Why Orthodox Judaism Fails

Rabbi Without A Cause, the RCA-affiliated rabbi so loved by Rabbi Gil Student (and so ridiculed by many of Gil's readers and by me) has this to say about the behavior of the 'gedolim' in the Rabbi Slifkin Ban:

[L]abelling books kefirah and someone a kofer is well-within halachah, as is refusing to meet,if the claims are well-grounded. Read the position of Rabbi Akiva in Perek Chelek.

In other words, a shomer Shabbat Jew with recognized smicha wrote a series of books that quoted Rishonim and later authorities. Gedolim labeled those positions heresy, and Rabbi Slifkin a heretic. They refused to meet with him or his representatives. And, when pushed by others to explain themselves, they were left with saying that what was permissible for Maimonides or Nachmanides or Rabbi Samson Rafael Hirsch to believe is not permissible for us.

These rabbinic fools tried to destroy Rabbi Slifkin. They did so with no due process granted to the man they condemned. And who defends their misbehavior? An RCA rabbi.

This is Orthodox Judaism. People, run away from it as fast as you can.

Comments

"This is Orthodox Judaism. People, run away from it as fast as you can."

Where do you want us to run to Shmarya? Do you have a better alternative? I say Orthodox Judaism is the best way of life when practiced properly; this includes being strict with yourself and lenient with others.

[Ari]

That's the point. Today's conception of "Organized Orthodox Judaism" is corrupt and sorely deficient, and leads people AWAY from practicing orthodox Judaism properly.

unliks scotty who is just out there thinking he can get away with ruining everyone who is bigger than he is which is everyone except maybe berel keller. run to torah and run far away from the moshav letzim here.

[Neo-Conservaguy]

The better alternative is the Judaism of the Conservative movement up to about 40 years ago, or that of "Orthodox" visionaries such as R. Hertz z"t. In general, the concept of an orthodox - as in, static - approach to Judaism is, in itself, a modern movement that diverges from the rich history of dynamic change in the halacha. The text, of course, is preserved, but is understood in the context of the time and place. Whoops, there I go sounding like a JTS shill.

[shmuel]

Neo, it's a shame that Conservatism is no longer a halachic movement. And Conservative leaders themselves admit it.

[Sholomanarchy]

Halevai... I don't approach the level of greatness exhibited by Shmarya, spawn of Satan, antichrist to the GGC's christ.

[Scam Alert]

berel keller and scotty rosenschmekel would make a gret pair

[Neandershort]

Rabbi Without a Cause appears to be a loose cannon within the RCA. For the RCA's position on evolution, see:
http://www.rabbis.org/news/article.cfm?id=100635
And Rabbi Weinreb of the O-U publicly supports Rabbi Slifkin, spoke at his book launch and wrote a foreword to his book.

But there is a certain lack of manly courage in the RCA. They need to publicly defy R. Elyashiv and his band of tyrants and stand up for our right to read and study what we wish.

[Yochanan Lavie]

We need a new alternative between Conservative and Orthodox. In a few years, I predict that Conservative (much is moving to the left, and shrinking) will merge with Reform (which is becoming, at least superficially, more traditional). MO now means "plain -clothes Hareidi with a TV set".

[frummeyid]

Shmarya, Gil Student doesn't speak for me, nor does any particular blogger who happens to be an RCA member. The thing about non-chareidi orthodoxy is, we don't have a centralized infallible authority. You know that perfectly well.

I don't agree with everything that my shul rav believes, but his overall worldview is very compatible with what I see as the Torah, my view, and my lifestyle. Continued criticism of those viewpoints with which you disagree (like whitewashing the abhorrent condemnations of Rabbi Slifkin)is appreciated. But writing that those whitewashers speak for all Orthodoxy is wrong and beneath you.

These posts aren't turning me away from Orthodoxy, they are turning me away from your blog.

[Rabbi without a cause]

Frummeyid:

You ought to know better than to believe his comments about me and my positions.

Find me any place where I wrote anything about accepting the anti-Slifkin position. Just the opposite, I have written that I have the Slifkin books, and include them in my shul library.

Shmarya is grasping at straws; his hate and fear blinds him.

[Shmarya]

Nowhere do I say that you "accept the anti-Slifkin position," meaning it is the line you hold. And frummeyid doesn't think I do.

What you have done is defend the indefensible – the abuse of Rabbi Slifkin at the hands of the gedolim. And that is what I ridicule you for.

[Rabbi without a cause]

Really, Shmarya?

Did someone write the words "Rabbi Without a Cause appears to be a loose cannon within the RCA. For the RCA's position on evolution, see:
http://www.rabbis.org/news/article.cfm?id=100635
And Rabbi Weinreb of the O-U publicly supports Rabbi Slifkin, spoke at his book launch and wrote a foreword to his book." and append your name?

[Shmarya]

Huh?

[Rabbi without a cause]

Is "huh" the best you can do?

Integrity would warrant something more like "I'm sorry" followed by an editing of your comments.

[Shmarya]

"Huh?" is perfectly warranted and you, rabbi, are still clueless. I wrote no such thing. Try reading carefully. NO ONE APPENDED MY NAME. Now slink back into your pathetic ghetto.

[Rabbi without a cause]

You're right; chatasi, avisi, pashati. It was neandershort. I read frummeyid's post and didn't check the credit he cited from you. I apologize.

[Yoel]

This website has become a clearing house for negative information about Orthodox Jews, Judaism in practice *and* perhaps even theory. But everything here is so befuddled with obtuse rhetoric and mockery that it is difficult to obtain useful information here. If anything good is to come of this barrage of mockery laced with tidbits of info, more effort is needed to separate the wheat from the chaff. Just in case anyone is actually interested in fixing problems, I hope there is something better than an electronic bathroom wall.