We have often observed that all the strengths and the
weaknesses of Yated Ne'eman are the result of one
simple fact: it is a publication whose top management is
rabbonim.
Only Yated Ne'eman published in Bnei Brak can make
this statement, and no other publication in the world. Every
other publication is run by businessmen or politicians. This
is a good opportunity to note that the Yated Ne'eman
that is published in Monsey, New York, is no longer connected
with our paper in any way.
Nothing takes place in a vacuum, and especially not the
publication of a weekly news and features journal. The basic
reason why a publication was started and the policies set by
those at its highest levels of control, will inevitably
affect the way it is run in things both small and large. This
does not mean that Yated is not at all concerned with
profit nor that other chareidi-run publications are not at
all concerned with spreading the values of Torah. But it
makes a tremendous difference which value is primary and
which is secondary.
The Hebrew edition of Yated Ne'eman was started almost
18 years ago by Maran HaRav Shach zt"l and Maran the
Steipler Rov zt"l (it was the Steipler who chose the
unusual name). When the English edition was started 15 years
ago this week by HaRav Shach, he insisted that it have the
same name as the Hebrew paper even though the first editor,
Rav Avrohom Kosman (who put out the first issues with true
mesirus nefesh to meet HaRav Shach's insistence that
the paper start right away even though no preparations had
been made), wanted to change it to something more
familiar.
There is no question that HaRav Shach's entire motive for
starting the English edition was to spread daas Torah
and provide kosher, uplifting reading material and nothing
else. The people chosen to carry out this intention were
instructed to produce a publication that could earn its own
way, but the Western guiding principle of maximizing profit
was not incorporated into the Yated in Bnei Brak.
The profit motive is very powerful and affects a lot more
than it might seem at first. If you want to maximize your
profit you will be reluctant to antagonize any potential
reader who can help you build your rate base. If you want to
maximize your profit you will be even more reluctant to
antagonize a potential advertiser who contributes directly to
your bottom line. This does not only mean institutions that
may be offended by criticism, but also businesses. And it
does not only mean direct criticism of their products, but
also articles that can have an indirect effect. One big
example is writing about histapkus and the value in
minimizing indulgence in Olom Hazeh. A publication
that wants to maximize its profit find other things to write
about, since the enticements of excess -- albeit bireshus
haTorah -- are one of the best sources of advertising
that is both lucrative and attractive.
This brings us to what we have noted is the weakness of being
in an organization run by rabbonim: their histapkus as
far as putting out Yated. We are not complaining
because we are sure that the advantages are overwhelming, but
we want to publicize these facts to express our appreciation
for our dedicated staff that manages to put out a quality
publication under minimal and difficult conditions.
We strive to put out a paper that is praiseworthy without
taking all this into account, but for once we would like to
give credit where credit is due, and give our staff a public
yasher koach!
May we all be zoche to help spread daas Torah
more and more, until "the earth is filled with knowledge of
Hashem, as the water covers the seas" (Yeshayohu
11:9).
