Bayamim Hahem U'vazman Hazeh
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December 2007 • Kislev 5768 Volume 42 • Number 2 BaYamim HaHem U’Vazman Hazeh In This Issue Divrei Torah from Rabbi Yosef Blau Rabbi Dovid Horwitz Rabbi Eliakim Koenigsberg and Rabbi Moshe Tendler “Al Tikra Banayech” Interview with Rabbi The World of Jewish Fund- Charlop: raising and Philanthropy The Rabbi Lamm Years Page 15 Page 19 Divrei Chizuk from our Leaders normally do not mix. Balancing a total commitment to Torah and mitzvot with an inclusive love of the Jewish people is difficult. Tolerance is usually asso- ciated with moderation, reflecting a lack of passion. Truth is absolute; adherents of false values are wrong. A Hidden Message of A deeper understanding of halakha, however, sug- Chanukah gests that there may be more than one truth. Even the mehadrin min hamehadrin comes in different ver- sions (See the Mechaber and Rama). Devotion to Rabbi Yosef Blau one’s truth need not exclude respecting others even though we are sure that they are wrong. If we examine the later history of the descendants of the Chashmonaim we find that their religious commitments were not fully maintained and they fought amongst themselves. Our tradition is that sources indicate that the Chashmonaim were a mi- The Rambam introduces Hilchot Chanukah with it was their lack of unity that led to their downfall. nority within the Jewish people. Surely pirsumei a summary of the historical events that led to the The Second Temple was destroyed because of sinat nisa should require an accurate retelling of the full miracle. He expands on the account in Masechet chinam (baseless hatred). Shabbat 21B describing both the spiritual and phys- historical background of the miracle. We live in a time when observant Jews are a minor- ical threats to the Jewish people from the Syrian The answer can be gleaned from the Rambam ity and assimilation to the external culture threatens Greeks and the victory of the Chashmonaim who himself at the conclusion of Hilchot Chanukah (4: Jewish survival. We are challenged to strengthen our then maintained Jewish sovereignty for over two 12-14). The mitzvah of the Chanukah candle is core; we must demonstrate a fierce loyalty to Torah hundred years. No other holiday has a similar intro- described as exceedingly precious; a pauper has to and mitzvot. The Chanukah candles remind us of duction. The simple explanation is that Chanukah sell his coat to purchase candles. Lighting candles the miracle and of the Jewish spiritual heroes who is the only Jewish holiday that originates after the has precedence over Kiddush because the Chanu- withstood external and internal pressures. That is period of Tanach. It is however likely that knowl- kah lights express remembering the miracle. Yet the open message. The hidden one is to treat our edge of the entire story is an integral component of the Rambam concludes that if a choice has to be fellow Jews as an integral part of one people and not pirsumei nisa (spreading the miracle). Supporting made, the Shabbat candles are to be chosen over see them as additional enemies. n this approach is the fact that women are obligated in the Chanukah candles because shalom bayit (family the mitzvah of lighting Chanukah candles because harmony) is more important than pirsumei nisa. they are included in the miracle. Although women did not light the menorah in the Temple, they were Apparently what is true for the family unit is equally In This Issue part of the full story--the danger and the victory. applicable to the Jewish people. Those Jews who were enticed by Greek culture or who were not Divrei Chizuk 2 In this context, what the Rambam omits from his strong enough to overcome the pressure from account has significance. The struggle was not the surrounding society can be seen as additional In the News 3 only against an external enemy. Simultaneously enemies. Alternately, they may be viewed as early there was an internal conflict against Jews who victims of the cultural, religious and physical war. Practical Halacha 5 had adopted the lifestyle of the Hellenists. Other From the perspective of Jewish history, maintain- ing harmony within the Jewish people is more basic Chomer l’Drush 7 We express symbolically than fully describing the miracle. This adds an additional perspective to Chanukah. Back to the Beit 8 the concept of maximal Lighting Chanukah candles is unique in that it is general practice to fulfill mehadrin min hamehadrin, Profiles in Action 13 commitment. The the highest level of observance of the mitzvah. We heroes of the Chanukah express symbolically the concept of maximal com- The Scene From 14 mitment. The heroes of the Chanukah story were story were zealots who zealots who did not compromise on principles and Musmakhim in the 15 who risked their lives for Torah. did not compromise The Menahel’s 19 on principles and who The message of Jewish unity is not explicit. It is im- plied by a glaring omission. On the surface the two Amudei 21 risked their lives for messages are contradictory. Zealotry and tolerance Torah. Lifecycles 22 Growth Opportunities 23 2 Chavrusa • Kislev 5768 • December 2007 In the News Rabbi Yonah Reiss appointed Dean of Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary Rabbi Yona Reiss, a noted Torah scholar, attorney, President Joel took special note of Rabbi Reiss’ thousands of rabbis, educators, and Jewish scholars. and jurist who has served since 1998 as director of academic pedigree. He is a summa cum laude He announced recently that he is relinquishing that the Beth Din of America, the largest rabbinical court graduate of Yeshiva College, YU’s undergraduate position effective June 30 2008. He will continue to in the United States, has been appointed dean of liberal arts and sciences college for men, and went serve as one of the Masmichim, those who administer Yeshiva University’s affiliated Rabbi Isaac Elchanan on to receive his law degree from Yale Law School, ordination exams, and will maintain his special Theological Seminary. RIETS is one of the leading where he was senior editor of the Law Journal. He relationship with the Kollelei Elyon (advanced centers for Torah learning and training for the received his rabbinic ordination from RIETS, where study groups). rabbinate in the world. Rabbi Charlop will remain full time as Dean Rabbi Reiss’ appointment was announced on August Emeritus of RIETS, and will serve as special 23rd by RIETS President Richard M. Joel and the advisor to the YU President on Yeshiva Affairs chairman of the RIETS Board of Trustees, Rabbi Julius with cabinet rank. Berman. The appointment is effective July 1, 2008. “Rabbi Reiss is a stellar choice for the deanship of Rabbi Dr. Shlomo F. Rybak, President of RIETS RIETS,” said Rabbi Charlop, who noted that he Rabbinic Alumni, is very excited about the is gratified to have been a mentor to Rabbi Reiss appointment. “Rabbi Reiss is an excellent role during his student days at the seminary. “His most model for our students because he has achieved important character trait is his integrity, which is prominence in his secular field and yet, he has known and respected throughout the Orthodox decided to continue devoting himself to avodas community. Moreover, while he lives in two worlds, Hakodesh to the benefit ofKlal Yisrael.” the secular and the sacred, he is anchored in the The President’s selection of Rabbi Reiss was made yeshiva.” in close consultation with Rabbi Zevulun Charlop, Rabbi Reiss said he takes “pride in our wonderful the Max and Marion Grill Dean of RIETS, and yeshiva that has been guided with such love and Rabbi Norman Lamm, Chancellor of YU and Rosh devotion for so many decades by Rabbi Charlop. Hayeshiva (Head of the Yeshiva) of RIETS. He Rabbi Yonah Reiss I hope in my tenure to ensure that we continue to received the approbation of the RIETS Board at a maintain our standard of excellence in a fashion special meeting held August 22. he also earned the distinction of Yadin Yadin, an that both maximizes the potential of each of our advanced juridical ordination. “The Yeshiva is the soul of Yeshiva University. In Rabbi students and serves the multifarious needs of our Yona Reiss, we have a leader who will nurture that soul, “I have been shaped in large part by both the community, both locally and globally.” and advance Torah study and protect Torah values,” educational experience and intellectual philosophy Rabbi Reiss’ appointment was also strongly said President Joel, who is also President of Yeshiva of Yeshiva University,” said Rabbi Reiss, “and I am endorsed by Rabbi Lamm: “This is a marvelous University. “His integrity, intellect, warmth, and excited to have the opportunity to play a meaningful appointment at this point in RIETS’ history. He humility will inform his work as he partners with an role in the Torah education of the wonderful students has a great range of erudition, a broad spectrum of outstanding rabbinic faculty, to shape the educational who represent the future of our community.” interests, is totally committed to the vision of RIETS, direction for the school. There are enormous For more than 35 years, Rabbi Charlop has and is a firm believer in Torah Umadda.” opportunities and needs for our community, which been dean of the seminary. Under his leadership, Rabbi Kenneth Brander, Dean of the Yeshiva our students must be poised to lead.” RIETS experienced enormous growth, graduating University Center for the Jewish Future, anticipates Continued on Page 20 Educational Partnership to Effect Positive Change in the World of Chinuch The Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education and a noted researcher and educational consultant who Administration proudly announces the formation has worked with hundreds of schools worldwide, of a new initiative this past summer, which will be will serve as Director of the Institute.