Emes Ve-Emunah: Rav Aharon Feldman Apologizes

Thursday, May 09, 2013

Rav Aharon Feldman Apologizes

I am happy to report that according to Matzav, Rav Aharon Feldman, the Rosh HaYeshiva of Ner Israel has apologized for calling Rabbi Dov Lipman a Rasha. He did so after receiving a letter of explanation from Rabbi Lipman explaining that he was L'Shem Shomayim and only had the welfare of his community at heart.

Although he still strongly disagrees and calls him a 'Shogeg' (inadvertent transgressor) and misguided, R' Feldman realizes that Rabbi Lipman is indeed L'Shem Shomayim. He also said that he never called him Amalek or Haman. That's true. But he did say that he was a Shana U'Pireish. I guess he didn't remember that he said that.

In any event I give credit to the Rosh HaYeshiva for his honesty, ability to admit making a mistake in judgement and apologizing for it immediately. There is nothing wrong with disagreement. Even strong disagreement. An audio recording of his apology is available at Matzav.

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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.