Gedolim: A Cost-Benefit Analysis

I was recently discussing the subject of Chareidi leadership with a friend of mine. I asked him to explain the benefits of having "Gedolim." "What productive measures," I inquired. "Have the gedolim taken in recent memory? How have they improved the state of 21st century Orthodoxy?"

My friend opined that most of the Gedolim's positive works are felt on a one-on-one, personal basis. That is, that these Torah sages provide wise and thoughtful counsel to many of their students and disciples. I would tend to agree. But what qualifies these individuals for public leadership?

Here is a brief analysis of the costs and benefits of Chareidi leadership:

Benefit: Rescuing a kidnapped teen from a Jamaican prison camp
Cost: Kidnapping the teen and sending him there in the first place

Benefit: Approving and endorsing concerts to benefit charitable causes
Cost: Banning those concerts

Benefit: Endorsing books that tackle complex and controversial issues in Jewish thought
Cost: Banning those books

Benefit: Encouraging inter-denominational Jewish dialogue in a thought-provoking, interesting work
Cost: Banning the book and forcing the author to cancel his promotional appearances

Benefit: Gedolim cards
Cost: $1.00 a pack at Eichlers

J.D.