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THE JEWISH OBSERVER (ISSN) 0021 ~6615 is pub/lshed monthly except July and August by the Agudath Israel of America, 84 William Street, New York, N.Y. 10038. Second class postage paid in New York, N.Y. Subscription $24.00 per year; two years, $44.00; three yeais, $60.00. Outside of the United Slares {US funds drawn on a US bank only) $12.00 surcharge per year. Single copy $3.50; foreign $4.50. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: The Jewish Observer, 84 William Street, APPROACHING THE $/YUM HASHAS - DAF YOMI N.Y., N.Y 10038.Tel:212-797-9000, Fax: 212-269-2843. 6 Printed in the U.S.A. Shiur Terror: Saying the Daily Oaf Robbi Avrohom Stone RABBI NISSON WOLPIN, EDITOR 37 EDITORIAL BOARD OR. ERNST L. BODENHEIMER New Technological Frontiers in Dialing the Oaf Chairman Robbi Eli Teitelbaum RABBI JOSEPH ELIAS JOSEPH FAIEOENSON 13 RABBI NOSSON SCHERMAN New Torah Cities in Eretz Yisroe/ Today
MANAGEMENT BOARD Zev Roth AVI FISHOF NAFTOLI HIRSCH 21 ISAAC KIRZNER The Beis Din in America: RABBI SHLOMO LESIN NACHUM STEIN The Idyllic Depiction vs. The Facts on the Ground Rabbi Alfred Cohen RABBI YOSEF C. GOLDING Business Manager 27 Published by Titchadshi!, Sarah Shapiro Agudath Israel of America RABBI MOSHE SHERER SECOND LOOKS PRESIDENT 30 U.S. mADE OISTRIBUTOf\ ISRAELI DISTRIBUTOR Neutrality:The Changing View from Switzerland Feldheim Publishers Nechemia Rosenberg 200 Airport Executive Par~ Kiryat Telshe Stone. 108A Spring Valley, N.Y. 10977 D.N. Harei Yehuda. ISRAEL 34 Taking the Prize EUROPEAN REPRESENTATIVE AUSffiALIAN DISTRIBUTOR M.T. Bibelman Gold's Book & Gift Co. Robbi Avi Shafran Grosvenor Works 36 William Street Mount Pleasant Hill Balaclava 3183, Vic .. 41 Lorulon E5 9NE, ENGLAND AUSTRALIA Readers' Forum on Life Style Issues THE JEWISH OBSERVER does not s I BOOKS IN REVIEW assume responsibility for the Kashrus THE MANCHESTER ROSH YESHIVA of any product, publication, or service reviewed by Rabbi Avraham Chaim Carmell advertised in its pages YESTERDAY,TODAY,AND FOREVER/EXPLORING CONTEMPORARY JUDAISM FROM THE © Copyright 1997 PERSPECTIVE OF JEWISH HISTORY, VOL. II reviewed by Rabbi Joseph Elias SEPTEMBER 1997 VOLUME XXX/NO. 7 S3 POETRY Welcome!, Shiffjr Lichter Shiur Terror: Saying the Daily Daf
D af Yomi shiurim are no longer found exclusively in large metropolitan areas. Recent years have seen an explosion in the study of this uniform page of Talmud; now, groups large and small pursue the intricacies of the daily daf throughout the nooks and crannies of Jewish America. Two years ago, Rabbi Avrohom Y. Stone, a talmid of Beth Medrash Govoha in Lakewood, became the Rav of a congregation in small, suburban West Orange, New Jersey. One of his first initiatives in his new position was the formation of a community Daf Yomi. In the following pages, he describes the inner workings of his shiur, and in the course of doing so, he reveals the profound impact Daf Yomi has had on his community, his shiur and on himself.
've often wondered what Rabbi ty DafYomi Shiur gathers in the library inspirer, entertainer, and explainer. Meir Shapiro intended when he pro of the large, modern, Orthodox shul to Some in the shiur consider me the cap I posed the concept of DafYomi. Per "learn the daf.' On Shabbos, we meet in tain of the ship; others, the navigator. haps he envisioned groups of serious the afternoon at a smaller shuL There Those who come infrequently see me as scholars, their lives dedicated to Torah are no great talmidei chachamim in this the tourguide on their sightseeing voy study, engaged in passionate discussion bunch. In fact, it's a very eclectic group. age through Shas. of the issues raised in each line of Gemo There's one lawyer (sometimes two), two ra. Maybe he foresaw two tailors, doctors (sometimes three), one chemist, Beginnings: Among Great Skepticism stroking long gray beards as they sit by a dentist, one retired butcher (often candlelight in the Schneider Beis two), and a sporadic complement of ur shiur began almost two years Hamidrash, probing the depths of the computer programmers and business ago, on Isru Chag Sukkos, amid Talmud after a hard day's work. The men (depending on the mesechta, their 0 great skepticism. Never before possibilities are endless. But of all the schedules and state of mind). They vary had there been an attempt at establish likely scenarios he might have imagined, in age and interests. The only common ing a daily regimen of learning in our the least likely, by far, is the Daf Yomi bond they seem to share is the desire to community. The reaction to the pro shiur that I give every day. And yet, in accomplish what they thought, until posal was, to say the least, less than a certain aspect, I suspect that our shiur recently, was impossible: to finish Shas. heartening. "It'll never work." "What?! might be exactly what he had in mind. And then, there's me, the maggid A shiur every single day?! People will Each morning, somewhere around i shiur. A lofty title for a difficult job. I come at first. But after two days, no one's 7:20 a.m., the West Orange Communi- am at once a teacher, mentor, cajoler, going to show up!" Nattering nabobs
6 The Jewish Observer, September 1997 of negativism did not hesitate to prog place immediately after Shabbos, and it nosticate our quick demise. But some wound up taking a little more than an how, the idea of the daf had struck a • hour from start to finish, and it was obvi chord, and the response was beyond ever before had ous that the natives had gotten restless. As anyone's expectation. there been an I begin the day's shiur, one of the Miraculously, 35 men materialized N talmidim enters and takes his seat. for that first shiur. The room was filled attempt at establishing Glancing up, I notice that he is dressed in with unasked questions. Would the a karate outfit. Quickly assessing the sit Rabbi finish in the allotted forty-five min a daily regimen of uation, I decide that it would be prudent utes? Would questions be allowed? to finish on time this morning. Would the Rabbi even show up? Would learning in our *** he speak out commentaries? Would any community. The body understand what the Gemora was Are questions allowed? Yes. I am a firm talking about by the time the shiur fin reaction to the proposal believer in active participation of the ished? talmidim in the shiur. The pace of a blatt Although participation in our shiur was, to say the least, a day is just too quick for a person to has decreased to seven daily regulars absorb everything on the daf Some through attrition, the answers to these less than heartening: times, however, questions can interrupt questions have not really changed in the "It'll never work." the steady flow necessary to explain the last two years. In short, the answers are: Gemora. This is especially true when no, yes, most of the time, not often, and dealing with lawyers and retired persons, you can never be sure. Allow me to when I am forced to exercise my dicta explain. • torial powers and invoke the dreaded interject, "you're absolutely right. It's irre "no question" rule: all queries are held *** sponsible for me to go beyond 45 minutes. until the end of the shiur. Violation of Can the Rabbi finish in the allotted forty From now on, I give you my word that the the rule is subject to suspension, expul five minutes? No, not every day. I try daf will never be longer than that. sion or worse. So far, no one has been my best, but we often run five or ten Thank you for bringing it to my atten- suspended, although some are on shaky minutes late. Many a dafis just too dif tion." ground. ficult to finish in exactly three quarters The silence on the other end of the line of an hour. This has been the source of is deafening. After a minute the voice *** great distress for some. Try as I might, returns, this time much subdued. "Well," "Rabbi, no disrespect intended, but are I have been unable to convince them she says, the wind out of her sails, "if it you crazy?! It's a blizzard out there! This that the day's dafis worth having to rush goes a couple of minutes over, that's not is the worst storm in 50 years, and you for. My children's education has suffered so bad. It's just when it goes so much think anyone's going to show up for the too, since I drive them to yeshiva every longer that it's a problem." daf?!" morning after the shiur, and they are ((No, Mrs. ,"I respond, "we I had to admit, there was an element almost never on time. The lateness has can't have that. There's a potential prob of truth to what the gentleman was say also been a source of irritation in some lem of shalom bayis here. I must insist ing. Already, on Sunday at noon, driving homes. that it be no longer than 45 minutes no was treacherous. Yet, this day was sup Although I am holding the telephone matter what." posed to be our siyum on Horiyos. It was a foot away from my ear, the voice on the "Rabbi, it really is all right if you go the first mesechta we had learnt in its other end is coming through loud and a little later. I mean it." entirety (we started Avoda Zara on daf clear! ''And another thing, you don't real "Well... " I pause. ''All right, Mrs. Sb) and it was an important milestone. ize what you're doing to marriages in this --~ ifyou're absolutely sure, maybe "Come on now, Mr. , you're town. These women don't want their hus I'll let it go over a little if need be." not afraid ofa teeny bit ofsno1¥, are you? bands away from home for so long. This "Good," she answers, her voice strong. I'll pick you up and drive you home, ifyou shiur is supposed to be 45 minutes, and "You know something, Rabbi? You're the want." even that's too long. And this Motzei kind of Rabbi I can deal with!" A few moments of silence. "Well, Shabbos business. This Daf Yomi isn't I appreciate the compliment. I okay, Rabbi, I'll tell you what," the reply helping anyone, it's wrecking house think. came back. "If you can get eight other holds!" meshugoyim to come in this weather, I'll She pauses to catch her breath, and I *** come too." see my opening. It's a Sunday morning in the winter. Minutes later, I guide my swerving "You know, Mrs. ___," I quickly The previous evening's daf had taken minivan toward the lone figure standing
The Jewish Observer, September 1997 7 of emergency." ""'ll"vve , I answer, "fl • nobody's going to work, we i ne other men met can have the daf early." This time, the caveat ofno Nus at the little shul disrespect is missing. "Rabbi, pardon my saying so, but you - where four feet of really are out of your mind! snow blocked access to Maybe we could have the shim yesterday, when there the building. In a were only 15 inches on the ground. But now there's forty united effort, involving some odd out there. I can't on the deserted snowmound. I realize that even open my front door." one snowshovel, one if I stop the vehicle, it may get stuck in the Three hours later, down a deserted regular shovel, two snow. Reaching to my right as I main street in West Orange, two lone fig· approached, I flung open the passenger ures walked in the quiet afternoon, paus brooms, a wastebasket door, yelling for him to jump in the mov ing only to jump out of the way of the ing van. A card carrying member of occasional emergency vehicle. The and eleven men with a AARP, he had no time to think; he just younger man walked with a purpose to jumped in. Safely inside the moving car, his step; the older, still stunned at the sight unique bond, we having shut the door as we swerve on the of the snowplow that had arrived at his cleared a path to snow, he turns to me. front door. "Rabbi," he says, a strange look on his Nine other men trekked across the Mesechto Zevochim. face, "[' m 62 years old and I have grown frozen tundra and met us at the little shul children. What in the world am I doing - where four feet of snow blocked access here?" to the building. In a united effort, involv • "The siyum;' I tell him, as the wipers ing one snowshovel, one regular shovel, Gemora. The words - "Rabbi, it's a struggle to beat back the largest snowfall two broo1ns, a lvastebasket and eleven b'feirushe ArtScroll" - still ring in my in the twentieth centwy '1ust remember, men with a unique bond, we cleared a ears. No one was more relieved than I the siyum." path to Mesechta Zevachim. when we got to a n1esechta that wasn't And what a siyum it was! I can't say yet a part of the series. Now, I figured, that the food was the best I've ever had; *** I will get a break from the intense scruti it 1vas only some cookies and soda. Nor Does the Rabbi show up? Most of the ny given every translation and expla was the room the finest I've ever been in; time. Seven days a week, three hundred nation I say. No such luck. It was then it was only the upstairs of a shul-house. and sixty four days a year (there's no that I met my competition. But none of that mattered. The feeling shiur on Tisha B'Av) is a grueling The illustrious "Rabbi Tape." of accomplishment was so strong that it schedule to maintain. Obviously, there It seems that one of the members had seemed we were partaking of a gourmet are days when I will either be late or discovered the Torah Tape library in meal in the palace ofa king. As the wind absent altogether, but the show must go Boro Park. howled outside, and the snow blew furi on. Over the last two years, we have tried Offering a complete line of tapes. ously in every direction, we realized that many options, but have finally settled on For every daf in Shas. we had achieved much more than fin one which works for everyone. In English. ishing a mesechta. And it felt good. It began with the ArtScroll Schot - At your own leisure. The next morning, it was my phone tenstein Talmud. I was unable to give Inexpensive. that rang. the shiur one day due to a scheduling At first, Rabbi Tape would fill in when "Well, Rabbi," said the familiar voice conflict. The talmidim decided that they I couldn't be at the shiur. Moreover, if of my passenger, "you won't be driving me would work through the dafthemselves, any of the talmidim were unable to anywhere today. I'm snowed in. There's using the ArtScroll. Being relatively attend, they no longer had to worry five feet of snow blocking my front door." bright individuals, they quickly found about falling behind. "So, then nobody's going to work the scholarly notes on the bottom of the Then someone realized how easy it today." page. I returned to discover that I now would be to review the day's dafin the The response is immediate: "Of course had a shiur full of experts, who chal car, using the tapes. It wasn't long before not. Everything's snowed in.. No vehi lenged everything I said that wasn't in a ritual commenced. Every other Sun cles are allowed on the roads. It's a state exact agreement with the Schottenstein day, Mr. would take orders
8 The Jewish Observer, September 1997 before leaving for Bora Park. Monday I've been listening to Rabbi Tape the the nurse. Then, I glanced at the clock. morning, he would enter the shiur night before the shiur. Reviewing with 6: 15. I turned to my wife. with huge bags full of cassette tapes. A the tape helped me so much, I figured "You know, it's not yet seven o'clock, complicated distribution system was ini that if I listen to the tape before the shiur, and if, .. ," I began. tiated (which I have yet to fully com I would understand it so much more. "I know," she said, a tinge of resigna prehend) that insures that what seem It's really working." tion in her voice. "If you leave now, you like hundreds, perhaps thousands, of Now, a number of the people in the can still make davening and say the daf. tapes exchange hands over the table of shiur listen the night before as prepa Go ahead, I'll be all right. Just stop at our shiur room. Each one was listened ration for the next shiur. I stand in awe home first and check on the other chil to intently during the day following the of their commitment. And I am grate dren." shiur. The next morning, I would be ful to my colleague, Rabbi Tape. "Well, they do need me," I said, as I greeted with a recounting of the differ quickly slipped through the doorway. "I ences between my explanation and *** didn't tell them to bring the tape." Mak Rabbi Tape's. I was impressed. It meant "Congratulations!" It was 5:50 in the ing my way down the hospital corridor, they were listening. But that wasn't the morning, and the doctor was addressing I marveled at the sheer chutzpa of my end of it all. me. On the bed to my left, my wife lay attributing the success of the shiur to my One morning, in the midst of pre holding our new daughter, who had made own willingness to make personal sacri senting a complicated portion of the daf, her appearance in this world approxi fices. Mr. came up with explana mately 45 seconds earlier. I sat holding The daf that morning was memorable tion that was so clear, so on the mark, a Gemora Me' eila, which had made its for a number of reasons, chief among that I was stunned. He's not had a lot entrance into my world 20 days earlier. them, my falling asleep three times in mid of formal experience in learning. The Neither my wife nor I had slept all night. sentence. I hoped that it all made sense. next day, it happened again. And the As she had struggled to give birth to a After the shiur, Mr. came over next. This had to be more than a coin child, I had struggled to give birth to a and told me it was one of the clearest, most cidence. I confronted him the follow pshat in Tosafos. She was ;r:i complete insightful and well delivered I had given. ing morning. ly successful; I, somewhat less. I gladly "Rabbi;' he said sheepishly, "I confess. held the infant who was offered to me by *** There are no words to describe this tragedy al epic proportions!
•A husband and wife with two teen-aged daughters on a Jerusalem road •An Arab truck hurtling towards them. •TRAGEDY! The father-and-husband, dead! The wife-and-mother, left paralyzed! Both girls in surgery! • The family - a bereaved widow and five orphaned children - left without any visible means of support! The pride of our American Torah community, they settled in Jerusalem some eighteen years ago. And until the fateful accident. he was teaching Talmud and serving as source of inspiration to American teens studying in Israel. Now they are devastated; they need money for therapy and medical bills. Money for simple child care and living expenses. Is there any need for aching adjectives to feel the pain? The mere facts are more heartbreaking than words! After we wipe away the tears, there is only one thing we MUST do: contribute generously to salvage what we can to save a noble family from destruction. PLEASE - give what you can, and then give more. Enlist your friends and neighbors to do the same. This is a time to demonstrate that KJaJ Yisroel is one big, caring family.
Rabbi Dovid Cohen Rabbi Yisroel Perkowski Congregation G'vul Yaavetz Agudath Israel of Baro Park - 16th Ave.
TAX0 DEDUCTIBll CHECKS SHOUlD BE SENT TO: KEREN ZICHROH SHMUEL CJO GEDALYA GOlDGRABEH, 6010 ISTH AVENUE, BROOKLYN, H.t 11219
The Jewish Observer, September 1997 9 Does the Rabbi speak out commentaries? Not often. It's hard enough to just say a comprehensible explanation of the s the meal is served, I Gemora and Rashi in the forty-five give a speech. The minute time frame. Also, I a1n aware A that many maggidei shiur spend hours focus of the drosho, preparing the day's daf They look up all the relevant Rishonim and Achronim, however, is the wives. A number of husbands are and say a very deep, detailed shiur. staring at their wives with a look of gratitude and Unfortunately, I don't have that luxu ry. Although I devote a good amount appreciation in their eyes. A few of the wives are of time in the mornings to preparation, storing at me, trying to figure out what I'm going to the demands of my schedule often force me to try and" chap" a look at the Gemo try and con them into letting their husbands do next. ra whenever possible. The daf yomi Gemora is my constant companion, wherever I go. To simchos. To funer He laughs. "Oh, its nothing like that, •of the shiur members, I propose to the als. To doctor's appointments. To meet Rabbi," he responds. "I was just sitting widow that the shiur be held for the next ings. In the car waiting for the light to here trying to remember all the different week in the shiva house immediately fol change. Anywhere that there are a few situations with the Leviim's fields, and I lowing the minyan. Although the niftar spare seconds. got confused. We went through them so was not a scholar, he always showed a 2:25 p. m. on a Wednesday afternoon. fast that I didn't get the details straight, great enthusiasm any time he heard Torah The middle of a busy day. The phone so I decided to make a chart ofall the cases studied. I tell the widow that I am cer rings. "Rabbi," the caller says, sounding on the last couple ofdaf. This really clears tain her husband would have loved the desperate and insistent, "this is ___ it up for me. Thanks for the help. See you idea, and that it will be a merit for his I need your help. I must ask you some tomorrow." memory. Besides, I add, although they are thing." The caller is a regular member of After hanging up, I wonder if things prohibited from learning, perhaps just see the shiur. He is also heavily involved in would be clearer to me ifI made a chart. ing this daily gathering for the purpose of community affairs. I immediately won Torah study will have some effect on the der what the issue might be. Perhaps it has couple's children, two of three ofwhom are to do with the mikvah; maybe there's a Does everyone always understand the totally assimilated, and all ofwhom were problem with the eruv. Or some serious, Gemora? You can never tell. Points that staying in the house for the shiva. The personal crisis. "Go ahead," I respond. "If I think are relatively straightforward widow whole-heartedly agrees. "I don't I can be of some help, just let me know." sometimes take half an hour to get think it will do much for my boys," she "Rabbi," he asks, "I have to know and across. Others, which I feel are extreme says, "but I'm sure my husband would I don't remember. What happens in a case ly complex, are readily accepted by the want it." where the owner gives the field to hekdesh, shiur. I try to repeat fundamental con For the next six days, the shiur learns another person redeems it, and then the cepts as frequently as the group will lis perek Eilu Treifos at the niftar 's dining second person gives the field to hekdesh. ten without rebelling. It can be very dif room table. The sons sit in the adjoin When Yovel comes, does the Kohein get ficult, though, especially when some of ing kitchen eating breakfast and talking it, does it go back to the original owner, the talmidim have tight schedules. Our amongst themselves. Our subject matter or does the second owner get it?" doctors may come for five or ten min deaL~ with bovine anatomy. Our discus I answer his question according to the utes, and then leave to do early morn sions, sometimes loud and boisterous, Gemora in Eruchin we had learnt the day ing hospital rounds. In the end, you revolve around holes being found in the before. My curiosity gets the better of me, hope that someone understands com animal's liver, lungs and kidneys. however, and I ask pletely, but always bear in mind that Inevitably, I think to myself, those in the "Doctor, why is this such a pressing even one word of the dafcould have an kitchen must have overheard us, and question right now? Are you considering impact far beyond what we might probably think we're crazy, discussing cat purchasing such a field? Let me assure you imagine. tle parts. that the laws ofYovel and the S'dei Levi One of the members ofmy shul, a man On the last day of the shiva, after the im are not presently in effect, and you can whose friendship I deeply cherished, shiur has concluded and the family has pursue your purchase with peace of passes away suddenly from a heart attack. gotten up, I pull one of the sons to the side. mind. You have my personal guarantee The ensuing shiva, with its early "I wanted to explain about the class we've that no kohein is going to seize your Shacharis at the house, poses a conflict been holding during the shiva," I begin. sod eh." with the daf. With the ready agreement "Rabbi," he interrupts, "I wanted to
10 The Jewish Observer, September 1997 talk to you about that, too. I know you managed to turn their favorite cafe' into "Look at how little is colored in, and how said we weren't supposed to listen, but, a beis midrash. Many of them interrupt much white space there is left, after all that sitting in the kitchen, I couldn't help over their dinner to stand and respond when learning we've done. I thought we'd cov hearing. I thought it was just fascinat we say the Kaddish, and a few even ered so n1uch. \tVhy, we haven't even ing, especially the day you were talking approach us to wish us mazel tov. As begun to make a dent in Shas!" about the lungs. I never knew that Tal the meal is served, I give a speech about I pick my ego up off the floor and n1ud was so interesting. I just couldn't how significant an achieve1nent it is to return to my seat. stop listening. I hope it's all right." finish such a long, difficult mesechta. "Perhaps," I say, my eyes glancing at The focus of the drasha, however, is the *** a photo ofhis late-father sitting on a cof wives. I speak about how they are the It's the day before we are to finish fee table, "you might be interested in true heroes of the daf yo mi; how it is they Mesechta Middos, which also means that studying further .... " that deserve all the credit; how they will it's the day before we will make a siyum ingly sacrifice so much so that their hus on the entire seder ofKodshim. Think The Friendly Fallout bands can learn; how all of our learn ing back to all we have been through, all ing really belongs to them. A number of that we've learned together, all that here is another aspect to the daf husbands are staring at their wives with 1ve've grown, it's truly a phenomenal which rivals the sense of fulfill a look of gratitude and appreciation in accomplishment. I am humbled at what Tment of successfully learning their eyes. A few of the wives are star we've been able to do. Pulling aside one through each mesechta. That is watch ing at me, trying to figure out what I'm of the talmidim, I attempt to share my ing how the relationships among the going to try and con them into letting feelings. talmidim, and with myself, grow. We their husbands do next. "Docto1; can you believe it? You're actu share a con1mon purpose, and are ally about to finish an entire seder ofShas. working together to conquer Shas, one notherday,anotherdaf No mat Every day for a year and a half, learning daf at a time. When someone is miss ter how much or how little a per every single day. Tell me. Before we start ing, everyone inquires about his welfare. Ason understands, the progress is ed, did you ever imagine that you would The shiur has developed into a tightknit inarguable. When the regimen of the be able to 1nake such a statement?" group who genuinely care for each other. daily dafstarts to affect the disposition The doctor was a youth during the And for their Rebbi. of the talmidim, I try to encourage them Holocaust. Although brought up in a A week before Pesach, at by reminding everyone of just how Chassidic family, he has just begun learn Mincha/Maariv. One ofthe participants much Torah we have learned. ing again after so many years. He has co1nes over to me and hands me an enve On a trip to Lakewood one afternoon, attended the daf religiously since it lope. I wait until I get home to open it, I find a chart for sale in one of the sefarim began. "Rabbi," he says quietly, shaking and hand the contents to my wife. stores. It counts out every mesechta in his head. "Thisdaf yomi. I've been trans Inside, there is cash and a short note. Shas, daf by daf. I purchase three ofthem, formed." Written in Hebrew on the card is a note with the idea ofposting one in each of the You know something, doctor? So which, in its sin1plicity, says so much more three Orthodox shuls in town. At home, have I. So have I. • than the words could ever convey: I take a set of highlighters, and color in "L'chvod Rebbi U'mori - To my Rebbi every one of the 358 daf we have learned and my Teacher. Chag Kasher V'Samey since the shiur began. It certainly is DIGEST OF MEFORSHIM ach. Talmidcha - Your Talmid, impressive. My intent: seeing how much We are both very n1oved. we've learned will give other people an 'tn p? in :i 't'1 pr, There's not a million dollars in the enve incentive to join the shiur. More impor ""YT ,yu71< 71 The Jewish Observer, September 1997 11 '11'!JN ·' ?tm J "'JJm'J.l~"ll New Torah Cities in Eretz Yisroel Today ne of the most public facili exciting devel ties - the shuls, the O opments for the mikva, the shops and schools - were Chareidi public in Israel located outside of carefully designated in advance. This is today is the construction Jerusalem, but within an easy commute, in contrast to the neighborhoods in of new Torah cities. With housing in thereby not entirely cut off from the existing major urban centers, where Jerusalem and Bnei Brak beyond the kedusha of the holy city. One can pur apartment houses are built in every bit budgetary reach of a Kolle/ Yungerman chase a cottage or villa, complete with of available space, with public facilities or a growing family of American olim, land to expand the residence as neces often a desperate afterthought. this expanding population is currently sary, for the same price one could expect Betar, Kiryat Sefer, Beit Shemesh, and faced with a terrible housing crunch. to pay for a small apartment in Ashdod came about as a solution to this Many larger families must marry off Jerusalem or Bnei Brak. very real problem. They all promise to numerous siblings. It has been the A distinct advantage of construction become n1ajor centers of Torah and Yiras norm that one could not even be con from scratch is the ability to plan the city Hashem, each in its own unique manner. sidered for a shidduch without possess to meet the needs of the religious ing the wherewithal for, at the very least, inhabitants. (Many urban planners in BETAR a down-payment for a new apartment. Chicago were grateful to Mrs. O'Leary's In order to meet this desperate situation, cow for kicking off the great Chicago n terms of proximity to Jerusalem, several new developments are being con Fire in 1871, as it enabled them to Betar reigns supreme. With the structed from scratch, aimed at becom rebuild the city with a careful plan.) I opening of a new tunnel, the com ing Torah cities. These centers are all These new communities offer the plan mute to the Gilo section of Jerusalem is ners the ability to build in accordance approximately eight minutes. Betar is zev Roth is a frC~-lance journalist who Jives in with a precise design, for the maximum located between Gilo to the north, Beth Kiryat Sefer, where he is a rncinber of Kollel Shaarei Shlomo, for Americans and other Eng benefit of the Orthodox inhabitants. In lehem to the southeast and Hebron to lish-speaking men. these new locales, the location of all the the west, and the favorite destination to The Jewish Observer, September 1997 13 Betar Betar-Gilo Expressway immediate plans for an additional 1300 the overwhelming number of its resi talmidei chachaminz - to the destruc units. Its educational format includes ten dents is without question Jerusalem. tion of the Beis Hamikdash itself. The chadorim for the boys and four Torah The connection between Betar and numbers that fell at the hands of the schools for girls. About one third of Jerusale1n is no recent phenomenon. Romans were greater than those lost in Betar's residents are Jews of Sephardi While the Temple was standing, a rival both the conquests of Nebuchadnezzar origin. Another 30% is composed of var ry had developed between these two and Titus of Jerusalem.' It is not sur ious Chassidic groups, including Boyan, great cities. When the residents of Betar prising, then, that the destruction of Karlin-Stolin, Lubavitch and Breslav. were olah l'regel (made their festival pil Betar is one of our reasons for mourn The remaining 30% are of yeshiva grimage to Jerusalem), they were ing on the 9th of Av.' background. Olim from English-speak mocked by the city's citizens. In turn, the For close to 2000 years, Betar lay dor ing countries comprise less than 10% of travelers from Betar prayed that the mant, awaiting a rebirth, while the total population. These demo roads to Jerusalem become impassable, Jerusalem merited a steady and gradual graphics, however, may soon change. to exempt them from their thrice year resettlement of Jews over the past two The new phase of construction on the ly obligation. Following the destruction centuries. Betar is recalled by Jews lower part of the hill promises an of the Temple in the year 70CE, Betar worldwide in the fourth beracha of Bir influx of Americans and Israelis, due in was smug and secure. But "he that chas Hamazon, Hatov Vehameitiv, which part to the opening of the new com rejoices at calamity shall not go unpun was composed by Chazal in recognition munity of Yeshivas HaRon, under the ished" (Mishlei 8,5).' Then, 55 years fol of a miracle that occurred following the guidance of Rabbi Tzvi Weissfish. Plan lowing the destruction of the Beis massacre4, ners are expecting the growth to con Hamikdash, Roman governor Turn us Betar's rebirth began approximately tinue over the next ten years, when 17- Rufus plowed over the site of the Tem seven years ago on a site that many 20,000 residents will reside in a newly ple Mount, but not until he had con believe could have been a portion of the established version of a great city of quered Betar in his quashing of Bar original Betar. The fact that an Arab city ancient antiquity. Kochba's revolt. named "Bateer'' exists nearby adds cre Many places in Israel have occasion Chazal have likened the destruction dence to this speculation. The town's al shiurim in English, but Betar is of Betar - which had been a great city current population of the community home to one of the few shuls where all of Torah learning, with thousands of is approximately 2200 families, with drashos, shiurim and announcements are ATTENTION: BNEI TORAH! Jlre you wok;jng for a sfow, cfear and concise (jemara shiur tfiat tak._es fess time tfian tfie regufar tJJaf Yomi Sliiur? JUST TRY THE NARRATED AND SIYUM HASHAS SPECIAL: EXPLAINED ORDER WORD BY WORD MESECHOS BRACHOS GEMARA & MISHNA TAPE SERIES IN CONCISE ENGLISH (16 tapes) 4-5 BLATT PER TAPE FOR JUST ~ $49.99 (800) 966-6026 SLABODKA YESHIVA ISRAEL 03-579-4067 14 The Jewish Observer, September 1997 Kiryat Sefcr made in English. Congregation Ohel Torah, under the guidance of Rabbi Avrahom Stern, offers Shabbos drashos, Daf Yomi, ladies' shiurim and oneg Shabbos gatherings, all in America's man1ma lashon. Rabbi Stern, a dynam ic young Rav from England, came to Betar to accommodate olhn who sought an English-speaking Rav in close prox imity to Jerusalem, where housing daily, rendering the cheerful red and gray ing. They have remarked that Bais prices are within reach. patterned sidewalks spotless, punctuat Abba would be better regarded as a All the homes in Betar are built exclu ed by municipality-owned lush gardens. "yeshiva for adults" than a kollel, for it sively of glistening Jerusalem stone, Many amenities that larger cities enjoys the close supervision and guid which shimmers in the golden sunsets enjoy are currently available in Kiryat ance of a full-time Mashgiach, as well as overlooking the hills surrounding Sefer: supermarkets, major medical the participation of ten outstanding Jerusalem. groups ( kupat cholim), a pharmacy, den maggidei shiur, who daily convey their tists and eye doctors. Small private busi great Torah knowledge to the Yungeleit. KIRYAT SEFER nesses provide residents with services on In anticipation of its continuing growth, the spot. A light industry area is also Rabbi Freund has recently begun con racing the side of a mountain planned, which will increase the selec struction of a new beis midrash build like an urban fan dipped in tion of services) as well as provide ing with capacity for 1500 avreichim. In Ggreen, Kiryat Sefer offers a view employment for the residents. addition, he introduced an English of the Mediterranean to the East and the The biggest industry in Kiryat Sefer speaking section within Kolle/ Bais hills of Jerusalem to the West. Kiryat is without question limud haTorah. Abba, under the guidance of Rabbi Sefer is a 25-minute car ride to either Approximately 65% of its residents Reuvein Cohen. Jerusalem or Bnei Brak. Located in the learn full-time in one of the approxi These places of learning are a veri newly planned metropolitan area of mately 20 kollelim in the town, which table G-d-send, as the low rents and Modi'in, Kiryat Sefer currently boasts include a number that specialize in one inexpensive purchase prices enable some 2,300 families, approximately way or another; among them, two that young scholars to continue their Torah 35% of which are English speaking. are structured specifically for baalei study much longer, without having to When completed, over 6000 families will teshuva - one for Israelis, one for endure the rigors of travel. Two bed reside in the development. Kiryat Sefer Americans. Many Yungeleit purchase in room apartments, as wel1 as villas and is located in walking distance of Moshav Kiryat Sefer with intention to commute cottages, many with full basements, are Matisyahu, where Rabbi Zev Leff serves to their original kollelim in Jerusalem or also available. as Rav. With the addition of other neigh Bnei Brak, only to remain local, having Women have the benefit of a full boring developments of Matisyahu found the learning level within the kirya gamut of shiurim, many in English. A North (currently under construction), on par with what they had been previ women's seminary (for married ladies) Or Somayach and Matisyahu East, the ously accustomed to. sponsored by Todaah holds two week entire area is under the auspices of the 1'his scenario is no doubt inost fre ly sessions of three-hours duration Modi'in Elite Regional Council. Some quent with the Kollel Merkazi (Central each, in addition to almost nightly class 20,000 religious families - more than Kollel). Under the guidance of Rabbi es for ladies. A vibrant and active I 00,000 residents - will, with help of Aharon Dov Freund, Kolle! Bais Abba N'shei provides numerous programs, in the Almighty, call the area home. In fact, has grown rapidly, to become the largest English, throughout the years for its siz the Israeli government is actively pro kollel in Israel today. Rabbi Freund able olim population. moting the nearby city of Modi'in as the attributes rl1e kolleI's success to the close Also of note, Yeshivas Haron) under next great city in Israel, possibly com supervision maintained by Gedolei Rabbi Tzvi Weissfish has begun a com peting with Beer Sheva as Israel's fourth Torah of Eretz Yisroel over its progress. munity in immediate proximity with largest city, with 250,000 people. On a monthly basis, the kollel is priv Kiryat Sefer. Since the ground breaking ceremo ileged to hear shiurim from such ny on 20 lyar 5751 (June 4, 1991), the Gedolim as Rabbi Shlomo Wolbe, Rabbi A Name That Resonates With Awe of Torah city has continued to grow in accordance Shmuel Auerbach (Nasi of the Kollel) with a carefully formulated plan. Well and Rabbi Aharon Shteiman 1'<"1"""'1. he name "Kiryat Sefer" resonates placed parks abound, many with green These visitors have co1n1nented on the with a hallowed awe of Torah, and lawns - a rarity in frum neighborhoods remarkable flourishing of the kollel Tindeed, it appears twice in in Israel today. The streets are cleaned both in terms of size and level oflearn- Tanach: Yehoshua 15,16 and Shoftim The Jewish Observer, September 1997 75 Kiryat Sefer Torah city being built in Modi'in. father, Rabbi Simcha Kessler ?"llt who Calev's portion was Hebron, they main preceeded him as Rav of the entire com tain, which is quite a distance from munity.) A local beis din, in which the Modi'in. As Rashi and the Maharsha dayanim speak English, convenes each elaborate, however, ''Kiryat Sefer" refers night to answer any she'eilos that come to an intensification of Torah study. A up in the kehilla. city that has as its essence the study of During the early construction of Torah can appropriately be named Kiryat Sefer, the builders uncovered the Kiryat Sefer. remains of a Jewish city from the times Indeed, the new city of Kiryat Sefer of Bayis Sheini. Amidst the ruins, they has five chadorim and two girls' schools. discovered many artifacts, irt'dtttHng coins and oil presses. They also uncov ered clearly identifiable remains of a shul and three mikvaos. The underlying essence of Kiryat Sefer is Torah in every facet of its existence. I, 11. In both places Calev is quoted as Without question, it is the spiritual heir stating: "I will give my daughter Aksa to to the hallowed name Kiryat Sefer. whoever attacks Kiryat Sefer and con quers it." Calev's brother, Asniel ben BEIT SHEMESH K'naz, conquered the city, and was rewarded Calev's daughter in marriage. he religious section of Beit This victory was not simply a mat Shemesh may be the most ambi ter of military prowess. The Gemora Ttious of the newly-planned Torah ( Temura ! Sa) explains that during the communities, presaging the formation mourning period following Moshe of a new major metropolitan center just Rabbeinu's petira, 1,700 halachos derived Chevra Masmidim meets nightly and on outside of Jerusalem. Currently pro through kal v'chomrim, gezeira shavim Shabbos for boys grades 1-8. The city has posed are 28,500 units crowning three (means of exegisis) and vowels were for more than 30 daily minyanim, the mountains overlooking the current city gotten by Kial Yisroel. These were majority of which are Nusach Ashkenaz. of Beit Shemesh. When these designs restored by AsnieI ben K'naz "who con There are also a number of Sephardic come to fruition, Beit Shemesh will have, quered Kiryat Sefer." Rashi there defines and Chassidic shuls, (including the G-d willing, more religious residents "Kiryat Sefer" in terms of halachos. The growing presence of a Karlin-Stolin than the current population of Bnei Maharsha elaborates, "Who can conquer group). At the recommendation of the Brak, covering an area greater than that Kiryat Sefer? Who can relearn halachos Rav of the Kirya, Rabbi Meir Kessler, of Bnei Brak. directly out of a Torah scroll - a Kiry there is currently a drive to get all the The development is divided into two at Sefer? Asniel ben K'naz rose to the shuls out of the temporary miklats sections - one to the north, the other occasion and reestablished the 1700 for (bomb shelters) and into permanent to the south. In the southern section of gotten halachos." locations. Presently, ten such construc Beit Shemesh, just a few years ago, three The Israeli government refuses to tion projects are simultaneously under new communities were constructed: acknowledge application of the name way. Rabbi Meir Kessler succeeded at the Bayis Menucha, which contains most "Kiryat Sefer" to the contemporary helm after the untimely passing of his ly non-Chassidic residents, including If you are thinking of moving for Jewish Growth Opportunities ... Full Service Community BEGIN THINKING MILWAUKEE! 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Although all MAKING ALMNG. about 100 English-speaking families; from literally the four corners of the Nachla Menucha, with a more Chassidic globe, including groups from France, MAKING ALIFE. flavor; and Shikun Gur Chassidim. Tol Belgium and England, have also made dos Aaron Chassidiln have a presence in purchases. the first two. Between these three areas, Beit Shemesh lies about 15 miles out there are seven different day schools and side of Jerusalem. The construction of 6 kollels. Ashkenazi, Yeshivish, Sephar a new road will connect Beil Shemesh di and Modern Orthodox are all repre to Ein Kerem hospital, and then lead sented in Beit Shemesh, making the cur directly into the southern section of rent religious population of about 1500 Jerusalem, making the entire commute families representative of the broadest a 1nere 15 minutes. spectrum of Kial Yisroel. Here, too, one can live close to Rapid expansion of the entire com Jerusalem, without need to pay outra plex is just over the horizon. Within the geous sums for an apartment. Two bed next 12 to 18 months, 3,200 units will room apartments, spacious three-bed be completed in a fourth neighborhood, room dirot and villas are available. All It's tough, making Ramot Beis Shemesh. It is located on the apartments are built with the highest money in today's world. mountains overlooking the original standards of technology, and have a care city, about a ten-1ninute car ride away. fully planned infrastructure to meet the In anticipation of the coming boom, needs of the religious community. The HEAVEN SENT many groups are building apartments in breathtaking view of the surrounding a collection of tales and bloc, offering these housing opportu mountains is also available in almost all insights into the delicate nities to their members. Mishkonot sections of the city. balance between livelihood Yerushalayim, under the auspices of Being a portion of a major city of and faith, human effort and Rabbi Shmuel Auerbach (son of Rabbi over 20,000 residents affords the resi trust in G-d. Shlomo Zalman ':>"~!),is spearheading dents many amenities not yet available Rendered into English by a large contingent of his community to in other, newer communities. Shopping noted trial lawyer Judah purchase apartments there. Degel malls, department stores, banks and Lifschitz, Heaven Sen.t is a business tool you can't afford HaTorah has recently lent support for even a train station are just minutes away to be without. construction in another section. And a from the religious sections. A major group of Boston Chasssidim has recent industrial park already exists nearby, ly purchased a bloc in hope of estab affording the residents employment A TARGUM PRESS Book lishing a large Boston Kehilla. Thirty opportunities. Numerous nature Distributed by members of a Sephardi shul in Queens reserves dot the surrounding land FELDHEIM PUBLISHERS also plan on moving as a group when scape, including the nearby stalagmite Tel.1-800-237-7149 their apartments are ready, as is a sim Sorek Caves. ilar kehilla from Baro Park. Individuals Those fortunate to dwell in Beit The Jewish Observer, September 1997 17 Ashdod Get ready for the new Dal Yomi Cycle with The Soncino Talmud on CD·ROM 1 fcfEOtllME OFFER! On sale now for the amazing :'mT.l nmn>n tn'lmtl !'lll"m ~:>'nnmw Dl"ll! •n ro '!l")'l]~ Y.l low price of just$ 179! 01'1»1'711 n111'm <- o•ni w•w-:- "rrno nlor.> nrn111-:. It,\ ;11•1 '/)'7 1mol ;m " O"ll)r.l:?! o•11ll'o o•'IJ -:. IS] 1im'l m::iil .;.. nrp1011K ~~ 11''/~o <:- n1'Js n'n <:- 3i Save S120 off the list price! •nl'10 rnn•s ·~ j)l"l 'IJ'l jj•in -:o 'll'r..l nt11:1 •11n ~· .ovm 'nl 30 ~ 30 rn!:l~1P <:- •31'1J !!l'l!l 'l!l'~ i} K'ln ~. Get the complete Shas in Hebrew and English-not 1f."·\:;1L.,r~.·\ ;nmN·:r 8at;11a1rr;p;;ng.;~n-v;cn·'~ ~ just Berochos-to help you through the entire Oaf i \.•,• ~~·':')JJJ '"( .'>l 18 The Jewish Observer, September 1997 wisdom and forethought of the Ger over 27 years before moving to Ashdod) Torah community. The planned expan dynasty is now bearing the fruit of their described Kiryat Shmuel as targeting sion of Betar, Kiryat Sefer, Beit Shemesh visionary ideas. The next generation, not "any bnei Torah:' He explains that he was and Ashdod is happening before our surprisingly, is beset with a housing attracted to Ashdod due to his desire to very eyes. Indeed, many felt that insur shortage almost identical to that which reside in a major urban center, and still mountable problems facing these cities their own parents experienced. Due to pay a fraction of the rent for a similar at their beginning would doom their the Rebbe's planning, this group is now ly appointed dim in Jerusalem and Bnei chances of ever developing. Yet all four able to settle in the community they have Brak. In addition, Mr. Lapa stresses the of these co1nmunities have proven even called home for the past fifteen years. unique location of the city as a major their harshest critics wrong. With the At the present, over 6,000 religious benefit: its western border is the Yanz help of the Almighty, these cities will in Jews reside in Ashdod. In addition to the Hagadol (the Mediterranean Sea), with time fulfill their potential of becoming sizable Ger populace, Belz and Vizhnitz separate beaches available in the sum the thriving centers of Torah they also have substantial con1munities there, mer months. Perhaps Ashdod is one of promise to be. each with its own day school, chadorim, the few places in the world today where The possibility of owning a two-story Bais Yaakovs and kallelim. one can purchase a villa on the beach, home, complete with full basement, in In addition, Ashdod is the home of within walking distance of a large and Eretz Yisroel is now available to o/im other Chassidic Rebbes. The Malatzor varied Torah community. In addition, from America. One can now enter an Rebbe and the Neschiz Rebbe each has regular bus service departs every half established community still in its infan his own kehilla. The Newark, New Jer hour for the 30-minute commute to cy. For the average American family, this sey-born Pittsburgher Rebbe, Rabbi Bnei Brak, while Jerusalem is about an n1eans the dream of owning a relative Mordechai Yissachar Ber Leifer, has hour away by car.Ashdod boasts a num ly large residence in the Holy Land can attracted some thirty families, includ ber of contemporary shopping malls at last become a reality. • ing olim from English-speaking coun that other communities have yet to offer. tries. He is the third generation Pitts These advantages make Ashdod a 'Eicha Rabba 2,4. burgher Rebbe, and even has a street prime consideration to anyone desiring 1 Rai11ba111 Taanis 5,3. named after his kehilla. (His father, the urban convenience at non-urban prices. 'Misf1na Taanis 26, Ramba111 Hilchos Taanis 5:3. Tzidkas Yasef, had spent considerable • Mishna Berura 189: I. The Roman conquerors time in Pittsburgh.) IN SUM would not allow the burial of all those mercilessly slaughtered. Besides the blatant affront to com Recently, many non-Chassidic indi mon human decency, the situation was com viduals have begun to see Ashdod as a he development of these new cen pounded by the threat of a plague of typhus due viable option. Some 30% of the religious ters offer the Ainerican olim a to the unburied corpses. Hashem in His infinite residents are of yeshiva or Sephardi ori chance to beco1ne part of a new, mercy did not allow the corpses to decay in the T hot August sun. gins and have been a steady source of vibrant, young and rapidly expanding growth in the other religious sections of the city- Rava Vav, Zayin, and Ches. Indeed, a visit to any one of these sec ' . .. tions of Ashdod would prompt one to • TYPE OF CAR OR SIMllAR 16AUG.97 think he is in a religious neighborhood l9DEC.97" in Jerusalem or Brooklyn. Entire blocks lo and apartment complexes are populat A FIAT PUNTO 3 DR. 147 A• FIAT PUNTO 3 DR. A.C 175 ~ ed exclusively by Shomer Shabbos resi B CITROENSAXO/OPELCORSA 196 !~ dents. Kosher supermarkets, many with c DAIH!ffSU CHARADE P.S separate shopping hours for men and c·• PEUGEOT 306 I MAZDA 323 P.S c·' FORD ESCORT P.S 294 women, dot the landscape. In addition, N KIA BESTA 8 SEATS 630 ~~ VI Ill each section has a full array of standard M MINIBUS 10 SEATS 490 I amenities: Kollelim, shuls of just about • :z any nusach, chadorim, day schools and D KIA PRIDE I SUZUKY SWIFT o~ USA&CANADA E MAZDA 323 1.6 P.S VIV Toll Free: (1 ~ 800·938·5000 yeshivas. Since the growth of Ashdod is F • NISSAN ALMERA 350 ~ .. a relatively recent phenomenon, many G • MAZDA LANTIS 434 VIQ Tel in NY: 12·629·6090 of the schools and kallelim are new and K 'GMC VANDURA _?'35 :co http://www.eldan.co.il/ .}~---- •CHEVROLET CAVALIER ~9:?:, __ ~-~ well maintained. XL • MAZDA626 581 .. The recent interest in Ashdod has SX •CHEVROLET LUMINA 658 :c spurred a new project on section Zayin, KX • GMC SAFARI 770 vx • VOLV0940 721 Kiryat Shmuel. Real estate agent Meir " POWER STEERING & ELECTRIC WlNDOWS Lapa (a resident of Borough Park for The Jewish Observer, September 1997 19 Rabbi Alfred Cohen The Beis Din in America: The Idyllic Depiction VS. The Facts on the Ground t was with a great deal of interest that ZABLO'AH AS AN ADVOCACY FACTOR I read the article in The Jewish I Observer urging all committed Jews ewish law mandates that two parties to settle their differences before a beis who have a dispute settle their dif din, rather than turning to secular ferences before a beis din. Either courts (May'97). A fine sentiment, partyJ to the dispute, however, can indeed. As the Gemora 1 succinctly com refuse to go to a specific beis din and ments on the pasuk "Ve'eileh hamish demand, instead, an ad-hoc court, patim asher tassim lifneihem - These which is referred to as "zablo'ah." This are the laws that you shall place before is an acronym for zeh borer lo echad [ve them [the Jewish judges ]"-but not zeh borer lo echad}, which means that before Gentiles (Shemos 21,1). the defendant does, based on whose each of the litigants chooses a rabbinic Alas for the yawning chasm between lawyer is able to marshall the stronger judge, and the two agree on a third the idyllic depiction of how a beis din is arguments. The job of the advocate is judge; together they constitute an ad-hoc supposed to work, and the grim reality to win for his client, using whatever tac Beis Din of three to hear the complaint. of how often it misfunctions in actual tics carry the day. Unfortunately, what usually hap practice, here in the United States in our That is why in America we have wit pens in such a case of zablo'ah is that own time. If the Torah community is nessed some incredible abuses of the sys each party chooses a professional rab truly concerned that Jews should turn to tem. Since the object of a trial is not to binic "pleader" (called, appropriately, a Rabbinical Courts for adjudication of determine the truth but to win, lawyers to-ein), and they choose a third party, their disputes, we will have to face up to are not above suggesting wildly implau who is almost always also a profession some hard realities in order to make this sible scenarios in order to raise a "rea al to-ein. Thus, what emerges in actu a feasible endeavor. Let me elaborate. sonable doubt" about the guilt or cul al fact is often not a Jewish Court of pability of their clients. Thus, the three rabbinic judges, but actually a THE AMERICAN ADVERSARIAL SYSTEM assassin of Rabbi Meir Kahane, who was meeting of cronies, professional advo AND THE JEWISH SEARCH FOR TRUTH instantly restrained by eyewitnesses, cates, one acting as the rabbinic judge could nevertheless be exonerated; and the and two as hired pleaders, each acting here is a significant difference tobacco companies could, for thirty as advocate for the party who hired him. between the way the judicial sys years, escape any blame for the millions Obviously, this is a perversion of the Ttem functions in America and the of people damaged by their products. Jewish system. By replacing rabbinic way the halachic system is supposed to In contrast, the Jewish legal system judges with to'anim who make their liv function. In America, there is an is concerned only with finding the truth. ing arguing on behalf of plaintiffs, we adversarial system: A has to prove that The function of the judges is to ques have subverted the intent of the Torah. B owes him money, or the prosecutor tion the parties and the witnesses, This perversion is not a small mat has to prove, beyond the shadow of a determine the facts, and then apply the ter, nor only a technical flaw with the beis doubt, that the defendant committed a appropriate Jewish law. Unfortunately, din. Some 700 years ago, the Rosh crime. The defendant and the plaintiff that system also is open to dreadful inveighed against the dayan (the judge each hire an attorney, whose job it is to abuse by persons who manipulate the in a Beis Din) acting as an advocate for be their advocate, i.e., to argue all the system for their own purposes, using one of the parties: points for either position, depending on every technicality to obfuscate, delay, or And G-d forbid [that the judge whom they represent. It is a win-lose prevent the other party from proving the should act as an advocate] .... Rather, the situation. Either the plaintiff wins, or truth. Let us look at the realities of the judge on his own is forbidden to seek ,__ --- way the beis din system actually func an argumentto justify [one or the other Rabbi Cohen is Rav of the Ohaiv Y1sroel Con tions in America. As a practicing rabbi of the litigants] unless he dearly sees gregation of Blueberry Hill, Monsey, NY, and a for more than thirty years, I have had that as the law [din gamur]. Moreover, Rebbe at Yeshiva University High School. He is editor of The Journal of Halacha and Contem many occasions to see the system func if he is able to eonvinee his fellow porary Halacha. tion - or fail. [judge] to accept his argument, even if The Jewish Observer, September 1997 21 he himself is in doubt, he is considered II pressure. I have personal knowledge of as one who "bends the judgment."2 rabbis who were acting as judges in a beis Unfortunately, the common practice y replacing rabbinic din and encountered very serious pres has become that "judges" are chosen by sures to rule in certain ways. litigants to press for their side rather Bjudges with to'anim who than to act as impartial judges. (As a CORRECTING THE SYSTEM'S FLAWS simple example, a true judge sitting on make their living arguing on a true beis din is forbidden to hear the asically, if Torah leadership wants claims of one side before sitting in judg behalf of plaintiffs, we have to encourage people to use the ment. This is obviously not what hap subverted the intent of the Bbeis din system, there will have to pens in all too many cases of zablo'ah.) be guarantees that the system functions Furthermore, a "judge" who actually has .Torah. properly. By that I mean that people will a career as a professional advocate in have to get the feeling that their case Jewish courts is highly vulnerable to II really will be decided in accordance with Torah, and that the beis din is truly con cerned with arriving at tzeddek, justice and truth, while protecting the rights of all parties. Given the multiple abuses of the Jewish courts, and their cynical manipulation by wealthy or powerful individuals, many fine, decent, and otherwise Orthodox persons conclude, perhaps justifiably, that they will ulti mately not get justice in the batei din. Let me give some illustration and offer some suggestions as to how the sys tem has to be fixed if it is to work. (I) In a recent case where several leading Roshei Yeshiva were involved in T!ve ll~t of preliminary discussions, the Roshei Yeshiva strongly urged both sides to go to an official beis din rather than choos Teaching ing one of zablo'ah. To no avail. One of the parties insisted on choosing "his" · The Art of Teaching by judge (read: advocate), and the entire process deteriorated to one of wrangling Elaine Rubinoff is the between the "judges:' If the Roshei Yeshi definitive textbook for va themselves know that the system of JewiSh teachers and teachers zablo'ah is not working, it is their to-be. It is clear, comprehensive, emi· responsibility to forbid its implementa nently practical-and a pleasure to read. tion. If all Roshei Yeshiva and rabbanim would interdict the practice of each The Art of Teaching combines the timeless wisdom of "judge" crassly acting as an advocate the Torah together with the best of today's educational which is definitely what is happening, techniques and methodology. The result is a volume that since each one is hired by his litigant and would forbid such a "court;' the Jew no principal or teacher will want to be without. ish community would immediately have taken a giant step in the right direction. (2) The object of bringing a case to beis din is to arrive at the truth, and therefore the litigants should be required to go first to the rabbis that they would ordinarily turn to for psak. We all know ------22 The Jewish Observer, September 1997 that it is wrong to "shop around" for a hetter, in the same way, rabbanim serv ing in a beis din should recommend that first the parties should report to the authorities who pasken all their other questions, before appearing in a differ ent court. If someone who ordinarily asks his question of his Rosh Yeshiva sud denly decides to turn to a Chassidic beis din for settlement of a dispute, it is prob ably because he thinks that his point of view is more likely to get a sympathet ic hearing in such a venue. A Chassidic beis din should function for people who live a certain lifestyle in accordance with their poskim, while a beis din of rabbanim or Roshei Yeshiva is the proper forum to hear an argu ment between two people who ordi narily turn to them for all their other she'eilos. As an example, judges in a Our course, taught by leading mechanchim Chassidic beis din who function with and principals. is beginning its 18th year. Classes in a community where the women eschew the sheitel in favor of the more include classroom management, practicum. dis modest kerchief and are not permitted cipline. methodology. parent relations. child to drive cars, are often not tuned in to development. and other important topics. the realities of a woman's role in a Young Israel-type home. Often, they will have NO'fl'· little sympathy for or understanding of STAU:flNG DA'.l'E CLASSES BEGIN SEPTEMBER 17. the woman's complaints; since the cou ple never turned to this type of rabbi ALL CIASSES AT MESIVTA iORAH VODMiH. for any of their previous questions of Jewish law, one may question whether the husband's turning to this type of court to hear his divorce case might be because he feels he will get a better ver dict. Such a case is not a search for the truth-but for victory. This is a deni gration of the beis din process. Let me share one of the more grotesque examples of this anomaly, which it was my sad experience to wit ness last year. A certain beis din issued a hetter me' ah rabbanim (a permission for a man to remarry, even though he is still married to his first wife). Usually, when such a permit is given, the beis din automatically makes the husband write out a get for his first wife; in this case, it was not done. 'fhus, our community was treated to the spectacle of a Jewish man with two wives. When the beis din was challenged - why did they grant a per mit to remarry without assuring that the first wife was divorced? - they retort- ------The Jewish Observer, September 1997 23 ed that inasmuch as the wife had sued responsibility to establish Jewish courts judges did not even live in the town, and the husband in court, she had forfeited that can win the confidence of the Jew also the fact that in the course of that all her rights. But, the beis din was told, ish public. That means that the judges year three Jewish institutions (two other she didn't take him to secular court until must be competent scholars, honest yeshivas and one mikva) bought large after he had repeatedly refused to come brokers -and astute, etc. plots of land for building, it is little won to a beis din as she had requested, and All judges have the obligation to der that people ridiculed the ruling mer she had received written permission check out the facts before ruling on a cilessly. With just a few phone calls to from that beis din to sue him in court! case. Recently, a case was brought to a real-estate brokers, the judges could have Nevertheless, the beis din responded, we beis din for settlement-a girls' ele ascertained the facts in the case. Book don't recognize her right ever to sue in mentary school decided to build a new knowledge is not enough to render a secular court, and therefore we are building directly adjacent to the large scholar into a judge. He must also dis "punishing" her. The second beis din just campus/ dormitory of a yeshiva for play some common sense and not summarily decided to ignore the pro newly-religious young men. The yeshi naively accept the arguments at face ceedings and rulings of the first beis din! va objected, fearing that a volatile situ value. Rulings such as this, which fly This is precisely the type of abuse that ation was going to be created by having in the face of common sense and ignore convinces Jews who are otherwise com so many young girls next to a campus easily-attainable facts, can hardly inspire mitted to living according to Jewish law full of young men of varied back confidence in the process. that they will not get justice in the beis grounds, many of them with only a frag din system. If we want people to have ile commitment to Jewish observance. (4) Within the world of halacha confidence in a din Torah, it is the oblig Nevertheless, the rabbinical court there is something called a din meruma, ation ofjewish leadership to act respon allowed the construction to proceed, cit a "fraudulent judgment:' The Shulchan sibly and take steps to make sure that ing as a determining factor the ele Aruch recognizes that "one of the liti such travesties cannot occur. mentary school's claim that "no other gants [can be] a swindler and clever, and site was available anywhere in town." misleads the witnesses who might even (3) Communal leaders have the Considering that one of the three be worthy people."' In such an event, writes the Ramo, the beis din must act decisively. Even though it was not the custom for the courts to hear cases at HAVE YOU certain times, when faced with a situa tion of "delay or fraud, [they are to] judge the case quickly:' In another ques FORGOTTEN? tion concerning whether a father had to pay a fine when his (minor) son with Whether you 're finishing Shas - or a Posuk Chumash - drew from an engagement of marriage, you didn't do it alone. the Shulchan Aruch issued a decision, but Someone shares your accomplishment ... with the proviso "but only when it is not encouraging and enabling your efforts ... all so that you can learn. a fraudulent case ...."' After studying for 24 years, Rabbi Akiva spoke to his Talmidim of The Shulchan Aruch' further cautions his wife ... his words echo through the generations ... a judge to be on guard lest he be taken ;fnl D::i'iwl ~ in. If he perceives that one of the par "My Torah ... and your Torah ... are hers" ties is dishonest or is employing some clever ruse, "it is forbidden for him to Show her your appreciation .. .let her know you will never forget... rule on that case, but should remove The i'l71:I o:min Y7'?J necklace and charm himself from the case:' The Shulchan A treasure your wife will cherish forever. Aruch cites the practice of the Rosh who, Finely crafted in 14 karat gold if he felt that the case before him was a Available in a variety of styles "din meruma," would not only person Appropriate for personalized engraving ally withdraw from the hearing, but even Beautiful jewelry gift box included used to issue a letter forbidding any A peifect way to commemorate the Siyum HaShas other rabbi to hear the case, since one of the parties was acting dishonestly.• Look for it at fine jewelry and judaica establishments This is the kind of rabbinic leadership that is required nowadays, to bring an end to the dreadful abuse of those who 24 The Jewish Observer, September 1997 would use every technicality to prevent talion: Lo saguru mipnei ish-don't be the Torah system will be the envy of all. the truth from being heard. afraid of any person. When called upon What is keeping people from using a beis To repeat: the purpose and the intent to render judgment in Jewish law, it is din is not ignorance - on the contrary) of bringing a case before a Jewish court forbidden for a judge to take into many persons are initially more than is in order to arrive at the truth. After account the wealth, status, or impor willing to let the rabbis adjudicate their the truth has been determined, it is the tance of either of the litigants. It is problems. Rather, when people become responsibility of the judges to apply the wrong to be afraid that taking a stand convinced that they are never going to proper halacha to the situation. A false will get the judge into "hot water:' If a get justice from a beis din, either because judgment occurs when one of the par person is afraid of these things, then the "court)) is not a court but rather a ties acts in such a way as to prevent the despite his erudition and his personal cabal of professional advocates, or truth from emerging or to prevent jus piety, he is simply not qualified to be a because they see the beis din as being tice from being done. judge in a Jewish court. weak, ineffectual, or unwilling to act decisively-then they abandon the beis din system. And that is a dreadful Chillul (5) Justice is denied not only when (6) Finally, there must be strong com one of the parties cheats or lies or turns munity support for the beis din. That Hashem. • to judges who are not impartial. It also means that when a beis din issues a rul • Gittin 88. occurs when justice is delayed. A recal ing and one of the parties refuses to 1 Sanhedrin, 3. citrant party to a din Torah can, if he is comply and/or castigates the rabbis' , Choshen Mishpat 5. knowledgeable, manipulate even an decision, is up to the community to it 'Even Ha'ezer 10. honest beis din, and deny justice to the show its disapproval. Such a non-com 'Choshen Mishpat 15:3. other party. A case in point: a woman plier ought not to be given honors ( kib oibid. approached a beis din in a case against budim) in shul, nor should recalcitrant her husband. After paying $2000 for two litigants who are expelled from their shul sessions, eight months later she was still by the rabbi be welcomed with open without a ruling. ('We're working on it,'' arms by other rabbis in rival shuls. Peo HAT PLUS she was told. In another case, an ple have an obligation to show scorn, HATS • SHIRTS • TIES • ACCESSORIES employee wanted to take a wealthy anger, and social ostracism for those employer to beis din, but he kept offer who defy a Beit Din. Your#lStop ing one excuse after another why he "just For Quality HatB P§I couldn't make it right now:' Six months n the Middle Ages, even goyim used later, the employee still has not gotten the to come to the rabbis to judge their WE ALSO DRY CLEAN LARGEST SELECTION & RESHAPE HATS OF CHOSONIM TIES beis din to force the employer to appear. cases, because they knew that a beis IN BROOKLYN I 1~1111 I.. D e 'Pc '"'' Why is justice so often denied in this din was fair, impartial, and swift! There 1368 Coney Island Avenue way? Almost certainly, it is because the is an urgent need to improve the func (718) 377-5050 batei din are afraid of taking a strong tioning of batei din, so that once again Major credit cards accepted. We ship UPS stand. This fear arises from two factors: (i) the judges are afraid they will be crit icized by other batei din or rabbis, or A Gemach Shaya Lebovits, CSW (ii) they are afraid of incurring the Loan Fund NY State wrath of powerful or wealthy persons Licensed Therapist who might call them to give an in memory of loved ones merits them eternal accounting for their actions. And why "pleasantness ·and light to Individual, hasn't there been more support given the Neshoma in Gan Eden" to the honest judges of honest batei din, (Chafetz Chaim) Marital and to urge them to take swift and firm To establish a o•'n inll Family Counseling action against even wealthy protago nists? Probably because those whose Perpetual Honorary or iii! Experienced with Memorial Fund at one voices should be heard are also fearful members of the of our 74 branches in Chassidishe and of being criticized or of upsetting the Eretz Y is roe I, contact: Ozer Dalim wealthy or well-connected. Yeshivishe communities. What it boils down to is that too OZER DALIM Fluent in Yiddish & Hebrew. many Jewish leaders are not fully pre 220 West Nineteenth Street pared to follow the Torah's clear exhor- New York, NY 10011 (212) 92~0023 (917) 851-5653 - The Jewish Observer, September 1997 25 SHEMIRATH SHABBAT Sarah Shapiro TITCIIAlJSHI hen on Friday afternoon They were not finding her son. I found myself not on They were not bringing him out to her. W the twenty-seven bus She screamed, screamed. heading home but rather on the That day she and her husband and number seven going to Machaneh children went to the hospitals: Hadas Yehuda, I felt like an onlooker sah Ein Kerem, Hadassah Har Sofim, wondering at my own self. Here I Bikur Halim, ShaareiZedek. She went was setting off toward Rechov Yaffe to the morgue at Abu Kfir, looked at when there was still so much to do the all the bodies. before candle-lighting: the cheese No one had any information cake for Shabbos morning, the fish and a defiant people, a stiff-necked people, about their son. the matzah balls and the red cabbage for it seemed I wasn't the only one in It wasnot until 10:00 that night that her salad. Jerusalem who insisted upon returning son was located, on the operating table in There wasn't any more shopping to today to the scene of the crime. "fm not one of the hospitals they'd already tried, so get done, I couldn't use that excuse. So going to stop living my life;' my daugh badly hurt that he'd been unidentifable. He why in the world was I headed this way, ter Mimi, sabra that she is, told me on had multiple bone fractures and breaks, rushing not in the direction of my own Thursday, when I didn't want her to take bums, and internal injuries. His entire body life but instead towards the shukthat I'd a bus to town. "That's what they want, had been penetrated by naifs, which had avoided these past ten years, the shuk I isn't it, Mommy? To make us scared? To been packed into the bomb to ensure max found distasteful not only for its histo make us hide in our houses?" imum injury. He was still unconscious. ry as a traditional target of terrorism but I stand now at the entrance to the for its pushing and its crowds and its market, where that woman stood aggressive vendors' shouting? Last win screaming. ter it had taken me two months to get Mimi told me this story: Do I dare step over... into this place? back onto a bus again after the suicide The brother ofa friend of hers has a best Have I the impudence, have I the bombings, and here I was two days later, friend, twenty-three years old, who accom almost obscene will to tread upon a spot intent upon standing at the scene of the panied his mother to the shuk on Wednes where pure, true evil brought about the crime as if my life depended on it. day to help her shop for Shabbos. They got purest suffering? Traffic was heavy, the newspaper in a few things done, then, outside the entrance Yes, I dare. my hands heavy in another way. A shot to Machaneh Yehudah, he said she could of a woman in her sixties: she appeared wait there with the bags on Rechov Yaffe to have been blinded. A child in cloth while he went into the shuk to get something ing wet with blood. A young wife she needed inside. screaming at her husband's funeral, head He entered the market. She stood there ((How much does a candle thrown back as if she'd been given a on the sidewalk. A minute went by. It was cost?" Here in the shuk, the powerful kick under the chin. a quarter after one. woman behind the One minute, two, three. We were Then came a tremendous, deafening makeshift counter hardly looks up at me entering the Machaneh Yehuda neigh explosion. to reply. She's passing out memorial can borhood now and people were every She screamed for her son and started dles as fast as she can, but there are where, the place was packed, the place running into the market. People were dozens of hands reaching out to her. was a beehive of activity. We are indeed screaming and running out. She was push At her back, plastered in a row ing to get in. Police appeared, they would across the closed doorway to David Sarah Shapiro, a published author who lives in Jerusalem, is a frequent contributor to these n't let her inside. She screamed. She was Nasco's flower shop, several black-bor pages. screaming. dered notices of the owner's death The Jewish Observer, September 1997 27 stare out at me. Hundreds of memori er do I look around vaguely for a match with unspoken questions stirring in the al candles have been lit by passersby and than someone has passed me a box of air between us. We read and reread the are set down upon the dusty, uneven matches. I cup my hand around the notices, wanting to dinstinguish him in ground before the door. The teeny flame as it catches, stoop down and place our minds from the others. In my mind's flames are flickering and burning in the mine among all the hundreds. I would eye, I see the picture in the Jerusalem Post afternoon sun. The sun)s pouring down have liked to pay for it. I stand up. Peo of his sister at his funeral, her face in a in slanting columns oflight through the ple are just standing around. They're grimace of screaming or of crying; she's blown-out roof of the marketplace quiet. In this little oasis of silence being restrained by two other women overhead. amidst the hubbub of the shuk, we who who are crying. I, too, want to light a yahrtzeit candle. have happened to come by here at the How long to stand here like this, in «It's free;' she says, putting one of the same time look at eachother and look limbo between death and duty? We who small blue cans into my palm. No soon- away, gaze down at all the little flames, are alive, and standing at David Nasco's gate, we too, like candle flames, flicker uncertainly. Mozeson/Ma!inowski Advertising (201) B01·0101 Then there's nothing more to do here. What can we do? One by one we move on, and others arrive. I turn and go. I want to buy something. What should I buy? It h¥1't II I don't need anything for Shabbos. I couldn't buy a candle. But I don't want to pass through here like a sightseer, not partaking. I want to belong, like every one else. A few stores down, there's a counter display of shoes. I stop, not expecting to find anything I like, then right there, a looking right up at me, are the shoes I've Y.5ct8tli always wanted. I pick them up in their • white box and carry them out of the sun into the cooler dimness of the store. "Could I have these in 39?" I ask the saleswoman. It hurts She nods and starts searching among piles of boxes. She searches and search es, as I watch. I look down at the shoe in my hand, turning it this way and that. r I wait. She searches. Good! She's back at my side with a no o. white box in hand, and she opens it up The Shalom Task Force - ~ Abuse Hotline is endorsed by ..... - leading Orthodox Rabbonim. 'VJ' ... -1".FO~v Confidential Hotline 7 1 8 3 3 7 3 7 O O Do it for yourself. Collect calls accepted. Do it for your children. 28 The Jewish observer, September 1997 to show me ... but those aren't the same have grown instantly to accommodate ones! Similar, but so different. "Don't my need: I've got to get out ofhere,fast. you have them in 39?" 'm strolling along through the shuk, Now I'm a mother rushing back home, "We have them in beige:' the past in its bag swinging gaily at to make salad, gefilte fish, cheesecake "Oh, no." I my side. To my right, peppers and and matzah balls. "We have them in blue." cucumbers and tomatoes. On the left, I look up overhead. In the particular sec I agree to look at them in blue, but cashews and pecans and dishes from tion of the market through which I am hur the ones she brings out are bright, happy China. To my right, hazlenut pastries and rying, where the second bomb went off, it partying shoes, the color of neon. I don't more shoes and glassware. On my left, seems that the roof isn't completely blown like them. "No, no:' I'm sad. I look at her pallmellos, persimmons and mangoes, out - it's in shards, so the sun comes beseechingly, searching for size 39, fresh figs and watermelons and dates. through in diamonds and broken triangles probably, and instead find her, a It was a mistake, halachically, saying of shadow and half-darkened fragments. Sephardic woman in her early forties titchadshi over new shoes, since an ani There's all kinds ofnoise, there's rushing all with thoughtful brown eyes. mal's life is sacrificed for the sake of the around; the faces are speaking wordlessly of "How about 38?" she says. leather. But is it not a mistake, all the the evil that has taken place and that this "38? Oh, no, I don't think so. 38's too more so, to renew myself in any man is why we're compelled to be here; but in all small." We're looking into eachother's ner at all, today... on the very dust that the commotion a nechama offers itself like eyes. I say, "Were you here on Wednes hours ago absorbed the blood of my a tiny light: the yahrtzeit candles will be day?" She nods. "Were you frightened?" brethren? It's the question that arises extinguished, by wind or by time, but the "Of course:' She's not annoyed at me repeatedly for anyone living in this soul in whose honor we lit them is inex for asking such a question; she knows I country: How shall I permit myself joy, tinguishable. • just don't have the right words. when the tragedies that occurred the day "But you're back:' before yesterday, or last week, or a She gestures as if to say, what else can month ago - the sort of things we beg I do? Her smile's as soft as her gaze. Hakadosh Baruch Hu to protect our own "Did you know David Nasca?" families from, the protection we beg to "Of course." Tears fill her eyes. Tears be worthy of - reflect again and again fill my eyes "You know, he has young the historic events we commemorate at children:' this particular time in the Jewish cal We fall silent. endar, during these three weeks pre She says, "Why don't you just try the ceding Tisha B' Av? 38's and see if they fit? It's these, the ones To my surprise, they're comfortable, you're holding:' these wonderful new shoes. Just as, year I sit down, slip on the black shoes, by year, my heart's getting larger in order stand up, take a few steps. I want so to live here, so do these shoes seem to much to buy something. I want so much to buy these shoes. "They're small;' I tell her. ('Are you sure?" "Oh, yes:' I pause. "How much are they?" "Seventy five." I'm a candle again, flickering uncer tainly.Seventy-five shekels for shoes that ow you can join the thousands who don't fit? enjoy the thought-provoking insights and She touches my hand lightly. "You can delightful stories that shine a new light on have them for fifty." the weekly parsha and the Yomim Tovim. My old shoes are soon demoted, tied "This work will draw the hearts of the readers doser to up h plastic bag, and out the door I Hashem~. . full of parables, sweet mussar and true and deep interpretation combined with a sense of humor." go in my new black mules, that are stur Rabbi Avrohom Chaim Levin, Rosh Hayeshiva, Telshe, Chicago dy enough so I don't feel foolish, high Available 111 all Jewish bookstores or difeel from Benish Press: 51 S.326-2592 • Fax: 51 &.326·2553 enough so I feel quite tall. Out I step O' into the dazzling sunlight. "Titchadshi!" she calls out after me. "Renew yourself!" The Jewish Observer, September 1997 29 f SECONDj LOOKS mant accounts in a Swiss bank were Neutrality: The Changing released in mid-July, several accounts were in the names ofhigh ranking Nazis. Others View From Switzerland on the list living in close proximity to the bank, who could have sn't it strange how places, words, and been taking place, the results of the been easily reached during the past fifty concepts can have a particular col investigations of the US Senate Finance years, were shocked to learn of their I oration, and then, with the passage of Committee, spurred by the Clinton families' hidden assets. "There is only time and the tum of events, they can come administration, enhanced by the precise one word for these years of indifference to carry totally different connotations! documentation of Under Secretary of to the victims: mean;' said Jurg Schoch Most of us were bruught up with an State Stuart Eizenstat. The results: a of Tages-Anzeiger, a Zurich newspaper. image of Switzerland that was spun out relentless stripping away of any vestige of equal parts intoxicatingly pure Alpine of the cloak of respectability that might *** air, breath-taking glacier-traced vistas, once have been associated with neu ,000 miles away, yet on the front an isolated patch of Edelweiss, charm trality, every day bringing more revela page of our daily newspapers. ing cuckoo clocks and precision-made tions of lives lost that could have been 5Neutrality, duplicity, and criminal melt-in-your-mouth chocolates, all pre saved, funds entrusted to Swiss banks indifference dance on that distant hori sented on a picnic blanket of neutrali that should have been returned to their zon where abstract moral concepts col ty held in place by William Tell's son, original owners, but were not. lide with earthbound facts. Heidi's grandfather, and Moni der Geis The message is not only one of his bub. Or something like that. *** toric judgment and commentary. It Oh, there were shadows in the back ow could neutrality lose its air should also carry an element of imme ground, like fabled "numbered Swiss of innocence, its luster of diacy to our own lives, for issues of obvi bank accounts;' closed borders, and H virtue, so dramatically, so pre ously large significance as well as for oth punctilious hotel waiters who had been cipitously? ers seemingly small. For example, when S.S. men in earlier, if recent, lives. But Actually, neutrality as a declaration we are witness to threats to the lives of those didn't count, at least not then. of "This is none of my business" may others- as in the infamous Kitty Gen Now, though, all that's changed. The well be not only prudent, but admirable ovese murder a generation ago, within hidden Switzerland has stepped out of in certain limited circumstances - for earshot of 38 witnesses, not one of the background and is casting large example, some might argue, when whom cared to call the police. Or when shadows of its own. And, in the process, caught in a turf war between the Crips principles sacred to us are distorted or the purity associated with neutrality has and the Bloods, or a feud between the violated; or the innocence of ingenuous become tarnished - and worse. Hatfields and the McCoys. children is compromised; or Torah First indicators, as far as the broad But there are times when neutrality truths are misrepresented, or ignored. er public is concerned, were published drifts from the pragmatic to the Are we agitated enough to be upset, accounts of how after opening its doors exploitive to, even, the immoral. to protest when protest is meaningful, to 20,000 Jews clamoring for escape Switzerland, small and unarmed, con to call for a halt to the atrocity taking from Nazi persecution during World tiguous with Germany, certainly had place, to take action when it is produc War II, Switzerland had then closed its ! good reason not to tweak Nazi noses. It tive? borders to tens of thousands more, leav seems, though, that once the profit Or are we neutral? Indifferent? ing them to a certain tragic fate. These motive entered as a factor, it dwarfed all Mean? facts were recounted in such books as other considerations, to the point where Do we trace the footsteps of Shevet Heroine ofRescue (by Joseph Friedenson lives - certainly Jewish lives - just did Lev~ whose zealous response at the time and Dr. David Kranzler), about the n't matter that much. Intimidated? Per of the Golden Calf enshrined them for efforts of Recha Sternbuch; and the haps. But neutral? Even if one is forced eternity as the conscience of account memoirs of Rabbi Michel Ber Weiss to remain silent, one cannot be neutral ability for our People, and as the instru mandl (Min Hameitzar and Cry of in a battle between good and evil. Even ments of Divine justice? Are we their Fury). So those of us who were in touch a Dante recognized that "The lowest spiritual progeny, who care enough to with specifically Jewish sources knew a rung in Hell is reserved for those who prod, to teach, or to protest, as circum bit more. were neutral in a moral crisis." stances may demand? But of late, more public changes have When names attached to 1,756 dor- Or are we ... just neutral? • 30 The Jewish Observer, September 1997 SWISS BANKS COMMENCE GLOBAL CLAIMS PROCESS TO IDENTIFY OWNERS OF DORMANT WORLD WAR II-ERA ACCOUNTS Today, as part of a newly created, expedited claims process, the Swiss Bankers Association is publishing the list of ail known World War II-era dormant accounts of non-Swiss individuals. This initiative will be administered by an international board of trustees and supervised by the Swiss Federal Banking Commission and the Independent Committee of Eminent Persons ("ICEP") chaired by Paul A. Vokker that was established to identify dormant accounts of Holocaust victims. 0 The claims process is clear and simple. No fees are involved. 0 The published list contains all known dormant Swiss bank accounts opened by non-Swiss customers before the end of World War II. A separate list of individuals who hold powers of attorney to these accounts is included to provide additional information. 0 A list of all World War JI-era dormant accounts of Swiss citizens will be made public in October. If any additional accounts are identified by the ICEP audit, they also will be made public. D Because some accounts were held jointly and some account holders granted powers of attorney to others, there are more names listed than actual accounts. D Ernst & Young, the international accounting organization, will help individuals submit claims in connection with the published list. Ernst & Young has set up contact offices in New York, Tel Aviv, Sydney, Budapest and Basel. 0 An international panel of Independent arbitrators will evaluate claims under relaxed standards of proof. D Claims to published accounts will be resolved as soon as possible with a deadline of one year. 0 The Swiss banks are committed to use unclaimed Holocaust-era funds for humanitarian or charitable purposes. Please come forward. You will receive prompt and serious attention. If you recognize a name on this list and believe you are the rightful owner of a dormant account, or if you have any information that would assist in locating a rightful owner, please fill out the Information Kit Request Form and mail it to one of the Ernst & Young: contact offices listed below. You will receive an easy-to-understand mformation kit that fully describes the claims process and explains how to file a claim. You can also download all of the documents m the Information Kit, including the List of Dormant Accounts and a Claim Form, at the following Internet site'. http:f/www.donnantaccounts.ch If you have any questions, please call the following toll-free number: 1"801)..662-7708. •Ernst & Young LLP, c/o Dormant Accounts 787 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10019, +l-212-344-0610 •Kost Levary and Forer, c/o Dormant Accounts 2 Kremenetsli Street, Tel Aviv, Israel 67899, +972-3-623-2525 • ATAG Ernst & Young, c/o Dormant Accounts Aeschengraben 9, P.O. Box 2149, CH-4002 Basel, Switzerland, +41-61-272-08-11 •Ernst & Young Kft, c/o Dormant Accounts 1146 Budapest, Hermina Ut 17, Hungary, +36-1-343-5117 •Ernst & Young, c/o Dormant Accounts The Ernst & Young Building, G.P.O. Box 2646 Sydney, N.S.W. 2001, Australia, +61-2-9248-5736 r --- ln~:;i;; KilRequ-;;t fu'rm --- I Please send me information about the Claims Process· I Name ______I I Street ------1 I City______s,.re ___ ZipCode _____ I I Country______1 Daytime Phone·. I Please specify preferred language: I 0 English 0 Yiddish 0 Hebrew 0 German 0 French I 0 Czech 0 Hungarian 0 Italian D Polish I I 0 Portuguese 0 Romanian 0 RuS'iian D Spanish PLEASE NOTE THAT THE INFORMATION KIT INCLUDES A LARGE TYPE 1 L ___co~o~tt_::1s:.0F~O~A~A~01:,Ts ___ _J SWISS BANKERS ASSOCIATION W•lz,HeimMnaf!;ofino. !hltaol<,Ra)~WndE H<"""1-i, I"'= r..iOUMd p,,,,,kJ,rr TKIM~~:Rrll.~ }3M}~1">1 / MudM.FSl' !>oncn,Chorl0< !lm.feJd,faM P""'·G"-''-"' Ttmmormonn, R~l\MI, Gl:R Woon,.,-,!Jll>:)\ "painful method of slaughter"), defin ing kashrut according to codified Taking the Prize halacha rather than by concerns for "the way animals are treated," being "utter ly insensitive to the dignity and status Has it ever seemed that the Anglo-Jewish press seems to [of women];' requiring gittin to dissolve Jewish marriages, and daring "to pray, have only mud-colored glasses when focusing on the r at the dawn of the 21st century, for Orthodox community? the reestablishment of the sacrifi cial cult." Needless to say, he also accuses Is the perception real, or just the yield of an Orthodox Jews faithful to the his toric definition of Torah of overactive, paranoid Orthodox imagination? "flaunt[ing] the concept of Jewish unity." A revealing clue might lie in what the American "Legalistic Lore" - and Loathing Jewish Press Association - which represents omething more than mere most such papers - considers prizeworthy. disagreement or disapproval Sdrips, too, from Rabbi Maslin's prose, a deep loathing of a How to Achieve Excellence It is hard, admittedly, but that is sort that in other times and places has precisely what took place this generally emerged from decidedly magine: An Orthodox magazine June, albeit with one differ non-Jewish mouths. Thus he publishes an article by an Orthodox ence: the writer of the arti makes a point of deriding I religious leader putting forth the cle was a Reform rabbi and it Chassidic beards, payos and notion that non-Orthodox Jews are not was Orthodox Jewry whom he was dress, and of characterizing yeshiva stu '(authentic Jews." attempting to de-legitimize. dents as pointlessly "studying the very When a rabbinical group earlier this same constricted body of traditional year was misreported to have denied Jew Rejecting Modernity's Rejectors legalistic lore" as their forbears. ish status to non-Orthodox Jews, the Finally winding down, Rabbi Maslin non-Orthodox Jewish world condemned he article in question, entitled asks his readers, "Who, then, are the it with unprecedented fury. Indeed, even "Who Are The Authentic Jews?:• authentic Jews? Those Jews who have, when the reports were corrected, and it Twas published in the Summer, by their tribal exclusivism, their obses became clear that all the group had actu 1996 issue of Reform Judaism, the organ sion with the punctilios of ritual, their ally said was that the concept of a non of the Union of American Hebrew Con contempt for Kial Yisroel, their manner halachic «Judaism" was a contradiction gregations. It was written by Rabbi of dress, their romanticization of the in terms, the ill will did not abate. Simeon J. Maslin, president of the Cen past, and, yes, their fanaticism, separat But back to our hypothetical maga tral Conference of American Rabbis. ed themselves from the community are zine article and its equally hypothetical Rabbi Maslin is not happy, he makes certainly not equipped to determine the author. He derides Reform and Con abundantly clear, with "bearded men in course of American Jewish life in the servative Jews for what he describes as black caftans and women wearing shei 21st century." their "conceit," and calls them "con tels (wigs) ... [who J pray rapidly in a sing The "authentic Jews;' Rabbi Maslin temptuous." song Hebrew, pore over the Talmud in concludes, are those affiliated with the Finished imagining? Good, but we're segregated yeshivot, buy their meat Reform movement. <'We," he trumpets not quite done. and fowl from glatt kosher butchers in conclusion, "represent authentic Now, imagine a Jewish press associ (ostensibly a higher degree of kashrut) Judaism." ation awarding the perpetrator of the and generally reject modernity:' piece a prize - for "Excellence in He asks how "a reasonable person nr.in> ni'llll1? ??l!m"1 Trrth ~ '""" Commentary." [can] be anything but repelled" by i?>n "!))~ such Jews' "need" to "out-pietize each Rabbi Shafran, director of Public Affairs of Agu i'1r.l?w ~ O't'Ti dath Israel of America, is a frequent contribu other:' He takes Orthodox Jews to task 'J"l .,,, i"1'1'JV 1:i tor to these pages, most recently with "Much Ado for, among a good many other things, ' >r.ITrl 1"1ll"' . About Cloning" (April '97). maintaining the practice of shechita (a = 34 The Jewish Observer, September 1997 Excellence in Calumny he American Jewish Press Asso ciation issues awards yearly to Personal responsibility throughout service - NO AFFILIATES TAnglo-Jewish periodicals and Originator of the present method - BEWARE Of IMPOSTERS writers. Presumably among the things Highly recommended by Gedolai Hodor- Here and in Eretz Yisrae! it weighs in deciding where to aim its 1569-47th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11219 accolades are reason, accuracy and con Day & Night phone: (718) 851-8925 structive service to the Jewish people. 'JVP'l:Jln(J):lNj7 l'l"i' - )'1:J 1Nl rnr.JYV '1l!l Thus the AJPA's award of its "Louis Chesed Shel EMES with Mesiras Nefesh ... as understood and practiced Rapoport Award for Excellence in Com by one active in the industry for more than half a century. mentary'' to Rabbi Maslin for "Who Are - TAHARAS HANUTAR SHOULD NEVER BE COMMERCIAUZED - The Authentic Jews?" is beyond com prehension. That Jews would not be outraged by an article proposing that the Torah's laws be jettisoned is sad enough. That they would not angrily protest a diatribe that cynically mocks ideals their forbears died for rather than abandon is appalling. But that a group purporting to be the arbiter of which ideas are worthy ones for the Jewish world should so trans parently confuse calumny with com mentary is more than sad and more than The Linear appalling. It is, simply put, tragic. Chumash is Though educational. For AJPA's designed for award to Rabbi Maslin for his anti understanding and Orthodox ire exposes so very much clarity, so students about the unspoken agenda of the bulk can focus on - of the contemporary Anglo-Jewish press. and appreciate - It is not anything new, unfortunate the basic Torah text. ly, and not really anything surprising. Here is a well-craft But something deeply tragic all the ed, clear translation same. • of the Torah that conveys the exact meaning of the text. Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, CSW And now this out Psychotherapist standing series is e e •Structural Family complete - in 5 volumes - and avail Therapy able in a beautiful slip-cased edition. • Marital Counseling The Linear Chumash is an excellent educational tool: ideal for us • Child/School by educators, students, and parents alike. Behavior Problems Inquire about short-term single-visit prescriptive psychotherapy " FELDHEIM ffi PUBLISHERS Offices located m Queens and Manhattan Torah Literature of Quality (212) 598-6543 • Vmce Mm! (718) 595-0524 200 Alrpotl Exec11tive Park, Nanuet, NY 10954 • Tel (914) 356·2282 • Fax (914) 425·1908 • E-mail le!dheim@wor!dplaza,com Toll Free: 800-237-7149 • Ask for our catalog. The Jewish Observer, September 1997 35 Announcing the perfect sized airline. Tower4ir A fleet of 17 Boeing 747's with non-stop service to Tel Avi~ Our own terminal at JFK for a level of service and security unmatched with shared gates. Paris 500 ground personnel Tel Aviv (perhaps our only excess) San Juan 25, 000 hours of experience in Miami every Tower cockpit. Las Vegas Los Angeles Glatt Kosher or Vegetarian meals. San Francisco Athens And a bi-lingual crew Always the lowest that speaks Hebrew and English. unrestricted fares When you're the perfect sized in the industry airline, nothing is overlooked. Call your travel agent That's control. or Tower Air at 718-553-8500 Rabbi Eli Teitelbaum 1r ~r 0 ~ ftew Technological Frontiers in Dialing the Dal was kept busy turning the vision into Nach taught by Rabbi Berel Wein, reality. There were many difficult tech Rabbi Yisroel Reisman and Rabbi nological hurdles to overcome as elec Chaim Dov Altusky. A Study on the easy to learn a blatt Gemora as it is today. tronic answering modules, timers and Holocaust is given by Rabbi Nosson Just punch in the mesechta code and tape machines were built, modified and Scherman. There are halacha shiurim blattnumber on your nearest phone (or synchronized, but with great persever given by Rabbi Noach Isaac Oelbaum. even cellular) and you're instantly con ance and siyata diShmaya it finally One can learn Midrash or Tanach (in nected to a master Rebbi who'll explain worked. The little L.E.D. lights began to Yiddish) with Rabbi Michel Silber, the dafloud and clear. Ever get stuck on blink as thousands of callers began test world renown maggid shiur of Dial-a a difficult piece of Gemora or need to ing the new system. Usage went beyond Daf. Rabbi Menachem Zupnik gives a look something up quickly? No prob all expectations and the telephone com weekly shiur on Mesilas Yesharim and lem! All of Shasis on-line and available pany dug up the street in order to bring Rabbi Moshe Tuvia Lieff teaches the 613 24 hours a day thanks to the Torah in hundreds of additional telephone Mitzvos. Communications Network, using the lines to meet the ever increasing most advanced computer network demand. ial-a-Shiur has attracted the exclusively for Torah study. At the same time, there was an highest caliber maggidei shiur Actually, it all started in 1982 as the ongoing worldwide talent search to find Dand is constantly expanding its DafYomi approached its 9th cycle and the best possible maggidei shiur. While choice of shiurim so that every member Agudath Israel was busy preparing its Dial-a-Oaf started out in the English of the family can find something of grand siyum to be held in the Felt language, there an immediate demand interest. Forum. It was then that a large ad to do it in Yiddish and Hebrew as well. "Instead of listening to the news being announced that soon the Daf Yomi The shiurim were not only made repeated over and over again, my children would be "as close as your fingertips." available over the telephone network but now call into Dial-a-Shiur and Mishna-On Anyone with a phone would be able to were also made available in Torah Tape The-Phone and spend their evenings learn access and listen to the daily dafby sim libraries around the world. Thanks to ing or listening to a Jewish story or even ply dialing a local number. The shiur Meir Appelbaum, founder of the first reviewing material that will help them in would begin every hour on the hour and Torah Tape Library, the use of tapes school," says Mrs. Schwartz from Flatbush be given by master maggidei shiur. expanded by leaps and bound as more who is completely sold on these programs. A modern technological revolution and more people made the daf a daily "I can't afford to hire a private tutor for was in the making. The Daf Yomi that ritual of their lives. them and their father comes home very late had been started at the Knessia Gedolah and can't always learn with them," she adds. of Agudath Israel in Vienna, in 1923, *** "It provides them with the opportunity to would be accessible to the masses in a et the work did not stop with learn many additional mesech tos ofMish way that even Rabbi Meir Shapiro had Dial-a-Oaf. Why not make other nayos which they don't cover in school." never dreamed of. The barriers of time Yareas of Torah available as well? and space had been broken. Every And so the work continued on as a large home and office could now become a variety of shiurim on various topics were miniature Beis Medrash. soon made available. There are divrei It didn't come easy. It took much hard Torah on the weekly parsha and gener work and lots of money to perfect al hashkafa topics, given by Rabbi things. Chaim Boruch Halberstam, an Moshe Meir Weiss, Rabbi Chaim Dov expert in telephone communications, Keller, Rabbi Yitzchok Ishee Rabbi 153 7 SOth Street, Yonason Alperin, and many other out Rabbi Teitelbaum, a rebbe in Yeshiva 10rah Brooklyn, NY 11219 standing maggidei shiurfrom around the Temimah, Brooklyn, founded and heads the (718) 854-2911 Torah Communications Network. world. There is a Jewish History and The Jewish Observer, September 1997 37 All are available on the popular had left off. You can make it speak faster dialing into Mishna-On-The-Phone to Dial-a-Shiur program designed with the or slower, louder or lower, just by the learn a few extra perakim or mesechtos entire family in mind. press of a button. of Mishnayos. The TorahPhone switch Thousands upon thousands world board glowed like the stars on a clear *** wide now subscribe to this marvelous summer night. even and a half years passed so very service for less than the cost of one pri The work at Torah Communications quickly and by then (Nov. '89) even vate lesson. Even school kids enjoy the Network continues, there's no letup. SMadison Square Garden could no beautiful Jewish stories told by master Torah Communications is constantly longer contain the overflow crowd that story tellers such as Rabbi Mordechai keeping pace with the latest develop had joined and become part of the Daf Finkelman or listen to stories of inspi ments in technology in order to enhance Yomi family. The huge siyum, a Kiddush ration, based on the lives of great tzad and expand Torah learning. Hashem of unparalleled proportions, dikim as told by another, Rabbi Fishel Fifteen years have now passed and organized by Agudath Israel, served to Schachter. Boys now use it to either the Daf Yomi has grown beyond all inspire thousands of others to jump on review the Mishnayos learned in class or expectations. Agudath Israel is busy the bandwagon and turn into the "in to teach themselves additional mesech making preparations for an overflow thing" to do. tos which may not be covered in the crowd that is expected to fill both But as the world entered into the yeshiva curriculum. With a Rebbe such Madison Square Garden, Felt Forum, computer generation, Dial-a-Daf's tape as Rabbi Nosson Scherman of ArtScroll, and the Nassau Colosseum. Simulta recorders have become obsolete, as each mishna becomes alive. The shiurim neous satellite transmissions will beam Professor Chaim Ziegler, a computer are given by some of the worlds best the events all over the country where expert radically updated the computer maggidei shiur and are a pleasure to lis other siyumim are being conducted as based telephone system. Finally "all of ten to. The rebbe'im have endless well. Thousands upon thousands of Shas at your fingertips" as well as <'patience" as one can have difficult parts people will unite in a Torah celebration much, much more. Torah Communi repeated over and over until one is sure such as has never been seen in recent cations' new con1puterized TorahPhone he understands it properly. Isn't it just history. It will be a show of achdus of system allows the caller to select from great to have a Rebbi available on com the greatest magnitude. And the next all of Shas or the entire Shisha Sidrei mand 24 hours a day? day people will sit down and start from Mishna stored in the vast memory the very beginning once again, joined bank of super fast computers. *** by thousands more, that will be drawn One can begin whenever one desires; nd so it was during the "Blizzard into the ever increasing circle of Daf there is no need to start on the hour. of 96" when even postal deliver Yomi learners. One's own touch tone phone can con A ies came to a complete stop for "What hath G-d wrought" were the trol the master computer at the Torah the first time in many years, TorahPhone first words spoken by Alexander Graham Communications headquarters and get continued beaming its hundreds of dif Bell over his brilliant invention, but it the shiur to instantly fast forward, ferent shiurini uninterruptedly. Even took more than a hundred years to real rewind or pause to reflect for a moment. young boys whose yeshivas were forced ize what G-d really had in mind. We've One can even mark the place and call to close down for the first time in many only seen the tip of the iceberg, what the back later on to continue from where he years, took advantage of the situation by future holds only time will tell. • Not just a cheese, a tradition ... fr 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. All 11aolam Cheese products are made in the U.S.A under the strict rabbinical supe.r;ision of· 1lte Rabbin* of "'Ital AdaUI JealUlrun Cbolo" Yisroel lt'atltin-- ·- HeitthtS. fff WORLD CHEl'SECO. IN(. BROOKLYN, NY l 12~2 Haolam • 38 The Jewish Observer, Sepfember 1997 The~o'pular 16 Page , ·. · iiaf·Y"mci Bi~Weekly ······•·•1iit:iftll.liJ1rs •.. 6rll···YEAR ! ·Eilitilt/~y:l/ab'.brzev Dickstein • Elaboi'at~s al'I~ ~jq,oul'lcls 0n one°:r,twt)te>picstr:orn .each ·daf • Writte.n incluc:id Eriglish, vvith extensiveHebrlf!vv·•·footnotes • A~o.used by many not .studying Oaf Yomi · " ... adds a lot to the understanding and geshmack of the daf, ni,ittt1?l niin .,,,ln?" · - liabbi Cheskel Besser, Chairman of Agu dath Yisrael'sDat- ft--,, "' Yomi Commission. Phone/Fax 1-888-AL-HADAF (in Monsey area 356-9114) SATISFACTION GUARANTEED! If not completely satisfied, cancel within 60 •.•ii•·\i•·.•·•;• days for full refund. The Al Hadaf issues will be ours to keep. D My check for one year's subscription is enclosed 0 Please charge my MastercardNisa CREDIT CARD ACCOUNT NUMBER Join TorahPhone &you won•t just attend a Siyum, you 1ll make a Siyum! Now Dial·A·Daf lets you choose any Oaf in Shas. So whether you're learning Oaf· Yo mi, Amud· Yomi or any Mesechta, you can be Mesayem with the world's best Maggidei Shiur. DIAL·A·DAF • DIAL·A·SHIUR • MISHNAH P: PHONE ------., __ , .·.· st-i1l1RseG'11'ls. \3 Csf.!1ult1r.t·1Nf PAUSE, REWIND < •VOLUME&> .860KM.ARI< . WHENYOU CAW> YIDDISH OR ENGLISH & FAST FORWARD • S~EED CONTROi.: FEATURE·•.• For further information, a brochure or to register contact: TORAH COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK 1618 43rd St. I Brooklyn, New York 11204 I 718-436-4999 I Fax: 718-435-0191 MEMBERSHIP FEE: One-time $36 Registration charge. Cost per Program $8 a month. Subscribe to 2 programs, the third program is FREE. With 2-year subscription the registration fee is waived. Visa & MasterCard accepted. Availability and rates may vary in some locations. ------REGIONAL OFFICESo ------ BALTIMORE: 410-576-6144 • CHICAGO: 773·566-5076 • CLEVELAND: 216-565-0505 • MIAMI: 305-672-1156 MONTREAL: 514-342-5232 • PARAMUS: 201-967-6695 • PASSAIC: 201-471-7251 • TORONTO: 416-256-0466 x226 FOR LOCAL SERVICE IN LAKEWOOD, LONG ISLAND AND MONSEY: CALL THE MAIN OFFICE 716-436-4999 THE WORD FROM he gave us with his JERUSALEM: earlier article. The DOING SIMCHOSYOUR February 1996 issue in OWN WAY which that article appeared landed in our To the Editor: mailbox the morning of "Are Things Bubbling Over? We were very our own bar mitzva seuda, grateful to see Dr. and indeed allowed us to Simchos, communal obligations, Aaron Twerski's "bask in a degree of self raising the children, personal "Reflections: One Year righteousness" for decisions growth, financial upscaling. The Later" on the issue of spending on we made regarding our first simchos, not least because it gives an major simcha. Time for Tikkun has Come. Are opportunity to offer a year-late "Thank We had long before decided to invite We Ready?" These words, you" to the writer for the welcome chizuk only family and my son's friends. We accompanying a photograph of a champagne cork popping, graced the cover of The Jewish Observer, Picture What Your in February, 1996, which featured an article by Dr. Aaron TWerski, Money Could Buy The pride and joy on a young kallan's face. based on a presentation he had Her cnalan is devoting his life to learning Torah. made at the national convention Picture what your money could buy. of Agudath Israel of America, Peace of mind for a father recovering from surgery. His medical needs have been arranged, several months before. Generating his family provided for. much discussion as well as a flow Picture what your money could buy. of letters to the editor, the issue Comfort and support to a Ko/lei family of eight. Their commitment and devotion to Torah a reality. was addressed once more in these These families and countless You can make pages, with "Reflections: One others Jiving in Eretz Yisroel face a difference. many hardships. But they are not You too can join the Year Later," featuring some of the alone. For over 81 years Ezras Torah good works of letters. has been helping. As the leading Ezras Torah. You can Tzedaka helping Talmidei Chachomim help the young and their fami!iesto survive, Kai/ah prepare for her Ezras Torah provides financial marriage, the Kolle/ family feed their No matter what leading assistance in a respectful and children.the orphaned child receive loving care.the economic indicators suggest, dignified manner. struggling immigrant begin a new life. regardless of how Congress and Thousands of Bnei Torah Your support will help us to help them. and their families carry the torch of Your money could buy joy, comfort, relief and sustenance ... Torah for al! of us. Because of their the necessities needed for thousands of Bnei Torah to the President celebrate the pure and idealistic lifestyle, our continue to lead their holy lives. promise of a balanced budget, worlds a better world. They help sustain us spiritually. They need the topic will not go away. Our our help to survive physically. budgets of money, time, and energy are overdrawn. The ESTABLISHED llEZRAS TORAH! 11~1 __:.._..;_91 _;__5 problem, yet to be resolved, is TUE HUMAN SIDE OF TORAN PHILANTHROPY ------Yl's.lwiiul.iiuifriiiiELPEzRASTORAHENCLOSED-ISMYiAX-DEDUCTIBLECONTRIBUTiiiNFDR----,:,~ always relevant. 0$18 Ll$36 0$100 0$180 0$250 0$360 0$500 Cl$1000 CJO~er! __ Please contact me regarding establishing an Ezras Torah Endowment Fund for a: O Free Loan fund D Medical fund Please send me an Ezras Torah Halachic Pocket Calender & Guide to Synagogue Customs, 5758 (checked below, contribution enclosed). We present further comments, 0 Pocket-sized Hebrew Luach Cl Pocket-sized English Luach CJ Wall-sized Hebrew Luach suggestions, and an author's Name ______, response on the pages that Address------City ______State Zip Phone _____ follow: RHSBJO Make check payable to: EZRAS TORAH 235 East Broadway New York, NY 10002 • 212-227-8960 The Jewish Observer, September 1991 41 talked this decision over with our son many who would have been invited to We wondered how our neighbors, for months during the preceding year, a "family-only" simcha - including friends, and co-workers would react. and while at first he balked a bit at not three of our siblings - simply could We were pleasantly surprised. When having a big party, when he realized that n't make it. As a result, our guest list we discussed the bar mitzva with oth we were going to allow him to invite his totaled 75 people. (That's people, not ers, we simply said - only if we felt it whole class and a few neighborhood couples.) necessary, and albeit apologetically - boys (we did set a limit), his resistance For us, both New York-born-and "to the seuda we're inviting family and dissolved. bred, the decision v.ras not easy. And my son's friends. I hope you under That is exactly what we did, plus his don't wave a hand and say, <(Well, in stand:' Not only did people understand, rebbe, and two other rabbanim my Yerushalayim, it's different." There are but more than a few said, "Good for you. husband is close to. Of course, living in plenty of fancy simchos here, and even You're smartl" Yerushalayim didn't hurt; my parents, when the fare is relatively simple, the To be painfully honest, we did have an aunt and uncle, and several first tendency to invite everyone you've some trouble with my parents, who cousins live in Bretz Yisroe~ but naturally, known since first grade is much greater. couldn't accept that we weren't having a video (we had a semi-professional still photographer who did a really nice job) or fresh flowers (we got ours from a gemach), or how they were going to deal with my grandparents when they heard we weren't inviting distant relatives with whom we had no contact whatsoever. (Frankly, we were able to hold firm because we, not our parents, were pay ing for the simcha, but now readers will understand why I am not signing this letter.) And guess what? Our small seuda was amazingly special. The atmosphere was heimish Everybody danced, because everyone felt they were playing an YESTERDAY. TODAY and FOREVER is important role in being m'same'ach the a history book - unlike any other! Not bar mitzva boy. It was QUIET during my only are readers treated to an exciting. panoramic view of Jewish history - son's siyum and the divrei Torah; in a but parables. stories. and teachings small crowd, any talkers are instantly from our Sages accompany the text - identifiable, so nobody dared! Even my every step of the way. son's 25 friends were well-behaved. Every chapter features discussions of We invited our neighbors to a kiddush pertinent mitzvoth, ha!achik (fruit, homemade cake, and soda only!) material. as well as discussions of on the Shabbos my son lained. That was Jewish thought, lessons in values. character traits. and hashkofoh. fine with them. We brought leftover cake YESTERDAY. TODAY and FOREVER has something for everyone, the people. platters to our co-workers. That was places, and events of Jewish history. along with the lessons and spirit of Jewish more than fine with them. history. We were left with lots of nachas, a YESTERDAY, TODAY and FOREVER Read it and learn. read it and grow feeling of accomplishment, some money ... at the same time. in the bank to do some things in our Also available: YESTERDAY, 't'ODAY AND FOREVER - Volume One house that really needed doing, and To preview this and other selected Feldheim books without feelings of depression and anx visit www.thejewishworld.com/books iety that (we assume) sets in after a sim cha when people have extended them selves beyond their means. I am not writing this letter to pat our FELDHEIM 0 PUBLISHERS selves on the back (another reason I am Torah Literature of Quality not signing it). I am writing to encour 200 Airporl Execulive Park, Nanuet, NY 10954 • Tel (914) 356-2282 • Fax (914) 425-1908 • E-mail [email protected] age everyone to find the strength with Toll Free: 800-237-7149 • Ask for our catalog. in themselves to buck the tide and start 42 The Jewish Observer, September 1997 moving things in a different direction, chachan1im nocha heitnenu (in keeping accomplish is that those who are very without waiting for rabbinic takanos, with the wishes of the rabbis). These much looking for guidance in this which 1nay or may not come. I think our "Ruach chachamim" takanos would be issue and are truly committed to abid experience demonstrates that a lot of the entirely voluntary. What this would 'ing by such takanos would not be "obligations" one feels to others when it comes to sin1chos are only in one's own mind. Believe it or not, we even got invited to bar mitzvas made by friends and neighbors whom we didn't invite. I have no sympathy for those who feel they must go beyond their means "for For careful attention to your the kids." They are abandoning their parental role at a time when the exam individual needs, call us today! ple they set is crucial, not just for the (914) 354-8445 child involved, but for the younger chil dren. Our younger sons, for example, know exactly what they can expect when their turn comes, and do not seem at all upset. "A parenl can alWalJS counl on The best defense against the tension that could arise between parent and a leacher lor some good ad11ice, 6ul ... " child at such a time is "inoculation"; talking to them much before they reach WHERE CAN A TEACHER bar mitzva or shidduch age, making it clear what your standards are. We have already begun "inoculating" our oldest TURN FOR ADVICE? daughter, who is 15, by telling her that, As a teacher, you are faced with the challenge of frankly, even if we have the money, we helping students who do not fit the mold of would rather spend it on helping her set achieving a level of academic excellence. This up house than in making a lavish sim includes 30~40% of a class who may not have the cha. Of course weddings are harder, label of "learning disabled," but nonetheless because there is another family to con desperately require some specific attention. Jewish sider, but by making it clear what our educators are often at a loss about where to turn for perspectives are, we hope that when she advice and suggestions on how to deal with these makes her choice, she will choose some students' learning needs. PROJECT LAMDENI one with similar values. provides an 800 TOLL-FREE PHONE NAME WITHHELD BY REQUEST LINE where teachers and educators have ]erusale1n free access to specialized & experienced educators, principals, psychologists and FIRST STEP: OPTIONAL TAKANOS Rabbinic authorities - all experts in the field of education - to help work through To the Editor: some of their most difficult teaching Dr. Twerski once again points out in challenges. a most compelling way the importance If you have a student in need, of down-sizing the lavishness of our sim please don't hesitate to call. chos. We cannot, however, be satisfied with just the discussion and the debate. We 1nust begin somewhere, anywhere, TOLLFREE EDUCATION 1 • 800 if we are to bring to this issue some form A Project Of ADVICE LINE: of a practical solution. I would like to put forth the follow PIACH ing suggestion. The rabbinical and/or lay FOR FURTHER INFO. LAM DENI 5 2 6 3 3 6 4 leadership of Agudath Israel should pro ABOUT P'TACH OR LAMDENI CALL: 718/854-8600 pose a list of suggested takanos which (IN NEW JERSEY CALL: (201) 833-1347) would be in the spirit of Ruach The Jewish Observer, September 1997 43 embarrassed to put them into practice DEALING WITH EXTRA-CURRICULAR and lack of time and resources. In my at their own simchos. They would not OVERLOAD opinion, these two seemingly unrelat suffer the shame (or at least it would be ed topics share a common point: Both greatly alleviated) since they are, after all, To the Editor: on the chinuch front and the social front, not instituting their own constraints but I would like to commend you on we attempt to squeeze more accom rather are conforming to these Torah your excellent selection of articles, per plishments, tasks, and endeavors into inspired takanos. tinent to the contemporary frum fam less time. This could be an excellent starting ily. I am referring specifically to Rabbi One of the great paradoxes of our era point for addressing this serious prob Horowitz's article ofMay'96 and his fol is that the very technology that we use lem. It could become n·v:i more wide low up on teenage dropouts (Oct. '96), to save time, costs us even more time. spread with positive publicity over the and Dr. Twerski's article oflast year and Computer, fax, etc., which give us course of time. its follow up this year in Jan. '97, dis instant encyclopedic access and com SHMUEL KATZ cussing the pressures facing the frum munication, create the need for even Brooklyn, NY family, with the myriad obligations quicker, and more, results. This state of perpetual acceleration affects us in our daily lives, even if we don't use the Ioternet, fax, etc. It is no longer good enough for a boy to just Moreshes Bais Yaakov Seminary know the Mishnayos he learned in school. Now he has to do even more Lakewood, New Jersey Mishnayos so he can go to Canada with Rabbi Eli Lazar. Dean fellow celebrants. It is no longer enough to eveo memorize the Mishnayos they learned in school. He now has to learn more Mishnayos with Bartenura so he can get a trip to Eretz Yisroel and par A DREAM COME TRUE ticipate in a mivchan pumbi (public . ' MC)JU:SHES opens its doors in the beautiful Torah n::i•:io of competition.) It is oo longer enough for · Lllkewood a boy to spend ten hours a day in school 'loil~RESHES welcomes a national student body wit!) ~· cornrJR:,~' (nine hours on Sunday) and then come home and relax, play, and uowind. Now ; > >wellcsupervised dormitory in a new neighbomood of Tora~hc:> .· he has to participate in an extra project presents one of its handcrafted Yemei tyun .;.,filC)RESHES pro~~< so that he can go to a special banquet (i i i the very first day of the year . < fciJ:; graced with a leading Rosh Yeshiva ';MC)RESHES develops the nlnD and nrrn of each studenttti~!J telling them how great they are. It is no ! / We personal n:nrn of a warm and dynamic staff ... • ( •?X longer enough for a bar mitzva boy to .··J'!IC)RESHES continues its outstanding teacher-training pre:>~ say a pshetel. Now he has to learn 1, 2 >yi·t·' y...liich has.enabled alumnae to serve effectively inmo..e • ·· or 6 Sedorim of Mishnayos aod make a . p \ schools ... with Torah Umesorah licensing . . > siyum. What is the limit? :;til()JIESHES offers a fully accredited program of skills collrs~~Fi: It should be noted, that most yeshiv <0< irn;loding Computers, Special. Education and Accounting ati.~, as ketanos now-a-days have a very full / 1'1c:>reshes Institute for Women.. · .· . . . .·•.. ,ij,dl curriculum. I have spoken to other par filC>RE$HES students ~11 becc:>rn~Microsoft Certified Prod~ ents and mechanchim, and they agreed l/~.Sf1ecialist~.afte~ ~!)mpletlngtlle computer.course sequeo5e with me that all these extra projects are just too much. Most children don't even <, >-tiJ.ki~~ tJie.!'.ti~ro•}•.•·c•· .. •· ·... .•· ..•..•.•. ·•··.·•••·.·· !• .• "'C)REStlES~ 44 The Jewish Observer; September 1997 of children to create new and higher situation which compel me to write An oblivious older generation standards of achievement as the norm. these lines. Instead of the home being a refuge The latter half of Dr. Twerski's essay In addition to all the domestic pres from the pressures of the outside, addresses the problem of the distress sures and tensions that a deficient instead of there being a relaxed atmos ing financial state of the middle class income creates, there is another preva phere where children can finally relax dealing with the singular goal of mini lent, yet needless frustration. It is the lack from a hard day of school, the home mizing simcha expenses and such. It is of an acute awareness of this agonizing becomes a battleground and pressure this particular area that I too choose to situation by the older generation. Sure cooker for contests. address. ly parents an4 mentors of these strug Are these projects a solution to the The problem is very simple. Just look gling baby-bciomers had their own tri teen-age dropout problem, or to the lack at the figures. A monthly housing als and tribulations bringing up families of time and increased pressure in our expense of $1500, a monthly tuition bill a generation, ago. Yet, despite their lives? Or do they just exacerbate the of $1800, and a monthly medical insur knowledge ofthe younger generation's problem? ance premium of $800, handily consume general econo:_mic situation, inexplica It seems to me that we would all ben the $45,000 take-home pay that many bly, they seerri not to be aware of how efit if we would leave the chinuch of our of our younger heads-of-household strangling current circumstances are. children in the hands of our mosdos and are earning. The expenses of food, parents, who care about them and are clothing, utilities, car, etc., require addi • One young man tells of the con truly interested in their welfare. If oth tional sources of income that too often stant badgering by his mother-in-law, ers want to be marbitz Torah, let them are not readily available. Even a second to make pre-payments on his mort sponsor a shiur for baa lei battim, like the job or a second wage earner frequently gage. "Why not pay an additional$ I 00 recent spate of shiurim on halachos in leaves a gaping hole which swallows so per month? You have no idea how Lakewood and parts of Brooklyn. many of our middle-age, middle much this will save you!" He lament SHIMON RICHTER income chaverim. And this is by no ed to me that llis mother-in-law is only Lakewood, NJ means an isolated problem; it is fright aware of her Own experience in pre fully widespread. paying a similar amount on the house THE VIEWS OF A BEIS MID RASH REBBE IN A MAJOR NEW YORK AREA YESHIVA To the Editor: Introducing the pifSl'shmiras Haloshon storybook .. A year and a half has passed since the A suspenseftil, challenging, and delightfol story publication of Dr. Aaron Twerski's insightful and thought-provoking essay The book successfully teache~ young people. - "The Time for Tikkun has Come. Are in their impressionable ani,t dewloping We Ready?" Dr. Twerski portrays all too stage. to internalizl! the accurately the societal dilemmas that Halachos of Shmiras l;aloshon. plague the heimishe community. He focuses on three problem areas: the ten sion and turmoil in our chaotic sched ules which affect even "the haves;' the terrible parnassa crunch that is choking Phyllis Weinberg presents a story. that effectively our middle-class, and finally, the indig portrays the embarrassment and hurt which negative nity suffered by those who are not mak speech can cause while encouraging' ways to motivate positive speech. · ing it. It is only now, after considerable hes This book meaningfully weaves into its message: the concepts of itation and trepidation that I express that mn ov ;1vJ K"" -helping a friend, T1K 111 - comrnuni~ating respectfully with parents, and mn n1»n1 - being sensitive to a person in need, with which troubled me when I read the ;K,"' nJoK - love of a fellow Jew as the underlying focus to develop aforementioned article. As one privi these midos. leged to be involved in chinuch with PARENTS & TEACHERS CAN USE THIS STORY TO EXPAND UPON All THESE YITAI. MITZVOS. bachurim who are on the threshold of Available at an Jewish bookstores or direct from & their role as baalei mishpacha (heads of families), I often maintain an ongoing FELDMt:.11v1 ~ PUBLISHERS relationship with them and their grow Torah Literature of Quality ing families. It is this continual involve 200 Airport Executi~e Park, Nanuel, NY 10954 •Tel {914) 356-2282 • Fax \914) 42'5-1MS •E-mail [email protected] ment and awareness of their subsequent Toll Free: 800-237-7149 •Ask for our catalog. The Jewish Observer, September 1997 45 she had purchased thirty years ago for as significant. On the contrary; the rate than the mortgage's. Since no $32,000. Then, indeed, the savings were additional $100 expense to an already amount of explanation succeeds in substantial. The savings to be realized overburdened budget would eat fur convincing his mother-in-law why he through similar payments on his ther into the cash advance of their shouldn't follow her advice, this aidel mortgage of $160,000 are simply not checking account, at a higher interest Ben Torah is left with no choice but to politely ignore her. • A mother of a large family complains that her mother constantly calls to inform her of the latest sales and avail THE able bargains. Bubby cannot understand why her daughter doesn't take advantage FoUNDATION The basics of and stock up. "When are you going to OF • Jewish life find prices like these?" She is totally unaware of how tight a budget her chil UDAISM • Jewish thought dren survive on, and how limited their J by Akiva • Jewish history cash flow is, so the grievous calls and her Aaronson in one volume! daughter's despair continue. Why is this loving grandmother so oblivious of the The basic tenets of Jewish life and belief at your fingertips! With a high cost of feeding ten mouths every wealth of charts, maps and visual aids, The Foundation ofJudaism is night of the year, which leaves no extra an important educational tool and a welcome addition to every cash to take advantage of bargains? Jewish home. A TARGUM PRESS BOOK • An askan related to me that he is Distributed by FELDHEIM PUBLISHERS 1·800-237-7149 involved in providing financial assistance to a two-income family that is 7"1 going under. Month after month they have a $1500 deficit trying to maintain the norm in their less-than-affluent com munity. This family, however, has rela tives who are well-to-do and might even be eager to help if they only knew the truth. These extended family members well know the limited earning power of A BREAKTHROUGH!! their relatives, yet they remain unaware of the choking burden suffocating their Acclaimed by educators worldwide ... loved ones who are too embarrassed to As a gift - there is nothing more appropriate!! ask for assistance. It is so painful to young ba'alei mish As a learning tool - there is nothing finer!! pacha when their elders, although famil A beautiful iar with the facts and figures, still do not grasp - and moreover, do not address boxed set or - the dimensions of the dilemma single volumes. which their children and talmidim face. Available now at Today's middle-aged parents are all fine Jewish suffering from the poverty of affluence. bookstores. They grew up in a society which for the most part was not lacking, and they are Distributed by struggling to maintain the appearance KTAV Publishing of a middle-class lifestyle, which is the current norm, and indeed what their House, Inc. own parents and community expect of Tel: 210/963·9524 them. However, the dynamics of Fax: 201/963·0102 today's [rum economics have turned around drastically. Yet, the senior gen- 46 The Jewish Observer, September 1997 eration is duped by the neat and styl Dr. Twerski writes that "the problems al reductions in expenditures. The ish appearance of its children and outlined above will not be alleviated by reduction in expenditures and down grandchildren, and in 1nany instances) 1narginal increases in wealth;' so too, sizing in lifestyle needed to resolve this is not attuned to reality. Many of these will they not be alleviated by margin- situation would have to be so severe, parents would be in a position to offer assistance if they would truly compre hend the dire straits in which their chil dren find themselves. Certainly this awareness would be comforting, if nothing 1nore. Specializing in Competitive Pricing and Superior Service Consequently, it was heartening to Personal & Commercial • Life • Group Health • Auto read Dr. Twerski's poignant portrayal of Home • Property & Casualty • Liability this painful situation. Even if many of 112-07 75th Avenue, Forest Hills, NY 11375 his contemporaries simply don't get it, 718-575-0312 • 212-22~900 • Fax: 212-228-2075 at least, the esteemed and influential Dr. Twerski is keenly aware of the predica ment of so many Bnei Torah and their fan1ilies. Subscribe or give a gift of And now for the proposed solutions The Jewish Obseroer I couldn't agree more strongly with the need to restrict the extravagance of our simchas. Whether these restraints and $ave! should be imposed on the tzibbur by broad sweeping takanos may still be WHY NOT GIVE OR GET A PRESENT debated; that is not my point. The trou THAT WILL LAST AN ENTIRE YEAR? ble is simply that the dimensions of the problem are so broad, and those of the Suh.scribe~ or give a gift at these reduced prices proposed solutions, so narrow. Accord and The le1vish Observer- filled 'With the views ing to Dr. "fwerski's own estimation a of leading Torah thinkers on current issues- \.Yill he severe downsizing would result in a sav delivered each 1nonth, directly to your door. ings of $20,000 per wedding - certainly not a small sum even for upper middle 'n1e longer you subscribe for~ the larger your savings. income families. But we are faced with Of cour.:Je, this offer is unconditionally guaranteed; the reality that the great mid-section of you may cancel at any time and receive a refund for our mishpachos (whose savings would all unde1iverecl copies. be considerably less) have an annual shortfall of $20,000, year after year after So order today, and the very next issue 1\Till be on year! All this, long before children its ·way to you as soon as possible. reach shidduch age. Not even Dr. Twerski's disclaimer that .J-0. SlJBst;RIP'rION SAVINGS CER'rIFJCATE his "proposals will not deal with the 0 YES, I want to take advantage of thi;;; n101tt>y savin~ offer! Enh·r 111y order as follows: issues of parnassa in general" is very 0 NE\\-' SUBSCBJJYJ'ION r,J HENE\\Al, Q C!Vf fH 'IW/':1UIF. Nmm'------comforting. It is too ren1iniscent of the ll"'H I'S.A popular"nisht oifShabbos gereht, but... ". 0 3 yeurs CoH'r Prir:e $105 Your rost $6() ~96 Of course we should all welcome a 0 2yrm» Con·r Price SlO Your rtJSt $44 $68 Ci1~ ------St;iw ______Zip -----· lecture regarding the restraint of sim 0 I Yl'Uf Co\·rr Price 53;) Your rost $24 336 cha expenditures; but is this a solution '.JSeml ~ifl <·~nf frnm: ______to the overwhelming financial plight which beleaguers our community? U \'!SA SuilP 1200. 84 \Villiam Sired. New York. NY lOIJ:3B After reading the entire article, I could Tiu• }Nn.>h 0/1.<1•m•r i.< pt1hh1/wd 11w11lhi) 1•.>.l'•'PI }uh-""" 4111".•N. ;\,.,,01mt No.--·--·----- /'/ea.<1•0//m1·4-f>"ed.,f<>rd../iNr). not avoid the impression that I had Expiralim1 Dalf': (n10n1h/ycarl •O,.l>id<· l'.:;.,i.,, r•·ice reile"'' $12 ,,,1r,i rw• Y'"'" !" d,,fr<1y ,,;r ehippin~ read two fine, bur unrelated essays """I'. f"<>r•'i~Jl pu;·nwnl nHM lw m,1de m l:S dnll""· ~ithn !Jy dwr·k merely joined by a disclaimer. Just as "'""'" '"' a hank in the l 'S.A. or hy \'KA or \fo The Jewish Observer, September 1997 47 as to immediately plunge the lifestyle Adopting a "Plastic Frames" perspective Indeed, for most of the middle-class, liv of the entire middle-class into the ing within their means would entail not ranks of the "have-nots." Could it be Perhaps a more accurate perspective just forgoing stylish eyeglasses, but also that Dr. Twerski himself really does can be gained through the lenses set in adopting the entire lifestyle that comes n't get it? the "Plastic Frames" of JO-Feb:97. along with those plastic frames. It would require passing up sleep-away camp and the purchase of shoes and clothing at the quality shops we prefer to patronize, as well as limiting our fam ilies to doing "stupid" things during our summer vacations, as described so aptly in that article. It would even further necessitate relinquishing not only the latest styles in clothing, accessories and vacations, but also the nice Shabbos suits, outfits and shoes that have become the norm of children in our society. It might even force us to revert to the times when it was acceptable for a child to wear a patch on his pants, and we would have STUDIOS. to forgo the clean-cut look that typifies ZA~UAL sPEif~'~~i middle-class America, in its pre-grunge, d Brook\Yll• • cornflakes-box days. 623 corte\yoU Roa • If "Plastic Frames" was the case of a number of boys relentlessly and cruel ly taunting a slightly less affluent student who is a «clone of his classmates," then r.------~ it is indeed painful, but probably just an I aberration and not a very oft-repeated ARE You MOVING? scene in our yeshivas. If, however, this I was a student who stands out as living IS YOUR NAME ANO ADDRESS PRINTED I a lifestyle below the norm of his peers, INCORRECTLY ON THE JO MAILING LABEL? I then unfortunately it is not unexpect We need your help to ensure proper delivery of the Jewish Observer to your home. ed that he might be ridiculed by his less Please attach current mailing label in the space below, or print clearly your address and I than-thoughtful and Jess-than-mature computer processing numbers that are printed above your name on the address label. I buddies. Clearly, the offenders need to be admonished and taught to develop I sensitivities towards others, but really, I they were only giving childish expres Affix old label here I sion to the feelings we as adults share with them. Indeed, our entire middle I class is struggling above its means, not I to be caught with plastic frames and all Name------~------~ that comes along with them. I Moreover, it is not easy to advise NewAddress_~------ I someone to simply close his eyes and live City, I within his means without regard to the State, prevailing standard around him. He I would not only subject his children to Date Effective _____~------I the youthful scorn of their friends, but Send address changes to: The Jewish Observer Change of Address I he would also create great difficulty in 84 William Street, New York, NY 10038 finding shidduchim for those children. Please allow 4-6 weeks for all changes to be reflected on ybur malling labeL We will not be I In all frankness - despite being among responsible for back issues missed unless you notify us 6 weeks prior to your move. I the ranks of this middle-class - I per sonally would have difficulty doing a L------~ ---- 48 The Jewish Observer; September 1997 shidduch with someone who lives well clasp - the credit card. If the easy cred the shtoht gvir to provide us a loan to below the norm. Of course, there is no it of the click-clack at the cash register tide us over, certainly our grocery bas real value to n1eaningless distinctions in was absented from the scene and - like kets would be less full and our sheitels the material makeup of eyeglass frames; our grandparents of the slitetl - we less glamorous. But our n1ailboxes are nevertheless, 1nost of us find it dis were at the mercy of the beneficence of stuffed and our phone lines jammed comforting to live at a recognizably dif ferent standard than those around us. Unfortunately, I am not wise enough to propose real solutions to this ever The Sheer Joy of Art! growing and distressing situation. This must be left to the ziknei hador (con temporary sages) to extend their guid ance to those who seek it. We only wish to create an awareness of this situation. The parents of today's growing chil dren are themselves products of yeshiv as and Bais Yaakovs, and generally need not be lectured with regard to inap propriately re-directing their tradition al way oflife. We don't want to bring up a generation of high-salaried profes sionals, at the expense of exposing them to even one day's nisyonos of CREATIVE ALTERNATIVE GALLERY today's college campus. Neither do we 1327 Coney Island Avenue • Brooklyn, NY 11230 want to lead a generation of Bnos Yis 718) 338-3316 • (800) 717-4486 • E-mail [email protected] roel down the lucrative path of corpo rate America wifh all of its associated pitfalls. We benefit from a hindsight with lf Two relevant suggestions In the meanwhile, I believe we must implement at least two measures. First- ly, we must exercise as much restraint as possible in our spending habits without drastically altering our lifestyle. We cannot refrain from taking small steps simply because they do not solve the entire problem. Every bit makes a difference. Likewise, we beg our more affluent brethren who care about the broad tzibbur and its welfare, to curb their excesses significantly, for inevitably they create an elevated lifestyle for us all. Secondly, it is imperative that we not forget that fhe iron vise whose grip .. Available on Casaette & Compact: Disc DISTMIBUTED BY SAM EACH MUSIC INC. 718-479-4507 -I -1·88&-3-SAMEACH chokes our life-breath has but a plastic The Jewish Observer, September 1997 49 with just one more, special pre monthly balance must be ever vigilant question exists when the mosdos don't approved offer for easy credit. Unques not to allow the credit card to see the collect interest directly from their par tionably, the cash- advance phenome light of day unless absolutely necessary. ent body, they are nonetheless giving non has virtually made non-existent the Perhaps it is also time for the man teeth to the biting neshech that afflicts barren Shabbos table that our forebears higei hadorto examine the recent trend so many in our community. A practice experienced during their difficult times. of our mosdos to collect tuition via cred such as this needs the scrutiny and Da' as However, too many of our heimishe it card. Obviously, if this mode of pay Torah of the gedolei hador. neighbors are drowning in an over ment is employed simply to cut down In conclusion, I humbly offer just one whelming sea of red as they struggle to on billing expenses, or to service those overall suggestion. We need to step back make minimum payments on an ever whose income is not on a regular salary and view the situation in a more gen growing debt. Certainly, many of the basis, then it is a welcome convenience. eral way. We need to ask: "Ma zeh assa grandparents of today's schoolchildren Serious questions arise, however, when Elokim lanu?" What is the ratzon Elyon would be horrified if they knew the great tuition is collected on credit from par (Divine wish) in this state of affairs? debt burden that sustains their nachas. ents who have no dream of how they Why, in this land of plenty, in this most Those of us who cannot pay our entire will pay these bills. Even if no halachic affluent generation, does such a broad section of the frum community find itself so lacking? What is the lesson? Per 1\ 11ew, ir1111r<>i.'etl ver.si'''' '~f tl c<>tr11111ter 11r The author responds TORAH. The blueprint of the universe. The letter-writer has carried my plea for sanity and restraint to one more MYSTERIES level. I am grateful to him for complet ing my task Mysteries of the Creation, by the late Rabbi OF THE AARON TwERSKI David Brown, is a brilliant, scholarly, and CREATION readable work that explores our universe through the eyes of Ghazal, examining the restructuring of the cosmos that led to the world as we know it today. The author makes use of modem scientific discoveries to enrich our understanding of the Holy Scripture; at the same time, he turns to the Scripture to shed light upon today's important scientific theories. This is a book anyone who has ever looked around in wonder at our grand, mysterious world. A TARGUM PRESS Book Distributed by FELDHEIM PUBLISHERS 200 Airport Executive Park, Nanuet, NY 10954 50 The Jewish Observe~ September 1997 Rabbi Avraham Chaim Carmell what of an enigma. On the one hand, be interrupted whilst learning, and in s you could not help being overwhelmed general was a symbol of yira (fear of by the perfection he achieved in all areas Hashem). As this ta/mid put it, even his of the service of Hashem. Yet at the same, myriad acts of chessedwere prompted by you had the feeling that you could do his sense of obligation to do what he felt the same if you only made an was expected of him as a Torah Jew - effort. We all chessed shebigevura (lovingkindness The Manchester Rosh Yeshiva would emanating from sternness). The by Rabbi Shimon Finkelman like to immense genuine love and attachment with Rabbi Yosef Weiss davenand the Rosh Yeshiva showed to every person (ArtScroll/Mesorah, NY, h.c. recite he met, was the natural expression of a $22.99, s.c. $18.99) berachos heart hammered and polished to per slowly and fection by a lifetime of strict adherence hen I saw the with proper to the Torah's soul-refining program of beaming smile of concentra mitzvos and mussar. W the Rosh Yeshiva tion, utilize Obviously, most of the recollections '>"Yr radiating off the dust every people have are of the benevolence and cover of a book, my heart moment for concern the Rosh Yeshiva showered on jumped. Could they have Torah study, themselves and others. Nevertheless, the taken all that awe-filled, guard our discerning eye will perceive the message vibrant, action-packed eyes and our that runs throughout the book - life and condensed it into speech, and do whether it is difficult or unpleasant, a few hundred pages chessed when seemingly unimportant or too much; if sandwiched between ever the oppor it is the will of Hashem, it shall be done two stiff covers? On tunity presents with a delight at being able to express reading the book, how itself. What one's servitude to Hashem. The reader ever, it became apparent that the made the Rosh who internalizes this lesson whilst read authors have indeed succeeded in cap Yeshiva so unique was that he did all ing about the Rosh Yeshiva's life, will have turing to a great extent the Rosh Yeshi these things whilst we so often remain become a true talmid of his. The va's multifaceted avodas Hashem with our good intentions. enhancement of Torah and mitzvos through the numerous anecdotes that fill thus gained will be an added source of most of the pages. By recording these, The Phrase That Sums it All Up merit for the Rosh Yeshiva in his eternal together with the Rosh Yeshiva's family resting place, and in return he will background and early life, they have, in here is one phrase in the intro undoubtedly intercede before the Rib the first place, done a great public ser duction to the book that I feel bono Shel Olam to bestow his blessings. vice by enabling the thousands inspired Tsums up the secret of the Rosh 1l">V ]l' 1M1:ll • by their relationship with the Rosh Yeshi Yeshiva's success - ('unremitting, inten va to continue to learn from his way of sive effort." His life was one long saga life. In addition, the subtitle, "The Life of unrelenting, self-demanding toil in all Uncle Moishy, and Ideals ofHagaon Rabbi Yehuda Zev areas of Torah, avoda and chessed, and Mordechai Ben David, Segal;' places this book as a third in the this is to be borne in mind as one reads series of Rabbi Finkelman's masterful the inspiring stories the authors have and other top-of-the-line presentations of the Rosh Hayeshiva's collected on each topic. Jewish. enterJainers teachings [Inspiration and Insights, Vols. A fellow talmid pointed out that the are available I and II]. As such, it will enable many image we had of the Rosh Yeshiva 30 years to visit thousands more to join the "family" of ago was somewhat different from that the Rosh Yeshiva's talmidim, a wish perceived by those who knew him only seriously ill expressed by the authors in their intro in his later years. In those earlier years, children thariks to duction. the Rosh Yeshiva's attribute of gevura rnn l'll'1r.rel The Rosh Yeshiva's essence was some- (stern self-control) was far more promi ~~'1rtii'nn nent. He ruled the yeshiva with a disci A"""""""Chessed projeCt run by Rabbi Carmell, a talmid of the Yeshivos of pline that brooked no disobedience. (I Agudath -Israel of Ametka Gateshead (England) and Ponevez, teaches in the recall hearing a rumor before I entered In conjunalon wi_tlf Boston er Kollel. His appreciation of the late Gerer Suki &: Oittg Pl'Oduaions Rebbe, co-authored by Rabbi Shlomo Ashkenazy, the yeshiva that the Rosh Yeshiva carried to set up _:an appointment, _u!I: (212)797"9000 EXtA2 •_M.P, 9.5 appeared in The Jewish Observer, Sept. '96. a stick!) He would not allow himself to The Jewish Observer, September 1997 51 Rabbi Joseph Elias s Yesterday, Today, and Forever/Explor significance of the and choose ing Contemporary Judaism from the command1nents as what to Perspective of Jewish History, Vol. 11: well as on the foun include. For From the Babylonian Exile to the Era of dation of Jewish instance, he the Chassidim and Misnagdim, Rabbi belief - but both not only pre Mordechai Katz (Feldheim Publishers, could only be under sents the Jerusalem/New York 1997, for stood in the perspec grand sweep J.E.P./Rothman Foundation Series, tive of Jewish history, of Jewish $19.95) to use Rabbi Katz's ~11.ia history and phrase. ----~_.l!&lilll.·lll!!!.,,,,_ its meaning, but But how do you inte l also many details and significant hen the first volume of this grate all these elements trends; yet there is so much more that series - which covered the into a seamless whole? This was Rabbi he could not humanly include. However, W period from the creation of Katz's brilliant achievement. Thus he as the reader is caught up in the drama the world to the Babylonian exile - divided the period covered in this vol of the Jewish past, he will surely be made its appearance in 1993, it was ume into fourteen chapters, each deal inspired to immerse himself further in immediately clear to its readers that they ing with a segment of history, and point it. It should also be noted that, despite were face to face with a unique and total ing out both mitzvos and principles of the limitations of space, Rabbi Katz has ly original work. It was neither a histo Jewish thought that had a relationship included much that is passed over in ry text, nor a compendium of mitzvos, to the historical era under discussion many popular history texts, e.g. an entire nor a textbook on the philosophy of and, at the same titne, provided concrete chapter on the Sephardic heritage and Judaism; and yet it combined the salient lessons for our time. leaders. features of each. An introduction to the Obviously this approach imposes In the same way, while he could not n1eaning of Judaism must focus on the limitations on the author; he must pick include all the halachos incumbent upon the Jew, he has concentrated on laws that, for practical and hashkafa rea sons, are of particular concern to his YESHIVA ESHEI YISROEL readership. Whether in the classroom or under the n?iim of Rav Z ulun D. Liebb is initiating Shabbos groups, for people who are new a ne\"\1 and exciting prog am for the coming year. comers to Torah or for those who seek The bread and butter of every eshiva is the in-depth study of a deeper understanding of its teachings, ~and t:J't:JW~ in an a ,mosphere of t:I~ T1~. this series is an exceptionally valuable This year we are adding a ditional tl'tl'll"\?> in wr.nn. tool and we look forward with great n~ and 1"lT1 to be g·ive;ll by well-known t:>.,~lnt:I. eagerness to the early appearance of the third and final volume which will be % "~ '~'"•WW me''° ~oo~M ,,.,., devoted to the modern era. Rabbi Katz, Rabbi Avrohom Blumenkrantz-f f f~ar Rockaway, who will teach J'"lln?1:) "l"lV. His t::fl''1lVV wi I enable tlYi"t?:l?n to beconie the Jewish Education Program, and the knowledgeable and certified c 1?Jr.l for Kashrus ()r~anizations. Rothman Foundation deserve our sin We are certain that this progra \\'ill be exciting and fulfilling, cerest gratitude. • and help 'C't"'T">t.l?ri to mak great strides in becoming Rabbi Elias is a member of the editorial board well-rounded · "t.:>:>n .,,..,o?n. of The Jewish Observer. He is the author of a num ber of published works, including The Haggadah (ArtScroll/Mesorah) and a new translation and commentary on Rabbi S.R. Hirsch's The Nineteen Letters (Feldheim). 52 The Jewish Observer, September 1997 Shifty Lichter Slie was just )\fy iusides screamed I flear a11otlier one asfil'T bacliar bll!111 - tile sliatterin,g i11 tfiat endless fium1111 stream, "You fiave diose11 of a miglity wall 011 tflat .Monda)' Us i11to a millio11 pieces. i11 'Patlimark, !!fisle '1ivelve. fi'om a11101111st tile 11atio11s." !/fo lm rn Ii air, I ivas Us. I n1a11a9c conditioned to perfection, Slie was tile 11atio11.1. a 1veak srnile. every ivisp "Yes," I liear myself say. precisely so 'Wfiy doesn't slie Slie tlii11lis I mca11 till Iler waist. observe 111f' tlie cat.111p, wide-eyed, 1111d tlia111is me. '{style slii1t, in a1ve1 witli tin)' pi11li rosettes, marveling at my ability I li11ow trendv delicate sfo1, to rise abow I mea11 crem;1 colored spilies. a world tlie Jl'fcssage Impeccable. so perPersc? from .Jfashiw 9[/o11e Sfie must've I i11cli clom: 'Wfio lias •Fatfiered dai11tily da11ced lier and me off tfie cover Sfie seems so e111;rossed, and lias cliose11, of :McCall'.s 'Patterns. i11 the product label above all, of.1iei11z '(omato Catsup. tfie co11t11te fiearts 'We stood arm '.1 distance 'Tne11, suddrnly of tliose wno and 1vorlds apart. lier voice - 'Return. I liad built sweet, slialiy, fiumble. tliese worlds "Is tliis certljled :Kosfier? Jlumbly, I wliisper solid, gra11ite-lilie I'm, er. .. just a begi1111er" "101i're my 1velcome." all-exclusive so people lilie lier C'R91SJI! wo11ld11 't dare e11ter n11ne. You can! Just call I relisfled ''I wish I could tlie co11trast, The Yitti Leibel almost bursti11g Helpline. fi'om slicer ecstasy. speak to a HOURS: I was 'Elite. Monday-Friday ...... 8am -12pm ·1i1pered sfieitcl Monday-Thursday .. ;...... 8pm '1 lpm fiat-bedecked, frum therapist Sunday ...... 9am -12pm, 9pm -llpm plaid blouse, 718-HELP-NOW pleated 11m7 skirt. on the phone (718)435-7669 Sflopping ca1t filled Chicago (800)HELP-023 to Ifie brim Lakewood (908)363-1010 witfl liids. without giving Cleveland (888)209-8079 '7im1sce11de11t. For addiction problems call our addiction ' therapist, Wednesdays 11:30pm to I:30am Mrs. Lichter Jives in Spring Valley, NY. Her poem, my name.'' For dedications call "A Mother's Reflections," appeared in JO Apr. 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