Comments on: Chief Rabbi Metzger bans living fur

By: baki

baki — Thu, 22 Feb 2007 18:58:33 +0000

mdlevine did you write this based upon having read what he wrote? I understood him to be saying a rule no matter who gave the psak

By: kishke

kishke — Thu, 22 Feb 2007 18:01:36 +0000

So we’re in agreement. Great.

By: Charedim Kol Yisroel

Charedim Kol Yisroel — Thu, 22 Feb 2007 17:19:17 +0000

KISHKE — I have not read the Teshuva.

I am not reacting to the Teshuva, but rather to the reactions of the people attacking it (and what they perceive it to stand for). Like you, I believe these attacks are unwarranted, and I was pointing out what I think is their motivation.

By: kishke

kishke — Thu, 22 Feb 2007 16:03:15 +0000

Charedim: It might well be true that R’ Metzger is just writing a feel-good, pc teshuvah. but it’s impossible to tell without seeing the actual teshuvah. You say people are looking at the content, but I don’t believe any of them (you included) have seen the actual teshuvah. They (and you) are reacting emotionally to the man and the subject matter, without evaluating the content.

By: Charedim Kol Yisroel

Charedim Kol Yisroel — Thu, 22 Feb 2007 15:21:47 +0000

The problem, as I see it, is not, as KISHKE says, that people are looking at the Rav as opposed to the content (although they are certainly doing that as well). The problem is that people ARE looking at the content and flagging it as a lefty liberal issue that, as such, should be ignored and attacked.

Take a look at the Torah’s own pronouncements on animal rights (or human responsibilities, if that’s more palatable for you). Not every Rav issues constant guidance on every issue, so ignoring a guideline that is not put out by one’s own Rav is simply not a viable strategy.

By: kishke

kishke — Thu, 22 Feb 2007 14:57:50 +0000

Sarah: No, we're not all competent, and someone might be competent in one area and not in another. But if you are competent, you certainly have the right to evaluate the teshuvah based on your own chochmah and understanding. [Unlike Joseph, I don't consider this "playing the talmid chocham"; I consider it being the talmid chocham.] And even people who are not very competent can usually tell when a teshuvah is something real or just politically correct fluff.

By: mdlevine

mdlevine — Thu, 22 Feb 2007 12:46:00 +0000

baki – that comment was said 1) in sincere humbleness 2) not meant for the general population and 3) probably widely ignored by those who knew and followed carelfully by the self-proclaimed “chochem”

By: baki

baki — Thu, 22 Feb 2007 05:53:00 +0000

In the hakdomo to Shu”t R’ Akiva Eger he writes not to follow his rulings just because he ruled them but to look through the reasoning and sources and rule for yourself based on that.

By: Joseph

Joseph — Thu, 22 Feb 2007 04:59:14 +0000

kishke, you have it all wrong and Sarah has it all right. Don’t try to play ‘Talmid Cochim.’ Just follow Daas Torah. Period. Pick ONE Rav, and ALWAYS do what he says. Do not ‘evaluate’ and ‘decide’ his rulings.

By: Sarah

Sarah — Thu, 22 Feb 2007 04:30:31 +0000

Kishke,

I hear your clarification.

One remaining issue: even accomplished talmidei chachomim seek guidance and Psak on various issues. Obviously, the questions talmidei chachomim ask are of a different nature and caliber than those who are not. Nevertheless, we still seek guidance from local and “global” Rabbonim.

Therefore: Where is the line drawn when we evaluate if a Psak is “off-base”? Are all of us qualified to determine this? Do we follow this process regarding the decisions of our local Rabbonim or “global” Gedolim?

I don’t intend this as confrontational; simply seeking your perspective on this.