With elections for a new Vaad Hakahal successfully behind us, I think our community should take a moment to reflect on our accomplishment, and to congratulate ourselves on a job well done.
The idea for these elections—as mandated in the recent psak din that resolved all outstanding community disputes—was that we should have a Vaad Hakahal universally accepted by all segments of the community. As in any election, there will always be some people disappointed by the results, but—since virtually every eligible voter in Crown Heights participated—there can be no doubt that those results are the legitimate will of the people. True, “the people” aren’t always perfect; there’s always the possibility of winding up with an outcome that is less than objectively ideal. But democracy is the best system we have, and it was endorsed by the Rebbe, so, once a valid election has been held, we can all feel good about the results. It’s part of the system that, if things don’t turn out as expected, there will be another election in a few years and we will be able to choose again.
Op-Ed: On the Race for the Rabbinate
With elections for a new Vaad Hakahal successfully behind us, I think our community should take a moment to reflect on our accomplishment, and to congratulate ourselves on a job well done.
The idea for these elections—as mandated in the recent psak din that resolved all outstanding community disputes—was that we should have a Vaad Hakahal universally accepted by all segments of the community. As in any election, there will always be some people disappointed by the results, but—since virtually every eligible voter in Crown Heights participated—there can be no doubt that those results are the legitimate will of the people. True, “the people” aren’t always perfect; there’s always the possibility of winding up with an outcome that is less than objectively ideal. But democracy is the best system we have, and it was endorsed by the Rebbe, so, once a valid election has been held, we can all feel good about the results. It’s part of the system that, if things don’t turn out as expected, there will be another election in a few years and we will be able to choose again.
54
