The Great Public School Rainbow ·· · . · Is It Still Worth Charing?
. ~ Y eshivos' Neglected Ftontiet .· ..The "English Department"
.· Rabbi Goren Takes Over ·· The Tragedy of . Custom-Tailored Halacha
also: Second Looks .· THE JEWISH QBSERVER
in this issue ...
THE GREAT PUBLIC SCHOOL RAINBOW, Nisson Wolpin 3
THE JEWISH OBSERVER is published TORAH EDUCATION'S NEGLECTED FRONTIER, s. N. Breslauer 8 monthly, except July and August, by the Agudath Israel of America, 5 Beekman Street, New York, RABBI GOREN TAKES OVER, Ezriel Toshavi ...... 12 New York 10038. Second class l;>OStage paid at New York. N. Y. Subscription: $5.00 per year; Two years, $850; Three years, $12.00; A MATTER OF FACTS ...... 20 outside ot the United States, $6.00 }?er year. Single copy, fifty cents. Printed in the U.S.A. SHMITTAH, compiled and translated by Nosson Scherman 22
RABBI N IS SON W OLPIN Editor SECOND LOOKS AT THE JEWISH SCENE
Editorial Board IT's HARD To BE A [REFORM] JEW ...... 26 DR. ERNEST L. BODENHEIMER Chairman RABBI NATHAN BULMAN THE REBBITZEN'S ADVICE 28 RABBI JOSEPH ELIAS JOSEPH FRIEDENSON RABBI YAAKOV JACOBS LETTERS TO THE EDITOR 30 RABBI MOSHE SHERER
'IRE JEWISH OBSERVER does not .assume responsibility for the Kashrus of any product or service PICTURE CREDITS: Cover (second picture), Yeshiva & Mcsivta Ohr Yisroel, advertised in its pages. Forest Hills, N. Y.; pages 3, 4, from "The Lower East Side-Portal to American Jewish Life"; page 7, courtesy Rabbi Eli Teitelbaum; page 8, DEC. I 972 VoL. VIII, No. 9 courtesy of the Syracuse (N. Y.) Herald-American: pages 33, 34, Zelman Studios, Brooklyn, N. Y. ~@ lVhat Lies at the End - Pot of Gold? or Bucket of Dross?
. , · .. THE GREAT AMERlCAN DREAM has always been within America have been keeping the professional dream the reach of generations of immigrants' children. Its very much alive. They personally suffered because, access routes are well-marked: public school . . . the starting from scratch, they had to work much harder. library ... a college education ... a profession ( ter This was compounded by the insecurity caused by the minus). The goal "my son the doctor" may be the butt need to adjust to a foreign land. So well-intentioned of many a joke and caustic remark, yet for many gen parents, hoping to spare their children these negative erations of immigrants, the alternative made it no elements in their own search for economic independ laughing matter. This was a pushcart-sweatshop-lined ence, once again prod their young along the public route to bare subsistence-a life with precious little school ... library ... profession route. time or opportunity for personal betterment (spiritual Today The American Dream is undergoing a roasting or social), a regimen that often refused to recognize ...... c.:.or a greening, as some see it-and both the obejctive the irregularities of the Jewish calendar. While the lot and the routes are being questioned. Even if one chooses of the American laborer has since undergone constant to ignore the goals of the counter-culture, as our more if sporadic improvement, the unflagging appeal of a conventional Orthodox community tends to do, there whitecollar existence has been far more than one of are some probing questiorn: being posed by social critics fatuous social climbing, and has even maintained a that are exposing the traditional paths to success as religious justification of sorts ... In the final analysis, being less than fool-proof: Is the newest generation of the tragic Sabbath desecration that accompanied the underprivileged being best served by a formula that cultural assimilation of the "high-road" to the Amer worked for a more intelledually-motivated group (the ican Dream was almost as frequently the by-product Jewish lower-class)? For t i:iat matter, did all immigrant of the "low-road" of staying closer to the immigrant groups actually benefit economically from being culture. So from the 1880's clear to 1940, it often schooled? Were not some ethnic groups, even fifty seemed to be a "heads-I-win, tails-you-lose" spin be years ago, rather grounded to a lower socio-economic tween the young Jew and his cultural heritage. stratum, in spite of universal public education? If they Since World War II, newly arrived immigrants to did experience a rise in earning power, may it not have been as part of a general rise in living standard? Isn't ·------~---~ -·-··------society in general overly "schooled," and might it not benefit from a de-schoolin_g? lry Nisson Wolpin Is education per se the key to advancement for peo-
The Jei\'i.~h Obsen'er I December, 1972 The immigrant culture seemed to be a pushcart-sweatshop-lined route to bare subsistence, with nights mortgaged to piece-work and no time or opportunity left for self betterment. The escape?-Public school-library-college-profession (terminus).
pie on the rise? (A recent Harvard study shows that In addition, the traditional parent still seems to college graduates do not possess more earning power prefer the long-range goal of a professional career for than those without a degree.) Might there not be his offspring to any kind of skill or labor, or an involve specific character and personality factors that bring ment in the business world, which-although a long one to successful earning powers-factors which can way from the Orchard Street of old-still has a seamier operate without higher education as much as through side that parents feel should be avoided. Thus the full the channels a degree opens up? route of the public school (in a yeshiva setting, of And finally, turning the question around, is the ideal course )-library-college-graduate school-profession of education being served properly by being projected is still the road to security and success eyed by most as a way "to earn a buck"? Education has clasical1y concerned parents. been considered an end unto itself-an aspect of self 'fhis entire pattern needs ex:unination from a 'rorah improvement that needs no further justification. oriented point of view, both in terms of its over-all influence on the raising of future Jewish generations The PS-Yeshiva Trend and the effects of these public school-type goals and THESE QUESTIONS are being bandied about in the coun methodologies on yeshiva teachings and goals. cils of the wise and the powerful, and have become Different Rainbows, Purer Gold topics for doctoral theses, Board of Education delibera tions, and a library-shelf-full of books. By contrast, the Rabbi Meir says: A man should ever teach Orthodox Jewish community, which is usually con his son a clean and easy vocation, and he servative in all areas as a matter of course, still re111ains should pray to Him who truly possesses all unquestioningly bound by the Great Public School wealth and property; ... there is no voca Myth of a half-century ago. To be sure, Orthodox tion without poverty or wealth, for neither parents send their children to yeshiva day-schools and wealth nor poverty stems fron1 the vocation would never consider a public elementary or high ... only from one's merit.-Kedushin, Perek school as long as they have an alternative. But on the IV, Mishna 8 other hand, the yeshivas' general-studies programs are THE TAL~1UDICAL IDEAL of "a clean and easy vocation" primarily greared for college preparation, and the cur has undergone a metamorphosis in nature and purpose. ricula are designed to present as close an approxitnation Rav Yehudah (Kedushin 85b) interpreted this as re of the conventional (or more innovative) public school ferring to "niachta detalnyusa," an embroidery skill. syllabus as an abbreviated session will allow. And An occupation of this sort, according to the Maharsho, while some people might put the blame for this self allows one the freedom to devote the major portion of imposed limitation on a lack of imagination or a short the day to Torah study, with earning a livelihood occu age of time on the part of yeshiva administrators, one pying only minor, irregular intervals. Some of today's wonders how much tampering with the PS formula the professional pursuits may well be modern-day counter average yeshiva parent would tolerate. parts to machta detalnyusa, but it is the rare parent
4 The Jewish Observer / December, 1972 who gives major consideration to the freedom to pursue projected to go up only from 14.2 per cent of Torah study that his son might gain, when selecting one all jobs in ] 970 to J 6.3 per cent in 1980. career possibility over another. Jewish men have tended to flow into profes Further, the emphasis on leaving-nothing-to-chance sional and technical jobs-one of five turning to that dominates the usual vocational planning, also a profession, compared to one of J 0 men in gen leaves no spare room in the Jewish psyche for the eral. ... fundamental attributes of bitachon-trust in G-
The Jewish Observer / December, 1972 should also reassess much of the entire conventional function is earning a living, bnt if Ivan Illich bas his schooling process as preparation for life. way, this may offer validity to an ever shrinking share The cry for de-schooling society does have a dis of the common secular department curriculum, and to tasteful anti-intellectual ring to it. Yet there is much even less of the conventional college education. that we-the People of the Book--can learn from the So much of the elementary and secondary syllabus critical insights of the de-schooling exponents. Ivan in Social Studies and Language Arts is geared for fos Illich, author of a recent book entitled "De-Schooling tering insights into the individual and his role in society, Society" and director of Centro Intercultural de Docu and for imparting broader understanding of the forces mentasion in Cucrnavaca stated his views in a recent that mold history. So much of this either runs contrary Op-Ed piece in the N.Y. Times. He took great courage to Torah values or, at best, reflects these values in sec from the Supreme Court decision in Griggs et al. v. ular mirrors. A good deal of the rest of these syllabuses Duke Power Company. He went on to say: that is not specifically career oriented may eventually Chief Justice Warren Burger, speaking for a prove obsolete as the implication of the Supreme Court unanimous Court, held that the requirements decision in the Griggs Case becomes 1nore concrete. as a condition of employment-of either a high Indeed, the trend toward accepting "life-experience school diploma or of success in a standardized credits" toward requirements for matriculation and general education test are prohibited under certain graduation appears to be a nod of recognition toward conditions by the Civil Rights Act of 1964. some of Dr. lllicb's more penetrating insights. This case may set us on the road to the legal All of this means that, in the Jong run, as societal recognition that schooling requirements, in and function becomes less contingent on school function, of themselves, constitute a discrimination which yeshivas will find justification, if not outright mandate, hampers social advancement and thus violates for shifting emphasis in existing curricula and for re public policy. apportioning the school day. Tests relevant to job competency are not pro The Discipline of Text and Tests hibited by the act, but the employer bas to prove THE APPLICATION OF PUBLIC SCHOOL goals to the ye that any given standard is necessary for bis busi shiva setting may be a bad case of using a map of ness. The Court extends the application of the Omaha to find the best road to Jerusalem. The meth concept of "job relevance" which appears in the odologies usually associated with public education, legislative history of the 1964 Civil Rights Act to however, may have a greater validity as applied to the requirement of a high-school diploma as well. yeshiva studies within a certain prescribed context. In The Court rules that any tests used "must meas fact, there are many yeshiva principals who have openly ure the person for the job, not the person in the confessed to a debt of gratitude to the public schools abstract.'' for the subsequent schooling of yeshivas. To be sure, This decision encourages those of us who refuse they endeavor to run their schools in a manner con to believe in the benefits of schooling. It sustains sistent with Hilchos Talmud Torah, but they welcome our argument that an individual's economic or the advent of a host of teaching and administrative tools social advancement should not be made to depend that have entered yeshiva doors on the coattails of the on bis ability or willingness to attend age-specific general studies-such as formal entrance requirements; small-groups meetings, under the authority of a sophisticated written comprehensive exams with short teacher, for 500 to 1,000 hours every year. This answers, multiple choices, etc.; written and oral reports constitutes the bidden curriculum of schooling of the mini-thesis variety, employing copious research which seems irrelevant both to the goals of a techniques and compilation of facts; the assembly pro liberal educator and to preparation for any spe gram as an addition to the traditional Kinus T almidbn; cific job. the employment of projectors for moving pictures, s1ides, The Court in Griggs tells us that "diplomas and and overhead visual aids; even, in some more "pro tests are useful servants, but Congress has man gressive schools," experimentation with the open class dated the common-sense proposition that they are room, somehow completing the full circle, back to the not to beco1nc n1asters of reality." traditional "cheder"-but, unfortunately, without the (N.Y. Times, May 3, '71 ) traditional rebbe and the traditional environment. To the Jew, Torah knowledge was and always will Some have gone further in borrowing from the pub be the "master of reality," but not so our view of lic education system, and even have suggested a unified secular education. Readings and studies outside of program for aU mesivta high schools, with a common Torah are useful insofar as they open up our eyes to mesechte (tractate of Talmud) for study, required the wonders of Creation, and give us the tools to func 1ninimum pages to be mastered, specific commentaries tion productively in society. Part of this productive to be covered, and system-wide comprehensive exan1-
6 The Jewish Observer / l)ecember, 1972 tion .. Oi)e need only study· the opening paragraph of Maimonides' Hilchos Talm1id Torah to be reminded that Torah study is the very life stuff of a Jew, and whether he is in his student years, his declining days, .· or at any point in between, it is meant to be his major pursuit. Matriculation and graduation are foreign to .. Torah study, and because of its companion-status with general studies, products of the American yeshiva system labor under a number of crippling misconcep tions: • Studying that part of a mesechte that is dealt with in class is in effect "covering" it-ignoring a major portion of the tome on hand. • The yeshiva-year in many institutions is defined by the academic school calendar of 40 weeks, leaving a too generous heap of idle time for vacation-from what?-and for what purpose? • The academic years are considered apart from adulthood (with the notable exception of Kollel fellows), resulting in a compartmentalization of years and respective pursuits: early years of study, without thought or training for communal responsibility; con trasted with later years of middling study and commu nal uctivity of occasional responsiblity and intensiveness often an outgrowth of social consciousness rather than "the action that stems from study." • Finally, the ulti inations to test the results of the individual student's mate degradation of the philosophical turnabout, efforts and the efficacy of the schools. While such an whereby a Torah education beyond certain minimums approach smacks of an over-schooling of Talmudic (set by whom?) can only be justified as an "axe to dig studies, almost to the point of strait-jacketing them, it . with"-that is, a stepping stone to a career; but should has the definite asset of being specific in the curricular · "my son" not be rabbinical or rosh yeshiva timber, demands being made on yeshiva students, giving them then-what for? And, by contrast, higher secular edu a sense of accomplishment at the conclusion of the cation-even if pursued with no specific goal in mind term; eliminating flabbiness from classrooms, schools -can only offer enhancement. So, why not? and the nework of yeshivos; restoring a stature to the Operating in a pluralistic society means almost limit sacred studies that it often loses by poor compmison less opportunities for self-enhancement, both materially with the rigid, defined demands of the general studies. and spiritually. If the yeshivas, its students, and their Some mechanchim have, off: the record, expressed a families can master the discipline of selecting the oppor- .·· desire to set up a long range year by year syllabus for tunities for fuller Torah growth, rejecting optional completing Shas, or specific sections of the Talmud and "requirements" and misleading opportunities, then new Shulchan Aruch, and to create programs for their im horizons in Torah education can be realized. plementation in advanced yeshivos and kollelim--but Operating in a pluralistic society also means the since these designs have never been formally proposed, inevitability of bringing a little bit of pluralism home. they can not be more than parenthetic to this discus If this can be limited to adopting some of the American sion. But the wish itself, expressed in responsible knack for organization and structure to the yeshiva quarters, reflects the extent of the "schooling" of our scene, this can be an aspect of the ideal of "Grecian own education al system. beauty in the tents of Shem." We can also benefit im mensely by the penchant for constant criticism and re• The Other Side of the ·Ledger evaluation, to which every American institution is for THE PITFALLS AND OPPORTUNITIES of the general stu ever being subjected. We can apply some of their dies program in yeshivos are examined critically in queries as well as some of their findings to our own other pages of this issue. But what about the residue popular concepts, and-to some extent- to our own of attitudes that has settled in the yeshiva system- is it institutions. all beneficial? Probably the one attribute of a schooling At the same time, we must be ever wary of coming mentality that educators have seized as a bonus is, at home with too much foreign merchandise, for the in the same time, a detriment-the structuring of educa tegrity of Torah-in its definition as well as in its tion, and the implication of finitude that fo11ows. Torah function as a goal and life-purpose-must not suffer study is a field of infinite dimensions and no termina- from borrowed elements. D
The Jewish Observer / December, 1972 We often take pride in the high politely tolerant of the religious en the criterion for respectability can standards of achievement of the vironment, atten1pting not to inter sink. English departments of our yeshi frre lVith yeshiva goals- but too SCAN THE BULLETIN BOARDS and vas. It is truly remarkable how often they range froni crude ignor current-events displays. Does son1e much they accon1plish in so little ant meddlers to deliberate crusaders thing become fare for our chil tilne-the yeshiva student reads, in matters concerning traditional dren just because it is interesting reckons, researches, and is as knowl Judaism. The non-Orthodox Jew, or true?-because the New York edgeable as any child on the block. especially if he attended a yeshiva Tin1es or other periodicals, lvho To be sure, the teachers are not all and then became alienated.. often 1nust satisfy the undiscerning public Torah-loyal Jews, but our children displays a psychological compulsion to survive, deem it fit to print? know their Gemora and their geo to neutralize the special. mentality LISTEN. I.Jistening in on the lessons n1etry, and that's what counts. we try to instill, to make room for in some of the vulnerable subjects, Yet, an afternoon tour of all too the "wishy-washy" open-minded one can note how by random state- 1nany American yeshivas can give ness which 1nakes a virtue of any 1nent, wisecrack, approval, or dis one cause for so1ne second thoughts, thing the heart desires. Moreover, approval-al!nost imperceptibly-a especially after gaining a first-hand so1ne observant teachers, who often brainwashing takes place. appreciation for who have a hand gain a greater share of the students' • Mention is made of the age of in 1nolding our children's character, confidence than others, can prove to the earth prior to the accepted 5733 opinions, and attitudes; and the edu be even 1nore dangerous, by virtue and a student ventures, "But niy cational material that is at their of their limited kno1vledge, com Rebbi said ..." and the teacher, disposal. The reader might examine pro1nised values, or personally con recalling instructions to avoid re the sensitive points outlined below trived fornzulas for a "secular-sacred ligious issues, responds with an in and then consider to what extent balance." dulgent smirk, as if to say, "Well, they exist in his children's yeshivas: EXAMINE THE ROOKS, the films, the you and your naive Rebhi . .." THE TEACHERS may, for the most periodicals distributed to the stu • Another teacher continues the part, be good educators, but woe dents and the accompanying adver discussion, declaring "/ know your fully inadequate for meeting the tisements for "child-fare" popular Rebbi is a lvise man, but has he particular needs of the yeshiva stu books. the books available to chil studied the evidence? . .." dent. Be they Gentile or non-Or dren in the public library, and one • And another good-hearted apol thodox Jew, they are sonzetilnes begins to rvonder how 1nuch lower ogist rationalizes, "Religiously
S. N Breslauer
Torah Education's Neglected Frontier
The Yeshiva} English Department Closer to The Goal 1~he American Yeshiva movement is constantly striv ing to create the perfect Jewish School. It is constantly
8 The Jewish Observer I Decen1ber, 1972 s1)eaking you're right, but the scien course, that it happened just at the early Americanlndian religious cer~ tific facts are . . ." propituous moment, but "Believe it cmonies and ceremonials objects. • A Jewish teacher becomes or not!" it is Ripley (strong winds • Or the bulletin board displaying friendly with his students, and re caused the water to recede to a point immodest pictures because the study lates some matters of personal na where they became shallow enough unit of the month is "Vacation ture, such as his Saturday afternoon to be crossed safely by foot) who ··Fun." tennis game ("l wouldn't play on emerges as the expert, whose "Chid • The student newspaper describ~ ..· Yom Kippur, but .. .'') and his dush" has eluded biblical scholars ing a court case wherein a daughter night out with his wife in a non- for three millenia. sued her parents for interfering with kosher restaurant ("We wouldn't eat • The idealistic social studies her choice of college and career, pork, but otherwise, it doesn't really teacher who believes it is not enough and asks the readers to take sides matter, does it?"). for him to teach the subject but be . on the issue. must mold attitudes, loyalties, and Such instances (all documented, • A young college co-ed, hitting it beliefs, as well. So he conscientious by the way) are not daily occur off well with her seventh grade girls' ly chides his teenage charges about rences, to be sure, and the yeshiva class, shares with the class some of their narrow-mindedness (we call it administrations certainly attempt to her experiences with her fiance. single-minded devotion to Torah) curb them, but even if they come to • A Catholic woman teacher asks and challenges them to open their the fore but a few times during a her students what she should do for minds to alternate cultures and ways school year, they are bound to leave her husband (Jewish) on Chanukah. of life (including such models of an impression whose impact must • The science teacher, who at depravity as hippie-communes), and not be minimized. tempts some clumsy biblical exegesis to learn to accept them just as "you (I do not presume to have the because he actually wants the boys would want to be accepted by oth qualifications of a Posek, and yet I to attack science from "within their ers." This idealism is usually topped submit, most emphatically, that the element" and discusses the splitting with a selection of assigned readings following references in the Shulchan of the Red Sea. He postulates that that, by the criterion of simple de Arucli must be given serious con- .· miracles are occurrences that defied cency, would be revolting. sideration. Their message cannot be sensible explanation in primitive • Another who scolds her stu evaded: EVEN HOEZER 22:4, times, but today we are better dents for displaying such a lack of YORE DEAH 153:1 and 245:19, equipped. It is still a wonder, of respect (At least be tolerant!) for TUREI ZOHOV #6.)
striving for improvement in both its Torah and general By contrast, it can be disheartening to observe how studies departments, seeking innovation and expansion the yeshiva secular department, generally speaking, in services rendered, methods employed, and teachings participates little to promote this goal and quite often imparted, with the hope that the school will be even serves as a detracting influence. This is especially closer to its goal. disturbing in view of the great potential in11erent in the secular department program for serving as a full And just what is this goal? To rear a generation of fledged partner ju this pursuit. Torah-true Jews. Yeshiva youngsters will grow up not merely knowing Torah but living it as well; never falling As It Should Be - and As It Is into the category of "He who learns Torah and does The secular studies may occupy a minor portion· bf not keep it ... ," but dedicated to the precept of ·the school day, but certainly not a negligible one. "Know Him all your ways ..." throughout their lives. During the morning hours, the prevailing atmosphere, The achievements thus far inspire a guarded optimism in addition to the Torah being taught, is one of loyalty as to the future of Torah in America, and stand as a to Torah and mitzvos. Ideally, this atmosphere should superb testimony to the dedication of the mechanchim prevail throughout the school day, impressing upon involved. Yet it may be misleading to generalize and the students that Torah loyalty knows no limits. This say that in the majority of cases, the American yeshiva would hopefully provide a basis for negating the "Jew- as a whole is promoting attainment of this ultimate ish in shul, American in business" philosophy. . . .· goal. Specifically, it is the department of sacred studies But the reality is frequently a dilution of this af... ··and its idealistic staff members-who teach, influence, mosphere at best, and even more often, an almost total and persuade their charges to become bnei Torah in knowledge, action and feeling-who deserve the fullest s. N. BRESLAUER has been teachinR General Studies in yeshivas in Ifie New York M etropolitan area for over fifteen years. This plaudits. is his first appearance in these pages.
The Jewish Observer I Deceniber, 1972 absence of it. In the absence of a positive spirit, a Such literal fidelity to statewide programs make a negative one finds access, and as in the futile construc Torah-oriented program difficult and should one be tion of Pithom and Raamses, the Rebbi cannot continue attempted, both overt and covert opposition could be to build on yesterday's progress, but must first recon expected. This protective feeling is so deeply ingrained struct its ruins. that when a rare teacher does inject some Torah Beyond the necessity of fostering a healthy Torah thoughts into his lessons he encounters passive resist atmosphere in the general studies hours, the subject ance that can border on animosity, and a less reticent matter itself carries the potential of varying degrees of student will stage-whisper, "Hey, I thought this was relevance to Torah study, thought, and mitzvah per English." More outspoken students have been known formance. What a boon it would be to the totality of to send a petition of protest to the principal. the Jewishness of our students if these subjects were PERSONNEL: Ideally, if qualified Torah-oriented taught as tools to enhance Torah knowledge and service teachers were available to teach the secular department to G-d in its myriad aspects and ramifications! subjects in yeshivas, the dire circun1stances that pro Instead, in too 1nany cases, we are confronted with a voked this article would probably not exist. But they secu1ar departJnent that, true to its name, teaches the are not available-at least not in sufficient number. subject matter in its Cientile nakedness, devoid of Torah Primarily, then, the yeshiva secular departments are orientation, and incorporating the many anti-Torah the staffed by "public school" quality teachers hired on ories and attitudes which proliferate under the banners the basis of certification, experience, and "availability of science and progressiveness. And our poor students for the price." Their religious qualifications and their cannot help but to assume an attitude, subconsciously sensitivity to the special needs of the yeshiva student at least, that the modern scientific and social views arc are at best considered a secondary credential. Con the constant while the Torah must somehow conform. sequently, the students are ren1oved fron1 the yeshiva And again the good Rebbi must expend effort to environment and set adrift in a sea of alien influence, "repair the foundation" during time that could be spent with little or no guidance as how to navigate these for on "building the edifice." And even after his efforts, eign waters. (The rare lecture by the Hebrew principal we must ask, "Is the edifice as good as new? Is the or some other such notable dealing with various anti repair perfect? Does not the fissure still show a bit? Torah elements in the curriculum, with a suggestion And when the students are blessed with a Rebbi who for a general response or posture, is of course better is a master in his field, but not qualified for this type than nothing, but falls far short of the crying need for of combat, we face a losing battle. Torah-oriented teachers. We would not tolerate such a cursory approach in the Kashrus control of our food. The Sources of the Malady Is the Jewish heart and mind to be more exposed to This assessment is meant to be neither an indictment infiltration than the Jewish stomach?) Despite initial nor an accusation, for none among us favors such an instructions, " ... to leave religious topics alone" and arrangement. This description is merely meant to con " ... subjects conflicting with religious beliefs should vey what any obejctive observer could verify. To some not be discussed," the teachers proceed along their it may even appear to be an exaggeration, for its accu habitual way; for even if they were inclined to follow racy depends upon many variables. But in whatever prior instructions, how can they be expected to fathom degree it does exist, it is a problem-even a mcnace what points in their lesson have bearing on all-encom which pleads for rectification. A plan for rectification passing Judaism? is best formulated when the roots of the problem be come clear, and it is toward an analysis of the root The "Frum" Backlash causes of the problem and a general approach to their In schools where student loyalty to Torah concepts resolution that this article is directed. Two factors, it is fir1n, the presence of secular-oriented instructors appears to me, nurture this objectionable situation: poses an additional problem. Some students, quite pos ATTITUDE: In the school community, the prevalent sibly lacking in purity of motive, become enraged by attitude is that the yeshiva secular department is man the anti-traditionalism of their teacher, lose any respect dated to provide a public school education under ye they may have had for him, toss discipline to the winds, shiva auspices. The "yeshiva auspices" refers to little and even become defiant and antagonistic. Even in more than the physical plant, whereas the "public such neutral subject areas as spelling or arithmetic one school education" is the hallmark of all else. In the can sense a cold war in progress. spirit of the perfection-seeking that marks the yeshiva This, of course, breaks down class morale, and stu day school movement today, the goals for the secular dent-teacher rapport deteriorates. Disciplinary measures department are to provide an education comparable are in order. The administration must act to restore (or superior) to the local public school district's, whose the teacher's prestige. And what a delicately balanced standards are set by the State Department of Education. tight-rope act it must be!
10 .The Jewish Observer / Decetnber, 1972 st1llmmt is .the way fa which he expr~:sse:d ·· would judge text books al:ld other ins·tru<:Uofiat ·•uu.-...... boys concerned with the of yeshiva .· ·· not only on the basis of quality, but adaptability students?") The teacher is indisputably wtong in his unique program; as well...... · .. .. .· .·· challenge to Torah loyalty; yet he must be respected The next most crucial and difficult Step iS nonetheless since he is, after all, the teacher. {"This is ing of teachers who arc particularly suited for what you're·· going to encounter in today's world and program: bnai and bnos Torah, with a ..."'"ti''" you may as well be prepared for it sooner or later.") outlook, who have been . prepared to .· Can the child's mind be fine.;tuned to cope with such subjects, and who will take pride in their students' . hair-splitting? Is he expected to see through the facade mastery of the subjects-without sacrificing the sanctity and sympathize with the principal's frustration? ("Bless with which a yeshiva classroom should pulsate. those kids! I'd fire him immediately if I had a replace The administrator would provide in-service tr~11n11n1Y . ment.") Are .we providing the setting for rebellious for such teachers who have all the potential, but ··behavior under the guise of pure intentions? Are we the experience for the practical implementation of such confusing the student, dulling his virtue of speaking a program...... up in the face of wrong, and causing him to doubt his In addition, he would ha:ve to launch a communitf values? re-education program to convince the proponents of The prevailing secufar~oriented teridency, professed · untainted "progressive" secular education that our goals by parents, fanned by the students, and supported at are the peaks of Sinai and Moriah, that nothing in times by the secular department administration, not world is more worthy than such goals, and that any . only cteates this type of problem, but obstructs its so road that leads away from them is the ultimate regres- .. lution. The few understanding teachers become dis • sion; -that we will insist on quality education, but couraged, and unless they are uncommonly idealistic or neither will we exclude Yiddishkeit from where · . influential, they will "stay out of trouble and .stick to longs; nor will we provide a foothold for anti-Torah the text." teachings, mores and opinions; -that Hashem who is · so firmly established as the omnipotent Creator .and ·. A. Blueprint for Improvement Governor of the world in the morning sessions will As fai over~a1I outline for rectifying this situation, equally in command as the Creator of the world studied ··the following suggestions are presented: . in Science, the Master of the pathways of and •· . Redefine the goals and purposes of the Yeshiva · current events, the Progenitor of all human .· Secular Department. The secular department must be and accomplishment, and the sole Arbiter of good and a full fledged partner in furthering the broad goals of evil. .·the yeshiva-to rear a generation of Torah knowledge Impr~ss 11pon youn.I{ men and Wonzen committed t6 able and loyal Jews, equipped with a clear Torah out Torah the nobility of such a '.'Chinuch" calling. 'That .. )ook concerning all that transpires in the world. It same idealism for dissemination of Torah (harbotzas .. should provide inspiration for a total commitment to a Torah) and reachirig out to others (kiruv rechokim) Torah life in thought, attitude, expression, and deed- which prompts our youth to enter the field of Torah where the feeling is convincingly conveyed that Hashem education in the sacred studies should attract them to is among us not only when we are occupied with re the secular department as well. Anyone even slightly . ligious concerns, but also during business, and any of aware of the information (and misinformation) deluge life's other mundane occupations. spewed forth by the various media will also be aware From this perspective, the yeshiva secular department .· .. of the polluted influence to which our youngsters are can definitely be mandated to teach a program that exposed. Add to this the effect of a "neutral" or "open;.. .·.parallels the public school curriculum, with the clear minded" yeshiva secular department, and one can sense proviso that our ultimate purpose limits us in some the forces which can topple our youngsters' loyalty to ·· areas and compels us to reach beyond their program Torah from its precarious foothold. . .· in others. Furthermore, there are many opportunities for Torah"' ·· Implement a prowam geared to these goals. A key related lessons inherent in the secular subjects, which.·· step in this program is the engaging of an administrator never present themselves in the Torah Studies depart who is actively sympathetic with these goals and pur ment, or for which the average Rebbi is not prepared, poses, who possesses the fine understanding necessary . and these alone should motivate the eager young idealist . to define them, and who has the tact and stamina to to consider this field. One who could sucessfully .· ·· implement them. Finding him is probably the most .· such a program and does not is truly a wa~ted resource, difficult aspect of this plan. T his administrator would As a means of opening up careers in undoubtedly be a person who is not bound by conven- ·to yeshiva youth, optional courses for selected <:t111rtPnt<:
The JnNslr Observer/ Dete~ber, 1972 leading to proficiency in this area, might be offered in • eurricnlum outlines to guide teachers to a Torah the senior year of Mesifta and Beth Jacob high schools oriented approach to the subjects at hand; to be followed by two years of training-as part of the • workbooks for student use, modifying and sup seminary curriculum for the young ladies; and for plementing standard textbook material to suit the young men, a schedule of two lectures per week our program; in addition to assigned reading, so as to constitute a • our own textbooks. The Catholics produce "Ca minimum of interference with their post-high school thedral Editions" of standard textbooks, and our Torah study. purposes demand a similar effort. Since teaching in the yeshiva secular department is As mentioned, the potential of the general studies as less time-consuming than teaching in the Torah classes, a reservoir for Torah-related learnings and attitudes is and takes only part of the afternoon hours, this training virtually an unexplored frontier, and could well provide might also help to alleviate the budget strain of a Kolel the stuff for another article* if not several books. fellow who is seeking part-time employment, without In the meantime, it is hoped that these lines have surrendering the major portion of the day from inten succeeded in making the reader aware of the problems sive Torah study. of the coexistence of the sacred and the secular in our Provide our own publications. Should all this ma yeshiva classrooms, and a broad outline of what can terialize, then-funds and manpower permitting-the and must be done. D logical subsequent steps would be the preparation of * Scheduled to appear in a future edition of Tnr: JEWISH the following materials: OBSERVER-Editor.
Ezriel Toshavi Rabbi Goren Takes Over The Tragedy of Irresponsible Leadership
The struggle to survive in the usual golus situation, where Jews are subjected to the domination of non-Jews and their culture, can constitute an oppressive burden .... When the go/us is imposed by fellow Jews, the load becomes a most painful one .... A go/us becomes staggering in its burden when the survival of the Torah Jew is threat ened by an individual who, at first glance, is a member of the Torah camp .... Such is the tragic dimension of the current crisis unleashed by Rabbi Goren's recent actions. To fully comprehend the implications of his precipitous move and to understand why it provoked so fierce a storm of condemnation from all quarters of responsible leadership, one must examine the back ground and the circumstances of his psak.
Keeping the Promise Notwithstanding the decision rendered by a Petach Tikvah rabbinical court seven years ago, and upheld WHEN THE NEW CHIEF RABBI, Shlomo Goren, took since then in the Supreme Rabbinical Court in Jeru office, he wasted no time in keeping his campaign prom salem; in spite of warnings and pleas from just about ise to "release" the Langers from their status of mamzerut. EZRIEL TOSHAVI observes the Israeli scene for readers of J.0.
12 The Jewish Observer / December, 1972 ""''uvu•y the Wbtld OVeFnottO .· ~hildrel1), and ihefshould be rec:ogr1ize:ct brush aside this halachiC decision except through proper as a tragic symbol .. of an amoral era. of 1-'""'"'"".'-'"J evaluation through accepted judicial procedure, Rabbi and Eros shops. Instead, they have become a sv1nbc:ll Goren convened a "blitz" court of his own. Without for the Israeli Rabbinate's supposed lack of ,.v,.. u.""' consultation with those who had previously judged the and humane consideration. Apparently, the matter, with total disregard for the opinion of fellow of the broad public, whose opinions and attitudes are Chief Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, without revealing the names often molded by a secular-biased press, are more re or qualifications of any of the members of his court sponsive to the unfulfilled yearnings of two hapless . or the basis for its judgment, without examining wit couples who want to marry but cannot, than they are< . nesses who could challenge or corroborate basis for to the profound sanctity with which the institution of .. decision, he declared the Langer brother and sister as marriage is endowed by Jewish law and to the gravity Y ehudim kasherim and personally arranged their mar of violating this sanctity. riages to their respective fiances. The Langer case had thus become basi~ for a general R<:!bbi Goren's swift action was ostensibly designed impatience with religious law, and as an of ·· to heal a number of painful wounds in Israeli society. .this antipathy Gideon Hausner (of the Beyond freeing Chanoch and Miriam Langer to marry Liberal Party) brought a motion to the Knesset floor .. their chosen fiances, Rabbi Goren had apparently en last July, proposing recognition of civil marriage for·· tertained other hopes: to prove that halacha and "hu all of those who cannot marry by Torah law (such as . mane needs" are indeed compatible; to enhance the · a mamzer with a Yehudi kasher, and a kohein with a prestige of the Chief Rabbinate and, as a result, the divorcee}. This motion was opposed by secular and rabbinate in general, by demonstrating its capacity for religious parties alike, each for reasons of their own, . innovative action; to take off the pressure engendered by and Hausner withdrew it when Golda Meir assured him Gideon Hausner's motion to grant limited recognition to that after Rabbi Goren's imminent election to the Chief Civil marriages; and to bring together the disparate - Rabbinate, he would solve the problem that was causing elements of Israeli society, as one nation living under Hausner and company such anguish. a common heritage. . Ironically, the integrity of hala~ha, the westige of State of Religion . the Chief Rabbinate, and the unity of the Jewish people are all suffering immeasurably as a result of Rabbi IT WAS WHOLLY EXPECTED that the religious commti-' Goren's clandestinely convened court and its "blitz" nity would be pained by the possibility of recognition procedure; and while the personal problems of the for civil marriages in Israel. Protection of the perpetu Langers may have been mitigated to their own satis ation of at least minimal purity and continuity in Kial faction, the tragic proportions of the problems that ·Yisroel was assured under the Turkish rule and British beset these highly complex issues seem to loom even mandate, when the only legal marriages and divorces ·•· ·· larger. were those performed by rabbis. This should surely not be threatened today in a Jewish state under Jewish rule. The resultant prospect of two separate registrics-"-One .· ·· Symbolic of the Tirnes for those who are married by Torah Law and another THE PLIGHT OF THE LANGERS was first brought t() the for those who are not-would create an ugly schism public attention several years ago when a beis din in Jewry, and the religious community could not be a (rabbinical court) in Petach Tikvah refused to authorize party to the creation of such a schism or even be a· the marriage of Chanoch, an officer in the army, to his witness to its advent. fiancee. His sister, Miriam, was similarly restricted. As . ..· mamzerim the Langers arc limited by Torah law to It was this same spectre of an Israel split in tW6 marry only others of similar status or converts to Juda that troubled Golda Meir, It would be an unforgivable ism. They turned to their top-ranking superior, Minister failure in her leadership if she were to preside over the of Defense Moshe Dayan, who cried out in favor of splitting of the religious community from Modern Israel Jhe couples' romantic intentions, and vowed to change ~especially when this community represents the legit- ·· the 1aw that adhered to the Torah's marriage restric imacy of Israel-the*Nation's claim to Israel-the-Coun- .. tions. As a result of General Dayan's interest in them, try. Or, as Danah Zohar, a correspondent for the they became cause celebre in Israel. (London) New Middle East, summarized it, she could not allow "the passing of a law basically contradicting In truth, the Langers are the bitter fruit of mi adul the Jewish Law-a recognition that Israel and the .. .· ·· >terous liaison (Chava Langer was never divorced from Jewish nation are two different things, an admission her first husband, Abraham Borokowski, before enter .· ·that Zionism has failed, that Israel is just another ing into "marriage" with Otto Langer, the father of her nation-state." So for the preservation of the unity of the people of Authority of the Rabbinate Israel, most responsible factions in Israel were anxious that Hausner's motion not be passed. And Golda Meir THE SELECTION OF A RABBI should be the privilege and promised him that the situation that prompted his responsibility of those who are committed to the spirit motion would improve. ual goals he is meant to exemplify, of those who seek his guidance and attempt to emulate him. He should represent their highest spiritual aspirations, not the temper of the times nor the whims of the broad masses. "Mrs. Meir advises that one should be patient for The foundation of rabbinical responsibility and au changes in the relationship of religion and state. thority includes such staples as intellectual objectivity She is confident that these changes will be accom and total independence from outside pressures--or as plished through the Chief Rabbinate elections." the Torah commands; "'Thou shalt fear no man," un threatened by the lack of sympathy of the unlettered. -HATZOFEH (daily published by Mizrachi The rabbi must endeavor to bring the people's thinking in Israel) 28 Tammuz, 5732 and behavior to the Torah level, not the reverse. Yet H aaretz hailed the choice of Rabbi Goren because "it had shown that the electors were sensitive to public Democracy in Action censure of the state of affairs."
MRS. MEIR FOUND delivering her promise much more So the threat of loss of position for non-compliance difficult than stating it. The key factor was Rabbi with popular demand became an ugly reality, with the Goren·s election to the Chief Rabbinate--for in con replacement of Rabbi 'Unterman, who could not be trast to all other well-known rabbinical figures, he had swayed to compromise on those issues of personal reiterated an impatience with conventional halachic pro status such as mamzerut that threaten halachic author cedures and claimed to have ways of solving problems ity but that the masses fail to understand. like the Langers '. This was often coupled with a denial By contrast, Rabbi Goren continually espoused ap of his intention to change halacha "even one iota," but proaches of leniency, grandstanding for popular ac he nonetheless won a reputation for being a rabbi who claim. As a newspaper acount in Davar ( 8 Cheshvan, "speaks the language of the times." 5732) reported: The rules for selecting members of the electoral "Goren expressed his assurance that there are college that chooses the Chief Rabbi were changed, altered, and amended countless times to assure Rabbi possibilities to run the State in accordanc.e with Goren's election (see "The Rabbinate at Bay," J.0. halacha, but the rabbinate must discover more December, 1971 ). Finally, the electoral college was lenient approaches than in the past . ... There is slated to have been composed equally of 75 lay and definitely enough elasticity in halacha to allow rabbinic members. The Mafdal (Mizrachi-Poalei Miz for a free and democratic life for the Jewish rachi) refused to accept such a formula and insisted People in its own land. on a rabbinical majority. This was ultimately granted -to the tune of 70 political leaders (including avowed "The eternity of Kial Yisroel has demonstrated anti-religionists such as the notorious mayor of Naza that halacha possessses sufficient elasticity to fit reth), and 70 rabbis appointed by regional rabbinical all situations. ft is only up to us to stretch it a bit groups-augmented by l 0 additional rabbis, to be appointed by the Ministry of Religions. Even this con niore whenever more difficult problems arise . .. .n cession was not fully granted, for these ten were ap Both the procedure and issues that propelled Rabbi pointed by a committee of three: Dr. Zorach Wahr Goren into office represent severe attacks on rabbinical haftig-plus Golda Meir and (Mapai) Justice Minister, authority-his personal popularity notwithstanding. Y aakov Shimshon Shapiro. Dr. Wahrhaftig's nomina tion of Rabbi Shlomo Y. Zevin, a universally recognized Delivered as Promised: Mercy in Law Torah scholar, was voted down by the other two. He was known to oppose Rabbi Goren's election. Instead, WHEN HE ASCENDED to his post, Rabbi Goren begged a number of young rabbis from the Kibbutz Movement the dissident secularists to allow him a year's time to were pushed in. The final result was a body with a resolve some of the more pressing marriage problems nominal majority of rabbis but with a virtual secular before they consider reviving the Hausner motion to bias, and Rabbi Goren was elected, in accordance with recognize civil marriages. He did not keep them waiting the master plan-a distinct degradation of the inde long, but with no advance announcement convened a pendence of the Chief Rabbinate. court of nine men.
14 The Jewish Observer / December, 1972 ·.. the Supreme Rabbinical .· Court.·· in Jerusalem, had judged the matter on three dif- ·· Jerent occasions-'-and the findings were invariably the · same: both Langers were indeed mamzerim. When .. Rabbi Goren invited the Rishon Letzion, Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, to review the matter ,he refused-having already judged the case once before in Tel Aviv. However, he . did offer to join Rabbi Goren in appointing three others REACTIONS THROUGHOUT THE WORLD were extreme• to sit on the matter. Rabbi Goren sidestepped this The press celebrated Rabbi Goren's courage and liberal counter-offer, preferring to be more closely in control qualities in news stories, headlines; and editorials. The .· · of the judicial process. But by whatever formula, court American Examiner-Jewish Weekly (December J) procedures, hearing of witnesses, and examination of proclaims: "Goren Defies Terror ..." (".... the previous findings should be a time-consuming business. unbridled terror launched against hint hot tO act on .. this case"). And The Jewish Heritage (California, No- .·· Thus on Sunday evening, November 19, when Rabbi vember 24) sings out that "Love Conquers All in Case ·· Goren called a press conference in his .·house, he of 'Mamzerim' ." Before the decision "many Israelis ·· · surprised his audience when he informed them that were of the opinion that there was no alternative but in adjoining rooms as the Solomon Ha]} in Tel Aviv, to take marriage and divorce out of the exclusive hands Miriam and Chanoch Langer had already married the of the religious establishment. fiances of their choice, as Yehudim kasherim. Rabbi ·· Goren had arranged all details of the marriage, from · "When the matter was first raised, Heritage ~rg~d the appointment of the beis din that freed them from an immediate rethinking of the issue, suggesting that their mamzerut earlier that same day, to the assignment within the Jewish heart of mercy and understanding of rabbis to officiate at their weddings. (He personally . there was room to end the abominable mamzerim did not attend the weddings but General Dayan was decrees. very much in evidence at both celebrations.) . Rabbi Goren revealed all of this at his hastily called ·· press conference. But he refused to reveal the mcm . bership of his court. (He would on1y describe it as consisting of "5 Ashkenazim and 4 Sefardim-one of "Rabbi Goren found that heart andfound tha~ spii-it whom already judged this case before." Partieipation of halacha which must state that where conscience · was subsequently denied vehemently by all nine rabbis demands a solution, one must be found. who ever judged the case.) He also would not discuss the basis for the court's reversal on the earlier decision .·· .. "The case will now become a guideline fol' iewish ··rendered. communities throughout the world." A week after his lightning court convened, however,.· Gideon Hausner put it more succinctly: Congratula~> Rabbi Goren did reveal the basis of his decision-the tions to Rabbi Goren for "revealing strength of heart .·· status of Mrs. Langer's first marriage. Her first hus- and good spirit by removing the abomination of mam .. band, Avrohom Borokowski, had been converted to zerut from our midst." . . .. .· Judaism by a reputable rabbi in Likuva, Poland, some fifty years ago . ... Now if that conversion had not been Not the plight of two individui:ll fnamzeri~, but the effective, Mrs. Langer's first marriage would not have problem of mamzerut.- And should traditional fialacha, been valid, and her relationship with her second "hus stiff with rigor mortis not yield any release, then---in .. band" would not have been adulterous; then her chil- accordance with the Goren Guideline-innovatioh'tnust dren by Langer would not ;be mamzcrim. be employed in all Jewish communities, wh~feve~ ;the problem arises.-Not the diffculty of finding a solution, ·· ·· But Borokowski claims to have been a faithful Jew but the problem of no one else looking- the implica jOr fifty years. Why, he claims, should a near life-time tion that in no other rabbinical breast did a com;.. · of fidelity to Torah be callously and mercilessly wiped passionate heart beat but in Rabbi Goren's; in no other ... .· off the record for the sake of the illegitimate aspirations mind did any possibilities of release exist but in Rabbi of two who, by marrying contrary to halachic guide Goren's. lines, will only continue to violate Torah law as long as their marriage lasts? Nonetheless, the popular con Or as (C~nservative) Rabbi Judah Nadich heralded ... .cept of mercy is fulfillment of the romantic plans of in the name of the World Council of Synagogues · ·two couples, who should not marry for their own sake, servative) "We bless you for your courage and as well as for the sake of any children they may bear. great ruling which will the glory of
. The Jewish Obse;1•er /December, 1972 And as Rabbi J. Glazer, vice-president of the Central In an interview published in MAARIV (25 Sivan Conference of American (Reform) Rabbis declared: 5731): "It is gratifying to know that the [Langer] brother and GEULAH COHEN: "Regarding the prohibition sister will no longer be victims of petrified statutes." against tefillah on the Temple Mount-when Thus Rabbi Goren's action succeeded in striking you were yet in uniform, in defiance of the Chief sympathetic chords in the hearts of those estranged Rabbinate from one side and the Ministry of De from the principles of Torah Judaism. He accomplished fense on the other-you entered the Temple this by misrepresenting halacha as being adaptable to Mount on Tisha B'Av, 5727 and prayed. The the popular concept of what seems worthy of mercy at prohibition still stands. Today, as a civilian rabbi, the moment, foresaking the pivotal place of the Torah do you expect to continue your battle to abolish in all our judgments-"Her ways are pleasant ways" this prohibition?" no longer applying to the immutable ways of Torah RABBI GOREN: "Correct, I entered the Moun Law.... The limitations that society so needs and the tain area to pray. And correct, in this issue I fixed guidelines that youth so desperately craves were disagree with those greater in number and demonstrated to be flexible beyond meaning.... The better . ..." Chief Rabbinate proved itself a willing tool of an im One also recalls the Helen Seidman affair, in stark perious government. And the Chief Rabbi made the contrast to the unusual stringency Rabbi Goren is "opposition"-the guardians of our heritage-appear exercising in regard to Avrohom Borokowski's con to be rigid and without understanding or compassion; version ... At that time the government was about to further alienating the masses from the Torah commu topple because of the Christian-born wife of a kibbutz nity and its ideals. nik who had undergone a Reform conversion and then demanded recognition as a Jewess in a civil court. She Contempt from the Torah Leadership based her claim on the then newly-drafted Law of Return that does not require giyur kehalacha. Mrs. DISTRUST OF RABBI GOREN'S brand of leadership was Seidman was an avowed agnostic who saw no point in expressed in responsible rabbinical quarters over the going through an Orthodox conversion ritual she did years-especially when he wonld rush in where others not believe in .... If the court would have recognized feared to tread, such as his shofar-blasting entry into her Reform conversion as basis for Jewishness, the areas of the Temple Mount-the most sacred spot on government coalition almost certainly wonld have dis Earth. According to the Rambam, trespass of the solved. Rabbi Goren rushed in to rescue the situation. Temple Mount is punishable by koreis-severing of He "converted" Mrs. Seidman with a lightning speed life in this world and the next. that even inspired amazement among Liberal Jews, who
DAAS TORAH
18 Kislev 5733 We are appalled at the frightful desecration of KOVOD SHOMAYIM (Divine Respect) that was perpetrated through the recent grave incident, un n111vi111 xi1m t1•1'111 '!1:i:i !11;-n,, unix t1•1'T1'Tl paralleled in Jewish history, wherein the Torah was tampered with, distorting Torah law ... falsifying x; 1n11':i i111x ;xi111•:i ;9i111 i11'nT1 i:i'Tn '"ll Halachic procedure, permitting that which is nxi1nn nx lli'lli';1 ni1n:i 'T' o•in; nn•m strongly prohibited. In regard to this we hereby o•v1nvn ,,,,:i nxi1n:i t1»ll ,,,;); ;xi111•:i proclaim that his findings and decisions are totally invalid. 0•111)11' "'V •7i 111•i:i o•i11'n o•i1tl"x 'l•nn; Affixing our signatures with a wounded heart nxi1nn ,,,, ;:i nx "'i'' w;; 0•111n;1 'fllln1':i RABBI YECHESKEL ABRAMSKI Senior Rosh Yeshiva, Head Judge of the London .Nl'T '11''Tj.'1' ;x'llll'!I Beth Din, currently in Jerusalem RABBI CHAIM SHMUELEVITZ ·1''itl: wiiN'WT1 1'J'tltlll' =·i·i~~ imi liNl'i 'N Rosh Yeshiva of Mir RABBI MOSHE CHEVRONI nnim1 v1iv :i;:i n 11 1:in Rosh Yeshiva of Chevron RABBI SHLOMO ZALMAN AUERBACH f''~ 'iKi~~ 0''ii "i'OOi~K 'iKj?iM' Rosh Yeshiva of Kol Torah iK:l1))'1K jr.:7! i1t:7t:> 'l1i:in nt:>r.i
16 The Jewish Observer / December, 1972 .· .·• Mrs. Seidman..:..c..now .· )ive with her . . (forbidden by Torah Law), in a left-wing kibbutz that makes a practice of · trampling on Torah Law; and the government's stability was preserved. .···.· ... · .· .. · .....· .. ···· RABBI GOREN: "in.the field of conversion there is a tremendous range of flexibility in halacha more than in other cases."-DAVAR, 8 Cheshvan, 5732 . . . In view of this record, a nuhl.ber of reputable nib binical judges (dayanim) announced their intention of handing in their resignations when Rabbi Goren took office this past October. While some were persuaded to remain in office ("Don't deprive people of competent judges, merely because you question the responsibility of the man in charge"), Rabbi Yosef Shalom Elyashav, one of the most revered halacha authorities in Eretz Yisroel, refused to remain in his judicial position. Since Rabbi Goren's "blitz" decision, he has become the . object of even more widespread condemnation from the religious community, as his manner of "solving" this problem has generated outrage both far and wide. On the day of Rabbi Goren's first announcement .. (that the mamzerim were "kosher" and happily married),
PROCLAMATION FROM LEADING RABBIS We are'shocked to the depths of our souls that -one who is known as a Rabbi should be so brazen as to extend his hand to (tamper with) the Torah, to permit those forbidden to marry to do so through ,M"iUti fWl)lt.31'1 ltl U'O!ll .,,,,,,, ,,, in~ - a')IOllltl ··fallacious means, by repudiating the Judaism of a nw1nl n~t.3::i tV'' ,tm=>' ;ii aw:i ,'ON iruc apw man long accepted as a sincere convert and re ,:>,'t:i. ~np '~ltl!>t.3 .,,,,n; n
18 The Jewish Observer / Decen1ber, 1972 : ... ·. . .: .... ·· ...:· .....:.·.· .··"Under ~uch circumstances, Rcibbi Goren iS ·· tlot ·· responsible for the halachic decisions he issues. They are produced under pressures from the gov .. emment and are totally meaningless. . .. Rabbi Goren should step down from office." In the inearitil11e, those who had hopes fo~ unity ~t any price are not even achieving the anticipated outcome Of great significance is that most of these people are of Rabbi Goren's "humanitarian" act-a guarantee. to •.• towering figures in the Torah world, and any attempt withhold the Hausner motion for Rabbi Goren's first to smear them as being '.'extremists" or as being moti year in office. In spite of .his initial salutory statement, .. ·· vated by petty political interests is ludicrous. Mr. Hausner recognizes that not all mamzerut problems are solved by this one decision, and he still intends to Rabbi Abramski has been recognized as orie of the propose his motion to grant recognition to civil mar• . foremost Torah authorities in the world for close to riages of those who cannot marry by Torah Law. half a century, and he has always shied away from is only waiting out a decent interval, as promised by partisan issues ... Rabbi Auerbach is a man completely his party, to see if the Langer case is only an isolated immersed in halachic research and Jecturing in his virtuoso performance, or if indeed Rabbi Goren . can yeshiva . . . Rabbi Shach is a man celebrated for a continue to bend halachic norms that form obstacles to discipline so encompassing that his mind is not known those who wish to marry, but are forbidden to do fo ..•.· to stray from Torah. Only in recent years has he felt by Torah Law. compelled to speak out on public issues ... Rabbi Elyashav has a long-standing affiliation with the office .· As the controversy churns on: Mrs. Meit is of the Chief Rabbinate, as Chief Justice of the Supreme stepping into the thick of the battle with some incen Rabbinical Court . . . Rabbi Feinstein and the Luba- diary statements of her own. With reference to the four/ .· vitcher Rebbe need no introduction to American read yeshiva students who allegedly harassed Rabbi Goren; ers, and any attempt to denigrate them as "religious she declared during a cabinet meeting: "Why should .. · extremists" needs no rebuttal. these young men be free (from the Army) so that they can intimidate Chief Rabbi Goren? . . . If the hooli-..· When men of this calibre unite in outcry, the breach _ ganism Continues, We shall have to diSCUSS the nn,p~t ..· m against Torah must be a grave one indeed. (of Army exemptions), particularly in those yeshivot .··. whose students will be found to have participated in .·· ·· One Nation Under Golda this behavior."
AT THE coNc(usroN of the Langers' marriage cere- No one would d~fend the rash acts of several hot: . mony, Rabbi Goren telephoned Golda Meir-in the heads, whose impulsiveness is hardly representative of .· tradition of "a messenger is beholden to report to his . .· .· the general mood of pained sobriety in the religious ·· dispatcher"-and they exchanged congratulations. Mrs. community. Mrs. Meir's response-generalizing on this •·· Meir was undoubtedly pleased that she was once again isolated act, and then hurling words of threat and in- ... presiding over one unified Israel, instead of over two timidation-is hardly balm for a society that js being.· .. ·· countries-one composed of those who only recognize .· ripped apart by powerful differences. ..· the Torah's commands as the guidelines for legality of marriage and divorce, and one made up of those who A Time for Fasting .. ·· accept "civil," man-made guidelines. But by dictating ONE YEARS AGO; when first Chief rabbinical decisions to the Chief Rabbi-actually set FIFTY the R~bbi wa~ ting up conditions for his holding office-she not only elected, a day of fast was declared by Rabbi Yosef .·Chaim Sonnenfeld. The man elected to office at that · ·succeeded in further reducing the Chief Rabbinate time was Rabbi Avrohom Yitzchok Kocik. Although ·· .· from a post that was at least a rabbinate until now, to ·· ·Rabbi Sonnenfeld was often nt odds with him on many one of ridiculous puppet stature; she has also alienated issues, there was close friendship between the two men. ·· an entire body of Torah loyal Jews who are now searching for alternate ways of surviving in a secular .·Nonetheless, the fast was declared. dominated Israel. In explaining his reason for calling the f~St, R~bbi Sonnenfeld's prescient lament was: "If some of us today . While one may have f cit reasonably confident ii1 {192 I) to danger a weathering the storming confrontation between a Torah fail see the in secular force con• society and a secular one, it becomes a much more trolling a rabbinical body, in years to come, all will difficult task·· to survive when the secular element .. agree." assumes the power to dictate the nature and form of
The Jewish Ob.~erver I Decen1ber, A MATTER OF FACTS
When a psak (halachic decision) is rendered, there which might let us say: "These and those are the words are two aspects to it: the facts on which it is based of G-d." and the halachic principles that arc subsequently ap The basic issue is the facts in the case-Rabbi Goren plied to the facts. claims to have uncovered new facts which, according It would be out of place to discuss here Rabbi to him, justify his psak. Goren's halachic reasoning. Halachic arguments are a matter for rabbinical authorities not laymen. But there The facts on which a psak is based can legitimately is no real halachic controversy in this case, it would be subjected to our examination for accuracy. A seem, except perhaps over the admissibility of the thorough-and devastating-study of Rabbi Goren's procedures adopted by Rabbi Goren. And the universal "new facts" appeared on December 1 in HAMODIA outrage by Torah authorities all over tl1e world shows (Jerusalem) from the pen of RABBI A. WEISS. that there are no two possible views upon this matter The following is a summary of his findings.
The protocol of Rabbi Goren's kept them home to celebrate a The very same letter states spe Court was classified as a military Christian holiday. cifically that this baptism took place docun1ent, but since its contents Rabbi Goren presents the social prior to his father's conversion to have been circulated, comment is worker's file as independent testi Judaism. Rabbi Goren only presents now very much in order. mony. part of the letter, ignoring the rest! The factual basis of his decision The social worker, in her deposi Rabbi Goren has a statement is open to general discussion and tion, stressed that she had no in signed by Borokowski that confesses can be totally refuted by available dependent knowledge of these to lapses to Christianity. documented evidence. charges; she reported them as hav Rabbi Goren: Borokowski never ing been told to her by Chava Borokowski's oldest son, Yehuda, underwent a conversion. And if he (Borokowski) Langer just prior to claims that the statement was signed ever did convert, it was because his leaving him for Otto Langer. She under pressure to release the unfor father-in-law, Mr. Ginzberg (father was at that time engaged in a legal tunate Langers from their mamzerut. of Chava), forced him into it. battle with Borokowski over custody He cooperated out of sympathy with Rabbi Goren simply offers no rights of the children, and she had his half-brother and sister, and con vinced his father, who is not literate evidence to this effect every reason to want to discredit him. Her testimony would never be in Hebrew, to sign the paper. The Also, the circumcision of Boro elder Borokowski insists that he al kowski, as prerequisite to his con accepted in any beis din, and gains nothing by being recorded in a so ways did live with fidelity to Juda version, was performed by Rabbi ism and he wants to be considered cial worker's dossier. Yitzchok Meir Parness, a well a Jew from the time of his conver known mohel of thousands of War One might still suggest that per sion. He has initiated a libel suit saw children, who never would have haps she was truly interested in against Rabbi Goren for branding performed the circumcision for a saving the children from Borokow him a non-Jew, and the courts have spurious conversion. ski's negative influence. This, too, given Rabbi Goren thirty days to Beyond this, Chava Langer tes is refuted by the facts. Borokowski substantiate his labeling of Boro tified on 11 Tishrei, 5727: "Avro consistently endeavored to give their kowski. hom said that he wanted to convert sons a religious education. After (on his own). When I told my fa Chava left them for Langer, he had Rabbi Goren: In absence of out ther, he said, 'Good; let him go to them enrolled in the Tachkimoni side evidence, a ger's claim to con Warsaw to become ager."' He was and Aliya Schools-both religious version can also be considered as was not forced to convert. institutions, even though there were basis for acceptance as a convert. Borokowski never has before for One foundation of Rabbi Go other schools more conveniently mally claimed to be a convert to ren's psak is the testimony of a so located. Judaism. cial worker in Tel-Aviv to the effect Rabbi Goren quotes a letter from that A vrohom Borokowski main Borokowski's eldest son that says In the court record of Petach tained his Christian belief after his that his father had him baptized in Tikvah, 3 Elul 5721, Borokowski conversion. The proof: when she a church in Poland-proof that he offered, unsolicited: "I am a ger investigated the absence of his boys never sincerely underwent conver who converted in Warsaw before I from school, she found that he had sion. married. I converted in a rabbinical
20 The Je1vish Observer / December, 1972 .· tbrt~eisiori, · a shul in. Petach Tikvah---a re~ come· to Eretz to live. ·.·Goren argues th~{ the·· ligi()us Jew~who related that he .. living circumstances were venerable Rabbi Levitsky surely was knows Borokowski as a practicing more difficult then.) · aware of Mrs. Langer's previous Jew who davens regularly in shul .MORE DISTURBING YET is Rabbi Go marriage when he presided over her and observes Torah and rnitzvos. ren's total violation of halachic pro second marriage to Otto Langer. Instead Rabbi Goren accepts the cedures for rabbinical judgment. In Undoubtedly the Rabbi had disre· testimony of two openly irreligious his hastily convened court, not one garded her marriage to Borokowski young men-one is married to a witness was examined before the on the basis of the invalidation of non-Jewess-friends of Chanoch · judges. There was no formal con his conversion. Langer, whose testimony was al- vening of a beis din. New witnesses Mrs. Langer (as· recorded in the . ready discounted in Petach Tikvah were not summoned, nor cross-ex protocol of the Petach Tikvah beis ·because they could not have pos amined, nor questioned in the pre din, 11 Tishrei 5727, page 6): sessed the knowledge regarding Bor sence of the defendant (Borokow "When I married Otto Langer in okowski they pretended to have. ski), denying him the basic right of Givatayim, I did not say that I al Rabbi Goren studiously ignores challenge or denial. The names of ready had a husband. I said that I any evidence that points to Boro the judges were not publicized, was a maiden." Her marriage li kowski's fidelity to Torah law; for which is a requisite in every psak. cense, #64125, signed by Rabbi instance, the fact that Borokowski IN SUMMARY, one must stress that Levitsky, listed her by her maiden insisted on a get ( rahhinical bill of the decision was rendered nnder ex name: Chav a Ginzberg. divorcement) to dissolve his mar- treme government pressure to leg How could Rabbi Goren base his riage with Chava Langer before en itimatize the Langers, and that the psak on Rabbi Levitsky's assumed tering a new marriage seven years author of the decision did not act invalidation of the Borokowski con after she had left him, and had re- as a free and independent agent version, when Rabbi Levitsky was . ··fused to live with his new wife (This discussion did not deal with · · totally unaware of Borokowski as a without bonafide kiddushin (reli the popularly held belief that Chava factor in the Langer "marriage" and gious marriage ceremony). married Otto Langer under the as- .. probably had never heard of him? Rabbi Goren also chooses to ig sumption that A vrohom Borokow Avrohom Borokowski has not nore that, in a cross-examination ski, her first husband, had perished been conducting his life in accord . before the beis din, Borokowski dis in the Nazi death camps. This is a ance with Torah and mitzvos, as is .· played knowledge of when and how romanticized fiction that has no evidenced by his ignorance of basic one wears tefillin, the appropriate relationship to the facts nor any laws and customs and his conversion prayers to be recited at specific bearing on the case. It is now well is, as a result, retroactively invalid. times, and so on. known that the Borokowski's mi- .. · Rabbi Goren chooses to disregard Borokowski in Petach Tikvah: grated to Eretz Yisroel a number evidence from reputable sources, "Had I not been sincere about my .of years before World War IL)
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5733 is the final year in the seven year Shmittah cycle-the year that, by Torah Law, Jewish farmers in Israel renounce possession of their lands. We present here several comments and interpretations on the significance of the Shmittah, as explained by leading thinkers of recent generations-adapted from the original sources by NOSSON SCHERMAN.
A Torah People and Its Land Shmittah-the septennial Sabbath-is an even more dangerous time, for it is not merely a day, but an entire IN EXTERNALS Israel must resemble other nations and year of idleness. How easy it would be for ordinary must have a land of its own as do other nations. But it mortals to sink into the sloth of pleasure-seeking and is not possession of a homeland that makes lsrael a lazy emptiness. Just as the weekly Sabbath was given nation, for Israel was a nation before it had settled for spiritual ends, however, so too was the Shmittah in a territory of its own. Israel has a spiritual destiny year presented with a purpose loftier than replenishing to fulfill and this alone endows it with a national cohe the land or granting a sabbatical to its laborers. Its sion and character. purpose is that men dedicate their freedom to an in As for the Land-it too has a role in Israel's spiritual tensive quest for spiritual betterment. During ordinary destiny, and there is a constellation of mitzvos that are times,. such a quest is too often sporadic-the tyranny "dependent upon the Land," which guide Israel to this of busmess schedules seldom permits it to be otherwise. preordination. Every seventh year on Shmittah, to en But once in seven years, the Torah gives to hard work sure that Israel will not fall into the trap of believing ing laborers the opportunity to labor toward their own the Land to be its own domain for mundane purposes perfection. of livelihood or conventional nationhood, Israel returns Therefore our sages say that the Torah refers to the Land to its rightful Owner and Sovereign. Sabbath and to Shmittah in the same way: a Sabbath for G-d. Just as Sababth must be an oasis of the spirit Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch, in HOREB in a busy week, so must Shmittah be dedicated to the ends of serving G-d better . • Rabbi Aharon Levine of Reisha, in HAD RASH v'HoEYUN What Kind of Rest? • WEEKLY SABBATH can be a dangerous time. When a man is free from the yoke of earning a liveli Shmittah- The Source hood, without deadlines and timeclocks, he is free to indulge in all sorts of foolishness, idle chatter, and PSALMIST SAYS: ii:l'T '1VY n:l •i:J.l 1':J.N?~ '11 1:li:l gluttony. Wisely did our sages say that idleness can ii:i; ?1v:l Y1~1V?, "Bless the L-rd, 0 His messengers, make a human being deteriorate. The six days of labor mighty in strength; fulfilling His word, to listen to the may not allow a person time or inc1ination to rise up voice of His word" (Tehillim 103:20). The Midrash to spiritual heights, but at least they foreclose the op explains the opening phrase of this verse as referring portunity for many varieties of sin. In the divine plan to Jews who obey the commandments of Shmittah. The for a day of rest, man is commanded to rest, not loaf. end of the verse is a reference to the Jewish Nation at The Torah demands that we make it "Sabhath for one of its most exalted moments: When offered the G-d"-that we use it for the spiritual pursuits that are Torah, we responded with the pledge, y~1Z/l1 1111/Yl, "We beyond our reach during the harried weekdays, that we will perform the commandments, and we will listen to use it to steep ourselves in Torah wisdom and ethics. them." · The significance of "We will do and we will listen" RABBI SCHERMAN is principal of the Yeshiva Karlin-Stalin of as a precondition of the giving of the Torah is well Brooklyn and is editor of Olomeinu, Torah Umesorah's 1naga known. When G-d saw the eagerness of His children to zine for children. He is a frequent contributor to The Jewish Observer. perform His will without interposing their own self-
22 The Jewish Observer / December, 1971 interest, to the point of total self-abnegation-the desire of the wish of their Maker, should they possess suffi to accept the Torah without even a glimpse of its con cient strength to set aside their plows and trust in His tents-He matched their desire by personally descend goodness, then not only will the Land be theirs, but ing to bestow the precious gift of Torah to the willing cJl of its endless reservoir of blessings will be theirs, recipients. as well. The Psalmist couples Shmittah with the stirring dec Rabbi Aryeh Leib Alter (Gerer Rebbe), in SFAS EMES laration on the eve of the giving of the Law, implying that the performance of Shmittah weighs equally in the divine scales with the national will to accept the Torah • no matter what. Holiness in Nature Indeed, the Torah itself indicates the significance of Shmittah by pointedly prefacing the chapter of Shmittah THE FIRST TEMPLE was destroyed because Jews (Vayikra 25: 1) with the declaration that its laws in committed the three cardinal sins: idolatry, adultery, full detail were commanded at Sinai. The reference to and murder. They seem like widely divergent sins, but Sinai, of course, is 1neant to indicate that all command they all stemmed from the same root. The sages of the ments were fully elucidated on Mount Sinai, but this Talmud say, "The Jews worshipped idols only to permit all-important lesson is taught with Shmittah as the themselves to satisfy their lusts" (Sanhedrin 63b). Even prototype, rather than any of the other 612 command the bloodshed of that period was directed against those ments. What is it that is so unique about the Jaws of the who dared attempt to stem the rush to depravity. seventh year? Yet the Torah itself points to another reason for the We must understand that Shmittah is as meaningful destruction and Babylonian exile. lilt ri1tn nxi11 lit as "We will do and lve will listen." It represents the <,,,., i"; •mpn~) c;·~·i1t ri1t~ c111ti m:i11m 'l.l' ?~ ;r11111:1111. readiness of Jewry to mortgage its future to the will Our sages explain that during that epoch, seventy of G-d. It is no small matter for a nation's farmers to Shmittah years were not properly honored. The exile turn their backs on the source of their sustenance. of seventy years that followed the destruction was de G-d's pleasure in the knowledge that in the future Jews signed to give back to the Land the rest it had been would forego title to their land's produce, if that be robbed. It would seem that not the three gravest of all His wish, was equal to His pleasure at their declaration sins, but the relatively minor one of Shmittah, caused that "We will do ..." In both cases, Jews displayed the exile. faith and trust to a degree that allowed no hesitation. Upon reflection, however, we find that the lack of In the same way, G-d gave us the Torah with the faith Shmittah observance was the key to the other trans and trust that future performances would live up to gressions. Shmittah-the sabbath of the earth-infuses prior intention. holiness into nature. By laying his plan aside, man Indeed, Eretz Yisroel itself was presented to us by proclaims that the earth is the L-rd's and that the Jaws virtue of the law of Shmittah. The Land is G-d's not of nature are but His product and are subservient to ours; we are but His surrogates. Human beings man His will. In the same way that the weekly Sabbath ning their tractors and combines hardly demonstrate endows the preceding six days and the succeeding six divine ownership. But desisting from toil in Shmittah, days with a sanctity by virtue of man consecrating all they do! The landowner letting his fields lie fallow and of his activities to a holy cause, so too does the Shmit opening his gates to rich and poor, even to animals, tah year proclaim a sanctity that invests the other years shows eloquently to Whom the land belongs. It was for with a higher purpose. And, indeed, the Torah uses the this reason that G-d gave a land to the Jewish people. same title for both the day and the year: a Sabbath for By means of the Land we can demonstrate our ac G-d. The holiness of the Sabbath day carries over to knowledgement of His mastery. And by allowing the the next six workdays, resulting in an added holiness Land to rest on Shmittah, we are in effect returning it for the following Sabbath. This increased holiness in to G-d. turn carries over to the next work-week in an eternal And by returning the Land to Him, we remain its ascent toward ever increasing holiness. A similar pro masters. He gives it to us to use and enjoy only as long cess should infuse the seven-year cycle that is consu as we recognize that our ownership is secondary to His. mated by the Sabbath year-an entire year of holiness, Should Jews fall into the trap of thinking that their deed which spills over into the succeeding years of plowing, to the Land forecloses it from G-d, they seal its fate. planting, and harvesting. Then the Land will demand back the Sabbaths of which When Jews refrained from fulfilling the demands of Israel robbed it, and the debt will be paid by years of Shmittah, they not only nullified a commandment. They exile and desolation. failed to instill holiness within themselves and their Should Israel be a nation of divine messengers armed activities. And they failed to elevate themselves suffi with the strength to set aside their own desires in favor ciently to withstand the pressures and lures of a mater-
The leH:ish Observer / Dece1nber, 1972 23 ialistic earth. Natu re abhors a vacuum. A life without 2: I ) . If a man is threatened with a blow to the head, holiness becomes a life of lust. When beauty of the he will raise his arm to ward it off. The arm may be spirit is lacking, attractions of the flesh take its place. in ju red, but, as the source of life, the bead has greater Small wonder, then, that after seventy Shmittah-less value. In the same way, a threat to the group takes cycles, Jews had fallen to the level where they wor precedence over a threat to any of its parts. The com shipped idols to legitimize their immorality and mur munity, the nation, is an organism and no single mem dered those who dared stand in their way. ber can thrive or suvive if the whole is threatened. A Rabbi Eliyahu Eliezer Dess/er, in MICHTAV ME'ELIYAHU person's willingness to endure privation or sacrifice for • the good of the group is a measure of his membership Shmittah and Y oveil - Fulfillment as Part in the national organism. If he is unwilling to accept hardship when the common welfare calls for it, then of the Nation, and as an Individual he is little more than a withered limb-attached to the "Shmittah symbolizes the Jewish community and Yoveil body, but not part of it. sy1nbolizes understanding"-the ZOHAR Shmittah calls upon the Jew for concrete expression of this concept. Rich and poor are equal partners in the produce of the land. No limb may hoard its riches SOME PEOPLE gain Heavenly favor as part of a group. Would they be judged as individuals they may be found saying, "This is mine." Should it do so, the organism responds with: "No! It is ours!" Despite individual seriously lacking in many respects, but as elements in the working of a successful whole, they, too, attain cares and concerns, despite personal successes and status and recognition. There are others, however, who failures, despite one man's wealth or poverty, happiness have so perfected themselves that they gain Heavenly or woe, all are part of a nation. For six years the favor purely on their own merits. struggle for sustenance is primarily a private one: but on the seventh year all share because, ultimately, all Few of us fall into the latter category. To perform are one. our earthly missions and to be deemed worthy in the eyes of our Maker, we must unite with others in a For forty-nine years, seven times seven, the lesson community. Tben, each individual takes on the strength of oneness is impressed upon the national conscious of his fellows. The scholar, the philanthropist, the fer ness. But, important though it is, the individual Jew vent servant of the Almighty, each judged separately, must not content himself with sharing in the fortunes may be flawed. Taken together, they form a nuited of the nation. True, one route to Heavenly favor is phalanx of greatness iu the service of Hashem. To share via the main conduit of the unified whole. But every in such corporate greatness, every member must place person is his own man as well. He was created with the welfare of the group above private considerations. his own ability and his own responsibilities, and ulti (':l :11'N) 1VJCl iy:i Jn' VJ'N? iVJN ?~1 iiy iy:i iiy. "One mately it is his duty to perfect himself through defining limb (suffers blows) for the sake of another limb, and his personal role in creation and playing it through. all a man possesses (he will give) to save his life" (Job The attainment of this goal is symbolized by Y oveil -the fiftieith, Jubilee year-the time when all Jewish indentured servants must be freed and when every man IT'S TIME TO JOIN THE ACTION! is restored to the ownership of his ancestral lands. There is no subjugation in Y oveil. No man can be Don't just krechfz about the crisis problems facing Klal Yisroel, and don't just cheer master over his brother's body or property because Agudath Israel's accomplishments - Y oveil is the year that calls out to every Jew, "It is Join the action by paying your national mem• true that you are part of the group, that for the last bership dues of $15 for the current year 5733. seven Shmittah cycles you have transcended normal It is only $15 in money, but this symbol of your human selfishness and have submerged yourself in the direct kinship with the ideals of Agudath Israel Nation. But precisely because you have rl~en above is priceless. It is your way of saying: "Yes, I'm preoccupation with yourself, you must now take the with the G'dolei Torah in this battle for Torah!" next step. Return to yourself and do justice to your ., own distinctiveness." AGUDATH ISRAEL OF AMERICA Defining that uniqueness and determining the way to 5 Beekman St., New York City 10038 perfection demands the deepest possible understanding I want to become u partner in Agudath Israel's exercised in the isolation of mind, heart, and conscience. activities. Enclosed please find my check of $15 for national membership. Wisely did the Zohar say, "Shmittah symbolizes the Jewish community and Yoveil symbolizes understand- NAME...... ing." ADDRESS .... Rabbi Shmuel Borenstein (Sochaczower Rebbe), in SHEM MJSHMUEL
24 The Jewish Observer / December, 1972 "Gut Shabbos, Holy Land" It is difficult to decide whether or not the sale is legal under Jewish law, but I would pose another question. Should we not, in a newborn Jewish state, OF COURSE Shmittah is hard to observe. G-d Himself puts into our mouths the question, "What will insist on living within the laws of Shmittah and thus we eat on the Seventh year?" But He provides the an announce to the entire world, "Israel is the holy nation swer as well, "I will command My blessing upon you!" of G-d"? ... That the Nation of the Tanach upholds During the times when Jews observed Shmittah, not its tradition and demonstrates its eternal bond with its only the question, but also the answer was natural and Land! Why don't we plant this year? Why do we change comprehensible. When Jews strayed from the Torah our way of life this year?-Because this year is a Sab and served Ba' al, they were left with only the ques bath year. It is Sabbath of G-d-for Israel and for its tion. . . . Non-believers can only ask questions, not Land! ... provide answers. The regimen of Shmittah is possible, In our Torah we find, "At the end of seven years, at but only under a regimen of adherence to Torah.... the time of the Shmittah year, you should read this How false is the condemnation of those who forbade Torah to all Israel, in their ears . ..." The commenta the selling of the Land to non-Jews to permit farming tors explain that after having kept the year of Shmittah, during Shmittah, claiming those of stringent view were the year that testifies to the sovereignty of Torah in the lacking in love of the Land and commitment to its re Land, the holiness of the people and the Land-only settlement, while those who were lenient and permitted then can all of Israel gather in the Bais Hamikdosh to the sale had a greater love for the Land! How far from listen to the Torah and proclaim allegiance to it and the truth! Those who forbade the sale based their sup to G-d. port on the halacha, "A non-Jew cannot take posses Let us call out this incoming Shmittah year: Gut sion of Bretz Yisroel." The Land belongs to us and it Shabbos, Eretz Yisroel! We will sanctify you with the cannot be deeded to a non-Jew. The very soil is holy holiness of the seventh year. And we pray that we may and there is a covenant between it and the Jewish merit that "at the end of the seventh year, the son of people. The Alm-ghty has promised it to us and we David will come"; and may we merit a full and speedy have no right to assign a non-Jew title to the Land. redemption! No non-Jew can buy it. No Jew can give it away. Rabbi Joseph S. Kahaneman, Ponevizher Rav
Ye&hiva :lorah Vodaalh & me&ivla Louis J. Septimus cordially invites friends of Torah to attend its Fifty-Fifth Annual Dinner
honoring mr. olouiJ J. SeptimuJ Sunday evening, January 7, 1973 1 ;"'11111 O~IZ/ '1 at six o'clock Grand Ballroom The Waldorf Astoria Thr: n~me is synonymous with service for Torah Jewry: a director and officer of Torah Vodaath for nearly half New York City a~centu.ry .... head of Vaad Hatzola's Committee on affidavits during World War II ... first chairman of the Beth Jacob Seminary ... presidium member of Reception at six p.m. Dinner at seven p.m. Agudath Israel ... spearheading building campaign for Subscriptfon: One hundred fifty dollars per couple Beth Medrosh Elyon. Join us in paying tribute to a rare individual who pers?nifies youthful vitality, seasoned inte!Hgence, com No solicitation passion for the needy, and Joyalty to Torah.
The Jewish Observer / December, 1972 25 second looks at the jewish scene
It's Hard to Be a (Reform) Jew
The rising rate of disaffection of Rabbi Allan Smith, director of Jewish youth from their identity camp and youth programming at continues to alarn1 Jewish institu the UAHC's Milton and Hattie l~:I&J.IBlIB,Sf; tions of every type and shade. The Kutz Camp-Institute in Warwick, Orthodox groups have no doubts N. Y. "It is not revolutionary, it CATERERS regarding the goals of winning back is not radical, it is not a move Announce that they are now the exclusive Glatt Kosher Caterers, available under the alienated to their heritage; their ment of angry confrontation. It is supervision nf Rabbi Dr. Joseph Breuer, problems center around selection of instead a commitJnent to the idea maintaining their own Glatt Kosher Kitchen methods, and a shortage of funds that a man must know who he is, and personnel. from where he comes. The youths By contrast, the Reform Jews today are no longer satisfied with have no compunctions regarding superficial programming; they sponsoring co-educational groups, seek a deep involvenient in Jew~ ish consciousness. They want to Your own special occasion, catered to the nature of the entertainment they perfection, in the most dramatic setting, provide, or any other such ( Ortho know, they want to study, they offering spectacular panoramic views of dox) religious reservations. Lack of want to teach." The Kutz Camp the entire City of New York. funds does not seem to plague them is a national camp of the Nation • either. ~fheir fears concern the re al Federation of Temple Youth . ACCOMMODATIONS FOR sults of their efforts. "One theme that recurred 100 to 1000 GUESTS There is a homing instinct within throughout the summer and that With Parking & Open Chupah every Jew, and like iron filings to will probably be with us for some Also stiff available af aff leading Hotels and Tem pfes. lodestone and divining-rod to water, time," says director Kenneth Call (212) BO 3-1070 or 592-5000 the Jew is drawn to his spiritual Braiterman, "is a movement of for f'hoice 'Veekend or Weekday dates. roots upon exposure to them. In our youngsters toward tradition their "Discover Your Jewish Self" alism. and orthodoxy in their re • programs, the Reform groups are ligious expression." Among the 111 St. at 52 Ave., Flushing, Queens faced with the quandary of sprucing older group, the move toward up the watered-down, bogus Juda traditionalism was expressed by ism they present their young, to their desire to study Talmud and make it palatable. But then, any liturgy; the junior high group elements of authenticity that might wrote into its platform that daily be present may be too potent, and worship and Hebrew study should their young charges might be tempt be required, services to be held ed to go too far. before the Sabbath meal, and As a case in point, we quote an kosher food should be served to article from the Tishrei-Cheshvan those who want it. edition of Reform .ludaism (a pub "There is much positive value," lication of the 'Union of American Braiterman says, "to having our Hebrew Congregations) : youngsters beco,ne more interest "1'here is a new movement ed in who they are and where a111ong our youth today," reports they come from. But," he warns,
26 The Jewish Observer / Decen1ber, 1972 ''there is alsO a potential dd;1ger in having our kids lose sight of the social mission of Reform Ju Section 4349, Title 39, United States Code) ·important New Judaica I. Date of Hling: October I, 19)2 daism in their quest for religious 2. 1 itle oi ~ublkation: The Jewiih Ob$erver ·.:s. t-requency of issue: Monthly, except August and ethnic origins." STUDIES IN BERESHIT and !>ep1emoer We are not worried about "the hy Prof. Nelwma Leibowitz ·4, Location OT Known Office of Publication: 5 Beekman :>nee r, 1"4 ew '( Ork1 hi. 'Y. I 00$8 kids losing sight of the Reform mis Translated and adapted into English by 5. Location or the Headquarter$ or eGneral B u si~ Arych Newman. The first volume (the ness Oltite of the Yub11shers (Not rrinters): 5 sion." In fact we are confident that Book of Genesis) of a newly edited and Beekman !::i1reet, )-..ew 'tork~ 1~. Y. IU038 definitive version of the seven series 6. Names and Addresses of Publisher, Editor, and there will be those who will not ManagrnQ t:critor: PuD1isher-Agudarh Israel of remain content with medicine-drop (1955-1961) of Studies in the Weekly Ameru.. a; {.;nr. t:ditodal Board-1.Jr. Ernst L. Bo .. Sidra, complete with introduction, ques denneimer~ !.I Beej(man Street , N. Y .C.; Managing t:dil'or-Racbi N1sson Wo1p~n S Beekman Stfe.et per measures of diluted tradition tions for further study and index. 1 1 N.Y.C. IUvsij 624 pages $7 .50 alism. They will discard Reform i. Owner: ~ff owned by a corporation, its. name and .:-ddres~ must bP.: uated and cil"S.o immediate Judaism and all of its borrowed SABBATH CHAPTERS ly thereuilder the names and addresses of .stock "missions" and they will return all OF TALMUD holders ow11f1lg or holding I percent or more of totai amounr or stock. It not cwned by a cor.. the way . . . And when they do by Rabbi Baruch Elizur poration, tne names and addre'5e• of ihe indi· 25 Lessons in Talmud, Chapters 7 (first viduat owners must be given. If owned by a come, we are ready to receive them. p,artnership or other un~ncorporated firm, its two Mishnas), 12, and 13 of Tractate name and address, as we ll as that of each indi· Sababth, complete with original fully vidual m"st be given.) Agudath Israel of Amer pointed text, facing English translation, ica, • Beekman Street, New York, N. Y. 10038 8. Known Bondholders, Mortgagee$, and other notes, vocabulary and questions, outlin Security HolderS Owning or Holding I Percent or ing basic Sabbath laws from earliest More of Total Amount of Bonds, Mortgages or sources to Rambam's Code with intro other Se{urities: None ductory chapters on teaching of Talmud, 9. For Completion by Nonprofit Organizations Authorized to Main as Special Rates (Section by Aryeh Newman. 180 pages $3.50 132,122, Postal Manual) The purpose, function, and nonprofit status of this organization and the PARDES RIMONIM exempt status for Federal ;ncome tax purposes A marriage manual for th~ Jewish Fam [xj Hav• not changed during preceding 12 ily, by Rabbi Dr. Moshe David Tend/er. months KOSHER 10. This item must be completed for all publica· · Paperback $1.25 Hons except those which do not carry advertising other than the publisher's own and whieh are --but strictly! OF ISRAEL'S TEACHINGS named in sections 132,231, 132,232, and 132,233, AND DESTINY Postal Manual. (Sections 435Sa, 4l55b, and 4356 of Title 39, United States Code) A. Total No. Copies Sermons, Studies and Essays by the late Printed (Net Press Run): Average No. Copies Each Chief Rabbi of Basel. Switzerland. Rabbi J.,ue During Preceding 12 Months, lt,600. Aclual Dr. Arthur Colm. · $8.75 Number of Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date, 10,750. B. Paid Circulation THE MODERN JEW FACES I Sales through dealers and carriers, street ven dors and counter sales: average no. copies each ETERNAL PROBLEMS issue during preceding 12 months, 7,200; actual number of copies of single issue published nearest by Dr. Aron Barth to filing date, 6,274; 2. Mail subscriptions: cverage A thorough analysis of the principles of no. copies each issue dudng prec-eding 12 monihs, Orthodox Judaism and their application · 3,300; .;idu~I number of copies of single issue published nearest to filing date, 3,376. C. Total to modern life. This famous worthwhile paid circulation: average no. copies each issue wor~, which _was out of print, was just during preceding 12 months, 10,500~ actual "o. reprmted agam. $3.50 of copies of single issue publi$hed nearest to filing date, 9,65Q. D. I. Free distribution {includ THE ORAL LAW ing samples) by mail, carrier or other means: average no. copies each is-sue durir1q pree~d ing by Harry C. Schimmel 12 months, 850; actual number of copies of single The .Rabbinic Contribution to Torah issue nearest lo fil ing date, 850. D. 2. Copies distributed to news agents, but not sold: average She-Be-a!-Peh. 2nd revised edition. $5.00 number of copies during preceding 12 months, O; ac.tuaJ number of copies of single issue nearest Available again: t o filing date, 0. E. Total Distribution (Sum of Cleaned, Fresh-Eviscerated C and OJ: average no. copies ooch issue during The Famous precedinQ 12 monlh$, 1J ,350; adual number of Soaked & Salted copies of sinale iss ue oublished nearest to CHILDREN'S HAGADAH filing date, 10,500. f. Office use, left.over, un· READY-TO-COOK with movable colored pictures and Seder accounted, spoiled after prlntinci: average no. melodies. Edited and translated into copies each issue during preceding 12 months, Fresh and Fresh-Frozen 250: actual number of copies of single issue English by D1·. A.M. Silverman. published nearest t o filinq date, 250. G. Tot al A beautiful gift. $6.00 (Sum of E and F-should equal net press run Supervised and endorsed by The shown in A)~ average no. cooies each issue during .·. Union of Orthodox Jewish Congre .Precedinq 12 months, 11 ,600: aclual number of @ copies c-f t-inglc issue publhhe d neerest t o finng gations of America. Inspected for Please include 50¢ postage for the first date, 10,750. copy and 25¢ for each additional one. wholesomeness the Dept. I certify that the statements made by me above by U.S. plus sales tax where applicable. are correct and complete. Agriculture. Our Catalogue available upon request. Rabbi Moshe Sherer,. Executive Pre$ident Agudath l>rael of America SOLD COAST-TO-COAST PHILIPP FELDHEIM, Inc. The Most Trusted Name Tire House of fhe Jewish Book nr;~n ee:ir·; .. 9& East Broadway, New York, N. Y. 10002 in Kosher Poultry Jerusalem Branch: EV 7-1750 Empire Kosher Poultry, Inc., Mifflintown, Pa. 17059 FELDHEIM PUBLISHERS Ltd. ?)WiC '"i~~ 39 Taehl:emoni Street, Jerusalem, Israel l?:Wt"l"IC~~ "C't;wri'"i',~?) III Ill1111111111Ill111111111111111111111111111111111 The Jewish Ob,ferver / December, 1972 To meet the The Rebbitzens Advice growing demand by October '71, we printed the com "Yes," he admitted, "to one girl organizations. plaints of an eligible miss regarding in particular. Her father is very institutions. the distorted values young men em wealthy. He is offering 5,000 rubles businesses and ploy in their search for their partners as nedunya ( dowery) as well as all individuals for life. Financial security seemed living expenses for the first ten for quality printing, to assume a more important role years of married life. This would than character. free me to devote myself fully to my artistic lettering and graphic design, A flood of letters followed--ex Torah studies for the next ten years, Press & Co. pressing sympathy, compassion, and without any distraction." is pleased blame. "You are making a serious mis to announce that Now, a full year later, Rabbi take," the Rebbetzin replied. Yoseif Levovi (a regular contributor its professional "I certainly trust your motives, experience and to Dos Yiddishe Vort) has submitted a further comment, quoting Rabbi but I am afraid you are naive in personal services your understanding of how impor are available Yoshor's biography of the Chafetz Chaim: tant money is to the world at large. When Rabbi Yehonoson Abel A person never entrusts large sums man (author of Zichron Yehonoson) of money to someone else without was a young man, he was a frequent exacting some kind of obligation in visitor at the home of the Vilna Rav, return - interest payments, or a Rabbi Elya Elazar, son-in-law of share of the profits-but without the sainted Rabbi Yisroel Salanter. some return? That never happens! He was bombarded by shadchonim "Now you are telling me of a propcsing matches with wealthy man who is offering yon 5,000 ru girls, assuring him of the means to bles as an initial payment, and in HERMAN CHAIM PRESS continue his studies undisturbed by addition underwriting yonr house 15 Park Row financial pressures. hold expenses for ten years-at least Suite 1210 The old Rebbetzin (Rabbi Yis 5,000 rubles more - a total of New York, NY 10038 (212) 233-6710 roel Salanter's wife) once asked him I 0,000 rubles! - Can you imagine if he was giving serious thought to that he is prepared to give you any of the proposals. l 0,000 ruble without expecting
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28 The Jewish Observer / Dece1nber, 1972 · of · interest or div1dend . from you? You had better rea1ize ENJOY OUR. COUNTRY that he expects a life-long obligation FRESH PRODUCTS ·.· from you in return! ....,.... • COTTAGE CHEESE "And another point: a man ready to spend 10,000 ruble for the mar- UNITED • CHEESESPREAD riage of one daughter probably is •SOUR CREAM worth at least 60, or 70,000 ruble, Chevra Kadisha D'chasidim • 99% FAT FREE MILK and most likely lives in style to com Har Hamnuchot • E'ret.z: Hachaim .· • BUTTERMILK pete with people in the 100,000 Founded 1856 ruble bracket. His daughter is un • FARMER CHEESE doubtedly accustomed to luxuries BURIAL IN JERUSALEM Under the Strict Supervision of and comforts of the 100,000 ruble A ND ALL CEMETERIES IN ISRAEL category and would surely expect RABBI L. I. GREENWALD .the same, at least, from her bus • T.z:eilemer Rav . b and. That is a brutal payment 111a~l1ns~kobesh an iron yoke that you won't be able SOCl€ty J & J Dairy Products to shake off for the rest of your life. 72 Steuben Street There is nothing that so confuses, 44 CANAL ST. Brooklyn, N. Y. so ruins one's composure, so dis NEW YORK CITY 10002 tracts a person from his studies as Nr. E. Broadway Sta, "F" Train does this type of yoke." Day & Nite Phone The Rebbetzin's words penetrated 925-2277. 8 Assured hiS heart. He dropped all plans he .·had entertained, and instead sought In c,.n.,da; to sit in the "shelter of wisdom Chevra Kadisha and truth." 0 of United Jewish Congregations KASH Montreal Tel.: 273-3211 RUTH QUALITY. One of World's Largest • ' ~~C~a~m~e~r~a~~S~t~o~r~e~s~~ VARIETY n:itv i~nv 1lf:/l.!Jteet' Crfame/'a ~c.ia/l;?e . Complete Line of Cameras and Photo Supplies 82 WALL STREET NEW YORK, N. Y. Telephone: WH 4-0001 Airline Meals 1 Wholesale • Mail Order • Retail wherever you t ravel by air on major national and international Special Reductions to till Readers of "The Jewish Observer,. air'ines. tNSISTON SCH REI BER'S a nd be SURE . . .. D"elicious STRICTLY KOSHER Breakfasts, l unches, Dinners, Snacks. TRADITION PERSONNEL AGENCY ~ ., "At You r Service With All Your Employment Nee'ds" vze. Need A Shomer Shabbos Job? Looking For A Shomer Shabbos Person? For Fast, Efficient and Courteous Service Schreiber Airline Ca t e rers, Inc., .. 18 W. 45th St., New York, N. Y. 10036 • 563·3994 9024 Fost er Ave., Bklyn., N . Y. 1123.6 Open Monday night by appointment only (Phone) (212) 272·9184
The Jewish Observer / December, 1972 THE WORLD FAMOUS SERVICES ARRANGED IN DIGEST OF MEFORSHIM YOUR COMMUNITY n -~ip7 il'1:l -~,1'' ':"'~! iin~'no: .,io:,~tv ,, l";;im~ Norman L. Jeffer To the Editor: Available at As English Principal of the Viener LEKUTEI INC. Bais Y aakov, I am pleased to in c / o I. Rosen berg COMMUNITY CHAPELS, form you that our High School De 10 West 47th Street, Room 702 New York, N. Y. 10036 Inc. partment has recently introduced 20 Volumes on Torah, Perek, The Jewish Observer as required Medrash, Megilas and Talmud. 47th Street & Ft. Hamilton Parkway reading for class discussion in the Proceeds of safes distributed among Brooklyn Phone UL 3-4000 subject areas of Current Events and Yeshivas and used for reprinting Literature. The teachers and stu of volumes ouf..of-prinf Mikvah under Supervision of Bikur Cholim ol Boro Park dents have enthnsiastieally wel PRICE $4.00 PER VOLUME comed your monthly and find it highly motivating both in content and style. I strongly urge Torah RARBI JOZEF KATZ AXD MARK LOVfNGER educators to seriously consider in 33 Division Avenue Brooklyn, N. Y. 11211 cluding The Jewish Observer in their curriculum. OF I take this opportunity to per sonally thank you for the many thought-provoking and enjoyable hours of reading you bring my way AI,L LEADING lIOTELS BANQUET HAI,LS each month. Torah Jewry owes your periodical and it' worthy contribut AND J EWISJI CENTERS _A_ VAILABLE ors much appreciation and admira tion for courageously presenting the independent Torah-true viewpoint. May I wisb you continued success 388-4204 388-3590 863-8892 in all your journalistic endeavors for K'vod Shomayim. • Catering .Agudath Israel Convention~ 5733 • RABBI D. GROSSMAN Brooklyn, N. Y. GO ISRAEL - THE TORAH WAY For the Lone-Traveler or the Joiner Fully organized Package Tours • Orthodox English-speaking Guides • Strictly Kosher Hotels • A Full Sightseeing Program Conducted by Orthodox Guides Geared to the needs of the Strictly Orthodox Traveller. THE FIRST KOSHER DRIVE-INS IN AMERICA Expert handling of individual travel Char-broiled Burgers, French Fries, Franks, Farm arrangements-Flights, Hotels, etc. Fried Chicken, corn on cob. Fillet of fish & More. the world over. @ Supervised • Gfaff Kosher • Shomer Shabbos For Specific Information Ask for ALIZA 96 MAIN STREET. NEW ROCHELLE at Boston Post Road - Just North of the Ma!! AGUDATH ISRAEL TRAVEL DEPT. and 5 Beekman Street, New York, N. Y. 10038 SURF AVE. & W. 15th ST., CONEY ISLAND Tel: 258-0709 or 964· 1620
30 The Jewish (Jbserver / Deceniber, 1972 gregation'; ~f Park Heights ·A~~nu~ and Glen Avenue. Much has been THE NATIONAL COUNCIL OF AGUDAH WOMEN OF AMERICA To the Editor: done in the past, especially by its I read with interest·· the artfoles past and present spiritual leaders, announces its concerning the survival of the "Ke Rabbi Shimon Schwab and Rabbi Annual Luncheon hilah" in the midst of the problems Mendel Feldman, to make this shul in honor of of the inner city. I would like to and its organization the center Rebetzin Bella Perlow comment on our situation in Bal around which Torah-true families fNoveminsker Rebetzin) and our A wardees timore, Maryland, in the "Upper can build their ideals of community ·Mrs. Zelda Greenberg Park Heights" section to which ref living. Only the willingness of these Mrs. Helen Seif erence was made in one of the families, young and old, to remain Mrs. Edith Septimus articles. and build up further what already . Mrs. Erna Tarsis . This serious problem has been exists will decide the bright future Sunday, February 25th, 1973 for many years to come. extensively discussed and the only at the solution we have to strengthen the KURT FLAMM, President Statler Hilton Hotel .. growth of Orthodox families living Baltimore, Md. JJrd Street at 7th A \'eJWe. N. Y. C. in this particular section is to whole Place your reservation by caliinR · · our office at 5 Beekman Street heartedly support the "Kehilah" We invite your comment i.n · Phone: 227-5715 which is the "Shearith Israel Con- our Letters column.
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SCHECHTER & HIRScH·s ·:~:1lili88£JIJ/·; tNTlllE OCU.NfRONT BLOCK - l7th to 31th st. MIAMI BEACH ••• is a GREAT Kosher Hotel - you'll love it! • Of At For Reservalion• Speak lo MIAMI SAM SCHECHTER FREE PARKING . BEACH 8QQ _ 327- 8165 PR IVATE POOL FREEJ Or Coll N.Y. Off: Pl 7-4238 SAN D~N~EACH .· Evenings & Sunday FA 7 ~ 1742 RECORD CROWD PARTICIPATES IN FIFTIETH YEAR CONVENTION OF AGUDATH ISRAEL ISSUES CALL FOR STEPPED-UP Rabbi J. I. Ruderman (Ner Israel, Bal to the Torah aspirations of American ACTIVISM timore), Rabbi Yaakov Kamenetsky Jewry. In an extraordinary meeting of mind, (Torah Vodaath), Rabbi Shneur Kotler A companion audio-visual showing, spirit, and dedication to constructive ac~ (Beth Medrash Govoha, Lakewood), "60 Years of World Agudah," was tivity, the Agudath Israel of America R.abbi Boruch Sorotzkin (Telshe, Wick screened on Saturday night, as a prelude marked 50 years on the American scene liffe), the Novominskcr Rebbe Rabhi to the keynote sessions. The two presen with its national convention at Atlantic Nochum Perlow, and Rabbi Gedaliah tations which were based on Joseph City, New Jersey, on 'fhanksgiving Week Schorr (Torah Vodaath). The 1'orah Friedenson's authoritative "Jubilee Book end. While several convention sessions authorities called upon Orthodox Jews of Agudath Israel" ( l 962), were pre were focused on the half century history to set aside their differences and join pared and written by Rabbi Menachem of the American Agudah and 60 years the fold of Agudath Israel as the only Lubinsky, and narrated by Rabbi Nosson of the World Agudah, the thrust of viable tunbrella-type organization em Scherman. Mr. Friedenson introduced weekend was one of drawing inspiration bracing Torah Jews of varying lifestyles both of the screenings. and guidance from· past achievements to and customs. In response to the acclaim of those meet the myriad cha1!enges of today and 1'he convention heard a report on the who viewed it, and a great nun1ber of tomorrow. latest religious developments in Israei inquines regarding repeat screenings, from the president of Agudath Israel in OVER J,000 DELEGATES, AND arrangements have been m·ade to make Israel, Rabbi Pinchas Menachem Alter, LEADERS FROM ROUND the slide-casselte package available to the dean of Sfas Emes Yeshiva of Je THE WORLD groups on request. rusalem and brother of the famed Gerer The entire convention weekend seemed Rebbe, who warned of the "dangers aris OVERFLOW CROWD to throb with the vitality of delegates ing fro1n the increased religious tensions from all walks of life-rabbis, yeshiva The Sheraton-Deauvil!e liotel, which because the Torah leaders feel that the educators, professionals, industrialists, housed the convention, was filled to secular-dominated ruling society seeks to laborers, academics and students-fron1 capacity for the entire three-day period. impose its own brand of controlled re all parts of the Americas-Canada to and a number of families made use of ligion on the Orthodox community." Mexico, New England to California-.. "as neighboring motel facilities in order to well as from overseas. At the heart of EXCITING AUDIO-VISUAL participate in the convention sessions. this dedication to finding "solutions to PRESENTATION Saturday night the main convention the problems of our times in keeping The convention took a soaring start hall was overflowing with hundreds of with the Torah" was a most impressive with an evocative presentation of "50 additional people who travelled from gathering of distinguished Torah leaders Years of Agudath Israel in America," New York City, Philadelphia, Lakewood and heads of major American Yeshivos accompanied by a taped narration, de and other communities to be present at who spoke at the various sessions of the picting the secular-saturated atmosphere the stirring keynote session which was convention. Among them were the chair of the New York of fifty years ago and highlighted by greetings from Rabbi man of the Moetzes Gedolei Hatorah showing how the fledgling movement Moshe Feinstein as well as addresses by (Council of Torah Sages) Rabbi Moshe valiantly struggled and ultimately suc Rabbi Sorotzkin, Rabbi Grossbard and Feinstein (Mesivta Tifereth Jerus:1len1), ceeded in giving form and direction Rabbi Pinchas Menachem Alter. so~ HA·r10NAL CONVENTI ,doth Imel , ,~,ta .. n11li
Rahbi Pinchas Menachem Alter addressing the keynote session of the Convention.
32 The Jewish Observer I December, 1972 . a broad gamut of Jewish issues in this country and overseas. The roster of speakers who addressed the convention included the Bostoner Rebbe Rabbi Moshe Horowitz, Rabbi Mendel Chod row, Rabbi Leizer Levin (Detroit), Dr. Isaac Lewin, Rabbi Simcha Elberg (ad ministrative chairman of the Agudas Ha- rabonim), Rabbi Gedaliah Felder (To ronto), Rabbi Chaim Dov Keller (Chi cago), Rabbi Nachman Bulman (Far Rockaway), Rabbi Nosson Scherman, Rabbi Levi I. Horowitz (Bostoner Reb be, Boston), Rabbi Mordechai Weinberg (Montreal), Rabbi Yeruchem Gorelick, .Rabbi Abraham Hirschberg (Mexico), Rabbi Isaac Small (Chicago), Rabbi Yaakov Perlow, Rabbi Chaskel Besser, Rabbi B. Leizerowsky (Philadelphia), An English language symposh1m on "Agudath Jsrnel in Amerii;a-'-lhe Next Fifty Rabbi Chaim Yitzchok Katzenstein, Years" was held on Thursday evening. Shown above are: Rabbi Nachman Bulman, Rav of the Young Israel of Far Rockaway, (N. Y.), and Rabbi Chaim Rabbi Menachem Lubinsky (Z.A.I.), Dov Keller, Rosh Yeshiva of Lhe Telshe Yeshiva of Chicago. discussants; and Rabbi Schmeltzer (Chicago), Rabbi Dov The Jewislr Observer / Decemba, 1972 Ye>ur Ketubal? is ye>ur Pledge - It Deserves tCJ be Beautiful. She won't frame it and it won't hang on your The new ArtScroll Ketuba~ is published in two magnificent editions. living room wall. For most of your lives, no one The Regular Edition: Jn full 'en/or plus gold on heavr-1veight. canvos-finish stock.. Hound in o gold ston11n:d will see it but her. All the more reason to make it leuth1~rette .folder. (IIe/Jre1v only, or J-Jehrrnv English.J a thing of beauty. A masterpiece that will forever $3.00 The Deluxe Edition: (;uslorn lilhngrophed on beautiful irnporlcd reflect the warmth and tenderness of your si1nuluterl porcl1Inr-n1I in full color. 'rhe gold is /uxurinush· silk-screened b\· hund. nnd preserved ·in o gold-stan1pe({ \'elvet tulH~. wedding. An Art Scroll creation. (J-fehren· 011/>·, or J-Jehre1-v-English.) $9.75 Availahlc directlv from ArtScroll Studios, 156 Fifth Avenue, N.Y.C .. or from your local hookd,,aler. (Dislri11titnrl lo !he rrodf' by Bloch Publishing Co., Inc. Dnnlnr inquiriPs invilr.rl) c 19i2 ArlSr:rnli S1(1din•, N. YC ,~...;...;...-__.._...... ______CONVENTION. RESOLUTIONS···. ____...... _...... ----...._._.._...... ----...... , .. The convention adopted a resolution calling upon predominant emphasis on Jewish Interests in the political Secretary of Health; Education· and Welfare, Elliot · Ri- · battles of American election campaigns. . . . . chardson to effectively halt the misuse of affirmative In regard to the situation in Israel, the following was action programs to undermine the merit system in em- · declared: ployment opportunities. The organization charged that "The Convention of Agudath lsraei 0£ America is .in spite of recent guidelines published by HEW's Office shocked and outraged over the recent move of Chief for Civil Rights, which prohibits preferential treatment Rabbi Goren of Israel who, in defiance of all the leading .. based on racial quotas, there are colleges and universities Halachic and Torah authorities in Israel and world-wide, which continue such practice. has dared permit the marriage of illegitimates. The Another resolution called upon the JewiSh Federations · underhanded, secret, and lightning-like manner in which throughout the country to "stop paying pious lip service the act was done points up the menace of Rabbi Goren's to Jewish day schools, who need cash and not praise." policy of bowing to the demands of Israel's secular The gathering expressed disappointment over the fact establishment that the Torah and Jewish law be altered that the recent national convention of the Council of to conform to the so-called 'needs of present times.' Jewish Federations and Welfare Funds, which was held In this approach there is a seriou.s danger to the con- in Toronto, "paid comparatively minor attention to the tinued existence of the Jewish people as a Torah nation. major problem of the Jewish agenda: how to maintain "The Convention of Agudath Israel of America again and expand the only sure means of guaranteeing Jewish prodaims the resolution of Torah Jewry the world over survival, the Jewish day school movement." to maintain and defend the eternal belief that "this The convention singled out the Jewish Federation of Torah will not be changed." The Convention rejects the New York as "one of the most flagrant culprits in a fallacy that there can be varying approaches to Halacha. lopsided system of priorities, which places maximum There is only one Torah and one Halacha. The Torah Jewish education at the bottom of the totem pole, while and its laws are eternal, and no power on earth can concentrating on physical services which are increasingly change them. a government responsibility." The convention declared "The Convention declares that Torah Jewry will resist that "the patience of Jewish educators is running out, with all its power the current attempts (to abolish Jewish and unless the priorities of the Federations are re-or- Law) and does not recognize the authority of rabbis dered, we may witness an explosion on the Jewish who embark on false, dangerous departures that pose a scene." danger to the future of the nation of Torah. Concern about the manner in which the Jewish com- "The Convention resolves to take all steps to oppose ·· munity is dragged into various political election battles atiy menace to the future of Torah in the midst of Jewry was expressed in another convention resolution, which according to the decisions of recognized Torah author- called upon the administration of Agudath Israel to ities of our time, who have declared that Rabbi Goren's attempt to influence Jewish groups to eliminate the decisions and rulings are invalid." Z.I.A. LAUNCHES PROGRAM TO RETURN LOST YOUTH Rabbi Yaakov I..onner, member of the executive board, acted as the chairman ·· ..· 200 delegates from all parts of the urged Zeirei Agudath Israel to "reach · for the plenary session. . . .. United States and Canada who attended out into the spiritual wastelands of Rabbi Menachem Lubin~ky; national the Zeirei Agudath Israel convention, America to enroll Jewish youth into coordinator of Zeirei Agudath Israel of held in conjunction with the 50th anni . Yeshivos and Day Schools." America, outlined a broad new range of versary convention of Agudath Israel of The Zeirei Agudath Israel delegates programs for the future of Zeirei Agu America in Atlantic City on November also heard greetings from two Roshei . dath Israel of America. D · 23-26th, unanimously resolved to em Yeshivos. Rabbi Feivel Cohen, Rosh Ye bark on a new ambitious program to shiva of Nachlas Haleveyim, urged the "reach into the heart" of thousands of youth to strengthen themselves so that alienated Jewish youth throughout the they can proceed to strengthen others. country. Rabbi Pinchas Menachem Alter, Rosh Rabbi Moshe Sherer executive ptesi- Yeshiva of Yeshiva Sfas Emes greeted . d~nt of Agudath Israel of America, the Zeirei Agudath Israel convention . pledged to fund the new ambitious pro .Rabbi Avrohorn Teichman. a prominent gram of Zeirei Agudath Israel. At the member of Mesifta Torah Vodaath Ko opening session under the heading of l e!, noted in his address to the conven "Agudath Israel on the Firing Line," tion that learning Torah and responsibil Rabbi Sherer expressed the adult or- ity for Kial Yisroel are intertwined. ganization's admiration and support for The ZA[ convention also heard repo11s the activities of Zeirei Agudath Israel. from Rabbi Avrohom Fishelis (Mesifta Also featured at the same session was ·· Tifereth Jerusalem), Motty Katz (Mc · Rabbi Chaim Dov Keller, Rosh Yeshiva sifta Torah Vodaath) and Larry Gewirlz ·of Telshe Yeshiva of Chicago, who (Mesifta Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch). The Je\vW1 Observer I December, 1972 FREE! 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