Q&A: Does the Rabbi think that the Orthodox religious consensus thinks that his views are still within the bounds of the Orthodox consensus?
Does the Rabbi think that the Orthodox religious consensus thinks that his views are still within the bounds of the Orthodox consensus?
Question
Hello and blessings,
I’ve spent quite a number of hours looking through your writings, and I’ve also seen that there is sharp criticism against you. I’m very glad that the Rabbi takes all criticism as legitimate. But it’s hard for me to assess whether the Rabbi’s views are within the boundaries of the Orthodox consensus. I assume the Rabbi thinks so. But in light of things the Rabbi says that are controversial…
I wanted to know whether he thinks that the Orthodox religious consensus still considers his views legitimate.
If the question isn’t clear, I’ll explain by way of something similar, in the hope that you’ll understand what I mean. For example, if tomorrow a group were to arise in India and decide that it is Jewish and observe the entire Torah, that still wouldn’t make it Jewish, even if for the sake of argument after some time a few rabbis recognized it as Jewish, while the overwhelming majority of the public did not recognize it—this still would not make it Jewish (meaning the members of the group).
What gives a Jew the right to be called Jewish is his connection to Judaism, and that connection is derived from recognition by the Jewish consensus (though there can still be cases, for example like some Chabad members who do not recognize Ethiopians as Jewish, while in practice the majority of the Jewish people does recognize them as Jewish).
In practice, I’m asking the same question about connection to Judaism with regard to the Rabbi’s views.
Does the Rabbi think there is an Orthodox religious group large enough that sees his views as legitimate?
Answer
Ask the consensus what it thinks. Why should I answer on its behalf?
Discussion on Answer
I didn’t think this was written to provoke, but the question seems entirely meaningless to me. I have no interest in finding this out, since the answer would not make the slightest difference for me. As far as I’m concerned, Judaism is what I think it is, and in my opinion that’s how it should be for you too. So I don’t understand why a question like this interests anyone or seems relevant to his life. You’re supposed to form a position based on what seems right to you, not on what seems right to one group or another.
Maybe you’ll find column 63, which deals with this, of interest.
So far I’ve mostly gotten answers (from Rabbi Stav, Aviner, etc.) like, “I’m not familiar with his writings.” It seems the Rabbi doesn’t mingle much in accepted rabbinic circles. Of the rabbis who are accepted by the broader public, which of them would the Rabbi recommend I ask?
By the way, what does the Rabbi think about the argument that recognition by the consensus is what makes one part of the “Orthodox” camp (similar to the argument regarding belonging to Judaism)?
I answered that these questions bore me and aren’t relevant to anything. If you enjoy dealing with empty, meaningless definitional matters, then enjoy.
Rabbi, these questions are very relevant. I don’t understand faith very well, so I want a certification of kashrut for your words, just as I’m not much of an expert in kashrut and therefore I eat only in places that have kosher certification. Again, everything here is for reasons of efficiency. In light of the fact that you seem to claim that kosher certification is not relevant to the matter, and in light of the fact that right now I want to continue observing Orthodox Jewish law, I’d appreciate it if at the very least you would explain to me, or direct me to relevant materials, that explain the ingredients of your wares (your words/writings) and why they are kosher in the eyes of Orthodox Jewish law.
There’s nothing to understand in faith. One must believe. You have to decide what you believe, not hold lotteries and choose by numbers.
The Rabbi himself says that “there is nothing in Judaism besides Jewish law,” yet when I ask him whether the main points of what he says, the components of his belief, are kosher according to Orthodox Jewish law, the Rabbi refuses to answer me on the substance of the question and dismisses the question outright. How do I know I’m not violating a prohibition by studying the Rabbi’s words?
Because there is no prohibition against studying anyone’s words. You have to form your position as you see fit, and not read whatever some group has decided is permitted to read. I’ve explained this again and again, and this whole bizarre discussion is unnecessary. That’s it, I’m really done.
I’m in the process of sampling the consensus. I asked you for reasons of efficiency, and also to get your point of view. I have not the slightest doubt that the Rabbi knows this issue personally and can reflect a broader sample.
I’m not just asking you to provoke you; I even bought one of your books. I’m doing this because in my current journey I want to focus on building an Orthodox Jewish religious identity, or alternatively to leave religion. At the moment I’m not interested in examining other alternatives.