Article Regarding the 1981 Formation of the Merkaz Harabbanim

July 24 1981

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From the Jewish Poet and Opinion - July 24, 1981

Digest of The Yiddish Press

Split Among Orthodox Rabbis

By Rabbi Samuel Silver

There’s a fresh schism in the ranks of European-trained Orthodox rabbis. Most American-born men of this group belong to RCA (Rabbinical Council of America). The strongest group among rabbis with a European orientation has been Agudath Harabbanim, founded in 1900 and called the Union of Orthodox Rabbis. It was once headed by the late Rabbi Eliezer Silver of Cincinnati and some of its current leaders are the sage, Rabbi Moshe Feinstein, Rabbi Symcha Elberg et al.

In 1946 a cluster of rabbis created another organization, Igud Harabbanim, the Rabbinical Alliance of America; it’s headed by Rabbi Abraham Hecht. Now a new group, Merkaz Harabbanim has been formed, with another respected rabbi, Jacob Kamenetzky as its president; it boasts the support of Rabbi Pinchas Teitz, of Elizabeth, N.J.

Both groups assembled the same day, so that those eligible for membership had to decide which one to favor. Kamenetzky told the Merkaz that Rabbi Feinstein had said he was sorry about the conflict. But at the Agudat gathering Feinstein was quoted as saying that the rival Merkaz was not needed, and that the split among the Orthodox would only strengthen the cause of those Conservatives and Reformers.

At the Merkaz kinnus (gathering) Teitz said he had been reported as opposed to the Lubavitch movement. He said that wasn’t so, that he and the rebbe are very close. It’s hard to tell from the accounts in the Algemeiner Journal why the split occurred. Ostensibly, both organization are champions of “Torah-true” Judaism and generally the same themes were sounded at both assemblies: stronger adherence to halacha, etc. It may be the result of a personality clash or the quest for power. At a press conference, Kamenetzky brushed off the charge that he said that anybody has a justified role if it is trying to help the cause of traditionalists.

The Merkaz apparently had the backing of a potent Orthodox figure: Rabbi Cutler of the famed Lakewood (N.J.) yeshiva and kollel. The presence of Teitz in the new group might indicate that the Merkaz is partial to the idea that American Jews should not castigate Russia but try to persuade her to be easier on the Jews - a point Teitz often makes.

The Algemeiner Journal, which leans towards Lubavitch, seems to be neutral as between the rival groups.