RCA Condemns Dangerous Threats and Lies

January 13, 2022 – The malicious tenor of recent criticism of a respected colleague and member of the Rabbinical Council of America has shocked the RCA. Especially egregious is that this campaign led to death threats and harassment of the rabbi and his family that are now the subject of investigation by the authorities.

We are further deeply troubled that part of this public campaign included the dissemination of a forged letter purportedly written by our mentor and teacher, Rabbi Hershel Schachter. By this disgraceful action and its dissemination on social media the authors of this fraud created a chilul Hashem, desecration of God’s Name, made worse when it was used to besmirch the reputation of our cherished colleague.

We stand together in defense of our colleague, the honor of Rabbi Schachter, and all who were impacted by these lies. We call upon anyone who disseminated this shameful letter to immediately recant their actions, apologize for their statements, and cease any further attacks on the reputations of others. 

Public debates and disagreements are important, appropriate, and productive only when conducted in halachically, ethically and socially acceptable manners. Lies, threats, and hate mongering are never acceptable ways of expressing disagreement.  We are embarrassed that something so basic needs to be articulated.