Sunday, August 20, 2023

Daas Torah in America: A layman - especially a blogger - can never ever criticize a Rabbi. Even it means adultery or any other crime will be committed

I had a peaceful flight yesterday which consumed about 20 hours with a stopover in Russia. However when I landed the fireworks began.

On the way from Kennedy airport I called up a rabbi I know and respect who has a very close relationship with the Kaminetskys. I also have a positive relationship with him despite the fact that I have a Blog. 

I asked him if he had any information about the Tamar Epstein case. His reply was that he never heard about it. 

Welcome to America!

I asked him if he would be interested in knowing about it since it was a very critical issue involving adultery and the nature of Gittin and that he might be of help resolving the matter. I noted that  many rabbis had gotten involved but at this point critical issues had not been resolved.

"I have nothing to do with these issues - it is only for major rabbis!" "You don't understand. These issues are not for the layman but for major rabbis. A layman has no right to publicly criticize rabbis - for anything. These type of matters can only be dealt with by major rabbis - behind closed doors. They are not for public discussion - especially on a Blog. It is the clear and unanimous view of American rabbis that Blogs are prohibited. They serve only to denigrate rabbis and foment hate and lashon harah. Even if the present situation results in adultery it is none of my business. It is only for the major rabbis. Even if you know that a rabbi robs banks with a machine gun - it is not your business. It is up to other rabbis to take care of the matter and if they don't - IT IS NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS!!!!

I noted that this is not the view of halacha. That in fact there is no such prohibition but rather all Jews are responsible for the actions of all other Jews - including Rabbis. Furthermore that it is clear that there is a Torah mitzva of chastisement - and no distinction is made whether the critic is a layman or a rabbi or whether the person being criticized is a rabbi or a layman.  Therefore in a situation where the rabbis are in fact not dealing properly with the issue - it is not only permitted but an obligation for a layman to get involved. In a case of Chilul HaShem - there is no kavod given to the Rav. He responded with impatience.

You are not listening so I will repeat myself. It is the unanimous view of American rabbis that a layman has no business criticizing rabbis - especially not publicly and clearly not on Blogs. A layman has no business to be concerned with what he thinks are the crimes or errors of Rabbis. Even if you find some rabbis who approve of criticizing rabbis some of the time - they are clearly a minority view.
 It is important also to be aware that Israeli rabbis view American rabbis as not having been given the Torah and they don't accept the view of American rabbis on anything. So even if you have rabbis in Israeli who agree with what you are doing - it is only because of the contempt they have for American rabbis. Rabbi Belsky is a good example of a major talmid chachom who was not even allowed to speak with Rav Eliashiv to defend his views. Therefore in regard to the American Torah understanding - the rule is categorical. No criticism is allowed by a layman and especially publicly on a blog - no matter what the alleged crime or sin is.

In conversations with Israeli rabbis regarding American Torah Judaism - it is understood that American laymen (and rabbis) are naive - and deliberately so. They do not wrestle with issues because it is none of their business.  While you do find similar rules voiced in Israel - they are often ignored and as consequence Israeli's are more likely to have views and argue about a wide range of subjects.

As one person said, "This is a clear example of evolution. American have been successfully taught not to use their brains to consider major real life issues and their brains have atrophied for these matters."

54 comments:

  1. BARUCH HABA...TZADIK VEGODOL BA LEIR

    Sorry but your conversation is very typical. How do you think that the case progressed so far? No one wanted to criticize the Kaminetskys. Not even the Baltimore Bais Din was willing to say anything when Rabbi Kaminetsky was getting involved and "stepping on their turf". It took them 5 years to come out with a statement and even then it was a weak statement. The silence empowered him and led him to declare a Mekach Taus.

    I have a question... some food for thought.
    When Yochanan Kohain Gadol became a Tzduki after 80 years, did the gedolim of that generation work to defend him and salvage his reputation? Did they keep him on the Moetzes? Did they let him travel the country and give speeches? Did they let him be Mesadair Kidushin?

    ReplyDelete
  2. A kleine keppele.
    You need to associate with a more intelligent class of rabbonim.

    ReplyDelete
  3. does this rav ban the internet as well?

    ReplyDelete
  4. Even if you know that a rabbi robs banks with a machine gun - it is not your business. It is up to other rabbis to take care of the matter and if they don't - IT IS NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS!!!!

    אקמצא ובר קמצא חרוב ירושלים...
    .....אמר הואיל והוו יתבי רבנן ולא מחו ביה ש"מ קא ניחא להו

    Why did everyone have to suffer? The only people who did anything wrong was the person who made the party. No one else should have dared to protest the injustice, since there were real bonafide rabbis there who did not protest. How dare anyone speak up if the rabbis did not protest?

    ReplyDelete
  5. Politically IncorrectMarch 30, 2016 at 9:46 PM

    Ah, beruchim haba'im!

    Evolution: This is how it has evolved to the point where folks are restricted from using their brain.....

    L'ma'aseh, ask him for the printed kol Korea, I'm sorry, kol koreh that it is prohibited to notice wrongdoing and criticize it and who are its esteemed signatories......

    and again,
    Beruchim Haba'im

    ReplyDelete
  6. I agree with that person's statement. The only thing is that it only applies to REAL GEDOLIM or at least rabbis with integrity, not people who's soul is for sale for money and/or kavod and are not modeh al haemess. They are no better than Kalei hatzibur and ANYBODY even the simplest of people can challenge them. The status of a legitimate rabbi needs to be earned and maintained or else it's removed.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Please ask someone you know from that class of rabbonim whether they are willing to write a guest post on the subject

    ReplyDelete
  8. I don't know why this is an exclusively American issue. I bet that a much greater percentage of Israeli charedim refused to get involved in the deplorable goings-on that stemmed from Bnei Brak,i.e., pressuring people not to side with a certain political party. . . whereas, on the other hand, many American Bnei Torah that I know have taken a side in the Kaminetzky mess, and the great majority of them understand that the Kaminetzkys are clearly in the wrong.

    ReplyDelete
  9. "Daas Torah in America: A layman - especially a blogger - can never ever criticize a Rabbi. Even it means adultery or any other crime will be committed"

    It is the unanimous view of American rabbis that a layman has no business criticizing rabbis,
    HUH?

    Pinchas ben Elazar was a nonblogger layman and yet killed a Nasi beYisroel, therefore according to this rabbi and American rabbis, he was chayav misa. Even if Hashem rewarded him for bekano es kinosi, it still was not his business to criticize, besides - Torah lo bashamayim hi.

    All the chilul hashem goings on with robbing tax monies through pgms, puters and computer pgm's that can also blog, committed by itstele dere-barminan are not to be criticized. And the proof from the Torah is

    1:-) Bemaakom sheyesh chilul hashem, ein cholkin olov, elo osim chilukei derabanan beinam lebein atzman

    2:-) Kabel e$$ hoeme$$ mimi $heno$no

    3:-) Ve'ein nafka mina bein chamsan shel machine gun or taus goy bitter.

    Lav achbara ganvei elo chura ganvei. That is to say the crime committed is by the blogger blogging it Online, and not the perpetrator, especially if he is a rabiner, more so if he is in Chutz la'Aretz where the Asseres hashvotim, mmm... Asseres hadibros is not noheg bizman haze keshe'ein Sanhedrin yoshvim beazoro.

    The exact same reason applies to child molestation, in addition to the issue of messira. It is always the nirdaf that is guilty, shene'emar

    1:-) Vehirshi'i es hatzadik, vehitzdiki es horosho.

    2:-) If not for the child, molestation mina lan.

    3:-) Venahafoch hu.

    Even if R' Moshe Shternbuch and the biggest Poskim hayoshvim al haMODIN say that we need to protest beyesser se'ess uvyesser oz, they don't really count since RMS vesiyato are Israeli, even if RMS has dual citizenship. Besides, it is only meant for the moronon and not the layman.

    1:-) Hochiach tochiach is only for bnei Eretz Yisroel shebeki'in lishma and not for Medinas hoYam.shen'emar

    2:-) Torah Achas yihye lochem, achas, veachas al achas. Al achas lemaet America she'einan smuchin.

    3:-) It is the unanimous view of American rabbis that a layman has no business criticizing rabbis

    However:

    We are left with two unresolved matters

    `1) What about Shabtai Zvi, was he only criticised by Majors?

    2) If not for Daas Torah and daas bloggers, do you think R' Dovid would have ever come to pasken on this FIASCO? Would RSK ever opted on his own that R' Dovid should handle it?

    3) What about all the Bnei Bliya'al Ubnei Avlo, the Goons, the Mendele's, the money exchangers, the sotah's and the Boalim, may the bloggers and layman criticize *them*?

    "It is only for the major rabbis. Even if you know that a rabbi robs banks with a machine gun - it is not your business."

    Im boArozim noflu shalheves, umah yomru Eizovei hakir. It is *therefore*, pnei haDor kipnei haKelev!

    This so called rabbi is the layman and has no business calling himself rabbi whether he was or wasn't aware of this FIASCO.

    ReplyDelete
  10. lol sounds quite similar...
    אקמנצ'א ובר קמנצ'א

    ReplyDelete
  11. How can you criticize a Godol? Hakohen hagodol mikol echav, no one can measure up to him, especially if he had a machine gun, he has a HETER even to rob a bank, and if arrested he can always say it it was a mekach taus, or declare it HEFKER BD bebitul bealma.

    ReplyDelete
  12. As an American, I find that conversation very amusing....

    A day doesn't go by that we don't shake our head, here in America, at the fake and self-serving "hashkafa" strictly ENFORCED all over Eretz Yisrael and by Chassidim, of...... "בכל אשר יורוך".

    There are silly minds everywhere. This is certainly more of an Israeli problem, than an American one....IMHO.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Your "statistics" say that probably the Israeli rank and file are softer than their American counterparts. But what of the rabbinic leadership of the two countries?

    ReplyDelete
  14. His example of robbing a bank is overboard and makes this rabbi lose credibility in the rest of his conversation but he does have a point imho. In a case like this where there were more than one Rov allowing the heter and many many were silent it does not sound far reaching to have the opinion that Gedolim should take care of it. Who's the rabbi btw?

    ReplyDelete
  15. Everyone is open to criticism even Moshe rabeinu

    ReplyDelete
  16. The_Original_Bored_LawyerMarch 31, 2016 at 12:46 AM

    Shorter version of this man's opinion:


    Kavod ha rabbonim is more important than kavod shomayim.


    As you point out, the gemara has a different view. (IMVHO, the words "ein cholkin kavod la rav" are emphatic -- it is not allowed, period. Giving kavod to a a rav where there is Chillul Hashem is putting the rav's kavod first. That borders on blasphemy.)

    ReplyDelete
  17. "In conversations with Israeli rabbis regarding American Torah Judaism - it is understood that American laymen (and rabbis) are naive - and deliberately so. They do not wrestle with issues because it is none of their business. While you do find similar rules voiced in Israel - they are often ignored and as consequence Israeli's are more likely to have views and argue about a wide range of subjects."

    There are two separate points here that are sometimes get confused.

    One is the question of "Is it my business?" Another is the issue of whether I have the right to disagree with a gadol.

    In the first issue, Americans are not necessarily naive. They do not consider religion, theology, political opinions, and other matters of ideology to be too much worth their while. Oh, they'll disagree with the rabbi if he dares to interfere with their lifestyle, because that's not of his business. But religion? That's the rabbi's affair; that's none of my business.

    Israelis, on the other hand, are passionate about ideas, ideology, opinions, right and wrong. No issue of ideological nature is none of their business. On the other hand, when some overly-reactive religious zealot protests about something, it is more welcomed than in US. Many people, although not as zealous, will not criticize him for minding someone else's business.

    As for the issue of disagreeing with gedolim, Israelis, at least charedim, are much more receptive to the idea of following daas Torah unquestioningly, even in their personal lives. The mainstream American does not ask a gadol before taking the next step in his life, as is the norm in Israel.

    This is not a contradiction to getting involved in the religious issues of the time. On the contrary, the Israeli knows exactly what's wrong with what the Kamenetzkys did - they didn't ask the posek hador and follow him al yemin v'al smol. Instead they shopped around until they found someone who's not "mishelanu" to be matir.

    A typical example of this all this is the recent BneiBrak-Auerbach controversy. Each and every Israeli from the age of 8 must have an opinion about who is right. All the issues that are the domain of manhigei hatzibbur are debated in every cheder, yeshiva and kollel. But there's no question in his mind that because his gadol is right, he is the gadol hador, and he and everyone else must follow his gadol unquestioningly.

    The Americans, on the other hand, are still scratching their heads trying to understand: I have my gadol, you have yours, let each gadol decide what's right and every person will have the freedom to choose if his lifestyle conforms to what that gadol believes.

    ReplyDelete
  18. I am perplexed. I just received in the mail an open letter signed by over 100 Rabbis that if anyone is aware or has compelling evidence of the fact that a child is being abused it is a religious obligation to inform secular authorities that are expert in such matters. Leading the signers was the name of certain Rabbi Nota Greenblatt, who I believe has of late gained a significant amount of name recognition.

    I am not here to discuss the matter dealt with in that letter at this point, but I found it noteworthy that the signers did not equivocate in any fashion. there is to be no exceptions to this rule. Anyone, ANYONE, without exception, who has engaged in child abuse must be reported to the authorities. It is a religious obligation, according to Rabbi Greenblatt and the other Rabbis.

    Now, Rabbi Eidensohn, according to the thoughts expressed by your rabbinic friend, knowledge of a Rabbi committing any transgression no matter how severe may not be publicized. It is a matter to be handled by Rabbis and only Rabbis. May I quote your citation? "Even if you know that a rabbi robs banks with a machine gun - it is not your business. It is up to other rabbis to take care of the matter and if they don't - IT IS NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS!!!!"

    But Rabbi Greenblatt insists that anyone, ANYONE with knowledge that child abuse has been committed must make public such misconduct via secular authorities. Does not that mean if I, a layman, observe any Rabbi, even one of a stature, say for arguments sake, as lofty as that of Rabbi Greenblatt in an "a flagrante" violation of a child, that I have a "religious" obligation to report him to the authorities.

    But Rabbi Eidensohn, your friend asserts that "IT IS NONE OF YOUR [OR MY] BUSINESS!!! In that case I should not inform on someone of Rabbi Greenblatt's position.



    But Rabbi Greenblatt himself insists that I have a religious obligation to inform on the miscreant regardless of who he is. Theoretically, this would apply even if the perpetrator is Rabbi Greenblatt himself!


    So hypothetically, according to your friend, if I am informing on Rabbi Greenblatt or others of his standing, I am disrespecting the honor of the great Rabbis. If, on the other hand I fail to report child abuse committed by any Rabbi, then I am still guilty of disregarding the decree of the Rabbis.


    Tell me, Who's on first, What's on second,and I don't know is on third?

    ReplyDelete
  19. The very fact that R Shmuel Kamentesky tried this stunt when he knew it was nothing but a stunt to try and get Tamar "freed" without a Get illustrates several points:
    1) He obviously thought he could get away with it and he has largely done so and this proves the author's contention.
    2) he obviously does not believe in the laws of Gittin or the laws of Bais Din and all the ramifications of that statement should be obvious without being spelt out.
    3) The Aguda is a corrupt organization which is also a feminist organization.
    4) R Dovid Feinstein has an interesting pshat on where it says in Pirkei Ovos "bmeokom she'ain ish, hishtadel liyos ish". He could have and should have stood up against this corruption forcefully. he wants to sit and learn quietely. So did Moshe Rabbeinu who had to judge the people from morning to night.
    5) R Hillel David's involvement is not just baffling but sickening. With regards to the Aguda archivist's daughter being in arko"oys and making the most sickening vile allegations, he said he didn't get involved in divorce matters despite calling himself a rosh bais din. But to cover up a corrupt pal he is happy to get involved.

    ReplyDelete
  20. perhaps go ask chaim shaulzon what his successes are due to - certainly not any "deaf-ear"ed in bnei brak. they know it'll be reported in gur and satmar.

    ReplyDelete
  21. but didn't rabbi herschel schachter say the same exact thing about r' nota greenblatt and when pressed later on - RSK?

    ReplyDelete
  22. I can, but they won't. But not b/c they hold rabbonim are beyond criticism.

    ReplyDelete
  23. First you need to read that open letter carefully again. At the end of the letter, they stipulate that there must be raglayim ledovor and only a Rabbi can can decide whether there is sufficient raglayim. Second, without their consent, it is Messira. Third, the children keep on dying just like before the signatures of Meah rabonim, because they can all claim meolam lo hitarti having established raglayim. The example you gave happened in REAL LIFE, therefore in order not to incriminate themselves they stop it in it's tracks by calling it *Messira*

    ReplyDelete
  24. Why then did RNG pasken that there is no such thing as a secret Psak, and no one wanted to disclose who, what or when!

    ReplyDelete
  25. In other words, the Rav told Rabbi Eidensohn that Rabbonim have the right to kill with impunity. Note to self: avoid Rabbis like that at all costs.

    ReplyDelete
  26. It's really quite elementary.

    The general rule is to report unlearned child abusers who are otherwise law abiding. However, child abusers with machine guns who rob banks and have Rabbinic ordination are removed from the general rule, and their removal comes to bring a leniency, mainly that they are not to be reported to the authorities.

    Your comment is precisely why these matters should not be discussed on blogs!! Without knowledge of the "heuristic" rules of the New Torah, laymen default to applying the Torah as it was given at Har Sinai and end up outing the corrupt Rabbis.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Or maybe this version is better:
    I agree with that person's statement. But anyone who has an opinion or even an agenda, is a gadol too, no less than any of these other gedolim. So therefore they may challenge their colleagues.

    ReplyDelete
  28. I really am pleased that this person made this statement. Because it's what all of the fools believe in their hearts but even the fools feel silly to articulate it so they make up other excuses. But the real reason is as this person says. We must follow like blind sheep behind the clever foxes.

    ReplyDelete
  29. What does your point have to do with my comment No one is defending the psak. the question is if it's something the average joe or rabbi should be involved with. in a case where it was a few Rabbonim that allowed it even though most were against yet many Rabbonim did not comment at all so it's understandable to feel that the layman and the blogger should keep out.

    ReplyDelete
  30. At which point does a "rabbi" attain immunity from criticism? "Rabbi" Barry Freundel used to look down with contempt on laymen. Perhaps that's why he felt he entitled to use a mikvah as his personal peep show. His case was extreme but his attitude is unfortunately not unique.

    ReplyDelete
  31. During the years I was privileged to live in Eretz Yisrael, I perceived the situation there to be the same as America - maybe even worse. In Israel it was always, "you must not criticize MY major rabbis, but I can criticize yours of course, because they aren't major!"

    ReplyDelete
  32. That's indeed disturbing.

    ReplyDelete
  33. The Internet yet is the best weapon against rabonim that Hijack the Torah for their own selfish purposes. More so, when the Bank robber has a fake machine gun, fake bullets, and a see through mask utilizing blackmail, in somebody else's territory. They entered the Jurisdiction of BBD's Territory = misaber al riv lo loi. They cooked up a fake Heter, a Fake Psychiatrist, concocted a Fake ailment that contradicted TE's own testimony and backup notes. They bullied around AF with fake siruvim and blackmailed him out of Shuls. What they did was threaten RAFeldman who is a chover BD into stom piyot. They are not boss over Hashem's Torah and cannot hijack it to cook up a Haman's seuda with Treif meat in a Treif pot, paired with Yayin Nesech bottled in the Holy vessels of the Beis haMikdash just because they think they can. Torat Moshe is not for sale, not even for $hochad or Rodfei $halmoinim.
    We have real machine guns with real bullets to take down such a Mob of megaleh panim baTorah shelo kehalacha in robbing us blind. We have the support of the RAVAD of BD hagodol from Jerushalayim, the BEDAT"Z along with a the GREATEST POSKIM of the world hayoshvim al HAMODIN supplying us the wherewithal and urging us to destroy the mordim baShem veTorato, even R' Dovid F paskened so. That is why these fake gdedoilim despise the Internet, the best invention yet since sliced bread. Tooth and nail we shall fight those fakers until they throw in the towel, and we show them who is tattele, and we B'H' did so with great success. Torah is not a Kardom lachpor bah at your own mercy. Just wait and see, this is yet not the end of it. Much more to come. Veal tehe daas hedyot kaloh be'einecho. Moshe EMES veTORATO EMES and the Torah RULES.

    ReplyDelete
  34. To Kill and rape women... and children as well. Don't ask and don't tell, messira.

    ReplyDelete
  35. good summary “Daas Torah in America: A layman - especially a blogger - can never ever criticize a Rabbi. Even it means adultery or any other crime will be committed”

    Problem “On the way from Kennedy airport I called up a rabbi I know and respect who has a very close relationship with the Kaminetskys.”

    He may be following the Issachar rule:

    “Then the king consulted the sages learned in procedure. For it was the royal practice [to turn] to all who were versed in law and precedent” (Esther 1:13). Who were these? R. Simon said: These were the tribe of Issachar, as it says, “of the Issacharites, men who knew how to interpret the signs of the times, to determine how Israel should act; their chiefs were 200, and all their kinsmen followed them” (1 Chronicles 12:33). …. It is written, “The shrewd man saw trouble and took cover; The simple kept going and paid the penalty” (Proverbs 22:3). The shrewd man saw trouble and took cover: this is the tribe of Issachar. The simple kept going and paid the penalty: these are the seven princes of Persia and Media.”

    Interesting “It is important also to be aware that Israeli rabbis view American rabbis as not having been given the Torah and they don't accept the view of American rabbis on anything.”

    This should help Aliya to Israel. Evidence is coming out in support of the supposed Israeli view.

    I’m getting many likes to my Wall Street Journal Comment of today:

    “The first-time candidate showed how little he understands about the politics of abortion by suggesting that “there has to be some kind of punishment” if abortion were made illegal.” I like what Donald says on this subject. I live in Israel. I’m a devout Jew.I’m against abortion on demand. My understanding is that abortion in Israel is a not a problem for women, if there is a sound medical reason. Here’s another case (besides how to fight terror, how to provide medical care for the poor, whom to let into the country, etc) the USA should learn from Israel. Yes I tend to think many women who do abortions in the USA are sinners.”

    Israel is smart in so many ways, e.g. see

    http://evelyncgordon.com/a-model-for-resolving-clashes-between-jewish-and-liberal-values/

    ReplyDelete
  36. Do you know why the liar, forger, crook Pesach Lerner always spoke about Jonathan Pollard? Because he was using JP as a red herring to distract people from his locking the bathrooms at the YI of 5th Ave on Yomim Noroim, locking the door to their roof on Succos, selling the YI of Oxford Circle to Buddhists, etc..

    ReplyDelete
  37. According to me, it's about the same on both sides of the ocean, i.e., close to nill.

    ReplyDelete
  38. "Daas Torah in America" - We no longer have rabbis, we have false gods and political bosses ruling over their shuls or yeshivas that have become fiefdoms where feminism or the will of the mob always takes priority over halacha, decency, and ethics.

    In these personal fiefdoms we have many feminized, non-thinking men who submit themselves completely to worship of these false gods posing as rabbis, without ever daring to question the corruption occurring daily. These idolatrous men hate and loath the Internet, and blame all the problems on it, because the Internet is a powerful club for demolishing the modern day false gods.

    Asking question like why are the adulterers Adam and Tamar allowed into shuls, why are men like AF and MK banned from shuls, are totally forbidden questions for the worshippers of the false gods.

    ReplyDelete
  39. LOL, why don't they ever beat up women when they refuse to accept a Get? If it's good for the Goose....

    ReplyDelete
  40. Your post is too long for me but it seems like you have a more global issue above and beyond the Heter so I'll leave it at that.

    ReplyDelete
  41. Post is too long for you but still don't get it. Let me trim it down for you. Outside of this FIASCO HETER I have no beef with any of them whatsoever. No need to be mefaresh something that is not there, veidach zil ugmor. Hey, FYI I never even knew any of them from Adam before this FIASCO.

    ReplyDelete
  42. Politically IncorrectApril 1, 2016 at 1:06 AM

    But then, it is apparent that the heter took on global proportions; -)....

    ReplyDelete
  43. Politically IncorrectApril 1, 2016 at 1:13 AM

    Here, I would say because a heter me'ah rabbonim is an option. ...at least theoretically. ..

    ReplyDelete
  44. Thanks for the trim. And if u really never knew any of them before then I don't know if u r knowledgable to comment but it's a free country. Now let me break it down for you
    SEVERAL rabbis do something. Many rabbis protest and many rabbis remain silent. In this case is it ur job to protest or can u leave it with Gedolim. Perhaps u could and should be involved but it's possible to entertain that u shouldn't and that's all the rabbi should have said.

    ReplyDelete
  45. It's difficult to follow your train of thought, in just several lines you waver back n forth. I should, shouldn't, could but couldn't, leave it, do something. I opted to follow R' Moshe Shternbuch's Psak a true Giant of our times, ish Emes, sonei botsa, and trustworthy. That's all there is to it. Gut Shabbes.

    ReplyDelete
  46. Women also have the RSK/RNG option, at least virtually.

    ReplyDelete
  47. Politically IncorrectApril 1, 2016 at 6:28 AM

    Da'as Torah may point out to you that with all the 'gedolim', the perpetrators have ignored the protesters for about 2 years up to the point of her cohabitation (as opposed to true marriage) with her boyfriend. Rav Eidensohn(s) were the first to protest. They are apparently the only consistent ones, so unfortunately, the 'gedolim' track record is not indicative of their reliability.

    Furthermore, and speaking of Da'as Torah, Rav Sternbuch complained why there weren't enough protesting....

    ReplyDelete
  48. I'm not wavering at all. I personally think the heter is ridiculous and u r welcome to do or say whatever u please and I don't care. Nevertheless, if someone has the opinion that Gedolim should take care of this issue since there are some otherwise respectable rabbis that support it I hear where they are coming from and they dont deserve an entire post on a blog to make them sound like they are idiots

    ReplyDelete
  49. If they don't deserve it, klall yisroel deserves it. And if it's to much for you to bear, you are entitled to your opinion.

    ReplyDelete
  50. I've been saying for awhile that in America this issue doesn't seem to be a pressing leading top burner issue among the hamon am.

    ReplyDelete
  51. " It is the unanimous view of American rabbis that a layman has no business criticizing rabbis - especially not publicly and clearly not on Blogs. "

    Really?

    Have you seen Shemos 32:26, "mi lH' eloy vayeosfu eilov kol bnei levi" not only criticizing but wasting away 3,000 of them. And yes, there were kol shlosha hachamuros shebatorah. Maybe it is time to listen to the RABBIS of ERETZ YISROEL. Ki mitZION tetze Torah, udvar H miYerushaloyim. They have a BD haGODOL al kol haolam kulo, umtsudosom prussa al arba kanfos tevel, including rabonim of America.

    ReplyDelete

ANONYMOUS COMMENTS WILL NOT BE POSTED!
please use either your real name or a pseudonym.