Talk:Gil Student

New article

Hello, I have written a totally new article. I had not known about the previous "goings on" about this person. I am fully certain that this person is notable enough to have an article about him in Wikipedia (I can cite many cases of far less notable rabbis or persons who have their own articles if need be!) Gil Student has written, and continues to publish, much that has gained a lot of attention from many quarters and his name continues to be associated with a number of important controversies that deal with modern-day Jewish life, particularly as relating to Modern Orthodox Judaism; Orthodox Judaism; Haredi Judaism; and Hasidic Judaism. Thank you. IZAK

P.S. I would like to make it VERY clear: I am not an "admirer" of Gil Student. I do not know him personally and I have never met him. It is also immaterial that someone spoke to him and that Gil Student allegedly claims that he "does not deserve" an article on Wikipedia (some people are modest by nature). The stark fact remains, that almost anyone who has read about the controversies surrounding Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson or Rabbi Natan Slifkin, or has read about some of the controversies surrounding the Talmud and it's views on Jesus has in all probability read or learned from, and even utilized, what Gil Student has written. To sum up, at this stage of the game, the "public" Gil Student, especially the one who writes so much on the Internet is a famous enough and noteworthy person by now, and there is absolutely no reason to delete or ban an article about him from Wikipedia for any reason whatsoever. IZAK 11:05, 27 December 2005 (UTC)

I note Wikipedia:Articles for deletion/Gil Student and the very doubtful decision to delete. There was really no consensus there. JFW | T@lk 11:11, 27 December 2005 (UTC)

Frisch High School?

Rabbi Student is an alumnus of Frisch High School? Of what possible relevance is this? Jayjg ^(talk) 04:14, 28 December 2005 (UTC)

I agree, it should go. IZAK 04:16, 28 December 2005 (UTC)

His education has influenced his thinking, see http://hirhurim.blogspot.com/2005_12_01_hirhurim_archive.html and the section that starts off with "Thank God for the Modern Orthodox World" where he writes "Looking back now in my post-BT days to my pre-BT days, many years ago, it seems that I had two major questions on Orthodoxy that I had assembled during my nine years of Solomon Schechter elementary education. They had nothing to do with biblical criticism, which I had been taught with my aleph beis (actually, aleph bet), because I had never bought into the whole enterprise. The questions were on the authenticity of the Oral Torah, and they were killer questions:" --PinchasC | £€åV€ m€ å m€§§åg€ 17:45, 1 January 2006 (UTC)

"former" Lubavitcher Rebbe

I'm not sure why this designation was removed. Is the assertion here that he is also the current Lubavitcher Rebbe? Jayjg ^(talk) 22:49, 5 January 2006 (UTC)

Yes Lubavitcher Chassidim consider him to still be leading them, much like the Breslover Chassidim still consider Rabbi Nachman of Breslav to be their Rebbe. --PinchasC | £€åV€ m€ å m€§§åg€ 04:07, 6 January 2006 (UTC)

Got it. Still, the current wording is confusing; would you object to it saying "the last Lubavitcher Rebbe", as he is described in the article about him? Jayjg ^(talk) 15:51, 6 January 2006 (UTC)

"last" will be fine. --PinchasC | £€åV€ m€ å m€§§åg€ 15:53, 6 January 2006 (UTC)

critiques

How about critques on Gil and some of his methods? Like the famous letter by the famous tzadik and talmid chochom of note, Dr. Stern? I think this is relevant--or at least as relevant of so-called controversies surrounding individuals like Rav Eliashiv. — Preceding unsigned comment added by DavidCharlesII (talk • contribs)

To clarify, wikipedia is not the place to do a critique of anyone. (Wikipedia has a policy against original research, which would include your own review of any subject, either positive or negative). However, since Student is no stranger to controversy, mentioning some of the people who have crticized him in public forums and their arguments would not be out of the scope of the article. I'm not familiar with the letter or person in question who you're mentioning, but if you can find sources for things, feel free to add to try and improve the article. --Bachrach44 15:11, 20 September 2006 (UTC)

Nice work MPerel

Your improvements are terrific, thank you very much. Lobojo (talk) 02:51, 7 December 2007 (UTC)

Thanks Lobojo! I've moved your comment from the article page to here though, I think that's what you intended : ) --MPerel 03:41, 7 December 2007 (UTC)

Self-Editing Article (removing information)

If the subject of the article self-edits the article, it raises concerns of Wikipedia:Conflict of interest policy. Especially since the edit is deleting undisputed information contained herein. I'm not sure why this would be "whitewashed", but this is factual information that, as Alansohn pointed out on talk , may be useful in understanding the background of the subject and the influence on the subjects personal views and upbringing. I can't understand why publishing this may irk him, but that certainly is no reason to remove it.

I don't know if theres a pattern, as there was some concern raised on the delete vote for this article that the subject made a blog post requesting people to come to Wikipedia to vote for him for Wikipedia to maintain this article, but this article should maintain factual information regarding subjects graduate information from Solomon Schechter elementary school. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Homehouse (talk • contribs) 16:42, 6 January 2008 (UTC)

• While I think that this has the potential to raise the clearest possible WP:COI issues, there do seem to be enough independent editors covering the article. While I do agree that there is potential relevance for the subject's schooling -- even at the elementary level -- the lack of sources, reliable or otherwise, should be addressed ASAP. Alansohn (talk) 16:52, 6 January 2008 (UTC)

• • I notice much of the background information in the article is unsourced, not this piece alone. Although Gil didn't dispute the accuracy of the information, but rather its relevancy.

Another concern here is that this information regarding Gil's affiliation with Solomon Schechter elementary school was deleted anonymously at least twice previously (on May 8th and Dec. 27th) before Gil identified himself removing this undisputed information. Without prejudging if Gil made these deletions himself anonymously (even though the last one was not long before he identified himself), we should be clear about "Declaring an interest" from the Wikipedia:Conflict of interest policy. Homehouse (talk) 17:00, 6 January 2008 (UTC)

• • • FYI here is a blog post by the subject of the article discussing some of the influences his attendance at Solomon Schechter elementary school had on him:

Hirhurim Homehouse (talk) 17:21, 6 January 2008 (UTC)

This is Gil Student writing. I edited my bio on request by those more familiar with Wikipedia than I am. I did not realize that it is inappropriate.

I can confirm that I attended Solomon Schechter Day School of Bergen County for elementary school. I only made that change once. I find it ridiculous that it is in a short bio but I won't object. But if you want it to be that detailed then you might want to add the following:

• I received Yeshiva College's 1994 Sophie Manicoff Award for Excellence in Talmud.
• I have publicly corresponded with R. Aharon Feldman, the dean on Ner Israel Rabbinical School, on issues relating to Jewish law (I sent him a question and he responded with an answer). His letter in Hebrew can be found online here: [1]
• The same with R. Yehuda Henkin, whose letter to me was subsequently published in volume 4 of his responsa titled Bnei Banim. The letter in Hebrew can be found online here: [2]
• I had an article published in the journal Modern Judaism, volume 24, number 3, October 2004: [3]
• And an article in the journal Badad, volume 17: [4]
• And an article in the magazine Jewish Action, volume 68, number 2, Winter 2007: [5]
• My blog was awarded the prize for Best Mega Blog and Best Torah Blog in the Jewish and Israeli Blog Awards for 2007. The medal images are on the side of the blog.
• My blog is cited in two recent academic books: Marc B. Shapiro, Saul Lieberman and the Orthodox, University of Scranton Press, 2006 [6] and Daniel Sperber, Darkah Shel Halakhah, Reuben Mass Press, 2007.

Feel free to incorporate that information as appropriate. Gstudent (talk) 21:47, 6 January 2008 (UTC)

Gil, Just to help us understand your point, what is the import of your correspondence with any of various known personalities you mention above? (I assume they correspond with many people frequently...) 24.184.55.85 (talk) 01:20, 7 January 2008 (UTC)

Just random thinking of "verifiable" material. You're probably right that they aren't relevant.Gstudent (talk) 02:09, 7 January 2008 (UTC)

The fact that you went a certain elementary school would not usually go in an article, my assumption is that someody put it in there because they thought that you being an Orthodox rabbi who attended a conservative school was interesting. I don't whether it belongs. Lobojo (talk) 16:11, 7 January 2008 (UTC)

I've seen it go both ways. It probably depends on who the personality is and whether it may have relevance on his outlook (or upbringing). In the case of a Rabbi it would appear to be more relevant than say an actor. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 198.77.206.228 (talk) 14:29, 8 January 2008 (UTC)

Gil Student was a non-Orthodox Jew who became Orthodox

The article sources at http://www.jstandard.com/articles/3375/1/A-dream-come-true and at http://hirhurim.blogspot.com/2005/12/thank-god-for-modern-orthodox-world.html that Gil Student was a non-Orthodox Jew (attending Solomon Schechter school), and is currently and Orthodox Rabbi (as the lead indicates.)

That would constitute making Gil Student falling into the "Baalei teshuva" category that he is listed under. There is no reason to delete that. Regardless of how you define "Baalei teshuva", Mr. Student fits into it. Either he raised his observance level and became Orthodox or he was non-religious and became a religous Jew. A classical case of a biography that properly falls into the "Baalei teshuva" category. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 198.77.206.228 (talk) 21:45, 16 January 2008 (UTC)

Where does it say he was non-Orthodox? I've had contact with him for many years and I'm fairly certain he is frum-from-birth and has said so. It's original research to decide someone changed their level of observance based on the elementary school they attended. I know another Orthodox rabbi who was completely observant but attended a Conservative high school. It's not the norm, but it just goes to show that observance is not necessarily 100% associated with the schools or even synagogues one affiliates with. --MPerel 21:58, 16 January 2008 (UTC)

• I agree that the conclusion that attendance at a Conservative day school by an Orthodox Rabbi does not provide adequate evidence making someone a baal teshuva. Absent an explicit source describing the transformation, this categorization would seem to violate WP:SYNTH in making this inference. Alansohn (talk) —Preceding comment was added at 22:03, 16 January 2008 (UTC)

Plus, before the age of bar/bas mitzvah, children aren't accountable to be observant, so it's nonsense to refer to a change of observance from one's childhood "level". --MPerel 22:09, 16 January 2008 (UTC)

Since you are relying on your own personal original research and "recollection", why don't you instead give him a call. Your other point is incorrect, as he would have been Bar Mitzvah'd in elementary school and have become "accountable to be observant" (to use your language). 198.77.206.228 (talk) 23:23, 16 January 2008 (UTC)

Of course if I was actually trying to insert something in the article about his level of observance, contacting him would still be original research now wouldn't it? But I have no intention of inserting anything about it in the article, my only reason for mentioning it on the talk page is to demonstrate the problem with assuming he was a BT based on the elementary school he attended. As far as becoming bar/bas mitzvah in elementary school, most are K-6 or even K-5 so that's unlikely. Though you're partially correct in the sense that many day schools include middle school which is when kids typically become bar/bas mitzvah. --MPerel 05:51, 17 January 2008 (UTC)

Its nothing other than adding an appropriate "category" to the article. What else does the category of "Baal teshuva" exist for on Wikipedia? As far as your second point, most Jewish elementary schools are K-8, something Solomon Schechter Day School Association specifically discusses. 198.77.206.228 (talk) 15:12, 17 January 2008 (UTC)

• At the very least Mr. Student has raised his observance level, based on a simple reading of the cited and sourced information contained directly in this Wikipedia entry. Specifically, in the section "Position on Modern and Haredi Orthodoxy":

Student nevertheless opposes many trends within Modern Orthodoxy... According to Student, "I live in a moderate Haredi neighborhood, attend Haredi synagogues, send my children to moderate Haredi schools but still maintain professional and friendly relations with the Modern Orthodox world."[16]

So he went from a Conservative Jewish elementary school at Solomon Schechter to a coeducational high school at Frisch School to a normative Modern Orthodox college at Yeshiva University to being an Orthodox Rabbi attending Haredi synagogues and sending his children to Haredi schools.

Clearly a progressive increase in observance level, and hence a classical Baal Teshuva. (And fully cited and sourced in Wikipedia to boot.)

So unless a specific objection to this is raised, I'll restore the article to the category Baal teshuva. 198.77.206.228 (talk) 14:20, 18 January 2008 (UTC)

• This is a conclusion that you have drawn based on your interpretation of the limited information in his biography, in violation of WP:SYNTH. Without an independent source establishing identification as a Baal teshuva the identification cannot be used. Nor does your implied characterization of the Frisch School as being non-normative aid your case. Alansohn (talk) 15:30, 18 January 2008 (UTC)

• I pointed out that Frisch School is co-ed. Nowhere had I indicated that Frisch School was non-normative (or normative for that matter). That is your inference in violation of the WP:SYNTH spirit.

In any event I'll let the matter rest rather than engage in an edit war with someone who would rather the obvious be unstated. 198.77.206.228 (talk) 16:31, 18 January 2008 (UTC)

• Wikipedia does not work on "the obvious". Articles require sources and this characterization is no exception, no matter how glaringly obvious the conclusion is to you. That "everybody knows" something is the case may mean it is indeed true, but does not meet Wikipedia standards of verifiability, a basic pillar of this encyclopedia. I'm not sure what definition of baal teshuva you're using, but the type of gradual evolution you're describing here seems at best non-standard. Starting to wear a black hat, becoming more frum after coming back from a yeshiva in Israel, only eating chasidishe shechita or starting to daven at a chareidi shtiebel are all changes that most would not characterize as making one a baal teshuva. I can make all the synthesis I want to here, and your progression from co-ed Frisch to normative YU implies that Frisch is somehow non-normative. A transition from attending a co-ed yeshiva high school to attending YU would make the overwhelming percentage of YU alumni baalei teshuva, a synthesis that is unsupportable. There is no edit war going on here, but if you want to drop the ultimate atom bomb to end it, just find and a source identifying Rabbi Student as a baal teshuva and the "war" is over. Alansohn (talk) 17:28, 18 January 2008 (UTC)

• You have forgotten to WP:use common sense.

Going from a conservative school to a co-ed Orthodox school to a non-co-ed Orthodox school does a Baal Teshuva make. No one said anything about "becoming frum". But improving religious (Orthodox) law adherence is the basic definition of a baal teshuva. 198.77.206.228 (talk) 17:39, 18 January 2008 (UTC)

• Alansohn, If it can be sourced that Mr. Student attended a Conservative Jewish synagogue, you would be sufficiently satisfied that his becoming Orthodox (from Conservatism) would satisfy your insistence for further attribution of his being a Baal Teshuva. Otherwise, please object.—Preceding comment added by 198.77.206.228 (talk) 17:04, 20 January 2008 (UTC)

I'd say if there is a source identifying him formerly associated with Conservative Judaism or identified as a Baalat TeShuva it should suffice for inclusion in that category. 24.184.55.85 (talk) 23:51, 20 January 2008 (UTC)