Reviewed by Rabbi Chaim Serebrowski The Written Word [email protected] Hold On: Surviving the Days before Moshiach By Roy Neuberger

The Written Word features reviews and synopses of newly-released English language seforim, books and biographies. Each week, Rabbi Chaim Serebrowski selects and reviews a recently published volume, sharing with Yated readers information about its content and the background of its author. Suggestions may be submitted by authors, publishers and distributors to [email protected].

When Mr. Roy Neuberger wrote the machshavah, and has garnered the haska- jects. “I read a similar statement in the name manuscript of the book Hold On: Surviv- mos of Rav Yaakov Bender, Rav Yitzchok The book is set up in a clear, concise of Rabbi Yechezkel Levenstein, who said, ing the Days Before Moshiach, it was im- Berkovits, Rav Shlomo Bussu, Rav Dovid format. Quotes and anecdotes appear ‘In the final war before the coming of possible for him to envision the volatility Cohen, Rav Eytan Feiner, Rav Yaakov throughout the book, adding a dynamic Moshiach, all the who fear Hashem that would grasp the world precisely when Feitman, Rav Yaakov Moshe Hillel, Rav perspective to the primary lessons. will survive. Hashem will say to them, ‘All the final edition of the book would be roll- Naftali Jaeger, Rav Shmuel Kamenetsky, Perhaps the most important aspect of those who are removed from the secular, ing off the press. However, Hashem has Rav Zev Leff, Rav Yechiel Perr, Rav Yitz- the book is that it is refreshingly practi- worldly culture…you are Mine!’ orchestrated a somber series of events that chok Scheiner, Rav Eliyahu Schneider, and cal. Conversation about ikvisa d’Meshicha “This is of cosmic significance!” Mr. have left frum people around the world in- Rav Yechezkel Shraga Weinfeld. is often regarded as remote and aloof to Neuberger concludes. “Does this not give creasingly primed for the hashkafah that “I have had the zechus to review much many. Sources are often hard to under- us tremendous incentive to reassess our this new book sheds light on. Jews seek of what you have written in your latest se- stand, and people conflate various Kab- lives?” answers, craving to understand their des- fer,” Rav Yaakov Bender, rosh of balistic concepts with confusing, hard-to- tiny in a larger context, hoping to envi- Yeshiva Darchei , wrote. “I would grasp speculation. Hold On is clear and sion where this all will lead. Moshiach’s urge every Jew to find the time to read all straightforward, addressing these subjects footsteps are echoing louder each day, but of your seforim.” with a firm frankness and with unapolo- what does that mean for us? In this new “I found this work based on solid To- getic honesty. book, Mr. Neuberger conveys those an- rah sources, interesting, informative, and In Hold On, Mr. Neuberger describes swers, culled meticulously from the words inspiring,” wrote Rav Zev Leff, rov of how to survive through Torah and through of Chazal, seen through the lenses of the Moshav Mattisyahu. “This work can have acts of kindness. In an especially informa- gedolim he has studied under and offered the effect of solid mussar to wake one up tive chapter called “Shemoneh Esreh as a with the haskamos of an impressive lineup to intensify one’s connection to Hashem Life Preserver,” Mr. Neuberger expounds of today’s most prestigious rabbonim. Yisborach through Torah, chesed, and tefil- on Shemoneh Esreh, taking readers on a On the opening page of the book, a lah.” walkthrough of the brachos and explaining quote from the Chofetz Chaim is cited. Mr. Neuberger lends his keen insight to the deeper meaning in each one. Through- “Before Moshiach comes, Hashem will the sefer, a product of a lifetime of seeking out the entire book, readers can gain impor- stretch a rope from one end of the world Hashem. As he outlines in his book, From tant suggestions on how to act and think, to the other and shake it vigorously,” the Central Park to Sinai: How I Found My allowing them to make their approach to Chofetz Chaim wrote. “Those who hold on Jewish Soul (published in 2000 by Jona- these historic times real and meaningful. tightly will survive. Those who let go will than David), Mr. Neuberger was born to The importance of studying this book is not. These turbulent times are testing us an irreligious family and spent much of accentuated by a vital message depicted in in our faith in Hashem. We must hold on his life exploring his drive for ruchniyus, Chapter 4, which is reproduced here ver- tightly until the end.” eventually becoming the noted author and batim. This book is a survival handbook to hashkafic thinker he is known to be today. “Please contemplate, my friends, the help us hold on during these turbulent As Rav Shlomo Bussu points out in his following words, which are so powerful times. haskamah to Hold On, “With great respect and important that they defy description,” Hold On provides a prism by which to and admiration, I recommend this sefer, Mr. Neuberger writes, repeating a message view world events of today. It bridges the written with wisdom, fear, counsel, and un- he’s heard from Rav Matisyahu Salomon. gap between the lofty concepts we read in derstanding. With respect to the great toil “The Chofetz Chaim is quoted as having These stirring words should compel ev- seforim and the mundane events of the day. that was invested into it, and with great ad- said that the third and final war will be dif- ery Jew to delve into the lessons of the day It traces the battle between Yishmoel and miration of the long strides that have been ferent from the first two wars. In World in order to be best prepared for the com- Eisav through history to its upsurge in re- achieved by the rov and author, the pre- War I and World War II, the Angel of Death ing of Moshiach, and the handbook for this cent times and gives insight into the events cious Rabbi Yisroel Neuberger, who has was given freedom to harm tzaddikim as goal is finally available. of 9/11. It explains the purpose of anti- ascended from [the] depth of abyss, where well as evil people. But that will not be the Hold On: Surviving the Days before Semitism in the past, the rise of hatred in he hardly knew about his Jewish roots, to case in the third war. Moshiach was published by Mosaica recent times, and how the rejection of Jews be transformed into one who teaches and “The Chofetz Chaim is reported to have Press and is available at your local Ju- is intensifying as the geulah approaches. It disseminates so many vital principals of said that in the war directly before the daica stores or from Feldheim at feldheim. prods the role of modern technology and Judaism. One can tangibly feel that his coming of Moshiach, the Angel of Death com, now offering free shipping with no the trajectory of a deteriorating society, as words have been written with concern for will not have the power to harm those who well as our mission in this evolving world. Am Yisroel and love for every Jew.” cling with all their strength to Hashem and minimum purchase. Questions or com- Hold On is a unique book. Few contem- Hold On can be understood by hash- His Torah and who reject the culture of the ments about the book can be directed to porary books have been written about the kafic novices and appreciated by advanced surrounding nations. the author at [email protected] or era of Moshiach that are geared for the To- talmidei chachomim. Mr. Neuberger often “Those who stick like glue to Hashem through his website at www.2020vision. rah community, as a topic that is this sensi- draws from the basic tenets of hashkafah, and His Torah will survive and go on to co.il. [Please note that, as of several days tive cannot be conveyed without the great- but his perspective and classification of the live in the days of Moshiach!” ago, Feldheim Publishers, the distributor est caution and the adequate approbations. concepts are what makes the book a mas- Mr. Neuberger adds another quote of Hold On, was sold out of this book. Ad- Hold On has been reviewed by a number of terpiece, allowing readers on all levels to stressing this point, from Leket Reshimos, ditional books are now on the way to the talmidei chachomim, rabbonim and baalei gain a tangible clarity of these vital sub- as quoted in Redemption Unfolding. distributor from the printer in .]

14 Nissan 5780 | April 8, 2020 139