The chareidi litvish tzibur is watching and trying to understand the ongoing power struggle, the ‘coup’ according to some regarding control of Yated Ne’eman. As a result of the change in leadership veteran editor Nati Grossman was fired, dismissed after long years of service.
The following is from an interview by Kol Berama Radio’s Mordechai Lavi, with R’ Chaim Cohen, a member of Beis Maran Posek HaDor HaGaon HaRav Yosef Sholom Elyashiv Shlita.
Cohen:
I do not know why this is being turned into a drama. It is no secret that during recent years, there has not been a single public issue in which Maran Rav Elyashiv hasn’t considered the position of HaGaon HaRav Aaron Yehuda Leib Shteinman Shlita. As a result, as we all continue being mispallel for his total recovery and we await his total recovery, there are many issues that must be addressed and the person who best suits this position today is the Rosh HaYeshiva, Rav Shteinman. Therefore, I simply do not understand the drama. He decided he wishes to make a number of changes and that is his right.
KB:
So Rav Elyashiv’s man was removed by Rav Shteinman’s people. Is this what you are saying?
Cohen:
Chas v’sholom. I am not saying anything like this at all. I am saying that today, the leader is Rav Shteinman and he feels that he wishes to make a number of changes in a number of areas. One of those areas is the newspaper – for whatever reason. It is his right to do so. I don’t understand why all the drama surrounding this.
I am not an expert regarding technical aspects, just how the changes are being implemented. One thing I do understand however, that Rav Shteinman made a decision and therefore, this is how it is going to be. It is as simple as that.
KB:
Nati Grossman has stated he is planning to do whatever he can to get his place back in Yated. How do you understand this?
Cohen:
I am not Nati Grossman’s spokesman but one thing I do know, that generally speaking, the newspaper is heading in the direction of daas torah, and if today we must hear daas torah, this is Rav Shteinman. If he makes a decision, then there is no discussion. I don’t understand the rest.
During all the years the newspaper spoke clearly, that we adhere to the directives of gedolei yisrael, and today, the generation’s leader is Rav Shteinman. If Rav Shteinman decides, then I do not see the place for questioning the decision.
KB:
They don’t want to get burned. There is a legal process and we do not know how it will end. They don’t want to become entangled with Nati Grossman.
Cohen:
If they are called the ‘ידא אריכתא’ of gedolei yisrael, they must be the first to stand and explain exactly what I am saying to you.
KB:
Do you think that Yated Ne’eman is less aggressive than another paper?
Cohen:
As said this newspaper has always delivered a message that we adhere to the word of gedolei yisrael. What do you think — that Rav Shteinman will be more conciliatory? I don’t understand you. If we say that he is the leader of the generation then in areas he feels there must be a battle, he will be fierce and in areas where he feels there is no need for a battle, he will not be fierce.
I know of a number of public matters that came to the attention of Rav Elyashiv and he instructed the person to ask Rav Shteinman, and the response was not at all surprising. Rav Elyashiv did not arbitrarily send people to Rav Shteinman. There were people who did not like that Rav Elyashiv sent people to Rav Shteinman and these same people are displeased today.
KB:
Is it true that Rav Shteinman gave total backing to Nachal Chareidi when it was launched?
Cohen:
I am not the spokesman of Rav Shteinman. One thing I do know is that you are making reference to the Tal Committee. There was total coordination Rav Elyashiv and Rav Shteinman. That is a fact. Anyone seeking to misrepresent the facts should know there was total coordination.
KB:
Can you confirm that there are people in Beis Rav Shteinman who confirmed that Rav Shteinman was told by Rav Elyashiv to take control of Yated?
Cohen:
I do not know if there is confirmation. One thing I do know is Rav Elyashiv stated so not just regarding Yated, but other things as well – that Rav Shteinman will decide and this is not the forum to elaborate.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
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One Response
How do you get to be “a member of Beis Maran Posek HaDor HaGaon HaRav Yosef Sholom Elyashiv Shlita”
Also: you state:
“Nati Grossman was fired, dismissed after long years of service.” I think the problem was not service but disservice. He was not into serving anyone but himself and forcing his perverted ideas on a naive tzibur.
add to the above this:
“the newspaper is heading in the direction of daas torah” in reality, the newspaper makes up what is daas torah but agrandizing those who hold their extremist views and delitimazing those great rabbis and rebbes who disagree with them.
All in all, Yeted has a reputation here in Eretz Yisroel as a self serving newspaper that sees itself as the organ of dass torah, and it doesn’t see the fact that many great rabbis find it disgusting.
It is time for Yeted to clean up its act and learn what ahavas yisroel is and not just preach it, but also practice it.