I would rather not post about this because it is unlikely to sway opinions and likely to attract criticism. However, I think there are times to stand up for Hashem and His values and say things that would be much easier to be silent about. 🧵1/9
This is especially true when it doesn't seem others are saying it as clearly and non-defensively as I believe it should be said. So here goes: 2/9
As I have articulated many times in writing, from the pulpit & in private consultation we must be sensitive to the struggles of those who are trying to fit into multiple worlds incl attempting to reconcile their orientation or identity with a Halachically observant lifestyle. 3/9
A few thoughts on this incredible video getting around: 1) Nobody can compare with or replace R' Chaim ztvk"l but we are blessed to have other rebbeim with superhuman love of and concentration in Torah. We should appreciate them while we have them. 1/5
2) "I didn't hear if it is a boy or girl, I was concentrating on the Shulchan Aruch." Rav Schachter is one of the most sensitive & emotional people I know. He cherishes his family and absolutely loves his children and grandchildren. 2/5
This video doesn't mean he lacks a heart, it means it is big enough to also love Torah and Hashem so much that he wanted to finish giving them attention before turning to his amazingly good news. 3/5
Tonight, 8:30pm community wide tribute to Rav Chaim zt"l.
As I mentioned on the Shabbos right after the world went a little darker, when we went from simcha to yagon and to a state of eivel gadol l'yehudim, Rav Chaim was the greatest repository of Torah on earth. 1/4
We walked the same globe with him, breathed the same air, but we lived in different worlds entirely. We aren't expected to be like him, but we must appreciate how fortunate and blessed we were to live in a generation with such a giant in whose merit we gained so much. 2/4
He didn't have any of the trapings of physical royalty, he wouldn't be described as physically impressive, charismatic, or a brilliant orator, but he was our Sar Ha'Torah, a spiritual king, grand, royal and a walking sefer Torah. 3/4
Don't send me what the rabbi from Texas believes about Israel, gun laws or anything else. It won't change the concern I had for him when he was being held hostage or my feeling connected to him as a fellow Jew now. I am shocked & offended that you would suggest it should. 1/4
To state the obvious - My concern and prayers for him don't mean I agree, condone or support everything about him but that is not how ahavas yisroel works. 2/4
If your biological brother or sister were held hostage, would you not pray for them or care about them because you have a list of things you disagree vociferously about, because they aren't observant or they don't match your politics?
3/4
There are parts of the Israeli-Arab conflict that are complicated & even intractable, but what is happening now is not. It is straighforward and simple. If Hamas stops firing rockets, there will be calm and peace. 1/4
If Israel stops defending herself, there will be mass casualties and murder of innocent men, women and children. 2/4
To all those focusing on imbalance of power, disproportionate use of force, etc. my question is simple - what do you suggest Israel do while 1,000 rockets are raining down on innocent citizens all over the country? 3/4
1/14 As a rabbi, the moment something significant, if not historic occurs, there is pressure to weigh in, put out a statement or write a post. The luxury of time to process, think, study, consider and consult is gone. In the absence of commenting immediately people draw their own
2/14 conclusions and assumptions about what you believe. So while I wish I had time, here it goes:
3/14 What happened yesterday needs no nuance and should take no time to comment on. The attack on our Capitol and on our Democracy, both the symbolism of it and more importantly the physical attack, was horrific, reprehensible, indefensible and intolerable. It was categorically