Guest post by Joe Orlow
Truth. Trust. Honesty. These are the oxygen for stable communities. The Torah brings this out numerous times. For example, cheating on weights is juxtaposed with the rise of our enemies.
So when Rabbinical leaders issue rulings that are out of whack, Rabbi Eidensohn steps to the plate and rebalances things.
And personal experience demonstrates just how unpleasant a community can be when some of its would-be leaders are out of order. The rank-and-file either consciously, or in a more subtle manner, end up mimicking the traits -- whether good or bad -- of its leaders. Sneaky leader: sneaky populace.
I'm writing this post in response to n invitation from Rabbi Eidensohn. My audience is the Z'kanim who follow this blog. Z'kanim: the Torah scholars who follow this blog and care what is written here, but don't care to take the extra step of commenting publicly here. So we have been told via the grapevine. I am reminded of the Z'kanim who start out escorting Moshe and Aharon on the way to confront Pharaoh. A funny thing happened on the way to the palace. At each corner a man was lost here, a man was lost there. Till it was just Moshe and Aharon to present the message of G-d to the earthly king.
These Z'kanim wonder why Rabbi Eidensohn has veered into the realm of politics. Is it not obvious? What is true of the Torah leaders holds true of civil leaders.
A Torah community with a fraudulent leadership is like a bridge that is rusting and corroded; like a highway with signs that misdirects drivers. Would you get in a road where the traffic lights routinely malfunction? Why in the world would anyone follow in the Derech of Gadokim who are off the Derech?!
A President that acts callously to protocol, precedent, and procedure can easily upend what a quarter of a millennia of statecraft has established. The cumulative effect of millions of citizens over centuries to build a more perfect form of government through blood, sweat and tears can come tumbling down like a majestic skyscraper shot through with passenger jet arrows.
I think that would be a good outcome. From the political ashes and rhetorical rubble we will build a moral foundation for the future. To me, Mr. Trump is like Noach, his ascendancy to the White House buoyed by my vote and the votes of sixty million of my friends.
I respect those who feel the flood of populism is really washing away the good, not the bad. So, the fact that I may disagree with Rabbi Eidensohn doesn't diminish my regard for him. Just the opposite, I've gained a new admiration for his courage in running this blog.
But for those who snip and snipe from the sidelines, they gather my disdain. Why haven't they started their own blogs? Where are their bold hearted Drashas calling out the misdeeds of a lazy leadership? Oh. I know. They don't want to lose their jobs. Or affect the marriage potential of their offspring. Risk averse cowards. Pulling back as we turn the corner of a momentous moment in history.
Joe,
ReplyDeleteI have a blog called Clean Up Young Israel ( http://cleanupyoungisrael.blogspot.com/ ) to call out the misdeeds of the current National Council of Young Israel and their degradation of a once choshuv organization. At times it is frustrating to see NCYI continue their hypocrisy (such as the Womens Megilla Reading in YI of Sharon despite what Steve Mostofsky wrote last year) but as I am often reminded from Pirkei Avos, “He [Rabbi Tarfon] used to say: It is not upon you to complete the task, but you are not free to idle from it. https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/308581cc8747e319af06eebfbbf86d7f5deb163931afcab1ffa12b66a80ac5f1.gif
Thank you for uploading that page. It should be noted that Open Orthodoxy now calls itself Modern Orthodoxy. This was first pointed out to me by the author of a book documenting Open Orthodoxy.
ReplyDeleteA new Jewish newspaper has started in the DC area. The president of Yeshivat Chovevei Torah (YCT) sits on the board of the newspaper. I suspect he may be subsidizing the publication of the paper as well. The paper contained a full-page ad promoting YCT. YCT was billed as a "Modern Orthodox" Yeshiva. So far, in the first three editions, much of the coverage has been of the local Shuls and of a local school which have Open Orthodox Rabbis. Not once has the term "Open Orthodox" been used in the newspaper. Not even when it mentions that the publisher worked briefly with YCT.
Most interestingly, the publisher started a "young professionals" Minyan at a local Young Israel affiliated Shul. And I've been told, but have not confirmed, that he has turned to both the Rabbi and assistant Rabbi at this YI for guidance in regard to the newspaper. The paper is distributed for free at local Shuls, including this YI.
You can't make this stuff up.
Trump has nothing in common with Noach. He is more similar to Nimrod who (according to Tradition) united the masses to make "bavel" great again. He was a populist and demagogue. Ultimately, because his moral compass was not Truth, Hashem destroyed his enterprise, resulting in greater division among the people than there was before. A sad state... until Avraham avinu appeared on the scene. The complete anti-thesis of Nimrod. Committed to truth and kindness to humanity, regardless of ethnic origin. Avraham Avinu did not promote xenophobia, but rather character refinement and knowledge of truth.
ReplyDeleteSo after Trump, we will be hoping for someone like Avraham.
Some of us openly take positions in particular areas but not in others, as I myself do, because I choose my fights carefully knowing that I won't be able to maintain enough stature if I fight in too many places, and I will therefore lose all fights. Those areas where one takes a stand, while it is a courageous step involving risk, it is also a rewarding step of honor and leadership. One can't have it both ways claiming that since he claims to have 'mesiras nefesh' in his courageous risky activities, he is therefore beyond reproach. Even gedoilim who have truly bestowed society with much good, should be called out and reprimanded for their misdeeds. Aderabeh, a leader has to be more cerefull than others because he is observed and followed. In a position of leadership, what one says will effect the strength and effectiveness of his leadership. Do you hold that people may not complain about the failings of a leader, because they should be blinded by the good qualities? It doesn't work that way in the real world. Not only will they voice their complaint but it will even shed a negative light on the good. That's life, and every mature person must face that. If people say that certain posts have negatively affected credibility, it won't be correct to cry about it, and it won't help either. Leadership is a delicate and sensitive pursuit, and so it must be treated.
ReplyDeleteAll of this and more is included in the word's of Chazal: חכמים הזהרו בדבריכם.
My gripe with those in positions of leadership is with the "circling the wagons approach".
ReplyDelete"Error correction" is built into the Halacha. Everyone in the Jewish community is obligated to learn Torah. The Bais Medrash is a place of give and take. In this way, the integrity of the Torah is preserved.
I'm reminded of a story I heard about Rav Elya Bloch z"l, the Telzer Rav in Cleveland. He put a sign on his office door, "Don't Disturb". Someone was knocking and knocking on his door. Finally, he answered the door.
"Didn't you see the sign?" he asked the caller in wonder.
"I saw a light coming from under the door, so I knew you were there and wanted to speak with you."
"I can't speak with you, because I have to prepare material for a Shiur I'm giving."
The caller was shocked. "The Rosh Yeshiva needs to learn Torah?!"
Rav Bloch later told this over to his students. He concluded by saying, "If I don't review, I know you boys will tear me to shreds".
This story embodies what I love about being a Jew.
But when a leader makes specious decisions, issues "funny letters", and then clams up, it disturbs me.
This is not to say that everyone who has studied the Torah has the right to "chepper" Torah scholars. Someone told me that Rav Elchonon Wasserman would only approach the Chafetz Chaim with the greatest trepidation to ask for a clarification on some teaching.
But a scholar on the caliber of Rabbi Eidensohn should be able to have access to, and get straight answers from, Gadolim. And if they stonewall him, they should not cry foul if he brings a battering ram.
Good commentary by Joe Orlow.
ReplyDeleteAs you obviously know, the most prestigious O shul in your metropolitan area just hired a leading OO rabbi. Any normal shuls in the area? (Short of chabad / Jared kushner's?)
ReplyDeleteRabbi Shemtov is on the Rabbinical Council of Washington.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.capitolk.org/rabbi-levi-shemtov.html
This Vaad has never retracted its letter against Aharon Friedman. Isn't Rabbi Shemtov connected with Chabad?
The Shul where I Daven is true to the old fashioned Torah.
I graciously accept your soft spoken (but)(and therefore) powerful rebuke. You have written in a scholarly language, befitting yourself, and I would like to paraphrase your point to the best of my understanding, in in a simple language.
ReplyDeleteAlthough certain commentators claim that Rabbi Eidenson has lost some of his authority with them through certain posts, and that may be true, that doesn't discredit Rabbi Eidenson at all, but the contrary is true. Rabbi Eidenson is not withholding from his readers anything, be it regarding his opinions on things or regarding his own character and personality. So if he feels that he should present his ideas about President Trump, he doesn't first qualify his ideas by considering how people will view them and him. He isn't an actor. He is genuine. He presents his ideas without fear of the consequence of presenting them, even if the consequence is that people will look down at him. He also fearlessly and courageously presents all the harshest critique aimed at him (as long as the language is proper). He is ok to present this unadulterated dialogue and allow the readers to develop their own opinions, even if it will be against him. He doesn't therefore withhold or color things. That makes this blog a beacon of honest dialogue. If he will choose to minimize the presence of such political posts, it will not be out of humoring or coddling, but perhaps to focus on discussions which more effectively serve the purpose of the blog.
Please let me know if I have understood.
I used to blog and was quite passionate about it. Then I took a step back and looked at the forest instead of the trees. How many times does the same point get repeated? A few details change here and there but the stories are few and unchanging. So I realized I was just complaining about the same things over and over, demanding change for the same things over and over, and then I got bored and gave up.
ReplyDeleteI think you have understood. I am honored by your comment.
ReplyDeleteStill, I would quibble with some of the wording.
Many of these " certain commentators" who criticize apparently do not participate in this blog, nor have they have they taken up in the banner in any other public way to notify unsuspecting people that some of the leaders they revere are, in fact, frauds. In a lot of ways these "commentators" are worse than those Rabbanim who have allowed a married woman to take a second husband and/or refuse to try and separate her from her second "husband". By these "commentators" remaining anonymous and silent they gain a share in the sin.
So, some of these "commentators" deserve opprobrium, not the approbation that accompanies such a fine term as "commentator". Let's call them what they are: Torah lightweights, the peanut gallery, those who stand by idly.
Similarly, you refer to "people" who "look down at him". They can only "look down" because they imagine themselves to have a lofty status. If they evaluated the situation honestly, they'd realize that the Avla of Rabbi Shmuel Kamenestsky retaining his leadership role as "the greatest Gadol in America" is such a calamity that they, the would be criticizers of Rabbi Eidensohn, who hide behind their Purim masks throughout the year, so to speak, have been dragged down so low that they have no choice but to look up to Rabbi Eidensohn.