On Bans and Kefira

No, not another Slifkin one

So, I just came across the following Substack post:

Banned from Irrationalist Modoxism

Now, I know the guys there at Irrational Modoxism, (which is NOT happygoluckypersonage’s blog btw - he’s a guest writer) and I knew immediately why he was banned. Irrational Modoxism is not the place to spread kefira. It is primarily a defense of the Chareidi interpretation of Judaism, and commenting there is thus limited to those who accept Judaism and agree to its authority. If you don’t believe in it, you don’t have a say in what interpretation is valid.

I’ll illustrate it with a small vort:

My Rebbe once asked "why do we translate all the pesukim by Eisav legnai? For example, “vayesht - and he drank and he did not make a bracha” or “vayakam and he got up and he did not make a bracha”. There’s no indication in the pesukim or medrashim that was indeed the case!”

He answered: To teach us that Eisav wrote himself out of Yiddishkeit, and thus had no more say on the matter! Even if he really did make a bracha, he had no way to correct us as he placed himself chutz lamachane.

The lesson is clear: For one’s criticism to be effective, it must come from within. That is why Rabbi Slifkin’s criticisms are effective. And why Dov Ber’s are not - because he is perceived of being from outside.

Anyways, Yeshivish mode off:

I personally disagree with Irrationalist Modoxism stance on this - I think comments should be censored based on their perceived level of intelligence, not their halachic fidelity. So Shimshon and test, out, but well thought out kefira that deserves a good answer, in. But I fully understand Irrationalist Modoxism’s position.

I would add one caveat: While I think that banning kofrim and kefira from the comments is indeed a valid choice, that is for intracommunity posts. Someone who does not accept halacha should not have say about what halacha says about organ transplants, nor have the opportunity to go on a full-fledged rant about amalekite babies. But if the post is about answering questions on the Torah from science (e.g., age of the universe) I do think that banning kefira just weakens one’s position. Since the post is dealing about how the Torah deals with the outside world, banning them just increases the bubble and stops real answers from being found. Of course, the question must be relevant and on topic, and not a full-fledged sheitel cholent amalekite babies verbal tantrum.