Shalom to all.
The recent & tragic loss of Rav Shmuel Auerbach has brought certain paradoxes to the fore.
For those in the know, aspects of ultra-Orthodox Jewry, including between major streams of Chassidus, can maintain positions in direct opposition to each other.
Some not-so-noble followers can get extremely heated up about their side and clash with those against the opposing viewpoint — and not l'shem Shamayim, either (even if they claim otherwise).
There is a reason why Hashem set things up this way, that two equally great Torah scholars can hold opposing views.
Furthermore, even if you personally hold by only one of those views, you are still supposed to treat with great respect the talmid chacham holding the view you oppose.
If you listen to the actual words spoken or written directly by a great rav (whoever he may be) himself, his fire is usually interwoven with great pain and genuine heartfelt concern for Am Yisrael.
Recently, someone wrote me the following regarding people who disparage and slander great Torah scholars:
The recent & tragic loss of Rav Shmuel Auerbach has brought certain paradoxes to the fore.
For those in the know, aspects of ultra-Orthodox Jewry, including between major streams of Chassidus, can maintain positions in direct opposition to each other.
Some not-so-noble followers can get extremely heated up about their side and clash with those against the opposing viewpoint — and not l'shem Shamayim, either (even if they claim otherwise).
There is a reason why Hashem set things up this way, that two equally great Torah scholars can hold opposing views.
Furthermore, even if you personally hold by only one of those views, you are still supposed to treat with great respect the talmid chacham holding the view you oppose.
If you listen to the actual words spoken or written directly by a great rav (whoever he may be) himself, his fire is usually interwoven with great pain and genuine heartfelt concern for Am Yisrael.
Recently, someone wrote me the following regarding people who disparage and slander great Torah scholars:
As an example of the magnitude of what these people are doing to themselves, R’ Chaim Vital writes in Shaarei Kedusha (2-6) that a person who is mevazeh [disparages] a talmid chacham loses his place in Olam Haba and Techiyas Hameisim [Resurrection of the Dead]!
One has to run away from machlokes [controversy].
Even though the yetzer hora will try to convince you that it is a mitzvah, for all of those that are only looking to do the will of H-shem, there are plenty of other mitzvos to do, such as chesed [acts of loving-kindness], learning Torah, being careful not to speak lashon hora [forbidden speech], and to be careful not to get involved in a machlokes.
And just as a reminder: My own beloved son was serving in the IDF until recently — exactly the kind of thing to which Rav Auerbach was vehemently opposed.
Yet I still cherish and respect Rav Auerbach, and mourn his passing. In fact, I even agree with the rav's reasoning!
(For those even more in the know, I also really love the late Satmar Rebbe, the last Lubavitcher Rebbe, and Rav Schach. So there.)
Judaism is harmonious that way, if you're willing to see it.
Yet I still cherish and respect Rav Auerbach, and mourn his passing. In fact, I even agree with the rav's reasoning!
(For those even more in the know, I also really love the late Satmar Rebbe, the last Lubavitcher Rebbe, and Rav Schach. So there.)
Judaism is harmonious that way, if you're willing to see it.
Note: I am referring to a true Torah scholar, and not someone who just has the title of "rabbi" and may even hold a post in a shul or organization and may also be a pretty smart guy, but isn't necessarily a true talmid chacham, either intellectually or personality-wise.
But at the beginning of this post, I hinted that you'd receive some explanation about the paradox and necessity of opposing viewpoints within Torah-true Judaism (i.e., Reform, Conservative, Open Orthodox, Messianic, etc., don't count...no offense).
So here are the links to further explanations:
HaRav HaGaon Shmuel Auerbach ztz"l: Revealed Rebuke is Preferable to Hidden Love (H/T Yeranen Yaakov)
PoleHolders: Paradox #6
This is the sixth in Sarah Yehudit Schneider's video series on paradox according to Torah Judaism.
From her website:
So here are the links to further explanations:
HaRav HaGaon Shmuel Auerbach ztz"l: Revealed Rebuke is Preferable to Hidden Love (H/T Yeranen Yaakov)
PoleHolders: Paradox #6
This is the sixth in Sarah Yehudit Schneider's video series on paradox according to Torah Judaism.
From her website:
"It uses the polarity of Truth and Faith to model a way of grappling with paradox that alters consciousness and expands ones capacity to hold complex truths. It demonstrates how to extract the energy locked inside a paradox and channel it toward growth and change."
The Hashmal Jig (Part 1 of 3)
This is a 3-part piece within the above-mentioned greater series on paradox according to Judaism.
This short video introduces the kabbalistic secret of the energy of consciousness generated from dancing between the poles of a paradox.
For the entire series on paradox, please see the Paradox Series.
(Don't worry about needing to invest a lot of time; they're very short videos of around 7-12 minutes, and VERY enlightening!)
May we only hear good news from now on!
This is a 3-part piece within the above-mentioned greater series on paradox according to Judaism.
This short video introduces the kabbalistic secret of the energy of consciousness generated from dancing between the poles of a paradox.
For the entire series on paradox, please see the Paradox Series.
(Don't worry about needing to invest a lot of time; they're very short videos of around 7-12 minutes, and VERY enlightening!)
May we only hear good news from now on!
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