Rabbi Yaacov Edelstein and co. try and defend the Maskilic author of Cheshbon Hanefesh (yes, there were good and bad Maskilim, but Lefin was bad). See Yisrael Shapira’s article on Ynet’s “Kikar Hashabat” site here…
“How come Rabbi Yisrael Salanter (who lived soon after the author) endorsed the book?” Let me answer the question with another question: How come the Yad Rama (who lived soon after Rashi) quotes the “Rashi” on Perek Chelek?!
The Charedi-style “defense'” begins with some irrelevancies, progresses to the belligerent Argument from Authority, and excuses the plagiarism in two words. And then, just when you should expect the real meat, it becomes the standard: “Trust me, the author was fine even though I don’t care to prove my point (for secret reasons)” (read: Are you going to doubt someone as chashuv as me?).
Eh, put me down as unconvinced.