Gedolei Yisrael

The Charedi world is abuzz about last Thursday'ss Agudath Israel convention. The opening session was dedicated to the blogosphereee. Recently information is circulating through the community of Charedi bloggers about a situation which could only have arisen with the complicity of rabbinic leadership. A rebbe at a prominent Brooklyn Yeshiva was acaccused of molesting students over a period of decades. Suit was filed against the school for $20,000,000.00 (the details are readily available elsewhere and not necessary to repeat ). The situation has received the major part of its publicity through the work of bloggers.

Now for the punch line, the accused rebbe worked summers for Camp Agudah, a division of Agudath Israel of America. Therefore, if a former camper came forward the Agudah is squarely in the crosshairs. Thus, the speeches given at the opening session were an attempt to deflect potential liability. Torah Nobility behaving like tobacco Industry executives denying the carcinogenic properties of tobacco is an inescapable conclusion. Or is it?

These types of situations are so repugnant and contrary to aTorah centered way of life that this would not be the topic of everyday conversation. Additionally, an acaccusation is not a fact and not every pointing finger is an ensign of truth. Therefore, in the interest of protecting all involved, when serious charges made against an educator, or an institution an investigation is called for. In fact a through background check should be conducted prior any new hire at a synagogue or Yeshiva or Beth Jacob school. Unfortunately, it has come to this but better an ounce of prevention. An attempt to act with discretion evidently has the effect of allowing an intolerable situation to fester and an impression is created that the chinuch professional's conduct is condoned by his/her employer(s). This last result not only causes a chillul Hashem but magnifies the chillul Hashem exponentially.

It would be irresponsible to assert Gedolei Torah were actively aware about this or other similarly deplorable situations. However, Gedolei Yisrael's behavior must be above reproach. A Rav or Rosh Yeshiva or Admor may not be not exemplars of perfection but as leaders these people are role models. Persons who influence young people whose skills of critical thought are still developing have an especially great responsibility.

No sheker, falsehood is tolerated throughout the community of Torah study from Talmudic times to an opinion expressed in a contemporary yeshiva. Any statement made by sage or student is subjected to extensive review. Every yeshiva student knows any opinion or observation he may offer is open to question. The transmission of Torah both scripture and oral law was not limited to any scholarly caste but to the whole nation. The trtransparencyf Torah knowledge's transmission is often cited as the basis for its validity. The greatest are not just the smartest but must be the best all around. Anyone who presents his position as borne of a G-D/Torah based consciousness, Daath Torah demands obedience because it strikes a chord of truth not because of is a proclamation or promulgation by persons who occupy positions of leadership.

It is precisely because a leader pepersonifies the Torah's truth do his words and actions carry weight. True stories are legion of behavior may not be readily understood{a leader may have deeper perception of Torah than a layperson] however there exists a fine line between dedeferring to a greater person's perception and the exploitation and manipulation of the community through the aegis of religious authority and the laity's sincere belief.


G-D forbid, to think that there is no leadership in our generation in our country or this lapse disqualifies Gedolei Yisrael from being heeded. On the other hand the community must demand the best and unassailable behavior from those who teach, transmit and bear testimony through their lives to Torah's D-vine character.

Threats

Arutz Sheva reported the Geulat Yisrael Synagogue had its windows broken out with the Graffiti "If we can't march in Jerusalem, You will not walk in Tel Aviv"

If there is any doubt that the arrogance pride parade is not a bid for tolerance or acceptance but a militant threat. This is not a group of folks expressing a point of view.

Reasonable people can disagree but threats must be defeated without compromise.

ARROGANCE OF AUTHORITY,SHAME AS PRIDE

There are rules allowing for mutiny.
1 If commanders give conflicting/ confusing orders
2 Or soldiers are commanded to carry out orders that spell near certain death and that this will serve no military purpose.
3 When in the field a commander emotionally/mentally falls apart and cannot coherently lead.
4 If orders are given that go against all decency or morality, - killing unarmed prisoners, an order to rape enemy females etc . . . . Orders that reduce soldiers beyond the role of warriors to amoral thugs and sadists.

Violence as a response to the arrogance parade scares. It would be unfortunate for violence to break out. However, despite how distasteful it may be violence may be the only appropriate response to this parade. The paraders are not participating in mere advocacy but in an in your face challenge, calculated to offend and provoke. The paraders' agenda is not the assertion of civil rights but to rewrite the moral foundations of Torah (see what Rabbi Fienstein ZZVK'L wrote in the Igrot Moshe Orach Chaim IV:115 ) and the standard adopted by most of the civilized world.
Those who seek to decivilize society and make it less holy (Rashi beginning of Parashat Kedoshim) have to be stopped even with some force as necessary

Who will the police protect? Where does duty lie, both the police and the government? In protecting those who believe in civility and morality or with those who seek to destroy.

Similarly, soldiers have their job to do, their commanders and civilian leaders must lead in a manner that builds a united force bound by Jewish history and Jewish values the same as the government by guided by Torah based values.