Harry presents us with this list of what he considers to be correct.
They include but are not limited to encyclopedic knowledge of Shas, Rishonim, and Halacha and at least a working knowledge of Mada. They must also have a high level of Yiras Shamayim, a refined character, and highly developed degree of personal ethics.Beside for some quibbles (of course), the list seems nice.
Additionally they should have leadership capabilities, a certain type of wisdom that usually comes with age, and the willingness to unselfishly serve Klal Yisroel with great humility. Perhaps the most important characteristic of all is acceptance by their peers and their people - Klal Yisorel.
Occasionally one can become a Gadol without some of these traits - or at least greater strength in one area over another. But in the vast majority of cases all of the above traits are found in Gedolim at some level - perhaps excelling in one or two of them.
Yet, when making his own list from the past,
Rav Moshe Feinstein (pictured), Rav Yosef Dov Soloveitchik, Rav Ahron Soloveichik, Rav Aharon Kotler, Rav Yaakov Kaminetsky, Rav Avroham Pam, Rav Yitzchak Hutner, Rav Yoel Teitelbaum, and Rav Menachem Mendel Schneersohn.he seems to be omitting something. Yes, some of these very Gedolim had little working knowledge of Mada. The Satmar rebbe and Rav Aharon Kotler both come to mind.
The question arises - who today qualifies as a Gadol? Do they have the qualifications listed above? All of them? Some of them? Any of them? What are their qualifications exactly? Who recognizes them as such? Everyone? Most of us? Some of us?Who recognized your list as Gedolim, R' Harry? Is it possible that the conferral of the title happened simply by acceptance?
I ask this in all sincerety with absolutely no rancor or intent to disparage or slight anyone. There are many fine Talmidei Chachamim in the world today. But are they Gedolim? If so, who are they and why? Who recognizes them as such and why?
I think that the title of Gadol is limited only to people who are wholly accepted by a large segment of klal Yisrael. Regardless of the specifics noted above.
The Aguda'h Moe'etzes is far from being such a list, considering that few Chareidim consider Agudas Yisrael as representing them. This is a point that Harry seems to continue to miss.
Yes, a Gadol just 'happens'.
3 comments:
The problem, as I've written frequently, is that there are two definitions for the word "gadol".
The first is more or less what Rav Maryles describes - a person with greatness in piety, intellectual ability and knowledge.
The second, and the more current, is "political leader in the Chareidi community". Rav Eliashiv didn't so much earn his "gadol" title throug his unceasing learning of Torah so much as he inherited it from Rav Schach , zt"l, when he died. And it's a pretty given conclusion that when he reaches the end of his 120th year, Rav Shteinman will automatically get it next. This is the reason for cynicism in the non-Chareidi frum community.
As for the mada concern, what you said is true but remember that leaders like Ravs Kotler and Feinstein consulted with the finest minds of their times when they needed to learn something about a psak. Rav Feinstein, for example, routinely consulted with leading physicians before issuing a psak in medical halacha to ensure he had the facts correct.
However, that doesn't always happen nowadays. During the whole metzitzah b'peh scandal a few years ago with the mohel who was giving babies herpes, Rav Eliashiv is said to have asked an infectious disease specialist if herpes can be transmitted by skin to skin contact and was told "no", something which goes against medical fact. Was he recommended a specialist that would give him the answer he wanted?
What you write about Rav Elyashiv is untrue. While in many cases it does go according to familial inheritance, Rav Elyashiv was essentially an outsider. Which is why some in the Litvishe world don't really accept him.
Rav Elyashiv did earn it.
About the mada issue. True, and that mostly because Rav Elyashiv is being manipulated by the henchmen around him.
The only well defined meaning of "Gadol" in halacha is one who is considered an adult; i.e. past bar/bat mitzva age. This is a well defined status and one can give eidus about this (fortunately it is very rare these days that one needs to--the traditional reason is so a 13 year old boy can free his widowed sister-in-law by chalitza.)
In the meaning of leading Rabbi, the term is necessarily vague as are the criteria. Primarily, that there are enough other people, especially rabbis, who will follow you. Of course, anyone can decide for himself how many (or which) people are enough to qualify one as a gadol. And the would be followers pick who they follow according to their own criteria. Thus the term is vague, and it is pointless to pretend that there are well defined criteria.
Mike S.
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