I've been reading the posted letters and appreciate the passion they express. But, I am disturbed by the fact that so many of us are choosing to remain anonymous. Is it that we are afraid we'll be labeled a "Tziyoini" or "Charedi" or a "Koifer"? Is it that we're afraid that "Si'vet Shattin tzim shiddach"? Do we really have to be afraid to disagree in legitimate issues for fear of being labeled? Can we not have strong feelings on these burning issues and still respect each other, respect the Tziyoni and Charedi among us?( Michael Lerner and Henry Seigman excepted)
We all more or less know how we feel on these issues, and as long as we're within the parameters of respectful discussion, to be afraid to sign our names is a sad reflection on the dynamics of our community. What so many people find attractive about our shul is that we are a mix, coming from different backgrounds, be it Chassidish, modern Orthodox, Baal Tshuvah or yeshivish. Our rav has never hesitated to speak out on issues that other rabbonim wouldn't touch, and even if you'd disagree you had to admire him for speaking up. We're all almost adults. Do we still have to be afraid of what people will think of us even if we're being honest Yiddin? Should we think any less of someone who flies the Israeli flag, or chooses not to fly the flag?
Perhaps it's time that we put the Satmar' rebbe's seforim on the shelf together with Rav Kook as a statement of principle, that "ayloo viayloo divrei elokim Chaim"! Hillel and Shammai disagreed on many issues, but they remained "Ohavim".
We should do no less.
Yossi Weiser
See also comment of Chaim Lam regarding this issue. (Heshey Zelcer, ed.)
The writer of one of the anonymous letters indicated that he already heard people being called kofrim because they questioned a decision of Agudah which, according to some, is synonymous with questioning "Das Torah." Being labeled a kofer is unpleasant - to say the least. (Heshey Zelcer, ed.)
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