[Avodah] Are "Gedolim Stories" Good for Chinuch?

[Micha Berger]

On Thu, Dec 09, 2010 at 08:35:13AM -0500, Prof. Levine wrote:
> The following is one small selection from the article at  
> http://tinyurl.com/29y7utt by Rabbi Simcha Feuerman.
>
> This article is not the first about some the negative aspects of Gedolim 
> books. Rabbi Aharon Feldman wrote about this topic in an article that 
> appeared in the Jewish Observer in 1994.  Please see the article at 
> http://www.yutorah.org/showShiur.cfm?shiurID=704426 pages 213 - 214 for 
> what Rabbi Dr. J. J. Schacter wrote about Rabbi Feldman's comments.
>
> The following comments by Rabbi Feuerman were for me particularly  
> striking, because they relate to a famous story about one of my "heroes."

Here's my problem...

1- The previous article had a problem with drawing too superlative of
of a picture of our gedolim, without showing their humanness, because
this turns the gedolim into another kind of being rather than a role
model you can emulate.

2- This essay discusses the dangers of telling stories of them doing
things that are within our reach, because
> Of course these stories model acts of compassion and decency, and  
> deserve recognition.  Sadly though, I fear there is a hidden and subtle 
> message of surprise being conveyed along with these stories, as they 
> suggest that basic human compassion and decency is an astounding ethical 
> feat...

So what's left? Not having role models at all?

>                         Either we are surprised to see great people 
> behave in a human and kindhearted manner, or we consider it to be an act 
> that only a true tzaddik can achieve.

Or, that even the great and powerful "stoop" to do small kindnesses for
the little guy -- why don't you?

:-)BBii!
-Micha

-- 
Micha Berger             "The worst thing that can happen to a
micha at aishdas.org        person is to remain asleep and untamed."
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