Talk:Aharon Lichtenstein

Question

I don't think Rabbi Lichtenstein's most important contribution is his stand on relations with other denominations of Judaism. Why is this here?

Eh? The article does not say that this was his most important discussion. It is, however, one of the distinguishing characteristics of his policy and theology. Many of his rabbinic peers have moved far to the right in recent years, and are now very much against the views that are discussed here. RK 16:32, Mar 25, 2005 (UTC)

I have erased the entire section, as it was simply inadequate. Where does Rav Lichtenstein advocate inter-denominational dialogue? What does that mean that he grants them "respect"? As the paragraph cited indicates, he feels that it is better for a person to be Reform or Conservative than totally secular and unidentified. That is a rather modest claim, and not the novelty that you had made it out to be. Furthermore, even if the content had been accurate, the section is still misleading. As it stands, the article gives the impression that this issue is somehow one of linchpins of R. Lichtenstein's thought. It is not. If this were merely one part of an overall presentation of his hashkafa, then we could quibble about the details. But in the absence of any discussion of his defining characteristics, the section constitutes a distortion. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 129.98.192.97 (talk) 05:16, September 8, 2006 (UTC).

I am copying the offending passage here so that it can be editted and.or reinserted at a later date. By the way, you should sign your comments with --~~~~ so that the time date, and IP address of your comments are recorded (they are recorded in the page history anyways, but it's considered good manners. --Eliyak T·C 17:13, 8 September 2006 (UTC)

Views of non-Orthodox Judaism

On one hand, Lichtenstein believes, like most other Orthodox Rabbis, that all non-Orthodox Jewish denominations are incorrect. However, he advocates inter-denominational dialogue and mutual respect to a degree which might be considered unusual among the Orthodox rabbinate.

In the 1980s, with the resurgence of Orthodox Judaism well-established, debate emerged within the Orthodox community over whether Orthodox Jews should have any contact and cooperation with non-Orthodox forms of Judaism at all, and whether or not non-Orthodox forms of Judaism have any value. A few dozen Orthodox rabbis participated in a symposium on this topic in 1982. He then commented that:

Nor do I share the glee some feel over the prospective demise of the competition. Surely, we have many sharp differences with the Conservative and Reform movements and these should not be sloughed over or blurred. However, we also share many values with them and this, too, should not be obscured. Their disappearance might strengthen us in some respects but would unquestionably weaken us in others. And of course, if we transcend our own interests and think of the people currently served by these movements, many of them both presently and potentially well beyond our reach or how can they, or Klal Yisrael as a whole, be effected by such a change? Can anyone responsibly state that it is better for a marginal Jew in Dallas or in Dubuque to lose his religious identity altogether rather than drive to his temple?" (Symposium on the State of Orthodox Judaism, 1982 [Tradition: A Journal of Orthodox Jewish Thought].)

I think a paragraph or two should be devoted to his rather revolting level of hatred toward Haredim personally and their hashkafot in general. This is an encyclopedia, after all, and there is no reason to whitewash hiw well known bias toward certain haredi scholar. 67.81.155.106 (talk) 12:53, 6 May 2008 (UTC)

It is inappropriate that an anonymous person comes here to slander Rabbi Lichtenstein. It is baseless for this anonmynous person to claim that mere disagreement with a Haredi point of view is a "REVOLTING LEVEL OF HATRED." In fact, Lichenstein's view used to be fairly common among Modern Orthodox Judaism. What this anonymous person really means is that he himself has hatred towards all Jews who have any level of respect to non-Orthodox Jews, which includes Modern Orthodox Jews. His personal belief system does not allow him to remove valid data from a biographical encyclopedia article! RK (talk) 01:42, 11 January 2009 (UTC)

Soloveichik Family Tree?

What in the WORLD is the Soloveichik family tree doing at the end of this article? Just because R Lichtenstein married one of Rabbi YDB Soloveichik's daughters? This is completely out of place, cluttered, and confusing, and needs prompt removal.62.219.163.100 (talk) 11:34, 2 June 2008 (UTC)

→excuse me but i think thats important! i mean he is continuing the brisker line and the rav's tradition! do you know the numerous things he is involved in to continue his rebbe's teachings! Toras HaRav Foundation!69.203.19.180 (talk) 04:13, 14 July 2010 (UTC)David

Nothing about the notability of this family tree is in this wiki; I therefore removed it... L.tak (talk) 17:00, 10 November 2010 (UTC)

As a student in R Lichtenstein's yeshiva (for 1 year and not a student of R Lichtenstein himself), it is clear that R Aharon views R Soloveichik as his chief mentor. As one of R Soloveichik's chief students and son-in-law, it is entirely appropriate to view him as an inheritor of R Soloveichik's legacy. Therefore, it is entirely appropriate to include the Soloveichik family tree in his bio article. (After all Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, the 7th Rebbe was the son-in-law of the 6th Rebbe making it hard to argue that that a Rabbinic family tree should only include blood relatives.) Therefore, I include the Soloveichik family tree. (Avisnacks) — Preceding unsigned comment added by Avisnacks (talk • contribs) 00:32, 17 December 2013 (UTC)

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