Emes Ve-Emunah: An Apology to Matzav

Friday, June 13, 2014

An Apology to Matzav

Upon further reflection, I have decided to delete the previous post which was critical of Matzav. I had erred in my perception of what they did. They did not necessarily deceive anyone by posting a Dvar Torah by Rabbi Wein on the Parshas HaShavua (Shelach) that was 10 years old, instead of his most recent one. Although I do wish they would have posted the new one - as one commenter pointed out Divrei Torah stand the test of time. I apologize to Matzav for misinterpreting what they did.

However, it would be prudent for them to make note of the fact that Divrei Torah that they have posted in the past be labeled as such and list the date in which it was first posted. In this way, such misunderstandings can be avoided in the future.

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My outlook on Judaism is based mostly on the teachings of my primary Rebbe, Rabbi Aaron Soloveichik from whom I received my rabbinic ordination. It is also based on a search for spiritual truth. Among the various sources that put me on the right path, two great philosophic works stand out: “Halakhic Man” and “Lonely Man of Faith” authored by the pre-eminent Jewish philosopher and theologian, Rabbi, Dr. Joseph B. Soloveitchik. Of great significance is Rabbi, Dr. Norman Lamm's conceptualization and models of Torah U’Mada and Dr. Eliezer Berkovits who introduced me to the world of philosophic thought. Among my early influences were two pioneers of American Elementary Torah Chinuch, Rabbis Shmuel Kaufman and Yaakov Levi. The Yeshivos I attended were Yeshivas Telshe for early high school and more significantly, the Hebrew Theological College where for a period of ten years, my Rebbeim included such great Rabbinic figures as Rabbis Mordechai Rogov, Shmaryahu Meltzer, Yaakov Perlow, Herzl Kaplan, and Selig Starr. I also attended Roosevelt University where I received my Bachelor's Degree - majoring in Psychology.