Bari Weiss just learned her lesson.
A brilliant writer, winner last year of the National Jewish book award for How To Fight Anti-Semitism and staff editor for the op-ed section of the New York Times, she has this week regretfully sent in her letter of resignation in light of her recognition that the self-proclaimed “newspaper of record” no longer has room for journalists who refuse to fall in step with the far-left political narrative that has now become the New York Times Bible.
Weiss’s announcement follows shortly after the departure of editorial page editor James Bennett – another resignation that illustrates precisely the kind of new McCarthy-like policy that today governs a newspaper which once laid claim to our esteem for seeking truth and open inquiry.
Bennett permitted for publication an op-ed piece by Senator Tom Cotton that diverged from the Times’ approach to the post George Floyd riots that have so far been responsible for the deaths of at least 22 people. Senator Cotton expressed an opinion that reasonable people can debate; he agreed with the President that it was a good idea to send in the National Guard to maintain and restore order. He argued that the Insurrection Act could be invoked to deploy the military across the country to assist local law enforcement. And that was anathema to the current groupthink of the Times. As Bari Weiss notes, “It took the paper two days and two jobs to say that the Tom Cotton op-ed ‘fell short of our standards’” – and actually apologized for publishing it.
It was in 1896 that Adolph Ochs described the philosophy that would guide his newspaper and make it a paradigm for honest journalism: “To make of the columns of the New York Times a forum for the consideration of all questions of public importance, and to that end to invite intelligent discussion from all shades of opinion.”
Today’s readers need to know that that is no longer official or even permitted policy.
Opinions only have a right to be heard if they agree with the established orthodoxy of the publisher. The free exchange of ideas is not an ideal; it is a forbidden invitation to readers to come to their own erroneous conclusions.
As Weiss put it, “The Times has embraced the idea that truth isn’t a process of collective discovery, but an orthodoxy already known to an enlightened few whose job is to inform everyone else… Intellectual curiosity – let alone risk-taking – is now a liability at the Times. If a person’s ideology is in keeping with the new orthodoxy, they and their work remain unscrutinized. Everyone else lives in fear of the digital Thunderdome. Online venom is excused so long as it is directed at the proper targets. Standing up for principle at the paper does not win plaudits. It puts a target on your back.”
Bari Weiss had another reason for having a target placed on her back. She was the victim of “constant bullying by colleagues who disagree with my views. They have called me a Nazi and a racist; I have learned to brush off comments about how I’m ‘writing about the Jews again.’”
How utterly amazing to be accused as both a Nazi as well as a too ardent supporter of Israel.
Last week the Times offered us yet another op-ed that apparently “met their standards.” Peter Beinart's essay, “I No Longer Believe in a Jewish State”, beautifully echoed the paper’s intense antipathy to Israel as well as its ongoing prejudicial reporting.
The paper also had no problem a while back giving a half-page op-ed to arch terrorist Marwan Barghouti – a criminal serving five consecutive life terms after being convicted in an Israeli criminal court of premeditated murder for his role in terrorist attacks that killed five people – to author a diatribe against the Israeli system of justice. Just to make certain readers could identify the writer the article concluded with this note: ““Marwan Barghouti is a Palestinian leader and parliamentarian.”
It is well to remember that before the op-ed page debuted in the New York Times on September 21, 1970, John B. Oakes, the Times editor who willed the page into existence, remarked that, “A newspaper’s deepest responsibility is to make readers think. The minute we begin to insist that everyone think the same way we think, our democratic way of life is in danger.”
The page opposite the editorials, today home of the op-ed section, was originally occupied by obituaries, a fitting description of the demise of its dedication to truth which has now been replaced by a cancel culture that led to the resignation of a courageous editor. Hopefully Bari Weiss's final act at the Times will help reveal the truth of a newspaper which no longer deserves our respect and support.
(54) Jerry, October 28, 2020 12:42 AM
Bari Weiss and the Times
After doing a bit of research on this topic and the central character of same my conclusion is that Ms. Weiss after leaving the cozy environs of the Wall Street Journal went to the argumentative Times where she would have to defend her opinions and she didn’t like the less than positive glowing reviews of her essays by her colleagues at the Times. Maybe she should go back to the Journal . Actually, a better fit would be the Jerusalem Post.
(53) ari, July 22, 2020 10:21 PM
congratulations to Bari Weiss for her courage
Congratulations to Bari Weiss for her courage in calling out the NYT for the anti-Semitic fake news media
(52) Dr Murray Zedeck, July 21, 2020 1:53 AM
What took so long?
There still are many Jews of both conservative and liberal mind sets that still subscribe to the Times. Perhaps like Beinert they are anti Zionist’s or self haters. Weiss has seen the light after not looking for it. There are none so blind as those who will not see.
(51) David Shapiro, July 20, 2020 2:08 PM
Who Moved My Cheese?
I concur 100% with Rabbi Blech's article. Unfortunately, many Jews - mostly liberal-minded Jews, I'd venture to say - still look to the Times for the straight news, as they have in the past. They just haven't realized that the paper is not the paper of old. They are reading yellow journalism. Their newspaper cheese has been moved and they refused to believe it.
(50) Joseph Salama MD, July 20, 2020 2:03 PM
Jewish own antisemetism
We should help boycott any advertisers to the NYTimes once they loose this source of income maybe they can return to honest unbiased journalism
(49) Anonymous, July 20, 2020 2:03 AM
agree with Rabbi Blech
It wasn't called the New York crimes for nothing...
(48) Anonymous, July 20, 2020 12:07 AM
I have never read the NY Times, and after reading this article, I do not intend to ever. In addition, I know of no-one who reads this paper, regardless of their beliefs or religion. If I am ever engaged in conversation with someone who does read the NY Times, I will be informing them of the paper's new practices.
(47) Bob Van Wagner, July 19, 2020 8:48 PM
All the windows closing.
1970, wow. Birth of the NYT op ed page. Did the Sunday News and Views section exist before that? It must have or my memory of that long ago era, so so so long ago that the 'o' key loses it's decal imprint. Before Hydrochloroquine was on the tip of everyones tonque, to use the 'q' for a change up.
But as the some say "The windows are all almost fully closed."
(46) Anonymous, July 19, 2020 4:57 PM
more power to you !!!!
please start your own newsline on line that will be bigger and better than the new york tiimes !! we need the truth to come out !!!
(45) Tova Kawa, July 19, 2020 2:35 PM
What took her so long?
In my opinion the New York Times has been biased to the left and Anti-Israel for a long time. My question is Why did Ms Weiss hold on for all these years? I’m very happy that she finally sees the light but What took her so long?
(44) Mike, July 19, 2020 3:07 AM
The Times is a propaganda tool of the left.
I have never nor will I ever get a subscription to the New York Times. However, plenty of my fellow Jews read it everyday. With the coming of President Trump it has become so obvious that the Times and other news outlets are pushing a left wing progressive agenda. It is not news, it is propaganda.
(43) Anonymous, July 18, 2020 6:18 AM
Times’s loss
I wonder what Brett Stevens thinks of this turn of events. He left the Wall Street Journal for the same reason as Bari Weiss left this hitherto excellent publication. I subscribe to both newspapers precisely because I feel that the only way I can hear both sides is to read both newspapers. What a shame that I can’t rely in any newspaper to present me with all sorts of opinions about current events. I am sick at heart.
(42) Harvey Shacket, July 17, 2020 11:24 PM
We need to defend journalists like Bari Weiss
Weiss left of center views should not be censored by the NY Times. The paper is being the voice of extreme leftist ideologues.
(41) Mario Zamora, July 17, 2020 2:03 PM
Political Jews frighten me.
I think it works both ways. Political Jews frighten me. Not only because they have sided with the “all is good” mentality and wanting the Democrats winning “at all costs”, but they worry me mostly for siding with China against the US. I find this really extreme and very dangerous. Democrats and other republicans like G. Bush son, allowed China to take advantage for decades until Trump came to power. Democrat Jews were among them. They sold off this country. And they want to keep doing it. How can we try comprehend this, Jews selling America to China? Impossible to even begin. I have many liberal Jewish friends who truly don’t object to China or any human lifestyle, winning over anything else. What are they trying to accomplish by going against human decency and against this nation? Do they think what they’re doing? Do they care about the consequences? I think Republicans on the other hand have many flaws as a political group too. And right now we should worry about Republican selling off to Russia. Many Jews can be count led on that side. The list of indecencies including the lack of care for he environment and absent social conscience are just the tip of the Republican iceberg. Are they really thinking too? Yet I don’t see one Democrat Jew opposing China or any Republican Jews opposing Russia. And this should frighten all Jews. Aren’t we supposed to endorse Israel and the country we live in? Aren’t we suppose to SHOW loyalty to the country that is good to us? I believe many Jews are selling off the US only because of power. Both liberal Jewish Democrats and conservatives Jewish Republicans blindly go out without even thinking about the present implications and the future devastating consequences of favoring a foreign nation over our host nation JUST BECAUSE they want all the power in their political party and nowhere else. Well, this is a big and a very sad mistake. Wake up before all Jews are condemned of betraying the United States.
Mike, July 20, 2020 5:25 PM
Selective Outrage
From reading your comments, one would think that all Jews are collectively responsible for selling out the USA. According to you any Jew who identifies politically, Democrat or Republican, is out to ruin the country. What about gentiles who are political? They out number the Jews 100 to 1 but you make no mention of them. When Hillary Clinton approved the sale of American uranium mines to Russia was she a Jew? Was she Jewish when her foundation accepted money from dictators in the middle east who support Isis? When Joe Biden used American tax payer's money as leverage to end the investigation of a Ukrainian energy company that was paying his son millions was he doing that as a Jew? Was Pres. Obama Jewish when he told the Russians that he would stop the installation of missile defense in Europe? Tell me, when our politicians made sweet deals with China to send them our manufacturing, were only Jewish politicians involved? In your statement you accuse the Jews of "selling America to China", "going against human decency and the nation", "selling out to Russia", and "selling off the US only because of power". You also state, " Aren't we suppose to SHOW loyalty to the country that is good to us?", as if Jews aren't loyal Americans. Finally, you finish your rant by warning us all that we are in danger of being condemned for betraying the United States. Well Mario, it sounds like you are already passing that judgement on the Jewish people.
(40) Amir Tamari, July 17, 2020 8:24 AM
Since Adulthood
For as long as I remember and certainly since adulthood, thr New York Times did not earn or deserve my respect and support.
(39) Stephen Miller, July 17, 2020 7:15 AM
Great conviction..Loved it.. The truth, is always going to come through
That’s What media is supposed to be, thought-provoking
(38) Rachel, July 17, 2020 3:58 AM
Weiss was an NYT employee, Beinart's is not
I have an equally low opinion of Beinart's and Cotton, but they are not employees. To put either of them in the same category as Bari Weiss makes no sense.
I am sorry Weiss decided to resign. However, I am frankly surprised that she would have allowed herself to be so affected by the attitude of some coworkers. I save my sympathy for those stuck in jobs they hate because they are not going to be featured in op-Ed columns or have the proceeds of a book to fall back on.
Anonymous, July 17, 2020 11:39 AM
Whether Beinart, Cotton, or Weiss are employees of the paper is irrelevant to the point of this article, which you seem to have missed. The rest of your comment is just rude and snarky.
Clifton, July 17, 2020 1:57 PM
Miss the pojnt
Reading is fundamental
Re-read the article and do so without bias.
Rachel, July 17, 2020 4:44 PM
Employee vs contributor is an important difference
I liked Ms Weiss’ columns. If she was the victim of employment discrimination based on gender or religion, she may have a legal case against NYT.
However, there is an important distinction between what a newspaper publishes from outside contributors and the employment of a staff editor. The Cotton And Beinart pieces were both terrible. Cotton justified violation of our rights to freedom of speech and assembly. Beinart justified the end of Israel as a viable state for Jews.
Weiss May have been unhappy at work, but unless she was “bullied” to such an extent that she has a cause of action against NYT for gender or religious discrimination, it’s unfortunate that she resigned. And I stand by my point that many people are miserable at work but don’t have the luxury of quitting. I expect she will be just fine. To me, it smacks of a smart publicity opportunity. As someone who was passed over for promotion in 2 different jobs because I am shomer Shabbat, I have a hard time mustering sympathy for a public figure who chose to quit because some of her coworkers weren’t nice enough.
Lisa, July 19, 2020 2:13 PM
If your called a Nazi ONCE... that’s enough‼️
How many times should one be called a Nazi to call it bullying?
Rachel, July 21, 2020 2:50 AM
Employment discrimination law doesn’t work that way
There are specific protected classes of people who can sue for employment discrimination. These include gender, race, religion, nationality. Political membership is not among them.
Being called a Nazi by a coworker is offensive, but just as being called a snowflake, a racist, a Democrat or a Republican is not actionable, neither is being called a Nazi— with the possible exception if the person being bullied was obviously of German extraction, spoke with a German accent, etc.
I am not suggesting in any way that it’s appropriate. I am only commenting on whether there is a complaint here for a lawsuit.
(37) Theresa Newell, July 17, 2020 2:20 AM
Hurrah for Bari Weiss
It takes the caliber of a writer like Ms. Weiss to point out the sell-out to "politically correct according to the NYTimes" policy which this newspaper has taken. The NYTimes has lost its integrity and now stands up against that old motto it always had "All the news fit to print." For shame Times and well done Bari.
(36) Harry Pearle, July 16, 2020 10:53 PM
Seek Truth EMES? (Watch ALT Math Spoof on YouTube?)
Again, I encourage people to seek the truth, EMES, for themselves.
Take this funny spoof on a school teacher who claims that 2 2 = 4!
(Alternative Math, 8 minutes on YouTube)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zh3Yz3PiXZw&t=459s
Eli, July 17, 2020 1:12 AM
Very funny, thanks for the link
That was a perfect parody of the leftist groupthink combined with outcome-based education of the children, etc..Thank you!!
Bunny Shuch, July 17, 2020 5:38 AM
Wonderful!
Thanks for the link. This is a great, humorous way to present what is sadly going on today in our country.
(35) Yitzchok Gruber, July 16, 2020 9:02 PM
New York Times and Bari Weiss
It's sad, perhaps, but Today's New York Times is not the same newspaper as The New York Times I read as a teenager in New Jersey and perhaps 40 of my 50 years in California. It changed when the current publisher Gregg Sulzberger took the helm of the paper. He is not Jewish and never has been. My Wikipedia history lesson tells me that his grandfather was married I think 4 times and none of these wives were Jewish. Who his grandmother was is not important. Gregg Sulzberger has no connection to anything Jewish, and cares less. The healthy respect given to all of the citizens of New York given by earlier publishers - his father and grandfather is gone, replaced by an illiberal "progressive" agenda led by Dean Baquet whose driving force is to make this country a left wing Facist regime, of which the only people that will matter, are blacks, LatinX, and Palestinians, all of them anti-Semitic.
There is no balanced newspaper left in the United States. I read the New York Times out of habit, and because the Republican Party has denigrated far from its original values. The "educated" white liberals are merely the water carriers for this insidious movement. Watch carefully- the next to go will either be Brett Stephens, Roger Cohen or Tom Friedman, all of whose observance levels are immaterial. They do, however stand up for Israel.
In whatever fiendish direction Dean Baquet is leading The New York Times, the ethical people from New York, wherever they may be, must rise up and press for his dismissal.
Marsha, July 19, 2020 6:56 PM
No
Of the three you mention, only Bret Stephens stands up for Israel.
(34) Kristy, July 16, 2020 8:01 PM
NYT is a disgrace
They are no longer journalists, they are just an elitist group that has 1 opinion, and no one can deviate from that opinion.
(33) Alan, July 16, 2020 7:46 PM
Disagreement
I disagree with many aspects of this commentary. Rabbi Blech opines that NYT has a so-called new policy that is "McCarthy-like" - an unnecessary opinion. Sen. Cotton had numerous outlets to publish his questionable (false) positions. The fact that NYT has published essays by Beinart or Barghouti or anyone else are irrelevant to the issue at hand. Many Jews don't like NYT and understandably so as many view it as hostile to Jewish interests, but that doesn't excuse sloppy argument.
The fact that Ms Weiss felt the need to identify NYT a "far-left" political narrative, one wonders why she accepted the position. No doubt Ms Weiss will find a position more to her liking, perhaps at a publication with a "far-right" political narrative.
Aaron, July 16, 2020 8:52 PM
I'm confused, can you please explain what you mean?
1) You write that the characterization of the Times as "McCarthy-like" is unnecessary, since Senator Cotton had other places where he could have written his essay.
-It is undoubtedly true that he could have written his piece in Fox News (or the like) instead. However, doing so would only further the formation of the ideological echo chambers that society is currently sequestering itself into. He wrote in the Times precisely because he wanted to broaden the horizons of its readership, presenting them with an opinion they may disagree with. Is your point that you support political echo chambers and do not believe in the free exchange of ideas and respectful dialogue? If not, why?
2) You also write that "one wonders why she accepted the position."
-I don't understand the wonder on this issue. She stated clearly her reason for joining the paper in her letter: "I was hired with the goal of bringing in voices that would not otherwise appear in your pages: first-time writers, centrists, conservatives and others who would not naturally think of The Times as their home. The reason for this effort was clear: The paper’s failure to anticipate the outcome of the 2016 election meant that it didn’t have a firm grasp of the country it covers. Dean Baquet and others have admitted as much on various occasions."
3) You write that "The fact that NYT has published essays by Beinart or Barghouti or anyone else are irrelevant to the issue at hand."
-the issue at hand is that the Times has become dogmatically closed-minded in asserting that they alone know what is true and best. The fact that they freely published the writings of Barghouti, a convicted terrorist and murderer, but felt the need to apologize for publishing Senator Cotton, an honorable citizen of the United States, is clearly problematic. That the Times orthodoxy includes the former but excludes the latter is clearly concerning.
Can you please clarify your thoughts for me? Thanks!
Anonymous, July 17, 2020 5:40 AM
Thank you, Aaron!
Thank you, Aaron! I agree with your reply!
Nina Kotek, July 17, 2020 9:24 AM
Well put, and especially respectful
!Bravo! You clearly disagree with Alan, yet write respectfully and factually. If all political discourse were like this, there would be no hate and rioting. You are exemplary!
(32) Eli, July 16, 2020 7:33 PM
New York Slimes
It's nothing new. Where was this paper during the Holocaust? Deliberately hiding the truth of what was happening to the European Jewry, and indirectly supporting the mass slaughter. During the worst of Stalin's purges in 1930s, their man Walter Duranty, reporting out of Russia, served as the Communist propaganda mouthpiece to the West, indirectly supporting the slaughter of millions there also. Today they are enabling antisemitism and anti-Israel hatred. How can any conscientious human being, much less a Jew, stand to read that horrible rag?
(31) Anonymous, July 16, 2020 7:16 PM
Disappointed and discouraged
In my English class in H.S. in the 1940s, our wonderful teacher had us buy the N..y.Times to class everyday. She said, "reading the daily Times is a College education. She taught us how to fold it so we could read it in the subway when we start going to work. I have read it every day of my life. I am now at an Impass. Do I give it up because I love Israel and am terribly disappointed in the Editors oe keep reading it because there is no other paper I would read? Very discouraged. R.l.
Anonymous, July 17, 2020 9:26 AM
How about the WSJ?
Or try the Economist. Weekly, but excellent world wide coverage. Tries to be balanced, even if they are slanted on Israel, but not as much as others.
(30) Betsy Karotkin, July 16, 2020 7:10 PM
The New York Times is no longer a newspaper that asks its readers to read a variety of opinions and draw their own conclusions. It has drawn the conclusions for its readers. Period.
We are in a dangerous rip current. I only hope democracy will survive it.
(29) Harry Pearle, July 16, 2020 6:51 PM
The Times fears most the INSANITY of the RIGHT and this PRESIDENT
You make good point of the NYTimes.
However, I turn to the Times, daily for hope that this President will be defeated.
How many of your readers BLINDLY follow this President and the Right?
How many do not care about TRUTH and SANITY and DEMOCRACY?
The NY Times may be slanted, left, but it still has some truth left.
What happened to EMES?
====================
Eli, July 16, 2020 7:25 PM
EMES
I love president Trump. Hoping for another four years of his leadership. The strongest pro-Jewish and pro-Israel president to date. That's EMES!!
Harry Pearle, July 16, 2020 7:40 PM
"Democracy is coming to the USA" (Leonard Cohen song)
Dear Eli and others,
EMES is EMES.
You can't pick and choose, which truth you want and which you do not want.
We say SHEMA and end with EMES.
I suggest that this President's insanity is bringing us toward a new democracy.
Leonard Cohen, sang a prophetic song, called DEMOCRACY:
"Democracy is coming to the USA" (See it on YouTube, etc).
Leonard Cohen wrote "Democracy" back in 1992.
He passed away, the day after this President was elected.
My since is that when this President is defeated, we will start to see a new
democracy, with new safeguards to protect the Constitution and our sanity.
Does it will takes a health crisis, an economic crisis and a Constitutional crisis
to wake us up? EMES is EMES. Shema... EMES
Eli, July 16, 2020 7:57 PM
Democracy?
The leftist idea of democracy is the "democracy" of the mob, of groupthink, totalitarianism, over-stretched central government, identity politics, class warfare, denial of meritocracy, anti-religious sentiments and collectivism that murders the individual and personal incentive. I consider myself a liberal, but there is not a trace of liberalism in today's version of Democrat Party. It's a party of pandering to the lowest common denominator. I want nothing to do with them. The Dem nominee is a senile old man, incapable of uttering a single coherent sentence. On the other hand, every accusation that you throw against the President is subjective and emotional, that's all. Since the very beginning the Left tried every dirty trick in its arsenal to undermine him - from the "russian collusion" - to ukraine, to racial riots, etc. If that's your sandbox - that's your choice. But, stop smearing those who don't want to play in it.
Anonymous, July 17, 2020 9:29 AM
If you can't choose which Emess you want, why did Bari Weiss resign?
And why did the editor have to go after printing Sen. Cotton's piece? Seems to me the Times is choosing its Emess...
David Levine, July 17, 2020 1:15 AM
Deleted comment
This comment has been deleted.
Anonymous, July 17, 2020 4:12 AM
Fred Trump was an anti-Semite
He was arrested at a Klan rally and never apologized. To the extent he gave money to Jewish organizations after Germany lost the war, it was to curry favor. Trump is likewise pro-Israel because he wants the evangelical vote.
Anonymous, July 19, 2020 7:01 PM
Evangelical vote
Democrats accuse the President of “pandering to his evangelical base” by supporting Israel. I call it fulfilling campaign promises. And Biden promises to renew funding to the Palestinian Authority, so pray tell, who is HE “pandering” to? When it comes to Israel, the Evangelicals are much more sincere in their support than the liberal Jews.
(28) Henry Brown, July 16, 2020 6:41 PM
Hateful people
There have been Jews hateful to other Jews from the beginning. I hope that the experience has not been too hurtful to you personnnaly. Share a little love and you will help the balance of the scales.
I have been reading the NYT and researching information that used to be legitimate, specifically, while in 6th grade (1959), I researched the Times reporting on the Nazi murders of Jews in Europe during WW2 for a 6th grade special class, when I was 11 years. The information was available, but I needed to hunt for the small space they allocated to that news. Nobody wanted to know the information, and the US was neutral until Pearl Harbor. The US government and it's economy (auto's, computers and pharmaceutical companies) were making great profits trading with the Nazis.
Blessings to you and to all of us.
(27) COREY E. STEINBOCK, July 16, 2020 6:35 PM
FINALLY WE GET THE TRUTH, ABOUT THE BIGOT NEWSPAPER......
WHO DOES NOT TELL THE TRUTH////////////////
(26) Sandy Ray, July 16, 2020 6:21 PM
NYT has a long history of being an antisemitic rag.
Excellent book ‘Buried by the Times’ by Laurel Leff. Borrowed this online book review. “This book is a sad and sobering account of a major and deliberate effort by The New York Times to withhold news of Hitler’s destruction of European Jewry, has presented a compelling exposé. According to Leff, The Times was guilty not only of obfuscation, but of maintaining a Berlin bureau of correspondents which clearly offered an unapologetic defense of Nazism. Any news concerning Jews was deemed to be un-newsworthy, so much so, that the horrors in Europe actually were covered by The Times, such information was buried in obscure places in the newspaper.”
(25) Michael Cohen, July 16, 2020 6:17 PM
Absolutely correct
This extremely truthful and accurate article could have been written years ago. Had it been my critique of it would have been the same: truthful and accurate. It’s high time people in general are we Jews in particular begin to embrace the truth about the political left and the fundamental fact that we need to keep President Trump in office.
(24) Eli, July 16, 2020 6:08 PM
a blessing in disguise
The real tragedy isn't that the Times abandoned Ochs' principles but that his family left Judaism. This is just an inevitable consequence of that decision.
Perhaps Ms. Weiss will take advantage of the time she's been granted to study in a seminary in Israel. No one will call her a Nazi or complain she's obsessed with Jews. Also, unlike totalitarians, the Talmud enshrines both majority and minority opinions because "eilu v'eilu divrei elokim chaim" (these and these are the words of the living G-d). That's held up a lot better than "All the News That's Fit to Print."
(23) Jeanette Cohen, July 16, 2020 5:43 PM
Oh, please
The NYT has good parts and bad parts, much like Aish. Amplify the good, vigorously criticize the bad.
Regina, July 17, 2020 3:15 AM
Not anymore
It has been a disgusting, lying, leftist, antisemitic newspaper for much too long - there isn't enough good to redeem it.
(22) Anonymous, July 16, 2020 5:18 PM
From a Native New Yorker
1. All members of the Sulzberger family -- which owns the New York Times -- have converted from their original Jewish religion to Christianity.
2. A former owner-publisher of the Chicago Tribune once said that the N.Y. Times motto -- "all the news that's fit to print" -- really means they only print news that fits their view of the world.
(21) Miriam Weinstein, July 16, 2020 5:18 PM
NYTimes, far left?
New York Times is far left? Not on my planet - though once it gets on a jag about something, it sticks with it - but those tend to be liberal social issues more than anything. Politically the Times is centrist at best.
And regardless of what the founder wrote in the 1800's, this is a different time, and pretending Democrats and Republicans are equally honest in all matters is a fools errand. Our house is on fire, our country is on fire, and we need all the advocacy we can get.
That said, when the NYTimes decided to get on a big transgender spree a few years ago... I wondered if their brains were falling out.
Anonymous, July 17, 2020 4:16 AM
Far Left today used to be called centrist
Thanks for your reasonable and hate free comment
(20) Gerard (Jerry) Robins, July 16, 2020 5:12 PM
NY TIMES PROVES THAT JOURNALISM IS DEAD
Rabbi Blech, author of a dozen MAJOR books, has written an article for public consumption, that expresses the views of at least half of the nation!! The NY Times has absolutely lost its once prestigious image as a major periodical that provided balanced reporting - and obviously, the NY Times is aware of this and doesn't care. One would hope that Rabbi Blech's moderate commentary would provide some feedback that the NY Times could benefit from in terms of considering some balanced reporting. But everyone knows on the front end that this will not happen; b/c the Times is only interested in propagandizing their BEYOND-ULTRA LIBERAL views!!
(19) Yitzchok, July 16, 2020 5:07 PM
Well said
I’ve noticed this intolerance of any dissenting views on the ap Nextdoor whic is a forum for discussing current events, as well as recommending services in a local neighborhood. How intolerant liberals can be- it’s hard to I imagine greater intolerance that isn’t physically violent also
(18) Anonymous, July 16, 2020 4:59 PM
Pinchas Spirit Still Alive
BH
It is comforting to know the spirit of Pinchas is alive and well!!! I send a round of applause to Beri Weiss, James Bennett and many thanks (toda raba) to Rabbi Blech for this article.
I already receive Aish emails. Toda Raba
(17) Daniel Montoya, July 16, 2020 4:56 PM
Truth or halftruths
Many seem to thrive on putting Israel in a bad light, but truth prevails B'HSM
(16) Ellyn Harris, July 16, 2020 4:31 PM
Go Rabbi Blech
To have my childhood Rabbi from Young Israel of Oceansie NY say so clearly what I have been thinking was a refreshing feeling. All views matter !!
(15) Evan Benjamin, July 16, 2020 4:06 PM
Ms Bari Weiss was sure enough in her face bullied by the NY times . I admire my Jewish sister for her talents and courage to walk away .
Anonymous, July 17, 2020 3:16 AM
WELL SAID
AMEN!
(14) Anonymous, July 16, 2020 3:51 PM
Sensitivity
Somehow, political correctness and sensitivity don't fit in the same sentence.
(13) Bob Weiner, July 16, 2020 3:47 PM
Bravo
(12) Anonymous, July 16, 2020 3:47 PM
CRITICISM
THE NYT IS A NATIONAL ASSET AND MUST NOT TARNISH ITS REPUTATION BY PLAYING A ONE-SIDED VOICE.
Dvirah, July 16, 2020 4:40 PM
Too Late
They have already tarnished themselves 100 times over.
(11) Mitchell Brooks, MD, PA, July 16, 2020 3:13 PM
All the news that fits, we print.
Nu?!
(10) David Cashin, July 16, 2020 3:07 PM
Agree strongly with your viewpoint
I love reading Aish, a very refreshing departure from the PC police. I do read the NY Times every day. But only for the purpose of hearing what their PC community has to say. It is very consistent. I have no expectation of hearing a balanced viewpoint anymore. All news is selected to reinforce a particular narrative. Bias doesn't lie in how you tell a news-story. Bias lies in the news-story that you don't tell.. Keep up your good work.
Dr. David Cashin
Anonymous, July 16, 2020 5:21 PM
Reading the Times
If you know what the NYT represents and without any alternative points of view, why reward this rag by buying it? You might not know that the NYT always had a trace of AntiSemitism. During WWII, the Times printed the atrocities perpetrated against the Jews on page 18. I saw a copy of this myself. To me the NYT has one use only: washing windows.
(9) Michael Stein, July 16, 2020 2:47 PM
NYT offers the Demise of free thought
It is with sadness I see Bari Weiss leave the paper. I was a subscriber years ago, but became dismayed by what I saw as creeping yellow journalism. The far left is now the same as the far right: goodbye open thinking and free discussion. I am offended by the paper's lightly veiled antiSemitism and Israel bashing.
Clifton, July 16, 2020 3:05 PM
At first agreed
At first I agreed with you but then thought; Good for May Weiss. Get out and away from the marxist Leninist pro terrorist group nyt. Better for her soul. Go where you talents will be appreciated
Not sure yet but my guess the NYT will be speaking favorably of the antisemite Nick Cannon. That piece of filth will be hoisted as a hero.
(8) LeeAnne Ayres, July 16, 2020 2:31 PM
So proud of Bari Weiss...
I applaud her courage for calling out the NYT anti-Semitic bias and brilliantly defining the hardcore lack of truth in today’s journalism. And from a fellow Pittsburgh native, yeah...kid, you rock! ❤️
(7) Laurie, July 16, 2020 2:26 PM
What if Tom cotton‘s editorial have been anti-semetic?
I wonder if the writer of this column and those who are commenting would approve of the New York Times printing an op-editorial by someone who firmly believes that Jews are evil, should be excluded from the country, etc.? Do these views, abhorrent to most of us, also deserve a place in the New York Times or any other newspaper promoting an expansive view of opinions?
Eliezer N Eisenberg, July 16, 2020 2:42 PM
reductio ad nonsense
The argument that you present that ostensibly defends the Times actually limns Ms. Weiss' point. We all agree that there are viewpoints that do not deserve publication. Gerrymandering the area of legitimacy to include Barghouti and exclude Senator Cotton is a symptom of extremism.
Anonymous, July 16, 2020 3:04 PM
What does this have to do with Tom Cotton or Bari Weiss?
Are you implying that Tom Cotton said "Jews are evil"?
What you're saying has nothing whatsoever to do with Tom Cotton or Bari Weiss.
The NYT extolled the virtues of Stalin and his murderous reign.
So, yes, the NYT has published articles friendly to anti-semites and bloody regimes.
Nina Kotek, July 17, 2020 9:38 AM
Sen. Cotton called for using the military against rioters
This is legal, and has been used when riot control was beyond the police, as in Little Rock, for example, during intergration.
Excluding Jews from the country is not legal.
So Sen. Cotton can be published, and the hypothetical other article cannot.
(6) Anonymous, July 16, 2020 2:25 PM
Good piece of journalism
Well done piece of exposing the truth of the Times. There are many more media outlets using the same fascist tactics. The left is bereft of defendable ideas. Force is all they understand.
(5) Anonymous, July 16, 2020 2:25 PM
The NYTImes - youve chaned from reporting the news to opinion on page one headlines.
THE NYTIMES has changed . What Bari Weiss said in her resignation letter is not new. Once the top person changed i began to feel that they were giving their opinion on page one. The way they would headlne an article changed. the words the used. and, as far as Judiasm being a religion they made sure to say along with Italian American, Chinese American ,Jewish American. They dont say catholic American . Even though they know Italy and China are countries and Jewish and Catholic are religions. They dont care. They feature articles and op eds from people who think as they do regarding the unprecedented political scene . Its very sad.
(4) Ellie, July 16, 2020 2:08 PM
First line
Great article but that first line about Ms Weiss that says she “learned her lesson” is cringeworthy, condescending and totally inappropriate to a woman of her experience and standing. Just because she’s young and a woman doesn’t mean she’s a child or should be treated as one.
Eli Willner, July 16, 2020 2:37 PM
Deleted comment
This comment has been deleted.
Ellie, July 16, 2020 4:53 PM
Don’t share my views and opinions?
Um, isn’t that what she just quit over, someone telling her not to share her views and opinions. This isn’t “woke” culture, I’m a part of the Aish world and a committed Jew, I’m only saying the first line of the article could have been more in line with the rest of it, which I said was great. Of course people are always learning lessons and growing, but in my opinion that line isn’t supporting her growth, it’s patronizing. I’m happy to have a different opinion and view of this than you, and won’t ask you not to share yours nor will I put you in a box of “unwoke” just because we see things differently. These comments also aren’t supposed to just be an echo chamber and I’m sure Rabbi Blech doesn’t just need a cheering section, comments are allowed for posts for discussion and opinions. I shared mine. You can do the same.
Anonymous, July 19, 2020 9:50 PM
Understand Both Opinions
Can understand that "learned her lesson" could be condescending in the way
described, but think it's more of a figure of speech, commonly used phrase often for situations like this and also said somewhat satirically. If Bari Weiss was a male, the phrase could be equally valid and could have been used by Rabbi Bleich to make the same point.
(3) Jacob Villeneuve, July 16, 2020 1:12 PM
G-D IN THE DUSTBIN, G-D FORBID!
THAT IS THE CREDO OF THE NYT AND EUROPE AS WELL!
LET'S NOT FORGET THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY INCLUDING SCHIFF AND COMPANY! UNTIL WE REACH UNITY IN ISRAEL THAT WILL BE THE PERPETUAL MONKEY ON OUR BACK, WE CAN DO IT !!!
(2) Nancy, July 16, 2020 11:44 AM
I am simultaneously livid and very sad.....
A long time ago my fifth grade teacher had us read the NY Times every day. My vocabulary grew from this assignment and I will always be grateful for that particular learning experience. However, THAT newspaper did not shame people the way Bari Weiss was shamed. I am so angry on her behalf. My husband has chosen to subscribe to the NY Times online and I admit that I enjoy reading certain articles. I just don't know whether to cancel our subscription or to write a letter to the Times for having driven Ms. Weiss away.
Anonymous, July 17, 2020 9:41 AM
How about writing that letter?
See what answer you get, if any, then you can always cancel.
Nancy, July 17, 2020 10:52 AM
To commenter Anonymous
Re: Writing a letter to The NYT about Bari Weiss. Thank you for giving me such a common sense answer. It is the same one my mother z'tl would have given me. Please stay safe and healthy!
(1) Gary Tolchinsky, July 16, 2020 9:03 AM
Respect
What a powerful response by Ms. Weiss to her injustice, and Rabbi Bleich's commentary supporting her. However, to me, beyond the legitimate critique of the Times' culture of censorship of non-conforming ideas, assault on traditional journalism and cancel culture,the greatest transgression is to see how politics is used as a justification to act with cruelty to another human being. This affects discourse well beyond the Times At the risk of sounding naive, did any of Ms. Weiss' detractors consider her feelings, the damage their words could inflict, the pain they could cause her? Did they think for even a second if there was a less hurtful way to make their point, even if that point reflected the ideological conformity and groupthink which are at issue? Why can't
political correctness focus on being sensitive to those whose ultimate "identity"
is a human being?
Anonymous, July 17, 2020 3:22 AM
BRILLIANT COMMENT
Thank you for pointing out the complete lack of caring and sensitivity on the part of those 'enlightened' lefty, loony, liberal, political correct so-called journalists. My bet is that the modus operandi is destroy those who disagree - overcome dissenting opinions at any expense.
The NYT, once the gold standard of journalism, has no redeeming elements whatsoever anymore.