New York – Rabbi Lookstein In Letter Defends His Participation In Interfaith Services In A Church

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    New York – The following is Rabbi Lookstein’s response to why he participated in the service in the church as part of President Obama’s inauguration. Rabbi Lookstein sent this email to his colleagues at the RCA in order to explain his actions.

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    Fellow RCA Members,

    The RCA recently issued a press release critical of my participation at the National Cathedral on the morning after Barack Obama’s inauguration. I write to explain why I did participate in this service, even though it was in the National Cathedral, an Episcopalian Church.

    First, I am very much in agreement with the RCA’s view, derived from the writings of the Rav zt”l opposing interfaith dialogue and theological compromise. Indeed, I have been in the rabbinate more than fifty years, and I have never participated in such an event. I followed these guidelines throughout my tenure as President of the now defunct Synagogue Council of America.

    Nevertheless, I felt not only that it was permitted to participate in this event, but proper for someone in the responsible Orthodox rabbinate and, indeed, necessary.

    Herewith, my explanation for my colleagues:

    This event was not an interfaith dialogue or meeting. It was an invitation from the new President of the United States — a man of incredible importance to the fate of our holy community in the land of Israel and here — to meet him in prayer. Many clergy were invited, and I felt that the interests of our Orthodox community would be hurt if no one from our community participated.

    The Shulchan Aruch notes in YD 178:2 that a person who needs to be close to the government may wear even the Torah- prohibited garments of a gentile in order to represent the Jewish community well. The prohibition to enter a church is grounded in the appearance of impropriety, rather than an actual impropriety — indeed, wearing garments of gentiles is a Torah prohibition and this is generally thought to be a rabbinic one.

    It is well known that many Chief Rabbis of England have gone into Westminster Abby when summoned there by the King or Queen, and many other great rabbis have done the same to represent our community. The Chief Rabbis of Israel have engaged in similar activities, and, most recently, the Chief Rabbi of Haifa, Rabbi Shear Yashuv Cohen was involved in similar activities. In fact, he attended the funeral of the late Pope, John Paul II.

    Rabbi Michael Broyde told me that he was once asked by the Israeli government to represent the government of Israel ON A VERY SERIOUS MATTER at an event in a church during a time of worship. He spoke to the Tzitz Eliezer about this issue, and the Tzitz Eliezer told him directly that if it was a matter of significant importance to the Israeli government, then he should go wearing his kipa and looking as rabbinic as he could.

    Of course, such events are few and far between, and, in most situations, I and other RCA members would never participate in such events. But, I feel that Orthodox participation in this important national event, and the opportunity to say a few words directly to the President of the United States and begin to develop a relationship with the most powerful man in the world is a chance that our community can ill afford to miss. Indeed, when I spoke to President Obama, 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”.

    The President responded with a clear assent. Maybe this will save a life or two in the future and maybe it will not; but I felt this was not an assignment I could – or should – turn down.

    Rabbi Haskel Lookstein


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    59 Comments
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    common sense
    common sense
    15 years ago

    Kudos to Rabbi Lookstein. Job well done

    Avrumy
    Avrumy
    15 years ago

    He is so right. “me yodeah im lo-eys kazoys yugata lamalchus?

    good american
    good american
    15 years ago

    this is the way the tzudokim, the neologim, the reform and et al. explain all their maisim roim!!

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    With all respect possible, I would just like to express certain reservations about Rabbi Looksteins response, First of all I think that Rabbi Lookstein knows quiet well that there is no comparasive the 2 Halachot of wearing Gentile cloth & going into a church which is bounded with Avodeh Zarah, which even close to it we are supposed kill ourselves for that, When the chief Rabbi attended the funeral of the pope, he did not enter a church, yet the Pesak of the Tsitz Eliezer which is probably the closest to this situation is also something which I dont think that when it comes to the topic of Avodeh Zarah we have a right Halachikly to compare one situation to another (which even in our eyes we can see huge differences between the 2 times) especially when we know that the pesak was in this following condition as you quoted “a matter of significant importance to the Israeli government”
    I am not here to condemn, I just felt that its Torah & its would be the right thing to clarify ones thoughts.
    In any case lets hope at least it will bring great results because it sounds like it was done with great intentions!

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    Why is the RCA the only ones who are bothered by this?

    Shaul in Monsey
    Shaul in Monsey
    15 years ago

    When Lookstein says, quote, in his opening sentence, “This event was not an interfaith dialogue or meeting,” he is being very typical. He is lying. His entire statement was one big pompous and nonsensical rationalization – spit in the face of The Rav, z’l.

    that mass was by definition an interfaith meeting. Lookstein lowered the standing of Orthodoxy and should be condemned. The RCA, as is also typical, did not go far enough.

    Nor is Lookstein a qualified representative of Orthodoxy any more so than he is a thrill seeker looking for headlines. He is so far in back of the line it’s a joke.

    Obama’s administration was desperate for a hoiz buchur and they found one. Nothing to be proud of. Sell outs are just that.

    Chusid in Canada
    Chusid in Canada
    15 years ago

    Eis Laasos!! Reb Chaskel, great explenation.

    anon
    anon
    15 years ago

    This man is a crock. He is krummer than a pretzel. I love the way he equates himself with other rabbis and makes his outrages transgressions compare to their deeds that were thought through and consulted on. An am ha’aretz in the rabbinate that only looked for kavod. He actually thinks that he did anything for the safety of Israel? Only cause his gaaveh is as big as his am ha’aratzus. And to those idiots that agree with him; I really hope you are just joking with your agreement. There is not one rabbi who agreed with him and he can’t quote one whom he asked. He said a lot of bull stories and drew his “psak” from comparisons. Last week he said he spoke to people who knew halacha about this. The man is evil. He will drag you down to the lowest depths. He would probably officiate   people who intermarry if the price is right and the kavod enough – and of course, if he could spin the stories and halacha his way. We are very happy he agrees with the Rav and I am sure the Rav in his grave looks to him as the complete jack-ass he is. Stay away from him.

    Fire Him
    Fire Him
    15 years ago

    How can you compare an INTERFAITH SERVICE IN CHURCH to A MEETING IN A CHURCH ??????? WAKE UP and smell the RAT…

    seen it all
    seen it all
    15 years ago

    With all due respect, he decided to pasken on his own on a matter that effects every Rabbi in the future in their dealings with clergy. He should have gone to 3 top-tiered rabbonim and let them issue a written psak either way. R’ Hershel Schachter is no ‘mapil kint’, R’ Moshe Tendler is not a baishan, and if they were mattir it, then go ahead. To pasken for yourself on such a delicate matter is wrong, regardless of 50 years in the rabbinate.

    robroy560
    robroy560
    15 years ago

    Look, you can make the case that this should not have been done because of the avoda zara issue. You can also make the case that we do honor the Gentile kings, and we have done so many times. You can make the argument that this could have been done at a different venue.

    But there are two things that bother me:

    1) Was it so necessary for the RCA to air this in the public? The so called mainstream press picked this up. To me that would be a Chillul HaShem – Jews fighting publicly. This could have been settled like adults between the RCA & OU.

    2) We also have to keep in mind that Obama, the infallible phony messiah, did not get a majority of the orthodox Jewish vote. He obviously got the liberal Jewish and Jewish in name only vote because they will vote for anyone who is a Democrat. So I think this was a smart showing to show unity with Jewish leaders. Even if you don’t like Obama, he’s still the President.

    Just remember, Sinat Chinam cost us the 2nd Beit HaMikdash. Fix your own home before you cast stones at someone else. One day we’ll all have to answer in front of the RSO. Believe me, I am no perfect person – far from it. IBut I’m also not a self appointed and holier than thou posek halacha.

    Layzer
    Layzer
    15 years ago

    Lookstein is a oveid avodeh zura with all his explanations A yid is usir to enter a kircha no matter waht shame on u on what world are we living.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    I’ve read all the comments and I think the following: It says that if a Jew saves one life, it’s as though he saves a generation. To all of you who think Rabbi Lookstein did the wrong thing: When there’s one less suicide bombing and one less rocket in Sderot, killing one less Jew, thereby saving a whole generation, then you’ll think differently. I can’t believe that in this time of lying, stealing and downright corruption, you can’t see that Rabbi Lookstein (or any other Orthodox Rabbi) had to go. I think in (most of) your heart of hearts, your’re glad you weren’t put to the test, but you’re equally glad he went. You can posture all you want, but you know that he ultimately did an important, courageous and life saving things for the Jews both in America and in Israel.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    I AGREE WITH WITH RABBI LOOKSTIEN. THANKS FOR MAKING A KIDDUSH HASHEM IN A PRPOER WAY AND REPERSENTING THE ORTHODOX COMMUNITY. YASHER KOACH!

    mottel
    mottel
    15 years ago

    When Chief Rabbi of Great Britain, Rabbi Jacobowitz was invited by Her Majesty the Queen to the royal wedding of Prince Charles and diana in westminster abbey, he declined to enter the church.

    cp
    cp
    15 years ago

    For what it’s worth, I looked through about a dozen of Rov Soloveitchik’s zt”l letters on this issue and he ONLY discusses cases where there is some type of religious dialog or debate. He does not explicitly forbid going to a service like this.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    Good excuse. But there is no excusing the inexcusable. Sorry, Rabbi, you messed up.

    I know what you did “Looked good”

    I know it gives many the warm and fuzzies.

    It is easy to “Justify” it, and I too can bring ‘reasons and rayas’

    But, the bottom line is that you messed up. NO Rabbi should have been there. PERIOD.

    Leskid
    Leskid
    15 years ago

    To #14 : His smecha gives him the right to pasken for others and for himself on halachic matters. He did what he felt was best for klal yisrael and while not a fan of the man I think he deserves the benefit of the doubt.

    Charlie Hall
    Charlie Hall
    15 years ago

    While it is important to learn the relevant halachot for ourselves as part of the mitzvah of talmud torah, it is absolutely out of line for us to criticize Rabbi Lookstein. Nobody here has the stature to do that. He consulted with a well-respected talmud chacham before making his decision and we should let it be even if our own rabbis would disagree. Nobody should even think that he would be going there to worship according to a non-Jewish ritual, much less avodah zara, chas v’shalom.

    BTW there were at least three other orthodox rabbis present at the funeral of Pope John Paul II in addition to Rabbi Cohen.

    Gaon yaakov
    Gaon yaakov
    15 years ago

    That is what he should show, and a yid should NEVER BOW HIS HEAD TO A GOY!

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    we need more leaders like rabbi lookstein who are willing to stick their neck out to go the extra mile to establish good will for klal yisroel and less who waste their time inventing the moronic chumra / ban of the week.

    Yeshivsih/MO/Haredi/Srugi
    Yeshivsih/MO/Haredi/Srugi
    15 years ago

    I cannot beleive how disgusting people are being in spite of everything thwey read as if they know the emmes. what you are doing by being so harsh on the rabbi on this site is far worse a sin than what ever bad thing you think he did. seriously, do you even understand how blatant your chutzpah is and that the entire world can read what you write here? that people see jews fighting with jews? or any other conclusion that can be drawn from you awful disrespectful comments? what you write here is worse than whatever you think he did that you think is wrong.
    Its amazing how the same people can condemn rabbi lookstein yet are so generous and nice and respectful on another thread to the rapper Matisyahu.
    Why the double standard? Its so petty.

    supporter
    supporter
    15 years ago

    i stand up and applaud him. He and Obama stand for change.

    joel rich
    joel rich
    15 years ago

    It might be instructive to review this thread and summarize the substantive comments:

    OK , that was a bit of an overstatement. R’HL presented his halachik thinking on the issue which boiled down to:The prohibition to enter a church is grounded in the appearance of impropriety, rather than an actual impropriety — indeed, wearing garments of gentiles is a Torah prohibition and this is generally thought to be a rabbinic one.
    , and the Tzitz Eliezer told him directly that if it was a matter of significant importance to the Israeli government, then he should go wearing his kipa and looking as rabbinic as he could. “

    Now one can agree or disagree without the bile. IMHO the only valid question added was whom did R’HL speak to who agreed that this event qualified for an exemption, given, as he notes, how few and far between these events are. Another interesting question -was R’HL the first choice and , if not, did he know that and did he seek counsel of those who turned it down?

    OK, what’s done is done, hopefully we all can learn something.

    KT

    Oh, is the gulos
    Oh, is the gulos
    15 years ago

    Oh vey on us, there is no Rov zt”l, no Reb Moshe zt”l, no Reb Yaakov zt”l to ask these serious shailos in America. Its easy for everyone to take pot shots at him. Give him credit for doing what he did, after I’m sure, much discussion and soul searching. And, he has the courage to defend himself. The RCA is an organization led by a bunch of guys without any thing to do, looking for an agenda. R’ Basil Herring is jealous he wasn’t asked. Look at the mess they made with Gerous.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    Anybody care to explain wht rabbi lookstein should care what the charaidi olom thinks???

    Necha
    Necha
    15 years ago

    Lookstein runs true to form he has never changed. First and foremost he is for Lookstein, secondly he is a politician and thirdly he happens to have smicha, does that make him a great Rabbi entitled to go against all rules, WE DO NOT GO INTO CHURCHES. EVEN FOR bingo, LET ALONE FOR A PRAYER SERVICE….BUT THEN AGAIN HE IS JUST ANOTHER POMPOUS LITTLE PERSON. HIS LETTER TO RCA AS USUAL IS ONLY SELF SERVING.

    W.L. ZEV Wexler
    W.L. ZEV Wexler
    15 years ago

    Bravo Rabbi Lookstein.. Your motives are pure and your logic is beyond reproach. When thought of in the spirit of Pekuach Nefesh (which is how your actions should be viwed) your actions and reasoning is irrefutable and unimpeachable.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    Rabbi Lookstein should have asked another Rabbi’s opinion. Even Rabbis are required to seek Rabbinic direction. Particularly on a matter like this where he had a personal interest in attending, he should have sought Rabbinic directive. He sets a bad example when he relies on himself in a matter of such great importance

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    Riiiight. Because all the heyligeh rabonim do that.
    Oh wait, who said he didnt? Who are you to pasken for a gadol like lookstein anyways? please. the damage done by the rca with their press releases and the ou backtracking and deleting blogspots to hide their hypocrisy (diament) has done much more damage to the image of klal yisroel (especially since all the goyim read all of this) than anything that the herrings and the zweibels of their hock velt think was so terrible that lookstein did in the first place.

    History
    History
    14 years ago

    Well, it is 1/2 year later…….he wasted his time there….