New York – It is difficult if not impossible to draw a fully rounded portrait of Rav Yoshe Ber Soloveitchik, the scion of Brisk known to many simply as “The Rav,” the man who straddled many disparate worlds. Much as bands of light are scattered by a prism, Rav Soloveitchik’s multifaceted persona was refracted and absorbed in different hues and shades by his many students.
Join our WhatsApp groupSubscribe to our Daily Roundup Email
Yet of all those students Rav Hershel Schachter, a noted talmid chacham and prominent posek, is recognized for his exemplary exposition and elucidation of the teachings of Rav Soloveitchik. In a riveting conversation with Misphacha, Rav Schachter shares his personal memories of the Rav Soloveitchik that he knew.
My journey to today’s meeting began, in a sense, some years ago in an unadorned ground floor apartment on one of Jerusalem’s narrow streets. I had made the trip from New York to this humble home in order to enroll in the Brisker yeshiva led by Rav Dovid Soloveitchik, shlita. While trying to ascertain whether or not I’d be accepted, the Rosh Yeshiva sat gazing at me wordlessly, intently studying my demeanor.
Suddenly, after a few long minutes of almost claustrophobic silence, he asked, “How old are you?” “Twenty,” was my honest response. “You don’t look twenty,” he said.
Though his seat at the head of a small wooden dining room table was quite close to mine, he suddenly seemed remote and distant.
My integrity having apparently just been challenged, I quickly remembered that I had my American passport on me. “If the Rosh Yeshiva so insists,” I said, as I allowed my hand to hastily search my jacket pocket, “I can prove that I am indeed as old as I have just stated.” “I never said that I don’t believe you,” was his swift and matter-of-fact reply. “I merely pointed out that you don’t look twenty.”
I realized that with that short rejoinder the Rosh Yeshiva had given me the first lesson in the lomdus and analytical method of study that his famed grandfather, Rav Chaim Soloveitchik of Brisk, had pioneered.
Telling somebody that he doesn’t look as old as he states does not imply that the person in question is misrepresenting his age . A moment later this distinction seemed so simple and elementary. In order to excel in the Brisker derech, I knew in a flash, I would have to learn how to differentiate between seemingly identical assertions.
Read the full story here PDF
Reprinted from this past weekends Mispacha Magazine, exclusive to VIN News
i think, its about time we unite with the modern orthodox community. after all, it is the same ideolegy at its core. the only diffrence is, when a problem arises, they deal with it, thru seeking constructive solutions within the torah framework, while our solution is allways more isurim
I saw no big חידושים in this whole Mishpacha article. What i did take out that you can be in YU and be a real G-D fearing Jew.
This article has caused an avalanche in charedi/MO relations. Thanks for posting.
this is all bolony the fact is that rav soloveitchik z”l was a big kal, in yu the girls have np going with pants, also when they r dating they have no problem to be in fisicel contect wich is by the way not allowed if you are follwing the shulchen oruch and to say that he did evry lettle thing by the shulchen oruch makes me legh rabbi shecter is in fact from the very right wing in yu all others in yu are much more on the left.when you go to a modern orthodox simcha u could see mixed sitting which was unheard of before in orthodox cummunitys
a beautiful article about one of the true gedolim of our generation (as well as about one of the true gedolim of the previous generation).
big skoyach to mishpacha for this article
My family and I eagerly look forward to reading Mishpacha every Shabbos. While I don’t always agree with all their content, we are happy that a sincerely chareidi weekly exists that strives to remain true. I hope that they do not succomb to any pressure or negative comments and change their editorial procedures. Many Chareidim (my family identifies as Chareidi) appreciate their honesty and we feel that many who might otherwise wonder whether there is any honest and independent thinker in the Jewish world left feel heartened. We especially appreciate this latest article. Rav Soloveitchik Zl was a gadol (although we disagreed with many of his followers). Rabbi Schachter is a gadol and there are many gedolim that teach and learn there. While there are problems with YU (we would not send our kids there for college), there are good things as well. It is well known that the best learners are often from or at YU. Before anyone begins bashing the article or VIN, please rememnber all this — as well as the fact that for some reason fewer Chilulei Hashem occur from those that have learned (not supporters) there than in the chareidi camp! Before we gratuitously criticize, we should
Hey Sam;
Can you name any other “magidei shiur” at RIETS/YU? You should since you think R’ Schachter is more right wing then they are! There are several Gedolei Torah there whose piskei halacha you may be following!!!!! be careful what you say-because you sound like an am haaretz
Beautiful article! I’m trying to get klur what Rav Soloveitchik zt”l held, not so easy to know. If Chinuch Atzmai under Rav Ahron zt”l honored the Rov, doesn’t that say conclusively that Rav Ahron respected him (even if he did not agree with all of his shitos)?
#4 . You are showing your true colors. Look around and see where all the scandals are coming from. Tell me how many YU musmachim and graduates are in the newspaper on a “daily” basis nebach. How many of them have sat at mixed tables at simchas? Your stereotypical comment is so off base and very uncalled for. Stop judging the Chitzonius so much look inside the hearts of every yid.
I am a frum Brooklyn yid. I find myself intermingeling with Chasidim, Modern, Yeshivish and I find no issue with any of them. As long as you build an honest kesher with HKB”H you are doing the right thing. YU, Satmar, belz, lakewood, JUST follow the Torah in the best way you can. Your attitude can jeopordize the future of Klal Yisroel more than mixed seating will ever do.
This is why Mishpocha is better than all other frum publications. Where is the Jewish Observer? Mishpocha had an article about Rabbi Krinsky and Chabad.
This publication is bringing the whole frum world together. Great!
this is wonderful to read. Not to long ago, I was reading in another chareidi publication about the Brisk Legacy and guess who was left out? I’m Lubavitch, not MO but I applaud Mishpacha magazine. We need achdus and reminders of how similar we are as a klal and not how different we are.
harav M..D. Soloveitchik from e.y. is light years away from rav J.B. THERES ABSOLUTLY NO COMPARISON BETWEEN the two rav j.b. was viewed as a gadol in his younger years however the article is misleading . If all Y.U. talmidim looked like rav schechter there would be no problem. the fact is that Y.U.produced many a conservative rabbi who had a heter to practice from rav j.b. A person who produced such a mixed bag of students no matter how great a scholar has no place in a CHAREIDI magazine. [he himself would agree to this] you dont have anybody as interesting but less sensational to write about?this ican read about in Jewish ACTION
Klal Yisroel is one, perhaps like a huge family where individuals have different likes, dislikes, strengths and weaknesses. Mishpacha Magazine is a money making magazine and is geared to the Frum Individual who can spend the $$$$ for its weekly paper. That would equal the working families with right wing religious leanings. No big deal to have an article about Reb YB z”tl after they covered Rav Tal (religious zionist), Gush Katif communities in details and other such persons.
BTW when reading the article there is a sneer towards ‘religious zionists’ which is an opinion of the author not written, said or aluded to by the Rav.
This is nice piece but not true, sadly. RYBS was an enemy of Torah and a traitor to Brsik mesorah of chesed.
I challenge one poster to name a Yid that he helped. Anybody.
I happen to enjoy the fact that Mishpacha (just like VIN) loves jumping into contriversial issues, such as the rabbi known by many names ranging from “the rav” to the more popular J.B. It should though be brought out that although he left his fathers and familys ways to become a modern rabbi and built his own modern home in Boston, as brought out in the article, it was all because he like many others thought that in America it just won’t work the real orthodox way and half is better than nothing, but today we have enough rabbi’s in our own communities that we hardly need the YU.
I hope all of you who are being mevaze a talmid chochom like the rav are ready to give your din vecheshbon after 120 and you feel confident you can have a valid affirmative defense for the kategor in the beis din shel maalah…
some of these comments are patently ridiculous! i was zoche to learn under the rov, zt’l and i recalled, as i sat there, my 11th grade (chareidi) rebbe, think he was insulting me by saying that i would “end up in j.b.’s shiur”. that rebbe did not reach the ‘avak reglaim of the avak reglaim” of the Rov. there is simply a knee jerk visceral reaction to anyone not in lockstep with chareidi hashkafa. maybe thats why we are so lacking in gedolim these days
I attend Harav Schechter’s shier with regularity every monday evening in Midwood. I am a middle aged man who has had substantial contact with various chassidishe and yeshivisha personalities. I can honostly attest that i have never experienced an individual as Rav Schechter who encompasses such vast Torah knowledge sincerity and TRUE humility. He is a walking Kiddush hasem.
This article gave mixed messages, quite confusing, JB. was a true religious
Zionist , as is attested in some of the comments, why did the writer of this
article, mention that he was “more anti Zionist than Satmar”? That is a real
joke, even if it was his true Shita, he certainly never voiced it nor did he want
to be labeled as “anti Zionist”.
During his lifetime, he would not have endorsed anything that was connected to “Anti Zionism”. I’m sure in Olam Haemes, he does, however appreciate
this comment, and it may even merit him, an Aliya to his Neshama.
The bottom line, business before pleasure, Mishpacha, you know how to run
a business, and your goal is to attract as many readers as possible, and that
means “pleasing everybody”. Which is quite impossible since “you can never
please EVERYBODY”.
To fellow readers: It is your obligation to censor the magazine, before your children get to read it, it is your Achreiyus that your children get the pure Hashkofos you are aiming for.
This magazine like all other Jewish Publications is not endorsed by any
Rabonnim, and I know of a very famous Rosh Yeshiva, who said that if
he were Bkoach he would put an issur on the Mishpacha
Here come the haters that are starting to feel the cracks in their chareidi only isolationist hashkafa….
As a scion of noted Chassidish families, married to a heimishe Boro-Parker (Satmar), & having been educated at YU (Rav Schechter was my Rebbe) – I firmly believe Mishpacha took a laudable, courageous, & Temimos-dik step in the right direction (i.e. promoting Ahavas Yisroel).
YU, the Rov, & Rav Schechter all have had (& continue to have) overwhelmingly-positive (by any measure – even after deducting any unintended consequences) contributions to Yiddeshkeit – as have Lakewood & the Yeshivish/Chassidishe Velts etc.
To deny it & claim superiority is ignorant, infantile, & shameful.
While YU is not perfect – neither is the Yeshivish/Chassidish Velts. Both camps’ Shittos have yielded dreadful unintended consequences – yet they are both genuine/respectable Mehalechs, at their roots.
Moreover, just as Rav Moishe & Rav Ahron Kotler publicly accorded Kavod to the Rav, in spite of their Hashkafik differences, we should show an equal measure of Ahavas Yisroel.
We would all be better off not bashing each other, & rather introspect, be more tolerant (not less resolute, Chas Vesholom, in our Shemiras Hamitzvos) of all true Torah Velts (only those within the pale, of course).
I’m neither MO nor Charedi. I’m a frum Jew. Period. I love Mishpacha for trying to unite all frum Jews. Mishpacha: Klal Yisroel is sick and tired of all labels and machlokes. Thanks loads for your services that only Hashem can reward you for. Every Rosh Yeshiva and Rov admires you for your courage.
Probably the Rov who doesn’t like Mishpacha is a member of ther other Satmar (ZL) since Mishpacha featured Reb Aharon twice.
#40 - In riverdale the Conservative rabbi was from Torah Vdaas!! (BTW-he could talk in learning, despite his lack in shmiras hamitzvos!)
there is a famous vort.. the Medresh says “come see the difference between the talmidim of our patriach Avrohom, and that of the talmidim of Bilam harausha”.. the obvious question arises.. do we need to look at the talmidim? by merely looking at the person himself, one can easily discern the difference between them
The simplest, and truest answer is, that, contrary to what one may think, both Avraham, and Billam look the same. they both wear the same hat, or is is a streimel. they both shokel by Shemonie Esra etc etc
Often times, the ONLY way you can tell the difference between the two, is not by analyzing the person, but by analyzing their talmidim, the fruits of their labor.
Enough said
Reply to #19 : Charlie, there yougo again. “Furthermore there are communities were pants for women are permitted l’chatchila, in particular the Religious Zionist kibbutzim.” and if some kehila is matir kol isha or pre-marital copulation that makes it mutar!!!! Qoute a teshuva from a posek that is matir pants for women “lechatchila”.
Reply to #45 : How silly, all of Am Yisroel was charedi since matan torah “vayecherad kol ha’am” up until recent modern fabrications. I shouldn’t say all, there have been many movements throughout our history who deviated/modernized from the haredi/perushi hashkafa, and what became of them???
I rest my case!
Response to #45 – The designation “charedi” is, of course, from tanach. What I have seen is the constant widening of what constitutes “charedi” – growing up in NY in the 60s, we generally referred to Satmar and allied groups, the yishuv hayoshon of Yerushalayim (ie. Eida Hachareidis), etc. as Chareidi. No one affiliated with the Aguda or any other Zionist organization was considered “chareidi”. Today, groups, behaviours, and hashkofos are considered “charedi” which would previously not have been so considered.
In 1935 The Munkaczer zt”l referred to people comming out of YU as RA-Banim in his two letters to Reb Schraga Feivel on whether they should learn limudei choil in Torah Vadaas. The letters are published in Igros Shapirin which is available on Hebrewbooks.org. (It’s a very poor copy, the yud’s and the leg of the Hay usually do not show up.)
There are some people claiming to be in the “MO” camp, who attend Shabbat morning services, and then spend the afternoon playing ball. They eat milchigs in restaurants that are open on Shabbat. Taharat Hamishpacha is only partially observed. In these cases, Modern Orthodoxy, is neither modern, nor Orthodox.
Many others in the MO camp, are modern, in that they are professional, white collar workers, Rabbis, etc., to whom secular learning is not “treif”. They may wear colored shirts (over tzitzit)), shave, and wear “sroogie yarmulkas”. The cover is different, but their devotion to lives of Halacha, Torah and Derech Erets, is very sincere. When a parent can send his child to a City college for “bupkas”, but send him/her to YU for 40G a year, it indicates that there is a strong mesirat nefesh present. YU has provided my kids with a very strong reinforcement to the foundations we built at home. Every time you find a Shomer Shabbat doctor, attorney, dentist, architect, etc., you can thank places like YU
The Mishpacha article is rhetorically dishonest. Example 1: the article states that the ‘Rav’ represents the ‘Brisker Derech’. Obviously, this means more than the derech of limud. My daughter attended a Seminary in Jerusalem. Her classmates included several Brisker girls. These girls were excused from English class, for learing a foreign language in a classroom setting is outside the ‘Brisker Derech’. This is how the real ‘Derech’ is expressed, ad hayom hazeh.
Adaraba to the derech the ‘Rav’ promulgated. Several years ago, at Yeshiva University, an English Professor took a Sabbatical. He came back a she after a sex change operation. The Professor was tenured, thus the school was in a bind. Rabbi Moshe Tendler was forced to speak out in disgust.
Example 2: the author states that he first came across the Rav’s writings at the Lakewood Yeshiva. This is quite misleading. The implication is that the writings of the Rav are ‘at home’ at Lakewood. The article closes with a similar twist, by showing a picture of Rav Belsky at a OU forum. Rav Belsky runs the Kashrus part of the OU only. To imply anything more is sheker. The article implies much more.
“These girls were excused from English class, for learing a foreign language in a classroom setting is outside the ‘Brisker Derech’.”
Despite the historical fact that there were Russian lessons taught in Volozhiner Yeshiva?
More revisionist nonsense.
To all those who wrote or are considering writing negative things about the Rav: Are you really that confident of your opinions and information that you’re willing to risk the possibility of being ovair Loshon Horah about one who just might be a Talmud Chacham, a tzaddik, and a gadol hador? While you’re considering this, please bear in mind the kavod afforded to the Rav by Rav Ahron Kotler z”tl and Rav Moshe z”tl, among other “mainstream” gedolai torah.
You must enjoy living dangerously.
A lot of good comments here, and a couple of ignorant ones. I know as former talmud of R’ Schachter i heard him say that anyone who would like to rely or RYBS kulos should first adhere to his chumros, and that most of us could not get out of bed in the morning if we were as machmir as he was. True, numerous talmidim have mangled his words, but so much torah was spread because of him he cannot be overlooked. Just his warm relationships with R’ Moshe and all the Kotler rabbonim should be enough for most of you.