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Jul 18, 2011
Rabbi Calls Constituents "Whore" And Wonders Why People Are Upset
Not all rabbis are the right fit for any given community. Just because a rabbi might be great, does not mean his style fits a specific community.
Mynet is reporting on the rabbi of a community, and I don't know him but I am even willing to say he is a leading rabbi, a great rabbi, and this still applies to him, who seems to use fire and brimstone tactics in his oratorical repertoire.
This rabbi, the rabbi of a traditional/religious moshav, has upset some of the people in his flock. Truth is, it is nothing unusual. Nobody, even, or especially, rabbis, will be liked all the time by all the people. I would even venture to say that if he would be liked all the time by all the people, there is probably something wrong. Some like him and his style, while others do not.
Some of the residents of Moshav Zerachya are complaining about the rabbi of the moshav, Rav Avidan. They say that in his speeches he often does not delve into Torah teaching per se, words and lessons from the parsha for example. Rather, he uses his speeches to exhort the community, and he uses very harsh expressions. For example, he was talking about dressing appropriately and said that a woman who wears a t-shirt is a zonah, a harlot.
Many were shocked when he said that, especially those who wear t-shirts in their homes. Even more shocking is that he says things like that regularly, it seems, despite there being children and young adults in the shul at the time. They are complaining that his abrasive style is harming the community, insulting to [some of] the members, and inappropriate in general when said where, when and how they are said.
When I read the article, I did not get the shock that they expected, oy the rabbi is so wrong to say that, so unforgiving, so not understanding of his local people, etc. I did not see that. I see nothing wrong, per se, with a rabbi exhorting his community to be better, to improve in various ways that he sees need improvement.
On the other hand, not every rabbis is right for any specific community. Maybe this community needs less rhetoric, less fire and brimstone and more kind words and pleasant persuasion. Other communities appreciate the fire and brimstone more. If he is frequently upsetting a large portion (and I do not know if it is a majority of, or just a number of people but not a majority) of his community with his style, perhaps the community needs to find a rabbi better suited to their style.
Mynet is reporting on the rabbi of a community, and I don't know him but I am even willing to say he is a leading rabbi, a great rabbi, and this still applies to him, who seems to use fire and brimstone tactics in his oratorical repertoire.
This rabbi, the rabbi of a traditional/religious moshav, has upset some of the people in his flock. Truth is, it is nothing unusual. Nobody, even, or especially, rabbis, will be liked all the time by all the people. I would even venture to say that if he would be liked all the time by all the people, there is probably something wrong. Some like him and his style, while others do not.
Some of the residents of Moshav Zerachya are complaining about the rabbi of the moshav, Rav Avidan. They say that in his speeches he often does not delve into Torah teaching per se, words and lessons from the parsha for example. Rather, he uses his speeches to exhort the community, and he uses very harsh expressions. For example, he was talking about dressing appropriately and said that a woman who wears a t-shirt is a zonah, a harlot.
Many were shocked when he said that, especially those who wear t-shirts in their homes. Even more shocking is that he says things like that regularly, it seems, despite there being children and young adults in the shul at the time. They are complaining that his abrasive style is harming the community, insulting to [some of] the members, and inappropriate in general when said where, when and how they are said.
When I read the article, I did not get the shock that they expected, oy the rabbi is so wrong to say that, so unforgiving, so not understanding of his local people, etc. I did not see that. I see nothing wrong, per se, with a rabbi exhorting his community to be better, to improve in various ways that he sees need improvement.
On the other hand, not every rabbis is right for any specific community. Maybe this community needs less rhetoric, less fire and brimstone and more kind words and pleasant persuasion. Other communities appreciate the fire and brimstone more. If he is frequently upsetting a large portion (and I do not know if it is a majority of, or just a number of people but not a majority) of his community with his style, perhaps the community needs to find a rabbi better suited to their style.
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In what community do women respond positively to being called "whores?"
ReplyDeletethat type of fire and brimstone probably only works in communities where women dont dress in the way the rabbi is ranting against.
ReplyDeleteI'm with Chaya on this. Abuse should not be tolerated from anyone including Rabbis.
ReplyDeleteDon't know about you, but I look for a shul with a Rabbi who presents in-deapth analysis of Torah sources, not someone who shouts insults at the congregation.
ReplyDeleteIf I want to be insulted, I can stay home and listen to my kids :)
I know that there are people who prefer a Rabbi of the "Amon Yitzhak" variety, but if a rav like like that was appointed to my shul, I'd look for a new shul
Gosh. It was never like this in Bournemouth, where I grew up, where the some of the complacent congregants clearly needed a bit of ***פילפל ב
ReplyDeleteNot that it matters really, since the rav's style is clearly too strident for many, but there are some inaccuracies in your presentation of the article that make some difference.
ReplyDeleteFirst, he didn't complain about t-shirts. He complained about גופיות, sleeveless athletic shirts or undershirts. That really is less dignified and less modest than a t-shirt. And he made it clear that he only criticized women who insisted on coming to public functions that way; not women who dress like that in their own home.
Personally, it sounds a bit exaggerated and strong for my judgement. Based on the news report (which has to be taken with a grain of salt), I wouldn't recommend his approach as befitting darkei noam. I wouldn't defend the way he goes about this. I just wanted to point out that the article was a bit more specific about his complaint.
The rav of a kibbutz or moshav has a much more up-close-and-personal situation with his community. The man has been there 16 years, so one would think he could find a way to communicate personally and influence people gently. But, since we aren't there we don't really know what's happening. What is for sure is that a report like this doesn't help promote the pleasant paths of Hashem's Torah.
He sounds ripe for some of the shuls in RBSA.
ReplyDeleteMany people there wish to be told how to dress, eat,where to send their kids to school,spend their money,etc.
Thinking for themselves is passe.
I'm sure if he's looking for a job there will be a kehilla for him.
I'm with Michael - it sounds like he's already auditioning for his next kehilah.
ReplyDelete