Dr. Berger's article or give them a printout of it. There needs to be a coordinated effort on the part of all segments of Torah Jewry to rectify this once and for all, before it is too late. And it will be too late if the anti-Meshichists in Lubavitch succeed in internalizing and quieting their beliefs, so that know one will know what is really in their hearts.
This is one area where there is complete agreement between the RW and MO. Unfortunately there is also the same degree of indifference. This scourge must be eradicated from out midst. Lubavitchers must be convinced that such views cannot be tolerated by the Torah world. They must either totally repudiate their Meshichist views in any incarnation, with the threat that they will be written out of Judaism if they don’t.
I have been trying to raise consciousness in this area in my own limited way by writing about it several times here and elsewhere. My audience is limited. But the future of Judaism depends on getting the message out. So I continue to do so from time to time each time with a greater readership. Hopefully the message will get out.
What message? The message that Lubavitch is consumed by the belief that their now deceased Rebbe will rise from the dead in a second coming as Moshiach. I cannot say it enough times or emphasize it enough.
I can predict what the response to this will be. It will be along the lines of my unfairly bashing Lubavitch... or that my obervations are wrong... or that what I say simply isn’t true... or that Dr. Berger is a known Lubavitch basher and can't be trusted. But how do you counter the damning evidence brought by Dr. Berger in the Yated article?
This article should be a mandatory read. It is very clear. It provides example after example of doublespeak by Lubavitchers who say they are anti-Meshichist in one venue while clearly indicating they are Meshichist in another. Dr. Berger shows over and over again their use of deceptive tactics, something I have been accusing them of for many years and have written about extensively.
In this case it is about their ends… trying to show the world they are not Meshichist… justify their means… lying about it. All so it won't hurt the public image. Dr. Berger has demonstrated something I have strongly suspected for a long time now, that the vast majority of them are Meshchist at one level or another. The fight is only over whether they should makes those beliefs public. I have yet to hear the most ardent Lubavitcher anti-Meshichist specifically say that their dead Rebbe cannot be Moshiach. They always dance around it… saying that they are the loudest in denouncing Meshichists... that the Rebbe was against people saying he was Moshisach… it is counter to his wishes to promote this idea especially now… it is counter productive to their cause…, mostly true but none of which is an outright repudiation of the belief. In fact the opposite is true. One of their most ardent anti Meshichists, Dr Immanuel Shochat, when pressed against the wall fiercely defends that belief as well within normative Judaism!
The Lubavitch anti-Meshichists and have literally gone to war with the Meshichist factions. But as Dr Berger points out it is all in the cause of PR. Their true beliefs are demonstrated over and over again and are virtually identical to those of the early Hebrew Christians. They too believed that their leader was Moshiach and would have a second coming. They did not think their leader was a Diety. That came later from Paul. And just like the Meshichists of today they too were followers of Halacha. The abrogation of Halacha came later from Peter.
Will Lubavitch follow the path of Christianity? Well hasn’t’ it already begun down that path? They have their “Pauls” now. They are the Boreniks referring to The Rebbe as God in a body. How far is that from Christianity? Sure Most Lubavitchers are horrified themselves by these people and claim they are but a handful of crazy people. But they are only repeating the ideas spoken of by the Rebbe himself…. that as a human perfects himself and gets closer to God he can achieve such perfection that he reflects the essence of God in a body. The Rebbe, they say, achieved such perfection. And as such he can be worshipped and prayed to in the same way that one prays to God provided that one realizes that that such an individual is not a separate Deity but God Himself! Though they are a small minority amongst Lubavitch, I suspect the numbers are far greater than they would have us believe.
I implore everyone to read the internet Yated link I provided above. And then I urge everyone to contact their rabbinic leaders, Roshei Yeshiva, and anyone who will listen and is in a position to do anything about it to… do something about it! Direct them to Dr. Berger's article or give them a printout of it. There needs to be a coordinated effort on the part of all segments of Torah Jewry to rectify this once and for all, before it is too late. And it will be too late if the anti-Meshichists in Lubavitch succeed in internalizing and quieting their beliefs, so that know one will know what is really in their hearts.
This is one area where there is complete agreement between the RW and MO. Unfortunately there is also the same degree of indifference. This scourge must be eradicated from out midst. Lubavitchers must be convinced that such views cannot be tolerated by the Torah world. They must either totally repudiate their Meshichist views in any incarnation, with the threat that they will be written out of Judaism if they don’t.
Friday, July 14, 2006
The Lieberman Phenomenon
One of the most prominent senators in the US is up for re-election this fall. Senator Joseph Lieberman is running for a fourth term as senator from the state of Connecticut. And he is in a fight for his political life, there. That is quite a turn of events for him, for America, for Jewish Americans, and most importantly for Orthodox Jewish Americans.
The left wing of the Democratic Party has decided to run another candidate against him in the primary. One who is opposed to the war in Iraq. Unfortunately the left wing of that party is so blinded by their anti Iraq war, Bush hating stance that they are blinded to the fact that Senator Lieberman is quite the liberal on my issues. His unequivocal support of President Bush on the war has so enraged them that they are willing to cast aside perhaps the most honored members of the senate... on both sides of the aisle... a senator of the democratic party that is virtually assured a win in the general election.
I hope this doesn’t happen. Joseph Lieberman is a walking Kiddush HaShem. Ever since his election to the senate, he has made no secret of his Torah observance. He has always said, when asked, that the Torah is his moral guide when taking positions on any issue. Not that he makes policy decisions based on Halacha, but that the morality he learned from the Torah informed him on matters of right and wrong. When he was chosen as the vice-Presidential candidate by former vice President Al Gore, Senator Lieberman’s moral rectitude is what drew Gore to select him. And his candidacy was widely accepted by everyone... so much so that a badly trailing Gore in the polls suddenly pulled even with his Republican rival George Bush! So highly regarded was Lieberman’s standing in the eyes of Americans.
I remember reporters asking people if they thought Lieberman’s religion and strong religious beliefs would be an obstacle in voting for Gore. Almost to a man, the responses were to the effect that his religiosity was looked at as a plus and that more of that was needed in govenment. The American people, it seems are more appreciative of authentic Judaism than I could have ever believed.
Even though I am now completely supportive of President Bush (as is Lieberman) I voted for the Gore/Lieberman ticket because I thought the idea of an Orthodox Jewish Vice-President would be the greatest boon to Kiruv ever. The Kiddush HaShem of an observant Jew... just a heart beat away from the Presidency had great appeal to me. Could anyone have ever imagined a Vice-President that was Shomer Shabbos and Shomer Kashrus? The media attention on things Jewish would have increased exponentially!
Well it didn’t happen, Altough Gore won the popular vote, the electoral college gave the election to President Bush. Properly so. Frankly, I couldn’t be happier that Gore lost. A Gore presidency would have been a disaster for this country. Although a true gentleman and quite sincere in his political beliefs, those beliefs turned out to be quite different than I thought. They were and are anathema to me. I think even Joe Lieberman quietly agrees with this.
This brings me back to his current re-election campaign. Senator Lieberman deserves our support. Aside from being one of the most respected people in congress, he is ...still a walking Kiddush HaShem. No one in government supports Torah values more than he does... obviously. And although he made some misstatements about Halacha during his VP campaign, he is basically an Orthodox Jew. He is one of the strongest supporters of Israel. And it is important to have his moral voice in congress. I realize that the number of Jews eligible to vote for him that read this blog is miniscule. But that doesn’t mean that we can’t give him moral support... or financial support, for those who have the means.
It would be a great loss to this country... to the President’s war effort, to supporters of Israel, and to Orthodox Jews if he were to lose.
The left wing of the Democratic Party has decided to run another candidate against him in the primary. One who is opposed to the war in Iraq. Unfortunately the left wing of that party is so blinded by their anti Iraq war, Bush hating stance that they are blinded to the fact that Senator Lieberman is quite the liberal on my issues. His unequivocal support of President Bush on the war has so enraged them that they are willing to cast aside perhaps the most honored members of the senate... on both sides of the aisle... a senator of the democratic party that is virtually assured a win in the general election.
I hope this doesn’t happen. Joseph Lieberman is a walking Kiddush HaShem. Ever since his election to the senate, he has made no secret of his Torah observance. He has always said, when asked, that the Torah is his moral guide when taking positions on any issue. Not that he makes policy decisions based on Halacha, but that the morality he learned from the Torah informed him on matters of right and wrong. When he was chosen as the vice-Presidential candidate by former vice President Al Gore, Senator Lieberman’s moral rectitude is what drew Gore to select him. And his candidacy was widely accepted by everyone... so much so that a badly trailing Gore in the polls suddenly pulled even with his Republican rival George Bush! So highly regarded was Lieberman’s standing in the eyes of Americans.
I remember reporters asking people if they thought Lieberman’s religion and strong religious beliefs would be an obstacle in voting for Gore. Almost to a man, the responses were to the effect that his religiosity was looked at as a plus and that more of that was needed in govenment. The American people, it seems are more appreciative of authentic Judaism than I could have ever believed.
Even though I am now completely supportive of President Bush (as is Lieberman) I voted for the Gore/Lieberman ticket because I thought the idea of an Orthodox Jewish Vice-President would be the greatest boon to Kiruv ever. The Kiddush HaShem of an observant Jew... just a heart beat away from the Presidency had great appeal to me. Could anyone have ever imagined a Vice-President that was Shomer Shabbos and Shomer Kashrus? The media attention on things Jewish would have increased exponentially!
Well it didn’t happen, Altough Gore won the popular vote, the electoral college gave the election to President Bush. Properly so. Frankly, I couldn’t be happier that Gore lost. A Gore presidency would have been a disaster for this country. Although a true gentleman and quite sincere in his political beliefs, those beliefs turned out to be quite different than I thought. They were and are anathema to me. I think even Joe Lieberman quietly agrees with this.
This brings me back to his current re-election campaign. Senator Lieberman deserves our support. Aside from being one of the most respected people in congress, he is ...still a walking Kiddush HaShem. No one in government supports Torah values more than he does... obviously. And although he made some misstatements about Halacha during his VP campaign, he is basically an Orthodox Jew. He is one of the strongest supporters of Israel. And it is important to have his moral voice in congress. I realize that the number of Jews eligible to vote for him that read this blog is miniscule. But that doesn’t mean that we can’t give him moral support... or financial support, for those who have the means.
It would be a great loss to this country... to the President’s war effort, to supporters of Israel, and to Orthodox Jews if he were to lose.
Thursday, July 13, 2006
I Told You So?
Many people are now saying, “I told you so”. “The Gaza pullout was a big mistake.” Ever since the settlers were evacuated and Gaza turned over to the Palestinians there has been over 700 rocket attacks launched from Gaza into major cities like Ashkelon. So was the prediction of those who opposed the evacuation. And so it has been. Adding insult to injury was the recent kidnapping of an Israeli soldier by Hamas and then yesterday another three by Hezbollah.
But consider the following. Israel has responded to this in exactly the way it said it would at the outset. They have gone back into Gaza, only this time with the military, not civilians. This is a justifiable act and far superior to allowing civilians to be targets there even wiling ones. Israel has also arrested Hamas members of the PA government, and destroyed government housing (…the interior ministry building and the foreign ministry building).
What is more they consider the kidnapping of soldiers by Hezbollah (who basically controls Lebanon) an act of war and they have attacked Lebanon by land, sea, and air, destroying their airport. And what has the world response been? It has been largely supportive of Israel’s position. And this is important, because without it, international pressure would be brought to bear on Israel to withdraw. To be sure, Secretary of State, Rice has called upon Israel for restraint but in my view it is just cover so that US cannot be accused of not caring about civilian casualties. The US clearly understands the need for the Israelis to defend themselves and will do nothing to stop them.
The evidence of a change of attitude brought about by the Gaza withdrawal is quite clear in today’s Chicago Tribune, a newspaper with a checkered history about Israel’s responses to terror. In its lead editorial
it has totally taken the Israeli position on this issue, citing the Gaza withdrawal as the test that Palestinians failed to pass. Had Israel not withdrawn the world would still be meandering around seeing a sort of equivalency between Palestinian terror and Israel’s response to terror and blaming it as it did on the continued occupation. But not this time. I urge everyone to read the editorial and see for themselves. Tribune reporting and editorial policy in the past was seen as biased against Israel... so much so that a boycott of the Tribune was called for by some of the rabbinic and community leadership here. This resulted in many subscription cancellations. It is in light of that past history that this editorial should be read.
As for what Israel should do to now… well I’ve been advocated assassinating the anti Semitic Muslim Clerics for a long time. They started with Sheik Yassin. They would do a great service to the cause of justice by by killing Sheik Nassralah the leader of Hezabolah and another Hezabolah ideologue, Sheik.Fadlala. These are the two top clerics in Lebanon. If Muslim fanatics want to continue capturing our soldiers and using them for ransom we ought to take the fight right to the ideological top. They are the ones responsible for instilling this hatred of Jews into the deep psyches of their people. These clerics are the closest thing to Hitler we have had since the holocaust, but what makes them even worse is that they are doing in the guise of religion… in the name of God. and that makes them far more dangerous.
The only way to win this “war” is to make the entire population realize once and for all that the entire religion is doomed if it doesn’t change its attitude. This is far from the case now. Demoralizing them through the destruction of their religious leaders is the best chance for our future as a nation at peace. I see no other way.
But consider the following. Israel has responded to this in exactly the way it said it would at the outset. They have gone back into Gaza, only this time with the military, not civilians. This is a justifiable act and far superior to allowing civilians to be targets there even wiling ones. Israel has also arrested Hamas members of the PA government, and destroyed government housing (…the interior ministry building and the foreign ministry building).
What is more they consider the kidnapping of soldiers by Hezbollah (who basically controls Lebanon) an act of war and they have attacked Lebanon by land, sea, and air, destroying their airport. And what has the world response been? It has been largely supportive of Israel’s position. And this is important, because without it, international pressure would be brought to bear on Israel to withdraw. To be sure, Secretary of State, Rice has called upon Israel for restraint but in my view it is just cover so that US cannot be accused of not caring about civilian casualties. The US clearly understands the need for the Israelis to defend themselves and will do nothing to stop them.
The evidence of a change of attitude brought about by the Gaza withdrawal is quite clear in today’s Chicago Tribune, a newspaper with a checkered history about Israel’s responses to terror. In its lead editorial
it has totally taken the Israeli position on this issue, citing the Gaza withdrawal as the test that Palestinians failed to pass. Had Israel not withdrawn the world would still be meandering around seeing a sort of equivalency between Palestinian terror and Israel’s response to terror and blaming it as it did on the continued occupation. But not this time. I urge everyone to read the editorial and see for themselves. Tribune reporting and editorial policy in the past was seen as biased against Israel... so much so that a boycott of the Tribune was called for by some of the rabbinic and community leadership here. This resulted in many subscription cancellations. It is in light of that past history that this editorial should be read.
As for what Israel should do to now… well I’ve been advocated assassinating the anti Semitic Muslim Clerics for a long time. They started with Sheik Yassin. They would do a great service to the cause of justice by by killing Sheik Nassralah the leader of Hezabolah and another Hezabolah ideologue, Sheik.Fadlala. These are the two top clerics in Lebanon. If Muslim fanatics want to continue capturing our soldiers and using them for ransom we ought to take the fight right to the ideological top. They are the ones responsible for instilling this hatred of Jews into the deep psyches of their people. These clerics are the closest thing to Hitler we have had since the holocaust, but what makes them even worse is that they are doing in the guise of religion… in the name of God. and that makes them far more dangerous.
The only way to win this “war” is to make the entire population realize once and for all that the entire religion is doomed if it doesn’t change its attitude. This is far from the case now. Demoralizing them through the destruction of their religious leaders is the best chance for our future as a nation at peace. I see no other way.
Wednesday, July 12, 2006
A Letter from the Closet
I received this comment from someone named Chaim about his Matzav in the Charedi world. It deserves its own post. I present it here followed by my reponse.
The Letter:
I am one of your supporters. A Jew who became Charedi because it seemed like the closest thing in this world to Judaism. I am majorly dissillusioned with many aspects of the black world, but remained gloomily convinced that there is no viable alternative. Modern Orthodoxy seems to be as much a physical minority in its own world as it is a spiritual minority in the Charedi world.
How can I even move towards a movement whose leaders admit that the majority of its adherents do not keep basic halocho? I know you will respond "What about Charedim who do XYZ" but frankly I stand a better chance of making my children holier inside than I would of counter balancing the gentile influences in the MO world.
So I am left a believing Jew in the Charedi world who has independent hashgofos. I remain destined to watch movies in secret, to hide hechsherim which I know to be reliable but are not socially acceptable, to use the net at work as a window into the outside world I left behind but still hanker for at times.
For all the inconsistency this is actually the only way. I cannot leave the black world, as that is the only place where the masses keep Judaism. Yet I refuse to join the cult like abdication of human reason which calls itself Judaism in its more extreme manifestations.
I must clandestinely consult a MO Rav for a psak when I need one. Were my peers to know they would consider a reflection of weak yiras shomayim on my part. Yet I cannot even walk into a MO mosad for fear that my beard will make me a social leper and my interest in Jewish learning before contemporary culture will make me few friends.
So where does this all leave me, Harry? In much the same place as thinking people across time and cultures, I feel. Making my own decisions, one by one.
Shulem al Yisroel...
Chaim
My Response:
The picture Chaim paints is at the same time wondrous and tragic. Even though he doesn’t explicitly say so, I am assuming that he is a Baal Teshuva. And as such it is indeed wondrous when anyone sees the beauty of Torah and is motivated to radically change their lifestyle. It is a testament to the sincerity of one’s commitment when they do something like this. Mitzvah observance isn’t done out of rote behavior which is the way most FFBs do it. It is out of a real desire to serve God. How fortunate is the individual who rises to such a lofty level. I honor anyone who has committed to observance from a lifestyle of unfettered freedom. I truly feel humbled by such people and unworthy to stand in their footsteps.
But it is tragic that Chaim has come to see a Hashkafa that makes sense to him only to have to hide living that lifestyle amongst the peer group he has chosen as his community. He is a closet MO in a Charedi (Chasidic) world. A world that doesn’t tolerate deviance from its own narrow norms. So he lives in “the closet”. Forever fearing exposure. And he consults Modern Orthodox Poskim fearing exposure there too. How sad that one who came to Torah observance on his own has to now live in a world where diversity is not tolerated.
He asks what he should do and seems committed to living in the more cloistered and sheltered atmosphere of Chasidim. He feels his children have a better chance of “staying holy” there than in an MO world with all the negative influences. I disagree. As a Baal Teshuva he is far more idealistic than the average FFB. His children will perceive this and he will be their role model. Would that we could all have role models like this. And as I have said many times, in my view, controlled exposure is a far better way to be Mechanech your children than over-sheltering them.
By controlling exposure to that part of the general culture which does not violate Halacha his children will likely never come to consider those things forbidden fruit. By your teaching and your example, they will learn how to discriminate between the good and the bad. They can thereby remain holy.
One does not have to live in a cloistered environment. Doing that can have the opposite effect…turning everything into forbidden fruit… even those things which are Halachicly permissible. Upon exposure, which is inevitable at some point in their adolescence, children will then wonder what all the fuss was about and start questioning even those things which are clearly Assur. I say this knowing that sheltering does work in most cases. But there is ample evidence that over sheltering children does have a deleterious effect in a significant number of cases.
On the other hand I am not so naive to think that all Modern Orthodox children, even Centrists or RWMO will stay in the fold. They too can go off the track. The point is that neither community is immune. So if this is his only reason for staying with his Chasidic community, I would advise him to leave and find a sincere Modern Orthodox community … or at least a more heterogeneous one, where Modern Orthodoxy is accepted. In this way he can come out of the closet and live the lifestyle he most believes in.
The alternative is to continue living in the closet. This will not bode well for his future. By doing so, his children will ultimately find out and sense the hypocrisy of that. Nothing is more dangerous to spiritual health than finding out that your parents do not practice what they preach.
But there is one caveat. If there are other reasons… like a family that prefers to stay where they are, that should be factored into any decision. Leaving a community under strained conditions can do more harm than good. There are no easy answers. But if the family is willing and there are no other over-riding reasons to change other than a fear of exposure than I encourage Chaim to take the leap. Living in the closet will not bear fruitful results and can totally backfire.
The Letter:
I am one of your supporters. A Jew who became Charedi because it seemed like the closest thing in this world to Judaism. I am majorly dissillusioned with many aspects of the black world, but remained gloomily convinced that there is no viable alternative. Modern Orthodoxy seems to be as much a physical minority in its own world as it is a spiritual minority in the Charedi world.
How can I even move towards a movement whose leaders admit that the majority of its adherents do not keep basic halocho? I know you will respond "What about Charedim who do XYZ" but frankly I stand a better chance of making my children holier inside than I would of counter balancing the gentile influences in the MO world.
So I am left a believing Jew in the Charedi world who has independent hashgofos. I remain destined to watch movies in secret, to hide hechsherim which I know to be reliable but are not socially acceptable, to use the net at work as a window into the outside world I left behind but still hanker for at times.
For all the inconsistency this is actually the only way. I cannot leave the black world, as that is the only place where the masses keep Judaism. Yet I refuse to join the cult like abdication of human reason which calls itself Judaism in its more extreme manifestations.
I must clandestinely consult a MO Rav for a psak when I need one. Were my peers to know they would consider a reflection of weak yiras shomayim on my part. Yet I cannot even walk into a MO mosad for fear that my beard will make me a social leper and my interest in Jewish learning before contemporary culture will make me few friends.
So where does this all leave me, Harry? In much the same place as thinking people across time and cultures, I feel. Making my own decisions, one by one.
Shulem al Yisroel...
Chaim
My Response:
The picture Chaim paints is at the same time wondrous and tragic. Even though he doesn’t explicitly say so, I am assuming that he is a Baal Teshuva. And as such it is indeed wondrous when anyone sees the beauty of Torah and is motivated to radically change their lifestyle. It is a testament to the sincerity of one’s commitment when they do something like this. Mitzvah observance isn’t done out of rote behavior which is the way most FFBs do it. It is out of a real desire to serve God. How fortunate is the individual who rises to such a lofty level. I honor anyone who has committed to observance from a lifestyle of unfettered freedom. I truly feel humbled by such people and unworthy to stand in their footsteps.
But it is tragic that Chaim has come to see a Hashkafa that makes sense to him only to have to hide living that lifestyle amongst the peer group he has chosen as his community. He is a closet MO in a Charedi (Chasidic) world. A world that doesn’t tolerate deviance from its own narrow norms. So he lives in “the closet”. Forever fearing exposure. And he consults Modern Orthodox Poskim fearing exposure there too. How sad that one who came to Torah observance on his own has to now live in a world where diversity is not tolerated.
He asks what he should do and seems committed to living in the more cloistered and sheltered atmosphere of Chasidim. He feels his children have a better chance of “staying holy” there than in an MO world with all the negative influences. I disagree. As a Baal Teshuva he is far more idealistic than the average FFB. His children will perceive this and he will be their role model. Would that we could all have role models like this. And as I have said many times, in my view, controlled exposure is a far better way to be Mechanech your children than over-sheltering them.
By controlling exposure to that part of the general culture which does not violate Halacha his children will likely never come to consider those things forbidden fruit. By your teaching and your example, they will learn how to discriminate between the good and the bad. They can thereby remain holy.
One does not have to live in a cloistered environment. Doing that can have the opposite effect…turning everything into forbidden fruit… even those things which are Halachicly permissible. Upon exposure, which is inevitable at some point in their adolescence, children will then wonder what all the fuss was about and start questioning even those things which are clearly Assur. I say this knowing that sheltering does work in most cases. But there is ample evidence that over sheltering children does have a deleterious effect in a significant number of cases.
On the other hand I am not so naive to think that all Modern Orthodox children, even Centrists or RWMO will stay in the fold. They too can go off the track. The point is that neither community is immune. So if this is his only reason for staying with his Chasidic community, I would advise him to leave and find a sincere Modern Orthodox community … or at least a more heterogeneous one, where Modern Orthodoxy is accepted. In this way he can come out of the closet and live the lifestyle he most believes in.
The alternative is to continue living in the closet. This will not bode well for his future. By doing so, his children will ultimately find out and sense the hypocrisy of that. Nothing is more dangerous to spiritual health than finding out that your parents do not practice what they preach.
But there is one caveat. If there are other reasons… like a family that prefers to stay where they are, that should be factored into any decision. Leaving a community under strained conditions can do more harm than good. There are no easy answers. But if the family is willing and there are no other over-riding reasons to change other than a fear of exposure than I encourage Chaim to take the leap. Living in the closet will not bear fruitful results and can totally backfire.
Tuesday, July 11, 2006
Murdering Homosexuals
I got this bit of news today from my JTA daily briefing:
"Unidentified vigilantes called for attacks on next month’s gay pride parade in Jerusalem."
"Fliers distributed Tuesday in several religious districts of Jerusalem offered a $4,500 bounty for anyone who “brings about the death of the denizens of Sodom and Gomorrah,” a reference to the WorldPride 2006 events scheduled to take place in the holy city Aug. 6-12."
"It was unclear who wrote the fliers; police said a probe is under way.
Jewish, Christian and Muslim clergymen and rightist Israeli politicians have been trying to block the parade or have it moved to Tel Aviv."
"A smaller gay parade in Jerusalem last year saw a stabbing attack by an Orthodox Jew in which three people were injured."
I have been debating whether to post about this little blurb …partly because of the fact that it is highly unlikely in the extreme that this has any mainstream backing at all. In fact one of the most prominent Charedi rabbinic figures, perhaps the most prominent after R. Elyashiv has come out very publicly condemning any violence. From today’s Jerusalem Post::
"Rabbi Moshe Sternbuch, head of the ultra Orthodox Edah Haredit rabbinic court and a leading opponent of the planned Gay March in Jerusalem, said Tuesday that he was opposed to violence against homosexuals."
"We must protest the desecration of the Holy Land," said Sternbuch in a phone interview. "But we must do it nonviolently."
What is significant about this is the fact that Rabbi Sternbuch actually had to make this statement at all. Does he think that there is a possibility of violence? I think the answer is obvious.
Calls to murder a human being are truly the ravings of some serious sociopaths. And of course no normal Charedi individual would ever think of killing another human being as a way of stopping a homosexual parade… even in Jerusalem. But the idea of murdering a homosexual isn’t exactly a novel idea. Last year some zealot in Jerusalem was actually motivated to try:
“During last year's Gay March Schlissel a haredi resident of Jerusalem used an 18-centimeter knife to stab three people, two 18-year-olds and one 50-year-old man.”
How can it happen that some people who claim to be the Frummest among us can advocate murder? How do they get the idea that murder is OK? Is it possible that when our community speaks of homosexuality as an abomination that they overdo it just a bit? True it is a Toevah upon which the Torah mandates the death penalty. But the biblical mandate requires a Sanhedrin with Edim and Hasra’ah (witnesses and warnings). What we are talking about here is indiscriminate murder! I can understand the revulsion by those who are steeped in Torah observance… but murder?!
The answer may lie in the following.
“The Edah Haredit's rabbinic court has issued several notices or pashkevilim calling to "do everything in your power" to stop the Gay March. However, Sternbuch denied that this implied the use of violence. Often, the wording of the pashkevilim is not done by the rabbis. Rather they sign a general statement which is later expanded into a detailed notice by aides or functionaries, explained an Edah Haredit source.”
This is quite a telling statement. The fact that general statements are not clarified as this one wasn’t is a big problem to many innocent people, and has caused much damage. People who think they understand what a rabbinic leader wants then go and write up a Pashkevil (billboard poster) in their own words end up embellishing those words givng them meaning far beyond the original intent of the rabbinic leaders. Without clarity things can and do get out of hand and they often do.
Instead of signing on to a general statement which can be interpreted the way these sociopaths interpreted it, the rabbinic leadership ought to not sign on to anything they didn’t write themselves. It seems to me that anything less is an abdication of their leadership responsibility. And that seems to be what has happened here. We end up with people offering bounties for murdering other people claiming it to be in the name of God.
And this isn’t the only time clarity such things happened. Many people have been hurt by allowing ambiguity to prevail. Rabbi Nosson Kametsky and Rabbi Nosson Slifkin are but two of the more prominent examples. In both cases bad things happened because the leadership failed to be clear and their words were manipulated.
For the sake of Klal Yisroel I would go a step further at this point. I would urge our rabbinic leadership to ban Pashkevilim… those posters one finds plastered on various walls in Yerushalyim. They are rarely accurate portrayals of the words of these leaders. They are all too often interpretations designed to incite hatred. Raely do they express the accurate wishes of those they are purported to represent... and end up being counter to their real wishes. The only notices that ought to be allowed are those written by the rabbinic leaders themselves. This may not solve all of our worldly problems. But it would be at least one small step in the right direction.
"Unidentified vigilantes called for attacks on next month’s gay pride parade in Jerusalem."
"Fliers distributed Tuesday in several religious districts of Jerusalem offered a $4,500 bounty for anyone who “brings about the death of the denizens of Sodom and Gomorrah,” a reference to the WorldPride 2006 events scheduled to take place in the holy city Aug. 6-12."
"It was unclear who wrote the fliers; police said a probe is under way.
Jewish, Christian and Muslim clergymen and rightist Israeli politicians have been trying to block the parade or have it moved to Tel Aviv."
"A smaller gay parade in Jerusalem last year saw a stabbing attack by an Orthodox Jew in which three people were injured."
I have been debating whether to post about this little blurb …partly because of the fact that it is highly unlikely in the extreme that this has any mainstream backing at all. In fact one of the most prominent Charedi rabbinic figures, perhaps the most prominent after R. Elyashiv has come out very publicly condemning any violence. From today’s Jerusalem Post::
"Rabbi Moshe Sternbuch, head of the ultra Orthodox Edah Haredit rabbinic court and a leading opponent of the planned Gay March in Jerusalem, said Tuesday that he was opposed to violence against homosexuals."
"We must protest the desecration of the Holy Land," said Sternbuch in a phone interview. "But we must do it nonviolently."
What is significant about this is the fact that Rabbi Sternbuch actually had to make this statement at all. Does he think that there is a possibility of violence? I think the answer is obvious.
Calls to murder a human being are truly the ravings of some serious sociopaths. And of course no normal Charedi individual would ever think of killing another human being as a way of stopping a homosexual parade… even in Jerusalem. But the idea of murdering a homosexual isn’t exactly a novel idea. Last year some zealot in Jerusalem was actually motivated to try:
“During last year's Gay March Schlissel a haredi resident of Jerusalem used an 18-centimeter knife to stab three people, two 18-year-olds and one 50-year-old man.”
How can it happen that some people who claim to be the Frummest among us can advocate murder? How do they get the idea that murder is OK? Is it possible that when our community speaks of homosexuality as an abomination that they overdo it just a bit? True it is a Toevah upon which the Torah mandates the death penalty. But the biblical mandate requires a Sanhedrin with Edim and Hasra’ah (witnesses and warnings). What we are talking about here is indiscriminate murder! I can understand the revulsion by those who are steeped in Torah observance… but murder?!
The answer may lie in the following.
“The Edah Haredit's rabbinic court has issued several notices or pashkevilim calling to "do everything in your power" to stop the Gay March. However, Sternbuch denied that this implied the use of violence. Often, the wording of the pashkevilim is not done by the rabbis. Rather they sign a general statement which is later expanded into a detailed notice by aides or functionaries, explained an Edah Haredit source.”
This is quite a telling statement. The fact that general statements are not clarified as this one wasn’t is a big problem to many innocent people, and has caused much damage. People who think they understand what a rabbinic leader wants then go and write up a Pashkevil (billboard poster) in their own words end up embellishing those words givng them meaning far beyond the original intent of the rabbinic leaders. Without clarity things can and do get out of hand and they often do.
Instead of signing on to a general statement which can be interpreted the way these sociopaths interpreted it, the rabbinic leadership ought to not sign on to anything they didn’t write themselves. It seems to me that anything less is an abdication of their leadership responsibility. And that seems to be what has happened here. We end up with people offering bounties for murdering other people claiming it to be in the name of God.
And this isn’t the only time clarity such things happened. Many people have been hurt by allowing ambiguity to prevail. Rabbi Nosson Kametsky and Rabbi Nosson Slifkin are but two of the more prominent examples. In both cases bad things happened because the leadership failed to be clear and their words were manipulated.
For the sake of Klal Yisroel I would go a step further at this point. I would urge our rabbinic leadership to ban Pashkevilim… those posters one finds plastered on various walls in Yerushalyim. They are rarely accurate portrayals of the words of these leaders. They are all too often interpretations designed to incite hatred. Raely do they express the accurate wishes of those they are purported to represent... and end up being counter to their real wishes. The only notices that ought to be allowed are those written by the rabbinic leaders themselves. This may not solve all of our worldly problems. But it would be at least one small step in the right direction.
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