tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20257999.post8339469147967802022..comments2024-03-29T06:05:20.562+03:00Comments on Life in Israel: interview with the Zoo Rabbi - R' Natan SlifkinRafi G.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00699851287106903971noreply@blogger.comBlogger53125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20257999.post-75727563544005779072007-01-30T08:58:00.000+02:002007-01-30T08:58:00.000+02:00Dan - im unclear what your arugument is. Are you ...Dan - im unclear what your arugument is. Are you saying that RNS is ok to argue what he is saying, because it can be explained through the 6 days of bereshis? Or are you saying that we can understand the age of the universe through the 6 days of Bereshis and RNS is wrong in explaing it in other ways? <br />Ever since the issue of dinosaurs and the age of the universe was explained to me, and I heard the answer of 6 days, i never had a problem with it. Why is it so hard to simply say that the 6 days were obviously not 24 hours! How could they be? There was no sun to determine that. And even once there was, whos to say things have changed since then? It was the time of creation. People have no problem understanding that Adam lived to 900 years old, but the 6 days of bereshis had to be 24 hours each? I say 6 days were many many "human years" each, and dinosaurs died in the mabul. period. I never had a problem sleeping with that explanation.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20257999.post-67829240788194885682007-01-28T09:29:00.000+02:002007-01-28T09:29:00.000+02:00you know what - the ruach issue, in my mind, makes...you know what - the ruach issue, in my mind, makes more sense than the other reasons. But that is only mentioned as a side point and not as the main issue. It is also not mentioned by most of the letters at all. So it is not likely that that was the cause of the ban.Rafi G.https://www.blogger.com/profile/00699851287106903971noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20257999.post-73564243544489637802007-01-28T03:36:00.000+02:002007-01-28T03:36:00.000+02:00I am just wondering. if 6 days of creation can on...I am just wondering. if 6 days of creation can only be exact, and the medrashim and mefarshim who say it's metaphorical are incorrect, then how do we explain the very next section of "na'aseh adam betzalmainu"? If we translate the torah "bi'diyuk", than how do we accept all the other explanations for the problems? Do we assume that God really did confer with the angels and create man in "their" image? how do you explain the double standard? How can you accept rashi's explanation of yehoshua stopping the sun? (rashi says he stopped the sun and moon from saying shira - NOT that he actually stopped the sun - The sun can't be stopped as the earth revolves the sun, not the other way around). according to this, the torah is way off - god forbid. and meshaneh hatevah is a pathetic answer for this. If rashi can't be right, then who is? <br /><br />no, the ban isn't referring to a ruach permeating his books. the ban is talking about the explanations of science and the torah, even though RNS has back-up for his ideas. the facts are the gedolim have put RNS in the same category as the higher education for girls and the tznius issues and the rest of these new takanos. <br />What that reason is, is for them to explain. I have my theories, but some of you won't like it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20257999.post-4377341445466632662007-01-27T22:48:00.000+02:002007-01-27T22:48:00.000+02:00Exactly. If it is a matter of the "ruach," then th...Exactly. If it is a matter of the "ruach," then the banners have horrifically misled people by giving the message that it is kefirah to say that Chazal erred in science or that the world is millions of years old.<br /><br />It seems to me that the banners have completely conflicting positions with each other.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20257999.post-33600920686545644292007-01-26T20:13:00.000+02:002007-01-26T20:13:00.000+02:00"My sense and this what I gathered as well from th..."My sense and this what I gathered as well from the banners with whom I spoke, is that there's a certain "ruach" that emanates from his writings that challenges the mesorah in a most unhealthy way. "<br /><br />Even assuming that this is true, why is the issue portrayed as being beyond Rabbi Slifkin? Did the rabbonim whom you spoke to agree that the status quo on these shittos, goes back to what was permissible before Rabbi Slifkin used the particular "ruach" in his writings? Why throw out the baby with the bathwater, and if one does so, how are people expected to change their opinions overnight?<br /><br />Baruch HorowitzBaruch Horowitzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06852916443001837134noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20257999.post-61658960379839939772007-01-26T17:45:00.000+02:002007-01-26T17:45:00.000+02:00anon wrote:
"How on earth can the Gedolim pick up ...anon wrote:<br />"How on earth can the Gedolim pick up on any "ruach" in his writings if they haven't even read them and can't even read English???!!!"<br /><br />Probably the same way you can comment on something when you also can't read any english. Why don't you follow the comment thread and read where I wrote at least FOUR times that I've personally spoken to three of them who DID read the books and DO read english?<br /><br />Is it really that hard to comprehend or are you just so close minded that there's no way you can entertain the possibility that they may have had a point?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20257999.post-26106427058144605912007-01-26T05:53:00.000+02:002007-01-26T05:53:00.000+02:00How on earth can the Gedolim pick up on any "ruach...How on earth can the Gedolim pick up on any "ruach" in his writings if they haven't even read them and can't even read English???!!!<br /><br />Besides, an Israeli Charedi rav can't judge what ruach is appropriate for a modern American.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20257999.post-6735286223489832222007-01-25T22:37:00.000+02:002007-01-25T22:37:00.000+02:00anon --- you wrote---
but I was arguing on your or...anon --- you wrote---<br />but I was arguing on your original statement that "actually klal survived because rabbonim have disagreed and had different hashkafot and piskei halacha. we never would have survived if everyone played follow the leader - what or which leader?"<br /><br />I presume you agree that you were wrong on that point. ----<br /><br />actually that was my brother who said that. not me.Rafi G.https://www.blogger.com/profile/00699851287106903971noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20257999.post-19781658020738302722007-01-25T22:19:00.000+02:002007-01-25T22:19:00.000+02:00Rafi,
you write:
"However, since that time we have...Rafi,<br />you write:<br />"However, since that time we have never had a situation where one Rav holds something, no matter how great he is, and all the other rabbonim change their own opinions to follow him."<br /><br />That is correct but I was arguing on your original statement that "actually klal survived because rabbonim have disagreed and had different hashkafot and piskei halacha. we never would have survived if everyone played follow the leader - what or which leader?"<br /><br />I presume you agree that you were wrong on that point. The gemara makes it rather clear that these machlokesin almost destroyed klala yisroel.<br /><br />Now to the next question - should Rav Elyashiv be the preeminent decisor or may we rely on alternate opinions?<br /><br />Great question. Clearly if the shailah was whether a woman should undergo an abortion due to extenuation circumstances I doubt anyone in their right minds would simply ask their LOR. On the other hand, if the question was one of Bitul B'rov in Bassar B'Chalav, any reliable rav could be trusted to handle that.<br /><br />The Slifkin issue clearly isn't an example of the latter. It's a serious question that may not be clear-cut in Halachah. My sense and this what I gathered as well from the banners with whom I spoke, is that there's a certain "ruach" that emanates from his writings that challenges the mesorah in a most unhealthy way. <br /><br />Since I'm no expert on the Mesorah I can't agree or disagree. It wasn't until I heard him speak on the Denis Prager show that I picked up on this [something I've heard from a number of others as well] but I still lack an opinion because I'm a pretty average guy. <br /><br />Clearly he's a talented and bright person and I don't doubt that he has his heart in the right place. What the Gedolim who are concerned with preserving the Mesorah perceived is something that I must at least hold in high regard even if I don't trash him or his books. I'm not sure your average shul rabbi is of the caliber that I'd entrust with this kind of decision.<br /><br />To continue to pretend that this is simply a question of Yoreh Deah is failing to grasp the essence of this issue IMHO.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20257999.post-45639002283350840222007-01-25T20:08:00.000+02:002007-01-25T20:08:00.000+02:00anon --- you wrote-- That's a mistake - the Gemara...anon --- you wrote-- That's a mistake - the Gemara lamented the fact that machlokes began among the Tannaim. The fact that Halachah allows for one to follow his Morah Horaah does not make that the desirable situation. We once had a Sanhedrin that issued the final ruling and no one could argue on that-------<br /><br />That is true. However, since that time we have never had a situation where one Rav holds something, no matter how great he is, and all the other rabbonim change their own opinions to follow him. Even nowadays in halacha issues many rabbonim (even in haredi circles and even in Israel) do state opinions that go against psak of Rav Elyashiv, but when it comes to an issue that is more in the public domain, suddenly everybody cowers away from holding an opinion against Rav Elyashiv...Rafi G.https://www.blogger.com/profile/00699851287106903971noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20257999.post-10381697370087433622007-01-25T18:19:00.000+02:002007-01-25T18:19:00.000+02:00KT - thank you for pointing that out.
shaya g -
...KT - thank you for pointing that out.<br /><br />shaya g -<br /><br /><br />>>Fact is, Klal Yisroel doesn't survive very long without leaders whether or not you agree with them. I for one, get very disenfranchised with the whole blogosphere that offers very little rational thought and honest debate. B"H Klal Yisroel has managed for quite some time without it and will probably continue to do so<<<br /><br />actually klal survived because rabbonim have disagreed and had different hashkafot and piskei halacha. <br /><br />That's a mistake - the Gemara lamented the fact that machlokes began among the Tannaim. The fact that Halachah allows for one to follow his Morah Horaah does not make that the desirable situation. We once had a Sanhedrin that issued the final ruling and no one could argue on that.<br /> I'm not saying everyone is forced to follow Rav Elyashiv on this - but seeing as to how many people supported his view, I'd be very careful before deciding that my local orthodox rabbi will chart the course for me on a sensitive issue like this. <br /><br />>>As you are aware, every single ...<br />also, because eid echad ne'eman. here though we have CONFLICTING hechsherim....<br /><br />I think you missed my point here. The idea is that if a large number of reliable people have read the book and can explain it's objectionable content to you, then you don't necessarily have to read it yourself especially if you can't read english.<br /><br />>>Allow me to reiterate that I haven't taken a position on the debate itself<<<br /><br />duly noted. I haven't either, I just don't like when people espouse (not that you have, just addressing the general issue) rhetoric like sheep w/o checking themselves -on both sides. The debate ought to be whether what RNS says is divrei minus or not. <br /><br />Here too I think you're missing an essential point. Rav Elyashiv and his supporters only focused on whether what RNS wrote was minus oor not. It's the blog world that turned it into this ridiculous "my rav your rav" spat. Stick to what Rav Elyashivh and Rav Moshe Shapiro wrote and then decide where you want to go with this all.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20257999.post-9008918067847748782007-01-25T05:51:00.000+02:002007-01-25T05:51:00.000+02:00Can you please demonstrate how you know that Rav C...<i>Can you please demonstrate how you know that Rav Carmell totally backed him and that his son is out of touch with his father? Sources please if you don't mind.</i><br /><br />Because he wrote a haskamah, wrote a letter after the ban came out reiterating his haskamah, wrote to the Gedolim to tell them that they shouldn't have banned the books, and wrote an essay to reinforce the approach of the books! (This is all on R' Slifkin's website.)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20257999.post-76295610438407854592007-01-25T02:47:00.000+02:002007-01-25T02:47:00.000+02:00anon,
>>I'll have to see how well I sleep knowing...anon,<br /><br />>>I'll have to see how well I sleep knowing that you don't care for me<<<br /><br />I care for every jew, i don't care if you agree or disagree with my or rafis opinion<br /><br />>>Fact is, Klal Yisroel doesn't survive very long without leaders whether or not you agree with them. I for one, get very disenfranchised with the whole blogosphere that offers very little rational thought and honest debate. B"H Klal Yisroel has managed for quite some time without it and will probably continue to do so<<<br /><br />actually klal survived because rabbonim have disagreed and had different hashkafot and piskei halacha. we never would have survived if everyone played follow the leader - what or which leader? misnagdim argued that chasidism, when it started, was apikorsus as well, just remember, your words could apply then also.<br /><br />>>As you are aware, every single hechsher relies on other hechsheirim because no hechsher agency can be everywhere at once<<br /><br />also, because eid echad ne'eman. here though we have CONFLICTING hechsherim. same as in shechita. satmar doesn't eat lubavitch. ashkenazim don't eat kitniyot on pesach. same here. <br /><br />>>Allow me to reiterate that I haven't taken a position on the debate itself<<<br /><br />duly noted. I haven't either, I just don't like when people espouse (not that you have, just addressing the general issue) rhetoric like sheep w/o checking themselves -on both sides. The debate ought to be whether what RNS says is divrei minus or not. It has turned into, My rov says this and your hashkafa is wrong and you aren't giving kavod hatorah and how dare you question anything, etc...<br /><br />the simplist answer is, my rov paskened that I shouldn't (or can) read his book and so I follow my Rov. not that every hashkafa but mine is wrong. that method just deligitimizes every sect of orthodox judaism in one sweep.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20257999.post-69425908972589737042007-01-25T02:37:00.000+02:002007-01-25T02:37:00.000+02:00anon of 11:40
it's obvious from the sons letter t...anon of 11:40<br /><br />it's obvious from the sons letter that he never really consulted with his father - "I have tried to imagine what would have been Rabbi Dessler’s position with regard to the ban against your books". and he is trying to remember what he discussed "in the past". he never says "here is what my father told me about this issue".Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20257999.post-37966508500459696602007-01-24T23:40:00.000+02:002007-01-24T23:40:00.000+02:00"Duh, that's the wrong Rav Carmell! That's the son..."Duh, that's the wrong Rav Carmell! That's the son of the late Rav Aryeh Carmell, who is Deep Charedi and totally out of touch with who his father was.<br /><br />Rav Aryeh Carmell himself totally backed R' Slifkin - he not only reiterated his haskamah, but even wrote an essay in which he presented exactly the same views that the Gedolim claimed were kefirah."<br /><br />Them's fightin words. I am aware that this is his son speaking in his name. Can you please demonstrate how you know that Rav Carmell totally backed him and that his son is out of touch with his father? Sources please if you don't mind.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20257999.post-17036736231084230892007-01-24T22:53:00.000+02:002007-01-24T22:53:00.000+02:00Anonymous who says that Rav Carmell doesn't suppor...Anonymous who says that Rav Carmell doesn't support Rav Slifkin - <br /><br />Duh, that's the wrong Rav Carmell! That's the son of the late Rav Aryeh Carmell, who is Deep Charedi and totally out of touch with who his father was.<br /><br />Rav Aryeh Carmell himself totally backed R' Slifkin - he not only reiterated his haskamah, but even wrote an essay in which he presented exactly the same views that the Gedolim claimed were kefirah.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20257999.post-74898064558907689242007-01-24T20:32:00.000+02:002007-01-24T20:32:00.000+02:00anon - actually I was hoping and even expecting th...anon - actually I was hoping and even expecting that it would clarify issues and explain RNS' side of the story. The fact that you now say that no tough questions were asked, well I say again you should have sent some tough questions. I myself am not an expert on the controversy. I know what I have read and the little i have heard. I was actually hoping this interview would clarify things for me. And it did clarify a lot. But because I am not an expert on the topic, I might not have been aware of some of the tougher issues to ask about, which is why I asked for readers to submit questions.Rafi G.https://www.blogger.com/profile/00699851287106903971noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20257999.post-2258708548224757322007-01-24T20:17:00.000+02:002007-01-24T20:17:00.000+02:00As far as not being invited to speak to his detrac...As far as not being invited to speak to his detractors here's a little snippet from http://www.toriah.com/wiki/index.php?title=Slifkin_-_Coffer_Debate#Cutting_off_Dialogue<br /> [scroll to the bottom of the page]<br />which claims otherwise. I don't know how reliable it is.<br /><br />"Subsequent to the aforesaid interchange, Dr. Ostroff has not received any communication from you regarding this matter. In fact, I understand you dropped off the Avodah forum entirely after his aforementioned post to Aishdas.<br /><br />Furthermore, I understand that Rabbi Jacoby, of JEP Toronto, approached you when you were here and offered to broker a meeting between you and Rabbi Miller (including Dr. Ostroff) and you were unresponsive. You claim on your site that you were advised by<br /><br /> “two Canadian rabbis who had prior experience with Rabbi Jacoby and/or Rabbi Miller that the agenda would be anything but dialogue. Instead, they warned, the goal of the meeting would undoubtedly be to browbeat me into submission rather than an open discussion to try to resolve our differences constructively. According to them, this is what had transpired in the past. They both strongly advised me against the meeting. Since at the time I was very emotionally overwrought by the controversy, I took their advice…” <br /><br />Well, as you write, you “took their advice” which means that you chose to reject any contact with your Torontonian critics. "Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20257999.post-71745810560804672002007-01-24T20:06:00.000+02:002007-01-24T20:06:00.000+02:00as the anon "who started this whole thing" I'll re...as the anon "who started this whole thing" I'll respond to Shaya G's latest comments.<br /><br /> to whichever anon started this whole thing:<br /><br />1. I read and reread both the ban and RNS' website a few times in the process of deciding for myself (as halacha demands) whether or not I should start reading his books. Ther e were no great chiddushim but there were some insights I got out of the interview. Rafi never claimed to be peter jennings.<br /><br />Lovely for you. For the rest of us who've followed this issue, this interview did little to clarify matters any and I assume that your bro had that in mind when he conducted the interview. Perhaps I think more highly of him than you do, but maybe I don't know him as well. :>)<br /><br /><br />2. I don't care if you criticize and disagree with rafi or not, we are all individuals. My issue was your tone was demeaning and I simply don't care for critics who hide behing "anonymous". I say what I say, right or wrong", and allow for corrections because people know who I am an dI have to take responsibility for my words and tone.<br /><br />I'll have to see how well I sleep knowing that you don't care for me, but my intent was not to demean but rather to make a subtle point that since this is such a sensitive issue, there's really no point in bringing it up when you have nothing substantial to add. I don't know about you, but most people feel like this is an issue that should probably be laid to rest.<br /><br /><br />3. There are 2 camps among the banners. Those who banned just the couple of books, and everyone else who can't read the ban and thinks RNS is in cherem. Even those who banned the books only, haven't explained anything, and continue to treat the klal like children who you simply order around. Throw that in with the newest and latest other takanos (education for chareidi women, denim, tznius, new vaad hashomrim to gaurd against en and women gathering together), some of us regular folk get a little tired and disinfranchised with the whole "leadership" thing.<br /><br />No rpblem - get disenfranchised all you like. Fact is, Klal Yisroel doesn't survive very long without leaders whether or not you agree with them. I for one, get very disenfranchised with the whole blogosphere that offers very little rational thought and honest debate. B"H Klal Yisroel has managed for quite some time without it and will probably continue to do so.<br /><br />4. among those who banned it, if they read it first, good. But for the ones who didn't and some of the responses are "well, R' Elyashiv signed it so I have to also" is pathetic. It's embarrasing and borders on negligence, motzei shem ra, and loshon horah. It also continues to drive the wedge further between the leaders and the people.<br /><br />Very passionate but lacking much substance. As you are aware, every single hechsher relies on other hechsheirim because no hechsher agency can be everywhere at once. I imagine some of them felt that if trusted rabbonim felt this way after reviewing the material, they could rely on their opinions without struggling to read a language they don't understand. <br /><br />Allow me to reiterate that I haven't taken a position on the debate itself.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20257999.post-72532763912027664842007-01-24T19:58:00.000+02:002007-01-24T19:58:00.000+02:00As far as NS claiming that Rav Carmell endorsed hi...As far as NS claiming that Rav Carmell endorsed him - here's Rav Carmells letter posted on Dovidgottlieb.com for all to see. If I had a ringing endorsement like that I'd hang myself. Perhaps he has other letters that contradict this one but this one certainly tells me what Rav Carmell was thinking.<br /><br />Read it for yourself:<br /> Rabbi Avraham Chaim Carmel on the Slifkin Controversy<br /><br />Dear Nosson הי"ו, <br /><br />As you realized on your last visit, my father, shlita, is unfortunately no longer in a position to discuss the issue of your books. I would like to share with you some ideas I have discussed with him in the past. <br /><br />I have tried to imagine what would have been Rabbi Dessler’s position with regard to the ban against your books. The following three points come to mind: <br /><br />1) Rabbi Dessler advocated a healthy skepticism, to the point of contempt, towards the “conclusions” of scientism, in particular where these challenged the beliefs of a Torah Jew. See the epilogue to Artscroll’s biography of Rav Dessler (p. 365), “Against the worship of Science”. <br /><br />He would not have taken kindly to your attitude that anything reported in “The New Scientist” as fact is to be accepted as such. <br /><br />2) Rabbi Dessler, following in the footsteps of the Maharal, taught us to have the greatest reverence for Chazal and the tremendous siyatta diShmaya and divine insight that permeates all their teachings. <br /><br />I think that his advice to anyone tackling issues of science and Torah would have been to use their knowledge to discover, or come up with, alternative theories that the bias of scientism may have rejected, but may give more credence to Chazal. <br /><br />3) As you may have by now discovered, the main opposition of the Gedolim is to your attempt to “re-educate” or reformulate the thinking of the chareidi community. As one person put it: “your worst crime” was to put haskamos on the books. <br /><br />Rabbi Dessler was uncharacteristically outspoken in his criticism of such attempts (see letters vol. 3). <br /><br />4) Finally, regardless whether I am correct in my assessment of Rabbi Dessler’s attitude to the above, one thing is definite. After the fact, Rabbi Dessler would have accepted the decision of those Rabbanim, Roshei Yeshiva and Mashgichim in whose hands Hashem has entrusted the directions of our generation. When Hashem showed Adam and Moshe, “dor dor vedorshav… manhigav” these are the names on that list. We can get no closer to Hashem’s ratzon than by listening to our Gedolim who have spent their entire lives in ascertaining the emes of Torah. Even if, as a result of all the non-Torah ideas that we have read, their opinion seems to us to be incorrect, Hashem wants us to follow them. Their siyatta diShmaya in knowing what is good for Klal Yisrael is unimaginably greater than ours.<br /><br />Wishing you all the best,<br /><br />Avraham Chaim Carmell<br /><br />P.s. I saw a statement on your website to the effect that “G-d told you that the mabul never happened.” I would like to draw your attention to the Radak who writes that a navi sheker may truly believe that he had a Divine revelation about the falsehood he prophesizes about. He is nevertheless chayav missa, because as a believing Jew, he is required to realize that he has allowed himself to be mislead by his imaginations (or as a horaas sha’a, since he is a danger to Klal Yisrael.)<br /> <br /><br />[Rabbi Carmell is commenting on the following passage:<br /><br />Date: Mon, 27 Oct 2003 11:29:05 +0200 From: Zoo Torah < @zootorah.com> Subject: RE: Basics for Philisophical discussions<br />....<br />Actually, if someone feels that one needs to have a sufficiently qualified authority upon which to rely for the allegorization of the Mabul, then I can provide one. It's a more authoritative source than the Rishonim. More authoritative even than Chazal. It's the Metziyus. Hashem's "diary of history," the physical world, states that there was no global Flood. I think that Hashem is a reliable source (unless, of course, He was deliberately deceiving us...). There is only one metziyus. On the other hand, there are different ways of understanding the Torah....]Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20257999.post-22253013596578254352007-01-24T16:06:00.000+02:002007-01-24T16:06:00.000+02:00I asked RNS your two questions and here is his res...I asked RNS your two questions and here is his response...<br /><br /><< 1 - How can someone nowadays say Chazal is wrong and made mistakes? What right do we have to claim something like that? >><br /> <br />We have a right based on the forty or so prominent Rishonim and Acharonim who said so. It is also fairly explicit in numerous places in the Gemara. The Gemara in Pesachim, for example, says that Chazal had a dispute with the non-Jewish astronomers concerning where the sun goes at night, and Rabbi Yehudah HaNasi conceded that Chazal were wrong.<br />Remember that we are only talking about scientific data, not about halachah.<br /> <br /> <br /><< 2 - Rav Slifkin constantly refers to his rabbaim, but never mentioning their names. Wouldn't it be more prudent to quote the people who is asking? Isn't that halacha? Wouldn't that give it more merit? >><br /> <br />In general I prefer to not name them, because that often results in tremendous pressure being placed upon them to retract their support. I will name my primary mentor in these areas, Rav Aryeh Carmell, who passed away a few months ago. His endorsements of my work, and his essay presenting the same approach, can be found on my website.Rafi G.https://www.blogger.com/profile/00699851287106903971noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20257999.post-4393984268336153212007-01-24T16:05:00.000+02:002007-01-24T16:05:00.000+02:00I want to wish his father a full refuah shleimah a...I want to wish his father a full refuah shleimah and I hope he comes through allright.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20257999.post-36423386570773053812007-01-24T15:51:00.000+02:002007-01-24T15:51:00.000+02:00whats - I will ask RBS your questions..
Be aware, ...whats - I will ask RBS your questions..<br />Be aware, as he said, his father is in grave condition and depending on his condition, he might not be able to answer right away. I do nto know what the status with tat situation is...Rafi G.https://www.blogger.com/profile/00699851287106903971noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20257999.post-54104765213118401652007-01-24T15:45:00.000+02:002007-01-24T15:45:00.000+02:00This is starting to get interesting. but can some...This is starting to get interesting. but can someone please answer these two questions?:<br />1 - How can someone nowadays say Chazal is wrong and made mistakes? What right do we have to claim something like that?<br />2 - Rav Slifkin constantly refers to his rabbaim, but never mentioning their names. Wouldn't it be more prudent to quote the people who is asking? Isn't that halacha? Wouldn't that give it more merit?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20257999.post-66984688748773607972007-01-24T15:29:00.000+02:002007-01-24T15:29:00.000+02:00to whichever anon started this whole thing:
1. I...to whichever anon started this whole thing:<br /><br />1. I read and reread both the ban and RNS' website a few times in the process of deciding for myself (as halacha demands) whether or not I should start reading his books. Ther e were no great chiddushim but there were some insights I got out of the interview. Rafi never claimed to be peter jennings. <br /><br />2. I don't care if you criticize and disagree with rafi or not, we are all individuals. My issue was your tone was demeaning and I simply don't care for critics who hide behing "anonymous". I say what I say, right or wrong", and allow for corrections because people know who I am an dI have to take responsibility for my words and tone. <br /><br />3. There are 2 camps among the banners. Those who banned just the couple of books, and everyone else who can't read the ban and thinks RNS is in cherem. Even those who banned the books only, haven't explained anything, and continue to treat the klal like children who you simply order around. Throw that in with the newest and latest other takanos (education for chareidi women, denim, tznius, new vaad hashomrim to gaurd against en and women gathering together), some of us regular folk get a little tired and disinfranchised with the whole "leadership" thing. <br /><br />4. among those who banned it, if they read it first, good. But for the ones who didn't and some of the responses are "well, R' Elyashiv signed it so I have to also" is pathetic. It's embarrasing and borders on negligence, motzei shem ra, and loshon horah. It also continues to drive the wedge further between the leaders and the people.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com