Of Orthodoxy and Openness

It was with great interest that I read Yitzchak Ratner's thought-provoking article criticizing Yehudah Bernstein's piece describing the latter's assertion that tensions exist on YU's campus over the religious observance (or lack thereof) of YU's international students. However, it is with great respect that I disagree with each of his points. Here's why.

Mr. Ratner asserts that "YU exists so that students are able to attend an academic college in an Orthodox setting" and that students who choose to behave in a manner that does not comport with "normative Orthodox Judaism," such as wearing a yalmulka, should attend secular institutions. Forgive me, but what exactly is an "Orthodox setting"? Bar Ilan? Landers College? Ner Israel? (Not to mention those who argue that College is itself un-Orthodox.) Does an "Orthodox setting" exclude female teachers? Courses like literature and Bible? People who are not only not Orthodox, but not Jewish? And, more to the point, what exactly is "normative Orthodox Judaism"? Whose brand should YU follow (I hate stereotypes, but bear with me)? That of students in the Main Beit Medrash or that of students in the Mechina program? That of Richard Joel, R. Herschel Schachter, R. Saul Berman, R. Yitzchak Cohen, or Dean Srolovitz? All are intelligent and thoughtful people, but differ greatly from one another. Is the worldview of any one of them objectively more legitimate than the others'?

Let's take wearing yalmulkas as an example. Mr. Ratner's assertions to the contrary, donning a Yalmulka is not a 'mitzvah' and, as a custom whose acceptance has been mixed, its place in "normative Orthodox Judaism" is debatable. While donning yalmulkas may have been normative in Ashkenazic communities, such was not the case in Sephardic communities. Are Sephardic Jews therefore non-Orthodox? Even within Ashkenazi communities, donning a yalmulka certainly didn't enjoy the stature of, say, refraining to eat kitniyot on Passover. How many fine Orthodox Jews-including YU graduates-remove their yalmulkas in the workplace? Are these Jews non-Orthodox?

We are a religion that champions debate and strives to be a colorful tapestry of different viewpoints rather than a dull monotony. Disputes animate the pages of the Talmud. Different viewpoints are the keys to truth - they challenge us, force us to reconsider, and help us better understand ourselves. YU's "brand" of Orthodoxy should reflect nothing less. Indeed, it can be argued that YU's structure - its multi-track program - strives to do just that. YU recognizes that different students have different worldviews and, accordingly, different priorities. Rather than embracing the approach of some students and rejecting those of others, YU welcomes them all.

At that, let me give Mr. Ratner and YU's "yeshiva bochurim" a friendly piece of advice: if someone else's observance (or lack thereof) bothers you, you should chill up. YU is not a monastery. It is not a continuation of Israel's fantastical religious experience. It is a doorstep to the real world. And the real world-and real Orthodoxy-is a cacophony of dissenting voices. You are entitled to your personal opinions and level of observance. But you are not entitled to impose those beliefs on others or expect them to conform their lifestyles to your sensitivities.

Furthermore, there is one Orthodox value that I believe is universal. We don't write off other Jews. Unable "to fathom why anyone who is not Orthodox would choose to attend YU," or to offend the delicate sensitivities of YU's self-anointed religious avant-garde, Mr. Ratner is prepared to ship "non-Orthodox" international students to secular colleges. May G-d save us from such ideas. As a YU graduate now attending a secular law school, I cannot begin to describe the spiritual and intellectual challenges that these individuals would face at such institutions - and the strength required to withstand them. For some of these students, attending secular colleges would amount to a spiritual death sentence. Thank G-d that they chose YU; the tradegy is that many more don't.

In conclusion, let us stop being so judgmental. It's time to stop writing off other Jews simply because they're different. It's time to trade disparaging attitudes for thoughtful and wholesome debate. For an Orthodoxy that is vibrant and open. For an Orthodoxy that champions unity and shuns divisiveness. If we are to lead, we must capture the hearts and minds of the broad spectrum of Orthodox Jews that comprise our community. YU's international brethren have much to contribute to that effort. So I, for one, thank G-d that they are here.

Yigal M. Gross is a Graduate of Yeshiva College and the Bernard Revel Graduate School.

He is currently in RIETS and Cornell Law School.