Letter to the Editor: The Real Culture of Permissibility
Dear Editor,
I write to you to launch a formal macha’a, a protest. The Commentator has truly transcended its self-proclaimed title of the “independent” newspaper of Yeshiva University. One would be led to believe that this would denote independence from scrutiny by the university, but, in actuality, it would seem to connote independence from the university’s supposed values — those of the Torah. What follows is a response to a recently published article; it lacks perspective, as I will attempt to elaborate. However, the purpose of this submission is actually twofold: to formally protest The Commentator’s publishing of anti-Torah attitudes in a newspaper that should instead be used for spreading Torah values — not providing a platform for those who flaunt their irreverence. Let them publish it elsewhere. Secondly, to respond to such an article — to emphasize its lack of self-awareness and to comment on the greater themes at play.
For the students who wish to cleave to their values, YU is supposed to be a safe haven. I am not speaking in philosophical terms — that is to say, whatever particular hashkafa a student possesses is irrelevant. YU is supposed to be the place where religious Jews can improve themselves in whichever disciplines they see fit, without the practical halachic and value-driven obstacles one would encounter on a secular campus. It’s even supposed to be a yeshiva. There are separate-gendered campuses, we follow an academic calendar consistent with an Orthodox lifestyle and the food served on campus is kosher. All of us are required to spend at least some time in the morning fulfilling the Torah’s commandment to engage in our life force, Torah study.
The fact that the outlook of the world around us is opposed to our values is not something new. At the very start, Avraham Avinu found himself in a world completely and totally at odds with his worldview. As Orthodox Jews, we believe Avraham was right. The whole world of public opinion was against him, but can you equivocate when you know you are right? Jews, with tremendous mesiras nefesh, have fought for that which they hold dear throughout time. Moshe identified his nation as a stiff-necked one, and we have been one since time immemorial.
The ironic title of the article I’m responding to is the epitome of the somber irony found in the world we presently live in. The end of the Gemara in Sotah describes the backwardness of the world in the days of the ikvisa d’meshicha [the days preceding the Messiah]: “People who fear sin will be held in disgust, and the truth will be absent.” Indeed, we live in a “backward generation”: the fault of permissibility lies first and foremost in those who publish articles in a university paper that should hold Orthodox values, and still, expect acceptance for their alien values. They are living in a world of delusion.
The article seems innocent enough. The author complains about the lack of empathy students at YU display toward their peers of alternative lifestyles. “There is a culture of permissibility whereby a vocal minority feels very comfortable being overtly bigoted at YU — in classes, chats and beyond.” He even cites an unfortunate incident — “a friend of [his] was loudly called a slur” while waiting in line at the caf. But harassment is not the issue of the article. The author goes on to speak of a “culture” at YU. In this “culture” the word “gay” is used negatively. This is a “culture” where “queerphobia is rampant.” The question of whether this reality even really exists is besides the point; the author’s complaint is a question of values. There is a need to validate certain values. If one thinks that what is forbidden is permissible they’ll be confused about people’s attitudes. The insatiable requirement for self-validation caused by knowingly entering an environment where people hold values contrary to your own should not be surprising.
Again, this article is not being written in a vacuum. Tolerance for the LGBTQ community is not what the author is asking for. Obviously, nobody should be harassed. But the broader context of this article is of relevance. The same need for validation discussed above pervades the agenda of such an organization as the YU Pride Alliance mentioned in the article. Those that think it is permissible to drag an Orthodox institution, no less a yeshiva, through the dirt to fulfill their reckless need for validation are the ones who need to scrutinize their actions. Instead of recognizing the incompatibility of certain values, those confused insist upon acceptance. In their world of fluidity, there exists no accountability. There is no such thing as chillul Hashem because all is permissible. There is no such thing as beis din because they don’t recognize their cause. What if their unholy crusade works out and their cruel demands are met? What then? Does it end? Maybe the Torah itself needs to change, or in their minds, already has.
Indeed, the whole narrative of victimhood — the tale of individuals being targeted and exposed is not in touch with reality — it’s a false narrative. We are talking about the Pride movement, the same movement that has convinced individuals that everyone else needs to hear about, and, in fact, bend to meet every need of these individuals. The author cannot paint a different picture because the unsaid in his article is very apparent. YU, and everybody who cares about the integrity of it, are the ones currently in the process of being compelled by this group, who feel that their pride is of such worthy cause as to trample upon every other deeply-held value, no matter how old or how sacred.
To be clear, this is not an indictment of individuals. Yidden are kadosh [holy]. This article is not an attempt to condemn them themselves — but rather their lack of awareness of time and place. There’s just a fundamental lack of awareness of using Yeshiva University as a platform for the obsessive need for validation. Just like we wouldn’t be astonished if the caf wouldn’t cater to a person who wanted cheese on their burger, we should not be surprised that those who believe in the Torah demur on values that are anti-Torah. YU itself said it best in a Q&A pointing out the absurdity of the YU Pride Alliance assault: “Every undergraduate student who makes the personal choice to come to Yeshiva is choosing this religiously driven environment and curriculum, instead of other college experiences.”
The worst aspect of this piece is the use of the Torah to attack the Torah. All I can think of is the Reform and other revisionist groups highlighting one of their choicest pesukim, completely disregarding its intent, meaning and context and abusing it for their purposes. The same goes for the egregious misuse of the holy words of the Alter Rebbe, the Torah Shebichsav [written Torah] of Chassidus. There is irony in the misunderstanding of the quoted words. It’s kedai [worthwhile] to look it over. This is not the platform nor the place to launch an analysis of the sources mentioned. Suffice it to say that the same culture of permissibility which deluded the Pride Alliance into claiming that they are not acting outside of Orthodoxy and its values, leads the author to see nothing wrong in selecting sources which speak to his point, while ignoring other parts. V’dai L’mavein [Sufficient for those who understand].
To conclude, I think the author’s assertion that there exists a pervasively negative attitude with respect to LGBTQ issues that is infrequently on display is an observation that fails to take into account the bigger picture. The bigger picture is that Orthodox Judaism espouses a certain set of values composed by the Torah, and that no amount of pressuring, coercing or suing will change those values.
Moshiach Now,
Schneur Hecht
Photo Caption: Yeshiva University
Photo Credit: Yeshiva University
