A tough story to cover

When a story like this comes around, secular media — and some politically-driven Jewish media — are apt to seek an exploitive angle, to “sell papers,” drive web traffic or, ominously, poke fresh holes in our already fragile communal unity. Several publications labeled this “Tefillingate,” lest the implication of scandal be overlooked.

As an independent newspaper, The Jewish Star covers the news objectively and dispassionately; we are observers, presenting others’ views. As Jews and as part of the community, we are bound by its standards and by halacha.

On the issue of girls’ laying tefillin, where there is division, we are presenting the unabridged views of participants in the debate. We welcome additional thoughtful comments.

There is, of course, unbridled discussion of this on the Internet and we know that many of our readers have already dived into that pool. We trust, though, that our readers will “keep some perspective,” as suggested by Ramaz Head of School Paul Shaviv in a commentary on page 13, and avoid catchphrases that belittle those with views different from their own or from those of their rabbis.

There are many issues that threaten to tear apart the fabric of Torah true Judaism as outsiders gleefully watch. Let’s remember the many dangers inherent in l’shon ha’rah, as well as the importance of ahavat Israel, that we love every Jew.

In time, this issue will be settled within the framework of Torah true Judaism.