Comments on: Litzman Places Halacha Ahead of Diplomatic Protocol; Refuses To Shake Hand Of Female Diplomat

By: Dovid from Modiin

Dovid from Modiin — Fri, 25 May 2012 07:35:49 +0000

#8 true… However, after 64 years it should be clear that the State of Israel is the building blocks of Eretz Yisroel and the final redemption.

By: Rainus

Rainus — Thu, 24 May 2012 19:00:31 +0000

I know a Rabbi who would respond to every woman who extended her hand for a shake, “I’m sorry, but I only shake hands with my wife.”
The funny thing is he used this saying even before he was married.

By: yungerman123

yungerman123 — Thu, 24 May 2012 17:48:18 +0000

He is not a representative of EY, but of the State of Israel. Better not confuse the two.

By: sane conservative

sane conservative — Thu, 24 May 2012 17:04:04 +0000

If Litzman politely explained that he is not shaking her hand for religious reasons, Kol Hakovod. He did a Kiddush Hashem. As for Minister Laurette Onkelinx, she has to learn to tolerate religious people with other values than herself.

This happened to me many times and most secular people understood and had no problem.

By: shimon11210

shimon11210 — Thu, 24 May 2012 15:10:00 +0000

As an official I’m sure it is a difficult position for him to be in. Kol Hakovod to him for standing up to the pressure and making a Kiddush Hashem!

By: Derech HaMelech

Derech HaMelech — Thu, 24 May 2012 14:50:57 +0000

“He is certainly entitled to follow his own beliefs but he is also there as a representative of EY.”

And by extension should follow yours?

By: msseeker

msseeker — Thu, 24 May 2012 14:49:11 +0000

Gadol Hadorah, the kehilos of those “common sense” gedolim have 50% of their teens texting on Shabbos. Something must be wrong somewhere. I’m sick and tired of MO telling us what to do instead of asking us how to prevent their headlong slide into Conservative-Reform-Secularism R”L.

By: Gadolhadorah

Gadolhadorah — Thu, 24 May 2012 14:01:43 +0000

There are gadolim who have shown more common sense in such matters either by making an exception when to do otherwise would show disrespect for the woman or when there was no opportunity to explain the rationale for declining to shake hands. They found ways to handle these types of situations with more tact. He is certainly entitled to follow his own beliefs but he is also there as a representative of EY.

By: coffee addict

coffee addict — Thu, 24 May 2012 13:04:58 +0000

Or R Litzman should’ve explained this to her himself.

By: akuperma

akuperma — Thu, 24 May 2012 13:01:11 +0000

That she is outraged suggests she has a serious problem with people from societies other than her own. Handshaking is a custom in some countries and not others. Some cultures instead greet with smile and a slight bow – which is probably what most frum people do when introduced to a person from the opposite sex in a situation where western Europeans and American would shake hands.

According to Wikipedia (a less than 100% reliable source), she is a French-speaking socialist, of North African ancestry, who is famous for having referred to the country’s Flemish (i.e. Dutch) majority as a type of fungus. I wouldn’t take her too seriously.