Pesak, Gedolim, and Halakhah

 https://www.yutorah.org/_cdn/_materials/Handout-on-Gedolim-Pesak-Humanism-Halakha-546795.pdf

One of the most difficult questions in this field, relates to and encompasses the topic of our discussion: If there is no 'da’at', how can we have 'Da’at Torah'? To illustrate this, I will relate a story. Many years ago, I travelled to Bnei Brak to console my rabbi and teacher, Rav Yitzchak Hutner zt'l, in his mourning, when his wife had passed away. When I went to see him, I found him sitting alone. We had a private conversation, and this was conducted in a very open and honest fashion, from one heart to another. Rav Hutner told me that one of the talmidei chachamim who came to console him, tried to convince him and to 'explain' to him how his wife's passing was 'positive', inasmuch as she was now in the world of truth, a world which is entirely positive and other such nonsense… It is superfluous to state that saying such things is totally unsuitable. I remember that when Rav Hutner told me this, he raised his voice and he applied the following severe words of the Midrash to that talmid chacham (Vayikra Rabba 1): "Any talmid chacham who lacks 'da’at' is worse than a putrid animal carcass!"

Two Types of Orthodox Judaism

 https://www.torahmusings.com/2011/07/two-types-of-orthodox-judaism/

To be sure, every movement, religious or otherwise, needs a level of hischadshus, innovation. But this problem is solved by the idea of Gedolim, the leaders and halakhic decisors who are the arbiters of the tradition and who determine what is and what is not considered an authentic part of Judaism. When the Gedolim, the masters of the mesorah, give their imprimatur to an innovation, the innovation becomes justified and validated.

US Justice Department probing Trump's efforts to overturn election

 https://www.jpost.com/american-politics/article-713159

The US Justice Department is investigating Donald Trump's actions in its criminal probe of the former president's attempts to overturn his 2020 election defeat, the Washington Post reported on Tuesday, citing sources.

Jews, non-Christians not part of conservative movement - GOP candidate consultant

 https://www.jpost.com/american-politics/article-713128

Jews and other non-Christians are "not conservative" because it is "an explicitly Christian movement" and because the US "is an explicitly Christian country," said Andrew Torba, the CEO of Gab and reportedly a consultant for state senator Doug Mastriano, the Republican candidate for governor of Pennsylvania, in a livestream responding to recent condemnations of Mastriano and Gab.

Trump: ‘Fox & Friends’ has gone to the ‘dark side’

 https://thehill.com/homenews/media/3572831-trump-fox-friends-has-gone-to-the-dark-side/

Former President Trump tore into Fox News’s flagship morning program on Monday, lashing out at its hosts for their coverage of his polling as he eyes another run for president in 2024.

“@foxandfriends just really botched my poll numbers, no doubt on purpose,” Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social, the social network platforming he started after leaving office. “That show has been terrible — gone to the ‘dark side.’ They quickly quote the big Turning Point Poll victory of almost 60 points over the number two Republican, and then hammer me with outliers.”

Gilboa prison pimping affair: New sexual assault allegation emerges

 https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-713020?fbclid=IwAR0kjCpZuWe2zeJZrw587PjIE4WxLN0wEMLYv_yOAZDNLTK3yH1QT1trT8I

Judge Michael Karshan from the Lod District Court overturned the decision, allowing for some details to be published from Lahav 433, the National Crime Unit, Ynet added.

"If I could only tell you how terrible the acts committed against this poor soldier, you would be horrified," tweeted Levi after the news got out.

"They fought tooth and nail to stop this case from getting out. I wish they would fight that way for sexual assault victims."

Ben Shapiro and Har HaBayis: Why He Was Wrong to Go Up

https://vinnews.com/2022/07/25/ben-shapiro-and-har-habayis-why-he-was-wrong-to-go-up/

Recently, it was widely reported that Ben Shapiro and others travelled to and entered he Temple Mount. While the sentiment that lies behind his action is certainly admirable in that he wishes to ensure Jewish sovoreignty over har habayis, the action itself lies in stark contrast to the position of the great poskim of the generation, Rav Edelstein shlita, Rav Elyashiv zatzal, Rav Chaim zatzal, Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach zt”l, and so many others. What follows is a halachic analysis of why we should not, at this point, be praying on the Har Habayis. The author feels bad because Ben Shapiro is someone that the author admires greatly.

RABBI WEINBERG’S AGONY

https://www.firstthings.com/article/2001/06/rabbi-weinbergs-agony

Weinberg was a talmudic scholar of the first order, and his published volumes quickly assumed canonical status in the eyes of the Orthodox rabbinic elite. His halakhic rulings were closely attended to by all sectors of Orthodox Jewry, and as such played an important role in the evolution of Jewish law in the twentieth century. Weinberg’s death in 1966 was mourned by Orthodox Jews around the world as the loss of an exemplary religious personality. How is it then that this rabbinic giant penned a series of letters that give voice, as Schacter describes it, to a “lonely, frustrated, bitter, and tragic life?” How is it that this pillar of the Orthodox establishment wrote letter after letter in which, to quote Schacter again, he lashed out against the “hypocrisy, extremism, and unethical behavior he found within Orthodoxy”? Clearly there is a puzzle here, one that badly needs solving.

The conservative component in Weinberg’s stance as a rabbinic decisor is strikingly evident in his refusal, as late as 1960, to issue an unambiguous ruling permitting women’s suffrage. Here was an instance of rank discrimination against women. Here also was a situation in which Weinberg saw no direct halakhic impediment to a permissive ruling. Still, when he took up the issue in a published responsum, he waffled, taking note of those decisors who opposed suffrage for women on grounds of “female modesty.” Under the circumstances, Weinberg was only willing to suggest, as Shapiro puts it, that the “matter be left alone as it would eventually be worked out by itself.”

The Legacy of Yehiel Jacob Weinberg

 https://azure.org.il/include/print.php?id=266

In the course of presenting the opinions for and against a lenient ruling, Shapiro informs us that Wein­berg’s opponents were, in large part, motivated by what he calls “meta-halachic” considerations. His use of the term, however, is so unclear as to be misleading.

Initially he characterizes “meta-halacha” as representing wider, subjective considerations, which are normally brought to bear in halachic decision­making: “Because such non-formal considerations are not grounded in explicit texts and cannot be refuted in the fashion of traditional halachic arguments, they may be referred to as ‘meta-halachic’ considerations.” Yet it is not long before Shapiro begins charging the term with a negative connotation: He distinguishes “meta-halachic” considerations, which are essentially “emotional and political,” from “pure halachic analysis.” The reader is left with the impression that Weinberg’s critics manipulated the halacha according to their own agendas, in disregard of the straightforward meaning of the textual sources.

Extra-legal Factors in R. Weinberg's Pesak

 https://etzion.org.il/en/philosophy/issues-jewish-thought/rabbinic-thought/extra-legal-factors-r-weinbergs-pesak

R. Weinberg’s halakhic responsa frequently bring meta-halakhic factors to bear, a trend noticed and discussed by Marc Shapiro. This is not surprising, since Jewish law reflects ideals and values and not just formal rules. But while similar sentiments appear in the writings of other poskim, R. Weinberg introduces such factors on a more consistent basis and in an admirably forthright manner. Sometimes communal needs or ethical concerns motivate him to rely upon a leniency he would not otherwise have allowed. In other scenarios, meta-halakhic factors motivate stringency, even if the practice in question does not entail any legal violation.

Hindu Temple, Previously A Jewish Synagogue, Will Become the First in Rhode

 https://www.worldreligionnews.com/religion-news/hindu-temple-previously-jewish-synagogue-will-become-first-rhode-island

The loss of the synagogue has not been easy for the Jewish community. They have reached out to the Hindu Temple Society to allow them to share the space, and Veltri reports that they are still waiting for a response.

Conservative Media Turns on Donald Trump Amid January 6 Hearings Fallout

 https://www.newsweek.com/conservative-press-turns-donald-trump-amid-january-6-hearings-fallout-1727431

Around the same time on Friday, the New York Post's editorial board also condemned the former president saying he was "unworthy" to ever be president again.

Trump's only focus on January 6, 2021, was to "find any means... to block the peaceful transfer of power," the Post's editorial said.

"There is no other explanation, just as there is no defense, for his refusal to stop the violence.

"It's up to the Justice Department to decide if this is a crime. But as a matter of principle, as a matter of character, Trump has proven himself unworthy to be this country's chief executive again."

Both editorials were far more critical of Trump than Murdoch's biggest megaphone: Fox News. "It's really just a cheap, selectively edited political ad," host Sean Hannity told viewers of his show.

Greer Seeks New Sex-Abuse Trial

 https://www.newhavenindependent.org/article/court_considers_new_evidence_in_greer_rape

Incarcerated sex offender Rabbi Daniel Greer left his prison cell Wednesday to come to a New Haven courtroom — where one of his alleged victims testified that Greer had indeed had sex with a former student … but waited until the boy was over the age of 16 years.

COVID-19 vaccines reduce the risk of death from COVID-19; the vaccines don’t alter our DNA

 https://healthfeedback.org/claimreview/covid-19-vaccines-reduce-risk-death-covid-19-dont-alter-dna-charlie-kirk-alex-berenson/

CLAIM

Canadian data shows vaccinated people more likely to die from COVID-19; COVID-19 vaccines alter our DNA; hydroxychloroquine and ivermectin cure COVID-19