Happy Birthday America

Just want to take this opportunity to acknowledge my deep gratitude and appreciation to this great country of ours.

This year American Independence Day - July fourth - is on Shabbos. It would not be the end of the world to have a positive thought or two about the birth of this nation on this day. And to feel a moment of gratitude to HaShem for allowing us to live in peace and freedom in the United States of America.

God has blessed this Medina Shel Chesed - this country of kindness. May he continue to do so.

Go for a walk, visit a friend or a parent, or go to a park and enjoy the day with your children - and feel the glory of freedom... the freedom to be a Jew in America on the Fourth of July.

If you encounter a fellow Jew smile and say good Shabbos - even if you don't know them. And if you encounter a fellow citizen who is not Jewish - smile and say 'Happy Fourth of July!'

The Tyranny of the Zealots Must End

There has been a bit of buzz about Rav Elayshiv’s comment with respect to Kol Koreis. Those are the occasional edicts that come out on various issues affecting the Orthodox world – usually in the form of a sign posted on walls and poster boards one finds in the Charedi sections of Israel.

There was apparently an incident in the Beis Hamedrash of a nameless Yeshiva whereby one student was caught by one of his Roshei yeshiva listening to some music instead of learning. He had an MP4 player hidden out of view and was faking learning while actually swaying to the music of the player.

These Roshei Yeshiva decided that the best way to deal with this problem was – you guessed it – come out with a ban. They approached Rav Elyashiv and asked him to sign a Kol Korei prohibiting the use of MP4 players. He responded with a question: “The tzibur still pays attention to such letters?”

It is very telling thats R’ Elyashiv is so keenly aware of the questionable efficacy of these posters. I surmise that R’ Elayshiv realizes that this medium has been abused and its power and influence over the public lessened.

But what people may not have noticed here is that R’ Elyashiv is not the person initiating the ban. Though he might agree with it, he isn’t the one stirring the pot here. It is a group of ‘rabbis’ who have crowned themselves as ‘keepers of the gate’’! These individuals have decided that they are going to be pro-active in preventing this type of device from entering their confines. They are the ones who will write the Kol Korei and they will be the ones to distribute them all over town.

R’ Elyashiv will probably approve of it - either directly or via a surrogate. And his name will be affixed at the bottom as though he was the one who ordered it done. And of course once his name is on it, all the wannabe Gedolim will jump on board and sign it too. This will result in a long list of signatures by Rabbanim most of which no one ever heard of - signing on to a ban because R’ Elyashiv signed on. They probably won’t even read it. They will hear the name ‘Elyashiv’ and that’s enough for them. It’s an honor to be asked to sign a document with his name on it!

This is how I believe most bans take place. They are not issued by the figures that undersign it. They are issued by a group of zealots - in this case a group of nameless Roshei Yeshiva - who have R’ Elayshiv’s ear.

Now I am not here to make any judgment value on the MP4. If I recall correctly this is an improvement on the MP3 in that it not only plays audio – it plays video such as movies and whatever else anyone wants to download off the internet. I will only say that I am opposed to banning technology even when it can easily be misused since it can also be used for good. But that isn’t my issue here. It is the relative ease of getting elderly Gedolim to sign on to Kol Koreis thereby lending more legitimacy to them.

I can’t help but believe that these Roshei Yeshiva are of the same type of Charedim who call for protests like the one last week against the municipality of Jerusalem for trying to open a parking lot on Shabbos. These are the individuals who - at best - look the other way when violence occurs and - at worst - secretly approve.

I say this because this violence is organized and not random as demonstrated by this interview. And these Rabbis have to know that. They may not be directly involved but are probably cut from the same cloth. They are zealots who have taken matters into their own hand.

The situation is out of control. For these Roshei Yeshiva it is about their students. But the ban will be for everyone. This is what some of these Asaknim want anyway- control over everyone. And by hook or crook they are going to do whatever it takes to get the job done.

We are not talking about Gedolim demanding new standards via edicts and bans. We are talking about Kanaim who have taken matters into their own hands. And in the case of some of them - it is sometimes backed up with violence.

Elderly Gedolim are being manipulated by overly zealous Roshei Yeshiva, Askanim, vigilanties, and/or outright Charedi thugs. These are the kind of people who now run things in the Charedi world. And they are very clever about it. They ask for seeminlgy reasonable things like raising the Tznius standards or removing an item they see as a Michshol, or protesting Chilul Shabbos. They easily convince elderly rabbinic figures to sign on. But the reasonable often becomes unreasonable and downright intimidating. Ask Rav Nosson Kamintesky or Rabbi Natan Slifkin. Or the resdients of Kikar Shabbos who suffered through violence instigated by people like these.

But even an elderly R’ Elayshiv realizes that one cannot keep crying wolf before people will stop paying attention. I just wish he would tell all of these Kol Korei writing zealots to cut it out! I wish he would realize that many of these people are not his friends and that they are using him to achieve their own goals of creating a Meah Shearim (some would say Taliban) world for all Jewry.

This is not the world I grew up in nor is it the one I want for my children and grandchildren.

These people may think they are on the right side of the Torah. But they are not. They may think they are - but looking Frum is not being Frum. They dress the part and have long beards. But to paraphrase R’ Chaim Brisker - Nebach a Rasha is still a Rasha.

If the more moderate Charedi leadership does nothing to stop it, it could spiral into a future that will make the Meah Shearim of today look moderate by comparison. A lot of people made fun of the Burka lady. But who knows what the future holds if we keep going in this direction?

On the other hand, maybe the handwriting is on the wall. Maybe R’ Elyashiv’s comment opens up a ray of hope. Maybe these Kol Koreis will be once and forever treated with the disdain they deserve as trash to be ignored and discarded– right along with the Asaknim/Kanoim who instigated them. God willing!

Women in the Army and Free Speech

So much for democracy and tolerance.

It was reported today that Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) Chief Rabbi Avichai Ronski publicly stated - while in uniform - that women should not perform military service. He was addressing a group of religious female army personnel at the time. For exercising his democratic right to state his views in public, some members of the Israeli Knesset asked for his ouster. From Ha’aretz:

Angry lawmakers demanded on Thursday that Israel Defense Forces chief of staff Gabi Ashkenazi dismiss the army's top rabbi over his stated belief that women should not perform military service.

(MK Ophir Pines-Paz said,) "The chief rabbi crossed a red line in his statements and we mustn't allow this to pass. This is a chauvinistic and demeaning comment that encourages draft-dodging and I call on the chief of staff to remove the chief rabbi from his post. The IDF is deserving of a different chief rabbi." … He has since denied making the comment…

"[The rabbi's comments] are primitive and dark," Kadima MK Orit Zuaretz said on Thursday. "There is no place for them in an organization like the IDF, which serves as the army of the people and most of whose personnel is comprised of women."

First of all, he was foolish for stating his view in public. Denying it just compounds his error. In my view as Cheif Rabbi of the IDF he would have been wise to keep that view to himself.

But... he had every right to express his own personal view. Asking for his ouster is no way for a democracy to react. This is a way that a dictatorship would react.

True – there is no constitution in Israel, but a fundamental tenet of any democracy should be freedom of speech. Punishing free speech is a totalitarian act. But then again I sometimes wonder just how much of a democracy Israel is. Most MKs - given the clout will – will often insist on very undemocratic agendas. And sometimes they get them!

But that doesn’t make Pines-Paz any less culpable. I understand the outrage. I don’t even entirely disagree with him. But to call for the ouster of a Chief Rabbi for expressing a personal opinion is just plain wrong. That Rabbi Ronski expressed a religious view – even if he was in uniform at the time– should be his complete and unfettered right. He should not be punished for it.

That said I do not entirely understand Rabbi Ronski’s position. It is the very Charedi one of no army service of any kind for women. Lo Plug. The Charedi point of view is that women should not serve in the army because – as I understand it - it often leads to immoral behavior between its members. In fact the army has a reputation for such behavior between the sexes – deserved or not.

It is certainly true that it would be best for the sexes to remain apart at the late adolescent age when most young people are drafted. But how far do we need to take that? Charedi Poskim even forbid participation in Sherut Leumi. This is an army community service program designed for religious women. They are involved in things like social work for the underprivileged. I am not exactly sure why the Charedi Poskim forbid it. But forbid it they do - to the tune of giving up one’s life rather than serving!

I personally do think there is a place for women - even in the regular army. Not in combat. I am opposed to that. But definitely in the ancillary services. Why shouldn't women be asked to serve their country – same as men – but in non combat services? The army needs those services and could not survive without them. Men are needed for combat and that is how they should be trained. It is very likely that there are not enough men to fill both combat and non combat positions.

Now I do realize that that women undergo basic training and some of them become instructors for men. That could be a problem I suppose and perhaps should be avoided – if possible. Perhaps there are other areas where interaction between male and female army personnel should be avoided too. And perhaps there are some gray areas. These are legitimate areas of concern and discussion.

I believe that these issues can be worked out to satisfy both Halacha and army need. Army rules should certainly be designed to preclude circumstances conducive to immoral behavior. The truth is that the army has a long way to go in that department. Hence its reputation about the immoral behavior. But that can be worked out between Poskim and army personnel to the satisfaction of both. The demands of Halacha and the needs of the army can both be met in my view.

One might object and say that putting men and women in the same working environment in any circumstance will lead to immorality. And that it should be forbidden. But that would mean that even civilian religious women would never be able to work at a job that had men on the premises. This is not the Halacha. If it were - just about every Charedi Yeshiva and Kollel (at least in America) would have to fire their female personnel. A lot of Kollel wives would be out of a job – a job that is often their family’s sole source of income.

That reminds me of a Psak issued by Rav Chaim Pinchas Scheinberg during a question and answer portion of an address given many years ago at the Chicago Community Kollel. He was asked whether it is permitted for women to serve as secretaries for men. He gave an unequivocal answer. He said, No! It was not permitted. Even after repeated attempts by members of an almost entirely Charedi audience to get him to qualify his answer – he remained firm. Men and women should never work together. Period.

That caused quite a stir at the time since the Kollel has several women working in their office. But nothing changed since then. Women still work in their office. Many Charedi women in Chicago work for men. It is obviously not forbidden despite Rav Scheinberg’s Psak.

If it is permitted in the private sector - it should be permitted in the military.

One might ask, why must those women be members of the military? Why not hire civilians? Well for one thing what Halachic difference would that make? For another, why deny the military benefits – which are often much better than civilian benefits to these women? And why not give them the pride of service to God and country?

I have never heard satisfactory answers to these questions. Nor have I heard a satisfactory explanation for the strident opposition to Sheurut Leumi. All I ever hear is ‘The Chazon Ish opposed it!’ ‘All the other Gedolim followed suit.’ ‘That is enough for me.’ That is usually followed up with: ‘How dare you argue with the Gedolim – you ignorant peon!’

To which I now answer: Sticks and stones…

Hating Religious Zionists

Another step was taken last week in the divide between Orthodox Groups. From Ynet:

Ultra-Orthodox leaders in Jerusalem are threatening to cut off all ties with the municipal rabbinate if the city elects a Zionist chief rabbi. Mayor Nir Barkat recently declared that he is committed to appointing a Zionist rabbi for the city.

"If there's a rabbi whose level or halachic views do not correspond with the haredim's demands – the spiritual leaders will call on the community to shun the Jerusalem rabbinate," declared city council member Shlomo Rosenstein (United Torah Judaism).

I can understand Charedi opposition to a Rabbi from one of the non Orthodox movements. But to reject another Orthodox rabbi to the point of boycott shows their true agenda. It is all about control. They are so opposed to religious Zionism that they will reject someone with a legitimate Semicha who is completely observant of Torah and Mitzvos. It is almost as if they would prefer a Conservative rabbi over him.

I understand their objections to religious Zionism. Anything attached to Zionsim - even if religious - is itself ‘Treif’. They reject the notion of a anti religious State in any incarnation ruling over religious Jews - all the while calling itself Jewish and at the same time trying to undermine the very foundation of Judaism: -Torah and Mitzvos.

While I do not see today’s Zionists in those black and white terms, I do understand why they feel that way. I am not a religious Zionist either. Never was. But I respect their views just like I do the views of Charedim on this issue. It is the extremists of both sides that I reject.

But this is not about opposing extremes. It’s about politics. Charedim are feeling their oats! They now have a critical mass of people living in Israel- all with voting power. There are enough Charedim to have real clout in government affairs. And they are taking full advantage of it.

I can’t really blame them for doing that. But it shows a lack of ethics and refinement to use their new found power to run roughshod over everyone else – in the way they are attempting to do it here.

This kind of activity reinforces the view that actions taken against Religious Zionist Rosh HaYeshiva Rabbi Chaim Druckman was completely political.

Though I don’t think that was the entire reason – I do think it was a substantial part of it. There were legitimate issues. But Charedim pounced with glee against Rabbi Druckman -condemning him and rejecting - wholesale- hundreds of his converts(!) - instead of examining individual problems. They ruined Rabbi Druckman’s reputation.

Let us be honest. This was a political move as much as anything else. Charedim want 100% control over all of religious life in Israel and they are not about to share any of it with religious Zionist rabbis. And they don’t mind destroying people and religious institutions in the process - as long as they are not Charedi.

I will never forget the impression made upon me by Yeshivat Merkaz Harav. My son used to live about a block away from there. When I visited him then, we used to sometimes Daven Mincha there on Shabbos. Walking into that Beis HaMedrash was a beautiful experience for me. I saw hundreds of Bachruim learning with real Hasmada – intensity and seriousness. They were of all ages- some not old enough to grow a beard, many with Peyes, many with beards some with both. Many wore their Tzitzis out. Kipot were large - and they were crocheted. That was about the only difference between them and what I saw at Yeshivas Mir. And for the record, Merkaz boys too are exempt from the army.

I pointed this out to my son and he acknowledged their Hasmada and Ehrlichkeit. But when I asked him if there was any interaction or contact between these two populations he told me there was absolutely none. Zero.

Charedi Yeshiva students are not ‘Gores’ Merkaz HaRav. That is a Gemarah expression that basically means they barely acknowledge their existence. If and when they ever do - it is usually not in a flattering way. It took a massacre to change that for one brief moment in time. But now it is back to business as usual.

How low our generation has fallen. Things were not always this way. One of the greatest Gedolim of pre-State times was Rav Issar Zalmen Meltzer (Rav Aharon Kotler’s father in law). No one would dispute his Charedi credentials. No one would doubt his anti Zionism. Who did he think was the Gadol HaDor? Rav Avraham Yitzchak Kook. That was made evident in an anecdote told about Rav Meltzer when he visited an ailing Rav Kook. Rav Kook is of course one of the intellectual giants of religious Zionism.

Where are such leaders now? The answer is that they do not exist. Those leaders have gone on to their eternal reward. They have today been replaced by a Taliban like leadership who rules through hatred and intimidation. And we wonder why we are still in exile?

Wreaking Havoc

Yeshiva World News has a letter posted from a woman who lives in the Charedi neighborhood of the Meah Shearim – Geula near Kikar Shabbos - Shabbat Square - Jerusalem. This is probably the most Charedi neighborhood in all of Jerusalem. She is obviously an American with a good command of the English language. Her Charedi/Chasidic Hashkafic credentials seem to be unquestionable. What she reported made me sick.

Briefly she described the havoc wrought in her neighborhood by a yet another call for a protest by the Edah HaCharedis. Not that the Edah has approved of what this woman experienced. I’m sure they did not.

The call for a protest against the opening of a municipal parking lot on Shabbos in a secular neighborhood in Jerusalem has once again generated violence. And once again it has caused unbelievable stress and danger to the lives the residents of that neighborhood.

It should be noted that the protest was called for Shabbos on a street called Bar Ilan - not Kikar Shabbos where this vandalism and destruction took place. What happened in Kikar Shabbos took place on the Thursday night before that and on the Sunday and Monday after.

I recently criticized such protests. But now I will go a step further and say that protests like this should be banned. (That’s right - I do favor some bans). Calling for protests like this one will almost always be an excuse for some young people to become violent.

The descriptions of this poster are heartrending! And the behavior of these young delinquents is inexcusable!

I suppose that many of these kids were Chasidic type residents of Meah Shearim. But not all of them. Some were American students studying in Israel. Apparently some are in Yeshivos like Brisk and Mir. The one thing they had in common was the desire to disrupt the peace and destroy property in pursuit of the goal called for by the Edah – to get the municipality to keep a parking lot closed on Shabbos.

That gave them the excuse to be completely oblivious to the welfare of fellow human beings. It didn’t matter to them that they were Jews! It didn’t even matter that they were Frum Jews - very Frum Jews! Their eyes were on the fun they were having in the process of carrying out what they thought was a nobler goal. The ends – justified their means.

This can no longer be looked at as a group of neighborhood hooligans with time on their hands. This is way beyond a local and cultural problem located only in certain ultra Charedi neighborhoods in Israel. Not when there are American students participating.

If my son were spending his year in Israel involved in anything like this I would literally tear Kriya! Where are the parents? Do they know where their kids are?

When are organizations like the Edah going to get real? When are they going to realize that not everything they don’t like needs a major protest? When are they going to realize there are bigger fish to fry? - Like teaching their children to be civilized instead of tolerating their criminal behavior.

The question is what is going to prevent this kind of behavior in the future? Will more and stronger bans do it? Will a Rosh Hayeshva forbidding his students from any participation – on pain of expulsion – even be enough?

Frankly I think that kind of ‘fix’ is the wrong approach –although it’s a start. Many young people will still at the core believe this cause - and its means were just, if a bit of an over-reaction. It is this attitude that needs to change. Not just of the young, but of their mentoring Roshei Yeshiva and Rebbeim

Instead of railing against the evil secular government and decrying the breaching of yet another wall in the status quo they ought to start focusing on the underlying causes of this criminal and dangerous vandalism.

Yes, some of them are incorrigible and are perhaps beyond hope. Those should have the book thrown at them and given maximum sentences in Israeli prisons. Hard time!

But what about the kid who comes from a fairly normal home and gets caught up in the moment -rationalizing that Chilul Shabbos is indeed worthy of such protests?… that this is indeed the only thing that city government officials respond to?

That can only be changed if the entire mindset changes from one of intolerance to one of tolerance. I am not suggesting that Chilul Shabbos shouldn’t be protested, but not in this way. This way has wrought nothing but grief for the very people whom they represent.

A change of heart is needed. We need to go back to the days of Rav Chaim Shmulevitz, Rosh Yeshiva at Mir yeshiva in the sixties. He knew who and what the secular government was. But he did not hesitate to praise it when he felt they deserved it. And he did so publicly. Not that he didn’t get criticized for it by some in his own Cherdi community!

There has never been a time better than now to change the mindset and dynamic of the Charedi from one of hatred towards the flag and country and its secular citizenry to one of tolerance and Vitur – looking the other way – at least in public.

No more protests. Not even peaceful ones since inevitably they will result in violence. I hope Charedi leadership comes to its senses. I hope that if the Edah doesn’t – that at least other leaders part company with them and make their views known to the public! And I hope that they can begin to do what’s necessary to change the mindset that causes student s to do this kind of thing.

I hope that clearer minds in Jerusalem and elsewhere are up to the task. It is a huge one.

Rueven and His Remarkable Family

It’s been a while since I posted about my beautiful and happy grandson, Reuven ben Tova Chaya. There are probably many people wondering what is up with him. On Monday July 6th he will be undergoing another surgery. My daughter Rivkah Greenland (Tovi’s oldest sister) has sent out an update which needs no further comment from me:

Hi everyone. A lot of people have been asking me about Reuven lately so I thought I'd post an update.

Reuven recently finished his third course of chemo treatments (mild in comparison to the ones he'd had in the past.) Chemo was outpatient every morning for two weeks on and one week off...and then 6 rounds of that. A trouper through it all, Reuven managed to attend school after almost every treatment.

A few weeks ago, Reuven attended his kindergarten graduation. What a simcha is was for his parents to come and watch him get his diploma together with his class. This summer, Reuven will be attending summer camp, just like all his friends. A few days ago, Reuven had a scan which, I am told by my sister was good enough to enable his upcoming surgery to go on July 6th to remove the small nodule on his lung. It is unclear whether the nodule is dead skin cells or not, but either way the recommendation is to remove it.

Reuven will be receiving 2 additional rounds of chemo after the surgery. He will then IY"H have some time off and then treatment to continue will be determined.

At the end of the summer, further assessments will be made to determine how, and what treatments to continue for Reuven.

Reuven and his family are doing incredibly well considering everything. They are truly inspiring in how they continue to go about their day to day activities as if nothing was going on. Their home continues to be open to guests, shabbatonim, sheva brachos, and community functions. The kids remain well adjusted happy kids, and if you walked into their house, you would never know there was a sick child there. It is my sister's intention to keep it that way. That being said...

REUVEN IS STILL VERY MUCH IN NEED OF OUR TEFILLOS!!!!

So, on behalf of my entire family, we thank you all for continuing to check in and most of all for your continued tefillos for Reuven ben Tova Chaya.

Rivkie

Charedi School Funding - I’m with the Chilonim

The evil Israeli government is at it again. They are going to provide 100% funding for private Charedi schools. Will there be any Hakaras HaTov for that? Of course not. They are after all not doing it L’Shmah. They would just as soon shut down the Charedi schools as fund them at all.So this community will continue to curse the government hand that feeds them all the while taking their money.

The question is what exactly do those kids learn in these schools. Girls have a somewhat decent education in some of the moderate Charedi schools. But what do the boys learn besides Gemarah? What are the Hashkafos? How are they prepared for the world? What are they taught about non Jews? Or secular Jews? Or about the state? Or its founders? Secular education? The work ethic? Or Baalei Baatim?

What exactly is the Israeli government funding?

They are funding anti government sentiment and an education that does not prepare them adequately for the future. Yes these schools do teach an exorbitant amount of Torah. That is a good thing. But it is the only good thing. They teach little else leaving many students out in the cold – disadvantaged- with little prospect of decent employment.

And the attitude they teach about the outside world is so negative that it is also counter-productive to their future welfare.

What about all that Torah they teach? Isn’t that worth a lot? Of course it is - to those who actually learn it. Just because they teach so much Torah doesn’t mean every one of their students learns it.

Perhaps one can make an argument for the few brilliant students who love to learn and will spend their future contributing in some way as Poskim, Rabbanim Rabbeim etc. - or even Gedolim ... this is their best training for the future.

I would not agree to that proposition. I think anyone no matter how brilliant in their Torah studies - no matter how motivated and dedicated they are - would benefit from a more well rounded education.

But even if I concede that learning Torah only and nothing else is the best way to produce a Gadol and the other religious leaders I mentioned - it woud only be a small portion of them that will end up having careers in it. Most will not be able to have such careers. They would do far better in other fields for a variety of reasons if given the opportunity.

What about them?

Please do not misunderstand. I think all children – no less Charedim - deserve equal treatment with respect to funding for their education. But as many people know it is a pet peeve of mine – a big one – that these schools currently have no secular education – ZERO - for boys beyond 8th grade. And until 8th grade it is at best only rudimentary education in Hebrew grammar and arithmetic. That’s it!

Attempts in the past by previous governments in Israel to inject the most basic elements of secular studies have been rebuffed by Charedi religious leaders in Israel. They characterize it as a near heretical interference by an anti Torah government establishment whose goal it is to strip Jews of their Judaism. They will cite the European model of Volozhin – a Yeshiva that closed its doors rather than submit to a seemingly innocuous secular curriculum. They correctly believed that this was an insidious attempt by non Jewish government and their secular Jewish collaborators to ultimately assimilate their students. And it is true that some Chiloni leaders feel that way too.

But to suggest that this is their goal in trying to inject a basic secular curriculum is so laughable that it isn’t funny. The goal of the Israeli government is to educate its populace to be productive citizens and not a burden on society. Those who say it is are either very naïve or are just using that as justification for opposing it. But that is a red herring.

The real reason is that the Charedi leaders insist that Yeshivos are supposed to be about one thing. Learning Torah! Since there is so much of it to be learned that even a lifetime of devotion won’t begin to cover it all – the rationale is that they have no time for anything else – which is at best secondary in their view. Parnassa then becomes the individual responsibility of the students when they get older – should the leave the walls of the Beis HaMedrsah – Nebech – and go to work. Let them learn a trade then.

This results in an attitude in the yeshiva world that work is a four letter word. Work is reserved for the lowly Baal Habos – the family man who does not learn full time! Not for the exalted student of Torah.

Besides, since Charedim don’t go to the army they are not allowed to work anyway.

(That has always been the argument. But things seem to be changing g in that respect as Nachal Charedi seems to be catching on somewhat. I don‘t know to what extent. But at least there is no longer the excuse that one may not serve in the Israeli defense forces because the environment is detrimental to one’s spiritual health.)

This brings me back to Charedi school funding. I am fully in support of it provided that they have a curriculum designed to address the reasonable concerns of a government worried about its citizens ability to be productive in the future. There needs to be a curriculum that gives them enough education to eventually find a decent job or continue their education toward a career that will provide for their families. There is no reason that we have to continue to produce generations of young people who will end up living in impoverished conditions because of an inadequate education.

And I would add another requirement. An attitude adjustment needs to be made. These kids need to appreciate the people who help them and not curse them. Instead of taking the money and teaching the students to hate them in response, Mechanchim need to teach their students to appreciate them. Additionally there needs to be a restructuring of attitudes about secular Jews in general as well as non Jews.

You have kids learning that it’s OK to cheat Goyim - that they must hate them. You have some teaching that it is better for young woman to die than serve in Sherut Leumi - or that Israeli soldiers that are spilling blood are not on ‘our level’ because they are not religious. This is what the government is funding in some of the more extreme cases.

So yes by all means let us give equal opportunity to all children for a decent education. Funding the schools should be done across the board. But in my view, if the above mentioned problems aren’t dealt with – I’m with the Chilonim!

The Chasidic Drug Mules

We must work to get them back. I say this without any equivocation. The three young Chasidic adolescents, Yeshiva Students, who are being held in Japan, cannot be allowed to be convicted at trial and punished for a crime they very likely did not commit.

Mishpacha Magazine published lengthy article - its cover story - on the heroic efforts of four Chasidic Rabbis to see justice done. Justice in this case is not incarceration in the Japanese penal system. Although I can’t be certain, based on everything I’ve read (especially in the Mishpacha article) I do not believe they knowingly transported drugs.

Whether this is considered an actual case of Pidyon Shevuyim – ransoming a Jew from captivity - I leave for the Poskim. Perhaps it is - perhaps not. One can debete whether any Jew in any jail who protests his innocence should be treated as a Pidyon Shevuyim case. But it is certainly an imperative to get these boys out of there under current conditions.

For those who are unfamiliar with this case here is what happened.

About a year ago three young and very naïve Chasidic Yeshiva students were asked by a Chasidic businessman to take a suitcase to Japan. For this they were given an all expense paid trip to the Kivrei Tzadikim – burial places of great European Rabbis. Some have the custom to visit and pray at such sites for Divine assistance. I am not going to get into the propriety of such customs. Different subject. Suffice it to say that for these young students this was a special spiritual experience.

Here is where the story gets murky. They claim that they were told that there were antiques in those suitcases. And they were put intentionally into false bottoms to protect them from being lost or stolen. These boys say they thought the entire enterprise was legal and were even given money to pay for any customs fees that might come up. They never suspected the drugs that were actually there.

This - it seems to me - is a stretch. On the other hand the claim made on their behalf is that these boys led such a sheltered life that they couldn’t conceive of any irregularities about such a proposal from a very religious Charedi businessman.

It’s hard for me to believe that they were that naïve. It is obviously also hard for the prosecutors in Japan to believe it. I tend to believe that they knew they were smuggling something but had no clue it was drugs. Japanese prosecutors suspect that they did know it was drugs.

I find it highly unlikely that anyone in any environment can be so sheltered as to think that being paid to transport anything in a suitcase with a false bottom doesn’t smack of something illegal.

On the other hand if they are that naïve, their system of Chinuch has failed them miserably. You cannot shelter young people to be so naïve and so unsuspecting of one’s fellow Jew that it could lead to this kind of naiveté. That they were kept in the dark about such things - is what caused them to be so trusting of what is an obviously suspicious offer.

As I said - I suspect that they were not that naïve. I suspect that they probably realized they were smuggling something illegal. But I doubt they knew it was drugs.

If that is the case, one must ask, how can such sincerely religious young adolescents do something like that? Why would they agree to take a suitcase with items hidden in a false bottom? That is G’neivas Daas – deception - which is tantamount to stealing. This is an act that is Halachicly forbidden - whether it is against one’s fellow Jew or one’s fellow man.

One can see how sincerely religious these young men are from a description in the article. They are meticulous about ritual observance - asking for very little in material comfort. They have only asked for religious artifacts. And for Gemaros so that they can spend their time learning Torah!

We are being asked to believe that they actually thought that hiring teenagers to transport legal antiques in the false bottom of a suitcase is a normal business practice. If that’s the case, fine! Then they are completely innocent of any wrongdoing whatsoever - as the article suggests. But then it is also true that they are victims of their insular culture.

But if as I suspect they knew they were smuggling , how can such sincerely religious students violate Halacha?

The answer, I’m afraid is that they saw absolutely nothing Halachicly wrong with cheating Goyim. There is obviously a culture in certain circles that actually preaches that – as long as you don’t get caught. That has become painfully clear over the last few days. I truly believe that these young kids were raised in this kind of culture. What is naïve about them is thinking they wouldn’t get caught. Or thinking that even if they did – it would amount to is fine for trying to sneak merchandise trough customs without paying the customs fees.

Either way – whether if by naiveté or design to smuggle antiques - they need to be saved from a punishment that far exceeds the crime. They are going on trial for smuggling drugs. Japan does not take that crime lightly. They are known for their law and order society where justice is swift and hard.

They have one of the lowest recidivist rates in the world. That’s because those who have committed crimes and were incarcerated for them do not ever want to repeat the experience. Prison conditions are so harsh that anyone who has gone though it comes out traumatized for life - it seems. A grim detailed description of all this is contained in the Mishpacha article.

These boys do not deserve this fate. And if they are convicted they will receive it. The Japanese court conviction rates are very high. Judges there rarely acquit according to the article. And foreigners are treated even tougher. Foreigners are a much higher percentage of the prison population than they are of the general population.

Looking at this picture in total - it is my view that we must give a 110% effort in trying to get those boys out of there. But we must do it legally with respect for the Japanese, their culture, and system of justice. That is the only way that it will have any chance of succeeding. To that end these heroic Rabbis - who spend countless hours, days, and sleepless nights working on their behalf are to be lauded and supported. The description in the article of these rabbis and their efforts speaks for itself. They have gone all out in hiring the best legal help in the world – in matters of this nature. And these rabbis have been working with them every step of the way.

Aside from the obvious real guilty party - a Chasidic Jew who is the actual drug dealer - the guilty party here is their system of Chinuch. It is a system that either over-shelters - or teaches that one can do anything they want to non Jews as long as they don’t get caught. Or both!

Second Thoughts

A Word about Rabbi Dovid Cohen.

I want to make one thing perfectly clear. My post was not written about him. It was written about what he allegedly said. That was a disgusting Chilul HaShem. Once the media reported that the Rabbinical Council of America disbanded a Halachic advisory he was a member of because of those allegations -made by several people who attended his lecture - I had no choice but to protest the notion that a respected Posek could say such things.

But I want to emphasize that as of this moment, there is no hard evidence that he said - exactly - what he was accused of saying. There have been many plausible explanations given as to why it is the case that there is no hard evidence - that favor believing those accusations. But there is one possible explanation that has not been touted too much although some have alluded to it. That is that he was misunderstood.

Many people would scoff at that possibility in light of all the testimony to the contrary by witnesses who were there. But - I for one was not there. So it remains in the realm of possibility that he was indeed misunderstood.

So, I repeat what I said at the outset of this whole controversy. A man is innocent until proven guilty.

So any suggestion that he not be given the Kavod due a Talmid Chacham of his stature is mistaken. If I was perceived as doing that I apologize. And even if in a moment of anger I came close to that, I now retract it. As such questions about burning his Seforim (as one commenter mentioned) or any other such nonsense is repulsive and probably Assur.

This is a Posek whom many people relied upon - and many still do. He was the ‘go to’ Posek for many Shailos by people - lenient where many others were strict! I’m sure that is still the case.

I do not advocate using him as a Posek at this time. But I strongly object to the shabby way people are treating him without the absolute proof that he said what he is accused of saying – no matter how much we tend to believe it. Innocent until proven guilty. That means we must Dan L’Kaf Zechus and treat him with respect. It is what he is accused of saying that is condemnable.

The Man and His Legacy

He was perhaps the greatest among greats in his field. He was bright and talented beyond belief. He spent a lifetime perfecting his craft. No one could hold a candle to him - his talents were so great. In addition to that he was a role model of success -showing what an individual from a modest background could accomplish in life. And he did so from the earliest of ages.

His success began early in life where - together with his older brothers - he pursued his dreams of excelling in his field. But he surpassed his brothers very quickly and achieved success early in life. The kind of success few people ever do.

The only problem was that he was a child molester.

To me that totally negates anything he ever accomplished – which in my view is detestable anyway. More on that later. Not only that - but as far as I am concerned there no place in hell low enough for this man.

It doesn’t matter to me what the level of success is. Nor does it matter how many people he affected in a positive way. There are no weighing things or putting them in perspective. Once you crossed that line you have fried your Olam Haba – not that he ever earned it. Like I said - more on that later.

I’m sure that most people would agree with me here. If I were talking about a talented Rebbe in a Yeshiva or a director of a national religious youth outreach program the feeling of disgust would be the same. Actually it would be worse because as religious leaders they have fallen further and have betrayed a trust. The point is that despite how much Torah they otherwise taught or Kiruv he otherwise did if even one victim had his life ruined because of his inability to control his unnatural desires? There are two famous cases where I think one would admit their many accomplishments in those respective fields. But it didn’t matter. They were both guilty of sexual abuse and that negated all the achievements they had.

Which brings me to the ‘King of Pop’. Michael Jackson was a child molester. He was accused. There was evidence and testimony by many victims. He was obsessed with children and built a Disney scale amusement park in on his sprawling property in his home to entice them. He would invite them over for sleep-overs.

Young children alone in his house with this individual overnight.

He even admitted sleeping in the same bed with them. One need not be a rocket scientist to know what happened there. When he was threatened with lawsuits, after much denial in the face of mounting testimony by his many victims, he settled with them rather than face trial that he no doubt knew that he would lose - as details of what happened on those sleep-over would become part of the public record and the public discourse. He paid out millions in settlements. The man was a Menuval. A very rich one that could buy his way out of an embarrassing jam.

I have been very busy over the last few days and have not seen that much of the news coverage about his death yesterday. But the few glimpses of it I have seen and heard on the radio make me nauseous. It seems like there is wall to wall coverage of this Menuval as though he was the greatest gift to mankind. The accolade by his friends and colleagues, his mentors, his family, his record producers… was fawning. He is treated as a hero of iconic proportion. They all talk about his contributions to the music industry… and how he redefined it practically inventing the music video. He sold millions of albums and was seen as an icon around the world! Very little if any coverage of the most significant part of his life as a child molester.

His music was almost as disgusting his sexual proclivities. His dance moves were obscene. And he got away with it. And that produced many musical acts that emulated him in their own music videos – crossing new boundaries that have helped define American sexual mores down. If anyone has ever had the misfortune to listen to some of the rap music with its obscene language and imagery they can trace it directly to what Michael Jackson started! And who can ever forget the anti-Semitic references that Jackson made in his song, ‘They Don’t Care about Us!’

And yet… the world mourns him. Do they not understand that they mourn one of the most disgusting individuals whom lived on the planet in the last fifty years? Is his success and popularity so important that the evil in his soul is ignored?

I usually defend the media when they are accused of bias. They are. But the accusations usually come from the people whose ox they’ve gored. But this is beyond bias. This - showering of glowing tributes from just about all media people - is a travesty. Michael Jackson’s life and his so-called contributions should not be celebrated. They should be condemned and forgotten!