Sorry, but the relationship to the 'rabbi' in the 'Ask The Rabbi' post sounds like it verges on the cultish. I realize the writer is hassidish, and that probably explains it; but it sounds a bit extreme to me. Her idea of 'daas Torah' is not the standard in the whole Orthodox world, despite her representations. In fact, Rav Y.D. (or J.B.) Soloveitchik exemplified a very different model. He undoubtedly fit her criteria for a rav; yet part of his example and explicit teaching was that we invest too much authority and power in rabbanim. I would add that Rav Mordechai Eliyahu explicitly told me in one of our many converstations that 'you don't have to do as I say'; and that the heavenly court would hold me responsible for my actions whether or not I listened to his instruction. He, too, would certainly fit her criteria for a rav.
I accept that her representation and the comments on that thread are one version in the observant world of a relationship with a rav; but I object to it being written as if it is THE way we must relate to our rav.
For *one* different perspective in the Orthodox world, see: http://kavvanah.wordpress.com/2012/01/15/rav-soloveitchik-speaks-to-mental-health-professionals-1978/
Thanks for the link!
ReplyDeleteSorry, but the relationship to the 'rabbi' in the 'Ask The Rabbi' post sounds like it verges on the cultish. I realize the writer is hassidish, and that probably explains it; but it sounds a bit extreme to me. Her idea of 'daas Torah' is not the standard in the whole Orthodox world, despite her representations. In fact, Rav Y.D. (or J.B.) Soloveitchik exemplified a very different model. He undoubtedly fit her criteria for a rav; yet part of his example and explicit teaching was that we invest too much authority and power in rabbanim. I would add that Rav Mordechai Eliyahu explicitly told me in one of our many converstations that 'you don't have to do as I say'; and that the heavenly court would hold me responsible for my actions whether or not I listened to his instruction. He, too, would certainly fit her criteria for a rav.
ReplyDeleteI accept that her representation and the comments on that thread are one version in the observant world of a relationship with a rav; but I object to it being written as if it is THE way we must relate to our rav.
For *one* different perspective in the Orthodox world, see: http://kavvanah.wordpress.com/2012/01/15/rav-soloveitchik-speaks-to-mental-health-professionals-1978/