what I liked about these interviews is that they are with some of the greatest Gedolim of previous generation, - about 35 years ago. Because they are in English and discussing the American experience, it is more accessible than some unclear controversy that we read about today. It shows both greatness and humanity of the Gedolim, and some speak openly about the various challenges of the community and bochrim. You also get an insight into personality and friendliness of some great rabbis, eg R' Yaakov Kamenetsky. Also interesting is that of the major Gedolim, only R' Hutner was critical of RIETS/YU.
The previous Chief Rabbi Sacks of England also tells a story of a trip he made to America, and that he went to speak to some great Rabbis - including R Soloveitchik, and several others. When he met the Lubavitcher rebbe, the Rebbe was the only one to ask about him - which made a lasting impression on Sacks, who went to study in a Chabad yeshiva.
Rav Elchonan Wasserman zt'l said it is better to die at the hands of the Nazis ym's than to allow YU to rescue you and be placed in the spiritual danger of YU, which is worse than death:
the link works, but here it shows a video of computer smashing!
ReplyDeletedon't know what you mean - looks fine on my computer
Deletemust have been a gremlin, as it is ok now
DeleteMy favorite part:
ReplyDeletePage 28: Rav Moshe told me: No job - no shalom bayis.
Thanks. This is golden.
ReplyDeletewhat I liked about these interviews is that they are with some of the greatest Gedolim of previous generation, - about 35 years ago. Because they are in English and discussing the American experience, it is more accessible than some unclear controversy that we read about today. It shows both greatness and humanity of the Gedolim, and some speak openly about the various challenges of the community and bochrim. You also get an insight into personality and friendliness of some great rabbis, eg R' Yaakov Kamenetsky. Also interesting is that of the major Gedolim, only R' Hutner was critical of RIETS/YU.
ReplyDeleteThe previous Chief Rabbi Sacks of England also tells a story of a trip he made to America, and that he went to speak to some great Rabbis - including R Soloveitchik, and several others. When he met the Lubavitcher rebbe, the Rebbe was the only one to ask about him - which made a lasting impression on Sacks, who went to study in a Chabad yeshiva.
That's because only Rav Hutner addressed the YU situation. If the others had addressed YU, they'd too be critical of it.
DeleteRav Elchonan Wasserman zt'l said it is better to die at the hands of the Nazis ym's than to allow YU to rescue you and be placed in the spiritual danger of YU, which is worse than death:
Deletehttp://failedmessiah.typepad.com/photos/uncategorized/2008/02/12/elchonon_wasserman_letter_about_yu.jpg
Many of the Gedolim quoted are critical of the MO. For example on Page 8 of the above document Rav Shneur Kotler was critical of the MO.
DeleteR Feinstein and r Weinberg are very respectful of Yu. R Henkin, who wasn't interviewed was also respectful.
DeleteAlso R Hutner wanted to create his own yeshiva college, but was pressured by R Aharon to give up. So his later protests are not convincing.
Deleteis this the One Circus Tent posted originally or is does it have more content?
ReplyDeleteI think it was same link as on Circus tent
DeleteFascinating! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteAny basis to say these interviews really happened, and they aren't just a some sort of fantasy of a professor in CUNY?
ReplyDeleteThey are actual transcriptions of real conversations he had with the various Gedolim.
DeleteCan I download this for Shabbos, without a scribd account?
ReplyDeleteNever mind....
ReplyDeleteGoogled it, first option was PDF download of same document.