Biblical Theology of Rabbi Emanuel Rackman

 But one writer raised a significant issue and I share his question and my answer to it with the readership of Hirhurim around Rabbi Rackman’s yartzeit. He asked me a question about Rabbi Rackman’s biblical theology and raised the possibility that Rabbi Rackman was a technical heretic in that he did not believe in the Torah being revealed by God at Sinai to Moses (Torah miSinai). In truth, I had never spoken to Rabbi Rackman about the issue raised by this writer, although I had myself seen the view of Rabbi Rackman and been troubled by it. In a symposium in Commentary in 1966 entitled “The State of Jewish Belief”, Rabbi Emanuel Rackman wrote:

The most definitive record of God’s encounters with man is contained in the Pentatuch. Much of it may have been written by people in different times, but at one point in history God not only made the people of Israel aware of his immediacy, but caused Moses to write the eternal evidence of the covenant between Him and His people. (Commentary, August, 1966 at page 128)

The sanctity of the Pentatuch does not derive from God’s authorship of all of it, but rather from the fact that God’s is the final version. The final writing by Moses has the stamp of divinity-the kiss of immortality. (Judaism, Spring 1969, page 153)

Flaws in the Proposal of Rabbi Emanuel Rackman

 https://www.sefaria.org/Gray_Matter_I%2C_Grappling_With_the_Problem_of_Agunot%2C_Flaws_in_the_Proposal_of_Rabbi_Emanuel_Rackman?lang=bi

An advertisement appeared in the Jewish Week (August 28, 1998) presenting the procedures for annulling a marriage based on kiddushei ta'ut (see previous chapter). The advertisement added that these principles guide the practice of the Beit Din Zedek LiBaiayot Agunot, which Rabbis Emanuel Rackman and Moses Morgenstern operate.¹After publication of the advertisement, it was reported that Rabbis Rackman and Morgenstern split from one another. Shortly afterwards, Rabbi Rackman distributed a letter to the membership of the Rabbinical Council of America (dated December 14, 1998) defending the principles outlined in the advertisement. In this chapter, we explain why virtually all Orthodox rabbis reject these procedures (see, for example, Appendix).

We will conclude by citing from a speech delivered by Rav Yosef Dov Soloveitchik to the Rabbinical Council of America, in response to Rabbi Rackman's proposal:⁷A relevant piece of the Rav's speech appears in The Journal of Halacha and Contemporary Society (9:140-141). The Rav's students cite his adamant opposition to Rabbi Rackman's proposal regarding kiddushei ta'ut in Hamevaser (38:2) and Beit Yitzchak (29:232).

I have to discharge a duty. Believe me, I do it with much sadness in my heart. You know I never criticize anybody; I have never attacked anybody. But today… I feel it is my duty to make the following statement….

The Genius and Limitations of Rabbi Joseph Ber Soloveitchik z”l

 https://www.cardozoacademy.org/thoughtstoponder/genius-limitations-rabbi-joseph-ber-soloveitchik-zl/

Rav Soloveitchik’s famous argument with Rabbi Emanuel Rackman—renowned Talmudic scholar and thinker, later to become Dean of Bar-Ilan University—is another example of the former’s sometimes extreme halachic conservatism. In several places, the Talmud introduces a rule that states: Tav Lemeitav tan du mi-lemeitav armelu—It is better to live as two than to live alone,[11] which refers to the fact that a woman would prefer to marry almost any man rather than remain alone.

Rav Soloveitchik sees this as a “permanent ontological principle,” which is beyond historical conditions, and that even in our day needs to be applied and cannot be changed. This principle operates under the assumption that even today’s women prefer to stay in a marriage, no matter how unfortunate the circumstances may be. To be alone is worse. This means that a woman cannot claim that had she known what kind of person her husband is, she never would have married him. If she could make this claim, her marriage would be a “mistaken marriage,” which would not even require a get (bill of divorce), since the marriage took place on a false premise and the woman would never have agreed to it had she known. In that case, she was never considered lawfully married and could leave her partner without receiving a get. Since this obviously has enormous repercussions for today’s society, it could help thousands of women.[12] Rav Soloveitchik was not prepared to take that approach and thus blocked the possibility for many of them to leave their partners without a get.

It seems to me that the above-mentioned rabbis were talmidei chachamim no less than Rav Soloveitchik was. Their disadvantages were that they didn’t occupy a central role in Modern Orthodox and Yeshiva University circles, and above all they didn’t belong to renowned Ashkenazic rabbinical families. Had they been called Soloveitchik, their Torah would have received far more attention and would probably have been much more effective.

"Four Dissenting Modern Orthodox Thinkers - Emmanuel Rackman"

Israelis living abroad riot at airport over travel restrictions

 https://www.ynetnews.com/article/r1ufsagsy

According to those who found themselves stranded in Ben Gurion Airport, the riot started after they were made aware that they must fill in and submit a brand new online form and then wait no less than 24 hours until it is processed - despite their flights being mere hours away.

The Public Security Ministry wants us to fill out an online form in Hebrew only and we are not given an answer,” said Dimitri Kiblansky, a resident of Canada who found himself unable to board his flight home.

Security guard who attacked MK revealed as Hamas terrorist

 https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/319137

One of the two security Arab guards who attacked MK Itamar Ben Gvir earlier this week has been revealed as a Hamas terrorist, Israel Hayom reported.

In the past, terrorist Mohammad Shaweeky wrote a post on social media praising Hamas terrorist Ali Shyouky, Israel Hayom added.

Shyouky is a Hamas terrorist from Silwan, who in October 2016 was eliminated after conducting a firebombing.

An ER nurse's message of compassion for the unvaccinated

 https://edition.cnn.com/2021/12/16/opinions/nurse-audrey-wendt-michigan-covid-message-goldynia/index.html

But, at the end of the day, if you choose not to get vaccinated, I am still going to take really good care of you and give you kindness and treat you with respect. I want anyone who needs care to know that they are welcome here, no matter what. I feel like Republicans and Democrats, and people of all backgrounds and all beliefs can come together knowing that we want the same thing: we want what's best for our family members so that they can live long, healthy lives.

Christian Missionaries Showing up in NY & Lakewood Yeshivos

 https://baltimorejewishlife.com/news/news-detail.php?SECTION_ID=1&ARTICLE_ID=150767

A Christian missionary was just in Shor Yoshuv going over to Bochurim and others in the Yeshiva. Nassau Police are currently on scene, escorting the man out. Unfortunately, many Yeshivos in Williamsburg and Lakewood have recently reported similar occurrences.

Rav berl wein describes rav chaim zimmerman

It Belongs to You Too

 https://mishpacha.com/it-belongs-to-you-too/

 Rav Potash’s foray into the world of innovative yeshivah leadership really begins in the Jerusalem apartment of his individualistic, forward-thinking grandfather, the illui Rav Chaim Zimmerman z”l. Rav Chaim, a child prodigy and nephew of Rav Baruch Ber Lebowitz of Kamenitz, came to the US at age 15, and it was soon clear that he was versant in the entire Talmud Bavli and Yerushalmi, as well as Rishonim and Acharonim. After receiving semichah from Rav Moshe Soloveitchik, he taught a Talmud class at REITS, and for many years was a rosh yeshivah at the Hebrew Theological College (Beis Medrash L’Torah) in Chicago, where he often entertained the bochurim with the “pin test” — they’d stick a pin in a random page of Gemara, and he would recite the page, and that very spot, verbatim.

Ghislaine Maxwell's 'Grooming' Behavior Explained by a Forensic Psychologist

 https://www.newsweek.com/ghislaine-maxwells-grooming-behavior-explained-forensic-psychologist-1662100

Turner characterizes grooming by three main elements. The first is isolating victims from their "normal social system" such as family and friends, in order to have them "enmeshed into the social system of the offender," a network that includes other victims, other offenders, and anyone who normalizes these sexual behaviors.

Shas chair reaches plea bargain deal, will resign from Knesset and pay 180,000 shekel fine

 https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/319095

Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit has reached a plea bargain agreement with Shas party chairman MK Aryeh Deri, Kan News reported..

According to the report, Deri will plead guilty to non-reporting of tax and will pay a fine of about NIS 180,000. In addition, he will resign from the Knesset. The arrangement is expected to be drafted and submitted soon.

As part of the plea bargain agreement between the State Attorney's Office and Deri, he is not expected to plead guilty to tax evasion offenses, but to offenses of reporting without criminal intent only. The investigation against Deri was opened five years ago, and also included a suspicion of bribery, the case on which was already closed at the stage of the police recommendations.

Colorado DA asks court to reconsider truck driver’s 110-year sentence in deadly fiery crash

 https://www.foxnews.com/us/colorado-truck-drivers-110-sentence-crash

A Colorado prosecutor is asking a court to reconsider the 110-year sentence recently imposed on a truck driver who killed four people and injured many others in a deadly pileup that has prompted outcry from the trucking community and a petition signed by at least four million people. 

First Judicial District Attorney Alexis King filed a motion Tuesday for a court to set a hearing to review the sentence of Rogel Lazaro Aguilera-Mederos.

"As Colorado law required the imposition of the sentence in this case, the law also permits the Court to reconsider its sentence in an exceptional case involving unusual and extenuating circumstances," the motion states. "This would allow for the conditions to be met for a modification of the defendant’s sentence as was discussed by the People in the initial sentencing hearing."

Rogel Aguilera-Mederos: Colorado lorry driver's sentence sparks uproar

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-59750154 

If I had the discretion, it would not be my sentence," the judge said after Rogel Aguilera-Mederos was convicted.

His lorry had ploughed into traffic on a mountain road in Colorado in April 2019, killing four people.

Convicted on 27 counts, the 26-year-old was handed a 110-year prison term the judge said he was forced to impose.

The sentence sparked uproar. Some 4.5 million have signed a petition on Change.org asking for clemency and Kim Kardashian weighed in on social media.