Top Litvish leader Rabbi Aharon Leib Shteinman hosted known Lubavitch scholar Rabbi Yoel Kahn in a rare meeting.
By COLlive reporter
An historic meeting took place Wednesday evening in Israel between two leaders within Chabad-Lubavitch and the Haredi Litvish community.
Rabbi Aharon Leib Shteinman, Rosh Yeshiva of the famed Ponovezh Litze'irim, met Rabbi Yoel Kahn, chief scholar of the Lubavitcher Rebbe's teachings.
The meeting was held at Rabbi Shteinman's home in Bnei Brak and was coordinated by Lubavitch businessman Avraham Kanelsky.
Rabbi Kahn is in Israel for a series of Farbrengens in honor of the 19th of Kislev, the "Rosh Hashana of Chassidus."
The two exchanged Torah thoughts and Rabbi Kahn, a senior Mashpia and leading authority on Chassidus, reviewed a Sichah of the Rebbe about Chanukah.
Chassidism was founded in the 18th century and was met with fierce opposition from Lithuanian's Misnagdim (Litvish Jews).
The rivalry has lost its ideological backing since, but the distinctions remain and tensions arise on rare occasions.
Rabbi Shteinman asked about Rabbi Kahn's age, upbringing and when he emigrated to the U.S. from Israel.
At the end of their conversation, a new book was presented: "Chassidus Mevueres - Tefilla," a compilation of teachings by Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi (1745 – 1812), founder and first Rebbe of Chabad.
Rabbi Shteinman immediately started reading, and his students commented, "now he won't go to sleep, until he reads it through."
they are wasting their time with him. why ARE WE RUNNING THEM AFTER
(12/2/2009 12:25:14 PM)
11
#10
mivtziom is not only for those without a kipa its for those who are smarter then you in learning g-d torah also
(12/2/2009 1:06:07 PM)
12
on target
Hats off to you #9. You seem tobe the only Lubavitcher that understands the world outside of Chabad.
(12/2/2009 1:47:20 PM)
13
Not impressed
1# R' yoel is smarter and know more then any of these "gedolim" (i guess golus you gota go out to do the work you need to...) 2# R' yoel said a vort from the rebbe and then he asks him if he is from earetz yisroel i realy dont see the connection and the whole thing was really short
(12/2/2009 3:50:38 PM)
14
a shanda
If you listen to the audio, you just hear how this "godol" continually makes fun of Reb Yoel and the Rebbe and does not give him any respect
(12/2/2009 3:52:52 PM)
15
Rav Shteinman is very old
I personally dont think that rav shtenman understood what reb yoel was saying since you have to be used to reb yoels slang. and the way he talks. The fact that he accepted to welcome the rebbes chozer is a darn big deal, and i think the rebbe is very proud of him for not looking back at machlokes and trying to mend ties with other rabbonei yisroel.
Rabbosei if we are having machlokes with our selvs how can we complain about others mocking us.
(12/2/2009 4:43:14 PM)
16
mottel
good job abe.
(12/3/2009 2:14:34 AM)
17
Es zol em nisht shatten
I only hope that Rav Shtainman will not suffer now from the hands of those bittere Misnagdim. He showed mesiris nefesh by agreeing to meet him in a public forum. Hashem Yishmor Mashiach Now!!!!
we would beleive
rav shteinman is the #1 litvish gadol after rab elyashiv
That would make him #2
In Eretz Yisroel:
1-Rav Elyashiv
2-Rav Chaim Kanievsky
3-Rav Shteinman
4-Rav Michel Yehuda Lefkowitz
5-Rav Nissim karelitz
6-Rav Chaim Pinchos Scheinberg
7-Rav Nosson Tzvi Finkel
In America:
um...noone
2# R' yoel said a vort from the rebbe and then he asks him if he is from earetz yisroel i realy dont see the connection and the whole thing was really short
The fact that he accepted to welcome the rebbes chozer is a darn big deal, and i think the rebbe is very proud of him for not looking back at machlokes and trying to mend ties with other rabbonei yisroel.
Rabbosei if we are having machlokes with our selvs how can we complain about others mocking us.
2) Rav Shmuel Berenbaum (Philly)
3) Rav Aharon Shechter (Lakewood)
4) Rav Maatisyahu Salamon (Lakewood)
5) Rav Yerucham Olshin (lakewood)
6) Rav Shmuel Kamenetzky (Philly)
7) Rav Yehuda Bakst (Detroit)