The achdus at the Siyum was very palpable. Let’s keep it going!
The Netziv (Ha’amek Davar, introduction to Sefer Bereishit) blames the destruction [of the Bais Hamikdash] on excessive “righteousness,” that is, “righteous” individuals who treated others who did not exactly conform to their beliefs as heretics (apikorsim). This was, in actuality, a particular form of sinas chinam. The misplaced persecution of those people led to the destruction, because, the Netziv explains, God does not want this kind of excessive “righteousness,” but rather moral conduct in every day affairs.8 So too, the Chofetz Chaim views sinas chinam as the starting point for the destruction, but feels that it alone would not have caused the Churban. Rather the lashon hara (gossip) that followed was the cause of the destruction.9
8. He repeats this theme on Num 36:34 and Deut 32:5. See also his Shu”t Meshiv Davar 1:44.
9. Introduction to Chofetz Chaim.
Honors to Mr. Schottenstein and Rabbi Scherman were well deserved as most Jews worldwide are indeed indebted to them. And it was nice that they gave a tribute to Rav Zlotowitz z”l.
And ending it off by remembering the Holocaust was also very appropriate.
The achdus at the Siyum was very palpable. Let’s keep it going!
The Netziv (Ha’amek Davar, introduction to Sefer Bereishit) blames the destruction [of the Bais Hamikdash] on excessive “righteousness,” that is, “righteous” individuals who treated others who did not exactly conform to their beliefs as heretics (apikorsim). This was, in actuality, a particular form of sinas chinam. The misplaced persecution of those people led to the destruction, because, the Netziv explains, God does not want this kind of excessive “righteousness,” but rather moral conduct in every day affairs.8 So too, the Chofetz Chaim views sinas chinam as the starting point for the destruction, but feels that it alone would not have caused the Churban. Rather the lashon hara (gossip) that followed was the cause of the destruction.9
8. He repeats this theme on Num 36:34 and Deut 32:5. See also his Shu”t Meshiv Davar 1:44.
9. Introduction to Chofetz Chaim.
Honors to Mr. Schottenstein and Rabbi Scherman were well deserved as most Jews worldwide are indeed indebted to them. And it was nice that they gave a tribute to Rav Zlotowitz z”l.
And ending it off by remembering the Holocaust was also very appropriate.