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| R’ Gershon Edelstein (VIN) |
These were my thoughts long ago when the previous generation of Gedolim left this world. Without listing all of them - after the passing of R’ Aharon Kotler, R’ Moshe Feinstein, R’ Yaakov Kamenetsky, R’ Yitzchok Hutner, R’ Yoseph Dov Soloveitchik, and R’ Ahron Soloviechik, there was no one on earth that was anywhere near their level of greatness in Torah, ethics, and humility that made them great leaders. I felt that we were a Dor Yosum - a generation of orphans bereft of leaders.
There were of course many rabbis of lesser stature that nonetheless were seen in leadership roles. So while not measuring up to the previous generation of leaders, they rose to the occasion. And are today seen as leaders taking the place of the previous Gedolim.
I suppose one can cite the Gemarah that tells us how to view generational leadership that does not measure up to the greater leaders in other generations. 'Yiftach B’Doro K’Shmuel B’Doro.' Yiftach who led his generation despite serious flaws was considered to have the same level of leadership as the much greater leader Shmuel during his generation!
I mention all of this in light of the eulogy given by 98 year old R’ Gershon Edelstein at R’ Chaim’s funeral. He said the following:
“But here with us it is truly woe to the land of Israel, this was a great man, this was the only great man of the land of Israel. It’s not that one person is lacking, now there is no great man in the land of Israel and in the entire world!
I don’t really know who’s who in the Torah world. But R’ Edelstein does. I’m sure that are some pretty big Talmidei Chachomim and Poskim around. People that are immersed in Torah study and/or Paskening Shailos. But according to R’ Edelstein none of them are qualified to lead the Jewish people.
As noted, I long ago felt the same way.This is why I do not agree with the Agudah position that the members of their Moetzes represents definitive Daas Torah. And I reject all references to them that way.
This is not to say that I don’t respect their great Torah knowledge. Nor do I doubt their sincereity, dedication, and sacrifice in serving the Jewish people. I am firmly convinced that their pronouncements are made with the highest degree of integrity in the belief that this is what God wants. That they are expressing Daas Torah based on their understanding of it. But I just do not view them in the near infallible way that Agudah portrays them. As do so many speakers at their conventions and dinners.
Agudah was founded on the principle that when the Gedloim speak - that ends the discussion. Whether one agree with them or not. But that was at a time when people like the above mentioned Gedolim were on their Moetzes. But as R' Edelstein indicated, they are not on even on the level of their recently deceased contemporary, let alone the above mentioned Gedolim.
To me that means that their views should not be taken as the final word on Daas Torah despite Agudah’s claim that they should be. That we need not be Mevatel our Daas (negate our own Torah knowldge) if there are other knowledgeable leaders that disagree.
This does not mean that public policy decision can be made without any rabbinic guidance. The Torah has something to say about all matters affecting humanity. Those with sufficient knowledge of it should be consulted. But it need not be limited to be any specific leader or group of leaders. Including the members of the Agudah Moetzes - much as they maintain it should be.
This development has a positive side to it, in my view. People of differing Hashkafos might actually better get along with each other knowing that their Daas Torah no longer has the same degree of certainty it once had. That there is room for disagreement. And that once again, Elu V’Elu - can be restored to its rightful place among the Jewish people.