DOCSLIB.ORG

The Grip of the Holy Letters

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
The Grip of the Holy Letters | R’ MOSHE SOLOVEITCHIK | The Grip of the Holy Letters uring the first weeks following the liberation of Buchenwald, many of the former prisoners were drunk Dwith freedom. They could go as they pleased and take what they wanted from the nearby town. During the years of minute-to-minute existence under the oppressive Nazis, they could never allow themselves the luxury of thinking about the future, or even about the next minute. But now that they were free, they thought only of experiencing the present to its fullest. At that point, they could have stayed in Germany forever, enjoying the “good life” there. Working with these young survivors was an American chaplain, Rabbi Hershel Schachter. He understood that the first step in the long process of the spiritual rehabilitation of the survivors was for them to leave Germany. Working through international relief organizations, Rabbi Schachter succeeded in making an arrangement with the Swiss government, which grudgingly allowed the Red Cross to bring the youngsters to Switzerland for rest and recuperation. One young man by the name of Yoav Kimmelman had no intention of joining the group traveling to Switzerland and told the chaplain he wanted to stay in Germany. Rabbi Schachter knew about this young man; he was born into a pious Chassidic home of Gerrer Chassidim from Sosnowiec. At the age of sixteen, he was deported to the Nazi concentration camp kingdom where he endured four years of misery, only to learn after liberation that he was the sole survivor of his once large family. He, like many other religious Jews, stopped practicing Judaism in the face of Nazi brutality and its aftermath. Liberation and Beyond * 295 Rabbi Schachter knew what he had to do and he arranged with an American soldier to grab the young man and throw him onto a moving train headed for Switzerland. Although the young man resisted, it was to no avail; he was no match for the soldier. And so, quite against his will, Yoav found himself on his way to Switzerland with the other young men. He was none too happy but could do nothing about it. It took a few days for the train to reach the Swiss border at Rheinfelden near Basel. The engineer was not too keen on taking the refugees into Switzerland, and an American soldier had to be posted with him in the cabin to make sure that he cooperated. Once in Switzerland, the group was welcomed by the Red Cross and it wasn’t long before the camp in Rheinfelden became a center for many Jewish organizations, from Agudath Israel on the right to Hashomer Hatza’ir on the left, each trying to influence the youngsters to accept their particular ideology. Yoav was apathetic to the “soul hunt” going on all around him and refused to be taken in by any camp. He remained staunchly and unapologetically detached. One Shabbos, a prominent visitor came to Rheinfelden. R’ Moshe Soloveitchik zt”l , a grandson of the famed R’ Chaim Soloveitchik (Brisker) zt”l , had evaded the Polish army draft in 1937, and with a group of young men from Brisk, escaped to Switzerland. He continued his meteoric rise in Torah study in Yeshivah Etz Chaim in Montreux, Switzerland, and was already renowned as a gaon in all facets of Torah and halachah at a young age. With the outbreak of World War II, however, his idyllic life came to an end. He became a war refugee and was incarcerated in the Schonenberg labor camp near Basel, where he was put to work laying roads. Although it may have seemed harsh to him at the time, in truth, this was the standard procedure for all refugees; they were interned 296 * Heroes of Faith until their papers were processed and it was determined that they were law-abiding civilians who could be trusted that they were not secretly working for the enemy. Later, he was taken to a camp in Lucerne where he was able to continue his studies unabated. As a guest of Agudath Israel in Rheinfelden, R’ Moshe spent a Shabbos in the camp where he surveyed the various factions competing against one another for members. Late in the afternoon, a minyan for Minchah was organized and a tenth man was needed to complete the minyan . Yoav happened to be walking by at that very moment, smoking a cigarette. Someone approached him and asked if he would be willing to be the tenth man for a minyan . At first Yoav turned away – he truly had no interest in partaking in a minyan . However, upon further reflection, he realized that although he had no interest in praying, he had no reason to deprive others of davening with a minyan . He wasn’t doing anything of importance anyway, and so he went inside. Within minutes after the prayers began, it became apparent that they could not continue the services because no one knew how to read the Torah with the proper cantillations and accents. Even R’ Moshe Soloveitchik, who was standing at the front of the room, refused to read from the Torah, continuously urging someone else to do the job. But there was no one else; no one recalled the proper way to read from the scroll. An announcement went out: “Is there anyone here who can read the Torah?” There was no response. Requests for someone who could read the Scriptures continued for quite some time. Finally, Yoav stood up and said that although he had not seen a Sefer Torah for a long time, he could probably still remember how to read it. Liberation and Beyond * 297 The others looked at this bareheaded young man and wondered. They glanced over at R’ Moshe Soloveitchik, only to see him nodding his head in encouragement. Yoav put his cap on. Then, he took his place at the bimah , looked over the reading quickly in a Chumash , stood in front of the open scroll of the Sefer Torah , and began to chant the ancient melody and words. As he stood before the holy scrolls, he felt the letters reaching out to him from the parchment, fixing him in their grasp, riveting him to the spot in front of the Torah. He finished reading and wanted to step down, but the letters would not let him go; their grip on him was firm. The entire room was mesmerized by his performance and nobody moved a muscle. Yoav continued to stand in front of the scroll, long after he finished reading, and just stared at the words. The message was being transmitted right before his eyes. It was clearly the turning point in his life. He gave up his carefree lifestyle and embarked on the road to complete Torah observance. As he later observed, “The letters have not relinquished their grip on me to this very day.” | THE REICHMANN FAMILY | A Loan Repaid s the winds of war rapidly approached, most Jews in countries occupied by or maintaining cordial relations Awith Nazi Germany, concerned themselves with the real and mortal threat to their safety. A number of wealthy Jews were also preoccupied with the notion of saving their wealth for later retrieval after the war, by converting their soon-to-be worthless bank notes into gold and precious stones or transferring it to Swiss banks. 298 * Heroes of Faith.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Hamaspik Central Point
    YATED CLASSIFIED ADVERTISEMENTS HELP WANTED Yungerman/Chavrusa To learn with 9th grade bochur during 1st and/or 2nd seder in Monsey Yeshiva. Unique opportunity. Call for details Amazing Opportunity! 845.558.8604 Emet Outreach, a dynamic Kiruv organization located in Help Wanted Queens, NY, Secretary F/T, quickbooks Seeking F/T Office Staff a plus, detail oriented, Administrative Office Clerk YBH OF PASSAIC SEEKS GENERAL STUDIES HEAD TEACHERS: Self-starter, highly organized, • FIRST GRADE GIRLS Coney Island Ave. office. excellent communication skills. • FIFTH GRADE GIRLS Email resume Computer proficient including [email protected] Microsoft Office with Excel, and G Suite. Graphics and website MIDDLE SCHOOL TEACHERS management knowledge is a plus. • 6th GRADE - LANGUAGE ARTS & HISTORY Hours M-Th 10-6, F 9-1. Hours have Teachers • 6th-8th GRADE - MATH some flexibility. Seeking 6th and 7th Grade English Logistics Coordinator Teachers, all subjects, experienced, Motivated, organized individual Yeshiva in Brooklyn Sept. ‘21. Great with positive energy, excellent EARLY CHILDHOOD HEAD TEACHERS: pay, supportive environment. communication and computer skills to • PRE1A (PM) Call 917.921.7280 coordinate and oversee program and • KINDERGARTEN (PM) Email Resume w/ references & experience event logistics. Excellent multitasking [email protected] skills required. 30-40 hrs a week. (some eve hrs required) OTHER POSITIONS AVAILABLE: Kriah/ Early Literacy Opportunity Please email resume & salary requirements • LEARNING CENTER TEACHER-MIDDLE SCHOOL, GENERAL STUDIES SMALL [email protected] GROUP INSTRUCTION (PM HOURS) Ramapo Cheder Preschool seeking Kriah & Literacy in-classroom support staff. • ECD SECRETARY (AM) and ASSISTANTS or text 718.938.0138 Gain Kriah & Literacy proficiency while assisting experienced Moros.
    [Show full text]
  • Rabbi Yosef Dov Soloveichik Rabbi Yechezkel Freundlich
    Great Jewish Books Course Rabbi Yosef Dov Soloveichik Rabbi Yechezkel Freundlich “Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik (1903-1993) was not only one of the outstanding Talmudists of the twentieth century but also one of its most creative and seminal Jewish thinkers. His stature was such that he was widely known simply as “the Rav” – The Rabbi par excellence. Drawing from a vast reservoir of Jewish and general knowledge, Rabbi Soloveitchik brought Jewish thought and law to bear on the interpretation and assessment of the modern experience. On the one hand, he built bridges between Judaism and the modern world; yet, at the same time, he vigorously upheld the integrity and autonomy of the Jew’s faith commitment.” Dr. David Shatz, Professor of Philosophy, Yeshiva University, Introduction to Lonely Man of Faith Biographical sketch A. Royal Torah Heritage a. born 1903, in Pruzhany (then Russia, next Poland, now Belarus). b. He came from a Rabbinic dynasty dating back some 200 years: His paternal grandfather was Rabbi Chaim Soloveitchik, and his great-grandfather and namesake was Rabbi Yosef Dov Soloveitchik, the Beis HaLevi. His great-great- grandfather was Rabbi Naftali Zvi Yehuda Berlin (The Netziv), and his great- great-great-great grandfather was Rabbi Chaim Volozhin. On his maternal line, he was a grandson of Rabbi Eliyahu Feinstein and his wife Guta Feinstein, née Davidovitch, who, in turn, was a descendant of a long line of Kapulyan rabbis, and of the Tosafot Yom Tov, the Shelah, the Maharshal, and Rashi. c. His father, Rabbi Moshe Soloveichik preceded him as head of the RIETS rabbinical school at Yeshiva University.
    [Show full text]
  • Contemporary Gender Thought in Islam and Judaism: the Position of Women According to Ayatollah Morteza Mutahhari and Rabbi Joseph Dov Soloveitchik
    Contemporary Gender Thought in Islam and Judaism: The Position of Women According to Ayatollah Morteza Mutahhari and Rabbi Joseph Dov Soloveitchik Khadijeh Zolghadr A Thesis Presented to the Department of Religion Concordia University Montreal, Quebec, Canada In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Religion) June 2013 Zolghadr ii Zolghadr iii Abstract In a basic outlook shared by Islam and Judaism, addressed in this study, man is born as man and woman as woman, so that manhood and womanhood are natural states entailing different personalities, rights, and responsibilities. In other words, in both the Islamic and Jewish worldviews, man and woman are created differently in order to accomplish different tasks, which are finally aimed together at the single objective of obeying and encountering God. This basic conception is faithfully reflected in the numerous detailed regulations of these two law-centered traditions. A study of gender issues in Islam and Judaism is thus bound to take into account how the status of the genders is defined in the tradition; how the different positions prescribed for men and women are thought to serve humanity in its journey to God; and whether those positions entail superiority and inferiority. In light of this outlook the present study offers a critical appreciation of the views on gender of two prominent clerical authorities, one each from the Muslim and Jewish traditions: Ayatollah Morteza Mutahhari (1920-1979 CE) and Rabbi Joseph Dov Soloveitchik (1903-1993 CE). This thesis constitutes the first attempt to draw a comparison of gender thought at the heart of Judaism and Islam in modern times, through two influential scholars devoted and loyal to the original principles of their religions.
    [Show full text]
  • Winter2011d Layout 1
    Tribute By Nachama Soloveichik A tribute to Rav Ahron Soloveichik marking his tenth yahrtzeit (18 Tishrei 5762) Rav Ahron Soloveichik, zt”l, 1917-2001 Photo: Yeshiva University Archives 54 I JEWISH ACTION Winter 5772/2011 y grandfather was civil rights, but as a physically fragile man who personified strength, perseverance and love. famous. At some My most salient memory of my grandfather is utterly point in my life, I mundane: I remember him walking up and down the stair- figured that out. way in his home. If this sounds strange, you have to imagine the grand U-shaped staircase leading from the ground floor Rabbi Ahron to my grandparents’ master bedroom. What made for a Soloveichik was the youngest son of Rabbi beautiful architectural design was a very long walk for a Moshe Soloveichik, an esteemed rabbi in a man crippled by a stroke and dependent on a cane. Every morning my grandfather walked down from his long dynasty of Jewish scholars. But I bedroom to the dining room where he ate, learned, wrote, never saw him that way. and met with visitors. Every evening he made his way back As a child wiling away my summers at my grandparents’ up. Each step was accompanied by an intense cry of pain home on Ardmore Avenue in Chicago, our family lineage barely made an impact on my conscious- ness. There were signs I probably should have picked up on. For starters, there were always impor- tant-looking people who wanted to talk to my grandfather, and there was always a crowd filling my grandparents’ dining room on Shabbos mornings.
    [Show full text]
  • Rabbi Joseph Baer Soloveitchik S.Z.L (1903-1993) My Rebbe, Teacher and Revered Mentor: Rabbi Joseph Baer Soloveitchik S.Z.L
    Rabbi Joseph Baer Soloveitchik s.z.l (1903-1993) My Rebbe, teacher and revered mentor: Rabbi Joseph Baer Soloveitchik s.z.l. 1 1. Introduction and biography Rav Joseph Baer Soloveitchik s.z.l. (1903-1993 C.E.) was one of the most respected American Orthodox Rabbis, both a learned Talmudist and a modern Jewish philosopher. With accomplishments in both Halachah and secular studies at the highest level, he was a unique personality among all the Torah Sages in the world. He was a descendent of the Lithuanian-Polish Jewish Soloveitchik Rabbinic dynasty and was born in Poland, into a family for whom the study of Torah was central. Rabbi Chaim Soloveitchik (1853-1918 C.E.), who was a teacher at the world famous Yeshiva (Talmud Academy) of Volozhin was his grandfather and Rabbi Yosef Dov Soloveitchik (1820-1892 C.E.), the author of the Rabbinic and Talmudic work Beith HaLevi, was his great-grandfather and namesake. His great-great-grandfather was Rabbi Naftali Zvi Yehuda Berlin (1816-1893 C.E.), also known as the “Netziv”. The connection between the Soloveitchik and Berlin families came about through the marriage of a granddaughter of the “Netziv” (Rabbi Naftali Zvi Yehuda Berlin) to Rabbi Chaim Soloveitchik. The Soloveitchiks were Rabbis in the city of Brisk, a famous Jewish Kehillah (community) on the border of Russia and Belarus. Rav Joseph Baer Soloveitchik´s father, Rabbi Moshe Soloveichik (1879-1941 C.E.), preceded him as Rosh Yeshiva, head and dean of the Rabbinic Seminary or RIETS, the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Rabbinic Theological Seminary, at Yeshiva University in New York, U.S.A.
    [Show full text]
  • 92 SR0212 Lrb9210684rhrha 1 SENATE RESOLUTION 2
    92_SR0212 LRB9210684RHrhA 1 SENATE RESOLUTION 2 WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate wish to 3 express their sincere condolences to the family and friends 4 of Rabbi Ahron Soloveichik, who passed away on October 5, 5 2001; and 6 WHEREAS, Rabbi Soloveichik was a member of a family of 7 world-renowned Talmudic scholars with a history that 8 stretches more than 200 years; and 9 WHEREAS, Rabbi Soloveichik was born in Khaslavichy, 10 Russia, where his father, Moshe, was the town's rabbi and 11 represented the eighth generation of a Talmudic legacy for 12 scholarship that dates to the 18th Century; his early years 13 were spent amid a wealth of guidance from the Torah's 14 "giants", including the Hafetz Haim, the Gerer rebbe, Yitzhak 15 Hutner, Menachem Zember, and Shlomo Zalman Kahane; and 16 WHEREAS, After the Communist Party took power in Russia, 17 the Soloveichik family moved to Poland, and, in 1930, to the 18 United States, where Moshe Soloveichik got a job teaching at 19 Yeshiva University; and 20 WHEREAS, After earning a law degree and teaching at 21 several schools in New York, Rabbi Soloveichik became the 22 rosh yeshiva, or spiritual leader and dean at Hebrew 23 Theological College in Skokie in 1966; he founded his own 24 Orthodox Jewish School, Brisk Yeshiva, in Chicago in 1974 and 25 remained the head of the school until his death; after a 26 debilitating heart attack in 1983, he continued traveling to 27 and from New York's Yeshiva University, where he became dean 28 after his brother's, death; and 29 WHEREAS, Over the years,
    [Show full text]
  • Eiruv Tavshilin Rabbi Josh Flug Rav Soloveitchik on the Destruction of Chametz Rabbi Menachem Genack the Heart of the Matter Mrs
    Dear Friends, פסח will enhance your ספר It is my sincere hope that the Torah found in this virtual (Passover) and your Yom Tov experience. We have designed this project not only for the individual, studying alone, but also for a a pair of students) that wishes to work through the study matter together, or a group) חברותא engaged in facilitated study. להגדיל תורה With this material, we invite you, wherever you may be, to join our Beit Midrash to enjoy the splendor of Torah) and to discuss Torah issues that touch on) ולהאדירה contemporary matters, as well as issues rooted in the ideals of this time of year. We hope, through this To-Go series, to participate in the timeless conversations of our great sages. בברכת חג כשר ושמח Rabbi Kenneth Brander Dean, Yeshiva University Center for the Jewish Future Richard M Joel, President, Yeshiva University Rabbi Kenneth Brander, Dean, Center for the Jewish Future Rabbi Robert Shur, General Editor Copyright © 2009 All rights reserved by Yeshiva University Yeshiva University Center for the Jewish Future 500 West 185th Street, Suite 413, New York, NY 10033 [email protected] • 212.960.5400 x 5313 2 YESHIVA UNIVERSITY • PESACH TO-GO • NISSAN 5769 Table of Contents Pesach 2009/5769 Blood, Frogs and Lice Dr. Harvey Babich Feeling Freedom Rabbi Reuven Brand My House Is Your House: The Mitzvah of Hakhnassat Orchim Rabbi Daniel Z. Feldman The Mitzvah of Eiruv Tavshilin Rabbi Josh Flug Rav Soloveitchik on the Destruction of Chametz Rabbi Menachem Genack The Heart of the Matter Mrs. Yael Leibowitz From Darkness to Light, From Slavery to Redemption Dr.
    [Show full text]
  • Fine Judaica, to Be Held November 29Th, 2007
    F INE JUDAICA . PRINTED BOOKS, MANUSCRIPTS, AUTOGRAPH LETTERS & GRAPHIC ART K ESTENBAUM & COMPANY THURSDAY NOVEMBER 29TH 2007 K ESTENBAUM & COMPANY . Auctioneers of Rare Books, Manuscripts and Fine Art Lot 131 Catalogue of F INE JUDAICA . PRINTED BOOKS, MANUSCRIPTS, AUTOGRAPH LETTERS & GRAPHIC ART Featuring: The First Edition Judenstaat. Boldly Inscribed and Signed by Theodor Herzl. An Illuminated Hagadah. Ferrara, 1767. ● An Illuminated Mohel-Book. Potsdam, 1795. A 19th-Century Jerusalem Pinkas Shadar Ledger to England. A 19th-century Hebrew Manuscript of Australian Appeal. A Custom Mohel-Book from the Island of Curacao. Three Substantial Autograph Manuscript Volumes by Cantor Yossele Rosenblatt. Autograph Letters of Signifi cant 20th-century Substance by Rabbis Feinstein, Grodzenski, Kotler, Soloveitchik, Teitelbaum, etc. Set of Twelve Watercolor Designs by Ze’ev Raban. ● An Acrylic by Zalman Kleinman. Arthur Szyk’s Statute of Kalisz, along with a further three scarce Szyk Works from the1920’s. And From a Private European Collection: A fi ne complete copy of the Sepher Ha’Ikrim, Soncino 1486. Along with important Early Printed Books from the same Collection, featuring books from the presses at: Fano, Pesaro, Rimini, Ortona, Riva di Trento, Constantinople, Salonika, Augsburg, Cracow etc. (Short-Title Index in Hebrew available upon request) ——— To be Offered for Sale by Auction, Thursday, 29th November, 2007, at 3:00 pm precisely ——— Viewing Beforehand on: Sunday 25th November - 10:00 am - 5:00 pm Monday 26th November - 10:00 am - 5:00 pm Tuesday, 27th November - 10:00 am - 5:00 pm Wednesday, 28th November - 10:00 am - 5:00 pm Thursday, 29th November - 10:00 am - 2:30 pm This Sale may be referred to as: “Kew” Sale Number Thirty-Eight Illustrated Catalogues: $35 (US) * $42 (Overseas) KESTENBAUM & COMPANY Auctioneers of Rare Books, Manuscripts and Fine Art .
    [Show full text]
  • Further on a Forged Letter of Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik
    Further On A Forged Letter of Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik Further On A Forged Letter of Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik By Mosheh Lichtenstein Rabbi Mosheh Lichtenstein is a co-Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivat Har Etzion. He is a grandson of Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik. It was recently brought to my attention that various readers of the Seforim Blog have expressed skepticism regarding the determination that the letter found in President Chaim Herzog’s archives and supposedly written by my grandfather, Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik zt”l (hereafter, “the Rav”), is a forgery. Moreover, some of the commentators have engaged in various conspiracy theories regarding the motivation and the accuracy of the claim that this is a fake letter. See here. Although I do not usually attempt to argue with such claims or engage conspiracy theorists and strongly suspect that penning this response will not necessarily convince those who refused to accept the original clarification, I will, nevertheless, attempt to present the evidence that the letter is indeed a forgery since I fear that future researchers may also question the denial and view the letter’s status as an unresolved issue. Moreover, since there may be sincere individuals who are indeed skeptical of a forgery claim regarding a letter whose subject is a controversial figure and may suspect that there is an agenda behind the denial of the letter’s legitimacy, I am presenting the evidence for their review and evaluation. Thus, if those who expressed skepticism are indeed sincere and open to evaluating the evidence, it is my hope that they will review the evidence presented below and recognize that the letter is fraudulent.
    [Show full text]
  • Rabbi Yaacov Neuburger
    So the Children Will Ask Rabbi Yaakov Neuburger Rosh Yeshiva, RIETS Chazal instituted that sippur yitziat Mitzrayim be performed in a question-answer format, as derived from the Mishnah in Pesachim (117a).114 The Emek Brachah (Haggadah, 1) quotes Rabbi Chaim Soloveitchik who observes that this specific format is one of the three elements that distinguishes the mitzvah of sippur yitziat Mitzrayim at the seder from the mitzvah of Zechirat Yitziat Mitzrayim that applies every day of the year. Likewise, the Rambam's codification of the seder procedures includes the question-answer format. Chazal instituted several practices that encourage children to ask questions, among them: removing the food early on, as if the meal was over (115b), dipping vegetables twice (114b), and distributing treats to younger members of the family (Rambam, Hilchot Chametz u- Matzah 7:1). Along theses lines, Rav Gershon Zacks (Haggadah Siach ha-Grid, pp. 8, fn. 1) suggests that the Rambam opines that one should add anything he or she can that will cause children to ask questions. Rav Moshe Soloveichik explains that the custom to wear a Kittel at the seder is meant to spark the children’s curiosity. This symbol of solemnity and sadness, donned at a time of redemption, will bring children to inquire about the custom. The Rosh emphasizes the importance of questions in fulfilling the mitzvah of sippur yitziat Mitzrayim. The Rosh holds that one can only satisfy his Torah obligation of sippur yitziat Mitzrayim by responding to questions that are posed. Rav Yerucham Perlow (Sefer ha-Mitzvot le-Rasag, Asin 33, p.
    [Show full text]
  • Yeshiva University – East Brunswick Pre-Med Internship & Community Learning Program
    Yeshiva University – East Brunswick Pre-Med Internship & Community Learning Program May 31 – June 23, 2013 • 5773 Welcome Meet the Students MICHAL LOSHINSKY This summer, Yeshiva University’s Center for the Jewish Michal, from Brooklyn, NY, is completing her first year at Stern Future is excited to partner with the Young Israel of East College, where she is majoring in biology. She isn’t yet sure Brunswick on an exciting new program: the Yeshiva of her career plans, but hopes that her experience in East University - East Brunswick Pre-Med Internship & Brunswick will help with her decision! Community Learning Program. The program will consist of ten YU students who will have the exciting opportunity to intern with and be mentored by doctors in 12 different medical and DEVORAH FARBER surgical specialties. At the same time, the students will learn and teach Devorah was born and raised in Charlotte, NC, attended high Torah in the evenings and become a part of the East Brunswick Jewish school in Memphis, TN, and currently lives in Atlanta, GA. Devorah is a junior at Stern College and likes to spend her community. This innovative program will assist YU students in advancing time volunteering at New York Presbyterian Hospital. In her their career interests in medicine, while simultaneously exposing them to spare time she enjoys playing the piano, singing, cooking, and a wonderful, warm and vibrant Jewish community. Additionally, it brings being outdoors. the energy and idealism of YU students to East Brunswick, where they will combine their engagement in the workplace with regular Torah study MAYA TSARFATI and volunteerism in the community.
    [Show full text]
  • The Thought of Joseph Dov Soloveitchik
    THE THOUGHT OF JOSEPH DOV SOLOVEITCHIK A THEOLOGICAL SOURCE FOR CONTEMPORARY JEWISH SPIRITUAL PRACTICE By Michelle Katz A Thesis submitted to the Faculty of Theology of the University of St. Michael’s College and the Department of Theology of the Toronto School of Theology in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Theology awarded by the University of St. Michael’s College © Copyright by Michelle Katz 2012 THE THOUGHT OF JOSEPH DOV SOLOVEITCHIK A THEOLOGICAL SOURCE FOR CONTEMPORARY JEWISH SPIRITUAL PRACTICE Master of Arts in Theology 2012 Michelle Katz Faculty of Theology University of St. Michael’s College ABSTRACT The transformations of the 19th century modern era had a large impact on religious life as rationalism and enlightenment could not sustain the soul. The Westernized Jew faced a predicament leaving behind traditional Jewish values to acculturate to a secular lifestyle. Joseph Dov Soloveitchik responded to this dilemma by presenting a Judaism that was God centred, rooted in traditional Jewish values and expressed in contemporary terms. My thesis will illustrate how Soloveitchik’s theology of suffering and prayer and his appreciation for the longings of the human heart have laid a foundation for contemporary Jewish practice in spiritual direction and meditation. ii TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT …………………………………………………………………….………. ii INTRODUCTION …………………….……………………………………………….. 1 A. Purpose of Thesis ………………………………………………………………. 1 B. Introducing Joseph Dov Soloveitchik ………………………………………… 2 C. Methodology and Chapter Outline …………………………………………… 7 D. Thesis Statement ……………………………………………………………….. 8 CHAPTER ONE Soloveitchik’s Theology of Suffering and Redemption ………………………………. 10 A. Soloveitchik on Suffering and the Halakhah (Jewish Law) ………..…………... 12 B. The Dialectical Approach of the Halakhah and Catharsis ……………………… 19 C.
    [Show full text]