Compromise by an Individual vs a Movement
Lamplighter | March 26, 2024
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Compromise by an Individual vs a Movement

Lamplighter | June 27, 2025

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Compromise by an Individual vs. a Movement

...May G-d grant that each and every one of us, in the midst of all our people, should utilize all capacities and opportunities for the spreading of Torah-true Yiddishkeit to the fullest extent of one's influence. The emphasis must always be on Torah-true Yiddishkeit, in accordance with Toras Ernes, for truth denies any compromise. Even if a compromise is "partly true," it is not the whole truth, and therefore it is not true at all, for truth must be whole and perfect. Where this kind of effort is made with the appropriate determination and perseverance, success is assured.

With regard to the question whether it is proper to maintain a certain position in a certain organization, this, like other questions in Halachah, should be addressed to a Rav Moreh Horo'ah, and then act according to his instructions.

Generally speaking, it is well known that it is necessary to make a distinction between individuals and movements. For, as an individual Jew, even if he sins, he is a Jew, and it is necessary to do everything be'ahavah (with love -ed.) to help him back on the right path (see Tanya, Chapter 32, "Lev"). On the other hand, movements and ideologies which are against the Torah must be opposed and exposed. As to which movements and ideologies are opposed to the Torah, this is easy to determine in the light of the psak (halachic ruling -ed.) of the Rambam to the effect that to deny even one letter of the Torah is tantamount to denying the whole Torah min hashamayim (from heaven -ed.) (Hilchos Teshuvah 3:9).

Ask the Rabbi

Compromise by an Individual vs. a Movement

...May G-d grant that each and every one of us, in the midst of all our people, should utilize all capacities and opportunities for the spreading of Torah-true Yiddishkeit to the fullest extent of one's influence. The emphasis must always be on Torah-true Yiddishkeit, in accordance with Toras Ernes, for truth denies any compromise. Even if a compromise is "partly true," it is not the whole truth, and therefore it is not true at all, for truth must be whole and perfect. Where this kind of effort is made with the appropriate determination and perseverance, success is assured.

With regard to the question whether it is proper to maintain a certain position in a certain organization, this, like other questions in Halachah, should be addressed to a Rav Moreh Horo'ah, and then act according to his instructions.

Generally speaking, it is well known that it is necessary to make a distinction between individuals and movements. For, as an individual Jew, even if he sins, he is a Jew, and it is necessary to do everything be'ahavah (with love -ed.) to help him back on the right path (see Tanya, Chapter 32, "Lev"). On the other hand, movements and ideologies which are against the Torah must be opposed and exposed. As to which movements and ideologies are opposed to the Torah, this is easy to determine in the light of the psak (halachic ruling -ed.) of the Rambam to the effect that to deny even one letter of the Torah is tantamount to denying the whole Torah min hashamayim (from heaven -ed.) (Hilchos Teshuvah 3:9).

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