![Pro Israel demonstration on E65St near Palestine Mission. Rabbi Haskell Lookstein "sounding the shofar" in a "cry to God". [photo credit ny dailynews]](http://www.vinnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/lokst.jpg "Demonstration")
Washington – An earlier report today by the JTA, that the Rabbinical Council of America has crtisized Rabbi Lookstein for violating its rules by participating at a church in Washington the National Prayer Service.
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Rabbi Lookstein’s is defending his attendance, and told the JTA that he was satisfied with his decision to participate.
“After consultation with people who are absolutely committed to halacha, I had originally decided to do it because I felt it was a civic duty to honor the new president of the United States. That is why I originally agreed to do it,” Lookstein said. “But the people who spoke to me about it indicated it was an important contribution to the Orthodox community because it is only right for the Orhtodox community to be supporting the president in a visible way when he is being supported by representatives of the Conservative and Reform movements.”
Lookstein said he did not want a conflict with his colleagues in the RCA and did not anticipate one.
“I would be very sad if that happened,” he said.
Lookstein said he had two conversations with Herring about his participation. In the first, Herring tried to dissuade Lookstein from participating. In the second, he did not.
“Had I pulled out it would have been something of an insult from the Orthodox community, which was at least the way I felt,” Lookstein said.
He also said that he heavily weighed the halachic implications of his move, and though he would not ordinarily participate in an interfaith prayer service, especially one in a church, in this case he felt “there were other concerns.”
“If I reached a decision to do it, since I am very careful about shmirat mitzvot, you should conclude that I felt halachically this was the right thing to do,” Lookstein said. “I am not going around and making a decision for the world.”
Lookstein, who read a religiously neutral statement scripted by National Prayer Service organizers, called the experience very moving.
He also met Obama after the reading and recited to the new president the blessing Jews say when they come into the presence of a king — only after Obama gave him permission.
“I thanked him for his support of Israel and I urged him to remember the unforgettable statement he made in Sderot, where he said, ‘If anybody would shoot rockets into my house while my daughters were sleeping, I would do anything in my power to make sure they wouldn’t do it again,’ ” Lookstein said. “He responded with a clear assent.”
According to another source, the Obama team was looking specifically for the participation of an Orthodox rabbi.
One person in attendance said that Sen. Joe Lieberman, the one-time Orthodox candidate for vice president, told him that it was an incredibly important and a very positive thing that the Orthodox community was represented.
Rabbi Tzvi Hersch Weinreb, the executive vice president of the Orthodox Union, was rumored to have been approached by the Obama team, but declined the invitation — paving the way for Lookstein to appear.
Weinreb would neither confirm nor deny to VIN News that he was asked to participate, but said, My position is the same as the RCA: I would not participate in a church service and I would not “officiate” in a service with clergy of other faiths. I would participate, and did at the Democratic National Convention in Denver in August, in speeches and lectures together with clergy of other faiths but not in a religious service. And not in a church.
That is the RCA’s position as well. which is based on an edict from the late Rabbi Joseph Soloveitchik, Modern Orthodoxy’s longtime spiritual leader. Orthodox rabbis, according to Soloveitchik, should not engage in theological debate or participate in interfaith services, but they should absolutely work with religious officials of other faiths on matters of social welfare, freedom and hunger, Weinreb said.
“I have no comment to the whole thing,” Weinreb said. Referring to Lookstein’s decision to accept the invitation, he added, “Obviously he has justification for doing what he did.”
One of Weinreb’s high-ranking lieutenants, the O.U.’s top official in Washington, Nathan Diament, was in attendance at the National Cathedral in his personal capacity and was not representing the O.U.
Wish I could have been there. Then I would have gone to McDonald’s for a cheeseburger to show Orthodox Jewish unity in places Orthodox Jews usually do not go to.
Kol Hakovod to both Rav Weinreb and Rav Lookstein. At least Rav Weinreb has the midos to respectfully disagree without the chilul hashem created by the statements today by the RCA. Rav Lookstein participation today did more to advance the cause of yiddeshkeit and help our brethren in EY than any of the arrogant statements by so called “rabbonim” who cite a distorted view of halacha to create an issur where none is really applicable. Hashem will reward Rav Lookstein and grant him the gevurah to withstand these mindless personal attacks.
no matter what people should have respect for another person and not judge someone as well idiotatic statements shouldn’t be said. he has a plan he is looking after the needs of not himself there was no gain in it for himself “the needs of the many out weight the needs of the few or the one” the rabbi was doing what he felt would benfit the community. that is not to say that if a person does something it should not be reviewd but judgment shouldn’t be rushed. respect must come first.
an orthodox rabbi is invited by the president to bless the new administration and this is a problem and while he is there he reminds the most powerful man in the world pf his comments in sderot. grow up people.
So why does the RCA have a problem with Rabbi Lookstein but it has no problem with Rabbi Diament? Because he was supposedly there as a “personal” measure? So what if he and obama were harvard law school classmates? Diament would not have been there if he wasnt the OU Director of Public Policy.
So if he was at a prayer service in st johns cathedral on Monday with the obamas and the other clergy, how come the Rabbi Herring and the RCA which is the rabbinic branch of the OU have a problem (publicly aired, stupidly) with Rabbi Lookstein and not have a problem with Rabbi Diament? It makes no sense.
going to the media with this was a dumb move by the rca. there was no point to make such a big deal. now the outside world and the secular media get to carry and run the story, and all the anti semites get to post their comments on it and it makes us look bad if the rca is upset that a rabbi went to a nice prayer gathering. Looklstein did a kiddush hashem, used the oppurtunity to mention something important to the president, and the rca only cares about how it looks…to whom exactyl? who did herring need to look frum for by going to the media? now look at the circus he started? its embarassing. and it seems hypocritical that their own staffer gets to do the same thing without criticism (diament) but they make a point to blast lookstein for doing the same thing? whats the cheshbon here? what were these rca hockers thinknig???
Lookstein may have advanced the cause of Jews, across the spectrum from reform to unaffiliated. But as for promoting yiddishkeit, hardly, and he might as well have shared a shrimp cocktail and clams casino.
I can’t believe the moronic comments that these people have written. An organization takes a stand for Torah-true Judaism and they are called hockers, sinas chinum mongers, kavod mongers and mindless. Whether you agree with the RCA or not, you have Rabbis who have taken a stand, based on the organizations psakim of th past, that one of their members did something wrong. I understand that the anons before me are all gedolai yisroel who are trying to issue their psak silently l’heter. The bottom line is, the people who stood up against Lookstein did not find this to be the case. The are all Rabbis of good-standing and had the guts not to go out there as anons. Now, Rabbi Lookstein may disagree with his collegues and so may Rabbi Weinreb. However, if he did go against the rules of the organization he should be sanctioned.
Lastly, I am a gadol b’yisroel and I will tell you that Lookstein was wrong in what he did. I will tell you that anyone with a hashkafa higher than a Ramaz basketball player will tell you there was no heter to participate in a prayer service as the one here and many will not allow you to even enter into the church. I am deeply troubled by the fact that a “leutenent” of the OU was present. I can see that the “higher-ups” didn’t want to go but then why send anybody?
I think this was a great thing done by Rav Lookstein. Kol HaKavod…
Just for the record, I believe that Rav Kanievsky and Rav Elyashiv both paskened that the bracha upon seeing a king does not apply to the president of the US as quoted in a Mishpacha article a couple months back.
Participating in an inter-faith prayer gathering, specifically in a church or active worship is absolutely against all Halachic views. It is actually compared to idol worship. This is different than entering a Mosque. Rabbi Lookstein’s actions are totally unacceptable and there is no pious Halachic authority that will pardon his actions.
The Orthodox Jewish community is well represented in all areas of government and never before has our participation been missed. As a leader of the Modern Orthodox community Rabbi Lookstein has compromised the integrity of his congregation and the integrity of the All-Mighty. The lack of Orthodox participation in the past has a in no way damaged our reputation with the administration and Rabbi Lookstein could not set aside the ego associated with rubbing shoulders with our new President.
The only excuse for his actions is yet another photo opportunity. Rabbi Lookstein’s actions are no different for the deviation of faith and Halachic ordinance that Reform Rabbi’s of past generations have used to justify their departure from true Halachic law.
Furthermore, the blessing ‘Blessed art Thou, O L-od our G-d, King of the universe, who gave of His honor to a human being.’ Is specific to a King and not a President. Even though the President of the U.S. is clearly the world’s most powerful person; the law of the blessing is specific to the leadership of a King. The Rambam and other Halachic figures go into great length in discussing the reasons for this. This is yet another indication that the Rabbi was selfishly attempting to move into the good graces of the new celebrity President for personal advancement.
Shame on you Rabbi Lookstein for bringing shame to the people you claim to represent.
great! Now I have Haskama to go into a church to vote, attend civic meetings, or just to look around a nice example of some old architecture.
Well, if a Rabbi can do it & even say a “prayer”, this alter bubby can pop in for a quick rest. I hear they have some nice cushions I can put on the pews.
Hey, 7. Why do you think Diament is a Rabbi?
There is no official statement by the RCA on their website. Indeed, the matter being done, it would be foolish to make this an issue now and embarrassing for the Orthodox community. R’ Lookstein makes clear he consulted with others before he went and had specific reasons unique to the Inauguration for attending; agree or not, for people to accuse him of sinning with such vitriol as demonstrated here speaks more on them then anything else.
Several yrs ago, 2 students of YU went to a mass at s. patrick’s cathedral on 5th ave to write an article about christian prayer for the school paper. At one point the entire crowd falls to their knees. Not wanting to “stick out”, they also went down on their knees R”L. It is for good reason our chachamim and rabbonim assered entering a church. To wash this in public was bad form for the RCA, but R. Lookstein was way out of line. If he claims to have a heter from 2 halachik authorities, let’s see it in writing with signatures.
Rabbosai,
I am very shocked that Rav Lookstein clearly violated a longstanding HALACHAH known to all Yeshiva Talmidim for ages. Just as in all Mitzvos, AM YISRAEL stands alone and in the performance of the MITZVOS demands respect from the Nations as we hold fast to our TORAH as our Fathers have done so for generations since MATAN TORAH. I am no tzaddik but I demand that our Rabonim not become like a reform rabbit and do as his seichel pleases. This might lead to devestating results along the line of Shabbosai Tzvi. Do not underestimate the power of breaches in Halacha. We must now be like Pinchas and demand our Rabbonim declare that THIS WILL NEVER HAPPEN AGAIN !!! IT WAS AN ISSUR !!! KAVOD HASHEM IS ABSOLUTE !!! NEVER EVER EVER WALK INTO A CHURCH WITH PRIESTS, STAND TOGETHER WITH THEM AND PRAY WITH THEM FOR ANY PURPOSE ANY TIME ANY REASON !!! PERIOD !!!
if SENATOR leeberman says its ok, then it must be ok.
This would be an excellent opportunity for Rabbi Lookstein to share the halachik thinking that led him to determine (in conjunction with those that he spoke to) that participation was appropriate. While each of us may have our own notion of what we would do in the situation (I was by my phone waiting for a call from the white house) , the mtziut and specific isuues considered would be informative in a general philosophical manner for those of us who try to live their lives by both the micro and meta halachik duties of Yiddishkeit.
BTW today’s NY Times mentions in passing that orthodox do not generally participate in such services.
Kol Tuv
I am not going to say anything about Rabbi Lookstein’s decision, because I am not a posek.
At the same time, I read in Artscroll’s biography on the Steipler Gaon z”l, about how when the Steipler was forcibly conscripted into the Russian army as a young man, his platoon went to pray in a church. The Steipler refused to go in, they tried to drag him in by his arms and legs, and he fought back. So his platoon beat him in the head with clubs and gave him permanent hearing damage.
My dear brothers and sisters,
Rabbi Lookstein did what he did l’sheym shomayim.
The RCA did what they did l’sheym shmoayim,
and as such, will both be judged favorably.
How many of you are writing l’shem shomayim? Are you Talmidei Chachamim? Dayanim?
Judge yourself…. you wont get anywhere (good) for judging Rabbi Lookstein.
Im not against blogging at at…. and i know its fun and its free to post…. but please realize, we will eventually pay for every post.
The computer was given for us to realize the concept that nothing we say or do ever gets lost, and that Hashem keeps a record of everything. Lets not miss the lesson by typing as if we think that it doesn’t matter what we say.
Talking about not praying together with a priest, a few years back, I was rabbi in a small town congregation for the Yamim Noraim. The bishop of the area came to shul on Yom Kippur (with the tzelem hidden) and stayed the entire day. I later found out that he fasted the entire day! When I asked him why, he said it was in his own small way to atone for the sins of the church against the Jewish people throughout the ages! I am a chaplain, and many times I have been asked to perform interfaith services in the hospital’s Christian chapel with all religious symbols covered up. I have always refused, and I was respected for my decision.
A FEW POINTS:
RABBI LOOKSTIEN meant well & of course there were reasons to go , rabbi lookstien also thought about the backlash, in his position it would be difficult to explain to sen. lieberman that he cant do it …..& to many across the world it seems innocent , inspiring, & positive
however rabbi lookstien as a talmid of the RAV ZATZ”L OVERSTEPPED the boundries set by his rebbi. & thats where one stumbles with the best of intentions.
the RCA felt a need to defend the ” correct psak” of their shita!!
Whats wrong??why the fuss??in connection with AVODA ZARAH, the torah uses the rare terminology of “HARCHEK” (Distance yourself) meaning keep as far away as possible ,& this was the attitude of all the halachic responsa throughout the ages .
(see bein yisroel lenochri vol. 2 for a comprehensive summary)
Just thinking out loud and not paskening anything, recall the gemara in Gittin about the churban beis hamikdash, where someone instigated against the Jews and said to the king, look, they won’t accept your sacrifices. He took an animal and made a mum that doesn’t pasul it in non-Jewish law, but does pasul it in Jewish law, and told the king see if they accept an animal from you in the beis hamikdash. When the rabbonim found out that this animal was sent by the king, they were in a quandary and wanted to accept it (I guess as a special horaas shaah or other heter) so as not to cause friction. However, one tanna objected and refused to offer it, thus offending the king.
The gemara tells us that because of this tanna the beis hamikdash was destroyed.
While I am not paskening anything, to refuse an offer to pray with the president has the potential to cause great anti-semitism and animosity. It is not an issue to be taken lightly at all.
now we start to condem all truly modern orthodox. the truth is Rabbi Lookstien made his own pasak based on knowledge of the whole situation which I doubt anyone on this site has. He is intitled to do this because he is the leader ofwhat is left of true modern orthodoxy . his congration and school represent over 2000 people. The same people who support most of the haridem spewing their hate in this blog. where were your gedolim when the Jews couldn’t get out of russia. Rabbi lookstien was one of the founders of the movement. His shul raises more money for Israel and jewish causes than any other. He does not have to explain his reason to any of you. If you did not like the way he pasked don’t follow him and if you wish to make hateful critisim make sure you are not benifiting from his leadership and generosity
i stand up and uplaud him; he and obama stand for change.