Comments on: Op-Ed: Maintaining Perspective Regarding a Talmid Chacham

By: zionflag

zionflag — Thu, 20 Jun 2013 19:01:51 +0000

Thank you for an excellent article with facts that are honest and accurate.

Rav Stav is a talmid chocham who is accomplishing tremendous strides among residents of Eretz yisroel. When will others understand that “different strokes for different folks” as long as they are bderech Hashem.

By: galicianer

galicianer — Thu, 20 Jun 2013 18:43:35 +0000

To the Author:
The good point you made would be taken much better had you done just that – made your point – and then left things alone.

But you didn’t. You felt compelled to post some extraneous commentary:
“On an aside, it is humorous how we saw photos of the giant conference against the internet held in NJ, as many chareidim were busy texting and looking at Blackberries and iPhones, but this for one reason or another is acceptable while refraining from badmouthing Rabbi Stav or others like him is not an option. Please, explain this to me.”

This comment revealed your true agenda of mockery toward the chareidi public.
Sorry, but you ruined a good opportunity to make a valid point. Instead you chose to hide behind feigned righteousness, but your cynicism filtered through in an ugly fashion.

By: Yanky55

Yanky55 — Thu, 20 Jun 2013 17:35:20 +0000

Thank you, YWN, for publishing this excellent editorial.

By: rabbiofberlin

rabbiofberlin — Thu, 20 Jun 2013 17:25:57 +0000

chaimz- No one denies Rav Ovadia’s greatness but this doesn’t mean that we must follow his words blidly. You are welcome to do that, others are not.
As far as inclusiveness- I prefer to look at Lubavitch, the kiruv movement, Rav Grossman shelita and so many others who have opened their doors to all and sundry, and not insisting on an exclusiveness that is not appropriate for this generation. BTW- chassidus , too, is built along the same ways!

By: crazykanoiy

crazykanoiy — Thu, 20 Jun 2013 17:10:16 +0000

Great article. Unfortunatley it is not only Rabbi Stav that suffers from the inflamed rhetoric in our chareidi community. Just think of Rabbi Amnon Yitzchak, Rabbi Chaim Amsellem, Rabbi Nosson Kamenetzky, and the list goes on and on. Perhaps it is time to reaquaint ourselves with the words of the Netziv in the begining of Bereshis. We can disagree but not be mevazeh and mevatel others.

By: MDshweks

MDshweks — Thu, 20 Jun 2013 16:49:30 +0000

Look. There’s no question that this man deserves a lot of credit for all the good he does. I give credit when it’s due – to everyone including Lubavitch, christians etc. But don’t let that confuse you. Don’t allow that to become an open pass to take on Gedolei Hador double his age and knowledge and more…

Of course attacking him when he goes to a wedding is wrong, just as throwing rocks and attacking frum soldiers… but there’s no question that we’re seeing more and more that this Rabbi is NOT a proper Rav with the proper Kavod HaTorah, and NOT the man who will “bridge the gaps” as he says.

He believes he should sit on the chair of the Chief Rabbi since he did so much outreach out in the fields, but Rav Ovadia feels a chief Rabbi shouldn’t be just a great outreach fellow, one who goes to movies and is very lenient in many area. it might be great for outreach, but not for the chief Rabbanut. But he just doesn’t want to accept that and he feels he knows better…

When I saw you defended the RCA I lost all respect for some of your earlier word, which had some merit – did you read the letter??!! the RCA didn’t do wisely to just “give moral support”, but acted in horrible Chutzpa, and wrote that the actions of Rav Ovadia are ugly, and they wrote that he is a disgrace for all Torah learners. – Now go and sell me that these are also “Talmidei Chachamim”… if any of them are, they didn’t add any honor to that title with such foolishness…

By: Yagel Libi

Yagel Libi — Thu, 20 Jun 2013 16:34:24 +0000

A big Yasher Koach to the author. And to YWN for publishing this as an Op-Ed.

By: chaimz

chaimz — Thu, 20 Jun 2013 16:31:30 +0000

rabbiofberlin, I agree that Korach lived in a different time. However, the Torah included his actions so that we of a different time could learn from him. We will not see another dor daya, but the lessons of Korach are taught in every generation.

I would agree with your whole statement if the criticism was originating with me. The criticism came from one who is greater than me, and you and Rav Stav combined. Our moral compass is set by the Gedolim of our generation, not any less. I am sure that Rav Stav doesn’t have the temerity to place himself in the same league with our gedolim. If he does than there are other problems.

Additionally, I certainly take issue with the idea that a Rov has to include everyone. The Rov sets the tone for his kehilla and they follow. He doesn’t rule by democracy, he rules with his knowledge of Halacha and mesora. If shalom can be kept that is great, but another lesson we learn from Korach – don’t shy away from Emes for the purpose of a false shalom.

By: rabbiofberlin

rabbiofberlin — Thu, 20 Jun 2013 15:51:06 +0000

chaimz: Your mention of Korach is nonsensical. That was in a time when open nissim were seen every day. (see the parshas Korach and the staffs). We live in a very different world and it looks like that Hillel himself would not pass muster with you. After all, he accepted a ger with one short sentence! And ,of course, RSR Hirsch would be put in cherem by you. How about Rav Grossman of MIgdal HaEmek? Doesn’t he make sholom by lowering standards?The fact is that A Chief Rabbi (as any rov, actusally) has to make every effort to include everyone.

By: Joe Yeshivish

Joe Yeshivish — Thu, 20 Jun 2013 15:31:34 +0000

To Reb Asher:

Where were you 2 weeks ago when Bnei Torah got together in Manhattan to support HKB”H Torah Hakdosha and it was open season on Chasidim (particularly Satmar) right here on YWN?! Every vile comment against Bnei Torah/Chasidim was accepted by the moderators, and YOU were silent! Now when the shoe is on the other foot, you’re suddenly so “concerned”! Sounds just a wee bit hypocritical!