Faced with horrific aspersion, he maintains propriety with devout assertion. With venomous assaults on his person, he continues to be a kind and different kind of person.
But no good deed goes unpunished, and no act of charity goes unresented.
Op-Ed: Unions United. Brothers Divided.
In an imperfect world a famed man can be defamed. A practitioner of benevolence can be terrorized by malevolence. A man of refreshing candor becomes the victim of violent slander. Yet while I knew of the libel against him, I also knew that in good times and not such good times, we Jews inquire of our fellows’ welfare. In the most precarious of conditions, we will still be curious of our brethren’s well being. Resting my palm upon his arm, and with near sarcastic thoughts, I asked how he was. With his humility, integrity, and sincerity, he responded, “the grace of G-d.” A wholehearted answer from a man who walks wholeheartedly with G-d, and who with relentless goodness makes the world a home for G-dliness.
Faced with horrific aspersion, he maintains propriety with devout assertion. With venomous assaults on his person, he continues to be a kind and different kind of person.
But no good deed goes unpunished, and no act of charity goes unresented.
For a politician with presidential ambitions to attack people he knows nothing about is just sad politics. For gentiles to campaign against the gentle Jew, well that’s just history. However, for Jews to conform to the same despicable standard is an abomination against the G-d who holds us to higher standards. It sickens me to the core to observe my brethren defying their own core beliefs. How people commanded to be a light unto the world choose to darken it out of their baseless resentment and reprehensible bitterness.
That a liberal union conspired in a libelous plot is hardly shocking. However, when an Orthodox Union joins the faction promulgating heinous erroneous facts, this orthodox Rabbi cannot hold his silence and nor should any other.
The great Rabbi Joseph B. Soleveitchik, himself a victim of trumped-up accusations, would quote his uncle Rabbi Meir Berlin. Rabbi Berlin relayed an answer that Rabbi Chaim of Brisk supplied when asked what the function of a Rabbi was: “To redress the grievances of those who are abandoned and alone, to protect the dignity of the poor, and to save the oppressed from the hands of the oppressor.”
What then are Rabbis and leaders to do for people who redress those grievances, who righteously shelter the poor, and who subdue the oppression of others?
Mr. Aaron Rubashkin, like his biblical namesake, loves and pursues peace. For the sake of justice and the sanctification of G-d’s name, let us do the same.
This Op-Ed reflects the views of its author. It does not necessarily reflect the views of CrownHeights.info nor of its Editors.
A reader that wishes to make his or her voice heard on any topic of their desire is welcome to submit his or her Op-Ed to News@CrownHeights.info.
Shame on the OU.
Amen!!!
Beautiful and very well said….the whole situation is so very very sad.
Shame on the OU.
Feigie
This family is the epitomy of chesed.
May Hashem bless them.
Maybe it-s just me
is it just me, or is getzy markowitz annoying anyone else. You have pull out an encyclopedia and a phrase dictionary just to understand what he’s saying.
I usually humor myself, though. I start at the top and usually end approx a sentence or two later.
We need to do something
So eloquent and well said.
We need to do somethng about this.
Thank you
This guy can write!
If you ask me, he should be Chabad’s spokesman.
Hashem should bless you for standing up and speaking out.
zak
To: maybe its just me
I agree with you one hundred percent.
And I read the complete article.
While there are lots of “fancy” words, the article does not flow.
I felt like I was reading uphill, struggling to finish a paragraph.
In short: Thesauruses are great books, but you have to know how to use them.
Dina
Finally words of truth and sanity.
Al saamod al dam re’acha!
More info
Please Post.
Maybe CH.info could post a news article or press release about what the OU has said. The article was well written, but I am not up to date with this situation to really know what he is talking about.
Thanks!
Maybe IT IS just you
TO Maybe it-s just me:
How could you?
i sure that if getzy is willing on being this vocal and taking on the OU and Rabbanim then he has thick enough skin to ignore your Chalerishkeit.
BUT you are the same kind of person as discussed in this brilliant OP-ED.
You are a example of “resentment and reprehensible bitterness”
LET Em HAVE IT
Absolute brilliance. No it isnt. It is just truth. and you arent afraid to speak it so thats amazing.
I enjoy your weekly essays and this one got my blood pumping. LET EM HAVE IT!
To ZAK
Hi ZAK
FLOW?
These were words that flow from the heart and they def penetrated mine.
I was standing next to Getzy when he was talking to an African AMRCN at the march a few months ago when he told the man “Ignorance is no excuse for intolerance.” I would suggest the same to you.
Getzy is a rising figure. live with it
my new rav
getzy i dont know you, but i would love to
this is my kind of rabbi
to zak and co
Zak and co.
Who would think that a guy standing up for he right thing would need standing up for.
I swear sometimes i loose my mind from this sites readers. Instead of shutting up or just writing in support or disagreement, they attack those who have the guts to do something this big. ANd trust me this is big. THis young rabbi is seriously a future huge leader.
To the unorthodox orthodox rabbi Getzy
Getzy BH you are never short of words, leaving us readers short of breath
wowawiewa
holy moly this was goooooooooood
nice
smooooooth
ben
hey getzy not trying to be rude or anything but generaly the op-eds that are written here are meant to be read, not admired for their use of fancy words which have no connection to each other(besides maybe being next to each other in the thesaurus).
Say what?
From the very first time the quill and papyrus joined in union, when man first stood to inscribe that which befit his mind, as to convey it for the education of those who might find his thoughts fit and wholesome, the constraints, and yet simultaneously the boundless possibilities, of construction of words and style of lexicon where encountered. Most embraced this question of wordage, crafting it to their purpose and employing it as a foundation for the thought and as a weighty vehicle to bear yet more surely and directly the subject to its target and intention. There were those however, which perceiving such vehicles of magnificent construction and perfect lexicon, that mistaking the body for the spirit, attempted to pen their own, were bought short by the inability to construct a passage should it not bear some semblance of a message within it. To the misfortune of the planets trees, in place of diverting their attentions to engage in matters of more direct consequence, these persons persisted, and solved the dilemma by waylaying whichever poor subject happened to chance by their attention, and hoisted it the flagpole of words of grandeur and sounds of fury, which signify but nothing. Should they bear some significance it is but coincidence; though to the world it appears as a fluttering flag, the one who placed it was simply dressing the flagpole. Akin to the bombastic narcissist whom attends an espousal ceremony, obstentiously with a purpose to congratulate the betrothed, but betrays to all with his strutting gait and pompous demeanour but his single focus to raffishly parade his primp and frippery for all assembled; thusly do said hacks betray their actual disinterest of whichever topic may be at hand, being of no consequence to them, other than a convenient medium to display their word-smithing and literary gymnastics for the applauding crowds they visualize in their self delusions.
In actual fact, the humble commoner and people of less learned letters such as myself and I assume the vast majority of those whom frequent the informational aggregators that dot the internet, we tend to employ a more basic parlance and enjoy to peruse news and letters presented in such fashion to aid our comprehension and allow one to comprehend the thrust of the litany with as much ease as possible, as opposed to its’ obscuration behind a veil of flowery verbiage, impressive though as it may be.
Lest I be misconstrued, I must sit quietly in humble awe of the literary powress your writing declaims, and neither do I take issue with the pertinence of those issues you tackle; the sheer profundity of your insight, and ability to shed light on the matter with such insiciveness and wisdom. I simply beg that you bear in mind the less than educated such as myself, and constrain the flow of your pen to accomodate the simple masses.
zak
To all the naysayers.
Never did I attack the person.
Never did I attack his character.
Never did I say that he did not have a good point.
Never did I imply that I am intolerant of him.
Never did I say he is not a great man.
All I said is that I am very unimpressed with his style of writing.
That’s all, nothing more, and nothing less.
And to “Say what?”, very very cute.
I’m impressed.
thank u
this piece had me tearing toward the end. its amazing that there r still good people out thr
Regarding the words used
To: maybe its just me,
Zak and ben,
You guys need to get out of your OT mindset and get yourselves a real education.If you read a lot you will notice that the phrases and words used here are commonly used in the written word, and known to most intelligent, educated adults.
However to, Say what? i think you over did it just a bit.
to say what:
SAY WHAT?!?!?!?!?
Do you think he wrote this piece for CH.info? he writes every week for a number of sites and thousands on his email list etc…
getzy thanks for putting this up. I loved it.
It was SIMPLE english bc it was simply amazing
Emes
People really have a problem understanding his writing????? Shocking!!!!!
love this guy
Regarding the words used wrote:
To: maybe its just me,
Zak and ben,
You guys need to get out of your OT mindset and get yourselves a real education.If you read a lot you will notice that the phrases and words used here are commonly used in the written word, and known to most intelligent, educated adults.
However to, Say what? i think you over did it just a bit.
Dudley and Stevens
Rabbi Getzy, I think you’ve missed the point. Here there is a situation where the men you so respect, love and admire, who have complaints against them filed by state and federal prosecutors. There is quite a real and imminent possibility that these men will be indicted, convicted and sentenced.
Jews, even rabbis, have an obligation as citizens of this country to uphold the laws. Not everyone is perfect and many people, even good people, err in keeping the law, but they have to be made to pay for their crimes in order to keep this country the place that it is. This isn’t all about the OU bashing Rubashkin.
The Rubashkins are definitely good people and I hope they don’t get convicted for this. But if you’re going to defend them, don’t invoke their good character and deeds. That has nothing to do with the crimes they allegedly committed. Save it for if and when they get sentenced.
CH Cynic
The content is good, but it is painfully obvious that you are trying a bit too hard. First let your grammar catch up with your use of the English language and then maybe I will be able to read through a whole article.
I don’t remember when it was, but there was an article of yours that had no less than 10 commas in one sentence/article. While it may be good enough for a large portion of the Crown Heights community, it doesn’t pass muster with everyone else…
arg
poshut reshaim read this site. RESHOIM GEMURIM
It isnt a tallent contest. Its a darn message.
Getzy is prob cracking up from all this, if i know him. Bc he prob cant understand how crazy his peers are. His community members.
THey dont speak normal english.
to ch cynic
make up ur mind sentence or article?
where r the big words here?
READ a book! start with the storyteller
getzy you are a breath of fresh air.
a born leader
Brisker
who would think that the convo would switch to this.
its about the OU and Rubashkin
I thought it was brilliant for Getzy to quote “Gedolim” especially the Brisker dynasty. He knows his target and knows how to hit it.
boy oh boy
this boy has a way with words. rhymes. construction
Menachem
Thanks a lot for the OP-ED.
Right on key.
boils down to this:
Dear Getzy,
You’re a talented man with great potential; however there is no ‘voice’ in your writing. In order for your articles to appeal to your audience you must stop using words which you never heard of before- until you discovered them in the encyclopedia.
In other words, your message is valid but you just completely loose it in the delivery.
zak
to:Regarding the words used
You write “You guys need to get out of your OT mindset and get yourselves a real education.If you read a lot you will notice that the phrases and words used here are commonly used in the written word, and known to most intelligent, educated adults.”
I really fail to see your point.
Let me explain, the words helicopter, plane,boat, giraffe, bunny rabbit and elephant are real words.
Yes, may intelligent and educated adults use them on a daily basis.
But suppose I where to write a sentence that goes as follows:
One day I was bored so I helicopter plane boat giraffe bunny rabbit and elephant to New York for dinner.
Does that make any sense?
Obviously, no.
Just goes to show, that writing is more than just choosing words, its about placing them in the right place.
Also equally important is that they are logical and have a “flow”.
(I.E not extremely wordy)
I hope you get my point.
cher
Why do you have to bash the guy? He has a certain style of writing. He likes to play on words, and is obviously going for a certain style. If you don’t like it, don’t read it.
truth and honesty
Getzy , everything you say about him may be true, but its totally irrelevant to the actual issues. You should defend him on the merits, otherwise, what you write totally lacks substance.
Impressed!
This Op-Ed was very well written! Thank you for sharing. Someone mentioned an email list…or other articles you write. How/where can I read more???
back to zak
zak: you are a qwak
get off it. your entitled 2 ur opinion but stop sharing it bc it makes little sense.
your “One day I was bored so I helicopter plane boat giraffe bunny rabbit and elephant to New York for dinner.
” comparison makes no sense. otherwise why dont u use lines from the essay itself! ?
Getzy is an extremely well read and scholarly kind of dude. Back in Yeshiva he always had a pile of books around and went to bed with shiurim and lectures plugged into his ear.
he knws his stuff. not just hpow to write them but where to back them up.
for instance. ask him where he got that story from about the brisker rav and he will give you “chapter and verse” not just from another essay.
but what concerns most is: the guy has so much ahavas yisroel. Proof? bc he is willing to put up with guys like u to help someone else
pnei dor k-pnei kelev
grammar ahin und grammar aher, the point of the article was, ‘k’sheach neged ach, gam ham’natzeach mafsid’. V’kal V’dal b’nogea shechita und kashrus here in America.
We Agree!
Thank you, Getzy! Beautifully written.
Impressed by Say What?
To: Say What? WOW!! AMAZING!! Now that is what i call great writing skills and amazing humor. I read ur comment and almost fell off my chair!! The cool part is-none of it is drivel. It all makes perfect sense and it is a perfect answer to an overly verbose article! You get my vote!
It is in G-d-s hands
To Getzy: Listen I understand this is coming from a very hurt young man because unfortunaly this scandal hits home as Mr. Rubashkin is a relative of urs. But you have to let the legal system run its check, if Mr. Rubashkin is clean as he claims to be then he has nothing to worry about. The OU will give him back their hechsher, everyone will apologize and the entire episode will be but a vague memory. The best you can do is pray that your relative is an honest man and G-d willing everything will work out for the best. Enough writing wordy articles-everyone’s eyes are begining to cross and their heads are begining to ache.
right on getzy
Yes, as Getzy is wont yo say “Veasisa Hayoshor Vehatov.” right on brother
From regarding the words used
To zak. You write:
“I fail to see your point.”
Hence, you have just strengthened my point.
Get yourself educated. Read more. Read a lot. Then you WILL understand the article and words better. The piece flows in a marvelous way. Any avid reader with a strong vocabulary understands and gets the flow and is able to read it easily. If you are struggling with individual words then automatically it makes the whole piece harder to read and it seems like it doesn’t flow because its not coming fluently to you.
It’s not just you. I’m not picking on you. I’m just surprised at the amount of people who were so shocked at the use of the writers words, claiming he used fancy and hard to understand words. Those were not hard words. People may not speak like that, but in the world of written language, they are everyday, commonly used words that people should know. And if they don’t, its simply because their education is lacking. And I find OT boys to be a prime example of poorly lacking.
You getzy-fans don-t know nothing.
Yeah! Getzy is “standing up” for what’s important! He is so <i>brave<i/> to take on the establishment!
One more thing from regarding the words.
By the way zak I do get your point. I know what you mean when you say he used TOO MANY words. However his points did flow.
And to say what?:
I read your piece fully and now see why you over did it. I wonder how many people were actually able to comprehend past the second line though.
I love say what
To “say what”! I loved it! You have the courage to stand up to the big and powerful. You have the perfect command of the English language to be able to stand up for our community. You will save us from the likes of Getzy Markowitz!
a proud friend
Thanks Getz for sharing.
Great job as always.
Keep it up.
postville
Very good, I live in postville and the goim,local priest, union, peta , reform jews are against not only rubashkin we are only the beginin, thay will go after any thing conected to the ortodox faith,
No one talking about the ICE raid in alabama where they arrest over 400 hispanics, left the papers after a few days, where are the good samaritans talking againts the owner of that plant?
Where are all the news people? Where are the reform ? No eksher tzedek?
they are destroing one of the biggest frum business in the usa! The impact will be feld by over 150 jews workers and their wifes & kids
And by 1000 of non jews and the economy of allamakee county & postville will colapse. People judge the rubashkins with out having any idea or knowlge about postville,the union or the reform jews,
Some one mantion that they have to pay for their crimes,can u back up your words? Do you have Any proof they are guilty?
So what if u don’t like the rubashkin, that dosnt give the right to no one to do what they are doing to this family
Just remember whay parho got punish
moshe
very well written!!!!
article engaging but purpose is puzzling
“SAY WHAT”, that was a beautifully crafted piece. Where is it quoted from?
To the author of this op-ed: while your literary style is engaging, you have failed to explain what exactly your issue with the OU is. Instead, you have indulged yourself in directing ad hominem attacks against that organization, without supporting your grievances with logic or even explanation. Vouching for the good character of Rubashkin is hardly relevant to the issue.
Wordsmith
“Brevity is the soul of wit”
-William Shakespeare
In other words, the key to effective communication is remember that less is more.
voice
LISTEN UP: get this guy on every week or every day for that matter. My mother holds a Ph.D. in english and literature and is in love with his writing.
Indeed, the voice of a new generation.
To the author. And his critics may hear
To Getzy:
Your ability to write. Your casualness with words. Your forceful, yet gentle way of expressing yourself — these are stunning.
Yet more beautiful is your willingness to stand up for another Yid. No matter the backlash of people who may not agree with you and those sorrowful souls who cannot stomach you.
rechilus
You all miss the point. getzy is talking about the rechilus and misnagdishe sinas chinam. he is no polititian.
Readers and Writers
so happens to be that Getzy does speak with a pretty intense vocabulary and is a real intellectual. but what is amazing is that he never makes you feel less.
I remember the pile of books and printed essays he would read in yeshivah. I am personally subscribed to his weekly essays and i await them each week as they are always full of content, but short and to the point. much like the above piece.
But what was always amazing about him, and I admit I never would tell him direct, is that while I too would read in yeshiva etc I would hide it as I was reading novels. Getzy was reading in the open: books on chassidus, stories of chassidim, kabalah, history and psychology. I dont think that he ever read a novel, he certainly had no interest in them back in yeshivah geloda.
I guess what I am saying is that getzy is the right guy to write, but maybe this is the wrong crowd to read.
charge
since when did this site bewcome a talent contest. I dont think the author was showing his muscle a mch as trying to gather his brothers for the same charge
target
He doesnt need to bring “proofs” hes saying as we all know that it is a libel and frum yidin should stand up for people who only stand up for us
I love how he brings the Soleveitichk Brisker story, bc hes targetting that crowd
To wordsmith
I agree. i love how he writes so much in so few words
yep
Its not his use of words but his total command of them. But I agree let us not loose focus: this is about the Rubashkins.
Erliche, Chasidishe, Geshmake, Un faine mentchen.
Readers
“You teach a child to read, and he or her will be able to pass a literacy test.”
– George W. Bush
Sadly many among the readership didnt go to summer school.
Excellent piece. You love playing with words, and words compliment you
midwest shliach
THATS IT my mind is set. How do i book this guy for a lecture?
intellectual
I recently used Rabbi Getzy for some intermarriage intervention. The yid told me that she was most impressed with the “Rabbis ability to break things down. and explain them even to me.”
I see what she means
debater
like a classic getzy debate. leaves the opponent to afraid to respond
TO It is in G-d-s hands:
Your preaching to the wrong choir. Marko wont fall for emotional manipulation. He has a record of standing up for the principle.
Calling him a “hurt young man” will make him smirk at you and then some back with an assertive one liner. Back off buddy, you don’t know your boy
To Postville:
In America, there are corporate laws that have to be followed and some of the people that don’t follow them, unluckily, have to learn the hard way about upholding law. Everyone in Lubavitch could testify how nice and generous the R. family is. We’ve all benefited in some way, shape or form from their benevolence. I don’t think that’s an issue in dispute, not even by the OU or the Iowa attorney general.
The point of all the commenters who’ve criticized the content of this article is that benevolence isn’t relevant to whether a crime, or 9000 counts of a crime, were committed. This is an [alleged] corporate scandal and OU has taken a lot of pressure defending the company through it. As evidence is developing and corporate records are being revealed, it’s becoming more and more apparent that the crimes committed actually happened.
Just like Enron, the managers of this company may have to serve time in prison for the crimes. Enron also employed 100’s of employees, but the company was quickly dissolved. People lose jobs and destroy the stability of regions because of their irresponsibility. They, as managers of a corporation, should have know what the law is and followed it. But they didn’t, and now everyone under them may have to pay for their irresponsibility.
Rubashkin definitely has some enemies and some ill-meaning Jews that are working with the the prosecution. There are also some well-meaning Jews who truly believe that corporate crime by a Orthodox-Jewish corporation is a Chillul Hashem. Either way, the OU has to answer to lots of people, and they have to do what’s socially and legally correct.
Let’s say it wasn’t R. and it wasn’t in your town and it wasn’t even a Lubavitcher; would you think it is write to break all of those criminal laws?
zak
To: regarding the words.
Should the moment necessitate, I have the ability to construe groupings of words, in a fashion that exemplifies my comprehension of grammatical sentencing, and my stupendous vocabulary.
However I chose not to.
And FYI I never went to OT.
GETZY - KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!!
It’s amazing how evil some people really are.
You have a young man, who is doing something he enjoys doing. and does a great job as well. If one feels that they are not impressed with his style of writing or they don’t appreciate the words he chooses, or they thought that they understood english. I have news for you—-
You don’t have to hire him to write for your newspaper, you don’t have to buy his book, you don’t have to read his articles.
But why do you have to write negative comments.
Don’t write anything, if you have nothing nice to say.
RUBASHKINS - KULO CHESED
Why are we so hateful and evil. forget about the fact that it’s Elul.
The Rubashkin’s are Baishonim, Rachmonim and GOMLEI CHASODIM.
unlike most of the commentators on this site.
If you want to wait for due process to take it’s course, fine.
But why bash hard working people who actually help countless people throughout the world. and don’t ask for recognition for it.
Mr AA Rubashkin, worked hard all his life to build up his family and business
Now the Corrupt Gov’t and unions want to take it all away. and ruin the lives of a whole town.
May Hashem give him the Koach to overcome this mess and come out even stronger than before!! with many happy and healthy years, Amen!
Shame on all of you.
Enough negativety.
Why kick someone while their down?
Why the Jealousy?
AA Rubashkin & Son are the kindest people around. They would give you the shirt off their back. they are not crooks like the unions and corrupted government that are trying to bring them down.
Rachmono Litzlan.
The government did not guard our borders, illegals came in and supplied false documents to be able to work.
Rubashkins employed with the papers.
NYC and the rest of America operates this way.
Are we going to shut down the country???
Libel and Slander defined
Libel and Slander
libel and slander, in law, types of defamation. In common law, written defamation was libel and spoken defamation was slander. Today, however, there are no such clear definitions. Permanent forms of defamation, such as the written or pictorial, are usually called libel, while the spoken or gestured forms are called slander.
The term libel is also often used if a wide audience for the defamation is possible. Courts have split over which category radio and television are in; today’s statutes generally categorize defamation occurring in those media as slander. The offenses are alike in several respects. The defamation—essentially exposure to hatred, contempt, ridicule, or pecuniary loss—must directly affect the reputation of a living person. It must be published, i.e., revealed to someone besides the subject of the attack. It is no defense that the defendant merely repeated but did not originate the defamation.
The plaintiff is required to prove the colloquium (circumstances of utterance showing that the statement was directed against him or her specifically) and, when necessary, the innuendo (the factors making an apparently innocent statement defamatory). Generally, truth is an absolute defense in a suit for defamation. A false defamatory statement may be privileged if the actor was a legislator, executive officer, or speaking in a court proceeding. The requirement of colloquium makes unactionable defamation of a large group, e.g., a racial or professional group.
Whether the charge is libel or slander is important. Most libels are deemed injurious and give immediate ground for suit. However, only certain types of statements are slanderous per se and do not require proof of pecuniary damages; these include imputation of crime, of loathsome disease, or of professional or occupational incapacity. In other cases, there may not be any recovery unless the pecuniary loss caused by the injury is proved. The award to the successful plaintiff in a suit for defamation will usually include punitive, as well as compensatory, damages if the defendant willfully lied or published the defamation repeatedly.
In New York Times Company v. Sullivan (1964), the U.S. Supreme Court provided a significant expansion of the protection of the press from libel actions. Stemming from a case in which an elected official in Montgomery, Ala., complained of defamation by civil-rights activists, the court ruled that to protect the free flow of speech and opinions, public officials could only collect damages for libel if falsehoods were made with “reckless disregard” for the truth. This ruling has since been extended to any celebrity before the public.
The Sullivan ruling shifted the burden of proof in many libel cases from the defendant to the plaintiff, who must now prove the falsehood was issued with actual malice, that is, with deliberate knowledge that the statement was both incorrect and defamatory. The ruling was a victory for the media, but left the plaintiff with the difficult task of obtaining the sources for the allegedly libelous information—sources that reporters often hold confidential. In most cases, the court requires the plaintiff to show that a reasonable effort has been made to obtain the information elsewhere before it requires the reporter to divulge any sources.
In recent years, the U.S. Supreme Court has allowed that only factual misrepresentation is to be considered libel or slander, not expression of opinion. It has also ruled that libel suits may be filed across state lines, not only in the state where the plaintiff lives. Libel suits apply not only to the media and public personalities but also to businesses, which account for approximately 70% of all suits. In recent years, producers of foods and other goods have succeeded in urging more than a dozen states to pass laws allowing them to sue critics of the safety or other aspects of their products; experts predict such laws will be overturned, but they have in the meantime had a “chilling” effect on public discussion in some cases.
boruch hoffinger
B”H
Re: the war against Rubashkin (Or anyone else) before trial:
Chuztpa is increasing!
Major sign for the coming of Moshiach!
Beautifully written and straight from the heart.
How do we know?
Those of us that know English can feel it.
The pen is mightier than the sword!
Perspective
It is actually quite simple.
To Oholei Torah and Lubavitcher Yeshiva graduates, this op-ed is sheer brilliance. But those who have actually had an education realize that while this man may have a good vocabulary, his writing style and grammar usage is simply hopeless. So we read it once and laugh; and read it a second time and crack-up all over again.
And to “Say What?”: Amazing, just amazing.
OPINION EDITORIAL
As far as I understand, the comments are meant for people who don’t agree eitht the ideas and opinoion presented in an article. Not to bash the Author’s ability to write the article.
Getzy, keep it up. Kol Hakavod
FYI
Words don’t just have definitions. They have nuances. In English you commonly find words with six or seven synonyms, and yet each word has its own nuance. A thorough understanding of these nuances it what makes someone a great writer; for it is only through knowledge of those nuances that you phrase correctly.
How are these nuances learned? Through reading an enormous amount of quality literature.
Getzy needs to spend less time with his thesaurus and more time reading the classics. Then, and only then, will he stand a chance.
Educated,oooooops!
Ok and now from someone who is not an OT graduate, and has a PhD in English Literature. This Kid means well but has no clue how to write.
Sorry to disappoint all who commented in his favor. If someone uses fancy words, it does not mean they are being used correctly and in the proper context.
And now about the context of the Op-Ed. This man is your relative, enough said.
outsider and staying tht wway
im an “outsider” so let me say this:
you are a sick mean community.You live nothing like real lubavitchers
This rabbi did what we all wish all rabbis did. Stand up and get in the face of the problem. I wouldntnever write on CH info bc of the horrific people who do nothing all day but wait at an opportunity to air out their troubled minds.
A. Lot Moore
I think a lot of the people are missing the point here. Perhaps it is the English languish style. If so, enjoy. If it is Agra/Rubashkin then let’s take a step back. Sure all corporations are obligated to obey the law and act in a responsible way. But what are the Rubashkins accused of? Hiring illegal aliens (done by millions in this country, and rarely dealt with more than a fine and deportation, if that) and hiring older teenagers (“children”) in prohibited occupations (a misdemeanor, if done knowingly, poor management otherwise). Recall the recent scandals regarding the fraudulent documentation of the ages of little league baseball players and Chinese olympic athletes where foreign documentation of age was relied on!
While the Agri/Rubashkins’ actions (or carelessness) may need some “cleaning up”, none of the accusations touch upon the core purpose of the business, kosher food production. No one has suggested otherwise. While Agri/Rubashkins will have to adjust their actions, and the care they put into their corporate responsibilities on these side personnel issues (perhaps including paying some civil fines or pleasing of convictions on some minor (no pun intended) charges, they will have learned how to better manage the company and will be better off for it.
As regards the OU, it is my understanding they have threatened to pull their hashgocha in a few weeks if new, outside management is not appointed for Agri, as Aharon Rubashkin himself promised several months ago. Outside (non family) professional management would be a most reasonable action here, now that the Rubashkins are facing the need to defend themselves against a wide range of accusations. At absolute least, it would relieve the Rubashkin family and Agra of the appearance of continued impropriety and allow Agri to continue its good work in the interim, which we all need.
Our job is not to defend the Rubashkins, they will have to hire their own lawyers to do that, but to provide moral support as they refine (but not “Reform”) their business practices.
I Don-t Understand This Community
It’s so sad. Here is a guy who obviously has huge talent, can write, does great work, and stands up for another yid(and i dont understand why Mr. Rubashkin being his cousin is something against his favor? It’s another yid, and not stam another yid. Getzy put it perfectly:“a Practioner of Benevolance”)
For the life of me, I don’t understand why someone would criticize such work. His writing always holds a powerful message while at the same time, imaginative, creative, sharp and full of wit. Yes, I use a dictionary when reading his essays. And so it becomes a learning experience for me. If you don’t enjoy reading that requires thinking, then obviously his style writing isn’t for you. Getzy knows a word when he uses it. When Getzy reads, he’s holding the book in one hand, and a dictionary in the other. His articles are beautifully woven and inspirational.
I hope He realizes what talent and potential he has, and doesn’t let this kind of criticism get to him. It’s so unfortunate that he can’t get the support he deserves from this community. Great work Getzy Markowitz
The Dis-Org. of Chabad Uni Students
I, as well as many of my friends who are Lubavitch college, law and medical students, as well as many high school trained readers, have generally found this author’s work to be shallow and poorly written. ‘Getzy’ has become the punchline of many jokes.
For his own sake, he should stop publishing his articles and presenting himself as any sort of authority.
simintov
DUDLEY AND STEVENS?????????????????
I’m missing the connection.
THE QUEEN v. DUDLEY AND STEVENS
A man who, in order to escape death from hunger, kills another for the purpose of eating his flesh, is guilty of murder; although at the time of the act he is in such circumstances that he believes and has reasonable ground for believing that it affords the only chance of preserving his life.
At the trial of an indictment for murder it appeared, upon a special verdict, that the prisoners D. and S., seamen, and the deceased, a boy between seventeen and eighteen, were cast away in a storm on the high seas, and compelled to put into an open boat; that the boat was drifting on the ocean, and was probably more than 1000 miles from land; that on the eighteenth day, when they had been seven days without food and five without water, D. proposed to S. that lots should be cast who should be put to death to save the rest, and that they afterwards thought it would be better to kill the boy that their lives should be saved; that on the twentieth day D., with the assent of S., killed the boy, and both D. and S. fed on his flesh for four days; that at the time of the act there was no sail in sight nor any reasonable prospect of relief; that under these circumstances there appeared to the prisoners every probability that unless they then or very soon fed upon the boy, or one of themselves, they would die of starvation:-
Held, that upon these facts, there was no proof of any such necessity as could justify the prisoners in killing the boy, and that they were guilty of murder.
As the author of Say What?
I’m not sure why some people have castigated me as a rosho gamur, I simply, having had some time to waste decided to make a humorous caricature on getzy’s writing. The point I wanted to make is that style and prose are a medium to better bring the subject to its desired effect; should the style of delivery call undue attention to itself, it will shift the essay from prose to the genre of poetry or perhaps an appendix to the canon, either case not really being the desirable format for an editorial.
That being said, I must admit I am disturbed by the vein of the many comments I have read on this site (this column and others) , both of those criticizing the Rubashkins or defending them. A point which seems to have flown over the heads of many chabadske internet deah zoggers, is that should one of us be targeted, we should always circle the wagons. The word “Brother” means when a person you call such finds himself in difficulty, you stand in his aid regardless of his innocence or lack of it. To lay it out for those unable to deduce it themselves –
Brother means – a person you will always defend.
Stranger – a person you will protect if innocent, and punish if guilty.
Enemy – a person you try to hurt whether he deserves it or not.
If a two thousand year history of persecution has taught as anything, it should be that we must defend our own because no-one else will, and that with the same senselessness we were persecuted, we should help one another.
It would be one thing if we knew for certain he was guilty; if the person in question is a persona non-grata in our community, or someone who went out looking for trouble. Over here however, we are talking about a person who is a very pillar of kindness amongst us, and who has been targeted by enemies (check above for a definition of the word) from the very first day success came his way.
Why are we obsessed with this complex of sacrificing our friends on the altar of appearing open-minded and liberal in the eyes of the secular world? What justification can there be in placing the interests of ICE over helping of a man who has made the lives of kosher observant Jews easier than they could have imagined? Since when has the OU been a spokesgroup on behalf of egalitarian issues facing America? Do we not squirm with embarrassment and shame every time the Israeli government proudly proclaims they sacrificed one of their own soldiers in order not to harm a young terrorist to be – yet instead of taking a lesson from their ridiculous shenanigans, we senselessly emulate them ourselves. If there is nothing mandating us to defame them, then let’s desist from doing so.
A line I saw once in a book of Issac Asimov echoes across my mind to this very day – “Never let morals get in the way of what is right and what is wrong”. We as Jews have to get over the complex of showing that we are as cultured and ethical as they come. It may be perhaps a nice accolade to bear, but let us not sacrifice our neighbor for the good of our social standing.
John Shmith, philosopher
“If a two thousand year history of persecution has taught as anything, it should be that we must defend our own because no-one else will, and that with the same senselessness we were persecuted, we should help one another.”
If a two thousand year history of persecution has taught us anything, it should have taught us not to persecute others, by exploiting workers.
If a two thousand year history of being oppressed lawlessly has taught us anything, it should have taught us not to be lawless.
Please don’t superimpose morality where morality is missing.
Dudley and Stephens
“R. v. Dudley and Stephens ([1884] 14 QBD 273 DC) is a leading English criminal case …. familiar among lawyers in the common law jurisdictions and is universally studied by law students.” Wikipedia, R. v. Dudley and Stephens,
A fan
To the author of say what.
You have a very good point.
Thanks for bringing it up.
Perhaps you would consider writing a op-ed.
You certainly have the talent and ability.
Say What says again
Dear John Smith
Who appointed you to be the crown prosecutor or spokesman for the amalgamated oppressed workers union of the Americas? If your brother or friend is apprehended for even say a violent crime such as assault and battery, do you not feel a duty to support his defense or at the very least hold your peace?
Although some philosophers riding upon their intellectual high horse will advocate a Judge who has the “integrity” to sentence his own son to imprisonment, most of a more balanced frame of mind would consider such a person warped, or lets say too much an englishman for even a welshman to stomach.
I am not advocating perverting justice, or protection by force. I’m simply saying that if you are not an employee of the US Justice or Immigration departments, you have now justification as an orthodox Jew of taking their stance before Rubashkin, when US law itself mandates that one is to be considered innocent till proven guilty.
to the community
It’s so sad. Here is a guy who obviously has huge talent, can write, does great work, and stands up for another yid(and i dont understand why Mr. Rubashkin being his cousin is something against his favor? It’s another yid, and not stam another yid. Getzy put it perfectly:“a Practioner of Benevolance”)
For the life of me, I don’t understand why someone would criticize such work. His writing always holds a powerful message while at the same time, imaginative, creative, sharp and full of wit. Yes, I use a dictionary when reading his essays. And so it becomes a learning experience for me. If you don’t enjoy reading that requires thinking, then obviously his style writing isn’t for you. Getzy knows a word when he uses it. When Getzy reads, he’s holding the book in one hand, and a dictionary in the other. His articles are beautifully woven and inspirational.
I hope He realizes what talent and potential he has, and doesn’t let this kind of criticism get to him. It’s so unfortunate that he can’t get the support he deserves from this community. Great work Getzy Markowitz
getzys from last week:
Field Days
By Getzy Markowitz
Monday’s brief cessation of work marked the onset of stricter labor. One can almost count the number of seasonal Jewish residents who remain in Sullivan County. Their New Jersey counterparts in Deal have returned to the city for trade and deals. It was just over a week ago that I ran freely with my nephew through an open field filled with lush greenery, while today I am clutching his hand as we await the green light to cross the hard-surface city street. Vacationers have returned, and backpackers are back to school.
As autumn sets in, things fall into place. In New York City, urban parks replace vast mountain grounds and the countdown begins for a return to the Catskills and the home in the Hamptons. However, the retreat is closer than most people think. The grass is greener whatever side you are on.
Each year, as we pilgrims to recreation come home, the master of Creation gladly welcomes our return. In the month leading up to the high holidays, we are given the high honor of being granted an audience with G-d Himself. According to a parable offered by the author of Tanya, the King, G-d, is now in the field.
Before the King returns to the citadel, the citizens of the city come out and greet Him in the field. There, He receives everyone with a friendly disposition, and a smiling countenance. In the moral, we mortals are granted more than just a meet-and-greet, but also a reception by the King of Kings. By invitation, only dignitaries and nobles may visit Him at court. However, for thirty days preceding our proceedings in the court of judgement, we may embrace and be embraced by our King, for He is our Father and we are His children.
The month of Elul has always been a time opportune for thorough reflection, introspection, and self-perfection. It is summer come early and an early-bird’s chance to ensure a positive year’s summary. I have often heard of people waiting for some divine inspiration and invitation, but during these exceptional days, G-d invites us to invite Him into our lives. This is not a black tie event, just a casual setting fit for renewed ties between a beloved monocrat and His singular people.
Getzy at our table
B”H
Getzy, you should know that over Shabbos there was a heated discussion at our house about Rubashkin and your essay. It was illuminating. Fascinating.
We had difrences about the Rubashkins, but completely agree with your assesment and clarity.
I do not want to delve on your writing style bc we all agree (all high school and college grads) that you are a born talent and in complete control of our native language. Most of the cynics and critics here ate envious or plain dumb.
We would ask how we can get onto your list. If CH info could advise?
listy
SHABUA TOV!
What a piece of work. :)
What a piece
I sent this to my entire email list. Just not the link. i dont want to expose my frnds from other communities to the hatred in ubavitch
ticked
I saw AA Rubashkin on Shabbos. I told my kids: When you get married and if you c”s dont go on shlichus, still leave this neibrhod. I dont want them to live among the horrific people who do this to other yidin
as for getzy: unreal
getzys list
I sent an email to getzym@gmail.com and subject it subscribe. thats how i got on to his list
exasperated
Got. In. Himmel! Sheesh! the WORDS used are really not the point, the POINT was beautifully made, and ‘say what’ was FUNNY. Sholom al yisroel! Sometimes I just think people need to get a life.
Postville Resident
The point,
Any news about the ICE raid in Alabama where the took over 500 illigal workers?
Any jewish group going to alabama and protesting ?
Any Reform/ conservative group demanding from people to stop buying any of their products?
Any Eksher Tzedek for other than kosher products? Are we the ortodox are the only one that have to have the seal of purity?
How come the media dosnt go crazy azoy di postville ?
How come the rubashking are every day in the news , with ridiculs stories?
Many of them are just lies or taking out proportion?
Any word about the workers living town and stealing the furniture from the rental units?
What about coming to postville get a job with out putting any deposit, or paying 1 month rent, no utilitys and after afew weeks or a month leaving town with out paying?
I know the corporations have to beahave acording to the law but this storie goes way behind the normal path.
After all this they are only accuse of hiring under age workers?
Another zach.
do you pay minimum wage to your cleaning leady ?
Do u ask how much the business on Kingston ave pay on salary?
Any of them belong to any union?
Do you shop only from stores hiring legal workers ?
Do u pay tax when the y come to your house to fix or install the a/c toilet or any othe job?
Think about it