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| The current ‘Daas Torah’ of the Charedi world |
Their participation in the government is entirely for
self-preservation purposes. The fact that they occasionally vote on issues
outside of their immediate concern that also benefit the public welfare is only
incidental to their primary purpose.
They see Judaism solely in terms of the Charedi world. A
world that places the study of Gemara and its commentaries above all else. A
community defined largely by the degree to which its members abide by the
rulings of ‘Daas Torah’. An appellation given to the views of their rabbinic
leaders that borders on near-divine omnipotence. Veering from this attitude
effectively excises one from that community, which, as noted, they define as
the entirety of the authentic Jewish world.
To illustrate - I recently heard part of a podcast in which
a Charedi Rosh Yeshiva in Israel of American extraction was interviewed. When
asked about how a particular Gadol once responded to a question about his
grandchildren by saying that he did not even know all of their names, this Rosh
Yeshiva explained that, even though we might not understand it, this Gadol was
on such a high level of holiness that we dare not judge him by our standards
This is what happens when Gedolim are placed on a pedestal
too high. Behavior that would be criticized in anyone else is lauded as holy
when done by a recognized Gadol. Such figures thereby become effectively
infallible. And this Rosh Yeshiva is mainstream Charedi who is highly respected
and heads an extremely popular Yeshiva. This is how his students are
indoctrinated. And this is how the current living Gedolim are seen.
These words may sound harsh…
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