Emes Ve-Emunah

The 1989 film, ‘When Harry Met Sally’ explored the question of whether it was possible for a man to be friends with a woman without seeing her in sexual terms. This question is as relevant now as ever. A very insightful editorial this week (unavailable on line at the moment) by Chicago Jewish News editor, Joe Aaron - who is observant - may answer that question.

I have my differences with Joe. His ‘over the top’ criticism of Israel’s sitting Prime Minister chief among them. But this doesn’t mean that I never agree with him. When he stays off his penchant for bashing Netanyahu, I often find myself agreeing with him. Occasionally he hits a home run. Last week’s column was one such occasion. His opening words were ‘Men are pigs’.

I’ve heard this phrase before. It usually refers to how men generally see women as sex objects. This doesn’t mean that all men act on their thoughts. Nor does it mean that they reveal them. Even to themselves. But anecdotal evidence increasingly seems to point to this as a biological fact. Men upon initial contact with attractive women (or men if they are homosexual) see them as sex objects. At least subliminally,

I know that this is not the politically correct thing to say. And I’m somewhat surprised that Joe used that as his opening phrase. Most people with Joe’s politically liberal perspective will say that when they see an attractive woman they see only their humanity. Not their sex. But I don’t think that’s entirely accurate.

I suspect that what really happens with good men is that they overcome their inclination to see attractive people as sex objects. Judging them on merit. Not on sex. In most cases this is done on a subliminal level. This enables a normal non sexual encounter. But if one is a healthy heterosexual male it would ridiculous to say he does not see an attractive woman on those terms. At least subconsciously. Same is true for a homosexual man that sees an attractive man.

Let us demonstrate this by example. An attractive female journalist meets with a male for an interview. In most cases the interview proceeds on a professional level without incident. The interviewee will behave as though his interviewer was sexless. What is in the back of his mind might not even reach his own consciousness. But I believe it is there. There is no denying that a heterosexual man will notice a woman’s beauty. The only question is whether he will admit it. Even to himself.

Proper behavior under these circumstances is called having self control. If one lives in a civilized society and was raised properly it is ingrained behavior.

There are those who will question my hypothesis and say that men do not always look at an attractive woman and see ‘sex’ – even on a subliminal level. But the evidence seems to be accumulating to the contrary. There are far too many people that cannot control their behavior when they encounter someone they are attracted to. Often these people are highly respected for the contributions they have made to society. But they are people whose libidos have gotten the better of them.

Joe noted the long list of people that fill that bill. One of the most prominent among them is journalist and author, Ari Shavit. Shavit had become somewhat of an icon because of his recent book analyzing in depth the Israeli left and right for not giving the other side proper consideration. His was a highly sought after interview since the book’s publication. In at least one such interview he saw his interviewer (Danielle Berrin) as a sexual conquest and acted on it.

After she made this event public without naming him, Shavit came forward with his ‘non apology’. Claiming his attempt at ‘courtship’ was misunderstood. Well the actions described by Ms, Berren hardly qualify as a courtship by any definition. That he seemed to have no clue that what he did was inappropriate (to say the least) is very telling about how this ‘champion of human rights’ sees women: They are sex objects first and human beings second.

But as Joe noted, this behavior is not limited to secular writers. It encompasses every segment of humanity. Which includes respected athletes like Tiger Woods; respected media moguls like Roger Ailes; respected entertainers like Bill Cosby; respected Presidents like Bill Clinton and John Kennedy; respected politicians like Eliot Spitzer; Presidential candidates like Donald Trump, John Edwards and Gary Hart.

And then there is the recent history of such things in Israel. As Joe further noted, powerful men in politics, the army, business, and even rabbis have been caught taking advantage of their position and - at one level or another - satisfying their lust for beautiful women (or men if they are homosexual) – obviously seeing them all as sex objects.

Just this week the Israeli rabbinate revoked the Semicha of a rabbi accused of sexual harassment and other sexual misconduct.

Just this week, one if the leaders of the settler movement was forced to resign in the wake of accusations of sexual assault.

In the last couple of years the most prominent Religious Zionist rabbi in Israel that appeared regularly on TV to give Torah lessons was accused of abusing boys.

And one of the most prominent Chasidic rabbis in Israel – fleeing from country to country around the world after he forced several young woman to have sex aith him in the name of ‘increasing their spirituality.

We had Silvan Shalom, the deputy prime minister forced to resign after 11 women came forward and accused him of sexual harassment.

We had Israeli MK Oren Hazan accused of a varierty of disgusting behavior including exposing himself.

And just recently we had a man that everyone thought would be the next army chief of staff resigning after several female soldiers said he tried to force them to have ssex with him.

And then there are the American versions of those people. Like a respected rabbi who went to great lengths to watch women get undressed before they go to the Mikvah. And a respected rabbi the was forced to resign because he convinced young boys in his charge to go into a sauna with him so that he could ogle them while they took showers.

This is only a small sampling of respected people whose libido got the better of them.

I’m not sure what to do with all this information other than to reiterate that Chazal’s observations 2000 years ago were exactly on target and as applicable today as they were then. Ayn Apitropus L’Aayos. And to reiterate that it would be prudent for all of us to recognize what I believe to be a simple biological fact. And that self control simply is not enough.

The rest of civilized world ought to recognize it too. And take steps to prevent abuses. Just to take one example - placing men and women together in combat units. While it is true that doing so is an expression of equality between the sexes, it is one of the dumbest things the military establishment has ever done.

The Agudah Moetzes - not Frum enough? (Wikipedia)

I am so tired of Chumros being touted as Jewish Law. And once again this is exactly what has happened with Hamodia. While not saying so explicitly, they implied that publishing a picture of a woman in any fashion is a violation of those laws. From Arutz Sheva:

(T)he fact (that) we won't publish a picture of the Democratic candidate on the front page of haredi newspapers does not mean we don't support her, but rather stems from the fact we keep Jewish law," said Hamodia.

With that, Hamodia criticized Mishpacha for putting Hillary Clinton on the cover of its latest edition.

The fact is that there is no such violation. Because if there is, then everyone on the Agudah Moetzes is guilty of it. How - one might ask - are people like Rabbis Perlow and Kamentesky in such violation? Very simple. Not long ago, Agudah published - for wide distribution- a publicity photo of its team sent to Washington for some sort of lobbying initiative. Women were part of that team and thus part of that photo.

They also distributed a version of it that photo-shopped those women out of the picture. They did so out of respect for that segment of Orthodox Jewry who feel that it is immodest to publish any pictures of women. But the fact that is they had no Halachic – or even Hashkafic issue with distributing a picture with women in it. One must remember that nothing happens in Agudah without the approval of the Moetzes. Certainly not something as serious as a modesty issue.

Why do I care what a right wing publication says about what is and isn’t Halacha? Because it affects all of us. Charedi leadership it seems never saw a Chumra (stringency) they didn’t like. If there is a segment of the Charedi world that has a Chumra, other segments that did not have that Chumra will soon follow suit. They will not allow themselves to be ‘out-frummed’ by other Charedim. So they will adopt the new Chumra as their own - as though it had always been that way.

Telshe RY, Rav Eliyahu Meir Bloch

In this case - even though pictures of modestly dressed women have never been banned from all Charedi publications, it will not be too long before it becomes de-rigueur. Those who don’t follow suit will be looked down upon as ‘modern’. Which in Charedi-speak is a euphemism for not being Frum enough. How do I know this will happen? Because it’s already happening with other issues in their circles. And has been for some time.

To illustrate, Rav Eliyahu Meir Bloch, the founding Rosh HaYeshiva of Telshe in North America did not have Peyos.When I was in Telshe Yeshiva back in the early 60s, not a single Rosh Yeshiva or Rebbe had Peyos. Not one. Not Rav Motel Katz. Not Rav Mordechai Gifter. Not Rav Baruch Sorotzkin, Not Rav Chaim Stein... and not one Rebbe.

My “older’ Chavrusa in Telshe was the brilliant Rav Yitzchak Sorotzkin (R’ Baruch’s son). He was in the post high school Beis Hamedrash program at the time and I was in 10^th grade. He did not have a beard or Peyos. He was clean shaven. Today he has bucked the tradition of his father and has Peyos.

Charedim are just not going to allow themselves to be ‘outfrummed’ by Chasidim who have and always have had Peyos! And of course this custom has trickled down to virtually all Charedi Bachurim ( young unmarried students) these days.

Rav Yitzchok Sorotzkin

Now I have no issue with Peyos per se. If that is your tradition, God bless you. But if it’s not and you grow them because you are chasing an image, then yes I do have a problem with it. Because you are raising a false standard for the rest of us. One that is merely a Chumra rarely followed in the past by the non Chasidic Yeshiva world (other than a few Roshei Yeshiva who never expected their Bachurim to do the same).

Today, you will be hard pressed to find any Charedi Roshei Yeshiva without Peyos. Nor any Charedi Bachurim.

So for me this is not a case of live and let live. Which is normally the way I feel about these things. For me this is preventing unnecessary moves to the right by the rest of us based on copying the people to our right.

Chasing Chumras that enhance their Hashkafic outlook is not something Modern Orthodoxy ought to emulate. They seek to isolate themselves from the general culture. Modern Orthodoxy participates willingly in it (...that is – in that part of the culture which is in concert with our values). They look down on that. This is one of the primary differences between us.

I often call for unity which calls for respecting our differences. But unity does mean chasing down Chumros because the other guy does. It is difficult to be united when one segment sees the other as not Frum enough. Because that prevents respect. The more they chase down Chumros, the more they will look down on those who don’t unless we join the fray.

We should not be complacent. Live and let live is not always the best option – if it increases the divide. For me it is about not letting the right go too far to whatever extent we can... trying to get them to maintain the status quo by making the case against chasing Chumros that will divide us.

That said, I will admit that I am spitting in the wind. I don’t see what we can do to change things. The right is not going to listen to people like me. But at least we can talk about it. Which is why I mention Hamodia’s reaction to Mishpacha. Let us make our concerns to Charedi world public. And try to prevent something like this from becoming yet another difference between us. Which will further divide. One might say that this issue is insignificant. That there are so many more important issues to talk about. That is true. But every step in that direction is a step away from unity if Modern Orthodoxy doesn’t follow suit.

Where will this move to the right end? How far off the reservation must we go before it stops? What will it take to restore normalcy to our people? Why does there have to be a pull from both the right and the left to the point of breaking with tradition? Can’t we all just stay normal and follow traditional paths? Is that too much to ask?

US Senator from Illinois, Mark Kirk (Wikipedia)

I feel great. Much the same as I did in my last decade. And the one before that… and the one before that.

I turned 70 today. Which is not that much of an accomplishment since all I had to do was stay alive. But I am not taking that for granted. Being alive is usually a good thing. Especially when God grants you good health in mind, body, and soul. Which to the best of my knowledge, He did!

I am grateful that God gave my ancestors some really great genes which they apparently passed on to me. And that he gave me both the strength and willpower to exercise physically and mentally on a daily basis. I only pray that all of Klal Yisroel feels the way I do when they hit 70. And 80. …all the way up to 120! (and beyond).

That is not the only event happening today. Unless you live on the planet Pluto, you probably know that today is Election Day. We are going to elect an individual that will shape the American political landscape for the next 4 years (at least). And as most people that read this blog know, I endorsed – and am going to vote for Hillary Clinton. Much as I don’t like her politics, she is far superior to the alternative – no matter how one feels about their stated political positions on the issues. (see my endorsement here). Thankfully, all indications are that she will win the Presidency. Which for one thing means that the stock market won’t crash – the way it will if her opponent wins.

In my state of Illinois it doesn’t really matter who anybody endorses for President. Hilary is a shoe-in. So why bother to vote? Because it does matter who will represent Illinois in the US Senate. So for those of you that live in Illinois and are reading this, I cannot emphasize enough my endorsement of Senator Mark Kirk. He is a proven friend of Israel. His opponent’s friendship remains to be seen. Unless you are a J-Street supporter. Then you might like the fact that they have endorsed her.

I have no real issues with a war hero like Congresswoman Tammy Duckworth, Kirk’s opponent. I’m sure she is a fine public servant. But her record in the House of Representatives is pretty much straight out of the Democratic Party playbook. Making her pretty partisan. If you are a Democrat with liberal-left Democrat ideals, you will love her. But if you are like me and would like to see the people representing you vote on the issues rather than on the party line, your vote should be cast for Senator Kirk. He votes his conscience. Not his party. He has split with his party on many issues for ideological reasons. Most significantly being one of the first major Republican Senators (if not THE first) to reject his party’s candidate for President… and will not vote for him.

This is the kind of integrity we need in Congress. Certainly a lot more than someone that will just be a rubber stamp for the President. I am therefore repeating my call to go to the polls on this Election Day – my birthday – and vote for integrity. Not politics. Kirk has served us well and deserves to remain in office. Recent polls have shown Tammy Duckworth to be ahead. Let us do our best to not let that remain the case today. Every vote counts. Now more than ever.

President-elect Donald J. Trump declaring victory this morning (LA Times)

There are many words that can describe my feelings this morning. But I think ‘stunned’ is the best among them. I am stunned – right along with the rest of the world that Donald Trump won the Presidency. Some sadly so. And some ecstatically so. But stunned nonetheless.

Yes. It’s true. Donald J. Trump will be the 45^th President of the United States. He will be the Commander-in Chief. He will in effect be the next leader of the free world.

No one predicted this. As much as Trump and company said they did, I don’t think they really believed it. All the polls favored Clinton. Trump’s path to victory which all conceded was unlikely but possible ended up happening. He won over states like Wisconsin that have voted Democrat since the 80s.

Actually it is not entirely accurate that no one predicted it. I did way back in May of this year:

There is something in the air. That is the only way to explain the Donald J. Trump phenomenon. It is a phenomenon that I now believe will put him in office come January of 2017. And by office I mean President of the United States. Making him the leader of the free world. I hope I’m wrong. But I don’t think I am. Donald Trump has defied conventional wisdom. He has done the impossible. He has received an overwhelming endorsement from Republican primary voters.

Some very smart people at the time said that it would never happen. That Trump won his Republican base because they are a bunch of Neanderthals. In the general election the saner voter would clearly reject this demagogue. The American electorate is much smarter than the hard core, ignorant, uneducated Republican base that nominated him.

Trumps gaffes, his lack of experience lack of temperament, his bombast, his disparaging attitudes and insults against his opponents, his misogyny, accusations of sexual harassment, his anti immigrant, and anti Muslim comments; and his poor performance in all of the debates would surely sink any chance he had.

Not to mention his ignorance on all the issues and lack of any experience in any kind of public office. And let’s not forget his penchant for ridiculing his opponents. Add to that the fact that he has been the butt of every joke by comedians who have savagely ridiculed him; the fact that important members of his own party (like House Speaker Paul Ryan) have rejected him, that former Republican Presidents and candidates announced they would not vote for him, and a relentless media whose political pundits (even many Republican ones) expressed horror at the very idea that this man could ever be President.

What sane person would vote for a man like that – who would have his finger on a hair-trigger nuclear button?

Certainly not me. So even though I predicted his victory months ago, I fell into the trap that everyone else did believing that someone like this would never be elected.

Were we ever wrong. I believe that this was the biggest political upset in American electoral history!

Questions remain. What happened and Why? How could everybody be so wrong? What now?

There has been a lot of speculation already about why this happened. Most of it surrounding the fact that voters in America of all stripes are fed up with the government. They wanted change. And they didn’t care about anything else. To put it the way Trump himself did during the primaries when he started winning them, he could have shot someone in the middle of Times Square and it wouldn’t matter. People would vote for him anyway. This is what happened.

The American electorate could not care less about his qualifications; lack of experience, disgusting rhetoric or insults. They liked his message of change. And disliked his opponent a lot more than anyone imagined.

This was not about bigotry winning over tolerance. Although a lot of bigots supported Trump on both sides of the political aisle (like David Duke and Louis Farrakhan) they and their fringe groups are not the ones that got him elected. It was the American voter who is clearly not racist or bigoted – having elected the first black man to be President of the United States. Putting him in there twice.

How could everyone be so wrong? Obviously because polls are not foolproof and don’t count. Only one poll counts. The one we had yesterday.

As for the last question, I am reminded of the closing scene of the 1972 movie ‘The Candidate’ starring Robert Redford. After his unlikely election to high political office, Redford’s character escapes a victory party, goes into a closed room with his top political adviser and asks ... ‘What do we do now?’

As upsetting as this was to me, (I could not go to sleep last night!) I have had a few hours to think about this. I have concluded that the American people are not stupid. They apparently believe that Trump is not the evil person everyone thought he is. What we saw is not what we are going to get. What we saw was a man that found an election strategy that worked. So he did not change it. That he appealed to racists does not make him a racist anymore than his appeal to antisemites makes him an antisemite.

In my view we have to wipe everything off the table. His bombast ‘know-it-all’ messages and insulting ways were a strategy that everyone may have ridiculed - but I don’t think it is the real Trump. I believe he knows his own limitations. Which are enormous! He is going to have to rely on experts in all the things he is deficient in that a President must execute. He will therefore employ the best people he can find that share his political philosophy and put them in place. They will advise him on how to execute his agenda in affairs both foreign and domestic. The real Trump is probably a nice guy that actually cares about people. The people that work for him and know him personally have been saying that all along. And there is evidence of it in personal kindnesses he has done for people in need (which he did not advertise.)

What about some of his more outrageous promises? I doubt he will be able to keep all of them. But it would be nice if he was able to keep some of them. Like his clear support for Israel promising to move the US embassy to Jerusalem - declaring it as Israel’s capital; his promise to dismantle the nuclear deal with Iran and resurrect the full sanctions regime; his promise to destroy ISIS; his promise to restore jobs to Americans who lost them because of globalization; his promise to dismantle Obamacare which is proving to be an underfunded disaster; his promise to keep Islamist terrorists out of the country; and restore the military to its former glory.

He also has a Republican majority in the house and senate that can help him. The Republican Party - dead? Hardly. Predictions about its demise with Trump as its standard bearer were – shall we say - premature. On the other hand the Democratic Party will have to do some real soul searching now.

Let us all step back, take a deep breath, and give this man and his team a chance. Staying angry and divided serves no purpose. Nor is the kind of fear mongering I am starting to hear comparing what happened now to what happened in Germany in the 30s. America of today is not the Germany of the 30s. No one will be interred into concentration camps. There will be no gas chambers. ‘Jewish bankers’ will not be blamed if the economy tanks. (On that score, my prediction of a stock market crash if Trump won – has not happened.) The American people are not bigots and racists.They are a kind and glorious people.

It remains to be seen who he will put in his cabinet, who his national security adviser will be. And who his economic advisers will be. But if his pick for Vice-President is any kind of indication, we may all just pull out of this with a real win for the American people and the world. Time will tell. Let us pray for the welfare of this country and that God gives its leaders the wisdom to lead. There is no more important time to do this than now.

Thousands protest Trump's election (ABC News)

It’s really hard to talk about anything else right now. Everybody seems to have just one thing on their mind – President elect Trump. Who he is; how he got there; and where are we going.

One thing that is a bit troubling is all of the protests being held in American cities. They are protesting Democracy. The election was held and their candidate lost. No matter how much they hate the winner, he is now the President elect and will shortly become their President as well.

Now I have no problem with protest. It is the right of every American to speak their minds freely. Freedom of speech and freedom of assembly are two of America’s cardinal principles. So if people want to express how much they hate their new President, (and I fully understand why - and even agree with some of their complaints) they have a guaranteed right to do so. But what they are absolutely wrong about is their shouts of ‘Not my President’.

He IS their President. That is how it works here in America. People vote and the winner gets to be President – OF ALL THE PEOPLE! Even those that hate him. They can voice their opposition. That’s fine. But one of the hallmarks of this great nation is the peaceful transfer of power. I just hope that these protests don’t get violent because someone will get hurt. Unfortunately there are some protesters that are actually calling for violence. I heard one of them saying something like ‘People have to die if there is going to be any meaningful change’. This crosses the line from peaceful demonstration to inciting violence. I pray that none of this goes that far. If it does, than they ought to be arrested and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

I am as concerned as anyone else about what comes next. If we know anything about Trump – it’s that we know nothing about him. I don’t think too many people have a clue what’s in store for the American people - or the world - for the next 4 years. Every word out of Trump’s mouth was designed to win the election. Truth had little to do with it. I don’t think anything he said can be relied upon. What we can rely upon somewhat is who he hangs out with. One can indeed judge people by the company they keep.

Thus far the people that have supported him are people with values mostly similar to my own. As I have said many times, my political perspective runs pretty much in the center –leaning right in most cases. And when it comes to Israel The stronger someone’s feels about Israel’s relationship with the US, the more I like them.

The company Trump keeps are people that view Israel in an extremely favorable light. Their support will be far less conditional than it is under the outgoing administration. They will not tell Israel to do what they think is good for them. They understand that Israel has its own leaders and priorities and has the right to act in ways that best serve their own interests.

Three of Trump’s closest advisers are Rudy Giuliani, Newt Gingrich, and Mike Pence. They fit the description I just made. It would not surprise if Gingrich is given a high cabinet position. Perhaps Secretary of State. To the extent that Trump is clueless about foreign policy, Gingrich is his polar opposite. One may disagree with his approach or his political perspective. Especially if you are on the left. But no one can say that Gingrich doesn’t know what he’s talking about.

Newt Gingrich is one of Israel’s strongest supporters. Under his leadership in the State Department (should he be given that position) the relationship between the US and Israel will change from being strained to one of warmth and closeness. Israel’s enemies will come to know that - if they don’t already. Gone will be the pressure to make one-sided concessions. The Palestinians will now have to make some too – if they want to have any kind of a relationship with the US.

As for Pence, my guess is that he will have a far greater role in his President’s administration than any other Vice President ever had in theirs – in all of US history! Gone will be the personal friction between the leaders of our two nations. Although Trump’s predecessor had an excellent relationship with Israel, he did not have such a great one with its prime minister.

That is about to change. We will now begin an era of mutual respect and genuine friendship between – not only our two nations – but between its leaders. If Netanyahu were to address a joint session of Congress under Trump, the standing ovations he received last time would include the Executive Branch as well.

With a American foreign policy guided by people like Gingrich and Pence - Israel’s relationship with the most powerful nation on earth will only improve. What about the Arab nations? If they want America’s support that will just have adjust to this new reality. What about the Palestinians? Same thing. No more free lunch to them without getting something back. I am particularly heartened by a brief speech Pence gave to Trump supporters in Israel during the campaign. This is the kind of support that makes me proud to be both a Jew and an American.

Trump advisor, Jason Greenblatt

I can’t help it. I hate to keep talking about the election, but it is dominating discussion everywhere. And as I said yesterday, it’s hard to focus on anything else right now. There is so much to talk about– unlike any other post election in my lifetime.

I am still in a state of shock about what happened last Tuesday. Every time I see Trump in his new role as President-elect I recoil. Donald Trump? Sitting in the White House with President Obama in transition mode? I cannot believe what I am looking at. The image is so off - it’s almost like a dream (some might say a nightmare).

It should be Hillary doing this. That's what we all expected. Not Trump. The Republican Party should be in shambles. Not the Democratic Party. And yet, there it is. It is not a dream. And it need not be a nightmare either. We have no choice but to wait and see. As I indicated yesterday, we need to wipe the slate clean right now and give this guy a chance to do what he was elected to do. And to hopefully do what he has promised to do after the election: Unite the country.

Unfortunately that is going to be a huge if not impossible task. You cannot unsay what you said during the campaign. Some of those things were unforgivable. How is it possible to give a guy that said all those things a chance? The answer is that we must. Because this is how the system works in this – the greatest country on the face of the earth and perhaps in all of history. (Leaving out Israel of course which for religious reasons is our greatest country.)

The protests continue and are becoming riots and violent. Innocent store owners are being vandalized. This is not protest. This is criminal activity. Or about provoking the police to respond and then calling it a police riot – as happened in Chicago in 68.

I’m sure many of the protesters are just venting their frustration over the results of the election. Which they have every right to do. Just like the rest of the world, they to can’t believe what happened. But among them are people with other agendas that in some cases look for opportunities to disrupt our way of life and foment rebellion. If you listen to some of the rhetoric coming out of the mouths of some of the protestors you get the impression that this is their goal and they won’t stop until it happens.

That is seditious behavior and they have to be stopped! Our police must be supported. And no one with a nefarious secret agenda should be allowed to join them. I hate to use the cliché but law and order must be maintaied.

To follow up on the theme I discussed yesterday, One of the positive things about Trump’s victory is how many Orthodox Jews will be in his inner circle of advisers. That his Orthodox Jewish daughter, Ivnaka, is one of his most trusted confidant is well known. There is talk that she will be given a cabinet position. But she has hinted that she is not interested in that prefering to focus on the Trump orgnization. But that does not mean that he won’t be turning to her for advice. I’m sure he will.

What may be more likely is that his Orthodox Jewish son in law, Jarred Kushner will be placed in some high government position. Another Orthodox Jewish adviser is Trump’s real estate attorney, Jason Dov Greenblatt. Here is what a Forward article from April of this year said about him:

“I do rely on him as a consultant on Israel,” Trump said of Greenblatt at an April 14 meeting with Jewish reporters, including JTA. “He’s a person who truly loves Israel. I love to get advice from people that know Israel, but from people that truly love Israel.”

Greenblatt, 49, has an unusual resume for a prospective presidential adviser on Middle East affairs. An Orthodox Jewish father of six from Teaneck, New Jersey, who wears his kippah at work, Greenblatt has worked for Trump for the last 19 years dealing exclusively with real estate and company matters. His titles are executive vice president and chief legal officer…

Greenblatt told JTA he hasn’t met any Palestinians since he was a yeshiva student in the mid-1980s at Yeshivat Har Etzion, in a West Bank settlement bloc near Jerusalem, when he had some casual interactions with Palestinian laborers, gardeners and shopkeepers. (That was also when Greenblatt, like all students at the yeshiva, did occasional armed guard duty.)

Imagine that! The Presdient’s chief adviser on Israel is an Orthodox Kipa wearing Jew that was a student in Rav Aharon Licthenstein’s Yeshiva.

His latest pronoucnment on this issue was that settlements are not an obstacle to peace – reversing decades of America policy on this subject. This is what Netanyahu and some of his predecessors have been saying all along.

No longer will anyone be able to say that Israel is spitting in America’s face with new constrction in the settlements. Thereby endangering US support (…if it ever really was in danger even under Obama. Who said the relationship could not be stronger and that even close members of families can have disagreements).

But in the Trump administration it appears that there will be no daylight between Netanyahu and Trump. Those who think settlements are an issue anyway are just going to have to deal with the new reality. We’ve tried it Obama’s way. I too felt that settlement construction was counterproductive since America opposed it – right along with the rest of the world. But all Israel got for restraining settlement construction is one intifada after another. It’s time to try it Trump’s way.

Ma'ale Adumim

I should add that I do not support outlying settlements deep into the West Bank where many Palestinian Arabs live. I think Trump might agree with that. Those are counterproductive and in my view do a lot more harm than good. They should be dismantled. But I do support construction in large settlement blocs that border pre 67 Israel (like Ma’ale Adumim and Beitar) for purposes of natural growth. For me this is a wise and fair approach.

Another thing that may go Israel’s way is a fairer assessment of its defense and security tactics. No more will the Amercian administration automatically blame Israel if a Palestinian gets hurt by the police or soldier doing their job. A Trump administration is far more likely to ignore media bias in reporting an incident. They might instead say that Israel has a system of justice in place and we have no business judging them from afar.

In spite of the shock, trauma, trepidation, and all of hand wringing we are feeling right now - there is a positive side to all of this. We are about to embark on a new era of change unlike any we have ever seen. Hopefully most of it will be 'good for the Jews' and good for everyone else.

Republicans are the majority in both houses of congress. They represent what used to be called the moral majority. They are ecstatic. Religious freedom will now be as respected as personal freedom. And their conservative economic legislation is more likely than ever to pass.

Everyone thought the economy would sink if Trump got elected - including me. Well, the opposite seems to have happened before Trump even takes his first step into the White House as President. The Dow Jones industrial averages hit an all time high yesterday. That’s because investors now see a businessman who understands the business world in office. And a congress who favors business too.

What about the 'little guy' who is unemployed? Increased business means increased jobs. Which means more money will be thrown into the econmy - increasing demand.

We should all be looking at the bright side. The sun will come up tomorrow. And indeed tomorrow will be the start of a brand new day. Let us all work to make it a good one

President-elect Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu (TOI)

I am embarrassed to say that most Orthodox Jewish voters voted for Donald Trump. At least that is the case in New York and Chicago. I completely understand why those committed to their Judaism would vote for someone who is perceived to be more pro Israel than their opponent. But the obvious lack of suitability so often displayed by Mr. Trump during the campaign should have made a people known for their intelligence wary of electing such an individual as the leader of the free world.

I need not go into details about his lack of suitability. It was clearly manifest to anyone paying the slightest bit of attention to the campaign. His unsuitability was as clear as the sun. I believed that Orthodox Jews would never vote for a man whose behavior and language are the antithesis of Orthodox Jewish values. Obviously I was wrong.

Why was I so wrong? I should have known based on my conversations with his supporters. When I spoke to Orthodox Jews that were very public in their support for Trump – what came across was their hatred for Mrs. Clinton. Lumped together with Obama they were seen as so bad, that Trump was a saint compared to her. This was the complete opposite of my view. Here is how one Orthodox Jew in New York put it:

“She’s corrupt, but I don’t care about that,” said Shaya Stern, 32, a teacher and rabbinical student who voted for Mr. Trump. “She had no message for the voters. She didn’t give any good reason to vote for her.”

I didn’t like Clinton either. But she was nowhere near the villain she was painted by them. When I tried to argue my case for voting for her as the lesser of two evils, they refused to hear it.

Honestly, I don’t understand the level of vitriol for either Clinton or Obama. But it’s there. They view Obama to be the most anti Israel Presidents in Israel’s history. (Which is completely false.) They see Clinton as more of the same if not worse. (Also false.) So their decision to vote for Trump was cast in iron. It didn’t matter how unsuited Trump was. Or how terrible his behavior and rhetoric was. Nor did it hurt that widely read Orthodox Jewish publications like the Jewish Pressendorsed him.

Clearly one of the things that fueled this support was what they perceived would be a new and far more positive attitude towards Israel. I wonder what they are saying now since Trump recently reiterated what he said during the campaign. That he would try to negotiate a peace deal between Israel and the Palestinians.

I am absolutely sure that none of those that voted for him thought that this would be his first public statement about Israel post election. This is not the change that my coreligionists thought they were voting for. Instead not too much will change except that someone clearly not ‘ready for prime time’ whose behavior and language is an embarrassment to the entire country - will be in charge.

What about that comment? Does reiterating his desire to negotiate a peace deal mean that his approach to Israel will differ little from Obama’s – or Clinton’s for that matter? Hard to know since Trump is the most unpredictable President-elect in American history.

Personally, I am not worried about it. Because I support Trump’s interest in making peace between Israel and the Palestinians. I just don’t think it’s possible as things stand now. I have zero confidence in it. The ingrained hatred of Israel and the Jewish people with which Palestinians and most other Arabs have been indoctrinated will simply prevent any such thing from happening. Even if the guy who wrote the book on deal making is in charge of it.

One may wonder though if Trump’s strongly stated support for Israel has disappeared or whether it was ever really there in anything but words designed to get the Jewish and Evangelical vote.

I’m sure getting votes has something to do with it. But as I said last week, there are too many Orthodox Jews in his life that are strong supporters of Israel. And these are Jews he listens to. Like his daughter and son in law. And his top lawyer – whom Trump said he likes to rely upon with respect to Israel. Not to mention the well known strong support for Israel by his Vice President and other public figures that will most likely end up with prominent positions in his administration.

Based on this my gut feeling… (Yes that’s all it s – a gut feeling. Do with it what you will.) …my gut feeling is that Trump will not sell out Israel forcing it to accept a deal that they cannot live with. I don’t believe he would ever ask Israel to put itself at risk. I believe that he meant what he said about supporting Israel as a Jewish State whose security is paramount. I believe him when he said that the hatred of Jews by Palestinians (and Arabs in general) must end.

How is Trump going to change the very real dynamic of hatred which in my view is the biggest impediment to peace? I don’t know and frankly I don’t think he can.

But his ego is HUGE (…to borrow a word Trump has become identified with). An ego made even bigger with his successful bid for the Presidency. He thinks he can do it. Well, let him try. Based on the strong support for Israel I believe he has - what have we got to lose? (…to borrow a phrase he used in another context).

The answer is nothing. And if by miracle Trump succeeds in ending the bloodshed – who would complain? Certainly not me! Isn’t ending the shedding of Jewish blood something we can all agree upon?

Dr. Shira Berkovits

There was a fascinating interview on a Jewish radio program that dealt with sexual abuse. Although much of what was said on the show is by now rather well known, I found additional clarity on this program that is worth sharing beyond the show’s regular audience. Of particular importance was his interview with Dr. Shira Berkovits.

It appears that it isn’t a coincidence that sexual predators are often highly respected members of a community. The old stereotype of stranger-danger is no longer the prototype sexual abuser. Studies have shown that are most often family members, family friends, or acquaintances. They can be anyone: a parent, a sibling, an uncle, a teacher, a principal, a rabbi, a rebbe, a camp counselor, a mentor, an older friend… anyone in a position of power over the child! The US Department of Justice says that 93% of children that are sexually abused – are abused by people they know and trust. (34% of abusers are family members and 60% are acquaintances.)

Dr. Berkovits is a noted expert on this subject that consults for the OU. She was a guest on Dovid Lichtenstein’s radio show Headlines (11/12/16). What she said surprised me somewhat. Although it probably shouldn’t have looking at it in hindsight.

Sexual predators are more than just conveniently located for their nefarious purposes. It appears that they work at establishing themselves as leaders in the community. People that often contribute greatly in many ways. People that the community looks up to. People that are seen as a truly good people. People that appear as Ehrlich as can be. Strict in their Mitzvah observance and major contributors to their community with both time and money.

Dr. Berkovits spoke of an abuser she spoke to that told her it was his strategy to be the most generous, charitable person in the community - doing the most Chesed in the community

He wanted to make sure that his reputation was so great, that if accusations abuse ever came out, he would be the last person anyone would suspect. ‘How can someone so wonderful ever do something like that?’ Cannot be!

How do we then detect a potential abuser if they appear to be so honorable? Dr. Berkovits said that we do not focus on reputation. We focus on behavior. These people use a technique called grooming. They are very nice to their victims before they cross the line. They may shower them with gifts, and spend inordinate amounts of time with them in ways that endear the victim to the abuser. These people look for ways to be alone with their victims. They may offer free babysitting. Or seek to tutor your children for free. On the surface they seem to be wonderful opportunities. When people are overly focused on spending time with your children – more than they are on themselves - that is a red flag.

This grooming process not only on the child, but on the parents and the community. Sexual abuse does not a suddenly. It is gradual. At first the relationship is innocent. Proper and above board. As the relationship progresses and trust is gained, they start crossing lines. They will try and get a child alone and spend a lot of time with them. Then the inappropriate subjects come up where they may want to have a conversation about Shomer Negiah; or wasting seed.

Sexual abusers tend to have typical and normal profiles that blend in with the community, They are usually married, have heterosexual relationships, and are educated.

The adverse consequences are considerable and statistically significant. Survivors that have been abused even once have a much greater incidence of suicide, depression, alcohol and drug abuse, and even physical health risks like heart disease, cancer, and dying younger. One experienced worker in the field, Tzvi Gluck, said that of the 100 suicides that take place in the Orthodox Jewish community per year, the vast majority are victims of sexual abuse or molestation!

One of the difficult problems is in the area of disclosure. May children simply don’t disclose the abuse – because they like to the abuser or don’t want to upset their parents. When they do disclose it is often accidental or tentative to see what the parental reaction would be. They fear the reaction by the parent. And with good reason. What parent would react with calm when he has just been told by his – even tentatively – that he has been sexually molested or abused?!

Dr. Berkovits was asked what is the correct response from a parent should be to a child that just disclosed abuse? For one thing don’t add to his sense of victimization by saying things that reinforce his sense of victim-hood.. Instead build up his sense of confidence by saying how well he handled the abuse and how proud you are of him for handling it that way.

There are four rules Dr. Berkowitz said that should guide a parent on this issue.

1. A child should never be left alone with an adult –no matter how close of beloved that adult is - in a closed room that is locked. Just as in the Halachos of Yichud being alone with a member of the opposite sex should be interruptible and observable, so too should this be the case with an adult and a child.

2. Model this behavior so that you are never alone with any child without the permission of the parents or with someone else in the room.

3. Teach children to never allow others to touch their body parts and use clear language to identify which body parts you are talking about. And that if it ever happens – they should come and tell them immediately. Exceptions like Dr. visits should be done with a parent in the room and it should be made clear it is OK under those circumstances.

4. No secrets. A parent should tell a child that if an adult tells a child to keep secret – he should tell the parent immediately!

Dr. Berkowitz ended her interview by heartily endorsing Rabbi Yakov Horowitz's book, Let's Stay Safe authored by Bracha Goetz.

Rabbi Aharon Sorscher (Shas Illuminated)

Post script: A while ago, there was an incident where the son of a Lakewood Talmid Chacham was abused by his camp counselor that was also a Rebbe in a Lakewood school. The rabbinic establishment told this Talmid Chacham to keep incident quiet and to let the rabbis of his community deal with him. The abuser violated the conditions that were given to him to not report him to the authorities. The Talmid Chacham then reported him to the authorities.

For this he and his family were harassed by members of his community and even vilified by one highly respected rabbinic personality. Ultimately he left town to settle in Detroit where he now resides.

The identity of this Talmid Chacham was not public at the time. But he has come out publicly to tell his story. His name is Rabbi Aharon Sorscher. He can be heard on Headlines (11/5/16). It is worthwhile listening to his story, and his advice.

It’s hard... really hard to move away from the Trump phenomenon. I tried to do that yesterday. But Donald Trump’s victory in the election has sucked just about all the air out of the room. It’s the story that keeps on giving. Most of the civilized world is thinking about little else.

As might have been expected, the moment Trump shocked the world with his win, the protests began. Some of them have seen violence. Those that are violent and damaging private property are criminals that ought to be arrested and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

No one can deny the American people the right to protest whatever they want. But how should we look at these protesters? Are they right to protest the results of an election that was decided in a democratic way by the American people? I don’t think so. They are protesting a man that half of America considers to represent most of their values – even if they disagree with some of them and don’t like his character.

What about his disgusting insults of immigrants, minorities, the handicapped, and women during the campaign? Half of America doesn’t care what he says. They care about what he has promised to do for them. Remember, we are not talking about Neanderthal uneducated hillbillies. We are talking about half the country. And a lot of people that Clinton should have won by super majorities. Like Women. For example, a statistic I recently saw said that Clinton won 51% of the female vote. That means that almost half the woman that voted – voted against her!

As was the case with most Americans I did not like either candidate. But I felt that Trump was so bad that there was no choice but to vote for his flawed opponent. As bad as I saw Mrs. Clinton to be, she was gold compared to Trump. And I urged others to vote for her too.

I thought (as did just about everyone else) that Hillary Clinton would be the 45^th President of the United States. And that last Tuesday would be the last we’d hear much about a man who I thought was the least qualified man in the history of the United States to be President. But, as I’ve already admitted many times I was wrong about everything. And shocked that he won right along with everyone else. Although I predicted he would win back in May I had come to disbelieve that considering how bad he truly was.

What now? I never believed that what you saw is what you would get with Trump as President. True he was incompetent. But I saw that as an asset in a certain sense because he knows how incompetent he is. He will therefore surround himself with competent people who will advise him how to carry out his agenda.

What about that agenda? It appears that it has little to do with his campaign promises except in a general way. That view has been corroborated by President Obama who after meeting with Trump said he saw a different man than the one he saw on the campaign trail.

Just to cite some examples of how his campaign rhetoric differs with how he will govern: He will not deport illegal immigrants the majority of whom he said are good people. He will only deport illegal immigrants that are criminals. He will not deny Muslims entry into this country. He will only increase scrutiny of them to assure that no terrorists will slip through. He will honor all foreign alliances including NATO which he put under question during the campaign. In fact the President is currently in Europe reassuring our allies - nervous about Trump - of his commitment to defend them. Even Obamacare will not be entirely dismantled. He plans to keep certain provisions of it. Like eliminating pre-existing conditions as an exclusion from insurance. And Obamacare will not be repealed until a new health plan is in place

As for his temperament during the campaign which was embarrassing and clearly not presidential, that too has changed. As I knew it would. It was a different ‘Trump’ I saw being interviewed on 60 Minutes than what I saw during the campaign. He was subdued. Even humble – complimenting the President and Mrs. Clinton. What about his promise to jail Mrs. Clinton? Although he didn’t outright dismiss it, I am convinced that this is off the table. In short - all of his rhetoric during the campaign was just that. Rhetoric! Designed as red meat for his base supporters.

For his part, President Obama paid tribute to Trump acknowledging that Trump tapped into a feeling among Americans that was so strong that it overcame all of the negative things he said and did during the campaign. Things that were magnified over and over again by the media and ridiculed by comedians on late night television.

The message by the President yesterday was that Trump should be given a chance. I wholeheartedly agree. That the office itself will sober him up. Obama said that Trump is not an ideologue. He is a pragmatist and that should serve him well. I think that’s right. Trump has a clear direction in which he wants to take this country and if he finds good people to advise him - he will do well. The American people should not judge him until he is given an opportunity to do what he sets out to do - and see if he is successful.

Will he make America great again? I agree with those who say that America is already great. So the real question is will he make it greater. That remains to be seen. But I hope he does.

Speaking of appointing good people, he has already appointed 2 of them: His VP pick was Mike Pence; and Reince Priebus is his choice for the powerful office of Chief of Staff. Today it was revealed that the 2 contenders for Secretary of State are former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani and former US Representative to the UN, John Bolton. I cannot think of 2 people that are more pro Israel than they are. Can anyone imagine the kind of relationship this country will have with Israel if either of these two are Secretary of State? This could put an entirely new spin on how the US sees a final solution between Israel and the Arabs. It will favor Israel’s point of view under Netanyahu.

Steve Bannon

What about ‘elephant in the room’? Donald Trump has announced that Steve Bannon will be given the title of White House Chief Strategist and Senior Council - a very powerful position of influence. Bannon has been accused of being an antisemite by the Anti Defamation League.

Which should be no surprise. During divorce proceedings, his ex-wife had accused him of antisemitic comments. (He has denied that.) Not to mention publishing an article about Conservative commentator William Kristol that called him a renegade Jew when he threatened to find an alternative to run against Trump in the general election. Bannon’s far right conservatism has also attracted a lot of support from White Supremacist groups – indicating that he is a racist as well. It’s hard not to see him as a racist and antisemite in light of that.

To be honest, I am not thrilled about Bannon having any influence on Trump. But in his favor is the fact that there is no actual proof that Bannon is personally either an antisemite or a racist. That he attracts racists does not make him one. His nationalist ‘America First’ rhetoric appeals to these retrogrades who see that phrase as a euphemism for racist views. But what was Trump’s primary message if not about putting Americans first? Americans that lost their jobs due to globalization and have been forgotten by the governing elites. These Americans were Trump’s core constituency and the ones that got him elected! Besides isn’t putting America's interests ahead of the interests of other countries something we Americans should support?

One has to look at the total picture and not just one man that is unappealing to us. If people like Giuliani or Bolton are there to advise Trump on foreign policy, I don’t think we have to worry too much about what a ‘Chief Strategist’ will tell him. Besides – it appears that Bannon is pro Israel. If that’s antisemitism, I’ll take it!

The bottom line is that when you are given a fait accompli – there is nothing to do but to look at the positive side and hope for the best. There is absolutely no point in harping on Trump’s flaws or dwelling on what he said during the campaign. Or protesting his election.

The President believes that Trump wants to unite the country. He is rooting for him to do that. As am I. It is incumbent upon us, the American people to give him the chance to do that.

How much bloodshed does a settlement like this generate? (YWN)

This is what gets me angry. When we speak about Israeli settlements, the one that is currently in Amona is what most people think of. Amona is a settlement that consists of a few trailer homes deep in the heart of the West Bank. This is the ‘stick in the eye’ to the Palestinians who live there now that mostly just want to be left alone.

Palestinians might prefer that where they live be part of a Palestinian state and not part of Israel (…and I use the word ‘might’ on purpose). But on a pragmatic level they just want to live in peace and get on with their lives without being intimidated by settlers who constantly say they have a biblical right - and even obligation to settle all the land of Israel.

It is settlements like Amona that give Israel bad name. Which is why I fully support the government’s commitment to dismantle it.

As I have stated many times, I am opposed to settlement construction of any kind. Not because I don’t think Israel doesn’t have a right to do so. But because I think it is currently counter productive to its own interests. It angers all the nations of the world. Including Israel’s closest ally – the United States. Whatever is gained by construction in those places is more than lost by the ill will it generates – fueling BDS and J-Street claims that Israel is an oppressive occupying force whose ultimate goal is to annex the West Bank.

The fact is that settlers like those of Amona have a messianic fervor about settling the land. They constantly talk about that right as biblical – which they believe gives them the mandate to even shed their own blood in that cause and drive out the indigenous Arabs that don’t like it. So when Arabs and their sympathizers like BDS and J-Street talk about ‘the brutal occupation’ they are thinking of these guys. And they have a point.

That said, there is one thing that might change for the better with a new American administration. It should be obvious from Trump’s choices for high office that they are not only pro Israel but pro settlement. Which I believe means that they will no longer protest to the kind of settlement activity that Netanyahu has given approval to. Mostly to accommodate natural growth. Both in East Jerusalem and other heavily populated Jewish cities on the West Bank that border the so called green line (which is more or less the pre 67 border of Israel).

Palestinians have already conceded these cities to Israel as part of a peace deal agreed to by Palestinian icon Yassir Arafat! The Trump camp has already said it does not see settlement activity as an impediment to peace. Which is exactly the same thing Prime Minister Netanyahu has repeatedly said.

Israel's high court has ruled that Amona must be dismantled. It would be nice if those settlers would just say, ‘OK.’ ‘We tried.’ ‘But we lost.’ ‘It’s time to pack up and leave – and find another place to live.’ Israel has generously offered these illegal settlers other places to relocate in Israel. They would not be left out in the cold.

But No... Not these people. They will have no part of it and rejected the offer. They think they have God on their side because of the Mitzvah of settling the land. Which is interesting since most Poskim allow for giving up land to save lives.

There is little doubt in my mind that settlers like these incite violence on the part of Palestinians who are already predisposed to hate us. They nudge some of them over the line towards violence.

How many more Jews will be attacked and killed driving on West Bank roads because of people like this?! Do these people have no conscience about this?! They and their supporters will argue: ‘They don’t need ‘Amona’ to commit violence and murder against us. ‘They do it anyway.’ ‘Besides, is not Tel Aviv a ‘settlement in their eyes too?’ ‘Maybe we should evacuate that too’ they might ask rhetorically.

There is a difference between an Amona full of messianic settlers in the heart of Palestinian West Bank towns and the secular metropolis of Tel Aviv represents in the heart of Israel. True Palestinians may feel entitled to both pieces of land. But clearly Amona is a stick in the eye to the or Palestinian farmer living nearby who feels threatened while the objections to Tel Aviv are purely ideological. No one except for radical Islam thinks that they will ever have a chance to take Tel Aviv.

Apparently Amona settlers will resist – violently if they have to. In spite of their own rabbinic leader’s requests not to do so. From YWN:

Tamar Nitzri is one of the residents of Amona, which is slated to be destroyed no later than December 25, 2016 as per a High Court of Justice ruling. Unlike the rav of the community of forty families, Rabbi Yair Frank, who announced there would be no violence if they are expelled, Tamar promises soldiers who come to evict them from their homes will be met with violence “and it will not be a pretty picture”.

They hope their resistance will generate sympathy. Israeli soldiers violently pulling ‘innocent’ civilians out of their homes can make for some pretty sympathetic images to onlookers.

My hope is that people are not fooled by that tactic. In my view, violent resistance should cause the Israeli government to withdraw its offer to resettle these people. And instead throw them in jail for the maximum time allowed by law. What about their young children? I’m sure Israel has a wonderful system of child services to deal with the problem. That these parents will now be separated and in jail is something they should think about before they resist violently.

What a shame that Jew has to be fighting Jew. Especially since these settlers think they are doing the right thing by God. But when religious beliefs of a small minority of people flames the anger of their enemies, it generates death and destruction to others innocent of such activity. The government via law enforcement has the right and even the obligation to do what it takes to stop them. And prevent settlements like this from ever popping up again.

Logo of YU - Modern Orthodoxy's Flagship Yeshiva (Forbes)

One of my not so happy predictions about the future of Judaism in America is that Modern Orthodoxy will become so overwhelmed by the rise of Charedi Judaism, that it is in danger of becoming a mere footnote in history. If it survives at any level it will become an insignificant Hashaka compared to the overwhelming numbers of Charedim whose population size has been increasing in far greater numbers than the population of Modern Orthodox Jews. Exponentially over generations!

At the same time I have also said that Charedim cannot survive without moderating some of their more right wing ideologies. Like the increasing tendency to look down at working fathers and instead encouraging them to stay longer in Kollel. This follows the Israeli ideal.

Even though there has been a significant increase in day schools and high schools that push this Hashkafa to the extent of not offering any secular studies - the reality is that most Charedi schools still offer secular studies. Furthermore the typical American Charedi man is quite mainstream in how he supports his family. Many have gotten a higher education and have attended professional schools.

This has resulted in jobs that are not significantly different than Modern Orthodox Jews. You can for example find just as many lawyers and accountants in Charedi circles as you can in Modern Orthodox circles. Which makes these two observant constituencies live similar lifestyles. I have called this new mainstream the New Centrists. Which are defined not by ideology (Hashkafa) but by sociology (lifestyle). However, the the greater number of Charedim means that the prevailing Hashkafos of the New Centrists will be more or less Charedi.

The question is, though, will the Modern Orthodox Hashkafa survive in a New Centrist culture composed primarily of these moderate Charedim?

I used to think it would eventually be so overwhelmed by it that it would not survive. At some point in the future the Modern Orthodox Hashkafa would become obsolete. But I no longer think that’s true. As long as there are institutions like Yeshiva University and the many Modern Orthodox elementary schools and high schools across the country - there will always be a critical mass of Modern Orhtodox Jews who will retain their Hashkafos despite their decreased proportion of the mainstream Orthodox world.

Which raises another question. What will the Modern Orthodoxy of the future look like?

Lila Sarick discusses these issues in the Canadian Jewish News from the perspective of a Canadian. Canadian Jews have the same issues we American Jews have albeit in somewhat of a microcosm since their numbers are significantly smaller than the numbers in the Untied States.

There is a vigorous and even contentious debate on how exactly to define the concept of Modern Orthodoxy. There are basically two disparate factions: Centrists and Liberals (also referred to as Open Orthodox) – each claiming the Modern Orthodox mantle and defining it as it’s future.

There are Centrists like me, that believe that Modern Orthodoxy is primarily defined by the supremacy of Torah study; the positive value we place on both worldly knowledge and engagement with the general culture; and a positive view on the modern State of Israel. Otherwise we are not that different than Charedim in the sense of theology, observing Halacha, and following tradition.

Liberal Modern Orthodox Jews follow Halacha and have the same positive view of Israel as Centrists. But in many cases they have departed from both basic Orthodox theology by (a) embracing or at least tolerating arguments made by the modern scholarship of the Torah - and (b) their rejection of tradition that contradicts modern concepts of ethical behavior.

These departures have caused a serious rift in Modern Orthodoxy that I am not sure can ever be mended. These Liberal Orthodox ideals have produced situations that are unacceptable to those of us that believe that our theology cannot be modified to fit modern interpretations of the Torah. Nor is it acceptable to us to break away from tradition if it doesn’t fit modern ethical norms.

The following are excerpts from the CJN article that should surely give us food for thought:

CJN columnist Norma Joseph, associate director of the Azrieli Institute of Israel Studies at Concordia University(said) Montreal is an anomaly – it has relatively few liberal synagogues and its Orthodox shuls attract people who may not practise an Orthodox lifestyle. This diversity has given her the freedom to pursue a professional career and be a feminist…

As modern Orthodox women are beginning to be ordained (often taking the title of maharat or rabba), the movement is still working out what role women will play in religious leadership. While some congregations have been willing to hire the newly ordained women, others have decided they are not ready.

The problem of biblical criticism, different ways of understanding the Torah, has also generated controversy in the United States, rabbis say. At the heart of the debate is whether the Torah, which Orthodoxy defines as the divine word of God given directly to Moses, is identical to the Torah we have today, Rabbi (Martin) Lockshin said.

“I think modern Orthodoxy in Canada is strong, but facing serious challenges,” Rabbi Torczyner said…

As an example, he points to what once were called “alternative lifestyles.”

“In the space of just a few years, we’ve seen a radical change in the way the western world looks at those relationships,” he said. “And while there are messages that could be consistent with themes within Judaism, the reality is you’re thinking about one change and already the next one has come along. Modern Orthodoxy ends up being behind the times in terms of how to deal with the new reality.”

Who will win the day? What will the Modern Orthodoxy of the future look like? Will it evolve into a something so liberal that it will become unrecognizable? Or will traditional beliefs and traditional practice rule the day? I have to believe that what has kept us viable in the past will continue to keep us viable in the future. Which for me means not veering away from traditional beliefs and practices in order to fit the times. Those that say we must evolve right along with modernity if we do not want to left behind and become obsolete, have in my view not learned the lessons of history.

What about the hard right of Charedi Judaism? How much a part of the future will they determine? For example, will the practice of not publishing any pictures of women become the norm? It’s hard to tell but I sure hope not. Which leads me to the final paragraph of the CJN article (quoting CJN columnist Norma Joseph) to which I am very sympathetic. And I too will close with it:

“One of the challenges [for modern Orthodoxy] is separating from the ultra-right Orthodox, who have seemed to have marketed themselves as the only true Orthodoxy,” she said. “We need to bring back the centre and own it, and to market it with a pleasure and passion and not leave it just to the chassidic or haredi movement.

Jarred Kushner and his wife Ivanka Trump

One of the more troubling aspects of the Trump’s election and pending Presidency is the way the media and entertainers - the vast majority of whom are political liberals - are treating Trump’s candidates or actual appointees to high government office. So much of it is partisan that one would have to be completely blind, deaf, and dumb not to notice it.

I’m sure that these partisans are oblivious to their own prejudices and would say that the Trump’s behavior, speech, and choices speak for themselves. But that is far from obvious to the unbiased observer. Much the same way die-hard supporters of Trump were oblivious to how badly their candidate behaved during the campaign. It’s truly amazing how partisanship colors and distorts one’s perceptions of reality.

I voted for Trump’s opponent – not because I supported her or her political views, but because I saw her opponent to be unqualified to be President for a variety of reasons. Even though I tended to agree more with his policy positions on the issues I care about most than I did with his opponent.

But Trump won the election and it’s time to look at the positive. And not predict the end of the world that so many people upset by his election are doing. Cooler heads are in fact being positive. Like President Barack Obama for example. And Vice President Joe Biden. It’s no secret how they felt about Trump during the campaign. But one would never know that by the way they are talking now.

I can’t predict what his presidency will be like. Whether it will be good for the country (and the world for that matter) or bad. But if you listen to all the professional punditry you would think that every choice he has made or is even considering is terrible. Instead of looking at the any of the positives of his candidates they have been looking under every rock to find something negative to say about them. And then they race to see who can report it first.

That ends up reinforcing the public’s negative perceptions of him. I just wish the media would at least include the good with the bad about these people. But they don’t. Lucky for Trump that it doesn’t matter what the media says. Trump can ignore all the punditry and choose pretty much anyone he wants to be his advisers and/or cabinet members. Which is exactly what he is doing.

There is one positive thing about the Trump Presidency, however, that as Jews should make us proud no matter what our political perspectives are. Especially observant Jews. It is the fact that so many Jews are a part of Trump’s inner circle. One may not agree with their politics. One may even think that these Jews are not qualified for the high positions they are being considered for. But the fact that the next President will be the most Jewishly oriented President in American history should not go unnoticed. Which is pretty good for a guy many thought was an antisemite… or at least sympathetic to the agendas of antisemites like the white supremacists that supported him.

According to the Forward, there are nine Jews in Trump’s inner circle. Whether they get chosen for an official position or not, there is not a doubt in my mind that he will be consulting them on major policy decisions. Just as he did his campaign decisions. Of those nine, the 3 that are among his closest advisers are the 3 observant Jews: His lawyer Jason Greenblatt, his daughter Ivanka Trump, and son in law Jared Kushner. And it seems like Kushner is the rising star of the bunch… and being given much of the behind the scenes credit for Trump’s successful campaign. (see video below)

I’ve already heard the anti Trump spin about Kushner: He is a lightweight. He would be a nobody without his father Charles Kushner. He is by far not known for his intelligence. His Harvard education would have never happened without his father’s financial resources. That his successful real estate business is really his father’s successful real estate business – which Jared was put in charge of after his father was convicted on corruption charges.

But again, this is not much more than partisan spin – if you can believe a biased anti Trump media that said quite the opposite about him.

I don’t see how any Jew – no matter what his political affiliation - can view this as anything but highly positive for the Jewish people in America. We are now more accepted than at any time in history… by the most powerful nation on earth! Could anyone have ever imagined that the daughter of a President would be an observant Jew? And that she and her observant Jewish husband would the President’s most trusted advisers?

There are those who are skeptical no matter what evidence there is to the contrary. They will point to similar periods in Jewish history like the Golden Age of Spain or pre Hitler Germany and say Jews were saying the same things then about those countries as as I am now about America. And we all know how Jews ended up there.

The typical comment I hear from these people goes something like this: Watch out! If anything ever goes wrong with the economy – or any other terrible event that happens here, the Jews will be blamed for it. Especially when so many of them are in high office. Instead of pride they will be feeling a sort of paranoiac fear based on the history of the Jewish people in other lands. fear. When times fell bad, Jews were always blamed. These skeptics will say that I am naïve to believe it won’t happen here. It will happen here! If Jewish history can teach us anything it teaches us that. it’s only a matter of time.

I can’t predict the future. But there has never been a country like the United States, which was founded on principles of religious freedom. And it is America’s religious freedom that makes the US different. It enables us all to worship freely and respect each other despite our religious differences. As long as we have a constitution that is honored, we are not only going to be able to live freely but we will continue to thrive. There are no longer any real obstacles in our way to succeed at anything - even in the highest levels of government. Now, when a Jew is selected as a possible candidate for high office their religion is not even mentioned – let alone the fact that they are observant.

The American people will no more blame the Jews for a problem that might occur than they will blame Christians. Even if a Jew in high office is responsible it. The American people are smart enough to know that an entire people cannot be blamed for the actions of one – or a few individuals that happen to be Jewish. That has been proven time and again in recent years America is not Spain. It is not Germany! . Jews were not blamed for Bernie Madoff. Only Madoff was blamed. Observant Jews were not blamed for Jack Abramoff who was observant. Only Abramoff was blamed.

I therefore have no qualms about a new administration being full of so many Jews. Especially when the more important ones among them are observant. I can only have pride in that. And if you are a Jew, you should have pride too.

RMF and wife in the JO (Somehow Frum)

One of the things that has disappointed me about the direction Orthodox Judaism is taking is the way the Lithuanian Yeshiva world has embraced the trappings of Chasidus. One may say that the Yeshiva world is not Chasidic in any way. On the surface, that may seem to be the case. But if one looks at what has happened over the last several decades, one cannot help but see a major shift from the way the Yeshiva world of the past to the Yeshiva world the present. Which has taken on many of the trappings of Chasidim.

I am absolutely convinced that the influence of Chasidim in America has changed the face of the Lithuanian Yeshiva world into one that hardly differs from the Chasidic world in some very important ways. Chumros that never existed in the Yeshiva world are now de rigueur because that influence.

There are so many examples of this - I don’t even know where to begin. Just to cite one that comes to mind is the idea that a Rosh Yeshiva or Mashgiach is given icon status. This, I beleive is a direct result of Chasidic influences. This has stripped the ability of some Yeshiva student of their ability to make decisions on even trivial matters. The Rosh Yeshiva, or Mashgiach, or Rebbe has taken on an Aura of Chasidic Rebbe in this sense. Many Yeshiva students see their Rosh Yeshiva as having so much Torah knowledge and Yiras Shomayim (fear of heaven) that they are seen as the closest thing to God. Much the same way Chasidim see their Rebbe! This is not the way Lithuanian Roshei Yeshiva were seen in Europe.

This is an ongoing process that seems to have no end. And yet when the subject is broached the Yeshiva world seems to think that either it has always been that way, or that they are returning to the way it used to be before modern influences affected them.

There is not a doubt in my mind that the great melting pot called America is responsible for this in the following way. Chasidim in Europe generally lived in different geographical locations. There were exceptions to this, but I think it was mostly the case. So their influences on each other were minimal. There was also a residual (or at least subliminal) animosity by the Lithuanian Yeshiva world against Chasidim left over from the era of the Gra who was a vigorous opponent of Chasidim.

That division no longer exists. Nor does that animosity - it appears. America has no real geographic barriers that between Chasidim and Lithuanian Yeshiva world. There is far more interaction between the two groups. We all live together and influence each other. (This works both ways. For example here in Chicago, many community type Chasidic Kollelim have popped up – emulating those in Lithuanian Yeshiva world.)

It is inevitable that a world that sees Frumkiet as the epitome of Judaism will want to emulate a world that has more trappings of it. Chasidim clearly have those trappings. It is therefore my considered opinion that the Chasidic influence is responsible for much of this.

Which I believe is also responsible for the relatively recent ban on publishing pictures of women. The recent flap between Mishpacha and Hamodia demonstrates this quite clearly when comparing this phenomenon to the common practices of just a few short years ago.

A blog called Somehow Frum posted some photographs from the now defunct Jewish Observer. Picture after picture shows women together with men, some of whom were considered Gedolei HaDor! The Jewish Observer was the mouthpiece of Agudah. They did not move without the approval of their Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah. If there was a picture of Rav Moshe Feinstein in the same frame with a woman, they clearly had permission to do so. In fact, my guess is that publishing a picture of a woman was so clearly not an issue that they didn’t even ask their Poskim. They just published it to no objection by anyone. There was never any thought that it might be problematic.

And yet today, virtually all of the Charedi magazines do not publish pictures of women as a matter of policy – saying that it is immodest and presents a Halachic problem to do so.

Mishpacha was criticized by Hamodia recently for publishing a distorted picture of Hillary Clinton. They responded by saying that they consulted their Poskim who allowed them to publish a picture in this distorted fashion.

What kind of Poskim think they are Frummer than R’ Moshe who had no issue at all with being published together with an undistorted picture of women? If this isn’t clear evidence of a Frumkeit chase having nothing to do with Halacha, I don’t know what is.

Charedi violence in Jerusalem (2009) - note onlookers' approving smiles (J-Post)

There are Charedim. And then again, there are Charedim. Actually I believe there is a wide spectrum of Charedim and not just 2 types I usually contrast: moderate and extreme. But even the extremes have extremes. I refer you to a story in Yeshiva World News (YWN) and in Baltimore Jewish Life (BJL). They have reported on yet another spate of attacks by Charedi residents of Ramat Bet Shemesh (probably from bet - not aleph of gimmel) against uniformed Charedi soldiers who happened into their midst. The latest of which occurred just last week.

Unfortunately there is nothing new in this. It has happened so many times in the past, that it is hardly on the media’s radar. The news media do not report on everyday events. It would be like reporting someone crossing the street against a red light.

But that doesn’t mean we should just forget about it and go about our business. The frequency of a bad act does not make it any less bad. And it is NOT the same as crossing the street against a red light. It is a violent act with intent cause harm to another human being!

To the credit of local police officials, after investigating this violence - they took action. From YWN and BJL:

Following the investigations into the above-mentioned events, police during the night of motzei Shabbos arrested three Beit Shemesh residents for attacking the soldier and for violence during the protest against the arrest of the talmid. Two adults are going to be charged with attacking police and a 14-year-old will be charged with attacking the soldier. After the detainees were processed in the Beit Shemesh police station they were remanded in front of a Jerusalem Magistrate Court.

I hope this starts a new trend of police not looking the other way when things like this happen. I also hope that any protests by Charedim of this community are ignored. Unless they too turn violent. In which case the guilty should be arrested too. And remanded. The police department should never allow themselves to be intimidated by mob violence. Even when that mob consists of pious looking Jews. Perhaps especially then!

I truly believe that the type of people that do this are adherents of a version of Judaism that is at complete odds with the vast majority of Orthodox Jews, including most Charedim. Not only moderate Charedim but even hard core right wing Charedim. Even in Israel where such extremes tend to be more common.

I have said this before and I stand by it. The perpetrators of this violence are the juvenile delinquents of that world. But it is equally clear that their illegal and violent attacks acts are based on a philosophy of hatred and intolerance towards those they disagree with. Which masquerades as the ‘Torah True’ Hashkafa. A Hashkafa that is constantly expressed by their rabbinic leadership.

Their leadership does not actually call for violence. But when you call fellow Jews in government who created an army program for Charedim - Nazis (or the like), what kind of reaction should they expect from their young vandals that think (or pretend) they are merely acting as zealots for their cause? (This is hardly any different than Religious Zionist Hilltop Youth perpetrating violence against innocent Arabs for the same reason. In both cases, they believe their religious views justify said violence. And in my view - Hashkafos that generate violence against innocent people - are not Jewish.)

Charedi reactions to these events ought to not consist merely of tepid condemnations followed by apologetics like saying their motives were correct. It is time to completely reject the philosophy of these people no differently than we reject the philosophies of heterodoxy.

The fact that they have the trappings of the most pious Jews among us should not give them a pass, nor should it generate any sympathy. Looking Frum is not being Frum. Furthermore following certain Halachos meticulously (like Shabbos and Kashrus) does not mean we accept their legitimacy any more than we accept the legitimacy of heterodox Jews who follow certain Halachos (like Shabbos and Kashrus). At some point there are things that disqualify a Hashkafa’s legitimacy no matter how ‘Frum’ their adherents look - or carefully they observe certain Halachos.

I truly believe it should not only be the vast majority of Charedim – which are mostly moderate that reject them. I believe that even those Charedim to their right that are more hard core should reject them. Because in my view the violent behavior their philosophy generates in some of their youth makes it completely out of the Torah’s orbit. They may be Jewish. But in my view – Torah True they are not.

Picture advertising Beis Yaakov in the 1940s (Lehrhaus)

I really have to wonder how Chasidic women feel about how they are treated in certain Chasidic circles. I realize of course that most of them feel they are treated quite well. They might say that they are treated far better in their world than women are treated on the ‘outside’. I get it. This is how they were raised. And the fact that they are raised in virtual isolation from the ‘outside’ reinforces that belief.

But still, I can’t help but wonder why it doesn’t bother them to believe that they are seen as sex objects by men. Of course they wouldn’t put it that way, and might be offended by such a characterization. But isn’t that exactly what the purpose of all their stringent modesty rules are all about? To prevent men from seeing them and acting on improper impulses?

This is of course not only true in the world of Chasidim. It is true in much of the extreme right of the Charedi world. But I think it is fair to say that at its most extreme end are the Chasidim. They are the ones responsible for erasing women from the public square as much as possible. As with their ban on publishing pictures of women.

Although non Chasidic Charedi publications are increasingly honoring this standard by not publishing pictures of women, it is pretty clear that they do not see that as problematic at all since their publications of the past featured pictures of women.

One might say this is fine. Live and let live. What’s wrong with accommodating those that have this standard? Well, when one segment respects a standard of another even though they see it as unnecessary it starts to become the norm. And that has a negative impact on those of us that live in a world where such stringencies impose undue hardships on women.

I am reminded of a complaint made by women with businesses in Bet Shemesh who placed ads in their local circular. That circular refused to publish pictures of women while publishing pictures of the men who had ads about their businesses. Thus placing women at a disadvantage in marketing. We call this being Machimir at someone else’s expense. Which is highly unethical.

But what about those in the Charedi world that do publish pictures of women? One should give them credit for that. But they are guilty of something that is perhaps more insidious than not publishing pictures at all. Photo-shopping them so that the images are in line with the modesty standards of our day.

I refer you to a brilliant article by Dr. Leslie Ginsparg Klein in the latest edition of Lehrhaus. Feldheim did publish pictures of women in their biography of Rebbetzin Vichna Kaplan, She is the student of Sara Sheneirer that established the Beis Yaakov movement in America. But in at least one instance what they published was carefully and subtly photo-shopped. Here is how Dr. Ginsparg described it:

In the original photo the girls in the picture wore short sleeves. In this newer version, the students’ sleeves reached their wrists. I looked through my research and found my somewhat torn copy of the picture. The original image appeared in a school fundraising pamphlet in the early 1940s. I suddenly found myself playing a round of “Spot the Differences,” and there were many. Sleeves lengthened. Necklines raised. Knee-length hems extended an additional four or so inches. Even the married woman in the picture, wearing a full Orthodox-standard head covering, was photoshopped: the bit of hair sticking out on the sides now concealed.

As Dr. Ginsparg Klein indicates, this is a lie and violates the Torah’s mandate of Mid’var Sheker Tirchok – remove yourself from any falsehood! Photo-shopping a historical image even for ideological reasons is no different than sanitizing the biographies of past religious figures who end up being cookie figures that were all born great. Why do these publishers do it? Because they believe that saying anything negative about a past religious figure dishonors them. But I think the opposite is true.

Rav Yitzchok Hutner - a Gadol of the past said it much better than I ever could. His words were excerpted by Dr. Ginsparg Klein:

It is a terrible problem that when we discuss the greatness of our gedolim, we actually deal only with the end of their stories. We tell about their perfection, but we omit any mention of the inner battles which raged in their souls. The impression one gets is that they were created with their full stature … As a result [of this gap in our knowledge of gedolim], when a young man who is imbued with a [holy] spirit and with ambition experiences impediments and downfalls, he believes that he is not planted in the house of Hashem (Pahad Yitzchak: Iggerot u-Ktavim n. 128).

The motivation for photoshopping pictures of women is a bit different. I believe it is because they fear that today’s Beis Yaakov girls will see how Beis Yaakov girls of the past dressed and question the standards imposed upon them today. Explanations like ‘The Halacha was the same then as it is now but times were different then.’ ‘Those girls had to be accommodated or they would have been lost’ - will fall on deaf ears. Especially when they realize that these pictures were used in advertising the schools!

Just as it is wrong to sanitize a biography with words and thereby lying about history – so too is it wrong to lie via photo-shopping a vintage photo. If they truly had those fears (which may be legitimate) then they should not have published those pictures at all. But then again, if these young girls end up stumbling upon those pictures on the internet - the damage will be done anyway. Without the benefit of having a teacher explain it. Which in my view is a lot worse.

Quoting Dr. Ginsparg Klein:

While censors may believe that they are protecting their community with their actions, they are transmitting negative messages as well. They undermine the integrity of the mesorah, a foundational belief, by knowingly rewriting the past. This censorship exercise devalues the importance of honesty and integrity in life. It trivializes the true accomplishments of historical figures.

There is not a question in my mind that she is right.

Removing distributor certification. A case of rabbinic abuse of power? (TOI)

It’s becoming increasingly difficult to defend the Israeli Chief Rabbinate. Once again it seems they have used their authority to harm the public good without any real justification. This time it is a matter of Kashrus certification. From the Times of Israel:

The Chief Rabbinate in Jerusalem revoked the kosher certification of one Israeli importer of Jack Daniel’s whiskey, while leaving in place the license for the drink’s official importer to the country, even though the whiskey sold by both importers apparently comes from the same factory.

Uri Zror, the owner of Paneco Group, appealed to the High Court of Justice over the revocation of his company’s kosher certification, according to a Channel 10 report. He argued that there was no religious ground for its removal, as “the product is kosher, it is the exact same product as the official importer’s.” He said that even “religious Jews drink it.”

Zror told Channel 10 that his company sells Jack Daniel’s for an average price of NIS 119 shekels (approx. $30), while the official importer sells a bottle for an average price of NIS 149...

I have no clue why the Rabbinate did this. To the best of my knowledge they have not offered any explanation. But if what Uri Zror says is true, then not only does he suffer financially, so too does the Israeli consumer. Such action on the part of an authoritative government agency cries out for an explanation.

I can only guess that since has no explanation has been forthcoming - it means that there isn’t one. Why else would the rabbinate subject themselves to the perception of being anti consumer. Do they have some sort of financial interest in one importer over another? Is there some other legitimate reason? If there is a legitimate reason for what they did, why not release that information to the public so they will understand there was no bias involved?

This is yet another example of what seems to be precipitous behavior on the part of Rabbinate officials. Which serves to discredit their authority. The last time this happened was when Rav Gedalia Dov Schwartz - one of the most respected Poskim in the United States was dishonored by them. The Rabbinate denied the legitimacy of conversions to Judaism of people that Rav Schwartz’s certified were authentic.

Which makes me sympathetic to an article Jewish Ideas jointly written by Rabbis Marc Angel and Avi Weiss. They made the point that conversions that took place outside of the agreement made between the RCA and the Rabbinate should not be automatically rejected. They accused the RCA of rejecting converts that were legitimately converted prior to the establishment of their new guidelines for conversions known as Geirus Policies and Standards (GPS). These new standards were devised in conjunction with the Chief Rabbinate. Who agreed to accept all future RCA conversions under those standards.

While I am sympathetic to their concerns about not accepting converts prior to GPS, I do not agree with them on accepting all of those done even by Orthodox by rabbis in the past.

Many years ago, I personally witnessed a sham conversion done by an otherwise respected Orthodox rabbi. It was done to please the parent of the Jewish groom who did not want to see his son marry out. I was told by the bride that she only did it to please her future father in law and had no intention of following Halacha any more than her husband would. There has been too much abuse of the conversion process in ways like this to automatically consider all or even most of conversions of the past to be legitimate in the past to allow that to happen.

The establishment of the GPS was therefore a necessity. But so too is the need to grandfather in legitimate conversions of the past when rabbis of stature certify them.

In any case clearly the rabbinate is not anywhere near that standard. They are currently on a power trip – free and clear of any oversight!

I guess 19^th century English historian, Lord Acton was right. Power tends to corrupt. Absolute power corrupts absolutely. This adage seems to be alive and well in the Israel Chief Rabbinate. Either that or incompetence rules the day in that office. I’m not sure which is worse.

And yet, in spite of all that. I still believe that a Jewish State needs an authoritative body that can determine what is and isn’t Jewish. And as I have always said, Halacha is the primary (albeit not only) determinant of that. Only a knowledgeable and honest rabbinate can determine what the Halacha is on any given issue.

So what are we to do? Do we disband the current rabbinate and reconstruct a more honest one from scratch? I don’t believe that is a good idea as it would create chaos. But I do believe a major overhaul is in order. If I were the Prime Minister I would ask the Ministry of Religion to assemble and empower a blue ribbon panel consisting of rabbinic leaders from all Orthodox factions in Israel to review every facet of the rabbinate and report in detail what is right - and what is wrong with it. And then I would ask for recommendations about how to improve it and then implement as many of them as possible

A restructured Chief Rabbinate that is guided by ethics and not politics would be my goal. And I would make sure that the power it wields would be subject to review by an outside rabbinic sources (also consisting of representatives of all Orthodox factions) to determine if politics or any other biases played a role in their decisions.

I doubt if any of this will ever happen. Politics as usual tends to be the case in most government scenarios. It’s hard to break old habits. But it sure would be an improvement if the concentration of power in the hands of the few were replaced by a broader based consensus with oversight by an independent rabbinical board. It might not be as efficient. But it would sure be more ethical.

Victory celebration with my family at "The Great Escape"

A lot has happened since last Thanksgiving. Some of it beyond belief. Like the Chicago Cubs winning the World Series. And Donald Trump winning the White House. The former is something we Cub fans surely appreciate and are thankful for on this – the day of Thanksgiving. Even though we are constantly pinching ourselves to see if we’re awake. The latter – well I think the jury is still out on that one.

I will however say that some of the problems that many of us worried about have shown to be nothing to worry about. Trump has backpedaled or even reversed himself on some things. I still believe we should take a wait and see attitude.

But this post is not about Trump. Or the Cubs. It is about my own gratitude to God and country for the privilege of living in this great land. The land of the free and the home of the brave. It enables me to live like a Jew – any kind of Jew I want to be - without worrying about persecution. As Chicago Jewish News editor and publisher, Joseph Aaron, is constantly saying - Jews have never had it so good. I have every reason to believe that our religious freedom will continue into the future.

That said, I can’t predict what will happen. You never know. But it would be an ‘earthquake’ of unprecedented magnitude if Jews were to be persecuted in America in the foreseeable future. Of course earthquakes do happen. But I for one do not live my life in fear of the unlikely.

What I am most grateful for, however, is my family. The love of my life, Annie, and I both believe that our children are the best children anyone could ever ask for. Each highly accomplished in their own way with a highly developed character to boot. Devoted to their families; to their careers; and to their community. And yet they still find time for their parents.

I was the beneficiary of some of that time in a major way earlier this month when I reached age 70. Those that know me – know that I am not a big fan of birthday celebrations. Reaching a certain age comes automatically. You don’t do anything. It just happens. I therefore do not see any real reason to celebrate it. I tend to ignore them. My children have learned not to bother me with birthday gifts. Nor to make a fuss about it. Which is just the way I like it. But this year they rebelled. I had no clue what was about to happen.

My wife and children had been planning this for months behind my back. On November 8^th I got my first gift. Which was a 25 minute video tribute to me from my wife, my children, their spouses and all of my grandchildren. I could not believe what they were saying about me. I didn’t realize the kind of respect and warmth they have for me. Even if some – maybe most of the things they said were exaggerated. Nontheless, it was truly the best gift I could have gotten. True or not, it expressed a feeling by them about me that is otherwise unable to be measured.

I thought, ‘How great are my kids for going to all that trouble!’ And how great it was that my very busy daughter, Rivkie, took the time and trouble to initiate, direct, edit, and complete this project. Needless to say, it must have taken her hours upon hours of time over the course of months to do it. I don’t know how she did it or where she found the time. But she did. Wow!

I thought that was it. But I was wrong.

Friday night heralded in a huge birthday party attended by my wife Annie; all of my children, their spouses, and those of my grandchildren that could make it in. My son Meyer and his wife Dini came in from Israel. My daughter Sari and her husband Elie came in from South Bend with most of their children. My daughter Tovi and her husband Neil and their most of their children were there. And my daughter Rivkie, her husband Micah and all of their children were there. (The party was at their house.) Also in attendance was my brother Jack and his wife, Ann and my sister-in-law Ruthie and her husband Perry.

A book of tribute and clever sayings about me or my habits was laid on the table in front of me that had an entry from each member of my entire family – including my extended family members (...including all of the above plus my nieces,nephews, and some of their children.)

We had a big meal. There were two birthday cakes. One was a giant glazed donut from the bakery accompanied by lots of sugar glaze commissioned by my wife (inside joke) and the other was a traditional birthday cake. I thanked everyone that night speaking from the heart about just how much my family means to me. (I think they already knew that). I truly felt the love that night.

The next day my daughter Tovi had us over for a huge family Shabbos meal (Neil makes a mean Cholent!) But the celebration did not end there. Motzoi Shabbos Annie and I, my four children, and their spouses went to ‘The Great Escape’ which is kind of like playing a real life game of Clue. We were all supposed to find clues that would tell us how to unlock the room we were trapped in. We had an hour to do it - and we did it! The evening ended off with a wonderful Melave Malka meal at Milt’s Barbecue for the Perplexed – a kosher restaurant in Chicago’s Lakeview area.

I will never forget my 70^th birthday. On this day of Thanksgiving I can think of no better way to celebrate it than to thank God for giving me the most wonderful family one could ever ask for.

Prof. Eid Ahmed, Head of Surgery at Hadassah Hospital

Rabbi Yitzchok Adlerstein in his latest contribution to CrossCurrents has praised the way Arabs and Jews get along at Hadassah Hospital. In fact he went so far as to note:

It was a shock to some people there, that after a while they had their favorite Arab physician or nurse, whom they preferred at times over some of the Jewish staff.

I was not surprised to see him say that. A few years ago there was a segment on 60 Minutes that showed exactly that kind of atmosphere. Arab and Jewish doctors would get along as equals without the slightest hint of any animosity. It was as though there were no Arab-Israeli conflict at all.

The message of that show was that this is what Israel could look like if this attitude would spread. The idea was that if it exists in this hospital it could exist anywhere. It was inspiring to see the potential Hadassah represented.

I recall an additional example of that from another hospital in Israel: Shaare Tzedek. The life of young woman that was critically wounded in a suicide bombing a few years ago was saved by one of their Arab surgeons. Yet another inspiring and hopeful event.

I thought Israel could look like this if only all that Arabs and Jews interacted with each other the way these doctors, nurses, and their patients did.

But the reality is not ike that. As we have all learned the hard way. Not that all Arabs are terrorists. Nor do they all hate us. But there is probably a lot more hatred out there than love. Enough so that when some of the more aggressive Islamist type Arabs commit any form of terror (which has again reared its ugly head in the form of numerous arsonist fires in Israel) far too many of them cheer. One need not search too long to find a YouTube video showing Burka draped Muslim women on the West Bank celebrating a terrorist attack against Israel (or the US as was the case immediately after 9/11).

The reason for this is unfortunately all too easy to see. Arabs as a matter of culture preach and teach hatred of Israel, and ‘the Jews’. They do it from cradle to grave in all forms: Schools mosques, political leaders, news media, and entertainment. That kind of indoctrination takes a great deal of ‘deprogramming’ to overcome. I guess medical school and nursing school do a fairly decent job of doing that – when combined with the actual experience of treating patients in the dual cultural atmosphere of a hospital.

There has been some renewed talk of reviving the peace process by the incoming Trump administration. If I understand correctly, Donald Trump has said that he would like to give it a shot. And he is said to be considering his son in law, Jared Kushner for the job.

I have been saying for some time now that I don’t think it’s possible under current conditions. They cannot let go of the hate. It permeates the thinking of all those that have the greatest influence on their culture (as mentioned above). The violence that generates has made Israel’s security needs impact very negatively on the lives of its Arab residents on the West Bank. A peace deal under these conditions is impossible. I therefore don’t see how anyone – even the great ‘dealmaker’ can ever change the current unfavorable conditions into favorable ones.

Unless maybe we can turn all Israelis and Arabs into either doctors, nurses, or patients and turn the country into one big hospital.

I guess what I am really saying is that if anyone is going to try and make peace between Israel and the Palestinians, it would be a good idea to look at what’s going on in places like Hadassah. And then figure out how to spread that to the entire population.

What about the extremist Kahane types from the religious Zionist camp who have a similar hatred of all Arabs? They need to be dealt with as well. I may be naive but I truly believe that if there would be no Arab animosity to us, they would stop their hateful ways to them as well. I will never forget a PBS documentary from the 80s. It was about settlers in Chevron. They clearly wanted to get along with the Arabs of that area. It was the Arabs of Chevron that wanted the Jews out. (That is now the case more than ever. I don’t think that any Jews should be there under those conditions. But that is the subject of another post.)

The point is that even hard core settlers just want to get along with their Arab neighbors. That these communities have produced the Baruch Goldsteins and Yigal Amirs of the world is a direct result of that hatred. Hate generated violence just breeds more hate generated violence. Especially when the antagonists are in such close proximity. And often it is the innocent that suffer the most.

I have said many times that the components of a future peace settlement are already there. We kind of know what a peace settlement would look like. It would probably look kind of like ‘Oslo’. What about Jews that still want to live in places like Chevron? If there is no hatred - a very important ‘if’ - I think they should be able to at some point in the future, although they will have to live under Palestinian rule. But unless the hatred can be eliminated - as it has been in the abovementioned hospital setting – it cannot and must not happen. And as things stand now, I don’t think it’s even possible.

Sol Werdiger and Oh Joon (YWN)

One of the things that bother me the most in the Jewish world is the tremendous amount of Chilul HaShem that all too many Orthodox Jews are responsible for. It sometimes seems like there is a never ending stream of miscreants. And that pains me greatly.

We can’t be a light unto the nations if those of us who are so obviously observant are seen as devious crooks. Which is why I so strongly and quickly condemn it. Let those who might base their animosity towards us by virtue of these stories know that we are not all like that. Not all religious Jews are crooks or deviants. Only the very few among us are and they deserve the punishment they get.

Every once in a while, there is a story published about those among us that do live up to the Torah’s mandate to be a light unto the nations. It has happened more than once in recent times where a religious Jew showed what Jewish ethics really all about.

It happened again. Only this time the Kiddush HaShem resulted in an immediate tangible result. A result that was an unintended consequence of his actions. Which makes the Kiddush HaShem even greater since there was no ulterior motive for what Sol Werdiger did. He did it because it was the right thing to do. Not for any personal or communal gain. The story by Rabbi Dovid Saks has apparently gone viral on social media. From YWN:

This past weekend I heard an amazing story: Mr. Sol Werdiger, CEO of Outerstuff, a company that produces sports apparel, received a phone call from Mr. Oh Joon, the South Korean UN Ambassador asking to meet him for lunch at a Kosher restaurant in Manhattan.

Although Sol did not know the purpose of the meeting he agreed to meet with Mr. Joon.

When they met, Mr. Joon told him the following, “I have always heard negative stereotypes about Jews and Israel and I took it at face value. Then, my daughter took an internship working on design in your company. Throughout the year, she has been telling me how wonderful it is to work at your company.”

Mr. Joon continued, “There are four areas which stood out and impressed my daughter.

1) Everyday, at 1:30 p.m., no matter what was going on at the office, all the men including those from neighboring offices, retreated into a room to pray with sincerity and calm.

2) Every Friday the office shuts down early in the afternoon in preparation for your holy Sabbath and is closed on the Sabbath – this includes all workers no matter which faith or religion they maintain.

3) My daughter observed that each petitioner for charity – and there were many – were treated with respect and left with a check in hand.

4) My daughter was treated with the utmost respect and dignity.”

Because of the amazing experience and lessons the company taught his daughter, Mr. Joon took out his checkbook and was ready to write a check returning all his daughter’s earnings! Mr. Werdiger wouldn’t hear from it. “Your daughter worked and earned her salary and rightfully deserves her pay, I will not accept any remuneration.”

Then the Ambassador relayed the most amazing thing. “As you know, I have voting privileges at the UN. Because of my renewed appreciation of the Jewish people, I abstained from voting on resolutions against Israel on three occasions. At one resolution I was the ninth vote needed to pass the motion and resolution against Israel and because I abstained, it did not pass!”

Mr. Werdiger told me that no one at the office had any idea that this girl was the daughter of an Ambassador and no one ever imagined what type of impact their typical conduct at work had on her or how this impacted the votes against Israel.

Mr. Werdiger happens to be the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Agudath Israel of America. Which speaks highly of their lay leadership if he is typical of them.

This story should be read by everybody. I am happy to be able to report some good news for a change. With all that’s going on in the world right now, it just feels good that there are Sol Werdigers in the world. And there are probably a lot more like him that always behave in ways that are a Kiddush HaShem - but do not get any media attention. This time one of them did. And I could not be happier about it.

It appears that Yeshiva World News has taken down the storyabout the Orthodox Jewish businessman and the South Korean Diplomat.

I don’t know why they did this. But I suspect it might be because there has been some doubt cast on the veracity of that story. If in fact it did not happen and the entire thing is a hoax, then what happened here is troubling on many levels.

First let me say that if indeed this story is a hoax I do not believe the Orthodox Jewish businessman is at as fault. His reputation as an honorable man precludes any deliberate participation in this. What is troubling is that someone may have made up the story and put it out there as fact. Do we need hoaxes to make us look good? Is there not enough of us that do good in the world that we need to make up stories?

It seems, however, that there are some people that feel that way. Are they’re right? Are our sinners more prevalent than our saints?

After examining the story more closely, it does seem a bit odd that the thing the South Korean diplomat praised was Mr. Werdiger’s accommodation to his Jewish employees religious practices. While that is a wonderful thing for a religious businessman to do, I’m not really sure why a South Korean diplomat would see that in the same light observant Jews do. Surely letting his staff Daven Mincha everyday is not something a South Korean diplomat would consider all that valuable a contribution to mankind.

That Mr. Werdiger treated an employee (the diplomat’s daughter) with respect and dignity should also not be something all that out of the ordinary. How else should an employer treat their employees? It may be true that many businessmen don’t treat their employees well. But singling out someone who does for so much praise – to the point of trying to reimburse his daughter's employer for the fair wages he paid her seems like a highly unlikely event. Just as unlikely is the fact that a UN ambassador would vote contrary to his nation’s policies based on his daughter’s personal observations about one individual.

I should have read the YWN story more carefully before I re-posted it on my blog and then praised it as a Kiddush HaShem. My usual skepticism about stories like this gave way to a desire to report a feel-good story about a Jew whose behavior was something to emulate. We need role models like this. There are far too many among us that are the opposite of role models. And they’re the ones that get all the media attention.

According to Matzav (where it is still posted) this story was told by a popular speaker at the Agudah Convention and just like YWN, Matzav says they verified the story. The question first arises - why would a story told as truth by a respected religious figure need to be verified in the first place? Don’t they trust him? If he said it happened, should we doubt it?

And if it is not true, what exactly was the verification that Matzav relied upon? And if it never happened, why was it told as truth in the first place? What is gained by a religious figure passing off a fairly tale as truth?

If this is a hoax or embellishment as I now suspect it might be, I have to wonder why a respected religious figure would pass it off as truth? I can’t answer the question. But I can speculate based on how the Charedi world treats its historical religious figures in the bios they write about them. There too they lie. Not about the things they mention. But about those they don’t - leaving out what they know to be truthful but believe to be unflattering information about them.

This is not disputed by them. It is actually touted by them as a plus. They feel such embellishments of a Torah giant will inspire their readers. Charedi publishers like Rabbi Nosson Scherman have made it abundantly clear that the truths of history don’t matter to them. Only the positive inspiration derived of them do. If one needs to lie by omission in order to accomplish that - that is what will happen at ArtScroll.

Thus in an ArtScroll biography - great religious figures will be born great. God forbid we make them human via actual truth that they were not born great but became great. No. it would be disparaging to say anything negative about a past Gadol. What - after all - is to be gained by telling the world that Rav Aharon Kotler read ‘Uncle Tom’s Cabin’ as a youth?! Better to leave out that information. They’ll just say that Rav Aharon Kotler was pure Torah - cradle to grave.

As I said, I don’t know if that was the reason a popular Charedi personality would lie or embellish a story if that is indeed what happened here. But if it is and he made it up to inspire his listeners - that would not be inconsistent with the ways bios are treated in the Charedi world.

Just to be clear, there is nothing wrong with using a fictional story to impart inspiration or positive values. Provided it is clearly labeled as fiction. That’s what Aesop’s Fables do. But once a fable is cited as fact, the lesson is not learned after the truth comes out. The opposite happens.

That said, I still hope the story is true, even though I am now very skeptical of it. Because in the alternative, no one comes out looking good here. A good man’s reputation (Shlomo Werdiger) will be unfairly tarnished for his possible participation it this. The popular Charedi personality that told this story as fact will be discredited. And the rest of the world will laugh at us if or when they hear about it. Turning a remarkable story that if true is a Kiddush HaShem - into a Chilul HaShem if it isn’t.

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