By: Harry Maryles
Published: August 15th, 2012
Photo Credit: Uri Lenz/Flash90
I generally do not respond to patronizing comments on my blog. The following comment by Ben Dov (...don’t know if that is his real name or an alias) was flagged for moderation - and I debated deleting it for that reason. However the questions he raises are common ones and deserve answers. Although I have dealt with these questions in the past in one fashion or another, I will deal with them here in a stand alone post. Here is his comment in its entirety:
You are reverting to the role of social critic of haredim. I think this is a waste of your time, for reasons I have pointed out before. You are proud to invoke Rav SZ Auerbach as someone who did not wear blurring glasses. Well, it is also true that Rav Shlomo Zalman did not spend hours picking at the flaws of those outside his own community i.e. dati leumi. People are flawed and one could fill a book- maybe an encyclopedia- of haredi flaws. But you seem proportionately less interested in problems close to you.
Here is a list for starters. Anyone who disagrees with the list could compose a different one:
1. Why do so many MO Jews not even know the words to bracha of Asher Yatzar?
2. Why was the MO siyum hashas a trickle compared to the Agudah siyum?
3. What is the MO alternative to the Asifa- why has MO Rabbinic leadership done so little about internet issues?
4. How many MO parents want their children to be Rabbis and Jewish educators?
5. Why do many MO Jews have only a hazy commitment to Torah practices and doctrines?
6. Why are many MO youth sent to college and/or co-ed dormitories without adequate guidance and supervision?
7. What is a bigger nachas to an MO parent- that their son finished Shas or attained economic/professional prestige?
8. Who are more often the heroes of MO youth- media celebrities or gedolai Torah (of any stripe).
9. While preparing for parnasa is totally respectable, how many MO Jews believe God and bitachon have anything to do with their success as opposed to university admissions offices and other secular factors?
Rabbi Harry, if you share my concerns, why not write about it? If you don't, what are your concerns about MO? What do MO Rabbanim and principals think are the crucial battles facing their communities?
Are all these issues so uninteresting to you?
Read More:
http://www.jewishpress.com/blogs/haemtza/the-nine-questions/2012/08/15/0/?print
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