Wednesday, February 11, 2026

Hashkafa Q&A

Hashkafa with Rav Gershon Ribner Shlita

Proper etiquette when extending an invitation to a guest lecturer Tranquility and peace of mind expected to come with marriage Sharp distinction in actual learning experience betw. Chassidim and Misnagdim Considering options upon exiting Kollel life The single method to elevate one who is lacking basic scruples Sequel: Learning in depth vs. teaching children

7 comments:

  1. I am sure that the lack of a Chassidic response to this kind of misnagdish rhetoric leads people to believe that Chassidim just do not have what to answer back.

    It's actually quite the contrary; we listen to this person knocking us again and again, and we realize how far he and his listeners are from being able to see a different perspective.

    This can happen on the Chassidic side as well, but the fact that this is the prevailing sentiment in Lakewood just shows us how far we are from Ahavas Chinam and Achdus.

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    Replies
    1. Is that the chasidic perspective on Ahavas Chinam (?) [ this term has no real or early source and is used extensively and almost exlusively by Harav Kook - not likely that any Chasidic (or otherwise normative) Rebbe or Mashpia would espouse] and achdus? Childish and obviously not the case.
      In fact, one would be dissappointed if Rabbi Ribner and whichever Chasidic Rabbi you call you own subscribed to the foolish "everyone is right and it's just 2 perpectives etc" silliness. (Although I suspect that one can be in the back of the wagon and on the flying carpet at the same time). If everyone is right then no one is right.
      Rabbi Ribner and his esteemed counterpart should and do contend that their perpective is right and certainly still hold each in the highest esteem.
      Additionally, it may be worthwhile to become sufficiently familiar and comfortable with one’s own mesorah, so that one does not feel the need to respond or explain why one is not responding — much like Rabbi Ribner with his mesorah.

      With genuine love for my fellow Jew even in disagreement,
      Hillel Shamaistein

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    2. Explaining and sharpening the differences has nothing to do with achdus. Achdus does not and cannot demand that we don't know and explain the different shitos.

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    3. 6:36am
      They don't.And not for a lot for a lack of trying.

      Delete
  2. Since somebody is finally, finally come round to responding to your sides' indoctrination propaganda & knocking of others [who thereby have stolen in past couple generations hundeds of mishpuches from us],
    but that is already "knocking again & again"??

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  3. A guy who is asking a shaalo about what is better for ruchnius being a second grade rebbi or working half a day in a corporate setting and learning the other half is probably not that motivated to be a second rebbi to begin with. What hava amina is there that working half day is better for his ruchnius? Therefore for his ruchnius he is better off being the rebbi. For the children involved it may be better if he took the corporate job.

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  4. The Chassidim believe that they should learn with a hat and jacket. They ignore Reb Chaim Volozhiner.
    They were willing to make a takanah forcing this shitah on everyone who walks into their Beis Hamedrash.
    Yet, for a few dollars, they changed their opinion.
    There is something wrong with that individual who was willing to take money to give up a principle of his, even if we disagree with the principle.

    But, even worse, this person 'owned' a Shul. How? Did he build it with his own money? He collected from Klal Yisroel to build this Shul? How does he have a right to charge rent? He may charge for the utilities, but who said it was his to charge Klal Yisroel for its use?
    This is a terrible phenomenon, where Tzedakah money becomes someone's private fund. And we should not accept it.

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