1-11, 5736 I JAN.-FEB. 1976 VOLUME XI, NUMBER S fHE SEVENTY-FIVE CENTS

a dream and The Zionist Plan for "Normalization" its failure

his needs and The Jewish Hospital Patient rights, our obligations

the "Prince of Yechiel Mordechai Gordon Roshei Hayeshiua"

letters and The Israeli Agudath : responses Movement, Party, or Both?

two interviews Russian Conversations THE JEWISH OBSERVER

in this issue

Zionism: A Dream and its Failure I Nissan Wolpin 3

THE JEWISH OBSERVER is published Bikur Cholim - Visiting the Sick I Fred Rosner 9 monthly, except July and August, by the Agudath Israel of America, Thoughts of a Chronic Visitor I Faige Beer 12 5 Beekman St., , N.Y. 10038. Second class postage paid The Jewish Patient's Bill of Rights at New York, N.Y. Subscription: prepared by Bernard Fryshman $6.50 per year; Two years, $11.00; 13 Three years, $15.00; outside of the The Prince of Roshei : $7.50 per year. Single copy seventy-five cents. Rabbi Yechiel Mordechai Gordon I Chaim Shapiro 15 Printed in the U.S.A. Agudath Israel in Israel - A Political Party or a "Government in Exile"l Letters & Responses 20 RABB! N1ssoN WoLPJN Editor Russian Conversations I two interviews I Reb Shneur Zalman 31 Editorial Board II Shimon DR. ERNST L. BoDENHE!MER 32 Chairman Book in Review RABB! NATHAN BULMAN RABBI JOSEPH EUAS The Megillah (The Book of Esther) 35 JOSEPH FRJEDENSON RABBI Letters to the Editor 36

THE JEWISH OBSERVER does not assume responsibility for the Kashrus of any product or service advertised in its pages.

JAN.-FEB. 1976 VOL. XI, NO. 5

Typography by Compu-Scribe at Studios, Ltd. Zionist Congress in Basle, Switzerland, 1898.

The Unearned Defamation and its "racist" policy of only conferring automatic citizenship on Jewish immigrants, as Children Return­ FOR THE JEW, the world has many hazards, yet few ing to the Motherland, while excluding . surprises. To be a Jew means ipso facto facing hostility from all sides. So one should not have been shocked If the Jew's right to Israel is spurious, and based on a when a majority of the United Nations General As­ racist doctrine, then Soviet have no right to peti­ sembly voted to include in its condemnation of tion for visas to "repatriate" to Israel. Following the racism last fall. Nonetheless, the broad Jewish com­ same line of reasoning and projecting the mood of the munity reacted with deep pain for a number of reasons. UN into the future, an attack by Arab armies against Israel would hardly be met with condemnation. In the nebulous world of international affairs this condemnation had icy implications; and in the very So tremors of trepidation shocked Jews the world tangible world of national border guards, visa applica­ over at the United Nations' declaration. tions, and terrorist raids the overtones were even more ominous. Once Zionism was equated with racism, it The Limits of Togetherness follows that the policies of the State of Israel - the very WHILE A NUMBER OF RESPONSES suggested themselves' embodiment of Zionism - are racist; and anti-Israeli one of the most striking was the "I am a Zionist" lapel acts and sentiments can be justified as being anti-racist. button, which gave Jews a means of displaying their Terrorist raids against civilians are not to be con­ defiance of a condemning world. It was a fresh oppor­ demned, for they too are really aimed against the State tunity to flaunt the same pluck that had drained

The Jewish Observer I January-February, 1976 3 swamps, irrigated deserts, and generally laughed at the from this station. It is this very loftiness that brings him oppression of the elements in Palestine a generation and suffering when his conduct falls short of its demands. two ago. And the remedy is invariably the same: teshuva - The Jew certainly identifies with the return to your glorious past. .. . Now, is it the Jewish beleaguered residents of Israel and cannot see his fate grip on the Holy Land that seems threatened? separate from theirs. "Their" crisis is "our" crisis. Diplomatic and military considerations have their Further, he knows well that in this case "Zionist" is a place, but do not count in the ultimate measure of code-word for Jew, and that the racist epithet tagged on security. We must but enhance our own holiness, and to the one is meant for the other, in spite of Arab then our grip on the Holy Land will be that much more protestations to the contrary. There is no trembling for tenacious. the security of the hundreds of thousands of the Torah As Rabbi Eliezer Menachem Schach, revered yishuv without worrying for all three million Israelis. Ponovezher , said in a recent public state­ There is no concern for the precarious situation of the ment: We must endeavor with all our might to secure burgeoning Torah institutions, girls schools, and com­ our control over our sacred land exclusively through munities that are redeeming the Holy Land without keeping Torah and mitzvos; and to declare ourselves embracing the entire countryside in this concern. simply as "Jews" with no borrowed labels tacked on . . But identifying with someone's plight need not, by Then we will be secure, with no support other than the any means, call for a response identical to theirs. True, help of G-d, confident in the coming of Moshiach, as the attack against Zionism as stated was meant as a slur promised in the Torah and by the Prophets. against all Jews, but in our sense of community we The poor secularist, who fails to comprehend this must not confuse our spiritual attachment to the Holy key factor in the Jewish condition, will suffer without Land with the secularized Zionist dream that wreaked the comforting support of knowing who he is and why. havoc with Jewish identity. To the contrary, one of the All explanations he seeks will prove spurious, and all greatest services that could be done for the button­ remedies he concocts will prove short-lived at best. sporters and for the Jews in general, for that matter, is to question the possible responses to the mounting Yofis Yid" threat to Jewish survival, to determine which are to be The Prototype "Ma rejected, and to select the best one to subscribe to. For it RABBI ELIY AHU ELIEZER DESSLER 7"Yl was fond of is our contention that now, more than ever, the whole pointing to the proverbial "Ma Yofis Yid" as the constellation of dreams associated with "I Am A prototype of the Jew in golus: the manner in which one Zionist" is punctured. Worse - these very dreams may interprets this Yid' s condition serves as a test-case of well bear the major weight of responsibility for the cur­ sorts for how Jewish one's self-image is. rent spate of crises we are undergoing. In , Jews lived under the rule of a poritz - a wealthy landowner. The poritz was a king in his own domain, and he looked upon the Jews How "Normal" is Go/us? who lived in his land as his chattle. THE JEW WHO UNDERSTANDS that both his national and On occasion, the poritz would make a party. He personal destiny revolve around Torah has always would become drunk and then call out: "Bring on viewed suffering and exile as directly related to his lack the Yidden." So the poor Yid would be sum­ of fidelity to Torah. Destruction, exile, the entire golus moned, and the poritz would command him to phenomenon is totally due to "Mipnei chato'einu - sing and dance for him. The musicians would play because of our sins," as we say in the festival the melody of the Shabbos zemer "Ma Yofis prayers. Until that time when Jewry succeeds in raising (How Lovely)" to accompany the Jew in his per­ its spiritual status, golus is its normal condition. formance. On the one hand, no political, social, or economic How did this Yid view himself? Before he was measures can "normalize" the Jewish condition, and summoned, the Yid had been sitting at home, por­ any attempts to achieve "normalcy" by any means ing over a blatt Gemora. Because the poritz had other than spiritual improvement are only doomed to called him, he was forced to close his Gemora and failure. More, they· are even counter-productive, for amuse his lord and master. While dancing, he they deflect productive energy from the most vital tasks would contemplate the heathen at his relaxation, on the agenda. On the other hand, the Jew who under­ thinking, "The poor poritz there, in his drunken stands his suffering as a direct result of spiritual short­ stupor - he is barely even human!" Back home, comings even feels the hand of G-d in his imposed returned to his Gemora he would bask in the golus. He may be suffering deprivation to the point of pleasure of his identity - "Thank G-d I am a alienation, but he knows he has not lost his special Jew!" The humiliating "Ma Yofis" interval ac­ status as a member of "a Kingdom of Priests, a Holy tually heightened his awareness of the nobility of Nation." The worst of conditions do not remove him his station. His calling is to study the word of G-d.

4 The Jewish Observer /January-February, 1976 An insecure Jew could have hoped for Equality as a Frenchman, if not as a Jew. But then the celebrated Dreyfus case, culminating in the Captain's convic­ tion, proved this an impossible route.

By contrast, the secular Jew found the Ma Yofis ing the reaction of the fanatics to your mixed marriage experience the ultimate in unrelieved are exaggerated . .. . Ideally, we would already be degradation, ... One man's suffering was citizens of the Jewish State . .. . No one of its citizens another's proof of self-worth. could be prevented from marrying a . Upon marriage she would become a 'Jewess' (i.e. a citizen-by­ A Dream of Normalization marriage of the Jewish State) regardless of her religion. THERE WERE TIMES when the trend of events seemed to Subsequently ... children too would be Jews.") point to a permanent lightening of the golus burdens, Herzl predicted that his dream of normalization only to prove but a temporary respite ....The French would be a reality within fifty years: the Jews would Revolution brought Liberty, Equality and Fraternity for have a state of their own. His prediction did come true mankind - a new era for all, Jew and Gentile alike. But almost to the day. And now - twenty-eight years since then the restricting clause was inserted: "Equality for the advent of statehood - an entire generation has been Jews as Frenchmen, but not as Jews." - Ma Yofis brought up as "normal" Jews, and there has been ade­ again: It's hard to be a Jew! Thus the Jew who had quate opportunity to dissect this dream. Certainly, a failed to recognize any redeeming value in his Torah Jew has always known that robbing Jewish ex­ Jewishness found the pressure mounting to shed every istence of its spirituality is to deny it purpose, vitality, aspect of differentness that may have divided him from and hope. It is certainly no formula for survival, let his fellow European, so Equality might at last be his. alone "normalcy." But now even secular Zionists And even that did not work. should also have had adequate evidence that the dream Witness the infamous case of the loyal French Cap­ is only an ephemeral fantasy, and cannot work. tain who happened to be a Jew, and was condemned on Expectations and Fulfillments trumped-up charges of treason because he was a Jew. The famous Dreyfus Affair that rocked European How does a secularized Jewish State find a normal Jewry had such an impact on Theodore Herzl, an as­ place in the society of nations? similated Jewish journalist from Vienna who was cover­ How do its children grow up? ing the trial, that he was left with only one conclusion: As the primary consideration, Jews were no longer a Jew can never enter the world on equal status as long homeless. At long last, millions of Jews could close the as he carries a stigma of belonging to an incomplete na­ door on their golus existence and bid farewell to ashes­ tion - a national group without the makings of bedecked and walled-in Sephardic lands. Even nationhood. As long as the Jewish people do not share a those who chose to remain in adopted homelands could common language or common territory to bind them exude a pride and dignity that had been denied the together, they would be consigned to a stand-in role on wandering Jew of millennia past. At least they belonged history's stage, never stepping out of the wings except to a normal nation. for an occasional performance of "Ma Yofis." More: While the Jew may choose to shut his eyes to So the Zionist dream took shape, conceiving of a his role as a member of the Kingdom of Priests, he none­ Jewish nation with all the conventional trappings of theless feels impelled to act out his role as a beacon of nationhood - but without , the religious core light to the dark corners of the world. As one of the of Jewish identity. (Theodore Herzl said it quite suc­ world's few functioning socialist-democracies, Israel cinctly in his writings: To quote Dr. Herzl in Der was for a time foremost in exporting industrial Judenstaat: "The shall rule over us? Never! We progress, enlightment, and good will to budding na­ will lock them up in their synagogues as one confines tions. And in return, Israel felt snug among an army to its barracks. We will certainly not allow democracies of both capitalist and socialist bent. (After them to interfere in affairs of state.".. .When Dr. Max all, in 1947, did not both the United States of America Nordau married a Gentile woman, Herzl wrote (from and the vote for the creation of the State The Memoirs of Nordau, p.10): "Your fears concern- of Israel?)

The Jewish Observer/ January-February, 1976 5 As the years passed, there was so much evidence of On the other hand, a not inconsiderable proportion of the dream working - problems arose, but they were the Jewish students are indifferent, and those who have treated with the same mixture of gravity, tolerance and opinions do not agree among themselves" (Quoted in love with which any parent indulges in the growing ZINS, Jan. 16, 1976) Hashish, the curse of the Levant, pains of a favorite child. But then the Yorn Kippur War has invaded Israel, and according to a report recently erupted and ripped away the veil of complacent smug­ made public by Professor Aharon Barak, Legal Advisor ness that had blanketed some very ugly conditions. to the government, 100,000 Israelis are now using nar­ These have already been categorized and reviewed in cotics, especially hashish! (Zionist Information Service, the pages of numerous publications, including this one. Feb. 6, 1976) However, newer aspects of these problems are con­ - A Spirit of Independence? The new breed Jew stantly manifesting themselves, pointing to the hol­ spawned by the Zionist movement was meant to be lowness of that Herzlian dream. freed from the "pushke" economy of bygone eras, - Friend of the democracies? Only the United States' when almost everyone was supported by one collection veto has excluded the PLO from achieving guasi­ group or another. .. .During the statehood years, the official status in the United Nations, which would have government has been continually saddled with extraor­ marked a formal beginning to the end of universal ac­ dinary obligations, from absorption and resettlement of ceptance of the Zionist goals. immigrants to military expenditures. Justifiable ex­ Welcome benefactor of developing nations? penses? No doubt. The net result, however, is that Israel's medical, scientific, and technical teams have Israel's economic and military security depends so been expelled from almost every nation they were ser­ heavily on the largesse of world Jewry and the credit of vicing. As for" progress," according to the most recent the American government, that it is still subsisting on a Comptroller's Report, Israel's major export today is ar­ pushke economy. maments!. ..."Enlightenment"? The Knesset recently To be sure, the complete tapestry of life in Israel is passed the most liberal abortion law in the entire Mid­ not all that bleak. Simply to catalogue the negatives and East. not even mention the fantastic burgeoning of a new - Member of good standing in the Socialist generation of Torah loyal youth is to present a distorted brotherhood of nations? The New York Times reports "a broad and growing loss of traditional sympathy for Israel (among European Socialist bodies) that reaches almost open support for the Palestinians in some cases." (see box) - Sense of pride? Unfortunately, a young 5eneration is emerging that has too well imbibed the socialist nec­ tar of its parents, and with hard-eyed realism and a non-nationalistic egalitarianism has found a more fertile place to make a buck than the Homeland. The result? Just about as many yordim have depleted Israel's population as olim have added to it. Adding insult to injury, cynical Israeli youth have coined a new word for a wide-eyed idealism that has lost contact with reality ....The word? Tzionut - Hebrew for "Zionism." - Sense of purpose? The heavily romanticized children of the Kibbutz may grow up with fewer hang­ ups and greater patriotism than do Israel's city children, but they only represent 3% of the population. Unfor­ tunately, much of the others have been smitten with the mood of Diezengoff (Tel Aviv's Times Square).... Some groups of college youth have banded together in sympathy for the rights of the Palestinians. . .Levi Yitzchak Yerushalmi commented in Maariv on the dif­ ferences between Jewish and Arab students on the Israeli campuses: "The clear impression is that the Arab students (there are 1600 of them) are more cohesive than ever before, and that their position is closer to the fundamental Palestinian line. I have not met an Arab student who didn't define himself as a Palestinian.

6 The Jewish Observer I January-February, 1976 To the secular founders of Zionism, there was only one remaining formula for achieving Equality: convert Jewry into another nation-state, similar to all others, abandoning and all its implications, in the process. lSRJ.rt. l!l!CO>ill~ tnJ;, "flfT\'•NJN'.t!J J.IEJ.IBF.lt oJ> 111£ -G~Jtl'.I> !U.T!Oi>S~ Tilt' 'Sl!JUn ,(\,)t JHVH> FiAf; <\I' f~llAFI. AMl>!lr; 'tl/O!IF (II' m1" OTHl';lt Ml'.~!n'!OR !IATIO!I~> picture of life in the country. But it is not an inaccurate Citizens of the Jewish Faith- adopted a strongly anti­ portrayal of the fruition of a Jewish culture void of Zionist resolution: Torah, for much of the development of yeshivos and "On the soil of the German Fatherland, we wish, communal life consistent with Torah is in spite of the as Germans, to co-operate in German civilization, secular ideologists and their policy-making - certainly and to remain true to a partnership that has been not because of them. And the sum total of this is an idea hallowed by religion and by history . ... We must that is its own undoing - a failure from within, sever ourselves from the Zionist who denies courting rejection from without. German national (racial) sentiments, feels himself to be a guest among a strange people, and feels Patterns of Rejection nationally (racially) only as a Jew" (Neue Freie THERE IS A PARTICULAR rejection mechanism inherent to Presse, March 31, 1913). the peoples of the world: The Jew who attempts to shed That Germany ultimately rejected the Jew is too well his identity to become indistinguishable from his known to require documentation. neighbors may almost succeed - almost, but then the dynamics of rejection set in, and he is rudely reminded e In the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, Jews were that he cannot become that which he was not born to not only prominent in the revolution, as part of the be. republican ideal, but even assumed leading roles in governing the USSR. From Trotsky to Litvinov and the History bears witness to the workings of this Brothers Kaganovich, outstanding ministers in the mechanism. It has been explored and analyzed on many Kremlin were Jews by birth - period. They led the way levels, from the socio-dynamic to the mystical. Now we to total assimilation within Soviet society up to a point. are witnessing its workings anew, on the national scale. Then Stalin reacted.with his paranoic suspicion against Captain Dreyfus was not an exception to French Jews in the Doctor's Plot, and began to set the wheels of democracy in action, but was a prime example of the re­ anti-Semitism turning ...wheels that still grind out jected would-be assimilated Jew. Indeed, host countries against the complete acceptance of the Jew in Russia, may seem to have an almost limitless capacity for ab­ making him ever aware of who he is. sorbing Jews as faceless nationals, until the "almost" is crossed, and the capacity is ruptured. The Explanations THERE ARE ALL SORTS of explanations for this rejection e Germany is immediately associated with anti­ mechanism. Some are psychological in nature ("The Semitism on the most horrendous scale, but time was non-Jew feels threatened by the alien who steps in and when the Jew was so acculturated in Germany that he eventually usurps ..."). Others draw on the vestiges of rejected Zionism for no other reason than: a Medieval hatred based on a never fully revised "The German Jew must look to Germany alone as theology (deicide). Still others find mystical underpin­ his Fatherland . .. .Any desire to form, together nings to the ultimate rejection of the Jew as a full- with his coreligionists, a people outside of ­ fledged member of the society of mankind. · many, is downright ingratitude towards the na­ The Jew knows that it is inherent in his own condi­ tion in whose midst he lives" (L. Geiger, Stimmen tion, and that it will never fail to act up. The der Wahrheit -1905). (Shemos Rabba) records: The Jews in Egypt refrained A few years later, in 1913, an influential German from circumcizing their young so as to resemble the Jewish association - the Central Society of German Egyptians as much as possible. But G-d turned around

The Jewish Observer I January-February, 1976 7 the hearts of the Egyptians so they should hate them in­ Now after a quarter of a century of being just another stead, forcing the Jews into a self-contained identity in nation, Israel is losing acceptance in the eyes of spite of themselves. erstwhile friends. They may not articulate this romantic However one may understand it, it acts as decisively disillusion as the reason for their rejection of the Jewish against the national Jew as against the individual Jew. - State, but it is present in their instinctive disappoint­ When the Jew as a group attempts to shed his national ment. identity in its definitive essence, he is destined to fail. There is no ignoring Rabbi Sadia Gaon's non-territorial The Consolation definition of Jewishness, that "Jewry is a nation only by virtue of Torah." WE SEARCH FOR COMFORT and security in our lives. Again, one can find theological (i.e. Christological) When a curse is heaped on our heads, and it is realized, we look for the consolation, or at least for the directive: reasons for the ultimate rejection of the Jewish People "And therefore. . " as just another nation: The Christian world cannot see the eternal wanderings of the Jewish people come to an The Zahar tells that while Rabbi Shimon bar end until they accept "the Messiah." Yochai was in hiding, a dove brought him a scroll By stark contrast, there are other non-Jews who inscribed with a query from his disciples: "The would accept the Jews as a nation, even in their own Chapter of Tochacha in Devorim (28:15-68) is an land, providing they fill the role fashioned for them as a unrelieved chronicle of suffering to be inflicted "Kingdom of Priests." This sentiment has been very upon Jewry if they are unfaithful to G-d. popular among Western intellectuals and romantics for Shouldn't the Tochacha be followed by words of generations. As George Eliot wrote: consolation, a promise of redemption? - as in "There is a store of wisdom among us to found Vayikra (26:14-46), where G-d promises to renew his patriarchial covenant with his children. But a new Jewish polity, grand, simple, just, like the here, the closing passages only promise more suf­ old . .. Then shall our race have an organic centre fering: 'In the morning you will say, Who will ... and the world will gain as Israel gains. For bring evening? And in the evening you will say, there will be a community in the van of the East Who will bring morning? . . . And G-d will return which carries the culture and the sympathies of you to Egypt in boats on the path that l said, You every great nation in its bosom . .. "(Daniel shall see it no more. And you will sell yourself Deronda Book VI). then to your enemies as slaves and handmaids, but none will buy.' A Further Quotation from Rabbi Schach "Where" - asked the disciples - "is the con­ To those who ask, How should we re/are to solation?" demonstrations, protest gatherings, and lapel Rabbi Shimon replied, "Our redemption lies in buttons that declare '/ am a Zionist'! - the reply our rejection at the hands of the Egyptians. We is, keeping Torah and mitzvos with all one's would be their leaders, their theoreticians, the power is the strongest declaration of Jewishness. teachers of their people. We would be their ser­ He who davens three times daily, saying "May vants, their slaves. Anything, as long as they buy our eyes see Your return to Zion with mercy" us. But then we would be lost as Jews. So our -wherever he may happen to be - is more at­ salvation is 'None will buy us' -- their rejection of tached to our land and needs no label to our offer." proclaim this attachment. As a secular nation, we would be just another flag The spiritual leadership of past generations among one hundred forty-four fluttering around UN warned us long ago that we have no share in the Plaza. We would be a Levantine State, selling arms, secular Zionist dream. And we can see clearly smoking hashish, exporting Diezengoff-inspired that that dream is long defunct. They had musicals, running Olympiads on Rosh Hashana. If this thought that it would enhance Jewish prestige be our aspiration, it is our saving grace that we be re­ among other nations, and rid us of anti­ jected .. _ Would we not be better off if we would Semitism, yet never before have we been so recognize our insolubility on our own? To know, hated .... Against whom are demonstrations without the need of suffering rejection, that "to observe directed - against those whose hatred of Jewry and perform (My statutes and ordinances) - this is is already deeply ingrained? your wisdom and your understanding in the eyes of the We must apply ourselves to the major task at nations" (Devorim 4:6). hand - to reinforce our faith in G-d and in His help, and to desist from empty pursuits, for "His THE TIMES CALL for an asserting of self-identity. Not salvation is indeed near!" (Yishayahu 56:1) through lapel buttons, but through a penetrating com­ mitment to our calling as a Torah nation. !..'i".

8 The Jewish Observer I January-February, 1976 Judaism views visiting the sick as more than most devoted staff members. In fact, we may a social obligation - it is a mitzva. The visit tend to over-rely on them, to the detriment of itself also entails more than paying a social the patient. call. Since there were no hospitals in Biblical and Talmudic times, a person who visited a The Sages praised "comforting mourners, sick friend or relative was expected to provide visiting the sick, and the practice of loving­ for the physical and emotional needs of the kindness (for they) bring welfare into the patient. world" (Avos d'Rabbi Nasson 30:1). The In addition to cheering up the patient and Mishna lists visiting the sick among those giving him the courage to recover, the visitor meritorious acts that bear fruit for man to eat would cook, clean, and perform other needed in this world, while the principal remains for tasks. Furthermore, Jewish law requires that him for the world-to-come. Moreover, the visitor pray for the recovery of the patient. says: "He who visits the sick will be delivered These three activities are all essential compo­ from the punishments of Gehinom" ( nents of bikur cholim - or visiting the sick - 40a). and are applicable to this very day. These responsibilities are by no means fully met in Bikur cholim is still very much a mitzva for even the best equipped institutions or by the our times.

Fred Rosner Bikur Cholim

Visiting the Sick The Treatment of the Sick - details from a 15th Century Hebrew illuminated manuscript.

The Jewish Observer I January-February, 1976 9 The Importance of Bikur Cholim

The Precedent in Command Whereupon Rabbi Akiva commented: 'Not Every Jew is required to visit the sick, for G-d visits visiting the sick is like shedding blood'"(Nedarim the sick and we must emulate Him, This general rule is 40a). based on: You shall walk after the L-rd your G-d Tending the needs of a sick patient helps restore his (Devarim 13:5). Since the literal command is clearly im­ health and may even save his life. possible to fulfill, the reference is to our obligation to try to emulate His attributes. Just as He visited the sick, The parallel between failing to care for the ill and shedding blood is based on the Biblical injunction: Do so, too, should we ( 14a). As every yeshiva child knows, He visited the Patriarch Avraham when he was not stand idly by the blood of your neighbor (Vayikra recovering from his circumcision, as it is written: and 19:16). The Rambam codified the Talmudic passages the L-rd appeared unto him (Bereishis 18:1). (G-d also ( 73a) that develop this theme in the follow­ sets eternal examples for us to follow by blessing ing way: bridegrooms, adorning brides, burying the dead, and A person who is able to save another and does comforting mourners - Bereishis Rabba 8:13). Another not, transgresses the commandment Do not stand passage: You shall show them the way they must walk idly by the blood of your neighbor. Similarly, if (Shemos 18:20) also refers to the duty of visiting the one sees another drowning in the sea, or attacked sick (Baba Kamma lOOa, Baba Metzia 30b ). by bandits or by a wild animal, and could rescue him ... and does not, he transgresses the injunc­ ... And in Application tion Do not stand idly by the blood of your Some well-known cases of bikur cholim are recorded neighbor (Hilchos Rotze'ach 1: 14). in Tanach: An outstanding example is the prophet Yishaiahu' s visit to King Chizkiahu during his illness ... .And to Pray (Yishaiahu 38:1). The conversation between the two, as In addition to dealing directly with the patient's vividly described in the (Berachos lOa), centers physical and emotional needs, a visitor should pray in on Yishaiahu's rebuke of Chizkiahu for never having the patient's behalf. We are familiar with the special married, failing to fulfill the command of procreation. tefillos for the sick, which we recite in shul - the Mi Chizkiahu responded by doing teshuva (penitence), sheberach at the Torah reading and following the Tehil­ and was cured of his illness - living another fifteen lim reciting; granting an additional name to the patient, years. to indicate a change for the better of his fate. Visitors are also expected to say a tefilla: en;' c1pr.in The Responsibility to Do . .. 7K"1lll' '7m l1n~ l'7JI - May G-d have compassion The significance of this mitzva and its implications upon you among all the sick of Israel (Shabbos 12b). are underscored in the following incident: On Shabbos one adds: "It is Shabbos when one must Rabbi Chelbo once fell ill. Thereupon Rabbi not cry out,and recovery will come soon" (ibid 12a). Kahana went and proclaimed: "Rabbi Chelbo is Others says: "May the Sabbath have compassion" sick," but none visited him. He rebuked them (his (ibid). colleagues) saying: "Did not one of Rabbi Akiva's While generally one should only pray in Hebrew, in disciples once fall sick and the Sages failed to visit the patient's presence one can pray in any language him? - So Rabbi Akiva himself went to visit him. since G-d who responds to prayers in every language, They swept and sprinkled the grounds before him ministers to the sick without any intermediary ( (Ashri: R. Akiva, finding the room neglected, 41:4) and the Shechinah (Divine Presence) rests upon gave the necessary orders), so he recovered. 'My the patient's bed (ibid). For this very reason, one should master,' said the disciple,' you have revived me.' not sit on the patient's bed.

Some Bikur Cholim Procedures No Limit sick takes away one-sixtieth of his illness. If so, the "There is no limit to the visiting of the sick" question arises, after 60 people visit the patient should (Nedarim 39b). This is interpreted in several ways: he not be cured? But, the explanation goes, each visitor Rabbi Yoseif said this means the reward has no limit. removes only one-sixtieth of the remaining illness said it applies to everyone, without limit: even a (ibid). Rabbi Huna says, a visitor only reduces the person of prominence must visit a simple man. Raba patient's illness by one-sixtieth if he loves the patient said that there is no limit to the frequency of such visits, like himself (Vayikra Rabba 34:1). even 100 times a day (ibid). Some Don'ts The Cure While some Sages allow even an enemy to visit his One Talmudic Sage asserted that he who visits the sick neighbor, others fear that it might cause anguish to

10 The Jewish Observer I January-February, 1976 replied: "How grievous are my sufferings!" He said: "But surely the reward for them is also great!" He said: "I want neither them nor their reward!" (Shir Hashirim Rabba 2:16:2). Rabbi Shimon ben Yochai made a practice of visiting the sick. He once called on a man with an intestinal disease, who was uttering blasphemies against G-d. Rabbi Shimon reprimanded him, "Rather pray for mercy for yourself!" Said the patient: "May G-d remove these sufferings from me and place them on you ... "(Avos d'Rabbi Nasson 41: 1). Warm smile and hot lunch, from NAJR. Recovery from Illness the patient, and should be avoided. Yet others require Rabbi visited Rabbi Zera when he was ill the enemy to secure permission in advance from the and made a vow: "If Rabbi Zera recovers, I will make a sick patient befor~ he may visit. feast for the ." He did recover, so he made a feast One should not accept financial payment for visiting (Berachos 46a). the sick (Nedarim 39a) - either because this demeans When a person recovers from a serious illness, he is the visit (Ashri lac. cit.), or because payment should required to recite a special prayer of thanksgiving - generally not be taken for fulfilling a Divine Com­ Birchas Hagomel. When Rabbi Yehuda recovered from mandment ( Tosafos lac. cit.). an illness, Rabbi Channa of Bagdad and other Sages visited him, and said: "Blessed is G-d who gave you Not Now back to us." Rabbi Yehuda answered Omein and was Some hours are more preferable for bikur cholim absolved of reciting the Birchas Hagomel (Berachos than others. During the first three hours and the last 54b). three hours of the day, one should abstain from visiting the patient lest the visitor misjudge the patient's status Bikur Cholim Societies and not pray for him or not care for him properly. In From time immemorial, Jewish communities the morning, the patient looks better and feels better regulated care of the needy, not leaving their plight to than he really is; in the evening, the reverse is true and the "good hearts" of the wealthy. During the time of the visitor may despair (Nedarim 40a). the Second Temple, a town brotherhood, known as One should not visit patients suffering abdominal Chavrei Halr, functioned to collect and distribute funds distress, eye diseases, or headaches; the first because of to the poor. Other brotherhoods (or societies) con­ embarrassment, and the latter two because speech is cerned themselves with other charitable deeds, mainly harmful to them (ibid 41a). Mar Shmuel said that one the burial of the dead and the visiting of the sick, as is should not visit a patient until his fever has subsided explicitly mentioned in the Talmud ( Katan (ibid). Close relatives and friends usually visit first, and 27b).The Mid rash also relates how Abimi, a member of more distant relatives and acquaintances only visit after a sick-visiting society, used to visit the sick (Bereishis three days. If the illness occurred suddenly, all may Rabba 13:16). visit simultaneously (Yerushalmi Pe'ah 3:17). While the history of these bikur cholim societies has There is a difference of opinion among Rabbinical regretfully not yet been written for us to study, there authorities as to the obligation of visiting people ill with are groups that are active today that keep the spirit and contagious diseases. The prevailing view is that no one purpose of bikur cholim very much alive. After all, the is obligated to endanger his life to fulfill the precept of main purpose of the Midrash, the abstract study, is to visiting the sick. In other ways, communal welfare bring us to the ma'ase, active participation in this takes second place to the needs of the patient: The sacred and humanitarian field. Let us study and let us needs of the synagogue must be set aside to first Kl ~ provide for the ailing (Yoreh Deah 246:16).

DR. FRED ROSNER Director of Hematology of the Hospital What Not To Say Center, is affiliated with the Long Island Jewish-Hillside Medical One must use unusual tact and compassion in com­ Center; is Associate Professor of Medicine, State University of New forting the ailing. Under duress, the patient does not York College of Medicine at Stony Brook; and is a diplomate of the always appreciate the redeeming values of suffering: American Board of Internal Medicine and Fellow of the American College of Physicians. He is the author and translator of numerous Rabbi Chanina once fell ill. Rabbi Yochanan books and articles on Medicine and Torah Ethics - most recently, went to visit him. He said: "How do you feel"? He ' Introduction to the Mishna.

The Jewish Observer/ January-February, 1976 11 ______Faige Beer_ Thoughts of a Chronic Visitor

I WALKED STEADILY down the quiet corridor nodding a some patients would not get breakfast. The nurses for quick, nervous good morning to everyone in sight. most part are either tired, overburdened, or simply "You're going to be performing a mitzvah of tremen­ indifferent. In addition to the physical needs we attend dous importance - be happy," I told myself, but I was to, we perform another vital function. Many of these approaching this new experience with great trepidation. patients have been abandoned or just plain forgotten by I and other volunteers like myself were going to help their families. By spending some time with these people feed and talk to the ailing, lonely patients of the who have been cut off from any contact with the Chronic Disease Hospital. "Chronic" is forever. outside world, we provide them with a sort of link with "Disease" is sickness. These people would be sick "reality." We're the substitute daughter, forever. ...There is almost nothing a doctor can do to granddaughter, or friend that they look forward to permanently cure the ailments of these suffering people seeing to cheer their day, to give some form to a - nothing short of a miracle, that is. My first thoughts shapeless, timeless week. were of dread as I hesitantly stepped into a ward. "Laura" is young and attractive, but is gradual­ I was greeted by a scream of agony. At the far end of ly losing muscular control. She spends a full hour the room I saw a woman twisting herself in obvious every day guiding a volunteer in putting on her pain as she tried to raise her slowly deteriorating, pain­ make-up. She examines the results in the mirror racked body off the bed. I winced every time she fell and en joys the cosmetic effect. back against her pillows, but I was powerless to help her. It was against the rules to assist a patient off the The dressed-up image covers up a very ugly bed. I turned on my heel and ran out of the room reality. Laura's husband abandoned her and their extremely disheartened. I didn't feel much like going year-old son ten years ago, when the debilitating into another ward until I was convinced that it would disease first struck her. Her little boy, now eleven, be a "better" one. lives with his great aunt and attends a yeshiva. Our daily visits make things look better for Laura, I swallowed hard, braced myself and went over to a and help her hold out until the morrow. patient: "May I help you with your breakfast?" I tried to sound as bright and cheery as I could. "Mrs. Glatstein" is much older than Laura, and "Oh, yes! Please open my egg." I picked it up and she has been hospitalized for many, many years. clunked it hard on the edge of the tray. It was soft­ She suffers enormously but always has a smile boiled, I discovered, my hand dripping egg-yolk. and a cheery good morning waiting for us. Eventually I overcame my nervousness; it took about Bedridden, unable to tend to most of her per­ six weeks. I was soon able to walk into the ward with sonal needs, we never hear her utter a complaint. the most critical patients without revealing any Instead: "Thank G-d I can see, I can hear - Look emotion. how lucky I am! Those three beautiful children are my grandchildren. They were just here to visit I HAD REALIZED that what these people needed was not me last Wednesday. They're the cutest things . " for me to recoil from their sufferings, but to focus my Leaving her bedside, I often feel that she has thoughts on their needs and wants. given me something greater than what I've given From the very beginning we caught on to the terrible her. conditions in some of the wards - that without us, WE GETUP ONE MORNING each week at 6:00 A.M., and wait for our lift in all kinds of conditions - in the freezing cold, dripping rain, chilling snow and pre­ FAJGE BEER, a juniOr in Beth Jacob High School of , N. Y., is dawn dark. We stumble out of the van still rubbing the one of many hundreds of student volunteers who visit patients in sleep from our eyes and rush into the warm hospital hospitals, and assist them with vital tasks; and visit elderly and infirm building out of the cold, only to be met by that distinct shut-ins to help them with shopping, and bring them warm meals. odor. These activities are directed by the schools these girls attend, various volunteer· Bikur Cholim Societies, and the Agudath Youth Bikur But in a moment you forget all of that. You forget your Cholim Programs which encompass 500-plus volunteers (including tiredness. You forget the cold. You forget how you the celebrated NAJR program of Bnos Agudath Israel) - con­ didn't feel like getting out of bed. You forget it all, stituting what may be the largest known volunteer hospital visit when your special patient says simply: "I knew you'd program extant. come - I was waiting for you." !..T,

12 The Jewish Observer /January-February, 1976 The attached "1ewish Patient's Bill of Rights" was prepared by Dr. Bernard Fryshman, with consultation with a committee of concerned rabbis and laymen with experience in this field, The reader is advised to detach this form and keep for possible use. Additional copies are available from The Jewish Observer editorial office upon request. Fold Fold ~------'------

7. The Jewish patient has the To the Patient: right to expect the hospital to We are confident that a polite consider consultation with a but forceful request for any or all spiritual advisor as professional of these rights will be honored by guidance, which can assist hospital administrators. While immeasurably in the treatment these rights may not be legally of the patient as a complete binding, they are certainly entity. The rabbi should be ethically and morally binding. considered an integral part of Efforts are now being made to the healing team. secure endorsement of these rights by hospitals across the 8. The Jewish patient has the country. Showing this brochure right to psychiatric, to attending personnel will help psychological, genetic, sex and you in stating your claim for the other counseling by individuals right to all that the medical attuned to patterns of behavior profession has to offer you, which are the norm among without compromising your observant Jews. The medical religious convictions. team should welcome the participation and advice of the patient's spiritual advisor.

9. The Jewish patient has the right to request such consideration as those listed above for visitors whose presence is deemed supportive of the patient's health and well­ being. 2. The Jewish patient has the appointments scheduled for the right to be served Kosher food of Sabbath and Festivals, the eve of The American Hospital proper quality, quantity, and such days, or fast days. This Association has adopted a variety to assure meeting his refusal should not prejudice the "Patient's Bill of Rights" to clarify nutritional needs. patient's right to a suitable what a patient may expect from 3. The Jewish patient has the alternative appointment. a hospital administration. Since right to medical attention, and to an observant Jewish patient has defer any advanced payment 6. The Jewish patient has the additional specific needs, that may normally be required right to consult with his own Agudath Israel of America has until the close of the Sabbath or spiritual advisor - or allow prepared this "Jewish Patient's Festival. family to do the same when Bill of Rights," to assist hospital patient is incapable of doing so administrators in properly caring 4. The Jewish patient has the - before deciding on for such patients. We know that right to engage in observance of procedures involving abortion, hospitals, eager to offer the most Jewish ritual where not medically sterilization, prostrate surgery, effective healing facilities to all of counterindicated. This includes contraception, artificial their patients, will welcome this prayer, provisions for Sabbath insemination, circumcision, clarification of Jewish needs. candles, Chanukah Menorah, euthanasia, autopsy, withdrawal Kosher-prepared wine, Esrog of life-supporting therapy or and Lulav, Matzoh, Megillah appliances, hazardous 1. The Jewish patient can be reading, and , where procedures, or any other admitted to the hospital in an appropriate and possible. The procedure posing religious emergency on the Sabbath or a hospital should recognize the questions. The name of the Festival, by making an oral psychological value of these family rabbi should be entered statement of authorization activities in the same spirit as on hospital admission cards, as a suitably witnessed. No patient recreational and other amenities matter of routine, so he may be may be forced to sign an that are offered to the patient. called upon to serve as admission form in violation of 5. The Jewish patient has the consultant when religious religious scruples. right to refuse out-patient problems arise. Ten Years After His Passing

WHEN THE DAUGHTERS of Reb Lazer Shulavitz, founder The Wedding of the , came of age and he began his THE WEDDING TOOK PLACE in the Yeshiva, in 1905. The search for suitable husbands for them, he also was bride agreed to allow her young husband to return to aware that he was searching for heirs apparent. So he wrote his old friend Reb , the" Alter Slobodke to continue to pursue his studies. Within the year she died, and - communications as they then ex­ of Slobodke," for a recommendation. Quoting their isted - the tragic news did not reach him until after the mentor Reb Yisroel Salanter, Reb Lazer wrote: "n1< funeral. illil tviKi, 1 nnl in:i - Foremost he must be an ish - man enough to take over the Yeshiva." Reb Lazer did not want to let this gem out of his hands, so he went to Slobodke and pleaded with the The Alter immediately recommended "Motte! young man to consider marrying his second daughter Troker" - Yechiel Mordechai Gordon. and take over the Yeshiva. Reb Yechiel Mordechai When Reb Mattel's father had brought him to refused: It has not been decreed in Heaven that he be Slobodke at the age of twelve, his reputation Reb Lazer's son-in-law, for he is not qualified to be a preceded him as the lluy of Trok (genius of Trok Rosh Yeshiva - why should he put the life of the sec­ - a town near Vilna). In his older years he became ond daughter in jeopardy? known as the Prince of the Roshei , for "Suppose the promises you a long reasons that will be obvious to the reader. life together?" asked Reb Lazer. "Would you still refuse?"

CHAIM SHAPIRO, a Baltimore resident, never fails to inspire JO readers Of course, he could not. So the two went to Radin to with his reminiscences of life in pre-war Europe. The subject of this see the Chofetz Chaim and after receiving his blessings article is very close to the author, for the families of the Cordons and the wedding took place. In 1907 he became the Rosh the Shapiros, both Lomzaites, were very close. For years, Chaim Yeshiva at the age of 24. Shapiro's father,' Reb Alter, had a "seder" with Rabbi Yechiel Rabbi Nissan Waxman (currently of Petach Mordechai each morning before davening. When the Rosh Yeshiva Tikva) tells of a visit to Lomza some twenty-five was out of town, he would appoint Reh Alter to say the for the years later. He called on Reb Yechiel Mordechai, fifth level, the senior students studying for semicha. but somehow the Rosh Yeshiva was not himself.

The Jewish Observer I January-February, 1976 15 He soon found out that the Rebbitzin was critical­ Western democracies intended to kill Communism in ly ill. the bud, or at least arrest its growth within the borders Shortly afterward, Rabbi Waxman was sur­ of· Russia. For that purpose, they instigated a war prised to meet the Rosh Yeshiva at the railroad between Poland and Russia. Poland's Marshal Pilsudski station. As if reading his mind, the Rosh Yeshiva had a dream of his own - a Poland from sea to sea told him, "When we married, the Chafetz Chaim (from the. Baltic to the Black), but Poland had neither promised me arichas yomim for my Rebbitzen. the arms nor the strategic resources for such a war. The She is very sick, and I'm going to Radin to collect West supplied both: A flow of ammunition began and on the Choftez Chaim's promise." strategy was directed by the French Military Mission Apparently the Chafetz Chaim's second bracha under General W eygand, drafted behind the scenes by and prayer helped for only a short time, for she a tall, thin, obscure French colonel named Charles died soon afterward. DeGaulle. To be a Rosh Yeshiva in Lomza was a demanding as­ Soon the Polish Army marched into Kiev, capital of signment. The same factors made the Lomza rabbinate the Ukraine; and reached , capital of White Rus­ an extremely selective one. The Lomza tradition re­ sia. Then the Red Army fought back. The front line quired the Rav to deliver a Shiur (Torah lecture) in the see-sawed until the Soviet offensive collapsed at the Yeshiva annually, on or before Shavuos, and a mussar very gates of on August 15, 1920. The Poles shmues (lecture on an ethical topic) in . This called it "Cod nad Wisla" (The Miracle on the Vistula). automatically eliminated all but the most qualified can­ In the meantime, Poland declared a general mobiliza­ didates for the Rabbonus. As an additional" test," the tion, and yeshiva students received draft notices. While talmidim of the highest class would "talk in learning" Christian divinity seminaries were granted deferments, with the Rav and to report to him for semicha (ordina­ the anti-Semitic Polish Government refused to defer tion). These were the students for whom Reb Yechiel students of the Lomza Yeshiva, the only such Yeshiva Mordechai said a shiur when only twenty-four! in all Poland. Reb Yechiel Mordechai went to Warsaw to intervene. World War I Years He approached the dean of the j ewish members of the DURING THE FIRST WORLD WAR. the Czar's generals Sejm (the Polish parliament), Dr. Prilucki. Dr. ordered all yeshivas along the German border to Prilucki was an old maskil, and while he seemed sym­ evacuate their towns. Lomza, however, remained intact. pathetic to the Rosh Yeshiva's complaint, the old The studies continued as usual, but the material situa­ haskala awakened within him. tion deteriorated from day to day. The local Jewish "Lomzar Rosh Yeshiva," said he, "tomorrow I shall community was in financial ruin because of the war, call on the Minister of War. Can I tell him that you and contact with America, the only source of support train Rabbis for Poland, citing that your curriculum in­ for the Yeshiva, was cut off. Thus, the Yeshiva could cludes Polish history, grammar, and geography? - Can not grant admission to the many refugee bnei Torah ar­ you at least promise me a few hours a day for secular riving almost daily. studies?" Reb Yechiel Mordechai had heard that a particular "A decision such as this," replied Reb Yechiel young man he had turned away was unusually gifted. Mordechai, "I cannot take upon myself. I must seek ad­ He immediately dispatched messengers to bring him vice." back to the Yeshiva, but he could not be located. He "Even though in the meantime your boys are being then sent boys to neighboring villages, where the young drafted and sent to the battlefield?" asked Dr. Prilucki. man was finally found. He remained in the Yeshiva for three years, becoming one of its outstanding scholars. "Yes, even at that price," replied the Rosh Yeshiva. The young man, Reb , is now of, Actually the Rosh Yeshiva could have decided on course, well known beyond Lomzar circles as Rosh the spot, based on the Volozhiner precedent of Yeshiva of Mesifta Torah Vodaath, and a member of 1893. Acting on the instigation of the Maskilim, Agudath Israel's Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah (Council of the Czar's government had delivered an Torah Sages). ultimatum to the Yeshiva in Volozhin: either in­ Years later, when Reb Yechiel Mordechai Grodon troduce secular studies or close the Yeshiva. A met Rabbi Kamenetsky in New York, said rebbi to special committee of Torah leaders convened in talmid: "Because of you, Reb Yaakov, I made a vow St. Petersburg, with the Chafetz Chaim, the never to refuse admission to any one, no matter what[" Rogachover, and the Lubavitcher Rebbi, among others, participating. The Brisker Rav, Reb The Post-War Years , pronounced the final psak: ON NOVEMBER 11, 1918, Poland declared its "We are not the caretakers of Hashem. We can independence, and less than two years later it was only perform our duty. We created a Yeshiva for already entangled in a war with the Soviet Union. Hakadosh Baruch Hu. If it is the divine will to

16 The Jewish Observer/ January-February, 1976 ______From Poland to Petach Tikva ______

close it, we have no choice but to conform. We The was a firm believer in the Vilner can never agree to mix '71n1 w,1p - the sacred Gaon' s "Goirel," a lottery that indicated a decision with profane." through selection of a pasuk. The quotation selected - The Yeshiva was closed. Many considered the a divine command to Moshe - read: "From twenty closing down of this major Yeshiva a national years old and upward, all that are able to go forth to war tragedy and the action of the Gedolim a major er­ in Israel: you shall number them by their hosts, you ror. However, in a few years it proved to be ables­ and Aaron" (Bamidbar /, 3). sing. Instead of one yeshiva, in Volozhin, where His own name was Moshe, so with a student by the admittance was limited to those in the genius name of Aaron he set out to solve their dilemma, in ac­ category, a number of yeshivas flourished all over cordance with the command in the pasuk. They es­ Lithunia and Russia, led by the former students of tablished contact with the chairman of the local draft Volozhin - Kovno, Slobodke, Mir, , board - for American dollars (he refused to accept the Lomza, Brainsk, Meychet, Te/she, Brisk, among Polish Zloty) he would free all bnei Torah. It was illegal many others. to possess dollars, but these were his terms. However, Reb Yechiel Mordechai would not judge The Mashgiach justified this "illegal" approach, for Dr. Prilucki' s offer himself, for the difference between bnei Torah should have been deferred as were Christian a direct order, such as in Volozhin, and an indirect one, divinity students, except for the Pole's anti-Semitism such as in Lomza, could be a crucial factor in such a that denied them their legal rights. decision. And so could the alternatives - closing a If Poland was anti-Semitic, the army was tenfold yeshiva (Volozhin) or draft in the Czar's army. worse. Honoring Shabbos and Kashrus was practically impossible. Hence, bnei Torah from all yeshivas The Dream and The Lottery threatened by military conscription arrived in Lomza BACK IN HIS HOTEL ROOM, he fell asleep and dreamed of finding a place to learn, with room and board, thus es­ the pasuk: "All leaven or honey you shall not burn as tablishing residency there. With the necessary funds in an offering to Hashem." Foreign elements - neither American currency, they were safe. For the next twenty sour nor sweet - can never be mixed before Hashem. years - as long as Poland was independent - Lomza The message was obvious, but Reb Yechiel Mordechai served as a haven for such bnei Torah. would not rely on a dream to close a yeshiva. The war made communicating with the Chafetz Chaim or Reb Expansion and Upheaval Chaim or Reb Chaim Ozer Grodzenski of Vilna impos­ WHEN ""RETURN TO ZION"' became a reality, Reb Yechiel sible, so he returned to Lomza to seek the advice of his Mordechai began to speak of the "Torah following the Mashgiach, Reb Moshe Rosenstain (a disciple of Kelm). people" - of a Yeshiva in Eretz Yisroel. His deep love After much consideration, the Mashgiach said, "It is for Kial Yisroel, Taras Yisroel and Eretz Yisroel all clear that Hakadosh Baruch Hu requires mesiras nefesh culminated in decisive action: In Summer, 1926, he from us for Torah. We are not obligated to display took forty students from Lomza to a newly established mesiras nefesh for secular studies, however. We cannot branch in Petach Tikva. (All forty were of draft age and mix the two; kodesh and chol - the sacred and the lacked the necessary" Mincha L'Eisov" funds.) Now he profane - cannot dwell together." had two yeshivas to care for - his love for both was un­ "But boys are being drafted," protested the Rosh limited, and so were the debts incurred. He would travel Yeshiva. to America and Africa, and on the way back always

The Jewish Observer I January-February, 1976 17 stop over in Petach Tikva for a few months, to say light reaching the Rosh Yeshiva. If Reb Moshe Krieger shiurim. In September, 1939, as he was about to return had special zechusim (merit) of his own to survive from a trip to America, the Germans attacked Poland, Buchenwald, the nachas he brought his Rosh Yeshiva forcing him to remain. was one more major zechus. As one of the only European Roshei Ha Yeshiva in America during the war, he was a prime force behind "The Bone of His Tenth Son" the creation of the Vaad Hatzala. Personally in a state of REB YECH!EL MORDECHA!'S entire life seemed to be a poverty, he nonetheless found money to send packages long list of tribulations, bringing to mind to bnei Torah in Russia. This act of charity became Yochanan's experiences recounted in the Talmud: He known to me in a most personal way. had lost ten sons during his life time - the tenth one fell As a tank officer in the Polish army stationed in into a fire and his entire body was consumed, except a the U.S.S.R., l was facing death daily. l wanted small bone. Rebbe Yochanan dedicated his life to com­ desperately to inform someone of my general forting people in distress. When necessary, he would whereabouts - and that l was still alive. Then, point to the little bone of his tenth son, proving that life after the war, my parents who were under the must go on, citing himself as an example. Nazis could be informed! Sol wrote only one line After the war, many who had survived were broken (in Russian) - that l am alive - and signed my in spirit and body. After losing one's entire family, who name without a return address. (I did not dare has the will to live? Who cares to go on? Then, meeting write more to a foreign country!) l mailed it to Reb Yechiel Mordechai, radiating bitachon and emunah "Rabbi Yechiel Mordechai Gordon, N. Y. - faith and trust - full of life and vigor in spite of all Delancey Street" (I didn't remember the building that had happened. Life must go on and he served as the number), never knowing if my post card had best example! Married at twenty-two, his wife died reached its destination - until after the war when during their first year, and he could not even be at the / came to Windsheim-Bei-Nurenberg. funeral .... His second wife bore five children, and The Vaad Hatzala had organized a Yeshiva then became ill and passed away .... His son Shneur there, attracting bnei Torah from all corners of had stood guard at the Yeshiva in Petach Tikva during Europe, including Russia. The bachurim told me the Arab pogroms, and was shot, at the age of twenty! that a stream of packages had begun to arrive on ... His daughter, Chaychke, married an outstanding my name. They did not have the slightest idea of lamdon (Talmudic scholar) in the Mirrer Yeshiva, Reb my whereabouts, but they did realize that if the Eiz'l Kostukovski (a nephew of Reb Chaim Ozer), and packages were not quickly claimed, they would be he could not attend the wedding for lack of fare. They stolen by the postal employees. So the boys had two children he had never seen .... His youngest forged documents with my name and accepted all son, Yudele, was Bar Mitzva while he was away in the parcels. Standard Vaad Hatzala packages, America .... And, finally, they all perished at the they saved them from starvation. hands of the Nazis, including his 18 year-old daughter, Soon a better type of package arrived - every Itke (one son died in New York) ....For sixty years he two weeks from my "relatives." When l protested was a Rosh Yeshiva, for sixty years he carried two that / have no relatives in America, they asked, Yeshivas on his shoulders, and in the end, except for "And who is Rabbi Gordon?" his many talmidim and admirers, he remained alone. heard the same story in the other Vaad Hatzala In spite of all this, he was undaunted. Every letter I Yeshiva in Bailly, near . Apparently, he also received from him in Germany was like a shot of suspected that I might have been with the Kamenitz adrenalin, awakening me and recalling me to life. Yeshiva in Siberia, for he had sent personal packages The Rosh Yeshiva's Secret addressed to me there also. WHAT WAS HIS SECRET? What was the source of his Among the first of his talmidim to emerge from the strength that enabled him to overcome personal concentration camps alive was Reb Moshe Mordechai tragedy? l found the answer when I arrived in America. Krieger (currently in the Crown Heights section of His closest friends told me that he cried bitterly in the Brooklyn). The Rosh Yeshiva immediately sent him privacy of the night, weeping over his lost children and funds to go from camp to camp to search for bnei the terrible destruction of the war - but not a sign of it Torah. When Reb Yechiel Mordechai learned that during the day, while he faced people. Moshe Krieger had endured five years in various con­ centration camps, never tasting treife food, he could not His father-in-law, Reb Lazer Shulavitz (JO, get over it. "Only Torah and Mussar can ripen a person April '74: "Lomza") would tell of an encounter to such mesiras nefesh," he declared, crediting his between his Rebbi, Reb Yisroel Salanter, and a Mashgiach, Reb Moshe Rosenstain, with this achieve­ Jew on the day before . He had ment. In the dark days, when the full tragedy of the greeted the man and inquired after his welfare. In destruction became known, this was the only ray of reply, the man began to weep - 'Tm worried

18 about the Day of Judgment we are facing tomor­ hand he repeatedly whispered to himself: "Nachas in row." Olam Habo." I was witnessing the minting of a new The man's gloomy countenance surely p'hrase: "Nachas in Olam Habo." frightened others. Reb Yisroel told him: "Your As we left the train, he held on to my hand, and we heart is a reshus hayochid (private domain). You walked in silence all the way to the office. He entered can cry within it all you wish. But your face is a with a big, cheerful "Gut Morgen." Rabbi Halpern (the reshus horabbim (public domain), and you have office manager) later remarked to me, "The Rosh no right to burden others with your problems and Yeshiva seems so happy - as if he had just received a fears. The rule in Pirke Avos (/, 15) 'Receive all million dollar donation." men with a cheerful countenance' applies even on Said I, "More than that ... something that cannot be Yom Kippur Eve." valued in money - Have you ever heard the phrase Such was also Reb Yechiel Mordechai's practice. Nachas in Olam Habo ?" Soon afterward, I shared a personal experience with He had not. him that revealed even more of his greatness in emuna. Later, as I was leaving, the Rosh Yeshiva said "Look He loved to hear stories about his children and up Midrash Tanchuma on the pasukim of Orla." I was grandchildren. He asked me every Ii ttle detail, even puzzled, for the laws of Orla concern the planting of though seven long years had passed since I had last trees in Israel: during the first three years, the fruit is seen them in Vilna. (They had escaped from Lomza to forbidden. How did this relate to his personal tragedy Vilna with the Yeshiva.) Apparently I was the last to and his strange phrase? see them and served as his final link with them. So I I dropped into one of the Hebrew book stores that would tell him all that I remembered, time and again, lined Delancey Street and found a Midrash Tanchuma: until there was nothing more to tell. (Vayikro 19, 23-24): " ... and you shall have planted all Once while traveling the subway together to the manner of trees for food, then you shall count as for­ Yeshiva office, I mentioned the Hashem his bidden the fruit thereof; three years shall it be sealed daughter Chaych'ke had created in Lomza. (There were unto you; it shall not be eaten. And in the fourth year, a number of versions of the tale, and I was not sure all the fruit thereof shall be holy for giving praise unto which was authentic, but I did my best with what I the L-rd.'' To which the Midrash Tanchuma comments knew.) " ... It refers to a child - for three years he does not His daughter, Chaych'ke, was preparing converse; the fourth year he is holy, for his father herself for her marriage to Reb Eiz'l - her mother dedicates him to Torah, when he begins to praise had died and her father was away in America. Her Hashem, and in the fifth year you shall eat his fruit, uncle, her father's brother in America, sent a per­ referring to the child embarking on ... In sonal wedding gift of $500 through the Rosh this world a man gives birth to a son, leads him to Yeshiva ... . Chaych'ke gave away the entire school, works hard with him to teach him Torah; then $500 to an orphaned friend who was also about to he dies, and he has no nae has from him . .. However, in marry. the World-to-Come I shall remove the yetzer hara from (In another version, Chaych'ke met that girl your sons.,,you shall give birth and be happy with and asked her when she was planning to get mar­ nachas ... ried. The orphan girl replied, "Never, because my Such is the source of strength for a Torah Giant even naden of $500 is loaned to the Yeshiva, and the in the face of a personal and national tragedy. Yeshiva cannot pay its debts." Chaych'ke then REB YECHIEL MORDECHAI was invited by Rabbi Nisson gave her her own funds.) Waxman, the Rav of Lakewood, N.J., to open a yeshiva Chaych'ke's beauty was such that she did not there. He rejected the idea, for his heart and mind need the money for a tailored wardrobe, but $500 belonged to his Yeshiva in Petach Tikva. (Rabbi Wax­ was a fortune those days, even in America, and man then invited Hagaon Reb Ahron Kotler, who ac­ surely in impoverished Poland! The story became cepted the invitation.) However, for the sake of his widely publicized, and Isaac Remba, a non­ talmidim who survived concentration camps and inter­ religious journalist, expressed everyone's feelings ment in Siberia, he established a Kole/ in Brooklyn. As in classical Polish: "Dawnej Gordonoweej, obec­ soon as all had settled, he moved to Petach Tikva. nie Kostukowskiej, ale zawsze tej samej Chajczce" Rabbi Gordon died in Israel at the age of 83. Before ("Previously Miss Gordon, presently Mrs. he died, he published the first volume of his 0' :l>nJ. Kostukowski, but always the same Chaych'ke!") His talmidim published the second volume after he Tears streamed down his cheeks into his gray beard, died. He endured a seemingly bitter life that spanned and I was sorry for bringing up the matter. Then, to my the major epochs of recent history, but he brought joy, embarrassment, he embraced me and kissed me, right courage, and purpose to the lives of many. May he en­ there in the crowded subway train. Holding on to my joy his Nachas in Olam Habo! !.T.

The Jewish Observer/ January-February, 1976 19 Letters and Responses 77

. regarding the symposium .featured zn the November, 1975, zssue:

eliminate this festering sore that the and on a day-to-day basis he may be Dr. Levy Comments: Gedolei Hadar founded Agudath right; but it is the statesman that Israel. If we would keep in mind shapes history. Let Agudath Israel I felt honored to have the reply to their sublime mandate to us, we take on the role of statesmanship my paper "Agudath Israel - would not have to come with a and leave the back-room politicking Political Party or Torah Govern­ laughable "Non-Agudah is to individuals who can work within ment in Exile" written by Mr. Agudah" - with all that it implies. the big parties. Friedenson, whom I consider one of In conclusion, and in order to the most important historians and "Protektzia" - A Negative Force avoid any possible writers of Agudath Israel today. A second point is significant in a misunderstandings, I feel obligated I feel obligated, however, to negative sense. Mr. Friedenson to respond very briefly to the respond to his arguments. argues that we need Agudath Isrel specific arguments Mr. Friedenson Specifically, I would like to relate to as a dispenser of protektzia leveled against my paper. A number two points he made - points that (favoritism practiced by one in a of these are simply based on touch on the root of the problem. position of power). This is one of misconceptions understandable, the major signs of decay of a but misconceptions nevertheless. The Harm of Splintering community without morals and "The Israeli without a party is Torah; it is the hallmark of many First - the idealization of the tantamount to a man without a under-developed nations - a major country." splintering of Torah-forces. This factor in keeping them so - and it is means, in practice, a free-for-all (ish a mark of shame on a state built by This was apparently true 28 years kol hayashar be'einav y'aseh). No the Children of Israel. By putting ago - it is certainly no longer true one feels responsible for the total unqualified men in positions of today. My health insurance spiritual welfare of the community; power, it ruins the economy, and by organization (Kuppath Cholim) has each one can pick whatever area making them models, it ruins our no party affiliation. The school with suits him. With such haphazard children. Fighting it must be a major which I am affiliated - combining treatment, it is almost miraculous task of Agudath Israel, far more so Yeshiva-type learning with a that, mostly, burning needs are than using it in service of its pioneering effort in technological taken care of in time; but we are not members. training - was put up, and is permitted to depend on miracles. maintained, to a great extent by The k'firah (denial of G-d) that That "protektzia" can be cited as government funds, even though it today eats away at Judaism would a raison d'etre of Agudath Israel is strictly non-party-affiliated. The be a far smaller problem if our should make us stop to think - same is true of many personalities forces were better mobilized: to a what the pressures of politicking with outstanding records of great extent then, this splintering is can do to our thought-processes! accomplishment in community responsible for the weakening of The backroom politician may matters (including the ones cited in Torah today and it was exactly to think that he is controlling events- my paper).

20 The Jewish Obsenier /January-February, 1976 Britain; rather it is based on "Knesset proceedings receive "To Stimulate a Reassessment" nation-wide attention.'' patronage and political deals. To obtain free health services of the This is not true when referring to To the Editor: Kupat Cholim one must be items not of interest to the secular I read with great interest the sym­ registered in a political party; press. The speeches are generally posium in your October issue on otherwise it is a major hurdle that a made to empty benches and, the question of whether the Israeli non-aligned individual must over­ although the Knesset debates are Aguda should declare its demise as a come. In order to reap favors and/or printed, no one in his right mind party in the Israeli political arena. benefits from the Histadrut labour would voluntarily wade through the While Dr. Levi's idealism at times federation one must be a member of mass of words. The Agudah paper seems to border naivete, he does the political parties presently active does report on the speeches of its present quite clearly the dangers to and recognized within the representatives - but, spiritual purity involved in party Organization (as per a deal that unfortunately, it reaches only those activity. It would seem that the en­ Po' alei Agudah made in the early who don't need them. It is, tire position should be brought 1950's, Agudath Israel members are therefore, hard to see how "the before the Gedolei Torah for their virtually excluded as Agudah regular crying out of Agudath Israel consideration. Perhaps this is Dr. members). Life in Israel is based on representatives" could be credited Levi's ultimate purpose in party affiliation, both overtly and with strengthening Chinuch presenting the matter to the lay covertly, and an individual without A tzmai - though other efforts on public: to stimulate enough interest a party is lost (save for intellectuals their part certainly did help, as I to precipitate a reassessment. of Dr. Levi's calibre). pointed out myself in my paper. I would refer both him and Mr. Agudath Israel in Eretz Yisroel The fact that "the Moetzes Friedenson to the ongoing debate of should not cease to be a party, but Gedolei Torah decision to unite two and a half years between Bais rather should reconstitute itself and with Poalei Agudah in a Torah Shamai and Bais Hillel as to which revitalize itself. Agudath Israel in Front election list cost it support of is essentially better for Man, to have Eretz Yisroel has not had any inter­ a substantial number of voters" been created or not to have been nal elections since the early 1940's. should be seen as an argument created ( 13b). The final con­ This situation has created a distor­ against politicization, rather than clusion was that better had he not tion of reality. For what was for it. been created, but now that he has politically valid in the 1940' s is no In bringing the remainder of his been, it is incumbent upon him to longer the case in 1976. Political al­ arguments, Mr. Friedenson either ceaselessly examine his deeds, ways liances have changed, new olim ignored my treatment of them (such and thoughts in the perspective of have come, including an influx of as the question of voting for an pure and unadulterated truth. Sephardic Jews, the creation of the irreligious party, the importance of MARVIN GLASSMAN State, its de facto recognition by the non-political efforts in fighting Middleboro, Agudah, etc. The charismatic anti-religious practices) or he ascribed to me positions I never Time for Internal Elections took (such as connecting the Yaldei Teheran affair with party status, ~ and that and To the Editor: ~ left Agudath Israel because of party I would like to add the following J<"lllnl J

The Jewish Observer I January-February, 1976 21 Zionist Organization. political leaders of those years have Religious Parties Should aged and passed away, leaving the Returning to the status of situation totally changed. Without Divide the Assignments Agudath Israel - There is no one so internal elections/primaries, new ineffective in the form of govern­ young blood has not been in­ To the Editor: ment that exists in Israel, as an MK tegrated into the Agudah's party The publication of the debate of a splinter party. They make their organs. Rather, the older leaders between Dr. Levi and Mr. pretty little speeches to an empty whose mandates have since disap­ Friedenson on the desirability of chamber, only to have them peared continue to stagnate the par­ Agudath Israel's continued ex­ recorded in the party journal for the ty/organization's machinery. istence as a political party in the delectation of the faithful who read Would there be internal elections, State of Israel is very welcome, if how "He really told them." I have this situation would be resolved. not long overdue. In truth, it is but never understood the policy of be­ In addition, the factions with one facet of a problem that promises ing a party and not joining the greater backing would win the to become more difficu 1t and crucial government. This is enjoying the coveted seats in the Knesset without within the next twenty-five years - worst of both worlds - subscribing any denigrating public haggling. the problem of how Torah-true to the legitimacy of the government Perhaps even more significant, Jews may or may not relate to Jewry yet sharing none (or very little) of people who have been alienated organized on an anti-Torah, or non­ its privileges. Mr. Friedenson's from Agudah would be brought Torah basis. It is especially welcome apologetics read like a poor carbon into the Agudah's fold. The accoun­ as a sig'n of maturity by The Jewish copy and less credible version of a tability that results from internal Observer, for it is the first time that Mizrachi tract on the same subject. elections would reduce possibilities I can recall that Agudath Israel has Dr. Levi has pointed out that of self-service, thereby creating a exposed itself to self-criticism in elimination of Agudath Israel as a better and more powerful Agudath that otherwise highly commendable political party would bring it closer Israel in Eretz Yisroel, for the jo.urnal. to Lubavitch and . He might enhancement of Taras Hashem and I have just returned from Israel have added that it would bring it Am Hashem. where I had occasion to discuss a closer to Mizrachi, as well. Un­ SHMUEL YosEFHIRSCH related problem that is now rearing doubtedly, he realized that fact but Brooklyn, New York its head - Orthodox Synagogue hesitated to say so in an Agudah participation in the World Zionist periodical - a situation I consider Organization. The entrance of the deplorable. The multiplicity of World Reform movement into the Torah-true organizations can be a MOVINC? World Zionist Organization and the source of strength, rather than awaited entrance of the World weakness, if and only if there is Be sure to notify us in Conservative movement is creating mutual recognition of the need for advance so that your copies pressure for the formation of a those who perform the variety of will continue to reach you. parallel Orthodox movement which functions !hat must be performed. can sit alongside them in the World Most people will avoid being a tan­ ner or a mule driver. But those who

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22 The Jewish Observer I January-February, 1976 select lighter trades should be Reassessment: Permissible and This is not the case in Israel. The thankful that there are people will­ Imperative question here is not merely one of ing to fulfill these tasks. It is joining with other Jewish groups, enough that there is one religious To the Editor: but also of recognizing the Israeli political party. Mr. Friedenson has assumed the parliament as a legitimate forum for Instead of developing a polarity mantle of history as partial meeting with these groups. In es­ with them, a working partnership justification for Agudath Israel's sence, by participating in the Knes­ based on diversity of functions presence in the Knesset. His at­ set we express recognition that this should be developed. The game tempt, in my opinion, fails. body should have authority over the Jewish people in Israel. played by Black extremists from Torah authorities' participation outside the system in hand with the with secular Jewish groups to The Czar in Russia (and HEW in moderates working inside the protect ] ewish interests in Czarist America) was not in any way af­ system is an effective and legitimate Russia did not in any way bestow fected by what Agudah said or did. form of pressure in a democratic legitimacy or implied recognition The Israeli government on the other society. upon the Czarist regime. The same hand is an out-growth of Labor Medinat Yisrael was created as a was true in Poland and party control of the Jewish Agency. kosher-style socialist state - a first­ - and the same is currently in effect Its only claim to legitimacy is that born offspring of the U .N. in .the in America. Agudath Israel fact that all segments of Israeli flush of post-war feeling of cooperates with other Jewish society participate in it. brotherhood among nations. Now groups when there are problems Thus, one must be ever mindful that all those ideals have turned to facing Jews - when the outside en­ of the repugnant situation of join­ gall and wormwood, the Medinah is tity is in existence and when the ing this type of secular body in foundering in its search for Agudath Israel's presence results in general; and in particular when it legitimacy. Without one religious no added legitimacy. sits in judgment on such religious party in the government, it cannot present a credible face to world Jewry. So long as one religious party can be played off against the other, neither will realize the power of its abstention. At the recent solidarity conference the sole intel­ lectual response to the equating of Zionism with racism was Prime Minister's new equation: Zionism is Judaism. A full circle has been turned. The Judaism which the founders rejected is now sought as the cornerstone but at a cheap price. ATLANTA'S FINEST ALL I believe that no opportunity should KOSHER KITCHEN OPENS AT be lost in getting across to the leadership of Medina! Yisrael that THE WORLD'S TALLEST HOTEL. the price of Judaism is the taryag The new Peachtree Plaza is the only hotel in mitzvoth. Sitting in the Knesseth Atlanta equipped with an exclusively kosher kitchen. with nothing more than a right of Our new facility will be used only for kosher functions dissent is to wrap them in a tallis -and never for any other purpose. sans tsitsis - an appearance of Now Jewish organizations and individuals can Judaism without the substance. enjoy kashruth in the world's most spectacular hotel, REUBEN E. GROSS right in the middle of exciting Peachtree Center. Let , New York us help you plan your banquets, conventions, dinners and parties in grand style. For details, please call Mr. Manfred Moritz at (404) 659-1400. i1'5~i1 ~~1"; PEACHTREE PlAZAHOl'El IN PEACHTREE CENTER EV 7-1750 WESiERN IN"tEliNA'llONA( li_OiECS ...~ Partners'" !•ave1 W•!h United A"i.nes ~WJ' V"ill it11; L'CHA!M (lo life) ww1i•=/'t1 •o::;wrii•ir.i:

The Jewish Observer /January-February, 1976 23 issues as Sabbath work permits, and to this treatment of the subject. It in the government; Knesset par­ conscription of girls into the army seems clear that the daas Torah, as ticipation is an obligation to enable topics clearly outside of its purview. was then articulated, found par­ us to stand to guard to ensure that One must always question whether ticipation in the government forbid­ the "evildoer not swallow the or not such membership is proper. den if not for certain special circum­ righteous." stances. And even then, certain con­ The Constant Assessment The past quarter century has seen ditions were required. many changes in Israel; in par­ These Complex questions revolv­ Thus we read of "the need to save ticular we note the increased power ing about Agudath Israel's par­ from shmad whatever can be of the "evildoers" - and the ticipation in the Knesset were ex­ saved"; we were told that participa­ decreased effectiveness of the amined in a definitive essay on the tion in the Knesset is in the nature "righteous" in the Knesset. If, in­ subject by Rabbi Reuvain of a "transgression for the sake of deed, Knesset participation has not Grozovsky 'o"Yt(" Ba'yos Hazman," heaven," which must be accom­ been as effective as was visualized 1948), referred to by Mr. panied by continued efforts to by our Gedolim, then we may con­ Friedenson. register disapproval of the clude that the circumstances under No discussion of today's situa­ "wrongdoings" and to explain the which the matter was considered in tion is complete without returning reluctant association of Torah Jews 1948 have undergone much change since. In my opinion, the circum­ stances on which the Gedolim based • Mashed Potatoes • Ground • Seedless Raspberry • their decision have changed so Coffee • Instant Coffee • Tea Strawberry • Cherry• Honey drastically that a reconsideration is Bags • Chocolate Syrup • MACAROONS •Chocolate now a must, Certainly there was no indication in 1948 that the "status Vanilla Sugar • Whole • Coconut • Almond quo" (regarding Halachic authority Walnuts • Whole Almonds • • SPICES • Pepper White • in matters pertaining to Shabbos or Whole Filberts • Ground Pepper Black • Cinnamon • personal identity) would ever be Walnuts, Almonds & Filberts Ginger • Paprika • Garlic under continual attack; certainly there was no indication that the CANNED FRUITS I e h Powder Agudah would be ineffective in the &VEG, •Pineapple UlVltt e . Onion Knesset; and certainly there was an Sliced• Pineapple Powder expectation that our purpose in the Chunks in Juice Had r parliament - and our total rejection • Purple Plums of the secular state - would have been part of the consciousness of : ~opu;le C~e::i;: fam11l: ., every thinking Jew. Thus, one may 1 conclude that it is now not only per­ missible to present a personal :~~:~1 ~~~1: over for perspective without in any way be­ Carrots • Whole ing disrespectful of daas Torah, but Potatoes • Mushroom Stems one may even do so with much con­ & Pieces • Beets • Tomato Pesach sistency with daas Torah. The criterion for this study must be Paste • Tomato Sauce • •Food Seasoning• Mayonnaise pragmatic: Does an effective JUICES • Borscht • Apple CLEANING AIDS • Pink Liq. religious presence in Israel demand Juice• Prune Juice• Pineapple Detergent • Lemon Liq. Agudath Israel participation in the Juice • Tomato Juice • Lemon Detergent • Silver Polish • Knesset? I would suggest that it Juice • PRESERVES • Apricot Face & Hand Soap • does not. The Correct U.S. Analogy You'll want them to stay all year round. If we look at the correct American analogy, that of the Black We are happy to announce that again vis-a-vis the rest of the population, ·~· l we can see the folly of a minority Macaroons' this year our products l organizing as a separate political will not cost more than all year round. part. None of the gains of the Blacks would have been possible Erba Food Products, lnc./1414 39th Street/Brooklyn, N.Y. 112181(212) TR 1-4300 had they not been part of both the Republican and Democratic parties.

24 The Jewish Observer/ January-February, 1976 A separate Black party would have The comment regarding doubtedly opt to do so - especially been as disastrous for the Black "protektzia" is interesting, but since the formal requirements are cause, as religious parties have been raises the question ·as to whether not particularly onerous.) for Orthodoxy in Israel. religious party functionaries (acting On the other hand, the involve­ It is quite true that the religious as individuals and not representing ment of the 'Jewish State' in these sector of the Histadrut has been in­ the Torah world as does Agudath matters forces state employed effective - but that is only because Israel) in Mapai or Herut will be registrars to give official recognition winning the backing of the Torah any less effective than a handful of to individuals whose halachic status community has never been a Agudath Israel members in the is questionable, at best. realistic political goal for the Knesset. In essence, then, if the Torah Histadrut. The Herut does get Mr., Friedenson asks how an community could set up its own Orthodox votes - and is much Orthodox Jew could" cast a vote for Sifrei Yichus, those who want more sympathetic to the needs and a party that conceives of a Kial recognition of their personal status views of the Torah world, as a Yisroel without Toras Yisroel?" If would be forced to abide by Torah result. Were there no separate the voting process is halachically guidelines. (And it is clear that religious parties, all other main par­ determined to carry this implica­ Israelis do want Torah recognition. ties would find it necessary to at­ tion, then the point is well taken. Every marriage that became a cause tract a reasonable share of But should Mr. F riedenson not also celebre could have taken place with Orthodox votes and would all in­ then ask whether an Orthodox Jew very little difficulty outside of clude in their political platforms should vote in a 'Jewish' state Israel. The affected parties wanted items designed to attract our votes. whose government from its incep­ more than a marriage; they wanted Certainly, those policies which are tion conceived of a 'Kial Yisroel to force official recognition of their not essential to the nation's welfare without Taras Yisroel'? There is ob­ marriage!) As it stands, we have viously a way to gain a voice within and which simply antagonize the simply given secular elements in Orthodox would never be passed a group while not subscribing to its Israel the right to have a say in still (here we would include forced policies. another area of halacha. autopsies, conscription of women, The Gains of Party Status and the like). The pressure to get a ls it Good for Agudath Israel? share of a powerful minority's votes The Chinuch Atzmai question is There is no point entering the "Is can be of far greater value than the a crucial one; however there does it Good for Agudath Israel?" con­ ability to "make deals" and "to not seem to be enough information troversy. The policies of Agudath make speeches in parliament" to determine whether Agudah's Israel have always been determined The fact that Mizrachi would re­ presence in the Knesset is necessary in terms of what is good for Torah main in the Israeli Parliament even for government support. My own Jewry rather than what is good for if Agudath Israel leaves undoubted­ feeling is that the quiet acquiescence the organization per se. The situa­ ly reduces the effectiveness of the of the American Torah community tion in Israel should be no different. to the UJA's claim to being the u­ above argument. The Agudah I would close by referring to a nique "Israel" charity is the price voter is not as tempting a target as contention of Mr. Friedenson that we pay for Chinuch Atzmai sup­ the total Orthodox community. But "to inveigh against the very princi­ port. As long as UJA is not we can still envision the major par­ ple of Agudah as a political party" threatened, this support will con­ ties trying to modify their more puts one icy the position of doubting tinue. egregious policies to attract the the wisdom of Torah authorities. Torah voter. More: we can even en­ The fact that the "Jewish state Were this true, it would mean vision Mizrachi rethinking its maintains the laws of halachic mar­ that a discussion such as the present headstrong ways to try to attract the riage" is a double edged sword. one would be out of bounds for Dr. voter whose leaders are the Gedolei True, "many tens of thousands of Levi, Dr. Fryshman - and The Yisroel. Even here, we would have Israeli Jews enter marriage K'das Jewish Observer. Actually one more influence from the outside. Moshe V'Yisroel as a matter of suspects that all three are perfectly course.''-But this has always been The position of the Torah com­ free to present personal perspec­ the case - and would continue to be munity is being continually eroded tives for consideration by the so, especially if Sifrei Yichus (fami­ - even though there have been public, and by Torah authorites. ly records) were organized under some temporary "victories." The Recognizing of course that having private Orthodox control. (Indeed, general impression is one of buying stated a position, all are bound by we would probably put a stop to time; and the posturing of some decisions of Torah authorities - no Orthodox representatives seems to Conservative and Reform inroads matter their personal views~ elicit contempt on the part of the in America were we to establish major parites, rather than concrete such records here; most couples (Or.) BERNARD FRYSHMAN results. eligible for listing would un- Brooklyn, New York

The Jewish Observer I January-February, 1976 25 has always been to value Torah The Criterion: Pragmatic study above all else - even above The Evidence: Toward Continued Party Status the building of the Bais Hamikdash, and surely above such worthy ideals Mr. Friedenson Replies: In the original exchange, my in­ as enhancing the status of Agudath tention was to vigorously reject any Israel as the Torah Movement. If A sufficiently detailed reply to all suggestion that the question may be these really be the two mutually ex­ of the points raised in the above let­ discussed in terms of whether the clusive options, the choice would be ters would require a rejoinder at gedolim of the 20's or the 40's were in favor of insuring the continued least as lengthy as the original ex­ right or wrong, or whether they flourishing of Torah Schools. We change between Professor Levi and were loyal to the vision of Kat­ believe that it is possible to ac­ myself. This letter will be limited, towitz. Such implications could be complish both - insure the therefore, to comments on the prin­ read into Dr. Levi's article, although perpetuation of Chinuch Atzmai ciple points raised by the several no one who knows him would ac­ through party activity, and project a writers. cuse him of harboring such views. positive image to the general pop­ Nevertheless, I felt it important to ulace. The Relevance of Historical make this point forcefully and to Precedent There is no gainsaying the fact reiterate it now. that the argument advanced by Much of the philosophical dis­ Messrs. Levi, Fryschman, and cussion has revolved around the Easy Escape Through Gross is tempting: Be outside and halachic permissibility of party "Statesmanship" above party; let the major parties status and whether pre-War There is a tempting call to vie for the support of religious Agudath Israel parties in Eastern Jews; rely on the need for Europe are a precedent for the Agudath Israel to shake off the dross of party shabbiness and don legitimacy to force all shades of Israeli situation. It should be clear Israeli opinion, from Rabin to that there are two parts to this ques­ the mantle of statesmanship. It is much easier to be a statesman than a Aloni, to tailor their platforms to tion: 1) Is it wrong for a Torah soothe the sensibilities of Orthodox party to descend to the political politician; unfortunately, it may also be more futile. It may be true Jews. Unfortunately it is this arena? It is my feeling that the inter­ writer's feeling - based on the feel­ that statesmen shape history, but War period in Europe provides the ing of the heavy preponderance of definitive answer. There is no statesmen in a vacuum rarely if ever make the pages of history.The Gedolei Yisroel- that the argument prohibition on the matter requiring does not hold water. Israeli society a Torah organization to refrain Israeli Agudath Israel, the party, is engaged in the day-to-day existence is thoroughly politicized and an from political action - including Agudah-of-statesmen would get the party status. To the contrary, the in Israel. But there are still Torah statesmen. The Admorim, Roshei political equivalent of an occasional Torah leadership directed the "sh'lishi" and a pat on the head. Agudah into partisan activity. 2) Is Hayeshiva and Gedolei Torah in the Israeli situation different from Israel are the "statesmen" whose Why should the major parties ad­ the European one? As Dr. work is responsible for the enor­ just their platforms to accommodate Fryschman points out, the single mous growth of Tor ah in Israel dur­ the 4% who vote Agudah when they major attempt to reduce the ques­ ing the last generation. They are the already get far more of the religious tion to halachically authoritative ones who feel that Agudath Israel, vote without lifting a finger? All writing is that of Hagaon Reb the party, is a major if not indispen­ reliable statistics - polls, school Reuven Grozovsky 7"Y! in 1948. sible force in enabling and main­ enrollment, synagogue attendance No responsible Agudah spokesman taining their work. - prove conclusively that these are disputes the contention that this Winning and maintaining the far more religious Jews than those question must be decided on government's support of the who vote for Agudah and NRP. For pragramatic grounds. Does Torah flourishing Chinuch A tzmai Torah a variety of reasons, they unfor­ Jewry have more to gain or less by School system is foremost in this tunately vote for considerations forming a party, remaining in work. Dr. F ryshman does not find other than Torah. What is more, as the Knesset, or withdrawing from "enough information available to I said in my article, it takes two- or party action? Reb Reuven ar­ determine whether Agudah' s three-party systems to force major ticulated the prevalent view of presence in the Knesset is necessary parties to seek consensus programs. Gedolei Yisroel in 1948. Since then, for government support." Yet, In a nation of splinter parties, like Gedolei Yisroel have continued to without evidence to the contrary, he Israel and , politics is feel that the facts of Israeli life con­ is nonetheless willing to advocate polarized and parties will not easily tinue to require an Agudah presence cutting loose from party activity. dilute their "ideological purity" by in the political arena. The judgment of Gedolei Yisroel accommodating divergent groups.

26 The Jewish Observer/ January-February, 1976 There is a strong anti-religious houses," or not. American politics does not feel the same lack of pre­ feeling in Israel and it will not be in recent elections has demonstrated judice. overcome by the Agudah' s ex­ the impotence of those who would changing its campaigner's cap for be ideologically pure. We may "Living In A State Means that of a supplicant. Then, too, all profit by the sorry examples of Belonging" of the writers agree that the con­ Goldwater and McGovern. tinued existence of NRP and the Like it or not, Israeli society is .... True, Agudath Israel has Poalei Agudah as a parties will there. Unless daas Torah forbids a shunned WZO membership for ob­ cancel out many of the presumed course (such as Cabinet vious ideological reasons. In con­ benefits of Agudah abdication, and partnership), we must continue to trast to seeking membership in the handily inherit the erstwhile be a part of it as long as the gedolim parliament of an existing govern­ Agudath Israel votes. In that case, feel that the· benefits require such ment, such as the Israeli Knesset, how can it seriously be contended participation. where Reb Reuven has said, One is a member of the Medinah simply by that the cause of Torah would be The Personal Stake in Partisanship advanced by the Agudah's leaving living there, voluntary membership the field? Dr. Levi stoutly maintains that in an organization is a totaily dif­ party membership is no longer a ferent matter. One does not join an In a Splintered Society personal necessity in Israel. Shmuel organization of anti-Torah orienta­ Dr. Levi is rightly annoyed with Yosef Hirsch feels otherwise. We tion, regardless of the gains to be the splintered state of Torah Jewry agree with Mr. Hirsch and, as he won from such membership. Those and the shabby moral standards of points out, the personal experience who have put ideology aside and do Israeli politics and society as a of so distinguished an academic as belong to WZO, however, simply whole. Agudah shares his distaste Dr. Levi - as well as the benefits serve as impotent props of religious and is fighting for improvement in granted his school - are not in­ legitimacy unless they are members both areas. The question is not d ic a ti v e. The high level of of the Executive, winning at least whether the situation is good - it is technology and scientific know­ some chance of influencing policy. not! The question is only whether it how of both obviously command would be improved by Agudah' s the respect and benificence of the Mr. Gross raises the further point declaring, "a plague on all your bureaucracy. The religious laborer that elimination of an Agudah party

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The Jewish Observer I January-February, 1976 27 would bring it closer to Mizrachi. Unfortunately there are deeper con­ 'iW~ •• ramous siderations than Knesset competi­ 'O KOSHER tion that keep, and will continue to MC~/ . , I cheeses This keep, the two apart. Mizrachi' s at­ titude of side-stepping the ultimate Individually wrapped Publication authority of Gedolei Torah is en­ AMERICAN SINGLES is Available in tirely incompatible with the historic Torah view of Agudah. •SLICED SWISS •BABY GOUDA l\ll(~R()F()lt\I ' SLICED MUENSTER • BABY MUENSTER ... from Unfortunately, although he •MUENSTER CHUNKS "CHEDDAR STICKS soundly condemns my "apolo­ •SWISS CHUNKS getics" with rhetoric, his own pie­ PART SKIM MILK CHEESES . in-the-sky prescription for the FARMER'S CHEESE. shced in 16 oz package religious salvation of Israel hardly N Ewl MOZZARELLA CHEESE-12 oz. Packages seems realistic. I can assure him that SLICED BABY GOUDA if Taryag mitzvos are the price RINOLESS-"NO WAX TO PEEL Xerox Prime Minister Rabin must pay for For Institutions and Bi{! Families 3 & 5 lb. Sliced the use of his "new equation: AMERICAN CHEESES. SWISS, MUENSTER. EDAM & MOZZARELLA University Zionism is Judaism,'' he will simply ALWAYS INSIST ON TAAM TOY CHEESES Microfilms ask his speechwriters to coin a new SYMBOL OF KASHRl.:ITH AND QUALITY slogan during their next coffee Under supervision ol Harav Eliezer Tarsis, N. Y 300 North Zeeb Road break. BROOKLYN, N.Y. 11223 • (212) 376·5400 Ann Arbor, Michigan 48106 Xerox University Microfilms 35 Mobile Drive JOSEPH FR!EDENSON , Ontario, Canada M4A 1H6 University Microfilms Limited St John's Road, Tyler's Green, Penn, Buckinghamshire, England PLEASE WRITE FOR COMPLETE INFORMATION

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The spiritual struggles of Jews living in prime factor in selecting a responsible course Soviet-controlled lands are a constant source of action has always been the decision of daas of wonder, compassion and inspiration. Their Torah which has consistently put the priority terrible plight has provoked a wide range of on spiritual rescue and has not accepted carte responses from American Jews, from tefillah blanche the arguments for street demonstra­ to efforts at discreet diplomacy, from sending tions. packages to individual Russian Jews to stag­ The two interviews that follow are not ing street demonstrations, from focusing on meant to examine this aspect of the problem, "Let My People Go" to "Let My People Live." but are presented to give the reader an insight These various tactics have been discussed and into the human dimension - perhaps evaluated at various times in these pages. The superhuman dimension - of the struggle. I Reb Shneur Zalman

A delicate flower captured in full-bloom within a .... When they released him ten years later, it glacier - for how many seasons? how many centuries? was only a formality, for in a matter of days he died. - Thawed out, the petals soften and it releases a light When they got to me, they were much more gentle. fragrance from a distant spring long forgotten. "You're a young man, Yudkin. You can be His family name is Yudkin - a Russian Jew from Riga. rehabilitated. Just say you'll give up your subversive He is a Lubavitcher Chassid - as his given name activities." I didn't, so they threw me into prison. They Shneur Zalman testifies. The mournful expression in would not give up, and I also tried not to. his eyes spoke volumes. His carefully chosen (Here Yudkin dropped his eyes for a minute. Then he words gave them sequence, shape: looked squarely at me for a moment, hesitating, then We each had an assignment. I taught children blurting out:) I must confess, I almost did yield ... "All . I'm no great talmid chochom, but I could right Yudkin," they said. "You're incorrigible. But handle it. Of course, the authorities knew I was up to think of your family- your children. Just tell us you'll sometloing. They knew I went to daven regularly at our stop poisoning their minds, and let them live a normal "underground" shul. They realized that I never took on life. Then we'll let you go." additional work to do on a Shabbos. So they began to You know, I actually wavered. It's so easy - just say pester me. "Give up your archaic ways . ... Don't you "yes," and they'd release me. But, I asked advice from want a promotion, Yudkin? You're a bright fellow. You could go far." I paid them no mind, but lived my own someone I trust, and he said: "Never. On anything else, you may compromise. Violate Shabbos to save your life as I understood best. life. Eat treif. But never, ever say 'I don't believe in Then they started to threaten me .... The fate of my G-d.' " friend G. came to mind. G. was a top class engraver. His So I told my captors "Never!" renderings of Lenin and Marx decorated party headquarters. His standing in our community was also They threw me into solitary. It's solitary because there very high even though his "assignment" was a lesser is no room for more than one man in the pit where they one - he taught children Alef-Bais. He was ap­ threw me. There wasn't even room for me to lie down proaching retirement age, and he wanted to give up full length. The tiny cell was outfitted with a small cot his teaching, too. "No," he was told, "there's no one with no bedding, of course - a small stool, and a else." So he stuck with it, until he was caught. I don't concrete table. The only company I had for a half year remember if there was a trial. The sentencing was swift - six long cold months - was the rats. But at least they and brutal: 10 years in one of the worst camps spared me the special treatment - throwing in

The Jewish Observer /January-February, 1976 31 especially designated starved rats that would ... easily replenish the 30,000 emigrants every year, so we are left with the same 3 million Jews behind the Iron After I was released, there was the non-existence of no Curtain to contend with. So the question you must job - loss of party membership goes without saying. answer is, Do demonstrations make life easier for those They were anxious to get rid of me, so my visa still living in Russia? I think the result is guile to the application was easily filled, and we left for Eretz contrary. There is a backlash, a return to Stalin-like Yisroel. terror. Our goal must always be to make the life of Jews in Russia more Jewish, with a minimum of suffering. You are wondering if demonstrations in America are effective. I think they are - the Russians do not ignore I feel that your energies can best be used in sending them. But there is another question that you cannot parcels to those still on Russian soil, and in helping ignore: What are the net results? Figure that, at best, those fortunate enough to have escaped, and are now in 30,000 Jews are released from the Soviet Union in one Israel or America, to fully experience their Jewishness: year. And assume that demonstrations in America to learn to understand and appreciate a life of Torah contributed to their release. But also realize that there and mitzvos, and to set up yeshivos for their children. are close to 3 milion Jews in the Soviet. New births - After all, isn't this what we are after in the first place? II Shimon

A seed buried under Arctic drifts of snow, drifts that But I didn't want a translation. I wanted the original. I shielded it from the deepest chill and the pale glow of wanted to be close to the source of Yiddishkeit. First I solstice sun . ... Then, the seed was released and let my beard grow, remembering my grandfather. Then planted. Leaping over lost seasons of the frozen past, it I discovered the Vilna Jewish cemetery, where all the bursts into brilliant bloom. stones are inscribed with Hebrew letters. I used to wander through the rows with a companion, learning Shimon Grilius is a short, broadly built man the letters, figuring out the inscriptions, communing approaching thirty, with a luxurious red-tinged beard, visiting America just prior to his wedding in Israel. His with my past. ... No, I didn't "hear voices," yet the dark eyes, deeply set in his granite-like face took on the message was insistant: Our life was the true way. Come back to your starting place. fire of conviction whenever he drew upon his deepest feelings, which was just about always. He spoke in I discovered tefilla: Just as a person bathes his body richly accented Hebrew. every morning upon arising, so does a Jew cleanse his soul with refreshing invigorating words .... Tehillim captured my imagination. I was a working boy from the At first, it was a very piecemeal awakening. Nothing we time I was sixteen, but I studied nights. How often did I did or saw during my childhood days in Vilna ever told read poetry- once, twice a month? But every day I said us that we were Jewish. There were only the memories verses of Tehillim, and I soared on the wings of Dovid of a holiday when we ate flat, crisp wafers; and the Hamelech' s words! portrait of my grandfather, with his long, Jewish beard. 1969: Yuri and Valerie Vudke in Vladimir started a In my later teens, I saw letters from people in Israel, and movement toward aliya. Some asked them: "It's illegal I learned that Jews actually have a state of their own. I to try to leave. Aren't you afraid?" The answer: 'Tm heard Nechama Lifshitz sing Jewish songs. So I knew I starving for freedom for my soul. If you wish to was a Jew. continue to starve, that's your business. Go ahead! Be a And then, in the mid 60's, prisoners from the Stalinist hero! Stay in Egypt!" era began to return. We learned that in the worst of Their words penetrated my heart. And they bolstered conditions they kept mitzvos such as bris millah them with the argument that emigrating to reunite with (circumcision), and managed to snatch moments for one's "family" is indeed legal. So I applied for a visa study in contraband books - Torah, the Prophets, and was put into prison. halacha (Torah Law). It was very exciting, but it was not available to me. I wanted to know what they knew. They locked me up with Nazis and common criminals. I begged to be transferred for the sake of my eventual I read the Jewish in Russian, and a whole world rehabilitation. So they placed me with Yosef opened up for me. I discovered the Torah as more than Mendelevitch of the Leningrad Twelve. That was a a book of ideas or philosophy, but as a Book of Life for mistake on their part, but for me it was an answer to mv every day. All that was good and worthwhile was in the prayers - and it was also an education in prayer. · Torah, and all that was objectionable was contrary to Torah. Yosef had stood up in the Leningrad courtroom where

32 The Jewish Observer /January-February, 1976 he was on trial for attempting to hijack a plane to equal 3 million, Grilius replied:) We cannot think of the escape Russia; he declared his belief in G-d and hurled prospect of remaining behind. There is only one way to his accusation: All the physical sustenance - food, live as a Jew, and that is out of Russia. Every Jew must shelter, clothing, employment -did not diminish the go the route I went. It means suffering. It may mean spiritual genocide the Soviets were committing against two years in jail - even six months in solitary. Jewry! You are a hero and can say that,but can you impose martyrdom on 3 million others? He taught me to read, to daven, to keep kosher: we ate nothing that had meat in it, subsisting on 1800 calories As I see it, there is no other way. a day.... On Pesach we did not eat anything containing grain products - left with only 800-900 calories a day. If Pesach were one day more I don't think I could have Hudson Painting Co. survived. 0 Interior 0 Residential We made a Seder: on our ka'ara (Seder plate) a bullion 0 served as the zro'a ... .We didn't need a leafy vegetable Exterior for the marror. Our predicament more than filled the ° Commerci.al requirement of "bitter herbs.".-.. We had a complete free Estimate. Serving Metropolitan New York Haggada and read through it all. .. .Dimshitz spilled a pitcher of water, and we walked through it singing of rel: 851:../108 the splitting of the sea - and we knew nothing could 1575 50 Street stop us from getting to the promised land. Brooklyn, N. Y. 11219

The straw yarmulke I had woven irked them to no end. They told me I had broken "uniform" rules, but I ~-----NOW!-----~ replied that I had on the requisite clothing, and the yarmulke was only additional head covering. They A Once-In-A-Lifetime Opportunity! challenged my Shabbos rest - I would work over my To Participate In The Mitzva of quota every day, and "rested" Shabbos - I told them Writing A Seier Torah While Supporting that I filled my weekly quota. No answers carried weight with them. They put me into a solitary cell in The Continuation And Expansion Of Katzir for six months ... .(The description that Zeirei Agudath Israel's followed was identical with Yudkin's.) Tzeddaka Projects Kiruv Rechokim Activities for Later, we found a Russian copy of lyav (Job). It ° Thousands of J.E.P. Children provided us with meat for discussion for weeks on end. 0 When I was finally released, I had only one goal - to Aid Packages for Soviet Jewry and get out and make it to Eretz Yisroel. ... Recent Russian Immigrants to the United States and Israel I was not surprised by the secular atmosphere in Israel. ° Free Loans for Needy Bnei Torah I knew in advance that the ruling clique is Socialist, not idealist. They forgot that Zionism is a child of Judaism ONLY $5.00 FOR EACH PASUK - and the child abandoned its father's home. A pity Your subscription to this Torah project will not that our religious people stay in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, only win you a share in the mitzva of writing a and , and close their eyes to the existence of Sefer Torah, it will underwrite the continuation Mitzrayim within Eretz Yisroel! of ZEIREl'S ACTIVITIES ON BEHALF OF KLAL. ------.._ As for our brothers still in Russia, we must keep their Please make check payable to: ZEIREI TORAH------PROJECT cause in the headlines. I do not mean with irresponsible Zelrei Torah Project violent acts of JDL type, but I do mean dramatic statements, gestures, and demonstrations. Of course, 5 Beekman Street this means innovating and escalating the means from New York, N.Y. 10038 time to time and this is difficult. But those still NAME ...... imprisoned are undergoing more difficult conditions, ADDRESS ...... and taking much bigger risks, aren't they? # of pesukim @ $5.00 ...... (When presented with Yudkin's equation of 3 million, All donations are tax deductible minus 30,000 emigrants, plus 30,000 newly born Jews

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34 The Jewish Observer /January-February, 1976 brevity of each entry; e.g. Rabbi Dessler is described as having been "the Rav of several synagogues" during his stay in , and Rabbi S.R. Hirsch as the Chief BOOKS Rabbi of Austria). 11111 The author stresses in his introduction that his com­ mentary in no way seeks to be a "scientific" or apologetic one, trying to "authenticate" the Megillah THE MEGILLAH, The Book o(Esther, a new transla­ and its truth, obvious to us, by reference to external tion with a commentary anthologized from Talmudic, non-Jewish sources; rather its sole aim is to provide ~ Midrashic and Rabbinic sources; by Rabbi Meir true insight into one of the . To that end Zlotowitz (New York, 1976; ArtScroll Studios Press, an introduction has been provided by Rabbi Nosso~ $5.95 hard cover, $3.95 student's edition) Scherman, which outlines the profound philosophical Every special day in our Jewish calendar is meant to significance of the events of within the context be a challenge to us: not only to be observed in its of Jewish history in general (particularly the struggle traditional form, as fixed by the halacha, but to be between Yaakov and Eisav), and the historical pondered and appreciated for its deeper message to us. background of the Babylonian exile in particular. Rabbi This is obvious in the case of a Yorn Tov like Pesach Scherman deals with such topics as Providence, with its Seder complete with the and its corn'. prophecy, and miracle in connection with the Purim rnentaries. But unfortunately it is often a difficult story story; he includes a chronology of the period based when we come to days like Purim - and yet the reading upon Rabbi J.D. Epstein's Otzar Ho'lggeres, and he of the Megillah is clearly meant to set the theme and the also clarifies .the difficult topic of Esther's relationship tone for the entire avodah (divine service) of the day. It to Mordecha1. Thus he adds another dimension to our is true, however, that unless one is a genuine scholar understanding of the events. and delves into the many commentaries written on the Rabbi Zlotowitz expresses the hope in his introduc­ Megillah, its deeper meaning - as distinct from the tion that his effort will inspire others to compose simple sequence of events described - is difficult to s1rn1lar works for other parts of T'nach - this hope can fathom. only be sincerely echoed by this reviewer. "7. Herein lies the outstanding value of this remarkable work. A labor of love, to perpetuate the memory of a fnend of the author, Rabbi Maier Fogel il"ll, it seeks to elucidate the true meaning of the Megillah in the light Sabina of our Sages, through a new translation faithful to our Massorah, and through a commentary meant to flow freely and readably, but to show the depth in every Contracting verse by drawing on a wide array of sources. The author does indeed draw on Talmud and Midrashirn, General Contractor early and late commentators, Kabbalists and " Kitchens " Basements " Attics philosophers, Hassidic luminaries like the Sfas Emes and the Yismach Moshe, Mussar interpretations from Chafetz Chaim and Michtav M'Eliyahu, the insights of WE CAN Rabbi S.R. Hirsch and the Malbim, all the way to our days and the explanations offered by Rabbi K"P'71V. It is remarkable that all this material Remodel your kitchen with convenience and is arranged in such a way that it is most interesting and style readily comprehended - and it is doubly remarkable that this could be achieved in a commentary written in Finish your basement in comfort and class English and aiming to be of service not only to the Make over your attic enhance and learned but to the broad public not equipped to go to to the sources themselves. expand your house Painstaking attention has been paid not only to the We're only a telephone call away for free es­ style but to every aspect of the typography and layout, timates and expert advice. the transliteration and translation of Hebrew phrases in the English text, and even the desire of readers to be in­ formed about the sources used- a most useful list of all (212) 342-7785 works used is given at the end of the book, with biographical details about their authors (a few very minor inaccuracies have crept in, perhaps due to the 9018Ave,B Brooklyn, NY 11236

The Jewish Observer I January-February, 1976 35 Letters to the Editor

j

The commandment of "Do You Read Books Reviewed1" "Hoche'ach toche'ach- You shall Adopt A Special Child reprove your brother" is in the same Jewish children with handl· To the Editor: chapter as "You shall love your caps need warm, loving Orth· I bought "Scientific neighbor as yourself" ( Vayikra odox homes to give them a Creationism" because of your 19:17-10), conveying that the fair chance in life. Can you review in The Jewish Observer Torah did not intend tochacha to provide a permanent home ("Know Thou What to Answer ... " fashion the Jews into a people of for such a child? JO Dec. '75). policemen. Rather, that tochacha be For further inform~tion call: Do you read these things before given out of a loving and caring (212) 851-6300 publication? If so, please advise: a) relationship; to be given with un­ Does the New Testament quota­ derstanding and sensitivity, and tions or the advocacy of Christian with an awareness of "where the doctrine come under the classifica­ client is at." To this extent, the tion of apostasy? e.g. "the student ground-rules of tochacha can very can be led into ... satisfying world much be followed in a guidance view (of) his personal Creator and situation. Beyond that, the Savior, the Lord J.C."; advocacy of Orthodox Social Worker should not original sin, etc. b) If so, does the abandon his principles either, as Dr. book come under the issur of sifrei Mermelstein pointed out. 4907·16th Ave. minus? For too many years, Orthodox Brooklyn, N.Y. 11204 ROBERT YOUNGER Social Workers and Therapists have (212) 851-6300 Beverly Hills, been told that their commitment to "The only professional Torah is a source of conflict, and child care agenc_y uwder Reply: creates problems in maintaining a Orthodox Jewish Auspices Yes, we do read the books we high degree of professionalism. Our in the U,S.A. ". review - however, the "Scientific professional community is mature Creationism" we received did not enough to stop responding to such contain any religious references defeatist comments with the feeling whatsoever. Our copy is marked that ''!' d better not let my religious "Public School Edition" and we values get in the way of my profes­ must assume that there is another sionalism." Nor need we react in a edition, designed for Christian defensive manner. The answer is HEIMAN N'S schools, that seeks to capitalize on that the non-religious therapists are BUS TOURS INC. the scientific data presented, for beset with much graver problems: their religious purposes. We ap­ their values change with fad and 99 Wilson St. preciate Mr. Younger's letter which fashion, and are a source of much Brooklyn, N. Y. 11211 should serve as a warning to our more basic conflict - they have no 387-2114 or 387-3635 readers against that other edition. consistency over time. By contrast, ICC - MC131l2711 our values are constant and fixed; the Torah is a rich, definitive source CHARTERED BUSES The Orthodox Social Worker for guidance. FOR ALL OCCASIONS and Torah Principles I have had the opportunity to Ideal for senior citizen consult with one of our Gedolim and youth groups To the Editor: about these very issues and I am WE HA VE A BUS TO MONTREAL I would like to reinforce some of the convinced that this is the course of EVERY THURSDAY NJGHT critically important points made by action that we should all be pursu­ Dr. Jacob Mermelstein. ing. Some professionals maintain

36 The 1ewish Observer/ January-February, 1976 that the Gedolim are not familiar "The Psychotherapist Confesses" and sexual license, proves that with the psychodynamic processes. - an Editorial Slip therapists do teach values. Why I suspect that their attitude sterns then should they be permitted to from a fear of how to handle peddle their filth, while decent themselves should they not hear The following footnote was in­ humans are obliged to remain what they want to hear. advertently omitted from Dr. "neutral," "objective" and "scien­ Mermelstein's article, "An tific." My own experience of consulting Orthodox Psychotherapist our Torah authorities has resulted Confeses," which appeared in the Fortunately, some voices of in gratifying insights and crucial Dec.'75 edition. decency have been heard. William guidance in responsible handling of Gaylin, who testified as a psy­ my professional ethics in keeping The dire need for a set of values chiatric expert for the plaintiff in with halachic guidelines. I am, of in psychotherapy that is grounded one of the cases noted above, said: course, confident that my fellow in moral-ethical codes, and tried and ... "Patients tend to be seduc­ workers in the field who have a tested by history has been brought tive. But there are some psy­ strong commitment to Yahadus home to us by the recent scandals chiatrists who are sick individuals would find their own experiences and prosecution of "respected" and are overtly seductive to their no different, and that untenable therapists engaging in sexual in­ patients ....There is an unspoken points of conflict would be much timacy with their patients. Sadly contract... to do nothing that is not less than anticipated, as long as we enough, as reported to the for the patient's good. Therapy isn't never lose sight of our overriding American Psychiatric Association, designed to make people happy ... " obligation to do what is intrinsically such practices are far from rare. The (Cited in American Journal of right. SHMUEL LEFKOWITZ fact that these therapists are not ex­ Psychotherapy 29:4,p.601-602). Social Worker, pelled from the scientific com­ East Flatbush YM-YWHA munity, and - to the contrary - Lopidus Bros. Gemilath Chesed Brooklyn, N. Y. many actually preach immorality Ass'n of the Crown Hts. A

The Jewish Observer I January-February, 1976 37 j Ti LETTERS CONTINUED

Similarly Donald Campbell in his presidential address to the American Psychological Associa­ tion (Nov. 1975) chides psy­ chiatrists and psychologists for as­ suming that man is and ought to be free to practice his impulses because they are biologically right. He urges the study of social systems with the assumption of an underlying wisdom in the recipes for living that tradition has supplied us. JACOB MERMELSTEIN

Questions "Confession"

To the Editor: My attention was grabbed by the ATTENTION MECHANCHIM rt,,,, eye-catching title, "An Orthodox Hebrew Academy of Cleveland Psychotherapist Confesses." As I Publication Department offers read the article I was at first puzzled ~_, ~ 1'------50 educational items for then disgusted as I realized that the Tlll::lll n-,J.1n Hebrew Day Schools article was by no means related to c•Jn::i.01 1·11n a·,~, nw,nS * Curricular manuals, guides, its title (obviously not given by the * Workbooks author), for nowhere does he con­ (reduced sample at lelTJ fess to anything. Rather he writes Visual aids, maps, and many others how his firm belief that everything Catalogue sent upon request can be found in the Torah is in­ strumental in his profession. The ti­ Send .30 for handling to: tle casts an undeserved slur on the HEBREW ACADEMY writer. By contrast, how many PUBLICATIONS DEPT. Orthodox businessmen run their 1860 South Taylor Rd. businesses on Torah principles, Cleveland Heights, 44118 when those principles are much more apparent than in the field of psychology? Perhaps in the next issue we Come To should see some sign of the editor's own confession for selecting so mis­ leading a title. N.M. ko6f\er £~.~tty Lakewood, N.]. confess - to acknowledge or avow; Formerly Kosher King reveal: she confessed her secret. 1501 Surf Ave. Coney Island (first definition listed in the RANDOM Whitehead Hall. Brooklyn College HOUSE DICTIONARY)- or as in "The Psychotherapist Confesses," and the editor confesses. - The Editor

38 The Jewish Observer /January-February, 1976 Comments on "Never Again!" other means are doomed to failure Wolpin should be thanked on his and disaster. candid, true article. Your journal, by ,fighting for (Rabbi)MOSHE STERNBUCH To the Editor: Torah principles, is the only way of Bnei-Brak I received today with interest assuring true security and a bright Dean of "Rosh Haayin" several copies of The Jewish future for our people, and Rabbi Observer. Rabbinical Institutions I especially esteem the article of Rabbi Wolpin on the "Never Again" fallacy, which unfortunate­ ly even religious circles have started Ne'\VYOrk­ to believe ("Never Again - Who can Say It?" May '75). The "Never Again" slogan is against the essence ·. APassover of the Torah, which clearly states many times, that if we sin we ·EXtravaganza should fear being punished even G-d forbid with destruction, as we have witnessed many times in our history. New y~.::_is:·:~t'!'J~s ·1ove1ieSf in t~e Spring. Passover occurs during Unfortunately Rabbi Kahane and the cit~5 .• most beautiful se050.n. his small group are screaming and demonstrating against The-Bf_riadway theatre; Madison Avenue art galleries; museums by the dazen;\ Fifth "withdrawal". But the whole of our , _,-,,-; -.-_Avenue shopping-New York the· mo·st=and future is in danger: 80% of the girls are mobilized, 73% Of the children ·• . \) . oost of everythi?g . ... \ have no religious education, Rus­ ·.. . . • '.i today. Our duty is to guarantee our OR wR1.TE ·; :·. · future by observing the Torah, and ('.ALL1;\\~nf!lll4:~~ all those who seek salvation by ''.\ .;. WANTED Volunteer drivers for hospital-visiting volunteers. . . ;,\:, .

The Jewish Observer I January-February, 1976 39 membership possesses a reasonably high degree of Tor ah scholarship, it ?7 ... considers it degrading to retain a spiritual leader; why should it, LETTERS CONTINUED when its members can refer to the luach to find the din or, in a pinch, A Rav For the Branches look through the Mishnah Brura hoping the right answer turns up, To the Editor: There are outstanding Agudath Your summaries of the Israel minyanim that have retained proceedings of the most recent rabbonim with results that are a Agudah Convention are most credit to the entire Torah com­ welcome - especially the views of munity and to our organization. the Gedolei Yisroel whose words There are others, however, that fail serve as our guide and are always in to live up to their example. The too short supply, Unfortunately, yeshiva graduate without the however, you omitted a key point in THE WORLD FAMOUS anchor of an easily accessible leader the address of Rabbi from who can convey the views of our DIGEST OF MEFORSHIM your summary of his talk. Rabbi gedolim will, in the great majority 'U1P7 1l'1:i 'U1 1?7 , the Lakewood Rosh of cases, find his level of hasmoda, ?"It 1Y'07N 1iN~~iV 'i :\"ii.,ii~ Yeshiva, has also discussed the mat­ awareness, and observance either Available at ter frequently at this and other stagnating or declining, Equally as LEKUTEI INC. Agudah conventions. bad, he will find it increasingly dif­ c/o I. Rosenberg I refer to the responsibility of all ficult to allow his opinions and 10 Wed 47th Street, Room 702 New York, N. Y. 10036 synagogues - including the so­ practices to be molded by the over­ 20 Volumes on Torah, Perek, called "yeshivishe" and Aguda th riding Torah policies of Gedolei Medrash, Megilas and Talmud. Israel minyanim - to have a rav. All YisroeL Proceeds of sales disfribufed amon9 too often, nowadays, it has become One of the major Agudist rab­ Yeshivas and used for reprinting of volumes ouf-of-prinf almost a badge of honor to belong bonim of the post-war generation PRICE$6PER VOLUME to a shul without a rav. When the was offered a position as spiritual

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40 The Jewish Observer/ January-February, 1976 leader of one of the best known There is no shame in following a for Torah survival; Agudath Israel Agudah minyonim; one that had qualified leader. Rabbi Yehoshua has shown a national example of al­ not had a rav since its founding. He Leib Diskin ~"Y 1 once said that if legiance to Torah authority, and consulted a venerable Torah leader ten equally great talmidei should endeavor to achieve the and was advised not to accept the chachomim are alone in a town, it is same in all parts of its organization position because" a that has incumbent upon them to select one and affiliates. ELI TEITELBAUM not had a rav for so many years will of their number as a rav and the Brooklyn, New York not find it possible to accept others must agree to submit to his Director, Camp Sdei authority." authority. Leadership is a necessity Chemed/ International

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The Jewish Observer /January-February, 1976 41 New Feldheim Publications Turnabout - The Purim Story. n Megillat Esther in Novelette form based LETTERS CONTINUED on Malbim 1s Commentary. Translated Shechita and adapted by . With "Ahavas Yisroel" and Tolerance Re/{gious and historical research on the the biography of the Malbim and the Jewish method of slaughter edited by Hebrew text of the Megil/ah. To the Editor: Rabbis Michael L and Eli Munk; and $4.00 Medical Aspects of Shechita by Rabbi While I fully agree with Rabbi J.M. Levinger. D.V.M., in two parts: Chochma U'mussar Svei and his concern over Chilul Part I in Hebrew: An original approach to Sidrah Hashem, C Ahavas Yisroel and mr.110 :IWl)I Interpretation by the Frankfurter Rav, Dr. Kovod Yisroel", JO, Dec. '75) I jj.!)"ji't?'Cl ilO,nivn i''.lNY.l ?y t1"11V Solomon Breuer on Se/er Vayikra. must admit that we are not com­ onn '')J'.l .,).J~) fl"'n\tln t7i\)l1p <'P'"l'!:IJ $5.00 pletely free of guilt. PYlY.l b~):lin '")J 1'1)J) J'PNt!Ji !'!)'n'.lY.:l Maimonides' Commentary on the As one who constantly meets 356 pages $7.50 ·'"'» ,,,, Mishnah bnei Torah and observes their at­ Port II in English contains: Halachlc arti· Translated by Dr. Fred Rosner. The first titude towards seforim and their des and Responsa by Gedo/el Hadar; English rendition of Maimonides' famous authors (the writer, an expert on old Scientific explanations and charts (of "Introduction to the Mishnah" in which manuscripts, is connected with special usefulness to students of Yore he deals in his masterful way with the - the Editor), I Delah);exhaustioeirange of Religious and Revelation at Sinai. the transmission of have noticed a lack of respect and Scientific material and Historic the Oral Law down to Talmudic times, understanding for those of a dif­ documentation; as well a.'> a survey on the nature of prophecy and the types of ferent school of thought and way of Shechita Legislation all over the world. law in the Mishnah. The book also con­ learning. 300 pages $7.50 tains a translation of Maimonfdes' Com­ menta111 on Tractate Berachoth. With True, bnei Torah have better Two most important volurnes on the subject notes, general introduction and index. ethics and morals than the public at of Shechita by these eminent authors who $7.95 large. However, Reb Yisroel have been in the forefront in the fight for the right of Shechita for a long time. Will be of Salanter noted, a person usually Living Judaism. improves himself in those areas greatest interest to all involved in the defense The Mishnah of Auoth with the commen· where he is good by nature but rare­ of Shechita. tary of Maimonides and his Introduction ly in areas where his weakness and The Book of Ruth as Reflected in Rab~ to Perek Hefek (Sanhedrin). Both binical Literature famous commentaries in their entirety in shortcomings are most pronounced. Hebrew vocalized text with English English. The second part of the book For this, extraordinary efforts are translation and an extensive commentary contains a systematic outline for a needed. by Rabbi Yitzhak I. Broch (London) Modem Jewish Philosophy, to provide an Once we work in this direction of 112 pages $5.00 orientation for the thoughtfuT obseroant greater acceptance and tolerance of Jew. By Dr. Paul Forscheimer. those who are of different Available Again: $7.95 The Pentateuch background, bnei Torah will revere Translated and explained by Rabbi The . not only those of other Y eshivos Samson Raphael Hirsch. English ver­ Law and Mysticism in the JeWrsh Tradi­ but also direct more honor to his

sion by Dr. Isaac Levy, in 6 uols< Ad­ tion. Going beyond historic descrfption 1 own wife. and both their families. ditional volume of Haphtoroth by Dr. the author offers a complete and har­ This attitude may help to avoid Mendel Hirsch. Large edition in 7 vols. monious vision of the Jewish tradition - Chilul Hashem and promote Kovod $70.00 a Tiuing word. coherent and unified, Yisroel in the future. where euery separation between !aw and The Hirsch Siddur freedom, intelligence and emotion, is dis­ TOVIYA LASDUN compact edition. 760 pages only $5.00 solved. By Dr. Alexander Safran. Chief New York City This price w111 be raised in the near future. Rabbi of Geneva and a lecturer at the University of Geneva. nn:i\7711 Tll'llll'\!ITI Tll'IO\lll:ITI l'l'!TI" The Sefer "Geder Olom" 340 pages $Io.95 by the A guide to the understanding and obser­ vance of the Jewish family laws by Rabbi Medical Ethics. Chafetz Chaim, Zev Schostak. This well-received volume A compendium of Jewish moral, ethical now available in is now in its second edition and highly and religious principals in medical prac­ English translation recommended by Rabbi Moshe Feinstein, tice. Edited by Rabbi Moshe D. Tendler. only $.35 per copy $2.50 Fifth edition. Paperback. $3.00 10 for $2.50 The House of the Jewish Book write to: PHILIPP FELDHEIM, Inc. FELDHEIM PUBUSHERS Ltd. Zichron Shlomo Publ. 96 East Broadway/ New York, N.Y. 10002 39 Tachkemoni Street I Jerusalem, Israel 5 Beekman St., N.Y.C. 10038

42 The Jewish Observer /January-February, 1976 "They" - of Both Genders both parents are involved in Kial own children, which is mostly a endeavors. thankless job; or 3. he may have Before lumping her with the un­ built up such a thick "hide" with To the Editor: caring masses who do nothing but which to "withstand the onslaughts As both the wife of a" they" and criticize, let him consider that: I. she of criticism" that he does not realize in some small measure a "they" in may be involved in an important that she is on his side and ex­ her own right, I feel that Rabbi project of tedaka or chessed and periencing the same frustrations Rosenberg's reference to the "chal­ needs him to occasionally tend the that he is. lenging" statements of the "dear home fires; i. the children may be I wish that Rabbi Rosenberg Aishes Chayil" - "Every night a showing signs of needing their would have used his vast experience meeting," "You're tying up the father's attention and sometimes it's in Kial work to formulate some phone," "Must you go every Sun­ easier to do "chessed" for others good suggestions for the wives of day," etc. - show insensitivity to (especially when kovod goes with those involved in Kial work on how the many problems that arise when it) than to meet the needs of one's to raise a family almost WELCOME NEWS1 Time to Tune in to Convention 1751 The Gartenbergs and the Mehis The excitement and inspiration of two leading sessions of the 53rd will be open for the National Convention of Agudath Israel of America _on tape PASSOVER HOLIDAYS * "ChUrban Europt, Thirty Years later'f-an English language syn}posium 1 with presentations by Rabbi ,· at the Elegant and Luxurious Rosh Yeshiva-Net lsr_a~I, Baltimore; .and Rabbi , SHERATON-PICASSO INN & RESORT Rosh Yeshiva; Yeshivas Rabbi S.R. Hirsch one tape $2.00 White Haven, Penn. • Keynote Session-with addresses by Rabbi Moshe Feinstein, The heart of the Beautiful Poconos Chief Rabbi (), and Rabbi Moshe All luxury rooms in one main building. Every room is beautifully ap· Sherer two tapes $4,00 pointed plus TI!. 2 completely separate kitchens, 100% Glatt Kosher, • The entire 3-tape package $5.00 Shomer Shabbos, indoor pool, all sports plus golf course, day camp for children. Write to: Agudath Israel of America 1 hr.50 min. on ROUTE 80 from the George Washington Bridge Audio-Visual Dept/5 Beekman St/NYC 10038 For further Information and Reseroation call: (212)851-6280 263-6396 263-1070 (914)EL6-6141 The Jewish Child Care / Guidance Center Mishkon B'nai Yisroel WHO PUT 410516th Ave., Brooklyn, N.Y.11204 (212) 851-6750 ll,~Y.lYP Mrs. Bathsheva Mandel, Founder/ Director

in the Jewish Dictionary? A little Jewish girl has tears in her eyes and a prayer in her heart. Camp Agudah and Camp Bnos Tears because sudden tragedy left her without a mother or father. Tears because did over 30 years ago, she wants someone to play with. to laugh And every year they continue to add more with, and to talk to. Tears because she wants a mother to tum to in times of stress. maaning to long hot summers: She also has a prayer. for boys in Camp Agudah (Ferndale, N.Y.) She prays about being seated Friday night at a Shabbos table, with for girls in Camp Bnoa (liberty. N.Y.) candles flt and Zemiros being sung. She prays about being able to show off her new Yorn Tov dress just where every day is a special event and like all other little girls do. every camper is a special child And most of all she prays for the day when she wi!! be able to hold Doesn't your child deserve an exciting summer, her head up high and proudly boast "that's MY mommy and MY chock full of great days, memorable nights, and daddy." inspiration that lasts a// winter long? She may have her problems, but are al! of us so perfect! Don't You? If you want to answer a little girl's prayer, please contact Mishkon B'nai Yisroel immediately. Phone{212)964-1620 Remember - Mishkon seeks to provide spiritual values as or write: well as physical stability. CAMP AGUDAH I CAMP BNOS, 5 Beekman St., NYC Volunteers/or recreatJono/ oids, ef,oersif!ed office work, etc. are readily accepted. Non-profit edvcat1onal pro/&ets of Agudath Israel of America. Help us help them and Hashem will help you.

The Jewish Observer I January-February, 1976 43 ------·- JO and the College Scene ?7 LETTERS CONTINUED To the Editor: In your Letters column, Dr. singlehandedly while still keeping Julius Carlebach criticizes J.O. for actively involved herself, instead of attacking university attendance. He Individually wrapped portraying her as a well-meaning writes: "I find the constant attacks AMERICAN SINGLES but constantly whining nag. on universities a little grating. It is a 10-16 Slices (Mrs.) SARAH HAUSMAN fact that every year thousands of Brooklyn, New York Jewish youngsters enter universities For Institutions and Big Families and if aU too many of them are lost 3 lb. sliced American Gheeses to us, it is due to the sad reality that Cheers for "They" those who can help them most •SLICED MUENSTER •MOZZARELLA CHEESE prefer to remain aloof. Is it not also • MEUNSTER CHUNKS m1d•trom p1rt •klm milk true that many great and faithful To the Editor: Jews benefited from and con­ EV APORTATED MILK in large cans My eleven year old son, Danny, tributed to universities? Is not the INSTANT NON-FAT DRY MILK had much the same reaction as proud name I have inherited proof in envelopes (1 envelope mekes 1 delicious quart) Joseph Rosenberg, author of of that?" Under strict supervision ol "They," which appeared in the RABBI M.J. BECK (Apsher Rav) Kislev issue of the Observer. The The failure to cure the spiritual Don't Just settle for any imported shul in our town had a large electric sicknesses that foam out of our un­ Kosher Cholov Yisroel Cheese, insist on Chanukah menorah outside the iversities and poison our youth can SCHMERLING'S KOSHER Cheeses - building. One night, during be corrected, in some cases. Variety of delicious Cheeses and the Chanukah, Danny and I drove by However, I fail to understand why Famous SCHMERLING'S chocolates the failure of the doctors (i.e. the Pareve and Milchig the shul. "Look, Ma," he said. "The first candle light bulb is out and it's Torah community) to cure their sick not being fixed. You know why? patients makes the snake (i.e. the • ~!~.~.~~~!,:!.~!· 1® Because every morning in shul universities) any less poisonous. everybody says, 'They didn't fix the Yet that seems to be exactly what A New, Revised bulb yet,' and 'They ought to fix the Dr. Carlebach is saying. LOWER MANHATIAN menorah.' But 'they' means 'you' The Jewish Observer has been MINCHA MINYAN GUIDE and its not going to get done until consistent with daas Torah as well has been pub Iished somebody says 'we' and means as courageous in its attacks against - where to daven, and when 'me.'" the universities. Only a few years To Mr. Rosenberg a "Yasher ago most circles considered them - from river to river Koach" for an article well-written very fine institutions, and a must - from the Battery to Central Park which really hits home. The article for every decent Jewish boy and For your copy, send a self-addressed, deserves to be reprinted by all girl. By taking its clear stand against stamped envelope to: organizations which have such this sanctum sanctorum, The MINCH A MINY AN MAP problems ....Are there any that Jewish Observer performed a great don't? service to 'Kial Yisroel by blunting Agudath Israel of America ANNE SENTER 5 Beekman Street/NYC 10038 the prestige the colleges had built Teaneck, New Jersey up over the years in Jewish circles. for information, call 964~1620 P.S. The light bulb was fixed. It took the college riots of the sixties and the college drug scene of the seventies to awaken our brethren to the realities of the total bankruptcy Daf Yomi From Coast to Coast of a college education. There is no longer any need for The Jewish Observer to print how the colleges A directory of Daf Yomi Shiurim destroy the spiritual idealism of our throughout the United States is now youth, nor basis for others to rise in available. Anyone desiring a copy defense of this institution. Its should send a post-paid self­ failures are indisputable. addressed envelope to Daf Yomi, 5 Beekman Street, New York City (Robbi) MOSHE Y OSEF SCHEINER MAN 10038. Yeshivas Brisk-Jerusalem

44 The Jewish Observer I January-February, 1976 Mass Torah Home Study Program Launched by Agudath Israel Correction A MASS PROGRAM to encourage needs of the small study group. Torah study in Jewish homes in the The leading Torah authorities, By typographical error, the dates tri-state area (New York, New who helped launch this new con­ of the lifespan of Rabbi Y oseif Karo Jersey and Connecticut) was cept of winning over masses of Jews were listed incorrectly in "The launched this week by Agudath to Torah study through small Colonial Chacham From Hebron" Israel of America. The Torah groups of neighbors in their homes, (Dec. 75). He was born 5248 (1488) Education Network (in Hebrew: labeled the Torah Education and died 5335 (1575). Reshet Shiurei Torah) has enlisted Network "a major educational tool volunteer graduate Yeshiva stu­ which can revolutionize the Jewish dents and Kole! fellows to provide home." Any Jew willing to organize weekly evening study programs to Weddings ·Bar-Mitzvahs three or four of his neighbors for a small groups of Jews in their own weekly study group on any Jewish USA /Israel homes, attuned to their level of subject, free of charge, can now Jewish knowledge. spiritually enrich his life and that of The Torah Education Network his family by writing the Torah project was conceived at the 53rd Education Network, Agudath Israel National Convention of Agudath of America, 5 Beekman Street, New Israel in Atlantic City last York City 10038. November, as a novel approach to enable Jews, who ar presently not The chairman of the Torah studying Torah, to benefit from Education Network is Rabbi mini-Torah classes in the privacy of Shlomo Oppenheimer, a vice- their home. The study subjects will president of Agudath Israel, and the range from the beginning of Sidur coordinator is Rabbi Yaakov to Chumash and through Talmud Bender, executive director of (212)941-5500 and Rambam, depending on the Agudath Israel of America. n=~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ AnnouncingA Hard-Cover Edition with Index ZEIREI AGUDATH ISRAEL of AMERICA n:11u m:i':m ilYp i!:lO Announces a Series of Shiurim in :ipyi ni:i? pirin OIDJlp HILCHOS PESACH p-iK1 PJ1 l1ilV' n1y P"P11"1 J.VTK!l ?.t

The Jewish Observer/ January· February, 1976 45 GRUNWALD O"IU Agudath Israel's Mobilization RIRF Leaders Arrive Here The finest the world of Orthodox Jews A prominent delegation representing the over: made from the original Large numbers of Orthodox Jews from all Russian Immigrant Rescue Fund, the major walks of life have registered as members of agency for the spiritual absorption of the 20 volume Vilna O"l!/. Iden­ Agudath Israel of America during the first Russian immigrants in Israel, arrived here on tical in size with all original few days of the movement's national an urgent mission. Cl'l!li!ll::l , printed with care mobilization, according to an announcement Headed by Rabbi Abraham Auerbach, a from its presidium. This nationwide distinguished Jerusalem rabbi, and former and craftsmanship on the best membership campaign was launched on Knesset member Mr. Meier David Lewens­ American embossed paper. Sunday to unite Torah loyal Jews, regardless tein, an eminent Tel Aviv industrialist and of differing lands of origin, under the banner the legendary rescue leader, the delegation Available at all Hebrew of Agudath Israel - "where authentic will mobilize the support of the American Judaism's tomorrow is today's agenda for ac~ Jewish community for the Soviet olim in Book Stores I or contact tion." Israel. M.S. Spiegel The Russian Immigrant Rescue Fund was 90 Eldridge Street, New York City Commission on Social Services established in 1972 in response to the Tel. 226-4331 Names New Director spiritual needs of the newly arrived im­ Rabbi Shlomo Gertzulin has been named migrants from Georgia, Buchara, and all i1"1'.Kl:l i!"1'1.n 1i::ir.i as the new director of the Commission on parts of Central Russia, who were seeking to MACHON TORAH MEIRAH Social Services and the Commission on assert their religious identity in Israel As Senior Citizens of Agudath Israel of part of its efforts to assist these olim, the 17 Tewkesbury Drive, America. The Commission on Social Services RIRF, under the leadership of Mr. Lewens­ Prestwich, Manchester, England has mapped out an ambitious program to ex­ tein, spent nearly 6 million Israeli pounds to pand the existing social service projects of establish institutions and programs for their WORKS BY RABBI MEIR MEIR/ religious absorption. (Feuerwerger) 1:1••.Yt Agudath Israel to more fully meet the needs of those who require help, without resorting The establishment of special synagogues, 2 Vol. 0'1!1l n

46 The Jewish Observer I January-February, 1976 AGUDATH ISRAEL: Yes, you ... while you're learning Daf Yomi and your kids are doing An Ideal in Action their Yeshiva homework Ill Youth Work: -Who's getting your yeshiva its share of tax dollars? Pirchei, Bachurei, Zeirei and Bnos Agudath Israel -Who's protecting your supply of Kosher meat from dis- •20,000 children led by 1500 volunteers criminatory legislation? •5 Regional Mishnayos gatherings -50,000 Mishnayos memorized -Who's challenging the secularists' strangle-hold on social ser­ •Semi-annual Hasmodah Contest vices by doing Chesed with a Torah-taam? -10,000 extra Torah study hours Ill Summer Camps -Who's letting you know what's happening and why.. Jrom a Torah •Camp Agudah for boys •Camp Bnos for girls perspective? -Over 1000 children from North and South America each year, many on -Who's bringing Torah-study to Jews from to LA.? scholarship -Who's telling your children about the Chafetz Chaim in summer Ill Public Information camp and Shabbos groups? •The Jewish Observer •Dos Yiddishe Vo rt -Who's giving public school kids a taste of Yiddishkeit that •Position Papers on vital issues becomes addictive? Ill Senior Citizens •3 full·activity centers -Who's mobilizing Torah-loyal Jews to fight creeping assimilation •2 nutrition clubs •serving 10,000 senior citizens and the watering down of Jewish values? II Project COPE -And who is now giving you the opportunity to join Kial Yisroel's •On·Job-Training •Professional guidance and counselling most effective Torah force, led by our foremost Gedo/ei Torah - in •Vocational Education and Job Club -3,000 people setved in 1975, 20% of one united movement that perpetuates genuine Yiddishkeit? them Russian Jews The Answer: Ill Legislation and Civic Action •Advocate to government agencies AGUDATH ISRAEL OF AMERICA -defending rights of Orthodox Jews Where Judaism's Tomorrow is Today's Agenda for Action. -spokesman for government aid to Yeshivos Going it alone, the Jew can't insure his family's survival in a hostile Ill Adult Torah Education society. And letting others do it reduces the individual's ability to •DafYomi withstand the onslaught. •ReSheT-Torah Education Network Ill JEP Reach-Out ------•BECOME A MEMBER NO\\'!• ------, •Release Hour classes - 500 children Agudath Israel of America • 5 Beekman Street • New York City, 10038 ' from 19 public schools •Shabbatons D Enclosed please find my check of $10 for my membership in Agudath j •Over 1000 children serviced in 1975, 75 Get off the sidelines. Israel. ($15 annual membership. Only $10 for new members: includes placed in Yeshivas, more in camps free one year introductory subscription to The Jewish Obsen.ieror Dos I • program for day school Give yourself the added Yiddishe Vort - saves you $12.50) children protection of becoming I Ill Overseas member of America's Name. I •Spiritual absorption of Russian Torah mobilization Address .. immigrants in Israel •Parcels to Jews in Soviet lands movement: Agudath City. State, Zip .. I •Afternoon clubs for Israeli youth Israel of America. Your •Establishing Torah schools in Latin D I'd like to know more about Agudath Israel. Send me a directory of I America strength is in Agudath Agudath Israers services. Israel's numbers. I Ill And much, much more The costs of this ad~ertisement were paid bv friends of A.qudath Israel of Amenca responsible activism! ------~ IKA BREUER TEACHERS SEMINARV~-~ announces that the placement tests for THE SCHOOL YEAR 5737/1976-7 will be given on SUNDAY, MARCH 28

A Two-Year program, allowing for a full range of area day schools and supplementary alternative advances Torah studies, development of Beth vocational training facilities for interested stu­ Jacob personalities, and training of Beth Jacob dents. teachers. Course of studies leading to either a general Competently administered residence facilities, diploma or a teachers diploma and Torah as an integral part of the institution's educational Umesorah teachers license. scheme. Accreditation as an institution of higher learn­ Comprehensive individual guidance in the per­ ing; students are eligible for government aid sonal, academic, and vocational field. (Basic Educational Opportunity Grants, Work­ Teacher training, in conjunction with New York Study, etc.)

For further information and school catalog, as well as for registration, apply to: RIKA BREUER TEACHERS SEMINARY 95-103 Bennett Avenue/ New York, NY 10033 /LO 8-6200

-A.ITT!f)I N I 1 f.!'S._ yJAD ELIMELECH Network of Youth Programs dedicated to the memory of Elime!ech Gavriel Tress ?":YT

From Acco to Beer Sheva, from to Jerusalem, over 1,000 ch'ldren attend Yad Elimelech programs which inspire them to come closer to Torah Yiduishkeit. Scores of Rabbis and Principals plead that we establish programs in their communities. You can make that possible. .-----·------·------·- ! Give to Yad Elimelech so we can open after­ I YAD ELIMELECH I 5 Beekman Street/ New York, N.Y. 10038 school centers all over Israel, where I children can learn and play in a Torah I Gentlemen: I I want to do something concrete for the future of atmosphere and be convinced to continue children in Eretz Yisroel. Enclosed please find my their studies in a Yeshiva or contribution of$ ___ School. The life you save will be"h bring Name ______future generations of Torah observing Jews Address------·------­ • for Kial Yisroel and Eretz Yisroel. City, State, Zip ------