SH EV AT, 5738 /.JANUARY, 1978 VOLUME XII, NUMBER 10 THE SEVENTY FIVE CENTS
Orthodox Jews in America
Exotic and Othenvise
- Partners in Torah
Days of the Founders in Text and Photograph
- also -
Letters and Responses in this issue ...
Orthodoxy- Exotic and Otherwise I Elkanah Schwartz ...... 3 The Many Crises of Yeshiva Day School Education I Zev Schostak ...... 6 "Churban Europe" Letters to the Editor ...... 8 "Chazara" - Reviewing Rabbi Hutner's Seminar I Yaakov Feitman ...... 11 Comments on "The Destruction of European Jewry"I Joseph Elias ...... 15 And Now a Word From Our Fathers I Sylvia Fuchs ...... 16 Song of Faith I Lewis Brenner ...... 20 The Partnership I Aryeh Kaplan ...... 23 The Picture Album, Passport to Other Worlds THE JEWISH OssERVER is publis.hed (A Review Article) I Nissan Wolpin ...... 27 monthly, except July and August, by the Agudath Israel of America, The New Country 5 Beekman St., New York, N.Y Calendar, 77-78 10038. Second class postage paid at New York, N.Y. Subscription: Tradition, Orthodox Jewish Life in America $7.50 per year; Two years, $13.00; Update: The Coalition in Action I Ezriel Toshavi ...... 30 Three years, $18.00; outside of the United States $8.50 per year. Second Looks on the Jewish Scene Single copy seventy-five cents. Criticize Reform? -Why Bother ...... 32 Printed in the U .S.A After Ma'aser: The $2,000 Slip-knot ...... 34 "•••"(With and Without Comment) ...... 35 RABBI N1ssoNWOLPIN Editor Letters to the Editor ...... 36 Subscribe ------C!ip,andsave ------Editorial Board The Jewish Observer I DR ERNST L. BODENHEIMER Chairman Renew 5 Beekman Street/ New York, N.Y. 10038 I RABBI NATHAN BULMAN 0 One Year $750 0 Two Years $13.00 I RABBI JOSEPH ELIAS or Give 0 Three Years only $18.00 I JOSEPH FR!EDENSON RABBI MOSHE SHERER Now Send Magazine ta: I Name ...... I Address ...... THE JEWISH OBSERVER does not and 1 assume responsibility for the SAVE City ...... State/Zip ...... ,...... , Kashrus of any product or ser From: I vice advertised in its pages. Name ...... , I Copyright 1978 JANUARY, 1978 VOL. XII, No. 10 ~~~~~~.::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::··~~=~·~;~;~·::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: i Typography by Compu·Scribe 0 Enclose gift card 0 Bill me: $...... 0 Enclosed: $ ...... I at ArtScroll Studios, Ltd. ~------· Elkanah Schwartz
Orthodoxy - Exotic and Otherwise
Some pointed comments on Jewish self-definition
"Arnold?" "Present" I "Avrohom?" Absent years before then, right after the World War II. Their My first professional position - this was some fif parents felt lucky to be alive in a hostile world. They teen years ago - was in the general studies department did not wish to stick out. Many yielded to what they of a yeshiva high school, where one of my respon perceived to be hostility against any parochial identity, sibilities was a daily review of the roll books. I would and completely gave up their religious commitment. note the first names of the students: Arnold, Irving, Others maintained that commitment, but preferred to Paul, Stanley, Dennis. I knew the parents of these avoid advertising it - hence, their children carriei:Lnon young men; these were not the names they were called parochial names on their official papers. And soml! - at home. instead of viewing their reflection in the eyes of gentiles - sought their reflection in the eyes of non-parochial Today, Arnold, Irving and Paul have children whose Jews, who had felt that commitment to "Old World names are listed on legal documents exactly as they are Judaism" would bring the complete downfall of Jews. blessed at the Sefer Torah. In part, this change expres ses the growing confidence and assertiveness of The recognition of Mamre is credit deserved, but it is Orthodoxy in America; in addition, it no doubt reflects more than that: it is a lesson to Abraham's descendants a sense of identification with the State of Israel. to seek reflection in the views of those who support An interesting reference to this can be found in the authenticity. In 20th Century America, this lesson is Commentaries on the Torah's identification of ''The not completely learned, although advances are being Plains of Mamre" - Mamre being the one out of three made. brothers who, when asked by Abraham, advised him to The Orthodox Jew - By Whose Definition? go ahead with G-d's command of circumcision. It seems In the opinion of many, Orthodoxy's~rowtb is not strange that Abraham should poll the opinions of three hindered by forces outside the Jewish people - if heathens in regard to fulfilling a mitzva l anything, oppression provokes inner strength - but Perhaps one can say that Abraham solicited their rather by those Jews who do not define their views for the purpose of judging them - to see how Jewishness, or their concept of Jewish destiny, ac they understand the importance of following a divine cording to the Torah and its commandments. Hence, command - not to guide his own actions. But for many even Orthodox Jews can suffer a self-imposed identity of Abraham's descendants, especially in recent years of crisis: Shall their acknowledged Orthodoxy be defined geographic and socio-cultural mobility, it is the views from within, from the collectivity of Orthodox Jews of others that determine their choice of personal deed. and its criteria of Torah and mitzvos - or from My students of fifteen years ago were born fifteen without, from the mass of Jews who do identify as Jews, but do not accept Torah and mitzvos? In a Talmud Torah I once taught, I came up against a ELKANAH SCHWARTZ is rabbi of Congregation Kol Israel in classic identity crisis. A pre-Bar Mitzva boy whom I Brooklyn and assistant to NYC Deput,y Mayor Herman Badillo. Rab had instructed about tefillin, asked if he would have to bi Schwartz is a frequent contributor to these pages, as well as to put them on at his ceremony. No, I told him, because other Jewish journals. they are not worn on Shabbos. Then when are they to
The }ewish Observer/ January, 1978 3 be put on? he asked. On your birthday. That's all? No. error), we can say: the non-Orthodox perceive Every day after that except for Shabbos and Yorn Tov. Orthodoxy as non-worldly, and themselves as worldly; For how long? For the rest of your life. So how come they are therefore content in being non-Orthodox. my father doesn't put them on? You'll have to ask your They perceive Chassidism as non-worldly (perhaps father. even other-worldly), so they are comfortable with it and Though usually boisterous, for the next few days he in fact are happy to support it: it bolsters their defini sat almost inert, stunned. Then one day he bounced in, tion of Orthodoxy as something exotic and archaic, not smiling. "I asked my mother," he said, "and she told something to get personally involved with. By contrast, me only religious people have to put them on, and since they view non-Chassidic forms of Orthodoxy as less we're not religious, I don't gotta put on tefillin." removed from worldliness, providing less excuse for He was boisterous once again. His identity crisis was non-observance. Hence, they would rather ignore its resolved. For him and his mother, non-observance of existence. Torah and mitzvos was an acceptable definition of be The romance with Chassidism would be fine, if the ing Jewish. spectators would become participants. My Lubavitcher I do not fault him or his mother. How are they to neighbors are, I'm sure, as critical as I of the Reform know better? But how did they view me, and my tefil spiritual leader who calls himself a Lubavitcher chassid lin? - That it was just another way to be Jewish? - be_cause he goes to see the Rebbe, shilta, studies Tanya, That we are the same, except for some cosmetic dif raises money for Chabad, and wears a yarmulka at all ference, which she is good enough to tolerate? times - even while advocating Reform as a legitimate form of Judaism. There is no Jewish man, woman, or child who does not know about Shabbos. While many are ignorant of National Geographic can run a pictorial essay on the detailed prohibitions such as carrying in a public do Chassidim of Williamsburg ("different" the way Eski main, and sophisticated needs such as for an eiruv all mos on the Bering Straits are different), and the are certainly aware that Shabbos is different from T~es Brooklyn Museum can run an exhibit on the Chassidim day. Yet nothing keeps Jews who ignore that difference of Crown Heights; no one is expected to join the ranks from assuming roles of leadership and spokesmanship of the exotic. The Museum can even exhibit Five Chas on behalf of the entire Jewish people. In their eyes, the sidic Artists, offering renderings of exotic scenes, but difference between their form of Judaism and mine is would probably decline a show of pictures by Orthodox only cosmetic. Yet, some Jews are nagged by the ques artists like you and me of scenes that are all around us. tion: Whose definition of my Judaism am I to accept - If we are not "different," why should we be special? theirs or mine? And what greater intoxication with reflection of the To them, I am Tevye, and I live in Anatevka. I am self can there be than through the pages of the New quaint, perhaps cute, and some of my practices are even York Times (published and edited primarily by Jews), impressive. I am tolerated, somewhat respected, and where the passing of a leader of Reform Judaism rates a perhaps in a historical sense admired. I am often nice to page one "Inside'' headline, while in similar circum have around. But in their opinion, I have nothing to do stances, Torah personalities must vie for attention with their acceptance of themselves as good Jews. I can (when they get it) with hosts of world personalities on be accepted as an equal to a degree - that degree is ex the crowded obituary page. The Times does give space ceeded when I pose a threat to their definition of being a in its news pages to Orthodox Jews - almost always to good Jew. As long as my Orthodoxy remains exotic, those who pray at the Western Wall in beard, black hat, they are content with being different from me. When, and Kaftan. Lovely - but what about smooth-cheeked however, I have everything they have, including accep folks who work for the firms the paper writes about, tability in the eyes of the world, in spite of my being and shop in the stores it advertises? The image of Orthodox, then I become a threat: I have replaced, in Orthodoxy desired by this paper is one of "no threat." the1r own terms, their own definition of being a good Orthodox Jews who speak the Times' English and live Jew. I will have proven that rejection of Torah is not a in their world are a threat to their concept of prerequisite to gaining acceptance in the broad outside worldliness without Orthodoxy, and Orthodoxy world. Today's man can also be an Orthodox Jew. without worldliness. But I'm Not Tevya The Chassidic Attraction So my problem when seeking my reflection in Perhaps this explains the romance enjoyed by many "Jewish" news is that I am not Tevya, and I am not in non-Orthodox Jews with Chassidism. It is encouraging Anatevka. For they do not exist, while I and my peers, that many Jews who might otherwise have no personal and my community and its peer communities, are very relationship with Torah observance choose to expose much alive. "Fiddler" is forever in the psyches of the themselves to at least one form of it. - But why this contemporary, religiously-rootless Jews. They need form, and not one of the others? him and they will applaud hi,n>. But then the lights go Even at the risk of oversimplification (and perhaps on, and - poof! It isn't Tevya, but an actor. It isn't
4 The Jewish Observer/ January, 1978 The assimilated Jew does not deny his roots - as long as it is only an external association with an image, without implications in regard to personal practice: We came from somewhere - preserve it in a showcase. Admire it, but don't let it touch us.
Anatevka, but a theater stage. It's time to go home, to The magnificent commitment of non-Torah Jews to the spiritually barren life where tradition is a form of the moral and financial support to the State of Israel is entertainment. The therapy is over, it is return to surely admirable. Yet - on the conscious level - their rootless reality: "May the good Lord bless and keep support is not motivated by Biblical, Talmudic and him - far away from us." halachic imperatives: by the Holy Land's centrality in The assimilated do not wish for total alienation from Jewish spiritual life; by the presence of the Makom their Jewish roots. They want to know that the linkage Hamikdash, the Kosel, Kever Rachel, the Me'oras is there. Tradition is fine - as long as it does not carry HaMachpelah, and countless other holy places on its obligations. Mysticism is fine, as long as it leaves one soil; or by the exclusive applicability of many mitzvos free to carry on as desired - an external association to its terrain. Rather, it is motivated by concern for with an image, without implications in regard to per Israel in face of its hostile neighbors: an obviously no sonal practice: We came from somewhere - preserve it ble reason, that should stand alongside the other in a showcase. Admire it, but don't let it touch us. reasons, rather than in place of them. To the "Jewish outlaw," the exotic Orthodox is not The Mamre Reflection only "no threat," but is a great opportunity, offering identity without the encumbrance of commitment. The When Abraham was comm~nded on circumcision, he normative Orthodox, however, spells danger: he decided from within to comply. He defined himself demonstrates that contemporary American society is through divine direction, and not through the guidance not incompatible with the religious practices of pre-war of others - not even through partners in a covenant. Poland; he is proof that it was not necessary to discard But he was interested in determining their reaction to the Shulchan Aruch to reap the benefits of American this move. So when Aner and Eshkol rejected the idea pluralism. The" outlaw" would prefer to keep Judaica of circumcision, divine though it was, Abraham re Exotica alive and well in restricted preserves, so the rest jected them. But when Mamre accepted the new image of Jewry can be comfortable in an unrestricted habitat of Abraham, Abraham accepted Mamre. '78. The parents of my yeshiva students could not help but be sensitive to the mood of their time, so they gave Definition From Non-Jewish Sources their sons" acceptable" names. These sons, now grown, How, then, does the Jew who does not define himself perceive a different mood, so they gave their own sons through Torah understand himself? Not from within, traditional names, by now also "acceptable." but from without - by the way he perceives the gentiles The superficial recognition by non-Orthodox of the perceiving him. Whomever the non-Jew considers exotic form of Orthodoxy does not reflect the choice of Jewish, becomes Jewish. Or to put it in a negative light, the Orthodox, but the convenience of the others. The whoever is the object, or potential object, of oppression views of the non-committed can never become a deter against Jews, is a Jew. Hence the grand concept of Kial minant for the form of commitment. Chassidism grew Yisroel - robbed of its sanctified meaning (such as from holy sources from within its adherents, and not through standing at Sinai and jointly proclaiming from a perceived popularity from without. While "na'aseh v'nishma") - becomes a rallying cry for self bringing the alienated closer to Torah remains a fun preservation against all enemies, real or imagined. damental goal, rejection by the alienated of forms of This negative thinking reaches its height in the Torah observance should never alter those forms. "Who is a Jew?" controversy. The Torah Jew offers a Orthodoxy is defined through Torah and mitzvos, response from within: whoever the Torah says is a Jew. through people and society who live by them, and not The non-observant offers a response from without: through the reflection it finds among those whose con whoever is willing to say he is a Jew in face of the scorn cept of Judaism and Jewish destiny arise from non of the goyim, is a Jew. Torah standards. ~'I:
The Jewish Observer I January, 1978 s Zev Schostak
The Many Crises of Yeshiva Day School Education
A number of articles in popular journals, including should be deprived of a Torah education, when it comes The Jewish Observer (Oct. '76, Dec. '76, Jan. '77), dealt to admitting a large number of non-observant students with the crisis in Yeshiva-Day School education. Some into their schools, many big city administrators face a of these articles tended to suffer from a "reductionist moral dilemma. fallacy," whereby one reduces all the major problems of D In the smaller communities, many of the Hebrew Torah education to only a few, and attempts to solve all day schools are referred to as "community schools" - a of these issues with one all-encompassing solution. If euphemistic title, belying the fact that they are often only we could, in reality, reduce all of the many crises controlled by Conservative and Reform rabbis and their and issues confronting the yeshiva movement to but a baalei-batim. The Orthodox menahel and his religious few! If only there were a simple all-encompassing solu teachers are up against the proverbial "brick wall" tion to our many provlems! Unfortunately, there is not any one major problem facing day schools today. There when they attempt to introduce Yiddishkeit into the are myriad problems, each perhaps as unique as the school's program. This article will not even attempt to describe how this can be accomplished; suffice it to say school from which it emanates. that although every situation is different, the principal In hope of acquainting the readers of The Jewish must always be highly principled while at the same time Observer with more of the critical concerns of Yeshiva mastering political arts. educators, I have undertaken to briefly discuss some of the issues we confront in Chinuch today: D But here, too, we cannot delude ourselves into thinking that if we produce even a few religious stu dents in the school, we have succeeded. We cannot pat ourselves on the back by pointing to figures which I. STUDENT POPULATION AND BAAi.El-BATIM show that the yeshiva movement has grown to about O One of the most crucial problems confronting the 500 schools and 100,000 students on the North principal of a yeshiva in a larger community is the com American continent, when, in fact, only a small propor position of his school's student population - specifical tion of these students remain loyal to Torah and ly the ratio of Shomer Shabbos students to non mitzvos after graduation. I am reminded of the remarks Shomer Shabbos. In fact, one pundit recently remarked of a colleague, who compared this to a tie manufacturer that in New York City a yeshiva is defined as having a who produces 5 ,000 ties a day. If 4,500 of them are preponderance of Shomer Shabbos children, and a day defective, the owner will take little consolation in the school as one that has a majority of non-Shomer fact that he has successfully produed 500 good ties - Shabbos children. While we pay lip service to student however beautiful they may be. This man desperately recruitment and publicly pro~laim that no Jewish child needs "quality control" - and so do we in yeshiva chinuch. By exposing the borderline students and their families to the contagious enthusiasm of religious RABBI ZIV SCHOSTAK is the Principal of Yeshivat Akiva in Southfield, Michigan, and editor of Hamenahel, the professional youth groups, to the twenty-four hour Torah at journal of Torah Umesorah. He is also the author of A Guide to the mosphere of overnight camps, a.nd by having them ex Jewish Family Laws (bearing the Haskama of Rabbi Moshe Feins perience the spiritual beauty of Shabbatonim, Oneg tein), and a recently published Haggada entitled, Why Is This Night Yorn Tov and religious retreats, we can bring many of Different? them back into the fold.
6 The Jewish Observer I January, 1978 0 We are committed to the premise that every Jewish gedolos, by and large, have not created teacher-training child is entitled to receive a Jewish education. But, how programs of their own. As a result, out-of-New York - within the limited facilities of the yeshiva ketana - day schools have difficulty in finding bnei Torah who do we deal with such common problems as slow are trained for positions in chinuch. Similarly, many learners, under-achievers, emotionally disturbed, or New York yeshivas cannot find properly prepared reb those who have various learning disabilities? How do beim even though that city is amply endowed with we relate to the concerns of recently arrived Russian talmidei chachamim. Unfortunately, there is no corol Jewish children, or to the needs of youngsters who lary that every talmid chacham is necessarily a good come from broken homes? How do we find, especially rebbe. in smaller communities, the specialists and consultants 0 Perhaps an even greater problem is: how do we get to help us with these problems, who are sensitive to the young people interested in entering chinuch in the first religious concerns of the day sh cool? place? What are the incentives? - too little pay to make a living ... which often comes too late? - job security, II. CURRICULUM AND MATERIALS which ofter\ rests upon the whims and will of the prin D There are no adequate, well-written texts al taharas cipal - and, in the principal's case, upon the ever hakodesh on Hebrew Language. For example, Hebrew changing pleasures of his board? Short of unionizing, texts produced in Israel for their 5th grade students are what can be done to improve the professional status of frequently used in our junior high schools; our stu the teacher? Why should a teacher who has taught for dents cannot handle an Israeli junior high text because over thirty years in a New York City yeshiva be earning of the difficult vocabulary and reading content, and only $6,000? Why should any teacher aspire to a prin perforce must read texts used by Israeli 5th graders, cipalship when the constant turnover in day school ad which are far below our students' interest level. ministration is a game of musical chairs? D Another prime need is for Jewish History texts writ 0 What is being done to maintain and even raise the ten al taharas hakodesh in both an authentic and in professional standards of yeshiva education? How teresting manner. Over the years, we have had to make many of our schools offer in-service training for their do with some poorly written Hebrew texts which are of faculties, or see to it that their teachers never stop learn little interest, even to little children, or we have had to ing - in every sense of the word? How many day use some questionable English texts, censoring whole schools make it possible and encourage their rebbe'im sections or omitting entire chapters. to learn after hours? How many require general studies faculties to take college refresher courses in their D Materials for grouping, individualized instruction, chosen field? How do we relate to the apathetic and and open classroom are almost non-existent in the mediocre teacher, whose services have only been limudei kodesh (religious studies). While a school such retained because he has tenure? as S.A.R. (Salanter, Akiba, Riverdale) in New York City has embarked on some bold pioneering efforts in this direction, this area is a virtual wasteland for all but the most creative teachers who construct their own IV. ET CETERA materials. There are a number of other "crisis" areas con D There are no standardized or uniform tests for fronting the yeshiva-day school movement today, but evaluating Yeshiva students in elementary grades on a we cannot possibly treat them within the limited scope national scale, even in such basic areas as Chumash. of this article. Some examples: 0 In another vital area, development of good character D There are problems of fierce competition between and middos, the only work available for the yeshiva many yeshivas in New York City and in other large ketana is B'ikvoseihem, a book which highlights the metropolitan areas, resulting in concern for the ethical great middos of the Gedolei Yisroel throughout the practices of soliciting students. ages, written under the aegis of the Fryer Foundation of D Federation funding of day schools, despite our Torah Umesorah. One book - no matter how good - propaganda, is still woefully inadequate. cannot fill the needs of all eight grades. All these and many more issues face the yeshiva movement. Let us not delude ourselves into seeking III. THE TEACHER simplistic answers of all-encompassing solutions. Each 0 The lack of a strong network of good teacher/ad school is different; every situation is unique. The only ministrator training programs leaves a lot undone. generalization I would venture is: we must discuss each Supervised student teaching and other valuable "on and every situation with our gedolim; only they can the-job" training experiences are few and far between. give us the guidance and direction we so urgently need. Although there are many Beth Jacob and other post We can do no less. We can expect no less. Tha fate of high-school teacher seminaries for girls, the yeshivas our people - our children - hangs in the balance. !.'<
The Jewish Observer I January, 1978 7 The October Jewish Observer featured an article by Rabbis Yaakov Feitman and Chaim Feuerman based on a discourse by the Rosh Yeshiva, Rabbi Yitzchok Hutner l<"tJ''::>!ll, dealing with Churban Europe - the destruction of European Jewry in World War II, fol lowed by a review article on "Holocaust literature" by Rabbi Joseph Elias. The articles inspired an unusual amount of discussion, some of it in letters to the editor. While some representative letters appear in the regular section in the later pages of the magazine, several that pose provocative questions are reprinted here, followed by a "Chazara" - a restatement of salient points of Rabbi Hutner's discourse, presented in a manner to clarify points raised. Rabbi Elias also comments on some of the letters.
propriate for what happened to Yeshivas not only do a great in Terms •nd Historical Periods European Jewry. justice to their students by not To the Editoro The article also points out that at teaching them what happened to In dealing with the acceptability times powerful governments mold their parents during the war; but of the term "Shoah'', Rabbi Hutner public opinion by "rewriting" also deny the last request of those finds that it implies an "isolated history. That even the State of who died - to tell the world what catastrophe unconnected to Israel is guilty of this crime. Rabbi happened. anything before or after it." Elias in his article discusses how not ROCHEL LICHT No historical event can be taught only did the world remain silent but Brooklyn, New York or studied in vacuum. Every even American Jewish leaders (i.e. historical event has long range and Wise) and Zionist leaders (i.e. Weiz immediate causes and ramifications. mann) did not help save Jews. He Searching for Culpability In studying the destruction of Euro lists an abundance of books that pean Jewry, one cannot only study give false versions of what occurred To the Editor: what happened during the years during those tragic years. There is In the article, it is purported 1939-1945 or even during the years only one way to combat the that "the founders and early leaders prior to 1939. Rather, one has to go spreading of lies, and that is by spreading the truth. Holocaust of the State of Israel were culpable as far back as 1215 when the Fourth ("were a factor" ... "contributed") Lateran Council ordered Jews to studies must be taught. But where are these courses taught? Basically in the destruction of European wear distinctive dress (i.e. yellow Jewry." This judgment is justified emblem) as a "badge of shame" for in either secular colleges or Zionist on the basis of a causal chain which the first time. Thus, the "Era of oriented high schools. simplified goes as follows: Disappointment" that the article Why, then, isn't the history of discusses would be studied. (a) The founders and early European Jewry during WWII leaders of the Jewish State created If the term "Holocaust" just in taught in the traditional yeshivas? "public pressure for the establish dicates an "isolated catastrophe of Why, when 150 High School ment of a Jewish State." great magnitude" then by all means seniors were asked about Kristal the term is not acceptable and nacht, were only 5 remotely familiar (b) This caused the Mufti (who should be changed. But Random with the events of November 9-10, until then had "cordial" relations House Dictionary defines it as "a 1938? How could today's youth with Jews) to decide to prevent the great or wholesale destruction of know about what the Gedolai Torah influx of millions of Jews into life esp. by fire from the Greek did (or did not do) during the war Palestine. word Holokauston - a burnt of years if they just read the popular (c) The Mufti then "influenced" fering." Thus, the term is ap- books that are on the market? Hitler and Eichmann to proceed
8 The Jewish Observer I January, 1978 with all dispatch to destroy the Jews observant Jews are "culpable," are a right, then, to speak of guilt and of Europe. "factor" and have "contributed" to culpability? These terms, and the May I pose the following ques the rise of a Amalek. Does it follow phrase "shameful episode,'' are bet tions: that we should abandon our Torah ter applied to the conduct of Zionist 1. A causal factor is one in whose because it brings out the worst not leaders after that Devil's pact was absence the event in question would only in the Mufti and Hitler but struck (as recounted in Rabbi Elias's not have happened. Is there also in Haman and Torquemada? review article in the same issue). evidence that without the activity of Yelamdeinu Rabbeinu! 4. Rabbi Hutner says: " ... since the Mufti, Hitler and Eichmann Robb; SHUBERT SPERO the ch urban ... was a tochacha ... would not have proceeded with Young Israel of Cleveland we have no right to interpret these their evil work? South Euclid, Ohio events as any kind of specific 2. The article implies that the real punishment for specific sins." But mistake was creating "public pres isn't Rabbi Hu Iner doing precisely sure for the establishment of a Re: "Holocaust" that when stating that the churban Jewish State." But what if, instead, came as the "direct result of trust they had simply called for permis To the Editor: ing and relying upon the gentile sion for the victims of Hitler to im It may seem presumptuous of me world"? And again when saying migrate to Palestine? Would that to question the premises of Rabbi that by clamoring for a Jewish State have kept the Mufti a friend and Hutner who is a leading Rosh the Zionists were" clearly a factor in prevented the destruction of Euro Yeshiva in this country. However, the destruction of many Jews"? pean Jewry? Or would it have been as Rabbi Akiva already said, "It is (Certainly, as believers in wrong to mention Palestine at all; Torah, and I must learn." Hashgacha (Providence), we must that things would have been dif Therefore, I take the liberty of seek see the political cause-and-effect ferent if we would have urged all ing clarification on a number of relationship for what it really is - Jews to go to Canada? points. merely a tool of the higher causality 3. Let us, for the sake of argu 1. If it is an "innovation of recent of poal ugemul, human deed and ment, assume that the alleged causal times" for gentiles to pass laws and Divine response). claim could be demonstrated by regulations on behalf of the Jews Further, shouldn't we try to in hard historical evidence. Would it and then rescind them, what are we terpr~_t the churban? Hochacha really prove that the founders of to make of Pharaoh of old "who (proof) and tochacha (reproof) are Israel were "culpable" i.e., guilty of refashioned his decrees"? Of Cyrus very closely related, to the extent of some criminal or immoral deed? the Great who at first gave official sharing the verb le'hochiach. It fol Only if it could be shown that these permission (nay, encouragement) to lows that tochacha is meant to "founders" should have known in rebuild the Beis Hamikdash and prove, to clarify, to instruct. And advance that by calling for a Jewish then withdrew it? Of the gezerot of how could it be otherwise? Would a State they would infuriate the Antiochus coming on the heels of father flog his child while saying to Mufti to the point where he would the solemn promise given by Alex him "Don't ask me why, it is decide to exterminate "all the Jews ander the Great? Of the many beyond you anyway"? True, it is of Warsaw, Budapest and Vilna" changes in the legal status of Jews impossible for us, in our insignific and that he would have enough in which took place throughout cen ance, to grasp the meaning of such fluence on the leaders of Germany turies in Spain, in Portugal and un an immense, all-encompassing to develop an elaborate system of der the Ottomans 1 tochacha. But that does not absolve destruction and actually carry out 2. I fail to understand what us from the obligation to learn from their "final solutions". Can such special inference can be made from it as much as we can on our level, so knowledge be assumed? Unkelos's translation of "1~l 'rt~1< that the lesson not have been 1"rt in 4. ls it right at any time to call for y;1<;i when in fact it is the standard vain. YACOV CHAI AMIT Al the establishment of a Jewish State form, used for almost every single (currently in Brooklyn, N. Y.) in Eretz Yisroel and seek the aliyah reference to idol-worship in the of Jews? If yes (and nothing in the Torah. Guilty - of a Mitzva? article says that it is not), then sure 3. One can accept that pressure ly Jews have to do what is right and for a Jewish State was the catalyst To the Editor: not be concerned with the reactions for the unholy alliance of Yishmael of evil Anti-Semites. Our Sages In his discourse Rabbi Hu tner and Eisav, and still maintain that states that "the founders and early have taught us that one of the root this was but a tragic miscalculation causes of hatred of the Jew is the leaders of the State (of Israel) were on the part of well-intentioned peo clearly a factor in the destruction of fact that he bears and observes the ple. After all, none of us is a yode'a Torah. In a sense, therefore, we the many Jews." The founders were machshavos (mind-reader). Is it fulfilling the mitzva of yishuv The Jewish Observer /January, 1978 9 very same soil? For all practical pur is from the "Rebbe" that one can poses, Frankfort, Warsaw, Lublin, most poignantly absorb lessons Lvov, Budapest ... no longer exist. connected with the tragic period of I am puzzled - in fact, deeply Hitler's domain. confused - in regard to how to deal E. MUNK CONTINUED with Churban Europe - in dealing Downsview, Ontario with any explanation of that ha'aretz, and only indirectly caused tragedy - that does not cope with the Mufti to urge the murder of this sweeping aspect. True, Rabbi Why Not Examine Tochacha? many Jews just as any Jews per Hutner says that we should not shy forming a mitzva may invite hatred. away from the painful, in search of To the Editor: Does that make them guilty? I am "sunnier" aspects of Judaism ... So The article based on the Rosh looking forward to a clarification. we must not avoid the tragic and the Yeshiva's discourse states: "We are Thank you. painful. But this doesn't make them left with a riddle and we are not able any less painful, now that we RACHEL GUNDERSHEIMER to single out this or that reason." recognize that they can be excep But didn't Chazal ask: "Why was Beth Jacob School, 10th Grade tional. And can one deny that the Philadelphia, Pa. the land lost?" Where is the source tragedies of Churban Europe 1939- of the assumption that only a Navi 1945 are exceptional? can come forth with reasons for the "Churban Europe" - Exceptional RICHARD ISAACSON Churban? in Scope Brooklyn, New York The viewpoint that we cannot ------·---·--·· --·------give cause to the tragedy because it To the Editor: The Need to Deal With represents a "Tochacha pheno I was very gratified to have an "Holocaust" Separately menon as an integral part of being opportunity to read the thoughts of the Am Hanivchar" seems an evasion the Rosh Yeshiva, Rabbi Hutner, on of the uncomfortable thought of Churban Europe in your respected To the Editor: our own guilt. The Tochacha itself journal. I studied the essay the way Beyond question, the Holocaust and all the Prophets have been quite I would study any expression of must be viewed as an integral part outspoken. Torah thought. I came up with of Jewish history, and the term To dig into the past and to try to several questions; and in line with "Shoah" by its very usage is apt to find out how we have sinned is not one's approach to a D'var Torah, I isolate that phenomenon from the necessarily an insult to the mar am posing them to you with hope rest of our glorious and tragic tyred "whose madreigos we will for clarification. history. Chazal have usually seen fit never reach." Of course there were While I was fascinated by the to allow some distance in time to individuals, but critical investiga catalyst role the Grand Mufti of elapse before putting cataclysmic tion of historical processes does not Jerusalem played in the destruction events into their proper historical deal with individuals; and if it does, of European Jewry, I suppose my perspective. then only under the aspect of how lack of awareness of his importance It appears to this writer, however, they were instrumental to influence till now can be attributed to secular that as long as there are living sur collective attitudes and behavioral ignorance and low spiritual sen vivors of the Holocaust, the situations - which arise precisely sitivity. I was surprised, however, teaching of the Holocaust as a because of the inability and failure to see the scope of Churban Europe separate series of lessons within of the leaders. Sometimes they were marked as one of "quantity" rather the context of the larger discipline so busy with erecting fences that than of genre. When, since the time of Jewish history will achieve what they let their own garden wither. of Haman, did anyone declare war Chazal term "seeing [which] is in The Chazon !sh remarked in one of on world Jewry with the purpose of finitely superior to hearing" when it his letters: n':inii nx tPit.Jlll't.J" ,~x?1 l,;ii, ,,lO!!m? (total destruc comes to the impact of the matter to "]";"! 11J< tl'~n11!11 (''They guard the tion) - and come so close to sue:. be learned. One is reminded of the barrel but spill the wine"). ceeding i, .. ,? When, in all the famous definition once made of the To everyone familiar with the history of Jewry, with the exception difference between the Chassid and goings-on in pre-war Eastern of the first Churban and the expul the Misnaggid. The Chassid argues, Europe among the Orthodox mas sion from Spain, was such a major "I have a Rebbe, so why do I need ses, comprising the Kamus and portion of world Jewry absolutely the sefer?" The Misnaggid, on the Eichus (quantity and quality) of wiped out, leaving no remote pos other hand, argues, "I have a sefer, Jewry, there was that sad spectacle sibility whatsoever of rebuilding so why do I need a Rebbe?" In this of terrible feuds among the dif that which was destroyed on the instance who would not agree that it ferent groups in total disregard of
10 The Jewish Observer I January, 1978 what the "others" might think of that vis-a-vis society, is just a Source of the Term "Shoah" us. Wasn't that a colossal Chillul further step in our way of pedes ---·------Hashem? Shouldn't that make us trian self-righteousness which think? In fact, all these phenomena enables us to go about our business To the Editor: continue today. It reminds one of undisturbed. The article states: "The term the Bourbons in France at the time What is the role of the Shoah was coined by the founders of the Restoration when it was said: "Orthodox" Jew in this society? of Yad V'Shem." But "Shoah' is They have learned nothing and Does it cause the others to say: Nas found at least seven times in Nach forgotten nothing. si Elokim ato besocheinu (You are a and Yorn Shoah once. To be sure, It is of course much easier to deal heavenly prince in our midst)? And these words have not been used in with the sins of Stephen Wise and this question does not only refer to recent past history. However, as Ben Gurion. Instead, I think, we our own role in American society, it your article points out: "Recent should torment our brains about refers to Eretz Yisroel as well. Does Jewish history has shifted what happened in the past and what it ever occur to us that the "others" dramatically in two new areas .... " is happening now within ourselves. might be a product of our own And "this historical period culminated in the Holocaust, the The fissure and the inner strife caliber? Why should we speak about an imprenetrable mystery largest scale annihilation of a people which divided the Orthodox masses in history." So, very properly, a in Eastern Europe continue today. when we just have to look at the haftorah to Pars has Poroh? word not in common usage was This realization does not "trample resurrected. in vain upon the bodies of the Rabbi Weissmandel, whom I Kedoshim" but is rather an impor came to know intimately, indeed NACHUM DICKER tant subject in the understanding of ,.-tortured his mind with the ques Brooklyn, New York Jewish history and a valid attempt \.tion: What was wrong with us? to interpret it. To avoid a deeper ex SIEGMUND FORST Other letters regarding this topic are amination of our own behavior and Brooklyn, New York in the "Letters" section. Yaakov Feitman REVIEWING A SHIUR: One of the unique aspects of the traditional chazara - the in-depth analysis and review - of a Talmudic lecture is that Rabbi the question and answer process not only clarifies the lec ture itself, but often uncovers previously unnoticed paths and byways which can be explored on their own. Similarly, Hutner's the article based on Rabbi Hutner's lecture on Churban Europe was meant to be a shiur, inviting the same type of scrutiny, deduction and exploration of inferences. It is ''Holocaust'' hoped that the following will help in the clarification of specific matters, revealing that - as in a spoken shiur - the Seminar original text holds much more than a first reading can yield.
Holocaust, Shoah, or Churban? important than the fact that the secular establishment (through the agency of Yad V'shem) sought a sub Much discussion centers on the etymological merits or demerits of each of the above words in depiciting the stitute at all. For millennia, Jewish children have grown up knowing of the Churban Bais Hamikdash, Churban tragic events of World War II. This is not the point. Yerusholayim, Churban Betar, among others. Imbued Like human beings, words have a 9',J 01n' - a history, with the concept of churban as an integral part of a source, and indeed a geneology. As stated in the arti Jewish history, they were not shaken in their emuna - cle (page 8), the word to be substituted for "Churban" their faith - if they learned of a new churban r,,,,, - be it "holocaust," "shoah" or whatever else - is less However, the term Shoah, which was not coined in RABBI FEITMAN, principal of Yeshiva Rabbi Jacob Joseph in Staten the time-forged mint of Torah experience, confronted a Island, N. Y., is editor of JUDAISCOPE. an extension of Agudath Israel new generation with a psychologically devastating of America's celebrated Jewish Pocketbook Series. quandary. Not only were post-World War II Jews faced
The Jewish Observer I January, 1978 11 The ways of Divine retribution are mysterious and operate across gulfs of time and space ... Imagine the possible perver sions in understanding Divine Will if one would attempt to at tribute the deaths of the Ten Martyrs - Rabbi Akiva and his colleagues - to specific contemporary sins, when in reality, the Midrash teaches, their deaths were an atonement for the ten sons of Yaakov who sold Yoseif. with an overwhelming tragedy and destruction; those "Tochacha" and Divine Punishment who interpret events by re-defining them denied the Perhaps the most basic question in the post Ch urban survivors the consolation of being part of a historical Europe era is "What does it mean for us?" From those continuum by removing these links from the eternal whose emuna is less than totally secure, we receive chain, banishing them to the purgatory of free-fall. answers from the extreme of radicals who have created Holocaust, Shoah - it doesn't matter what the Ox a post-Auschwitz theology - that belief in G-d is no ford English Dictionary or Marcus Jastrow tell us about longer possible - to those who claim to have grappled the exact meaning of the words themselves. It is enough courageously with the "problem" and concluded that it the through their medium, a generation of Jews has is meaningless to us. From yet others, whose emuna is subconsciously been conditioned to believe that one such that they can leave no event untouched by detailed form of destruction is outside the realm of the Creator's interpretation, we receive specific, painful correlations plan for His people, actually opening the way for all between sin and punishment: this for that, tit for tat. kinds of philosophies of G-d' s denial. Indeed, once the As the Rosh Yeshiva states (page 9), not only is the historical pattern was broken, the ground was ready for former unacceptable, so is the latter. While every in the insidious seeds of unbelief, blasphemy and "alter dividual is permitted - even required to search his per natives" to the Torah view. By contrast, "Churban" is sonal actions in time of trouble pi10'tv C,K i1?•0i CK rooted in that holy terrain where suffering and tragedy (i1 ni:Ji::l) 1'tu.Y~::l tuntu~l' ,,c,y rx::i to ascertain the cause leads to geula - redemption. of the Divine displeasure, this concerns each person's It is interesting that Menachem Begin - who has relationship with his own soul and his Creator. No withstood the demands of Chayka Grossman and her mandate has been given any human being in today's ilk to isolate Yorn Hashoah from Tisha b'Av which times (the era of prophecy and Talmudic sages being commemorates all churban events - at least has the over) to recognize, interpret and draw matching lines sense of history to place Churban Europe in the con between sin and punishment. tinuum that includes other such incidents. In any case, The ways of Divine retribution are mysterious and the healthy corpus of Kial Yisroel will ultimately reject operate across gulfs of time and space. To claim to have the foreign body of an arbitrarily convened Yam the keys to such esoteric knowledge is to assert an om Hashoah from its system. niscience which no one can claim today. An example of the inscrutable paths of sin and its consequences is the The Era of Disappointment tragedy of the m::i'ni 'l11'1 '11llll1 - the ten great sages who perished horrendous martyrs' deaths at the hands As has been pointed out, there have been periods of of the Roman government (see Eicha Rabba 2:2 and disappointment in erstwhile benevolent gentiles, long Sota 48b). Our sages (Tanchuma Yashan, Vayeishev, before the Churban Europe epoch. Pharoah, Cyrus and 2; Yalkut Mish lei 929) reveal to us that the death of the others have been mentioned. However, as in many Ten was an atonement for the ten sons of Yaakov who aspects of Jewish history, a distinction must be made participated in the sale of Yoseif. Imagine the possible between Biblical and post-Biblical times. perversions in understanding the Divine Will if anyone From the time of the close of Scriptures until the attempted to attribute the deaths of Rabbi Akiva, Rabbi 1930's, no such comprehensive retraction of previously Channina ben Tradyon and their holy colleagues to granted rights had ever taken place. Of course, in specific sins and transgressions, when in reality, ·the dividual monarchs had, for their own personal gain, Ten Martyrs were deemed by G-d as being worthy temporarily granted certain privileges to Jews and later enough to atone for those giants of kedusha, the revoked them. But the total pattern of official and ;i-p 'l:l:llll, the sons of Yaakov! We, too, dare not set legislated rights being eradicated by formal legislation ourselves up as arbiters of the Creator's mysterious as discussed in detail in the article, is a phenomenon un ways in dealing with His creatures. iquely epitomized by Nazi Germany. It should not be concluded, however, that our in-
12 The Jewish Observer I January, 1978 ability to point out the specific sin-punishment rela may be, this is merely an illustration of the pernicious tionship empties Churban Europe of any meaning for molding of public opinion by those upon whose us. Clearly, such a cataclysmic event must se,rve as an shoulders a causal relationship to the Hitler-cataclysm impetus for increased Yiras Hashem, serious fear of the has recently been documented*; who then found Lord. Of course we must appropriate the moment, us themselves in a position to poison Jewish minds and ing the opportunity to repent and reflect upon our own hearts by indicting oii1i1t'.l;-f1 niw11pi1 lJ,r11:1i, our rab possible fate and become the better for it. But all this is binical figures. with the general knowledge that the Creator chose to Should one ask why we suddenly seem so preoc give us a sign and chastise His child. Yet, it must be cupied with the causes of this latest catastrophe in remembered that this special child exists across the bar Jewish history, and concerning earlier ones (such as riers of time and space, as does his father, who conducts Chmelnitzky's pogroms of "Tach V'Tat" - 1648) we His affairs with the infinite wisdom which only He pos offer no such causal relationships, the answer is simple. sesses. Thus, for ourselves, each of us can seize the mo The Rosh Yeshiva's discourse was in no way an exer ment and awaken his own motivation for repentance cise in seeking to place blame, but to remove it from and self-improvement. For them, those who, like the those who deserve better from us. Concerning the terri Ten Martyrs, died the deaths of Holy sacrifices - we ble events of "Tach V'Tat," it has never dawned upon a can say nothing but Kaddish and Yizkor. About them, single Jewish mind and is unthinkable to place blame we dare say no more than, "may their memories be a at the doorstep of the Shach, the Taz, or other gedolim blessing." of that period. Suddenly, in the 20thCentury, it has Cause and Effect become fashionable to blame the true Torah manhigim Apparent contradictions are often the result of a (leaders) of the age. This is unprecedented in Jewish failure to distinguish between superficially similar but history. Never before was the Jewish mind poisoned essentially different words and concepts. The Rosh with distrust of his gedolim, thus undermining the en Yeshiva speaks of "two new directions in recent Jewish tire time-honored edifice of "ask your elders and they history," the first being the era of disappointment in will tell you." the gentile world. A perfunctory reading of this section Some have commented that there seems to be a lack could lead the reader to be puzzled when he later dis of ahavas Yisroe/ displayed in the article. To be sure, covers that we today are unequipped to explicate the they are correct. For those to whom ahavas Yisroel is Divine reasons for allowing "the Holocaust" to take identified with equanimity towards the undercutting of place. kavod gedolim, the criticism is quite fitting. However, A closer reading reveals that nowhere is there men they should be aware that the discourse was not meant tion of terms such as "punishment" or "guilt" in dis for them in the first place. cussing the trend of trusting in the gentile world until The Power of the Mufti that trust was forever shattered. Of course, there does exist a causal relationship here - but not one of sin Questions have been raised concerning the Mufti's retribution. A simple example may be taken from the actual influence upon the Nazis and the degree of his beginning of the Book of Shemos. The Jewish people power even among the Arabs. First of all, the article in multiply and fruitfully bear many children, and no way exonerates, by one iota, the culpability of the Pharaoh responds by torturing them with ever more ar Germans themselves. The Nazis surely needed no in duous labors. A number of levels may be seen to be structions in anti-Semitism nor outside motivation for operating simultaneously. The fact that the Jews are their evil plans. fulfilling the mitzva of "be fruitful and multiply" is a However, as a practical, although rarely discussed direct cause of Pharaoh's treacherous new work orders. matter, it is a fact that, as Joseph B. Schechtman notes, Although there is obvious cause-and-effect at work after much documentation, "the program of wholesale here, surely the enslavement is not a punishment for physical extermination began only after the Mufti's ar the immediate cause - the fruitfulness . ., . Cause and rival on the scene" (The Mufti and the Fuehrer, p. 153). effect, yes; sin and punishment, no. Until mid-1941, the official German policy. Correcting The Record Schechtman shows, was forcing Jewish mass emigra tion from the Reich's "vital space." Only at the Wansee It is therefore so painful to be confronted by the ac interdepartmental conference on January 20, 1942 (2 cusation of the early Zionist leaders that 1J'n1J"1 months after the Mufti's arrival in Berlin') was the oitviipi1 (our rabbinical leaders) of the previous genera decree ,JK71 l1"1i17 ,,tl1Ui17 formally made. tion were contributing factors in trapping European Jewry in the Hitler-pu;gatory in which they perished. A specific objection which has been raised to this They claim that these Torah giants, the selfless leaders chronology is the documented directive from Goering of Kial Yisroel, counseled their followers not to to Heydrich which Gideon Hausner sees as the order to abandon their homes and traditional surroundings. begin "the killing of all the Jews in the Reich and the Rabbi Hutner has pointed out that, unpleasant as it *in Hatziyonut Ha-Post Ugandit by S.B. Bais Tzvi, Tel Aviv, 1977.
The Jewish Observer I January, 1978 13 pillage of their property," (Justice in Jerusalem, pp. 84- become consumed - which is the direct follow-up to 85). However, a careful reading of this directive* "fall prey to the lure of strange nations and trust in reveals that there is no specific mention of total them." Such a dire prediction, as we must realize today,, destruction and certainly not with the specificity of the exactly corresponds to Churban Europe down to the Wansee conference. Even in March 1941, when most literal meaning of those awesome words ,,ili Eichmann's title was ominously changed from Minister 71~x7, as survivors have pai.nfully attested. Thus, in its of "Jewish emigration" to "Jewish affairs and depor execution, this Churban was unique because of the ex tations," there is no evidence that the "Final Solution" tent and mechanics of its destruction. However, to went beyond merely removing Jews from Germany. dwell on this point in seeking to plumb the depths of Indeed, as Hausner (p. 84) states, at the time, "further the Churban's meaning for us, is to settle for a shallow emigration of Jews though still possible was of no exploration when there are miles of unfathomed churn primary interest" to the Nazis. Thus, even had the ing waters to probe. "Final Solution" been implemented without the Mufti's urging, there can be no question that in a war which A Revealing Targum was being inexorably won by the Allies, precious time There are two forms of idolatry: following the gods was lost by the Mufti's machination behind the scenes of strange nations and falling prey to the lure of those to speed up the murderous process. As to the Mufti's nations themselves. We learn from the Targum upon influence among the Arabs in the 1930's and early the words fiKil i:JJ 'i17K which is: K.lliK ilJlJ.ll n1.YTJ 1940's, a glance at almost any page of Schechtman or that in Chumash, what might be taken to be pure idol Maurice Pearlman's Mufti of Jerusalem will be eye worship - fiKi1 i:JJ ,i17K - in truth refers to the temp opening. As to his prestige among the British, it is tation to follow the ways of the nation itself. enough to quote the British Secretary for the Colonies, What was not elaborated upon in the article itself is who announced at the St. James Conference of the fact that this Targumic translation is not limited to February 7, 1939, concerning a thorny issue, "! shall this passage in Vayeilech. The Targum in general, ex have to consult my Mufti - the Prime Minister" cept for the phrase tl'"1nx tJ';;7x in the Ten Command (Schechtman, p. 89). ments is, J 14 The Jewish Observer I January, 1978 Joseph Elias Comments on ''Dealing with the Holocaust" Comments on the review article Torah provides an explanation for validity of the point made in the ar on the Holocaust came in several the callousness of the non-Jewish ticle, namely that attaching oneself forms: as letters to the Editor, as world; it served to inspire extraor to Torah and seeking to be guided personal communications, and even dinary acts of heroism - in martyr by it - even in our imperfect man in the columns of various news dom as well as in rescue efforts - ner - makes a difference in what we papers. A number of comments whereas among those alienated are and how well we will discharge focused on specific details. Thus, it from Torah there could and did the duties that G-d imposes on us. was pointed out that Professor arise some who tragically failed the And can such an approach be Dawidowicz had included some let test of the time. termed a "witchhunt", "blasphem ters of Rabbi M.B. Weissmandel in "Therein lies the particular im ing the victims" as one heated news her anthology on the Holocaust, portance of remembering the paper comment declares? Obvious even though she did not deal with Churban Europa in all its aspects. ly our Sages did not take this view him in her writings on this subject. We must not only seek to feel some when they bid us declare in our Others asked why Rabbi Weiss echo of the pain and horror of those prayers that "it was because of our 0 mandel's "Min Hametzar was not days; we must also learn from the sins that we were exiled from our included among the books mesiras nefesh of the ordinary Jew land .... "Clearly, such a statement reviewed, not taking note that only who, going to his death, would not is not intended to insult the victims recently published books were the have changed places with his of the Churban - it is a warning to subject of the article - however, M. murderers, and of his leaders who us to pay due attention to the de Shonfeld's book, which I dealt with inspired him; also, however hurtful mands of Torah. A refusal to view at length, draws in largest measure this is, we must be aware of the our historic experiences in this light upon the writings of Rabbi Weiss danger to Kial Yisroel which results will inevitably lead us - as it led the mandel. (incidentally, through an from the forgetting of Torah and author of the newspaper comment oversight, the bibliographical note the emergence of leaders estranged quoted - to arrive, in effect, at the on M. Shonfeld's work failed to from it; and, finally, we must conclusion that Torah is irrelevant point out that the English version of remember that we must go our way by equating blindly the "resistance the book has been enlarged by some without expecting anything from of the spirit" of a Rabbi Michoel additions, and that the shrill tone of the world arou!¥1 us." Ber Weissmandel and Rabbi language used by the translator This in no way means that Torah Elchonon Wasserman, and the takes away something from the im, Jewry adequately heeded the will of "spirit of resistance" of the non pact of the material.) Despite the G-d and did its duty as it should observant. This is surely a great dis fact that Rabbi Weissmandel's have. Far from it! There is a guilt service to the cause of Jewish sur thought is reflected in Schonfeld's that everybody carries who lived vival and meaningful national unity book, it would have been in place to through this era - for not making for "it is only through the Torah enlarge upon this heroic personality true Torah observance more of a that our nation is a nation" (Rabbi whose greatness in Torah directly reality in the pre-war world, by liv Saadiah Gaon). led him to the heights of ing up to it to the fullest; and for If, however, we do view the unparallelled unselfish rescue work. not doing enough when disaster Churban Europa in its historic con More basic are some comments struck. "With the exception of a text, as the tragic fulfillment of the that touch on the overall thrust of few very rare individuals ... and the Tochacha - and this in no way my article, and indicate a need to organizations that they succeeded in takes away from the enormity and spell out once more in concise form inspiring, nobody did enough for uniqueness of its horrors - and if what it meant to say. The purpose Hatzalah, and therein lies a terrible we teach our children to view it in of the article was to point out a lesson for us." this light, then we can all find in it a crucial fact that emerges from a The lesson of our guilt certainly source of inspiration to struggle for review of the literature of Churban deserves to be analyzed and spelled the rule of Torah within our people Europa - the role and impact of out to the fullest, as Mr. Forst sug - and for its even truer observance Torah during this tragic period. The gests, but this in no way affects the by those already committed to iU'i'. The Jewish Observer I January, 1978 15 Sylvia Fuchs And Now a Word From Our Fathers rving Howe reaped many awards for his World not leave G-d on the other side of the ocean. It is their I of Our Fathers. The American Literary Society story that set the stage for the viable, vibrant declared it the best work of history for the year. The Yiddishkeit of New York City of today. Atlantic Monthly praised it saying, "What you have on paper is a socio-cultural study of the East-European Who Came, When, and Why? Jew who migrated to America in the 1880-1924 era." In his book, he tells with great detail how the Bundists, he jacket of The World of Our Fathers pro- Socialists, Yiddishists, and other ideologists of all T claims the subtitle, "The journey of the East shades came to these alien shores and made their way European Jews to America and the life they found and despite terrible obstacles of poverty and hostility. But made." Who came and why? Very briefly (as Irving as a history his World ... is terribly incomplete, for Howe states): The years 1881-1914 were the years of what about the people who founded the magnificent the great immigration. The pogroms of 1881 left the yeshivas during these very same decades - and the Jews stunned and bleeding. In 1891 the Jews were parents who enrolled their children in them, despite driven out of Moscow and other Russian cities. The hardships and ridicule? climax was the Kishiniev massacp.e of 1903. The masses of Jews emigrating to America included thousands of These men, our fathers, contended with the very same refugees in direct flight from pogroms, seeking a crushing poverty, the self-same sweat shops, the same normal life on these shores. Triangle Fire, the same language difficulties, the same loneliness of separation from fathers, mothers, wives Before 1905, Jews who held any kind of strong and children that Howe's fathers dealt with. The setting convictions - whether religious or political - were less was the same, but the additional set of obstacles they likely to emigrate than those who did not. The contended with made their survival struggle a very Socialists of the Bund believed they should stay in different one, and their success that much more Russia and Poland to organize the Jewish working triumphant. class; the Zionists were convinced that America was a false hope; and the Orthodox feared that America was a To dramatize the contrast between Irving Howe's jungle of worldliness in which faith risked destruction. fathers and ours, allow me to quote the words that greeted Harry Fischel (who subsequently became a After 1905, however, many Jews of all stripes no longer well-known Orthodox philanthropist) upon his arrival found shelter in their "idealism." Even Orthodox Jews on these shores: "Young man, you have just landed in felt compelled to risk their religious security simply to the great city of New York, where all the opportunities stay alive. So they came in droves, seeking the relief are open to you. But if you want to succeed, you must embodied in Emma Lazarus's immortal words, gracing forget about G-d and your religion, and especially the base of the Statue of Liberty: "Give me your poor, about the Sabbath and the dietary laws. You must work your huddled masses, yearning to breathe free." every day, including the Sabbath, and eat what you can In 1914, the outbreak of World War I stopped the flow get, fo;, G-d has been left on the other side of the of immigration, but the years 1918 to 1924 again ocean. brought a tremendous upsurge of immigration. The exhortation was spoken by Irving Howe's fathers. But our fathers did not forget about G-d and religion, The General State of Education did not forget Shabbos and Kashrus, and especially did or the most part, Jewish education in this MRS. FUCHS teaches for the N. Y.C. Public School System. This is F period consisted of a cheder set up in a dark, her first appearance in these pages. windowless basement without ventilation ... in garrets 16 The Jewish Observer I January, 1978 ... behind stores ... above stables ... over saloons and Andron, and my oldest brother, Rabbi Jacob L. dance halls ... and in many other unpalatable locations. Andron, arrived in the United States. My mother The melamed was often a man with a little more and the rest of the family arrived the following learning than others and a little less ability in the year. market-place. A familiar figure on the East Side was My father immediately secured a position as a also the Siddur peddler who taught children at home. Hebrew teacher with the Uptown Talmud Torah For 10¢ one got Aleph-Beis and Siddur. My mother told and my brother continued his studies for the me that even in 1919, which was before the rabbinate. After several months as a teacher, my establishment of the Mesifta Torah Vodaath, my oldest father resigned and became an insurance agent. brother had a me lamed. One day my mother asked him His opinion of the Talmud Torah's in America when my brother would begin learning Chumash. "If was that the children were unable to receive the you'll pay me 25¢ I'll teach him Chumash," was the proper Jewish education by merely attending two retort. hours a day in the Talmud Torah and the only Mrs. Dicker, a member of the well-known Weberman solution was to establish a yeshiva where the boys family, told me how her brother Ben Zion's Rebbe would receive their Hebrew and secular education would teach him in the back of their store, and seat in an all-day yeshiva. himself near the door, so he could sneak out before the On a Friday ... [in] December, I came home from hour was over. Another veteran of those days described school and told my father that a Christmas tree how the Rebbe would move the clock ahead, so the was set up in our classroom ... the boys [were] to lesson would be over sooner. bring ornaments on Monday to decorate the tree. At this time, missionaries were also very active. To My father's reaction was that I could not go back counteract their activity, Jewish Mission schools were to school. He immediately engaged a Hebrew set up under Reform sponsorship. Teachers in Jewish teacher to teach me from 9 A.M. to 2 P.M. and a Mission schools taught without hats. Orthodox opinion public school teacher to teach me secular subjects considered them as dangerous as the Christian Mission from 4 to 6 P.M. He then persuaded several of his schools. In 1889, the assets of the Jewish Mission clients to have tlieir children join me. The schools were transferred to the Educational Alliance, following boys were the first to be enrolled. Frank under wealthy German sponsorship. Also existent were Andron, David Faston, two Tenenbaum boys, several communal Talmud Torah's established for poor Joseph Robinson, Sam Lurie, Bernard Gordon, children - notably Machzike, Montefiore and Polonis. Greenberg, Salwen, Kraemer, and Rosenberg. The These, however, did not satisfy those religious parents yeshiva was named Tifereth Jerusalem, after the who wanted more for their children. name of Congregation Tifereth Jerusalem, the Orthodox shul situated at 101 Hester Street. On this bleak horizon, appeared in the early l890's several incipient stars: Talmud Torah's Eitz Chaim and Every Saturday morning I would accompany my Yitzchok Elchonon, and the Tifereth Jerusalem school oldest brother to services at the home of (New which was subsequently to be known as the Yeshiva York City's Chief Rabbi) Rabbi Jacob Joseph, Rabbeinu Jacob Joseph. These schools became the who was completely paralyzed. Every time I came precursors of the Yeshiva Movement in the U.S. to services I would grasp the Rabbi's hand to say "Good Sabbath" to him; he would smile faintly. It In a book of 714 pages, Irving Howe grants only was heartbreaking ... When the saintly scholar passing mention to this phenomenon. In one sentence, died, my brother Jacob suggested to my father to on page 203, in another one-liner he says, "On the East rename the Yeshiva as the Yeshiva Rabbi Jacob Side, a number of yeshivas were established as day Joseph ... schools to offer intensive traditional learning, usually with a thin smattering of secular subjects." There then All Hebrew teachers were interviewed by my follows one short paragraph on conflict which arose in father. I vividly recall when my beloved teacher, 1908 between the students and administration of Rabbi Simon came to our modest home at 195 Yeshiva Rabbeinu Yitzchok Elchonon. Period - sum Clinton Street for an interview. He recited a total of World of Our Fathers' interest in the founding Chapter of the Talmud and was immediately of yeshiva education in New York City. This is a gap engaged. All Hebrew programs were outlined by we must fill. my father. At his request, all students were required to come to the Yeshiva every Saturday Recollections of the First RJJ Student afternoon for weekly examinations. Thus my father would know whether the students had s a start, let us trace the beginnings of the made any progress. A Yeshiva Rabbi Jacob Joseph, as related by its first His reminiscence goes on to record the school's student, Frank Andren: program under his father's 13-year presidency. In the year 1892 my father, Rabbi Samuel I. Certainly, Rabbi Samuel Andren, a man of great vision, The Jewish Observer I January, 1978 17 richly deserves to be counted as one who had a a secular program .... In 1906, 15 students clamoring for tremendous impact on the World of Our Fathers. secular subjects were locked out. This turned into a public quarrel with much coverage in the Yiddish press. The Eitz Chaim Roots The yeshiva administration insisted that those students seeking financial aid must be full-time religious he second fore-runner of the Yeshiva Move- students. The Tageblatt (an Orthodox Yiddish daily) T ment was Eitz Chaim, begun as a very fine Talmud now took the stand that "they (the students) are Torah. entirely justified in these demands. Jewish scholars without American education arrive daily on every When Rabbi Moses Matlin and his family came to New ship .... On the other hand ... cultured students without York in 1892, he enrolled his son in the school. Later, in Jewish scholarship are to be found in the Seminary. 1895-6, when Rabbi Matlin's son Akiva was about 16, The Yeshiva on Henry Street must be the common and no longer attended Eitz Chaim, his father ground where Torah and culture can be blended." assembled several lads of the same age and taught them personally in his apartment on Clinton Street. When After this controversy, the yeshiva was reorganized the group grew to some twelve students, they moved to under Rabbi Moses Sebulun Margolis. June 1912 the Marionpol Synagogue. Since most of the founders brought the merger of Eitz Chaim and R' Yitzchok were Lithuanian, one could be sure that a picture of Elchonon. The constitution of Yeshivas Eitz Chaim had Rabbi Isaac Elchonon Spector, Chief Rabbi of Kovno, stated as its purpose: instruction for poor children in hung in each of their homes. Not surprisingly, when Talmud, Bible, and Shulchan Aruch from 9 a.m. until 4 the school was incorporated in 1897, it was as the Rabbi p.m.; from 4 in the afternoon, two hours to be devoted Isaac Elchonon Theological Seminary, the first to teaching the native tongue, English, and one hour to Orthodox seminary in America. Its specific purpose at Hebrew, and to reading and writing Jargon (Yiddish). that time was to provide further education for youths With the merger, Eitz Chaim was to be the preparatory who could study a page of Talmud with Tosofos on school with upper elementary and high school secular their own. classes supplementing the religious program, and R' Many years of growth and controversy followed. I shall Yitzchok Elchonon was to be the Rabbinical Seminary, just make brief mention of some highlights of this promoting the study of the Talmud and educating and period: The Yiddish press gave little coverage to preparing students of the Hebrew faith for the Hebrew Yeshiva Rabbi Yitzchok Elchonon; - instead, its Orthodox ministry .... The college was not added until attention was focused on the Jewish Theological 1928. Seminary ... The Agudath HaRabbonim, at its 1903 Philadelphia Convention decided to recognize Yeshiva Torah Vodaath Beginnings Rabbi Yitzchok Elchonon as the only yeshiva of higher learning in the United States. eshiva Torah Vodaath is the last yeshiva The ranks of the school were swelled with refugees Y whose founding I shall deal with. Although from Kishiniev and Odessa. The administration of the Mesivta Rabbi Chaim Berlin is older, I have chosen school did not want to sponsor the teaching of any Yeshiva Torah Vodaath for purely personal reasons. Before 1910, my grandfather, Reb Zecharia "'"'" 'rndlo. "'"'"' ";;" "'"'"' '"'"°' fuc Dershowitz, had moved to Williamsburg and had established the first shtiebel in the neighborhood. My ~~ ;;di FIRST H<)MES: Yeshiva Rabbi Jacob Joseph, Yeshiva Yitzchok Elchonon, Yeshiva Torah Vodaath 18 The Jewish Observer I January, 1978 parents soon followed. By 1916, my three older growth of the yeshiva movement which did so much to brothers were attending public school and receiving "establish G-d on this side of the ocean ... inadequate instruction from privately engaged Rebbes. To those of Our Fathers who had the vision and My father chanced to meet an acquaintance, Mr. dedication to break the ground, plough the soil and Benjamin Wilhelm. In extolling the virtues of living in plant the seeds of these institutions, we shomrei Brooklyn, my father asked Mr. Wilhelm why he too mitzvos of today owe a tremendous debt of gratitude. doesn't move to Williamsburg ... I can't, .. said Mr. Wilhelm, "because there are no yeshivas in ~~ Williamsburg:· My father promptly countered, .. So we'll make one ... Footnote From a "Father's" Daughter From this seemingly casual conversation* between Mr. The conversation "seemed casual", but those who came Louis Dershowitz and Mr. Benjamin Wilhelm grew in contact with my father ;J"J1 (Mr. Wilhelm), knew Yeshiva Torah Vodaath. They in turn solicited the help that founding the yeshiva was dominant in his mind. of many others. During the years of its early My mother was anxious to move to the Williamsburg organization, they were joined by Mr. Menashe Stein, section of Brooklyn from the Lower East Side - as who still plays a central role in Yeshiva and Mesifta many young couples were doing at that time. My father Torah Vodaath. Mr. Stein told me how he went agreed to move - conditionally. If he could open a knocking on doors to solicit students. He was derisively yeshiva by the fifth birthday of my older brother, Shea greeted with taunts, "Vus villst du, machen Rabbo (Chaim Yehoshua, four years old then), they would nim ?" Although the tenor of the school was not on stay. Otherwise, they would move back to the East "machen Rabbonim," but on creating talmidei Side. chachomim, in time Yeshiva and Mesifta Torah He immediately got to work, leaving my mother alone Vodaath produced many fine Rabbonim for the with their three babies many a long evening, trying to American scene. Would but one of its fine alumni get people interested in helping - mostly meeting not channel his talents into writing up the history of Torah just indifference, but outright discouragement. The Vodaath. mere thought of not sending children to public school Suffice it for me to add these illustrious names to the was described as an impossible, crazy idea, totally World of Our Fathers. imcompatible with living in America. P.S. - Two letters My father approached Rabbonim to speak to their congregants. One of them opened his hand, telling my ith a bow to Irving Howe, who quotes quite father that, just as hair would never grow from the W extensively from the "Bintel Brief" letters of palm of the hand, so would his dream of a yeshiva The Forward to paint a picture of the times, I too wish never become a reality. to use this device. I have chosen excerpts from two Despite opposition and hardships, no one ever saw my "Bintel Brief" letters that graphically depict the end father waver. He recognized opening the yeshiva as an result that has been wrought by the efforts of Our absolute necessity for the future of Yiddishkeit in our Fathers during the early years of this century. First, a community. letter written in 1906: "Dear Editor, I am a young man of twenty-one. I have a seventeen year old cousin, and Once he undertook the task, he never thought of it as a she and her parents would like me to marry her. I like trial effort. Of course, my father was not alone in this the girl. She's educated, American-born, not bad endeavor. A few of his closest friends from his Chevra looking .... She is very religious and I am a free-thinker. the Adas Bnei Yisroel - were at his side, as were many I ask you, esteemed Editor, could this lead to an other friends, such as Mr. Dershowitz. In some unpleasant life if we were to marry?" The editor ways, the mere existence of the Chevra was also answers: .. The fact that the girl is religious and the man indirectly instrumental in founding the yeshiva. It is is n?,t can be overcome if he has enough influence on doubtful that my father would have come to America her. altogether, had he not seen a leaflet, sent by a friend in America, describing this organization of young And now a similar letter written in 1967: .. Dear Editor, Shomrei Shabbos, encouraging their members to come ... "(Bintel Brief, pg. 206) .... The letter is a detailed to study Torah at night, after a long, hard day's work. lament of a grandmother describing the problems Thus he came, knowing that he would have a "home" created by her granddaughter's falling in love with a in this Chevra. Shomer Shabbos boy. It is the editor's reply which I My father wrote his memoirs (as yet unpublished) in consider significant - as follows: "We feel your Yiddish, recounting the founding years in great detail. granddaughter's boyfriend's strict religious But the yeshiva itself is the greatest memorial to his background need not be a hindrance to marriage ... This from the "freie" Jewish Forward!! Surely, it was the efforts. Chana Belsky The Jewish Observer/ January, 1978 19 Lewis Brenner Song of Faith Shouldn't it be unnecessary to address a sophistic against all adversity? All of this should be; yet, no one ated, scholarly readership with words of simple faith? is blind or deaf to what surrounds us ... the questions at These past few months, however, I've been badgered times of tragedy and bereavement from many who by questions from friends and relatives who, I had as should know better ... the old cry of Why me? Why my sumed, had gleaned basic concepts of emuna from their child? Why my husband ... wife? With some, the ques own study, and from lectures and discourses they had tions remain unarticulated, yet their silence seems to heard in their yeshiva days. Yet, to my dismay, I en beg for answers - or, better said, for an expression of countered major gaps in their comprehension of axioms simple faith. we all should take for granted. So I've referred my What do I speak of? The simple faith and the unas questioners to Kuzari, the writings of Maharal, the suming attitude typified by my grandmother. I speak of Sefer Ha Tanya, and the essays of Rabbi Nachum her faith because it was she who, almost by indirection, Bras/aver. But after some second thoughts I decided indoctrinated her grandchildren with a strong faith by that what they really sought - and needed - was a sim her own unsophisticated methods. ple and abiding faith. She spoke to us of faith. She sang to us of faith. This may sound strange, for we are enjoying a Above all, her life personified an impregnable faith, proliferation of Torah study and frumkeit! Shouldn't which no blow of adversity could shatter ... a Rock of our teachers and all our daily life's experiences have Gibraltar, which could not be moved. Allow me to tell taught us to acquire a vigorous faith to sustain us you something about my grandmother. Grandmother -101 Years Ago family in keeping with Ruach Yisroel Sabba (the tradition of her fathers). he was born in 1877 in the small town of Uhel, All of this in the face of the greatest adversity. She S in the Hapsburg Austro-Hungarian Empire. The lost two of her sons in the flu epidemic of 1918, and town was famous for its men of faith, especially the other members of her family in various tragedies - she great "Yismach Moshe," who peered out of his was widowed by the untimely death of my grandfather window every time he heard a commotion in the street followed by my own father's passing shortly to inquire whether Moshiach had arrived. His constant, afterwards. Throughout it all, she maintained her own loving faith rubbed off on the simple inhabitants of his routines with an unbelievable cheer: Every Wednesday town - my grandmother included. morning she trudged to the chicken market to select her Grandmother arrived in America at the tender age of own chicken, bring it to the shochet, have it" flicked," nine after the tragic death of her father and several of and then home to have it opened under her own her brothers and sisters. Needless to say, America in the watchful eyes, which searched out any she'eila. After 1880's was no paradise for the faithful. Shomrei being satisfied that all was well, she proceeded to soak it Shabbos had to look for a new job every Monday and salt it. She knew nothing of the ready-for-the-pot morning because all jobs required work on Saturday. poultry used today even by the most pious ... I would Organized Jewish education was in its embryonic come home from Yeshiva at night to find her rolling a stages, and any religious endeavor was, to say the least, out a "lace tablecloth" of dough to make her own extremely difficult. Grandmother clung tenaciously to noodles. The sticky covering often stretched over the her faith and observance. She managed to work and entire kitchen table because her lokshen brett (lit., save enough money to get married and rear he'r own noodle board) was too small ... Need I add that she baked her own challa, chopped her own fish, and RABBI BRENNER, a musmach of Mesifta Torah Vodaath, resides in prepared all of her own sidedishes and desserts? There Brooklyn where he is active in communal affairs. were even times when she churned her own butter! 20 The Jewish Observer I January, 1978 Pennies in the Ticket-Kitty during recess with a jar of chocolate milk and a cookie. No one would accuse us of being undernourished, but he didn't have to do all of this herself, since this was her way of sweetening our learning and quest S my grandfather, when he was alive, gave her for Torah knowledge. enough money to pay for hired help. But she deposited She was a member of a now-legendary group of extra household money into a separate kitty, together Nashim Tzidkonios in Williamsburg - which included with monies he had given her to buy herself dresses and the sainted Mrs. Karp, Mrs. Young, and Mrs. a fur coat. Once a year she took together this Yutkowitz - who cared for the sick, and washed and substantial collection, made the rounds to a lawyer and clothed the dead. Grandmother's uncommon faith was travel agent to arrange for affidavits and passage again demonstrated to me when I was taken ill with aboard ship for yet another of her nieces whom she scarlet fever. The doctor wanted to hospitalize me, but brought over to these shores. she would hear nothing of it. She told him that she would watch over me, give me my n1edicine (evil tasting powders!), and help me sweat out the fever. For weeks The Song we were confined to the house as she nursed me back to health. She cheered me, encouraged me, and sang to me tell you all of this as background for under of her conviction that "all is in G-d's hands, so it rnust I standing my grandmother's simple faith. This be for the best." emuna peshuta would leap out to the foreground for me on various occasions - for instance, when I came The Community home from Yeshiva during a particularly bad polio year with my camphor bag dangling from my neck and a tale of woe on my lips: one of my classmates had been taken n Williamsburg vve were surrounded with men to the hospital and he was in bad condition. She was I of sincere faith: Reb Shmuel Leib Wolfson ?"YT, the busy rolling out her lokshen dough and she began to grocer (who knew Shas); Reb Moshe Yehuda hum a tune I had often heard from her. But this time it Lieberman ?"YT, the eggrnan, a frequent visitor to the was different. She had added words to the song, house; and, D"n'o 'o'1:P, Reb Chaim Gelb, who ran a something like: commission bakery (while collecting tzeddaka and "G-t in zein mishpot is gerecht teaching children to say a resounding Omein!). M'tor nisht zogen az G-t is umgerecht She was deeply respected by many of our luminaries. Veil G-t vaist vos er tut My Rebbi, Rabbi Yoel fink '>"YT, to whom she brought Kayner shtruft er imzist neet all of her shailos, treated her with great deference. She G-t in zein mishpot is gerecht." would meet her illustrious landsman, Mr. Shrage Feivel (G-d in His judgement is right Mendlowitz 7"Y! (legendary leader of Torah Vodaath We must not say that He is unjust and founder of other institutions) at the home of Mr. For G-d knows what He is doing. and Mrs. Menashe Gross on Rodney Street. She often No one is punished for nought took me along to breathe in the atmosphere of holiness G-d in His judgment is right.) and mesiras nefesh that dominated there. Their home Simple, succinct and yet eloquent. These words was the cradle of Yiddishkeit in those days. (It was capture an entire philosophy and, in spite of their there that Mr. Tress met with the pioneers of Zeirei brevity, convey the message of tomes of discussion. All Agudath Israel of America.) I distinctly remember Mr. kinds of adversity had been hers - did she have one Mendlowitz sitting in the Gross succa expounding on complete year of happiness in her life? Yet faith, the Torah's approach to the events of the days ... in imbedded in her body and soul, sang out clearly and particular, the upsurge of Adolph Hitler.. In later enunciated her affirmation of G-d, her Creator ... years, he often asked me about my grandmother and acknowledging the complexities of His Torah, details regarding her way of life. accepting His way of reward and punishment. She sang this song because she believed it, and wanted to Where is Her Song? transmit its message to her children and grandchildren. Grandmother's simple yet powerful faith sustained us in all situations. She lived the life of the righteous, and inspired her children and grandchildren to believe Extra Curricular Activities with a firm faith to study and to live according to the Torah. Her response to all situations was a song of faith he sacrificed to bring a melamed into her home which affirmed her belief and trust in a Creator who S to educate her sons, and even her daughter at a time revealed His Word in the Torah and rewarded the when teaching a girl was unheard of. She enrolled her righteous and punished the evil. I don't know if her grandchildren in the Yeshiva Torah Vodaath on Wilson song would really answer everyone else's questions, but Street, and made it her business to welcome them it surely would have negated their need to ask. c'i'. The Jewish Observer/ January, 1978 21 c Fire Destroys A Yeshiva Building in New Jersey - and therefore • • • ? - and therefore seven years of devoted Chinuch effort should end up in ashes? - and therefore lock up a yeshiva that won acclaim from ap preciative Torah leaders, grateful parents, and loving students, for dealing with each individuql boy with admirable success? NOii - and therefore respond to the pleas of 150 students who want to stay on in Adelphia! - and therefore respond to the call of Gedolei Torah who ask you to give generously to Project Restore to rebuild what was destroyed! - and therefore listen to your own heart that tells you to do something special for a very special yeshiva in the heart of New Jersey! - and therefore write a very generous check to: Project Restore PROJECT RESTORE Talmudical Academy of New Jersey full high school P.O.Box 7 /Adelphia, New Jersey 07710 Bais Midrash Gentlemen: student dormitories Enclosed please find my contribution of $...... dining room for Project Restore, to keep Torah alive in the Yeshiva on-campus faculty of New Jersey. residences Name ...... campus in rural Address ...... Central New Jersey City, State, Zip ...... • Aryeh Kaplan Variations on the Yissachar-Zevulun Theme I. The Gladstein Corporation handed, and he gave a number of yeshivos major en dowments. Yet, as he had often confided, something was lacking. He could not take off time from his "I just made the best business deal everl" business for intensive study. Sure, he attended a regular "Yitzchok Gladstein" was extremely successful in Shabbos shiur and he made certain not to let a day go the plastics line, but I had never seen him so by without "cracking open a sefer" - honoring the enthusiastic about his business before. minimum requirement of daily Torah study - but that "I have a new partner." was barely enough to tease his appetite. "Mazel tov!!" I replied, but now I was curious. I had Then during the summer, Yitz had heard a lecture known Yitz for years, and he was not one to share his expounding on the famous partnership between Yis business with anyone. He had told me many a tale of sachar and Zevulun, bringing certain details to the fore: how partners quarrelled, often driving a business into Two entire tribes of Israel - over a hundred thousand ruin. Besides, his business was thriving, and he certain men in all - had made an agreement. The tribe of ly had no need for additional capital. Zevulun engaged in trade and commerce, earning as "So, who's your new partner?" I asked. much money as possible. Half of the income would go to their partners - the tribe of Yissachar. Freed of the "A young man in the Lakewood Kolel.'' responsibility of earning a living, the tribe of Yissachar With a little encouragement, Yitzchok filled me in on devoted their entire time to Torah study. And the merit the details. Although Yitzchok had had an extensive of the study would also be divided equally between the yeshiva background, he had long ago given up his full two partners - Yissachar and Zevulun. time studies to enter the world of business. He had nur tured his investment from a small shop in a loft to one As a result of this remarkable partnership, the tribe of the largest manufacturing plants in the region. His of Yissachar was able to develop some of the greatest generosity grew with his resources. No collector for a Torah scholars of all time - they were among the only yeshiva or other worthy cause went away empty- scholars who succeeded in determining precise halacha (Yoma 89b). In the time of King David, they were RABBI KAPLAN, a writer and lecturer on numerous Judaic topics, is a famed for their penetrating understanding (see I frequent contributor to these pages. He is currently translating Chronicles 12:33). But the tribe of Zevulun had equal "Me' am Loez - A Torah Anthology" into English. share in all their learning. The Jewish Observer I January, 1978 23 In our private conversations, Yitz had often searched for direction in his life. If Providence had guided his hand to wealth, it must have been for a purpose. True, he always supported yeshivos and other institutions, but this was a distant, impersonal involvement in Torah. Moreover, he was haunted by the wildly erratic fortunes of Nakdimon ben Guryon as reported in the Talmud. On the one hand, he was the only person besides Moshe Rabbeinu and Yehoshua bin Nun who had succeeded in stopping the sun in its path across the , skies, so great was the merit of his charity (Ta'anis .. \ ~ 19b). Yet several years later, his fortunes fell so that his ···~. '.'··· \· y· \:\ daughter was reduced to picking wheat kernels from 1 camel dung for her daily sustenance. Shouldn't the .~:_:· t',.··.·.·.·.. ·,· \ ,_\ merit of his vast charity at least have assured his . family minimum financial security? No, said the 1 ) rabbis. "The burden is proportioned according to \ f/ ·i the capacity of the camel." Nakdimon could · · I .-, l have done so much more, and he is faulted for ; · /~ \ his charity deficit. "I've got breite pleitzes ;,/ - \ (broad shoulders)," mused Yitzchok. "How rk:-•· ~'-- can I be sure that I'm carrying my weight?" ~_.-...._,"'·.;:::~-~ 1 ~;;_~·.·~.:: .\l, The Yissachar-Zevulun relationship of- "'-.... .1 fered much more direct linkage and more J satisfying an arrangement. If he could not devote an appreciable amount of his own time to study, perhaps he could find a part ner totally immersed in Torah who could share "Am I Carrying My Weight?" The lecture awoke a responsive chord in Yitzchok. He could well empathize with Zevulun, sensing his sacrifice, entering the realm of the market place, while his brother-tribe would be able to devote all his time to his sacred studies. But Providence endows every in dividual with special individual gifts. While Yis sachar had a talent for Torah study, Zevulun had been given a particular gift for commerce. Zevulun' s saCrifice had not gone unre warded. As the Midrash teaches, Zevulun is always mentioned first in the Torah (Be reishis Rabba 99 :9). And, as the Cho- fetz Chaim points out, in the World to-Come, Zevulun will have an equal share with Yissachar in all the prestige, reward, and the scintil lating insights that are bestowed upon the Torah scholar. In some ways, supporting Torah is an even greater virtue than studying it. For one, the supporier makes the greater sacrifice; he devotes his major efforts on behalf of Torah without :--.. the satisfaction, incentive, and motivation for further devotion that come from actually studying. 24 The Jewish Observer/ January, 1978 the fruits of his labors with him. But the partnership If, during the first year, Yitzchok would feel that he between Yissachar and Zevulun had taken place in Bib was not getting his money's worth - that is, not ex lical times. Had anyone done anything like it since? perience a conscious spiritual growth - he could break the contract. Yitzchok assured me that he feels that he had gotten the better end of the deal. Since Biblical Times Then Yitzchok heard that lecture last summer. The Even in America rabbi related the story of Rabbi Shimon Achi Azariah. Azariah, father of the famed Rabbi Elazar ben Azariah, Yitz Gladstein's story gave me pause. A generation was a fairly successful business man. His younger ago, something like this would have been unknown. brother, Shimon, decided to devote himself fully to America was a backwater of Torah, with Torah-study Torah study, but he needed support for his family. The barely surviving. But now the United States is one of two brothers made a partnership: Azariah would share the world's major Torah centers and even seems to be his wealth with Shimon, if Shimon would share the rivalling pre-war Europe in some ways. Yeshivos are merit of his Torah study with Azariah. mushrooming across the land and kolellim are filling, some to capacity. Both brothers kept their bargain, and Shimon even tually became one of the leading sages of the Mishna. In The secular world might deride the "professional recognition of his debt to his brother, he always refer student," but in the Torah world, there is no higher call red to himself as Rabbi Shimon A chi Azariah - Brother ing. Every day in our prayers we say, "Torah study of Azariah.[1] outweighs them all." To study the Torah - the expres sed will of the Creator - is the loftiest involvement for I had seen the story in the Midrash, but never had it a human being, and one who can devote his entire life seemed so alive as when Yitz repeated it to me. It to this calling is fortunate beyond comparison. The am brought to mind a similar agreement in more recent bition to devote oneself fully to Torah study is now an times, involving one of the most famed commentators American reality. on the Talmud - the Maharsha - Rabbi Shmuel Aidel's (1555-1631). He insisted on being called But still, there is one ingredient missing. Very few "Aidel's" because his wealthy mother-in-law, Aide!, young men are able to extend their studies for more had supported him and his students for twenty years than a few years beyond marriage. Lurking in the back while they had studied Torah. of every kolel man's mind is the eventual need to step out into the world and earn a living. Many of our most Yitzchok had inquired if any similar arrangement promising students end up in the business world, or at was possible today. He had discovered that the Chofetz some other occupation that allows little time and no Chaim had discussed such partnerships - from a prac mind for deep immersion in Torah - surely at an im tical viewpoint.121 And, the Chazon !sh had even measurable loss to the Jewish community as a whole. provided a contract form to be drawn up between such Some at least serve the community as teachers, but still partners.rJJ never realize their potential in Torah scholarship. By now my friend was convinced. If he himself could Aside from the individual's aspiration to be a "Shiv not be fully immersed in Torah, he would achieve this ti" Jew ("Shivti - May I dwell in the House of G-d all through a partner. He approached the proposition as the days of my life" - Tehillim 27), the community has carefully as if he were actually bringing a partner into a constant need for Gedolei Torah, true Torah giants his business. The partner would have to run his end of for leadership. America is surely ripe for producing its the deal just as meticulously as Yitzchok ran his. own Gedolim - giants of Torah scholarship, piety, and Discussions with several Roshei Yeshiva revealed observance. But if we are to produce Gedolim, our best that such partnerships were not unheard of - even in minds will require the years of uninterrupted study that this day and age. He interviewed several candidates, are needed to develop this most rare type of human be and finally found a young man whom he would con ing. They would have to be years uninterrupted by sider a proper partner in his enterprise. worries of earning a livelihood- years totally immersed A formal contract was drawn up, sealing the agree in Torah study. ment. Yitzchok would generously support his partner, Discussions with people involved with yeshivas and making sure that he would have absolutely no financial kolellim reveal that the idea of the Yissachar-Zevulun concerns. A trust fund would be set up guaranteeing partnership is spreading. For the "money-partner," of that this support would continue as long as the partner course, it entails a major commitment. He must agree to lived. In return, the other partner would devote his en support the student for a given period of time, usually tire day - every day - to Torah study. The merit for an appreciable number of years. Some might make it a his study would be shared with my friend in exchange lifetime commitment. But in return, he knows that he for his support. has a "Torah-partner" with whom he is sharing the Interestingly enough, the Kole! fellow had insisted merit of Torah study - the most important of all the on an additional stipulation of his own in the contract: mitzvos. The Jewish Observer I January, 1978 25 On the practical level, a number of variations are tion engaged a brilliant young ta/mid chacham as its possible. One businessman I know placed a kolel rabbi. member on his payroll as "religious advisor"; he is a full-time employee of the firm. His primary occupation Too Good to Be True? is to study with the understanding that he be available When I first heard this story, I was skeptical; it to advise the businessman on the ethical implications of seemed too utopian to work. But then I interviewed any business venture that arises.One such question sent several members of the congregation. The membership the young man to the Choshen Mishpat section of the is young and highly educated, and is truly ready for ex Shulchan Aruch for over a month. ceptional leadership. So instead of conventional "timely" sermons week after week, they are treated to an exciting exploration of a Torah topic in depth. The II. The Congregational Option congregation feels that they have succeeded in setting their rabbi above the pettiness that often surrounds such a position. I recently learned of a synagogue that had made a Yissachar-Zevulun partnership with its rabbi. (Since If this approach succeeds and is picked up, it could the arrangement is still experimental, they have asked spell a radical change for the American synagogue. me not to reveal names.) For years the congregation had Some of America's best yeshiva minds have avoided the agonized over the role of the rabbi. Now they were rabbinate because, among other reasons, such a posi seeking a new rabbi, and the issue was pressing. What tion often meant the end of intensive Torah study. It really was his job? Delivering a sermon was a once-a was an old joke in the yeshiva that Chui/in (the week affair, and visiting the sick could just as well be Talmudic tractate that deals with laws of Kashrus, done by a committee of laymen. studied by all rabbinical candidates) was not the key to the Talmud - but its lock. After studying Chullin, one The congregation had formed a committee to in puts aside the Talmud and locks it up. vestigate the traditional role of the rabbi. The more they To be sure, this is not the hard-fast rule, and it sure probed, the more they found what a rabbi was not ex ly was not traditionally the case. The rabbis of Europe's pected to be. He was not meant to be the community fund-raiser, nor a social director, nor the membership great communities were among the foremost Torah chairman. Visiting the sick and the bereaved were cer sages of their time. It is• truism that the history of the tainly very important, but they were also certainly not a European rabbinate is the history of Europe's Torah particular responsibility of the rabbi. leadership. The position of the rabbi was the most highly honored in Jewry, for he was the one man who What they did discover was that the traditional role truly was able to devote his entire life to the study and of the rabbi was that of resident scholar, spending all teaching of Torah - in theory and in practice. His cons his time in Torah study, always available to answer any tant devotion to Torah and his enviable scholarship questions that the congregants might have - especially served as an inspiration to all, uplifting his entire com halachic problems, but personal and communal ones, as munity. well. Preaching was the job of a professional preacher (maggid, darshan or mo'chiach), and if performed by Aside from drawing from the rabbi's example as a the rabbi, it was secondary to his prime responsibility role-model, the congregants also had a direct share in of scholarship, learning, and guidance. Indeed, the great his Torah study as a result of their support. Imagine European communities of old vied with each other to having a share in the accomplishments of a Rabbi Akiva Eiger or Chasam Sofer! For although the attract the greatest scholars. Yissachar-Zevulun relationship might not have always The congregational leadership was sophisticated been spelled out in the rabbinical contract, it was enough to appreciate this. They decided to engage a always implicit in it. rabbi with a well-defined job description - namely, to study Torah the entire day - and, of course, to be The American Jewish community is the wealthiest in available for consultation and psak (halachic decisions). the long history of the Jewish people. Money is certain One of the committee members had heard about the ly available to support a great Torah community. With Yissachar-Zevulun partnership in the course of his the further development of Yissachar-Zevulun research, and had discovered that a congregation could partnerships, America can become as wealthy in Torah make such a contract with their rabbi."' Every member as it is in financial resources. LT. of the congregation would have a share in the merit of the Torah study of their resident scholar. 1. VaYikra Rabbah 25:1; Rashi, Sotah 2la, Zevachim 2a, s.v. The proposition was presented to the membership, Shimon; Bertinoro, Taharos 8:7, s.v. Shimon. See Yoreh De'ah 246:1 and surprisingly it was accepted without excessive in Hagah. 2. Ahavas Chesed 20:4. debate. Candidates for the position were interviewed on 3. lggros HaChazon [sh, 47. the basis of their Talmudic scholarship and willingness 4. See Tehsuvos Tazhbatz, Part 1, _144; Rabbi Yoseif Caro, quoted to devote their full time to Torah study. The congrega- in Birkei Yoseif, Yoreh De'ah 246:13. 26 The Jewish Observer I January, 1978 THE NEW COUNTRY, Jewish Immigrants in America, Forward by Abraham Shulman, (Charles Scribner's Sons, New York, 1976, $12.95). THE AMERICAN JEWISH CALENDAR 1977- 78/5738 (Hebrew Publishing Company, New York, 1977, $3.50). We leaf through family albums and cocktail-table picture books to try to get the feel of what it was like then. "Song," which appear in earlier pages of this issue. Ex cept for just a few photos, religious life in terms of shuls and Torah study are nowhere to be found. And even in this role of backdrop, the book is somewhat in adequate, drawing as it does from pictures available from old files of The Daily Forward and private sources. Today's home Kodak and Polaroid, and the ubiquitous official photograper simply were not features of daily life at the turn of the century as they are today. Abraham Shulman's text does succeed in painting a vivid picture of the immigrant's gradual transition from the yesterday-tomorrow Old World to the today focused New World - a theme that is amply illustrated by some of the photographs of three four and five generation family groups. Some of his comments, however, betray his own Dai ly Forward orientation, such as his conviction that A fascinating picturebook, The New Country at "The old existence ... and becoming fully Americanized tempts to convey what life in America was like for the .. . obviously were contradictory and mutually ex Eastern European immigrant of seventy years ago. clusive." Shulman's thesis merely illustrates the There is texture to the photography, enhanced by a assimilation-bent drive of those who did not have the frayed edges here, an undoctored crease there, and a sense of purpose of the Antron's, Wilhelm's and sepia tone that seems to waft a remembrance of spilled Dershowitz's, who believed that the old existence was branfen, a smear of herring sauce, and kichel crumbs. indeed compatible with America, should one really Young-faced people in old gay-nineties costumes; want it. Contrary to the cliche', many of these pictures bearded men and sheiteled women, anomalies in may not be worth a thousand words, but they do American surroundings; crowded ships, crowded provide a moving frame for those words. processing centers, crowded streets in crowded cities, The Calendar has some unusual photos depicting and crowded union halls. Jews in unexpected surroundings. In this respect, the But the pictures do not tell the entire story. They calendar is an oddity, although it doesn't make your only serve as a backdrop of sorts for Mrs. Fuchs's story everyday kitchen calendar, not offering much in terms of "Our Fathers," and Rabbi Brenner's Grandmother's of il)spirational art to drink tea with. 28 The Jewish Observer/ January, 1978 TRADITION, Orthodox Jewish Life in America, by Mal Warshaw (Scho Just as photographs can be a portal for entering the world of times gone by, so can they afford the viewer glimpses of life in other segments of Jewry. Thus Mal Warshaw took his camera - and the book peruser - on an in-depth visit to the Lubavitcher community in the Crown Heights section of Brooklyn, with an occasional side trip to Williamsburg. The dark tones of the interior shots add a heavy patina of atmosphere to some of the Chassidic scenes that is extremely effective. On the other hand, if Tradition refers to "body of laws and doctrines ... received from Moses" (definition Ja in Random House), then why are all "American Orthodox Jews" either wearing Chassidic garb, or, if in modern clothing, responding to the kiruv entreaties of someone else wearing Chassidic garb? The picture album of Orthodox Jewish Life in America should also show the West Hempstead accountant in plaid double knit suit making Kiddush, and the clean-shaven Phoenix ophthamologist breaking shemura matzos at his Seder. This thematic sore-point, echoing the message of Elkanah Schwartz's article in this issue, is but a mere quibble in terms of the visual excitement this book of fers. And, after all, this is a picture book. kT. One major objection: the title of the book. Rather than "Tradition - Orthodox Jewish Life in America," the book should have been entitled "The Lubavitcher Tradition" - period, for reasons of both omission and emphasis. Tradition is a tricky word. Does it refer to "customs ... handed down from generation to generation" (as per definitions 1 and 2 in Random House Dictionarv)? Then, while not describing the broad spectrum of "Orthodox Jewish Life in America," it is an apt description of the content of the book, where "The Stages of Life" section goes from "Bar Mitzvah" to "Fabrengen" to "Betrothal," and "Death" is represented by the kvittel-strewn burial place of the previous Rebbe ll"l. 29 The Jewish Observer I January, 1978 Ezriel Toshavi Update: Coalition Agreement in Action The agreement whereby the Agudath Israel in Israel the expectation that during the interim, laws will gave its crucial support to the Likud coalition stipulated be drafted and passed granting them full, uncon forty-three points, which the government guaranteed ditional exemption. These notices are based on the would be enacted to improve the religious situation in old laws that are now being revised. In general, the State. Several areas that have long been a source of the attitude of the Minister of Defense is a good anguish to the Torah community have already seen one, Rabbi Schach continued in his letter. various degrees of change worthy of note. They are: The Rosh Yeshiva's report was further confirmed in military conscription of women, draft deferment for a telegram to Rabbi Feinstein that the Gerer Rebbe sent yeshiva students, and unauthorized autopsies, un through Rabbi Pinchas Levin, in reply to Rabbi Feins checked missionary activity, and comparatively low sti tein' s query, that: pends to yeshivas. "In truth, all girls have received deferment until passage of the law that frees them entirely." I. Conscription of Women The draft of women into the Israeli Army has been a II. Yeshiva Opportunities sore spot for over twenty years, of questionable Since the founding of the State, yeshiva students military value, and uncontestable moral harm. This law have been granted deferment from military service for has been decried by religious leaders since its inception. as long as they are enrolled in a recognized yeshiva - as While the law grants religious women exemption, is the case in all Western countries. There were two dis review boards screened claimants, often harrassing girls criminating clauses in Israel, however, that have no with questions on obscure information, drafting some counterpart in our democracies: a student was required girls over protest, even jailing some resisters. to have been enrolled in a recognized yeshiva high By the terms of the coalition agreement, a new law school (one accredited before the '67 War) immediately will grant automatic exemption from all kinds of service upon graduation from elementary school, or his later to every girl who declares herself to be religious or lives enrollment in an advanced yeshiva would have no bear with parents who for religious reasons are opposed to ing on his military status; and only advanced institu military service for girls. Once passed, this law will take tions extant at the time the law was drafted, close to effect retroactively to cover those girls who hold the thirty years ago, were recognized for exemption pur current postponement notices. Until the passage of poses. This had put a veritable strangle-hold on pos such legislation, action on every contested case of sibilities for ·expansion of the yeshiva system. These religious exemption is being deferred. past few years have witnessed an unusual awakening of This has given way to some confusion and outright interest in Torah in many who had been far-removed misrepresentation of the current status of the religious from the Torah scene. Yet their aspirations for personal exemption. As a result, the revered Ponovezher Rosh growth were clouded by the threat of a three-year inter Yeshiva, Rabbi Eliezer Menachem Schach wrote to ruption in studies - a situation that can be fatal to these Rabbi Moshe Feinstein in New York in response to a hopes. letter from ihe famed Rosh Yeshiva, that: As a result of the pre-coalition policies, a number of cases of extreme discrimination have been documented. "As I have been informed from individuals whom For instance, a Soviet oleh who registered in an ad I consider trustworthy, who are deeply involved vanced yeshiva was not granted military exemption, in the matter, not one girl - without exception - because he had not attended a recognized yeshiva high who has claimed religious exemption, has been ar school. The fact that he had been in the USSR, where rested or otherwise penalized. And, should a girl he had no such opportunity, was no consideration; his ever perchance have been arrested, she was im Torah career in Israel was aborted. Similarly, a young mediately freed upon intervention on her behalf." man who had attended an agricultural high school Rabbi Schach continued his letter, explaining responded to the influence of his local rabbi and enrol that notifications received by some girls inform led in a regular yeshiva with the hopes of advancing in ing them of a date of conscription three months his Talmudic education - but was forced to change his hence, were in fact letters of extension based on plans when he called up to serve in Zahal. By the terms of the coalition agreement, newly EZI 30 The Jewish Observer/ January, 1978 across the countryside - can be recognized; and they Agudath Israel coalition partners. The Agudah may accept students who had previously attended other has been inveighing against missionary activity types of schools, thus accommodating the hundreds for years, claiming its was conducted on a large (perhaps thousands) of baalei teshuva who have elected scale. to join the Torah community some time after their "The law provides penalties of five years in fourteenth birthday - not at all uncommon in today's prison or an IL 50,000 fine for anyone attempting Israel. to persuade another person to convert to his religion in return for material benefit. III. Unauthorized Autopsies "A person who converts for material benefit is The current pathology law in Israel allows for post subject to three years imprisonment or an IL 30,0- mortem operations on any patient who dies in an Israeli 00 fine. The law itself does not mention mis hospital, providing an authorization form is signed by sionaries nor does it contain the word 'Christian.' three physicians - a procedure usually done in ad "But the explanatory paragraphs attached to vance, on blank forms. Only protest by next of kin the bill when it was presented in the Knesset warn could prevent unauthorized autopsies from taking against the allegedly growing influence of mis place, and, tragically, even this was often ignored. The sionary elements in Israel who take advantage of new government's announced intention to change this financial difficulties of Jews to convert them to situation (in accordance with the agreement with Christianity .... The explanation aroused the anger Agudath Israel) by adopting the Western procedure, re of the Council of Churches." quiring informed prior consent in advance of any such operation, has triggered protest from physicians' V. Financial Support for Yeshivos groups, that are accustomed to free rein over patients' rights. As the inflation spiral rises, it has become increasing Rabbi Eliezer Schach made references to this in his ly more difficult for Israel's yeshivas gedolos - its letter (quoted earlier) to Rabbi Moshe Feinstein, in schools of advanced Talmudic study, to make ends which he reported that: meet. The government policy had been to allocate aid in the form of stipends to all students of higher education "The over-all religious situation is better than in at the rate of a mere IL 1.200 per year for yeshiva stu the past, notwithstanding a large number of dents, and IL 1,500 for kolel fellows, as compared to problems that still need correction - for example, some IL 20,000 per year for university students. that of unauthorized autopsies which doctors per sist in performing in violation of the law. Our One of Agudath Israel's conditions for giving the representatives [here Rabbi Schach refers to the Likud bloc its support was that the government redress Agudath Israel Knesset Members] have this imbalance. Appreciable steps have been taken in responded* to every such incident with demands this direction, althotegh fuH parity_ has not yet been that the violators be punished. But it is hoped that sought - as per a decision by the leading Roshei the situation will continue to improve. Yeshivos, who have deemed it unwise to make the yeshivos totally dependent upon the secular establish ment for their financial existence. IV. Missionary Activity Now, according to Rabbi Lorincz, who chairs the An anomaly that has plagued Israeli society for Knesset Finance Committee, the per-student annual sti decades is the unchecked miss=onary activity that has pend has tripled to IL 4,000 per yeshiva student and IL taken its toll in conversions of roverty stricken families 5,000 per kolel fellow. While this only covers 20% of in Israel who have succumbed to dangling tributes in the annual yeshiva budget as compared with 80% in the compensation for "accepting" c. new belief. According case of the budgets of the States' universities, the to a JT A release: change is nonetheless an appreciable one. "A bill (to limit missionary activity) was In addition, the government has for the first time al originally submitted to the Knesset in 1975. It was located funds for Reshet Shiurei Torah, Agudath passed only late last year in accordance with Israel's Adult Torah Education Network, which until promises made by the Likud government to its now has been forced to limit its activities and now can become a major Torah force in the length and breadth *Several such cases were publicly protested by Knesset Members of the Holy Land. Rabbi S.Y. Gross, and Rabbi Shlomo Lorincz, who called on the Health Minister A. Schostak to initiate legal proceedings against the These increases only represent steps toward cor violating physicians, as reported in Hamodia, December 27, 1977. recting long existing imbalances, but they are nonethe ~eanwhile, the government's legal counsel is preparing introduction less praise-worthy in that - beyond the material help in the Knesset of a new law which, following the terms of the coali they entail - they signal more positive policies toward tion agreement, will put teeth into any ban on a pathologist's ar the Torah community on the part of the Begin govern bitrary dissection of a cadaver. ment. ~'t The Jewish Observer I January, 1978 31 commits himself to full-bodied demanding Torah Judaism, or he re jects it with both hands. So Reform second looks ___ had no possibilities at all in Israel. In addition, at its very founding, Reform deleted the particularistic aspirations for Return to Zion and Criticize Reform?- Why Bother! the Coming or Moshiach from its lexicon. To Reform Judaism, the messianic era was to be marked by When faced with yet another prayer, the authenticity of Torah, social justice everywhere - in Ham Reform departure from tradition, and the binding nature of the words burg, Cincinnatti, or Los Angeles - members of the Torah community of the prophets, to hope for dropping all references to Palestine tend to respond with a shrug of the Moshiach and belief in resurrection from the Jewish pysche, in either a shoulders and a diffident "So what of the dead - all these have been religious or political context. It was else is new? It. doesn't touch us dropped. In the Reform confession, not until Stephen Wise and Abba anyway." ritual and mitzvos have no place, Hillel Silver that Reform Judaism and the spiritual element of religion began to turn around in its attitude was replaced with the social con toward the Holy Land, climaxed cerns of "Prophetic Judaism" - in recently with the official Reform effect focusing on a continual rule entry into the Zionist Movement of-thumb updating of the social ele with the formation of ARZA ment of the prophets' message, (American Reform Zionist Associa divorced from its divine source. tion). In fact, Israel's first Reform With the passage of time, the top kibbutz was established last year in priority has been shifted from Kibbutz Yah el . . . All this might improving the conditions of factory presage a more tangible Reform workers to civil rights campaigns to presence in Israel, perhaps bringing protection of the itinerant farm clout to its warning that Orthodoxy laborer (so that non-union lettuce is not be permitted to provide Israel's "treif", mind you!). only recognized established Jewish EVER SINCE SINAI: a new treasure hy lrvi11g A1. Bunim (author of the These activities in and of religion. Thus, any shift in Reform best-selling, perennially popular themselves might be brushed aside ideology and conduct bears close Ethics from Sinai on Pirkey Avoth). as just so much social action watching, indicating the range of its Ever heard about Irving Bunim? Ever (although a good case could - and tolerance for deviation from Torah heard him speak? Ever read his Ethics Judaism, perhaps ... perhaps spell from Sinai? perhaps should - be made against the Reform tendency toward at ing out what the future could hold Then you m 32 The Jewish Observer I January, 1978 ultimately returned to the commit denied "equal rights' in a public Yet, in following the newest tee because "it failed to contain any referendum, in which the local "liberal" line the Reform Jews are reference to the Jewish position op Agudath Israel organization played hedging and carrying on debate, posing homosexuality." After a bit a conspicuous role.) Obviously, this whereas in Torah circles no such ter debate, however, an ambiguous is not a matter of civil rights, as it is debate would ever be waged. ly worded motion was passed urg being misrepresented; at issue is of The Reform have rejected Torah, ing an educational campaign "to ficial tolerance of public manifesta abandoned halacha, forgotten the provide greater understanding of tions of private deviation. Under no message of the Prophets .... What of the relation of Jewish values to the circumstances can a normal society "Jewish" nature is left in Reform range of human sexuality," with no confer acceptance on the perverse. Judaism? ~1. element of dismay at gay activism, 0C-O~CJCJt::jf:j no vote of condemnation, not even a reference to Vayikra 18 ! <-<->-o<:> The new ""<:::$ The Jewish Observer I January, 1978 33 stuff of another's impossible debt After Ma'aser: burden. But more: while life does have its The $2,000 Slip-Knot high points, and they should not pass unmarked, we dare not lose sight of our standing as members of Several weeks ago, The New indulge in such foolish ostentation the generation of survivors. True, York Times carried a display adver - at home or on nights out - to call vve are entitled to respite from the tisement for a $2,000 necktie - a for JO finger-wagging against such unmatched horrors and suffering of velvet creation studded with dia waste. The $2,000 tie is more joke Churban Europe. If any generation monds. Apparently, Times readers than temptation. is to be selected as the Affluent viewed the "gift" as objectionable, This does not mean, though, that Generation, shouldn't it be ours? for the Times found it necessary to our society is without its counter Survivor status, however, also con defend the ad in an editorial. With parts to the diamond trimmed fers certain responsibilities on its tongue in cheek, the Times con cravat. Somehow, celebrations of members. Ours is also the genera ceded that initially the idea "might milestones in Jewish life, which as tion of rebuilding, giving affluence seem obscene" but after all, what sume so important a place in the another purpose besides rest and should the very-wealthy spend their Jew's personal calendar, have recuperation. money on after having met sundry become prototypes of ostentation Thumbing through the pages of charity obligations? On the $2,000 and indulgence to the outside necktie. Of course. this journal as well as other publica world, and - more harmful, in tions, and leafing through the daily Letters-to-the-Editor writers were some ways - have set standards mail, uncover a growing number of not amused, and with no difficulty beyond the reach of many poor (and truly worthy enterprises that are found more purposeful ways of middle class) cousins. One might brinking bankruptcy. In addition, spending the extra change burning not care to question the right, or creative people, men and women a hole in the pocket of the would-be even the taste, of the affluent Jew to with schemes, dreams, and plans to Tie purchaser. So much for The equip his home with a marble save communities, or individuals, or Tie. covered dust-bin shed (the crystal segments of Kial Yisroel, are asking JO neither runs such ads - chandelier of the 70's1), or to for a sympathetic ear and some negating the need for editorial celebrate his child's simcha with a visionary help. Fine. The affluent defenses thereof; nor do its readers catered affair equipped with $400 may tithe religiously, giving floral centerpieces (for each table), ma'aser to the needy and the The Seier "Geder Olom" by the rolling relish carts, and orchid worthy. But after ma'aser, there's _C:hofet2 Chai_m, now __ available in bridal thrones. But one man's lark still so much more to invest in, English translation only 50¢ per copy or one-time indulgence easily besides $2,000 neckties - and 10 for s3t10 write to: becomes canonized in the caterer's sundry other clever creations that Zichron Shlomo PubJ. book of minimums; and one man's S Beekman St., N.Y.C. 10038 tend to choke more than they light-headed soufle' becomes the decorate. Doesn't every generation grow up, eventually outgrowing old clothes, accessories, and toys·? !..T. RABBI JOZEF KATZ ~!ARK LOHNGER 83 Division A venue Brook..lyn, N. Y, 11211 OF Enjoy •.. ALL LEADl.'IG llOTELS BA~QUET HALLS ~;"llD JEWISH CE;"llTERS AVAILABLE 388-4204 388-3590 863-8892 • Caterer for Agudath Israel Conventions and Dinners • PREFERRED WORLD-WIDE 34 The Jewish Observer I January, 1978 11 11 complete teshuva. I truly hope that ••• With and Without Comment you will sincerely forgive me. I am seeking your help on yet A paid advertisement appearing Among other base acts during my another matter: I would like to on November 27 in HAMOD!A, earlier way of life, I had engaged in return whatever I can - to the very Agudath Israel's Jerusalem daily stealing. Since I simply don't last cent - to the victims I do read: (free translation) remember many of my victims, remember. Whoever is prepared to there is no way in which I can reim Request From a Ba'al Teshuva: help me in this endeavor, please burse them for the losses I caused contact me through POB - I am a young Ba' al Teshuva who them. I am therefore turning to you Jerusalem, Avor Moshe. "';: until recently had sunk to the through the medium of this news lowest rungs of society. With G-d's paper to ask with all my heart for help I've been brought close to Yid your forgiveness, for transgressions dishkeit. of this sort can hinder a full and TRADITION PERSONNEL - HCUC ~15 "At Your Service With All Your Employment Needs" I JUDAISM I THOUGHT AND Need A Shomer Shabbos Job'.! LEGEND by Meir Meise/es: A new Looking For A Shomer Shabbos Person? paperback edition of a memorable For Fast, Efficient and Courteous Service anthology on Jewish ethics and philosophy, offering a WE'alth of 18 W. 4Sth St., New York, N, Y. 10036 · 563-399~ I satisfying and inspiring reading on the timeless themes of man's relationship to others, to his Maker, and to himself. Open to any page, and Come To you'll find a rich harvest drawn from Tanach, Talmud, Midrash, and later classical Jewish scholars of stature. Translated from the long-popular ~r£~~~try f-febrew edition. Formerly Kosher King 1501 Surf Ave Coney Island PHIUPP FElDHEIM INC. Whitehead Hall Brooklyn College 96 EAST BROAOWAY, NY, 10002 SARA SCHENIRER SEMINARY Brooklyn, New York is now accepting registrants for its ATTENTION MECHANCHIM Class of 5739 GRADING, !1!1!i Hebrew Academy of Cleveland (1978-79) REPORT CARDS Publication Department offers and to its 50 educational items for FOR THE HEl!REW bAY SCH60L RESIDENCE HALL Hebrew Day Schools A C0Ml'LET£'C0LLtCTJON Ol' Curricular manuals, guides, Rabbi M. Meisels, lt•l"l'.>t! Cal'do A-l'tl'C><'<' The Jewish Observer I January, 1978 35 LOST Letters to the Editor Hundreds of girls have lost their way. Their father loves them dearly and wants them back very much. You can bring them back to their father. He will forever be grateful to you. Help them find On the Mufti and All "Easterners" was to happen, even with regard to their way. the Mufti (quite as Rabbi Hutner To the Editor: has courageously stated), so also Join the new movement I want to thank you for some present-day Jewish politicians publishing Rabbi Hutner's state and their retinue may be doing in sponsored by Bnos Agudath ment on "Holocaust" and, of justices to Jews and non-Jews? In Israel of America. "Operation course, Rabbi Hutner himself for that case, we would, of course, Find" - to help young women making it. again have to go to Torah to obtain find their way back to "The Holocaust" has long since better guidance than current Jewish Yiddishkeit: by teaching Torah become a world-wide industry "public opinion" offers. (sometimes for humane ends, and concepts to young women of STEVENS. SCHWARZSCHILD frequently for exploitative ones). Professor of Philosophy limited background, and on This puts it in the forbidden class of individual basis. "hana'at hamet" ("profiting from Washington University St. Louis, Missouri O Are you willing to teach? the dead"). Rabbi Hutner has com mandingly reminded us that the an (We refer Dr. Schwarzschild to the You must be a "Bais Yaakov'' nihilation of European Jewy is an "Chazara" in the earlier pages of Seminary student or graduate. integral, infinitely tragic part of the this issue in which the Mufti's vast universality of Jewish history and power is documented. His un 0 Do you want to learn? precedented power is sufficient that it must always be thought, and impetus to comment on his role as 0 Do you know of someone who when necessary spoken, of only as "Yishmael. "Y.F.) would like to teach or learn such - with the humility and waryness which the holy always de · "Holocaust" Interest Abroad Torah ideals? mands. Jewish history being universal, To the Editor: If so, please contact: Rabbi Hutner has also re The October issue on the Freda Twersky established the universal Holocaust just arrived in Zurich Director, Operation Find framework within which he an (delayed because of the dock strike) 435-8731 eves. nihilation of European Jewry must and has become a big hit here. Here in Europe, too, I sense renewed in or: be envisioned - e.g. some of its contributor causes produced by terest in this period. I - and my Esther Weisberger Jewish politicians, and the univer friends, too - have long felt a Coordinator, sal, messianic, moral obligations strong desire to learn more about Bnos Agudath Israel which it imposes on us. what happened then, probably 212-964-1620 day time. because our generation is finally I venture to put one follow-up coming of age and our parents queston to Rabbi Hutner. would not discuss their experiences Must the Mufti of Jerusalem real with us. In Zurich, the few known ly be regarded as personifying all copies of Ben Hecht' s Perfidy and MOVING? Moslems, even all "Easterners,'' or of Schonfeld' s new book are being passed around with an eager im Be sure to notify us in ad is it not the case that decent Moslems, i.e., gentiles that abide by patience. vance so that your copies the Noahide laws, have a different During a recent business trip to will continue to reach you. status in the halacha from that of Munich, I made a point of visiting The U.S. Postal Service will the '"Westerners"? May it not also Dachau concentration camp.... I not forward magazines to be the case that, even as Jewish was impressed with the steps the Germans had taken to "legalize" your new address. politicans before World War II con tracted some responibility for what absolutely everything they wanted 36 The Jewish Observer/ January, 1978 to do (as per Rabbi Hutner's thesis). Grateful for an excuse tor assimilation! "We Since I now understand German, it "Churban Europe" Issue don't want another Hitler, so we'd was very clear and most enlighten --- better not offend our good gentile ing. To the Editor: neighbors." Isn't it funny how ideas Also, it was obvious that it was The article on the Holocaust never change? virtually impossible to organize a (Oct. 77) really hit the nail on the Tragically, however, without a revolt or escape from such a place, head, especially when it comes to proper viewpoint, so many unless one had a lot of outside help the secular viewpoint so prevalent otherwise well-intentioned people - which one wasn't going to find among so many of us. How many are lost. Without G-d, the near Munich in those times. times have I been lectured by non Holocaust becomes a death wish for MOSHE RAPPOPORT observant friends and family, that survivors - and that includes all of the Holocaust was some terrible, us, regardless of age. Without look Zurich, Switzerland senseless aberration of history, ing at these things in the context of pointing without a doubt to the fact No "Yorn Hashoa" in "Nissan" overall Jewish history, it is easy to there is no G-d, for (they argue) reason that "since G-d has aban "How could He have let the Nazis doned us, we might as well abandon To the Editor: do such things, if He really cared?" Him." The sense of betrayal I was pleased to read Rabbi The answer, to the agnostic becomes acute, bitter, and self Hutner's special insights into why secularist, obviously is that just as destructive. Even an otherwise ex Y om Hashoa should r•<>t have a the Chassidism suffered most for cellent television presentation such special day. I always found it con not abandoning halachic rulings, as seen recently on The World at fusing and frustrating when for not being "reasonable," so then War does nothing more than rein memorial gatherings for the martyrs they must have brought it all on force this hopeless attitude. Seg of Churban Europe were convened themselves. Since being religious ments of the program were on 27 Nissan. I wanted very much didn't help any of the victims, then permeated with the secular despair to attend, yet the Shulchan Aruch clearly G-d doesn't care if a Jew is so deadly to the desire to live specifically forbids eulogies of any religious or not, and those who do Jewishly. In one particular! scene, a sort during the entire month of Nis opt for the only "Jewishness" there survivor recounted how he and a san. Tisha B' Av is both permissible is, had better be prepared for the companion who, he said, was a and logical. y AAKOV ALTUSKY consequences their "unreasonable Chassidic rabbi, watched in horror Brooklyn, New York ness" will cause. Of course'. What while the assembly line killing SCHECHTER'S RUACH COUNTRY K~~~:·l/ili88£4N"@' 11n1•1 oc1.u1r10NT taLoc111 - J7U1 tc 11u1 st MIAMI BEACH IS ... Is • GREAT Kosher Hotel - you'll love It/ • DIAL W~ FREE brochure e Privalll Pool and CAMP AGUDAH for boys MIAMI and booklet or call Sandy Beach HACH 800-327-8165 •Oceanfront CAMP BNOS for girls . FREEi FLORIDA AREA CODE Synagogue ' (30!5) 631-0081 FREE Parking Send your children to these camps, and then you, too, will 12121 435.0261 be raving about Ruach Country! City office: 5 Beekman St., New York, N, Y. 10038 COMpETENT, CREATIVE phoTIJGRAplty Phone (212) 964-1620 ABRAHAM HOLD MOSHE Z. WEISBERG 4419 13TH AVENUE A project of Agudath Israel of America MOSHE SCHLAFRIG BROOKLYN, N Y 11219 The Jewish Observer I January, 1978 37 40? 50? 60? You're not too old to start a new career! FRESH START If you're over 40 and out of a TRAINING job or without a career - Project COPE's new special PROGRAM program may do the follow· ing for you: 1. Provide you with Guidance and Counseling 2. Enroll you in a training program (a) On-Job-Training (b) Vocational Education 3. Help you with English, Bookkeeping or Math 4. Give you a stipend while you learn 5. Find you a _!'lew job and a new career If you qualify, call or write: Fresh Start the new special office of Project COPE Career Opportunities and Preparation for Employment A Division of Agudath Israel of America 5218 - 16th Avenue Brooklyn, New York 11219 851-0333 For all other Project COPE programs, contact the office nearest you or call our main office at S Beekman Street, N.Y.C. (212) 964-1300 Fresh Start Training PrDgram is funded by the New York State Dept of Labor. Manpower Secretariat under the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act. Title I. 38 The Jewish Observer I January, 1978 -e· LETTERS CONTINUED 18AVENUE SEFORIM & GIFT CENTER proceeded. The Chassidic rabbi 5001 - 18 Avenue then supposedly declared he no Brooklyn, N. Y. 11204 DERECH HASHEM - The Way of longer could believe in a G-d who (212) 633·9225 l.-d by Rav Moshe Chaim Luzzatto: could let His people die so hor With the saml' clarity and systematic approach, with the same poetic sen ribly... And so the propaganda • Large selection of .1:1•'111!1 sitivity that made Mesi/lath Yesharim continues. One can almost hear in and English Books the background a voice reasoning, a masterpiece and a priceless legacy, "Well, if a Chassidic rabbi can lose • We sell exclusively all Ramchal wrote the first clear, organic, his faith, then the Holocaust must lecture tapes of coherent outline of the Divine regula Rabbi Avigdor Miller IC"U•r,111 tion of the world, presenting the im be a sign that G-d either doesn't mortal insight of kabbalah on the in care or doesn't exist," and with a • Wonderful story tapes for teraction between the earthly and the jolt you suddenly realize that this children (in Yiddish) heavenly, the aim of Creation, man's voice is your own. by Rabbi L. W elnstock K"U•r,111 primal sin, and the unique purpose of Believe me, it's good to read a (from Monsey) Torah and mitzvoth. For the first Torah-oriented viewpoint, for once. time, here is the Hebrew text fully Moral torpor can be a deadly vowelled (menukad) - plus Ma'amer halkkarim (An Essay on fundamen sickness to the soul; and with the Canadian readers are advised tals), a summary of Derech haShem - soul, the body as well. May this on facing pages with English transla "sickness" soon be cured, and you either to subscribe at the tion (and notes) by Rabbi Aryeh can be sure that I'm sending my overseas rate of $1 additional Kaplan. · 412 pages $11.95 copy of The Jewish Observer along per year, or to indicate on their to those I know who are afflicted checks that the $7.50 payment with it. is to be made in U.S. funds. PHILIPP FELDHEIM l~C. R. STEIN 96 EAST BROADWAY, N.Y, 10002 Brooklyn, New York Pincus Mandel THREE VENERABLE ROSHEI YESHIVA TURN TO US Renowned Expert - over 25 years Upon the urgent pleas of HAGAON HARAVELIEZER experience in SCHACH, x"u,t,w, we turn to you, our merciful Kvura on all cemeteries in Eretz Yisrael brothers and sisters. A truly distinguished Talmid With all Hidurim - as done only by Shomrei Chacham from Israel has been forced to come Tor ah Umitzvos here. His wife has undergone major surgery and requires twelve months of very expensive therapy Responsible for current system - speedily ex with her life hanging in balance. A large family pedited - at Airport in 4 to 5 hours. awaits the return of their mother in restored With more than 45 years of cemetery ex health. Meanwhile, a father and husband who has perience, constantly dedicated to the allevia always depended on the labor of his hands must tion of the inyan of Chesed Shel Emes - not to seek help to cover the enormous expenses. Mesaken the inyan of Monetary Gain ... We urge you to respond generously. May Hashem Yisborach bless her with a Refuah Recommended by Most Prominent Rabbanim Shleima and bless you in the merit of your warm and Admorim heart and open hand. Pincus Mandel R..ahlii A1os/1e Feinstein Ralihi Yaakov Km11e11ctzky 175 lee Avenue, Brooklyn, N.ew York 11211 Please send contributions to: Day and Night Phone (212) 855-5121 Rabbi David Singer - Nosan Chesed Fund Inc. c/o First Cong. An she Sfard All bills rendered on actual "Costs-Plus" Basis. 4502 - 14 Avenue No hidden or 'padded' charges Brooklyn, N.Y. 11219 Agudah Member - 50 years. Tax-deductible checks may be made payable to NOSAN CHESED FUND INC. The Jewish Observer I January, 1978 39 to influence adolescents far from with these and other non Torah Judaism. committed teenagers? With proper LETTERS CONTINUED It does seem ironic, however, that direction and supervision, a regular while the rich New York yeshiva peer-oriented progaram (unlike JEP For Token Ambassadors community is fishing to save or NCSY) would show great divi neshamos drowning yonder it has dends to all parties concerned. To the Editor: not considered similar programs to Menahalim and Mechanchim The articles in the October issue save the mass spiritual drowning of who would have liked to send their under "Torah Ambassadors at Jewish youth here in New York. Torah Ambassadors on Mitzva Large" were both informative and You write of our "Ambassadors," Missions, but who thought that it inspiring. The experiences but what happened to our local would have been too costly, can recounted in these stories reaffirm Representatives? now reconsider. For they no longer the belief that a chaver tov can be a There is a Yeshiva in Queens need a plane ticket; just a subway most powerful mashpi'a. The with students identical in token. programs in Los Angeles and in background to those in the distant (RABBI) HERBERT HEXTER Mexico City underline the impor cities referred to in the article. In Principal, Ezra Academy tance of establishing a meaningful fact, under one roof are American of Queens High School peer relationship in reaching Jewish adolescents with others from New York City teenagers in their most impres South America, Russia, Israel, and sionable years. The students of Iran who are in dire need of a Yeshiva Chafetz Chaim and of meaningful relationship with a tru Prospect Park Yeshiva High School ly religious friend. Why shouldn't for Girls are truly to be commended our yeshivas involve their elite to EV 7-1750 for stretching their hands across act as step-brothers and step-sisters thousands of miles to befriend and to foster such a relationship here ?)'',~ --~t 7?JWti'Ci'~ 't:::;tt•ti-.'it:~' Producers of Films and Slide Shows iiELlilAn )i:Ui>IO) anno~;n;:,es P'i't Riv~:FSiLJ[ __ r_,-,'.,•'·_.c"s '.::: t:;e '.h·-~ c-niy i1_cnsed tureral -:-1ir~,-- '.-J' ;r~ t!:0 US at>''? to e'if>:·t Transfer to Israel U..'ithin the same day U.S.A./Israel 623 Cortelyou Road (off Ocean Parkway) • Brooklyn, N.Y.11218 • (212) 941-5500 And all c:en1eteries in Israel Rl·/~-l~S'Df. ,i,,_.-, o, ci,;~ "Die a~ r~.,, lJnsurpasscd KaSbrus iu tbt' 111ost eleg,1111 tradition. Sole agent for Sanhadrea ·cemetery Ri'vTRSii:'L ,;r:, -.-1· 0;ft.-~1 th1S s,-,:·.1_ P Enroute to Israel iuithin the same day • Str::=t iJ,.~,..·t:ren'. e '.r: ~1,':', r-~, ,01vJ r.-i nhag·.1: ~'il{ffl!l ,,,!!!f~ • ArrnrigerT\f'n\•o cr··ac'.•~ d',•' :01g · :f'?t- rre v.ith no ot)!:gat1or • Chapei '.A~c u'eCJ :r• an; '.··xnm1;n1!; HAS BEEN PROUDLY SERVlNG THE ORTHODOX COMMUNITY WITH DISTINCTION FOR MORE THAN TWENTY YEARS. ELEGANT SERVICE BY THE MOST EXPERIENCED SPECIALISTS IN THE CATERING FIELD. WITH THEIR OWN KITCHEN FACILITIES RIVERSIDE ON PREMISES. GUARANTEE THE UTMOST IN QUALITY AND THE UL TI MATE IN KASHRUS. MANHATTAN Allow 50 - 700 Persons 180Wes! 76th St (a! A:nc,terdar"r Ave;~~ Y .. N Y / EN 2-6600 BROOKLYN: 31 0 Coney Island Jw(· (0~ e,in Pad<,·.21 a: Pi c...spcc! Park Open Chupah f:l:cokiy,-, :·~ Y UI. 4 2000 Parking Available BRONX:l963GrardCcrh.'.;\;r<:,f·{,1~; 7'3th St ;f3'onx,N Y LL; 3-6300 1 Glatt Kosher FAR ROCKAV-.'AY. J 2 50 C:en!r:-il k:c: r a' Pc .k~i,.,ay,f\i.Y F"A 7- 7 l 00 And Tt-1e West::hester R:·1rrc1(lf' '.'.er::~'': a! Cnar:ei.ln\· For your next Simcha - Call: 21 Wes! 8r0au Sl•eet.~/\t Vc:rnsn.r~ Y (91·11M04 6800 C~1apels in M1am1,M1.ir11: lh'ac..h.Ho!!yw0ori.Sunrisc_Flonda Simtlta Carl Grossberg,: AncJrPv-. F 1fcr: Solomor' S~o·.. :son '4tef~ ror generations aI symbol of Jewish Tradition. 40 The Jewish Observer I January, 1978 AGUDAH WOMEN OF AMERICA ANNUAL LUNCHEON Learn a skill that pays you well! at the D Bookkeeping Hotel Roosevelt on Sunday, March 5, 1978. The following ladies will be honored: D Legal Secretary Guest of honor: Mrs. Daniella Buxbaum D Executive Secretary Awardees: Mrs. Roslyn Feldberg Mrs. Ida Gottesman D Computer Programming Rebetzin Chaya Oelbaum at Mrs. Cir! Ogorek Mrs. Martha Schron PROJECT COPE The Presidium of the N'shei Agudath Israel of Vocational Education Division Philadelphia: Mrs. Shoshana Abrahamson Mrs. Bernice Garfinkel Telephon'e 964-1300 Mrs. Faige Rosenberg $65.00 worth of ads entitles you to a free ticket to our Luncheon! Project COPE ADiuisionofAgudath Israel of America suite 814 / 5 BEEKMAN STREET/ NYC 10038 Searching for a Good Job ... Funded by a CETA grant administered by the New York State Education Depdrtment Did You Miss a Step? DNo Checked the Classified Ads TORAH SCHOOLS FOR ISRAEL DNo Asked friends and relatives CHINUCH ATZMAI about openings 40,000 students in 200 Talmud Torah & DNo Prepared a beautiful resume Beth Jacob elem. schools 170 F cts Kindergartens, 24 Jr.H.S.-Mesivtos, 2 DNo Arrived on time ay Teachers Institutes. for all interviews OU z Should 3,000 employees' salaries through oYes •DNo Marketable skills Chinuch Atzmai: teachers, supervisors, KnOW secretaries, maintenance men. A b out COPE Vocational Institute Torah $1,400,000 needed to cover costs of A division of Agudath Israel of America h Is educational programs for the rest of the can offer you training for these skills C OO school year. in our CHINUCH ATZMAI TORAH SCHOOLS world Jewry's greatest united effort for Torah Education the very Spring Semester Courses: base of 'religious life in the Holy Land. Executive Secretarial Join in making Torah in Israel secure Torah Schools for Israel - Chinuch Atzmai Bookkeeping 167 Madison Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10016 Clerk-Typist Tel (2121 889-0606 Gentlemen: [ hereby pledge the sum of of $ ...... as my contribution in answer to Call 233-2938 and the current emergency appeal. { ) Amount enclosed ) Kindly mail statement SECURE YOUR FUTURE Name .. CVI I 5 Beekman Street I New York City 10038 Address .... Licensed by the New York State Education Department City, State, Zip .. Contributions are tax exempt ~ TaK ref. BK·E0-6046 The Jewish Observer I January, 1978 41 AGUDATH ISRAEL ASKS SENATE: BNOS AGUDA TH ISRAEL PASS TAX CREDITS FOR YESHIVA l'ARENTS EXPANDS ACTIVITIES Washington, D.C. - The U.S. Congress since Agudath Israel began testifying for 200 Leaders at Convention could help "stop pocketbook coercion which government aid to non-public school parents forces a parent to send his children to public 17 years ago, there has been a growing LAKEWOOD, N.J. Close to 200 girls schools against his will because of climate of approval for this help among the heard prominent Torah leaders urge them skyrocketing costs of non-public education," broad American masses. "to assume a greater Torah commitment in by passing the Tuition Tax Credit Act, Rabbi their everyday lives," at the twelfth annual Moshe Sherer, executive president of Rabbi Sherer emphasized that this bill National Leaders' Convention of Bnos Agudath Israel of America told a hearing of "breaks the constitutional barrier which has Agudath Israel of America, which was held the Senate Finance Committee on January obstructed certain other methods of as at the Malibu Hotel, over the weekend of 18. This act, introduced by Senator Daniel P. sistance" because it helps people instead of January 6-8. The convention traditionally Moynihan of New York and Senator Bob schools, covers all classes of parents gathers activist leaders from the broad Packwood of Oregon, allows parents of stu regardless if their children attend public or network of youth groups sponsored by the dents attending any type of school from non-public schools, and is federally de Agudist youth movement. In addition to elementary through higher education to signed. representatives from the New York deduc a 50% tax credit for tuition payments metropolitan area, there were also delegates "If tax credits can be used to encourage from Monsey, Scranton, Boston, Montreal, up to a maximum of $500 annually per business, simple logic dictates that this Toronto, Cleveland, and Los Angeles. dependent student. This credit would be ful method also be used to encourage Americans ly refundable, even to families that pay no to exercise freedom of choice in education," Amongst those addressing the convention taxes. the Agudath Israel leader declared. "The delegates were Rabbi Schneur Kotler, Rosh The Orthodox Jewish leader stated that the overwhelming majority of Jewish parents Yeshiva of Beth Medrash Gevoha in Packwood-Moynihan bill would help "par sending their children to yeshivas are poor or Lakewood, ancl Rabbis Baruch Borchardt, tially end the injustice from which non middle class people who are reeling at the Nissan Wolpin, Boruch Saks, Joshua Silber public school parents suffer because they are ropes from the financial pressures of meeting rnintz, and Yisroel Miller. A common theme victims of double taxation.'' He pointed out tuition payments. often at the expense of sounded by the distinguished leaders was for to the Senators at the Committee hearing that denying their families basic needs." the girls to develop and strengthen their own Torah perspectives before fulfilling their ob Tale of Three Cities ligation of communicating them to others. Far Rockaway, Montreal, Chicago The convention was colorful in many respects, reflected not only in its broad rep Far Rockaway in New York, Montreal in resentation from all over the United States, Canada, and Chicago in Illinois are the three but in the enthusiasm and diversity of the latest areas to undertake the development of workshops and sessions. Most of the girls buildings for their local Agudath Israel left the convention with a confirmed com chapters as their base of activity. Local Agu mitment lo their activist role, pleased to learn dath Israel chapters serve the neighborhoods edifice was built on the lot of the former of the heightened activites of the organiza in the fields of youth and adult education, building of the local chapter. Prominent tion. focal points for responsible religious ac speakers at the weekend celebration included tivism, and as the community conduits for Rabbi Moshe Sherer, Rabbi Shlomo Freifeld, Bnos T ehillim Rally the worldwide projects and programs of the Rabbi Moshe Weitman, Rabbi Yechiel Perr, 18 divisions operating out of Agudath and Rabbi Shmaryahu Karelitz. BROOKLYN, N.Y. Marking a return to Israel's national headquarters Tehillim (King David's Psalms), the classic Last month, the Far Rockaway community sourcebook of all Jewish emotions from joy joined to mark the "Chanukas Habayis" of a and thanksgiving to pain and despair, Bnos newly constructed modern building, the Agudath Israel successfully completed a Agudath Isarel of Long Island. The new competition aimed at encouraging its members to study and commit to memory TIIE WORLD FAMOUS On Sunday, December 11th, a large crowd various chapters from the sacred text. The DIGEST OF MEFORSIIIM braved the bitter Canadian cold to hear Rabbi contest involved girls from all over the '~1j?7 11'1:1 'tl1j?7 Pinchas Hirschprung, Chief Rabbi of United States and Canada in grades 1 Montreal, and Rabbi Sherer dedicate the new through 8. The culminating activity of this 7"lt i;;u?M ?x~nv ,, ~";-;iii~ multipurpose center of the Agudath Israel of unique contest was a special celebration con Available of Montreal. To serve as the home of the vened on January 15 at the Beth Jacob of LEKUTEI INC. Baro Park. The only entrance requirement c/o I. Rosenberg branch's 17 areas of activity, it is destined to become a focal point of interest for the entire for the Chagiga was the knowledge of por 10 West 47th Street, Room 702 New York, N. Y. 10036 Jewish community of Montreal. tions of Tehillim. 20 Volumes on Torah, Perek, Agudath Israel of Chicago announced that The convention and the National Tehillim Medrash, Megilas and Talmud. it had acquired a building in the Peterson Contest were arranged by the national direc Proceeds of so/es disfribufed among Park area to serve as its new headquarters. tor of Bnos Agudath Israel, Esther Weiss YeshiYos and used for reprinting The new building will serve as the nerve berger, with assistance from the executive of yo/umes ouf-of-prinf center of the local Agudah's broad range of director of Agudath Israel of America, Rabbi PRICE$6PER VOLUME projects. Baruch Borchardt. 42 The Jewish Observer I January, 1978 AGUDATH ISRAEL ATTACKS GAY RIGHTS BILL 'rehabilitate' the gay individuals in text books, television and ,the like. We may even A gay rights bill, which is expected to be whose conduct and practices violate religious ultimately face Affirmative Action programs introduced in the City Council of New York and social mores. To establish the right of to compensate them for discrimination of the City this month, is an infringement upon the homosexuals to be placed in a position which past. religious rights of Americans and bestows could adversely affect impressionable young "Jewish law prohibits parents from allow legitimacy upon a practice which the Bible people disregards the higher duty of parents ing their children to be taught or counseled condemns as an abomination, Agudath Israel to protect their children from harmful in by people who are sexually perverted, such stated. Dr. Bernard Fryshman, chairman of fluence, and is a shocking commentary on as homosexuals. Commitment to Bibical law, the Commission on Legislation of Agudath our times. This could even result in a mass loyalty to ethical Jewish teachings, and our Israel of America, announced that the boycott by parents of schools that have overt concern for public morality in society at organization, whose policies are set by dis~ homosexuals on their staff." large, moves us to launch an all-out city-wide tinguished Jewish scholars, will mobilize the The Agudath Israel spokesman declared: effort to defeat the proposed gay rights bill," Orthodox Jewish community to defeat any "A sodety in which bus drivers, as well as Dr. Fryshman concluded. measures which would compel schools or teachers, policemen and camp counselors can camps to hire homosexual teachers or all be overt homosexuals will result in ever counselors. Dr. Fryshman stated: "It is a red increasing numbers of children concluding herring to charge that those who refuse to that homosexuality is a legitimate alternative hire homosexual teachers are violating their lifestyle. Furthermore, legislation outlawing Now available nationwide ... civil rights because society has the right to discrimination against such individuals can airlines, steamship cruises. protect itself against any group or individual be a prelude to strong pressures to hotels. motel resorts. schools. conventions. hospitals and AGUDATH ISRAEL ELECTS supermarkets. NEW NA TI ON AL OFFICERS The national administration elected at the 55th national Covnention of Agudath Israel °t'1y.z\b.zy in Atlantic City is headed by a presidium ~:iiT%i!t'.it'b"1AP%@'.i] consisting of: Rabbi Moshe Feinstein, ,,·'i-%'.' '''(fi/''~.'i'!"''''' chairman; Rabbi Moshe Horowitz (Bostoner Rebbe), vice-chairman; Rabbi Shneur Kotler; Rabbi Yaakov Perlow (Novominsker Rebbe); Rabbi Baruch Sorotzkin; Rabbi c·haskel Besser; and Rabbi Moshe Sherer, who was re-elcted executive president. Mr. David H. Turkel was elected chairman of the Vaad Hanhala, Rabbi Yaakov Goldstein, vice-chairman, and Professor Aaron Twerski, chairman of the Vaad Hapoel. Other national officers elected: vice presidents - Mendel Berg, Dr. Ernst L. Bodenheimer, Rabbi Leib Cywiak, Benjamin Fishoff, William K. Friedman, Chaim Hertz, David Klien, Julius Klugman, Rabbi Shlomo Gfi€ RAV Oppenheimer, Shmuel Roth, Leon Scharf, by Naftali Hertz Ehrniann Menachem Shayovich; Treasurers - Eugene To the world of Torah he was the Fixler, Alan Rosenberg, Aaron Seif, David Rav." To generations of followt'rs ht' Singer; Secretaries - Eli Basch, Joseph became known as der alter rebbe, Neuman; General Secretary - Joseph ha'ad11101 hazake11 1 the baa! ha-tanya. Friedenson; Executive Director and But however he- may be called, the Secretary - Rabbi Baruch B. Borchardt. tremendous influence of Rabbi Shneur Za!man of Liady is felt to this Regional Vice-Presidents: Chairman - day among the Jewish people. Rabbi Leizor Levin (Detroit); Canada - Rab This is the lifr-story of the first rebbe bi Pinchas Hirschprung, Rabbi Fred Pfeiffer, 1>f Lubavitch, the founder of Chabad Moshe Nussbaum, Hershel Rubinstein; c/1assidutl1, told as enthralling fiction, Mid-Atlantic - Dr. S.l. Askovitz, Professor but Faithful to the aut!wntic sources. Laurence Katz, Ernst Gutman; Midwest - THE RAV I a hislorical narrative of Reuven Dessler, Rev. Joseph Borenstein, the lifE' and times of Rabbi Shneur Rabbi Abraham C. Levin, Rabbi Simcha Zalman of Liady I 208 pages I $5.95 Lyons; New England - Rabbi Levi I. Horowitz, Rabbi Shlomo Margolis; West Coast - Rabbi Elimelech Schwartz, Rabbi (s:©~~!9!.~.~~!: 9024 Foster Ave., Brooklyn N.Y.11236 Chaim Baruch Rubin, Joshua Moshe!; South PHILIPP F£LDHEIM INC. 96 EAST BROADWAY, NV, 10002 Phone: (212) 272-9184 - Rabbi Avrohom Groner. The Jewish Observer I January, 1978 43 How can you tell Congress that they're double-taxing Yeshiva. parents? How can you tell the secular establishment that the Torah community means business? Cast your ballot for a strong Torah Jewry! JOIN Agudath Israel of America Your vot? says ''I'm proud to be a TorahJew!"And the more voices that say so, the stronger the message a in the halls of government; 0 in the battlefield of ideas to capture Jewish souls; 0 in the struggle to prevent the watering"down of authentic Judaism. The strength of tomorrow's Jewish world will be determined by its numbers. Agudath Israel will be stronger with you as part of it. 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