But this post is not about Richard Joel’s misfortune. It is about the Talmidei Chachamin at that institution that are in danger of losing their jobs. Perhaps more importantly it is about the existence of the only school that represents the values of Torah U’Mada. As an adherent of this Hashkafa, I would consider it a tragedy of major proportions if YU were to go down.
At an existential level we cannot allow Orthodoxy to become a world where there is no value given to the wisdom of the world. That would in my view be contrary to the mission of Judaism. Ein Somchin Al HaNes (we do not rely on miracles), the Gemarah tells us. To say for example that we don’t need our people to study areas that are vital to the health of our people is to ignore the Torah’s admonition that we are required to do our part in it. It’s called Hishtadlus. So that to encourage all Jews to study Torah and ignore the medical sciences is an abdication of that Hishtadlus.
It isn’t only about our physical health. To deny the study of the great thinkers of the world who have aided in our own understanding of Emes is to limit our ability to understand our own Hashkafos. That is why Rav Yoshe Ber Soloveitchik studied philosophy. He became a world renowned expert in it. He could thus better explain Jewish philosophy by comparing it to current philosophical thought. Much as did the Rambam with the philosophic thought of his day.
In an era where there is so much information available instantly, what better way to prepare for encounters with that, than with a Yeshiva like YU?
Yes the Torah only approach is fine for those who limit or even deny themselves exposure to outside world. But for those who study the works of other great thinkers, there is only one YU.
It would be tragic beyond all proportion if Yeshiva University were to fold. I don’t think that is going to happen. But the mere prospect of losing the only asset that rises to the task – scares me. And when a billion dollars is so easily lost, it is no longer out of the realm of possibility for something like that to happen.
[There is a statement on the YU website from Richard Joel addressing these financial issues. /ed.]
Visit Emes Ve-Emunah . / Harry Maryles