Revising
This has been an interesting exercise. I will be the first to admit that I wrote my original letter in haste, and in the age of email, it's always a mistake to press send before you've had 24 hours to think on something like this. I thank everyone who has expressed concern with the tone--including my Rebbeim. You were of course right, and I appreciate your care and willingness to offer tochacha (rebuke). Here's a revised version:
To the editor:
Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu is a great Torah sage. We deeply respect his many contributions to the betterment of the Jewish people and Torah over the course of his life.
That is why we were so saddened to read of the remarks attributed to Rabbi Eliyahu that blamed the Holocaust on the rise of Reform Judaism in Germany. Those words were hurtful to the memory of the victims of the Nazis, survivors of the Shoah, their children and grandchildren. They were also deeply and wrongly offensive to millions for whom the Reform movement constitutes a meaningful and vibrant Jewish community.
Though Rabbi Eliyahu is an Orthodox rabbi and a former Chief Rabbi of Israel, he obviously does not speak for all Orthodox rabbis. So, to Rabbi David Ellenson and to the many Jews offended by Rabbi Eliyahu's words, we wish to state clearly that, though we respect Rabbi Eliyahu's accomplishments, the words attributed to him espoused a theology deeply at odds with our understanding of Torah.
For our part, we are working to bring about the day when Jews, and rabbinic leaders, of all denominational backgrounds can teach and learn from one another, and make common cause in building a people that is a light unto nations.
Sincerely,
Rabbi Joshua Feigelson, Northwestern University Hillel
To the editor:
Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu is a great Torah sage. We deeply respect his many contributions to the betterment of the Jewish people and Torah over the course of his life.
That is why we were so saddened to read of the remarks attributed to Rabbi Eliyahu that blamed the Holocaust on the rise of Reform Judaism in Germany. Those words were hurtful to the memory of the victims of the Nazis, survivors of the Shoah, their children and grandchildren. They were also deeply and wrongly offensive to millions for whom the Reform movement constitutes a meaningful and vibrant Jewish community.
Though Rabbi Eliyahu is an Orthodox rabbi and a former Chief Rabbi of Israel, he obviously does not speak for all Orthodox rabbis. So, to Rabbi David Ellenson and to the many Jews offended by Rabbi Eliyahu's words, we wish to state clearly that, though we respect Rabbi Eliyahu's accomplishments, the words attributed to him espoused a theology deeply at odds with our understanding of Torah.
For our part, we are working to bring about the day when Jews, and rabbinic leaders, of all denominational backgrounds can teach and learn from one another, and make common cause in building a people that is a light unto nations.
Sincerely,
Rabbi Joshua Feigelson, Northwestern University Hillel
posted by Rabbi Josh Feigelson | 4:50 AM
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