[Avodah] Defining concern for the klal

[Rich, Joel]

RJR wrote:
> And where do you see the pirud disappearing, or is this not a goal? 
> (I'm reminded of a cartoon of a mathematical proof which ends in "and 
> then there was a miracle" - perhaps in a way this describes a very 
> basic philosophical issue - how much weight do we focus on the 
> individual/micro halachik issues (the knife is not tamei) and say 
> hkb"h will take care of the big picture and how much on the 
> community/macro issues (yes you all gave tzedaka but we still need to 
> feed the hungry))

Is there no chessed done by Os for non-Os? No 'hevra qadischa? No soup
kitchens? No chaplains and biqur 'holim services that include the
non-Os? No help in navigating the maze of doctors and hospitals for
those in need for them? No day schools that also take in not-yet-Os?

All of the above are done, as is also political and legal advocacy for
Jews and for the Jewish Land. You think that that is pirud? Sure, it
ain't perfect, but it is a lot better than if we were fighting for our
rights within a constraining system, which is exactly what happens when
you force all into a single umbrella structure. Tell me, is it easy to
change funding priorities at UJA-Federation? Can you get them to include
Yesh residents with no problem? 'Hareidim? Or is there a lot of politics
in order to get just little changes?

Plus, how about how one feels for the klal? Rav Yosef Chaim Sonnefeld is
rumored to have been spotted by his gabbai mumbling a prayer as secular
school children where marching through the streets. When prompted about
it, he, the zealous fighter, replied that they are Jewish children. You
call that pirud?

Sure, we can do a lot more to achieve unity, but organizational unity
with those whose behaviour unfortunately detracts from our mission does
not necessarily bring about (in fact, from my experience, likely
hampers) unity.
--
Arie Folger
============================================================

WADR I carefully chose the phrase "how much weight do we focus" so as to
avoid a counterexample as a pircha.  I also have no opinion on the
organizational issues you raise and never claim to know how anyone
feels, just the evidence of how their actions and decisions are
perceived in public.

I think a great example of the difference in approach is the letter
concerning a "draft" for orthodox chaplains from R' YBS found in C-C-C.
He deals with the micro halachik and the broad scope implications, in
particular the role of the Jew in society in general and the role of the
orthodox Jew in the perception of our "unchurched" Jewish brethren (and
not just those who come to us).

KT
Joel Rich

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