A Time to Reflect

This has been a tough year for my family and for me - especially the way it ended with the return of Reuven’s cancer. Let us hope and pray that the next year will produce a more positive outcome for our family. May it be God’s will to grant Reuven Ben Tova Chaya a Refuah Shelaima – a complete recovery from his illness.

All prayers on his behalf are greatly appreciated. And any prayers or thoughts for my grandson’s welfare on the Yom HaDin - the Day of Judgment will be appreciated even more so. On this day where our year is inscribed - the gates of Heavenly mercy are open for prayer.

We are all written on this day into either the book of life or the book of death. No one knows what their fate will be, no matter how healthy or how sick. Let us pray that we are all forgiven our sins - Bein Adam LaMakom and Bein Adam L'Chavero (which first reqires Mechila - forgiveness - from the injured party).

I can think of no better prayer than the one said after we hear the sound of the Shofar:

“On this day the world was created and on this day all (God’s) creations stand in judgment – as children or as servants.”

“If we are like Your children treat us with the mercy of a father to a child. If as we are like Your servants, our eyes are dependant on You… until You favor us and take us out as a ‘light’ in judgment (in positive disposition) - Oh awesome and Holy One.”

I now ask Mechila from all I may have offended – both unintentionally and otherwise.

As a community of Jews, there is much for which we need to do Teshuva – and I include myself. Many of the things I write about are areas that - we as a Kehilla need great improvement in. Whether it is in Mitzvos Bain Adam L’Makom – Man and God; or Mitzvos Bein Adam L’Chaveiro Man and his fellow man - whether it is in the Modern Orthodox community or the Charedi community.

It is in the area of Bein Adam L’Chavero that I often focus. That’s because of the potential harm to our fellow man as well as the Chilul HaShem involved. My friend ‘bewhiskered’ delineated some of these areas in one of his comments to the last post:

In times such as these, do we not openly deny the authority of Torah? Whether the discussion is of beating up women on buses, acting in a dishonest manner in business, being intolerant of those of a different Shnit, or protecting and enabling those who would abuse innocent children, while threatening the victims, are these not in fact, acceptable endeavors in this Acharis HaYamim? Do we not as a whole, flaunt these imperfections with an almost prideful demeanor, as shortcuts to Hatzlacha?

At this time we should not only reflect on ourselves as individuals but on ourselves as a community. Rosh HaShanna is about change. No one wants to do that. It’s hard. But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t try.

God does not expect us to achieve perfection. As last week’s Parsha tells us: ‘Lo BaShamyim He’.

We are not Malchei HaShareis - ministering angels. To whatever extent we can improve - even if it is only a little bit – that is beloved to God.

We should resolve to look at each other more favorably, to be Dan L’Kaf Zechus more often to understand each others motives and realize that even when we disagree that often both sides are L’Shem Shamayim. In short we should strive to be a kinder and gentler people.

Perhaps in a new spirit of tolerance and understanding we can all merit to be written and signed into the book of life. May God grant all of Klal Yisroel a year of health, happiness, and prosperity.

Ksiva V’Chasima Tova

The Gay Siddur

I take a backseat to no one when it comes to compassion for people who have homosexual tendencies. What is important is Halacha - not tendencies. In fact - the greater the desire to sin the greater the reward from refraining from it.

So if one has a tremendous desire to eat a cheeseburger that is of no concern to me. Neither is the tremendous desire to perform a homosexual act.

There does not exist a man who does not sin. This does not mean he can’t be a wonderful an honorable human being. We all have our ‘demons’. Everyone has to overcome his own personal temptations. Whether it is speaking Lashon Hara, eating a cheeseburger, committing adultery, or performing a homosexual act.

If a someone succumbs to personal sinful desires, he or she should realize they have sinned, express sorrow for sinning and resolve not to do it again. God is compassionate. This is the power of Teshuva - sincere repentance. This is what Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur is all about.

It is not up to us to judge our fellow man if he is undergoing struggles with his personal forbidden desires. That is between him an God.

This is not to say that we shouldn’t try and discourage sinful behavior in others when we can. Of course we should. That is part of our job as responsible Jews. Kol Yisroel Areivim Zeh LaZeh. All Jews are responsible for one another. If we see someone about to sin we need to do all we can to prevent it. How we go about that is ‘the big question’. But there is no doubt that we are required to do so. One thing that is certain though. We not judge others who succumb to sin. That’s not our department.

Of course if the sin involves harm to others, that is another matter. Being kind to the cruel means being cruel to the kind. Understanding such behavior is not compassionate. One cannot have compassion for murderers or adulterers.

When it comes to two consenting adults where there is no third party - like a spouse - we best not judge and remain compassionate while at same time pointing out its sinfulness and trying to prevent the behavior in some way if we can.

But if one denies the sinfulness of one’s actions and instead extols it - that is an entirely different matter. Then all bets are off. It is not a matter of not hurting others anymore. It is a matter of denying God’s laws. That cannot be tolerated. No one can say that eating a cheeseburger is permitted. Willfully eating a cheeseburger is unacceptable to God

This is why the new Gay Siddur soon to be released by by San Fransisco's main gay synagogue is such an abomination. First of all that such a Siddur exist at all is ridiculous since it sanctions behavior that is clearly forbidden in the Torah. But this Siddur goes further than that. There is actually a blessing in there for gay encounters with homosexual strangers. The blessing is called ‘Kavanah for unexpected intimacy’.

The new Siddur comes out of the Reform Movement. That should not surprise anyone. They do not recognize Halacha as binding. But this goes beyond just permitting the forbidden. It actually gives a gay onetime sexual ‘back-alley’ encounter a blessing.

They claim that it is meant to raise the level of any human act to a level of holiness. The problem with that is that the Reform Movement woudn’t recognize holiness if it hit them in the face.

Holiness is about Godliness. ‘Holy Holy Holy is the Lord of hosts - the earth is filled with His glory!’ To the extent that humanity can we try and achieve holiness by doing His will. We can approach the holiness of being a Goy Kadosh - a holy nation by doing His will as spelled out in His Torah. We become sanctified by following God’s laws - not by sanctifying sin!

One cannot decide on ones own what is holy and what isn’t. We cannot declare a homosexual act to be holy when it clearly is sinful and an abomination. Just because one thinks about God before sinning does not make the sinful act holy or even permissible. Injecting God into an act that the Torah calls an abomination only makes that act worse!

Normally I wouldn’t even dignify this new Siddur by mentioning it. But when serious Reform religious figures come out with this and call it religious innovation it demands a response.

This shows just how far the Reform Movement has fallen.

All this is so ironic. They recently came out with a Siddur that restored some of the liturgy that was once considered anathema to their movement. And there has been a push in recent years towards tradition in the movement. Though they do not mandate religious observance they encourage it as much as possible.

And then they come out with this Siddur? Astounding!

How Frum Are You, Really? - Guest Post by Yossi Ginzberg

A Test for Those Insecure about Their Religious Status

The following was sent to me by a reader. It is a thought provoking quiz - written mostly tounge in cheek - that should make all of us refect on our values – what they are and what they should be. I would just note that the publication of these questions and the follow-up commentary afterward does not necessarily reflect my own views. - HM

Answer the following questions as best you can. I know that none of the answers will be exactly right for you, because you are so very complicated that no one really understands you, but select the one that is closest to your beliefs.

1) Imagine this scenario: In the course of your work, you find that another “frum” employee is taking large sums from the company, in the process depleting a pension fund so that dozens of lower-level laborers at another site (probably all non-Jews) will be cheated of their retirement funds. What do you do?

A) Ask him for a percentage, implying that if he doesn’t cut you in you’ll tell.
B) Nothing, because taking money would be abetting the theft and telling on him would be mesirah.
C) Tell him to stop stealing and to return what he took.
D) Call the police and/ or the company security force.

2) Your boss, seeing that all 8 days of Chanuka are marked in red on the calendar, asks you if you need all the days off, or just the first two and last two. What do you reply?

A) You tell him you also need a day before and a day after, to set up the Menorah and take it down.
B) Yes, you need all 8 days off
C) Only the first and last days.
D) You tell him the truth, that work is unaffected.

3) A close relative is seriously ill, and you really want to help. What do you do?

A) You fly to a famous Eastern European cemetery, where you recite a prayer.
B) You have a prayer said in the synagogue the next time you are there.
C) You recite Psalms at home.
D) You recite Psalms and give charity.

4) In selecting a bride for your son, how much of a role does her parent’s wealth play?

A) Hugely important, I am tired of supporting him.
B) Hugely important, my son is too learned to have to worry about money.
C) If they have money, it means they are smart, and I want a girl with good genes.
D) More important is how they got the money: is the money kosher?

5) In checking out a potential shidduch, which of the following is a deal-breaker? (Select only the most important, if several qualify)

A) The boy/ girl has been in trouble with the police over drugs & alcohol
B) The family has a history of relatives in jail.
C) The family eats “gebrokts” on Passover.
D) The potential groom/ bride is overweight .

6) If your plumber is known to be refusing to give his wife a “Get”, and your dishwasher isn’t working, what do you do?

A) Call him anyway, since it is impossible to live without a dishwasher.
B) Hire a cleaning lady until you get a number for another “heimishe” plumber.
C) Call a different plumber from the Yellow Pages.
D) Call him, tell him why you are not using him, and call a different plumber from the Yellow Pages

7) Your young child tells you that his Yeshiva is cheating, taking government funding that it isn’t entitled to by inflating attendance figures. He thinks it’s all good fun. What do you do?

A) Ask for a discount on your tuition.
B) Nothing, the Rosh yeshiva is a Godol, and if he does it, it must be okay.
C) Spread the news around in shul.
D) Protest formally to the yeshiva, and take your child out, explaining why.

8) You are down to your last money for the month, there are still four tzedaka appeals in front of you, and you can only respond to one. Which do you send to?

A) Pidyon Shevuyim for a Satmar in jail for beating up an anti-Zalman.
B) Pidyon Shevuyim for a nursing-home crook, a Talmid Chochom caught faking mortgages, or a frum smuggler who “didn’t know”.
C) Kupath Ha’ir, despite their inane ads
D) Your local needy person and/or shul.

9) How do you fulfill the custom of “Kaporos”?

A) I go to the closest place that has live chickens. Period.
B) I use live chickens, but only if they don’t look like they are being abused.
C) I do what my neighbors do, and that’s good enough.
D) I use money only.

10) I skip my evening Daf Yomi when…

A)… Only when my wife won’t find out
B)…..I can find an excuse.
C) . .. I am tired
D) …I need a break.

11) In making a simcha, the following is NOT a factor at all:

A) Money
B) What the “machatonim” want
C) What the kids want
D) What others think

12) My reaction, when I see headlines accusing a religious man of criminality, is:

A) To accuse the media of being anti-Semites.
B) To judge him innocent, period.
C) To judge him innocent until proven guilty.
D) To be ashamed.

13) I drink only Chalav Yisroel…

A) When anyone is looking
B) Always
C) Unless I’m out of town
D) Except for ice cream and candy bars.

14) Shtreimels are…

A) As important as anything else in the Torah
B) Almost as important as anything else in the Torah
C) Optional
D) Too hot to wear in the summer

15) My wife’s hair covering must be…

A) All of it, all the time, double-wrapped.
B) Sheitel, snood, I don’t care as long as it’s covered
C) Whatever, as long as she’s still attractive
D) Basically covered, but it’s really her decision

16) Shabbos meals must be…

A) Precisely the same menu, 52 weeks a year, because it’s holy
B) Absolutely must have at least fish, chicken, kugel and chulent
C) Can vary a little bit, if the Mrs wants
D) Must be inviting to those eating them.

17) After the “Motzi” blessing, I cut the Challah, and then...

A) Handle each piece, dipping it in salt and handing them out
B) The law says to dip it in salt, so I dip it, of course!
C) Realize that salt shakers are a recent invention, as is hygiene
D) Just cut them and pass them around on a plate with the salt shaker

Chai) On Rosh Hashana, the following is on my table:

A) Honey, a dozen fruits whose names I don’t know, and a big animal head
B) Honey, some fruits, and I have no idea why
C) Honey, a pomegranate, and some odd fruit for a shehechyanu blessing
D) Honey, a pomegranate, and a printed guide from a charity that lists customs I can make fun of.

How to score your results:

For every A answer, add one point.
For every B answer, add two points.
For every C answer, add three points
For every D answer, add four points
Add the numbers together to get a total

If your total is:

18 or 19 You should not be reading this, you should be on Yeshiva World or Vos Iz Neiz writing nasty bigoted comments in broken English and in all caps. Also, you need to shower more frequently. Even if they didn’t in the old country.

20 to 36 You are badly in need of continuing education in Judaism’s core values, ethics, and basic morality. Also, you should brush your hat.

37 to 50 You aren’t as closed-minded as some, but you are still far from being a complete human being. You need to learn more about Halacha and about Jewish values.

51 to 65 Mazel Tov, pat yourself on the back, you’re several steps above a Neanderthal. At least you understood all the words here, and most likely feel entitled to act really superior now that you have proven that you are too smart to read the Jewish Press anymore. Still, don’t get too snooty since you actually did demean yourself by taking this quiz.

66 to … Have you already calculated what the highest score could be? I thought so. I also think that you probably cheated a little, choosing answers for point value more than for veracity. So, you’re a top scorer, you think that makes you a mensch? It doesn’t, since you have already betrayed insecurity in your religious values by taking this dumb test. Get with the program- the real program- and start learning so you can help rescue the ignorant from sinking into the morass of ignorance and superstition that is overtaking Orthodox Judaism.

Our Father - Our King

Send a Complete Recovery to the Sick of Your People

As we approach the New Year - the Day of Judgment, it is a time to reflect on our deeds and to do Teshuva for all our transgressions. We know the source of all life is God. It is he who determines who shall live and who shall die.

One of the most poignant prayers reflecting this thought is Nesaneh Tokef. This is a prayer recited just before the Kedusha prayer in Musaf of both Rosh HaShannah and Yom Kippur. It is believed to have been written by Rav Amnon of Mainz after his body was brutally dismembered by his ‘friend’ the Bishop of Mainz. Rav Amnon wrote it and uttered it just before he died on Yom Kippur day. The full story is contained in the ArtScroll Machzorim of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.

We say this prayer every year. And though we are all sincere while we say it - once the Yom Tovim are over we hope and believe that God has forgiven us through our proper Teshuva. We hope and believe that we will live another year –in good health and in happiness. And then we get on with our lives.

For those who suffer from serious illness and their loved ones the possibility of death is more than just a passing thought on Rosh Hashanna and Yom Kippur. This prayer becomes much more meaningful for them and stays meaningful long after others break their fast post Yom Kippur.

Yesterday at about 6:00 PM CDT we received the news from the radiologist. My grandson Reuven completed a CT scan earlier this week. The cancer has returned. Ultimately the aggressive chemotherapy he had did not work. I hasten to add that this is not a death sentence. But it is obviously a major disappointment.

The options left for him are entering experimental trials of new cancer treatments and/or an oral chemotherapy that will slow down the cancerous growth. I’m not sure of the details yet. The results of the scan are being sent to renowned pediatric oncologist Dr. Leonard H. Wexler of Sloan Kettering. My daughter and son in law will then decide on the next course of treatment.

When one looks at Reuven now he is the picture of health. He is happy and well adjusted.

I suppose in part this can be explained by the fact that 6 year old Reuven does not know the extent of his illness. He has no clue what stage 4 metastatic cancer means. But he has nonetheless gone through many difficult chemotherapies and surgeries. He has suffered this torturous trek with a grace uncommon in adults let alone little children. Credit for that goes to his parents, the Jewish community of St. Louis and the wonderful hospital staff. Mostly we thank God for granting a happy and upbeat disposition to Reuven.

My family and I have nothing but pure gratitude for all the prayers said on his behalf until now by the many who have done so. But now more than ever Reuven needs our prayers.

Yesterday I had the privilege of hearing Rabbi Yaakov Perlow address the Talmidim of Skokie Yeshiva - and later the larger Jewish community. Among other things he spoke on the idea of Tzibur - the community... versus the Yachid - the individual.

He pointed out that when asking God to grant our prayers as a Yachid - an individual - we run the risk of God examining our own individual faults. But when doing it as a community the individual faults are not as closely examined. That is the advantage of a praying with a Tzibur over praying as a Yachid. A Tzibur is defined by a minimum of ten people.

Ve-Ahavtah L‘Reacha Kamocha. Ahavas Yisroel. There is an obligation to love one’s fellow Jew. This is a MItzvah of Bein Adam L’Chavero. We are obligated to Daven for our fellow Jew as well as for ourselves on the Day of Judgment.

Last Motzoei Shabbos the author of Praying with Fire, Rabbi Heshy Kleinman, spoke at a local Shul and related the following.

When it comes to asking God for forgiveness and to inscribe us in the book of life, we do so not based on our own personal merit. We do not list a resume of our religious achievements and say to God, “Look at me! Look what I did for You, O’Lord. I Davened -prayed three times a say, I was Koveiah Itim – set aside times for learning every day, I did G’emilas Chasodim - kindesses for my fellow man.

No. We do not do that. We instead ask God to look at us like a father looks at a son. Aveinu Malkenu, our God our King! Chunenu V’Anenu Ki Ein Banu Maasim…favor us and answer us - for we have no merit. Aseh Imanu Tzedaka Vochesed V’Hosheainu. Treat us charitably and with kindness - and grant us salvation.

We ask that God grant us our needs as a loving father does for a beloved son!

I would add that this is also reflected by the opening prayer of the Shaliach Tzibur – the Chazan who represents us to God in prayer - our messenager sent to Daven – to pray on behalf of all of us. His prayer begins by negating any Zechus – merit - he may have. Hinnini He’Oni Memaas – Behold though I am impoverished of deeds…

Friends, I too am impoverished of deeds. I stand before God trembling and crying - praying for mercy for my family and for all of Klal Yisroel.

Rabbi Perlow said that we must Daven for all of Klal Yisroel as a loving community. I ask that when in Shul these upcoming days of awe, that we pray as a community for all of Klal Yisroel and include in your prayers my grandson Reuven Ben Tova Chaya among all the sick of Israel. Perhaps as a Tzibur, God will overlook my personal failings and grant the prayers of a Tzibur for a complete recovery - a Refuah Shelaima - for my grandson, Reuven.

The Wrong Stuff

There is a very telling paragraph in Sarah Palin’s speech:

If an Iranian woman shows too much hair in public, she risks being beaten or killed. If she walks down a public street in clothing that violates the state dress code, she could be arrested.

Note the similarity between Iranian religious fanatics who rule that nation and the fanatic Kanoim of Meah Shearim. In Meah Shearim it is the law of the street. In Iran it is actually a state law. Is there any question that if these Kanoim would have their way it would be the state law in Israel too?

When it comes to beating up woman who violate Tznius laws ...Iran equals the Meah Shearim fanatics.

Just to be clear I do not think that the vast majority of Charedim support this kind of behavior. I’ve said so many times in the past and do so again here. I do not want to be accused of Charedi bashing. Again.

But there is a significant segment from the extreme fringes of Charedi world that support this bunch. And there is an even greater segment that doesn't support it - but offers apologetics.

Whenever I make comparisons like this, there is outrage expressed from some in Charedi quarters. Often the very first comment I get is along the lines of: “Oh yeah?! ...What about Teffilin dates in the MO world?

That’s right. Instead of acknowledging the problem (or doing so grudgingly) they will change the subject and immediately attack another segment of Judaism. Their point? We all have our problems so - shutup!

True. We all have our problems. But that doesn’t solve the one under discussion.

I have also said many times that all decent Charedim protest that behavior. That is eminently clear. But some add the following caveat (or a similar one) .. ‘but the victims brought it upon themselves’.

There may be only a handful of these Kanaoim in Meah Shearim, Bnei Brak, or Ramat Bet Shemesh. But apparently they are a part of a Tznius squad that is endorsed by their Gedolim:

Meny Schwartz, who heads the religious Kol Haredi radio station, said the modesty patrols have been around for years, with the full approval of religious leaders, but appear to have become increasingly violent.

And they are growing - and spreading their vigilantism to other Israeli neighborhoods. Their apologists all over the world seem to be a pretty vocal - if not large - group. And that just adds fuel to their fire.

I have an idea for the people who subscribe to violent vigilante style justice. You know - the kind of justice meted out agaisnt Mrs. Shear for sitting in the unofficial men’s section of an empty bus. She was beaten to a pulp, you'll recall! …or that woman in - I think it was Maalot Dafna - that was beaten because she was seen publicly in the company of men.

These Kanoim all hate the State of Israel They think it is an illegal abomination. So too does the Iranian President. They think Tznius violations ought to be severely punished. So too does the leader of Iran. They have exactly the same principles on these issues. Birds of a feather.

Well they can now have their cake and eat it too. Instead of spreading to other parts of Israel such and instituting their vigilante style of justice there - let them move to Iran where their system of justice is now a matter of law. They can then walk hand in hand with Ahmadinejad. They already walk the same walk and talk the same talk. They can live in Iran and point with pride to the way Iran treats Tznius violators. And they can revel together as they curse the Jewish State.

Those who support them or offer apologetics now will still be able to do so. Those who vilify the State of Israel can still continue to do so. The advantage will be that they will be able to point with pride to Iran as the new symbol of Torah true Tznius values. Especially since there will be a group of religious Jews there leading the charge. Who knows? Maybe these Kanoim can even apply for jobs in the Iranian police force.

The Right Stuff

I’ve said it before but it bears repeating. There is no more important issue for me than the welfare of the Jewish people. And it is my number one issue when deciding which Presidential candidate to vote for.

This of course does not mean that other issues aren’t important. Of course they are. The economy is in pretty bad shape and that is an extremely important issue for all of us… every US citizen. Very close attention should be paid to who has the better plan for the future.

Nevertheless the survival and welfare of the Jewish people is number one. Which is why I was very pleased to read the words of Sarah Palin. They are the words she would have spoken at the anti Ahmadinejad rally - taken from an article in Ha’aretz.

It shows that her attitude about us is the same as John McCain’s. And it is that attitude that is the primary reason I support him. When he speaks of the importance of the State of Israel his attitude is based on the holocaust and… never again! The very same thing is true of Sarah Palin.

One may argue that it’s not about attitude. It’s about policy. Which candidate’s policies will ultimately serve Israel and the Jewish people’s best interest? One might put forth an argument that Obama’s policies are better than MCain’s.

But in my view on this issue - attitude is more important. Policies can change. Sometimes a policy position will change based on external factors. If the underlying supportive attitude isn’t there, Israel may just end up being sacrificed for the greater good. I don’t see McCain or Palin doing that. Obama, on the other hand is far more cerebral and analytical. I therefore prefer McCain-Palin’s more visceral approach.

What follows are excerpts of this remarkable speech:

The world must awake to the threat this man poses to all of us. Ahmadinejad denies that the Holocaust ever took place. He dreams of being an agent in a "Final Solution" - the elimination of the Jewish people. He has called Israel a "stinking corpse" that is "on its way to annihilation."

Such talk cannot be dismissed as the ravings of a madman -not when Iran just this summer tested long-range Shahab-3 missiles capable of striking Tel Aviv, not when the Iranian nuclear program is nearing completion, and not when Iran sponsors terrorists that threaten and kill innocent people around the world.

The Iranian government wants nuclear weapons. The International Atomic Energy Agency reports that Iran is running at least 3,800 centrifuges and that its uranium enrichment capacity is rapidly improving. According to news reports, U.S. intelligence agencies believe the Iranians may have enough nuclear material to produce a bomb within a year.

The world has condemned these activities. The United Nations Security Council has demanded that Iran suspend its illegal nuclear enrichment activities. It has levied three rounds of sanctions. How has Ahmadinejad responded? With the declaration that the "Iranian nation would not retreat one iota" from its nuclear program.

…If Iran acquires nuclear weapons they could share them tomorrow with the terrorists they finance, arm, and train today. Iranian nuclear weapons would set off a dangerous regional nuclear arms race that would make all of us less safe.

But Iran is not only a regional threat; it threatens the entire world. It is the no. 1 state sponsor of terrorism. It sponsors the world's most vicious terrorist groups, Hamas and Hezbollah. Together, Iran and its terrorists are responsible for the deaths of Americans in Lebanon in the 1980s, in Saudi Arabia in the 1990s, and in Iraq today. They have murdered Iraqis, Lebanese, Palestinians, and other Muslims who have resisted Iran's desire to dominate the region. They have persecuted countless people simply because they are Jewish.

Iran is responsible for attacks not only on Israelis, but on Jews living as far away as Argentina. Anti-Semitism and Holocaust denial are part of Iran's official ideology and murder is part of its official policy. Not even Iranian citizens are safe from their government's threat to those who want to live, work, and worship in peace. Politically-motivated abductions, torture, death by stoning, flogging, and amputations are just some of its state-sanctioned punishments.

It is said that the measure of a country is the treatment of its most vulnerable citizens. By that standard, the Iranian government is both oppressive and barbaric. Under Ahmadinejad's rule, Iranian women are some of the most vulnerable citizens.

If an Iranian woman shows too much hair in public, she risks being beaten or killed. If she walks down a public street in clothing that violates the state dress code, she could be arrested.

… Last year, women's rights activist Delaram Ali was sentenced to 20 lashes and 10 months in prison for committing the crime of "propaganda against the system." After international protests, the judiciary reduced her sentence to "only" 10 lashes and 36 months in prison and then temporarily suspended her sentence. She still faces the threat of imprisonment.

Earlier this year, Senator Clinton said that "Iran is seeking nuclear weapons, and the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps is in the forefront of that" effort. Senator Clinton argued that part of our response must include stronger sanctions, including the designation of the IRGC as a terrorist organization. John McCain and I could not agree more.

Senator Clinton understands the nature of this threat and what we must do to confront it. This is an issue that should unite all Americans. Iran should not be allowed to acquire nuclear weapons. Period. And in a single voice, we must be loud enough for the whole world to hear: Stop Iran!

Tomorrow, Ahmadinejad will come to New York. On our soil, he will exercise the right of freedom of speech - a right he denies his own people. He will share his hateful agenda with the world. Our task is to focus the world on what can be done to stop him.

…President Ahmadinejad should be held accountable for inciting genocide, a crime under international law.

…Senator McCain has made a solemn commitment that I strongly endorse: Never again will we risk another Holocaust. And this is not a wish, a request, or a plea to Israel's enemies. This is a promise that the United States and Israel will honor, against any enemy who cares to test us. It is John McCain's promise and it is my promise.

Pictures of Women

I just don’t get it. I know the reasons. But still…

I am referring to the obsession by many in the Charedi world with avoiding images of woman at all cost, no matter how modest their attire. Yes… I understand the need by some communities for high standards of Tznius - way beyond that which is required by Halacha. But this is extreme even for them which I believe is counter-productive. As in just about all issues I write about, there ought to be some common sense applied and some sort of rational middle ground sought.

This has been going on for some time now in publications like HaModia and The Yated. I have kind of ignored it as just plain silly. But what brings it to the surface now is the recent election of Tzipi Livni to head her ruling political party in Israel, Kadima. She is in a position to be the next Prime Mister of Israel. She will either soon form a coalition government or run in a general election - all within the next 90 days.

But Charedim will have no clue what she looks like. At least not if Hamodia and the Yated have anything to say about it. In fact Hamodia has reported that they will not even mention her first name.

I really think this is carrying Tznius too far, even for Hamodia.

As far as I know there is no Halacha forbidding a photo of a Tznius woman, certainly there is no Halacha forbidding seeing her face. But, for some reason media that caters to this community has decided that they will not show a woman’s face in their publication under any circumstances. She will be identified as Mrs. T. Livni. It’s as if women barely exist.

As has been the case in just about every Chumra the Charedi world - they never saw a Chumra they didn’t like. As soon as ome segment adopts a Chumra others soon follow suit. My Charedi nephew who is basically of the American Agudah mentality has published a book about our family’s illustrious heritage which includes many photos. But whenever there was a woman in the photo - it was cropped out. I asked him why. He answered that since there are those who object to it, he left them out because he wanted to make the book accessible to everyone. On the surface it sounds fair except that it perpetuates as extreme Chumra and spreads it to all segments of Charedi Jewry including moderate Charedim. I wonder if Artscroll has this Chumra too. I don’t recall if there books publish any photos of women.

Another thing that bothers me along the same lines is the fact that it is becoming increasingly common to not have a woman accept an award at a dais when a couple is being honored. This happened last night at a dinner I attended. It was mixed seating. And it was a wonderful affair for a very worthy organization. But when it came time for the award (two couples were honored) the women were nowhere to be seen.

What has become common practice is that the husband will go up there to get the award, while the woman sits in her seat and is given some flowers or some such token. Personally I think this insulting. If I were a woman I would say thanks - but no thanks to the flowers.

The idea of Kavuda Bas Melech Pnima (the glory of a woman is internal) – even if taken to mean that a woman should not be in the public eye - has been taken way too far in our day. We are regressing to a time where women were in the home all the time as their living ideal. Women did not attend schools. They learned everything they needed to know from their mothers. They went right form their parents home into their husbands home at marriage. They rarely ventured outside the home. This was even true in general society.

Behavior such as I described above may have been appropriate in an era gone by. But we no longer live in such a world. Today woman are seen all the time in public, even those who live in Meah Sheraim.

It may be for reasons of modesty that such extremes are sought. I understand that. But - in the end they are still extremes that are not based in the reality of life in the 21st century - even in the extreme fringes of the Charedi world. What can possibly be gained by such extremes? What are they teaching their children about women?

In my view there is a subliminal message that is sent which goes way beyond Tznius. Vast numbers of Charedim end up with the attitude that woman indeed second class citizens. I am not entirely convinced that this is unintentional – despite strong protestations to the contrary which I hear all the time.

In my view – at least in most cases - whenever Halachos are taken to any extreme, the results are often negative and what ever is gained by such extremes will be more than lost by the (unintended?) consequences.

An Analysis of Denial

The fallout from the resignation of Dr. Benzion Twerski from the commission on sex abuse is still reverberating in the Jewish media. The outrage is enormous – as it should be. I truly hope this event will trigger the kind of change we need

One of the most frustrating things about this is the protection given to molesters in the Jewish community. Why is this issue treated so gingerly? How can people be so callous to the pain of the victim?

No matter how much is written about the subject. And no matter how well respected the writer may be on the subject it seems to have little impact. And what’s worse is that there are people who are vehemently opposed to any efforts to improve things. Take the protectors of Avreimal Mondrowitz, for example.

I’m not sure who is behind the efforts fighting his extradition to stand trial for his crimes. But if I understand correctly - they are respected members of the Ger community. And even if they are not so respected the Gerrer Rebbe certainly has not ordered them, to cease and desist in their efforts on behalf of Mondrowitz.

How can this be? The Gerrer Rebbe is a widely respected rabbinic leader – respected far beyond the community of Ger.

Does he not know the pain of Mondrowitz’s victims? Does he not know about the wide array of destruction that a molestation results in? There are so many: A victim will often suffer lifelong depression that may result in suicide. Future intimate relationships with a spouse will surely be negatively affected - often leading to divorce! Often they will go of the Derech. Or he may become a perpetrator later in life as is often the case. A victim can suffer from any or all of these problems.

The answer is yes, I’m fairly certain that he knows this. As do other prominent rabbinic leaders who have been slow to act in the past.

The question is why then is there such reluctance to act forcefully?

We know part of the answer is. It has been discussed to death: Protectionism. The activists think their Torah community reputation is harmed when these accusations are made public.

After thinking about this a bit I realized that there is an underlying premise at work here: Denial. It is my firm belief that it is an essential part of the problem. These people just don’t believe it. Not even about Mondrowitz! This is their predisposition. And I can understand why.

Think about the scenario which I believe is typical of insular communities like Ger. No one in that community is exposed to the secular media. The religious media never mentions these kinds of stories. Even if they did, no name would ever be mentioned. Avreimal Mondrowitz who has a very winning personality moves in with his wife and children. They are quite normal in every way. Beyond that he is fine and decent in every respect except for the obvious one – which of course they don’t know about – a true Jekyll and Hyde.

Mondrowitz quickly becomes a popular member of his community. He walks the walk and talks the talk. He looks like a Gerrer Chasid (which he is) in every sense of the word. He is meticulous in Halachic observance and all the customs of Ger. His father is a widely respected Talmid Chacham and Mechaber Seforim. In short he leads a picture perfect life - outwardly.

All of a sudden rumors filter into the community that he has done some unmentionable things in the past. Community members and friends of his simply do not – cannot - believe it. They attribute all this to rumors and innuendo from a secular media that is never to be trusted. Testimony reported therein from victims is not believed either. It’s impossible – they think – that this wonderful Chasid with this beautiful family has done anything remotely resembling this.

He has ingratiated himself to the community for so many years without a hint of those crimes. Even when the victim reports are multitudinous, they still can’t believe it of this fine and gentle soul who has been leading an exemplary life.

Though not insular, I have fallen victim to this mindset myself. The Chicago butcher who has been accused by numerous victims of molestation remained a member in good standing in the Chicago community many years after the fact.

He had a butcher shop that was widely patronized by the Jewish community. His long white beard, gentle demeanor, and reputation for honesty, low prices, and quality goods brought him a lot of business. Except for those ‘in the know’ nobody would have suspected this kindly religious gentleman of anything but the best behavior.

All three of my daughters worked for him successively when they were in high school. One day a friend of ours called and asked to speak to us. She came over and asked us of we were aware of his molestations. We had just begun to hear the rumors but didn’t believe them. We knew this man for many years and he was the model of a religious and ethical Jew. She assured us that it was true. She is a founding member of Project Shield that was created to deal with child molesters in the Chicago Jewish community.

Both my wife and I were taken aback. But even after we were told we decided to let our youngest daughter complete her ‘career’ there working for him. We just couldn’t believe it even then. And we felt that since this was generally a crime of opportunity that our daughter was not in danger as she was always at the checkout counter in front of the big storefront window facing a busy street. Thankfully nothing ever happened. He eventually retired and closed his butcher shop. I don’t see him much anymore. He is probably in his late seventies. His children are great people and I recently attended the wedding of his granddaughter.

That he molested young girls seems to be a fact. He was never prosecuted and was allowed to remain in the community with the caveat that he stay away from any contact with young girls. Very few people outside of his victims even knew about his crimes at first. But eventually it became more widely known. He too was a Jekyll and Hyde personality.

This is a tough nut to crack. Unless you or someone you know is molested - or unless you are involved communally in some way as is Rabbi Yakov Horowitz - it is at best just a remote possibility to the average Jewish community member. They simply refuse to believe it is anything but rare – and therefore highly unlikely that it will ever happen to them. 99 times out of 100, they’re probably right. But for the victim, it is a 100% certainty. So - we remain in denial.

I’m not sure how we get people to change their thinking. The disgusting harassment of Dr. Twerski can perhaps be explained in this light. Are their misguided acts derived of good intentions? Maybe but I doubt it. But there is definitely a certain amount of denial involved in the entire Jewish community that is at work here which allows them to carry out their nefarious acts. But as Chapztem showed in a brilliant editorial cartoon – what ever their motivations - it is a road paved to hell!

Three Women and Iran

2008 has to be the year of the woman.

First of all I want to congratulate Tzipi Livni for winning her party’s primary election in Israel. She is now head of her party – Kadima. This makes her the heir apparent to be the Prime Minister of Israel. Olmert who has resigned is now in a caretaker mode. To become the next Prime Minster Livni will need to form a ruling coalition with some of the other political parties.

We know what it will take for her to get the religious parties to support her. That’s a relatively easy thing to accomplish. But I wonder how she will win over some of the other parties? Be that as it may, I congratulate her and wish her well.

I’m not quite sure what her positions are on matters that are important to me and to Klal Yisroel but I am willing to give her a chance. I assume that her attitude on matters dealing with Israel’s security and the peace process are similar to Olmert’s. The advantage she will have over him is that she will not be plagued by corruption scandals. I believe that - unlike her predecessor - she has popular support among Israeli citizens too. We’ll see.

Another milestone for women is Hillary Clinton’s phenomenal showing in the Democratic primaries. Had it not been for the ‘Obama phenomenon’ she would have been a shoe-in as her party’s Presidential nominee. But she deserves a lot of credit for getting as far as she did.

And last but certainly not least, there is Sarah Palin.

Some of the luster has been removed because of the constant microscopic examination by political operatives of everything she ever said or did. They and their willing accomplices in the media have succeeded in putting the most negative spin possible on all of it.

But her star has not fallen too far. In fact she remains about as popular with the masses as she was when she was thrust onto the national scene by the lackluster John McCain. If he wins the Presidency, it will be because of her.

Obama must be second guessing himself now for not choosing Hillary Clinton as his running mate. Had he done so - it would have been ‘Sarah Who?’ McCain would have picked someone else and not have been where he is today in the polls – statistically tied with Obama. Plain has energized the McCain Campaign beyond anyone’s wildest expectations with her charm and wit. And she will probably continue to do so, much to the chagrin of the Obama campaign who until she was chosen probably felt that the campaign would be a cake-walk into the White House.

Three women. Three remarkable achievements.

What they have in common , besides their remarkable achievements, is that they all have the same attitude about Iran. And it’s President, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. He was invited to speak at the UN again this year. All agree that he is a pariah on the world. They all know that his goals are the same as the most militant and radical Islamist: to annihilate the Jewish State, and ultimately to take over the world for Islam. All agree that a nuclear Iran is a mortal danger to all its neighbors, starting with Israel.

There is a rally against Ahmadinejad scheduled on September 22nd by - among other Jewish groups – The Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations. Both Palin and Clinton were invited to speak. Both accepted. It was supposed to be a non partisan event with prominent members of both major political parties scheduled to address the people at the rally. But When Mrs. Clinton found out that Mrs. Palin was going to be there she withdrew. She was outraged that she was scheduled to appear on the same program with the Alaska governor.

I can understand her frustration and anger. But her decision to withdraw is wrong. There was to be no political rhetoric. It was suppose to be a bi-partisan focus on an issue upon which all agree. As far as I know they were not even scheduled to be there at the exact same time. But Mrs. Clinton still couldn’t handle it.

I don’t know what her problem is. Nobody expected her to endorse the Vice presidential nominee of the rival party. All she had to do is speak about the common attitudes about Ahmadinejad. But apparently she is either embarrassed or angry that this… little know-nothing upstart(!) …Sarah Palin is upstaging her now and is in the position that Mrs. Clinton should have been in.

But - she is a human being and I can understand her emotions. What I don’t understand is the decision by the rally organizers to dis-invite Mrs. Palin. They claim they did so because they did not want to politicize the rally with all this controversy and instead keep it focused on Iran. Fair enough. But they aren’t the ones that politicized it. Mrs. Clinton did. They should have kept the invitation open to Mrs Clinton - or invite someone of similar stature – like House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to speak in her place - and let Mrs. Palin speak as scheduled.

That’s really too bad. I am disappointed at all the organizers for making this decision. Dis-inviting prominent members of the American political system lessens the impact of such a rally and that is exactly the wrong message for it to send.

A Time to Act

The Jewish Press has published an op-ed that for the first time has attacks self appointed vigilantes who are nothing more than a group of immoral, violent people purporting to represent Torah values.

First of all the Jewish Press deserves credit for its courage in publishing this kind of letter. To the best of my knowledge no other Orthodox publication has taken this step.

A group of Jewish bloggers with a wide array and readership have gotten together and composed a letter of support. I don’t know what our combined numbers are with respect to readership. But it wouldn’t surprise me if the majority of all Jews who read any blog at all, read at least one of our blogs regularly. The numbers must be huge!

This is just one area where blogs like this have the ability to accomplish something big – something that will benefit everyone. Something that will help protect the innocent and punish the guilty.

The following letter should be copied and pasted into an e-mail - and then mailed to the Jewish Press.

Here is their e-mail address:

letters@jewishpress.com

The goal is to flood them with this kind of e-mail. You can use your own wording but the essence of the letter should be that of the one below.

We can really make a difference here. Maybe we can once and for all turn the intimidaters into the intimidated and rid the Torah world of people like this forever!

Here is the text of the letter:

To the Editorial Board of the Jewish Press:

We would like to express our horror at the intimidation and harassment of Dr. Benzion Twerski for his efforts to protect our children from molestation, and we salute you for your courage in publishing the Op-Ed column condemning the harassment of Dr. Twerski. We feel that exposing the actions of the kannoim is the first step in reversing their campaign of terror against members of our community.

We are fed up with the fact that the extremists in our community are allowed to threaten peaceful citizens with threats and we would like to see our police officers arrest and prosecute those who do so to the fullest extent of the law.

If there are any acts of intimidation or threats of violence to Dov Hikind's next appointee to the Child Safety committee; we will join and support a massive email drive to our elected officials – on the local, state and federal levels – to step in and protect those who are helping protect our children.

We respectfully ask you to run an editorial next week condemning this disgraceful act, acknowledging the number of these emails that were sent to you and calling on our leaders and rabbonim to publicly distance themselves from acts of intimidation and violence each and every time they occur with the same fervor reserved for other actions that contradict our holy Torah – and to declare the acts of violence as the sins they are.

Respectfully submitted,

Harry Maryles (Emes Ve-Emunah)

A Glitch in the Charedi Coup

There is trouble brewing in the Charedi takeover of the Israeli Chief Rabbinate - a traditionally Religious Zionist entity. But it seems like this peaceful coup by Charedi rabbis over Religious Zionist rabbis is being impeded by a battle royal between two rabbinic giants – genuine Gedolim in Israel – Rav Yosef Shalom Elyashiv and Rav Ovadia Yosef. The issue is Rav Yosef’s son, Rav Avraham Yosef. He is running for a seat in the 10 member governing council of the Rabbanut – the Moetzet Harabanut Harashit.

The Moetzet is the governing body of the Israeli Rabbinate on all religious matters. It oversees and is the official authority on everything from personal status issues to kosher food supervision. If religious factions of Agudat Yisroel, Degel HeTorah, and Shas combine, they will comprise a majority of that 150 member voting body. They will then vote on the ten member governing council and Charedi Rabbanim will take control of the Israeli Rabbinate.

Charedi opposition to Rav Avraham Yosef is based on his participation and support of the Heter Mechira. This is a legalistic device which enables farmers to continue farming their land and providing produce to the Israeli consumer during the 7th year of the Shmitah cycle - which we are currently in.

Briefly - Shmitah is a biblical command (which today - according most Poskim - is observed only on a rabbinic level) to leave one’s field in Israel fallow every seventh year. We are not permitted to work the land in any way or benefit from its produce.

There is, however, a loophole.

A way to get around this Halacha is to sell the land to a non Jew. Land in Israel not owned by a Jew is not subject to the prohibitions of Shmitah. There are various Halachic questions about whether one is permitted to sell land in Israel to a non Jew. But the Rambam Paskins (Hilchos Shmitah VeYovel 4:29) that such a sale is valid. If a non Jew buys land in Israel during Shmitah, the resulting fruits - even if planted by a Jew - are not subject to the prohibitions of Shmitah.

Charedi Poskim oppose this Heter. But not all Charedi Poskim dismiss it entirely. Some do permit it in times of dire need. But even those that permit it in times of dire need do not permit it now because they hold that we are not now in such times.

An even greater objection - if I understand correctly - is that they consider the way in which the sale is done to be a complete legal fiction. They consider it not to be a valid sale at all!

If I understand correctly a Rav from the Rabbanut writes a single document that ‘sells’ all the farmland of every farm owner in Israel to an Arab. None of the farmers have any hand in it whatsoever. They all just go about their work as though nothing changed. I wonder how many of them even realize what the procedure is… how it’s done… or who represents them?

Charedi Poskim also feel that by using the Heter Mechira it undermines the entire observance of Shmitah.

Religious Zionist rabbis continue to rely on it for the most part. But this year the Rabbabut under the influence of their Charedi members has put pressure on religious purveyors of food not to use the Heter Mechira. Instead they were urged to buy produce from land owned by Non Jews.

Charedi Rabbanim cut a deal with Palestinian farmers on the West Bank to buy their produce during this Shmitah year. This is essentially where the Charedi community gets its produce.

Charedi pressure not to buy produce from Israeli farmers has created a furor among the Religious Zionists who had relied on the Heter Mechira since the earliest ays of the State. But Charedi Rabbanim who are guided Rav Elyashiv are wresting control of the Rabbanut. And this is an issue among others that they are determined to get control of. The goal is to eliminate the use of the Heter Mechira which they see as an abuse of Halacha. But the story doesn’t end there.
Rabbi Avraham Yosef supports the use of the Heter Mechira and has implemented it. As the Jerusalm Post reports:

Rabbi Avraham Yosef personally oversaw implementation of a controversial halachic ruling called "heter mechira."

Rav Elyashiv strongly opposes him for this reason. Rav Yosef of course supports his son. There seems to be an impasse. Meanwhile the Religious Zionist faction of the Rabbanut is trying to get their own candidates elected.

How will this all end? My guess is that the Charedi surge in power will not be stopped. Some sort of compromise between Rav Yosef and Rav Elyashiv will take place. Charedi Rabbanim will end up controlling the Rabbinate. What will happen to the more modern Dati community? Are they going to be eventually marginalized into oblivion? Who knows? But that sure seems like the trend.

How Long Will Evil Triumph?

Of all the problems affecting the Orthodox Jewish community, I can think of no greater - more destructive problem than that of sex abuse. This is an issue that - not that long ago - was at best put on the back burner and at worst kept hidden very deep in the closet.

But thanks to some courageous victims coming out of that closet – and the many blogs and other media willing to deal openly with this issue, we now know that this is a serious problem. What we may not yet know is just how serious. Is it an epidemic? I don’t know. Perhaps not yet. But it is by virtually all accounts a much larger problem than previously thought. That’s why even the Agudah has publicly addressed it… albeit rather meekly.

The problem is that there are still people who would rather see this story stay in the closet hidden from public view. They still believe that there is more harm than good done by trying to openly and forthrightly deal with these problems.

What abut the victims? Nebech! … they will say. But… let them get over it! …and just get on with their lives. And if they can’t well - tough. It may be too late for them anyway they will claim. They will further claim that dealing with it this way will just make the Torah world look bad and it’s is just not worth it.

This is of course the ‘stick you head in the sand’ approach. If you are the average layperson whose family members have not been victims of abuse, its somewhat understandable if one does not grasp the enormity of the problem. Sex crimes are an uncomfortable subject, Most people don’t want to talk about it, hear about it, or deal with it – if it didn’t happen to them or a family member . See no evil, hear no evil, and speak no evil.

Among those, however, there are some who go further than just having that attitude. They will actually try do something about it in order to keep it buried deep in the closet. So when good people arise and try to create solutions, these people see fit to thwart them by any means necessary including all kinds of intimidation! They see it as necessary for the greater good of the community.

That is why it is important to read what victims of abuse have to say. I posted a letter niot long ago from an anonymous victim. For another perspective I offer a link to a guest post on UOJ.

Many of you may know that I have mixed feelings about UOJ. I support his goals - if not entirely his methods. And he has seen fit to author some pretty harsh words against me in the past. But this writer’s words - which also contains some language and graphic descriptions that I would not normally permit here - override all of those concerns and ought to be read by everyone.

The post deals with the fact that molesters are often victims themselves. It implies that the potential of molestation has the potential of a geometric increase with every passing generation. But it also deals with the fact that it is possible for molesters to be successfully treated under the right conditions.

Here is are some excerpts from this very powerful post:

All or most seem to concur that a large percent of victims will due to the mental trauma, (and lack of normal sexual maturity while in a proper and healthy state of mind), likely and sadly become child-rapists themselves (albeit without being able to comprehend the severity of this due to having been programmed as such by the molestation). A far larger number will at least entertain thoughts of abuse and sexual violence…

Now, although we are sickened by this reality and the seeming unstoppable cycle of ever-increasing molestation and its resulting side effects, and although victims must be held accountable for improper actions (just like children are taught lovingly that they must be responsible for stealing and biting etc.), you would have a heart of stone not to feel sorry for the victim of child molestation who turns to this very same trade. This person’s confusion, post traumatic stress disorder, disassociation, depression, low self esteem, the insatiable need for over stimulation brought on by the inability to reconcile what happened as a child or teen, and a slew of other side effects of abuse, are more guilty than he himself…

Now, look me in the eye and tell me what you would say if you found out that Kolko or Mondrowitz or Lanner or Colmer or any of the other alleged or convicted prolific molesters/rapists were themselves raped, sodomized, or prematurely stimulated by others as children?

If true, was not their plight at the hands of an authority figure… any less painful then the plight of his very own victims? What about his molester? Was he molested too? Don't we owe it to possible victims of rape and incest, who in turn abuse others, to discern and consider whether we are dealing with one whose heart and spirit died a horrible death years earlier at the hands of another molester?
In the meantime - as noted above - the ‘stick you head in the sand’ approach has given rise to a vigilantism that counters any actions to successfully deal with this problem. This is what happened to Dr. Benzion Twerski.

They now seem to have the upper hand. And they are using that upper hand to torture many of those in the Torah world have suffered through it – whether personally or by a loved one! These vigilante ‘Kanaaim’ must be stopped. I will end with an excerpt from Rabbi Yakov Horowitz’s website:

This incident with Reb Benzion is just another sorry example of the Chinese Water Torture we have suffered through over the years as we gradually and increasingly have ceded the moral high ground to the kanoim. Make no mistake about it. We – the vast majority of charedi moderates who have been bullied into submission by these people – are in a struggle for the very soul of our Torah society. And thus far, we have been losing very badly. I plan on writing about this matter in a series of columns in the near future and let the chips fall where they may. Stay tuned.

999

This post is my 999th. If my math is correct, then my next one will be my 1000th. I don't know how any of my readers feel about this, but I just wanted to point out a personal milestone and pat myself on the back a bit.

I also want to acknowledge my sincere gratitude to all my readers and commenters that have contributed to the success of this blog. Thank you all.

In this season of Teshuva, Teffilah, and Tzedaka, I want to first ask Mechila for any personal slight or harm I may have caused to anyone. My intention - always was, is, and will be - L'Shem Shamyim. But in my zeal to seek truth and justice I may have been guilty of going too far sometimes in my criticisms. For that I publicly apologize and ask forgiveness to anyone who I may have inadvertantly hurt in any way. It was not intended.

I want to take this opportunity to express my sincere wish that God grant you, your families, and all of Klal Yisroel a Ksiva V'Chasima Tova... a year of health, happiness, and prosperity.

Should Orthodoxy Promote Social Justice?

Rabbi Avi Shafran is the spokesman for Agudath Israel. He is someone with whom I usually agree. That may seem strange to many of those who read this blog considering that I am viewed by them as a Charedi basher. But the fact is I am not. And I more often agree with him than not.

But I’ve said that before. He is one of the good guys. But as is sometimes the case, I disagree with his assessments in certain situations. And this is one of them.

In a column written in the current Jewish Observer and reproduced at Cross-Currents, he hits the Conservative movement hard on it’s Heksher Tzedek initiative.

I am the last one to defend the Conservative movement. As most who read this blog know - I do not consider them a legitimate expression of Torah Judaism. They reject the requirement of some of the fundamentals of belief – such as Torah MiSinai which many in the Conservative Movement do not take literally. They instead permit allegorizing that event. And – as Rabbi Shafran put it - they have… through (their) creative “halachic process,” effectively erased entire pesukim from the Torah, and led the vast majority of (their) synagogues’ members – our precious Jewish brothers and sisters – to abandon entire portions of the Shulchan Aruch with “rabbinic approval.”

But I must take exception to his attributing to them ulterior motives and calling them cynical. Yes, as he points out - and it is quite clear to anyone who pays attention - they need to resuscitate their movement. But I doubt that is their primary motive here.

Social justice has always been a big item on their agenda. They consider this Tikun Olam. And who is to say it isn’t? We may not agree with the particulars of their Heksher Tzedek initiative but do we not agree in the general concept of social justice? As Rabbi Shafran pointed out - some of these issues are mentioned in the Torah itself.

Additionally, we are required to live B’Darkei Shalom – in peaceful relations even with idolaters. Darkei Shalom was the reason Chazal abrogated some of their own rabbinic enactments (Mishnah in Gittin 59A-B). Certainly a Jewish employer should be held accountable when Darkei Shalom is transgressed – even in error.

Aside from that is it unreasonable to require the highest standards of behavior of our purveyors of food toward their employees? I don’t think it is unreasonable at all. It is eminently reasonable. It is a Chilul HaShem if we don’t require high standards and a Kiddush HaShem when we do.

We may not agree with their exact social agenda, but we must be fair when we are being critical and not impute ulterior motives when there is no real evidence of any.

Why – he protests - this business and not others? Perhaps it is because Agriprocessors has been the source of a lot of negative publicity. The Conservative Movement probably wants to assert that as an association of rabbis they note what has been reported, suspect improper treatment of God’s creations made in His image- as well as animals, and they want to do something about it.

I do not think for a moment that their primary impetus for creating the Heksher Tzedek was for any other reason than to promote their big ticket item - social justice. That they hope this will regenerate interest in their movement - while I’m sure it’s welcome - is probably secondary.

And to that end, I think those Orthodox institutions involved in Kosher food supervision should take a cue from Heksher Tzedek and implement some of these standards themselves. Perhaps then we can justifiably claim that we are no less interested in social justice than the Conservative movement is - and prevent the kind of negative publicity generated in the Agriprocessors fiasco in the future.

And the Beat Goes On

In wish I could say I’m surprised. But I’m not. Perhaps the only surprising thing here is the speed by which this is happening.

I am talking about a new set of rules with respect to music as proposed by Rabbi Efraim Luft. It’s not longer enough to say that rock and roll music has infiltrated the Torah world. Now specific instruments are banned: Saxophones are out! Electric and bass guitars – gone! Percussion is to be used sparingly. All forms of modern music – forbidden.

But he doesn’t stop at merely painting these instruments wrong. He wants to ban all bands who violate these rules. How does one and instruments – you may ask? By denying Hechsherim to catering halls that allow such music to be played in their halls! I don’t know if that will happen, but it wouldn’t surprise me if if did – at least in Israel.

Can Boro Park be far behind? This edict will not affect the American Jewish music scene now. For one thing it is nowhere near the radar screens of non Charedim. And American Charedim are not adopting these kinds of Takanos either. Yet. But it does have the potential to eventually make its way into Charedi circles here - as do many of the radical ideas that are quite normal for Israel these days.

This is ban is so radical I actually hope it is enacted in Israel and that Askanim try and get it enacted here. Let’s test the waters. Just how far will this segment of Klal Yisroel allow this radicalization go before they revolt.

Yes… there will always be those who will go along, but I really think that population is shrinking. Edicts like this will cause a major break in the Charedi world. Will this be the straw that breaks the camel’s back? I don’t know.

But I do think that many will start asking some of the questions I’ve been asking. This is Takana SheEin HaTzibur Yochel Lamod Bah. Most of the Charedi public just won’t put up with it.

And that’s a good thing. It’s time we had some common sense injected into the system. This does not mean that Charedi Gedolim will be rejected. But I think a grain of salt will be taken with every new edict of this type in the future. And that should cause the rabbinic leaders to rethink enacting these types of Takanos in the future. And maybe… just maybe… we can go back to a time where Rabbinic leaders did not ban everything in sight at the drop of a hat.

Let the rabbinic leaders refocus on what’s important, and reject once and for all these trivialities. Let them stop listening to the 'Lufts' of the world. Because luft (air) is about all it is worth. There needs to be some point where common sense in determining the welfare of that community takes over before and priorities are re-ordered. I echo a line used often by Rabbi Yakov Horowitz. If we don’t - we will fall off a cliff.

To see the list of new rules, click here.