Are the books written by Rabbi Matis Weinberg Kosher?
When an orthodox rabbi makes a comment to a journalist such as the one Rabbi Matis Weinberg made to Gary Rosenblatt (New York Jewish Week):
"Rabbi Weinberg noted that while he was physically demonstrative to his students, often hugging them, it was never in a sexual way. "I don't get a hard-on" from such encounters," asserted the rabbi, who is married and has a large family.. . . And the rabbi has a 30 year history of allegations of being physically and sexually inappropriate with minors . . . should we consider this rabbi's books to be Kosher?
Also Should anyone be going to him for a pasak (rabbinic ruling)?
I think we all need to contact Matis Weinberg's publisher and also web sites and bookstores who sell his books, and let them know he's not kosher.
I also believe there should be a group of rabbis getting together to make a public statement warning the public about Matise Weinberg too?
Remember those in the charedi world may know that Rabbi Matis Weinberg is potentially a dangerous man, but those who are "searching for some form of spirituality" don't know.
When most people hear the word "Rabbi", they think it means ethical, honorable, trustworthy, person representing G-d. Without warning, they might stumble upon someone like Matis Weinberg.
Contact:
The Rova - sells Weinberg books on line
011-9722-628-3488 (from outside Israel)
02-628-3488 (from Israel)
E-mail: rova@myrova.com
Judaism.com - sells Weinberg books on line
Toll Free: 1-800-Judaism (583-2476)
Local: 1-412-421-5175
Fax: 412-421-6103
Customer Service: info@judaism.com
posted by Jewish Survivors at Saturday, January 14, 2006
5 Comments:
A question along the same lines:
Is the music of Shlomo Carlebach kosher? Many shuls have a "carlebach" minyan.
Good question Mara!
I remember once going with Rav Matis thru the streets of Geula for a doctor's appointment. Two things struck me that I never have forgotten. He carried a ready handful of shekel coins in his hand so as to not delay the time of getting his wallet in giving the beggars when they approached (as the gemara mentions in Berachos).Secondly as we were on the narrow street of geula, the sidewalk was about 2 feet wide at that section, i was walking alongside of him, two women were approaching opposite us. The woman on the side closer to the street began to move as if to give us both room to walk between the two of them but Rav Matis made a point of pressing himself against the wall so as not to walk between the two women (as the gemara mentions in berachos as well actually). ( I think I btw just walked between them :-) )
I was in Yeshivos all over. I've seen my fair share of Rabbonim and Rebbeim. Some of them truly great men, some of them -- truth be told-- nothing very commendable. Rav Matis Weinberg is one of the greatest among them in my mind personally, both in heart and mind. Anyone who takes the time to read his writings would see rather quickly the kind of integrity a man like him must have to put forth the teachings and insights that he does. They are insights that can only originate from the likes of someone who is keenly introspective of oneself, G-d, and the world we live in at large -- Daniel Mokhtar
I met him on one occasion. I was somewhat nervous going in, having read the things people have accused him of. He seemed like a VERY affectionate person to his family and former students. He also has an incredible sensitivity to relationships. Both with God and people. After about two hours in an intimate setting with him, I am positively certain that the accusations are ridiculous.
As per his books, I would not dissuade anyone from reading them. If you had taken a few minutes to read them, you would see exactly how foolish you sound.
Take a step back and think about how quickly you are willing to throw a fellow jew under the bus based on someone elses unproven accusation. It is a sickness within the ultra-orthodox and it rarely results in anything other than a "Hillul Hashem".
Mara is certainly right. The people who sing Carlebach tunes are too young to know about his past.
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