Recently, Rav Shaul Alter, renowned Rosh Yeshiva and מנהיג of Gur, visited the USA. In the course of his visit, he visited Florida, where, among other things, he appeared at the Kehillah of BRS. There, in the course of a moving and inspiring program of music and Torah, he addressed the matzav (situation) of Yidden and Eretz Yisrael since this past Shemini Atzeres, providing important הדרכה, spiritual guidance.
A high quality recording of the event is available online in several places, but I want to share some of the program here in writing, to whet your appetite, and for those who may not be inclined to sit through a video.
The Rabbi of the congregation, R. Efrem Goldberg, in introducing the guest, stated that during the Gulf War, circa thirty years ago, the guest's father. R. Pinchas Menachem Alter (aka הפני מנחם) citing Tehillim סד:ב, where it says מפחד אויב תצר חיי, expounded a distinction between אויב and פחד אויב, saying that דוד המלך didn't ask הקב"ה only for (physical) protection from the enemy, but also from the fear, tension, anxiety, psychological and mental stress that often exists in such a situation.
Rav Shaul Alter, in his address, in response, said that he would say that we need to speak of בלבול, confusion. People don't know what to think, how to view the matzav, and are bewildered, confused. Once they rid themselves of that, and understand that everything is with a חשבון, whatever happens, it is not at random, then they will attain a measure of equanimity that way.
He mentioned the gemara in מסכת עבודה זרה, where, in response to nations who try to take credit for milchamos, it attributes them to הקב"ה , citing the words of the pasuk that ה' איש מלחמה, that even in war there is השגחה, a Divine providence. Additionally he expounded on the meaning of מלחמות אני עשיתי with regard to הקב"ה. Despite the difficulties of such a time and situation, and the horrors of war, we are not forsaken. Our merciful heavenly father, אבינו שבשמים, אבינו אב הרחמן, is with us.
The moving evening, which included singing and dancing, left people inspired and with greater clarity. May HKB"H help us get through the difficult time and reach שלום גאולה וישועה בקרוב.
A full version of the address of the Rosh Yeshiva, can also be seen here, among multiple other places.
As a regular consumer of this blog I appreciate the fact that you took the effort to slightly depart from the norm and write an article geared towards the time we are living through. דבר בעתו מה טוב.
ReplyDeleteThe content you posted also shows that us Litvaks are not averse to Torah thoughts of Hasidic personalities so long as they don't contradict our values. We don't dismiss people but rather the things they say that run contrary to what we believe. The same cannot be said of some others who oftentimes disqualified tremendous personalities based on their Misnagdic approach.
I watched the links you provided and found them quite interesting. This is the first time I took an in depth look at Rabbi Alter and I see he has much to offer and is quite charismatic.
At the same time I can't help but wonder whether he would have been invited to that community if not for the fact that he is a Chasidic leader and is also involved in an internal dispute in Ger. After all, there are a many just-as-qualified great people in the US who could give inspiration on these dark times. In general, Rabbi Efrem seems to have a tendency of inviting Hasidic rabbis to his (as of now) non-Hasidic congregation. (edited)
Thanks for the nice words. We need to accept the אמת, the truth, from whoever says it, as רבינו הגדול הרמב"ם taught us, קבל את האמת ממי שאמרו.
ReplyDeleteRav Shaul Alter is משהו מיחד (IIRC, R. Dov Lando of Slabodka yeshiva in EY used such an expression about him), special and unique. Of course, as the old saying goes, everyone is unique, but some are more unique than others. Yes, perhaps he would not be as well and widely known if not for certain circumstances, but maybe not. Who knows. נסתרים דרכי הקב"ה. As to the contention that many people could give inspiration speaking to the situation we are in now, okay, perhaps, but not necessarily equally so. The simple delivery of RSA may give the impression that nothing great or special is there, but people should not be misled by it.
REG of BRS had a relationship with RSA prior to this event. Perhaps we will write about it later.
Anyway, RSA is a phenomenon, and has many admirers in the Litvishe world, as he is a גדול בתורה with seichel. Although like a Chasidishe Rebbe, or should I say de facto a Rebbe, he is not trying to push "Chasidus" down the throat of everyone he meets the second he encounters them. Having said that, despite all the esteem and support for him in the Litvishe world, there are certain things we would not accept from him, as the bottom line is that he is a still a Chasid, and some of his Chasidic beliefs and practices are not in accord with our השקפות והנהגות. But the gap between him and us seemingly is much less than between many other Chasidim and our tzibur.
Yes, BRS and REG are sort of part of, or under the influence of, the neo-Chasidic movement, but still part of Modern and/or general Orthodoxy as well, so they also host non-Chasidic speakers such as Roshei Yeshiva from his alma mater, RIETS.