Rischa D'Araisa Season 2 Episode 20: Kovetz Hasharos U'Dimyonos-What if Rav Elchanan Wasserman had not died a martyr's death and had escaped to America?

Rischa D'Araisa Season 2 Episode 20: Kovetz Hasharos U'Dimyonos-What if Rav Elchanan Wasserman had not died a martyr's death and had escaped to America?

Beginning a new What if series on Jewish topics.

With a premise that significant alternate fiction is built on assiduous research and knowledge of the persons and milieu, Rabbi Kivelevitz states that he and Rabbi Bechhofer have to be steeped somewhat in the ideas and personage under discussion. As both of them as teenagers, were exposed to the Torah of Rav Elchanan Wasserman, his hashkofos, and martyr's death, the speculation as to how America would have been different had he remained here from 1938 onwards seemed a project they could tackle.

Bechhofer claims that due to his hardline views as evidenced by his not allowing students to accept visas in 1939 offered by Yeshiva University and H.T.C., and the harsh rhetoric of the Ikvasa Demeshicha, and his forceful personality he would have constricted the scope of Yeshiva life, and attacked aggressively institutions that would have allowed bochurim to attend college.

Kivelevitz describes Reb Elchanan as the prime figure to crystallize the modern concept of Daas Torah, as is apparent in the famous letter of Rav Eliyahu Dessler.

As he could claim to be the historical extender of Rav Chaim Brisker in learning, the Chofetz Chaim in Torah Hashkafa and Rav Chaim Ozer in communal leadership,

Figures such as Rav Aharon Kotler, Rav Moshe Feinstein and Rav Eliezer Silver would have been rendered less consequential by the alternate reality Reb Elchanan.

While Bechhofer might be correct that Reb Elchanan seemed to be one that would ban any unnecessary use of English in Yeshivos, Kivelevitz reveals that the great Rosh Yeshiva actually was proficient in a few languages and kept abreast of scientific advancements of the day.

The Rabbis discuss which work of Reb Elchanan can be considered his most important, Bechhofer believes that although his most famous contribution may be the chakira if migo is on account of ne'emanus or koach ha'ata'ana, the Maamar Al HaEmunah has been the most influential, while Kivelevitz quoting Rav Moshe Heinemann, lists the Kovetz Haoros as demonstrating brilliance, the Divrei Sofrim showcases a Rosh Yeshiva treading into unusual territory that plumbed the nature of fealty to Rabbinic law.