One of the puzzling questions in the present scandal is why this mess has not been resolved either by 1) simply presenting the obvious facts that the "heter" is based on lies and is a corruption of halacha and is causing adultery and mamzerim or 2) the fact that a wide range of important rabbis have denounced the heter.
This question can be answered with another question - why have so many rabbis remained silent in the face of the clear violation of one of the most severe sins. Of course some of this silence is the results from the hesitancy to publicly criticize some extremely important rabbis and the resulting chilul haShem. But the real answer lies elsewhere - it is the issue of conflict of interest where rabbis don't want to offend those who provide significant support to their institutions and followers.
This is not a case of explicit blackmail - but simply an awareness of these leaders that there might be dire consequences for taking a public stand. Thus they leave it to others who are less vulnerable to protest. I have heard of no case where a gvir has stated that he will punish anyone who denounces the "heter". But the fear that it might happen has had a very chilling effect.
A possible example of this influence is the well known benefactor of many Torah causes - Shimmy Glick. He is very close with Rav Steinman and Rav Dovid Cohen - and many others. What is the impact of his son being married to Tamar Epstein's sister? I don't know and I have not heard any claim criticizing him in any way. But I have heard from a number of rabbis that many people - especially in Bnei Brak - have not responded because they are afraid that there might be consequences to the benefits they receive from him.
I myself attended a meeting with the son of a very important rabbi - who listened to all the charges and read all the letters and concluded that this was truly a terrible matter. But then said there was nothing that could be done and his father would not get involved - end of discussion. I was told by knowledgeable insiders that his father receives significant support from American's who are close with Rav Shmuel Kaminetsky - and therefore the father would not get involved.
In sum, we see this scandal of the "heter" as not only a chilul haShem but one that has exposed the vulnerability of our leaders to virtual blackmail. It has shown the ability of a small number of very wealthy people to make the rabbis dance to their tune - or at least to ignore clear Torah obligations. As Rav Sternbuch told me - "Money can metaher [purify]a mamzer." [see Kiddushin (71a) and Rashi's comment].
Very true!
ReplyDeleteBut this is no new discovery. Rav Hutner used to say quite often the famous vort "der vos hot di matbei'a/meah, hot di dei'ah" ("he who has the money, has the final say") in other words, as they say in English "he who pays the piper calls the tune"!
In fact this is not a new discovery in his blog's history either. Everyone knows that it was because Tropper was getting big money from Tom Kaplan and Guma Aguira to the tune of tens of millions and putting it into the pockets of many Roshei Yeshiva, Batei Din and Rabbanaim that would help Tropper and Kaplan and Guma convert half the world to Judaism, all in the name of "higher standards" mind you, that they were such a menace for such a long time, and it was also Rav Shternbuch and the BADATZ who was the first to stand up to them.
This is also why Rav Aron Schechter and Rav Hutner were able to get away with pushing out the righteous Rav Shlomo Carlebach, because they had the backing and were in the back pocket of Mr. Abe Fruchthandler president of Yeshiva Chaim Berlin. And eventually why Moshe Sherer cave din to Fruchthandler to have Rav Schechter on the Moetzes even though they opposed Rav Moshe Feinstein's Hazmona to a Din Torah.
As for Rabbi Dovid Cohen of Brooklyn, well as Rabbi David Hollander used to say, it's no use relying on him because he was the rabbi of Pinky green the refugee financier who ran away and hides out in Switzerland who gave Rabbi Dovid Cohen the money to build his Gevul Yaavetz shull in Brooklyn. When it comes to being in bed with money-men Rabbi Dovid Cohen is always there he knows how to milk those cash cows. Little wonder he was asked to be the caretaker of the corrupt money-crazy Aish HaTorah people in America and recently ruled in their favor when it's clear that the Aish guys just set up another man for a fall, since he was not the only "ganev" in town.
What about the terrible name that so many Batei Din have in the USA when it comes to people being able to buy off the Dayanim. From left to right, it's all stinking of corruption and especially of SHOCHAD that Dayainm and Poskim should be the FIRST ONES to avoid!
This is facscinating stage we have now entered!
I was surprised that I had not seen the Shimmy Glick connection in regard to creating the actual "heter" itself.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I know he's not perfect, seems no one is nowadays, at least Carlebach the singer never claimed to be "infallible" either, but this is the best Niggun for "Ki Mitziyon Teitzei Torah Udvar HaShem MeYerushalayim":
ReplyDeletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1of6UYzvyxI
with no reference to current leadership, I recall that Rav Shach ztl was incorruptible, and hated financial gain. he stayed out of the Rabin government despite it costing Yeshivot a lot of support.
ReplyDeleteI guess that's why Rabbi Dovid Cohen at first showed support for Aharon and then changed his mind and started threatening Aharon's family with financial ruin when he realized who the Epsteins are related to. Interesting.
ReplyDeleteIf there wasn't money involved there never would have been a hetter in the first place.
ReplyDeleteRap, how do we enter from shochad into Torah????
ReplyDeleteIs this serious allegation against RDC based on anything?
ReplyDeleteAnything related to this case? I'm not sure. But otherwise, there is plenty of stuff on him.
ReplyDeleteIt is not a guarantee , but being financially independent makes it
ReplyDeleteeasier to make a stand for the truth , something I heard from a Rov of a
kehilah who did not take a salary. A lot of issues are really about money but
the issue will be presented as a major religious issue. The recent attack on
academic studies for girls was imho heads of Beis Ya'akov
institutions worried about the competition from the chareidi colleges