September 2005 • ELUL 5765

VOL. XXXVIII NO. 7 USA $3.50 (Outside NY area $3.95) Foreign $4.50

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THE JEWISH OBSERVER (ISSN) 0021-6615 is published monthly except July & August by IN THIS ISSUE… the Agudath Israel of America 42 Broadway, New York, NY 10004. 6 Periodicals postage paid in New York, NY. Subscription $25.00/year; THE GAZA WITHDRAWAL 2 years, $48.00; 3 years, $$69.00. Outside of the United States 6 Taking Leave of Gaza; The Trauma of (US funds drawn on a US bank only) $15.00 surcharge per year. Withdrawal, Yonoson Rosenblum Single copy $$3.50; Outside NY area $3.95; foreign $4.50.

POSTMASTER: 11 Abandoning Gaza: Losing a Part of Ourselves Send address changes to: The Jewish Observer Boruch Leff 42 Broadway, NY, NY 10004 Tel 212-797-9000, Fax 646-254-1600 Printed in the USA

Rabbi Nisson Wolpin, Editor RABBI SHLOMO WOLBE k’’z, THE ALEI SHUR

Editorial Board 18 The Inner Dimension, Rabbi Yehuda Mendelson Rabbi Joseph Elias, Chairman Rabbi Abba Brudny Joseph Friedenson 23 Not a Talmid, But a Mislameid Rabbi Yisroel Meir Kirzner 18 Rabbi Nosson Scherman Menachem Shreibman Prof. Aaron Twerski

Founders 26 My Grandfather, the Mashgiach k’’z Dr. Ernst L. Bodenheimer Z”L Rabbi Moshe Sherer Z”L Eliezer Wolbe

Management Board Avi Fishof, Naftoli Hirsch Isaac Kirzner, Rabbi Shlomo Lesin, Nachum Stein

Managing Editor 28 Grandparents at Risk, Barbara Olevitch Rabbi Yosef C. Golding Published by Agudath Israel of America 31 Collective Tears, Rabbi Aryeh Zev Ginzberg U.S. Trade Distributor Feldheim Publishers 208 Airport Executive Park 35 Zahava Braunstein v’’g, Quintessential Keeper Nanuet, NY 10954 British Representative 31 of the Bayis, Esther Reisman M.T. Bibelman Grosvenor Works Mount Pleasant Hill London E5 9NE, ENGLAND ON THE AGENDA french representative Rabbi Bamberger 41 Fundamental Foolishness, Rabbi Avi Shafran 21 Boulevard Paixhans 57000 Metz, FRANCE israeli representative Intnl. Media Placement POB 7195 / 97 Jaffa Road Statement of Policy Jerusalem 94340, ISRAEL The Jewish Observer has devoted a great deal of space to belgian representative the perils of the Internet and to the need for everyone to Mr. E. Apter be extremely vigilant in its use. We have echoed the pleas Lange Kievitstr. 29 of our gedolim that it should not be in use, unless it is an 2018 Antwerp, BELGIUM unavoidable necessity, and then only with all suitable south african representative THE JEWISH OBSERVER does not assume safeguards. While its dangers must be recognized and con- Mr. V. Taback responsibility for the Kashrus of any product, PO Box 51552, trolled to every possible degree, our gedolim recognize that publication, or service advertised in its pages Raedene, Johannesburg many people and businesses require its use, and therefore it 2124 SOUTH AFRICA has not been banned. This is why we accept advertisements Australian representative © Copyright 2005 listing website addresses, but in no way does this imply that Dr. A. Dinnen 77 Birriga Road the gedolim or The Jewish Observer condone casual use of Bellevue Hill, NSW 2023, AUSTRALIA September 2005 / VOLUME XXXVIII /NO. 7 the Internet.

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Yonoson Rosenblum

silent on the Gaza withdrawal. The cars and apartments belonging to Chareidim and the Gaza most that can be said with confidence those who identify with the national Withdrawal about their views is that they do not religious world. view the withdrawal from Gaza, or Rarely in history has a democratic he chareidi community in Eretz other parts of Eretz Yisroel, to be hala- government willfully inflicted such Yisroel has assumed the role of chically forbidden. If they did, UTJ could deep harm on a certain segment of Tonlookers to the unfolding drama never have joined the government. In the population as that befalling the surrounding the Gaza withdrawal. addition, the Torah leaders do not feel Jewish residents of the Gaza Strip. The Though United Torah Judaism has that the security/diplomatic calculus is vast majority of residents of the tight- been part of the governing coalition so clear-cut as to render the withdrawal knit Gaza communities will not be in recent months, the party’s par- halachically forbidden on grounds of able to relocate together. Neighbors ticipation was by no means crucial to pikuach nefesh. and extended families, some of whom the process. Once he brought Labor have lived together for three decades, into his coalition, a determined Prime will be separated. Minister Sharon had numerous options The Chareidim: By No It is almost impossible to imagine to secure Knesset approval for the Gaza Means Indifferent that the lush, verdant Gaza communi- withdrawal without UTJ’s presence in ties were wrested from sand dunes the government. hough the chareidi community since 1967. It is even harder to imagine United Torah Judaism’s decision not has played only a minor role in them being rebuilt elsewhere. to join the anti-disengagement forces Tthe political process, it would be Those residing in 400-square-meter reflects the strong preference of the wrong to describe the community as homes, surrounded by yards and gar- Torah leadership to avoid casting the indifferent to what is taking place in dens, will find themselves living in decisive vote on matters of national Gaza. Most of the chareidi press has trailer homes one-quarter that size security, and especially not against the been replete with coverage of the after the withdrawal, if they are lucky will of the majority of Israeli citizens. disengagement, including photo fea- enough to have a temporary home The great Torah leaders of Eretz tures about the plight of those about at all. Meanwhile, their possessions Yisroel have been almost completely to be evicted from their homes and will be stored in a maximum of two Rabbi Rosenblum, who lives in Jerusalem, news items raising questions about containers on Negev IDF bases where is a contributing editor to The Jewish the security threats posed by the the heat inside the containers will rise Observer. He is also director of the Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. In my own Har to nearly 200 degrees Fahrenheit. division of Am Echad, the Agudath Israel- inspired educational outreach effort and Nof neighborhood, orange ribbons The Gaza growers, who presently media resource. (symbol of the anti-disengagement produce 12% of Israel’s agricultural forces) proliferate, and not just on output, will lose two growing seasons,

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and many of the farmers say that they Upon consultation with its rabbinic leadership, Agudath Israel of America has issued the following state- no longer have the strength to rebuild ment: what they did twenty or thirty years A CALL TO SHARE THE PAIN OF ACHEINU BAIS YISROEL ago. Equally troubling to the chareidi community is the specter of 26 shuls These are terribly trying times for Klal Yisroel in Eretz Yisroel. And it behooves us all, no matter our opinions on the wisdom of the imminent Israeli withdrawal from and yeshivos slated for destruction. parts of our Holy Land, to pause and share in the pain and anguish of our Jewish A recent statement of Agudath brethren in Gaza. Israel of America, published after con- Those residents are, overwhelmingly, idealistic, dedicated Jews. They are being forced sultation with its Moetzes Gedolei by circumstances entirely beyond their control to give up their homes, their yeshi- HaTorah, calls on all Jews “to pause and vos, their shuls and their cemeteries, to be relocated abruptly to new surroundings. share in the pain of our Jewish breth- Whether or not the decision necessitating that relocation is politically or militarily ren in Gaza.” The statement goes on correct, its effects are, unarguably, a deep personal tragedy for many thousands. to describe the vast majority of Gaza And so, during these days of Jewish mourning over the destruction of the Batei settlers as “idealistic, dedicated Jews, Mikdash, it is only proper that we include in our hearts and in our tefillos all those [who] are being forced by circum- precious Jewish souls who are scheduled to be uprooted from the land to which they stances entirely beyond their control have been attached for many years. May Hakadosh Baruch Hu see fit to return His to give up their homes, their yeshivos, their shuls and their cemeteries, to be remain in galus, and that the world is ceeded in robbing the community of relocated abruptly to new surround- still a very dangerous place, filled with all remaining shreds of public sym- ings.” That statement pretty much many sworn enemies. The great Torah pathy. sums up the feelings of most of the leaders always feared that the contin- But neither can the national reli- Israeli chareidi community as well. ual emphasis of the national religious gious community completely wash world on Jewish military strength, and its hands of them. Shehzak Tanweer, the glorification of military service as one of the July 7 suicide bombers in Not Universally Neutral the highest calling, could veer dan- London, may have been until recently gerously close to an attitude of kochi a cricket-playing young Englishman. t the same time, the Agudah ve’otzem yadi. But he blew himself up as an Islamic statement maintains a studied The swagger of settlers, with a fanatic. Similarly, the young soldier Aneutrality as to whether the gun inevitably attached to their belts, may have been raised in a secular “imminent withdrawal” is “politically has always been faintly unnerving to family in Petach Tikvah, before recently or militarily correct.” Chareidim – even those for whom the term galus Jew is connecting to a Kach group in Tapuach those who entertain grave doubts no insult. Admittedly, no one would through the Internet. But he killed about the wisdom of the Gaza with- travel the roads of Judea and Samaria with a yarmulke on his head. And the drawal on security grounds – have without a gun at hand. But to the Shvut Rachel resident was a long-time been notably absent from demonstra- chareidim, the insistence on exposing member of the community, with no tion against the withdrawal. (They oneself, not to mention one’s wife and known extreme political views. Their were better represented at the mas- children, to mortal danger on a daily actions will provide chareidi Jews with sive prayer gathering at the Kosel just basis, has always seemed vaguely one more reason to steer a wide berth before Tisha B’Av.) fanatical. around a strain of thought that they For all their sympathy with those The recent killing of four Israeli have always rejected. being removed from their homes in Arabs by a nineteen-year-old AWOL Gaza, most chareidim are still deep- soldier, whose mother had repeatedly ly ambivalent about the settlement warned the army that he was armed The Schism Within enterprise. From the beginning, Rav and dangerous, and the killing of Elazar Menachem Man Shach, l”xz, another four Palestinian workers by ver since Prime Minister Ariel opposed settlements, especially in a 38-year-old father of two from the Sharon unveiled his proposal for areas heavily populated with Arabs, West Bank settlement of Shvut Rachel, Eunilateral Israeli withdrawal from as only likely to arouse the animosity on the first day of the Gaza evacuation, Gaza, the plan has served to both reveal of the nations. will only heighten the wariness of the a deep schism in Israeli society between That attitude was derided by the chareidi world. the secular and national religious com- national religious world as reflective It would be grossly unfair to tar munities and to deepen that schism. of a galus mentality. And indeed it is. the entire national religious world The general public has been infuriated For unlike the national religious world, with their actions. Those actions are by the invocation of Holocaust imagery the Torah leadership never doubted anathema to nearly the entire national – yellow stars, prison camp uniforms, that even in the State of Israel Jews religious community, and only suc- comparisons of soldiers involved in the

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evacuation to Hitler’s S.S. – by oppo- children would not engage in further knife in our back.” nents of disengagement. illegal demonstrations. “For the secular elites, breaking Those opposed to disengagement Calls upon religious soldiers to refuse religious Zionism is the goal,” said are regularly portrayed as dangerous orders to participate in the uprooting of Rabbi Meidan. religious fanatics answerable only to the Jewish settlements have raised grave The uprooting, when it came, the word of G-d, as interpreted by suspicions about the loyalty of national brought with it the end to a certain them, who pose a mortal threat to religious soldiers both within the Israel naivete about the support of “the Israeli democracy. The civil disobedi- Defense Forces and among the general nation” that religious Zionism had ence campaign advocated by many public. Ideologically homogenous units of always claimed for itself, and the dis- opponents is widely perceived as a hesder yeshiva students are being reevalu- covery that it was not just a matter of a denial of the sovereignty of Israel and ated. Yet, any changes in the hesder system few narrow secular elites thwarting the a denial of legitimacy of Israeli democ- would make it difficult for many national will of the people. Ari Shavit, a secular racy. religious youths to serve in the IDF, in journalist who calls the Gaza settle- Secular Israelis appear shocked to which they constitute a very high propor- ment effort “pointless” but is filled discover that the ultimate loyalty of tion of the junior officer corps today. with sympathy and admiration for religious Jews is to the Divine com- the settlers, captures their bewilder- mandments. And they have been free ment well. The Gaza settlers, he writes, with their imprecations against the A Sense of Betrayal “built a model Zionism in the sand… a “messianic rabbis” and their follow- Zionism that is beyond time and place, ers. As long as that messianism was or its part, the national religious which protects itself with reckless confined to proclaiming the State of community views the secular abandon and buries its dead with deep Israel to be “the first flowering of the Fcommunity as having betrayed devotion.” The settlers maintained “on Redemption” and imbuing it with the it, and of having lost its attachment to the dunes of Gaza beach a form of lost status of Malchus Beis David, secular the Land, which once bound secular and Israeli soul,” only to discover that “Israel Israel had no problems. But now that religious Zionists. The secular world, in itself is already foreign [to that soul]. the state and the settlers and their rabbis the eyes of the national religious, has Israel no longer wants it.” are in conflict, all has changed. shown itself to be dead to all Jewish The withdrawal has occasioned a Even the pretrial imprisonment of history and experience. In a Ha’aretz good deal of soul-searching within the three young teenage girls for more than interview, Rabbi Yaakov Meidan, one national religious world. On the one a month for relatively minor offenses of the leading figures in the national hand, criticism is heard of exclusive failed to raise an outcry in the secular religious world, charged the secular focus since 1967 on settlement, and world. The girls’ incarceration became elites, with whom the national religious the cutting off from the mainstream in the eyes of many secular Israelis only world forged “an alliance based on love of Israeli society. On the other hand, further proof of the fanaticism of their for this land [and] the desire for revival there are questions being raised about parents, who refused to ensure that their of the State,” with having “plunged a the intense identification with the state and army as ultimate religious values, especially as the army is now viewed as an “army of uprooting.” Again Shavit: “The soil-bound Israelis of Gush Katif could not believe that the digital Israelis of Tel Aviv . . . would send against them the army in which they believed so much; would send into their homes the people in uniform whom they so loved….”

A New Dividing Line

f, formerly, many in the national religious world saw the fundamen- Ital dividing line in Israeli society as between those who serve in the army and those who do not, today many see the dividing line as between those who

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are committed to Torah and mitzvos rorist attacks. And Uzi Dayan, a former – a message that Hamas is drilling and those who are not. As Sarah Bedein, deputy chief of staff, criticized the deci- home at every opportunity. Both the a resident of the Jerusalem suburb of sion to abandon the northern Gazan Palestinian Authority and Hamas are Efrat, acknowledged, the bridge that settlements and thereby put Ashkelon's preparing mass demonstrations. Their the national religious world sought to oil refineries and port within easy range chant is: Gaza today, tomorrow the build to the broader society appears to of Palestinian missiles. Neither can be West Bank, and on to Jerusalem. have run only one way. The national suspected of deep religious sentiment. So the Palestinians have been religious drew close to the secular cul- Opponents of withdrawal on purely emboldened. At the same time, their ture – humming its tunes, following its security grounds, like Daniel Pipes, operational capacities will increase TV shows and sports teams – but the can easily construct a nightmare sce- greatly. Israel has agreed to the reopen- latter drew no closer to an authentically nario for the future. Every poll of the ing of Gaza airport and the building Jewish culture. Palestinians shows that they over- of a seaport. In addition, it appears Meanwhile, Mrs. Bedein admitted, whelmingly view the withdrawal as almost certain that responsibility for the national religious never joined a victory for the strategy of terror preventing arms smuggling from Egypt forces with the chareidi community on its great issues – chillul Shabbos, autopsies, protection of Jewish graves – preferring the “ways of peace” with the secular community. With the aban- donment of those ways of peace over the Gaza withdrawal, wrote Mrs. Bedein, the question must now be faced: “Could it be that in our com- munity Greater Israel takes precedence over kavod HaTorah?” That such questions are now being asked suggests potential for a fur- ther drawing close of elements of the national religious world and the chareidi world, as a result of the trau- ma inflicted upon the former. Rabbi Meidan held out such a hope in his Ha’aretz interview when he termed the national religious world's decision to forge an alliance with secular elites at the expense of “our more natural alliance with the chareidi public” a historical mistake.

Whither Israel?

f course, it would be wrong to view the debate over the OGaza withdrawal as only one between those who identify themselves primarily as Jews and those who identify as Israelis. There is a parallel debate about the short and long-range security implications of the withdrawal that does not break down along secular and religious lines. The recently retired chief of staff, Moshe “Boogie” Yaalon, for instance, predicted that the withdrawal will only lead to a major increase in ter-

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via the Philadelphi Corridor, which finding itself in the same position as Gush Katif and later from Ofra or Beit was porous enough even under Israeli South Africa under apartheid – a pariah El, but they cannot withdraw from the control, will be handed over to Egypt. state faced with a European Union eco- world in which they live…. There will In short, the types of advanced arma- nomic boycott. Hillel Halkin states the be no end to Israel’s vigilant existence. ments that the Palestinians once had to case for this viewpoint concisely. What, With or without diplomatic progress, smuggle in on the Karine A will now he asks, should Israel do with the two the country will live by its wits and by its nerves.” Not surprisingly, Peretz does not The words of Rabbi Shamshon Raphael Hirsch conclude by urging readers of The New Republic to turn to Hashem in haunt us. He writes: “From time to time in the prayer. But, as we contemplate the course of the centuries, G-d allowed His people dangers surrounding the nearly five to touch the Land again. He put them to the test million Jewish citizens of Israel on all sides, we must recognize that just to see whether the miracle of their existence like our ancestors at the Yam, we have through centuries of exile had at last taught nowhere to turn other than towards them to utterly despise the gods of the earth and our Father in Heaven. And we should contemplate as well had eradicated their stiff-necked refusal what we can do both as individuals and to acknowledge the Divine word.” collectively to make ourselves more worthy of the Land. At the beginning of the Oslo process, one of the great enter freely. And given Secretary of State million Arabs presently under its con- ba’alei hashkafa of Eretz Yisroel said, Condoleeza Rice’s insistence on “con- trol: (1) expel them and face universal “The problem is not that we are giving nectivity” between Gaza and the West condemnation; (2) retain control, while away the Land, but rather that Hashem Bank, those arms will sooner or later granting them no political rights, and is taking it.” wend their way to the latter as well. In come to be viewed in the eyes of the vast That is even clearer today. Often the process, Israel’s densely populated majority of the world as an apartheid times, Divine Providence manifests coastal region will come more and more state; or (3) grant them political rights itself most clearly in the way that into range of Palestinian missiles. and sign the death warrant on Israel as Hashem directs the hearts of leaders: Here’s the prediction of New Republic a majority Jewish state? “Like streams of water is the heart of a publisher Martin Peretz: “The morning The only alternative to each of these king in the hand of Hashem, wherever after the Israeli pullout from Gaza, the untenable scenarios, argues Halkin, is to He wished, so He directs it” (Mishlei terrorism against Israel will intensify. . separate ourselves from them entirely 21,1). . . Palestinian well-wishers in the world on the best possible terms. Halkin and If today we witness the father of the will soon embark on the financing and other security-minded supporters of Gaza settlement movement, a man construction of a modern port and the the withdrawal place their faith in the who less than two years ago declared reconstruction of a modern airport. belief that Prime Minister Sharon has the Gaza settlement of Netzarim to be That’s where the trouble really starts. worked out a deal with President Bush, an eternal part of Israel, now leading It is the beginning of a real weapons and that the United States, at least as the retreat from that same Netzarim, industry, weapons that will not be kept long as Bush is president, will counte- we can assume that we are being in storage.” nance a very forceful Israeli response to judged and found wanting. And Peretz is a supporter of with- Palestinian terror after withdrawal. As The words of Rabbi Shamshon drawal. Sharon explained to Yediot Acharonot Raphael Hirsch haunt us. He writes: on the eve of withdrawal: “I’ve reached “From time to time in the course of a deal with the Americans. I prefer a the centuries, G-d allowed His people To Each His Own deal with the Americans to a deal with to touch the Land again. He put them Nightmare the Arabs.” to the test to see whether the miracle The bottom line is that Israel con- of their existence through centuries of he nightmare of opponents of tinues to face major dangers which- exile had at last taught them to utterly withdrawal is both plausible and ever course it pursues. Peretz puts it despise the gods of the earth and had Tfrightening. But proponents of succinctly. After predicting that Israel eradicated their stiff-necked refusal to withdrawal have their own nightmare will soon be back in Gaza, he contin- acknowledge the Divine word.” scenario, no less plausible and no less ues, “[Israelis] will be doomed to live One suspects that we are facing the frightening. That nightmare is of Israel dangerously. They can withdraw from same test today. d

10 Rabbi Shlomo Wolbe k’’z, As Remembered by a Talmid

An era of Mussar dating back to pre-War Europe came to an end with the passing of the Mashgiach Rabbi Shlomo Wolbe l”z in Yerushalayim this past 17 Nissan (April 26). In the pages that follow, we are presenting several articles that recount his impact on our generation from the perspectives of a talmid, a dedicated student of his classic work, Alei Shur, and a member of his family.

Rabbi Yehuda Mendelson

The Inner Dimension

“Do not eulogize me in any fash- from his personal avodas Hashem. he was unaware and which now ion or in any place! Know that words Once, when speaking to a group become his place of spiritual resi- of eulogy will cause me to have of former talmidim, he asked them: dence. He now sees the depths of a harsher judgment in the True “What, in essence, did you learn in Torah, of our wondrous world, and World!” (from his ethical will) yeshiva?” After hearing their thoughts, wishes to live a deep and elevated he above words limit us in our he sealed the debate: “What we life. He has become a different man, attempt to describe something learned is that ruchniyus (spiritual- revealing a new inner dimension, Tof the essence of Moreinu ity) is a reality – indeed, the essential and his Torah and penimiyus merge Hamashgiach, Rabbi Shlomo Wolbe reality!” within this dimension.” (Alei Shur, l”z. Indeed, a true student of the The mathematicians tell us that preface) Mashgiach l”z would intuitively agree even though our physical world con- vtva Nycylvm Clyl hxvr Mdas Crdb “One is that there is little point in talking sists of only three dimensions, it is pos- helped from Above to move forward about him. Rather, he would ask him- sible to construct multi-dimensional on the path he has chosen.” It should self: “What have I learned from him?” worlds with different laws of nature be noted that the Mashgiach l”z mer- Therefore, it would be preferable to which are beyond our intuitive grasp. ited many acts of Divine Providence in reflect on his unique life and his influ- Similarly, through the Mashgiach, we all of the stages of his life, and while ence on our generation through his came to recognize and actualize an we cannot give details, it is clear that own words – all of which emanated unknown dimension: our own pen- his sincere dedication and desire to Rabbi Mendelson serves as the menahel imiyus – the inner existence of man, uncover the inner world of Torah of the C.M. Lehmann Beis Hamussar in which naturally senses and lives in and penimiyus were assisted by the Yerushalayim, as well as Menahel Ruchani the inner spiritual world of Hakadosh Almighty. of Yehivas Mishkenos Yedidya (Yeshivas Givat Shaul), both founded by Rabbi S. Baruch Hu. Let us briefly trace his life’s journey, Wolbe. “Man discovers within himself highlighting the tests and travails that new depths and heights of which he encountered in his tireless search

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for the “inner dimension” that became under the Mirrer Mashgiach, Rabbi Ponevezh Rosh Yeshiva, Rabbi Dovid the focus of his life and inspiration to Yerucham Levovitz l”xz, the towering Povarsky l”xz, one of Reb Yerucham’s so many others. mussar figure. “Imagine,” said Yaakov greatest talmidim, and he was bet- Dovid, “the greatest physical pleasures ter able to understand only after a – for example, having an ice cream period of hearing and digesting the In the Beginning or cold drink on a hot summer day, Mashgiach’s shmuessen. or walking through a beautiful, quiet Thus, he became the bridge for rom early childhood, an inner landscape. None of these compares articulating the deep internal spiritu- longing for spirituality began to to the pure physical pleasure of Reb ality of a previous era to bnei Torah Fdevelop. He was wont to walk the Yerucham’s shmuessen!” that only one or two generations later streets of his birthplace, Berlin, and And so the “Berliner” headed for the were surrounded by materialism and wonder: “Who created all of this?” Like backwater called Mir. hedonism. many German Jews in the early 20th His coming to Mir was the pivotal century, his family was distant from point in his life. The Mir Yeshiva had Yiddishkeit, but he quickly found his 400 students, each great in Torah. The The Swedish Crucible path to the Almighty, and was yearn- Mashgiach said that 100 of them were ing for a deeper connection to Torah already great roshei yeshiva! This is his he gathering storm of World War and mitzvos by his bar mitzva. description of this period in his preface II swept him to neutral Sweden, He soon moved on to the Frankfurt to Alei Shur: Tthen dominated by an antagonis- Yeshiva, headed by Rabbi Yitzchak “The author of this book – while tic Reform establishment and boasting Breuer l”xz, whom he considered one still a youth – was carried by a only a handful of shomrei mitzvos. There of his important rabbe’im and often great whirlwind into the presence were no yeshiva scholars in Sweden at praised. Two years later, he moved of that great among giants, Admor, that time, and it was a far cry from the on to the yeshiva in Montreux, the light of our eyes, reviver of the atmosphere of Mir. The Mashgiach was Switzerland. dead with his lessons, Rabbeinu 24 years old and alone. It should be noted that every step Yerucham HaLevi Levovitz l”xz, at Upon arrival, even before finding forward was accompanied with resis- the holy Mirrer Yeshiva. The author lodgings, he rented a room and put up tance and incomprehension from his was small when he came, and small he a sign which declared: “Beis Hamussar home. But he persevered successfully. remained, never attaining the status – Institute for Jewish Studies.” This As he wrote to a youth many decades of Admor’s students, true geonim. became his beis midrash. Mussar was later: But even he was transformed, and the internal compass – to keep the “Know, dear…, that children will personally experienced the life-giving spiritual “north” in all of life’s various always win over their parents if their dew of the Torah and the life of a true challenges – not to lose direction while will and resolution are strong. But ‘man.’ From then on, he has continu- developing new capabilities. He often never, G-d forbid, battle parents ally strived to rejuvenate the uplifting publicly declared: “The environment with chutzpa, rather with pleasant- emotions of awe, joy, and inner holy in Sweden destroyed even ehrliche ness and respect. It has never hap- enthusiasm that he experienced in rabbanim. If I had not learned mussar pened that a parent who sees that Admor’s presence, and with his great there every day, I would not be stand- his son has carefully and thought- students.” ing here today.” fully chosen his future path will He never left his Rav’s presence, It is amazing that these eight years refuse to acquiesce to his choice.” delving further into his Torah, and of forced solitude became a great transmitting it to a new generation spiritual asset, deepening his pen- through public study of his works, pri- imiyus and powers of thought. He once Turning Point vate classes of unpublished works, and related that he committed to writing his classic study of Reb Yerucham’s life a certain shmuess of Reb Yerucham shmuess by a Novaradoker and thought, Ha’adam Bikar, which the when he felt he understood it, six years passing through Montreux title page tells us was written “by one after hearing it. Abrought the Mashgiach to the not fit to be called his disciple.” Divine Providence placed him in Mir Yeshiva. A visiting Mirrer bachur, Anyone familiar with Reb Yerucham’s the position to save lives through Yaakov Dovid Cohen d”yh, saw that thought who carefully delves into Alei neutral Sweden, where he worked Shlomo Wolbe was a “shomei’a,” had a Shur will see that it is mainly based on tirelessly throughout the war as a “listening ear,” and that he was deeply the rebbi’s derech, tailored to a new conduit to funnel funds from the affected by the shmuess. Recognizing generation of students. A great scholar American Vaad ha-Hatzala to refu- that “Wolbe” was material for the Mir, related to me that in his youth, he gees in Europe, Russia and China. At he urged him to study there and learn did not truly grasp the lectures of the the War’s end, thousands of sick and

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downtrodden camp survivors reached is testimony of how, even when faced Eretz Yisroel Sweden. The Mashgiach spent days with extremely difficult circumstances, and nights aiding and encouraging a strong living penimiyus brings a pon arriving in Eretz Yisroel in them, and for many, he was the first person even closer to the Ribbono 1947, he returned to his beloved religious Jew they had met in six shel Olam. Ustudies at the Lomza Yeshiva, years. These efforts culminated in The years in Sweden formed the basis which, in those years, was home to the the establishment by Rabbi Wolbe, for developing the Mashgiach’s midda of greatest European scholars. After a short together with Rabbi Wolf Jacobson vrbu Mi lvib asvn, bearing another’s bur- time, he married his rebbetzin ‘yut, the and his Rebbetzin, of the famous den, and for his acute sense of the daughter of Rabbi Avraham Grodzinsky Lidinga Girls School. various needs of Klal Yisroel, and the l”xz, the last Mashgiach of the Slabodka One year, he spent Rosh Hashana, responsibility to fulfill them. This would Yeshiva. with 400 deathly ill patients at a become a major theme in his teaching In the year 1949, upon the advice tuberculosis sanatorium. This, he said, and is the basis of the fourth section of of the Chazon Ish, with whom he was was his greatest Rosh Hashana. This Alei Shur. very close, he opened Yeshivas Be’er Yaakov. Together with the Gaon Rabbi Moshe Shmuel Shapiro, they headed the yeshiva for over thirty years. The first years were extremely difficult, and the yeshiva and its families suf- fered from dire poverty. The fruits of their labor, however, were great, and the yeshiva transformed hundreds of bachurim into great talmidei chacha- mim and yerei Shamayim dedicated to the needs of Klal Yisroel. It is hard to describe the special atmosphere of tranquility, peace of mind, and total immersion in spiritual striving that prevailed at Yeshivas Be’er Yaakov. Bachurim came from out of town (no small feat in those days) to hear the shmuessen, many coming for the whole month of Elul to seek the “inner dimension,” which was espe- cially palpable in the yeshiva. During these years, while the Mashgiach became a famous educator and mentor, he remained a “student,” always seeking to serve talmidei cha- chamim. Even while remaining an active disciple of Reb Yerucham, he became close and sought the advice of the Chazon Ish, the Brisker Rav, Rabbi Eliyahu Lopian, the Steipler, and Rav Shach, and actively studied under Rabbi Yechezkel Levenstein, Rabbi E.E. Dessler, the Rebbe of Ozorov, Rabbi Yoel Kluft, and Rabbi Yitzchok Hutner l”xz. Until his last years, the Mashgiach continued to learn from and seek coun- sel from great talmidei chachamim. Indeed, he used to say that those who study mussar remain “young,” not resting on their laurels, but continually recognizing the new challenges, new

20 The Jewish Observer

opportunities, and new responsibilities could influence young people only The World of Teshuva of their changing lives. if he remembered his own youthful difficulties! he Mashgiach was one of the Throughout his life, he was a “fathers” of the Israeli teshu- Alei Shur major catalyst in many areas of Tva movement. He sensed the Torah education. Together with his change in atmosphere in the wake of he work with his students in the colleague, the Slonimer Rebbe l”xz, the Six Day War that opened new pos- early years gave birth to the clas- he was an active member of Chinuch sibilities of reaching estranged hearts. Tsic Alei Shur, which was thirteen Atzmai’s Vaad Ruchani (Spiritual He traveled to army bases, kibbutzim, years in the writing. The book is a “guide Advisory Board), guiding it in its and secular academic institutions to for those wishing to enter the world early stages. He organized regular deliver thought-provoking lectures on of Torah and elevate themselves,” by endeavoring to give a portrait of “the man of Torah…. Join me, dear friend…. Let us study the periods of his life and his avoda which are described in this sefer” (preface). Though published anonymously in He saw the need for special yeshivos 1966, the author quickly became well for baalei teshuva when there was known. The clarity and depth of expo- but a trickle of returnees. When sition of Torah principles, dissection of middos, and paths of avoda have queried about this, he said: “You see made Alei Shur the guide book for only a few, but I see thousands. serious yeshiva students and yungeleit Perhaps today they are still in India, seeking to discover the inner dimen- sion of Torah and mitzvos. Though but soon you will also see them!” never sold commercially, tens of thou- sands of copies have been bought by those thirsty for guidance.1

Chinuch conferences for yeshiva mashgichim emuna, which had a wide influence.2 to refresh their commitment and He was an advisor to the pioneers he Mashgiach was first and fore- discuss critical current issues and in this field and saw the need for spe- most a mechaneich (pedagogue). trials that yeshiva students face. cial yeshivos for baalei teshuva when THe believed in the power of chi- According to the Mashgiach, the there was but a trickle of returnees. nuch. Chinuch is not just for children, true yarei Shamayim cannot bury his When queried about this, he said: “You but a way of life for one who strives for head in the sand and hope for the see only a few, but I see thousands. perfection. The Alter of Kelm understood best! Rather, he must find the Nylbt Perhaps today they are still in India, the famous dictum: vcrd yp li rinl Cvnu hrvt, the proper “Torah antidote” but soon you will also see them!” In hnmm rvoy al Nykzy yc Mg as follows – Educate that is appropriate for his time and addition, he dedicated many hours to the youth according to his way, then, place. the thorny issues of baalei teshuva’s even when mature, he will continue Principals, teachers, mashgichim, integration into the mainstream of to educate himself.” Thus, chinuch counselors – all came to receive a frum society, as well as other unique is a process which the Mashgiach clear Torah view on today’s questions issues facing returnees (many of described as “planting and building” and issues. Moreinu Rabbi Elyashiv 1 The Mashgiach’s other published works were the mentsch. (See – Planting and a”jyls directed inquiries concern- meant to address perceived needs for guidance Building, Feldheim, Ch. 1, and Alei Shur ing chinuch to “Harav Wolbe.” on today’s important and difficult issues. Such Vol. II, p. 338.) Individuals with doubts about major was the Hadracha for Chassanim, which broke new ground, Or Lashav for baalei teshuva, and A young mashgiach once asked him decisions or crushing personal prob- Planting and Building for parents. These are not what he should teach his students. lems knew his address. For those handbooks; rather, they clarify the important The Mashgiach answered: “You can too far away, he wrote thousands issues that face us and provide road signs for only influence your students through of carefully crafted letters, many in our own personal growth. what influenced you when you were response to bachurim who needed 2 These were subsequently published in Olam young!” Similarly, he believed that one personal guidance or chizuk. Hayedidus.

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issues facing returnees (many of ences, even at a very advanced age, gave weekly shmuessen in Yeshivas Kol which are discussed in the work of a in order to spread this message. Torah . He continued these talks for over talmid, Ccrd Xrab tidl). twenty years. The Mashgiach spoke many times, But his main objective was to open especially in the Beis Hamussar, The Mussar Imperative a Beis Hamussar dedicated to spreading about the obligation of every Jew mussar education and awareness to a to dedicate time to kiruv. He was etiring from Be’er Yaakov in wide audience. “Vaadim,” shiurim on the “living spirit” of Lev L’Achim’s 1982, he moved to Givat Shaul Chumash and musssar and hashkafa clas- program to send out avreichim one Rin Yerushalayim. He was already sics, and mussar study highlighted and night a week for this purpose, and saying regular shmuessen in the Mir actualized unfortunately neglected areas he regularly attended their confer- Yeshiva, and soon after his arrival, he of avodas Hashem such as tefilla, middos, yiras Shamayim, and vrbul Mda Nyb (inter- personal relations). The Mashgiach used to say: “You have come to Beis Hamussar to hear things that otherwise would not be discussed.” Hundreds felt important changes in their lives through mussar study at the Beis Hamussar. Mussar, indeed, is about change: changing long-held perspectives and entrenched priorities in an ongoing fashion. The ability to change is the hall- mark of a baal mussar – he is free of the chains of habitual performance. The Mashgiach often commented that he failed to understand how tefilla Call me today for the attention you deserve. could become rote. A person is always changing, as does his relationship with (718) 268-1700 the Ribbono shel Olam. Hence, no two tefillos are alike. He once told a student Martin Levy that he avoided Mincha Ketana because 103-20 METROPOLITAN AVENUE of its proximity to Maariv. What would FOREST HILLS be new in the second tefilla right after [email protected] the first? At the age of 80, he still felt new obli- Call for a free quote. gations, and decided to open a yeshiva – Yeshivas Givat Shaul (now renamed Mishkenos Yedidya in his memory: Insurance subject to availability and qualifications. Allstate Insurance Company and Allstate Property and Casualty “Yedidya” = Shlomo, see Menachos 53a) Insurance Company, Northbrook, Illinois ©2004 Allstate Insurance Company. to renew his connection with a new, young generation, and to educate them towards an elevated Torah life. For over ten years, he worked tirelessly with bachurim to find for themselves, through Torah, tefilla and mussar, their inner dimension. What defines a great man? A great man brings out the greatness of those in his proximity. This was true of the Mashgiach l”xz. His petira brings to an end an era of mussar, but has also sparked a renewed interest in mussar study throughout Eretz Yisroel. Just as a wave lifts up the water in concentric rings, so his influence contin- ues to spread through Klal Yisroel. d

22 The Jewish Observer

What are middle-class parents to do when they are blessed with four – or seven – or ten children, and the annual tuitions tend to be in excess of $5,000 per student – and, in some schools, more than $10,000 for each? Two Orthodox laymen in Lawrence, Long Island – an upper-middle-class suburb in the Five Towns – explored several creative possibilities of reducing their tuition load, and their ideas proved newsworthy in the Jewish media. One of the men commented, “When it comes down to it, instead of $40,000 a year, [my bill] could be $9,000.”* Their initial plan simply called for a small number of Orthodox students to enroll in public schools, and then rent space after hours where they would receive religious instruction from privately hired teachers. When the public expressed interest in these ideas, they proposed a bolder plan – to have students study Jewish topics for half of the day at their private schools, and then be bussed to the public schools for the remainder of the day’s instruction in a special track. Another suggestion would have public school teachers brought into the Jewish schools to provide secular instruction during the second half of the day. While the proposals were conceived as a progressive design for money-saving use of available resources, it struck some people as a regressive, precipitous plunge into the quagmire of Jewish education along the lines of the after- noon Talmud Torah schools in the early-and mid-20th century. But a desperate need for creative action does exist.

Rabbi Aryeh Zev Ginzberg

Collective Tears The Pulsebeat of Jewry The issue, of course, is an explosive mine what the primary focus of the one. Several parents, overwhelmed by Knessia should be, in view of the t is not often that a local news item the rising cost of yeshiva tuition, have myriad problems facing the com- captures the attention of the Jewish suggested a possible alternative of pro- munity at large. Imedia throughout the country. A viding their children with public school After several suggestions were story in the community newspaper in education while supplementing their made, the saintly Chofetz Chaim the Five Towns area recently stirred even religious instruction in some patched- l”xz arose to speak. He began with people who have never responded in on format. The reactions range from a parable: A person was in a serious writing before to take pen in hand and complete shock to one of resigned agree- accident and was severely wounded tell the world at large how deeply they ment. In truth, the worst reaction of all in many places. He was brought to feel about this matter. would be one of indifference. the hospital, and a team of doctors At the first Knessia Gedolah was trying to decide what to treat Rabbi Ginzberg, founding rav of Ohr Moshe Torah Institute in Hillcrest, NY, is cur- (International Congress of Agudath first. A senior doctor interrupted, rently rav of the Chofetz Chaim Torah Israel), held in Vienna in 1923, the “The first thing we have to do is Center of Cedarhurst (Long Island), New opening session, attended by Gedolei check his pulse. If it’s beating, we York. He is a frequent contributor to Hador of that era, met to deter- can proceed. But if there is no pulse, these pages. * there’s really no point in deliberat- quoted in the Forward, July 29, ’05. ing at all.”

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The Chofetz Chaim continued, Consequently, the majority of ging, defeatist attitude was the response “The chinuch of our children is the the resolutions that emerged from of Rabbi Ahron Leib Shteinman a”jyls very pulse of Klal Yisroel. We have that conclave dealt with chinuch. to a particular crisis last year at a Lev to check that first. If it’s stable and A correspondent once asked Rabbi L’Achim-sponsored school in Israel. strong, then we can worry about Shlomo Zalman Auerbach l”xz, “Why Seven girls from non-religious everything else. But if that’s no are yeshivos called ‘yeshivos’?” The per- homes had registered in a religious good, then there’s really nothing son himself offered, “Maybe because school for the coming year, and else to talk about.” Torah is generally learned when one is then, all pulled out, just days before yosheiv – in a sitting position. Hence school was to begin. After fran- KARKA IN ERETZ YISROEL – yeshivos.” tic calls and visits from dedicated Call Rabbi Gavriel Beer for information on Reb Shlomo Zalman rejected that field workers, six of the seven girls obtaining cemetery plots in Beth Shemesh and explanation, and instead suggested, agreed to rejoin the religious school other locations in Israel. “It’s called ‘yeshiva’ because it is ‘Ikar for the fall semester. A Lev L’Achim 011-972-2-656-9427 yishuvo shel olam – the primary force activist joyfully reported this suc- in developing the world.’ All else is cess to Rabbi Shteinman. To the subservient to it” (heard from his son, visitor’s surprise, Rabbi Shteinman Rabbi Shmuel Auerbach a”jyls). broke down in tears. “How can you And so if we have a problem, a crisis celebrate the success of six girls’ – and we do have one – that con- return when the seventh has been cerns the heartbeat of Klal Yisroel, and lost to us?” he cried bitterly. “yishuvo shel olam,” then, everyone Even if this group represents a small must surely stop and reflect on what minority of our community, noting can be done to resolve the problem. the loss of Yiddishe kinder from the holy walls of our yeshivos – even just one – is reason for all of us to shed a A Time for Neither collective tear. Shrugging Shoulders Nor Joy Making Ends Meet? n discussing this development with some colleagues, I was indeed irst, the problem. The rising cost Idisturbed to hear some of their of tuition is indeed one of the reactions. One said, “It’s only a few Fmost distressing problems facing individuals, a small minority. Let them our communities today. The pressure go.” In contrast to this shoulder-shrug- on families to meet tuition costs is truly overwhelming. Like most rabbanim serving younger communities, my eve- nings are often dedicated to meeting with couples with serious shalom bayis issues; often (though not exclusively), it has to do with dealing with the pressure of making ends meet. Equally disturb- ing is the increasing number of young couples who come to discuss options of family planning, and highlight the fact that they just can’t perceive bringing another child into the world, to be faced with yet another tuition on top of what they already pay. Not just rabbanim, but community leaders of all ages and stripes should take this issue extremely seriously. The tuition burden on our parents is over- whelming, and getting worse, while at the same time, the financial situation

32 The Jewish Observer

of our yeshivos is tenuous, at best. says, “People are willing to donate the rebbe’im through establishing Parents are demanding fiscal thousands upon thousands toward a some form of communal fund to responsibility, and improvement may yeshiva building, but they give only cover salaries, it would help to alle- well be needed in this area. As every small amounts towards the monthly viate the yeshivos’ financial bur- successful company knows full well, support of those who learn Torah – to dens, which translate into escalating the crucial ingredient for financial put food on their tables. In truth, it tuition costs. stability is having an experienced, should be the other way around. creative C.F.O. (Chief Financial Officer), It’s obvious that the yeitzer hara is whose role is to carefully scrutinize working here, as well, and causes us An Absurd Trade-Off the budget. Often, yeshivos rely on to focus on the frills rather than on their boards of directors to oversee the main objective.” aving said that, and with full rec- this area, but not every butcher, baker This is an idea that is worth pursu- ognition of the problems that do and candlestick maker is qualified to ing. If the pillars of our community Hexist, the very idea of replacing do so. Recently, a wonderful yeshiva would concentrate on caring for the atmosphere absorbed when receiving in our community that had suffered from a high deficit for years turned its books over to an experienced money manager, and in a relatively short period of time, the yeshiva became debt-free. This surely is a step in the right direction.

Hashem’s Agents

ut there is something even more significant that our com- Bmunities need to focus on. Yeshivos are our lifeline, and the rebbe’im at the helm are not only our sheluchim (agents) to be mechanech our children, they also are “sheluchei deRachmana” – Divine messengers: they represent Torah itself, and must be accorded all the dignity and kavod due to Torah. Our sifrei Torah are adorned with silver crowns and are stored in an aron hakodesh of marble or Jerusalem stone. Should the “nosei ol haTorah” – those who carry the burden of teaching Torah – be treated with anything less? Yet, we do have our priorities backwards. The Chofetz Chaim used to lament even in his time the mis- guided priorities of people donating huge sums to yeshivos to erect build- ings with their names emblazoned on them (which is a wonderful thing), while completely ignoring the needs of the talmidei chachamim who make up the heart and soul of the yeshiva (which is tragic). Rabbi Dovid Soloveitchik a”jyls (quoted in Sefer Uvdos Le’beis Brisk)

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a yeshiva education with that of a public world of the spirit. our children; they are providing them school borders on the absurd, and betrays Is it possible to have a child, any with living examples of what Hashem’s a complete lack of understanding and child from any home, sitting in a public Torah is all about. appreciation of what a yeshiva truly is. school setting, feeling that connection When Rabbi Yaakov Kamenetzky l”xz A yeshiva is not just a setting for to Shamayim? The influences, subtle served as rav in Toronto, one of his com- gaining information in Torah subjects. or overt, the foul language, the topics munal responsibilities was to help select It defines who we are as Torah Jews. No of conversation of today’s youth, the the new rebbe’im for the local yeshiva teachers, no matter how qualified… becoming aware of every lifestyle foreign ketana. Once, Reb Yaakov and the school no computer program, no matter how to a Torah way of life – could that be a principal observed a model lesson from sophisticated… can replace the kedusha possibility for even the most spiritually a new, prospective rebbi. The principal and the purity that is transmitted from detached amongst us? The entire com- was duly impressed and said so after the rebbi or mora to the student. munity must rise up in collective protest lesson; Reb Yaakov, however, disagreed. A gadol (leading Torah sage) once against this proposal, while shedding During his very dynamic presentation, commented on the Mishna in Bava Metzia collective tears over the realization that the candidate had his elbows resting that teaches that returning a lost object it has come to this. on top of the Gemara. This type of les- to a rebbi takes priority over returning a son is unacceptable for our children’s lost object to one’s own father, because a chinuch. parent brings a child to Olam Hazeh (This From Learning to A rebbi is not only meant to serve as a World), while a rebbi brings the child to Experiencing Torah medium for teaching Torah, but must be Olam Habba (The World to Come). a means for allowing our children, from He insightfully commented that it hose at the helm of our wonderful the earliest age, to experience Torah, as doesn’t say a rebbi brings him to Olam yeshivos have an important task well. How ludicrous to think even for a Habba, it says a rebbi brings him to Tahead of them. The community moment that experiencing Torah can be “chayei Olam Habba – the life of The at large must use its collective talents done any place other than in a yeshiva! World to Come.” That is, he makes this and energies to resolve the skyrocket- We all must work together to embrace world and this life more meaningful, ing tuition costs; the yeshivos must re- these parents, open up our hearts to them more spiritual, with a closer connection educate the community and teach them and – most important – let them see our to Shamayim and the transcendental that they are not just teaching Torah to collective tears. d

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34 The Jewish Observer

Esther Reisman

Zahava Braunstein v’’g Quintessential Keeper of the Bayis Where Klal Service, Personal Fulfillment and Tending House-and-Home Intersect

First and Foremost a She exuded a passion and intensity The power of her speech was not Mother of purpose, and yet she brimmed mere eloquence. It was an expres- with laughter. Her eyes expressed the sion of da’as. She had the wisdom of here is an ache in our hearts deepest empathy, yet never lost their knowing what to say and how to say and a void in our lives. Our mischievous twinkle. She was involved it. To a person in crisis or to a diverse Tbeloved teacher, mentor and in a multitude of projects, each with audience of thousands, she would friend, Rebbetzin Zahava Braunstein, its pressures and deadlines, which did find precisely the right words to reach is gone. not detract from the joy and menuchas the heart. Invariably, after listening Her life was a song of Tiferres- a hanefesh that made it so delightful to to her healing words, one felt closer symphony of beauty, balance and be in her presence. She taught us to to Hashem. harmony. The contrasting notes and strive for greatness. She taught us how Her personality had a magnetic nuances of her multi-faceted person- to be human. There was not a false power. People were drawn to her. ality merged into a joyous melody of note in the exquisite balance that she They trusted her. She had the abil- Kavod Shamayim. Mind and heart. maintained. She was a towering figure ity to infuse the minutest interaction Family and Klal. Royal dignity and of greatness. She was the ultimate with warmth and love. Her capacity refreshing informality. Soaring ideal- normal person. for friendship seemed boundless. She ism and down-to-earth realism. Non- Rebbetzin Zahava Braunstein was shared deeply in the joys and sor- judgmental love and uncompromising given a precious gift. The power of rows of a multitude of people. The chinuch. speech. We were uplifted by her words thoughtful gesture, the timely phone She expressed the full range of of encouragement as she enabled us call, the uplifting compliment flowed human emotions in a natural, seem- to appreciate our potential as Bnos so naturally. She made it seem almost ingly spontaneous manner. At the Yisroel. Who else understood us so effortless. same time, she embodied the value well and validated our struggles? How At that heartbreaking yet inspiring of discretion, modesty and privacy. often did we wonder as she depicted levaya, as the breathtaking panorama Mrs. Reisman, of Brooklyn, NY, teaches scenarios that were all too painfully of her life was held up before us, we at the Bais Yaakov Academy and at Beit familiar. “How did she know?” “Was were awed beyond words. How could Yaakov Ateret Torah. She serves as a she in my house?” We laughed and we one person accomplish so much? How learning director of Camp Bnos Agudas cried as she illuminated our minds and could one heart have room for so many Yisroel in Liberty, NY. touched our neshamos others? How could a person of such

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public leadership retain, as she did, the Hebraicized her name – Golda became a radical thing. They chose to attend depth and modesty of the bas melech “Zahava,” and so it remained.) Her Bais Yaakov Seminary. We didn’t know penima (inner royalty)? How could parents, Galician Jews who married what to make of this. It was totally out a person of larger-than-life stature in Poland in 1939, reached the United of our frame of reference.” always remain the “lady next door,” that States shortly thereafter, settling in the At Bais Yaakov, she was profoundly friend and neighbor in whose presence Bronx, N.Y. Mrs. Menucha Zwiebel, nee affected by Rebbetzin Kaplan h”i, who one felt totally at ease? And the most Hager, was a descendant of the illustri- recognized the outstanding qualities of important question of all: How was ous Kossover dynasty. A talmid cha- heart and mind that she possessed. It she able to extend herself on behalf of cham and masmid, Mr. Yaakov Zwiebel was due to the passionate teachings of multitudes without compromising her was a quiet, unassuming ish emes, Rabbi Godlevsky l”xz that she began to loving involvement and total devotion who supported his family by selling rethink her career plans of becoming a to her husband and family? dry goods in his shop on the Lower journalist. She remained forever grate- “The crown that she wore most East Side. He was deeply involved in ful for his influence. From Rebbetzin proudly,” testified her son, Rabbi rescue efforts during the war years. Bender h”i she would absorb the foun- Mendel Braunstein, “was the crown As a ten-year-old, Zahava volun- dations of kedushas habayis (sanctity that said ‘mother.’” She was first and teered to tell a story at a campfire at of the Jewish home) that she would foremost an eim beYisroel. It was Camp Emunah; she had the entire ultimately transmit to so many others. obvious from her entire demeanor and camp mesmerized, and from that time Rebbetzin Bruria David u”lt became attitude that she derived enormous on, became the official storyteller. At her mentor and guide. For the rest of satisfaction and fulfillment from being Yeshiva University High School for her life, she maintained and cherished a Jewish wife and mother. The fact that Girls, her talent and leadership abilities that relationship. a woman of unusual self-confidence, did not go unrecognized. “Whenever She married Rabbi Shlomo intelligence and charisma radiated I went to try out for a club,” recalled Braunstein, today the menahel of such deep contentment and happi- former schoolmate, Mrs. Zlata Press, Mesivta Rabbeinu Chaim Berlin, and ness in this role had an enormous “be it drama, newspaper or debating, they became part of an outstanding impact on so many women who were Gladys Zwiebel was involved. Yet, she chabura of aspiring and idealistic kol- searching for greater clarity in their stood out in more than talent. She was lel couples. The towering leadership lives. exemplary in the kindness and warmth of the Rosh Yeshiva, Rabbi Yitzchak that she extended to her classmates Hutner l”xz, was a powerful influence and younger schoolmates.” She was in determining the direction of their Spreading Her Wings part of a group of friends who com- lives and the caliber of their Torah and manded enormous respect from their avoda. Her deep rootedness in this ebbetzin Braunstein, born in peers because of their sincerity and world endowed her teaching with an 1944, was named Golda Perel high religious standards. “And then, authoritative Torah hashkafa. RZwiebel. (One of her teachers she and her small group of friends did Within her first year of teaching at Bais Yaakov Academy, her charisma, caring and chein made her someone her students wanted to emulate. “The revolution that she created at B.Y.A.,” declared Rabbi Shlomo Teichman, “was as great as the subsequent revolu- tion that she would create at Ateret.” Because they admired her, many young women were inspired to follow her example. They, too, would marry b’nei Torah. “I remember her sparkling enthu- siasm,” recalled one student from that era. “I remember how her face would light up as she would say, ‘Girls, I would like to share this beautiful Kli Yakkar with you!’” “I remember how warm and gentle she was,” recalled another. “She cared about us like a loving mother.”

36 The Jewish Observer

She continued to spend her sum- Her home reverberated with me. But it was seeing the normalcy, mers at Camp Gila, which was affiliated warmth, love and laughter. “If you the realness, her ability to laugh at with the Kehilla of Bobov. The daugh- want the Shechina to dwell in your her own foibles and to put life’s little ters of Rabbi Shlomo Halberstam l”xz, home,” she would say, “get a little tape mishaps into perspective, that helped who was then the Bobover Rebbe, recorder and put on some music. It me more than anything else.” recalled the powerful impression that sounds like such a little thing, but it she made: “All through the winter, the is so important!” name ‘Zahava’ echoed in our home. “When we were kids,” one of her The Syrian Opening We remembered her songs and her daughters reminisced, “there was a unforgettable lessons.” song for everything. There was a song hen came Rabbi Yosef Harari- Rebbetzin Sarah Meisels described for going to sleep and a song for get- Raful, with his dream of a Torah the staff meetings held at Camp Gila. ting up and a song for putting on the Trenaissance for Syrian Jewry. He “Rebbetzin Braunstein would be run- right shoe first.” was teaching young men in that com- ning the meeting while holding a baby In a shiur entitled “Happiness in the munity, inspiring them with the beauty on her lap. And while she spoke to us, Home,” Rebbetzin Braunstein once of Torah and uncompromising fidel- she would be hugging and kissing the shared, “Sometimes when my children ity to halacha. They were thirsty and baby. What a beautiful example she were young, I would do a little dance in eager, and responding to his call. Yet, set for us!” the kitchen and my daughters would their wives were being left behind. At this time, she began to teach roll their eyes and say ‘Oh, Mommy!’ Who could teach them? Who could kalla classes, conveying the halachos But now that they are raising families inspire them? Who but Rebbetzin of kedushas habayis to young women of their own, I hope that they under- Zahava Braunstein! who were about to establish their own stand.” “Twenty-five years ago,” writes Mrs. homes in a manner that gave us joy Her warm smile and special wel- Bonnie Mansour, a member of that and self-confidence. In the words of come were extended to all who original class, “we were blessed to Rebbetzin Ruthy Assaf, “I always want- crossed her threshold. Many people welcome a teacher who would, with ed my daughters to go to her kalla became members of the household her soft words and loving heart, show classes. She conveyed the halachos in for extended periods of time. “She us what it really meant to be a fulfilled a way that was lucid and precise. But literally saved my life,” sobbed one Jewish woman. When she first came to even more so, she gave the message of woman during the shiva. “I was going teach us, I think that she was surprised the beauty, the warmth and the merit through an emotional crisis, and she by our appearance. She truly didn’t of building a mikdash me’at (miniature took me into her home for several know where to begin. So she began sanctuary).” She never accepted remu- months, caring for me as a daughter, from the beginning. She taught us neration for teaching these classes, until I was able to stand on my own about the parasha. She brought in using this opportunity to raise money feet. The shalom bayis and the ahavas a washing cup and taught us about for hachnasas kalla and other causes Torah made a powerful impression on netilat yadayim. that were dear to her heart. You can! Just call The Yitti Leibel Focus on Family I wish I could Helpline. H o u r s : hese were hectic, exhilarating Monday-Friday...... 8am -12pm years. She was tending her grow- speak to a Monday-Thursday...... 8pm -11pm Ting family, while teaching, serving Sunday...... 9am -12pm, 9pm -11pm as program director, and continuing to 718-HELP-NOW give kalla classes. People were begin- frum therapist (718) 435-7669 ning to turn to her for guidance and Chicago...... (800) HELP-023 counsel. She was being called upon to Lakewood...... (732) 363-1010 speak publicly. Sometimes she accept- on the phone Cleveland...... (888) 209-8079 ed, often she declined, not wanting Baltimore...... (410) 578-1111 to take away from the love and care Detroit...... (877) 435-7611 that she lavished upon her children. without giving San Diego...... (866) 385-0348

Toronto...... (416) 784-1271 It was challenging to balance all of The Rebbetzin Phyllis Weinberg Branch of the Yitti Leibel Helpline kgkuh ban, jh’v suxht c, r’ anutk crul uuhkvgko g’’v uuhkvgko crul anutk r’ c, suxht jh’v ban, kgkuh her responsibilities, yet she did it with ,ak"v( thhr h"t )bpyrv grace and humor and an overflowing my name. g"v crtui sus nav r’ ci hagh’v r’ xhui ,ak"v( xhui ’ c )bpyr simchas hachayim. Dedicated by Mr. & Mrs. Shmuel Boruch Wilhelm

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“She gave us such pride in our family, to mold the spirit of the camp, definition of happiness? heritage that we very gradually and creating an atmosphere of wholesome “Simchat hachayim means simply very naturally made changes in our summer fun, infused with a spirit of the joy of life. The joy of knowing that lifestyles to reflect that pride. Because kedusha. Her Friday night talks were Hashem gave us life, and that there is of those changes, the community at the highlight of the summer. “When she a purpose and a meaning to our lives. large started to get used to women stood before us on Friday nights,” said That knowledge gives us tremendous holding higher standards in kashrut one former camper, “I used to think that joy and an inner serenity. And if it and Shabbat, dressing more modestly she was the Shabbos Queen.” doesn’t match up with ‘Let the good times roll,’ it does match up with a person who can maintain a joyful attitude no matter what may occur to him in life. That is the definition of “She had such joy and fulfillment in the bayis that what we are talking about. she created,” said Rabbi Braunstein, “and she had “How can a person have that seren- ity – the serenity that enabled David such a loving heart, that she wanted to stretch Hamelech to say that bayis to include more and more people. ‘Though I walk in the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil’? It is because You, Hashem, are holding my hand. That is joy, to know that Hashem is holding our hand.” and even encouraging their husbands As much as she loved camp, it was not Did her listeners comprehend the to learn Torah. These things became not easy to go back, summer after summer. poignancy of these words, uttered only acceptable, but admired. “After all,” said Rabbi Braunstein, “at a during the last part of her life, as she “What was her secret?” asked Mrs. certain age, one gets tired of color war. herself was battling the final stages Mansour. “How did she literally change But she did it, along with all of her other of a dreaded illness? For fifteen years, the lives of so many of our women jobs, so that her husband and children she had lived in the shadow of this ill- and thousands of others? Was it her could continue learning with menuchas ness. Despite many rounds of surgery, brilliance? Her talent? Her charm? Her hanefesh (tranquility). And she did it treatment and procedures, she kept charisma? They all certainly helped. But besimcha!” her illness from the public eye. the real answer was that she loved us Even as a menahelet (principal), she – and we knew it. She would never let never lost that effervescence and viva- an encounter go by without her warm, cious sense of humor. Her students Creative and Productive radiant smile speaking volumes about knew that as much as she held them Years the joy she felt to be in our presence. to a high standard of conduct, she had She loved each one of us in a special not forgotten what it was like to be n many ways, the last fifteen years way for our unique qualities. Each of us young, and that she understood their were her most creative and produc- felt that we were her favorite – and I am struggles. Itive years. It was during this time sure that it was somehow true. period that she became the founding “Other teachers tiptoed around principal of Bet Yaakov Ateret Torah issues. They were afraid that we might The Gift of Laughter High School. Many of her students become turned off and not come back. were daughters of her original Syrian Not Mrs. Braunstein. She was uncom- n a recent talk that she gave within talmidot, and she derived much nachas promising, but so loving and gentle that the Syrian community, she said, from molding them into neshei chayil we were able to accept everything that I“Laughter is a wonderful thing. who proudly married b’nei Torah and she taught.” Yitzchak, one of the Avos, was named set up homes of kedusha. She would after laughter.” She continued reflec- wake up early in the morning to bake tively, “As time goes on, perhaps I am cakes for her beloved talmidot. “Baking Summers in Camp getting more buffeted by the winds and is my therapy,” she would say. the storms of time…. You know, there It was during these fifteen years o supplement the family income, is a phrase in the prayers of the Yamim that she married off most of her she continued to spend her sum- Nora’im that says that our lives are like children. She adored each son-in-law Tmers at Camp Gila, and later at a fleeting dream, like a passing shadow. and daughter-in-law, and cherished Camp Shira. At Camp Shira, she had the We know that life is very temporary…. each set of mechutanim. “When we opportunity, along with the Rosenberg And so, I would like to ask, what is the built our homes,” said her son, Rabbi

38 The Jewish Observer

Mendel Braunstein, “her level of care also have found time to do all of these through nurturing her family and grew. She gave us so much direction, other things?’” developing her inner relationship so much Toras Imecha.” In truth, the devotion that she with Hashem. She adored each grandchild, and invested in her home and family was It was this quality of penimius that derived much joy from her relation- the source of her success in all of her enabled her to remain unaffected by ship with each one of them. She other endeavors. the public adulation and the acco- advised her friends to overlook the lades. Rabbi Aharon Schechter, Rosh tumult and disarray that naturally Hayeshiva of Yeshivas Rabbeinu Chaim accompany these visits. “Learn to love Not Through Verbal Berlin, marveled at her capacity to it!” she exhorted. Her grandchildren Rebuke Alone maintain such an awesome level of were welcomed into her kitchen with tzenius throughout her myriad pub- a warm smile, a huge hug, and a abbi E.E. Dessler writes in lic activities. “That was a midda of tuna sandwich, even on a hectic Erev Michtav MeiEliyahu that in our aristocracy,” he declared in his hesped, Shabbos or Yom Tov. Rtime, it is impossible to influ- “and the shoresh (source) of that midda Her communal activities reached a ence people through verbal rebuke was her great depth.” The Rosh Yeshiva new level. Her speaking engagements alone. People are not capable of see- described her capacity for being a led her farther afield as she increased ing beyond the false ideologies that ba’alas yissurim (one who endures the scope of her involvements. She have become entrenched as a result suffering): “One who has yissurim has realized that she was considered of their self-serving interests. There is one foot in this world and one foot in a spokeswoman for the klal. “I still only one way for people to see beyond the next. And through it all, she main- cringe when I see my name on those their ideological blinders. If one is tained such a smile, such a freshness, posters, but what can I do?” she privileged to witness a relationship of such a derhoibenkeit (loftiness). That shrugged. Time was short and there true selfless giving – between husband was truly malchus!” was so much to be done. and wife or between rebbi and talmid Her lectures on tzenius were – the truth will penetrate one’s heart. requested in even more cities. Her Observing the delicate interactions of The Kohein and the positive approach enabled women a devoted, loving family that is united Housewife of diverse communities to develop in the service of Hashem is the most an appreciation of this sensitive topic. powerful mussar of all. That is what n many occasions, Mrs. Together with her husband, she trav- can open one’s heart to the truth of Braustein compared the work eled to Dallas a number of times, Torah. “The only means of influence,” Oof the akerres habayis to that developing a special relationship writes Rabbi Dessler, “ is through of the kohein in the Beis Hamikdash. with the members of this inspiring sheleimus hachessed – the power of The position of the kohein was exalted. community of baalei teshuva. They pure giving.”1 It was envied. It was the pinnacle of began to attend Shabbatonim of A “She had such joy and fulfillment Divine service. And yet, the kohanim T.I.M.E., giving chizuk to couples who in the bayis that she created,” said swept, slaughtered, washed and cooked. struggled with the painful nisayon of Rabbi Braunstein, “and she had such They dealt with the entrails of animals, infertility. Her shiurim on kedushas a loving heart, that she wanted to with the physical stuff of life. The habayis, sponsored by Irgun Shiurei stretch that bayis to include more Eishes Chayil, too, sweeps and cooks Torah, had an impact on thousands and more people.” All of us whose and deals with the physical stuff of life. of women. Tapes of her lectures con- lives were changed through her If she is wise, she recognizes that she, tinue to be treasured by women personal example and through her like the kohein, is performing Divine across the world. teaching were enveloped by the service of the highest order – that of Someone posed the question yet power of selfless giving that she creating a Beis Hamikdash. again: “How could she have been embodied. She made us feel that even if we involved in such a multitude of activi- Many women reported feeling were struggling to get the dishes done ties and also have had the time to inadequate when they heard of or the laundry folded, we could still raise her family with such love and Rebbetzin Braunstein’s many accom- accomplish great things. Our daily dedication?” Mrs. Suri Pinter, a close plishments. Those of us who knew activities were precious in her eyes, friend and family member, remarked, her well never felt this way. She and she helped us realize their sig- “You should have phrased the ques- made each one of us feel special. nificance. She gave us the confidence tion differently. ‘How could she have She had a tremendous apprecia- that we could aspire to greatness, even been such a wonderful mother and tion for that which the average if we got frazzled sometimes or lost woman of average capabilities could our tempers. “The Torah wasn’t given 1 Michtav MeiEliyahu I, pp. 128,138. accomplish within her own home to malachim,” she would say. “It was

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given to human beings.” To one young opportunity to do chessed. Their Several weeks before her petira, woman who confessed to feeling over- activities reached a crescendo of a former student had come in from whelmed, she advised, “ Even if you fevered intensity as the clock ticked Eretz Yisroel. She had heard that have to eat tuna fish, get some cleaning loudly, marking the passage of this Rebbetzin Braunstein was very ill. help. It is that important!” Maintaining precious hour. With great drama, She called and asked if she could joy and serenity in one’s home was the he depicted the mounting tension come to visit. With trepidation, she first priority. as the time slipped away…. And stepped over the familiar threshold In one of her classic shiurim, she then the Maggid roared, “And what of that beloved home. She could not depicted the following scenario as if we have more than one hour!” believe her eyes. The Braunstein presented by the Maggid of Kelm: And then he intoned with haunt- family was sitting at the table. Rabbi In Shamayim they had ing pathos, “And who knows if we Braunstein was enjoying a delicious announced, “All those interred in have even one hour….” hot vegetable soup, while Rebbetzin the beis olam of Kelm could come Rebbetzin Braunstein brought this Braunstein, pale and thin, but wear- back to life for one hour!” He scene to life for us, as only she could ing her trademark glowing smile, depicted the scene vividly. One do. And then, as we sat on the edge of was sitting at his side, along with would rush to the beis hamidrash our seats, scarcely breathing, she would their son. She was totally involved and seize a Gemara. He would sit smile and say, “Ladies! If I had one hour in the game of Scrabble that was down and learn with fierce con- left to live, I’ll tell you exactly what I spread out across the table. She was centration. Another would run would do. I would put up a delicious completely absorbed in her interac- for his beloved Tehillim, and recite hot vegetable soup. Perhaps I would tion with her son, forming words and the words with great fervor. A bake a cake as well. And I would sit calculating the points as if it were the third person would run to the and play with my children and grand- most important thing in the world. hospital, looking for a precious children.” Because it was. d

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