NEW YORK (VINnews) — A letter has been written by Harav Yitzchok Lichtenstein, Rosh Yeshiva of Torah Vodaas, in response to the psak last week that permitted Harav Meir Tzvi Bergman to attend the Adirei Torah event during the week of shiva for his son.
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The heter for Rav Bergman to attend was written by Rav Simcha Bunim Cohen, renowned Lakewood posek and author of many halacha sefarim.
In his response, Rav Lichtenstein wrote that he was concerned that because this situation was very public, it could lead to desecration of Aveilus, if people adapt the psak to other scenarios.
“Even though I do not usually get involved in discussions of “halacha l’maaseh”, however this matter was very public and many present at the event are not well versed in halacha, as such there is a concern that people will be nichshal in future,” he wrote.
He added, “[However] if people see that there is a dialogue about it and that the heter is not so barur, they will know not to compare one scenario to another (and permit something in the future that is forbidden.)”
He went on to write multiple reasons why he did not agree with the psak.
In the initial psak, Rav Cohen gave several stipulations:
1) Rav Bergman should remain in a separate closed-off area.
2) He may sit in a regular chair.
3) He may deliver brief divrei chizuk and mussar.
4) He will not be welcomed with music and singing, but it could be announced that Rav Bergman has arrived for kavod haTorah.
5) After the drasha, Rav Bergman should depart the arena.
6) If possible, Rav Bergman should begin by stating that since the event is very important to strengthen Bnei Torah, it is permitted for him to take part even during shivah.
(It should be noted that the letter was first published on another news website, however it appears to have been removed.)
Rav Lichtenstein questioned whether this situation is considered one in which Rav Bergman’s presence was absolutely necessary, which would appear to be a prerequisite for the allowance (similar to children in yeshiva whose Rebbi is in shiva.) He also questioned whether nowadays such an exemption applies at all, since there is technology enabling one to appear remotely.
In addition, he questioned whether the exemption of a Rav teaching the masses allows him to come to a celebratory atmosphere.
Below is Rav Lichtenstein’s teshuva:
I find it quite fascinating that VIN did not publish a single article about the Adirei HaTorah event, only now publishing this letter. I guess we know their feelings regarding the subject.
What a gavrah rabbah! Not being afraid to voice dissent!
The opinion is very respectfully phrased and the main concern seems to be the inferences that others will make to their own, personal situations. Its not a psak in hindsight. Rather its future guidance.
Not sure why the letter is directed solely against the Rav who published the hettter.
Rav Bergman is a senior Rosh Yeshiva who made his own decision to go.
He wasn’t compelled to do so simply because a Lakewood Rav said it would be permitted and did not need a Lakewood Rav to guide him as to what to do.
Surely he could pasken for himself and also has the EY poskim to whom he normally asks his shailos to. The whole episode seems quite strange.
At the end of the day, why only come out against the person who wrote the letter rather than the talmid chacham who actually DID what Rav Lichtenstein holds should not have been done?
You should neither be publishing this. After the concentration of great Rabonim and Roshei Yeshivos were there and didn’t feel the need to be Mocheh, it is not your place to publish this and create a Chillul Hashem. Talmedai Chachomim can (and should when the see fit) disagree, but this isn’t for the public forum. (Especially where people will comment).
Thant he calls it a Bais hamishte is a joke
That ppl came primarily because of food and music is a bizayon of the highest degree
Why wasn’t this handled privately to avoid machlokes?
Respect for Gedolim? Like you referring to Rav Lichtenstein by his last name, pejoratively? Honestly, I don’t know why you guys don’t read. He felt the psak was in error, and due to the publicity of it, wanted to make an official statement so that people don’t copy the psak for themselves.
Nobody should underestimate the gadlus of R’ Lichtentein. He is a baki in kol Hatorah kula, speak to him anywhere in shas and poskim, he can rattle it off by heart!
A few points, rav lichtenstien writes. Rav Cohen was mekatzer when a more detailed response is necessary. Yet in the next paragraph he writes I will bemekatzer,.
In hindsight rav Bergman attendance was a huge piece of the night. And cud not simply be duplicated by a diff speaker
To say zoom wouldv,e been just about the same is very questionable
To call it a beis hamishteh, look at the pics of rav landau shiur in bmg, 1000,s w no music food or decor. Torah was and is the ikar
Finally rav lichtenstien could have called 2 senior poskim of his choice for an opinion before put teshuva out in public
As far as the ripped beged in no way did it diminish from the kavod of the adam gadol quite the contrary it was inspiring
I am not a rabbi, but this does not sound correct or proper.
It isn’t a discussion for VIN. But once it is here it seems that from the beginning the understanding was that this was a psak for this event only. In every psak there is a fear that people will carry it over to a different situation? At w we suggesting r that Rabbonim should not give psakim that impact the rabim out of fear that someone would use it to pasken for themselves?
Kol hakovod rabbi lichtenstein
there is great debate if minhagim apply to unusual situations 9sha”ch yo”d 1900
as the minhag was not kept in those situations
we have heard of bigger halacha poskim than rabbi lichtenstien slit”a attending parlor meetings during shiva
rebbis during shiva would be bound by the minhag cited by rabbi lichtenstein not to rely on the heter of rabim tzrichin lo
I have even more respect from Rav Lichtenstein שליט”א and have lost all my respect for Rabbi Cohen telling someone to flaunt a שבעה השם ירחם
Brave man but he could have spoken via phone or zoom rather than attend. And was his attendance all important
So does that mean I can leave shiva to attend my grand daughter vort Obviously no No one person is that important