By the Grace of G-dRosh Chodesh Shevat, 5739Brooklyn, N.Y.

Greeting and Blessing:

This is to acknowledge receipt of your letter, which I read with much astonishment.

Firstly, it is well known that as a matter of practice and indeed of principle, and for a variety of reasons, I have nothing to do with politics, nor do I delegate representatives to speak in my name at any political meetings, least of all one with an agenda as you refer to in your letter. I cannot understand how anyone can have any doubts about something so well known and obvious.

Secondly, with all due respect, I must take exception to the manner of making accusations about other people and prejudging them at the same time. In such a case it is my duty according to the Shulchan Aruch, as indeed is the duty of everyone else, to point out that where Jews are concerned, any accusation, especially a serious one, should be brought before a Rabbinic authority who, after hearing all the pertinent details, can then make a judgment in accordance with the halacha. Needless to say, an involved party; whoever he may be, has no prerogative to make an impartial judgment in such a case. It is also well known that it is not one of my functions to pasken sha’alos or arbitrate in cases of dispute.

Finally, I must regretfully add that I resent the tone of your letter, particularly the last paragraph. Though I would not presume to expect everyone to follow my approach, I do believe that the way to make a point is through logical argumentation and persuasion. The approach you chose in your letter is all the more disappointing inasmuch as it is out of harmony with the impression I gained from our meeting and brief exchange during a Farbrengen.

With blessing,