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Click Here for part I

Based on the phrase “Yaffa Talmud Torah im Derech Eretz” from Pirkei Avos  (2:2), which means that Torah study along with working to earn a living “in the way of the land” is good, for it leaves man less time to sin, German rabbi and leader Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch created a movement of Torah-committed Jews who tried to synthesize Torah and halacha with not only a profession “in the way of the land,” but also with the general Western culture and philosophy of the land.

Over half a century after his passing, some Orthodox circles in America looked back at this and saw it as a worthy model for the so-called “Modern Orthodox” movement. We present here the Rebbe’s approach to this sensitive question:

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In a letter from 12 Tammuz, 5720 (1960), the Rebbe wrote to a certain Mr. Aaron Goodman from London the following about introducing the ideas and ideals of the “Torah im Derech Eretz” movement to today’s youth, especially in America:

I must touch upon another, and even more delicate, matter concerning the teachings of Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch whom you mention in your letter. There has been a tendency lately to apply his approach in totality, here and now for Americans born and in U.S.A.! While it is understandable that the direct descendants of Rabbi Hirsch or those who were brought up in that philosophy, should want to disseminate his teachings, I must say emphatically that to apply his approach to the American scene will not serve the interests of Orthodoxy in America, with all due respect to his philosophy and approach which were very forceful and effective in his time and in his milieu. R. Hirsch wrote for an audience and youth which was brought up on philosophic studies, and which was permeated with all sorts of doctrines and schools of thought, and disciplined in the art of intellectual research, etc.

Thus it was necessary to enter into long philosophic discussions to point out the fallacy of each and every thought and theory, which is incompatible with the Torah and Mitzvoth. There was no harm in using this approach, inasmuch as the harm had already been there, and if it could strengthen Jewish thought and practice, it was useful, and to that extent, effective.

“Why introduce every Jewish boy and girl to the various heretics that ever lived?”

However, here in the United States we have a different audience and a youth which radically differs from the type whom R. Hirsch had addressed originally. American youth is not of the philosophical turn of mind. They have neither the patience nor the training to delve into long philosophical discussions, and to evaluate different systems and theories. When they are induced to go to college and introduced to all sorts of ideas, including those that are diametrically opposed to the Torah and Mitzvoth, and there are many of them, since there are many falsehoods but only one truth, this approach can only bring them to a greater measure of confusion. Whether or not the final analysis and conclusions will be accepted by them, one thing is certain, that the seeds of doubt will be multiplied in their minds, since each theory has its prominent proponent bearing impressive titles of Professors, PhD’s, etc.

“Thus it was necessary to enter into long philosophic discussions to point out the fallacy of each and every thought and theory, which is incompatible with the Torah and Mitzvoth.”

Besides the essential point and approach is “Thou shalt be wholehearted with G-d, thy G-d.” The surest way of remaining a faithful Jew is not through philosophy but through the actual experience of the Jewish way of life in the daily life fully and wholeheartedly, As for the principle “Know what to answer the heretic,” this is surely only one particular aspect, and certainly does not apply to everyone. Why introduce every Jewish boy and girl to the various heretics that ever lived?

The whole problem is a delicate one, and I have written the above only in the hope that you may be able to use your influence with certain circles in Washington Heights, that they should again re-examine the whole question and see if the R. Hirsch approach should be applied to the American scene. My decided opinion is, of course, that it should not, and I hope that whatever measure of restraint you may accomplish through your influence will be all to the good. I hope to hear good news from you also in regard to this.

To be continued…

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