The obvious thing going on to discuss would be this past Tuesday night. I could give my opinion on what it means to go through nisyonos, but who can compare or contrast nisyonos? I was going to discuss how I feel one should deal with his nisyonos, whether in private or public and to what degree. Instead I want to focus on an off-shoot from Tuesday night; something that has arisen from Tuesday but isn't immediately connected.
As I'm sure you're all aware, there was a letter posted that was signed by different rabbeim of YU and another letter signed by Rabbi Reiss and Richard Joel. I have heard different discussions on these letters, and (as is always the case in YU) everyone is opinionated as to how to read between the lines.
I feel that a lot of people are getting caught up in their own emotions with these topics and are looking to knock down all opposition. They aren't necessarily looking objectively at what the rabbeim are saying, but rather they are looking at how they can use it to show how ridiculous YU is, or why they hate the rabbeim, or even how the rabbeim are too "pareve" on such crucial issues. This response to our rabbeim is unacceptable in my eyes.
The halachah is that when a beis din convenes the first dayan to give his opinion is the least senior of the dayanim. The dayanim then proceed in order from least to most senior. The reason is because we don't want the less senior dayan to be embarrassed from voicing an opinion that is contrary to what was already stated by a more senior dayan.
Even if we aren't serving on a beis din, this idea can still be applied. Even if we disagree with something the rabbeim say, we should at least be humbled by the fact that they have more years and wisdom than we do. It isn't saying that they are infallible, but don't approach their opinions as being on an even playing-field as your's. Maybe they have additional insight that you don't have. It's not that you can't disagree, but don't do it so readily and with such little regard for their opinions.
As I'm sure you're all aware, there was a letter posted that was signed by different rabbeim of YU and another letter signed by Rabbi Reiss and Richard Joel. I have heard different discussions on these letters, and (as is always the case in YU) everyone is opinionated as to how to read between the lines.
I feel that a lot of people are getting caught up in their own emotions with these topics and are looking to knock down all opposition. They aren't necessarily looking objectively at what the rabbeim are saying, but rather they are looking at how they can use it to show how ridiculous YU is, or why they hate the rabbeim, or even how the rabbeim are too "pareve" on such crucial issues. This response to our rabbeim is unacceptable in my eyes.
The halachah is that when a beis din convenes the first dayan to give his opinion is the least senior of the dayanim. The dayanim then proceed in order from least to most senior. The reason is because we don't want the less senior dayan to be embarrassed from voicing an opinion that is contrary to what was already stated by a more senior dayan.
Even if we aren't serving on a beis din, this idea can still be applied. Even if we disagree with something the rabbeim say, we should at least be humbled by the fact that they have more years and wisdom than we do. It isn't saying that they are infallible, but don't approach their opinions as being on an even playing-field as your's. Maybe they have additional insight that you don't have. It's not that you can't disagree, but don't do it so readily and with such little regard for their opinions.
Thank you, as always, for your wise and serene approach to issues. In my experience, the more heightened the issues the more heightened and diverse are the responses. We would all do well to develop our own individual reactions in a quiet manner, and always maintaining respect for our leaders.
ReplyDeleteThe problem was not with the statement itself, what they said was true- but it was not what needed to be said after tuesday or in response to Tuesday night. It provided no Chiddushim and no help for those struggling looking to their Roshei Yeshiva for answers.
ReplyDeleteIt just stated Halcha which and YU's standpoint we all know about.
I don't think the point of the letter was to provide chiddushim. And in terms of providing help, I don't have the letter from the Roshei Yeshiva in front of me, but in Rabbi Reiss and Richard Joel's letter it does say, "We are committed to providing halakhic guidance and sensitivity with respect to all challenges confronted by individuals within our broader community, including homosexual inclination, in a discreet, dignified and appropriate fashion." I think that's the approach of the Roshei Yeshiva as well. No challenge (no matter how "easy" or "difficult") can be dealt with except on an individual basis. A public letter cannot provide help because each person is unique and requires different guidance.
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