(Rabbis Weiss and Angel are co-founders of the International
Rabbinic Fellowship, an association of Orthodox rabbis who foster an
intellectually vibrant, open, compassionate and inclusive Orthodox Judaism. The
Fellowship held a preliminary conference in October 2007, at which it was
decided to establish the <st1:stockticker>IRF</st1:stockticker> on a formal
basis. The <st1:stockticker>IRF</st1:stockticker>’s inaugural conference was
held in <st1:place><st1:city>West Palm Beach</st1:city>, <st1:state>Florida</st1:state></st1:place>,
<st1:date month="4" day="29" year="2008">April 29-30, 2008</st1:date>.)
As co-founders of the International Rabbinic Fellowship (IRF),
we are often asked why the need for another Modern Orthodox rabbinic
association. The need arises from
perhaps the most foundational premise of Modern Orthodoxy – the role of
rabbinic authority.
In general terms, there are two models of rabbinic authority. The first suggests that rabbinic authority is
hierarchal; it is vertical, emerging from the top down. This model would have rabbinic authority
consolidated into the hands of the few, with key decisions being made by a
small group. This group is generally comprised of roshei yeshivah, rabbis who
