Merging the Orthodox Streams
Latest update: September 2nd, 2012
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Broadly respected gadol hador, Rabbi Moshe Feinstein (1895-1986).
Enrollment in Yeshivos like Lakewood that currently number over 6000 and increasing annually means that over the course of generation there could be tens of thousands of Orthodox Jews that re unqualified to do anything other than teach Limudei Kodesh. Teaching I a noble profession. But how many teachers do we need? Even now there are far more applicants for teaching positions than there are available positions.
On the plus side, the concentration on learning full time has produced a tremendous number of Talmidei Chachamim who have the potential for becoming great rabbinic leaders. Without getting into a discussion about what constitutes a Gadol in terms of being more than a Talmid Chacham, it is undeniable that the majority of Talmidei Chachamim are being produced by the right wing.
On the left (Centrist) side of the Orthodox aisle, there is a conundrum that prevents it from producing large numbers of Talmidei Chachamim. While it is true there are great rabbinic leaders like Rav Hershel Shachter and Rav Aharon Lichtenstein, Yeshivos like YU produce far more Baalei Batim.
The reason for that should be obvious. YU does not denigrate secular studies. It places a high value on them. While Torah study is considered the greater of the two values of Torah U’Mada, giving students these choices enables them to choose careers that best suit their needs and talents. So a great number of them become professionals – even among those on the right wing of modern Orthodoxy. That means that there are far fewer that will choose learning Torah as a career, as did Rav Shachter and Rav Lichtenstein.
While this is good for Orthodoxy as a whole it must be admitted that not producing large numbers of Talmiedei Chachamim is a built in shortcoming of the Torah U’mada philosophy – at least in practice if not in theory.
A merger of the two philosophies would go a long way to solving those problems. The intense focus of learning full time would be tempered by the availability of a college on premises for those who want to pursue a career at some point. And it would encourage more people with the talent for doing so to consider a career in Torah study.
The Lakewood community needs a way to alleviate the poverty. The YU community needs to be able to produce more rabbinic leaders. A merger would create the environment for that. And it would minimize if not entirely eliminate the extremes.
I realize that the two Hashkafos are not entirely compatible. But why not allow students the opportunity to be educated in both? Why not allow them to have Rebbeim and Mechanchim on both sides of the Orthodox aisle? Let them hear both perspectives without one side disparaging the other. Why not allow our students make choices based on knowledge instead of ignorance? Wouldn’t that make them better Jews? And wouldn’t that make a far more balanced and unified Orthodoxy than the divisive one that exists now?
Imagine a Moetzes that included a broader spectrum of rabbinic leaders. And a population of educated Jews that can make a decent living in all fields – including the field of Torah study… Alas this is just an unrealistic pipe dream, I suppose. But I can dream, can’t I?
Visit the Emes v’Emenuah Blog.
tell a friendAbout the Author: Harry Maryles runs the blog "Emes Ve-Emunah" which focuses on current events and issues that effect the Jewish world in general and Orthodoxy in particular. It discuses Hashkafa and news events of the day - from a Centrist perspctive and a philosphy of Torah U'Mada. He can be reached at hmaryles@yahoo.com.
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2 Responses to “Merging the Orthodox Streams”
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This writer refuses to accept that both sides are serious in their beliefs. Lakewood really believes that long-term study is the moet important ideal. YU really believes in Torah umada. How can we make one method of education that teaches both; Torah Umada is acceptable and totally wrong and long-term learning is ideal and also wrong!
The truth is, until situations change, everyone is “on the same page.” For example, Avraham Avinu had in his household Yitzchak a forefather of Am Yisrael, Yishmael, the forefather of Arabs/Muslims, and Lot, the grandfather of the nation of Moav.
Once time passes people and groups branch off in different directions based on their beliefs. It’s completely natural.
That said, YU and BMG shared common beliefs when a) times were simpler, b) Many Jews had to go to work or starve to death, and c) just being Shomer Shabbos was a miracle. Today, none of that applies so the situation has changed. Now both Yeshivos focus on different strains. YU still emphasizes too much on Madda and less on Torah, and BMG sees the “frummization” of Americal Jewish society as an opportunity to “amp up” the learning.
Just my thoughts.