Entering Churches, Making Assumptions

This week's Jewish Week included a troubling article wrtten by Ari Goldman, professor of Jouralism at Columbia.

Since I am generally bored at work, I confronted the author. Below is our email exchange:

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Mr. Goldman,

I was greatly troubled by your article concerning Rabbi Haskel Lookstein's decision to enter a church to celebrate the inauguration of President Obama. You wrote: "What bothers me is how ready the Orthodox rabbinate, apparently frightened of its right wing constituency, was to criticize one of its own." Mr. Goldman, how do you know that the Orthodox rabbinate is frightened of its right wing consitutency? Is it not possible that the Rabbinical Council of America, upon the advice of its greatest halachic authorities, came to a different halachic conclusion than that of Rabbi Lookstein? Considering that the vast majority of halachic authorities agree with the RCA's halachic conlusion in this matter, your statement seems irresponsible.

I am not criticizing Rabbi Lookstein for his decision; rather, I am criticizing your assumptions about the RCA's motives. If you have a source of information to back up your claim as to the RCA's motives, why didn't you share it?

If you can find some time to respond, I would greatly appreciate it.

Akiva Ben Canaan

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Thanks for your note. You write that the “vast majority of halachic authorities agree with the RCA’s halachic conclusions in this matter.” I say that they are afraid of their right wing. Aren’t we really saying the same thing?
Here is how I see it: The pulpit rabbis, the ones who deal with the real world, are best equipped to make these decisions. Instead, the roshei yeshiva, who do not have to deal with the real world, are calling the shots.
Sincerely,
Ari Goldman

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I'm not sure how we are saying the same thing. The matter is a very complex halachic issue (see http://hirhurim.blogspot.com/2009/02/entering-sanctuary-for-hatzalat-yisrael.html). Why do you accuse the RCA of being afraid of the right wing, simply because they arrived at a different halachic conclusion than you and Rabbi Lookstein did? You have not responded to my query - what proof do you have that the RCA has made a political decision instead of a halachic one?

Akiva Ben Canaan

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Thank you for your clarification.
I never meant to suggest that the RCA made a political decision. I was not talking about their political right wing (i.e., McCain supporters) but their religious right wing. I now see how my words could have been taken the wrong way. I am sorry for that.

The RCA did make a halachic decision but to my mind it was one based solely on the rules and not on reality. Sometimes the real world necessitates flexibility. Rabbi Lookstein found a way within halacha to go. I don’t see why the RCA had to publicly rebuke him.
-- AG

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Now I feel that I must clarify.

When you say that the RCA made its halachic decision to satisfy the religious right wing, that implies that the RCA made its decision for "political" purposes - so that the RCA will not be seen as a religiously left wing organzation in line with Conservative and Reform, etc. Even this statement is unfair. Addionally, you state that "The RCA did make a halachic decision but to my mind it was one based solely on the rules and not on reality". I think this insults the intelligence of the members of the RCA; they are clearly well aware of the realities of the situation (again, see Rabbi Auman's discussion with Rabbi Broyde at http://hirhurim.blogspot.com/2009/02/entering-sanctuary-for-hatzalat-yisrael.html).

Halachic Jews do countless things that the world perceives as out of touch with reality. There are times, such as this one, where we have debate as to whether or not it is proper to bend the law, for a particular circumstance. The Rabbis of the RCA, who are probably far more knowledgeable concerning the halachic issues involved here, came to a different conclusion than you did. Why does that makes them "out of touch with reality"?

Akiva Ben Canaan
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They are certainly more knowledgeable than I am. But are they more knowledgeable than Rabbi Lookstein?

Ari L. Goldman

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I can't comment on the extent of Rabbi Lookstein's knowledge, though I do not think he is perceived as one of the leading scholars of the generation.

My general point is this - you felt that it was important for an Orthodox Rabbi to honor the President by walking into a church. Therefore, without a clear understanding as to the halachic issues involved (which are quite complex), you decided that Rabbi Lookstein's halachic position was correct, as it justified your opinion. To further legitimize your opinion, you then publicly criticized the RCA as pandering "to the right wing", which has absolutely no factual basis.

With all due respect, I find your article to be irresponsible.

Thank you for taking the time to respond.

Akiva Ben Canaan