Thursday, December 29, 2011

The chassidim conquered America

In an interview with YU’s student newspaper, The Commentator, you said, “To me it’s a compliment that I don’t need [a black hat] to be frum.” What did you mean by that?
Today we all wear uniforms. What is the concept of wearing a uniform? What is chassidus all about? It’s beautiful. You have a social order, you build a wall around yourself . It’s a way of protecting yourself from outside influence. My generation didn’t need it. When we made a commitment, we made a commitment. That’s what I meant.
But if a black hat will keep you frum in America, you should wear two black hats, not just one. To me, being a Torah Jew is the most important thing in the world .
But when all is said and done, the chassidim conquered America. The Litvakim lost. In the Litvishe yeshivas no one dressed the same. When I learned in Lakewood, the only one who wore a black hat was Reb Aharon Kotler.
Even the old mashgiach, Reb Nosson Wachtfogel, wouldn’t dare wear a black hat. No one wore black pants and white shirts. It was unheard of. Everyone dressed different and stylish. In YU, not so much. Lakewood was more stylish because it’s part of Slabodka mussar [to dress in a dignified manner].

from 
Jewish Press

From Lakewood To Yeshiva University: An Interview With Rabbi Aaron Rakeffet-Rothkoff

Rabbi Yaakov Emden Referencing Christians with noble qualities and excellent morals

Preface to Seder Olam by the famous halachic authority, Rabbi Yaakov Emden ("Yavetz," 1697-1776):

"The founder of Christianity conferred a double blessing upon the world. On the one hand, he strengthened the Torah of Moshe and emphasized that it is eternally binding. On the other hand, he conferred favor upon the gentiles in removing idolatry from them, imposing on them stricter moral obligations than are contained in the Torah of Moshe. (!!) There are many Christians with noble qualities and excellent morals. Would that all Christians would live in conformity with their precepts. They are not enjoined, like the Israelites, to observe the laws of Moshe, nor do they sin if they associate other beings with God in worshipping a triune God. They will receive a reward from God for having propagated a belief in Him among the nations that never heard His name: for He looks into the heart."

from Thoughts to Ponder, Noson Cardozo, Jesus and SpinozaThe Story of a Jewish Tragedy

Monday, December 12, 2011

Tisch

I was at a shalom zachar a while back and watched as 30 yeshivah boys,
all dressed the same, sang for two hours. It was a tisch without a rebbe.
I don't think the boys of Telz in Lita would do that. They'd talk Torah.