There is an article in last week’s Jewish Press. This incident was eventually resolved favorably but the elements here are reminiscent of two events from several years ago that did not have such a happy ending.
Ephraim Waxman (incorrectly spelled Wachsman in the article and no relation to the Monsey Rosh HaYeshiva) has written a historical work entitled, ‘Medor Ledor’. He went to the trouble of getting endorsements from various rabbinic leaders, including the Karlsburger Rav and the Voidislaver Rav. The book went on sale. And wouldn’t you know it, some Askanim who bought it were shocked by what they read.
It contains the story of Shabsai Tzvi, one of the most infamous false messiahs of all time. In the span of two years, from his "coronation" in 1664 until his conversion to Islam in 1666, he created a major upheaval throughout the Jewish world. Many were duped by him and his followers, including great rabbinical figures. The controversy did not end even after his conversion to Islam. The Yaavitz, Rabbi Yaakov Emden, famously accused his contemporary, Rabbi Yonason Eibeshitz of being a closet Sabbatean. In fact there are still Sabbateans around today.
These Askanim/Kanaim were not going to let a book with such negative information to be distributed. So they ‘snitched’ on him. They went to one of the rabbis who gave his approbation. What happened was as follows (as reported in the Jewish Press):
“The Karlsburger Rav was alarmed and summoned the members of his beis din. He denounced the development and revealed that he did not personally review the sefer, but rather relied on the recommendation of the rav of the shul where the author is a congregant. He contacted the author’s rav and protested. The Karlsburger Rav then issued a letter categorically denouncing the inclusion of extraneous events in the history of Torah-true Judaism. The letter was widely distributed in shuls in Boro Park, Williamsburg, Flatbush, Monsey, Kiryas Yoel, and Lakewood.”
This was all published on the Front Page of Der Blatt , a Charedi Yiddish newspaper. One can well imagine Mr.Wachsman’s consternation at this turn of events.
Long story short, Rabbi Wachsman had met with the The Karlsburger Rav, had shown him the questionable passages and had received his approbation which included an explanation of the questionable passages and the reason for their inclusion. Rabbi Wachsman’s book and reputation were restored. This story had a happy ending for him.
But in two almost identical famous incidents from several years ago, the ending was not so happy. In one case that of Rabbi Natan Slifkin, his works were deemed heresy. In the other case, that of Rabbi Nosson Kaminetsky, it was deemed inappropriate for publication. In both instances the works were banned and the authors’ reputations besmirched. The authors wanted to meet with the rabbinic leader, Rav Elyashiv, to explain their books and the inclusion of the controversial material. In both cases, the Askanim/Kanaim got involved and it never happened. Not in either case. A great injustice was done.
I beleive that this story illuminates the way events of a few years ago very likely went awry. Had those Israeli Askanim/Kanaim then not blocked access by either Rabbi Kamnetsky or Rabbi Slifkin, things may have turned out a lot differently for both of them and for the entire Torah world.
Modified: 7/10/07 10:30 AM CDT
