Quotes from the Jewish Observer Article

Although the disciples of Shammai and Hillel were unable to settle their disagreements, "they treated each other with love and friendship" (Yevamos 14b). We would do well to follow their example. This is especially important today, when Divine Providence is hinting to us that redemption may not be far off - provided we permit it to come by eliminating unjustified hatred from our midst. When Halachic authorities deviate from these guidelines, the results can be very destructive. the reader, especially if he has spent time in Eretz Yisroel, is likely to be familiar with ... huge posters, "signed" by great Torah authorities, plastered all over walls and bulletin boards, attacking actions that were approved by other Torah authorities - and attacking them in the most extreme and virulent terms, without ever having discussed the matter with the approving authorities, or even mentioning these - leaving the public confused, if not worse.

A hundred years ago, the founders of Agudath Israel showed the way by convening the spiritual leaders of almost all factions of European torah Jewry ... How sad that in the last generation, it was made to fall apart - at least in Eretz Yisroel.

Resorting to labeling, instead, is much, much easier, but also far less constructive - to put it mildly.

Before we disqualify any idea as totally out of bounds, we should first make sure that not one accepted authority supported it.

Agudah: Gedolim wrong about Slifkin ban, guilty of sinas chinam and "arrogance"


The current issue of the Jewish Observer, the official publication of Agudath Israel of America, has an article accusing the Gedolim in Eretz Yisroel - which includes Rav Yosef Sholom Elyashev, the leading Chareidi Halachic authority - of arrogance, sinas chinam, and deviating from required Halachic procedure in their treatment of Rabbi Nosson Slifkin.

Rabbi Dr. Leo Levy, a well known Torah personality and prominent scientist, lamented the behavior of "great Torah authorities" in "Eretz Yisroel" for bashing in the most vile manner the approach of others without first hearing their opinions, discussing the matter with the legitimate Torah authorities that approve of the other approach, and ignoring the opinions that the other approach relies on.

Although Rabbi Slifkin's name was not mentioned, it is clear from the article that he was the subject under discussion, especially since Rabbi Levy himself has written books about Torah and science using the same approach as Rabbi Slifkin. But although Slifkin was character assassinated by the Chareidi Gedolim, Levy was not mentioned in their ban, most likely because of his status as a prominent Torah personality, which would preclude the Chareidim from succeeding in destroying his name.

That is why, most likely, the Agudah chose Levy to write the article in the Observer defending Slifkin. He is too prominent to ignore.

The main personality behind the ban in Eretz Yisroel was Rav Yosef Sholom Elyashev, who does not know English, but nevertheless claimed to be able to judge the contents of Slifkin's books.

Suddenly and without warning, placards all over Jerusalem were posted naming Slifkin as a Kofer and unfit to teach, even though he has been eminently successful both as an author and a teacher.

This is the first time the Agudah has been willing to take a stand against the Chareidi Gedolim, although they singled out the Gedolim in Israel and did not mention the many American Gedolim who also engaged in the same illicit behavior. Some say the reason for this is the growing rift between the RW Chareidi Gedolim, who hold sway in Israel, and the more moderate Chareidi Gedolim, who are currently vying for power over the Moeztes Gedolei HaTorah, the lawmaking body of the Agudah. The article is being understood by most readers as representative of the growing rift between the Gedolim factions in the Chareidi community.

Rav Elyashev is considered extreme RW UO, while Rav Shmuel Kamenetsky and Rav Yisroel Belsky represent the more moderate, LW UO. Rabbi Belsky even holds an official position in the OU, the largest MO rabbinic organization in the world. Both Kamenetsky and Belsky wrote approbations to the books of Slifkin that were banned by Elyashev and the RW.

The article by Levy is a powerful victory for the moderate UO camp. The Agudah wields tremendous influence over Chareidi Yeshivos and synagogues. Both the article and the choice of author in the official publication of the Agudah represent a clear rejection of the RW ban on the books of Rabbi Nosson Slifkin.