I applaud R’ Metzger for this initiative, although, I believe that this was originally the journey undertaken by Rav Kook ז’ל in 1913. Bridging gaps is efficacious; spitting and sending to the back of the bus, breeds resentment. Just to name drop, R’ Metzger sat a few rows behind me at Kerem B’Yavneh, although he was in fifth year, as I recall.
The story is told of how Rav Kook, upon one of his visits to an anti-religious kibbutz, was approached by one of the leaders who greeted him as follows: “With all due respect Rabbi, you shouldn’t waste your time trying to convince us to be religious. It’s not that we don’t know what Torah is, most of us were raised in observant homes. We know Torah, rabbis, mitzvot and we don’t like them!” Rav Kook questioned,”Why?” The kibbutznik replied: “We simply can’t stand your old-fashioned, meaningless, outdated rituals!” Exclaimed Rav Kook, “I agree”. “What?”, asked the surprised rebel. Explained the Rav, “I also hate the “religion” that you describe. But the dynamic, idealistic and deep Torah is so beautiful that anyone who is exposed to it cannot but love it!”.
RAV Kooks journey was called Massa Harabanim.
The 10 Rabanim were led by Rav Kook then Chief Rabbi of Yaffo and Rav Yosef Chaim Zonnenfeld of the Eda Charedis.
One of the other Rabbis was a Rav Yadler a miaggid in Yerushalim.
May be a minyan of Rabbanim from the same cross section should undertake a similar trip on the centenary of the trip in Chodesh Cheshvan ,I think, 2013.
IF the mode of dress of all the Rabbis in 1913 was to be repeated today the whole lot of them would be called Charedim
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man says to rabbi
i dont believe in G-d.
rabbi replies
yes, the god you believe in i also lack belief
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