Rabbi Mendy

What is it with Rabbi Mendy Muskall? How can an individual who claims to be a follower of the Torah go ahead and apparently dupe someone the way he seems to have? Is it something the Rebbe said?... or didn’t say? Why must the Torah world be embarrassed by the shenanigans of such people?

One thing we know about Lubavitch (aside from the fact that a great number of them wave Moshicah flags) is that they venerate the Rebbe. They believe him to be next to God. (and in some, albeit rare cases, God Himself Melubash BaGuf). But either way, even if they deny their Meshichist tendencies, they still proclaim that the Rebbe was… or is… the greatest Jewish figure to grace the planet earth in the 20th century. Perhaps even the greatest human being who ever lived. Such loyalty most also hold that the Rebbe was the most ethical man who ever lived as well. And yet so often they use deceptive techniques like this. Is this what the Rebbe taught? One would think so by the number of times stories like this pop up.

From an article in the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, here’s what happened. The husband of a congregant by the name Loretta Miller died in October 2003. Rabbi Muskall suggested she donate an Aron Kodesh in his memory. The fee would be $18,000. The problem is the Aron Kodesh only cost $2000. Complicating matters further, the donor said that it was a terrible job. "It looked like somebody did it as a hobby and it just looked horrible," said Mrs. Miller.

Of course Rabbi Muskall claims he did nothing wrong. It’s true that often people “buy” religious artifacts for exorbitantly high prices as a form of donation in memoriam for a deceased loved one. And those buying those artifacts usually know that they are paying for that honor. It is a time honored tradition. This is one of the ways in which instituions like Yeshivos raise money.

But what transpired here was not exactly that. Apparently Rabbi Muskall used that money for personal expense. While a Palm Beach County judge had ordered Mendy Muskall to pay $12,945 to MBNA America Bank for defaulting on his debt, court records show… and while the judgment still hasn't been satisfied, “Rabbi Muskall took his entire family on an extended trip to Israel in June 2004, staying for two months.

Complicating matters even further, the Shul’s tax exempt status had been dissolved during the period she made the donation so a receipt containing the synagogue's Tax ID number did not even qualify for a tax write-off.

How sad it is when something like this happens. An individual’s grief is exploited for money, and then improperly used.

I do not know what the disposition of this case will be. Perhaps he will be vindicated in court. I don’t know. But even if the money did not go directly into his pocket, he still misled this poor woman. The money most certainly was not used as advertised. The woman was deceived.

This Shaliach of Lubavitch… who venerates the Rebbe… who no doubt came with the best of intentions… to build a Jewish presence reflective of Torah… to be Mekarev the natives… has had this ugly side of Lubavitch exposed. And based on the history of how Lubavitch operates, I suspect the Rabbi misled his congregant. The ends justify the means. This is how they operate. I’ve seen it time and time again.

Of course every time I write about it… all the apologists come out of the woodwork with statements like: How can you trust this secular newspaper? They are biased! Or… there you go bashing Lubavitch again. Or… you don’t know the facts of the case, how can you judge? Or… look at all the good they do! Or… that has never been my experience, which has all been wonderful!

All true. But if stories like this keep popping up repeatedly they can’t all be false. You can fool some of the people some of the time…

Instead of becoming a beacon of the light of Torah to this woman, he showed himself to be a charlatan. Instead of getting a Jew to say Ma Tovu Ma Naim about our Torah he has elicited the following statement from her:

"He preyed on my goodness, my grief, my charity," she said. "He and his wife were like a vulture that came down and went after me."

Atheists and Morality

There has been some discussion on Hirhurim and Cross-Currents about the morality of an atheist versus a believer in a God. The question raised is whether an atheist can be a moral person even though he does not believe in God. One might say that indeed an atheist is moral because at the end of the day atheists are for example as averse to killing or stealing as believers are. This is true, but I think one must define morality better.

I do not think an Atheist can have an absolute moral code that is more than humanistic in value. It is humanism that will tell him that it's wrong to murder. That's because he knows that he does not want to be killed. Hence he can can reasonably conclude that neither do other humans want to be killed. It's kind of an inductive type of reasoning. And such is the reasoning behind all types of human behavior that is not based in a religious moral code.

Therefore, it is not just murder, but all Halachos Bein Adam L'Chavero which do not need God as a rationale. One can devise a moral code of behavior in the realm of human relations and be a very moral person in tht sense, without any religious values dictated by God. One simply adheres to Hillel’s “Golden Rule”: “Do not unto other what you would not have them do unto you”. But when it comes to Mitzvos Bein Adam L’Makom, that is where God comes in. Shabbos, for example, is one area that will not be a basis for behavior to an atheist. But that is not really a moral issue. Sexual behavior is.

What about the morality of sexual behavior? Sexual conduct is one area where there would be a broad difference between an atheist and a believer in God. When it comes to sexual acts, both issues of Bein Adam L’Makom and Bein Adam L’Chavero come into play. If one accepts the concepts of absolute morality that are dictated by God, then there are acts which are forbidden as immoral... irrespective of whether the impact on a participating party is positive.

Let us take homosexual acts as an example. To an atheist whose view of morality is based on Bein Adam L’Chaevro, a homosexual act will only be evil if a participant objects to it. If on the other hand he has a willing partner, then there will be nothing immoral about it. But to one who believes in a God who has taught us that there is such a thing as absolutes with rspect to sexual morality, homosexual behavior is by religious definition immoral, no matter whether a partner in the act is consenting or not. There is a correlation between belief in a religious based morality and whether one cosinders homosexual behavior moral.

But then one might ask why an atheist is repulsed by incest for example. I doubt that any atheist will see incest as acceptable behavior, even if it involves two consenting adults. How does this explain the revulsion an atheist might have to it? To me the answer seems obvious. It is a part of the culture. The cultural milieu in which we live will dictate that such behavior is repugnant. But in fact, in a humanistic sense, it is not. In that sense there is nothing wrong with it as long as no one is hurt. This is a form of indoctrination an atheist will have living in a civilized ciulture. He will repulsed by.

But in a vaccum, would such behavior be repulsive? I think not. In my view civilization has determined such behavior to be immoral only because of its historic religious beliefs of a God based absolute morality. I do not believe it possible to explain it any other way.

So it isn’t correct to say that Atheists have no moral standards. They most certainly do. But I think the standards are based on a humanistic system combined with a civilization that has been indoctrinated over time to consider acts immoral that have no apparent reason attached to them except as dictated by society's millenia old belief in a God based morality.

So the bottom line is that one needs to define their terms. If morality is based on humanism, one can be a very moral person within those limits. And at the same time be morally depraved in religion based, God centered terms.

The Other Side of the Coin - Guest Post

Last Tuesday I wrote a post about the indoctrination that is so prevalent in most seminaries in Israel. While there are a few exceptions to this rule, some seminaries being better than others, I strongly felt, and still feel that my words are for the most part accurate. But at the same time I failed to emphasize the positive side, which I freely admit is there. If one ignores the prohibitive expense and attends one of the better seminaries, indeed the experience can be very powerful. Here now, I present a post relating the experience of someone very near and dear to me and her comments about my words:

Seminary: The Way I See It

My year in seminary was the single most growing of all my years to date. Growth not only in academia and spirituality, but growth in my love for Eretz Yisroel that no family trip or summer program could have provided. I lived in Israel...nothing could replace that experience. I shopped in the grocery stores, spoke with the natives, and bought stamps at the post office (in the years before cell phones when we actually wrote letters home). Then I went to classes that were taught by dynamic and brilliant rabbeyim and teachers who encouraged me to learn more and know more. For the first time in my life I was excited about learning.

I sharpened my skills Judaically in both reading and writing. I will never forget the sense of accomplishment I felt after preparing a Dvar Torah of my own idea, to be delivered to the entire school. I was able to support my own ideas with maarei mekomos and meforshim which I found on my own. I still have that hand written Dvar Torah and read it from time to time to remember that awesome feeling.

In addition, this incredible year of academic and spiritual growth was also a year of growth in maturity...The opportunity to be away from home and everything and everyone I had known all my life. I was enriched with new friends, a new found love for learning Torah (one I had not received in high school), and the opportunity to live on my own and fend for myself before I actually became the adult that I am. This taught me so many life lessons that I still carry with my to this day.

True, then the cost was not as steep...this was after all, 16 years ago. But it was worth every penny that my parents had saved for tuition, and every cent I had put away for spending money. Although I have no idea how I will afford sending my kids to Seminary and Yeshiva in Israel when it's their turn, it is certainly my hope and goal for them to go and gain as much as they can in so many ways.

The school I attended was a growth oriented school. There were some more charedi teachers and some less. The topic of kollel did come up and so did the topic of considering Aliyah. I took what I wanted and what I did not with a grain of salt.

In the secular world, it is considered appropriate to leave home and live away at college. Many of us women (or then girls) would have never had that opportunity being in the frum world. Without our "year abroad" we would go from our parents' home to our spouses' with no chance to get to see and experience new things as single young adults.

I do agree with one position of yours... It's sad that there is a majority agenda out there which encourages and celebrates the girl who marries the kollel guy and that no celebration is made for the girl who marries the guy who works/goes to school and learns in his spare time. I wish it were not the case and this is not what we are teaching our own children.

In addition, I feel it's essential to stress to girls at this age what it really means to live a real kollel life, as my brother who has been learning in the Mir for 15 years does. The beauty of a life and home where the husband can learn so many hours in kollel should be attached with the struggles and hardships it can come with.

However, as my sister in law often points out to me, there are so many young couples learning in Kollel full time with full monetary support from parents/in-laws. While I often use my brother and sister-in law as the poster family for real kollel life, she reminds me that today, there is no such thing as "real kollel life" in that so many young couples are being supported by parents/in-laws making living a kollel life seem like a dream life...an easy life with all the amenities...and since that is the case, its hard to make the case to young girls these days, about the difficulties of real kollel life...today real kollel life can look like a dream life....an extended honeymoon with parents footing the bill. But that's another discussion.


Whatever the case is, I think you should direct your energy at a push to educating the masses about teaching real life to young girls, which includes presenting a real world view of what it takes to support a family and celebrating all the possibilities for life after marriage, emphasize the beauty of having a Torah home in whatever form that takes.

This is what you did in your home. This is why your daughters "came out relatively unscathed." They had parents with an agenda to teach them to search for the emes, find themselves, and appreciate all facets of yiddishkeit.

In Memory of a Mass Murderer

This individual is one of the most perplexing in memory for me. He was a doctor and a Frum Jew, indeed an idealist or rare commitment, and he was a bludgeoned to death in 1994 by a group of Arabs. This… after he had mass murdered 29 people.

Until then Baruch Goldtsein’s behavior had seemed exemplary. He was a doctor who lived in Kiryat Arba near Chevron. His level of commitment to his people is the stuff of which legends are made. He came from a Modern Orthodox background having attended Yeshiva of Flatbush and Yeshiva University. He received his MD from the Abert Einstein College of Medicine. But he was also a member of the Jewish Defense League, a miltant vigilante group of the late sixties and early seventies founded by Rabbi Meir Kahane. Rabbi Kahane’s group was controversial from the start, but it had some very mainstream supporters since it was looked at as protective of a Jewsih community that needed more than it was getting from the police department.

Baruch Goldstein took his took his Religious Zionism seriously and turned it into action. He not only made Aliyah, He joined the IDF medical corps and rose to the rank of Major. After his service he settled in Kiryat Arba close to the volatile Chevron area where he thought his services as a doctor would be most beneficial.

People who knew him had only praise for him… both past in the form of teachers, parents, and mentors, and just before his death, in the form of family, friends, and patients. He was always available and constantly giving of his time. The love of his people was palpable. But his love of the Jewish people was distorted. Clearly ignoring Halacha, he was once quoted as saying, "I am not willing to treat any non-Jew. I recognize as legitimate only two religious authorities: Maimonides and Kahane".

On Purim day February 25, 1994, Goldstein entered Maaras Ha machpelah (the Tomb of the Patriarchs). He wore his army uniform with the insignia of rank, creating the image of a reserve officer on active duty. He then opened fire, killing 29 people and wounding 150. He kept shooting people until he was subdued by some of the Arabs and was then beaten to death.

In that one moment, in my view, he “fried” his Olam Habah. In that one moment, he went from hero to villain. No matter what his motive was. And that is key. There are stories about how he had heard during Megilla reading that there was some sort of Arab Pogrom about to take place and he was goig to pre-empt it. But it doesn’t matter. There is no other way to look at him except as a mass murderer. The Arabs he killed were in no way doing anything but praying at Machpela. He was a mass murderer, unless he was completely insane and had a psychotic break with reality, a mental condition there was and is no evidence of.

But the story unfortunately does not end there. Baruch Goldstein is buried at the Meir Kahane Memorial Park in Kiryat Arba. The inscription on his gravestone reads:

“Here lies the saint, Dr. Baruch Kappel Goldstein, blessed be the memory of the righteous and holy man, may the Lord avenge his blood, who devoted his soul to the Jews, Jewish religion and Jewish land. His hands are innocent and his heart is pure. He was killed as a martyr of God on the 14th of Adar, Purim, in the year 5754 (1994).”

His gravesite had become a shrine. The Religious Council of Kiryat Arba declared the gravesite a memorial. Sidewalks, spotlights, streetlights, a cupboard with prayer books and pedestals with candles were installed by supporters. So here we had the disgusting phenomenon of a sizable segment of Jewry treating a mass murderer as a hero

In 2000, with the support of the Israeli courts, the Israeli governement who to its credit consdered Baruch Goldstein a terrorist, dismantled the shrine.

But altough the shrine has been dismantled, it still attracts yearly pilgrimages by people who think him a hero. And there are a great many more who don’t visit his gravesite but consider what he did heroic. And that is shocking. I have expressed this sentiment before and I will do it again. Any individual who thinks Baruch Goldstein is a hero ought to re-examine his Yiddishkeit. And any rabbinic leader that offers even the slightest excuse for him are in effect aggrandizing a mass murderer. I cannot imagine a Chilul HaShem too much greater than that.

Let there be no mistake about it. Baruch Goldstein was a Rasha Gamur. Or he was so completely insane with such a break from reality that he was not responsible for his actions. No one can massacre indiscriminately and be considered anything but a Rasha. The people he killed were not attacking us and were not about to. It doesn’t matter that they wished us ill, or that they would if they could. They didn’t. They couldn’t. He just went up there and killed people.

Yet I have found over the years that many people consider him a hero. AsI said there even those who still make pilgrimages to his gravesite!

And that is the purpose of this post. I want to make clear in no uncertain terms that Baruch Goldstein was a Rasha Gamur (either that or completely insane). He should not be worshipped. His gravesite should not be visited. And he should not be spoken of in positive terms in any way shape of form. Furthermore, there should be no apologetics. There cannot be any excuses for what he did. Nothing like, “Well, he was wrong but you have to understand…”. There is no way any act like this can be justified at any level.

But I fear that there are still those who stand by him. To those people I say, stop. You are participating in one of the greatest Chilul Hashems imaginable.

The Promise and Ethics of Stem Cell Research

What do Rav Nosson Tzvi Finkel, Rav Joseph B. Soloveitchik, and Michael J. Fox all have in common? No, they were not all students at the University of Berlin. They all suffer (or suffered) from a debilitating illness: Parkinson’s disease.

Because of the upcoming elections, there is currently much talk amongst candidates, their supporters, and the media about whether there should be federal funding for stem cell research which has been said to hold much promise of finding a cure for this disease and many others, here-to-fore incurable. The debate centers on whether using embryos as a source of stem cells for such research is ethical.

Much of the opposition comes from the Christian right and the Catholic Church. They believe that life is created at conception and as such it is unethical to destroy an embryo for purposes of research. They consider it tantamount to abortion or murder. And the President who is a devout Christian has in effect taken this belief and turned it into law by preventing any federal dollars from being spent on it.

But Judaism does not look at an embryo as anything more than potential life. And as such there is nothing Halachicly or ethically wrong with using it for research that could save or improve countless lives if the promise of stem cells holds true. I would be more inclined to oppose it if it were to develop that embryos were created specifically that purpose. I’d have to think about the ethical ramifications of that.

But to not allow stem cell research on embryos already created in fertilization clinics for purposes of procreation, that will other wise be disposed of and destroyed anyway seem like the height of waste and stupidity to me. I have yet to hear any of the Christian ethicists who oppose this to explain the ethics of destroying an existing embryo as preferable to using it for research.

And as Jews, that's all that should matter to us. I am strongly in favor of granting federal funding to stem cell research. I am a big supporter of President Bush, but I disagree with him on this one. It doesn't matter that there are other venues where this research is being done, nor does it matter that that we haven't seen any concrete results yet. What matters to me is that no avenue be cut off from doing so. The Federal government would be the largest funder of any such research and who knows what that might produce.

If there is any federal funding of medical research at all, it ought to be done here. The possible benefits to society far outweigh the religious objections of any particular religion. As long as no one from that religion is forced to give up the embryos created for them, there can be no ethical objection if others who do not share their religious beliefs give up theirs. No one has the right to impose their religious views on general society when those views are harmful to the general welfare. And minimizing research in this area can certainly be viewed as harmful.

I can hear an argument against any government funding of any research in any area what-so-ever... leaving it entirely to the private sector. But we all know that the government has funded much medical research and to great benefit. Look at the human genome project. Without the Clinton administration pushing it, it would have never happened. At least not as soon as it did.

Stem cell research holds much promise. We ought to be working full force, without any hindrances with that until we either find some cures, or until we determine with reasonable certainty that it can’t be done.

Righting a Wrong

I could not believe my eyes. There I was at a bar mitzvah in Or Torah, the modern Orthodox shul in Skokie. There were buckets of paint spilled all over the place as a result of righting a perceived wrong. Apparently some of the Satmar relatives of the bar mitzvah bachur who had come in from Israel were bashing the IDF. They were very loud and persistent. All attempts to quite them down had failed as they became louder and more insulting with every breath. They said some of the vilest and most disgusting things one could imagine about the Medina and its soldiers. Don’t ask!

The modern Orthodox kanoim could not take such vile language about Jews whose blood was being spilled so that these chasidim could live in peace in the Holyland. It insulted their sensibilities. They were beside themselves! How could any Jew talk this way about fellow Jews who were risking their lives on their behalf? So, a group (two or three) of zealots decided to do something about it. Justice demanded it! They brought a few buckets of paint from the basement of the Shul and poured it all over them.

Does this sound outrageous? ...spilling paint on people just because they were expressing their views? I think it does. They should have just let it go. In a few minutes it would have all been over. But, No... they had to debase their fellow human beings, ruin their clothes, and mess up the shul! It is an absolute chilul HaShem. Thank God it never happened.

That’s right. I made it up. This scenario did not happen and could not happen... and will never happen. No Modern Orthodox Jew would ever do anything like this. No matter how upset they were at the kind of rhetoric I described. And believe me such rhetoric is extremely upsetting, especially in a modern orthodox and Religious Zionist enclave like Skokie.

But in the Charedi world things like this are happening right now.

Now, before anyone accuses me of bashing charedim again (and I am sure some people will) ...I am not. Most charedim would no more do this than would any Modern Orthodox person. But the difference is that time after time there are a small but significant minority of Charedim and only charedim, that take it upon themselves to “right” perceived “wrongs” with actions that can only be described as a great Chilul HaShem. What am I talking about? It is all in an article on YNET.

There are really no words to describe the arrogance, stupidity, and self righteousness of these people and the extent of the chilul Hashem it causes. They have decided that their own levels of tznius are the only acceptable ones and anything that does not measure up deserves... “action”. It isn’t just about exposed skin like a short sleeved blouse (which also does not justify such action). It is even about the colors of the clothes. Excerpt: “...clothes that may seem modest to most people are considered by religious extremists to be ostentatious if they have shiny or colorful elements to them.”

What are these kanoim doing about it? They are spraying their victims with bleach. Where is this taking place? In Geula, the charedi shopping section of Jerusalem and a huge tourist attraction.

And it isn’t just individuals: “Last week yeshiva students arrived at a women’s clothing store on Amos Street and destroyed thousands of shekels worth of merchandise with bleach.” And isn’t only a bleach war. These people are using arson as a means to get their way too: “About six months ago a store from the same chain was set ablaze in Bnei Brak.”

If a comparable event, like the one I described above, would have been perpetrated by even a single individual in the modern Orthodox community, the condemnations would have been fast and furious. And the loudest among them would have been from the Rav of that shul. And it would have been condemned by all of Modern Orthodox leadership. There would have been no defense of it at all. No excuses made. None.

But where are the voices of the Charedi leadership that these kanoim are loyal to? Why is this not being condemned in the strongest possible terms? I don’t mean lip-service with an explanation that begins with the words, “But you have to understand where they are coming from.” I am talking about the kind of condemnation I am making right now.

Of course there will be many in the charedi world that will condemn this. Even very strongly. And rightly so. But that is not enough. The actual rabbinic leadership of these very kanoim needs to go to the authorities, work with them to find out who they are and prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law. These rabbanim ought to be first in line to testify against them.

Right! When that happens I will be the first in line to congratulate them... right after I greet Moshiach.

The Yeshiva

That’s how most of us who attended the Hebrew Theological College refer to it. Simply, “The Yeshiva”. Or just plain ‘Skokie’. And I have had a love hate relationship with it for many years. I have a deep and abiding love for the institution that nurtured my Yiddshkeit for an entire decade. My son attended it for high school and my three sons in law attended it. One of my sons in law still does, as an Avreich. But I am disappointed in the direction it has taken Hashkafically in recent years. It has taken a decidedly right turn. And it now sells itself that way.

It has not always had this Hashkafa. Far from it. It was founded 84 years ago with the intent of making a yeshiva whose philosophy was that of Torah uMada. Although that term had not been coined yet, that is in essence what the founding fathers wanted it to be. The goal was to have a Makom Torah for the modern world and produce Frum Baalei Batim knowledgeable in both Torah and secular subjects and to Rabbanim that could deal with and relate to the new world of American culture. But the path to getting there was never smooth. In fact it never really reached that goal.

Back in the early sixties, when my parents told me they were moving from Toledo to Chicago and that they wanted to transfer me from Telshe to Skokie, I couldn’t wait. I had been most impressed by the Rabbanim sent over the years by the Yeshiva to my father’s shul for the Yomim Noraim. These were my role models. I wanted to be just like them, even when I was in Telshe. I could not wait to go to the school which produced such people.

The Yeshiva had always been involved in controversy. I’m sure it was there long before I started attendfed it. And the controversy was almost always generated by the left. The earliest controversy, that I know about was the creation of Rose Cohen College for Women. That was the school that never was. The city fathers would not allow it. That’s because it was to be located right next to the Yeshiva and was supposed to have dorms, if I recall correctly. The building was built on campus about a block away from the Yeshiva. But that school never happened. That building became Hillel Torah, the Modern Orthodox day school here.

There were many other such events during my tenure there. There was the inception of the Traditional movement with the imprimatur of Rabbi Chaim David Regnesberg, a most respected Rosh Yeshiva and immense Talmud Chacham, originally from Lithuania, who encouraged Musmachim to take Non-Mechitza Shuls. He was L’Shama. But the city fathers and just about every Rav and Posek in the world disagreed with him. This of course caused a great deal of controversy with the effects still being felt today.

Then there was the firing of various Roshei Yeshiva: Rav Chaim Zimmerman, Rav Aharon Soloveichik, (technically he wasn’t fired, his contract was just not renewed when it came up) and Rav Dovid Castle. In short the school was in a downward spiral with a bullet. It had even been put in Cherem for some of these firings. At least that’s what we had all heard as students there at the time.

The most important period of its development as it relates to this issue began right after Rav Aharon was fired. The board of directors then consisted of mostly Traditional shul members some of whom were not even Frum… and their Traditional rabbis, who were all Frum. They could not wait to be rid of Rav Aharon (there were some very notable and courageous exceptions who fought for Rav Aharon).

They were then free to run the school the way they chose. But the school fell apart. At one point in the early eighties it became almost exclusively a Yeshiva for the children of Iranian Jews, refugees from the Islamic revolution of Ayatolah Khomeini. This was not the kind of school the board really wanted. The president of the school who was originally rejected by Rav Aharon because he was Traditional Rabbi, was now himself let go. He went on to found Davka.

With no where to go but up, the religious members of the board had convinced the other members that the only way to become a successful Yeshiva again was to hire a president who knew what a Yeshiva was. That man, Rabbi Don Well proceeded to do so. He immediately hired a top notch staff of Rebbeim, some of whom are still there. And he hired a high school principal who turned out to be the most effective and popular principals the school ever had, Rabbi Irwin Pollack, now of Michlala.

They started attracting decent students. But after a while the school hit a plateau. It had reached the state of being a good religious high school but was not yet a Yeshiva. No night seder. No dorm requirements. Optional Sunday afternoon Seder. The borad decided to evaluate the Yeshiva and set up a board committee to do so. I was on that committee. We studied the situation and came up with recommendations. One of those recommendations was to get a Rosh HaYeshiva and to give him complete control over the Yeshiva. This is the one thing that caused Rav Aharon to be fired. He was originally given such control but the board took it away from him as a condition of his contract renewal. Rav Aharon rejected that and he was let go. But it was felt that this would be the only way to gain respectabilty as a Yeshiva and to get things done.

By now the board now consisted of mostly Frum Jews. And they were now willing to give a Rosh Yeshiva such power. At this point in time I approached the President, Rabbi Well, as a board member and asked him about the feasibility of getting Rav Aharon back. He agreed to let me explore the possibility. I made it my mission to do get Rav Aharon to return as Rosh HaYeshiva. By this time Rav Aharon was the Rosh HaYeshiva at Brisk, which was floundering. He was also giving Shiurim at Yeshiva University... commuting from Chicago to New York every week.

I made an appointment to see my Rebbe. We sat and spoke for over three hours trying to figure out a way to get him back into the Yeshiva. It was a tough row to hoe. He demanded all of his power back. And, understandably he demanded all the Rebbeim at Brisk be hired.

After the meeting, I made the rounds. I spoke to every influential board member I could. I soon found out, there was no great interest in bringing him back and certainly not in adding an entire high school staff… a staff they already had. Needless to say, it didn’t happen. It couldn’t happen. But they still needed a Rosh Yeshiva.

Rabbi Well had brought in an Israeli Kollel a few years before so as to create an instant Beis Hamedrash presence. Since the school had a Mizrachi orientation, they chose an Israeli Kollel. It came intact and complete with a Rosh Kollel, Rav Shlomo Morgentstern, who could not speak English. The board was getting desperate. They could not find anyone who was willing to become the Rosh HaYesihva there. Rabbi Morgenstern’s Kollel was supposed to return to Israel and he was determined to go back home, to Israel. The board turned to Rabbi Morgenstern, the Israeli Rosh Kollel and offered him the position as Rosh HaYeshiva. After a bit of negotiation and promises of full power, he accepted. But not before he asked his Rav, Yosef Sholom Elyashiv. Rav Elyashiv agreed.

And that's the situation now. A protégé of Rav Elyashiv is running the Yeshiva. He has complete control. …comlpete and unchallengeable power. The only thing the board demanded in return was that the college program remain and become accredited. He agreed. And this happened. Rabbi Well in the meantime had his authority as president transferred to Rabbi Morgenstern, which was actually against the consitution of the school. He was originally hired as the CEO and the power was to flow through him. He did not accept the new terms working under a Rosh Yeshiva so he too was let go. In fact the position of President was left vacant to avoid any possibility of a clash. A new position was created: Chancellor. He would be the defacto president but work under the Rosh Yeshiva.

The Yeshiva grew under Rav Morgenstern but it veered strongly to the right. And that is where it sits today. It has a Charedi Hashkafa and a Charedi Rosh HaYeshiva who is a Talmid of Rav Elyashiv. He even sought and received approval as a recognized RW Yeshiva from Rav Elia Svei (when he was still healthy). The Yeshiva has thrived under Rav Morgenstern, who has since learned to speak English very well. But Torah UMada is anathema there now. The college is there, but it’s purpose is utilitarian. And it has no intention of expanding. People like Dr. Eliezer Berkovits would never be allowed to teach there today. In fact, people like Rav Aharon wouldn’t even be hired today. The Rebbeim are firmly Charedi. The Kollel is Charedi. The Beis Hamedrash is populated by Charedim. Those in the college program view it mostly as B’Dieved and strictly for Parnassa purposes.

There is really only one school that represents Centrist Hashkafa, Yeshiva University. The world could have used another school like that. It didn’t really need another Charedi Yeshiva. There are plenty of those, two more right here in Chicago. And that’s really a shame.

Looking For Mr. Torah

One of the more recent developments of our time is the seminary for women in Israel. This is a school that high school graduates attend to enhance their Torah learning, and spiritual growth. Young women who attend these seminaries go as girls, with heads full of mush and “graduate” as young women, ready for life. Or do they? Well, that depends on what that “growth” is and on how much that “growth” costs.

Although one would hope it to be the case, what is happening in most women’s seminaries today is not purely educational. The main thrust of most seminaries in Israel is transforming the Hashkafos of these young women into the Charedi mindset. They are taught that Limud HaTorah is the epitome of Yiddishkeit. Seminary heads call it “growth”. And this is the phrase used by Menahelim to promote their seminaries. They preach “growth” to these young women and sell it to the parents. In fact they are started on this path while yet in high school.

What is this growth really? No matter what background a young woman comes from, if they go to a seminary in Israel they will come out pretty much the same. If the indoctrination being used there is successful, every young woman will want the same thing and will believe that the ultimate purpose of women today is to marry someone who learns full time. Anything less than that is simply not acceptable.

These young women are taught that the epitome of a Torah lifestyle for a woman is to support her husband in full time leaning. So when they “graduate” seminary and are ready to start dating most of these young women look for young men who learn full time A working man is looked down upon as second class, even if he is a professional. No self respecting seminary graduate would settle for that type of mate even if every spare, non-working moment of time is spent learning.

Of course there are exceptions. In some cases, their heads are screwed on straight. And realize that one can be a true Bne Torah of the highest caliber and work for a living. But to some of these young even if they do realize that marrying a working man is not the “end of the world.” they might think they “can see it form there”. They think they are somehow compromising their values, Nebech. And that they are weak by wanting to be supported. That is how strong the indoctrinations is. Of course there are probably some seminaries that do not entirely indoctrinate their students that way. I hope. But I think that the vast majority of them do. At least the ones I know about.

And then what about the cost to parents of this little excursion by their daughters to Israel for a year? Well, $14,000 is about the going rate these days. No scholarships. And that does not include airfare and incidentals, like spending money. Yes, my friends, that is what it costs.

And what are you getting for this price? Not what you think. Whatever your Hashkafos are and no matter what you tried to inculcate in your children… expect to be surprised when they get back. And lest one thinks there is a difference between a Michlala and a Beis Yaakov type school… think again. There are academic differences but the indoctrination is not all that dissimilar between them. That’s because many of the same teachers teach at all the seminaries. They “make the rounds” and indoctrinate the young women the same way.

What we need is a good alternative to the year in seminary as it is now constructed. The cost is prohibitive and the product is not what one might expect.

Full disclosure: All three of my daughters went to seminaries in Israel. One went to Michlala, and the other two went to Scharfman’s. They had wonderful experiences with their year (in one case two years) there. They learned a lot. But they got their share of indoctrination in the guise of “growth” even in schools like that. I was one of the lucky ones, however. My daughters came out of there relatively unscathed. But many of their high school friends from similar backgrounds came out of there “looking for Mr. Torah”.

I suppose the reason the seminary system works this way is because it’s patterned to compliment the Yeshiva system which indoctrinates young men post high school to seek as their ultimate goal full time learning. These seminaries are merely trying to be compatible with that ideology.

But is this the best thing for Klal Yisroel? Is the n the best use of the very limited funds of most parents… considering the cost of educating all of their children before their year in Israel? I think not. For the vast majority of parents, the cost of education their children jewishly stretches the budget to the limit and beyond. And while one is trying to make their tuition payments for the rest of their children, along comes the “year in Israel” with it budget busting demends and no scholarships to be had. While the experience for these young women is a wonderful one for them and will last them a lifetime, the cost in both dollars and “growth” of changed Hashkafos make me question the entire enterprise.

I don’t know what the alternative to the year in seminary would be but one thing I do know is that there ought to be a better and more affordable way to give our daughters a post high school experience that is not indoctrination into a singular mold. There ought to be an alternative to what we have now.

The Shiva House Across the Street

Yesterday I had the somewhat difficult task of participating in the Shachris Shiva Minyan of a neighbor of mine. He has lost his father. Although I am not very close with him, he is a prince of an fellow, the kind of man who would give you the shirt off his back. And he has done many acts of kindness for many people. He has a very sweet disposition and is generous to a fault. So, I felt a obligation both in the Mitzvah of Nichum Aveilim, and just plain Mentchlichkiet to go across the street and participate in this Minyan.

As an aside, this fellow has a very interesting history. He is about my age, a Baal Teshuva, who, in his pre-religious days, accompanied Jane Fonda on her infamous trip to Viet Nam at the height of the war. He was a musician and he played in a band she put together for the trip.

I don’t know what route he took to become Frum; I only met him after. He has been Frum for decades, long before he got married and had a family.

He is a Lubavitcher now. And a Meshichist. I knew this going into the Minyan but felt an obligation anyway because of the character of the man. “How bad could it be?” …I thought. OK, he’s a Meshichist, so what… I’ll Daven, be Menachem Avel, and then go home and eat breakfast.

Well, it was bad! They said Yechi, three times in responsive fashion (Chazan and then Congregation)! They did that Twice! Once right after Kriyas HaTorah with the Sefer Torah open right in front of them, and then once immediately after the last Kaddish.

Though I have heard that Meshichists do this during Davening, it was still quite shocking to experience during Teffila at a Minyan. There were about 25 people there, mostly Lubavitchers all of whom looked rather normal, all of them from differing socio-economic situations but when it came to saying Yechi, everyone there did it as though it was part of the actual Teffilah! It was all very matter fact. Kind of like saying Amen, Yehei Shmei Rabbah during Kaddish. I have seen it before at weddings and the like, but never during Teffilah B’Tzibur. Even though I had heard that Meshichist Minyanim do this, I didn’t expect it. It was really upsetting.

I thought that I had all the overt Meshichists all figured out. I thought I knew who they were or the type of people they were. But I didn’t really until Yesterday. I had thought they were mostly Baalei Teshuva with a smattering of FFBs who were a bit off …walking around with their eyes slightly galzed over. But… no. They were as normal as I was in every way except one.

They were saying, "Yechi Adoneinu Moreinu v'Rabbeinu Melech haMoshiach l'olam va'ed!" They were proclaiming “long live… etc.” to a dead man. People as normal and diverse as one could imagine… but unified on this one issue.

I do not think it is possible any longer to know who is a Meshichist and who is not in Lubavitch. Almost all of them have large families with many children. The children that were at the Minyan were all saying it, too: “Long live… a dead man!” This how they sre being raised. These children don’t have a chance.

There were also a few so-called anti-Meshichist Lubavitchers there and they seemed to be going along right with it, reinforcing my contention that the vast majority of Lubavitchers are either overt Meshihists or closet Meshichists. The only differences are the degree of belief and the level of exposure that they feel those beleifs should get. The closet Meshichists realize that the rest of the world is critical of those beliefs and feel it counter-productive to trumpet them. So they stay in the closet and don’t talk about it. But in their hearts… at some level, most of them believe it. The Rebbe is the Melech HaMoshiach. Or at least will be resurrected as the Melech HaMoshiach… long may he live!

A couple of non Lubavitcher friends of mine who were at the Minyan smlied at me when they heard it, knowing my views on the issue. But I did not smile back. It was disconcerting to me to think that this group is so large, the demographic is so varied, their families so large, and their Kiruv work so vast.

It has been 12 years since the death of the Rebbe. Lubavitch has not imploded like many had expected it to. The exact opposite has happened. Their population has exploded, and they seem to be growing by leaps and bounds. And the fact that they can be found all over the world makes them quite user friendly for those of us who travel to areas where there are no Jews, or Kosher food. You can always find a Chabad house. And they are always more than happy to accomodte you. Indeed often they will go out of their way to do so. And their PR machine is the best in the world opporating 24/7. This makes it difficult to want to fight them.

I have written about Lubavitch before. There is nothing really new here. But I couldn’t help getting the feeling that the Meshichsism of Lubavitch is a greater danger to Judaism than anyone currently realizes. It would not surprise me that in one or two generations Lubavitch will be the largest segment of Frum Jews in the world. By far. And they will all be Meshichsists in some form.

Meanwhile the rest of Orthodox rabbinic leadership remains silent. Their attitude, I am told is that they feel it will all just go away and that fighting them openly will only make things worse. Not to worry, they say. The problem will take care of itself. Eventually reason will prevail.

But I do not see that happening. The opposite is. And the fact that one of the most strident anti-Meshichsit Lubavitchers, Dr. Immanuel Shochet goes out of his way to defend the legitimacy of Meshichist theolgy is yet another factor which shows how strongly ingrained Meshichism is within all of them. Our rabbinc leadership doesn’t see this and they continue to do nothing. I wish they could have been at this Minyan with me.

With This Ring I Do Thee Wed

Wedding ceremonies in Judaism are amongst the richest traditions of our faith. They are a beautiful conglomeration of traditions and rituals all of which culminate in the bonding of two souls for life. Perhaps the most well known of the rituals taking place under the Chupah is the “Harei At” whereupon the Chasan proclaims his Kinyan Kidushin to the Kallah and places the ring on her index finger. But in some ceremonies I’ve attended there is a counter event of this type that takes place. The Kallah will give a ring to the Chasan.

In Judaism when a Kallah gives a ring to her Chasan it nullifies the Kinyan Kidushin which, in turn, nullifies the entire marriage ceremony. This is because it looks like she is giving back the ring and rejecting the Kinyan Kidushin. Yet there are some Orthodox rabbis who actually allow it. A few years ago I attended a wedding and saw an Orthodox Mesader Kiddushin, Rabbi Saul Berman, allowing it immediately after the “Harei At” and the placement by the Chasan of the ring on her finger. He first explained that the ring she received from the Chasan was not being returned and that her giving the Chasan a ring should in no way to be perceived as part of the actual ceremony. The Kallah then proceeded to say Ani L'Dodi etc, which is the formula statement often used in such ceremonies, and give the Chasan a ring.

Now I do not know if Rabbi Berman’s explanation serves as enough of a disclaimer to allow for this procedure, but even if granting him the benefit of the doubt, it does seem like a loophole circumventing Halacha in yet another bow to social feminism.

What possible purpose is served in such a ceremony other than to cater to a clearly feminist agenda? Who gained anything by it? I know the Kallah quite well. She is a very fine individual. But she is a very strident feminist. And I believe that this orientation was the sole motivator here.

Is this a good thing? Should we be trying to accommodate every feminist complaint about equality of the sexes… to the point of twisting Halacha into a pretzel, so that it seems more politically correct? Isn’t there a greater good to be served by keeping the purity of the ceremony intact and not suffusing it with a feminist overtone and thus blurring the Halachos of Kinyan Kidushin?

Rabbi Berman is a knowledgeable Rabbi, a leader of left wing Modern Orthodoxy, who is quite brilliant, a man I admire and respect. But I disagree with this innovation. Even if Rabbi Berman is on solid Halachic grounds, what is to stop a rabbi of lesser intellect and/or knowledge from emulating him improperly? I think that there is a real danger here.

I am opposed to having these types of “double ring” ceremonies, not because I disagree with the Halachic acceptability of it. (Although I am not sure Rabbi Berman’s explanation during the Chupah ceremony is a universally acceptable method of doing so.) I am opposed to it more on socio-ideological grounds. It adds nothing and detracts much from our tradition and obscures the Halacha itself.

And it is for this reason that I also frown upon the custom of those men who wear wedding bands even if donned after the Chupah ceremony. To me it shows that either the person is an ignoramus on this issue, or he wishes to pay attention to a social custom and fashion at the expense of having knowledgeable people think him ignorant.

Now I say this fully realizing that many sincere and honorable men wear wedding bands. A very close member of my family does. And the motivations are quite innocent and even noble. They want to let the world know that they are married and this is the American symbol for it. Or, I’m told, that in many cases a married man is simply concerned about his wife's opinion of what the band means to them and their marriage. This is all well and good. But, in most cases I think ignorance of Halacha is equally a factor. And for those who do know the Halachos of Kiddushin and still wear a ring, they simply do not care that knowledgeable Bnei Torah will think them ignorant.

The only way I would see it as not ignorant is if the entire western world considered it improper for a married man not to wear a wedding band. Then of course I would have no problem at all with it post Chupa. But that is certainly not the case. There are many married men in western culture who do not wear a wedding band. And to be sure, this is almost certainly and entirely western cultural phenomenon. I doubt that any Frum Jew in pre-holocaust Europe ever wore a wedding band.

It would therefore seem to me that a knowledgeable Torah Jew would not allow fashion to trump possible perceptions by knowledgeable Bnei Torah that he is ignorant. And it does make him look ignorant, even if he is not... at least to me.

One Picture…

Wolrd’s Most Pointless Family Photo

There are two photos I received via e-mail which illustrate better than words what extremism can lead too. This one is a very funny photo of a Muslim man taking a family photo of his wife and daugfhters. I thought it would be interesting as well as entertaining to show just how a slippery slope might lead the current fascination of both the right and the left with taking Halacha to either of its extremes. The arguments made by both constituencies are very solid.

The over focus on Tznius by the right will argue that there is absolutely every reason to be as Tznius as possible. And since the reason for women to observe modesty in dress is because of the natural tendency in men to be aroused by women who are not dressed Tznius.

Why not therefore just mandate that women dress as Tznius as possible and incorpaorte the standard of dress of the most stringent group of Torah Jews so as to avoid any possibility for Michshol? Some people who are so sheltered from the outside world that all but the most austere form of dress would stimulate Hirhurim? By mandating the most severe form of Tznius on all women everyone will be protected from Hirhur.

What should the standard be? Meah Shearim comes to mind: No Shaitels allowed…. Bullet proof stockings with seams… and very loose fitting and un-colorful clothes that cover a woman neck to toe. Hair either shaved or at least totally covered with a Teichel type head covering or some sort of turban type wera not a single hair will show.

What about a very attractive face? I know that Chazal did not consider a woman’s face to be a problem, but they did consider her etzba Ketana a problem… and look what kind of world we live in today! It would behoove us to look at our devout Muslim cousins and take an example from how their women of modesty dress.

…Is Worth a Thousand Words

Tefillin Barbie

And here is a funny photo illustrating what the slippery slope on the other side of the religious spectrum can lead to. The over focus on feminism by the left argues that women be allowed to do whatever they choose as long as it does not violate the letter of the law and makes them feel more expressive in their Avodas HaShem? Women’s Tefila Groups, Tallis, Tefillin… all legitimate practices for a woman to adopt. There is for example no clear Halacha Pesuka for a woman not to wear Teffilin. Quite the contrary. We know that Rashi’s daughters did.

It isn’t done today?! So What?! Who are we to tell a woman who wants to keep a Mitzvas Aseh SheHazman Grama faithfully that she can’t, or shouldn’t? If it helps her Avodas Hashem What’s the harm? Same thing Talis. What’s the problem? What’s the harm?

The counter argument might be that it ends up making a mockery of Judaism. It is so outside the accepted norm as to make others easily ridicule it. Besides, to say that masculine modalities serve best actualize service to God seems to aggrandize the male. This seems to be counter to the goals of feminism.

But, if it helps a woman in her Avodas HaKodesh then it outweighs considerations normalcy. We ought to be tolerant of those who want to fulfill themselves through masculine forms of Avodas HaKodsesh and stop worrying about images.

Two photos… 2000 words.

Reflections on a Golden Sukkos and Yom Tov Sheni

As I sit here in Heathrow Airport in England waiting for a connecting flight to Chicago, I have a chance to reflect a bit on Sukkos in Israel. First, as a grandfather I cannot tell you how much joy I had spending the Yom Tov of Sukkos in the Holy Land with my son, daughther in law, and grandchildren. It is an experience words cannot adequately express.

First, a word about the city in which I spent Yom Tov: The suburbun Ramat Bet Shemesh. This little enclave of religious Jews is a wonderful mix of Charedim and Datim (and some Chilonim). It is also a city that is in the midst of a building boom the likes of which are quite rare. Mostly luxury homes are being built now. But there exists a home for virtually every budget from condos, to town homes, to mansions. Although prices of all homes there are on the rise.

As I have stated in the past, Ramat Bet Shemesh is a relatively new and physically beautiful city. It has both the natural beauty of nearby mountain ranges and the man-made beauty of stunning architecture that is unique to Israel. It is a planned community with parks, shopping centers, schools, and Shuls. It has a hilltop view in the middle of town that offers a picturesque view of the city. All structures there are built with Jerusalem stone which gives the entire city a golden hew.

Even more beautiful than the physical beauty of the inanimate objects is the beauty of the residents there. There is a large population of Anglos there who are mostly Americans. This makes it a very attractive destination for American Olim. If I understand correctly, Ramat Bet Shemesh is either the exclusive or at least primary destination for Nefesh B’Nefesh Olim.

The most striking difference between celebrating Yom Tov in Israel and celebrating it in US is the fact that in Israel, it is Yom Tov everywhere! Even the non religious know it. It is a national holiday. And in a place where the vast majority of people are Frum you really feel it. It is Sukkos all over. Every dwelling has a Sukka. And everyone uses it. The weather is summer like and that makes eating in a Sukka quite pleasant and refreshing.

I mostly Daven’d with my son. His Shul is the most Charedi Shul in town, Maasas Mordechai. But even though it is a Charedi Shul, there are many Datim to be found there at any given time who take advantage of the various and multiple Minyanim throughout the day. And everyone is respectful and friendly to each other. None of the famous Israeli polarization was evident to me. Although it may exist in the minds of some of the residents, I detected none of it. In fact, what I saw was the exact opposite. My son, who Paskins Shailos for his Shul, receives Shailos from both Datim and Charedim.

Another Shul that I Daven’d in is called The Gra Shul. My son is the Rosh Kollel of a night Kollel there every night from 9:00 till 10:30 PM. That Shul too was very user friendly and opened to all. It was also the Shul used by those of us who needed a Minyan for Yom Tov Sheni. (If I recall correctly, the Mishnah Berurah says that it is best to Daven B’Yichidus, but the Minhag in Eretz Yisroel is for Chutznikm (as we are called) to Daven with a Minyan if possible. More about this later.

There is a Shul to cater to every slice of Yiddishkeit. In fact as my son explains it, there is a YU type Shul there, Beis Yisroel, whose Rav is Rav Chaim Malinowitz, who as many may know is the general editior of the Artscroll Shas Bavli.

The only damper for me on this trip was Yom Tov Sheni Shel Galios. Although there are Heterim for Chutznikim to observe only one day of Yom Tov in Israel, the vast majority of Poskim advise those of us who live in Chtuz La’aretz to observe the second day of Yom Tov when in Israel.

It was weird! And I hated it! There is nothing so anti-climatic and even boring as Hakafos on the night of Yom Tov Sheni with a few overly exuberant Chutznikim who take it seriously. Especially after having already done those self same Hakafos earlier in the day and the night before. When the entire country is in a weekday mode of: putting on Teffilin, driving, going to school and work, phones ringing, people shopping… observing Yom Tov Sheni really feels kind of ridiculous.

I had already had two Hakaofos, one earlier in the day and on the night before. What a strange feeling it was for me the next day… doing Hakaofos again, listening to Chasan Torah again, Chasan B’Resishis again all the Aliyos again… and then getting home at 2:00 in the afternoon only to find my grandchildren listening to a CD (which was such off upon my entering the house) while my daughter in law was on the phone discussing work with her boss, and my son was dismantling the Sukka! And I made Kiddush in the middle of all this! We did eat the two Seudos together, but it did not feel real.

I don’t know what the Halachic purpose of this Gezeirah is but it really seems to be out of place. The reasons I have heard (I have not personally researched this reasons for this Halacha) seems very far fetched to me.

But other than that, it was a priceless vacation spent with the Israeli branch of my family and I sit here at Heathrow reflecting on a truly wonderful experience.

Orthodox Blogs and Agudah

Several people have mentioned to me that the next Agudah convention, which I believe is the annual Thanksgiving weekend event, will feature as its theme, Orthodox blogs. I have no clue whether this is true or not. But I would love to be in attendance and hear the following keynote speech:

Gedolei Roshei Yeshiva, Chashuva Rabbanim, Morai V’Rabbosai.

I have been asked to speak on the subject of Orthodox Blogs. As you all know Agudah is opposed to the internet in all contexts, so this subject is a non-starter. (Speaker begins to sit down and then immediately arises and says…) Just kidding. (laughter)

Yes, today we have the unusual phenomenon of Orthodox Jews participating in blogs. Blogs, for those who don’t know is short for Weblogs which is a way in which opinions on any subject may be recorded much the same way a private journal or a diary might be written. The only difference is that on the internet, such “journals” are anything but private. The exact opposite is true. Blogs have become a way for many people to express their views in public for the entire world to read. The added facet of anonymity, that a blogger can avail himself of means that all inhibitions are eliminated. There is also another feature that applies to blogs that do not apply to private journals: a comments section. This can be accessed by anyone and if he or she wishes, he or she may respond. And the anonymity feature is there too. That gives the commenters the ability to say some very outrageous and even nasty things without consequence.

This has caused tremendous Bizayon HaTorah in many cases. And it is a very negative development in the world of Torah. Indeed, many a Ben Torah can be found commenting on some of these blogs. Who gave them permission?! Why do they not listen to Daas Torah about the internet?!… But I digress.

The key point which I wish to make is that are some blogs that are quite enlightening. And their value to the Torah world is immeasurable. I have been given printed copies of some of the discussion on the better blogs, those like Hirhurim and a few others, which have a tremendous amount of Torah content which can be accessed at any time and any place. But more importantly these blogs have opened up a window to segments of Orthodoxy here-to-fore closed off to the world of Yeshivos. They have shined the light of truth on a segment of the Orthodoxy who were until now, thought by many of us to be light on Torah observance. Those of us in Agudah have now been enlightened as to these Bnei Torah taht exist outside of our own Agudah community. We now realize that there are a great many serious Yirei Shamayim in all segments of the Torah world; and that Modern Orthodoxy does not mean a license to skimp on Halacha or cut corners in observance... as we have often accused it of. But that it is a legitmate Hashkafa, albeit different than our own. Bloggers who use the internet for these purposes are making huge Kiddush HaShem on a daily basis.

And even those blogs which some people feel are fostering Apikursus by talking about issues like the “age of the universe” are also providing a valuable service. After reading some of the discourse and debate on these blogs we have come to the conclusion that it indeed enables conversations between people with serious questions about Emunah and knowledgeable Talmidei Chacahmim who have studied these issues within the framework of a vast Torah and secular education. They can vent their doubts and frustrations anonymously, if they so choose, without fear of retribution by their respective communities and thereby get a better understanding about Torah. By participating with various Talmidei Chachamim from the entire spectrum of Torah Judaism, matters of faith and doubt can be aired out and addressed by many knowledge people in the context of an intelligent, if sometimes spirited and even heated debate. And this just scratches the surface of what some of the better blogs have done for Klal Yisroel. There is so much more to say… so little time to say it.

As a result of blogs like Hirhurim and Cross-Currents, we have come to appreciate these contributions and I can say with a clear concience, Kein Yirbu and may Hashehm grant Orthodox bloggers much Hatzlacha in all their future endeavors.

Thank you. (Polite applause turns to wild cheering as many in attendance take out their laptops hidden in their briefcases, lift them in the air and do a "wave".)

Kallat Torah?

Someone sent me an e-mail which said the following:

“Rabbi Maryles, are you aware that Avi Weiss' temple had a Kallat Torah
and Kallat Bereishit? I heard this third-hand, so I called the temple to verify.”

Now, I would not refer to Rabbi Weiss’s Shul as a temple. That is insulting, incorrect, and unfair. His Shul does not violate Halacha, to the best of my knowledge. But this latest little attempt at political correctness of the feminist kind is very telling about what drives the left wing of modern orthodoxy of which Rabbi Weiss is one of the more eloquent leaders.

Rabbi Avi Weiss is not only the Rav of a Modern Orthodox Shul in Riverdale; he is also the founder of Yeshivat Chovevei Torah. It is therefore not unreasonable to conclude that what he advocates for his Shul, he would advocate for his school as well.

I find this latest innovation to be very troubling. Of what possible value is it to add to the millennia old traditionb of Chasan Torah and Chasan Bereshis? Who benefits from this? What kind of woman would really care that an annual event millennia needs a parallel feminine version?

There can only be one answer: Only a feminist would care. Only an individual consumed with the idea that we live in a male dominated society in which the Torah world was and still is complicit, and that women have been put down by men, even Orthodox men for centuries. And that we need to do everything possible to change things until men and women are completely equal on the social playing field.

This new innovation is so ridiculous, it is laughable. Are we going to start adding a feminine version of every Religious ritual?

If this event doesn’t prove my point about the current thrust of left wing Modern orthodoxy, nothing does. I do not believe for a minute that this is what Judaism is about.

There are many people who would say, “So what?” Who cares what a Shul does to please a certain element as long as they do not violate Halacha. But as I have said in the past: How far does one want to go with this? How far must we twist tradition out of shape to satisfy a few social feminists? In my view the gain is far outweighed by the loss. What is the loss? It is the loss of normalcy. Just as I think the extremism of the right does not serve Klal Yisroel well, neither the the extremism of the left, especially when there is absolutely no practical benefit.

The Cloning of Klal Yisroel

Last night after Havdalah of Yom Tov Sheni Shel Galius, I went out with my wife to get some Pizza at the mall in Ramat Bet Shemesh. I passed by a book store that had a photo of the Brisker Rav, Rav Yizchok Zev HaLevi Soloveitchik, on the cover. My curiosity got the better of me so I opened it up. It contained various photos of the Brisker Rav and people and institutions from his era. The first picture I saw was of a group of Talmidim from Yeshivas Mir in Europe, pre holocaust. It was of a young Rav Chaim Shmulevitz, Rav Beinish Finkel and some of the older Talmidim. It was a striking pose. The Talmidim were not only all clean shaven, they were all well dressed. I do not mean in the Charedi style of today consisting of black suits, white shirts without ties, and black hats. They did not have that same cookie cutter look all of today’s Bnei Torah of the right have. I am talking… well dressed, in the style of the era. The suits were not all the same style. They all looked like any well dressed, well groomed man of that era. The suits were light and dark, vested, and un-vested and they were of course all wearing hats... stylish light colored ones. The only “give away” that they were even Jewish was that context of the picture. And these Bachurim were the cream of the Torah world. They were the elite… the best and the brightest students, all invited to come learn in the limited space of the Yeshiva world.

I am told by various people who have made a study of this that the Bachurim in the great Lithuanian Yeshivos, like Mir were not only encouraged to look and dress that way, they were forbidden to look… well… Yeshivish. Beards could not be grown. Peyos were forbidden. Any attempt by a Yeshiva student to grow a beard or Peyos and he was called in by the Rosh Yeshiva, accused of Yuhara, and told he must shave. The only exceptions were the Chasidishe Bachurim who sometimes attended these Yeshivos. They were allowed to keep their beards and Peyos. I am told that in some cases these Chasidishe Bachurim, feeling a bit out of place would themselves shave and then grow back their beards when they returned home for Bein HaZmanin.

Today, the exact opposite is true. The students of the Charedi Yeshivos look… well… Charedi. They are clones of each other. The vast majority of them have Peyos, and beards. And anything but a dark suit is unseen in their environs. Blacks hats: Universal. In short every student looks like a virtual clone of another.

I’m not sure why the Roshei Yeshiva of old were so adamant about their Bachurim dressing well. I am told that the reason in part was to please the parents and supporters so that they wouldn’t think their Yeshiva students weren’t going off the deep end. But what ever the reason, it is clear that these great Gedolim of yesteryear were concerned about the image of the Yeshiva and how their Bachrim reflected that image. Young men in that era, could be individuals. They did not have to look like clones of each other.

Not so today. The rabbinic leadership in the Yeshiva world on the right is more concerned with separating their students from the world, than they are about their image. And this is the source of one of the biggest problems we face today. By separating these young men today they are in fact keeping them isolated from the world, Rabbinic leadership preaches isolation. They disparage the outside world as having either no positive value or as being outright evil and to be avoided at all costs. By encouraging the current mode of dress; the sameness in dress, they are accomplishing just that: separating themselves from society and vilifying it with the same act.

Indeed one can say about today’s leadership versus that of the Roshei Yeshiva of yesteryear: Niskatnu HaDoros. Keeping their students in their “own “uniforms” which includes peyos and beards is but one of the methods whereby they exert control over their every action. Roshei Yeshiva have been vested with virtual infallibility. Terms like Daas Torah were invented so as to vest them with this virtual control over the lkives of their students. But Daas Torah is not Ruach haKodesh. This was made clear by no less a man than Rav Elyashiv in a conversation with Rav Nosson Kaminetsky. He clearly stated that he has no Ruach Hakodesh. And he is considered the Gadol HaDor by almost all Charedim. In fcat there is probably no one elese of his stature alive today with the possible exception of Rav Ovadia Yosef. But if you ask most Bnei Torah about the Daas Torah of “the Gedolim” they will include, as part of the definition, that their words are generated in part by Ruach Hakoddseh.

Family Mesorah is all but disappeared except if it is not in conflict with the Charedi Hashkafa. This is another aspect of the total control the current rabbinic leadership has. One cannot say to a Rosh Yeshiva that his parents and grandparents did things differently than the Yeshiva does. They are Daas Torah. Parents… are at best ignorant.

So what is the result of all of this? We are now in at least the second generation of such indoctrination. Parents have themselves been indoctrinated to “look” a certain way and the parents themselves look to the favored Rosh Yeshiva instead of the parents and they teach their children to do the same. This is the world of Charedim. It is all about Daas Torah. And "Daas Torah" controls every aspect of their lives, including how they dress. And this is the world of the future if things don’t change.

Yissachar Zevulun

Simchas Torah is the time of year we complete the yearly cycle of reading the parshas Hashavua. The final Parsha is V’Zos HaBracha. We of course rejoice greatly upon this achievement reflecting both the joy of completeion and joy of new beginnings, as we return to begin once again the yearly cycle of reading a weekly Parsha by reading the opening portion of Parshas Breishis.

There is a phrase in the Parsha we read on Simchas Torah, V’Zos HaBracha, which states: “Smach Zevulun B’Tzeischa V’Yissachar B’Ohalecha” Rejoice Zevulun in your going out and Yissachar in your tents. (33:18)

This has long been used to reflect the Yissachar Zrvulun relationship between those who learn Torah and those who support Torah… both having an equal Chelek (portion) in the reward for learning Torah.

The Beis HaLevi has an interesting take on these words. One of the Halachos of Brachos is that if one is at a Seudah at a wedding and then leaves the table to greet the Chasan, upon his return to the table he has to repeat the Bracha on the food. This is because it is considered a Hesech HaDaas (a mental interruption in the meal). And a Hesech HaDaas requires a new Bracha. But if there are people still remaining at the table when one leaves to greet the Chasan, then no new Bracha is required. Because when one returns, he returns to the original Kvius (pre-existing condition) and there is therefore no Hesech HaDaas since he was there before and is part of that Chabura... and therefore re-esatblishing the pre-existing condition.

The same is true by the Yissahar Zevulun relationship. Since at one time they were all learning and now Zevulun takes leave, the fact is, part of the Chabura remains. When he returns to learn he is returning to that same Kvius that he was a part of and there is therefore no Hesech Hadas for Zevulun either. Going out to do business is then no Hesech HaDaas at all if one is doing business to support and strengthen the hand of those who are learning Torah. And this is what the Pasuk means when it says “Rejoice Zevulun in your going out”. Why do they rejoice? Because Yissachar is still in the tent and as such since they still “remain at the table” of learning Torah… then Zevulun’s “going out” is not considered a Hesech HaDaas.

My Bracha to all is that we do not have a Hesech HaDaas to Torah, and that we and all our families have a healthy and prosperous 5767.

Rabbi Mordechai Blau: Tznius Cop

I don’t know what we are coming to in our world. Is this the result of an over-emphasis on Tznius? Are men and women to live so separate from each other… as though we were aliens from different planets?

This seems to be the way we are going based on an article in Ha’artez. What in Heaven’s name ever happened to common sense? It is a world of extremes. On the one extreme you have people succumbing to aberrant Taavos; finding ways to satisfy themselves at the expense of others... and on the other extreme you have a rabbi who heads a group called: “The Sanctity and Education Guard.”

What exactly does Rabbi Blau do? What is his mandate? Simple really. It is to create a class of Jews molded after the Tznius standards of the Taliban.

Of course he would vehemently deny this. But is what he is looking for in Klal Yisroel that different? Lets us examine some of the details of what he has been doing. He is currently involved in “Kashering” concerts for Simchas Beis HaShoeva. But it isn’t just about Tznius. It is about completely controlling every aspect of a public event so that it is molded in the image of a very sepcific Hashkafa. From the article:

“Before providing his imprimatur to any event, Blau checks every detail, personally approving each singer and band, and going into the field to check the arrangements for keeping men and women separate.” “We verify that the public won't be coming to an event that has screaming, or, heaven forfend, idol worship.” “We must make sure that at a Torah-based event, we don't get some John Lennon with a kippah.”

He of course does not mean Avodah Zara but fan worship of a music star. Now I am not a fan of worshiping of Jewish “pop” stars. Far from it. I think it is wasted energy on the part of those who do it. And I discourage it when I detect it.

But is this the wisest use of our Torah resources? …To prevent the occurance of fan adulation of popular Jewish music stars? Do we need to have an organizatuion dedicated to preventing this? Is it really so important to expend all the time end enregy to disabuse young Bnei Torah of such “idol worship”. Not to me it isn’t. It is one thing to discourage it generally but to go to such lengths to prevent it seems like an incredible waste of time which could be better spent on more important projects. Once these young people get older and more mature, this kind of “idol” worship wanes and most of them will turn out just fine as functioning Bnei Torah, even if they were once wild fans of MBD or Shwekey.

But this is not what is so upsetting. The following is:

“(Rabbi)Blau checks whether the performers observe the rules of modesty at all times. If there is any doubt, he asks the musician to sign a document in which he promises never to perform at any event where men and women are not separated "according to rabbinical instructions.”

This is the real clincher for me. When perfectly acceptable satndards of Tznius are dismissed as immodest, it means that new standrads are being set on the unsuspecting masses. Most people in the world of Rabbi Blau think that a concert where there is family style seating is untznius. Which is untrue. It is only untznius for certain people. But if this organization has anything to say about it. It will be the standard for all of Klal Yisroel.

How far does the power of Rabbi Blau and his organization, “The Sanctity and Education Guard” extend? The very popular singer of Jewish music, Ya'akov Shwekey who had been invited to a Simchas Beis Hasho'evah celebration was disinvited after refusing to sign Rabbi Blau's document. Yaakov Shwekey’s music can be heard playing all over the Charedi neighborhoods of Israel. But because he dispalyed the courage of his convictions, he was prevented from performing to a group of people who love listening to his music.

Why can’t these people just get a life? Why do they need to interfere in the lives of others? Why, according to him and those rabbinic leaders whom he represents, must we seek to live like the Taliban? And why should our precious resources be wasted on this nonsense?

If one wants to live like a monk in a moastary, fine. That’s up to the individual. But when one group with a narrow Hashkafa starts touting this standrad as THE Torah standrad, then that is a lie. None the less, that attitude is instilled in all Bnei Torah today because of the indoctrination about the infallibilty of the Gedloim. And this gaurantees that what ever they say, is Halacha l”Moshe MiSinai. That is not Judaism. It is exteremism. And it ought to stop.

Letter From St. Louis

The following letter was sent to my wife by my daughter Rivkie. It is quite poignant and describes what is going on with my grandson Reuven. With my daughter’s permission, I present it here (parentheses are mine):

We got home from St. Louis this afternoon. It was such a nice Yontif for all of us. Tovi (Reuven’s mother) and I shared the cooking even though she did most of it. And there was even a meatball contribution from you [...yum...thanks!]. I brought two sides and some raw materials for mains and Tovi did the rest.

If you hadn't known what was going on with Reuven you would never have known from the mood of yontif. Everyone was happy to be with each other. The kids had a great time together and so did the adults ...the food was great and the weather was perfect (although it was) a little chilly at night. Neil (Reuven’s father) and Tovi built a beautiful Sukkah. There was enough room for everyone and even a few other guests for one of the meals.

Reuvs could not have been in better spirits. The only difference was that he had to pause at various points of the day to take meds etc.

The only shocker for me was Reuvs' hair. It's thinned out a lot. I had asked Tovi before we came if I should say anything to prepare the kids about Reuven's hair and she said "no"...that it didn't really look that much different and they probably wouldn't notice. But Micha (Rivkie’s husband) and I noticed and so did Meira (Rivkie’s 7 year old daughter, Reuven’s cousin). Meira asked "what happened to Reuven's hair? Why does it look like it changed colors...?" I explained to her that the medicine that Reuven has to take for his arm makes that happen to his hair etc. I couldn't help but be sad when I first saw him, but being with Reuven over the duration of yontif was anything but sad. Reuven was happy and singing and dancing and hanging out with everyone.

And of course Humbers (Reuven’s younger brother, Avraham) is a scrumptious as ever and we love Elisha (older brother) too.

All our love from here.

r

Lying Through Omission

Hamodia had an article in their print edition over the weekend on various Jewish communities around the world. One of them was about Chicago. The focus of course was on the Frum portion of that community. It was quite a nice piece explaining how various institutions were developed and have gone on to thrive and how various Rabbanim have contributed to Chicago’s religious growth. It listed the number of religious schools and featured the Yeshivishe elementary schools Yeshivas Tifferes Tzvi and Beis Yaakov elementary school. All very fine and good. The problem is that both of these schools were portrayed as the primary schools in Chicago and the largest. And the context is not presented as Charedi. It is presented in a non Hashkafic, matter of fact way.

Once again there has been a deliberate attempt to distort history and the importance of the oldest and largest elementary school in Chicago. How they can totally ignore Arie Crown Hebrew Day School (ACHDS) is quite shocking. Not only is it the oldest school. It is by far the largest. It has over 700 children and had to turn away students this year for lack of space. There are currently plans to enlarge the school.. the third such expansion at the current location in the last 20 years. ACHDS is, however not the Yeshivishe school. I suspect that this is the reason it was ignored.

It doesn’t seem to matter that it is considered a prototype institution by Torah U’Mesorah for other day schools or that its last principal, Rabbi Meir Shapiro is the prototype of a successful principal. Nor does it seem to matter that any student who has chosen… or that will choose… to go to the most Right Wing of Yeshiva high schools has been able or will be able to do so based on the level of Torah education there. Its Hashkafa is a combination of Torah Im Derech Eretz, Torah uMadda, with a strong dose of Ahavas Eretz Yisroel thrown in for good measure. And virtually all Rebbeim are of the Yeshivshe mentality… many from the Lakewood Kollel and even Telshe. In short, they get a dose of everything there.

But as far as HaModia is concerned, it is off the radar. It not even named as a school. Only the Yeshivishe day school is mentioned praised, and it is called the largest school.

I doubt that this is just an oversight. I believe that it is a deliberate attempt to marginalize any school that does not tow the Charedi line.

I know that Hamodia is a Charedi newspaper. I understand that it believes strongly in its Hashkafos. But to totally ignore the oldest and largest day school in Chicago as though it doesn’t even exist is nothing short of lying to push their own agenda, in my view.

And people think I am a basher. Is it not bashing hundreds of students, teachers, and administration, to lie through omission? Is it not bashing to omit even the mention of the school and thereby marginalize it and its Hashkafa? Is it not bashing to directly lie about the size of the Yeshivishe day school? If it isn’t bashing then it is worse because it is bashing insidiously through omission.

All of my children went to ACHDS. I will match my son’s Yeshivshe credentials against anyone. My daughters’ Hashkafos range anywhere from Yeshivish to TIDE to TuM. although none of them can really be pegged to any one of those Hashkafos. And I wouldn’t have it any other way. ACHDS does not try to fit their students into specific molds. They allow that each child has a family Mesorah and they encourage them to follow it. This is one reason why my children were able to flourish there.

Apparently, The Hashkafa of Hamodia prefers the cookie cutter model for their students. Too bad it feels it has to lie to make sure people get its message.

Yichud

I’m tired of it! Once again a Frum public figure is making the front pages of a newspaper. He is about to be indicted for sex crimes. This time it is the President of Israel. He hasn’t been indicted yet but it seems the evidence is pretty strong. I hope that it is all untrue and that the President of Israel will be exonerated. And that al the accusations will be proven false. But there just seems to be too many allegations by too many people. We will have to wait and see. But in the meantime it does not look good for the President.

It seems like only yesterday that many people were saying that Moshe Katzav was making one Kiddush HaShem after another. He is a man who is Shomer Shabbos, Davens every day and is basically of the DL stripe. I felt pride in hearing stories about his public observance of Mitzvos in his role as President of Israel. But this morning on my way home from Shul (as I continue a wonderful Yom Tov with my son and his family in Eretz Yisroel), I picked up a copy of the The Jerusalem Post. I open it up and get “hit” with the front page. In the first column is a story about the President. The opening line:

“Even as President Moshe Katzav readied to welcome guests to his succa during the holiday, he had a few unwelcome guests, as the special police force investigating him put the finishing touches on its final report.”

It goes on to state that the embattled President faces a growing number of allegations ranging from sexual harassment to rape!

The “succa” part was nice and the kind of news that used to give me pride. The President of Israel using a succa, hosting guests there on Sukkos. How wonderful! But… the “rape” part of the story spoiled the “succa” part. As I said, I hope it isn’t true. But if it is, it once again shows that the Torah community is not immune to such behavior.

It is a sickness. And it doesn’t seem to matter how an individual is raised, or what values he is taught. If one has a propensity for sexually aberrant behavior and one is given the opportunity, then acting on such impulses is more likely then one would expect! Examples of such people in such circumstances abound. And as I have said, it cuts across all Hashkafic lines. And, no one should take umbrage that their Hashkafic segment is being singled out. Individuals from all Hashkafos have been in the news that way…unfortunately. What they had in common was the fact that they were religious and that either they were convicted of… or there is ample evidence of sexual misconduct. They had or created opportunity, and they acted upon it.

Only one individual was convicted so far, if I recall correctly. Others, including the President of Israel, will still have their day in court. And I hope that every one of them is innocent and that the allegations prove false. But, I fear that in most cases they will be found guilty.

The problems with these individuals are not that they have abnormal impulses, but that they refuse to control them. They instead choose to act on them. And in many cases they created for themselves…opportunity.

It would behoove all public figures, whether rabbinic or political, who consider themselves Frum and indeed even trumpet that fact, to live transparent lives and never seclude themselves with the objects of their desires. The Halachos of Yichud never made more sense to me than they do right now.

It is said that Billy Graham was never alone in a closed room with a woman other than his own wife. Does it take a non Jewish Evangelical preacher to show us by example how we should conduct ourselves? How embarrassing that some Rabbanim such behavior isn’t part an integral part of their behavior patterns.

In the meantime a tremendous Chilul Hashem is happening once again and it is on the front page of a newspaper. And I am sick of it!

Chaim Mod’cha Brecher

In honor of Yom Tov which is characterized by the term Simcha, I offer this link to perhaps the funniest piece of humor I have ever heard on the internet. I’m sure most people have heard it. Many times. But I dare anyone to listen to it again and not at least smile and probably laugh. It is realy funny. Just click on this link and then click where it says “Jewish Crank Call” on the right side of the screen. Then sit back and laugh your head off.

Chag Sameach?... or Good Yom Tov.

I am going to depart from my usual custom of writing a D’var Torah for Sukkos. Not because I don’t want to, but simply because I just don’t have enough time to blog…. and enjoy my son, daugther in law and grandchildren at the same time. So instead I will just wish all my readers and commenters a Good Yom Tov, or, if you prefer a Chag Sameach (I am personally not fussy.) Whether one agrees with my thoughts or is vehemently opposed to them, we are all part of Klal Yisroel and I have no ill will towards anyone, even my biggest detractors. So, once again, I extend my sincere wishes for a joyful Simchas Yom Tov to all. If any of the many readers who live in Ramat Bet Shemesh want to come say hi, I will be Davening in Maasas Mordechai, most Minyanim and The Gra’s Shul for the “Chutz” Yom Tov Sheni Minyan

I would throw out a thought to ponder. Why during the era of the Beis HaMkdash, did Chazal not Assur Lulav and Esrog with a Shev V’Al Taseh on Shabbos Sukkos, even for the first day of Yom Tov which is a D’oraisa? They Assur’d Shofer on the fist day of Rosh Hashanah if it fell on Shabbos? The worry of carrying the Shofer to Shul motivated Chazal to come up with a Shev V’Al Taaseh on Rosh Hashanah Takkana for Shofer, Why wouldn’t the same worry about carrying the Dalede Minim on Sikkos? The Takkana we have today against taking the Daled Minim only post Beis HaMikdash, if I remember correctly. I would appreciate any knowledge on this subject. Of course, if I remembered incorrectly, then …never mind.

I’m Sorry… So Sorry.

There has been much written about the Monsey Treif meat scandal. I’m not sure that I can add much to the story. But I heard an unbelievable story about this butcher, the owner of Shevach. Apparently after he had been exposed he was seen a day or so later at the L’Chaim of a friend’s child. The people there were surprised to see him there. When asked how he could show his face in town, he said, “What’s the problem? I apologized!”

Talk about not having a clue. Here is a man who perpetrated one of the biggest scams against the Torah world I have ever heard about in modern times, and he thinks an apology will get him right with his community and the rest of Jewish world. What was he thinking? How can anyone think that a simple apology will wipe away the immense fraud he perpetrated? What kind of perverse mind thinks like that? Here is a man who willfully sold Treif meat for years to unsuspecting Torah Jews in the Monsey community for years. How does a respected individual, a Torah Jew with a strong religious background and relatively high level of Torah knowledge sleep at night? …let alone show up after he is caught?! Here is a man who was influential member of the board of a Yeshiva in Spring Valley, who was a Baal Koreh and even gave a Daf Yomi Shiur. Not exactly the profile of a crook of this magnitude or of any magnitude!

I happen to have met this fellow a number of years ago. His son married the daughter of a friend of mine. My wife was the party planner and I was at the wedding too. The only thing unusual about him was that he seemed to be somewhat temperamental and a bit short fused. Other than that, there was nothing unusual about him. His son is a wonderful young man. How could such a monster produce such a fine son? I guess that this fellow was cool as a cucumber and was able to compartmentalize his life with his family, and his fraudulent business life. Kind of like the way a Mafia Boss does.

But it is still a mind boggling thing to conceive of, to execute, and keep secret for so many years the fact that he was willfully deceiving his own Frum community by selling them Treif meat as Kosher. He was only caught inadvertently, through an innocent question from one customer to another about where he was buying the Satmar Shechita meat that he was going to use for his upcoming Simcha. When the answer was that he was buying it from Shevach meats, it raised a red flag. He had spoken to the suppliers from Satmar who told him they hadn’t sold or made any deliveries to Shevach for months! This led to checking out the butcher and the discovery that indeed he had removed the original labels from the Treif packages and had put on kosher ones. And then everything hit the fan.

So what was this man thinking? Here is a possible scenario. It was all about the money. It’s a slippery slope. You rationalize. You start with one Treif chicken that is switched. It could have easily progressed from there. As a Lamdan this butcher probably thought a long these lines: He really needed the money (for whatever reason). He bought Treif chickens for substantially less than kosher ones. He reasoned that since his customers would be clueless, they are completely Patur. They were entirely B'Anus, a Halachic status that absolves one of any fault. And many Poskim have already indicated, the community wasn't even subjected to Timtum HaLeav, a spiritually negative condition on the soul that one attains when eating Treif. These Poskim Paskined that Timtum HaLev does not apply to those who transgressed B'Anus through no fault of their own. As such there is not even any Lifnei Iver. His customers were completely absolved of any wrong doing, so, what's the problem? Win/win for everybody.

So when he was caught, he figured oh well… I’m sorry. Life will go on. Well life has indeed gone on. But Monsey residents will never be the same. And the Hechsher industry has been severely traumatized. And what happened to this butcher? He has divorced his wife, severed all relationships with his children and has disappeared from the planet.

Lo Selechu? …Not for Chasidic Women

I arrived in Israel a about three hours ago. I made an observation on the trip that I want to share.

The entire El-Al flight was filled with Orthodox Jews. And of those almost 90 percent were either Charedi of Chasidic, and about 10% were Modern Orthodox. I wouldn’t even be surprised if the three or four non Frum Jews on board were security people. I have never quite had this kind of experience.

One of the things that occurred to me while I was waiting in line to get a boarding pass is the incongruity of dress between the Chasidic women and the Chasidic men. The wives of Chasidim dress quite fashionably. If not for the fact their husbands were standing right next to them, I would not be able to tell them apart from any other well dressed as well as and modesty dressed woman Charedi, MO or even non Jewish. Their wigs were so good you could not tell that they were wigs. The discrepancy between the husbands and wives was so stark that it makes one wonder if they were raised with the same values. It is almost as if they were somehow mismatched as a couple. The men had the typical Chasid “Levush”. The women… very “modern” looking.

I know that there are many Chasidic women who do have a distinctive “Chasidic” look to the way they dress, Satmar, for instance, wears a hat over their wigs, usually the pill box style worn by former First Lady Jackie Kennedy during her husbands Presidency. And if one goes to Meah Shaarim, the women there are quite... well... Chasidic looking.

But I do not think that is the case with most other Chasidim. And it really stood out for me this time in this particular setting. The question arises, “What exactly is the purpose of the Chasidic style of dress?” I have been told that it is based on Lo Selechu B’Chukas HGoy. Chasidim wish to dress in a manner that is distinctively apart form the manner of dress of non-Jews.

If that is the case, then how do you explain the way their wives dress? Why must the Chasidic men look so radically different from the norm while woman, although dressed Tznius, sometimes look like the walked off of an ad in a fashion magazine?