I have been informed of the Petirah (death) of Rabbi Ysocher
Katz’s father. I am not in the habit of offering public condolences. Although I do occasionally post eulogies,
they are done either because of a personal connection or because of my
admiration for the deceased. I did not know Rabbi Katz’s father or anything about him. But he raised a
beautiful son in R’ Ysocher. I’m sure he was proud of him until his last dying
breath.
I am making an exception now because Rabbi Katz has been the
recipient of much criticsm here. Which may lead people to think I do not value him. But that would be the furthest thing from the truth. That I often strongly disagreed
with many of his Hashkafos, in no way did I ever impugn his religiosity or his intentions. Which are to bring young
Jews who might become alienated from their heritage because of the current
Zeitgeist - closer to Torah. There is not a doubt in my mind about that being
his motive.
Because I have so strongly criticized his views in the past
and because by pure happenstance my latest critical post coincided with the
death of his father, I feel moved to offer my sincere and public condolences. He
deserves no less.
As I have said more than once - I actually admire his
journey if not his destination. I admire his courage – even as I disagree with him - in stating what he must
know are very controversial views about Orthodoxy .
He is now in mourning for his father and sitting Shiva.
My heart goes out to him as a fellow Frum Jew. May God comfort him amidst the gates of the
mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.
HaMakom Menachem Eschem B’Soch Shaar Avelei
Tzion V’Yerushalayim.
