Reply To: What makes someone a Charadi?

BS”D

LMA:

Middle two points I’m somewhat OK with. The fourth sounds like Apikorsus (which I’m absolutly sure that is not what you meant), and the fifth I think you yourself don’t believe.

1: The Gemorah/Medrash (semantics) discusses how one is Davak to Hashem, either by learning themselves (see Rashi), or by proactivly helping others (Talmedei Chachamim) to learn. It does NOT say “by doing mitzvos”. The Chassidic/Litvak divide is whether doing Torah yourself or helping/sticking to a Rebbe who learns is the better method. I believe MO also give money to yeshivos, so that qualifies.

4: One does no “believe” in Talmidei Chachomim, just like one does not “believe” in Yoshke. I’m not sure what you mean there, please clarify.

5: You can’t discuss Chareidi-MO philosophy and then say “Do you really believe that all MO sincerely believe in this Midrash”! Just like Charadi Philosophy is not carried out by Levi Aaron, MO philosophy is not carried out by those who text on Shabbos. Compare apples to apples.

Now. I admit I have never read “Halachic Man” by Rav Yoshe Ber, but I believe it is the premier MO philosophy sefer (or maybe some seforim from RSRH). Since you have read it (as you profess to know “MO Philosophy”), how does it compare to “Charaidi Philosophy”?