Rabbis Efraim Greenblatt and Hayyim David Halevy
In Aseih Lechah Rav, vol. 7, p. 174 Rabbi Hayyim David Halevy included a letter that he wrote to Rabbi Efraim Greenblatt, the author of Rivevot Efraim. In his letter, Rabbi Halevy defends himself against Rabbi Greenblatt’s complaint that he doesn’t seem to examine the literature of the Aharonim. Here are the comments of Rabbi Greenblatt.
Rabbi Halevy responded and said that every new book in halakhah which he receives he tries to go over, but he admits that he can’t learn every book in depth. He continues that,
Rather, when I am dealing with a certain question and I remember that I had seen it discussed, but I am unable to remember in which book I saw it discussed, and I am not able to look in all of the books of contemporary rabbis which I have.
Rabbi Halevy adds another reason. He says that sometimes he does remember where he saw the question discussed, but if he disagrees with the conclusion he prefers not to bring the opinion since what value is there in bringing an opinion just to say that you disagree with it.
On the very next page, Rabbi Halevy addresses a specific question, listening to music. In a previous responsum on music Rabbi Greenblatt quoted Rabbi Halevy, and in the context of a number of comments which he wrote on Rivevot Efraim, Rabbi Binyamin Zilber criticized what Rabbi Halevy wrote.
Rabbi Halevy responds and says that it is clear from what Rabbi Zilber wrote that he never actually looked in Aseich Lecha Rav to see what was written, therefore missing the context and circumstances of the original responsum. Additionally, Rabbi Halevy relates that he remembers times when Rabbi Ben-Zion Meir Hai Uziel used to listen to music when he wanted to take a break from his studying. Rabbi Uziel said that music calms him down and allows him to study even more.
March 10th, 2010 at 12:33 am
i don’t remember this. i will go look it up. thanks