Daf Yomi Yevamos 20
Recent
events surrounding the shocking conduct of a prominent rabbi, who abused his
authority and unfettered access into his victims’ personal space, both
physically and emotionally, have been a source of pain to us all. Let me
take this opportunity to comfort the victims, both personal and congregational.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you during
this difficult time.
Many have
lashed out at rabbinic power and its abuse and potential abuse. Is abuse
of rabbinic power indeed the issue? Should
it be curtailed or regulated?
The Mishnah states: They said a general rule
when it comes to the law of the levirate marriage. Any relationship that would be forbidden between
the widow and the brother is automatically dissolved – they do not require the
levirate marriage (yibum) or its annulment (chalitzah). Regarding a relationship prohibited due to a
mitzvah or sanctity, they should annual the union and not proceed with the levirate
marriage.
What is the meaning of a mitzvah
prohibition? Secondary relationships,
which are rabbinically forbidden. Sanctity
prohibition? A widow to the high priest,
a divorcee or one who has been annulled from the levirate marriage (chalutzah) to
an ordinary cohen, a bastard or Nesin (descendant of the fake Gibeonite
converts) to a regular Jew, or a Jewess to a bastard or Nesin.
The Gemara asks: Why is it called a mitzvah
prohibition? Abaye answers: It is a
mitzvah to heed the words of the Sages.
Why are they called sanctity prohibition? For the Torah states (concerning priestly
relationships), “They shall be holy to their G-d.”
The Beraisa states: Rabbi Judah reversed the
terms. A mitzvah prohibition refers to
the forbidden relationship between a widow and the high priest or a divorcee or
chalutzah and an ordinary cohen. And why
is it called a mitzvah prohibition? For
the Torah states concerning the priestly obligations, “These are the mitzvot.”
Sanctity prohibition (according to Rabbi Judah)
refers to secondary relationships which are rabbinically forbidden. And why are they called sanctity
prohibition? Abaye taught: Anyone who
fulfils the words of the Sages is called holy. Rava asked: And anyone who does not fulfil the
words of the Sages not only is he not called holy, is he not also called
wicked?!? Rather, teaches Rava: We are
enjoined to sanctify ourselves with that which is permitted.
The Torah
grants enormous power to the Rabbis. It
is a biblical mitzvah to heed the words of the Rabbis! This power has been challenged and disdained
over the centuries by many opponents of traditional Judaism. In fact, the Karaites went so far as to call
those who adhered to tradition, ‘Rabbinic Jews.’ They claimed, in distinction, that everyone
should have the right to interpret the text as they saw fit, hence their name
from the word ‘kara,’ meaning ‘read’
or ‘text.’
But the
Talmud here gives us guidelines to know when the Rabbis are acting biblically
and when they are acting, G-d forbid, out of line. The role of the rabbi is to increase the
holiness of our people. That means teaching
us how to remain pure and holy in a world that aims to tear us away from
holiness. It means teaching us how to
sanctify ourselves in that which is permitted – even in our ordinary mundane
lives. When you come into shul, the
rabbi’s job is to give you the energy and passion to infuse into your
day-to-day life, making it meaningful and spiritual.
The job of
the rabbi is not just to lay down the law.
That’s not what the Talmud says.
It’s about imbuing the people with holiness. It’s about leading the way in holiness. And it’s about the congregational
relationships that create the positive energy that moves people to
holiness. When the rabbi is distant
from his congregants, it is a red flag that something is amiss. When he is not bringing positive energy into
the shul, something’s not quite right.
And when
horrendous information comes to light as did in recent events, it is a clear
indication that said person was not a real rabbi. It’s not a reflection of rabbinic power or
its abuse; it’s a sign that someone was put in place that should not have been
there to begin with, and sadly nobody said anything sooner to curtail the
terrible damage. Once a rabbi is failing
to infuse the people with inspiration, positive energy, and holiness, he is no
longer fulfilling his role.
This man
was one bad apple that should have been spotted years ago. Let’s not allow one stain to undermine our
entire system of tradition. ‘Rabbinic’
Judaism has kept our nation alive for thousands of years!
