So, yet again, Rabbi Adlerstein has come up with another patronizing post defending indefensible chareidi behaviour because of its alleged sincerity.
Dispensing with the fundamental aspects of his argument is simple enough - rishonim including R' Bachya, the Rambam, the Ralbag, and many others were less willing to cavalierly and disrespectfully dismiss inquiries in deference to the tender sensitivities of the cloistered. The cloistered were invited to close the texts, but (with the exception of the incineration of the Moreh, an experience I imagine Rabbi Adlerstein is loathe to re-create) the texts were written, and were not banned as intrinsically heretical.
More to the point, what I find very uncomfortable about the chareidi approach on so many issues is that it refuses to consider either the costs of its actions or the benefits of what it proscribes.
Take the Israeli army as an easy example. We may or may not be approaching an improved long-term situation. Either way, over the past decades, Israel's neighbors were a significant threat for which military preparedness was necessary. The chareidi response to the legitimate complaints about the deleterious spiritual effects of serving in the army did nothing to improve the situation, and simply ignored the needs for which the army was created. This approach assumes ab initio that the 'real world' is something to be ignored, and is, as I understand it, absolutely contrary to an authentic Torah approach of tikkun olam.
Darn. Now my blood pressure's all elevated.
- Moishe Potemkin
Posted by MoisheP at February 27, 2005 10:45 AMAgreed, it's quite disheartening. I have no problem with individuals retaining whatever level of blissful ignorance required to keep them from going off the deep end, but I seriously question whether that's how we we're supposed to govern our community.
Posted by: Greg at February 27, 2005 07:26 PM