In Defense of Tamir

To the Editor:

It is totally inappropriate fro Yishai Fleisher to attack a High School student because the media has made him a celebrity. While his arguments may resonate with a significant segment of Orthodox Jews, the cynical way in which they were presented leads me to believe that he is motivated by jealousy, malice or has nothing better to write about. Many Jews are celebrated as Jews because of achievements or talents that are not Torah-based, but are rather in other fields, such as Steven Spielberg, Michael Eisner and others in entertainment, or the Reichman family and countless other millionaires in business.

Don't criticize a high school kid for being a great ballplayer. Focus on the way he has stood up for the observance of mitzvot, and be happy when another Jew succeeds. That is the teaching of Rabbi Akiva.

Avrum Aaron

YC '91

To the Editor:

As a proud alumnus of Yeshiva University, I was sickened to read the atrocious column written by Yishai Fleisher about Tamir Goodman. Yeshiva University is a makom kadosh where Ahavas Klal Yisrael and derech eretz are of paramount importance. To see a fellow Jew incorporate halakhic ignorance, Sinas Chinam, Lashon Hora, and the "moral high ground" all in the same article is shameful to our Yeshiva and our community. The author and the editors of this newspaper should be ashamed of themselves. (Please note, that there is a good chance that G-d does not value "Freedom of Speech and Expression" as much as you do.)

Tamir Goodman, who thus far has conducted himself in a mature and positive manner, at the very least, is a kiddush hashem with respect to the non-Jewish and non-affiliated communities. Whether he is halakhically right or wrong is the business of Tamir, his Rav, and God. Tamir, who is on the verge of becoming a world class athlete, is clearly a benign anomaly in the frum community. I am positive that "Night Seder" attendance at YU or any other Yeshiva will not suffer because of Mr. Goodman's decisions. On the contrary, he may very well set a positive example for Jewish children who are on the fringe of Yiddishkeit.

On the other hand, the author and his editors are poor examples to almost any community. They would be better served with a little more time in the Beis Medrash and even on the basketball court, where they could vent their vitriol and malice without bringing shame to all of the students, Rebbeim, and alumni who have built this hallowed institution with Ahava.

Daniel Gelbtuch

YC MYP '94