Reply To: Defend Yourself!

DaasYochid: He is probably hurt (for reasons unknown) and is therefore lashing out. I am sympathetic to the viewpoint (for a different reason, as I posted above), so I chose to defend him.

His original post was: I’ll wait until I see it for myself, but if true, there is one Rabbi on that list who I somewhat respect and my respect would go down a bunch.

The response was “and you must show respect for all talmidei chachomim. even if he isnt your rov. it is bizui talmidei chachomim to publicly pronounce your lack of respect for them”.

Answer: What if I don’t think he’s a talmid chacham? Why do I need to show respect for someone I don’t respect at all?

Response: “Hamevazeh talmeidai chachomim, ein lahem chelek li’olam haba…”.

Truthfully (no pun intended), I agree (as I posted) with truthsharer on this specific point. If hypothetically I believe someone is not a talmid chacham, trotting out “Hamevazeh talmeidai chachomim” is circular logic (as I pointed out to Mdd on that thread). Furthermore, you would have to prove (and I’m not sure there is a case for it) that “not respecting” equals Bizayon.

For example, I know of someone whom others believe is a Talmid Chachom. Without question, this person knows more Torah than I do. However, due to his actions, I sincerely believe he is not a valid Moreh Horah, and that his actions are detrimental to Klal Yisroel as a whole (whomever he/she may be, as there is still Lashon Hara involved). Is there a din of “Bizoi Talmidei Chachomim” regarding this person? I would say not, even if others say yes.