Slgli9@~/~~~~i .••.....•• •i~~tr'!!> Hi:f?~~,~95• ~orali· tl\.e l~ga~y!ll: Rabbi .. .·.·•··•.·.•I!~v1c1~1~f!l)~itz on Ills. 50thiV;lljrteit.
lwoVisions ~•;!~,... , r~~·e,,!i9n"betw:een Ancle,tGreeceand Etern.al:lsra1I. Haolam, the most trusted name in Cholov Yisroel Kosher Cheese. A reputation earned through 25 years of scrupulous devotion to quality and kashruth. With 12 delicious varieties. Haolam, a tradition you'll enjoy keeping. The Thurm/Sherer Families wish Klal Yisroel n:>1.)n 1}'=>''''1!l N
All Haolam Cheese products made in the U.S.A. are under the strict rabbinical supervision of: The Rabbinate of K'hal Adath Jeshurun Washington Heights, NY
THURM BROS. WORLD CHEESE CO. INC., BROOKLYN, NY 11232 '] rc:r~ r lL:'tY) avl~a
A Rei'olmrionarv
Study! The CD-ROM Judaic Classics Library-ONLY $499!
Announcing The CD-ROM Judaic Look what'siim:/"ud·e,rl! · System Requirements Classics Library-a complete • Tanakb Hebrew Judaic Library on The CD-ROM Judaic Classic Compact Disk, for the IBM PC and • Talmud Bavli Library will run on an IBM PC or compatibles. The treasures of our compatible, with VGA display, Jewish heritage-the Tanakh with • ;~r;;gadic Midrasbim Rashi's commentary on Chumash, minimum 640k memory, hard drive, • Mis/mah forab the Talmud Bavli with Rashi's and a CD-ROM drive. commentary, the Aggadic • Ras/Ji on Cb1111wsb Midrashim, and the Rambam 's Don't miss tbis opportunity to acquire Mishnah Torah-arc on one slim • Rasbi on Talmud the CD-ROM Judaic Classics Library compact disk! for your PC. To order, call Davka at 1-800-621-8227. It would cost thousands of dollars able on compact disk. Davka is to acquire a Judaic library of this proud to bring the classics of magnitude. Yet, Davka is making Judaism to this new medium. this library of timeless treasures The Chanukab available at a special introductory The CD-ROM Judaic Classics The CD-ROM price of only $499. After December Library includes a speedy search Judaic Classics 31st, the regular price of the program that enables rapid retrieval Library is the ideal program will be $599. of material from these vast databas Chanukah gift for es. Rabbi, scholar, or student-all students and Computer compact disks (CD's} now have access to the riches of scholars-and it's a must for utilize techniques similar to those Judaism. Using the powerful search Yeshivas! In fact, it is an original used by audio compact disks, to program, you can easily search for and useful gift idea for your store vast amounts of data on one words and phrases, with prefixes rabbi, synagogue, and other small disk. This type of technology and suffixes, and/or logic, and Jewish institutions of higher has become very popular in the restrictions to specific books. learning that you support. general computer world, and entire encyclopedias have become avail· To Order Call Toll-Free lm800~621~8227, Dept,O Major Credit Cards Accepted • Add $3 for shipping and handling • Ove1~eas, Canada additional shipping costs Davka Corporation • 7074 N. Western Ave. •Chicago, IL • 60645 (312) 465-4070 • Fax (312) 262-9298 Ask for our FREE 20-page catalog of]udaic software • I • I • Because trees arenl the only things that need to be planted. Miracles doltoo. And these immigrant children need your help so that their Judaism will gru.v. And you know that You spent years begging and pleading, protesting and praying to get these Je.vs out of the Soviet Union. Now they're out And they've come home to Israel. To plant roots, to gru.v and to flourish. To learn what until now was illegal to learn. And to discover what has been lost. Unfortunately, that isnl happening. Israel can barely afford to house these people, let alone provide a proper Jewish educa tion. It would be a sad statement about our generation ff, years from now, these children were wholly indistinguishable from those who stayed behind in Russia. RETURN, an organization backed by some of the greatest spiritual leaders of our day, is helping. We're providing class rooms and funding after-school programs. We're helping to gru.v roots for them, to plant them in holy soil. And while none of these necessities would be provided with out us, we can't continue to provide them without you. Wrthout you, what someday might have been a fertile forest, will some day be abarren wasteland. Please - we canl do It without your help. And we need your help now. Because ff you think trees are beautfful when they grow, just wart till you see the frurt of these little miracles. r-""".'-'.-".""":""-".""----""'------"."" 0--:r-----".""---".""-'.""'/"".'-----'.-".""~-----".""_".""--".""".""_:".""-_'."."":"."":--,".""/"''".-----1 : · fJiAJt?JJ(JIJ/f1JflJlg1a11t~bild!M ha'ilfJ I V,Ould li~ to l)l!lp. Plea$e accept ~ taX.:cleduCtibl~ £1llrtiibllliQtifClr : : 8/matlf beefl IJflJ(i/fed/11 Re/qrp #:8f1Jpi, 0 ~~~nsoran Rabbinic Sponsors: Bobover Rebbe. Skulener Rebbe. NCNOminsker Rebbe, Rav Avrohom Pam, Rav Elya Svei, Rav Aaron Schechtet Honorary Chairmen: Chief Rabbi Lord Immanuel Jakobowitz, Senator Joseph Lieberman, Mr. Joseph Gruss. Chairmen: Sheldon Beren, Abraham Bidenman, Max Knopf, AJ Rieder. RETURN/1!l1W The United Fund for the Education of Russian Immigrant Children in Israel AWAKENING THE JEWISH SOUL R THE JEWISH OBSERVER (ISSN) 0021-6615 is published monthly except July and August by the Agudath Israel of America, 84 William Street, New York, N.Y. 10038. Second class postage 6 paid in New York, N.Y. Emuna Subscription $22.00 per year; two years. $36.00; Modern Science and three years, $48.00. Outside of the United States Dr. Alvin Radkowsky (US lunds drawn on a US bank only) $10.00 surcharge per year. Single copy $3.00; foreign 12 $4.00. Send address changes to The Jewish Torah, Slobodka, and Harbotzas Torah: Observer, 84 William Street, N.Y., N.Y. 10038. The Vision of Rabbi Dovid Liebowitz, 7"YT Tel: (2t2) 797-9000. Yitzchok Brandriss Printed in the U.S.A. RABBI NISSON WOLPIN, EDITOR The "Hod" That is Israel, EOITORfAL BOARD DR. ERNST BODENHEIMER The "Yofi" That Was Greece Chelnnan Rabbi A. Sheinman RABBI JOSEPH ELIAS JOSEPH FRIEDENSON RABBI NOSSON SCHERMAN Jewish Kids Up For Grabs MANAGEMENT BOARD Vicki Krausz NAFTOLI HIRSCH ISAAC KIRZNER 40 RABBI SHLOMO LESIN NACHUM STEIN Books in Review To BECOME ONE/I SHALL NOT WANT/CHOOSE LIFE/ RABBI YOSEF C. GOLDING Bu!tlness Manager HEY, TAXI!/THE BEST OF STORYLINES Published by Agudath Israel of America Second Looks on the Jewish Scene 42 Prescribed Performance: Just What the Doctor Ordered RABBI MOSHE SHERER PRESIDENT 43 American Know-How For Export THE JEWISH OBSERVER does not assume responsibility for the Kashrus of any product, publication, or service Letters to the Editor advertised in Its pages © Copyright 1991 DECEMBER 1991 VOLUME XXIV I NO. 9 Dr: Alvin Radkowsky MODERN SCIENCE n the past. the rtse of science led ton, 1 the universe was considered to to major conflict with religion. It be made of individual objects Inter I may therefore come as a surprise acting according to certain laws. to learn that the study of modem sci Given these laws and enough math ence can make a crucial contribution ematics, the position of every object, to one's growth as a believing Jew. even those making up living beings, 1bis Is due to the radical tum that sci is absolutely determined for all times ence, particularly physics, has taken In the future, so that free will can be since the beginning of this centuiy. only an illusion. Similarly, given the In stressslng the benefit to be de initial conditions of water vapor, rived from the study of the new sci winds, radiation from the sun, etc., ence, I do not advocate scientific the weather is predictable forever, so study for utilitarian reasons, for a how can we pray for rain since we are livelihood, nor for the merit of such not supposed to pray for a miracle? studies per se. Nor is my main argu How do we get out of this dilemma? ment based on attainment of the love ofG-d, imporiantas that is, for which CIDNKS IN THE ARMOR OF knowledge ofNature is Indispensable DETERMINISM according to the Rambam "What is the path to the fear and love of Him? Rather, this paper would suggest he first chink In the facade of One attains these at the time when that the new physics is a major con determinism came as a result one understands His wonderful and ceptual jump from classical physics T of the discovery of radioactiv great deeds and creations" (Yesodei and is a worthy continuation of the ity. We can have a collection ofa large HaTorah2:2). intellectual revolution of Avraham number of atoms, identical In every Avinu In ascribing all of creation and respect, by any test that we can think Dr. Radkowsky, a founder of the Association of its governance to a single invisible of, yet one may decay (break up) In Orthodox Jewish Scientists, is a professor of Deity, rather than to numerous topi 1 Nuclear Engtneertng in Tel Aviv University, and According to Newton's laws of motion, the accel cal gods of the pagans. In fact, the eration {change of velocity per second} of an object was recently elected to the U.S. Academy of Engi new physics can especially contribute neering. He served as Chief Scientist in the Office is proportional to the force acting on it. The of Naval Reactors of the U.S. Atomic Energy Com to our understanding offundamental forces- gravitational, electrtcal, and magnetic mission where he worked closely with Admiral concepts which seem necessary for between objects vary as the inverse square of the Rickover in developing the nuclear submartne. He us to function as human beings distance between them. For example, an object two million miles away from the earth experiences only received a number of honors from the Department namely free will, consciousness, of the Navy. and was Cited by the Atomic Energy one fourth as great a gravitational force as an ob Commission of "Exceptional SeIVices to the Na meaningfulness of prayer. ject one million miles away. The phenomenon of tion." His article. "The Faith of an Orthodox Jew The concept of free will was actu light did not flt easily into Newton's framework but ish Scientist," was featured in The Jewish Ob ally Incompatible with classical phys much later Maxwell was able to explain light as an server. June. 1969. ics. Especially from the time of New- electromagnetic wave. 6 'The Jewish Observer, December 1991 the next second and the adjacent one neously. Thus a curved lens appears a hundred years from now; thus to be concave when viewed from the cause and effect are no longer abso tnside and convex from the outside. lute. The test of objectivity is what can be Came relativity,2 Einstein showed observed by mankind. What cannot that the characteristics of an object, be observed, even tn principle, has no such as mass, dimensions, even time, physical meaning for us. Comple are not absolute but vary with its mentarity has applications tn many speed, although the effects are not no areas outside of physics. In fact, it ticeable until speeds approaching that The new physics is a can be used to reconcile the old para of light. To refresh your memories, dox between free will and G-d's fore this speed is 300,000 km. per second. major conceptual jump knowledge, as expressed tn prophecy. For a simple explanation, al regel Free will and G-d's foreknowledge are achat, of why relativity; ifyou walk to from classical physics complementary aspects of a single ward a moving train, it will reach you entity and do not conflict stnce they faster than if you are walking away and is a worthy can never be observed simulta from it. Strangely enough, this is not neously. true for light; the speed you measure continuation of the is always the same regardless of GREAT HUMAN POWERS AND whether you are moving towards or intellectual revolution of DEEP HUMILITY away from the source of light. Avraham Avinu in t is surpristng that after over 70 MORE SURPRISING CHANGES ascribing all of creation years the connection between I relativity and quantum theory is uantum theory' made even still not fully understood, yet their more surprising changes tn and its governance to a combtnation gives us fantastic agree our intuitive concepts. Now single invisible Deity. ment with experiment. Actually, the Qlight, our primary means of most important thtng we learn from measurement, was no longer a con- quantum theory is not well known. It tinuous wave but was composed of is a mathematical proof by the great 2 Einstein's relativity theory has two parts: {I) discrete pulses of energy, the size of physicist, Eugene Wigner, that life, Special Relativity, which states that the measured the pulse depending on the wave including its origin, reproduction, speed of light is independent of the motions of the length of the light. It no longer made and development, is contrary to the source and of the observer: also that the absolute sense, at least on the atomic scale, to laws of physics, and can be explained motion of an object mOVing uniformly in space ('- TheJewishObseroer. December 1991 7 Dear Friend, Founder of So marw tragedies happen all around us first-aid Hatzolah that it seems as if nothing can .shocll: or move people any more. squad in Jerusalem But we must be shocked at the horrible murdered by tragedy of Zvi Klein's murder, Apd we Arab terrorist mus.t be moved by the plight of his badly injured widow .and her eight forlorn orphan$. Zvi Klein was an organizer of the volunteer First-,Aid Hatzolah Squad in Jerusalem. He was on call day and night. Hetended hundieds of people andsaved countless l~ves. Then came the "accident". Zvi was driving his family On the Jerusalem-Tel Aviv highway when an Arab driver forced him offthe road. Zvi's car went out of control. Crashed, His wife ;suffered broken legs and internal injuries. Four of hi$ children suffered serious injuries. The others, too, were hurt. But they all suffered the worst loss ofall: Zvi, the man who saved so many lives, was dead. And then - another shock. The "accident" was murder! After an intense polic£J investigation, it was ascertained that the Arab driver was a wanted terrorist who had made a bloody career of causing Jews to crash, to die, tobemaimed. Mrs. Klein was the only child of Holocaust survivors. She has no parents, no brothers, n,cpiisters, no close relatives. Only shock, injuries, pain, traumatized children, poverty, and ll.Wfulloneliness . .We ca)l't bring Zvi Klein back, but there is much we can and must do. V!{e must show her and the orphans that they are not alone. We must provide funds for .tfledical care and t}lerapy, for food and clothing, for .child care and tilition, for hoi,iSehold lielp ll\Thile her bones mend, for loviug care for the children. OP. ~op of all their sufferiug, they are poverty-stricken - and we can do something about that! 'l'he great rabbi$ .ofJerusalem bave created a relief .fund.for MrS Klein and.Jjer 8 orp}lazied children, and theypleagwith us to contribute generously. P~ease ~ therefore - let us open our hearts. She is our sister and the orphans we our ch:ilclfen, Let us guarantfje that they will not suffer from want, cold, and hunger. lll,the merit ofourgener0us contributions, may we and our loved ones be sparedfrom I ~a~ a:p.g suffering, ~nd may we have the merit of being "partners" of t}le Father of I orphans and the Protector of widows~ ' The Committee ! 8 The Jewish Observer. December 1991 SMALL CAUSES, VERY LARGE EFFECTS Complementarity has The fo.llowing great rabbis in nother recent development is applications in many Israel (listed alphabetically) have in the mathematics of A nonlinearity and chaos, 4 in areas outside of physics. ctea.ted ;;1 speciaLrelief't'lind f'or which causes too small to be ob t;b.e ~dowandhweightozphansc served grow exponentially to produce In fact, it can be used to very large effects. An example is a Rabbi Shlomo z. Auerbach smoothly flowing stream ofwater that reconcile the old Rabl.>i.YosefS. E1yashuv suddenly turns turbulent. Similarly, :Rabbi Moshe A Freund an imperceptible change in the atmo paradox between free sphere can soon result in a massive Rab~i l'l.nchus Scb.einberg storm. Thus, even with the most su will and G-d's RabbiAvrob.om ShapiI'o, per of super-computers. the weather ChiefRiJbbi is unpredictable for mankind. Some foreknowledge. 'J';he t'l1nd iS closely , typical quotations- D. Gilman of the administered in Israel hy: U.S. National Meteorological Service: 'We regard two or three weeks as the Rabbi Moshe Y. Ml!etzki theoretical outer limits for making Yet this argument- that the study :l:tabbi '.l!liyabu Brand daily forecasts." K. Miyakoda of the of science can be for the ultimate ben In .The United States the following Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Labora efit of one's belief in the Creator tory: "I believe weather was invented must be considered in view of the de special committire oversees the by G-d and that there are certain fea mand that one must use all of one's rai~ng offunds: tures we will never understand about time and energy to study Torah and New York it. .. amass Torah knowledge. Where, }'{ab~iMoslJ.eWo1fson In the 19th century. doctrines then, should one find the time to pur such as communism, atheism. evolu sue the study of science? Actually the RabbiYehudab·Oelbaum. . . tion. and materialism. flourished problem exists independently within Rabbi:Nosson Scherman doctrines which ultimately have been both Torah learning and science Calife1rnj.a found to be worthless and, in fact, ru (lehavdil). Torah is infinite in its di inous. We need the greater under mensions. And scientific research R~bbiYakov Krause standing and enlightenment provided and knowledge are so growing expo Rabbi Cb.aim Schnur· by modern science to prevent the nentially, that the entire field Is cur .!labbiAvrohom Te.ichman shallow thinking that concludes: rently overwhelmed by a flood of pa Toronto 'There is no judgment and no Judge." per. For instance, the magazine Phys Rabbi Moshe M. Lo"Wy ics Today is constantly bemoaning COMPLIMENTARITY TO THE the flood of new journals coming out. l)etr.oit RESCUE while there is not time to read the Rabbi Sbmuelkaufman present ones. Miami t should be obvious that the in Again Complementarity suggest a sights provided by modern solution. While each individual will Rabbi Avrob.om Chahn: Feuer I physics, which I outlined here, seek to come close to G-d in his par are immensely useful as we seek to ticular way as a Ben Yisroel we must Checks.can f)e made payable to: introduce the confused and unbeliev learn to trust and love each other so Keren Hachesed ing to the world ofTorah. But even to that we will jointly be Kial YisroeL As us whose faith is solid and secure. the stated In the Gemora Berachos, in Relief Fund ideas here developed are important, the Holy Temple the departing and sent t().; as we are battered by the onslaught Mishmar (Watch) blessed the incom of popular scientific materialism and ing one: "He Who makes His name R\lbbi.l\ltO!;he·'l\lt~·••Ll)~ disbelief. dwell in this Temple shall cause love RabbiNosson Scherman. and brotherhood and peace and 4 Many simple systems are linear- that is, the ef fiiendshlp to dwell amongst you." So c/o Keren Hachesed fect is more or Jess proportional to the cause. How collectively we will arrive at a knowl ever, in real life nonlinear systems predominate. 4316"10 Avenue For example, with compound interest a small loan edge of both the spiritual and physi may soon become so large as to be unpayable. Or cal worlds that G-d has created, as Brooklyn NY 11219 the effortless closing of an electric switch may re expressed in the unity which is the sult in the titanic explosion of a hydrogen bomb. highest expression of our faith, The weather is a prtme example of a nonlinear sys "Shma Yisroel, Hashem Elokeinu, tem, so nonlinear that long range prediction is im possible. Hashem echad." • The Jewish Obseroer, December 1991 9 TH[ P[Rf[CT CHl\NUKl\H Giff! REMEMBER THE BM.UTifUL & INSPIRING SOUNDS Of THE ORIGIJYAL PIKCHEI & JEP RECORDS? In response to an overwhelming demand, we take pride in announcing the re-release of the fwiginal JEP and P/,rchei recordings on quality cassette tapes. These are not re-recorded imitations, but the same original voices, songs, and music that set the standards for true Jewish recordings back in the late 6o's and early 70's. After being "off-the-market" for many years, these crystal-clear recordings that brought tears of joy and inspiration to all who heard them, are now available for your listening pleasure. Who can forget the golden voice of the then-child prodigy, Yossi Son- nenblick? ... the chills-inducing Ani Maamin? . .. the uplifting Lev Tabor? . .. the original and electrifying Someday We Will All Be Together sung by Mordechai-Ben-David? ... Pirchei's Ani Maamin, Aylecho, Mi Ho'ish, and Uro Chevodi . .. JEP's Six Million Tears, Dear Nikolai, Oh David, Benjy . .. and all the rest. You (and your children) can now enjoy the beautiful musical and choral arrangements of the original Pirchei Agudath Israel and )EP choirs ... the lively songs ... the superb adult and child soloists ... nine complete tapes-a total of !07 songs in all! And the best news of all is that you can order them direct from us at a "re-release" grand opening special of just $7.00 each; or take advantage of our super special and order all nine tapes for only $49.00; that's like getting two tapes absolutely freer So don't delay; order today! Send this order form to: Pirchei/JEP Tape Offer. 84 William Street. New York. New York, 10038 _ Plrchei #1 @$700 $ _JEP#l @$700 $ D Yes! I want to take advantage of this unbelievable offer _Plrchei #2 @$700 $ _JEP#2 @$700 $ and enjoy the golden sounds of the original Pirchei and _Pirchei #3 @$700 $ _JEP#3 @$700 $ JEP Records' Please send me D Special Offer! The entire set of nine tapes for the low. _Pirchei#4 @$700 $ _JEP#4 @$700 $ low price of $49.00I .... _Pirchei #5 @$700 $ _ Entire Set of 9 Tapes@ $49 $ NAMEPW..PN.1------(continued on next column} ADDRESS------ Shipping & handling $ 2.00 ClTY,STATt------Z1P--- Please make all checks payable to: Agudalh Israel Ill America. Total Enclosed $ C.l.S. PublisltERS PRESENTS A NEW CollEcTioN of OuAliTy TiTlEs SEE followiNG PAGES foR MORE iNfORMArioN. P·U · B · L· I ·S·H· E·R·S New rork · London ·Jerusa/e11L_, QUALITY LITERATURE foR rf.tE ENTIRE FAMILY C.l.S. Publishers • 180 Park Avenue, Lakewood, New Jersey 08701 • (908) 905-3000 Yitzchok Brandriss Torah, ''Slobodka,'' and Harbotzas Torah: hen the story of Torah today extends outward to the very nephew of the Chofetz Chaim, and transmission in our cen frontiers of American Jewish life. while yet in his teens he was taken by W tury will fully be told, one Their number includes rabbonim, the sainted sage as his chavrusa of the seminal figures to be recognized roshei yeshiva, principals, teachers when compiling Hilchos Sukka in his will be Rabbi Dovid Leibowitz. and servants of the Klal working in epoch-making work. the Mishna Among the earliest Roshei Yeshiva scores of cities and towns throughout Berurah. At the Yeshiva of Radin he from Europe to come to America, ar the country - many of them for long, studied under the gaon Rabbi Naftali riving here in the mid-l 920's, Reb unheralded decades. Hundreds, per Trop. Reb Naftali said of Reb David David successfully blazed the trail in haps thousands, of others have es when he was not yet twenty: "He Is bringing to this land the Torah and tablished their place among the lay already complete as a lamdan." mussar traditions of the great leaders and supporters of Torah It was then that he set out for Lithuanian yeshivos. He was the first causes and institutions in almost ev Slobodka, as did many of the aspir Rosh Yeshiva of Mesivta Torah ery Orthodox Jewish community in ing young talmidei chachamim of the Vodaath, and later founded Yeshivas the country. time. to imbibe the ruach and the Rabbenu Yisroel Meir HaCohen At Reb David's levaya fifty years teachings of Rabbi Nasson Tzvi (Chafetz Chaim). ago, on 17 Kislev 5702 I December 7. Finkel. the renowned Alter of While yet in Europe, Reb David 1941- the news of the attack on Pearl Slobodka. had been, as an older colleague, a di Harbor greeted mourners as they re Something quite unusual was go rect influence upon several of the turned from the bais olam - one of ing on in Slobodka under the Alter, for young Torah scholars in his circle the speakers proclaimed: If Torah, from that beis midrash, in a relatively who would later build other great ye possibly, will survive In America, it short span of time, emerged an as shivas here, as we shall later see. will be much to the credit of Rabbi tounding number of giants of the spirit Among the better known of his tal David Leibowitz. It was not just hy who would build the Torah world of midim in this country who played - perbole. the next generation. ' Reb David, who and are still playing - major roles in quickly became a favorite of the Alter, the training of further generations of THE FORGE OF GREATNESS: A American Torah scholars and leaders REBBE, A DERECH, AMESORAH 1 Among the talmidim inspired by the Alter who came to this country after Reb Dovid were: Rabbi are: Rabbi Gedalya Schorr, ?~, and Aharon Kotler, founder of Beth Medrash Govoha, n"':r.!'. Rabbi Avrohom Pam, and Reb fyou want classic "gedolim stor Lakewood; he and Reb David had engaged in in David's own son, Rabbi Henach ies" about Reb David, there are tense debates in the milchamta shel Torah in Leibowitz. scores that are told - about his Slobodka; Rabbi Reuven Grozovsky, Rosh Yeshiva I of Torah Vodaath and chairman of the Moetzes tzidkus, gadlus baTorah, But perhaps even more signifi his his vi Gedolei HaTorah of Agudath Israel of Amertca; cantly, hundreds of others of Reb sion, his bitachon, his sterling char Rabbi Yaakov Kamenetzky, Rosh Yeshiva of David's talmidim and talmidim of tal acter, his towering personality. (See Mesivta Torah Vodaath, a younger chavrusaofReb midlmhave been pioneers in the quiet box.) David in the Slobodka Kollel. who once called him but nonetheless momentous effort to His enduring legacy. however, is selfhis Mtalmid clwver," and once intimated that he came to Amertca relying on Reb David to help him; spread Torah across North America "Slobodka," the derech and mesorah Rabbi Yaakov Yitzchok Ruderman, founder of Ye - an historic enterprise of which he he brought to America. It is a derech shiva Ner Yisroel, who, Reb Yaakov maintained, was a founding visionary, and which that molded many of the great Roshei owed a great debt to Reb Dovid in Ws early devel Yeshiva who came here after Reb opn1ent as a lamdan; Rabbi Yitzchok Hutner, Rosh Rabbi Y1tzchok Brandrlss, a musmachofYeshiva Yeshiva of Yeshiva Rabbenu Chaim Berlin, who Chafetz Chaim, studied for many years under Reb David. It still has much to teach the was a frequent visitor to Reb David's home while David's son, Rabbi Henach Leibov.1tz. He is direc American yeshiva world of today. yet an unn1arried young man; and Rabbi Yaakov tor of public affairs for Agudath Israel of America. By lineage, Reb David was a great Moshe Lesin, mashgiach ruchni of Yeshivas 12 The Jewish Observer, December 1991 The Vision of Rabbi Dovid Leibowitz, 7"~ 50 Years Since His Passing Glim..p· ses of a G.ado.. ·.l nephew ofthe exalted kohein, the Cl\oftitz Chaim. who had used the same niggun AsamplingofreminlscincesaboutReb ~ checked himself in. the Mishna Di'.\Vid, on his... Berurah. and wa~ satisfl.ed):hat he had O.,nius ill. Torah: In his youth. people been correct. The next day, heneverthec would test him by potntlng outa sugya less i;;hortened the niggun. . .The taltnid on which. the. great Reb Chaim Btillker approached him after davening and had said Torah; nine titnes o\lt of ten he asked him: "But• .Rebb~ you ~re tight?! would anticipate Reb Why.didyouchanger Chaim's question, and "Mi'pnet kvodo shet his te.ihltz. .Reb Elchorwri." he an- Ameilus baTorah: swered ,.,. · out of re- He would slave all spect for Reb nightlong on theeve of Elchonon. Atthatmo- a shiuf to refine. a 01ent. Reg Elchonon- svorc:i. his clothing who, ()fcourse,.wasthe soaked through with well-kno'l111 tqlmid of sweat, even though he the Chafetz Chalni -'- knew he cOu!deasily cameoverandsald, refute any questions "RebDovid.J lookedit his taJmidim would up in. the 1Wishna have on a less0refined Bf!('l11'(1f\ and yoµ were version. right! Anivus: On Rosh Bitaehon: When Hashaila of 19:)$,· Reb Reb. Dcwfq ·left Torah Elchonon\Vasserman, Funeral IJJR. David Leibowitz, Rosh Yeshiva of Chofetz.Chaim, Vodaath to .start his on a trlp fo America, . ~ember 7. 1941, in Williamsburg, Brooklyn...... own yeshiVa, he was d The Jewish Obseroer. December 1991 13 would be among them. Years later, he sion. Bolstered by the Chafetz would confide to his son that the Alter Chaim's blessing ("David, du kenst had hinted that he wanted to take him lehrnen. Zei a marbitz Torah!"), he in on the hanhala of Slobodka, but took on the mission. that he had demurred. Reb David later left Slobodka to CASTING AWAY TORAH become Rav of the town of Selechnik, "CAREERISM" FOR HARBOTZAS The Alter of Slobodka, Rabbi Nosson Tzvi TORAH Rabbenu Yitzchok Elchonon. Another Slobodka Finkel. talmid, Rabbi Yehuda Leib Leven berg. founded one of the early yeshivos gedolos in Amertca, in New a position he inherited from his fa hen Reb David came to Haven, Connecticut - before Reb David's time - ther-Jn-law, the gaon Rabbi Henach America in the mid-- and was joined by Rabbi Shefte! Kramer from Shereshevsky. But the Alter called 1920's, it was a different Slobodka as mashgiach ruchnL Some of the great W him back after six years to become a talmidim ofSlobodka who built Torah in Eretz Yis· world. There was no Lakewood, no roel and Europe were: Rabbi Yecheskel Burstein member of the pioneer Kovno Mir, no Chaim Berlin, no Telshe, no ("Dfvrei Yescheskel"); Rabbi Meir Chodosh. Slobodka Kolle!. Ner Yisroel. 3 mashgiach ruchni of Yeshivas Chevron; Rabbi It was on a trip to America ln 1926 Reb David described ln a letter the Eliezer Yehudah Finkel, the Alter's son and Rosh to raise funds for the Kolle! (a respon it Yeshivas Mir; Rabbi Yechiel Michel Gordon, Rosh scene as was even many years after Yeshivas Lomza-Petach Tikva: Rabbi Avrohom sibility shared by its members) that he had anived: "How painful it is to Grodzinsky. Rosh Yeshiva of Slobodka ("Taras Reb David was invited to become see the degradation of Torah's status Avrohom"): RabbiAvrohom Eliyahu Kaplan of Ber Rosh Yeshiva ofTorah Vodaath. 2 The in general, and particularly here ln lin; Rabbi Pesach Prusskin (a rebbeofRabbi Moshe dream of building Torah ln America America. How despised is she, and Feinstein): Rabbi Yecheskel Sama, Rosh Yeshivas - a foolhardy proposition ln the eyes Chevron; Rabbi Isaac Sher, Rosh Yeshlvas forlorn. No one seeks her out, no one Slobodka-Bnei Brak; Rabbi Mordechai Schulman, of many - became his personal vi- inquires of her welfare. How es Rabbi Isaac's son-in-law and successor: and Rabbi 2 When Torah Vodaath was looking for its first Rosh tranged she isl People relate to the Yechiel Weinberg, Chief Rabbi of Switzerland Yeshiva. under consideration for the position was abandonment ofTorah as something ("Srfdef Eish"). Rabbi Yosef Kahaneman, the a Ga.do{ who was the Torah \Vorld's most famous Ponevezher Rav, Rabbi Chatzkel Levenshtein, illui of the day. But the Door Avrohom, the great 3 The Yeshiva of New Haven had previously been mashgfach ruchni of Ponevezh, and Rabbi Yehuda Kovner Rav, in America at the time, was consulted founded, as we have seen. Yeshivas Rabbi Yitzchok Leib Chasman ("Ohr Yahef') were also influenced by the selection comn1ittee, and advised: If you Elchonon was in existence in New York, and To by the Alter. want a Rosh Yeshiva. take Reb David. rah Vodaath was opening its Beis Midrash. In flight. ln hiding. n narrow escapes, and yes-even through fire the girls of BAIS YAAKOV triumphed over the Nazi scourge ... The Nazi dragon was insatiable. In 1939, this horrendous monster charged through Poland claiming countless Jewish lives. For the daughters of Bais Yaakov it was a time of great anguish; yet these young Women of Valor did not despair. Armed with faith and devotion to Torah, they confronted the Nazi beast. They brought spiritual solace and a message of hope to Jews-in the prisons, in the ghettos, and in the camps. In To Vanquish The Dragon, Pearl Benisch recalls the incredible acts of courage and the sacrifices of these invincible young heroines-as they held high the beacon of Torah and triumphed over evil. 14 The Jewish Observer, December 1991 entirely acceptable. They look at possible, but for most, undesirable. people who learn with delision and Study for semicha might And "Slobodka"? Mahndochar shmei loathing." ' - who had ever even heard of it? There was, of course, an ongoing make sense for a chosen This was not only the point of view, OiihodoxJewish life, though few gave few, those particularly it must be said, of those who had it hopes of surviving. There were even abandonedfrumkeit. It was a prevail pockets of frumkeit the way it was suited for the rabbinate as ing attitude even within what might practiced In the old country. There a career. But the pursuit of be called the Amelican Torah world of were ehrliche rabbanim, talmidei the time. Many In that world, it must chachamim, and baolei battim who, Torah for its own sake? be remembered, had never been ex with strong-willed mesiras nefesh. posed to the concept of long-term held on to Yiddishkeit with tenacity, Pursuit of gad/us ba Torah ameilus baTorah themselves, except, fervor, devotion, and passion. There - greatness in Torah perhaps, as the legacy and special was even a Zeirei Agudas Yisroel and province of rabbinical families. They aDafYomi. scholarship? - Impossible believed that every young man should But there was almost no concept be grounded In a yeshiva education oflong-term ameilus baTorah (labor· in America! Not only - meaning through high school or Ing In Torah study) as pursued In the impossible, but for most, perhaps, stretching it, a year or two yeshivas of Europe and particularly thereafter. After that, there was no those of Lithuania. Who could believe undesirable. point. that young Amelican men would - i Reb David saw in this outlook a or should - be willing to spend year ' little or dubious practical value? grave danger not only for Torah but after year after year laboling over To Study for semicha might make sense for Yiddishkeititself. But he was un rah for its own sake, a vocation with for a chosen few, those particularly daunted. And he was prepared. In suited for the rabbinate as a career. the Slobodka Kolle!, after all, he had 4 • The recipient of the letter was Rabbi Chaim But the pursuit of Torah for its own Pinchas Scheinberg, N"V'7W. presently Rosh entreated his colleagues to ready HaYeshiva ofYeshiva Torah Ohr, Jerusalem, and sake? Pursuit of gadlus baTorah - themselves for just such a challenge. at the time mashgiach ruchni of Yeshiva Chafetz greatness in Torah scholarship? - The Kolle!, of course, had not been Chaim. Impossible in Amelica! Not only im· formed to send battalions of Torah ~ j who'. r. G.. 11 are .. a. d.··u. eager ate. s. of·. to B·.et. .further h. Jae. obdevelop High their Sc. h... ·. o. fallo·.·ls andpotential of·... Eretz as YisroelBNOS TORAHSeminaries, to acquire a deeper appreciation of Torah and Mitzvos, and to prepare for their future role as wives, mothers, teachers, .in an inspiring, congenial and caring setting, RIKA BREUER TEACHERS SEMINARY offers a challenging two-year program of Torah studies, personalif;y growth and teacher training .., , Dormitory facilities .., ··Financial aid availabk .., Teachers' diploma or general diploma .., Special course for High School Teaching .., ·Student. teaching in conjunction with Metropolitxm area schools. FOT Information and Applications CaU (212) 568-6200 Or Write to RIKA BREUER TEACHERS SEMINARY. g5.93 Bennett Ave., N.Y.C., NY 10033 The Jewish Observer, December 1991 15 Passport photographs qf Reb Dovid. scholars to conquer America (al Lithuania at least, were lonely out depth learning - is already com though b'hashgacha that is indeed posts. Listen to Reb Dovid's evalua pletely forgotten. The whole idea of what eventually happened). It was tion, in a talk he delivered to his fel gadlus baTorah is forgotten. It is now created to provide Gedolim to lead low students on the Ko!lel's aim: a question of the ruin of Yiddishkeit European Jewry. 'We see now tangibly the ruin of in general .... " But contrary to common percep Torah. The word Torah itself is al Reb David insisted to his mends tion today, Europe of the time was not ready forgotten. It Is used only as a that the Kolle! was not established to all that different from America in reference to Chumash and Kitzur train poskim, rabbanim, and roshei terms of popular regard for advanced Shulchan Aruch. The learning of yeshiva. He railed against scholars Torah learning (as hinted, indeed. in Gemora is very rare in the general whose main interest was in their rab the letter above). The yeshivos, in populace and pilpula shel Torah - in- binical or pedagogic "careers," avow- FOR THE /EWISH SOUL: An Owner's Manual! 1/taotezptan by Rabbi Aryeh Carmel, is a magnificent one-volume guide to the philosophy and practice of Judaism. 1/taotezptan examines Judaism's system of 'mitzvot,' and shows how each 'mitzva' is a building block in the Master Architect's plan for a better world. 1/taotezptan explains how the 'mitzvot' affect person al growth, relationships, commerce, industry, govern ment, and the environment. 1/taotezptan: for the practicing Jew who seeks a well rounded understanding of his tradition; and for the newcomer who seeks basic knowledge of Jewish thought and practice. 16 The Jewish Observer. December 1991 ing that this attitude had contributed to the destruction ofTorah in the first place. The aim of the Slobodka Kolle!, he declared, was "that its members CHANUKAH GIFTS FOR should be ready on the watch to cast aside their lives and careers ... with CHILDREN OF ALL AGESI the singular purpose of achieving the perfection HaKadosh Baruch Hu wants. of reaching gadlus with a feel ing heart, to stand at the head, to do whatever they can for the honor of Hashem and His Torah." In America, Reb David demon THE HAPPINESS BOX strated that these were not empty words. When he was offered his post by Brocha Goetz at Mesivta Torah Vodaath, a coveted position had been awaiting him back A Childrens' Book in Europe, as Rosh Yeshiva in War saw. The poor status of Torah back home notwithstanding, it was an other matter still to settle in America. But with the Chafetz Chaim's vote of confidence, he made his decision. 5 Reb David's son and spiritual heir, TUVIA AND THE TINY TEACHER Rabbi Henach Leibowitz, who was by Chana Lebovics still a boy back in Slobodka, remem bers a friend of his father's approach ing him, urging him not to go with his An Early Junior Reader parents: "I can't understand Reb David! How can he do this to you?" (Several years later, in New York. Rabbi Yitzchok Hutner told Reb David in jest: "You should hide your son in a room here, so that people should A HOUSE FULL OF GUESTS think he went to Europe. He doesn't by Chayele Kohane need to learn in Europe: he'll do just as well here learning with you. But A Junior Reader do it for the credibility!") Years later, when Rabbi Yaakov Kamenetzky came to America, he called his old friend and chavrusa and asked him if there was any posi tion available for him in his yeshiva. Reb David had none for him, but went SHADOWS IN THE NIGHT on to talk about the opportunities by Zev Spektor America offered. Decades afterward, Reb Yaakov recounted Reb David's remark: 'There is no money here [in A Young Reader's Mystery Americaj. But if you want ruchniyus (spiritual accomplishment), you can grab it in fistsful." 6 5 Reb Oovid had hoped he would be joined in New York by his younger brother, Rabbi Moshe P·U·B·L· I·S·H· E·R·S Leibowitz, who, some maintained. was even greater New 'rOrk · Lomfon }er«Ja/em_, in Torah learning than he. Together, Reb David said, they could conquer America. Tragically. Reb Moshe died at a young age. while Reb David was 180 Pork Avenue, Lakewood, New Jersey 08701 awaiting his answer. (Yeshiva Tiferes Moshe in (908) 905-3000 Fox (908) 367-6666 Queens is named in his memory.) 6 Recollections of Rabbi Yaakov Kamentezky are cited from tape-recorded remarks. The Jewish Obseroer. December 1991 17 When an old acquaintance who of a solid reading and grasp of pshat arrived from Europe, an accom as the basic building block of all To plished talmid chacham, complained rah study. This meant seeking out to him that he could not find a job the true and straightforward mean here teaching Torah, Reb David re ing of the Gemora and its commen plied: "What do you mean? Teach taries, with scrupulous fidelity to the AlephBais, if that is what's needed!" text. clear and careful thought, and a On "Pshat" thoroughgoing and meticulous ex CREATING AMERICAN amination of any proposed explana :. in Torah Leaming I "LAMDONIM": TECHNIQUE FOR tion in terms of its ramifications for THEWNGTERM every step in the back-and-forth of iThe Chofetz Chaim - with i the sugya under consideration. (See j .. . . . whom Reb Dovid learned I . . from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily box.) 1 1 This method of training, naturally. I •for two years as a young man - f r Would take two seforimin hand, one I would take much time. It would also I slightly larger than the other. place ! tax the patience and leave unsatisfied i them side by side against each ! the desire for "instant learning grati · other, and ask: "Whatis learning?" ' fication."' But Reb David believed that his job was to give his taimidim the 1 The Chofetz Chaim would an- : basic tools - to teach them to be I swer by demonstration: "The [ I smaller sefer is the hava amina I clear, cogent, and true, and not to fool · (the Talmudic questioner's under- I themselves. , standing of a concept); the larger : Reb Yaakov, reminiscing about !. sefer represents the maskana (his : Reb David, recalled his incessant toil - tn spite of his inborn creative ge j answerer's grasp ofit)." And, run- ! nius - to "knead"' the text, to count 1 ning his ftngerover the protruding j I. edge of the larger sefer, he would 1. every word, to think "how it should I say, "All learning ls finding where I have read, how it could have read." the difference lies." I He lamented the decline of this ap , . Tosqfos often asks a question on ! proach today, criticizing the procliv [ a sugya, and answers it by citing a ' ity of young scholars to hypothesize : principle from another Gemora in svoros, to build conceptual castles in the sky ungrounded in the reality of 1 · Shas. When Reb Dovid would en- what the giants of the past actually 1 counter this with his talmidim, ·he i·would often dramatically cover the wrote. Interestingly. Reb Yaakov saw I text of the answer with his hand, another dimension in Reb David's 1 andask: WhatdidTusafosthinkln approach: it signaled an attitude of i his. question? You think he didn't i reverence for the Gedolei Olam and a I know the other Gemora?J You ' deep humility towards them, a recog nition of their greatness and the I think - and here he would lift his ! I hand from over the answer. - I kedusha of their every word, an atti tude which, said Reb Yaakov, was Tosqfos all of a sudden realized: I 7 One particular mark of the yeshiva to this day, i 8 ! Aha, I've found another Gemora I tied to Reb Dovid's heritage frorn the Chafetz sadly being lost in today's world. Chaim, is its tWice weekly sederon the haladws of Rabbi Binyomin Kamenetzky re i, that answers our question? i i Nol Reb Dovid would avow em- '. loshon hara, a practice instituted originally in the lates that two days after his family Yeshiva in Radin and now Widely adopted in the had arrived in North Amelica, his fa I p)latically. Tosafos must have ! yeshivas gedolos in Eretz Yi.sroeL i known that Gemora all along. ther, Reb Yaakov, sent him to New i T)lere mU5t have been another '· York to "learn by"' Reb David. He re calls writing his father, "It seemed like I pshat in that Gemora - and not i only that.it must have been a sim- I you were throwing me out of the 1 house. We had not been together in i ·pier pshat that did not require an JI 1 such a long time, and you send me 1 assumption of the principle he now, in his answer, wants to de- away right away to New York!" Reb 1 1 I rive! It's only our question in our i Yaakov responded: "If I were a rich man in Europe, I would have sent you 1 Sll9!JU here that forces Tosqfos to j' ! re.-read the other Gemora. If so. to America to Reb David. Now that I'm in America, I don't want you to i what was wrong with the. first i pshat? And the ''plot" would I miss one day!" ~ken. and th!cken_~ore. _J 8 Reb Dovid and talmidim. summer scene. • See Footnote 6 for source. 18 The Jewish Obsemer, December 1991 In those days, certainly, Reb David was disparaged. His detractors pre ferred to see young men acquire a broad sprinkling of knowledge quickly, and to focus more on the pragmatic. But he would not relent. If it took long years of hard work to for careful attention to your become a credible talmid chacham, so individual needs, call us today! be it. A talmid from that era recollects: A (914) 354-8445 young man, imbued with a zeal to bring Torah to straying American Jews, approached Reb David to enlist his aid in encouraging yeshiva stu dents to get out into the field of "out reach." Reb David wasn't responding PINCHAS MANDEL with the enthusiasm he expected. Over 40 Years Experience in Kvura in Eretz Yisrael Exasperated, he became even more •Dedicated to Kavod Haniftar with personal excited in an attempt to inspire the responsibifity throughout service Rosh Yeshiva. Finally, Reb David - •Highly recommended by Gedolai Hadar though the importance he attached to -Here and in Eretz Yisrael- harbotzas Torah was legendary - re sponded: You know, there's a lilmod 1569 - 47th Street, Brooklyn, New York 11219 (command to learn) before the Day & Night Phone (718) 851-8925 lelamed (command to teach)! Honesty - Integrity - Reliability CHES ED SHEL EMES as understood and practlC:ed by one active In ihe industry more than half a century, CREATING "MENTSCHEN": Tah'aras Haniftar Should Never Be Commercialized SLOBODKA IN PRACTICE f many did not appreciate what Reb David was bringing to The newest volume in The I America in the field of Talmudic learning, his teaching of mussar. and Holocaust Diaries, which also specifically the derech of Slobodka, includes the highly-acclaimed was even less valued. Late Shadows and They Called The tradition from Rabbi Yisroel Salanter, sainted founder of the Me Frau Anna. mussar school, stressed three com The exciting and deeply in ponents, and Reb David passed on spiring story of a young Belzer the heritage: limud ha-mussar be chassidwho survived the ghet hispaalus (a mode of impassioned study aimed at self-inspiration): tos of Poland through a chinuch ha-mussar (practical tech conbination of daring, guile niques of self-mastery); and and unshakable faith. chochmas ha-mussar (self-better ment through deepened understand ing ofTorah's values and insights into human nature). Slobodka distin guished itself in the last, and Reb David was one of the method's pre mier exponents. From Rabbi Pam's Stunning New description: "He would take a single Midrashic Holocaust P·U · B · L· I ·S·H · E·R·S thought and toy with it for an hour, Memoir! New :\Vrk •London ·Jerusalem,, analyzing it, dramatizing it... reexam ining it again and again at the risk of Dare to Survive 180 Park Avenue, Lakewood, NJ. 08701 tedium - ever fearful that the point (908) 905-3000 • Fax (908) 367-6666 is not yet fully appreciated, ever Chaim Shlomo Friedman Jn U.K. and Europe: 01-809-3723 straining to exhaust the beauty of the Jn Israel: 02-538-935 Midrash. He was particularly fond of The Jewish Observer. December 1991 19 which he viewed all phases of life. He was always aroused and hurt by the ignorance or misunderstanding of daas Torah. which he found preva- 1en t even among Orthodox and learned men. A man of fieiy convic tions about Torah Judaism, he was courageous, fearless, and militant in Reb David (r.) as a young man in expounding them. 'This accounts for 4916 13th Ave., B'kl}TI, N.Y. 1121.9 Slobodka. his equal devotion to a shmuez on (7H!)R54-29l I Reb Moshe (Reb David's brother). Aggadah as to a discourse on halacha. The first was the logic of his Midrashim relating to personality heart, as the second was the poetry traits - to middos. The incredible of his mind." FREE JEWISH CATALOGS complexity of human character was Check one or more the favolite theme of the shmuez. The Strictness and Honesty: 0 Full color catalog from the leading pub co-existence in man of divinity and A Delicate Balance lisher of English language judaica literature, for children and adults. deviltry and the simultaneous mani D How-to books and cassettes on: reading festations of both these tendencies in e would, on the one hand, in Hebrew, learning to pray, leading the a single act of man was a phenom sist on the strictest obser services. the Seder and Bar-Mitzvah prep, enon which ever intligued him." vance of halachos that were and unique educational gifts. H D The finest kosher vitamin and mineral People were not used to this kind somehow neglected, forgotten, or supplements. of Torah - and saw no use in it. minimized in importance even among 0 World's largest catalog of sheet musk. Such nuances escaped the interest of Torah Jews - even when this would cassettes and CD's-Israeli, Yiddish, Klezmer, Cantorial, Children's music, eveiyone but the talmidim who were entail delision and abuse. Yet, in his instrumental, etc. trained to see their ultimate signil\ passionate hate of deceitfulness in all To obtain your FRE.E catalogs cance. But embedded in Chaza1was forms, he refused to buy a type of CALL In NYC (718) 856-3882 more than understanding of human cholov Yisroel that appeared in his Outside NY 1-800-NEr-TAPE complexity. The proper balance of time in which the milk was watered or return this coupon with your address to: Torah's piioiities, taught Reb David, down. He declared it treif, citing JUDAIC MEDIA the delicate weighing of competing Yeshayahu Hanavfs rebuke to the 453 E. Ninth St, Suite 106, Brooklyn, NY 11218 values, and the judgment called unscrupulous: "Sov'aich mohul ba "Daas Torah," could only be based in mayim - Your drink is diluted with such careful and prolonged study. water!" And this is where he most ran into Some were of the opinion that in Material opposition and struggle. these latter generations, when Wanted Again, Rabbi Pam: "IHis Torah Yiddishkeit is so embattled, a person hashkafa] was delived from and for must "chap" - snatch for himself - all those who cherish the tified by maamorei ChazaL through any extra devout practice that has memory of the great appeal to him, regardless of his per TIO Gaon and Tzaddik, sonal level of spilituality. Doing this The Rosh Yeshiva ol "Ramailis" would serve as an extra seculity, a 11 Netzach Yisroel of Vilna, The co-existence in guarantor and preserver of his RABEINU YISROEL ZEV frumkeit. Reb David, as a son of GUSTMAN 7"p1Y1: man of divinity and Slobodka, was vehemently against a D a this approach, teaching instead that We are pleased to announce that an authoritative biography of the Rosh deviltry and the there is more seculity through mea Yeshiva iB presently being prepared by one sured, real, and internalized spirttual of his closest talm1dim co:n:nacted with the Yeshiva for more than 25 years. The book simultaneous development. The other way, he Will utilize and incorporate the persona.I experience and first-hand stories of the taught, besides leading to self-deceit writer along With those of many ta.lmidim manifestations of both and possibly stunting true growth, and close ft1ends of the Rosh Yeshiva who a.re in the best position to relate authentic can easily alter one's concept of what details ofhis life. these tendencies in a yiras Shomayim is, and understand The book iB being written by Rabbi Yehuda Lebovitz, author of "SHIDDUCHIM & ing of wherein it lies. ZIVUGIM." Anyone with items of interest single act of man was a His own son, at a certain stage of a.bout the Rosh Yeshiva 7":11 or with pertinent letters from him in their personal development, once came possession, are kindly requested to send phenomenon which ever home with a new black suit. Reb copies to: Y. LEBOvrt2, 127 Uziel St., A Apt. 2, Jerusalem, ISRAEL V intrigued him." David sent him straight back to the FELDHEIMPUBLISHERS P.i~ clothing store to return it. That had not been the dress in Slobodka, nor, 20 The Jewish Observer, December 1991 for that matter, in other Lithuanian (Incidentally, this retraction raised yeshivas. Nor was it the general dress a different issue. In Slobodka, as in of yeshiva men in America at that most Lithuanian yeshivas, wearing time. In Reb David's estimation. his beards was not encouraged. This per son was improperly investing the haps puzzling policy is worth an ar wearing of a black suit with religious ticle in itself. In any case, if electric meaning, and he would not pennit it. shavers were out, did the bachurim At the same time, he insisted that tal really have to go back to the midim from Chassidic homes, whose malodrous shaving powder previ long-enshrined traditions stressed a ously in use? Reb Dovid had no other certain mode of dress as part of their alternative for them!) religious code, must abide by those He further taught his talmidim traditions and bask in their warmth. that goodness, open-heartedness to The Details- The question was only how one re ward other people, impeccable hon Part of the Whole Picture lates internally to his outer actions. esty, and personal refinement in An earnest Jew once declared to middos were not just attributes ex e taughtjoie-de-vivre. He him: "S)elt yiras Shomayim heind - pected of a ben Torah. He taught, taught people to smile. Be fear of Heaven is sorely lacking these simply, that without them, one was H cause above all, Slobodka days." Reb David replied: "Nein. S:Jelt not a ben Torah at all. Where many talked about the world and all its fac Torah! - No. What is lacking is To needed to see life issues - yiras ets as all an expression of HaKadosh rah." He did not believe that Amert Shomayimissues - in terms of black BaruchHu's chessed. can yeshiva youth were any less sin and white, Reb David taught his stu More revealing still of his outlook cere or less y'rei Shomayim than their dents to see countless shades ofgray. is another anecdote, with a contrast Eastern European counterparts. He taught them to see a bit of good in ing slant to the story above. A woman What they needed, however. was ex the bad, and he was not afraid to once began to intone before him: posure to a pure, deep and true un point out the flaws in what was gen "Men dru.fzein frum und gud - A per derstanding of Torah and its mussar. erally perceived as good. son must be frum and good." He believed they would respond to it. And thus fortified, they would need no artificial supports. A chumra (stringency of practice) When Mrs. Weinfeld goes to could have its own validity, based on the hospital to have a baby, the the merits of the halachic arguments household is filled with excite in its favor, Reb David, as a talmid of Slobodka, taught. It might at times ment, but soon it becomes clear represent a special love for a particu that all is not well. Little Leibish lar mitzva, or serve as a personal is different; he is a "special" child. gedder of harchaka (distancing from And from that day on, evefYone's prohibited actions). Butit was not to life is changed. be a device for propping up one's self image or sense of personal religious My Special Brother is a warm, ness. deeply moving book about car· Reb David himself could, in fact, be ing, sensitivity and what can be quite a machmir - even when being accomplished with love, determi· lenient was reasonable. When elec nation and faith. tric shavers were first introduced, Reb David first paskened, as did many Gedolim, that they were per missible and did not violate the Torah's prohibition against shaving with a blade. When he later heard, A Warm and however. that his great-uncle, the Deeply Moving P·U · B · L· I·S· H· E·R·S Chafetz Chaim, had been in favor of stringency in the case of mechanical Sister's Diary New }1Jrk •London •jerusaftm_, shavers, he retracted his hetter. He 180 Park Avenue, Lakewood, NJ. 08701 told his talmidim that although he My Special Brother (908) 905-3000 • Fax (908) 367-6666 was not personally convinced by the In U.K. and Europe: 01-809-3723 Chafetz Chaim's reasoning, he would Rena Schiff In Israel: 02-518-935 rather risk error on the side of cau tion. The Jewish Obseroer. December 1991 21 "Nein," responded Reb Dovid. ' Rabbi Aryeh Schechter "Mendarfzeingutundjruml- Aper ,.., MALOHN son must be good and.frum" l:IJ MIFAL SOFER S"TAM The same exact exchange went VISITING NEW YORK?? back and forth a few times, until fl· 15584tst5t. i nally Reb Dovid exclaimed in exas . Beautiful rooms, with kitchen peration: "Der Aibeshter is gut, Jahr facilities; in heart of Boro Park Brooklyn, NY I 12 I 8 vehmen is Ehr frum? - The One by day or week. Near Shuls. e make "housecalls." Above is good; for whom is He.frum?" : take-out foods. etc Profits to Mifal Torah Vodaas. (718) 972-4003 What an eye-opener into his Torah IP. .,_,.,~.. honed view of the world! (lnciden· · Call (718) 851·2969 / - .,b:::llt> .. tally, there is an interesting parallel NO T.V,'s • here to a famous saying attributed to the Kotzker Rebbe, who also looked at the comparative melits of gutzkeit, frumkeit, and a third trait, klugschaft.) Frequently, Reb Dovid would dis cuss the mussaridea of a negiah-an ulterior. usually non-conscious mo tive behind a person's actions, a vested interest that he does not even himself acknowledge or recognize, but which often wreaks havoc with proper judgment. The interest of be ing "righteous," warned Reb Dovid In the name of Rabbi Yisroel Salanter, is the worst negiah of them all. These ideas were veiy threatening to many. Indeed those who feared what they thought was the "liberal- Each session will be led by a master machanech who will offer years of successful experience to help you become Where many needed to more effective. Guest lecturers will be invited. see life issues -yiras FOR MORAHS GRADE MODERATOR GRADE MODERATOR Shomayim issues - in PRE 1A Rabbi Volvi Guttman Sora Axelrod PRE 1A terms of black and white, 12 Rabbi Mordechai Helland Mrs. Brocha Diamond 1., 34 Rabbi Kalman Brody Mrs. Miriam Tova Reb Dovid, taught his 56 Rabbi Yisroel Meir Rubinfeld (Bressler) Leff 3·6 students to see countless 1s Rabbi Mordechai Finkelman Mrs. Aliza Berkowitz 'e 912 Rabbi Zolman Stern Mrs. Zlata Press 9.12 shades of gray. He DATE - Tuesday. Dec. 10/Jan. 7/ Monday, Dec. 16/Jan. 6/ - DATE taught them to see a bit Feb. 4/March 3 & 31 Feb. 3/March 2 & 30 PLACE - Mesivta Torah Vodaath Bois Yaakov D'Rav Meir - PLACE of good in the bad, and 425 E. 9th Street. Brooklyn. New York 85 Parkville Avenue. Brooklyn, New York he was not afraid to TIME - 8 00-9:30 p.m. 8:00-9:30 p.m. - TIME Registration fee $25 point out the flaws in 01112) )1itr;Jit7 T;Ji!) what was generally Center for Teacher Training For more information please call in the evenings Rabbi Yehudah Rupp 718-853-5111 perceived as good. 22 The Jewish Obseroer. December 1991 Group ofmusmachim. In center, seated: Rabbi Pinchas Scheinberg (l.) and Reb David (r.). 81.llU>ING FUND OF TJn: RABBI ISRAEL MEYER HACOHEN RABBINICAL SEMINARY OF AMERICA """"""'"""'""'"""'°".°"·'illj~ [13_~-~~~--9th,S-~Ht'..~~kl~,-~. _Y_. ~ The Williamsburg. Brooklyn Years: The Yeshiva Building on South 9th St. Vining Room. ism" of this Slobodka approach (it was really just one side of the delicate Awoman's poignant search Daas Torah balance scale) were cor rect in their own way. For these for the elusive details of her teachings, even Reb Dovid would past leads her around the globe agree, could be tenibly misused in in an exhaustive investigation the hands of someone who selected them in isolation, not buying the of train crashes. Ruth Ben whole package: long-term learning, jamin draws on her experience long-term mussar, long-term tutelage as a clinical psychologist in under a rebbe and a mesorah. Johannesburg, South Africa, But that was the greatness of Reb David, and his whole message. He to make On a Golden Chain a would not abandon any part of his fascinating and suspenseful mesorah from his rebbeim.. He would drama. Moving, exciting, in not sacrtfice the ideal of gadlus on the altar offears that he considered shal spiring. low, or accept what he considered ar tifice, in the name ofTorahfrumkeit. He would not forsake the mission of teaching Torah-based judgment and balance, the aim of developing big A New Novel! people - Torah mentschen - merely because some would not understand A New Autlior! P·U·B· L· I·S·H·E·R:S his approach. He had full belief and Nnv York •Lol1drm ·]ertJft1km.., On a Golden Chain 180 Park Avenue, Lakewood, NJ. 08701 HATZOLOH (908) 905-3000 • Fax (908) 367-6666 Ruth Benjamin In U.K. and Europe: 01-809-3723 (718) EV7-1750 In Israel: 02-538-935 The Jewish Obseroer, December 1991 23 confidence in his mesorah, and he Beyond !he love and !he dedication rah - what a distinguished calling believed American boys could absorb he showed them, he had a distinct card that was for (his] house on Tay its full teaching. And he himself was philosophy of chinuch. While yet in lor Street." !he rebbe par excellence. Slobodka, he had adjured his col That house knew no privacy. leagues: A talmid must not be a copy There was no facade, no airs about DEVEWPING TALMIDIM: of his rebbe in personal demeanor nor Reb Dovid. He showed his talmidim THE MISSION OF AREBBE be a parrot of his rebbe in Torah everything - because Torah must study; he must grow and develop his show how to relate to every facet of n 1933, to pursue his singularvi own unique strengihs, and learn to life! "Gadol shimusha yoseir mi sion, Reb David founded Yeshiva think on his own, under !he guidance limuda." The talmidim were accus I Rabbenu Yisroel Meir HaCohen ofa rebbe. tomed to seeing !heir rebbe beaming, in !he Williamsburg section of Brook He would say, "If you shake your while profusely sweating, as he rel lyn. named for his great uncle, the head in immediate approval of a ished !he combat of a sugya. They Chafetz Chaim, who had passed svom !hat I offer, !hen I am sure you knew !hat nothing else in !he world away that year. 9 did not grasp what! meant. Not until mattered to him but the pursuit of "Singlehandedly he organized !he you resist and challenge me will you gadlus baTomh. Yeshiva," wrote Rabbi Pam, "and car begin to see a deeper point." Yet they also saw him delight in ried its burdens unaided ... Rosh Ye Respect for !he talmid's point of conversation about any and every shiva, Mashgiach, Secretary, Man view - hearing him out carefully, topic, always interweaving maamorei ager, Superintendent were rolled into grappling wiih his questions, point Chazal to illuminate !he subject. He one. Everything from delivering a ing out his errors, approving his cor would take his students to rabbinical shiur to writing out a receipt for a do rect assumptions - was a key ele conventions and analyze the delib nation, from supervising !he learning ment of Reb Dovid's pedagogy, boih erations going on behind !he scenes. to attending to !he plumbing became in matters of technical learning and He would sing niggunim for them, !he work ofone man .... " questions ofTorah hashkafa. unabashedly giving expression to !he The talmidim reciprocated !he de But respect for !he ta/mid, particu "profound lyricism of his soul," as votion. "As the struggle for survival larly on a person-to-person level, was Rabbi Pam described it; and he would increased, students and rebbe were not just an educational strategy. It tell !hem stories about European To drawn ever closer. His home became was part of his being. It was part of rah life. One talmid's permanent im in effect an annex to the yeshiva. It Slobodka. age of Reb David is in his pajamas, was all one greatly devoted family 'There was a magnetism about his coming down to talk to him late at headed by !he beloved faiher, confi personality !hat attracted, a warmih night when he had come by on a per dential friend, revered rebbe.... " and genuineness !hat made everyone sonal matter. Another remembers What was Reb David's "secret" as feel so much at home. No student, him on a walk, stopping to see how a a rebbe in creating such close dis however young, was ever addressed man changed a tire. ciples? as 'du' [the familiar, belittling form of They saw his zeal for harbotzas 'you'] and none ever reproached or haTorah, and basked in his appre 9 See Footnote 6. frowned upon. They were all bneiTo- ciation of their accomplishments. Once, a talmid returned from a trip in which he had delivered a - Slobodka-style dvar Torah to an - [i] American audience. Reb David ea RESERVE NOW gerly listened to what his student had said, and how the listeners had FOR WINTER reacted, and exclaimed: "Oysh! If I (~ITOL WEEKENDS only could speak English!" tt46TEL + MOTEL They saw the aristocracy of his soul, as he endured all sort of attack LAKEWOOD, NEW JERSEY , , , ,, , , with dignity and calm. They saw his Mawson Avenue; Comer of 7th Street GLATT KOSHER bitachon as he refused to retreat on his principles in the battle l'shem WEEKEND BAR MITZVAHS CHOLOV Y/SROEL Shomayim. SHEVABRDCHOSISHABBATONSJSEMINARS Under Strict And they saw all this take its toll on him as his heart began to give way Rabbinical and his healih deteriorate. "l turned (201) 363-5000 Supervision of away and cried," remembers a talmid Vaad HaKashrus describing the scene as Reb David 1-800 CAPITOL [227-4865} was carried up the stairs to deliver his Only 15 Minutes from Great Adventure of Lakewood shiur during his periods home from !he hospital - a practice his doctors 24 The Jewish Observer, December 199! The final book of the trilogy has arrived! Making It Last (q} (p) Ruthie Pearlman deemed as essential for his mental (n) The Yeshiva Chofetz Chaim in Sanhedria well-being. Murchevet. Jerusalem. In this vibrant and often After two years of illness, Reb (o) The current building in Forest Hills, N. Y. hilarious book, Rifki David died at the age of 52. "In his (p) Shiur in Beis Midrash, Forest Hills. death," wrote Rabbi Pam, 'Torah Ju Goldberg struggles with the daism itself has lost a favorite son." (q) Beis Midrash scene, Jerusalem. dilemmas and conflicts in But his vision lives on. His confi her life until she discovers dence that Torah could be built in her true priorities. We have America was vindicated in the work of those who came after him. His SINGLE &: DOUBLE already seen Rifki "work it mesorah has been canied on by his BREASTED MEN'S SUITS out" and "get it right," and ta!midim and their ta!midim, who now we watch fascinated as have in turn brought the light of To rah to countless numbers of Jews SILBIGER'S she "makes it last." throughout the world. And the ye shiva he founded - now located in • Slaclls • All Wool Coats Forest Hills, New York - has for the last fifty years under the leadership of • Rainwear •Sports Jacllets his son, Rabbi Henach Leibowitz, in culcated thousands of ta!midim with SALE RACKS his Torah. his teachings and his i FOR charge. ' BIG BARGAINS In the ambulance for his final trip to the hospital, Reb David told the tal 1769s1 St., Brooklyn. NY P·U·B·L· I·S·H· E·R·S midim with him which chapters of (718)854·1196 New :\Vrk • London •Jerusaftm_, TehU!im to recite on his behalf. The Daily 11:00 A.M.-9:00 PM. last words on his lips symbolized the or by appointment 180 Park Avenue, Lakewood, NJ. 08701 message he had lived for. 'These were {908) 905-3000 • Fax (908) 367-0666 the instructions of my rebbe," he said. In U.K. and Europe: 01-809-3723 In Israel: 02-538-935 "My rebbe, the Alter of Slobodka.... " Silbiger Suits You Best Yehi zichro baruch. • 25 The Jewish Obseroer. December 1991 We live in tumultuous times. However, the more you understand uilw you are, where you come from, where you are going, and what you are surrounded by-the clearer you are in your thinking-the more you can overcome all obstacles. Thus, there is nothing more powerful than clarity. It is the most crucial tool for survival today. And whether it ~ marital gloom, money-related anxiety, or any other of the social il~ afflicting us today, .;,; .... the books of Rabbi Ezriel Tauber :.>:·;'.!:.;.:·!';;:~. I arm you with the clarity to ·T'.ff~' overcome and prosper. · DAYS ARE COMING T-h>:~ )\H'i:l:\<-~)U!f.~X'. I SHALL NOT WANT $tt~"!~f~~' : Inner peace should not be ~~!!i::T4: dependent upon economic upturns rt1 ·v;;i~~l~f.~:W#fti(- -. and downturns. I Sholl Not Want helps you tap into the well of inner peace and faith you need to thrive in the workplace. New Revised Edition. S.C. $7.95, H.C. $10.95. Bach title is written for two people: those with extensive Torah knowledge and those without. Each speaks to one heart: the Jewish heart. Order direct from SHALHEVES. Add $2 for all shipping & handling. P.O.B. 361, Mon>ey, NY 10952 • (914) 356-3515 Wholesale distribution by FELDHEIM PUBLISHERS RabbiA. Sheinman THE ''Jkc/'' THAT IS ISRAEL, THE THAT'Yo//" WAS GREECE I. A GRATITUDE BEYOND ence is common in the Midrash. usu "le'hodos ule0 hallef'- to give hoda'a "llAI.;lEL" ally the various allusions have some and Hallel (as we say at the conclu sort of inner connectio11. For ex sion of the "Al Hanissim," which is "The mandrakes have released ample, the Midrash will at times added to the Shemoneh Esrei and their scent, and at our doorsteps are present a series of pesukim as allud BirkasHamazononChanuka). What to befound delicacies" !Shir Hashirim ing to the three Patriarchs. to a series is the nature of hoda'a, and what 7, 15). of connected historical episodes, and does it add to Haller? so on. However, the two events, Among the various expressions in he Midrash1 interprets this Chanuka and Reuvain's attempt to Hebrew denoting beauty. two are es verse in a surprising manner: save Yoseif, do not seem to be con pecially noteworthy: yo.ft, which is the T The "mandrakes" refers to nected in any way. (It is noteworthy, primary expression for beauty, and Reuvain. The "releasing a scent" al however, that Chanuka usually oc hod, which implies a beauty that is ludes to his heroic act of savingYoself curs during the week that follows the majestic and awesome, arousing from his brothers' designs to kill him, reading of Parshas Vayeishev. which some sort of fear. 2 by depositing him into the pit; and recounts Reuvain's intervention on This concept is rather difficult; are "the delicacies" on the "the doorsteps" behalf ofYoseif.) beauty and fear actually compatible? is a reference to ... Chanuka [i.e., since Another fascinating point about One usually thinks of beauty as ex the menorah is placed on the door Chanuka may help us understand erting an attraction while, by con step]. While this type of veiled refer- this cryptic Midrash. All Yam Tovim trast, fear tends to repel a person involve the recitation of HaUel, which away. Further, "hod:' would seem to 1 This Midrash is cited in tl~lj7T M11'V and CJ'l'IT'1trr1VV'11:I"T, amongst other sejbrtm it was sub is a song of praise of Hashem as well be linked to hoda'a, an expression of sequently included in a collection known as as a recognition that the festival com gratitude as well as a term that im i1N'7!l 'l!r1'Tl'J. Some cite the 'l:nN1 "lp?' as the memorates an event recognizable as plies admission of guilt. How is source, but I have not found it in the current edi His doing. Even Purim- according to hoda'a connected with beauty? tions of the sefer. those opinions that it is considered ~While hod is customatilytranslated as "glory," the Rabbi A. Sheinman, who studies in a Kolle! in halachicailyworthy ofHallel- has the Jerusalem, is a frequent contributor to these Metzudos Tzion repeatedly explains it as "a type of pages, most recently, with "'The Remembrance of equivalent of a Ha!lel of its own in the beauty." See also the Commentary of the Vilna Rosh Hashana, ~ which appeared in The Jewish reading of the Megilla. Chanuka, Gaon to Divrei Hayomim I: 29, 11. as well as Rashi Observer of Sept. '9 l . however, has an added facet: to Yirmiyahu 22. 18. The Jewish Observer. December 1991 27 ll. A MATTER OF CONSISTENT It is in the relationship between the exposition of that which it contains. BEAUTY exterior and the interior that we en In fact, visual attraction invites the counter the concept of beauty. True viewer to enter and drink deeply ofits he essential difference be beauty is present when the packag spiritual content. tween the two terms. hod 3 ing of an object directs us towards its c.) There is a third possibility in T and yo.Ji, lies in how the sur content. which is similar to the exte this relationship. Sometimes, we face attraction in each case relates to rior, as when the outer attraction of a sense that the value of the inside of the inner nature of the object. Let us luscious fruit proclaims: "Eat me. I a vessel by far exceeds the outside explain: am tasty." By contrast. the cactus packaging. It is as though the bag The world was created on two and the desert are both fonnidable in is straining to hold its contents; it is separate planes- the material, which appearance and seem to shout, "Stay simply bulging. its seams coming is tangible, and the spiritual, which away." In their case, the surface is apart. This overflowing abundance 4 can not be perceived. One might say also consistent with the substance • of substance is also a type of beauty, that the world is of spiritual essence, There are three possible variations called hod. It is a case of the exte cloaked with a material exterior to in this relationship between surface rior message being overwhelmed by which the spiritual gives life and sub appeal and substance: the interior, bowing to its weight, as stance. The ten utterances of G-d a.) If the outward appearance is it were. In the first case. the exte (asara maamaros) with which He cre more appealing than the interior war rior dominates over the interior; in ated the world (see Avos V:l) manifest rants, this is called a yojiof shekeror the second, it is commensurate to themselves in the resultant creation. hevel- false or hollow beauty. The the interior; in the third. the exterior His spoken word is the spiritual core attractive surface makes a positive is succumbing to the interior. Thus of the tangible world. As Dovid statement that has no backing; it is a the term hod is closely associated Hamelechsaid, "Forever, 0 G-d, Your misleading advertisement. with hoda'a- admission (see "Anna word stands firm in the heavens" b.) If the packaging is a true reflec Hashem-I Beseech You, 0 G-d .. .," (Tehillim 119, 89). Similarly, the es tion of the inner content, then we by this author. in The Jewish Ob· sence of man is his divine soul, which have yo.fl in the true sense of the server, Sept. '88). The exterior yields resides in a physical body and ani word. It is a positive attribute. for it to the interior and demonstrates the mates it. This interplay of surface attracts people to something that is inadequacy of the body to convey and substance was also present in beneficial for them. the richness of the spirit. Ulti the vessels in the Mishkan, which in For instance, the Beis Hamikdash mately. the packaging does portray the main were fashioned out of wood, is described as Yefei Nof, for the ma- the content by projecting its own in coated with gold. jestic exterior of the Temple is a true ability to contain it. 4 An example of this type of hod is • Rabbi Yishmael attrtbutes ~beauty" to a woman Moshe Rabbeinu's karnei hod- the 3 This explanation of hod ts based on a discussion whose name ~ Lachluchis" (repulsive) aptly de by Rabbi Yitzchok Hutner?"Yl in Pachad Yltzchok scribes her deformed appearance, because this glorious rays oflight that graced him that explores the profound relationship between consistency actually is the hallmark of yofi Her when he descended from Sinai to re ilnand i1il. husband thus agrees not to leave her. (See Nedruim turn to Kial Yisroel These karnei hod 66b.J • The music will move you ... • The niggunim will inspire you ... •You'll be playing this tape over and over again! CHECK IT OUT!!! At your local Judaica store Or Call The Kol Yaakov Orchestra for more information at 718-868-1800 28 The Jewish Observer, December 1991 True beauty is present Understanding Judaism. when the packaging of It's Fundamental. an object directs us RABBI towards its content, YAAKOVWEINBERG Fundamentals FUNDAMENTALS which is similar to the 1Ns1c;1ns and FAITH and Faith l\ff() THE i ...... Bilha and Zilpa, were each comple Join talmidim from Atlanta, Joston, Chicago, Cleveland, Den- mentary to her respective mistress.) ver, Detroit, HarHord, Jerusalem,· Los Ang~t~, Memphis, Mil- Just as the Patriarchs each contrib waukee, Mc;mtreal, $realer New Ycrk City, Pl!iladelpl!ia, San uted a unique facet to Israel, so too Diego, South Bend, $1. Louis qnd Toronto pt o Ye$hivo l'flgh was each of these Matriarchs a dis !jchool which stresses excellence,. individual achievement . tinct pillar of character strength in the development of Kial Yisroel; the total development the Talrnid. · . ond . of . . . THE YESHIVA GEDOLAH • Rachel is described as yefas to'ar- beautiful in appearance. Her AND MESIVTA OF MILWAUKEE outer grace conveyed her inner spiri tual beauty. Leah is described only (The Wisconsin Institute for Torah Study - WITS) in terms of her eyes. Now, the eyes have been called the window to a person"s soul; Leah's beauty lay in her internal qualities, which radiated The Yeshiva, entering its second decade, offers: outward, through her eyes, notwifft • an intensive, comprehensive learning experience with shiurim in Iyun and standing her external visage. By ap pearances, she was meant to be for Bekiyus Eisav; yet It was she (along with Zilpa) • special emphasis on mussar, midas and character development that bore the vast majority of the • special rapport between Rilbbeim and Talmidim Tribes. •fully accredited General Studies Program, maintaining standards of educa- Yoseif is the child that Rachel right tional excellence fully deserves; when naming him, she • close relationships with Yeshiva Gedolah students, including night seder proclaims "Asaf- he has gathered in learning bechavrusa my shame [for being childness until •fully supervised dormitory now]'"-(Bereishis 30, 23). Yehuda, • a strong Yeshiva atmosphere Leah's fourth child is more than her • a self-contained six acre campus affording the ideal physical setting lot (one fourth of the twelve tribes • appropriate extra-curricular recreational activities would be three) and thus his name becomes Yehuda: his very essence • a caring, nurturing environment promoting the development of each talmid was hoda'a, declaring that she Is ben • class size limited to insure individual success efiting from G-d in a measure far, far Registration open only for entering ninth and tenth graders. To insure beyond what she justly deserves. The proper consideration for your son, we recommend that you apply early. vessel- Leah- overflows .... For application and further information contact: • This distinction was evident In The Wisconsin Institute for Torah Study the Matriarchs' offspring as well: 3288 N. Lake Drive • Milwaukee, WI 53211 ·· • (414) 963-9317 Rachel's son Yoseifis also described as being endowed with yofi while An Affiliate of th111 Yeshiva ChQfetz Chaim of for111st Hiiis . .·· Leah's son Yehuda is associated with hoda'a, both in name and in 30 The Jewish Obseroer. December 1991 action (see Bereishis 38. 26, in his ! IV. THE HEADY SCENT The firstborn Reuvain acquiesced to public confession regarding Tamar). OF SELF SACRIFICE Yoseif, thereby eventually granting to Rachel's descendant is Shaul. the him bechora, the lights of the first king whose stature of being "head et us return to the "scent of born. Can one Imagine a greater act and shoulders above all the nation" the mandrakes": Reuvain. of overcoming one's self-interest than reflected his majestic bearing. L the eldest of Leah's children. granting life, and ultimately leader Leah's descendant was David who is is the heir apparent to Yaakov, and it ship, to his rival? Indeed. we are described as Yishai's "small son"; was Yoseif who seemed bent on overwhelmed by the scent of the only G-d, who peers into one's usurping this birthrtght from him. duda'im. the mandrakes that sym heart, could single him out for lead (Incidentally, the episode of the man bolize hod. ership. drakes is another example of hod: Let us tum the clock forward to One can use the contrasting terms Reuvain had given the mandrakes to over a millennium later: Yavan is the of yo.ft and hod in descrtbing how a his mother as a gift. These were dominant force of the world. Its root person's conduct achieves- or fails to meant to be instrumental in produc lies in yo.ft- not the yo.ft of a Yoseif achieve- consistency with his inner ing another trtbe. They were- when Hatzaddik, to be sure, nor even the status. For example, a tzaddik Leah gave them away to Rachel, yo.ft that finds direction and fulfill gamur. a fully rtghteous person who yielding the blossoms that were hers, ment in the Tents of Shem. in keep never sinned, is the epitome of yo.ft. Leah conceived an additional child!) ing with the blessings of Noach .... His outward actions are a genuine The struggle between Yoseif and his Only the hollow yo.ft achieved by the portrayal of a body in step with the brothers came to a head when on secular observer of the universe. 'The instructions of his neshama. In this seemingly proper halachic grounds, world contains only that which re vein, Chazal (the Rabbis of the Tal he was condemned to death. It was veals itself," was the substance of mud) tell us that the features of a sin at this point that the hod of Leah's their Weltanschauung. If one fully ner become distorted; his prtstine yo.ft children burst forth. Reuvain pro understands the phenomena of the is lost. tected Yoseif. and Yehuda finalized universe, they maintained, one un On the other hand, we have the the process of saving their rtval by derstands all; that which is out of baal teshuva. While his "counte proposing that he be sold as a slave. sight and beyond one's range of ob- nance" is flawed and disfigured (see Yeshayahu 53) from his burden of sin, there is something within him 1 struggling to artse above his current : , IH."7 N:!!l status, and in his struggle to repent, a special inner force is reaching for self-enhancement. On a deeper level. one can say that the baa! teshuva is endowed with hod. Indeed, the Gernora tells of Rabbi Nassan dTzutzita, a great :ii1n;1 ';>y 0",017' l11J1'l01 l111l1:i baal teshuva, who was crowned with l11::11v:i l11'lt'10 '07 O'i110;, a halo- his own karnei hod, as it were. i1iin '1Z.n~in i1iV~n 73.' Thus Yoseif is the personification of the tzaddik (he is in fact called "Yoseif Hatzaddik," unlike anyone else in Scripture) for he is distin guished by having overcome tempta • tion, never to sin. Yo.ft is his domain. Yehuda, on the other hand, suc 7 11 T '1TY7?\ r:l1?\1 i1'!Vi.) Cl"M :J1i1 cumbs, and in his struggle for teshuva, his hod becomes manifest. c"n ,~,,, C'p'm nlV?IV~ C"n m7'ol.l ,c"n '''JIV i~o iJnl.l There we have it: yo.ft is untainted ?xilV' ?IV 1i1xr.i nx IVl.llV? ;i~1 i1y1 ,;iix1~r.i;i ;ip11J1?0 nJ'IV' 'P'n111.l beauty- the hallmark of the tzaddik, mimr.i ;ip1Vr.i1 n?11 ,n";i7~1 ;ip11J1?or.i xJon who has never blemished himself with sin. This is the attrtbute of Rachel and her son Yoseif. And then • we have the majesty of hod, which AVAILABLE SEPARATELY ALSO: $10 each vol. - $55 set of six vols. belongs to the baal teshuva, who in his struggle with his shortcomings reveals a facet of personality far greater than was ever apparent. 171.e Jewish Observer. December 1991 31 servation simply does not exist. Not person achieves more than his ap tations. The ultimate in hoda'a so with Kial YisroeL Our belief is that parent potential. As long as a person confessing to one's own limitations the world, as revealed, merely potnts does mitzvos within the framework of reveals the majesty of hod- that he the way to the world that is hidden his own existence, respecting his limi can link up with something even from our view, beyond the reach of tations, he can bring his fine traits to greater than himself. our senses. For the person who is full fruition, but not more than that. Thus on every Yam Tov, when we discerning, the world reveals much He performs great deeds but they do celebrate G-d's Hashgacha (Provi more than is apparent at first glance. not carry him beyond his potential. dence), wereciteHallel OnChanuka, Thus Yavanrestricts the world to yo.ft, When a person is willing to put his life however, our hoda'a precedes HalleL and a shallow yo.ft, at that, while Is on the line for the sake of Torah and These are days dedicated to le'hodos rael opens its eyes to the hod that lies mitzvos, however, he demonstrates ule'hallel- first hDd, then HalleL deeply within. that there is a world of Torah and The miracle of Purim was recorded It is only fitting, then, that mesiras G-dliness that far exceeds his own in Tanach. When something has nejesh be celebrated on these days of narrow confines. He outgrasps his been written, to that extent is its con Chanuka, for mesiras nefesh is the reach, as it were, and declares a tent "recorded." By contrast, Chanu avoda of hod- the way in which a praise that exceeds his apparent limi- ka is a Yam Tov that is not recorded- The Commuter's Chavrusah Learn Sh'mos with Rabbi Yissocher Frand, Magid Shiur, Ner Israel Yeshiva Turn your commute ff me into leorning ff me. You'll explore losdnating Halachic issues in the latest series al tapes !ram Rabbi Frond's popular weel Sh' mos/Series IV o No. 176 • Sh'mos-Shalosh Seudos in Shuls: Is There a Problem? o No. 177 • Va'eyra-Magic Shows: More Than Meets the Eye o No. 178 • Bo-Tefillin and Long Hair O No. 179 • B'shalach-Female Vocalists: The Problem of Kol lsha O No. 180 • Yisro-lhe Mitzvah of Kiddush for Men and Women O No. 181 • Mishpafim-Medicine, Shabbos, and the Non-Jew O No. 182 • T'rumah-Davening Towards Mizrach O No. 183 • TI!zaveh-Candle Lighting on Friday Night O No. 184 • Ki Sisa-You and the Seriously 111: How Much of a Responsibility? O No. 185 • Vayakhel/Pikudei-lhe Melacha of Writing TO ORDER send $7 per tape (indude ~~-~~------~--~A 32 7he Jewish Obseroer. December 1991 neither in Scripture nor in Mishn In Families, etc., the PLEASE HELP engrossing sequel to All Because of Raizy, A boy of a family of 10 souls Penina and Terry are older was hit by a truck. Shomer and must confront Shabbos driver was not in greater challenges and sured. Boy lost speech, is in responsibilities in their family wheel chair, mother depressed. lives-and it isn't easy. Need is great. Kindly issue tax deductible check to Bikur With a sense of humor and Cholim Inc. and mail to: a fluid writing style, Mrs. Elias has crafted another RABBI AVROHOM BLUMENKRANTZ perceptive story-about 814 Caffrey Ave. family concerns, and Far Rockaway, N.Y. 11691 loyalties, and of accepting people for what they are. 33 Vicki Krausz Jewish Kids / Up For Grabs "'j~,-•· IT BEGAN WITH NElll K. several perfect Jewish homes lined how our lives are guided by Hashem up for Nelli. All we needed was the in mysterious ways. As our lives nder a questioning headline, hospital's cooperation. We, therefore, move on from tragedy, from Joss, a "Who Best to Care For a contacted Agudath Israel of Ameiica, new task sometimes evolves, an U Child, Body and Soul," The whose general counsel, Mr. Chaim added mitzva. A seemtngly negative New York Times ran an article in July David Zwiebel, fired off a letter to the experience can become a catalyst for about a Jewish girl. NelliK., who was hospital, threatening legal action. a positive outcome. From death almost adopted by a Roman Catholic Rather than factng such a risk, New sometimes life blooms forth. When I couple. Almost adopted- but not York Foundling approved Nelli's was expecting my third child, I suf adopted, Baruch Hashem because placement with a Jewish couple. fered a miscarriage. All parents know the Jewish Children's Adoption Net work (JCANJ was aware of this Jew ish child's existence and was in Agency after agency found some reason not to give formed that she was going to be placed tn a non-Jewish home. us a child: We were too old, too distraught, too Re-assigning Nelli to a Jewish home was not simply a matter ofjust young, too rich, too poor. The excuses never ended. betng aware she existed. Nelli was a ward ofThe New York Foundling Hos Most Jewish couples who attempt to adopt will pital, a foundation run directly by the Archdiocese. She was listed tn the probably run head-on into the same walls we did. Blue Book, the state's register ofchil dren avatlable for adoption, without any mention of her religion. The non Nelli K. has a major zechus tn be the joy and anticipation for each Jewish couple saw Nelli's picture and ing a "media" child, the child who awaited child. They can perhaps chose her with no idea of her brought the focus on a major problem fathom, then, how my husband, Jewishness. They called the hospital across the country. Every day there Steve, and I were totally devastated by and were told they would be able to are Jewish children being placed in our loss. adopt Nelli. non-Jewish homes. But that did not G-d had seen fit not to give us an It was at that potnt that the JCAN become general public knowledge un additional biological child, but He did was informed about Nelli and her pro til major newspapers did an article on have another child in mind for us. posed placement. Not only did we (at the Nelli K. story, until she was fea Because of our loss, we resolved to JCAN) feel it was morally wrong for tured on Gabe Pressman's show, and adopt a child. Our commitment to Nelli to go to a non-Jewish home, we until the non-Jewish couple filed suit adopt was so strong, we were willing knew it was illegal. New York State over their not getting custody of her. to take any child, healthy or other adoption law states that, where prac wise. Such a couple should be a boon ticable, a child should be placed in a A COMMITMENT for adoption agencies, we naively home of the same faith. BORN OF TRAGEDY reckoned. However, agency after At first, our urging that Nelli be agency found some reason not to give placed in a Jewish home fell on deaf ooking back today at the road us a child: We were too old, too dis ears. We already had the choice of we traveled, to bring us to traught, too young, too rich, too poor. L formtng JCAN and being con The excuses never ended. Mrs. Krausz, of Denver, is the founder and direc~ tacted about children such as Nelli, it Most Jewish couples who attempt tor of the Jewish Children's Adoption Network. becomes more apparent than ever to adopt will probably run head-on The Jewish Observer, December 1991 35 into the same walls we did. They too And to the social service department, Elisheva was legally recognized as our will start believing the myth that there Judaism was not an issue. To them, daughter. are no Jewish children up for adop Elisheva's Jewishness was a minor tion. The various agencies and social detail, like the color of her hair. LEARNING THROUGH NECESSITY service departments almost had us To us, Elisheva was our daughter, convinced. Finally, G-d sent us a and we would not Jet her be taken otng through those long and present, and a lesson - a little Jew hard months, I came to ish girl. G know the lntricacies ofadop Elisheva was a four-month-old IElisheva is a Jewish tion practices. I came to recogni7,e the ward of a local county social service blatant anti-semitism often apparent department. Elisheva was placed ln child. We are Jewish. tn placements. And I came to realize our care, but ours was not the first there was no agency fighting for these home she had been ln. Before belng Logic would dictate she Jewish children as Jews. placed with us, Elisheva had been When a problem is so pressing, bounced around between five families stay with us. Social there is no time to sit and discuss - the most recent one, a Mormon whether or not it will be easy to solve. family. service departments do You just get hurtled tnto action. The To us, Elisheva seemed part and problems we had encountered threw parcel of our family as soon as she not operate on us unprepared tnto a fight for Jewish entered our door. Accordtng to state children across the country, giving law she still was a ward of the social conventional logic. birth to the Jewish Children's Adop service departrment, to "dispose" of tion Network (JCAN). as it saw fit .... The department soon We got started with nothlng more saw fit to by plactng her with a Chris away. She was born Jewish, and no than a phone, some pens, a slack of tian couple. one had a light to deny her her heli paper, and a large measure of expeli Elisheva is a Jewish child. We are tage. Like a mother lion defending ence from our own case. We knew Jewish. Logic would dictate she stay her cubs, I knew I would fight for this there was a need, but had no idea with us. Social service departments child. The matter went to court, and how much of a need. Our phones do not operate on conventional logic. after a nineteen-month battle, were swamped by people willing to 1he Sch111erlin_g difference .•• CholovYlsraefandquali'1 in Swiss chocolate. Sduttt:rlimi Dl)1Rl8UHDB\'1AAM TOVfOODPROO\JCTS. BROOKl \IN. N,Y. 1!22J 36 The Jewish Obseroer, December 1991 adopt, by social workers who were about to place Jewish children, and (tragically) by parents who wanted to "MY CLIENTS ARE AMAZED give their children up for adoption. The overwhelming majority of these AT THE SERVICE ANO children were special-needs children. SAVINGS ON THEIR A special-needs child can mean INSURANCE-BUSINESS INSURANCE anything, from hyper-active to men OR PERSONAL" One Blue Hill Plaza. Sulte 1024 tally retarded, from an abused child Peor1 Rivet. NY 10965 to an older child. Each child comes /RV/NB SAFRIN Tel' (914) 620-1800 to us with his own problems, each with his own stoiy of tragedy. As I heard each case, my heart cried for a THE YITTI LEIBEL world going out of control. We had to place a few drug-addicted babies and a number of abused children ... inno HELPLINE cent children wounded and scarred A Free Service of the Yitti Leibel Chesed Fund by an irrational society! No problem is too big ••• No problem is too small••• There are other cases that make me shudder at how the value of each ..• .ls there some terrible thing happening in your family that you are afraid Jewish child is simply not appreci or ashamed to tell anyone?? ated. We had a father who wanted to .... Are you a. teen-ager or y0ung adult having problems ihat are give up his 6year-old son because he too difficult for you to. handle?? ....Are you single or married, and experiencing personal or inter-personal didn't speak.... One couple did not conflicts?? want to take their baby home from .... Are you a parent or grandparent suffering from stress?? the hospital because he did not have ,,.. Are you simply confronted with a situation that requires you to find an muscle power in the lower half of his objective listener?? face .... We have children being put up Some of the Torah community's highly skilled therapists are available to for placement because they are talk to you on the phone, with total anonymity. Many people have already hyper-active or learning disabled. We been helped by them - they want to help you as well! all understand and sympathize with parents who give up severely disabled H o 0 6 U o R 6 S Daytim" Monday thru Friday s,oo AM· 12,00 Noon children because of their inability to Sunday 9,00 AM-12,00 Noon cope with them. In some cases, it is Ev~gs: Mort""f thru Thursday s,oo PM· l 1'00 PM Snnd:ni 9,00 PM ·11'00 PM easy to understand why children are being placed for adoption. In other Dial (718)HELP-NOW (435-7669) cases, however, it is veiy difficult to In NJ. call (908) 363-1010 This. project has been approved by lead.Ulg Torah authoriti!!!I relate to relinquishing a child be For tapes ofpast !(fnusim contact Mm Berl at,(7181 '435_~5793 cause of minor problems. Where does tWs phenomenon of disregard of eveiy child's value come from? The question echoes around and around o'{n Ideal Storybook in our hearts, without an answer. (When first contacted about children, For Young Readers we try to have the biological parents rethink the issue. We urge them to go for counseling, to get help from Based upon the parables of the various support groups, and to try Dubno Maggid, this is a set of original and work with the child.) stories-delightfully told-and full of eternal lessons. THE WAY THE SOCIAL SERVICES OPERATE The Blind Thief is entertaining yet instructive, and full of w0nderful cross the country, there are few laws to protect Jewish illustrations-ideal for parents, A children. In several states, teachers, and children of all ages. such as New York and Massachu H.C. $11.95 P.B. $8.95 setts, there are limited laws on the books that say, when "practicable," children should be placed in a home The Jewish Obseroer. December 1991 37 of the same faith as them. In New even be Jewish on our forms"), he ment's even acknowledging. not to York and Massachusetts these laws picked out children with obviously mention discussing. specific cases often go ignored. Jewish last names. His count was that are opened in this office. 'There Social service departments operate 1.500! And that social service depart fore, your inquiries of Department under a "confidentiality" clause. They ment will tell you that they have no staff. and the inquiries ofothers wlw, do not have to tell anyone anything Jewish children up for adoption. we are told, have been encouraged by about the children they place. This In Massachusetts. where the law is you to caU the Department of Social makes it close to impossible to moni on our side. we were informed that Services. will not be responded to." tor where Jewish children are being three Jewish children had been We called the executive office and placed and how many Jewish chil placed in non-Jewish homes. An complained. In response we received a dren are in the adoption/foster care ask= (community activist) in Massa letter stating that Jewish children system. A religious social worker in chusetts contacted the local social should be placed in Jewish homes. a large Western state had access to services and requested the children However, the letter then went on to say. the files, and just to get an idea of the be placed in Jewish homes. To quote "Because of the various statutes number of Jewish children who are their response: and privacy interests that are in wards of the state, he went through "Please be advised that the Depart volved, I am not at Uberiy to discuss all the files. Since he had no way of ment considers your office's involve W1yparticularchildorW1yparticular knowing who was Jewish or not (as ment in this matter to be inappropri foster care placement." one social worker told me. "You can't ate. Stale laws preclude the Depart- Fortunately, in this case, we were able to contact the biological mother, the children's lawyer and the judge in the case. The matter went to court and the judge ruled that a Jewish home must be found for the children. Most often we are not so lucky. After a stone-wall response based on "con fidentiality," we have no way of help ing the children. We have no way to YESHIVA Z!CHl!ON :MAYJR OF MOUNTAIN DALE prove they "exist" and have no rights. 35 WO'Odr!dge_ Road M'ountalntjale, New York t27(1c3 A "LONE VOICE IN THE WOODS" NO MORE "1'01l~ffA~VA_ fl•llbl-;t.11Jift Dawi.. ome days I clench my fists in -l;-~;;.;:A~i;vi_sO!i -.iOAJii? frustration. I'm a mother of -~,it.¥li-~,~------" ,:.~~°'-~-kt :ti1{--:CtJ_o1-_ Ha:¥~ii S_'1-(:coS,_-t_ ----ia ,_-y-~Un,g _::£;rum --man' ,,_of - ~9-_, S four small children who de ____ ~:lm•f"~ wh_o, .-r11,1<1~:,n·e:a:r-- "ietJP:iv:a _-z;ip_hron_ Ha,yi:r- of :Moµ~t;a~J:i"': serve my attention. But I can't just ""*"$1i~'1Jf,~( :da_l_e_,-:-,·~-' wa:s_,kj,l_led -'i,Tl- ~n- -~W~~mol:>il_e:'-ac_cideJ!,~-. - ---- _:_~~t\~:1'il!ti'- Jl~---·left __ :beh;ind--:a wif_e_;_:_ana _- fou_r·::c~+1a,r,wi: --'between -the tum my back on all the other children ll~H1iia01i'W~ age:s--~f- ;s_even·-¥ear{><1\l-Jl\i- :se_v_en>month_s·_~-- C1os_e friends - can't walk away from the thou ,_.i)-~--~::OoV.ftH~~ ar~------~sta_blishil)_g_. a:._ -f:qµd._-fcq;r_ thi~t f.anU,):)\- ti/Upti-ai~ f,~.;n~nc_ial securitr: -fOJ:' _t:be .C().ming: :Year.s· ~- -J:)ona~ic0ns sands of neshamos who are being de ;~~~~ .ar_e :.GOrel~ :neede_d, -a_s- -there -i·s no- il);C9Jile- and the :::_. --:: :' ,... --.Al!I"~ w,idow has been :;i.~~t .-"1?.:th --be~yy il~bts,. nied what is rightfully theirs. JCAN had been a lone voice in the >;::·:.::'._ :;:;.::i;_::~":i:; _Jiih·el,i:_-__;os~- -'a.Pei ·an9Ui:Sh '_is: __griiAt.,:.:sP .' ie.t' -1.ls-· ~~s·e _;:'>·~·rp:~ itji._e'j,r -_p_~i.gh,t l:ly::·l~.s_>?.e~,;i.ng·. __the -youn<;r Jncrtller'_s woods. Working with no equipment '- _<_-.-__:-_'/._..,~_-~ -f:in·anc-i~l -.Pur_d§!'n~-•-:: t;l'!_e~ebr:- e_na})_li_ng .. h_er:_to.:taiS~ 1'•\llll",Aw~_$cfiworti ,ne~----:£_-:am,ily -wit_h-- -pe_a~e :";()_£_ "Jflin_d ~:: :- ·we ap~al. _to· you and no support does limit our effec 'Ratibr~,~ .;t:o_._extend _your-_:liand':lt'IOJ:)t -"gen_erp-µsly _i_n-:thi_s -.great tiveness. BaruchHashem, more orga --:<~-- ___:-<.~-1,1w11 aj_t~yjlb:_,. _.a,s has: -~lways-:·_-bee,11 -tl)e_-custom ;in_ Jewish WJlllJlii..vt ~ ~onn;nuni t_i-e11:,. to -9ur_ :gr-ea~_-_p_J;:id-e. -.,_.-May. H!!l~h_em nizations and people are acknowledg 'f;,pare __-yoµ-·an_d -y_o.~r:·-~:oved_:cnes .from--sor-row,_· and ing the problem and pitching in to :~~;=-= --:show.el; rou "'_it)l ____ ble~s~ngs_ -iJi.:_-t-he -111_er+t---:of 0·tbis:---9X:eat. ~:~•:ii-•'~'.~ -mit1tvi$-.·:_ help. At a recent meeting of the JlQlll~'J,'-_~ Nesius (the Rabbinical Presidium) of ... ~t@,~lf,,fyj ·kth, ;~'fC,'<~u~ Agudath Israel, the Rabbonim dis r{i~01 P?, 'Pr cussed the entire problem and ex -Ro~h--Y-esh_iva .-_ - , ltos_h Yeshiv.a plored the implications, and the pos :Z_i£l1Fon :-M~ylr ,_ -M9~nttt~n_da.l-e :r;iChron:Mpshe, s~·:rallsh\u:~ sible steps to be taken; the Orthodox Union's Institute for Public Affairs has taken up the issue and is putting to gether a task force on it; and the Jew ish Community Relations Council has set up meetings with various agencies in New York to try and impress on them the Importance of Jewish chil- 38 'The Jewish Observer, December 1991 dren being placed in Jewish homes. For the meantime, each case we Re-assigning Nelli to a Jewish home was not simply a matter of take on is an individual fight for that particular child only. We must just being aware she existed. Nelli was a ward of The New York launch a collective battle for all the children. There is a federal law that Foundling Hospital, a foundation run directly by the Archdiocese. protects Native American children from being placed in a non-Indian home. We should push for a law on behalf of Jewish children, even if it is not as comprehensive as the one that A NEW TORAH TAPE. SERIES protects Native Americans. by Slated for August '92 is the National Rabbi Ralph Pelcovitz (I Association on Adoptable Children's of Congregation KneS!ltll Jsrael seminar, considered to be the major FarRockaway,NY adoption seminar by adoption activ Noted Ral,>bi, Lecturer and Autllof ists and government workers. In the past, there were only three Jewish "MOADIM U' ZMANIM" voices being heard at such seminars: Holidays and Seasons ... my husband's, mine and that of Hillel . Five Tapes on Chanukah and Chagu11 Rosenfeld, a government employee i I. O!anukah - 'Two Answers to a Talmudic Qu"#Jon• who devotes his spare time to provid 2. Purim • 'The Role of Woman as Reflected ht the Megillah" ing post-placement help for Jewish 3, Pe$0Ch - 'The Hagaddall - Form & Formula' . . •, ... · ·. people. Titls year there should be one 4. Tue Seventh Day Of Pesach • "Joseph & Moses, Jl,oyalty &Ptopheey' voice, a collective voice of the entire 1 $. Shevuos - MThe l Rs--Revelationr Re_v¢rance ~-Relevanceft Jewish community demanding, "Let Please send the following: us have our children!" How strange to Complete Set (5 tapes) ...... $.3().00 Olndividual.Tape(s) .. .;,,,, ...... $?.5() be 0 forced to such extremes in our free Indicate tape.#{s),__._.__,. 'C society! But it is one of the blessings Price includes J."l'lage. and hattdling 7 of living in this free society that we can mobilize our forces and make a differ Nam•--~-----,----'-----""----..___._,,,_,. ence in the lives of these unfortunate Address ----'------'-----""".'",..--"-:'"-,----:-__._--::-"" children, if we only care. B Send orders, along with checks payable to: ~":':!x~fHar&;!zaS torahl'nl!~ Lawrence, N'Y 115'59 :JI): PROPHECY &- ROVIDENCE The finest in demonstrates how the Torah's ,.,_,.... Video Production predictions have been borne "£.,,£. Dan Fischman '£¥. - out by history. • Examines in detail the connection FOR BURIAL PLOTS between events in Jewish history and IN ERETZ YISROEL CONTACT Torah verses which foretell the future of the Jewish people. CHEVRA • Prophecy & Providence will greatly OSEHCHESED enhance any reader's belief in G-d's of Agudath Israel providence. H.C. $14.95 P.B. $11.95 84 William Street New York, NY !0038 Phone (212) 797-9000 Ext. 37 The Jewish Obseroer, December 1991 39 Books in Review o Become One, The Torah in G-d's plan for the world. Ad Outlook on Marriage. by dressed prtmartly to the Jew who has T Rabbi Ezriel Tauber found his station in life. this book (Shalheves Pub!. P.O.B. 361. Monsey. stresses the fact that his circum N.Y. 10952, 1990, $9.95,p.b.) and I stances are "besherC" and must be Shall Not Want, by the same author accepted. To a person still engaged In CLINICAL l'SYCHOWGJST (Shalheves, l'ubl..1990, $10.95,h.c.. finding his niche. the author would $7.95.p.b .. ) are the first two volumes presumably stress the other side of DR.BENZION In the Hashkafa Dialogue Sertes pub the coin- man's freedom to choose SOROTZKIN lished by the Shalheves Organization, and his responsibility to choose well; N.Y. STATE LICENSED dedicated to helping both the reli but even he must realize that he is ADULTS gious Jew and the newcomer to part and parcel of a Divinely guided AND Yiddishkeit gain a sound under process that brings the ultimate per CHI WREN standing of basic Torah lwshkajos. fection of this world. The clear and smooth flowing style To Become One should be re (718)219-3867 (for which we are indebted to Yaakov quired reading for a couple about to (Please note new number) Astor), dialogue format and the Inter be married and for many that are al spersed stortes make for enjoyable ready married. It analyzes in a very and easy reading-yet the treatment practical manner the divergent roles of the subjects discussed is profound of man and woman. and the nature for YOUR and convincing. of marriage: a G-d-given opportunity FUNDRAISING or I Shall Not Want deals with the to imitate G-d's kindness by giving to PROMOTIONAL CAMPAIGN need of a person to accept himself one"s partner. In the course of the dia CONSIDER a and his lot, and to make the very best logue. many questions are discussed CUSTOM DESIGNED of it that he can. all the while relying that commonly crop up (Why do men LUACH or DIARY on G-d's wise providence. Such con say a blessing for not being women? (718) 851 -1314 cepts as bitaclwn and hishtadlus are Why can't a woman be a judge?); and clarified. as well as a person's place practical strategies for side-stepping 39 Broadway, Sui!e 3300 New York, NY 10006 (1/ - ...... , Ct-. j" - 212-425-3300 the hat rack ..ANAKEM\G THE ..E\NlSh' SOI.A. 5416 16th Avenue, Brooklyn, N.Y. Expresses its sincere appreciation to MRS. ZAHAVABRAUNSTEIN ~7: 8) 871-2278 for addressing and giving Chizuk to the 600 + women who attended our Chodesh Elul Kinus at Woodlake Village on the topic of: Instilling Kedusha In our Children ,11 :: .. ?'~ ~ l!srETSONll Tapes are available with a minimum $5.00 donation. c .. Also available: - .~;;!ff;~':;/·= ~ • ~ Nine Days - Monsey Kinus: Novominsker Rebbe (Yiddish) Rabbi Chaim Dov Keller (English) I\ ~ KANGOL •LONDON FOG Nisan - Boro Park Kinus (Yiddish): 1 Rabbi Avrohom Pam ,'} CAPS •TIES Rabbi Avrohom Chaim Spitzer Rabbi Nachman Bullman ' 40 The Jewish Observer. December 1991 or resolving conflicts in marriage are presented. Karka in Eretz Yisroel he third volume that has ap (ml'.! 120 lnN'.:>) peared in this series is can now be acquired T Choose Life, an approach for obtaining happiness and meaning at very reasonable prices: based on the principles of Torah. (Shalheves Pub!., 1991, $14.95,h.c., GAVRIEL BEER $11.95,p.b.). Here Rabbi Tauber in (718) 382·1193 till Dec. 1, 1991 troduces the reader to such funda afterwards mental concepts as the meaning of 35 Harav Frank St. life, the secret of happiness, the func Jerusalem, Israel 02-414 045 tion of the Jew in this world and the role of the Torah (an outline of the topics discussed is provided at the beginning of the book, to enable the reader to sort through and review the material offered in this volume). As the dialogue between David, a searching student, and the Rabbi who guides him takes its course, we INVESTMENT --MA.NA.GEMENT are presented with a comprehensive philosophy of life drawn from the To tow Risk, -.to.vv._VolatilityfnvestlileritPoftloltos rah. In the appendix the reader is in That YleldlmpressfveReCqlJJS• troduced to the mathematical codes found in the Torah, which have com . FEEONL:Y; pelled many skeptics to accept the Divine origin of the Torah. All in all, •-• -_-.•• _. __ .-_- •.- ._ ~C) S~EES OR(J()1vtM.IS~ION;S. this volume can be a most effective NO CHARGE FORINITIAL CONSULTATION. tool whenever we seek to draw outsid ers to Torah. NO OBLIGATION. ey, Taxi! and The Best Of Storylines (N.Y.C. Pub!. Co., (914) 352-1919 H N.Y., 1990and 1991,$13.95 and $12.95, respectively) are the lat FEIVEL KIRSHENBA{JM,_ ~~;D. est two volumes of stories written by that veteran master of story-telling, REGISTERED INVESTMENT APV!SOR Hanoch Teller. Storylines is a triennial "story-letter," and one of these vol umes presents a selection of stories from it (as well as some of the car toons that have appeared in it); the othervolume offers "tales told in taxis and recounted by cabbies." I do not really know whether all these tales The Linear Chumash on Bereishis is really originated in taxis, or whether we have literally the best ofStory lines available again in a new, completely before us-but any reader will enjoy revised edition. the stories in these two volumes. For school age children the Linear Many of the stories really happened Chumash is an invaluable learning aid: it (though the author felt forced to change and perhaps "improve" them translates into sensible, manageable word as he wrote), others are imaginary. groupings; and it uses clear, modern But all of them teach- middos, trust language-without deviating from the in G-d, kindness to others, and many exact meaning of the text. other lessons we would do well to take Makes learning easy and fun-for you and your children! H.C. $12.95 to heart. One sincerely hopes that Rabbi Teller will make sure to keep these volumes coming, to please and enrich all his readers, young and old.• The Jewish Obseroer, December 1991 41 SECOND LOOKS Prescribed Performance tomorrow. Weary and haggard fam ily members have difficulty reaching within, to some bright corner of their Just What the hearts to bring forth a ray of hope for these children. But the impromptu concert did it for them with ease. A Doctor note of the familiar echoed on in their The Kitzur Shulchan Oruch, memories for days and weeks on end. for more than a century accepted Simchas Chava, a Chessed project as a manual for the day-to-day Ordered run by Agudath Israel of America in observance of Jewish law, has he big letter "Mem" on his conjunction with Suki and Ding Pro never been easier to understand. floppy black hat was a give- ductions, was created in memory of Moznaim 's new two-volume away. The guitar and the gen Mrs. Chava Golding, rrv in order to translation of the Rav Shlomo T erous grin only reinforced the obvi bring a little bit ofjoy into the hearts of GanzfriedTorahclassic, complete ous. It was Uncle Moishy coming to severely ill and terminally ill children. with footnotes from the Mishna sing and entertain. But It is not solely for children Brurah and Shulchan Oruch The smiles ofdelight, the rhythmic such as the time Mordechai Ben HaRav, as well as illustrative dia clapping of the hands, the singing in David flew to Silver Spring, Md., to grams, places Torah law within sing solo for Gregori, a 22 year old the grasp ofevery reader. on cue with "Hashem is here, price: $29.95 Hashem is there... " made the juvenile multiple sclerosis victim who has en audience exactly what you'd expect. joyed MBD tapes ever since he arrived Except that Aviva couldn't join the here from Kishinev, as his primacy The laws Of Chanukah sing-along because of post-surgery means of entertainment, his link-up Illuminated fatigue, and it was hard for Yaakov to with the outside world, and his ma Aimed at providing the reader clap with his arm strapped to the jor source of joy in being Jewish. Af with a deeper insight into the wheelchair to keep the LV. in place. ter years of singalong to the tapes laws ofthe Festival OfLights, as Otherwise the shining eyes and en from the confines of his wheel chair well as the workings of Jewish thusiastic voices made this group the and hospital bed at home, Gregori law in general. The Laws of audience par excellence. woke up one morntng to learn that a Chanukah presents the vocalized Another difference: there were only thrill that he had never even dared text of the Shulchan Oruch and nine children, several parents and dream of, was actually going to take Mappah, along with a clear accu one or two medical attendants in this place: MBD was going to perform for rate translation and a compila audience, and the "concert hall" was him in his living room! tion of major commentaries. Im the pediatric floor of NYU hospital, Or last Purim, when Shelly Lang left portant reponsa and authorita overlooking New York City's Upper his seuda to perform for patients at tive works (such as the Mishna East Side. Sloan-Kettering/Memorial Hospital. Brura) have been drawn upon to To "Uncle Moishy" this was one of EachSimchas Chavacommand ap render this volume a highly eluci many command performances for pearance is a stoiy unto itself. All of the dative text on the laws homebound and hospitalized chil performers- those already mentioned, ofChanukah. ~ dren, but to these kids It was a memo the Piamenta, and other musicians price: $5.95 ~ rable afternoon: A sunburst ofjoy in and entertainers-volunteer their time adismallydepressingdungeonofun and talents. All that is needed is a re familiar surroundings, punctuated quest. And a new dimension in bikur ~v~aiha by needle jabs, intrusive examina cholim-visiting the sick and bringing 4304 - 12th Ave., Brooklyn NY 11219 tions, surgical invasions and debili them hope, joy, and encouragement (718) 438-7680 tating therapies, where the only thing through the Shaar Heniginah- is being predictable is the unpredictability of explored and developed. • 42 The Jewish Obseroer, December 1991 Levi Reisman ties that experience this problem may American Know-How tum to this solution." An article like this shouldn't be ForExport news. For years, Conservative lead Conservative ers have moaned about the lack of commitment on the part of their Contribution? membership. What makes it so note recent edition of The Jewish worthy is another article in a previous Week reported that a 380 edition of the same paper which re A family Conservative Congre ported that the Conservative move gation in Suffolk County has decided ment has received a $100,000 grant to hold weekday Yomtov services at from the Joint Distribution Commit 6:45 a.m. after failing to get a minyan tee to establish educational program to two of the four 9:00 a.m. Passover ming in the U.S.S.R. Jewish Theologi services. (Ed. note: Passover this year cal Seminary Vice Chancellor Lee started on Shabbos, so three out of Levine is quoted as saying that 'Tue four Yomtov days were on weekends. Orthodox, especially Lubavitch, have This means that on at least one week been there for decades, but they have been able to attract only a very small end day, they couldn't get a minyan, From 111 P011ular Me'am Lo'11 either.) The congregation's rabbi, percentage of Russian Jews." J .T.S. Torah Alithology Serl11, Earl Kldeckel, stated that he has Chancellor Ismar Schorsch believes Moznalm Brings Yous found it consistently difficult to at that Soviet youth will be more respon sive to the Conservative movement THE BOOK OF YEHOSHUA tract a minyan on holidays that fall With this volume begins the during the week, since the congrega because of its "open minded, non Me 'am Lo 'ez commentary on tion does not have a core of retired dogmatic, humanistic approach to 1the second section ofthe Bible- seniors who can be counted on. The the Jewish experience." the Prophets. Far more than being early services were scheduled to ac Query: How many American just an historical account ofmilitary commodate those who would be go youths has the Conservative move stratagems and conquests, the Book ment been able to reach among the o/Yehoshua reveals how all things- ing to work afterwards. A leader of great and small-- are accomplished the movement called the move an children of its own members? How does a movement that requires a core through the guiding hand ofthe Al "aberration," saying that the only mighty. congregations that take such steps of retired seniors for a minyan expect price: $19.95 are those that have less than 100 to attract uncommitted youth? In members. Kideckel himself stated view of the Conservative movement's THE BOOK OF SHOYilM A brand new addition to the that although he hoped it would not poor track record here, it seems that the Joint Distributions Committee is Me'am Lo'ez Torah Anthol be a trend, he believed that "syna 2 ogy series, theBooko/Shoftim wasting its money. Unless, of course, gogues in bedroom-type communi- records a dark period in Jewish his the question is not commitment, but tory, witharecurringpatterno/Jews the desire to present Soviet Jews with Mr. Reisman, a certified public accountant in New straying, followed by Divine chas York, is author of several articles for JO, including "religious" alternatives to Torah-true tisement. With free-flowing transla a Second Looks comment in Feb. '90. Judaism. • tion, this Me'am Lo'ez volume im· parts a thorough understanding of the period of the Judges. price: $19.95 THE BOOK OF SHMUEL I Also new to the series, the Book OfShmuel I is the third 3 in the books ofthe Prophets. A wide spectrum ofsources are skill fully drawn upon to impart a vibrant picture of the period in our history during which the Israelites passed from the leadership of judges to the leader- ~ ship ofkings. price: $19.95 .s\'J()~aiht 4304- 12th Ave., Brooklyn NY 11219 (718) 438-7680 The Jewish Obseroer. December 1991 43 We were referring to the "old" Lower East Side, which once stretched northward beyond Houston Street, for blocks. We are pleased to note that the legendary vitality ofthat famous neighborhood is still there. LetterSt~eEditor alive and kicking. N. W. AT THE ROOT OF THE THE WWER EAST SIDE, ALIVE Bais Yaacov that are at the very least EFFECTIVENESS OF CAMP AND WELL comparable to those of other neigh SHOROSIUM'S OUTREACH borhoods. Our highly elegant mikva functions seven days a week. To the Editor: Our Synagogues are, thank G-d, To the Editor: In The Jewish Obseroer (October, very well attended, with some having After reading the informative and '91) the Second Looks mentions the up to four minyanim in succession inspiring article on Camp Lower East Side of New York among during weekdays, and on Shabbos Shoroshim's activities this past sum the neighborhoods that deteriorated morning, most shuls have two minya mer (Oct.'91). permit me to add one to become slums, forcing old timers niin, one earlier and one later. major piece to complete the picture. to flee to the suburbs. On Friday nights, in each and ev The point of the article was that to The entire (thank G-d) flourishtng ery building of our large Co-Operative be effective in kiruv of Russian chil community of the Lower East Side is Complex, shiurim in Parshas dren, we must go back to their roots. outraged by this incorrect and slan Hashavua are conducted by world One of the most essential-if not the derous comparing of our community renowned talmidei chachomim, at most- shoresh is the involvement of to Harlem and Brownsville. tended by many participants. fellow Russians in directing the Our neighborhood is blessed with On a Shabbos morning you can see camp. It is they who chart the route a famous Yeshiva, Mesift:a, Kolle!, and men walking to their respective Syna to take, explain the campers' mental gogues In taleisim Young couples with ity to American counselors. and pro children from all over the city are anx vide the shprach vital to communica ":!'~:!'~ iously seeking apartments to move into tion with both campers and their par our neighborhood. ents. From the foregoing facts you will Camp Shoroshim was fortunate to hopefully realize that our community have two highly qualified, dedicated 1, AU1HORS IS ~RTISTS ~ is a very much vibrant. flourishtng Russian couples at its helm - Rabbi and growing neighborhood. and Mrs. E. Rubinovich (camp direc RABBI Eu S. HEFTI.ER, DIRECTOR tor), and Rabbi and Mrs. Birsky UNITED JEWISH COUNCU,OFIBE EAsTSIDE, lNC. (menanel ruchni). The campers authors and artists to submit New York City manuscripts and artwork for benefitted enormously from their evaluation. We seek manu scripts in all areas of Judaica publishing with originality. creativity and high literary standard. Our editors develop and highlight the lndlvldual!ty Large Selection Of of the author and our graphics department gives each book • BORSALINO t its own identity. •BILTMORE fJ We welcome the opportu- 1i •STETSON nlty to work wtth you. • PANIZZA • RAFFAELLI ~ • SCHIAPARELLI WE ALSO DRY CLEAN & BLOCK HATS ,. Large Selection Of Shirts, Ties & Accessories ~ 180 Park Avenue• Lakewood lU 08701 DAILY 11:30-7, Sun. 10:30-6, Tues. 2:30-7 463 East 9th Street (block ol Torah Vodaath) In UK. 01-809-3723 -.;:• In lmiel 02-538-935 (718) 469-7420 CIC Ea Eve. Hours Available. ~,;~,; ~ 44 The Jewish Obseroer. December 1991 Shabbos drashos (speeches), daily was well taken. The theme was dra prtest and... aJewish clergyman. shiwim, and prtvate counseling. Our matically illustrated by the clipping Talk about promoting intermar visiting day was rr:i successful due to from the society page of The New York Iiage! Are there still any Orthodox their communication, and it was then Times, showing three out offlve of the rabbis around who would consort that the first steps were made in listings to be mixed marrtages. But with their Reform "colleagues" under warming up the family as a unit. you failed to draw attention to a key the guise of"containing them"? Who From first hand expertence, 1 can at factor in this self-defeating trend: do they think they're fooling? test to the many mistakes that were Each of these three marrtages was of SAMUEL EPSIEIN avoided due to their counsel and the ficiated at by both a Roman Catholic Brooklyn. N. Y. many insights into the girls' chal lenges that they shared with the counselors. Their enthusiasm and joy The Halachos of in being involved in this avodos Chanukah hakodesh served as an example and inspiration to us all. by Rabbi Shimon Eider: MRS. LEAH BURSZIYN Clear, Concise and Comprehensive! Lakewood, N.J. The writer served as head coWlSelor of The Halachos of Chanukah, like all Camp Shoroshim in Summer, '91. of Rabbi Eider's texts, offers readers clear and easy access into practical INTERMARRIAGE AND THE Jewish law as it applies to CLERGY contemporary circumstances. For study, or for reference-there's To the Editor: nothing else quite like it. Complete The point of your Second Looks with extensive footnotes and (Nov. '91)-thatintermarrtageisactu references, and easy-to-use index. ally being promoted by official accep H.C. $8.95 P.B. $5.95 tance of non-converted spouses in Reform and Conservative Temples- FOR ALL YOUR INSURANCE NEEDS. Fairll'IOl'lt insurance JOIN OUR THOUSANDS OF SATISFIED CLIENTS. AND BENEFIT FROM OUR EXPERIENCE & EXPERTISE TheJewtsh Observer. December 1991 45 DON'T DELAY! TYPE OF CAR LS HS • EXC 111-21/12191 22112'91 - C.DW. Now is the 611-3113192 5/1192 &LOW time to ioin the A ?~ti11!l' mm< '?10 :i.1-0 •'?r.i11 ;iun MonthlyRates S&BO •llAgt.ldist Benevolent Society. Inc. • full Burial Benefits (r,, 1he fam,ly From (Childre~ up ro 1hc- age oi 20 yea", • Blooo Bonk Berw1111 lor rhe Fomd)' RESERV. & PREPA YMNT. • fveryrh1ng carri~d USA&CANADA {718) 436-1451 Orwfl•ero 800-533-8778 Agudist hn9VOl•nt Socl•ty 84 W1111om Street N- York, NY 10038 ,N,~' 1~~:> ,~, j;J.PO Yad Eliezer has already made over .l,8e>O weddings for desperately poor couples - entirely because of you. There Is No Nation Like "Kial Yisroel"!! The Gitty Perkowski Simcha Fund of Yad Eliezer Rabbi and Mrs. Yaakov Weisel Mr. and Mrs. Zolly Tropper Kiryat Sanz, Jerusalem 1102 E. 26th St. Tel. 02-384-094 Brooklyn, N.Y. 11210 (718) 258-1580 Please send wedding sponsorship to: Yad Eliezer Rabbi and Mrs. Zevi Trenk 1102 E. 26th St. 1586 E. 9th St. Brooklyn, N.Y. 11210 Brooklyn, N.Y. 11230 There are $500 and $1000 sponsorships 1718) 258-1580 Rabbi and Mrs. Yehudah Rupp 46 The Jewish Obseroer, December 1991 MORDECHAI BEN DAVID ~ THE REGESH CHORUS ENSEMBLE FEATURING GUEST SOLOISTS INTRODUCING SHOWCASE OF THE MASTERS ~ SUNDAY, fANUARY 12, 1992 / 7:30 P.M. SHARP AVERY FISHER HALL/ LINCOLN CENTER %.Af(].0=1:& ~~~~~~~~~~~~ A T·I·M·E F·O·R · M·U·S·I·C P A R T V ~------~--- l TO HEAR, TO SEE, TO BE PART OF ... CONDUCTED BY YISROEL LAMM MUSIC BY THE NEGINAH ORCHESTRA A SPECIAL BENEFIT CONCERT FOR THE HASC SUMMER PROGRAM. $1,000- TWO BENEFACTOR TICKETS·CITATION !N STAGEB!LL THE HASC SUMMER PROGRAM PROVIDES EDUCATION, TRAINING AND $720- TWO BENEFACTOR TICKETS-CITATION JN STAGEBILL CLINICAL SERVICES TO PHYSICALLY AND MENTALLY HANDICAPPED $2.'i0-$180-$100--$.'iO·ALL CONTRIBUTIONS ARE TAX DEDUCT ABLE CHILDREN AND ADULTS. FOR JOURNAL RESERVATIONS, ADVANCED TICKETS AVAILABLE AT HASC OFFICE, !JI I SSTH STREET, 1718) 851-6100 SPONSOR TICKETS OR FURTHER INFORMATION, CALL 17181851·6!00 SEPARATE SEATING f FORMAL ATTIRE REQUESTED A SUKI & DING PRESENTATION proudly announces the newest volume in the Art8croll Series ThE schOTTENSTEIN EtlITION Dedicated by Mr. and Mrs. Jerome Schottenstein and family Elucidated by Rabbi Mordechai Kuber and Rabbi Michoel Weiner . ·. . .·· • •.I/;Jt Throughout the English-speaking world, this edition of the Talmud removes the lan91;1.1J.!J~ ~~~~r!:;1;.;• and makes the classic Jewish learning experience accessible to everyone. Acclaimed, adm,if(l.d,,~Jl•; Tractate Taanis has been dedicated by David and Jean Bernstein, .Matthew and Scott - Albert and Gail Nassi, Jessicaalld Garrett In memory of Mr. and Mrs. Harry Bernstein 1'1"V, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Furman 1'1")l1 Mr. Samuel Nassiii")i Tractates currently available: MAKKOS - n1:t'3 (complete in one volume) ERQVIN - l'!l1i'V (vol. I - ch. 1-4 /vol. II - ch. 5'end) MEGILLAH - :'1?'l'3 (complete in one volume) Available in time for Daf Yomi- December, 1991: BEITZAH - :'1~'!1 Forthcoming Tractates - 1992: Nazir, Gittin, Kiddushin and Bava Bf1Sra Current and future tractates have been dedicated by: Mr. and Mrs. DavidM. Bernstein I Mr. Matthew V. Bernstein I Mr. and Mrs. SamsonBitensky I Mr. and Mrs. Alan Cohen I Mr.. @d Mrs. Richard N. Golding I Mr. and Mrs. Paul Guez I Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Kassin I Mr. and Mrs. Marcos Katz I Mr. a(ld f11n;. A~rJ. T. Nassi I Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Pennut I Mr. and Mrs. Irwin Peyser I Mr. and Mrs. Paul Peyser I Mr. and Mro. liarc>ld Plfitt. Mr. Victor Posner I Mr. and Mrs. Ellis A. Safdeye I Mr. Mickey Sch/isser I Mr. and Mrs. Jerome Schottenstein I Mr; and ljtrs,1rping Tromberg I Mr. and Mrs. Gary Wattenberg I Mr. and Mrs. Paul Wattenberg I Mr. and Mrs. David Y.;igoda