By Rabbi Yair Hoffman for 5tjt.com Someone once said that we are in desperate need of a “Jewish Snopes” right now. That person may be spot on.  Here is why. There is a story that is circulating on social media about the late Posek Hador, Hagaon HaRav Moshe Feinstein zt”l.  A popular Rebbe friend of mine tells me that it was forwarded to him by a number of Yeshiva Rebbeim and other people as well. These were people from all different walks of life. This author has spoken to Rav Moshe zatzal’s Talmidim, Gabbaim, and family members. Conclusion? The story never happened, and is completely false – from A to Z. LOADED QUESTION But before we get to the actual story, there is an important piece of information that is described by Douglas Walton, in his 1989 book entitled, “Informal logic: a handbook for critical argumentation (Cambridge University Press).”  Walton describes the idea of a loaded question asked in a “yes or no” form.  The purpose of it is to serve the writer’s agenda.  It is both manipulative and Machiavellian – placing the person on the other side of the question – in a no-win situation.  All to serve and promote the agenda of the person asking the question. An example is, as follows: “Answer, yes or no!  Have you stopped beating your wife??” One cannot answer, “yes” or “no to such a question – because either way, one is stuck. If one answers yes – the indication is that he used to beat his wife. If he answers no – then the indication is that he has not stopped and continues to beat his wife.  The optics are bad. It seems, to this author, that there are three components of a loaded question: It serves and promotes the author’s agenda. It is difficult to work around the charismatic questioner’s demand. The optics are bad. KORACH Those familiar with Midrashim and Rashi are also well aware that Korach also posed questions to Moshe Rabbeinu that were, in fact, loaded questions.  Does a garment made of fabric entirely died blue tcheiles require Tzitzis?  Does a room filled with Torah scrolls require a Mezuzah? These questions, as well, served the agenda of Korach – to place the leadership of Moshe Rabbeinu under question – so that he, “Korach – the man of the people” could take over.   All this, of course, is brought by the Midrash to understand the use of the term “Vayikach Korach – and Korach took.” The meaning of the term is just as it is in contemporary usage.  “I got taken recently.”  The Midrash is telling us about the manipulative methods of Korach. It is devious. Manipulative. Scheming. And, oh yes, wholly unscrupulous. Did Korach’s question and presentation serve to promote his agenda? Most certainly. Was it difficult to work around Korach’s demanding questions? It would seem so. Were the optics bad? Yes, they were. WHAT ABOUT A LOADED STORY? We now have two questions.  Is there also such a thing as a “loaded story?”  And what would such a story be? A loaded story is one that shares the qualities of a loaded question in that it serves the author’s agenda.  The optics are bad.  And it takes great effort to disprove. Let’s look at each element.  […]

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