An Encounter With Greatness
A haredi yeshiva student visited with haredi leader Rabbi Aaron Leib
Shteinman (pictured at right) recently. The student, who claimed to have lost the motivation
to continue studying full time in yeshiva, asked for Shteinman’s
advice, telling Shteinman that he was considering enlisting in Israel’s
military.
Rabbi Aaron Leib Shteinman
An Encounter With Greatness
Shmarya Rosenberg • FailedMessiah.com
Yeshiva World reports that a haredi yeshiva student visited with haredi leader Rabbi Aaron Leib Shteinman recently. The student, who claimed to have lost the motivation to continue studying full time in yeshiva, asked for Shteinman’s advice, telling Shteinman that he was considering enlisting in Israel’s military.
Shteinman responded by instructing him to “travel to India” rather than join the IDF.
When the student left Shteinman’s attendants asked him why he told the student to travel to travel to India of all places.
“What do I know? Perhaps they sent him and he has a recording device in his pocket. Afterwards he will go to the radio and the media and publicize what I said, that I told him that he can go into the IDF,” Shteinman reportedly replied.
smart man.
Posted by: netflix | March 14, 2013 at 08:24 AM
Ha Ha! Sounds like an excerpt from a Woody Allen book ... freestyle fleeing champion ...
The leaders of that world are anointed based on criteria that are at complete odds with a healthy, vibrant, normal, ETHICAL, MORAL, and truly pious society.
No surprise, but truly amusing story. Thank you Shmarya!
Posted by: Pard | March 14, 2013 at 08:30 AM
Actually the student should visit this blog. I just got a pop-up confirming my eligibility for 11 million dollars in prizes after clicking on this link. Imagine how many people this student could help keep in kollel with that kind of money.
Posted by: Garnel Ironheart | March 14, 2013 at 08:38 AM
what a repugnant moron this shtaynman is. starting from his appearance, his clothing thru the s-it that comes cout of his mouth.
Posted by: Yosef ben Matitya | March 14, 2013 at 09:28 AM
Maybe in India he'll convert to Hinduism.
Posted by: Yochanan Lavie | March 14, 2013 at 09:33 AM
Profound !
Luke.
Posted by: Luke | March 14, 2013 at 09:34 AM
what a repugnant moron this yosef ben matitya is. Starting from the fact he has no respect for an elder who has more life experiance and knowledge then you could ever dream to comprehend
Posted by: Yeshiva Bachur | March 14, 2013 at 09:35 AM
הודו לה׳ כי טוב
Posted by: Lo K'darkah | March 14, 2013 at 09:41 AM
Is this guy supposed to be like double holy cause ha has two beards? Roflmao
Posted by: Gopjew | March 14, 2013 at 10:07 AM
Hey Yeshiva Bachur, your comment raises a good point. "an elder who has more life experience and knowledge" is actually misleading and a big part of the problem.
The leaders of right wing orthodox Jews may be Talmudic scholars, and they may have experience with a specific subset of communal issues that they are exposed to during their reign. This is in no way comprehensive knowledge on matters that are required to guide a Nation.
The appointed leaders seem to have rejected the fundamental enterprise of looking inward at their own communities to adapt to the very real and changing challenges that emerge with every new day. It would seem that an Orthodox community is fundamentally flawed and it's leadership in need of change, if they have no real plan to honestly and productively interact with the host societies.
You can draw very clear parallels between fundamentalist Muslim communities and the right wing Orthodox Jews. Ingratitude, intolerance, dishonestly are the actual values being implemented by their societies, regardless of their stated values.
Posted by: Pard | March 14, 2013 at 10:38 AM
Yeshiva Bachur -
YBM is right. Shteinmans experience is limited to reading old books. and he doesnt even understand their words enough to apply them properly.
and why does he have a rasta beard ?
Posted by: ah-pee-chorus | March 14, 2013 at 10:51 AM
good one, pard.
Posted by: ah-pee-chorus | March 14, 2013 at 10:52 AM
Yeshiva Bochur, learning the Talmud, works of Gaonim, and the stupidity of "chassidis" does not make anyone knowledgeable. This guy probably has almost no grasp on Jewish philosophy or any secular subjects which promotes rational and critical thought.
Life experience in an insular community is absolutely worthless.
Posted by: (The other) Eli | March 14, 2013 at 10:55 AM
I'm sorry, but if you are so bent on giving your advice based on what you think might be going on in the corruption, you have fastened fraud to your liability. This rabbi who is esteemed has lost his own resolve to solve problems for the justice of the community. And so it goes...
Posted by: western jew | March 14, 2013 at 04:04 PM
You guys are PATHETIC!
Rav Shteinman has been attacked by your enemies because he has told guys who weren't learning to join the IDF (http://www.nkusa.org/activities/Demonstrations/monsey102304.cfm).
Also, How do you like THIS quote from the Jerusalem Post: "Steinman was also the only member of Degel Hatorah's council of Torah sages that openly supported the Nahal haredi"? http://www.jpost.com/JewishWorld/JewishNews/Article.aspx?id=21972
He has guts AND integrity. Do YOU?
Posted by: klaus | March 14, 2013 at 07:47 PM
klaus - he just told a guy who didnt want to learn anymore to go to india instead of the army. for which part of that should i applaud shteinman?
Posted by: ah-pee-chorus | March 14, 2013 at 09:37 PM
Apologies to George Harrison ("My Sweet Lord")
Oy mein zeis Reb
Oy oy mein Reb
Oy oy mein Reb
I really want to smell you
Really want to kvell with you
Really want to eat gebrochts
right from your beard, mein Reb
Oy mein zeis Reb
Oy oy mein Reb
Oy oy mein Reb
I really want to pray with you
Shockle night and day with you
Really want to braid your beard
So it ain't so long, mein Reb
Oy mein zeis Reb (hairy kishka)
Oy Oy mein Reb (hairy kishka)
Oy mein zeis Reb (Kasha Varnishkas)
Oy oy mein Reb (do the dishes)
I really want to smell you (hairy touchas)
I really want to kvell with you (hairy touchas)
I really want to eat gebrochts
right from your beard mein Reb (hairy touchas)
Oy mein zeis Reb (bumalouchus)
Oy oy mein Reb (auf dein touchas)
Oy mein zeis Reb (Ger und Breslov)
Oy oy mein Reb (Belz und Lubov)
Oy mein zeis Reb (Vishnitz kugel)
Oy oy mein Reb (Spinka rugglaach)
Oy mein zeis Reb (Sqverer gotkes)
Oy oy mein Reb (Bobov latkes)
etc. etc.
fade
Posted by: dapper danny | March 14, 2013 at 09:37 PM
And that filthy flea-infested double-beard is a sign of someone holy?
It is an absolute disgrace and a Chillul Hashem!
Posted by: David | March 14, 2013 at 11:10 PM