Should newspapers publish anonymous letters to the editor? For many years The Jewish Press has refused to do so, in line with standard industry policy. The rationale behind such a policy mainly boils down to the theory that a “person of integrity does not have to hide when they speak, or write,” as one former editor has written.
Chananya Weissman, once a regular contributor to The Jewish Press, put the matter in even stronger terms, arguing that “opinions expressed anonymously have absolutely no credibility. An anonymous opinion is nothing more than an orphan idea, a faint wisp of smoke that forever disappears from the mind of the reader as soon as the page is turned. One who truly believes that he is right is proud to stand firmly behind his ideas.”
We disagree. Activists – like Chananya Weissman – devote their lives to certain ideas and causes to which everything else is subordinate. To a certain extent, every observant Jew is an activist – for God and for Torah – and would be willing to die for his divine heritage.
But not every idea is worth dying for – or worth risking one’s reputation over. Suppose, for example, that a yeshivish resident in Lakewood subscribes to the worldview of Rav Aharon Kotler but believes the founding of Israel constitutes the beginning of our redemption. Is it necessary for him to advertise this belief – even if it means that he may be viewed with suspicion by a community he cherishes? Even if friends may think twice before marrying off their kids to his?
If he wanted to submit a well-argued letter to the editor on the miracle of Israel, is it immoral for him to do so without affixing his name? Would a letter without his signature make his arguments less valid? Is Rambam’s famous statement to be amended to read, “Accept the truth from whomever it comes – unless that person wishes to remain anonymous”?
The example we picked involves a yeshivish Lakewood resident, but one can imagine a Modern Orthodox Jew going through the same calculations. Suppose a particular Modern Orthodox Jew believes the Satmar shidduch system is really ideal: massive research by the parents followed by two meetings between the young man and woman. The Modern Orthodox community, by and large, finds this system bizarre. Quite naturally, then, a Modern Orthodox Jew with this view would prefer maintaining his reputation than risk tarring it over one eccentric view he holds. Does that mean his opinion is worthless?
We don’t think so. We believe all it means is that this belief is not the primary concern in his life. He has a hierarchy of values and this particular one does not come on top. Even activists make such calculations. A kiruv rabbi, for example, may not wish to publicly express his unpopular take on the Civil War – not because they are wrong or because he is embarrassed – but because he believes it more important to maintain his position as a teacher of Torah and would rather influence tens of thousands to lead a godly life than stand tall for unconventional views on states rights and secession.
Sometimes the reason for not voicing one’s opinion can be fairly prosaic. Numerous Jews who supported Donald Trump for president, for example, did not advertise their views at work. They weren’t embarrassed, but they also didn’t want to be the center of attention or start an argument.
We can go on, but we believe we have made our point. Signed letters to the editor are preferred, but henceforth The Jewish Press will publish anonymous letters to the editor too. Readership participation and the exchange of ideas are more important to us than signatures. The only thing we ask – should you prefer to remain anonymous – is that you affix either initials or a pseudonym (or pseudonymous initials) to your letter. That way other readers can respond to your letters should they wish to do so.
All letters should be sent to [email protected].
