In our own times in Israel and in the diaspora, we have seen all too well, the pitfalls involved when Jews with kipot abrogate this most sensible ruling and go off to meet and greet and break bread with Esau. While many Jews involved are self-serving ignoramuses, there are some prominent Halachic thinkers who astound us with their revolutionary betrayal of key Jewish principles. As shocking as it is, the figure of the historical Acher come to mind, which reminds us that even great Jews can choose the wrong side of the road and step into the abyss. Yet upon doing so, they become different people.
The following article is a flawed but interesting glimpse into two prominent Rabbinic personalities who studied under the Rav. One adheres to the Rav's ruling, the other departed years ago in a most radical fashion. Here is Rabbi Gil Student's Interfaith Dialogue Under Fire.
