The incessant attempts to cv”s discredit the gedolei harabbonim is an old trick that took on exaggerated proportions since the Haskala began about 200 years ago. When it seems impossible to persuade Chareidim to abandon the opinions of the gedolei Torah, other tactics are employed. Absurd, impudent canards are being pushed out, such as the rabbis are being “manipulated.” Or “whatever they say has to be checked and re-checked a million times for accuracy.” And possibly the most brazen of all: that there is a money angle to “keeping the talmidei yeshiva in poverty” while the gedolim rake in $$$.” (Afra le’pumei)
So, which rabbis are being manipulated? Only the ones who say things that you don’t like, and cannot be discredited on the basis of Torah learning; after all, it’s not easy to oppose Reb Chaim Kanievsky’s or the other rabbonim’s level of Torah knowledge. So, other methods are used. He is being “manipulated.” Nothing that he says or writes is reliable. But, EVERYTHING the Dati-Leumi rabbis pronounce is completely authoritative. No manipulations ever. And why, pray tell, do many of them dress up in Chareidi costumes (with a kippa seruga under their homberg)? Are they trying to create some kind of impression?
But, the worst anti-Semitic canard of all is the “money angle.” As if the rabbonim are somehow profiting financially from the talmidim sitting in the Beis Medrash. I challenge those who made such vicious accusations to visit any of their homes to see how they live, and have lived for the past 60, 70, ot 80 years (ad 120). Have you ever been in Rav Steinman zt”l’s apartment, or Rav Elyashiv’s modest home, or le’hibadel le’chaim tovim, Rav Chaim Kanievsky’s or any other of the rabbonim whom you deign to accuse of “making money” off of this. But, if anyone would make such accusations against the knitted-kippa rabbis — I can just imagine the indignant outcries that would appear on YWN. We’d be reading accusations of “anti-Semitic Torah haters” and worse.
And again, all the lamdonim who think they understand Torah better than the gedolei harabbonim — take it up with them, instead of anon1mously bashing their opinions. This infantile talk about exactly how one must evince “hakaras hatov” or “davening for the kingdom” or any other “halachic arguments” — as if you are on a level to argue with the rabbonim. If you change the minds of the rabbonim — you’ve won. If you cannot change their minds (pretty likely the case) — stop badgering the Chareidi tzibur about it. They’re not listening. You have your opinions, and we have ours. We are not out to “convert” you. Stop trying to “convert” us. And stop bashing the manhigei hador. You choose not to obey them. That’s your business. Leave us alone to follow the guidance. of those whom we consider the greatest Torah experts.
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