Some of our recent discussions on facebook (Jewish Explorer group) brought my attention to the following comment, made by some blogger (certainly an informed one) regarding the influence of Chassidic lifestyle on the Litvishe world. Here's what he is saying-
As noted the classic Litvisher Yeshivisher type is a rare bred today. For example no one at Ner Israel in the 1950's wore their tzitzis out. It simply was not done. No bachur sported a beard
Also, the burgeoning personality cults of Roshei Yeshiva has been adopted by the Litvisher world from the Chasidsher World. In the "old" days, no Poseik {Litvisher or otherwise} was treated as infallible by the Litvisher world. That has changed. The Mishnah Brurah has been canonized by the Litvisher world into something beyond the authority of any predecessor I can think of. Certainly the Chayei Adam or Shach, or Aruch Hashulchan were never treated as complete final authorities.
The old Litvishe world was more skeptical and talmidim challenged Roshei Yeshiva with difficult blistering questions. It used to be the role of the Yeshivisher Talmid to take his rebbe to task. Now it seems the role is to just to answer "amein gut gezukt" w/o any challenge lest one be considered disloyal.
As one of my Litvsiher rebbes admonised us - ich vill nisht keinfrum teira! {I don't want any pious learning - ie- think for yourself before you acquiesce to what I say!}
I am leaving this thoughtful post without any comments- as I think, it is quite self-explanatory, and very much thought-provoking- as to where are we going, and what should be our priorities
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