[Avodah] TIDE and Austritt

[Arie Folger]

On Friday, 11. July 2008 17.33:24 avodah-request at lists.aishdas.org wrote:
>    1. Meetings  at secular events [NOT AT A SEDER] with non-O clergy does
>    not confer legitimacy. This is an old battle and is obsolete. It only
>    confers de facto reality no more than their being a shul presiident or
> to non-Jewish Clergy.  Fro example at Soveit Jewry Rallies non_jewish
> clergy spoek and so did non-O Rabbis. Does not mean that we can ride to
> shul the next shabos.

I respectfully disagree. Where joint appearance could be acceptable and 
desirable, I think religious leaders should blend into the background. Let 
lay leaders do it and you won't confer legitimacy; have religious leaders act 
and you give it willy nilly a strong religious aspect.

BTW, based on my experience as the rabbi of a grossen Gemeinde, or, as it is 
known nowadays, an Einheitsgemeinde, I can tell you that Austritt is an 
important concept that deserves a lot more credit, but it i being abused, as 
well. I a sense, I disagree with the detractors of Austritt as a principle 
and with those who believe that nowadays no legitimation is implied in joint 
appearances with  to'im, but at the same time I must say that there is such a 
thing as excessive Austritt. It is true that current day situations do not 
resemble those of Rav Hirsch's day.

Kol tuv,
-- 
Arie Folger
http://www.ariefolger.googlepages.com