Home Home / Memo on Meeting with Rabbi Aaron Kotler…

Note

October 15, 1962

Memo on Meeting with Rabbi Aaron Kotler and Rabbi Jakobovits in Lakewood (1962)

Eruv
View The Text

This content is currently available in its original PDF format. As we expand the library, we plan to add a text version as well.

RELATED CONTENT

Note

Meeting on Eruv with R. Feinstein (1963)

Memo: Concerning Meeting on Eruv – December 31, 1963. In Attendance: Rabbi Moshe Feinstein, with Rabbis Jung, Langer, Jakobovits, and Lamm. We met with Rabbi Feinstein in an attempt to secure his consent not to stand in the way of an eruv for Manhattan. He informed us that since there is a difference of opinion amongst the authorities, with the majority in favor of permitting an Eruv in Manhattan, therefore he stands on his original opinion, as published in the "Hapardes," that "one should not protest against those who are permissive in the matter of the Eruv." We thereupon informed him that our synagogues were prepared to proceed with the announcement of an Eruv on the under- standing that he remains with his decision, as mentioned. He was completely amenable to what we said.We also asked him if other Rabbis and Congregations in Manhattan had the right to block our Eruv by their protest. He said that they could not.We showed him the original printed announcement of the eruv containing the four ״conditions", and he agreed that they were satisfactory.
Eruv

Note

Memo Regarding Eruv (1962)

Today, June 6, 1962, at noon, I called Rabbi Teitz and asked him what had transpired concerning the eruv. He informed me that the minutes of the meeting of Agudath Harabbanim had not yet been transcribed and requested that I postpone any further discussion for another ten days because of the imminent marriage of his daughter. I countered by suggesting that he, on behalf of Agudath Harabbanim, postpone the matter indefinitely – i.e., that his organization take no action, so that we would be free to proceed as we had desired. He replied that we ought to cons to a re moral arrangement whereby!Rabbi Eldberg may do as he wishes in his journal, but he, Rabbi Teitz, would see to it that the Agudeth Harabbania sakes no statement to the prose.It was clearly implied, though it was not explicitly stated, that thia was a *Go-Ahead* signal to our group to proceed at once towards the establishment of the Sruv.Rabbi Ka ah ar before leaving for Tarsal, suggested the fallowing arrangements concerning 8ruv supervision! Balbi Moakowits should receive ?1,200.00־ ard Ratal Parotinsky about 1800.00. Rabbi Roginsky, if ha joins the ODOKnitlM, should receive in ths vicinity of £600.00׳ (perhaps a bit less).Norman Lammcc: Rabbi Jung
Eruv

Note

Memorandum Concerning the Eruv (1962)

This past Tuesday, I heard that the Agudath Harabbanim had planned a meeting for Wednesday in which they were to discuss the Eruv. Rabbi Jung, Rabbi Lookstein and I contacted a number of people in order to ward off any unpleasant possibilities. Rabbi Jung spoke to Rabbi Kotler and informed him that any adverse decision by the Agudath Harobbanim would stand to benefit only the Conservative and Reformed. Rabbi Kotler's reaction was not quite clear to Rabbi Jung. Rabbi Lookstein spoke to R. Henkin who seemed to waiver back and forth. Mr. Finkelstein had...Mr. Finkelstein had R. Perotinsky speak to R. Henkin, who agreed to the publication of his announced decision, but wanted to add the fact in print that in view of the Agudath Harobbanim’s position against the Eruv,he would not take the responsibility upon himself. When R. Perotinsky informed R, Henkin that it was too late for any such additions, he seemed to agree that we should go ahead as is. I called R. Feinstein. He emphasized that he was not one of the "matirim," but when I pressed him closely far his views, he replied that whereas he was not one of those mentioned, he was also not #to be counted amongst the "os^rim." He maintained that he stands by his written decision, to wit, that whereas he cannot participate in the commission, those who do pennit the Eruv have sufficient grounds on which to thatbase their decision, and /^ therefore they can be relied upon, except that a "ba/al nefeh” should assume additional restrictions upon himself. He clearly and directly told me that he would not sig! any announcement of "issur.”On Wednesday morning I called Moe Feuerstein in Malbin asking him to intervene with R. Kutler, i.e. not to come to the meeting. He told ne that Samson R. Weiss had more influence on R. Kutler. Dr. Weiss called R. Kutler and informed me that R. Kutler would want, or a delegation of those on our side, to appear and present Aour arguments. When I called R. Cohen of the Agudath Harobbanim asking th…
Eruv