Maharik (12:62) There are some rabbis who want to dominate
their students more than is appropriate and they assert that whoever has been a
student even as a child is forever subordinate to them and can never disagree
with them on any issue. They claim that this is true even if the student has
become their equal or even their superior in learning because they assert that
even if the rabbi has clearly erred or behaves incorrectly, that disagreeing
with the rabbi is the same as contradicting G-d or other such claims. The
answer to this is that even if the student is forever subordinate to his
teacher as the rabbis assert, nevertheless it is quite obvious that this is
only in relationship to honoring him by standing up for him. However, concerning
matters of Heaven, eg. Chillul Hashem, there is no requirement to honor his
teacher. This can readily be seen in the many examples in the Gemara such as
the events with Rabban Gamliel (Berachos 26b)
A blog for people who seek alternative approaches to kiruv and the baal teshuvah experience.
Friday, May 28, 2021
rabbis who want to dominate their students
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