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Rabbi Avraham Abulafiah on attaining prophecy…

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I quote Ami magazine of Nissan 5776 p. 56 – 57 in an article about Charedi political organs and the lurid goings on of these ugly organs, past and present:

As far as chasidish and Litvish go, the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah historically had representation from both groups…

I recall an episode that occurred during the time of Rav Zalman Sorotzkin. In his era, the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah of Agudas Yisrael had the greatest Rebbes on the chasidish side and the greatest roshei yeshiva on the Litvish side, including the roshei yeshiva of Mir and Chevron, among others.

The Moetzes was debating a certain issue, and both sides presented their opinions. The Litvish party, led by Rav Sorotzkin, took one approach, while the chasidish group, led by the Gerrer Rebbe, held fast to the opposite approach. The issue was strongly debated, and when a vote was finally cast, the majority sided with the chasidish opinion and Rav Sorotzkin “lost” the vote.

Rav Sorotzkin conceded defeat but added with a smile, “I might have lost, but on my side were Rav Sarna, Rav Finkel, Rav Chevroni, myself…” He listed the others who had supported his perspective. “And who was on the other side?” he continued in jest. “The Gerrer Rebbe un alle Rebbes (and all the Rebbes)…” Of course, all this was said with a positive spirit and a deeply entrenched sense of unity.

End.

Comments:

1. Of course, all this was said with a positive spirit and a deeply entrenched sense of unity. Of course! Who could think otherwise?
2. Will we grant “equal voting rights” to Chassidim on the Sanhedrin court as well?

There is a misquotation invariably cited in many discussions of common custom:

פוק חזי מאי עמא דבר

Translation: Go out and see what is commonly done.

But the context is predictably missing. This rule applies only in cases of doubt, not certainty. If you know what the truth is, all the people in the world acting otherwise does not count for anything.

Here is one sample of the rule (and all other sources match) from Eruvin 14b:

אמר ליה רבא בר רב חנן לאביי הילכתא מאי אמר ליה פוק חזי מאי עמא דבר