My community awoke this morning to the conspicuous addition of flyers, taped to nearly every tree along the streets, declaring that Rav Elyashiv has said that sheitel-wearing is assur. As reported by my husband who actually took the time to read these signs, one man asked Rav Elyashiv if he should divorce his wife for wearing her sheitel, to which the Gadol replied, "Don't divorce her, but try to convince her to stop."

I don't know about you but I don't generally take my hashkafos (outlook) from trees. I understand the intent of making a public service announcement and inviting the community to rethink the habit of sheitel-wearing. But I also really offer a prayer of thanks to Hashem that I am blessed with a Rav who I can speak to about sheitels (if I dare!).

Although this post was intended to be a slice-of-life look at tree posters and castigated sheitel wearers, I guess I may as well put in a plug for da'as Torah. Tonight, I had the opportunity to avail myself of the brilliance and clarity of the Rav of our neighborhood. I wasn't asking a halachic question; rather, I was asking him advice on a business proposition. His erudition in every matter is astonishing. I cannot help but laugh (or cry) at those individuals who bitterly denounce our sages as incapable of giving direction in areas other than strictly Torah matters. Torah is the foundation of all existence; those who are immersed in it to the point where they have achieved a certain sublime unity with Torah bring that sparkling truth and incisive, God-like perspective to any issue, be it finances, politics, or what have you. A rag saturated with water will wet anything and everything around it, whether it's a counter that needs cleaning or a homework paper that would not conventionally be wiped with a rag.

I think I admire the people who spent time and money printing up those fliers and faithfully stapling them to the trees even if I disagree with their point of view.

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