העורך Editor

Halachic Positions Influenced by ‘Private Ambition and Personal Interests’?!

Quoting an interview with Rabbi Yaakov Yosef Auerbach, rabbi of Ramat Chen for close to fifty years:

At one point in our discussion, the Rebbe put his hand on my shoulder. “I wanted to ask: Have you been involved in the current debate taking place among the rabbis of Eretz Yisrael?” In those days, a heated Halachic controversy had erupted on some serious questions concerning Jewish matrimonial law and conversion to Judaism. Some rabbis had taken a “lenient” position on these issues, while other, more charedi authorities were more traditional.

…

Clarifying his questions, the Rebbe added: “I know that there are some rabbis in Israel who have become involved in politics, and their Halachic positions must be treated with caution, since they may be politically motivated. But I also know that your uncle, Rabbi Shlomo Zalman, has nothing to do with politics. That’s why I’d like to know his position.”

I told the Rebbe that I was very close with one of the rabbis at the heart of the debate, and because of all the controversy, I turned to my uncle for his views on the matter. He told me that he, too, had been personally acquainted with the same rabbi as a young man; they had both been considered prodigies, and they have studied together for a time. “His Halachic views,” my uncle asserted of this rabbi, “are mixed with private ambition and personal interests.”

When I pressed my uncle, he refused to elaborate: “I have told you what I needed to say; anything more is gossip. I don’t want to speak about it any further.”

Interestingly, on my return to Israel, I gave my uncle a detailed account of my audience with the Rebbe. When I mentioned what the Rebbe had said of him – that he was apolitical, and that his Halachic views were devoid of ulterior motives – he gave a slight nod. I know that my uncle had great respect for the Rebbe – he would occasionally hand me one of the Rebbe’s published talks and say that I would benefit from learning it – but he didn’t know how well the Rebbe knew him. When I told him how deeply affected I had been from my audience with the Rebbe, he gave another gesture with his head, acknowledging how fortunate I had been to meet him.

Read the rest here…

I Asked ChatGPT: ‘Write Witty and Punchy Song Re Mitzva of Saying Shnayim Mikra’

(Verse 1)
Oh, let me tell you ’bout a mitzvah that’s divine,
It’s called Shnayim Mikra, and it’s oh so fine.
You read the Torah twice, every single week,
It’s a mitzvah that’s unique, let me take a peek!

(Chorus)
Shnayim Mikra, Shnayim Mikra, it’s the way to go,
Reading the Torah twice, it’s a mitzvah to know.
With each verse you read, you’ll gain wisdom and insight,
Shnayim Mikra, oh what a delight!

(Verse 2)
From Genesis to Deuteronomy, you’ll explore,
The stories, the laws, and so much more.
With each reading, you’ll uncover hidden gems,
Discovering the Torah’s wisdom, like priceless gems.

(Chorus)
Shnayim Mikra, Shnayim Mikra, it’s the way to go,
Reading the Torah twice, it’s a mitzvah to know.
With each verse you read, you’ll gain wisdom and insight,
Shnayim Mikra, oh what a delight!

(Bridge)
So grab your Chumash, let’s dive right in,
With Shnayim Mikra, the journey begins.
From the weekly portion, you’ll learn and grow,
Unleashing the Torah’s magic, let it flow!

(Chorus)
Shnayim Mikra, Shnayim Mikra, it’s the way to go,
Reading the Torah twice, it’s a mitzvah to know.
With each verse you read, you’ll gain wisdom and insight,
Shnayim Mikra, oh what a delight!

(Outro)
So let’s embrace this mitzvah, let’s make it our own,
With Shnayim Mikra, our Torah knowledge will be known.
So grab your Chumash, and let’s start the show,
Shnayim Mikra, it’s time to grow!

Techeiles: The ‘Gedolim’ Set the Tone

A friend told me he wants to wear Techeiles, but cannot (in his mind) since he still needs to marry off his sons.

I’m not saying the man is justified, but one thing is sure: the “Gedolim” who unexcusably delay the normalization of Techeiles (while also unforgivably delaying marriage for youth…) will pay for this!