Two weeks ago, I wrote about my wedding, co-officiated by the Bostoner Rebbe, z’tl, and Rabbi Stanley Steinhart, the former Conservative rabbi of the Jericho Jewish Center, Jericho, Long Island. The reality is that today if the Belzer Rebbe, the Skuleiner Rebbe, the Bialer Rebbe, or in fact, almost any orthodox Rabbi from almost anywhere were to co-officiate with any Conservative rabbi, there would likely be people who would be VERY upset!!
They seem to say that Orthodox is right and every other way is wrong. So wrong, that in the eyes of many, one can’t even refer to non-Orthodox rabbis as rabbis. But that is not necessarily what they are saying. Most rabbis concentrate their efforts on their congregants, and don’t mention people who don’t hold to “halachic” standards. And this is as it should be. The rabbi is there to be a guide and model of what being a proper Jew is like.
Recently we participated in a Hachnosat Orchim Shabbat, a lovely way to bring the community closer. But if it that were to include, in particular, Jews who are not Shomer Shabbat, that would be even more lovely. That’s why Chabad is so popular among people from virtually all backgrounds—even, frequently, among non-Jews. Even though, in many ways Lubavitcher live Torah in a fashion that may be seen by some to be extreme, they are nevertheless very widely accepted and admired. It is a beautiful example of being a model of what should be and not focusing ones effort on putting down those who disagree.
My wife and I get Ami magazine every week, and frequently pick up Mishpacha magazine. While I find that many of the articles are well-written and very worthwhile, I don’t enjoy reading the editorials (I generally don’t any more, and am even getting turned off to the magazines as a result of them). They are frequently diatribes against any rabbinic leader or organization that doesn’t toe the line. Whether it be Rabbi Riskin, Rabbi Wise, Yeshiva University, Chovevei Torah, Yeshivat Maharat or any other person or organization, if it doesn’t agree with “Das Torah” (whatever that is), it is treyf, bad, forbidden, ossur. And, of course, Das Torah is selectively defined in the very particular way that is used by that group, often in radical distinction to the way another group uses it.
I count among my friends some wonderful Jews who are Chassidim—Tosher Chassidim, Belzer Chasssidim, Satmer Chassidim, etc, etc. But I get very upset with Neturei Karta who are defined by what they vehemently oppose, and the leadership and the attitude of some members of many of these groups. Not because of what they are for, but because of what they are so venomously opposed to. They can believe whatever they choose to (though I may disagree), but they have no right to thoroughly denounce my (or almost anyone else’s) ideas!
Until the Moshiach comes and sets everyone straight and likely surprises all of us out of our minds!
Dr. Glick was a clinical psychologist in private practice for 35 years as well as a rabbi of Congregation Ahavat Yisroel. If you would like to submit a question, or contact him for an appointment, he can be reached at [email protected] or by calling him at 201-983-1532. Please feel free to contact him regarding this (or any) topic. You can do so anonymously by writing to [email protected] .
By Rabbi Mordechai Glick
