[Avodah] Are We Trying to Grow?
Joseph Kaplan
jkaplan at tenzerlunin.com
Fri Apr 16 06:41:45 PDT 2021
I note that I didn’t say “completely” comfortable. You added the word “completely” which changed the meaning of my comment. And, with all respect to Rav Yisroel Salanter (and I mean that sincerely), if you are, indeed, quoting him correctly about using the language “getting rid of,” then I would dissent from such a position. (I wonder if he didn’t say something more like “uncomfortable” rather than “getting rid of.”) In fact, my rabbi doesn’t always make me feel comfortable with his words or admonitions or positions. But he’s never insulting to congregants and he doesn’t want to get rid of any congregants. He’s not bothered by congregants who disagree with him or don’t follow his halachic requirements. He’s not looking for — and the congregants are not looking for — a completely homogeneous group or an echo chamber as long as respect and civility are the values and modes of interaction that all, rabbi and congregants alike, share. Of course, as I wrote, some are looking for a more homogeneous environment. And I think it’s wonderful that you found what you’re looking for. But that doesn’t mean it’s the best — it just means it’s the best for you.
Similarly, as to what the ballei battim who left supposedly missed, it is possible, perhaps even likely, that what they found was more meaningful to them. The rabbi they left undoubtedly has certain skills and talents; why do you think the rabbi they found does not have other and different skills and talents that benefit them in other ways that are more important to them and that you're missing out on? We can’t have it all, which, again, is why it’s so wonderful that we have so many different type of shuls and yeshivot and other Orthodox institutions to serve the needs of our diverse Orthodox population.
Joseph
> On Apr 16, 2021, at 9:15 AM, Prof. Levine <larry62341 at optonline.net> wrote:
>
> At 11:27 PM 4/15/2021, Joseph Kaplan wrote:
>> This is why, thank God, we have so many shuls ? aand I say this in a positive tone. I could not possibly belong to or daven regularly in a shul with rabbis of the type RYL describes and my strong guess is that he would probably feel the same about the rabbis of the shul I belong to who are so very different in tone and attitude and philosophy. But by having all these shuls with such very different types of rabbis, we all have the opportunity to each find a shul/minyan in which we feel comfortable to daven and with a leader we can respect. And, my strong guess also is, we'll never convince each other who's right. I know I wouldn't even begin to try. :-)
>
> Regarding finding "a shul minyan in which we feel comfortable to daven with a leader we can respect," let me recall something that I believe Rav Yisroel Salanter said. "Any Rabbi that the Baalei batim do not want to get rid of is not a rov, and any rabbi that the shul does get rid of is not a mensch."
>
> This is what he meant by this. It is the rabbi's job to make the Baalei Batim feel uncomfortable so that they will realize that they need to improve. Someone who is complacent will not feel the need to change anything. On the other hand, the rabbi has to know how far to go with this. He should not press to the point where the Baalei batim fire him.
>
> In light of this, it seems to me that davening in a minyan where one feels completely comfortable is not desirable and will not lead to improvement in Torah learning and doing mitzvos.
>
> Regarding the rabbi who at times spoke harshly, and this led to congregants leaving the shul, let me point out some of what they missed by leaving. This rov gave many gemara shiurim in a most unique way. At most gemara shiurim the person giving the shiur speaks, and those present more often than not listen passively. This rov would learn a piece of gemara for say 5 minutes and then stop. Those present were then supposed to say over that piece of gemara to the person sitting next to them. This method led to many who attended his gemara shiurim being able to make a leining on a piece of gemara. This is something that many never attain.
>
> This rabbi gave many shiurim on Chovos Ha Lavovos on Shabbos afternoons, and a free wheeling hashkofa shiur on Thursday nights. These influenced positively the outlook of many who attended. Attendance at all of his shiurim and the Thursday night talks was not limited to his congregants. Those present spanned the spectrum from Chassidim to even some knitted yarmulkas.
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