Jerusalem – In response to a question posted on a Yeshiva website asking him to comment on a couple’s experience in seeking a blessing from a rabbi, Rabbi Yaakov Ariel, the Chief Rabbi of Ramat Gan, said that those in need of a blessing should pray directly to God, “without an agent,” instead of seeking a blessing from a rabbi.
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ARUTZ SHEVA 7 (http://bit.ly/14lhyYN) reports that Rabbi Ariel went on to explain that experts in the field of halakah generally oppose seeking blessings from rabbis or kabbalists.
Ariel said that, while there are certain “spiritual giants” whose righteousness allows them to give blessings, they are few and far between, and their identities are seldom known.
Al tihye bircas hedyot kal bainecha!
Finally a voice of reason and sanity, in an age where both are scarce.
Good ol’ time religion and G-d – refreshing to hear that real Judaism holds that every Jew can approach Hashem directly
Finally! This is what I was taught by my father and by my teachers. I cannot understand these people who run to every Rabbi in the hopes that the brocha they get this time will finally work.
I’d never heard of Rabbi Ariel before this article but with those few words of truth he has gained my deep respect.
All כלל ישראל is קדוש but this is basically the litvish מהלך.
a very wise man
A refreshing change from the rabbinic world. However, he’s about to earn a lot of enemies – this talk is bad for business.
It’s about time people stopped running around to Rabbis and miracle workers and davened straight to the Boss.
Or go to kevarim of known tzaddikim, it’s free.
if the chassidim listen to his advice the “rebbis ” would be in real trouble
Now this is someone that I would want a Bracha from!
What a breath of fresh air!!
(Rabbi Ariel has to be careful as many who’ve been making money like bandits will be gunning for him.)
An erlicher Yid and that is what and other boys did in Buchenwald
To #4 This is what we were taught by our parents and we have passed this down to our children!! A voice of wisdom!!
Having gone to new square once and sitting there like an idiot for over 4 hours, only to get about 2 minutes of the “holy one’s” precious time, I was very disappointed. I know I will get flak for this, but this rebbe may have connections, but its very obvious that he has all the time in the world for the well to do. B”N, I wont go see him again.
We have sunk very low indeed that saying something that basic and fundamental makes the news and everyone says wow!
This is a serious topic that needs more focus from rabbis. I know a young man who ultimately died from cancer because he spent more time traveling to Israel paying thousands to get blessings and insights from kabalists and other holy charlatans than seeking experienced doctors to diagnose him early enough. It was a tragic train-wreck but this is how serious people believe in these blessings.
What Rov Areil has reported to say is not a סטירה. Any Yid can give a blessing. If Rov Areil chooses not to accept blessings from other Yidden or dissuades others from doing same that is also not a סטירה. Anyone may seek a blessing from G-d, a Rov, Rebbe, or a Mekubal.
what about the gemara in bava basra “yelech etzel chacham” clearly directing us to seek blessings of tzadikim? i would interpret his words to mean those who DEMAND money for their blessings.
Using KOHELES (7:18),I think the best advice is “yarei Elokim yeitzei es koolam.” There was a well-known story about a very great Rebbeh in Brooklyn zt’l, to whom a chasid came to say farewell before flying overseas on an importnat business trip. His Rebbeh held him up despite his annoyance with trivial points until he was able to rip himself away and rush to the airport. He missed the plane by a few minutes, and had to wait two hours for another one. Later the word came that the first plane crashed with no survivors.
Unfortunately there are few kedoshim with this ruach hakodesh today – nismaatu hadoros!
There are those that agree and some that dont . However everyone knows of a story when someone checked their teffilin, or the mezuzas or got the blessing of a rebbe resulting in G_D relpying positively. a difference maker . Very often bordering on the supernatural. BH
After all we are a nation of maaminim benei maaminim.
May all have a wonderful shabbos.
A story is told of a Chassidishe Rebbe to whom a childless couple came for a blessing. The Rebbe refused. The distraught wife pleaded with him, but he continued to refuse. She said to her husband, “What do we need the Rebbe? Let’s just daven to Hashem.” Upon which the Rebbe said, “NOW, I can give you a blessing!”
V’hameivin yavin.
Avoid Rabbis? Mkubalim? Doven? He is such a litvak! So yeshivish!
Ironic, the Chasidim were first of the mind that every Yid could approach the KB”H. The Litvish held that one had to be very well educated to do so…
Most of all avoid this Rabbi!
Reb Ariel gets my vote and my prayers.
We were raised to believe that what you say is important, Rabbi or not. Za gezint – za gebentched … and so on. Every bracha, from your grandmother to your Rebbi is precious. It does not preclude davening to H”KBH – and every Jewish father blesses his children on Friday night!
The last time I got a bracha from a Rebbe, it cost me $5000 and I still didn’t win the lottery.
we do need REAL rabbis its just like having a lawyer represent you in court they know and understand the language P.S good luck in finding on today
I would ask him for a brocha
This is the basis of Judaism. There is one G-d, directly accessible to every Jewish soul.
Rabbi Ariel should have been elected Chief Rabbi of Israel a decade ago. Unfortunately the charedi establishment objected, and they got their way.