Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch (VIN) |
It appears that in the mind of the leader of Lithuanian Jewry (also known as the Yeshiva World) Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch has just doubled down on this attitude as noted at VIN:
Rabbi Hirsch requested that yeshiva students not go on any trips (during Bein Haz’manin – the Pesach vacation period) and not make any plans to go to places where they will meet with secular elements…
Needless to say I am upset at his attitude, But not surprised. Contrast this with a perceptive and thoughtful approach to current events by Rabbi Moshe Bane, immediate past president of the OU.
Rabbi Moshe Bane (Jewish Action) |
Early on in his essay he makes the following caveat. Claims by anyone about a particular communal malady as the cause of our misfortune is a fallacy based on personal biases. Only a Navi can have that kind of insight. Something that God no longer grants to human beings. (In my view people like this are either charlatans or fools. But I digress.)
But at the same time the idea of introspection is always a good idea,. The Gemarah urges that when tragedy strikes, that is a good time to have such introspection.
Rabbi Bane’s column is a must read in my view. I completely agree with all of his observations and suggestions about the various ways we can improve in light of the new reality since October 7th.
The following are excerpts of what Rabbi Bane sees as opportunities for positive change.
1. (We need to revisit) ‘our place in American society and higher education’.
2. Each segment of our community (needs) to examine whether the events of and reactions to October 7 and its aftermath compel revisions to the assessments and forecasts that long ago shaped their respective positions toward Zionism. For example, is the Jewish State a beacon of safety for all Jews, or the cause of hostility to and vulnerability for Jews throughout the world? Do the current reactions of both observant and non-observant Jews to Israel’s needs in its time of crisis highlight an invaluable role played by Israel as a source of national Jewish brotherhood? And should the post-October 7 surge of connection among IDF soldiers to Yiddishkeit and to the community of Klal Yisrael alter the view of those who have understood the IDF to be necessarily hostile to traditional Judaism?
His last suggestion, however, seems to fly in the face of Rabbi Hirsch’s insular ways:
3. With new realities emerging since October 7, perhaps we need to rethink our community’s attitude toward outreach. Post-October 7, we observe a surge of interest in Jewish identity across the spectrum of American Jewry…
Perhaps there is a rare window of opportunity to engage unaffiliated Jews and provide a path for their greater connection to Jews and Judaism.
As noted I agree with all of Rabbi Bane’s observations and suggestions We would all do well as both individuals and as a community to heed his call.
My fear is, however, that the reaction by the right will be to support Rav Hirsch completely and thus reject what Rabbi Bane has suggested. The rationale being that Rav Hirsch represents Daas Torah. And Rabbi Bane is not a Bar Plugta. Meaning that he is nowhere near the caliber of Rav Hirsch which would give his views legitimacy among the faithful.
I have heard this kind of argument from the right ad nauseum. It might be expressed this way:‘Who is Moishe Bane to argue with the Daas Torah of the Gadol HaDor?’
The mantra of the American Agudah is that the advice of the Gedolim are inviolable. Their Torah and Yiras Shomayim (fear of Heaven) is so great that it is the closest thing to being Godly advice on the planet! As such they are Mevatel (negate) their own Daas (considered opinion) to that of the Gedolim. Even when it is in stark disagreement with them.
This is probably why the American Agudah Moetzes recently fully endorsed the Daas Torah of their Israeli counterparts (whom they view as superior to theirs) - condemning the Israeli government as an enemy of Torah and of God Himself.
I am both encouraged and discouraged at the same time. I believe that Rabbi Bane has enormous respect for the members of the Agudah Moetzes and would never publicly disagree with their express views. And yet he has gone out on a limb and expressed a view that seems to completely disagree with their tendency to endorse what their Israeli counterparts say.
The discouraging part of this is that
the majority of Charedi Jews will reject Rabbi Bane’s views in favor of their
leaders’ Daas Torah. Even as they might privately agree with him
There is a glimmer of hope in all of this. But how far that will take us remains to be seen.