[Avodah] Rav Cherlow's Post

[Ben Waxman via Avodah]

https://www.facebook.com/RabbiCherlow/posts/1442987509096046

In response to a question regarding a psak that supposedly allows women 
to recite Sheva Brachot and an accusation that certain rabbis are 
distorting the halacha because of feminism, Rav Cherlow wrote a 
response. I am summarizing a few points. Full text is in the link above..

Introduction: Your words are a perfect example of how someone can break 
the Torah's most serious commandments and yet act as if he is a yirei 
shamayim.

1) Never learn a psak halacha from a newspaper article. The psak is in 
Techumim and had you read it you would have seen that it has nothing to 
do with women reciting Sheva Brachot. Meaning, your accusation makes you 
guilty of motzei shem rah and distorting the Torah.

2) Never mock rabbis (or anyone) because you disagree with their 
opinions. Mocking people publicly is one of the most serious aveirot.

3) Never use a nickname for others, in this case "Dati Light".

4) Always be careful about generalizing.

5) Never accuse someone of being guilty of what you assume to be their 
hidden motivations. You don't know and accusing someone violates 
"M'devar sheker tirchaq". More importantly, you're assuming that you're 
a tzaddiq and don't have an agenda.

6) Never use a group name to mock someone. The Torah world owes feminism 
a great debt for things its done (Talmud Torah for women, leading the 
fight against sexual harassment, etc) along with strong criticism for 
other things done in its name.

7) Always try and live according to Halacha as it is written. Don't have 
other gods, like opposition to chiddushim.

8) Bring halachic arguments to halachic discussions.

Ben