must include the parents as well. To certainly can be refined, but it is overview of a difficult subject in his arti- flesh out a point alluded to in Ms. offered in the hopes of stimulating fur- cle “What’s the Truth about…Aramaic” Letters Lightman’s article, the mothers of ther discussion and action. (summer 2002). However, an important today’s generation were themselves Shalom Feinberg, MD source has been omitted which sheds growing up when ideas about body Queens, New York light upon Aramaic and other linguistic image were undergoing major change. Remembering issues. The (Sanhedrin 38b) Too often, one sees that today’s moth- tells us that Adam Harishon—the First Rosenberg Being Open to Therapy about textbooks written explicitly for chosen for their relevance to those ers are consciously and unconsciously Man—sipeir “spoke” in Aramaic. Rabbi yeshivot (“A Funny Thing Happened reared in the MTV culture may not be brainwashed by the media’s distorted Reuvein Morgolios (Margolios HaYam Berel Wein’s article about Rabbi Since Rabbi Helfgot’s article on the Way to the Schoolhouse,” win- relevant to day school youth. Even sci- ideas and then pass on these values to on Sanhedrin) notes the use of the word Alexander Rosenberg (“The Legacy of (“Dimensions of Torment: A Young ter 2001) and Zev Stern’s response ence books can present a point of their daughters and sons. Thus, ongo- sipeir instead of the more usual dibeir. Rabbi Alexander Rosenberg,” summer Man’s Story of Surviving Depression,” prompted me to consider this issue. As view. Every book involves editing and ing educational programs need to be He suggests that sipeir refers to common 2002) brought back many memories fall 2001) is still generating interest, I a parent of young children about to that means choices—what is left out is geared toward influencing mothers. daily language, as opposed to dibeir, for me. I knew Rabbi Rosenberg as would like to share my experience. I enter school, I share the concerns often as significant as what is included. Related to this latter point is the which refers to the use of language for our rabbi in Yonkers, New York. He am a young frum woman who decided raised about the contemporary secular The big publishers are no less immune need, as Ms. Lightman discusses, to sacred matters such as study or prayer. was only about 22 years old when he to try therapy. It was a lifesaver. values that have found their way into to social pressures, whether emanating help young men reassess their priori- Actually, Rabbi Zivotofsky alludes to became the spiritual leader of My decision was not based on any dra- textbooks. As an Orthodox Jew com- from roshei yeshivot, Christian conser- ties as they seek out a mate. I think this concept briefly when he quotes (as Congregation Ohab Zedek, where he matic life event, but rather on my feeling mitted to the ideal of u’Madda, I vatives or secular progressives, than is one way this might occur is by having does Rabbi Margolios) from the served for 47 years. really unhappy and needing to understand want to be sure that my children are ArtScroll. men participate in small interactive Kuzari that “Avraham’s native language Rabbi Rosenberg was a dynamic ora- why my life was turning out all wrong. I exposed to the best in literature, sci- In the end, as parents we must not discussions involving influential people was Aramaic and he used Hebrew only tor of the type rarely heard today. He think that this is significant since my prior ence and secular studies. I admit to leave our children’s education solely such as their rabbanim. Some may for spiritual purposes.” However, there would start quietly, setting up a point perception was that something “big” had not having seen the ArtScroll text- in the hands of their teachers. benefit by doing this in consultation is a larger philological and hashkafic he wanted to make, and work up to a to happen before I could be sure that I books in question, but I can under- Regardless of what books they get at with mental health professionals. issue embedded here. There is an crescendo. He concluded with a brilliant “needed” therapy. My knowledge of ther- stand Mr. Stern’s concerns. school, my children will be encour- While, as noted, nutrition and ancient tradition (see Responsa Chasam summary, neatly wrapping up his the- apy came from books and magazines. Notwithstanding its achievements, aged to look at all of history with a health education do not necessarily Sofer Even HaEzer vol. II, no. 11) that sis—all without referring to any notes. No one in “real life,” at home or school, ArtScroll has received well-deserved critical eye, to explore great literature, prevent eating disorders, I feel they our sages in earlier times deliberately Several generations of Bar boys ever presented it as a valid option. criticism for many of its publications’ and to expand their knowledge of sci- can impact on disordered eating pat- spoke distorted versions of the lan- stood before him in terror as he spoke Even more important was learning lack of academic scholarship, deliber- ence—all of which will enhance their terns. However, inclusion of appropri- guage used in the countries in which that it was a valid religious option. After ate censorship in its translations and growth as Torah Jews. ate lectures and discussions in the cur- to them (actually with great kindness). they resided because of the ancient agonizing for weeks over calling my col- an approach to that is much Michael Rogovin riculums of yeshivot across the He was an idealistic visionary, decree against using the language of lege guidance office for help, I spent a more to the “right” than its main- Hillcrest, New York Orthodox spectrum will only occur founding a “parochial school” in the the Gentiles (see Yerushalmi with a limudei kodesh [Hebrew stream market. Thus, I admit to shar- with the influence of gedolim as well as early 1930s, long before it was a popu- Shabbat, ch.1, halachah 4). Rabbi lar thing to do. That school lasted only studies] teacher from high school. We ing Mr. Stern’s skepticism of an Wish List for Treating major organizations. David Cohen (Sefer Avram Yagel were discussing dating, and I men- ArtScroll secular textbook. What Many patients with eating disorders a few years, but he tried again about Yitzchak Yeranen, Brooklyn, NY, 2000, tioned that I didn’t feel ready to get works are chosen? How are they edit- Eating Disorders need a combination of nutritional, 20 years later and the Yonkers p. 126) demonstrates that this is the married. She asked if I had ever consid- ed? Are the editors scholars in their medical, psychological and psychiatric ran until 1961, by which time there source for the emergence of Ladino ered discussing my feelings with a ther- fields? I found the articles by Leah interventions. Additionally, a lot of them were other, larger schools in the area. and Yiddish as well. These languages apist. I cannot begin to express the In truth, however, the same ques- Lightman and Rina Stein to be impor- require long-term care. Unfortunately, Although in his later years Rabbi tant and informative discussions of eat- there is a serious lack of affordable, Rosenberg spent most of his time at impact of that question. As one raised tions can and should be asked of the Corrections in an environment where religion gov- secular textbooks from traditional ing disorders within the Orthodox comprehensive and long-term settings the OU, he continued to serve Ohab •In David Kranzler’s “Orthodoxy’s erns all, I needed to hear an authority publishers, and I fear I would not be community (“The Hidden Hunger: for the treatment of eating disorders. Zedek, because he felt that “a rabbi Finest Hour: Rescue Efforts During figure say that therapy was okay. happy with the answers there either. Eating Disorders in the Orthodox This is true for the general population was not a rabbi unless he had a con- ” (fall 2002), Yaakov I ended up spending several years in What Mr. Stern fails to acknowledge Community,” and “The Perfect and certainly the Orthodox communi- gregation.” Our shul moved several Rosenheim was mistakenly identified therapy, and while the results aren’t in his letter is that secular editors of Anorexic: A Young Woman’s Story,” ty as well. The rise of managed care in times over the years and finally merged on page 34 as being affiliated with the earth-shattering, I can focus on the life literature, science and history text- summer 2002). One question to con- the last decade has played a critical with a younger group. But those of us Vaad Ha-hatzala. He was president of ahead of me instead of constantly think- books also have a point of view and sider is what comes next? Which steps role in these deficiencies. Activism is who were privileged to have known World Agudah. The same article men- ing about painful experiences of the past. are rarely objective. For example, would be useful to further address this needed to ameliorate the situation. Rabbi Alexander Rosenberg will tioned a planning meeting, in May Anonymous many history books used in schools serious problem? As an Orthodox psy- This may involve challenging the always cherish his memory. 1942, for the American Jewish confer- New York, New York today not only lack scholarly writing chiatrist with experience in this field, I insurance industry as well as becoming Nancy I. Klein ence (page 35). It should have read the and editing, they are often filled with would like to offer my suggestions, or supportive of national groups attempt- Yonkers, New York Biltmore Conference. outright falsehoods, distortions and perhaps more accurately my “wish list,” ing to effect change. Additionally, our Still Talking about •In Sara Bedein’s “Soul of a Pioneer: questionable interpretations of events. to enhance prevention and treatment. community needs to consider develop- Aramaic in Gan Eden? Chevron through the Eyes of a Settler” Textbooks As Ms. Schechter points out, literature In order for prevention to be suc- ing its own treatment facilities, as it (summer 2002), the photograph on anthologies don’t limit themselves to cessful, not only must it focus on the has done for other types of problems. Rabbi Dr. Ari Z. Zivotofsky pres- page 36 is of Chana Ra’anan. Deborah Schechter’s article Homer, Dickens and Twain. Materials child, adolescent or young adult, it This “wish list” is not complete, and ents his usual thorough and fascinating JEWISH ACTION Winter 5763/2002 JEWISH ACTION Winter 5763/2002 served the dual purposes of allowing Tamar be excised because it might expression of royal dignity, or a reflec- them quoted a particular Tosafot which, Kudos to Rabbi Feldman for opening Tzaddik in our Time, New York, the Jews to have a lingua franca for offend—as would the story of Joseph tion of the ultimate manifestation of he claimed, contradicted what the door to public conversation regard- 1989), both of which were reissued mundane use (Yiddish for Ashkenazic and the wife of Potifar?” etc. human perfection as personified by Chaim had been saying. “That is not ing the gedolei Yisrael biography genre. numerous times. What was the truth? and Ladino for Sephardic), while sav- But this is Torah. And only because Adam and Jacob; not another case of written in the Tosafot,” responded Rav I personally know many people, With a stutter, a stammer but no ing Hebrew for holy matters, simulta- the Author of Torah deemed it to be adolescent narcissism. (Rabbi Eliyahu Chaim. A Gemara was brought, the myself included, who have been deflat- shame I was told, “How can you sell neously avoiding the language of the print-worthy is it chronicled in such Eliezer Dessler, zt”l, expounds on the Tosafot was examined and indeed Rav ed and confused by the “instant tzad- Rav Kook in Boro Park?” Gentiles as much as possible. Thus, critical detail. By contrast, there is rivalry of Joseph and his brothers with Chaim was correct. A few moments dik” myth perpetuated in these biogra- This is the crux of the tragedy. beginning with Adam, the ordinary absolutely no license for any contem- his signature profundity in Michtav later Rav Chaim observed, “Do you phies. I believe that while these authors Fearing rabbinical disapproval, the details of life were conducted in a ver- porary author to take the lid off any MeEliyahu II, pp. 219-229.) think that I know all that is written in may have been well intentioned, some publishers appoint themselves as the nacular while the holy and sublime family’s life, and examine the strife and We dare not risk belittling the like the Tosafot and even more what is not of their own subjects would have been censors and conscience of their unsus- were elevated by the sacred tongue. apparent shortcomings of “Reb Joe of Joseph and his brothers, by equat- written there? I just understood that it dumbfounded by the Pollyannaish pecting readers. If our daily newspaper Aramaic is thus as ancient as Hebrew and his bro”—or pick through the ing them with us in any fashion. was not possible for the comment as treatment of their life stories. followed the same strategy we would and inevitable in the scheme of a tensions and struggles of any gadol and Writing a truly informative, instruc- quoted to have appeared in Tosafot.” Yet, I know of a number of recent all read only fiction. Torah view of linguistics. While it may his family. Yes, Chazal warn us not to tive and inspiring biography of a gadol is The ability “to know what could not works that have done more justice to Martin Stern be hard to imagine Chava calling to favor one son over another, citing a challenge—especially when one possibly have appeared in Tosafot,” con- the challenges and emotions of the , Adam kum aher [“come here” in Joseph as an example. But no agenda adheres to halachah-and-hashkafah-based cludes Rav Zevin, “is far greater and great Torah leaders of our past. The Rabbi Feldman responds Yiddish], our sages teach that she of instruction or inspiration permits us guidelines. But the challenge has been more striking than to remember precise- biographies of Rav Samson Raphael The responses to my essay indicate probably pointed out the wonders of to publicize the struggles or weakness- successfully met by some gifted writers, ly what is actually written there.” Hirsch and Rav Eliyahu Dessler have that a nerve was touched. The debate the fresh new world with a hearty ta es of others, unless the Torah or and there’s no reason why it can’t—or Rav Zevin also tells us that from an attempted to show their human strug- can only help raise the level of chazi [“come and see” in Aramaic]. Chazal have already done so. Yes, limi- shouldn’t—be met in the future. early age the Rogatchover devoted his gles as well as their ultimate triumphs. Orthodox biographies. As I indicated, Rabbi Yaakov Feitman tations of shemiras halashon restrict us Rabbi Nisson Wolpin, editor every waking moment to Torah; he However, more needs to be done to some biographies have indeed been Kehillas Bais Yehudah Tzvi even in regard to our reports and com- The Jewish Observer allowed his hair to grow long because teach our future generation that great- rigorous and perceptive, but these are Cedarhurst, New York ments of those no longer alive. New York if he removed his yarmulke for the ness has always been achieved by not the majority. “Gadolographies”— Of even greater significance—and of Rabbi Emanuel Feldman is to be con- barber he would have to interrupt his growing from our failures. Professor Domb, Rabbi Schick and utmost sensitivity—once we draw paral- gratulated on drawing attention to the Torah thoughts. He would perpetually Rabbi Yonason D. Schick, Martin Stern all make significant The Real Story lels between Joseph’s internecine conflicts inadequacy of much of the current biogra- engage in Torah discussions with headmaster points that amplify the issues involved, and our own squabbles, we inevitably phical material on gedolim, which perme- those around him, and even on Mesorah High School for Girls and I appreciate their kind words. The As much as we may be inspired equate him with us. “Joseph’s talebear- ates Torah literature. The human prob- Tishah B’Av, he did not interrupt his Dallas, Texas bulk of my response, however, will be by published biographies of gedolei ing…and the jealousy of the brothers” lems which beset ordinary mortals never Torah exposition. Even more surpris- devoted to Rabbi Wolpin, who raises Yisrael, we certainly recognize that would be just another case of sibling seem to arise, and the gadol is perceived as ing, when his first wife passed away, Rabbi Feldman, you are a brave man! the classic issue of how to read and those that are “cookie-cutter life sto- rivalry—even though I am confident a superhuman being whom the rest of us and the leaders of the Warsaw com- In our age of closeted opinions it is interpret a Torah text. ries,” as Rabbi Emanuel Feldman that Rabbi Feldman would never mean cannot in any way hope to emulate. As a munity came to be menachem avel, he rare for a known rabbi to air views which I have no disagreement with Rabbi describes them (“A Storied Life,” sum- us to view it as anything of the sort. result, the potential positive influence of lectured to them for hours on a vari- many think, but few state publicly. Wolpin on the major parameters of mer 2002), leave us hardly informed My teachers and mentors constantly gedolim on the behavior of Torah society is ety of Torah topics. None of the visi- The “gadolography” industry can this subject. In fact, the ideas that and totally uninspired. I also agree underscored the vast gulf that separates seriously curtailed. In regard to their Torah tors dared to remind him that he was only thrive if the publishers distance Torah is not mere literature and that with his criteria for judging a gadol us from the shevatim, as from all person- learning there is a standard recipe of pre- in mourning, but when his uncle themselves from books of real value. our patriarchs are not to be treated story: “Is it unique or ordinary?” and alities of Tanach—as no doubt did the cocious brilliance, enormous dedication pointed this out to him, his reply was, Sadly, it is an undisputed fact that with the limiting measuring rods of so on. But his submission of “the story teachers and mentors of Rabbi Feldman. and exemplary middot with little attention “Yes, it is a sin, and when I am pun- today it is becoming more difficult to ordinary mortals are the very concepts of Joseph and his brothers” as a model Rabbi , zt”l, focused on the specific contribution of the ished for my other sins I will certainly sell Torah-orientated literature to the I tried to teach my congregants for the contemporary biography raises described all of those whose lives and particular gadol. be punished for this. But I will will- general public beyond the ultra- though decades of sermons—and they a number of serious questions. actions are chronicled in Scriptures as I would like to draw attention to ingly and lovingly accept the punish- Orthodox community. The prolifera- constitute a major theme in my 1986 After his caveat, “As part of Torah, it malachim—angels, no less, far beyond Ishim ve Shitot, by Rav Shlomo Yosef ment and it will be worth accepting tion of “gadolographies is behind the book, The Biblical Echo. No less than is more than narrative,” he treats the our comprehension. Rabbi Aaron Zevin, zt”l, which first appeared 50 years malkot for the sake of Torah.” veiled skepticism felt by most on five essays in that book are devoted to story-line and its protagonists as Kotler, zt”l, instructed teachers of ago (Tel Aviv, 5712), and could well I suspect that these two amazingly entering a Jewish bookshop. the profound layers of meaning within though they were indeed characters in tinokos shel beis rabban similarly in a serve as a role model. In it, Rav Zevin graphic stories would be unacceptable Several years ago, I funded the trans- the Joseph narrative, and I believe that just another narrative, and asks all the lecture at a Torah Umesorah gathering, identified the specific contribution to to present-day biographers. It would be lation into English of “Malachim Rabbi Wolpin would not take issue right questions in that context: “One published in Mishnas Rav Aaron, stress- the advancement of Torah of a number argued that to suggest that an outstand- Kebenei Adam” on the life of Rav with any of them. In addition, I recall shudders to think how it would be ing that even Eisav was of a greatness of gedolim of the previous generation. ing gaon like Rav Chaim was not famil- Kook. Subsequently, I was told that vividly Rav ’s comments written today. Would any contempo- beyond our reckoning. Rabbi Gedalya In one chapter, he analyzes the char- iar with every Tosafot in Shas is unpro- this translation, by the late illustrious on how to study and teach the Torah; rary religious writer dare mention that Schorr, zt”l, focused on the nature of acteristics which made Rav Chaim ductive. And how does one reveal that a translator Charles Wengrow, was anti- they had a seminal influence on my Joseph, in his youth, was concerned the prize in the battle between Joseph Soloveitchik a unique figure even in the gadol like the Rogatchover contravened quated. This did not ring true. rabbinate and writing. In fact, my with his physical appearance?…Jacob’s and his brothers as nitzchiyus—a key company of other outstanding geonim. laws in the Shulchan Aruch? Wengrow had translated the biogra- Jewish Action essay repeatedly states favoring one son over another?… factor in the eternal destiny of the He relates that on one occasion when Professor Cyril Domb phies of Rav Meir Shapiro (A Blaze in that the Joseph narrative “is more than Would Joseph’s talebearing be omitted? Jewish people—and Joseph’s “concern Rav Chaim was giving a devar Torah to Bar-Ilan University (RA) the Darkening Gloom, New York, a mere story,” that its “multi-layered Would not the story of Judah and with his physical appearance” as an a group of talmidei chachamim, one of Ramat-Gan, Israel 1994) and Rav Aryeh Levine (A structure illuminates and instructs in JEWISH ACTION Winter 5763/2002 JEWISH ACTION Winter 5763/2002 ways that we cannot fathom,” and that because there are layers and layers of conflicts that might have been present “to view it as mere literature would be meaning to each Biblical verse, from in the lives of today’s great Jews, per- to denigrate it.” It is therefore painful the simplest to the most profound and haps we should consider finding a to me that, despite all this, the article mysterious. But one of these layers is name other than “biographies” with seems to have given a different impres- the simple meaning of the text. Thus, which to label a genre which has the sion. although the principals in the Joseph noble purpose of uplifting and inspir- Perhaps our disagreement lies in our narrative behave in a way that is deep- ing, but—because it cannot relate the respective readings of the well-known er than meets the eye, there neverthe- entire, balanced story of a life—will dictum of the Sages that “ein mikra less exists a valid layer that, in fact, not succeed in uplifting and inspiring. yotzei midei peshuto—a verse does not merely meets the eye. That is to say, if The issue is certainly not clear-cut. lose its simple meaning”(Shabbat 63a). the simple meaning of the text gives One recalls Rav Yitzchak Hutner’s This means that although every word the surface impression of mundane famous comment in his Iggerot of Torah contains shivim panim (70 human behavior, then that suggests Ukesavim in which he complains that aspects) and nun sha’arei binah (50 that at some level, albeit a level per- in dealing with the lives of our great gates of wisdom), the narratives of the haps indiscernible to anyone but God, people, “the impression makes it seem Torah are also true on their elementary mundane human behavior must have as if they issued from the Hand of level. Furthermore, they are not only been at play. I would suggest, for their Creator in their full stature and true on this level, they are Torah— example, that Radak’s portrayal of stance….But who knows about their meaning “teaching”—on this level as Yitzchak’s relationship with Esau, or struggles, their failures, their falls and well. Ramban’s reading of the relationship their regressions….” (For an insightful What occurred in the Biblical narra- of Avraham and Sarah in the and invaluable discussion of the prob- tives on the visible, “macro” level is Avimelech episode, or the relationship lems of dealing with the lives of our true in accordance with how Torah of Yitzchak and Rivkah, are reflections greatest people, see the Foreword to Shebeal Peh explains it. In this view, of the view that “a verse does not lose Rabbi Nathan Kamenetsky’s newly the forefathers were spiritual giants its simple meaning.” published work, Making of a Godol. who were never motivated by mun- It is thus evident that we can indeed This magnum opus is required reading dane or ordinary concerns—as the take the Torah as our model in writing for anyone interested in the Jewish simple meaning of the text might biographies of great Jews. If the Torah religious history of the last 100 years.) occasionally lead us to believe. teaches us that our forefathers were The issues raised by Rabbi Wolpin Nevertheless, the simple meaning of not perfect creatures (albeit on a micro require much more space for a defini- the text informs us that, at least on level) then we, too, in presenting the tive discussion, but I am grateful to some elementary level, these spiritual life stories of contemporary great him for having brought to my atten- giants also had certain mundane con- Jews—who are certainly not of the tion the need to make at least this cerns. For if this were not so on a stature of our Biblical giants—should small clarification. JA “micro” level, then the Torah would not feel it necessary to conceal any not have permitted the simple mean- shortcomings if this helps instruct and ing of the verse to have given this inspire. My point was that by suggest- impression—since ein mikra yotzei ing that our greatest contemporary midei peshuto. leaders emerged as perfect creatures This explains why the Sages derive from the womb and remained perfect from the Joseph story that one should all their lives, the readership was being not pay excessive attention (mesalsel) discouraged rather than uplifted—as to one’s hairstyle—basing themselves Rabbi Schick points out in his letter— on the verse that Joseph acted like a and that only the most naive reader youngster (vehu na’ar); or that a father would take these biographies seriously. should not favor one child over anoth- Rabbi Wolpin’s concerns about er—which is based on the special halachic constraints of lashon hara are cloak which Yaakov gave his son well placed. It is a classic issue in Joseph. (See Midrash Rabbah 84 and halachah whether such constraints many other commentaries on the apply to incidents and facts that are text.) There are many other midrashim well known, and where the clear intent in which moral lessons are derived is to instruct readers and not to deni- from the simple meaning of texts, even grate the subject. And if, in fact, though the verses have more profound halachic constraints prevent us from messages underlying them. This is relating the crucial inner struggles and

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