<html>
<body>
I will only respond to part of what Akiva Miller wrote, because I
am sure that many are now bored with this back and forth.<br><br>
At 02:55 PM 4/15/2021,R/ Akiva Miller wrote:<br>
About a rabbi that I referred to but did not name.<br><br>
"I think what you meant was that he raised the level of observance
and Torah<br>
learning of SOME OF his baalei batim."<br><br>
On the contrary, while it is true that those who did not like his
approach left the shul, he eventually attracted a very large following,
much larger than the number of those who left. To this day tapes of
his talks are listened to by many and are reprinted in frum
publications. Also, his books are read by many. All this despite
the fact that he passed in 2001! He is still regarded as a formidable and
influential personality in many Orthodox circles.<br><br>
<blockquote type=cite class=cite cite="">It sounds to me like you would
prefer that this rabbi *would* speak about<br>
such things. Now I'm really confused. If you would prefer shuls that
have<br>
no rabbi and no speeches, then how would these topics be dealt with?<br>
</blockquote><br>
There is nothing confusing. I am not in favor of a rabbi speaking
DURING davening on Shabbos or Yom Tov mornings. However, I am
in favor of a rabbi speaking and writing about important issues during
shiurim or shmusen that are given say a half hour before davening or in
the evening during the week. If this is what a rabbi does, then one
has the choice of going to listen to him or not, instead of being a
captive audience and being forced to endure a long Shabbos or Yom Tov
morning davening.<br><br>
This discussion has involved a lot of back and forth. Let me add
something that a friend of mine used say his father would say about
speaking. His father would say, "Speaking is like drilling for
oil. If you do not make a strike within a few minutes, then
stop boring!" >:-} <br><br>
And let me add that speeches during davening are a relative new
innovation, and were not welcome by many when introduced.<br><br>
From<br><br>
"<a href="https://personal.stevens.edu/~llevine/jp/Architect%20of%20Traditional%20Judaism%20in%20America.pdf">
<font color="#0000FF">Isaac Leeser: Architect of Traditional Judaism in
America</a></font>" <b>The</b> <b>Jewish Press,</b> June 22, 2007,
page 1. <br><br>
<br>
<div align="center">Pioneer Preacher<br><br>
</div>
Lesser felt his role as chazzan at Mikveh Israel required more than
simply leading the prayers at services and teaching the congregants’
children. He considered it his obligation to educate his congregants in a
manner that would improve their commitment to Judaism. As a result,
shortly after he assumed his duties as chazzan, he introduced the
then-radical innovation of regularly delivering a sermon during services
on Shabbos morning. <br><br>
While some appreciated his sermons, most of the congregational leaders
felt that they were not necessary. His preaching was a point of
contention for a long time, and it took thirteen years before the board
of Mikveh Israel formally sanctioned his work as a preacher.<br><br>
<br>
YL</body>
<br>
</html>