·< "-:,, .·i::, ' •,, ,}, '• •' ·····.··~t1-ra.1a. ... gi~asr·········· ~·t;·r·t1e entire Torah is of your reach?
As we begin the year and the Torah anew. make it one of your '"~"P (resolutions) to embark on an exciting and inspiring tthe journey. Study the halachos. reasons and divrei Chazal relating • to the Taryag Mitzvos, the 613 foundation stones of the Torah. The Taryag legacy Foundation wishes to thank n1ng ... Your appreciation ofTorah and Mitzvoth will reach new heights. MORRIS & DEVORA SMITH LA.WRENCE, NY LOOKAT KIRUV
HARAV ASHER WEISS, N"\J'>J\!J CONVENTION SCHOLAR IN RESIDENCE
You ARE INVITED To THE 19TH ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL AJ P CONVENTION
JANUARY 1 16 111 E MARRIOT UN VALLEY INN 111 MORE, MD
The Torah stays the same but the world keeps on changing. The ongoing challenge of the outreach professional is to examine and reexamine the Jewish world and soul and learn how best to reach them. This year's convention will explore the thought, culture, and psyche of tomorrow's world and attempt to introduce the hest available methods and techniques to reach Jews where they are.
WITH THE PARTICIPATION OF GEDOLE! Y!SROFL, MACHZ!KE! TORAH .. AND THE TORAH WORLDS FINEST IN K!RUY
Harav Shmuel K,i,menetsky, N"\J'J\'J Rabbi Yaacov Haber Rabbi Y;tzcl10k Lowenbraun Harav Yaakov Perlow, N"\J)'J\!J CONVENTION CHAIRMAN NATIONAL DIRECTOR RABBINIC AUTHORITIES
ASSOCIATION FOR JEWISH OUTREACH PROGRAMS Op- C.REATING LEADERS, PROVIDING TOOLS, EMPOWERING PEOPLE. TEL: 973-597-1552 EXT. 7 •FAX: 973-597-1553 e EMAIL: [email protected] • WWWAJOP.COM r-=··· THE ewish BSEltVER THE JEWISH OBSERVER (JSS~) 002Hi615 !S l'l'Bl.lsrn:I) MONT!IU. UiCl:PT J1 IJ,Y & /\!!GI 'S"J ,\ND A COMBINED rssr;i·: IO!l .IAl',J[TJ·.I) ST"-TES (lJS l'U~IJ.S Dll.'\WN ON,\ lJS l!A'.'IK Oi'iLY) S15.oo s1mcH,\!l(;1-: N:R YEAR Stf\i(;!.F CO!'\' $3,50: OUTSIDE NY ARF•\ S:'i.95: FO!H:l(;N 54.50. Noted in Sorrow We note with sorrow the petira (passing) of R,1bbi POSTMASTER: Su-.;D Al)DllJ-:ss l:H,\NCl·:s TO: Yisroel Perkowski ~nrr on the first day of Chol Hanwcd Tur JEWISH OBSERVU~ Sukkos ( 17 Tishrei/October 8). Born in Kobrin, Russia, 42 Bl
Kashrus Crisis - An Opening tor longer Discussion
cent events in kashrus have entire way, from the source of each of contrast, if consumers unite their voices !armed the broad public. It is the various ingredients of the foods until and declare that unless points a, b, and R: bsolutely shocking that a com· it reaches the consumer. Manufacturers, c are addressed and corrected, they will munity that has always been admired preparers, packagers, transporters, pro take their business elsewhere, the system for its high standards in Torah study viders, servers- these must all honor the will perforce become upgraded. and mitzvah observance should be guidelines set by the rabbanim. And all The consumers, however, must be affected so broadly, in such a profoundly of this should be taking place under the educated and then become organized. negative way, and with such far-reaching supervision of knowledgeable, trained, They must establish minimum expec· ramifications. This has prompted people astute, and reliable mashgichim (kashrus tations, and for this they must consult to stand back and consider the general supervisors) of unquestionable expertise authoritative mbbanim. The following state of our kosher food supply. and integrity. points were among many suggested by Indeed, just as food production and Each of the participants in this chain several such rabbaniln: distribution have grown inore con1p1ex of command is extremely important, • Keys to the establishment - the over the years, so has kashrus become and his credentials must be impeccable. freezers and the storage roo1ns more sophisticated and challenging. As But, in the process, the hundreds of - must be in the exclusive pos a result, common wisdon1 has it that thousands of kosher consumers have session of the mashgiach .... If in supervising and guaranteeing kashrus become passive and complacent, and Bnei Brak's Malon Vizhnitz, the should be relegated to the "profes this is a serious error, because the role of hotel manager can only enter the sionals" - the rabbinical authorities the consumer is most crucial of all. No kitchen and storage areas when i who are expected to set standards and individual or group can match the con· the mashgiach unlocks the doors delineate how these affect production sumers' clout. If the consumer is pleased for him, no less a standard should and determine the safeguards that will with the status quo, it is most difficult be acceptable in any establishment LutI into place every step along the -----t-o-ra-ise the-p-re-v-ailm-g-st-a~dard_.A_n_d_,~~---·· under supervision in any othe~ THE JEWISH OnSERV~;R ~ l of the world. now she's gained insight into the large- the consumers - must develop a • The mashgiach must be on the reason for the store's bargain prices, keen interest and express a willingness payroll of a supervisory establish and check out. ... Similarly, should to follow: by insisting that the places n1ent, which is under contract with a shopper at the Kosher Kandy that they shop at adhere to the highest the producer/manufacturer/distrib Kounter pick up a Brand X bag standards; by understanding that the utor/store n1anager. Should the of lollypops, with the individual cost of instituting and enforcing higher tnashgiach con1e up with an "I'n1 confections enclosed in Brand Y standards and providing continuous, sorry, but you cannot sell this prod labels, and the sticker in the bag uninterrupted hashgacha creates a finan uct as it is, because the Shulchan has the nan1e of a rav han1achshir cial burden - yes, we must expect to pay Aruch rules that it is unacceptable" associated with yet a third firm (an more for kashrus - and they will not one ti1ne too n1any, his position actual occurrence), he or she should seek bargains at the expense of compro- \.vill not be at risk. He will receive not smile at inconsistencies and 1nise; by organizing a professional-level his weekly check from the super simply take it to the cashier to enJoy Kosher Consun1ers' Union, in which as visory establishn1ent regardless of the bargain that he/she is bringing many kehillos as possible would be rep the "!:JE'..A,i.LEPH S'A,lS C.D. ROM & SONG N YOUR KITCHENJ(OSHER . x< MCLE Credits for Lm\Yers in states <,.• A PROPERSHABBOSKifefJEN like CA, NY, fl ICS & the United Kingdom a strudure.to.workWifh t ur learning.partner can ·· l\\(()!l ca:h,jtist teach ..• and · repared fi>r J()U. ,,.'·'<.'><·<-;- ' ' '.,,.,,,,."''''"'''"' ,' SRAEL.COM or call us at 732-370-3344 [email protected] I __J N o v t: M B 2 0 0 6 ~------~---~ BASED ON AN ADDRESS BY RABBI MATISYAl1U SALOMON N''V'?'v Innocent Consumers, and the Forbidden Meat, Command to Be an Am Kadosh - aHolv Nation ur broad ]e1vish co1nn1unity is AN APPALLING SITUATION, A cast to the dogs, it was left to devout, still in shock from the discov COMPELLING MESSAGE well-meaning people to personally con 0 ery that for some ten years, an sume the rejected meat. Could it be that accepted, widely-relied-upon establish- ne might say that the Eibershter the message implicit in this phenom 1nent in Monsey sold non-kosher chicken shook us np with this trembling enon - that we are failing to live up to in kosher-labeled packages, as well as pro 0 quake, demonstrating that He His expectations: "And you shall be a viding catering establish1nents with those demands kedusha from us in the way in sacred people for Me" - was directed to san1e products. The repercussions are which we consume our food. He did this us as a comn1unity, that we are failing to absolutely staggering, affecting literally by showing how protective fences that live up to this expectation. Approaching thousands of people. This has prompted we relied on were, in effect, non-existent, Rosh Hashana, the holy King judges ntuch discussion and serious analysis resulting in thousands of religious Jews us as to how sacred a people we really of the supervision and management of violating basic precepts, desecrating laws are. It appears that we may be failing, kosher food production, and underscored of sanctity, day after day, for years. and have been given a last reminder to the need for tightening the controls on The message is most timely. respond to His directives. kashrus. The Jewish Observer expects During the Days of Awe, we address to feature articles addressing this topic the Ribbono she/ Olam with the desig in the ji1ture. nation," Hamelech Hakadosh- the holy IMPLICATIONS OF THE An incident ofsuch scope will undoubt King." When dealing with treife meat, TORAH'S COMMAND edly inspire thought on related issues. the Torah's directive is:" Ve' anshei kodesh Among them is the following essay based tiheyu Li. .. And people of holiness you he Torah's command, "Kedoshim on a lecture inspired by the Monsey shall be to Me. You should not eat flesh tiheyu - you shall be holy" debacle delivered by Rabbi Matisyahu of an animal that was torn on the field. T(Vayikra 19,2), is not merely a Salomon, Mashgiach of Beth Medrash You shall throw it to the dog" ( Shemos matter of avoiding forbidden foods. , I Govoha in Lakewood, at a teshuva gath- 22,30). How distressing that instead of As the Ramban expresses it, the Torah ] 18 ering convened during Selichos week. having the unacceptable meat literally ~emands that one must not be a na] r--.···· Tl-IE JE\VJSH Ons1·:HVEH bircshus haTorah - a person depraved has spoiled us. Our Jewish enclave has The Chazon !sh wrote to aspir I in conduct, within the bounds of Torah been corrupted by the passions that ing talmidei chacha1niin: law. 'fhat is," Kcdoshhn tiheyu" is a n1itz surround us. "Avoid to the utmost pursuit of vas asei - a positive Torah con11nand to "Kcdoshim tiychu." It would be pos foods for the sake of their tastiness. avoid excessive indulgences. Even if one sible for people to obliterate this mitz Just as in the realm of tumas haguf is conte1nplating a technically pennis vah fron1 the Torah in many ways. One (ritual impurity of one's physical sible pleasure, one should n1ake hin1self could take a razor blade and cut it out being) there are various levels of holy by, for example, drinking only small of the Torah scroll. One could simply tuma - ranging from a first degree quantities of wine instead of i1nbibing whiten it out or erase these two words of contamination to av hatu1na- a large a1nounts. One should guard one's fron1 the scroll. Or one could take prhne source of contamination n1outh fron1 overindulging in the foods hechsher (kosher certification) stamps - to avi avos hatuma - -initial, that one craves. Kosher foods n1ay be and blot the words out with repeated top-level source of contamination, prepared with the most reliable hech "Kosher" imprints. so, too, are there degrees of mate- , sheiri111 (supervision), but gluttony is It seen1s that every petty or tantaliz rialistic indulgence and defile still a violation of the Torah's positive ing pleasure in \vhich the outside world ment in the human experience. command of"You shall be holy:' As the indulges n1ust have a counterpart in the Filling oneself with tantalizing J~atnban phrases it, "()nc should guard Kosher cuisine: If it appears on a n1enu foods crowds 'out one's capacity his mouth and tongue fron1 contan1ina anywhere, a Kosher version must also for spiritual growth:' (from The tion through overeating and repulsive be offered. It would be better for us all Collected Letters of the Chazon speech." Speaking unnecessarily is also if these foods would remain available Ish, Section I, Letter #20) an overindulgence. only in their trcifc format - out of Hashem judges from His throne bounds. Then we would not search for The Rambam was a paragon of dig as Harnclcch Hakadosh, and wonders, them, or seek to duplicate them, and we nity and refinement. Yet here he was "Where are the kedoshim for whom I would be forced to do without. uncharacteristically harsh and outspo vvait so anxiously?" Perhaps this was This message is also conveyed by ken in rejecting indulgence. flashe1n's 1nessagc to us in advance of the Rambam (Hilchos Dei'osCh. 5, fol rfhe Torah instructs us to avoid this past Rosh Hashana. lowed by a quotation from Ch. 3): keeping unslaughtered or trcifc meat, The Ra1nbanz also comn1ents on this As a chachan1 (man wise in and instead to "throw it to the dog [to obligation, saying: Torah) is recognizable by his wis consume it]." In the Ra1nbarn's view, One should not say that one must do1n and character, putting him on a person guilty of gluttony is consid do teshuva (repent) only for sins that a different level from the masses, ered equal to dogs and donkeys in his involve action such as promiscuity, so, too, should he be recognizable moments of gustatory indulgence. theft and robbery .... Just as one by his actions - in areas of din must do teshuva for those, so should ing, drinking, marriage, digestion he exainine his evil character traits, and elimination, speech, 1nanner of MosHE RABBE1Nu's MENU and turn away from anger, hostility, walking, dress, sustenance and busi envy, mockery, pursuit of money and ness dealings - all of his actions in e 1nust realize that this honor, pursuit of gourmet delights these areas should be pleasant and approach is part and par and similar traits. All of these also most orderly. How does the talmid W cel of fulfilling "Kcdoshim call for teshuva .... These sins are chacham comport himself? He is tiyehu." In Moshe Rabbeinu's final bless more difficult to correct than those not a glutton, but eats wholesome ing to the Jewish People before his that involve specific action, for once food that promotes health, and will passing, he told the Tribe of Zevulun one has sunk into these tendencies, not eat in a voracious manner. He to rejoice: it becomes difficult to depart from will not seek to fill his stomach like "Nations wiJJ assemble at the them. (Hilchos Teshuva 7:3) those who gorge themselves with mount; there they will slaughter food and drink until their bellies offerings of righteousness, for they swell.. .. will be nourished by the riches YIELDING TO OUTSIDE Instead, he will eat with the goal of the sea and by the treasures INFLUENCES of being able to serve his Creator, concealed in the sand" (Devarim and not indulge like a dog or a 33,19). t is not a simple n1atter. Do we ever donkey. [Not like a dog or donkey,] Rashi comments: 1"Nations will consider that we are called upon to he should consume foods that are assemble at the mount' means that I do teshuva for over-involve1nent wholesome... whether bitter or through the commerce of Zevulun, in gustatory indulgence as a navall sweet, and not eat harmful food, no the merchants of the nations of matter how sweet to the palate .... the world will come to his land Lsh~ ~ato~ah'Th~ outs1~e world --- ____ _J ····------··· ------=l NOVEMHER 2006 ---··------·- ----·---·------·------··------···· ------·------·------·--·------···--- ' I [The non-Jewish merchants J say, converging, all worshipping one G-d, all to such depths!" Hashem has struck 'Since we have gone to the trouble eating one food - not a series of recipes, us down because we have departed [of traveling this far], let us go to first one, then another and another ... from" Kedoshim tiyehu" - striving for Yerushalayim, and let us see what one menu followed by another and holiness. As mentioned, this goal is the Deity of this nations is, and another. All united in worship ... and not just an optional lofty status, but what [this nation's] practices are.' in food consumption. represents fulfillment of a mitzvah, a When [they go to Yerushalayim, J What a strange kind of parallel Torah command. And He is seeking they see all of Israel worshipping the it projects! "One G-d and one food"! His anshei kodesh in order to be able same G-d, and eating the same food. Instead of indulging in various forms to redeem them. A1nong the non-Jewish nations, the of worship and myriad food delights, in god of this one is not like the god the manner of other nations, the Jews of that one, and the food of this worship their singular G-d, with their A MATTER OF DEGREES IN one is not like the food of that one. interest in only one food. But should a KEDUSHA AND TUMA So they say, 'There is no nation as variety of culinary treats become their proper as this one,' and they convert trendsetters, their worship, in turn, will nst as there is a precipitous drop to Judaism there, in Jerusalem, as be unfocused and scattered. from living in accordance with it says, 'There they will slaughter The time is near. The coming of "Kedoshim tiheyu" when one falls to offerings of righteousness."' ( Sifrei Moshiach is on the horizon. The I depths of wallowing in promiscu 354) Ribbono shel Olam is calling out to ity, so too can one fall from "Kedoshim In Yerushalayim, they will see all fews us, "Pick yourselves up! You've fallen tiheyu" to the depths of wallowing in gustatory overindulgence. ls Hashem signaling to us through PINCHA.S ~EL the recent flow of events that we are Over 50 years experience in Kvura in Eretz Yisrael careless and indulging in forbidden Serving the North Amencan Pubf1c and Funeral Industry foods? No. More than likely, He may 'n·rn:.>' )'1N l'N '111Jj7 )1N ))j71j7 be indicating to us that we have fallen Personal responsibility throughout sen'ite - NOT JU~'T "PAPERWORK" into the trap of celebrating our daily ORIGINATOR OF THE PRESENT RABBINICALLY APPROVED METHOD meals as though each were a festive Highly recommended by Gedolai Hador- Here and in Eretz \'israel occasion. The tilntum haleiv - desen~ 162S-42rul Street, Brooklyn, NY 11204 sitizing of the heart- that results from overindulgence of permitted foods is Day&Nightphone: (718) 851-8925 not unlike the spiritual desensitization 1l't"r.lN1~r.lNi7 l'l"i7 - pi:i 1Nl nm::iv '1l~ that is produced from consuming for Kavod Haniftar with Mesiras Nefesh and compassion for the bereaved family. bidden foods. TAHARAS ffANIFTAR SHOUI.O NEVER BE COMMFRCIALIZED During the holy season of the Days of Awe, we crowned Hashem as Hamelech Hakadosh, introducing the relevant beracha with "Atta kadosh ... You are kadosh, Your Name is kadosh, ukedoshim bechol yam yehalelucha sella For careful attention to your - and holy ones will praise You daily." individual needs, call us today! The Avudraham explains that "the holy ones who praise You daily" does (845) 354-8445 not refer to angels, but to Kial Yisroel, who fulfill the mitzvah of "Kedoshim tiheyu." They, by the very act of being GEFEN •~ holy, render praise to Hashem. In that holy season - and, indeed, throughout FINtJIR~AL .... the year, when we sing His praise as Reg;;teced Moctgoge Brnkm ..... "Hakeil Hakadosh" - it is our mission 1· NYS Dept: of Banking ... to attempt to continue leading our i Cc~por"1e Ht•cldq RABBI DR. Tsv1 G. ScHUR Be a Source of ... tor Families Whose Loved Ones Are Faced With Terminal Illness hen one refers to terminal ill Epstein, of blessed memory. Being treatment that causes the patient untold ness, the first word that usu very close to the family and know- pain and discomfort, and there was no W ally conies to mind is cancer, ing that they were limited in their guarantee of cure, a rational patient a frightening thought; but many can command of English, I flew in from had the right to refuse such treatment. cers arc not terminal. Illnesses such as Milwaukee to be with them during Though in no way do I encourage this, emphysema, kidney or congestive heart this stressful time. After many hours it is interesting to note that I have seen failure may also, at tin1es, be included in in surgery, Dr. Epstein called the patients who have refused chemotherapy the realm of terminal illnesses. family and me into his office and live longer than those who went through When dealing witb a family who has described what he had done, and chemotherapy treatment. received the devastating news that their said that that for the time being, the I recall that in my early years in my loved one - child, spouse or parent or surgerywas successful. When I asked profession, I would feel that a patient any other family member - has been Dr. Epstein what odds he gave this must go through every possible treat- diagnosed with a terminal illness, hope child for a full recovery, he replied, ment to fight the malach hamavess. This 1nust never be taken away from then1. "Fifty percent." ma la ch who wants to take away life must As gloomy as the caring physician may I looked at him quizzically, and not be given an easy victim. I felt that paint the picture, we must be realistic, asked, "What is fifty percent?" one must do everything to fight him. but we must also always be hopeful. He replied matter of factly, "Rabbi, Tims, one must always use a ventilator, A 9-year-old girl from Israel had it is better than ten percent:' one must always do CPR (cardiopul- been brought to New York University Today, some fifteen years later, monary resuscitation), and one inust Hospital to have brain surgery by the this young girl is married and lives never turn down any type of treatment. renowned neurosurgeon Dr. Fred in Israel. We must always rernem- When I discussed this with Rabbi Yaakov ber that where there is life, there Weinberg 7"'1l, Rosh Yeshiva ofNer Israel, RABBI DR. SCHUR Sf.RV ES AS IJIRl,CTOR OF JEWISH is hope. he said to me, "Tsvi, it's very nice, but on COM Ml !NITY Cllc\l'l.1\INCY IN BALTIMORE. MD, ANO Being realistic is accepting the fact somebody else's pain and suffering, you JS COOfUJJNATOI~ ()FTHE WUNBl-:RG JE\VISI 1 J-!OSPICE that there are cancers whose treatment are fighting the n1alach ha1navess?" OF TllE JEWlSI! fAM!l.Y SERVICES. HE IS r\UTHOR OF fl.l.Nt;s5 AN/) Crusts: COPING TUE .fto'WJS/f 1r.\r, and outcon1e are devastating. Over the It is common that when such tragic Pl IBUSl!ED BY NCSY AND AlffSCROU. (1!)87). AFTER years, I have discussed with many pas- news is discussed with a family, their 10 '"EARS !N l?ABflANllS, llE Sl'.RVEO AS Drnr-:cro1~ kim what a patient 111ust go through to im1nediate reaction is one of devastation. 01' JEWISH Cl-!APJ.AlNCY IN J\11[.\V,\Uli:EE, W! FOR 20 achieve a cure. I was consistently told Feelings of disbelief, fear, and anger all , YEARS, llEFORE MOVING TO HAl.TJMORE. that where it involved experimental co1ne to the fore A caring friend or fam- I L --·- ·---·-·····- -····-·-·- ··-··--·· -·------_· - - - -~ N o v E M B F. rt 2 0 0 6 ~----~·-=-1 ily n1e1nbcr must be aware that an1ong with His involvement, everything will adults and children, feelings are expressed hopefully be all right. It means a lot in numerous ways. It is not uncommon for the family to know that people are to find that although the majority of the being mispa/leil - not only that their family may be tzcbrochen (shattered), terminally-ill loved one be granted a there is one individual who remains refu' a sheleima but that the Ribbon a she/ Child Development Specialists strong and may be able to encourage and Olam should give them chizuk to deal Helping Infants &Toddlers give hope to the rest of the family. with this challenge, as well. This is even When a family n1ember of inine, may more meaningful when the family rav with Developmental Delays and Disabilities he live and be well, was diagnosed with asks for the name so that he, too, can be cancer, I personally needed someone to mispalleil. One should never underesti go to. My heart was heavy, and while I mate the family's feelings of gratitude knew that there was always the possibil when they hear that "we are davening ity of a cure, I feared the worst. I would for your loved one." A rav and/or rebbi not go to my parents, \vho also were is not only a teacher in the con1munity, in terrible pain. One rav, with whom I but is, in a sense, a parent and a shoulder am very close, had himself lost a son for many, as well, ready to support his in-law, and I did not want to burden kehilla, his talmidim and the extended him. In desperation, I went to one of Achcinu Bnei Yisroel when needed. my rebbei'im in Baltimore, and opened Recently, when I was sitting shiva, my heart to him and cried - not only I drew much strength when a very for the member of my family, but for busy rav called me quite a few times so many patients with who1n I come to see how I was doing, and to let me in contact daily, who are struggling to know that he was thinking about me. fight this dreaded disease. I was very Even though we all realize how busy moved that this rav, whom I view as a people can be, it can still be very gadol baTorah, put his arm around me hurtful when one with whom one Evaluation and a full range of and held me while I cried. feels very close does not call, and Therapeutic Services provided At the same tin1e, we 1nust be aware only comes to the shiva the night at our Center or in the privacy that there are occasions \vhen the rav or before the family gets up. of your home rebbi needs a shoulder or support of a While a rav might feel differently chaver or loved one. towards various ba'alei battin1, when Bilingual Services Available tragedy strikes, he must reach out to all Services are provided based on the child's needs alike. A rav I know never visited hospi as detennined by the i'i'YC Early Intervention THE LIMITS OF "BEING tals because it was difficult for him to Program. The Early Intervention Official will STRONG" see people who were sick. How sad I felt determine the location and provider of any needed services. This Early Intervention that he had chosen this avoda (Divine Program is funded & regulated by the J\l)'C Dept. eing strong does not make some service) .... Eventually, he was removed of Health & Mental Hygiene. one a titan or hero. At ti1nes, in from his position. For many individu Bfact, it is foolish to act this way. als, visiting patients in nursing homes Executive Offices: A young woman who underwent a dif is very difficult - perhaps because they 649 Thirty-Ninth Street ficult delivery lost her child soon after are forced to face their own mortality. birth. I saw the father in the hospital What greater time to fulfill a challeng Brooklyn, New York 11232 corridor. It was obvious that he was ing mitzvah than when people are in acting very strong for his wife, yet, I those facilities. Queens Office: saw that he was hurting. I confronted 70-14 14/st Street him and said, "You have to be hurting. I Flushing, New York 11367 know what it's like. I, too, lost an infant:' TOUCHING BASE WITH THE He looked at me and started to cry. I PHYSICIAN took him around and held him. SERVING BROOKLYN, QUEENS, When a family or individual is shaken ften, when a family hears STATEN ISLAND & MANHATTAN up from hearing devastating news , it frightening news, they are is not the time to say, "Everything will 0 not able to digest everything www.challenge-ei.com be okay!' The approach should be that that the medical team tells them. It the Ribbono she/ Ohun can help, and is not necessarily time for friends to I 1.2:.______THE JEWISH 01~SERVER ,_,_ ~=·,'_'- _-_ '.''=l ~· ' get involved with the physician and advise them either to write some type of though, to express feelings of love and I his staff, who may perceive this as Iggeres HaRamban1', or to record their gratitude to his family now, while he an intrusion. It is proper, though, if feelings on tape. I tell them, "After you can still do so personally, and not just the rav feels close to the family, to do this, if you want to entrust me with wait for the family to hear it on a tape request the family's permission to the document or cassette, I will be glad or read it in a letter after he's gone. speak with the physician and clarify to give it to your family at the appropri Whether a patient should be the issues involved. It is also a won ate time:' I do encourage the patient, informed of his impending passing or derful opportunity for the rav to i-----C!a-ssica-1 ·-edi icUf epistfC .. by R-,lbbcin:ll .. _MoSile not is an in-depth discussion, not for give encouragement to that physician, ben Nach111an (l 194-1270) this article. Those involved in the care not only regarding this case, but in relationship to everything else that ~•_,,, .. he docs. 'fhere arc certain physicians OUR STAND whom I call before Yamim Nora'im to NOW YOU CAN wish them well, and express my bera cha that Hashem endow them with the PUT THE SPARK BACK gift of being able to cure all patients IN YOUR INSURANCE. who come to then1. It is also i1nportant for a rav visiting a patient to be aware that when the Call me today to hear about these new family is present, the ill person may optional features: New Car Replacement. not want to discuss certain things, so Accident Forgiveness and Deductible Rewards. as to spare their feelings. There will (718) 268-1700 be times when the family may want to speak to the rav out of earshot of the patient, as well. The rav must be aware that each of them has his or her concerns and needs, and that often, the patient and the family want to protect Martin Levy each other from any type of hurt. 103-20 METROPOLITAN AVENUE FOREST HILLS [email protected] Allstate® "IF AND WHEN I DIE ... " You're in good hands. 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I BROOKLYN, NY 11232 Haolatn. _j llFE COACHING of a terminally-ill patient should be aware, as should the physician, that the a pefla e family knows the loved one better than anyone else. If, in fact, the family feels read, • Each Daf is that this information might discourage translated, and explained the patient and hasten his demise, and slowly and clearly in just in a sense, take away his will to live, then 20 minutes the patient should not be informed. • 54 per tape( plus S&H) We have to be aware that many times, • Subscription rate: S3 per tape \plus S&H) when we try to hide the truth from the patient, the patient knows very well what the truth is. One must be aware that, legally, if the patient asks medical personnel to It hurts 10 c Get a cell phone • from the people you con trust! It hurts .... -Total Communication solut ons It feels better just to talk about it. That's 1·866-TALK·N·SAVE why we're here. Our staff is made up of (I -866-825-5672) caring and sensitive individuals. Together, we can help you explore your options. We e-mail, [email protected] can refer you to recognized professionals Customer service now ovoiloble for counseling, legal advice or help in from 9,00 a.m. - 12:00 midnight - Israel time! finding a safe environment. We can also put you in touch with some very special "'Cellcom Certified Agents Rabbis. But in order for us to reach out to you, you must first reach out to us. Confidential Hotline 1 . 8 8 8. 8 8 3 . 2 3 2 3 (Toll Free) 718.337.3700 Do it for yourself. (NYC Area) Do it for your children. Shalom Task f.orce 15 a 501{c)(3\ chantable organizat1011 .•..... , T1:1E JE\v1s1-1 Ons1-:RVEH I ------ ] tell him the truth and he is rational, illness. He did not guarantee any to do this work (of patient support) it may not be so si1nple to be evasive. thing, but explained that it elevates much longer. Rabbi Shach looked There may be, at times, things the those involved, and never hurts. There at me and asked," Ihr gleibt in G-tt? patient wants to say or do, and he n1ay are opportunities to accept many - Do you believe in G-dl" only be able to do so if he knows that neglected mitzvos, such as Me/ave I replied, "Most certainly." He time is lin1ited. But again) I en1pha Malka, coining to shul earlier, stay asked if I strived to be a ben Torah. size that though time may be limited, ing until after the last Kaddish, or not I replied that I try. He then unchar hope should never be relinquished. I talking in shul about business or any acteristically pounded his hand on re1nen1ber when a very close, younger mundane issues. For women, bentch his table and said, "Ihr tut G-tt's friend of mine was battling leukemia. ing licht on time; spending quality arbit'. - You are doing the Ribbono I spent n1uch tin1e with hi1n in the time with children; being involved, if she/ Ola1n's work!" hospital, and it was obvious that he family time is not sacrificed, in bikur We inust always rcn1c1nber that what was failing. While standing in the hall, choliln, etc. There is always something ever we do, \Ve are in fact doing Hashe1n's a physician approached me and said, that one can take upon oneself in work. ffiJ "Rabbi, I know that you are very close which 1nerit a loved one may have a with C.B. Let me tell you that he only complete recovery. has a few hours to live, as he is bleeding A five-year-old child had come internally." I entered the patient's roo1n to Milwaukee after being hospital and said to him, "Reb Chaim, how about ized in a New Jersey hospital for saying Vidui (Confessional) together leukemia. I recommended that the \Vith n1e?" child be brought to Rabbi Michel He asked if it was time, and I told Twerski for a beracha. Not want him that the physicians believed so. He ing, in any way, to mislead the i1nmediatcly called our rav- at the ti1ne, mother, who was not religious, I Rabbi Michel Twerski - who brilliantly told her that she should not be responded, "You should say Vidui today, disappointed if there was no cure ton1orrow, and for l 20 years." after this beracha. Yet, receiving When one is confronted with a family this blessing would elevate the whose child has cancer, there are a lot of neshama, the soul of her beloved questions, and it is a devastating ti1ne child. I explained to her that receiv for friends and family alike. The child's ing a blessing from this very special 11cshan1a is so pure. We have to en1phasize rabbi would be a merit for her as to the family that the Ribbono she/ Olam well as for the child. is a loving father. We don't know the How often do we daven by rote, reasons for tragedies and challenges in just saying words? We do not always life. One must realize that while people have proper kavana. When we have to tend to question the Ribbono she/ O/am plead for so1nething, we awaken, and in difficult ti1nes, this in no way reflects tejilla begins to really mean some a character defect. They are simply being thing. Without bitachon (faith), we hun1an. As difficult as it n1ay be, we 1nust would not be able to deal with life's always accept the decree of our Creator, challenges. "Beyado afkid ruchi be'eis despite having questions. A family should ishan vc'a'ira. Ve'iln ruchi geviyasi, be encouraged to put their full trust in Hashem li ve'lo irah - Into His Hand, Hakadosh Baruch Hu, and to understand I shall entrust my spirit when I sleep that while anger at times is norn1al, noth and when I awaken. With my spirit ing can really be accomplished without [shall] my body /remain]; Hashem is Hashen1's intervention. with me, and I shall not fear." (from Adon O/am) Fifteen years ago, I was visiting IMPROVEMENT, WITHOUT with Rabbi Shach ., .. ,,,, who had GUAHANTEES many colleagues and students who had come to Milwaukee for open found it very helpful when a rav heart surgery. I told the gadol hador rccomn1ended taking on certain that I was burned out, and that I I Lmitzvos! during my family member's did not think that I would be able --· ______J ···-·-·-·-·--·-··-·-····· . ··-·-·---·-···~ COMPASSIONATE HEARTS, HELPING HANDS --·---··------·--- .. ------.. ·- . ···------·--- RBARA A. OLEVITCH, PH.D...... , , . .... i' Partll n an article in The Jewish Observer in In the hope of helping Jewish families that patients are often not told about September, 2005, I wrote about how with and without Halachic Living Wills aids that could help them breathe and I I was unable to protect my mother maintain their vigilance, I have prepared "are often advised to refuse intubation from a preventable death in a hospice. the two brief handouts printed below. and die even though, despite severe I had hoped that 1 could help other Grandparents at Risk- Health Care disability, ventilator users with neu families avoid this kind of situation. Alert romuscular disease report normal life The Public Affairs Department of The ground rules of medical treat satisfaction:" Bach, Campagnolo and Agudath Israel of America (212-797· ment in intensive care units, hospitals Hoeman found that "health care profes· 9000) has prepared a Halachic Living in general, nursing homes, and hos sionals significantly underestimated" the Will for each state, so that each 1orah pices have changed gradually over the life satisfaction of patients dependent observant Jew can create for himself a last few decades. Listed here are some upon ventilators.3 document making it clear that he wishes important facts that families might be If a medical teams asks a family to to have health care only in accordance unaware of. consider hospice care, it doesn't neces with halacha - that is, in accordance Medical teams no longer provide sarily indicate that the patient is dose with Jewish law. nourishment for every patient who to death. In order to carry out their loved one)s needs it. A sample of non-cancer patients who desire to be treated according to Jewish A medical team might assume (right met a set of criteria for hospice·eligibil· law, however, a family has to know when ly or wrongly) that a certain patient ity (but didn't select hospice care) had violations of Jewish law might be occur· would have a low quality oflife. In such a median survival of 654 days - that ring. If their trust in the medical team a case, they might allow the patient to means that more than one year and nine is too great, they might not realize that perish from dehydration unless the months later, half of the group was still violations are taking place. family insists that he be nourished and alive. Median survival for those who hydrated1• BARBARA A. 0LEVITCH. PH.D., IS A CLINICAL Medical treatment teams do not r---Bach, ui·:· ... Threats -to "iflformetf; adva;1ce PSYCHOLOGIST l.IVING IN ST LOUIS, M!SSOl'RI. directives for the severely physically challenged? SHE IS Tin: AUTHOR OF PROTECT/NG Ps1·c111ATR/C necessarily inform the family of all Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, l'ATIFNTS 4ND OTHERS FROM THE Ass1snoo-S1i1CIDI:.' possible life-prolonging treatments. (Apr. 2003) 84 (4 Suppl 2): 523-8. J\fovEA1TNT(PRAEGER, 2002.). 51-JE W01'LD LIKE TO Dr. John R. Bach, working in the 3 Bach, JR, Campagnolo, DI, Hoeman, S. Life fMANK RABBI ADAM WINSTON FOR CONTACTING lll'.R area of neuromuscular diseases, reports satisfaction of individuals with Duchenne mus AND SUGGESTING THAT SHE WRITE THIS ARTICLE cular dystrophy using long--tern1 mechanical ANO FOR !l!S HELP IN PREPARING IT. 'fttE ABOVE T-· "And''You s11·a11 Live.--by Thein ... ": ~Dad sur~ ventilatory support. American Journal of Physical >\RTICLE IS WRITTEN l.f(ILLUI NISHMAS CIJAYA SARA vived, thanks to guidance fro1n experts in halacha. Medicine and Rehabilitation, 70 ( 3), (June 1991) BAS Ht::U\/EN Ol'")l. The Jewish Observer, (Dec. '00) pp 13-15. pp. 129-135. 16 TttF. JEWISH OBSERVE!{ r-I ------... ------"------"'·---·----... ----·--··---- entered a hospice was only 23 days!'1 impossible for confused families to Don't assume that a medical team If a medical team asks a family verify whether their loved one is truly will antomatically tell you all the options to consider hospice care, it doesn't dying from a disease, or perishing from for life-prolonging treatment. mean that all the available treatments medical neglect and dehydration. Don't assume that the care at your are either ineffective, burdensome, or The dangers of hospices - the effects local hospice will be consistent with risky. of non-treatment upon the body- are Jewish law. Many hospice patients are forego not spelled out in the written hospice Consult inspired, halachically-com ing even ordinary care - for example, consent for1n. 6 Even if your relative at mitted physicians whenever possible, treatments that regttlate blood pressure one time signed a Halachic Living Will, even if just for a second opinion. or keep airways open and increase the he could still be enticed by the prospect Seek rabbinic consultation about probability of longer survival. Moreover, of greater comfort to sign himself into a medical decisions. in many hospices, they routinely dis hospice if yon don't discuss the dangers Purchase long-term care insurance. courage or even forbid any sort of"arti with him. Save money for future medical ficially delivered" food and fluids. Grandparents at Risk - Health Care expenses not covered by insurance. tm Even patients who are able to eat are Alert not discouraged from refusing food and Brief Summary fluids to hasten death. 5 Don't assume that the recommenda To keep families from "pressur tions of your medical team correspond ing" patients to eat, families are given to halacha (Jewish law). "educational" materials about how Don't assu1ne that your 1nedical tea1n food and fluids are"not neededn once will automatically nourish an elderly or the "dying process" begins, but this incapacitated patient. "process" is very loosely defined. Once Don't assume that medical person a patient is in a hospice, it is often nel will provide encouragement for a patient who is discouraged about 4 rOX;-E:·;-- La1-Hfr~1D-MZ-1\i{tr-K., z11o;g,-z., continuing treat1nent. Dawson, N.V., \Vu, A.'v\T., Lynn, J. Evaluation of prognostic criteria for determining hospice Don't assume that a patient with a eligibility in patients with advanced lung, heart, "terminal diagnosis" must necessarily or liver disease. ]our11al of the A1nerican I'v!cdical die soon. Association, 282 {17), {Nov. 3, 1999) pp 1638- 1645. 6!th.as cO-;:;;ct;;~n1y attentiO.n th::l.t thOSE- seek;·~ 5 Ganzini, L., Goy, E. lt, Ivtiller, L. L., Harvath, a second opinion regarding appropriate n1edical T. A., Jackson, A., and Dc!orit, M. A. Nurses' care for patients for whon1 hospice care has been experiences with hospice patients who refuse food tnentioned as a possibility may be able to find a and fluids to hasten death. New England Journal o( referral fron1 a new website being developed by Medicine, 349(4), {July 24, 2003) pp 359-365. Dr. Allen Lempe!, \vww.hospicescreening.com. You can! Just call "I I The Yitti Leibel wish could ·· Help.line. HOURS: Monday-Friday ...... Sam -l2pm speak to a Monday-Thursday...... Spin - l l pn1 Sunday...... 9ain -12pm, 9p1n -l lp1n frum therapist • 718(t¥srhr-;~?W Chicago ...... (800) HELP-023 Lakewood ..... (732) 363-1010 on the phone Cleveland...... (888) 209-8079 Baltimme ... (410) 578-11 ll Detrnit ...... (877) 435-7611 without giving ...... (866) 385-0348 Tmonto...... (416) 784-1271 The Rebbetzin Phyllis Weinbeig Branch of the Yitti Leibel Helpline T'!"!-' D)!•:i1::rn1 1ri:i ):0::1Dt7 ., TTJ :-:)tin ;-T'n rn:i•:•) '\)!') n·'J'n: '"~ K' :·nt'')ll my name." :1"!' l1:0::'1J 11"1 ;"l'i.'.'tl ., p :1''!'1.:'' ., 1:i·'J'~T Ft' '::; 'L'~)I Dedicated b Mr. & Mr5. Shmuel Boruch Wilhelm ------·-·- COMPASSIONATE HEARTS, HELPING HANDS ··------, - I r-=·REVIEWED BY RABBI LAIBIStJ BECKER !i I Visiting the Sick The Laws of Biknr other hand, when the Satan sees that Cholim, by Rabbi Aaron Glatt, MD. a person is about to do a rnitzvah, he (Mesorah Publications, ArtScroll atte1npts to turn him into a fool, causing Halacha Series) him to lose his common sense and his seichel, so that when he does perform the mitzvah, he does it not only in an A SELECT GROUP OF MITZVOS inadequate fashion, but someti1nes, in a way that contradicts the entire essence e begin each and every day of of the mitzvah. our lives by reciting Birchos W Ha Torah. This is followed by selections from the Chumash, Mishna FOUR PATHS TO BETTER and Gemara. Chazal chose the Gemara BI KUR CHOLIM (Shabbos 127a) that discusses the mitz- v• • m VOS whose fruits a person enjoys in this IsIll g This book, Visiting the Sick - the world, but whose principal remains intact n Laws of Bikur Cholim, by Rabbi for him in the World to Come. Included Aaron Glatt, M.D., is an impor- in this select group of mitzvos is that of the 1· ck tant tool in teaching us the ways (hala- bikur cholim, a mitzvah that Chazal talk s chos) to perform the mitzvah of bikur about in the most glowing terms. cholim correctly, sensitively and intel- The Gemara (Nedarim 40a) quotes ligently, and not letting the yeitzer hara Rav, who stated that whoever visits The laws Of distort our proper performance of the the sick is spared from the judgment mitzvah. This slim volume fulfills that of Geihinnom. Furthermore, it quotes Bikur Cholim dictate in a very competent fashion. The the passuk in Tehillim 41,3: "Hashem book is divided into four key areas. will guard him [from the yeitzer ham], The first, "Practical Bikur Cholim - and restore him to life [from his suffer- Firsthand Perspectives," begins with two ing]; he will be fortunate on earth [and essays by Rabbi Glatt about the medical everyone will take pride in him], and aspects of bikur cholim and twenty-five You will not give him over to the desire practical applications of the halacha. of his foes [in that he will have available It is followed by two additional essays. (good) friends]:' The greatness of the that the Satan is known as a "melech The first, entitled "How to Comfort a mitzvah of bikur cholim is inestimable, zakein u'kesil, an old king and a fool." Patient," is by Rabbi Simcha Lefkowitz, both in terms of the benefit it confers Many interpretations are given to these who writes that he himself was sick for upon the choleh and for the person who three pithy words. Perhaps we can add a number of years and therefore brings is visiting him. one. So1netimes, the yeitzer hara makes an acute perspective to both the visiting As with all mitzvos, however, the a person into a zakein, very wise, able side and that of the clwleh, and the sec- yeitzer hara sees the greatness of it and to see how to carry out an aveira in ond is Rabbi Mordechai Kan1enetzky's · attempts to intervene. Chazal tell us the best way possible. It gives him the "All About the Choleh;' which guides 'I wisdon1 to "cover his tracks" so no one us in how to focus on the needs of the l RAss1BECKER is Assoc1ArE ExEcuTivE Dmi-:cToR is aware of it, as well as to find ways to choleh. 1 oF AcuoAnt lsRAEL 01' AMERICA. justify his own sins to himself. On the Through his vast experience Rabbi 1 ~------····------·-· ------, _J f II 1°: J E W I S H () IJ S E I{ V E I{ r--······· Glatt is obviously frustrated by people ing visitors who suddenly appear in I would strongly suggest not inun who visit in hospitals without really their hospital rooms.) dating the patient with silly details thinking about what is about to tran • Amazing as it sounds, I've about what it feels like in a mis spire, and, though well-meaning, fail seen visitors there to do bikur cho guided attempt to commiserate. to consider the overall welfare of the lim wake a sleeping patient. Never, In the sensitive essay written by patient and the hospital setting. He ever disturb a resting patient unless Rabbi Lefkowitz on how to comfort a frequently mentions horror stories. We you're specifically told by the patient patient, he adds to this criticism of the will only burden our readers with three to wake them when you arrive. unthinking visitor: of them: • The last thing a patient wants In order to stem the flow of inane • Never enter a patient's room to hear about is how your Aunt Sadie questions, one patient I know had a without quietly knocking or asking or Uncle Morris had the same thing list of answers on his hospital room their nurse to 1nake sure it's okay and died painfully. Misery does not door numbered 1-30. Here are the to go in. (I've seen many patients love company if that company is first few: surprised and horrified by unthink- pessimistic, depressing and morbid. 1. Yes /2. No /3. Dr. Cohen /4. • The menu for the seuda is .- Ytie ·vai-i ·ceielirat.ion · 15 ·t0· 'tie limited to 3 courses followed by a discontinued. The L'chaim (held at regular dessert. the time that the engagement is • No Viennese table and no bar. announced) should also not turn into a Vort. .THE ...... MUSIC . THE WEDDING • A band may consist of a maximum .- .F.or' ·tyfil~a'i' ta;,;iiies: ·0ri1y· ·,i:cio of 5 musicians (one of the musicians invited guests may be seated at the may act as a vocalist) or four musi chassuna seuda. (The Guidelines cians and one additional vocalist. make provision for exceptional • A one-man band is recom circumstances - see full text.) mended. • The kabbolas panim smorgas bord should be limited to basic ...... FLOWERS & CHUPA DECOR cakes, fruit platters, a modest buf • The total cost of these items for fet, and the caterer's standard the entire wedding should not chicken or meat hot dishes. exceed $1,800. ··--··------··---·- ---··---~------·---.. ~------.. -----·- .. ------·---·------·-·------=-i NOVEMBER 2006 ----··---·--··------·-·----··-·--·------·--·--·-- ! Maybe /5. Tomorrow /6. Pizza /7. cheftza shel mitzvah." (As another visi ning with an instructive true story: 4 Weeks /8. Pickles /9. 11:00. On tor was once told, "I don't want to be A friend of mine, whom we'll call the bottom was written: Thank you your lulav!') Aharon, had been involved in bikur for your concern. Above are the cholim for many years. He told me that answers to your questions. They are he was once approached by a young all there. Please choose the appro MEASURING UP TO THE TASK man who related to him that he had priate answer. Do not burden the • • · • · • • · • • • • • • • • • • • • · · • • • • • • • • • • been in the depths of despair, and my patient or his family. bbi Glatt is sensitive to the friend, Aharon, had pulled him out of Finally, in an astute essay, Rabbi mpression that a reader might it. Aharon could not remember this Kamenetzky relates a story about when lliave that, perhaps, he is not up person at all and asked him if they the Bluzhever Rebbe was sick. A par to the task of bikur cholim and may had met and how he had accomplished ticular rash yeshiva called the Rebbe to inadvertently cause pain to the choleh, such an amazing/eat. "My mother had say that he would like to visit him and precipitate a chillul Hashem with the been in the hospital and was seriously fulfill the mitzvah of bikur cholim. The staff, or do something else that he did ill. She eventually passed away from Rebbe jokingly replied, "Jn the yeshiva not intend to do. Rabbi Glatt writes, that illness. I had just visited her and world, there are always two entities to "The purpose of this section is not, was feeling totally bereft, not knowing a mitzvah: the gavra - the one who is chas veshalom, to deter anyone from where to turn next. It was Motza' ei doing the mitzvah - and the cheftza accomplishing this colossal mitzvah, but Shabbos, and you and I went down in - the item being used to perform the to ensure that the 1nitzvah is performed the elevator together. You wished me mitzvah. With all due respect, I would optimally. \i\Then in doubt, as always, ask a gut voch, showed interest in what like to remain a gavra and not your a rav how to proceed." was happening in my life, and, frankly, The next section combines a series just smiled at me. I felt so much bet- of fascinating teshuvos dealing with ter because of that encounter that my KARKA IN lllTZ YISROlL bikur cholim issues from Igros Moshe, by entire attitude changed from that point Call Rabbi Gavriel Beer for information on Rabbi Moshe Feinstein, Yechaveh Da'as, on. I wanted to take this opportunity obtaining cemetery plots in Beth Shemesh by Rabbi Ovadiah Yosef, and the Tzitz to thank you even though it's two years and other locations in Israel. Eliezer, by Rabbi Eliezer Waldenberg. later." Important questions are tackled, such My friend was astonished. The hos- as the propriety of men visiting women pita! was only three floors high. How Eretz Yisroel's and women visiting men, whether one much could he have said in an elevator Most Reliable Shomer Shabbos can accomplish bikur cholim by tele- ride that short? Nonetheless, he had and English Speaking Car Service phone, the halachos of a kohein visiting made a profound impact on a member a hospital (that may have a morgue ofthesickperson'sfamily. Visiting Israel? Need Transport? attached), proper decorum when visit- I would like to suggest that the very -CHOOSE- ing a sick person, visiting on Shabbos, talented Rabbi Glatt pen a follow-up the responsibility of the community, volume along the lines of "Chicken Menashe Sopher's and much more. You won't become Soup for the Bikur Cholim Volunteer's Airport & Limousine Service an expert by reading these excerpts of Soul;' with heartwarming stories of the teshuvos, but it will vastly increase your incredible positive impact that bikur Celebrating 12 years of unbeatable service! knowledge and understanding of the cholim can have on patients and their OUR EFFICIENT fNGUSH-SPL.\KING OFFICE STAFF, FULLY-UCENSED, INSURED &: AIR-CONJ)JTIONED VANS, very great mitzvah of bikur cholim. families, not to mention the visitor and DR!Vf.N BY jE\VJSH, POUTf. DRIVERS, Finally, the book concludes with his family. Hakadosh Baruch Hu, in His ARE TAILOR-MADE FOR ALL OCCASIONS the two main sugyos in Shas that deal infinite kindness, has bestowed upon us 1. 718.360.5083 with bikur cholim - in Shabbos and this magnificent mitzvah of bikur cho- or 972.2.533.3425 Nedarim - and the halachic sources, lim. This volume, Visiting the Sick, has [email protected] www .msophera1rport.com Rambam, Shulchan Aruch, Chachmas helped us learn the dos and don'ts, ins Adam and Aruch Hashulchan, that deal and outs, whats and what nots. Let us In Israel: 02-533-3425 with Hilchos Bikur Cholim. now go on to inspire others to become In conclusion, this is an excellent involved in this awesome chessed and GU t~ volume, required reading for anyone fulfill bikur cholim in the sense of bikur , T , • who wishes to participate in the mitzvah - shedding light and warmth on the chol •. > •·· 1 N.'. ·... •.. ·. ' ..... c'. .... :. ,: of bikur cholim, whether in the hospital - the emptiness felt by one who is ill. Experienced Shadchan setting or at home. In this merit, may Hashem heal, with for all age groups This reviewer would like to humbly a refua sheleima, all the cholim of Kial ~·-·3_3_·:_·5_·_P_a-er 91_7_~_.5_~ --offer one suggestion m closing, begin- _:_ro~--·------J Fe.tudng high-qu•lity Ande"'"r·· · ·e···n·" Andersen® products 5 "' .....•:W"' r-=- •••• •.. ··~ ~ •.•. ] The name of the hospital isn't taking a tentative step into each room. They listened to the kolos, then thanked I ' Jewish, but, unfortunately, many "Would you like to hear the shofar?" me for coming, some with a nod of the I of its patients are. Few decline. head. , I blow shofar every year at Lutheran Some recite the berachos themselves "There's one more person;' the nun ' Medical Center in Bay Ridge, a neigh- from a photocopy of the text that I carry. escorting me said. "But she's out of it." borhood near Upper New York Bay, a Others ask me to read the Hebrew. Some In a dimly lit room, an old woman, few miles removed from the Chareidi men borrow the kipa that I offer. They IVs tied to her arms, lay quietly in bed, homes of Boro Park. On my annual thank and bless me. covered by a thin sheet. She was barely Rosh Hashana trek to the hospital, I pass That's the easy part. breathing. Strands of white hair covered through Chinese and Arab and Hispanic The hardest part is always the hos- her forehead streets, their stores and signs reflecting pice unit, whose residents have, in the The woman, the nun told me, is not a panoply of cultures. Reaching the opinion of their physicians, no more responsive. The nun didn't tell me the hospital after 40 minutes, Jewish life and than six months left to live. woman's name; I didn't ask. "She won't Yam Tov tefilla seem far away. The rooms are tastefully decorated, know that you are here." Until I enter the patients' rooms. the staffers are respectful, but the mood This is familiar territory for me. Each Then, surrounded year I blow shofar for by beeping n1oni- E DES OF A sedated, unconscious tors and handwritten ·• . • • · · • ' . · patients who appar- charts, the gravity of s ently don't know that I 1 a·..• p.·E·· R•· .. 1.•N·G·... .. ·.. ·.... ·· :: w~~he!~ ose presence ~~i::n~=~ISMbi~ r1e~f~ - exp Jl~:~n~r~~~~~~i,nd~ain to concerne ly enter are critically, nurses, the sounds of a if not terminally, ill. shofar can reach the soul Some are days out of ofa Jew who appears to surgery. Many will not be in deep sleep. live to see another Rosh In soft words that Hashana. My prayers, I have used before, I uttered earlier that introduced myself to morning, seem more the woman in the hos- real, more urgent, more pice. "Today is Rosh tangible. Hashana," I whispered. Lutheran Medical "I have come to blow Center, understand- the shofar for you. It ably, serves a largely should be a siman for non-Orthodox patient a better year, a year of I•.' base. The few people health:' I sec with kipos and tichels are greatly is always somber. I tread quietly, know- The woman did not stir. She did ' outnumbered by Jews watching TV on ing that if the Angel of Death crouches not blink. She appeared to be in a deep j the holiday or eating treife meals. Some bedside where someone is sick, here he coma. I are American-born, from assimilated embraces the cholim. I took out my shofar, a black, ribbed backgrounds; most are from the for- I make my way through most of the horn. ' mer Soviet Union, elderly, with little hospital unaccompanied. In the hospice Not wishing to upset her, I blew .I' knowledge of Jewish customs outside unit, an administrator, usually a nun in as softly as possible. I looked straight of a fluency in Yiddish. street clothes, always goes with me. ahead, giving the woman a few moments ] I introduce myself in English or For patients in end-stage condition, of spiritual privacy. i Russian or weak Yiddish, guessing the weakened by aggressive medical treat- The sound of puffed tekios and teruos ] patient's background by the name print - men ts, the sight of an unfamiliar face and shevarim filled the room. ed on my computerized chaplain's list or can be jarring. Someone known, who "G-d should give you a refua," I l,I the one posted in capital letters outside asks if they are up to seeing a visitor, said, as I tucked my shofar into a gray their door. if they want to hear the shofar, eases backpack. "Today is Rosh Hashana;' I declare, the way. "I don't believe this," the nun said. j s:;:EvE LiPMA;~0 uvEs iN Fo~~;sT 1-1r1.:;;;. This year I met about half a dozen The nun was Joo king at the old 1 is " srAFF wRnER FoR TuE Nr;w YoRK JEw1s11 people in the hospice unit. Most were woman. ] i \t<'r:E11:. sitting up in bed, consc1ous, but groggy. The old woman had tears in her eyes !@ ~·····------·--·------~ Teachings of a great Rav and Rosh Yeshivah here is nothing quite like a good Tstory with a timely message. And RABBI NISON ALPERT combined there Is nothing that enhances the an unsurpassed love of learning1 Shabbos table more than an inspiring a brilliant mind, and an almost insight on the weekly Torah reading. father-son relationship with his RABBI SHIMON FINKELMAN offers rebbe, the incomparable gaon, Rabbi a combination of both: an inspiring Moshe Feinstein 7">1. Rabbi Alpert insight Into the parashah illustrated left reams of notes on the Talmud, by a great story. Readers will be Halachah, and Torah thought. His greatly enriched and Inspired by son-in-law, Rabbi David Weinberger an enhanced understanding of the N"""''l?1, published much of Rabbi weekly parashah and by a host of Alpert's Chumash commentary uplifting and fascinating stories. in the Hebrew 2-volume Llmudei Much of the material in tills Nison. Now, this work presents book - the first of a five-volume a magnificent selection of Rabbi series - Is drawn from the popular Alpert's work in English. This is shmuessen of Darchei Torah's a book that will enrich Its every Rabbi Yaakov Bender and Rabbi reader. Menachem Feiler. Artscrol/ books are available at your local Hebrew bookseller, or direct from publisher: ?l.8·921·9000 • FAX: 718·680·1875 • OUT OF NYS: 1·800·MESORAH • TO ORDER ONLINE: www.artscroll.com Home DeliVIH\I Agreat way to start your day! 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Date------·----- Signature. ______ 0 Yes, I'd like a FREE HamOdia box placed in front of my home r-=------~---~---0V-E_M :- __E R--__ • ~---0 ;;_·~-~=-~------=··.~-- ·=-i ! MIRIAM KOSMAN THE GREAT MOTIVATOR changing the face of Israeli society. it would be difficult for them to study After years in outreach, I wonder Judaism while juggling school and wait t was a brainstorm. Perfect genius. sometimes - why didn't anyone think ressing, or clerking, etc. But the truth I looked out at the waiting room of of this before? After years of turning is that most Israelis are not highly I the Student Center as about twenty verbal somersaults in the air to convince motivated anyway to study Judaism in girls busily filled out their applications people to come to a Torah class, it's so its traditional form. And, unfortunately, and waited for their interviews. They refreshing to have them knocking down even if they were, the last place they were a perfect cross-section of Israel's our door. As an experienced outreach would look would be an Orthodox brightest and best university students. I worker, I know well the slippery preci setting .... The antagonism between the looked at the list in front of me: medical pice that for years we teetered on. How secular and the religious is no secret to students, law students, students of bio much do we compromise to get a secular anyone. So the question has always been, physics, nuclear engineering .... Where Jew interested in Judaism? How much "How can we circumvent the antago had they been all these years? "mysticism," "true love," mixing of the nism? How can we overcome the lack The idea of offering college kids a genders, "liberalism;)<' astrology;' do we of motivation and time?" The answer stipend to learn about Judaism started in have to offer them in order to be able is startling in its simplicity-thirty dol America and caught on like wildfire. It to begin the long and complex Jewish lars a week, per student. Call it sechar quickly spread here to Israel where it has growth process? How much do we have batala. Call it motivation. Call it what been nurtured by the tireless devotion of to compromise ourselves and our beliefs you want - but amazingly, it is enough Rabbi Eliyahu Ilani, director of Nefesh to make Judaism a bit more palatable to allow close to two thousand students Yehudi, and is now a tidal wave that is to them? And yet, here we had a room here in Israel to find the time to study full of girls only (the boys were at their Judaism intensively for four and a half MRS. KOSMAN WAS AN INTERNATIONAL LECTURER center a few minutes away) all clamor hours a week. FOR ARAClllM fOR TEN YEARS, A.ND IS PRESENTLY ing to learn authentic, basic, Orthodox WORKING FOR NEFESH YEHUDI, l'HE ORGANIZATION Dr,SCRIB~:o IN THE ARTICLE. SHI·'. HAS WRITTEN A Judaism with no apologies or excuses NUMBER OF BOOKS OF FICTJON FOR CHILDREN AND necessary on our part. And it was only THE FILTERING PROCESS YOUNG ADULTS, AND IS PRESENTLY WORKING ON A 7 p.m. The night and the interview BOOK ABOUT THE MALE AND FEMALE ATTRIBUTES ing would stretch on for another four ike all other programs that offer OF GIVING AND RECEIVING ANO llOW THEY MANI hours! a financial incentive, we had to FEST THF.MSEl,VES IN NATURE AND AFFECT HUMAN Most university students work to implement safeguards to weed RELATIONSHIPS, PARTICULARLY MARRIAGE. SHE L LIVES WITH HER HUSBAND, RABBI AVI KOSMAN, support themselves. Realistically speak out those whose motive was purely AND FAMILY IN BNEI BRAK. ing, even if they were highly motivated, financial. The program has developed 28 -----··------·------·------··------.... r--- THE JEWIS!-1 OBSERVER 1 a reputation for being exclusive and the train carrying thousands of years of an all-encompassing life system. All hard to get into. The students have to your ancestors falls over the cliff into the existential questions that plague fill out an application which includes oblivion. If you want to learn Torah 1nankind are dealt with here. What is writing a short essay, and undergo a and you are willing to make the time the purpose of life? Does life have any rigorous interview process. l'his helps commitment, bubbaleh, it ain't going meaning? Why am I here? Who put us to hand select our prototype students to be n1e who says no." The interviews me here? What happens after death? - girls from a secular to traditional are over and I a1n on the phone with my Judaism gives us direction in life right background, who are bright and seem boss. "Rabbi Ilani, I know you said you here. How can I build a meaningful life intellectually inclined. There are a lot only have money at this center for fifty for myself? How can I create a successful of outreach programs (never enough) but you have to let me accept seventy. I male-female relationship? Judaism is that are directed toward the amcha Jew. can't turn these Jews away. Please find e/ectrifyingly insightful about who men We are directed towards the acade1nic a way to take them all." and women are and how they merge. intellectual. The interviewing is like viewing a We will discuss how Judaism relates The program itself is demanding, cross section of Israeli society. ~rhere to the world around us in business, and we insist on compliance with the are the kibbutzniks, the atheists ("No, 1nedical ethics, animal rights etc. We requirements of the contract that each we don't even fast on Yom Kippur. ... I will try to understand difficult concepts student signs when she is accepted into have never understood why people do such as The Chosen People, and will the program. If a student 1nisses a class, - it is so inconsistent. No, I wouldn't discuss some of the relevant topics of we dock that week's stipend. If they miss think twice before marrying a non-Jew. today, like religion and politics. We will a weekend, they lose a big chunk of the In fact, my boyfriend isn't Jewish ... :'), accomplish these goals through lectures, stipend. We take the program seriously, the ones who have a warm feeling chavruta programs, and experiential and so do they - and it works. Every about Judasim ("My grandparents are tiyulim and activities. single week, I am faced with a full class religious; we keep all the holidays."), the Question: Are the boys and girls room of open, interested faces, sitting traditional ones ("We separate meat and separate? I in their regular seats. rfhrow authentic milk at home, but last year when I was It's fabulous. Everyone in outreach \ Judaism at people for some eighty in India for six months, I began wonder swore up and down that it couldn't be hours over the course of a se111ester, ing what the point of all that was."), the done. And we are doing it. Everything and you are bound to change people's ambivalent ones, ("My father/brother/ is separate, not just the students. We try perspectives. UJ1cle/mother/sister. .. [fill in the blank] as much as possible to have all female I start out with the official speech. became a baal teshuva a few years ago staff working with the girls. We do bring I "We can only accept a certain number and my parents got divorced. It really in male lecturers, but all the actual out of girls, so please sign the contract only broke up the family and I would like reach staff are female. Nothing needs if you are serious about the program. to know nlore about what motivated to be said about the compromises and If we can't accept you this se1nester, try them ...."). There is also a scary per dangers of mixed programs We have again in a few months." This is in line centage of students we interview who none of that. Kedusha is the prerequisite \ with our exclusivity pitch - it is hard admit straight out to being non-Jewish. for beracha. And how do we get streams to get in - but this is the club everyone And those are the ones who tell the of girls to participate in programs, go wants to be in. And the truth is, it is truth .... on trips, and travel abroad without boys becoming harder and harder to come around? By paying them thirty dollars up with stipends for so many students a week! each month. In my heart, though, I THE PROGRAM'S PREMISE Question: Are you presenting other I think, "Sweetie, if I have to turn the views? Isn't it one-sided to just present world upside down, I am going to find explain to the girls that the program the Orthodox view? What about Reform, a way to get you into the program. was established by a group of phi Conservative, Reconstructionist? (1'his You stand here in front of n1c, sweet I lanthropists who arc worried about questioner inevitably turns out ta be and innocent, full of misconceptions, assimilation. so1ncone who spent a sununer in the media-fed lies and misunderstandings, The prograni is based on the pre1n States or ivhose parents are Anglo Saxon a result of years of galus. You were a ise that an educated Jew is a strong - thank you, America!) hundred percent convinced that the last Jew. The more you kno1v about your No, we don't present any other views. place to look for truth and spirituality is Judasim the more likely you are to be This is an Orthodox program. The phi Judaism, and a little flyer, a little stipend, passionate about it and loyal to it. We lanthropists supporting the program are a little interview convinced you to try don't concentrate here on the technical Orthodox. This is the view they want one last time? I see your great, greats how-tos ofJudaism. We are not going presented. There are other programs on peering over your shoulder. You are the to teach you the intricacies of keep- campus, and you might like to try some \ 1 Lc~nce. ~ot~ar~: la~t ~op befor~ - ing S~bba~~···Kash~u~u-dasim~·-oftl~e~-s~h~t.you-ca~c~mpare~ contrast, but we stick with the Judaism THE OPENING SESSION chocolate and one hundred is for people that has been around unchangingly for who can't get by one day without at least a the past three thousand some years .... K. It's the first night. They sit bar. Group yourselves according to where Question: Are you trying to make us around in a sen1i-circle. They you stand on the passionate issue of choco religious? 0 don't know each other and late. They place themselves in the line There is only one way to answer they don't know me. l read the looks on and I start asking them, "Why are you this, and that is with honesty. As a their faces: "What did I get myself into?" on fifty?" "I can take chocolate or leave religious Jew, there is nothing I would "That woman looks so Chareidi." "Well, it.""Why are you on a hundred?"'~ day love better than to see all Jews following maybe I will just leave at the end of the without chocolate causes withdrawal 1brah and mitzvos. There is no way to evening and try for another stipend systems." The room is warn1ing up. make someone religious. The only one program." Or, « I can stick anything Let's do the same thing with something who can do that is the person himself. out for money ...." (Interesting statistic a bit less dramatic than chocolate ... Let's The purpose of this program is free - it is very rare for so1neone to leave talk about belief in G-d. The door is for choice. Without knowledge a person our program, and the great majority those who are sure that there is a G-d; the isn't choosing. He is just following the continue on for a second, third and even window on the opposite wall is for those tide. We give knowledge. Then, each fourth semester.) who are sure there isn't. The atmosphere person decides what to do with it. To break the ice, l get them all up changes as the roo1n takes on a n1ore And the purpose of this program is to on their feet. First, I have them group serious note. Shuffling. Moving back strengthen Jewish identity. Any student themselves according to eye color and and forth. Finally, who goes through the program comes birth place, etc. There is a lot of gig "I see you are standing at one hun out enriched in innumerable ways. gling and ca1naraderie as people move dred. What does that mean? Even without taking on any 1nitzvos, into different groups. Then I say, Let's "You are a hundred percent sure each person comes out infinitely 1nore try so1nething else. Let's rnake a hu1nan that there is a G-d. Can you imagine knowledgeable, with a much more graph. The window will be zero and the a life experience that might shake that mature and in-depth understanding door will be one hundred. Zero is for belief? of Judaism. people who have no connection at all to ''Personal suffering? Hov,r is that consistent? "You're standing at zero? You have absolute proof that there is no G-d? You aren't sure? VVhat chance would you give Him? "Hmm, well, maybe I should move to forty .... by Rabbi A. Portal The evening moves on. They keep regrouping for where they stand on The SEFER everyone has been waiting for! ethics, on tradition, etc. It is interesting It is better than any competitive sefer in the market. to see that many of the girls who keep Chazoras Hashas is now complete in eight beautiful volumes the holidays, etc. should be the ones covering the entire 39 Masechtos of Shas! who stood at the bottom of the graph for belief in G-d. The program has just I I' BENEFITS YOU CAN GET FROM THIS SEFER ? begun, no serious learning has been done, and yet, they are already beginning 1. To be well prepared for the Shiur to articulate and question some of their 2. To be ready to review intensively after the Shiur I life philosophies.1 3. To be able to test yourself I 4. Have Chazoras Hashas serve you as your Chavrusa I In honor of the publication of the entire Sefer Hachadash THE CHAREIDI )MAGE I L'Chazoras Hashas, we offer incredible savings - Was $yrS, now only $100.00 few weeks later, we grapple with I PLUS a bonus of three pocket size masechtos: stereotypes. Israeli society has Brachos, Shabbos and Niddoh, valued at $24.00 done its job well. The program Saving: $45+$24~$69.00 A I is really based almost exclusively on (718) 544-6544 1·~·-f a1n gr~il:eful to Yehud~-Bergmafl, cxpirt.011 E Mail: [email protected]; Subject: Chazaras Hashas group dynan1ics, for giving me the idea for this I exercise. ~··--· -----···. -····-- . ----- . ------. ------· ------·-- ___ __J TME Ji-:'\VISH OBSERVER r-=·········i lectures and textual learning. But occa I suggest to them that they have the sionally, we pause for station identifica option to choose the1nselvcs as a rep tion. resentative of Judasim. They can learn I ask for a volunteer to con1e up and and then choose how they want Judaism sit next to an cn1ptychair. "On this chair presented to the world. sits son1eonc tvho represents ]udaisn1 for you. Can you describe hin1 or her?" We make "housecalls" Adi starts talking. "It's a modestly Wo ME N's Ro LE dressed woinan." · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 718)972-4003 "~Vhat does she do?" The role of wo1nen is an intense IP. "Has babies and cleans her house." issue that arises often. / .. :i-•.,t<•.,b::>tv • "What are her goals in life?" She was thin, blonde and "She has none. After she got married angry. She sat on the edge of her chair, -- Specializing in small batim for a perfect fit. she lost them all." upright, tension outlining her body. The "What arc her fears?" room pulsated with her anger. It had ""fhat her con11nunitywill not think been an innocent, alinost blase discus- well of her." sion about motherhood. Her anger was "What ivould you like to tell her?" jarring and 1nade everyone sit up and "()pen your eyes and see how nar- take stock of their own feelings. Why row your world is. 'fhere is so much is it always the won1an? Why? Why is out there that you don't know and will it the won1an who has to be pregnant, never know. How can you live such a the vvo1nan vvho has to lose her good Proudly Presents narrow existence?" figure? The won1an \vho has to nurse the The 10th Annual "What would she like to say to you!" baby or feel guilty if she doesn't? Then, CONFERENCE FOR MENTAL "She doesn't even know I exist." \vhen the child gets sick, it's the won1an "How do you feel towards her!" who has to take off from work. And if HEALTH PROFESSIONALS, "! really don't like her. And it upsets she doesn't, and lets her husband do it, RABBANIM & EDUCATORS n1e even to see her." she is the one \vho has to deal with her Meital chooses a 1nan to sit on the O\Vl1 and society's assessn1ent of her as e1npty chair. He has a beard, is forty-five non-feminine, non-nurturing, and not a Crisis years old, and has a lot of children. He normal mother! She spat out the words. lives in Ycrushalayim and he meditates I was taken aback by her anger. Situations and prays all day(!). (This isn't the first "Noa," I said," you don't even believe time I have heard that - they really think in G-d. Who are you angry at for the in the Fram that that is what an avreich in kolle/ does injustice of the woman having to carry all day.) That is all he does. the child? Some mutations? The big Community "What are his hopes?" bang? The hunting vs. food gathering "He wants to n1ake 1noney and not to force? Where are you directing all this DECEMBER 24 - 25, 2006 do anything wrong. He wants to be very anger? This is the reality - it just hap- makpid on more and more things, so he pened. Are you looking for justice and Congregation ~eth Shalom spends most of his day trying to find ethics from nature? What does 'fair' have 390 J?roadw;,y,Lawtell<;e NY 11559 more hakpadot. He is especially hung to do with survival of the fittest?" up on modesty issues and spends a huge Surprise replaced anger. " I guess Fcffmore information a1nount of energy trying to Jnake sure on some level I do believe that there ca!Ior.z:n~ii);' that he doesn't think about anything is a degree of justice in the world. And ZO:t.862:.0661; imn1odest." here there is no justice. It just isn't fair. ·~.:· "What do you want to say to him?" We are so vulnerable!" And belying that "That he should open up his eyes. vulnerability, she looked as if she wanted ·~~~i;~'~;[email protected];~g · That he should get up and do some to hit someone over the head, the entire work. That he should stop looking down race of men. Co-Sponsored by at me. That I am not a tinok shcnishba(!) "It's all a game;' Noa continues. I made these decisions myself about "They are sending us mixed messages. what I want." And then at the last minute, they switch ~rJEWISHPR~~o The emotion in the room is raw. We the script. And you know who is left L =d;=••, w~~""':~·- ""' ;" •ho rn'd; "~"" "":omow ; r-:~=--=-=-~---==---=-=-~~~~~~~===-=·===-i 1 I am studying medicine. For years and ried and doesn't have children? But you picture is so real and so genuine. We live ' years, I have been told: study hard, get know what? You can't become a head in a society that glorifies male attributes. I good grades. You can do it. If you try of a department, if you are busy being But the bottom line is no one wants to i hard, you can be the top, the best. They pregnant and investing in a relation- give up being what they really are:' don't actually say the words - you can ship. You have to make a choice. Will be as good as any man-but they mean I be weird, a social outcast, but a great 'I 'I it. And I am. I have the top marks in my doctor? Or will I do what society expects YoM Tov IN THE OLD CITY class. I don't mean to be arrogant, but of me and be a mediocre doctor, sitting ' I have a great future in medicine. But in a Kupat Cholim office, handing out havous in the Old City. This isn't I you know what? When I am about thirty ear drops and antibiotics?" part of the program. They didn't . or thirty-five, the tune will change. If I After class she came over to me. Ssign a contract for this. Would don't have a child by then, people - my "Miriam, what you said tonight about they want to come? I think of my own 1'I family, friends, even patients and col- women really spoke to me. Western soci- Shavous in Bnei Brak - the richness so 1 leagues - will talk about me behind my ety has nothing to offer us about what it thick you can cut it with a knife. I can't back. They will think it's weird. What means to be a woman. No wonder I got bear to think what their Yam Tov will kind of woman is that, who isn't mar- so angry. The way Judasim presents the be like in Tel Aviv on the campus. Let's I offer it to them. Maybe they will want to come. I Digest of Meforshim .. .in memory In two hours, fifteen girls have signed of a loved one A up. We rent an apartment (the Old City I ')v1p7 in:::i ')v1p7 rArff merits them '.H\..J "eternal is ridiculously expensive during Yam GE'M pleasantness Tov), and I wrap up our pots and take Available at andlightto my daughters. My husband and sons LEKUTEI l.oAN the soul in stay home to be near the yeshiva. c/o Yitzchok Rosenberg r:°• IAll) Gan Eden." It's stressful; we are staying in a 1445 54th Street rLlflfJ He (Chafetz Chaim) tiny hole in the wall. The Old City has Brooklyn, NY 11219-4228 I To establish a perpetual Memorial or Honorary Fund at steps and more steps and more steps, 718-854-6701 one of our 31 branches across Eretz Ylsroe/, contact: and everywhere I go, I shlep the baby I 20 Volumes on Torah, Perek, Medrash, stroller, up and down, up and down. I Megilos, Talmud, and Tehilim. OZER DALIM feel like my arms are going to fall off. I Proceeds of sales distributed among D''7'T ,Tlll All-night learning hastily arranged, I sit Yeshivos and used for reprinting of vol 1301 Avenue K, umes out-of-print Brooklyn, NY 11230 in on some of the classes with them, and I (718) 434-2228 then run back to check on the children. PRICE: $8.00 PER VOLUME ii! OzerDalim Netz (sunrise) is fast approaching. I go I back to wake up my daughters, and we start the walk in the cool crisp air. The I trickles of people turn into streams and then into oceans. I I am exhausted, my arms ache, and as we get to the Kotel plaza, I somehow I GE SELECTION OF get separated from the group. I am left with my baby and Roni, and I begin to BORSA.LINO HATS! wonder if this was all a mistake. The We Also Carry sun is high in the sky now. The place Expert fitting • Courteous service I Brancl Nan•e is so crowded, you can't move. Roni, Shirts & Ties, for • Individualized attention • Hat cleaning & of all people. Roni is a kibbutznik, Big & Tall as well. going for her second degree in biology Renovating • Follow-up care long after sale at Discount Prices - intellectual, sharp, atheistic and your quintessential, say-it-like-it-is Israeli: "I don't believe any of this. It's all some I thing that was just made up in order to fulfill some psychological needs." I am , , • surprised that she has come at all... I ' she looks none too pleased. This was ]' I L:__ __ ------suppos:o ::ighligl:n:J t=••• . ~.~~;::,-;-=~' ,-;... ~ ~~ .. ~ -- -=-i missed dawn; it's crowded and hot. How become like you? I'd rather jump off the them. For the most part, many outreach am I supposed to create any at1nosphere roof right now!" (Kiruv is full of those organizations deal with populations of I without the rest of the girls? I look at ego-boosting moments .... ) lower socioeconomic status; they feel her face. She looks pretty grim. Maybe It's a long, slow process. The defenses less equipped to handle highly educated I should just take her back so she can are firmly and deeply entrenched, the groups. How many avreichim or their go to sleep. It looks like she has had struggles intense and real. I recall a wives would be capable of explaining enough, but do we leave the Kotel just conversation where I just had to laugh. the Torah approach to evolution? How I when we ca1ne? "J~oni," I say tentatively, " Miriam, l have decided that Torah is many could explain why a religious Jew "do you mind if I just say five minutes definitely true, but I have also decided I can receive an organ, but can't donate of prayer and then we can go back so am not doing anything about it." one? How many could explain the idea you can take a nap?" "How's that?" of The Chosen People to individuals l look down into my stroller bag "I heard Rav... say that even the whose raison d'etre is liberalism, equality and, lo and behold, I have two siddurim biggest resha'im only go to Geheinom and universalis1n? How n1any of them there. My daughter must have left hers for eleven months. I can live through could give a plausible and acceptable there. Should I try it? Roni is an atheist, eleven months of anything. So I'll get explanation to a girl who is studying as she has told me pointedly on several both worlds ... :· nuclear physics in university why she occasions. But, it's Shavous. "Roni, look, Ms.Atheist has all her bases covered! won't be encouraged to learn Gemara? l have two siddurim here. Would you She laughed and I laughed. "Seriously, For that matter, could they even give I like to say the Birchot Hashachar while Donna, what are you going to do?" an answer as to why women don't wear I an1 saying mine?" " Seriously, Miriam, Gcheino1n tefillin and tzitzis or make up part of " Sure, why not?" She opens the sid sounds like a piece of cake compared a minyan? How many of them would dur and I try to keep my mind on my to becoming religious ...." be able to speak to a liberal, left-wing I daveningas I hear her reading in a loud One of my closest friends, a former university student about the Palestinian voice next to me, "Shela assani gay ... kibbutznik who became frum with her issue? How 1nany of them would even She'asani kirtzono ... al tevi' einu lo /idei husband fifteen years ago, told me that understand why these are issues to this '1 nisayon." I steal a look at her face. She when she sits at a sen1inar, her heart population? The many articles about is involved, intense. l finish berachos bleeds for these girls when she thinks how every one can reach out notwith and say, "Okay, Roni, let's go back now. about the turmoil they will have to go standing, the reality is that often, contact You've had enough. I will finish davening through if they are courageous and hon with the uneducated Chareidi public, in my apartment." est enough to confront the issues that which has absolutely no understanding '1 She shrugs. "If you want to say some are raised. She said that after her first of this population's mindset, does more 1nore, I don't mind staying." Arachim seminar, she walked around harm than good. Much of the hadracha My heart skips a beat. I hand her in a depression for weeks. about kiruv that I read is referring to the sidd ur and show her" Shem a:' After Obviously, l don't have to ask, but I the segment of the population that "Shem a;' she wants to say sonic more. I do anyway. "And was it worth it?" has warm feelings for Judaism, but hand her Shacharis Shemonei Esrei, and "It's the truth. Truth is always worth little accompanying knowledge. For the then Mussa/ "Asher bachar banu ... " I it." population I am dealing with, a good glance sideways; Roni is crying. cholent and a little warmth just don't cut it. This is a population which is ARE CHAREIDIM EQUIPPED inundatedfrommorningtonightwitha WHY LIRON LOOKS GRIM FOR OUTREACH? deluge of negativity about the Chareidi · · " · .. · · .... · .... · .. · .. · .. · .. · · " · .. · .... · .. · .... · .. · .. · .... · .. community. Initially, they have no inter- I he Nefesh Yehudi Student Center are in desperate need of est in any warmth from us. In order I works in conjunction with we1norc staff. As the number to reach them, we have to turn their TArachim, who provide a lot of of students grows, we need stereotypes on their heads.And that can I' the lecturers and organize soine of the inore and more wo1nen to learn one on only happen when people arc educated, weekend seminars for us.After the first one with the girls, and to take on small well-informed and articulate. I seminar, I meet Limn. She looks grim. groups of classes. It isn't hard to find intelligent, articu- ' "How was it, Liron? Whafs on your There has been a lot of talk about the late wo1nen in the /rum community. ,\,' mind?" Chareidi world getting more involved It also isn't hard to find women who She bursts into tears. "You've ruined in outreach A lot of people are going are very knowledgeable about Torah. I' my life! You have proved to me that out there, knocking on doors, talking to Many women teach in high school and 1 secular life has no meaning! You don't people, giving home sessions. But when seminary, and Bais Yaakov has done a 1 understand. What are my choices? l can't I looked for women to work with uni- good job. But what is hard is finding 1 L ~1 my ~resen~ Ji~ anymo~. But~o - ~ersity st~dents~I ha~i~culty finding -~eop~ who ~i~rstand ~h~ mindset 1 33 ·-··-···· --··-- ·-··------····-·· ··- --··· ···=-i NoVEMBErt 2006 ·--···-· ---··----·------""' -----··-----~-- _"___ ' of the secular student. So we opened a with life philosophies of their own. They has produced fascinating results. training session grapple with a text together, and they At the first session, I asked the get into heated discussions. They invite women what they think [rum people them to their house for Shabbos. And SHAVUOS MAGIC AGAIN have to offer secular Jews. Most of them they come back every month for a four answered that we offer them a good life. hour enrichment program with us, for havous a year later. This Shavuos (One of the ironies that never ceases to n1ore knowledge and more information. was a two-day Yam Tov. I couldn't amaze me is how the girls feel bad for And beautiful relationships develop. Sleave my family for so long, so we the [rum women and the [rum women The women tell me that they love the decided to do the daring and invite the feel bad for the girls .... ) Their impres work. They love having the opportunity students to Bnei Brak. Fifteen brave sion was that these girls live empty, to reach out and touch individual Jews, souls came. miserable lives, and that they all come instead of sitting passively and resent Three in the morning: Our yeshiva from broken homes and are on drugs fully, hearing what the media spoon out connection cleared out the ezras nashin1 etc. I disagreed. While "deracheha dar without having any way to combat it. (women's section) of the men who had chei no'an1," and for genuine joy and been learning there. The cacophony of simcha there is no life like a Torah life, on noise greeted us before we even entered a more superficial level, that may not be AND ON THE OTHER SIDE OF the building. We climbed up the ancient, true. Many of these girls are principled, THE MECHITZA winding steps. I looked at Shir. She was idealistic people. Some of them come glued to the mechitza. Her eyes took from homes where their parents are or the boys, Nefesh Yehudi has in the boys pacing back and forth, the happily married, and some of them will been even 1norc innovative. The thumbs flying in the air, the pair in the be happily married themselves one day. Fhave opened a string of kollelim corner yelling at each other, the grand That is not what we have to offer them. with the goal of having a kollel adjacent father and seven-year-old grandson on What we have to offer them is truth. A to each university and college campus. the same bench - so involved, that they life without truth is not a life. May we The kollelim are for very high-level didn't look up once. I finally pried her all be zocheh to live it and teach it! learners, and have attracted son1e of away. As we were walking do,vn the the best avriechim in the country. This stairs, she said, " I always thought that was done with the clear perspective that religious people were like robots, plug ... THEORY TO PRACTICE genuine 'forah is the most attractive ging away, doing what they were told. commodity. And while the avreichim I never saw so much energy, so much o the women take the initial course. do undergo a training program, they are passion, so much excitement. And this is And then they plunge in. Jn the basically involved in high-level learning all at three o'clock in the morning!" Sprocess, they discover that there all day. Each avreich commits to learning are a lot of beautiful people out there \Vith university students, and the com - smart, thinking, caring, intelligent girls bination of the two schools of intellect A BACKWARD GLANCE t's the end of the semester. We have spent eighty hours this semes I ter learning, discussing, arguing, yelling, studying texts, and attending workshops. It's the last evening. The girls are there. The tutors are there. The atmosphere is light and nostalgic. The energy is positive. They sit around the room. It is time to reflect, to look back Rent a cell phone with the lowest at the semester. Thirty-five students, rates & best service worldwide .. .FREE eight tutors. incoming calls in Israel & many other I ask them if they can articulate countries! bow their perspective on Judasim has changed in the past six months. Free pickup locations! • Orit, bright, excruciatingly honest, Call for student, group & agent specials! and intelligent - a girl that every 1.877.CELLPHONE 1981 Coney Island Ave lecturer, even the one-ti1ners, knows www.travelcell.com Israel: 052-357-2900 by name because of her piercing ! I ·-·---··-·· ----·· -----·····--·--····-···-·-·questions ~------speaks~ook.~:J ,-- T H L 1 - feminist. I can1e into the progra1n live a lie ...."' and, at least at this stage of their lives, angry and full of hate. I believe in "If you had to describe Judaism the will continue their secular life style. But G-d, but I was sure that the Torah way it is presented in this program in right now, we have two thousand boys was written by a bunch of patri once sentence what would you say?" <:lnd girls in the program in Israel. Our archal men with an agenda . [She • "I always thought Judaism was goal is three thousand by next year, had treated me to a late night dis about martyrdom and suffering. I dis be'ezras Hashem. 1'hese are the doctors, I sertation on the subject) complete covered that it's about joy and enjoy the lawyers and the Indian chiefs of ' with explanations on 'vhich parts n1ent. But Judaisn1 maintains that the the next generation. No one who has of the Torah were grafted on, and only way to really enjoy is by using the been through our program walks out for what reasons.] What can I tell limits that the Torah gives." the same. I you? The won1cn I have seen in the program arc so1ne of the 111ost The emotion in the room is raw. We talk, fulfilled women I know. There are we discuss, we argue. They can learn still things that bother me, but I feel I that there is depth and meaning and then choose how they want here - things I knew existed but Judaism presented to the world. didn't know where to find:' • Yafit smiles her impish grin. We • "You can't have it all. Either you The 1nedia in Israel are doing a once had a late night conversation choose the best pleasures and give up masterful job of creating hatred for at one of our Shabbatoni1n where on a lot of pleasures, or you choose 'forah Judaism, a pulsating, passion I made the mistake of pushing a lot of pleasures and give up on the ate, angry hatred. We meet it everyday. her into a corner. She had said,"! best. Judaism chan1pions going for the But our students will be ambassadors. believe after everything that I have best." They will go out and change the face of heard that the Torah is true, but J • "I used to think Judaism was lots Israeli society. I can't count how n1any don't care. It is too hard to n1ake a of noes and don'ts. Today I see that it's students have told 1ne stories of their change, and I am happy and com a complex system to build man and professors making derogatory state fortable where J am.Jam not going society:' n1ents about Chareidi1n in class and to 111ake the changes." • "Judaisn1 is a n1enora that lights of how they stood up and defended '(So, Yafit," I had said, "if the the way for the whole world to fulfill them. One girl asked for help in pre rforah is true, and you aren't living its purpose of building a G-dly society paring a talk. Her professor had given it, docs that 1nean you are living here on earth." a lecture about how Chareidi won1en a lie?" are oppressed, repressed, suppressed Whoops! Not a good idea to and just plain pressed, and what's more, push a person into a corner like WHAT HAPPENS Now? they are suffering terribly in marriage. that. But it was late. And once the (sic) She stood up and begged to dif words were out, J couldn't take t's eleven thirty at night, way over fer. She argued so vociferously that them back. Though working with time. The girls don't want to leave. he allowed her fifteen minutes of the Israelis is refreshing because of their I "fhe car is leaving for its hour-and-a last session to present her vie\.v more honesty and willingness to grapple half trip back to Bnei Brak. Many of the thoroughly. She worked really hard intellectually, this was in front of girls will still be joining us for a sun11ner developing her presentation. She talked a group, and Yafit couldn't back semester. We say goodbye and they drift to our staff, and she found sources. She down. "Yeah) I a1n living a lie and I off into the dark night. was so happy to be given a chance to don't care. A comfortable lie is bet I get in the car for the trip back to prove her point, and then, for son1e ter than an uncomfortable truth." Bnei Brak. It's a short journey in time, reason, at the last niinutc, the professor The conversation ended abruptly. and an endlessly long journey in 1nind canceled the session .... What else can you say? Tonight she set. I think of the beautiful faces of the But any student \.vho participates in said, "Mirian1, do you ren1en1ber that girls. Let's face it. Chances are that only our program comes out with a vastly conversation?'1 the yechidei segula will take the plunge different perspective, and this program "Boy, do I remen1ber it[" and beco1nc shonzrei Torah un1itzvos. is a trickle growing into a strea1n, and "! can't tell you how often it echoes Who knows what the combination is that stream is fast growing into an in n1y ears. I know I an1 going to have to that produces the relatively few who ocean. May we all be zocheh to see make changes. I am the kind of person are willing to 1nake major life changes. "ki 111a'le'a ha'aretz dei'a cs Hasheni, who goes with the flow. It's just hard for Zech us Avos? Bechira? Personality? Life ka1nayin1 layan1 n1echasim - When the me to initiate change. But every day, J circumstances? There are a lot of stu- earth will be filled with knowledge of 1 Lto myself, -Okay,~ut I ~n't w~1~ to- - dents w~o~rl.~o through.. ~~r~g1~m--Hashe1~as w~ters~v~r.t~e~c~n~ r-===--=-~---=~---===-=--=--=~~~~~~~~~======-i i YITZCHOK GLUESTEIN i', one who stayed in one place for almost I 24 hours a day, conld wake up on the I first ring, didn't mind being bothered in order to help another person, and had a wife who was a tzaddeikes. The obvious candidate was Reb Yoseif He I.! accepted the task with tears, and prayed that only good should come from it. He was given a list of available volunteers, which he kept at his bedside, and when a call came, he contacted the appropriate person to handle that case. Another one of his projects was hachnasas orchim, to find shelter or hospitality for those who could not find any place to stay for a few nights. He placed pushkas in many shtils, and went each week to these shuls to give a one-minute speech appealing to people to help pay for renting several rooms in the neighborhood. What about food? Who can Forget He had several volunteers for that, too. But always in a way that would not be a burden for anyone. Mrs. A. cooked soup Monday and Thursday. Mrs. B. cooked ''Mr. Shatnes''? chicken Sunday and Tuesday. Mrs. C. o prove that you were a student includes a kosher wardrobe. made kompote (cooked fruit dessert), in any New York yeshiva or day Sha' atneiz is a biblical term referring also on Sunday and Tuesday, and Mrs. Tschool during the '40s, '50s or to the inclusion of wool and linen in the A.'s daughter-in-law picked it up and '60s, you need answer only one ques- same garment, which the Torah prohib delivered it to the rented rooms once a ti on: its wearing. The mitzvah is mentioned week ... and her sister did the same on \!\Iha was the man that canie into your twice in the Torah: Vayikra 19, 19 and another day. And Reh Yoseif coordinated classroom every year when the clothes Devarim 22, 11. the entire enterprise by phone. But buying seasons began before Pesach and sha'atneiz was the only item that truly Rosh Hashana to speak to the students in occupied his mind. broken English with a lisp and a heavy PROFILE OF THE ANTI Austrian-Ger1nan accent, and cautioned SHATNES PERSONALITY all the yingalach and maidelach that ...... LAUNCHING THE LAB there is a mitzvah in the Torah not to rely do we find in Jewish his- · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · wear any sha' atneiz and they must check ory a person who would spend Reb Yoseif, in his own words, their new clothes for sha'atneiz? R: II his waking hours for half described the beginning of "the .1 The answer to that question, of course, a century in pursuit of one mitzvah, Shatnes Laboratory." After he 1 is Joseph Rosenberger, whose 1oth yahrtz with the exception of Torah study. But spent half a year studying the nature of 1 eit is on 7 Cheshvan/October 29. some issues require devotion beyond sha' atneiz and how to detect and remove He was hardly what you would call an belief, and a certain type of personality it, he wrote as follows: orator, but he made sure that everyone to make it work well. As one who has "After Sukkos of 1940, I had a con- heard him. His message was clear and s pent years witnessing this, I can attest ference with Mr. Mike Tress and pro- simple. Much clothing contains wool to the fact that sha'atneiz is all that Reb posed establishing a ShatnesDivision and linen, and just as you wouldn't think Yoseif had on his mind. He was very under the auspices of Agudath Israel of eating any food that may be treif, do involved in other issues as well, but Youth. Mr. Tress immediately agreed not consider wearing any clothing that that was only because he cared so much to this, but asked that I prove that I .1 may contain sha' atneiz. A kosher home for people, and wanted to help others really know how to recognize linen. 1 as needed. He was the first dispatcher Six samples were given to me fortest- I Ma. Gi.uEsTElN, oF BRooK1.YN, NY, woRKs iN Ttti-: for Hatzalah. How con1e? you ask. Very ing and the same samples were given 1 i SHA>N"' l ABORAH>RY L.::__ -- __ , _, __ ----- _s,imple .... Hershel Weber need-ed som~ ~o a textile laboratory. Their res:J THE J1.;WISH 0HSLRVER ·-··-1.------·----- I were the sa1ne as mine. Mr. Tress PROMOTING THE ANTI come to the Shatncs Laboratory and sent me to Rabbi Shlomo Heiman, SHATNES AGENDA tell us that they remember when Reb the Rosh Yeshiva of Mesivta Torah Yoseif came into their third and fourth Vodaath. Rabbi Heiman wrote me b Yoseif needed a lot of assis grade classrooms. a letter of haskama. The letter was ance to get this agenda across, The verse in Hebrew, "Lo si/bash posted in the Zeirei Agudah build R: o he turned to the Orthodox sha'atneiz," has three meanings: First, ing, and many chaveirim came to leaders of the generation - rabbanim "rfhou shalt not wear it"; second: "She have their garments tested. This and ba'alei batti111. They were instru shall not wear it"; and third: "You will proved how necessary the Shatnes mental in helping organize the full not wear it." The specific words in Division was. Almost every sec spectrum of Jewish Orthodoxy to Hebrew that prohibit an action are ond garment was found to contain encourage their members to have the same exact words that express sha'atneiz:'1• their clothing checked for sha'atneiz. confidence in the Jewish nation that The rampant use of linen in men's Such people as the Tzeilemer Rav, they will fulfill the Torah's mitzvos. suits in those days was no revelation Rabbi Gedaliah Schorr, Rabbi Nesanel Yehi zichro baruch. lliJ to Rcb Yoseif. The problem was how to Quinn, Mr. Zalman Hilsenrod, Mr. attack the issue. In dcr alter heint, cloth Irving Bunim and others aided him ing was made by a tailor, and observant in inspiring people to honor this Jews knew to instruct that tailor to keep nlitzvah. Several of them were influ away fron1 a wool-and-linen combina ential in getting clothing store chains tion. But the American systen1 of mass to introduce sha' atneiz inspection as produced clothing, with thousands of part of their service. Rabbi Herbert S. suits in one store, presented a new prob Goldstein and Mr. Mike Tress served lem. If you bought a suit on Delancey as President and Vice President of Reb corner Allen, could anyone (except the Yoseif's organization for 1nany years. tailor on West 34th street sitting at the Reb Yoseif himself knew that the sewing machine) tell you what the seam future lies with the youth. Teach binders were made oP. The necessity of then1 when they are young, and even a lab was obviqus. in their old age they will not stray. TI1e chaveirin 1oU.cirei Agudah respond So he took to the subways and buses, ed favorably; they knew Reb Yoseif. At that and visited just about every yeshiva •Serving families, couples tin1e, he was living on the top floor of the classroom in New York City. All the and individuals Agudah building, at 616 Bedford Avenue teachers knew that before Yo111 Tov, •Utilizing Torah principles in Williamsburgh, with other World War Mr. Rosenberger would appear. His to enhance life skills II refogees. But the population at large three-minute speeches will always didn't buy it yet. People do not want to be be remembered, and while he spoke •Yiddish, Hebrew and English considered gullible, and besides, clothing to the students about the mitzvah of speaking social workers is very personal. The 1noment you invade sha'atneiz, he inserted a cute anecdote. •No waiting room! Immediate son1eone's wardrobe, they become very ()ne of his fan1ous ones was when he entrance to private office. defensive, and only with a healthy Torah said to a class, "I have son1ething in my •Sliding fee scale for families chinuch and yiras Sha111ayim will people pocket that no one in the world has of moderate income willingly acquiesce to have their clothing ever seen, not even nie. You will see it •In Spring Valley, convenient inspected. Add to this the objections of for just a few seconds and then no one to NJ and NYC some inanufacturers and sales people who will ever see it again. Can you guess deal with clothing, day in day out. Their what it is?" Then he took a peanut out NO FAMILY TODAY IS WITHOUT co1nn1on response was, "Please don't tam of his pocket, opened the shell, showed ITS CHALLENGES. per with 1ny suits! You'll ruin my business. it to the class, made a beracha and ate Leave well enough alone." Occasionally, he it. That, for sure, they never forgot. THE FAMl~Y CONNECTION can help was physically thrown out of a store. But Finally, he ended his speech by urg you build a better family. all this did not faze Reb Yoseif one bit. The ing the kids to tell their parents about mitzvah of sha'atneiz is number 517 of the the mitzvah of avoiding sha'atnciz: if Zalman lachman, LC.S.W. 613, and not less in1portant than eating clothing has wool, check it for linen; Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Dire1;:tor kosher food. if it has linen, check it for wool. 845-425-4300 "i-·--s~.c- ar~<;·;·~fiiCy (~1t1~~(ii1;·;-;-Mik~. :-:-1-1~e-Lcgn;1; Reh Yoseif actually provided three generations with an awareness of the A PROJECT OF INNOVATIVE COMMUNITY SERVICES, INC. '1 of Reh Elimcleth Tress, Ch,1pter Nine, Mcsorah nonprofit 501(c)3 charitable corporation mitzvah. Even today, grandfathers L"""'" Ltd , ArtSccoll H1sto1y Scncs NOVF.M81'.R 2006 -=-i RABBI SHLOMO LORINCZ ! PREPARED FOR PUBLICATION BY YONOSON ROSENBLUM The Chazon lsh The Man and His Vision Part Ill Rabbi Lorincz represented Agudath Israel in the Israeli Knesset from 1951-1984, during which time he was an intimate of a number of Torah luminaries of the past half century. The extensive notes that he kept on those meetings serve as the basis of this series of articles on the Chazon lsh. THE Focus OF HIS CONCERN working on behalf of the Torah public. It munity was brought home to me by an was he who prevailed upon me to enter the incident at the outset of my public career. e focus of the Chazon lsh's activi- Knesset. And once I was there, he guided I traveled to Bournemouth, England, 1es from the time of his aliya to me every step of the way. He reviewed every for Rosh Hashana of 5713 (1952) to col T:Eretz Yisroel was, as we have seen, speech before I delivered it. He taught me lect money for Chazon Yechezkel Youth to increase the ranks of bnei Torah. At the what to say and what not to say. Village, which Zeirei Agudas Yisroel had sa1ne time, he recognized that nurturing a He did the same thing on the local level. established. In those days, many well-to-do generation of talmidei chachamim could He secured the appointment of my colleague people spent Yam Tov at resort hotels in not be separated from the ongoing struggles in Zeirei Agudas Yisroel, Reh Shimon Siroka the area. Prior to Maariv, on the first night between the Torah world and the secular '7·lll, to the Bnei Brak city council, and of Rosh Hashana, I was invited to speak Zionist leadership. received regular updates from him on what in the shul of one of these hotels. Those For that struggle, a group of dedicated was taking place in the municipality. gathered responded to my speech with and loyal soldiers, willing to devote their In the same vein, he made sure that only generous pledges. But when it came time time and energy to the cause, would be those blessed with an intuitive feel for the for davening, I noticed that the mechitzawa!i needed. The Chazon !sh therefore under needs of their fellow Jews were appointed very questionable. Rather than daven with took to guide those working on behalf of to head public tzeddakn funds. The reach the congregation, I opted for the seclusion the Torah-observant public at both the local of his concern extended even to the choice of my room in the hotel. and national level. of shul gabba'im, whom he insisted be both In addition to missing tefilla betzib No one knew better than I the Chazon honest and devout. bur, I failed to say Kaddish for my father, Ish's devotion to the small cadre of those whose yahrtzeit falls on the first night of Rosh Hashana. By the next morning, I RABBI ROSENBLUM, WHO LIVES tN JERUSAL~:M, IS A CONTll:IBUTING EDITOR TO THF JF:VoiTSH 01JSlo'J?\!F:R. "You ALREADY SAID KADDISH" had located a more suitable minyan. But HE IS ALSO DIRECTOR OF THE ISRAELI DIVISION OF · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · because I had not recited Kaddish the night AM ECl!AD, THE AG\JDAill ISRAEl.-INSP!RP.O EDl.ICA ow much importance the Chazon before, I forgotto recite it in the morning rlONAL OUTREACH EFFORT AND MF,DIA REso1mc1::. !sh attached to those who under- davening as well. In fuct, the entire yahrtzeit THE ABOVE IS BASED ON RABBI LORINCz's NOTES, took to serve the Torah com- of my father passed without my reciting WHICH ARE CUll:RENTLY BEING PllBl.IS!lf.D IN BOTH H l'HF. HEBRlCW AND ENGLISH fATf.'D NE'EMAN IN • Part I appeared in JO, January '06, Part II in Kaddish once. 1 ~>-:!.-·-----·------~------···--· October'06 ------%en!rememberedmyfailuretor:J T II E J E \V I S II 0BSF.HVF.R r-=--·····--· ··=l I Kaddish for my father, I was overcome with SOLICITUDE FOR THOSE the woman to my door. He replied that remorse.And I blan1ed my public activities, SERVING THE PUBLIC the mother could be a difficult woman, ! which had brought me to Bournemouth in especially in light of her circumstances."] the first place, for my failure. In my despon n the early 1950s, I was a frequent visitor can stand the suffering and inconvenience;' dent state, I took my failure to say Kaddish to the ma' abarot, the camps in which he assured his sister, «but under no cir for my father as a sign from Heaven that I I new in1migrants, primarily fro1n Arab cun1stances can I cause H.abbi Lorincz to should abandon my public activities. My lands, were housed. On one of those visits, suffer for it:' resolve on that point was firn1. just after I was elected to the Knesset forthe That story is made all the more remark Upon returning to Bretz Yisroe/, I went first time, I contracted typhus and had to able by the fact that the Chazon !sh was, to the Chazon !sh to inform him of my be hospitalized at Assuta Hospital. Prior to at the time, old and feeble, while I was a decision to abandon public affairs and the Yom Kippurof 5712 (1951 ), my wife went young man, in the prime of life. And he reason for it. I told hi1n of my intention to the Chazon !sh to ask whether I should knew that I would have been more than to return to the beis n1idrash frorn which fast. After asking her many questions, the happy to lift any burden from his shoulders I had been drafted. After hearing my Chazon !sh ruled that I must eat. that I could. explanation of the reason for my decision, On Erev Yam Kippur, I was shocked the Chazon !sh astonished me. "! do not to receive a visit from none other than Think You Are accept what you said;' he told me. "You did the Chazon !sh himself. In those days, Out of Options? recite Kaddish!" the trip by bus from Bnei Brak to Assuta I assumed that he had misunderstood Hospital was very roundabout and time- 1ne, and so I once again repeated the story consun1ing. of what had happened to me in England, Seeing my surprise, the Chazon !sh and added for emphasis, "! did not say explained why he had come. "I did not Kaddish:' doubt that you would follow my ruling It then became dear that the Chazon to eat on Yorn Kippur," he told me. "But !sh had heard me dearly. For he said, "You I feared that you would be distressed by are mistaken. You did recite Kaddish. What being forced to do so. That's why I came do you think is the purpose of reciting specially to tell you that just as it is a great Kaddish on a parent's yahrtzeit?When a son mitzvah to fast on Yorn Kippur, so is it a sanctifies the name of Hashem in public, mitzvah to eat with a happy heart [if one Why not try the new he is giving pleasure and bringing honor needs to eat J, as the verse says, 'Go and eat to his parent's soul. What could bring more your bread in joy"' ( Kohelles 9:7). With pleasure to your father than what you did that, he wished me a g'mar chasima tova 'Find a - foregoing your own personal comfort and left. to travel to a foreign country, where you The Chazon !sh undertook the entire Theraoisr had to daven without a minyan on Rosh arduous trip to Assuta Hospital just to service from Hashanah - as part of a mission on behalf ensure that I would not be overly dis- of the public? No formal Kaddish is greater tressed about being forced to eat on Yorn Nefesh International, than that!" Kippur. The Organization for Upon hearing those words from the Rebbetzjn Kanievsky, the Chazon Ish's Orthodox Mental Health Chazon !sh, my resolve to retire from pub- sister and wife of the Steipler Gaon 7''11, Professionals lie life dissolved entirely. That retirement once told me a story that highlighted the would not take place, as it turned out, for degree of concern the Chazon !sh showed another 33 years. for the lbrah community's public represen- www.nefesh.org Rabbi Chaim Kami! 7"'1!, the late Rosh tatives.lnalaterinstallment,hvilldescribe Yeshiva in Yeshivas Ofakim, once told me the Chazon Ish's efforts on behalf of two A free service provided by Nefesh International. a similar story about the Chazon !sh. The brothers falsely accused of murder. Their Chazon !sh had asked an avreich (young mother would come to visit the Chazon married scholar) to help a sickly woman !sh from time to time to inquire about with some chore. The avreich replied that the progress of the case, and each time the he did not want to miss his regular Mincha Chazon !sh would tell her that he would minyan because it was one of his parents' inquire of the one handlingtheday-to-day yahrtzeit. The Chazon !sh told him that an matters in the case. I was that person. Find therapists by act of chessed for the woman in need would These visits took up a great deal of the location, specialty, language be no less of a 1nerit for the elevation of his Chazon Ish's tiine, and one day his sister and populations served. Lnt'ssoul.·------a~e~h~~l~:did~o~1~ply direct ------·- ·------·---;;;;;-;...·.;;;;·-=;;.....;;===..;;.;;;;====N o v E M U t: H 2 0 0 6 THE CHAZON Istt's PRIORITIES him to convey a certain message to me. been to visit n1e today." · • • • · • • • • · • • • • • • • • • · • • • · • • • • • · · • Since the 1nessage was a complicated one, His solicitude extended not only to the uring the battles over comptd- Rabbi Steinberg suggested thatthe Charon public representatives whom he guided, sory national service for wo1nen, Ish ask tne to con1e see him. But the but to their wives as well. My first trip Dthe Charon !sh once summoned Chazon !sh refused. "I simply cannot abroad, after my arrival in Eretz Yisroe4 was Rabbi Shraga Feivel Steinberg and asked bother him again," he said "He has already scheduled for Mar Cheshvan 5709 (1948). That was in the midst of Israel's War of r.------~ Independence, and I feared that once out of the country, I might find it difficult to return. In addition, I was not in good health rzml"1T!!IS YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS·" ~ PRINTED at that time. INCORRECTLY ON THE JO MAILING LABEL? In light of these two considerations, We need your help to ensure proper delivery of the Jewish Observer to your home. I went to ask the Chazon !sh whether I Please attach current mailing label in the space below, or print clearly your address and should go. He first addressed the health computer processing numbers that are printed above your name on the address label. issue, and told me, "The needs of the klal override the danger to you as an individual. I will pray for your welfare and you will be healthy:' But that was not the end of the n1atter, as far as he was concerned. He Affix old label here asked me point blank: "Are you sure that your wife is fully reconciled to your going, \Vithout any reservations?" Name ______He knew that she had already agreed to my going, or else I would have mentioned New Address her failure to do so as part of my question. City, Yet, he still insisted on knowing that she State, ______Zip had truly agreed. From this, I gained an astounding Date Effective------ insight into the Chazon Ish's priorities. For Send address The Jewish Observer the sake of the public, one is permitted to changes to: Change of Address risk one's health, and rely on the power of 42 Broadway, 14th Floor, New York, NY 10004 prayer. But not even the public welfare can justify causing distress to one's wife; she Please allow 4~6 weeks for all changes to be reflected on your mailing label. We will not be responsible for back issues missed unless you notify us 6 weeks prior to your move, .J must give her full-hearted consent. L. ------HIS SUPPORT FOR ZEIREI AGUDAS YISROEL Entrance Examinations for e Zeirei Agudas Yisroel 1nove ment was close to the Chazon Ish's MASORES BAIS YAAKOV HIGH SCHOOL T:heart because of its insistence on for the school year M'"owri, 2007-2008, will be administered, unswerving obedience to da' as Torah in i1"'K, T"tnun 111wn '.K::> all matters. Just prior to the opening of the Sunday, November 12, 2006, 1:30 P.M. annual conference of ZAI in 1951, I went in our High School Building to the Charon !sh for his beracha. To my 1395 Ocean Avenue, corner Avenue I great surprise, he took his coat, and said, Brooklyn, New York 11230 "Come, let's go." He sat through the proceedings for a For applications, and further information, please contact Jong time. As I accompanied him home, I Masores High SChooJ, (718) 692-0537, ext. 224 expressed surprise that he had found the Transportation from other communities available speeches of the young members of such interest. "Actually, I heard nothing that Rabbi Yosef M. Gelman, /11enahe/ Rebetzin M. Isbee, Menahe/es General Studies Mrs. 1 Yanofsky, Asst. Principal interested n1e;' he replied. (From this I I I Mrs. S. Pinter, Principal, I '------~~~------~~-_-_..... __ ~duced that he had ~ent his entrre t:J I.!.__------··------·---· THE J1-:'\VISll 0BSFHVEI~ - =-1 ' at the conference thinking in Torah learn Shoenfeld, entitled "Violence is a foreign the leaders of ZAI, and told us that we must ing.) "But I wanted to sho\v 1ny support Offshoot in Our Vineyard:' publicize our protest against actions that for ZAI." On our own, we would never have are totally contrary to the way of the Torah. I once visited the Chazon Ish to describe publicly conden1ned the actions of Bris It \Vas crucial that we do so, he stressed, so a proposal formulated by Rcb Avrohom Kana'im. But we were instructed to do so that our own n1en1bers and other youth lZhein to build two vocational printing by the Chazon lsh himself He summoned were not S\vept up in such actions. schools in Petach Tikva. He blessed the project and even took some 1noney out of his own pocket to contribute to the endeavor. VVhen l expressed 1ny surprise at his support for this particular undertaking, which was, after all, far removed from his central concern of producing bnei 10rah, he explained, "We n1ust show concern for those vvho need a vocational school, in order that such students ren1ain within our fran1cvvork and do not bcco1ne dropouts :1?31~ rii:i:iii ibo fron1 our ranks, chas vcshalon1." But he continued:"Nevcrtheless, for that Now AVAILABLE IN SEFORIM STORES reason alone I would not have given such ON THE FOLLOWING nrnJOY.l: ·a large donation. My real intention \Vas x:i:i ,pll'i ,n:itv ,m:ii:i to strengthen the entire n1oven1ent, and ,J\J:JP ,rw11ip ,p7m to show my support for the way you seek p11i1JO ,nwi:itv ,tl'11i ,Xll'Yl:I x:i:i practical solutions to real problems, such nllll!Jnl rn7Nl!J as creating vocational schools for weaker Each packed with that students. I'm showing that support by giv review the N1l01 NJjll!J of the Nlm in ing a relatively large su1n to this particular accordance with nJ!lDln and •"l!Jl project:' written in Hebrew. Reb Avrohom Dayan 7""Yl, a ZAI activ ist of that ti1ne, once told n1e about his visit to the Chazon !sh on the evening of Recommended and used by D')Jnf)il 1'7m 13 Ches/wan 5714 (1953). He found the as well as a111n'm and a1nl 1'7vl for over 20 years. Chazon !sh lying on a bench on the porch, and looking even n1ore fatigued than usual. He kept his questions as brief as possible so as not to drain the Chazon Ish's strength any further. As he was leaving, the Chawn Why did the Chafetz TO SAVE lsh asked him, "What's new with ZAI? Have Chaim & R'Chaim TALMIDEI you accumulated great debts? How are the Ozer Grodzinsky CHOCHOMIM building plans going?" FROM THE PAIN AND The next day, the Chazon !sh passed start Ezras Torah? SHAME OF POVERTY. away. ! n an ideal world_ those who de\'Ole In Eretz Yisroel todity. E;;:ras Torah JI.fake a life of Torah devotion and their lives to Torah would be provides 1!011sing Eme1;1!_e11c:r commitment an everht~!ing edifice recogniri:d as the spiritual hernes Jfer/iad FHnrk u··(,y/db1,~ that will bring us the Rabhonim. that they are. Support Et:ras Torah's A.>si.11a11ce. HJ11l lfJl· St1/Jend1·. Dayonim and J.eaders of tomorrow\ VIOLENCE - A FOREIGN Zedak SERVICES PROVIDED: PASKENING ON EACH SPEECH .I OT, PT and Speech Therapy -·---·--··--~··-.-·-·---- .I Special Instruction -----·--··------·- uring the Chazon lsh's lifetime, .I Nutrition I sought his approval for every .I Vision Therapy speech that I delivered in the ·--·-.. -----.----- ·--. _. __,,._ D ___ Knesset. One such speech concerned ./ Psychological Counseling Early Intervention -·-·--.. ···------·-----·----.. ------A DIVISION OF WOMEN'S LEAGUE, INC. the election of Chaim Weizmann to a ,/ Social V\!ork Services second term as President of the State .I Parent Training of Israel. I had prepared a fire-and Therapies 5cn'll<'-' /1r(ll'idcd arc hascd on !he d1ild's 11cf.'ds brimstone speech arguing that a person ./ Unparalleled Service Coordination are performed as dctt•rmi11cd by tl1c NYC small rnsc/(l ------reason,lwasunabletogainanaudie:J T1-1E JEw1s1-1 Oss1·:RVER with him, and so I gave the speech to In the same vein, the Chazon Ish 1ne the significance of this visit, he my friend Reb Shimon Siroka, and asked once went to visit Rabbi Amra1n Blau replied, "That Reb Amram is sitting him to show it to the Chazon !sh. I con- in jail, after the latter had been jailed in jail is nothing to be excited about, tinued on to the Knesset. Having heard for demonstrating against Shabbos since the entire world is a prison. But nothing further, I assumed that the desecration, and I accompanied him. I'm going to visit the Shabbos, which Chazon !sh had approved the speech. When I asked him to explain to is in jail." IT.J At that point, I received notice from the Speaker of the Knesset that I was to speak next. Just then, an usher brought me an urgent telegra1n fron1 R.eb Shimon Siroka informing rne that he had the shown my speech to the Chazon !sh and that I should "bury it"; no reason was given. I inforn1ed the Speaker that I was foregoing my scheduled speech. Later, the Chazon !sh explained to n1e vvhy he had instructed 1ne not to deliver that speech. He began by offer ing me a cardinal rule on all public speaking: "Before a person speaks, he 1nust know what he hopes to achieve with his words." Then he applied the general rule to the case at hand: "Weizmann will be chosen by a wide margin regardless of your speech. In this case, there is no duty to protest. Therefore, your speech could only serve to damage any relationship with Weiz1nann, who in any event will be re-elected and who would only nurse a grudge towards the religious commu nity on account of the insulting tone of ~IS YAAKOVOF PASSAIC your speech." HIGH SCHOOL That was not the only instance where the Chazon !sh changed a speech that ENTRANCE EXAMINATIONS I had given him for approval. Rabbi Yisroel Grossman was arrested for dis for the 2007-2008/n"ott:ri seminating posters with a pe'sak of the school year gedolei Yisroel against national service for girls. In response, I prepared a will be administered speech protesting the in1prisonment of a pron1inent rosh yeshiva together with December 10/i~o: common criminals. at 10:00 AM The Chazon !sh did not like the tone of the speech, and dictated an entirely at the school building c different speech to me. Here is how his version began: "Know, gentlemen, 181 Pennington Avenue that nothing will happen to the rosh Passaic, NJ yeshiva even if you place him in jail with thieves and murderers. He will continue to i1n1nerse himself in Torah. For information and applications, But what a shame it will represent for 1 please call 973.365.0100 I the State of!sracl to hold a Rosh Yeshiva -' I Li'~ bars." ------·--·------·----···------····---·-·-·------.. -~ Monday:Tuursday: 9 am-5 Friday: 9 am-1 pm Your call will be responded to by a seasoned professional with expertise in areas such as: [IJ depression [IJ addictions [IJ trauma/grief [IJ domestic abuse [IJ eating disorders ~rillg the week of Asara BTeves. h~~#~~~s]t;\zi> ;mdBais Ya~kovswillremc~cf heroic efforts to t A" origil.al doamzentarg for tltt Natiooal R~ for gmlcs 7-ll. For tomplctc A-;ara BTeves ilssembly Program from assembly materials and copies of 1hc~; tire m Yt~;m'1tf"i~~U"n""f'i"b ~ --u>tn.'l~Jn:"~ avo_-_n ~ "MR rmn1 :rm t"t'1 Yr~.,.,., "1":1"" ~., ,..,,, liirn"• 'lffli> '>l> mMll> '"""""' 'm Yr~. '""' ~ ~ ,,,,,,, .,,..,,,,. ., ,..,., """ - ., "" 71l'!l .W'm mi> ,,.,,.,.. nym l'OlW. ~ ~""'°' mtmt .,..,, _,, VITI;> '>l> 'lr'lill1!1 mM1!l!J 'n! ,__ ,_, _____ ,,» '" ,,' " ' ' ," ~ ).4o de1ici'1us brantJ.:new .recipes ., Full-color photo of each .tecipe ~ Preparation and cooking times· for each recipe ~ Quick and easy table decor ideas ~ Building block recipes for innovative variations NEW! - BY REBBETZIN ESTHER JUNGREIS IFE IS A EST How to meet life's challenges successfully for over forty years, REBBITZEN ESTHER JUNGREIS has been a globetrotting spokeswoman for Judaism. Whether she is counseling a searching soul or addressing a packed house in Madison Square Garden, the Rebbitzen's message is elegantly universal, even as she speaks candidly to the particular needs of contemporary Jews. In Life Is a Test, the Rebbitzen's uncompromising convictions, her insights on faith, her soul--stirring wisdom, and her palpable love of all people saturate every page. Regardless of age or experience, people of all persuasions - or of none at all - will find meaningful substance in Life Is a Test. Rebbitzen Jungreis has articulated so many of our deep~ seated questions. And in this refreshingly personal book, she has graciously provided us with a decipherable answer key. rr 11·ah I I Lenb~ the incomparable Reb-~sl~ L"~~:::~·~~~~"~~~c~--~c·~~~~::~:c~~~--~" I "EACH DECISION COSTS ME to accept German reparation money. thrown at the building. BLOOD" The opposition Herut Party objected As with any major issue, I went to to accepting what it termed "blood the Chazon !sh to ask him what posi ne of the most heated debates money" from the Germans, and tion Agudath Israel should adopt in the in the early days of the State arranged mass de1nonstrations in front Knesset. After I presented to the best 0 of Israel was whether or not of the 'Knesset at which stones were of my ability both sides of the issue, he asked me, "Must you be present at the Most of us haYe several areas that con1· debate? At present, you are on sick leave. 'S e a ance pcte for our tin1e and attention. \Vhen Why not just remain in that status?" L IJ,; B l these areas are in hannon); you \Viii I replied that while my vote would ifi experience a \!.l!lJn nn1JYJ - peace of A Life-Coach n1ind - rnaking you a 1nore effective, happier person. surely not be the decisive one, and can befp you In 2-3 1nonths, using weekly private phone sessions you can learn to therefore, it was not crucial that I be develop and effectively take control of your lire. present for the vote, I still wanted to maintain a ~gij'L~uY~~~~~~o~~~4:i?L~::~cE> know for n1y own sake the da' as Torah wholesome · position on the issue. I will never forget l WHY COACHING? In1proving one's life 1neans n1aking change; and ba ance people need support and structure to keep distractions and obstacles fronl his reply, which gave me a clear insight between the swamping their dreai11s and goals. Coaching provides that solid fra1nework into what was involved in each decision important of support and structure. he rendered. areas oj I have over thirty years experience in helping people fulfill their drean1s. "People think that I produce hala l ;(. have authored books, articles and produced cassette progran1s your tJ-e. on this subject. and have taken special Ufe-Coach courses. chic decisions with a flick of the vvrist, FREE OFFER - I would be happy to give you a free telephone session. Please or that I shake them out of my sleeve. call CSA 845-352-1175 for an appointn1ent. Thank you. -MR. AVI SHULMAN You should know that every decision is Live a Life of Design, Not Default at the expense of my health, and that I pay the price with my own blood. I must mobilize all my strength to clarify the matter in light of halacha. "If it is imperative, I have no choice, and must sacrifice myself in order to reach a decision. But if it is not impera tive for you to participate in the session, Sheindel (Jeanne) Warman stay at the convalescent home and don't EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR bother me with theoretical questions that have no practical consequences Pinchus Lerner Ph.D. only for the sake of satisfying your CLINICAL DIRECTOR curiosity."