Mudslinging and Character Assasination

To the Editor:

I write this letter with much trepidation and fear. I write under these circumstances because I fear that I am lending credence to your words by dignifying them with a response. However, I feel as an Editor Emeritus of The Commentator, "shtika ke'hodaa dami," and thus it is my responsibility to speak out.

I do not wish to use this forum to debate and re-debate the merits of the University's decision regarding the future of MTA. Like you, Mr. Editor, I didn't go to MTA. So while I might have an opinion, I don't think it is my place to express it publicly, and to be totally honest, I don't really care.

But I digress.

You see, dear Editor, in your column in Issue 10, you have made a mistake. The reason that you read "about the latest scandal or political brouhaha that has erupted in the pages of The Jewish Week," and that you "watch this institution be dragged down into the mud time and time again," is because you have elected to use the pages of The Commentator to fuel the fires.

The position of President and Rosh HaYeshiva is a form of public office. I don't have to be the one to tell you that as such, the person who holds that office is open to public ridicule. Apparently, I do have to be the one to tell you that this is the way one expects James Carville to express his opinion, not a ben torah.

I am not suggesting that you turn the pages of The Commentator into Yeshiva Today. I am suggesting that you be more respectful of how you go about making your point. You are entitled to your opinion. You are entitled to express your opinion. But in so doing, you are not entitled to commit character assassination.

An educated ben torah identifies the idea with which he disagrees, and argues the point based on its merits as a good idea or a bad one.

Enough Mussar.

The bottom line is that your vicious attack on our esteemed President and Rosh HaYeshiva is equal to murder. Your flagrant disregard for his office, intelligence and personal feelings is unprecedented. You should be more careful when you to sling mud; your hands are always dirty afterwards.

Joshua M. Feldman

SSSB '97

Commentator Editor-in-Chief '96-'97