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THE JEWISH OBSERVER (ISSN) 0021-6615 is published monthly except July and August by the Agudath Israel of America, 84 William Street, New York, N.Y.10038. Periodicals postage paid in New York, N.Y. Subscription $24.00 per year; two years, $44.00; three years, $60.00. Outside of the United States (US funds drawn on a US bank only) $12.00 surcharge per year. Single copy $3.50; foreign $4.50. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: The Jewish Observer, 84 William Street, N.Y., N.Y. 10038. Tel: 212-797-9000, Fax: 6 212-269-2843. Where Are We Heading? - Printed in the U.S.A. Our Latest Encounters With Western Culture Robbi Aaron Brofman RABBI , EDITOR BO EDITORIAL BOARD OR. ERNST L. BODENHEIMER Leading Aspirations Chairman Robbi Yisroe/ Miller RABBI ABBA BRUONY RABBI JOSEPH ELIAS 14 JOSEPH FRIEDENSON Reb ':>"YT:A Revolutionary of Our Time RABBI YISROEL MEIR KIRZNEA Yonoson Rosenblum RABBI PROF. AARON TWEASKI l.3 MANAGEMENT BOARD A Gift Passed Along, Sarah Shapiro AVI FISHOF NAFTOLI HIRSCH l.7 ISAAC KIRZNER RABBI SHLOMO LESIN Post-Yorn Kippur Reflections: From Fasting to Feasting.•• to Triumph? NACHUM STEIN Yose( M. Gesser

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EUROPEAN REPRESENTATIVE AUSmAUAN DISTRIBUTOR SECOND LOOKS: M.T. Bibetman Gold's Bonk & Gilt Co. One by One, to , Bernard Fryshman Grosvenor Works 36 William Street Mount Pleasant Hill Balaclava 3183, Vic., London E5 9NE, ENGLAND AUSTRALIA 36 A Model Agudist, Reh Chi'el Anisfeld rrv THE JEWISH OBSERVER does not 37 assume responsibility for the Kashrus of any product, publication, or service A Statement by Agudath Israel Concerning the advertised in its pages Current Situation in the White House ©Copyright 1998 39 LETTER AND RESPONSE OCTOBER 1998 Feminism and Orthodoxy VOLUME XXXl/NO. 8 44 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Rabbi Aaron Brafman r r • ? I • Our Latest Encounters with Western Culture

Kial Yisroel's situation in as the Chovos Halevovos writes in Galus America, as the epitome Shaar Yichud Hama'aseh: of current Western culture, is The Chassid told his talmidim, unique in the annals ofJewish ''Learn to identify the threat of evil so History. All opportunities to you can recognize it and distance do whatever we desire, and to yourself from it." be whatever we wish to be, are [The Chovos Halevovos proceeds to open to us. Yet, tragically, cite proofs to this approach from the what Western society stands Getnora. He also writes,] "Only one for and has to offer us is Noth­ who is aware of the forces that lay ing. Nothing matters. Nothing ruin to the good can protect himself has real value. Nothing has from them ...." eternal significance. No, we do not want to excessive­ ly exa1nine forces of evil or becon1e Never before did we in1mersed in the1n, but we must be confront a society that stood aware of what threatens us, to for nothing. There were enable ourselves to better defend always either idols or ideals; ourselves and our children from its but at least something effects. In addition, those of us who mattered. This has neither go to movies nor have a tele­ devastating implications, as vision or a VCR in our homes are we will explain. still keenly aware of the trends in the entertainment and information era] decades to the worship of man, not media. Unfortunately, just by driving or I. THE DEMISE OF HUMANISM AND as an intellectual being, but n1an as ani­ walking through our neighborhood THE RISE OF "NOTHINGNESS" mal. Thus entertainment world lumi­ streets, or occasionally turning on a naries as well as sports and other media radio, thumbing through a newspaper, he Vilna Goan writes that the last heroes- the ones who both reflect and or even just going to a toy store for a gift, avoda zora (form of idolatry) will define our culture - are progressively makes one aware of what is going on. Tbe the worship of man. This was more animal-like in their conduct. For example, we have gone beyond always understood as a reference to the Immoral or degenerate behavior has human heroes to computer-generated n1ove1nent of Hu1nanism, in which 1nan become constantly more idealized. Thus animated characters as heroes or hero­ worshipped his intellect, and felt that his the increase in concern for animals, and ines. Some recent 1novies are of this reason reigns supreme and could be the decrease in concern for humans. genre. Thus, we have progressed from arbiter of all decisions of good or evil. Those of us who attempt to insulate heroes who are humans-with-anin1al This has deteriorated in the last sev- ourselves from popular culture are also qualities to exemplars of Nothingness. subject to the pressure it exudes. Even The impact of make-believe in this Rabbi Brafman, menahel of Yeshiva Derech Ayson of Far Rockaway, N.Y., is a frequent contributor for such cloistered individuals and fam­ new world of virtual reality is beyond to these pages, most recently with "The Crisis is ilies, then, it is important to recognize that of even the old make-believe of Now~ II," Su1n1ner 1997. the nature of the evil that threatens us, Hollywood.

__ , ______------6 The Jewish Observer, October 1998 • It is certainly noteworthy that gy. We must seek to be able to point out He sees Yaakov's family. murders are being committed by ever the ultimate emptiness of this culture Today, our family is our primary younger perpetrators, and that one con­ and the self-destruction awaiting those defense against the more aggressive tinues to hear shocking stories of who pursue it. We must create an envi­ forces of Western culnire. It is under siege teenagers killing their babies. Under­ ronment in our homes endowed with like never before, and on many levels. neath it all is a subculture that has no holiness and meaning. And above all, On the obvious level, the entire concern or value for human life. The we must permeate our homes with the institution of marriage is under attack, simcha - the joy - of living a Torah increase of violence in life and in enter~ with even the New York City govern- tainment is in part due to the mean­ life. Which bring us to a different aspect 1nent recognizing non-traditional «fam­ inglessness that certain trends in society of conten1porary culture. ily" arrangements. But on a more fun­ place on everything except immediate damental level, the role of women is self-indulgence and gratification. being radically changed. Hence the screaming n1usic, which is • the defining medium of this subculture, oday, our family is The Changing Status of Women throbs with meanness and resonates our primary defense with meaninglessness. T he feminist movement until now • MacDonalds had planned to run a against the might of focused on achieving equality special promotion featuring animated T between women and men in the characters from a popular movie for Western civilization's workplace. In the process, women children, but had to cancel the promo­ developed into self-centered takers, tion because of the violence of the aggressive forces. It is from having been altruistic givers - movie. which in Rabbi E.E. Dessler's Treatise on • The response by public officials to under siege like never Chessed (Michtav MeEliyahu I) is con­ the violence in schools - to spend before, and on many sidered the highest level of human more n1oney on security devices - behavior, because one is then acting in would be laughable if it were not so seri­ levels. the same mode as Hakadosh Baruch Hu, ous an issue. the ultimate Giver. • There was a time when, generally A July I Oth front page article in The speaking, ideas carried more weight, New York Times reported a troubling philosophers and political scientists II. THE FAMILY• UNDER ATTACK trend - the progressively lowering had universal impact, and serious intel­ birth-rate in : lectual discussion pervaded the upper ne of the vital institutions in the "There is no longer a single coun­ echelons of society. We, as Torah Jews, preservation of Kial Yisroel, try in Europe where people are having had to counter challenging ideas with 0 along with the Batei Knessios enough children to replace them­ intellectual responses. Thus our book­ and Batei Midrashim, is the family. Just selves when they die." One after shelves are heavy with many philo­ as the Shechina (Divine Presence) rests another, the women interviewed gave sophical sefarim from the Rambam's in the Mikdash Me'at (miniature sanc­ as their reason for not having children Morah Nevuchim to the many writings tuary), so too is it present in the ideal lack time or interest. «Despite the fact of Rabbi . This home. Thus the family is far more than that she lives in Sweden, which pro­ is no longer as broadly relevant as it \vas a grouping for social convenience, vides more support for women who in the past. What is attracting much of which can be altered at will, but rather want families than any other country, today's youth away from our noble her­ a unit of great spiritual significance. Ms. doesn't see how she can itage is not so much a fresh idea, or a In Parshas Vayishlach, the Torah possibly make room in her life for new guru or philosopher, as the cult of describes the pivotal meeting of babies. Ms. ___ would never con- Nothingness - a siren call that says Yaakov and Eisav, which entails the sider herself a radical, but she has enjoy yourself and do whatever you blueprint (as Chazal explain) of our become a cadre in one of the funda­ want. Even vestigial puritan instincts to current Galus experience: When mental social revolutions of the cen­ save money and postpone gratification Yaakov encounters Eisav, he finds tury." Even those who take exception have become transformed. Nowadays, him accompanied with four hundred to this trend are only concerned in a people invest in eventually realizing heads of battalions. Eisav, as a sym­ self-centered way; they fear they will enhanced power, or experiencing new bol of Western civilization, is repre­ find themselves in lopsided societies frontiers in pleasure, through their sented by an army. Eisav looks at with too few young people to sustain expanded wealth. Yaakov's camp and exclaims, «What are the old population. To counter this pervasive pitfall these women and children to you?" This shortsighted, self-centered requires a different defense and strate- (Bereishis 33,5) lifestyle witl result in an aging, bitter soci-

---··---- The Jewish Observer, October 1998 7 Marriage For Today's Woman: • Catching Up With The Torah View he consensus of professional and lay-activists Chazal (the of the ) working with at- risk teenagers and drop-outs, have always praised the value of mar­ T riage for both man and woman. The has been that the overwhelming maiority of their views of social scientists, who ln the 70's had conducted a survey that clients come from broken homes, orphaned homes, purported to prove that marriage is beneficial for men but not for dysfunctional homes, or unhappy homes. And women, are now catching up to while this fact no doubt calls for more effort on the Chazal. The latest study just released - based on following the lives of part of our to deal with this disadvantaged thousands of men and women over an extended period - shows that element, we must also strengthen that unit which 1s marriage proves beneficial to women as well. the most crucial in this area: the family. A New York nmes article (August 4;98) on the subject reports: The researcher, Dr. Linda j. • Waite, presented her findings in July ety peopled with desperate, lonely peo­ given as the reason for the yeshiva at the second annual Smart Mar­ ple. But right now this seems to be the dropouts, almost none apply to the girls' riages Conference in Washington. dominant wave of the present. Thus the schools. 'This is definitely a public increase in abortion and the unwilling­ While it has become fashionable to health issue," Dr. Waite said. "Peo­ ness to have children if they are "in my make the yeshivas and Rabbe'im the ple need to know the facts so they way as I climb the professional ladder." whipping boys for the increasing rate of can make good decisions. Marriage How different this is from the dropouts, they are by no means the pri­ is good for everyone. But, I'm bat­ Torah-view, where we see (or should mary source of the problem. Other tling a deeply entrenched, if dan­ see) in addition to the mitzva impera­ sources lie in two areas: Failure of the gerous and false, belief." tive, the potential of bringing a tzad­ family, and the pull of the street soci­ Married women are not only dik or tzidkanis into the world or an ety. The dropout problem cuts across happier and wealthier than single adam gadol who will inspire others. all communities and all frumkeit levels, women, Dr. Waite found, they are (See Rashi in Parshas Balak 24,3.) and while some of the problems may be also safer. .. .''The findings suggest "Hakadosh Baruch Hu waits to see due to increased standards of both learn­ that there is more to marriage than which seed will be the one to develop ing and frumkeit in the yeshivas, these just a social bond. There appears into the tzaddik." (See sidebar) play a secondary role at best. to be something specifically pro­ But we have reached a new nadir - The consensus of professional and tective about the long-term com­ not only are women portrayed in cur­ lay-activists working with at-risk mitment that marriage entails.n rent fiction as self-centered and in teenagers and drop-outs, has been that Once again, after fueling the antl- immoral situations, they are depicted as the overwhelming majority of their marriage atmosphere for decades, mean, aggressive and increasingly more clients come fron1 broken homes, and probably ruining countless lives violent. The calloused, aggressive fem­ orphaned homes, dysfunctional homes, in the process, the social scientists are inine executive or lawyer, and the or unhappy homes. Many of these chil­ changing their tune. But it likely will female killer, soldier, or cop is frequently dren carry around so much hurt and be many more decades before this the heroine in current movie and tele­ anger, which they tend to suppress in "new" attitude can filter back into the vision fare. This is a basic change and their younger years, but which explode general society. We who are always fundamental challenge that eats away at during the teenage years, to trigger "behind" in being swept along with the core of society's essential humani­ either overtly rebellious behavior or the social trends affecting changes in ty. And we are not impervious to it. depression. And while this fact no general society, must be on the alert Perhaps this is a factor in why the sta­ doubt calls for more effort on the part to counter the anti-marriage, stay-sin­ tistics of dropouts among religious of our yeshivas to deal with this disad­ gle-as-long-as-possible, pursue-and­ teenage girls matches that of the boys. vantaged element, we must also advance-in-your-chosen-career For if we listen to the usual litany of strengthen that unit which is most cru­ atmosphere. complaints lodged against yeshivas, cial in this area: the family.

8 The Jewish Observer, October 1998 Save The Family are gaining and what the potential loss­ should resonate with family interaction es are from indulging in the weekly and celebration as much as possible. he billions of dollars that Madi­ movable feast. How vital to our stability it is that we son Avenue and the entertain­ • The same is true of Yam Tov. We maintain the kedusha of our homes and Tment industry spend to entice can either approach an upcoming Yam create islands of meaning and giving, and attract the masses to their world of Tov with the simcha of preparing for a by filtering out as much of the outside nothingness and emptiness has its great experience, or try to escape from pollutants as possible! inevitable impact - even on those of the responsibilities of the Yorn Tov. And after all is said and done, we us who think that we lead insulated While there is a point to the song, "Here must pray- be mispallel - for there lives. Come the Pesach Blues," that must not is no formula for achieving success As we mentioned before, theirs is not be the impression children receive. with one's children without Siyata an intellectual assault, and the strate­ The sense and the setting of Yam Tov DiShmaya. • gy for mounting a counter-attack is all the more elusive and difficult to launch. It is more important than ever that we Mozeson/Malinowski Advertising (201) 801-0101 practice preventive medicine, and - as mentioned - find ways to strengthen ourselves as individuals and as a com­ munity, and focus on the underlying Ith foundations of what we are as a fami­ ly. We, as parents, must heighten our awareness of the importance of what we are doing and what we are accom­ plishing as a family. And we will never succeed in infusing kedusha and simcha SllC into our homes if we ourselves are not inspired and not b'simcha. One of the major problems we all face is our pressured lifestyles, where­ in so many different responsibilities pull us in all directions, at all times. The additional drain on our time, due to the • increased social commitments to sim­ chos and affairs) is certainly robbing our children of much-needed time with us. There is, however, Shabbos. This is, always was, and should be the time we have reserved for ourselves and our families. • The Shabbos table should be marked with an atmosphere of Menucha V'Simcha (tranquility and joy) - not just in the zemiros, but in our demeanor. It is a time to talk and lis­ ten to our children. Yet today this, too, is under assault. The typical Shabbos has become a marathon of Kiddush­ The Shalom Task Force hopping and- worse - weekend Bar Abuse Hotline is endorsed by Mitzvas, with the result of the children being shunted aside, left to eat alone or leading Orthodox Rabbonim. (even sadder) with a housekeeper. In 718 many a home, this corrosion of the Confidential Hotline 337 3700 Collect calls accepted. Shabbas can result in terrible conse­ Do it for yourself. quences. Do it for your children. Parents must take stock of what they

The Jewish Observer, October 1998 9 Rabbi Yisroel Miller

The Implications of the Prayer­ Blessing on Friday Night: "May Hashem make you like Ephraim and Menasheh!"

DESTINED FOR NOBILITY Mayor.' But that does not begin to compare to the honor of the name he question has often heen that you have called me: 'a few'!" asked: when we give our sons And he gave each of the urchins a Tour Shabbos blessings on Fri­ coin, and continued on his way. day night, "Yesimcha Elokim That is an aristocrat. k'Ephraim v'chiMenasheh - May "Keshoshana bein hachochim," Hashem make you like Ephraim and our people are like a rose among Menashe," one wonders - what the thorns. Why is the rose not qualities are unique to Ephraim and injured by them? Because the rose Menashe that they, more than any So Yaakov Avinu told his grandsons: Yes, is higher, it rises above the pointed jabs. other tzaddikim, are the model for a par­ people tend to follow the leader. So, The follower asks, What does the other ent's blessings? We are, of course) quot­ Ephraim and Menasheh - you be the person think? The leader asks, What are ing our father Yaakov, who pronounced leaders. Becha yevarech Yisroel, you be my thoughts, and what choices do I wish this blessing on his own grandchildren, the aristrocrats and the trend-setters, so to make? And he makes them, and rises but Yaakov>s words also require clarifi­ that others will bless their children that above. cation. Yaakov said) "Becha yevarech Yis­ they become like you. roel" -the Jewish people will bless their We, Yaakov's descendants in genera­ A CONTEMPORARY JEWISH children that they should be like tion after generation, continue to bless NOBLEMAN Ephraim and Menasheh. Again, there is our children with these same words, no mention of any specific quality because all of us are meant to be mem­ have the privilege of knowing a con­ possessed by Ephraim and Menashe. bers of Mamleches Kohanim (Shemos temporary Jewish noblen1an, a gov­ What is the implication of this blessing? 19), which Rashi translates as "a king­ I ernment employee who makes a Rabbi Yaakov Kaminetzky ':>"YT dom of princes," aristocrats, noble1nen decent living, but after paying full offered the following explanation: of the spirit. tuition at his children's yeshivas, he is far Ephraim and Menashe were born and What does a Jewish nobleman from wealthy. His employers permit him raised in Egypt, brought up in the look like? Consider the most honored to take off work for religious holidays, palaces of Pharoah and the Egyptian Jew of the 19th Century, Sir Moses but he forfeits pay for the days missed: nobility. Surrounded by power and Montefiore. Sir Moses traveled from Rosh Hashana, Yorn Kippur, Succos - materialism, it is difficult not to be influ­ England to Russia to intercede with the seven days this Tishrei alone. Besides enced, difficult to withstand the temp­ Czar on behalfof Russian Jewry. As he Yamim Tovim, this man decided to also tation to follow contemporary trends. passed through a town in , take off all of Chol Homo'ed, as well. He Rabbi Miller, author of Search of the Jewish some Polish children ran after his car­ is willing to forfeit thousands of dollars, ivoman, among other works, serves as of riage, yelling "Zhid!" Montefiore sent and we should admire his idealism in not Congregation Poale Zedeck in Pittsburgh. The his footman to grab hold ofthe children, seeking out a hetter, to be lenient. What above essay is based on Rabbi Miller's presenta­ and he said to them: "In London they I ad1nire most, however, is that, because tion at the 1997 National Convention of Agudath Israel of America. call me 'Sir,' and they call me 'Lord he does not have that much discretionary

10 The Jewish Observer, October 1998 income, the automobile he drives is a manded that for his own funeral danced, they wished Maze/ Tov, and they 1985 model, and it looks its age. (another opinion: a funeral of someone went home. Later we had a small seu­ His neighbors (even the Orthodox in his family) he be dressed in a simple das mitzva and Sheva Berachos for fam­ neighbor!) think, "Yes it's wonderful to shroud. Scandalous! What will people ily and out-of-town guests, all at a frac­ take off Chol Hamo' ed, but to lose so say? But «truth is never more resplen­ tion of the usual cost. much money and have to drive a paint­ dent than when defying moral fashion"; Were some of the 850 celebrants upset peeling clunker? What will the neighbors and tachrichin to this day follow the style over the lack of ostentation? If so, they think?') But this man sets his own pri­ set by Rabban Gamliel. did not tell us. But very many people did orities - Hakadosh Baruch Hu's prior­ We have no Rabban Gan1iiel to make tell us how much they appreciated not ities - and in consequence, his life a takanna (legal ordinance) limiting the having to sit through four hours of wait­ belongs to himself. He has freedom, and amount of money \Ve spend on Jewish ing through all the various courses, and to be truly free is to be rich indeed. weddings. But is it not sad that good another family in our neighborhood has An article in a recent issue of T11e New people feel they must go into debt to pay since n1ade the same style chasuna York Times described one of the last hip­ for an extra lavish dinner? And is it not (wedding). Who knows how much pie communes, a non-Jewish" kibbuti' sadder that because of the expense, we chessed we can accomplish by taking the in rural Virginia. Commune members cannot invite all the people we would lead, with "voluntary simplicity"' grow their own food, their clothes wish to share our simcha, and we must At chasunas of talmidim of a certain come from thrift shops or dumpsters, and their slogan is "Voluntary simplic­ ty: to minimize waste and escape the • supermarket culture." Is «voluntary ragically, for too many people life is nothing but a simplicity" an ideal only for hippies and non-Jews? Tmeaningless game, and one keeps score by accumulating Rabbi Elya Goldschmidt, Mashgiach possessions, grown-up toys. Kovod, our incessant status­ of the Yeshiva of South Fallsburg, was once seated at a wedding reception seeking, is also a toy The Emperor Napoleon created the together with one of the great Roshei modern system of awarding ribbons and medals to soldiers Yeshiva '>"1 of the last generation, and he noticed that the did not eat because, he said, "Men are ruled by toys." But Am Yisroel the ice cream that was served for dessert. marches to a different drummer. Rabbi Goldschmidt asked him why, and the Rosh Yeshiva replied that in his younger years in Russia, he never had ice cream, so when he came to America, he sacrifice some of our friends for a nicer •American yeshiva, the accepted practice saw no reason to begin. We Americans cut of roast beef? is to insist on hiring a one-man band in might wonder: how can you deprive As the Rav of a shul, I and my wife lieu of an orchestra. Instead of being a yourself of a new taste sensation? But felt it important when we married off source of embarrassment, I am told that never having had it, he did not feel our oldest daughter to invite all the in certain Torah circles it has now deprived. Instead, he felt like the non­ members of our congregation. \Ve also become embarrassing to use an orches­ smoker, who does not suffer withdraw­ invited friends and relatives, and in addi­ tra! It is considered gauche, lacking in al symptoms on Shabbos, or the non-cof­ tion we advertised that if we missed any­ class; and surely that is the way of Torah fee drinker who does not suffer one who wished to attend, \Ve wanted - to avoid all ostentation and excess. headaches on Tisha B'av. He felt freedom. to have them, too. 850 people showed When you see a Viennese table, do you up. The dinner was a buffet, using paper say "Zeh hashulchan asher lifnei THE THRUST OF LEADERSHIP or plastic plates, and there was plenty of Hashem" (This is the table before tasty but simple food. People ate, they Hashem)? And is a yeshiva student less f you are truly free, if you do not have to have whatever your neigh­ I bor has, if you are not a follower, you can then be a leader. Take the case of Rabban Gamliel. The Gemora says that Jewish funerals had become so expen­ For careful attention to your sive that poor families of a deceased individual needs, call us today! would abandon the body and flee the town; until Rabban Gamliel com- (914) 354-8445

The Jewish Observer, October 1998 11 of a ben Torah if his shirt is not white­ to a different drummer. on-white, or his hat not a Borsalino? The historian Flavius Josephus • Not long ago, I received a postcard describes the Tannaim (the rabbis of the f you are truly free, if from the Nielsen Television Ratings Mishna) as men who "abstain from del­ Company, offering me and my family icacies of diet:' They ate simply and they Iyou do not have to the opportunity to participate in a sur­ lived simply, because their focus was on vey to rate the most popular television something greater, and people around have whatever your shows. A great honor! But a week later, them respected them for it. neighbor has, if you when they telephoned and discovered A prominent, elderly Rav from Bretz that we do not o\vn a television set, they Yisroel who was visiting America paid are not a follower, you regretfully took away this honor. Did our a call on an American Rav who directs family feel ashamed that we had lost this a large Ka.shrus organization. Aftervvards, can then be a leader. chance to choose whether we preferred the Israeli visitor said to me with a tone to watch giluy arayos (immorality) or of respectful awe in his voice:" Rav So­ shejichas damim (bloodshed)? and-So appears to be a poor man, with • the simplest of furniture!" Al1 American plishment. Like the famous story of the A MATTER OF COLLECTING TOYS Rav, running a Kashrus organization visitor who saw the Chafetz Chaim's leshem Shamayim, not making a great primitive dwelling and asked, "Where is he point is not that we should deal of money from it and living sim­ your furniture?" The Chafetz Chaim abstain from all pleasure, or ply; the elderly Rav from Bretz Yisroe/ replied, "And where is your furniture?" Tthat our ideal is to live in pover­ was mightily impressed. The visitor said, "My furniture? I'm just ty. The point is that we should want to If we are not leading Rabbanim or passing through." And the Chafetz demonstrate our national pride, that we Roshei Yeshiva, then surely we should Chaim said: "Me too. I'm also just pass­ are a people who devote our lives to seek si1nplicity all the more. Son1eone ing through." something higher. I saw a bumper stick­ who knew the Chafetz Chaim ':i"lll told er that read: "Whoever dies with the me that the Chafetz Chaim's Rebbetzin COMMUNAL CONTROLS n1ost toys, wins." once asked him: Why do we live so poor­ OR INNER CONTROLS! Tragically, for too many people life is ly, when Reb Chaim Ozer Grodzenski, nothing but a meaningless game, and in Vilna, has a decent house? The here are those who suggest that one keeps score by accumulating pos­ Chafetz Chaim replied: "Reb Chaim our communities should establish sessions, grown-up toys. Kavod, our Ozer is the Nasi Hadar (the Prince of our Tfirm guidelines, placing limits on incessant status-seeking, is also a toy. 1'he generation), and he should certainly the amount of 1noney spent on sifnchas, Emperor Napoleon created the modern have a fine house! But we;' said the and n1andating a ratio between spend­ system of awarding ribbons and medals Chafetz Chaim, "we are just poshute Yid­ ing on vacations vs. spending on tzedak­ to soldiers because, he said, "Men are den, simple Jews:' ka. Perhaps this is an idea whose time ruled by toys." But Am Yisroel marches To be a si1nple Jew is an accom- has con1e. But perhaps even more Not just a cheese, a tradition... ·· · Haolam, the most trusted name in Cholov Yisroel Kosher Cheese. A reputation earned through 25 years of scrupulous devotion to quality and kashruth. With 12 delicious varieties. Haolam, a tradition you'll enjoy keeping.

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12 The Jewish Observer, October 1998 important is our need to develop the aristocratic attitude of"old money," an You can! Just call attitude that expensive toys and nouveau The Yitti Leibel riche gaudiness are undignified; because ''I wish I could we who possess Hashem's Torah have no Helpline. place for trivial ephemera and vulgar HOURS: display. We should feel the confident speak to a Monday-Friday ..... ,...... Sam -12pm Monday-Thursday ...... Spm -1 I pm pride that we will not be pressured to Sunday ...... 9am -12pm, 9pm -11 pm follow the crowd, because we know, in the end, the crowd will follow us. We frum therapist 718-HELP-NOW should take a lesson from the late (718)435-7669 David Rockefeller: many people wear on the phone [. Chicago ...... (800) HELP-023 gold wristwatches, and some of the Lakewood ...... (732) 363-1010 wealthy sport timepieces studded with Cleveland ...... (888) 209-8079 diamonds; but David Rockefeller wore without giving 'Baltimore ...... (410) 578-1111 no watch at all because he knew noth­ Morris, Union, Essex & Middlesex ing important would happen at the counties in NJ ...... (877) 4-LEIBEL meeting until he showed up. my name.'' For addiction problems call our addiction Off the coast of Japan are two tiny therapist, Wednesdays 11:30pm to 1:30am islands, each of which is no larger than a king-sized bed. Nothing grows on them, but the Japanese government has spent hundreds of millions of dollars to keep To help harness the enormous spirit those islands from crumbling into the sea. reverberating throughout the Americas Because as long as those minuscule pieces in the wake of the historic Tenth Siyum HaShas of the Oaf Yomi, Agudath Israel of Japanese territory remain afloat, the of America's Oaf Yomi Commission 200 miles of surrounding ocean are con­ reminds the public that. .. sidered Japanese waters, with all the fish­ • If you require assistance in the forma­ ing and mineral rights they entail. tion of a new Oaf Yomi group and/or In the ocean of An1erican material­ are in need of a qualified maggid shiur, ism, the Yam Suf of our own Mitzray­ the Oaf Yomi Commission can help. im, one Jew keeping his or her head • For a laminated book-mark with a 16- above water by trying to do the right month Oaf Yomi calendar, free of charge, our office can be written or thing may not appear to have any faxed. A 32-page seven-year calendar impact; but in spiritual matters, there is is also available, for a handling charge always a ripple effect. And those of us of $2.00 each. who, like Ephraim and Menasheh, turn • If you are aware of a new Oaf Yomi away from the false glitter of Mitzray­ shiur, please contact us for a Shiur im, we too can merit "Bee ha yavarech Registration Form, so that it can be Yisroef' -that we can lead and create a included in the new edition of the North American Directory of Oaf Yomi source of blessing for ourselves, our fam­ Shiurim presently under preparation. ilies and all of Kial Yisroel. • • In the meantime, copies of the 1996 Directory - though it does not list the myriad new groups established since the Siyum - are still available. • You can also send for a free Directory of Oaf Yomi Services, outlining the var­ ious programs and assistance avail­ able to participants in /imud Oaf Yomi.

The Jewish Observer, October 1998 13 Yonason Rosenblum

REB SHRAGA FE IVEL MEND LOWITZ i1:>1J7 p~i~ 1:>i: A Revolutionary for Our Time 50 Years Since His Passing, 3 Elul 5708/19481

((Here [in America] you have eration and for all generations to co1ne." ple, he saw that they would not work in to be a revolutionary;' Reb Reb Shraga Feivel was at once both practice, and, in the end, nothing would Shraga Feivel Mendlowitz 1nore optimistic and more pessi1nistic be saved. told the Klausenberger at their about the future of American Reb Shraga Feivel would no doubt first meeting. "No other approach than his contemporaries. On the one have been pleased to see what grew from stands any chance." And Mister Mend­ hand, he was almost alone in not view­ the seeds he planted. Pleased, but not lowitz, as he always insisted on being ing the state of Yiddishkeit in the '20s as satisfied. "If I were the type of person called, was a revolutionary who caused immutable. He defied the convention­ to be satisfied," he once said, "I would the light of Torah to shine in America. al wisdom that it was impossible to raise not have achieved even this much." He was, as Rabbi said, children in America with yiras Shomay­ Yet his achievements over twenty-five "the father of all bnei Torah in our gen- im (Fear of Heaven) and without com­ years defy belief. He built one of the first promises. major yeshivas in America; almost sin­ 'The reader is referred to Rabbi Yitzchak Chinn's tribute to Reb Shraga Feive\, "Ohr Shraga-The At the san1e time, he saw more clear­ gle-handedly created the Torah Ume­ Light of Reb Shraga Feivel," which was featured ly than most just how far American Jews sorah network of day schools, in which in The Jewish Observer, September '83. would sink without any grounding in more than a hundred thousand Jewish

---~ Yonason Rosenblum, who lives in , is Torah. The prevalent attitude was to try children are presently enrolled; estab­ a regular contributor to The Jewish Observer. He to save whatever could be saved through lished Bais Medrash Elyon, America's is the translator and author of many works a series of strategic retreats and com­ premier in its time; founded the including an as yet unpublished biography of Reb Shraga Feivel Mendlowitz entitled "Mister Mend­ promises. Reb Shraga Feivel not only first summer camp for yeshiva students; lowitz." rejected such compromises on princi- and played a role in the formation of vir-

14 The Jewish Observer, October 1998 tually every major yeshiva gedala in America. But Reb Shraga Feivel is not only of • historical interest. He imparted a vision eb Shraga Feivel's goal, above all, was to that remains relevant today. His recog­ nition that Torah education must Rcreate a "complete Jew," for only such a engage the heart as well as the mind, his insistence on providing the broadest "complete Jew" would be sufficiently protected possible exposure to the wealth of Jew­ against the broader social forces around him. Every ish thought, and his commitment to a Kial Yisroel that transcends its con­ boy who chose the Mesivta would have to confront stituent groups are ideals still only imperfectly realized. negative pressures at home and from his friends. I. ENGAGING THE SOUL • ifty years after his passing, tears still simply be transplanted into boys raised come to the eyes of his students in Gan Eden,'' remembers Rabbi Her­ in a very different society. American Fwhen they speak of him. They shel Mashinsky. "We hoped it would youth, he said, lack examples of an old­ readily acknowledge they owe him never end." time erlicher Yid and have never expe­ everything for what they and their fam­ Rabbi , a product of rienced how the Shabbas Queen should ilies became. Speaking only , he the leading Lithuanian yeshivas, was be received properly nevertheless became the primary influ­ once asked why Torah Vodaath had no ence on thousands of boys whose first daily Mussar seder, as was comn1on in He himself was the primary model language was English. A product of the the Lithuanian yeshivas. He replied, "The for his students of the emotions that most conservative of Hungarian yeshiv­ weekly Shalash Seudas with Reb Shra­ characterized the European Jew of old. as, he so1nehow found a common lan­ ga Feivel has as much power to scorch Above all, he provided them an exam­ guage with American boys torn between off impurities from the soul and instill ple of a soul aflame with awareness of the study of Torah and the lure of fame good middas as the study of Mussar." his Creator. "Der grester glick fun leben as Golden Gloves boxers. He succeed­ Reb Shraga Feivel rarely missed an iz leben alein- The greatest fortune in ed because he met his students in a opportunity to drag the boys into a cir­ life is life itself," he would say. After the realm beyond external appearances and cle of dancers. A year and a half before sheer experience of existence itself, all personal background - in the realm of his petira, he did not desist from lead­ else is anticli1nactic. the soul. ing the talmidim in Bais Medrash Elyon Hashem's Creation was alive for in fervent dancing on Shavuos. When his him. When he watched the leaves Touching the Heart son-in-law Rabbi Sender Linchner tried rustling in the wind, he actually saw to stop him, fearing that he would bring them singing praises to Hashem. Once Jew, Reb Shraga Feivel always on another heart attack, Reb Shraga he was walking in the woods with a stressed, is defined by his emo­ Feivel pushed him away. "Don't stop group of talmidim when one of them Ational responses no less than his me," he said. "Didn't I build the Mesiv­ absent-mindedly picked a leaf off a tree. book knowledge. He sought to implant ta with singing and dancing? And so will Reb Shraga Feivel stopped in mid-sen­ a Jewish heart within his students. To do it continue. Let the heart go, but let the tence. "Don't you know;' he asked the so, he relied on the Chassidic emphasis boys learn to dance." hapless offender, "that the whole cre­ on developing powerful Jewish emo­ ation sings a song to the Creator - tional responses. Above all, he used song Providing the Model every plant, every blade of grass? When and dance. you pulled that leaf off the tree, you cut The highlight of the week for boys eb Shraga Feivel's most difficult off its song in the middle." in the Mesivta was Shalosh Seudas. The task was instilling his students In the '20s and '30s in America, the singing consisted of beautiful, haunt­ Rwith the same emotional attach­ show of strong emotions by boys, and ing melodies, both with and without ment to their Yiddishkeitthat had been certainly by men, was considered some­ words. At the head of the table sat Reb absorbed automatically by Jewish thing akin to a breach of etiquette. Hol­ Shraga Feivel enveloped in thought, his youngsters in the relatively isolated idays and occasions of simcha, remem­ eyes closed, the talmidim gathered Jewish communities of Eastern Europe. bers Rabbi Nesanel Quinn, were around him, barely able to see him in Feelings that developed organically in celebrated with all the warmth of the the waning light. "We felt like we were a society steeped in Jewishness could not North Pole. Reb Shraga Feivel changed

The Jewish Observer, October 1998 15 all that; he revealed a new world filled one in the institution was aware of his with rejoicing in the mitzvos. existence or his problems did not occur One day he was teaching Tehillim 84, in the Mesivta. Reh Shraga Feivel not whose subject is the Jew's eternal pining only knew each student by name, he for return to Jerusalem and the Temple knew his family situation, personality, that once stood there: "My soul yearns, plans for the future, and spiritual level indeed it pines for the courtyards of at any given time. Hashem" (84,3). When he reached the His first tip to those embarking on verse, "Even the sparrow finds a home, a career in chinuch was: Never stint on and the swallow its nest" (ibid:4), the the time spent talking to your students. tears poured down his cheeks, as he cried And talk to their hearts. When two out, "Everything has its place except for talmidim who had gone to teach in the Shechina (the Divine Presence), Singing "Mimkomcha" at daughter's wedding (1947) Detroit complained that they had been which remains in exile." 1'he contrast unable to switch the language of between the wild bird and the homeless thing at a glance: Younger students were instruction to Yiddish, Reh Shraga told Jew, between the ever-present nest and convinced that he could look at them them they had been wrong to even try. the absent Beis Hamikdash, was too and know everything they were think­ "English is the students' native language, much for him. He could not continue. ing. When boys playing stickball dur­ their 'soul language;" he explained, "and The students could only sit there ing recess or before school glanced up if you want to find a path to their hearts, uneasily, feeling something was and saw Reb Shraga Feivel with his ubiq­ you have to reach them in the language demanded of them but not knowing uitous pocket watch in his hand, "the of their soul:' what. Yet with that outburst, Shechinta ball seemed to stop in mid-flight." Because he knew them so well, Reb beGalusa (the exile of the Divine Pres­ Word that "the Boss is coming" was Shraga Feivel could guide his students ence) ceased to be an abstraction for enough to send tremors through the as individuals. "Every yeshiva;' Rabbi them. For the first time they had a taste lunch room. Yaakov Ka1nenetsky once said, "is a of how Jews over the centuries have But over the years, the boys came to S'dom bed. Boys are cut or stretched to longed for Eretz Yisroel and poured out appreciate how deep was his love for fit the yeshiva.') But that was never true their tears in Tikkun Chatzos (nightly them. "A real rebbe loves his students as of Torah Vodaath. "One could say he had midnight lamentations) over the exile much as his own children;' he once told no approach to education;' says Rabbi of the Shechina. his son Shmuel. Moshe Wolfson," or rather he had a dif­ Love meant taking them seriously as ferent approach for everytalmid. The Each Student an Individual individuals. A part of each day was set number of his students equalled the aside for private discussions with indi­ number of educational approaches he he depth of Reb Shraga Feivel's vidual students. At miniinum, he tried used." relationship with his talmidim to speak to each boy privately twice a Thad nothing to do with an easy year. Those talks allowed him to gain an II. EXPOSURE TO THE WEALTH OF camaraderie. He had neither the desire intimate picture of each boy-who his JEWISH THOUGHT nor the ability to be pals with his stu­ friends were, what he liked to read, what dents. Awe, tinged with fear, was the first he did after school, his opinions on var­ b Shraga Feivel did not view emotion that most students experienced ious subjects. America as a problem to be over­ upon meeting Reb Shraga Feivel. His The phenomenon of a student falling ome. He saw it as an opportunity piercing eyes seemed to take in every- between the cracks and feeling that no to create something entirely new. Torah

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16 The Jewish Observer, October 1998 Vodaath, in his day, was a unique blend strands in relation to one another, and diametrically opposed are often just dif­ of the Lithuanian-style learning with to see each of them as simply another ferent means of expressing the same Chassidische bren (emotional fervor) and path to knowledge and service of the truth." A single class might blend togeth­ German-Jewish consistency. He sought Divine. Who else could have used the er Moreh Nevuchim, Rabbi Samson out the finest products of the Lithuan­ works of Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch Raphael Hirsch, S'fas Emes, and Tanya. ian yeshiva world to guide the learning: to explicate a classic Chassidic work like But he was not content that his stu­ Rabbi Moshe Rosen, Rabbi Dovid Lei­ Tanya, or vice versa? dents remain merely eclectic, though an bowitz, Rabbi Shlomo Heiman, Rabbi In part, the exposure to such a openness of heart and mind to new Reuvain Grozowsky, and Rabbi Yaakov panorama of classic Jewish thought paths of Divine service was one of the Kamenetsky n:n:i? CllUT. derived from his central insight that each trademarks of his talmidim. He insist­ His second great innovation was the soul is ignited in different ways and that ed that they take the various strands of central place given in the curriculum to different sonls would respond to differ­ Jewish thought and from them fashion classes in Jewish thought and Tanach. He ent paths. But, in addition, he wanted his their own personal hashkafa. In the new exposed his students to the finest out­ students to see that "what often seemed world of America, they were free to gath- pourings of the Jewish soul over the ages. "I want you to be able to swim like ducks in the classic Jewish texts," he told them. Boys in the Mesivta learned and Tanach, studied the Siddur so that the words of the daveningwould be alive for them, covered the mitzvos still applic­ able after the Destruction of the Tem­ ple, and delved into many of the classics extends its heartfelt wishes to of Jewish thought. Reb Shraga Feivel taught each of these subjects himself. Among the texts that he taught Agudath Israel of America repeatedly over two decades in the Mesivta were Mussar classics such as for a year of continued success for the benefit of Jews the world over. Sha'arei Teshuva and Kitzur Sefer Charei­ dim; major works of medieval Jewish We appreciate your work for the Kial, as taught so skillfully by Rabbi thought like Rambam's Shemoneh Per­ Moshe Sherer 7"'Yl, and have every confidence that you will go from akim, Kuzari, and Chovos Halevovas; and, among the works of later Jewish strength to strength in the year to come. thinkers, Mesillas Yesharim, Derech Hashem and Daas Tevunos by Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzatto, and Tanya, the classic Chassidic work by Rabbi Shneur Zalman of . He also introduced A course in advanced j711i'1 some of the more advanced students to leading Chassidic thinkers such as Rabbi taught6y Tzaddok HaKohein of , the Tzemach Tzeddek, and the Sefas Emes. In the course of his classes, he gave the stu­ RABBI CHAIM dents a broad introduction to Lashon HaKodesh and to Jewish history. He was alive to every facet of legiti­ LENCHITZ mate Torah expression. "Some souls," he used to say, "drink from Tanya. Others from the Ramchal. Still others from If you are interested or Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch. I drink would like more from all of them, though at any given information contact time, I might drink from one in partic­ ular." Few have equalled his ability to RabbiYehudah Rupp draw from every strand of authentic Jewish thought, to place those various at (718) 436-7272

The Jewish Observer, October 1998 17 (Rabbi Yechiel , "The A1ussar er the best of all that had been produced in which it was assumed that only a col­ Moven1ent and Lithuanian Jewry," in Men of in previous generations, and they lege education could protect against a the Spirit, Rabbi Leo Jung, ed., p. 243) should exercise that freedom. Never life of penury. To do so would require stop "gathering;' he advised them. the richest of spiritual and intellectual It would be a mistake, however) to Reb Shraga Feivel's goal, above all, resources. think that Reb Shraga Feivel only taught was to create a "complete Jew," for only He recognized that the intellectual so much classic Jewish thought as an such a "complete Jew" would be suffi­ temptations to which his students antidote to the intellectual siren song of ciently protected against the broader would inevitably be subjected could only his time, or to assume that we are some­ social forces around him. Every boy who be opposed by exposure to the treasures how more sheltered today. These works chose the Mesivta would have to con­ of Jewish thought. In this he followed were his lifeblood. front negative pressures at home and Rabbi Yisroel Salanter's insight that "the The issues with which he dealt- e.g., from his friends. He would have to be sole defense against a cultural n1ovement fear and love of Hashem, the prosperi­ able to stand alone in a world in which breaking in from the outside is an ty of the wicked and the suffering of the there was a stampede for scientific and opposing cultural force "arising from the righteous, the nature of Jewish chosen­ other forms of secular knowledge, and very depth of the Jewish soul:' ness - are timeless. The specific mix of texts chosen today might have varied, but Reb Shraga Feivel would still have con­ sidered a thorough grounding in the basics of Jewish belief a prerequisite for a full life as a Jew. Where these issues are not addressed as part of a Jew's basic education, he 325 Seventh Street, Lakewood, NJ 08701 • (732) 363-5000 1>,-rnr.i'::> '::>N,·iin :i'::>n ,w:i PN'::>) <§) feared, the result is Orthodox adults liv­ ing with doubts - some niggling some Spend Shabbos in a serious - and without even the aware­ ness that these questions have been dealt heimishe atmosphere with by the greatest of Jewish minds. Shul on prentises Moreover, without this foundation, Orthodox Jews might find themselves Centrally located near the Yeshiva: incapable of conveying their heritage to ror reservations and inlorn1ation tall non-religious Jews or shy away from 1-800-CAPITOL (227-4865) attempting to do so out of fear of not being able to answer questions. Catering under Rabbinical Supervision of the Yaad Hakashruth of Lakewood, NJ Ill. FOR THE SAKE OF THE KLAL

t the heart ofReb Shraga Feivel's teaching lay a negation of self. A We find ourselves in a world of For teachers and those overwhelming beauty, he said, but too frequently our sense of ourselves looms interested in improving so large that it blocks out the world entirely. The more one negates himself, their n'"O)I the more he can see of the world. And This course will be taught by the renowned without that view, it is impossible to achieve anything in the world. "Hashem," he once said, "creates some­ ATHALIA BRISON thing from nothing. Our task is to take INTERMEDIATE LEVEL something - our sense of self - and Classes to be held at transform it into nothing." Hilda Birn Machon High School How well he succeeded in negating 1681 42ND STREEl'. BROOKLYN his own ego was attested to by Rabbi , an intimate of Rabbi Yoel Kromer, Educa!ior.cl Director For more information and registration please coll almost every great Torah figure of the Rabbi Yehudo Rupp of (718) 436-7272 twentieth century:

18 The Jewish Observer, October 1998 I have been privileged to know of Torah. many great men in my life, but I His task, as he saw it, was to do that never found another one like him, which others were not capable of doing totally free ofany personal negi'ah as well. Thus he had been perfectly will­ (interest) to the last degree . ... Cer­ ing to merge Bais Medrash Elyon tainly, I knew others ofwhon1 there together with Rabbi 's Bais could be no suspicion of being Medrash HaGovoha in Lakewood, even influenced by honor, or money, or though Bais Medrash Elyon was the bet­ favors, but nevertheless there ivas ter established of the two. perhaps a slight trace ofbeing influ­ Torah Vodaath's admission policy was enced by some personal spiritual governed by the question: How can the consideration . . . . With Reh yeshiva have the greatest impact on Shraga Feivel, there was not even American Jewry? Boys from weaker that. Everything he did was for Jewish backgrounds were not only Hashem alone, free from any trace admitted, they were eagerly sought out. of any spiritual negi'ah, no mat­ The recruiting trips, in which boys from ter how slight. Eastern Pennsylvania, Baltimore, and Rabbi Reuvain Grozovsky, with Reh Shmga Feivel at daughter'.' wedding. Negation of self allowed for Rochester were bused into Williamsburg the deepest attachment to Kial Yisroel. Feivel was one of those most active in for a Simchas Torah in Torah Vodaath, No subject so dominated Reb Shraga fundraising for Vaad Hatzalah and were aimed precisely at boys with little Feivel's teaching or private conversation procuring affidavits. He even asked background in Torah learning and as the obligation upon every Jew to be Rabbi Aharon Kotler whether he should scant halachic knowledge. concerned with the fate of his fellow devote himself exclusively to these tasks Jews. The most important words in his and leave Torah Vodaath. Father of the Yeshivos vocabulary were "Kial Yisroel," and his constant question was: What are you Yeshivas as Public Institutions orah Vodaath had no primacy in doing for Kial YisroeP. Reb Shraga Feivel's mind over any He identified with the suffering of his eb Shraga Feivel viewed Mesiv­ Tother yeshiva. No head of a yeshi­ fellow Jews to an extraordinary degree. ta Torah Vodaath as a public va will ever part with his best students After first news of the extermination of Ri nstitution, not as a fruit stand or his biggest donors. Yet Reb Shraga European Jewry reached America, he run exclusively for the benefit of the Feivel did both repeatedly at a time when never ate meat again, explaining that proprietor. His goal was never that there were barely fifty advanced students there was already too much killing in the Torah Vodaath be acknowledged as the in America and a handful of Orthodox world. His final heart attack struck the "best" yeshiva in America, but that it do Jews of means. In the annals of the day the Old City of Jerusalem and the the most possible to advance the cause yeshivos from Rabbi Chaim Volozhin's Kosel fell to the Jordanians in 1948, as he sobbed uncontrollably over the words in the bentching, "Have mercy, Hashem, on Israel, Your nation, and on Yerushalayim, Your city." The breadth of public projects in :~~~hns7~m~:; i~v~~~:~ ~~:~;h,h;: ·@J····a~@;,lF> breathtaking. In 1923, he and Cantor ;U \,.Y~ U Yossele Rosenblatt founded Dos Yiddishe ,,;;;;;.,., · Licht to combat the rampant secularism . ain offering its course in 15 of the Yiddish press and to address the The Mercaz once ag 'ALSHIP rapidly declining state of Jewish obser- CIP vance. The debts they incurred took PRIN more than a decade to repay. So crucial ~··skL were his fundraising efforts on behalf of ht by D~ 0"11?;l , that the city's founder Reb =Th.is course will be taug ~ ~~ Yitzchak (Itchie) Gershtenkorn as ked to d ..nc1pa Is &P'"mnJ -~~-.f"''n \ea ing pn . t please contact Ull' - be buried next to Reb Shraga Feivel. · and registra ion d ( n~l o;recwr for more information 718) 436~ 7272 R,1bb1 Yue\ Kramer,£ uca o During , Reb :Sh=ra~g:a~~~~L~R~ab~b~i~Y~eh~u~d~a~h~R~u~p~p=(~======~~~~~~

The Jewish Observer, October 1998 19 day to our own, there are few other com­ He urged Rabbi Nochum Velvel Dessler, our help. Now is no time to think about parable examples. who had learned in Telshe in Europe, to ourselves or anything gashmiyus (mate­ The opening of Mesivta Chaim rejoin his former yeshiva. To those who rialistic):' He went to the meeting and was largely at Reb Shraga Feiv­ warned Rabbi Dessler that Cleveland donated $I 0,000. Later he did the same ers initiative. And to ensure that the new was a spiritual wasteland, Reb Shraga for the Rebbe. yeshiva was firmly established, he made Feivel replied, "I say go and have a part Erev Yorn Kippur 5703 (1942), Reb a rule that any boy who lived closer to in the building of a yeshiva. And Shraga Feivel and his son-in-law Rabbi Chaim Berlin than to Torah Vodaath Hashem will help you turn the wasteland Linchner went to visit the great Sephar­ would not be accepted in the Mesivta. into a famous place of Torah." di ba'al tzedakka (philanthropist) Isaac At the same time, he told Benzion He always had the same answer for Shalom on behalf of Torah Vodaath. In Eliyahu Fruchthandler and Yehuda all those who complained that he was the course of their conversation, Shalom Falik, two of his biggest supporters, that destroying his own Mesivta: "My pur­ shared with Reb Shraga Feival a concern they now belonged to Chaim Berlin pose is to produce soldiers for the that was very much on his mind: the lack since they lived closer to it. Almighty. What do I care whether they of any organized Torah education in Soon after his arrival in America in are deployed to the East or the West?" North Africa, Iraq, and Iran, and the 1942, Rabbi Aharon Kotler expressed to Reb Shraga Feivel was as generous consequent inroads being made in Reb Shraga Feivel the desire to open in with money as with his students. He was these countries by the Alliance and other America a yeshiva like the one he had left always ready to share his list of donors non-religious groups. behind in Kletsk. Witl1out hesitation, Reb with any rash yeshiva who needed it. At the end of the conversation, Shraga Feivel took some of the best stu­ Near the end of his life, when he was Shalom held out a check of $5,000 to dents in the Mesivta and sent them to very weak, Reb Shraga Feivel heard that Reb Shraga Feivel. Even though Torah Reb Aharon. He knew that only the very the Klausenberger Rebbe was holding a Vodaath was badly in need of funds, Reb best talmidim could possibly understand meeting to raise funds for the network Shraga Feivel refused the check, and told Reb Aharon's shiurim. The roshei yeshi­ of yeshivas and girls schools that he had Shalom, "World War II ended the epoch va in the Mesivta were understandably established in the Displaced Persons of European Jewry. A new era is start­ upset and complained to Reb Shraga camps in Europe. Reb Shraga Feivel ing in which Sephardim will be at the Feivel. He told them unapologetically, immediately announced that he would center. You are the only one who under­ "Our task is to cause Torah to flourish) attend, to the dismay of his family. They stands this, so you must devote yourself and Reb Aharon cannot be rebbe for stu­ could not understand why he felt he had to the Sephardim." On the basis of that dents of a lower calibre." to go in such a weakened condition. See­ meeting, Shalom established Otzar opened its doors with ing their concern, Reb Shraga Feivel HaTorah, which over the next two only three American bachurim, all of explained, "He's a Yid, a talmid chacham, decades established Jewish schools and them from Torah Vodaath. Reb Shraga a tzaddik. Besides, he was spared from yeshivas for tens of thousands of Jewish Feivel had encouraged each of them to the fire, and he speaks in the name of children in Arab lands. have a hand in building a new yeshiva. all the Yidden (Jews) over there that need Inspiring Others

hen it came time for students EARLY CHILDHOOD IN SERVICE to leave the beis , Reb W Shraga Feivel reminded them WORKSHOPS: Methodo(o99 in Theorv &Practice that their plans must acknowledge a duty to give something back to Kial Yis­ roel. "Your first concern should be not ' I what you can out of the position," he told them, "but what you can give:' MRS. ROCHEL ZLOTOWITZ "It is remarkable to what an extent EIGHT SESSIONS he planted in us a feeling that we who had been fortunate enough to learn Perfect for Kinder9arten & Pre-1 A Moros Torah held the whole spiritual fate of Atnerican Jewry in our hands," recalls __.ITJ~'.\::1:1~ l:J'lb Classes fanning in Brookl)TI, Queens, and Far Rockaway Elimelech Terebelo. "Even when I had ~ ~ For information ond registration, contact only been in the Yeshiva a short time, Rabbi Yeh 6 -7 2 72 and had barely begun to realize my _J~Trainil18= ~~r~oE~K~~ '~'~'"~' :~,: ambitions in learning, Reb Shraga Feiv­ el had already instilled in me a sense of

20 The Jewish Observer, October 1998 obligation to worry about all those Jew­ "As a rabbi;' he told his older students, advanced institute for training educa­ ish boys who had not had the oppor­ "you'll be dealing with the baalebattim. tors that would attract committed stu­ tunity to learn in yeshiva or who lived How much can you do with baalebat­ dents from all the yeshivas in America. in towns far from any yeshiva." tim? But if you work with kids, you'll Aish Dos (literally, Fire of Faith), the His mark was on his students. Aryeh have spiritual satisfaction, and you'll be name Reb Shraga Feivel gave the teach­ Leib Kramer, a product of the Mesivta, building Kial Yisroel." If American rab­ ers' institute he opened in the summer founded the Inter-Yeshiva Council to bis had used the time spent preparing of 1943 in Monsey, captured his phi­ convince boys in elementary school derashos to educate the children in their losophy of education. Ideas, he felt, are yeshivas to continue on to yeshiva high shuls, he noted bitterly, they might have best transmitted when packaged in a schools. In many respects, the Council accomplished something. person. The preeminent requirement for proved to be the forerunner of all Amer­ Reb Shraga Feivel realized that Euro­ an educator, in his view, "\Vas that he ican kiruv work. When New York State pean-trained melamdim were incapable burn with a fire for Yiddishkeit. Only allowed public school children an hour of transmitting Yiddishkeit to increas­ those whose souls were aflame would of Release Time for religious study a ingly Americanized Jewish youth, and succeed in igniting a spark in American week, Torah Vodaath students made up that the Torah educators of the future children largely ignorant of what it a large percentage of those participat­ would be drawn from among the ranks meant to be a Jew. ing as teachers. The Mesivta provided of the talmidim produced in Torah Aish Dos proved to a be a prelude to most of the staff and head counsellors Vodaath and the handful of other the great project of Reb Shraga Feivel's for Camp Agudah, which was through­ yeshivos then in existence. last five years: Torah Umesorah. In an out the '40s largely a camp to teach the Virtually all the first generation of anonymous kol korei (proclamation) basics of Yiddishkeit to boys from out­ American-trained and principals published Rosh Chodesh Elul 1944, Reb side the New York area. were his students. Their sense of mis­ Shraga Feivel gave expression to the Perhaps nowhere do we so clearly sion allowed them to accept salaries too sense of desperation that was driving hear Reb Shraga Feivel's idealism, as in paltry for most yeshiva graduates to con­ him. Few American Jews, the kol korei a letter written by Rabbi Yosef Levitan sider. "Our students always think that charged, could say with respect to the 7"YT to parents who had sent him a large they deserve less than they are offered," extermination of most of European sum of money for tutoring their son Reb Shraga Feivel once commented, Jewry, "Our hands did not shed this over a long period of time: "and as a consequence, they are always blood" (Devarim 21,7). The question of I must beg of you a thousand par­ happy with what they are given. The the hour, however, was whether they dons for my return of the money.... main thing for them is that Torah grow would show the same indifference - for But I could not forget the words of my and be glorified." which they stood condemned at the bar master and teacher, Reh Shraga Feiv­ To do produce American-trained of history- to the spiritual devastation el Mendlowitz: "Anyone who hopes to mechanchim (educators), he first had to taking place in America. be successful in transmitting our her­ raise the prestige of mechanachim. To do Over the next five years, Reb Shraga itage to his students must be com­ that Reb Shraga Feivel conceived of an Feivel laid the foundation for the Amer- pletely pure of any other desire than that his students absorb the Torah into the very fibre of their beings ... :'To accept money from you for learning [with your son] would introduce pre­ cisely such an interest into my teach­ ing .... Reb Shraga Feivel also used to say that a rebbe needs special siyata d'Shamaya (Heavenly guidance) in Learn and master the art order to teach boys in need of special help, and for that he must make him­ and sl~ill needed to bring self worthy.... the computer into your Education-the Key classroom

he cure for American Jewry, Reb UPGRADE YOUR PROFESSIONALISM Shraga Feivel felt, could be sum­ For more information & registration please contact Tmarized in one word: education. Accordingly, a career in chinuch was the Rabbi Yehudah Rupp at (718) 436-7272 goal he set for most of his close students.

The Jewish Observer, October 1998 21 ican day school movement. He cajoled try to convince communities that day cessor program, Beis Medrash L'Mech­ Mr. Samuel Feuerstein of into schools were feasible, and Torah anachim. But the down-to- earth work becoming the first president of Torah Vodaath students gave up their summers in planting Reb Shraga Feivel's spirit in Umesorah, raised the initial funding to recruit students for the new schools. Detroit was done by two of his closest from among the traditional supporters Detroit provides a good example of talmidim, with sweat and tears, zip and of Torah Umesorah, and directed the the impact that a handful of those zest: Rabbi Avraham Abba Friedman, organization's day to day activities. inspired by Reb Shraga Feivel could have and Rabbi Shalom Goldstein, who With the exception of Dr. Joseph on a community. The thrust of Yeshiv­ eventually became the first principal of Kaminetsky, who would serve as nation­ as Beth Yehuda, which became a full-day the Detroit . al director for almost 30 years, the entire school in 1944, was shaped by Rabbi Reb Shraga Feivel's talmidim did not manpower for the fledgling organization Sim cha Wasserman, (who had headed come to Detroit for jobs but on a mis­ was drawn from the ranks of Reb Shra­ Aish Dos) who was dean of the school sion. Before the term "kiruv" had even ga Feivel's talmidim. Sender Gross and in the 40's. He was followed by Rabbi been coined, the Beth Yehuda rebbes Bernard Goldenberg crossed the coun- Joseph Elias, director of Aish Dos's sue- were a full-time kiruv organization. Every Friday night, the population of the two-block area near the yeshiva in which most of the rebbes lived would swell by twenty to forty boys - most of whom were from non-religious homes. Friday night typically ended in singing and story-telling around the A overflowing Goldstein table. Beth Yehuda's rebbes drove school High buses to n1ake sure their students were in a inorning minyan; and Beth Yehu­ da remained open during Chol HaMoed School Sukkos so that students from non-reli­ gious families would be able to eat their Education meals in a succa and take a lulav and esrog. Remembering Reb Shraga Feiv­ el's insight that the summer provides an Is For opportunity for continued growth, the Beth Yehuda rebbes founded and staffed A Lifetime a day camp. The rebbes were constantly on the lookout for new opportunities to -Invest Just expand their contacts with their stu­ 2Hours dents. They led their students on cross­ country bus trips to Williamsburg to Our commitment to Torah values and excellence give them a taste of large Jewish com­ in Jewish & general studies can make a difference in your daughter's life munity. Telshe Yeshiva in Cleveland and Lakewood were other frequent desti­ •INNOVATIVE, CHALLENGING CURRICULUM• STATE-OF-THE-ART FACILITY nations, and over the years many Beth •OUTSTANDING FACULTY• EMPHASIS ON MIDOS, CHARACTER, & SKILLS •SMALL CLASSES, ENSURING INDIVIDUAL ATTENTION Yehuda graduates continued their stud­ ies in both institutions. Entrance exam November 22nd, 1:30-3:30 pm omeone who considered Reb Shraga Feivel an otherworldly n1J:i~ :ipy~ 11.:J~ Sdrean1er once accused him of not MANHATTAN HIGH SCHOOL FOR GIRLS being a man of the twentieth century. 154 E. 10th St.(off Lexington Ave.!, New York, NY 10021 "You're right," said Reb Shraga Feivel, Tel. !212) 737-6800 'Tm a man of the twenty-first centu­ Rebbetzin Ruthy Assaf, Principal ry." As we draw ever closer, we recog­ ACCREDITED BY N.Y.S. BoARD OF REGENTS nize how right he was and how power­ ful his vision remains. •

22 The Jewish Observer, October 1998 Sara Shapiro

he's a woman who has suffered. It had always made me feel dissatis­ else. But ill Ruth's presence, the chip on First and foremost as a child, at the fied with the frum world, this failure of her shoulder became my own. I doubt­ Shands of unloving, negligent par­ ours, for whatever reasons, to embrace ed the genuineness of this society's reli­ ents. Then, in a comfortable marriage her as she would have needed to be giosity if in a case such as hers, it seemed that was not without love but which, in embraced; had always felt guiltily con­ we just couldn't bring ourselves to the context of the meaningless life-style trite that as a group we were incapable open wide enough the door to someone in which it took place, left her feeling of transcending in ourselves whatever looking in through our lighted window. empty. Divorce prompted the search discomfort wonld have had to be tran­ To invite her in as she needed to be invit­ that ultimately resulted in her conver­ scended in order to fulfill properly the ed, and give her a comfortable seat at the sion to Judaism. Then, in a series of mitzva of successfully including Ruth. It table. I was resentful. Orthodox communities which one seemed like a heaven-sent opportunity after the other didn't really succeed in spurned, an important test we'd failed, * * * making her feel welcome, she lived for and it produced in me a sneaking sus­ decades as a semi-outsider. She also suf­ picion that at rock bottom, doing he two of us, Ruth and I, fered from an annually recur­ recently crossed paths on ring medical problem, which Tthe Ben Yehudah Mall, rendered her - in spite of her after long being out of touch. wealth of professional talent in The moment we met, I realized various fields - periodically in that just lately she'd been on my need of tzedaka. mind. Why was that? It took me For how many years did she a moment to rummage through live with a persistent sense of my mental jungle of data. Ruth being slightly ostracized, by the had been in my thoughts, I real­ very Jews whose Torah she had ized, because of Daniel. discovered, finally, in mid-life, to Daniel, in his mid forties, is be the first and only doctrine an eminently eligible man. A that satisfied her rigorous spir­ talmid chacham, according to itual and intellectual hunger? In his rash yeshiva; a wonderful spite of the efforts on the part of person, according to those who numerous frinn women to know him; and "tall, dark and include her in their lives, and col­ handsome;' to boot. So what's lect modest funds on her behalf the problem? to assist her through her series The dark between tall and of illnesses, she sensed persis­ handsome. tently a lack of full acceptance Daniel is an American black, from the various communities but was brought up Jewish. in which she tried to settle. The "Most people don't know that;' friends, who constituted an he told me with a wry smile. informal circle around her, so to "They assume I'm new to this." speak, a network of chessed, always chessed to the stranger in our midst, as I had first heard about Daniel from respected her, valued her brilliance, the Torah commands, was secretly a friend who used to invite him to join extended themselves. But there were too regarded as some kind of optional her family for Shabbos, and whom he many others who could not conceal from mitzva; that the real ideal was consid­ later used to visit faithfully during her her their coolness, their perception of her ered, on the contrary, to consist of clos­ final illness. Then, after a few years, his as not one of us. She was different - as ing the door to protect ourselves. name came up again, as one of those in she'd be the first to admit - an inde­ I myself had grown up in a faintly a Jerusalem yeshiva who had been try­ finable difference, perhaps, but undeni­ anti-semitic world - we were the only ing to help another black American Jew, able. And feeling ostracized, she was dif­ Jews in town - and therefore knew all a teenage convert, to deal with the name­ ficult sometimes. Prickly. When she had too well what it was like, being that calling directed his way by Israeli chil­ come across Torah Judaism, she had said stranger on the fringe; I knew what it dren. In a meeting now with Daniel to herself: Finally. The truth. But in was like feeling secretly unaccepted. It about a shidduch, I made reference to Orthodox Jewish society at large, cul­ was horrible. that whole chain of events surrounding turally she did not fit in. Not that this made me capable, Matt, who had at last left Israel because

~-~~---­ Sar ah Shapiro of Jerusalem is a frequent con- when it came to right down to it, of tran­ of his emotional turmoil over the inces­ tributor to these pages. scending myself any better than anyone sant taunting.

The Jewish Observer, October 1998 23 "Oh, well," said Daniel, "that hap­ they don't know what to do with me! It I was speaking agitatedly of Daniel's pened to me just now, on the way over is sort of interesting to me, seeing how experience. How eager I'd been to dis­ here." they handle it when they get in touch cuss this with someone, aside from with "Children jeered at you?" - they always find some way of telling Hashem Himself, to whom I knew our "Sure." me. Usually that they don't have anyone failure would really matter, and now I'd "Religious children?" 'in my age group.' They've been telling run into Ruth, of all people. My indig­ He nodded. me that for the last fifteen years." nation at the smug contentment with "What'd they say?" "Daniel, how do you survive?'' onr own world, the scarcity of genuine "Oh, kushi. Monkey. But that's noth­ "I stay focused on my learning. respect and understanding outsiders. ing new. I've come to expect it." That's it." The dilemma inherent in this fact: that I was aghast. "You have? How do "And ... I guess ... there's nowhere to the isolationism which has always pre­ you-?" run." served Orthodox societies down He held up the earphones of a walk­ "Nowhere to run." through the ages, and make possible man. "See this? I don't go anywhere in "So... aren't you tempted to just their survival, can undergo a subtle the city without them. Gemora shiurim. leave?" change of direction and turn instead All the time. Block it out." "You mean the Orthodox world?" into what can only be called selfishness. "But don't you think of leaving ... ?" "Right." My self-doubts as a member of this "Its not that different anywhere else. He shook his head. "Where can I go? community.... What I was feeling, I can I've tried it out in Atnerica. Australia for There's nowhere else I belong. This is say honestly without pretension, was real a while. And some other places. So I've what I am." grief. The situation must change. We have come to terms with it. And you have to to do something. But what can we do? be strong. That's all. And I'm strong. I've * * * Ruth was clearly taking all this in. But learned not to pay attention. And also, her eyes, somehow, were not reflecting I know which neighborhoods to avoid. alking with Ruth on Ben Yehu­ my anger. They were empathetic eyes, There are places I simply will not walk dah, I soon found myself - as totally empathetic, for sure, but also through because I know already what's Thad always been the case when­ serene. going to happen there. The looks I get! ever we met through the years - auto­ "You know, Sarah, most other com­ Woooh!" He gave a low chuckle. "What matically aligning myself with her as one munities in the world are much worse." I've learned is, this is their thing, not of the good guys. Good guys against the I was taken aback. How lovely to hear mine. bad guys. In some subtle, involuntary her say that! "You think so? Really?" "Shidduchim, though, that's some­ shift, I'd instantly repress my basic loy­ "Yes," she said gently. "This is a very thing. It's always the same old story, alties. In the past, this had always good society. Much better than most. whenever I show up for an appointment seemed to facilitate our conversation Lots of very good people. They're try­ with a shadchan .... Well, the poor fellow adequately enough, but this time, for ing their best." - or wo1nan, as the case may be - well, some reason, she wasn't biting. Oh, to hear these words on her lips, after all this time! I wanted her to go on talking, and she did, and I fell almost immediately into some kind of pleasant reverie. "So what you're really saying,» I said, "is that it's really just human nature we're up against, isn't it. No mat­ ter where, even in the best of all possi­ ble worlds. The yetzer hara, manifesting itself one way or another, and that's the struggle of being here, in Olam Ha'zeh. FOR The failings of eternal human nature." THE FINEST "Yes, I'd say so. Human nature. It's always difficult." IN Standing there in the middle of the incline of the busy midrahov, the AND VIDEO passers-by were strea1ning past us, uphill and down. At some point, we were USA/ISRAEL interrupted. Out of the corner of my eye, I sensed who it was. That annoying man. "... and what I've learned;' she was say-

24 The Jewish Observer, October 1998 ing, "is that you just have to do what you can to somehow create your own brightness. To sort of illuminate your own little daled amos.... You know, we really don't realize how valuable the lit­

tle things are, the little acts of kindness Personal responsibility throughout sen·ice - NOT JUSf "PAPERWORK" we can do, and when we do those appar­ ORIGINATOR OF THE PRESENT METHOD ently small mitzvot, the world gives it Highly recommended by Gedolai Hador- Here and in Eretz Yisrael back to us. I believe that!' 104.1-42nd Street, Brooklyn, NY 11219 I'd never been this close to him before, and was it my imagination, or Day &Night phone: (718) 851-8925 did he actually smell bad? I kept my face 1V1''lJN1nlJNj7 ))l"j7 - 1'1J 1Nl l11lJY)) 'Un ChesOOShel &11£'> •ilh MRASH AN[) A silently around in the periphery of my MAASEH has captured the vision, almost obscenely, somehow, hearts and flamed the imagi­ thrusting itself in the space between us. nations of countless readers. How I disliked him' But since Ruth, still Why should the kids be left speaking, seemed to be taking some out? money from her wallet, I had to, too. I THE MINI-A MIC>RASH rummaged around in my purse. As I AN[) A MAASEH has it all: placed it upon his proffered out­ insights into the Midrash, stretched palm, it occurred to me that uplifting and educational sto­ this was the first time I'd ever given him ries relating to the weekly anything. Torah portion, engaging There on the upturned hand, when poems, and delightful illustra­ I looked, was a five shekel coin, now tions by Getzel. joined by mine, a shekel. In this rich and varied He shuffled on past. "My good­ collection you'll find many wonderful new stories, as well as adapta­ ness!" I exclaimed. "Five shekels, Ruth?" tions of familiar favorites - rewritten for young readers by the King Her financial situation, I had no reason of the Storytellers, Hanoch Teller. to think otherwise, was most likely still precarious. ((That's a lot! You gave him This beautifully bound two-volume set is an Amtt.Jt five shekels?" ideal gift that every family member will trea­ sure and a child will cherish for a lifetime! for the "Oh, yes," she replied, with a tran­ Sha66oJ quility that had apparently taken root There's no better time to begin twelve-inspir­ ta61£ sometime over the years since our ing story-filled months than now. and paths had last crossed. Ruth had always weal AnJ don't forget ... The classic 2-vol­ reading been a natural aristocrat, and bore her­ ume edition of Hanoch Teller's masterpiece: a!L week self accordingly. But this was something long! deeper, some fundamental bedrock in Available al all Jewi~h hookstore5 or direlt frQni © her personality- something composed in equal measure of humbleness and FELDHEIM l] PUBLISHERS Torah Literature of Quality certainty. "Oh, yes. I identify complete- Toll Free: 800-237-7149 •Ask for our NEW catalog.

The Jewish Observer, October 1998 25 ly with that man:' she stated flatly, with fifties. She held out a little scrap of paper. a dancing sort of light in her eyes. "I Incomprehensible. It was Russian. She know what it is to be down and out:' pointed vaguely up the street. ~" Invei "You want to know how to get * * * somewhere?" This asked in Hebrew, then B~t'c- Hagefen n hour later I was on Rechov in English. No understanding. She was [cCfcr Keren Keyemet. It was hot, pointing again. I looked behind me. Oh, ('~(.. ( The Shidduch service A around noon, and I was looking the bus stop. She must want directions. tt...l for older singles for number 36. I'd gone back and Then she held out her hand, palm up. C. A project of N'shei forth, up and down this street now sev­ "Oh!" I understood. "You want Agudath Israel with eral ti1nes. money for the bus?" Agudath Israel of A1nerica Suddenly a woman was standing She understood. I understood. She 6619 13th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY I 1219 before me, saying something. I stopped. nodded gratefully. I rummaged in my Tel. (718) 256-7525 •Fax (718) 256-7578 She was murmuring. It wasn't Hebrew, purse for the fare and the coin that came certainly not English. What was she say- up was five shekels. ing? A kerchief was tied I hesitated, then handed it over. It under her was from Ruth. "Here!" I said. I was so chin. She happy all of a sudden, and before I knew was in her it, the woman had leaned over and sixties, kissed me. probably, Fleeting as a breeze, and cool, that old- happy kiss upon my face. But all at once I felt loved, by none other than G-d •

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26 The Jewish Observer, October 1998 POST-YoM KIPPUR REFLECTIONS Yosef M. Gesser From Fasting to Feasting ... to Triumph? The Post-Yorn Kippur Meal as a Foutainhead of Strength For the Year Ahead

SURROUNDED BY CONFIDENCE that we find ourselves dealing AND JOY with year after year. And yet we are commanded to feast! he Ten Days of Repen­ tance are surely the most WHEN THE ANSWER IS "NO" Tprofoundly serious period in the Jewish year, calling as it omeone complained to the does for meticulous introspec­ Ponevezher Rav that he tion and firm resolution. Yet, by Shad davened intensely and dictate of the Shulchan Aruch, which is Ifhe truly mustered all the kavana (con­ sincerely for a particular need, yet his basically a halachic work, it is initiated centration) necessary in tefilla (prayer) prayers were not answered. The Rav with deliberate expressions of confi­ and amassed enough mitzvos to tip the replied that there was an answer; the dence and concludes with a festive meal scales in his favor? And who can know answer -at least, for the time being - that resonates with joy and a hint of tri­ the Divine response to petitions for help was No! umph. in personal concerns? Yet, this ruling to That may be some source of reas­ Specifically, the Shulchan Aruch be joyful on Matza' ei Yorn Kippur surancej but in the event that our ( Orach Chaim 581:4) bids us to bathe applies to all of Kial Yisroe~ without any requests are not speedily fulfilled, what and cut our hair in preparation for Rosh qualification. are we to do in the meantime? Hashana, upon which the Mishna Beru­ Perhaps in telling us how to conduct Perhaps one can find some comfort ra comments that this is meant to show ourselves during this period, the halacha from our understanding of tefilla, which that we are confident that we will is also alluding to a proper perspective is such an integral part of our con­ emerge vindicated in judgment by with which to live our lives throughout sciousness during the Yamim Nora'im. virtue of Hashem's kindness. In a sim­ the year. While most people believe that we ilar vein, the RaMA quotes the Tur Beyond doubt, we approach the daven to Hashem in order to attain our (Orach Chaim 624:5) that after the Yorn Yemei Hadin (Days of Judgment) with needs, individuals of a loftier status per­ Kippur fast, we are to engage in a joy­ the hope of making the most of this ceive the opposite to be true; namely, ful meal: we are like a new born child opportunity to entreat the Ribbono that we experience a pressing need so as for having undergone the teshuva Shel Olam to send us siyata d'Shamaya to feel compelled to daven. IQ other process, and having been cleansed of a (Heavenly guidance) in various trying words, coming close to Hakadosh year's accumulation of the filth and aspects of our lives. Whether it be a Baruch Hu is a prime goal one should grime of aveiros (sins). complete recovery for an ailing loved strive for, and tefilla achieves this/or us, But is this always the case? Can a per­ one, or help with earning a livelihood, in addition to the more obvious purpose son really know if he tried hard enough? there is invariably some vital need for of hopefully gaining that which we lack. which we request heavenly intervention. Once we have come closer to Hashem ------~ --- Rabbi Gesser currently lives in Mexico Cit}', where Realistically, at the close of Yorn Kippur, through communicating with Him, it in addition to his business endeavors, he is a part­ we have no way of knowing how may be easier to appreciate yet anoth­ time men1ber in two Kollelim. He is also a free­ lance writer, including "Making Tefilla a Focal Hashem has chosen to deal with the er way of dealing with our needs. Point of our Lives," whlch appeared in The Jew­ plethora of issues that we have One of the wondrous traits with ish Observer, Sept '95. addressed to Him. Some are problems which the Ribbono Shel Olam has

The Jewish Observer, October 1998 ?7 We can all think of people, whether Once, after Yam Kippur, the Chozeh casual acquaintances or intimates, who announced to his Chassidim that he • are living examples of this ideal to be could tell anyone who so desired what erhaps in telling us striven for. Who isn't familiar with the that person had prayed for on the holy how to conduct extraordinary accomplishments that day that had just passed, and what P Helen Keller realized, despite - or, per­ Hashem 's response was. One man took ourselves during this haps, because of - her blindness and him up on the offer, and the Chozeh deafness. Even closer to home, and in responded: "You are a businessman who period, the halacho 1s our times, we can find role models fondly recalls the good days of your whom we can emulate, and from whom youth when you had hours available for also alluding to a we can draw inspiration and incentive. Torah, tefilla, and ma'asim tovim proper perspective with (good deeds). You prayed that you earn SPECIAL RESOURCES TO DEAL WITH everything you need for each week on which to live our lives SPECIAL CHILDREN the first day of the week, to free you to pursue your spiritual agenda the rest of throughout the year. ne particular challenge of the the week." The man was astonished, for Orthodox community, one this was precisely what he had prayed 0 which previously had been kept for. • in very low profile, is dealing with "spe­ And what was the answer from endowed human beings is the ability to cial-needs" children (Down Syndrome, Shamayim? turn a minus into a plus, to transform autistic, ADD, etc.). Despite the for­ "Indeed, the accomplishments ofthe a problem into an opportunity. If our midable task of caring for these children, avoda ofyour youth were great. How­ nisayon, our challenging situation, a number of families have not only made ever, Hashem derives even more nachas seen1s to endure, perhaps Hashem is considerable effort and progress in ruach, heavenly delight, from your telling us something; maybe He is dealing with their own particular situ­ growth through your struggles to serve prompting us to take certain actions ation, but have undercovered remark­ Him amidst worries and pressures." regarding this challenge. It is surpris­ able, and often previously unknown, Rabbi Schorr would conclude this ing to note how many people have tast­ resources of strength in establishing anecdote, "Does anyone know forcer­ ed success despite adversity. In many organizations and programs to provide tain who brings greater nachas ruach cases, it was precisely because of these services, support, and counsel for many to Hashem?" setbacks that they were propelled to out­ other parents and their "special'' standing achievement, in keeping with charges. This is one example of con­ NOT SUCCUMBING TO DESPAIR the principle that Hashem tests a per­ verting a problem into an opportunity. son only in accordance with his ability. But even not on a communal level, there he happiness that we are enjoined Many people will initially need to are individual "heroes" who rose to to experience on Matza' ei Yorn enhance their capacity to accept less­ greatness by virtue of dealing with per­ TKippur is certainly a spiritual joy than-ideal circumstances. But if we sonal burdens. that emanates from awareness of for­ focus our attention on all that we can Years ago, when I was still in yeshi­ giveness for our sins. But perhaps it accomplish, the handicap or limitation va, I and some friends would visit a man refers also to our sense of triumph over notwithstanding, we may find it easier who was confined to his small apart­ the yeitzer hara, the evil inclination that to accept that which is beyond our con­ ment due to a variety of afflictions. He urges us to wallow in despair for falling trol to improve or change. was obviously pleased to receive the short in our Torah obligations. That It would, therefore, behoove us to chizuk and companionship that our vis­ same yetzeir hara would like nothing think creatively and to try to capitalize its provided him. Yet, the divrei Torah better than for us to feel incompetent on these situations, to profit from and words of emuna that he shared with to deal with the obstacles and challenges the1n, in so1ne way. If we are discour­ us made it seem that we benefited more that we face, both large and small, aged to the point of no hope, then why from him than he from us. Although whether of a spiritual nature or of a even try? On the other hand, if we do lesser known and not publicized, the more temporal kind. make an attempt, then - for one thing feats of such a person are no less sig­ It is possible that fulfilling the -we may succeed. And secondly, sim­ nificant or precious in the eyes of the halachic directive to conduct oneself ply by virtue of making an attempt in Ribbono Shel Olam. with joy on this night can help us a concrete way, we are positively moti­ Rabbi Gedalya Schorr, '::>"llT used to acquire the strength for the tasks we have vated to look ahead, rather than back­ relate a Chassidic story involving the been entrusted with, and thereby allow wards, thinking about success rather Chozeh of Lublin (Rabbi Yaakov Yoseif us to have a share in Hashem's special than wallowing in defeat. Horowitz 7""j71llT - 1745-1815): delight. •

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* The cost of supporting one scholar. Any and all contributions to "Mifal Hashas" are tax deductible and most appreciated. MIFAL HASHAS is an international. non-profit organization dedicated to the development MIFAL HASHAS, 4415-14th Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11219 (718) 436-7790 of outstanding Torah scholars. ft administrates and directs the study and examination process of the entire ''shas", and dispenses monthly stipends to only those who excel. Succos MUSINGS Dina Smith Then I Understood

If It's So Great, Why Is She So Down? in-law on the phone, but knew it would have to wait for a personal visit to Oh­ ((Is everything O.K.?" I asked and-Ah away her blues. into the telephone receiver. My First Tova and now Esty. What was friend Tova on the other end of wrong with them? They had finally ful­ the line seemed upset. "Well, do you filled their dreams, invested in major, remember that I was looking for a new expensive purchases, and instead of car?" Tova asked. being thrilled, they were anxious and I certainly did. After years of cutting frustrated. Why weren't they just corners and saving, my friend has been happy? hunting for that dream car suitable for Before long, I joined them. After I her and her family. She did her home­ finally carpeted the old wooden floor in work well. She spoke to car dealers and my living room, doubts crept in. The private owners. She studied the Con­ color seemed too dark (every piece of sumer's Reports and asked all the motor dust showed up). Perhaps I should have mavins advice on which model car she scraped and refinished the wood instead ollections of a new car, remodeled should purchase. of carpeting. Suddenly, it hit me! I kitchen, and fresh carpet flickering in my "I just gave a deposit towards a car;' sound just like Tova and Esty. What's mind as I leaned forward to hear more. Tova said in a low voice. wrong with me? Why can't I just be "Why isn't a person completely happy "That's great;' I exclaimed. So why happy? when he acquires more materialistic does she sound so down? possessions?" questioned my father. "! spent all that money. And now Season of Joy The refrain "Why can't they just be that the deal was clinched, I have some happy?" recurred to me. doubts about the car;' Tova continued. t was Succos. My husband, my chil­ My father is not one to let a question "The exterior is not the the shade of blue dren and I were in my parents' succa, linger. He continued, putting to rest a I had envisioned. I'd rather the seats be I and my father posed a provocative gnawing question of mine in the leather instead of velvet...:' question. '(Why is Succos referred to as process: I tried my best to encourage Tova that Zeman Simchasanu, Time of Our A person dreams offulfilling his goals in she'll enjoy her purchase for many years, Rejoicing?" he asked. "It's the only Yorn order to attain happiness. If his main focus and that her choice was a wise one. She Tov when we are deprived of the com­ is to gain a certain physical pleasure or hung up somewhat relieved, and I was forts of our home. Chazal (Rabbis of the material object, he is met with frustration pleased to have been of help. Talmud) say: 'Leave your permanent ivhen he finally obtains it. "\Vhere is my Time passed and I just about forgot home and enter a temporary one.' state of utopia? Why didn't this goal I was the conversation with Tova when n1y sis­ Here in the succa we don't have our craving bring me the happiness I sought? I ter-in-law, Esty, called. "I just finished sparkling lighting fixtures, our cushy have that new car/boat/hon1e/necklace, having my kitchen installed;' lamented carpets, or elegant dining room set. [The and I really like it. But it has not really Esty. "That's great,'' I all but shouted. old picnic table creaked underneath us affected my general state of mind. Inside, So why does she sound so down? as if to emphasize his point.] Yet, there I'm the same person. I am still ill-tempered "I'm not sure the counters match the is no doubt that we are indeed happy." with my children at the end of the day. I floor," Esty continued, "and I'm think­ I thought for a moment, and realized still feel like staying in bed in the morning, ing that perhaps I should've gotten how uplifted I felt. Then I glowed at the and I'm not going around singing a happy Formica cabinets instead of wood. blissful faces of my children and I nod­ song in my heart." Also, the contractor did some obvious ded in full agreement. At that point a person should realize that mistakes when installing the sinks." "Let's analyze another observation of he followed the wrong road map to the state I tried my best to reassure my sister- Chazal," continued my father. '"When of happiness. Usually, however, he is someone has 100, he wants 200: This fooled into thinking that what he acquired Mrs. Smith is on the faculty of Machon Bais implies that one is never truly satisfied would have brought him happiness if only Yaakov Hilda Birn High School of Brooklyn. She was represented in these pages by "It All Start­ with his material acquisitions. He it would have been larger, a different ed With A Gift," April '98. always feels that he needs more." Rec- structure, a more suitable color- or more

30 The Jewish Observer, October 7998 I visited in Yerushalayim. The the hut. He must enter the succa with reason? It was cramped with his entire body:' mitzvos, as well. This ivell­ Everything clicked. It is because - known family is a center of and not despite the fact that- we leave rvarn1th; hachnosas orchim our home, symbolic of materialism, and and chessed flow forth to the enter the succa, which surrounds us with many passersby. a rich, spiritual presence, that we feel ele­ vated. On Succos, we're free from the TAKING IMPERMANENCE frustrations and anxieties of our earth­ HOME, ETERNALLY bound existence, as we transcend to a spiritual haven; nurturing our souls with (200 instead of 100 ). Thus a person always y father's words interrupted the mitzvos they so strongly desire. desires more, or better, even a short while 1ny reverie. "\t\That does all Unfortunately, our inner yearning for after the big purchase. ("If only I would've M that we mentioned have to do mitzvos sometimes gets misguided in gotten the type my neighbor bought.") But \vith Succos? On Succos we are sur­ desiring other, less loftier goals. On Suc­ it's not going to make a difference, because rounded by mitzvos: Arba minim (the cos, Chazal say: "Leave your pern1anent the new addition in his life will still not bring four species), the succa, in addition to dwelling ... " - go out of the illusion that him the fulfillment he seeks. That can only the special mitzvos and tefillos pertain­ what you have is permanent. The succa happen when he experiences inner change. ing to every festival. One Gadol quipped reminds us that all else (besides Torah There was silence around the table as how the Yam Tov of Succos is his favorite and mitzvos) is temporary, and therefore we absorbed my father's words. My for it's one mitzva that can be fulfilled gives little pleasure to the neshama, daughter was first to speak. "What does with his whole body! While berachos are which is eternal. make a person happy, then?" performed with one's mouth, and netil­ By the time we left the Yom Tov seuda, My father appreciated his grand­ las yada'im on one's hands, one cannot which nourished mind even more than daughter's cue to continue. "When you fulfill the command to be in the Succa body, we truly could relate to Succos as think something you work hard for will by just sticking his hand or her head into Z'man Simchasanu! • give you great pleasure, and then it does­ n't, how do you feel?" My daughter immediately replied, "I'd feel quite upset." ARE You MOVING? "Well, think of the contrary. You achieve a certain goal and it makes you IS YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS PRINTED feel happier than you had ever dreamed INCORRECTLY ON THE JO MAILING LABEL? it would. Wouldn't it thrill you? That We need your help to ensure proper delivery of the Jewish Observer to your home. is the power of mitzvos! In Tehillim Please attach current mailing label in the space below, or print dearly your address and ( 19,9), it says: 'Pikudei Hashem yesharim computer processing numbers that are printed above your name on the address label. mesamchei leiv- the commands of G-d . are upright, gladdening the heart.' The mitzvos that we do truly do affect us - within, touching our essence. They Affix old label here make us feel elevated, change our mood to the better, and bring us true happi­ ness." I thought of the way my daughter and Name ____,------her friend had looked last week when they New Address ______came home from their new Shabbos pro­ ject: visiting lonely, old patients in the nurs­ City, ing home. They had gone somewhat reluc­ State, ------~Zip tantly. When they came home, they were literally glowing. They related how Mrs. Date Effective ______Gold asked them to sing for them, and Mrs. Send address changes to: The Jewish Observer Change of Address Weiss begged them to come back next week. 84 William Street, New York, NY 10038 My mind wandered further... So, that Please arrow 4-6 weeks for all changeS- to be reflected on your- mailing labeL We will not be was the secret of the happy atmosphere that responsible for back issues missed unless you notify us 6 weeks prior to your move. prevailed in the small cramped apartment

The Jewish Observer, October 1998 31 Chaim Kuperwasser

''Shomer Psa'im Hashem G-d Guards Fools'': Commentary or License?

ASSESSING A TRAGEDY each member of the community. No children treated in the burn unit of New one - but no one - can say that this York's Cornell Hospital are from Ortho­ he fellow who leads the recitation or that person was chosen to suffer for dox Jewish families? And that the same of Tehillim for the sick and ailing any specific reason. Perhaps it is sim­ astounding statistic applies to the Stat­ Tat our daily Shacharis minyan was ply - as Hashem said regarding the en Island University Hospital Burn Unit? about to prepare a fresh list of names to death of Moshe Rabbeinu's nephews, Some cite the pasuk" Shomer pesa'im be mentioned in the "Mi Shebeirach" Nadav and Avihu - a matter of Hashem - G-d guards fools" ( Tehillim prayer, wherein he invokes G-d's inter­ "Bikrovai ekadesh, I will be sanctified by 116,5) as a scriptural safety net. While vention to cure the1n. those closest to Me" ( Vayikra 10,3). But it strikes this writer as strange that any­ I reviewed the list: Shlomo there is certainly a strong message to one would boast qualifying for this kind ben___ Raphael Chaim those who survive. of Divine protection, this particular pas­ ben . Pinchas ben. ___. Still Indeed, the Rambam says clearly sage is meant as a commentary, not as sick. Yehudis bas Yehoshua that if people dismiss problems and license for cri1ninal carelessness. ben____ Gone. Shoshana crises as "happenstance, the way of the In other words, sickness, accidents, bas Chaya Yehudis world," and do not respond to the occa­ shocking losses and near misses call for bas Gittel Shaindel sion as a call to teshuva, this is a synthesis of sorts of the metaphysical bas . Still need our prayers. ''achzarius" - cruel, insensitive behav­ and the mundane in how we are to Suddenly it struck me that almost ior. (See Yad: Hilchos Taanis I 1-3.) So guard ourselves from tragedy. In fact, half of the people listed suffer from a we must assume that there is a cause­ we can learn from the way others have malignancy, or succumbed to one. And and-effect 1nechanism active here on a responded to similar kinds of incidents several were victims of bizarre accidents. spiritual level, and we should conduct in the past. We are not a people distinguished by a ourselves accordingly. propensity for high risk activity. We But that does not preclude exercis­ AN ACCIDENT IN JERUSALEM don't, for instance, tend to indulge in ing caution on the physical, material free-fall jumping from speeding planes, level. How often are we witness to acts everal years ago, tragedy struck the or the like. Why are so many of our peo­ of carelessness - bordering on reck­ Torah community in Bretz Yisroel. ple cancer patients or victin1S of strange lessness - in the way 1nembers of our SA yeshiva bachur, upon exiting an accidents? Was there some kind of mes­ co1nmunity drive: consideration, basic Egged bus, was struck by a car and died. sage here? courtesy, and even factors of safety seem It shook everyone up. Indeed, every instance of prolonged to be checked on the curb before A kinus hisorerus (inspirational gath­ suffering, every case of a premature unlocking the car door! Or see rash, ering) was called by the Rabbanim of the death, shakes us up. In one way or irresponsible or impulsive conduct neighborhood. One by one, they each another, each is a call to the communi­ regarding unattended children, mounted the bima (rostrum) and ty to better itself in ways best known to unguarded swimming pools, boiling hot declared in different fashion how the water urns, steaming cholent pots or Ribbono Shel Olam is reproaching us as Chaim Kuperwasser, a native of Detroit who lives unprotected electrical outlets within a community for our misdeeds. One in Lakewood NJ, was represented by "Is There toddlers' reach! Rav even ventured to say that Divine Really a Crisis in the Kolle! Com1nunity?" in The Jewish Observer, Oct. '97. How does one explain that 80% of the wrath was provoked by the Egged bus

32 The Jewish Observer, October 1998 company's public Ghillul Slzabbos (Sab­ engage in introspection as how to I ;ir.i?v ;i><1oi7 77oni171 '11l'.l7? I'll bath desecration), which we seem to improve yourself!" 1?'i1 1)):::t treat with equanimity. The last speak­ er, a prominent Rav in the community, A PREREQUISITE TO SOUL-SEARCHING i11.l?V ?N,'IV' IJ''T1 recognized all of the previous speakers, '") '" i1,'V 1:i O'r.lV ~r.im i~i~v and then offered his own insight: he first lesson here for us to learn The Gemora in Yoma relates how, is that we must be more careful. originally, the Kolzanim vied for the TWe cannot continue walking honor to perform terumas hadeshen around oblivious to the dangers around Unde Moishy, (removing ash from the mizbe'ach!altar) us, acting in a capricious manner, Mordechai Ben David, through a race of sorts; whoever mount­ assured that Hashem will protect us, and other top-of-the-line ed the ramp and reached the top of the regardless of what foolish and irre­ mizbe'ach first won the privilege. The sponsible acts we do. Of course, when Jewish entertainers ensuing competition caused harm, a tragedy does happen 7"1, people are available injury, and ultimately a death. At that should engage in soul-searching. But to visit point, the rabbis introduced an alter­ first and foremost, we must stop our­ seriously ill native system of selection - the draw­ selves in our tracks and say," This could children ing oflots - to insure safety. have happened to anyone. Vvnat safe­ thanks to This Rav, in a most eloquent fashion, guards do I have in place to make sure this i1ln nnr.i'l!I went on to point out, "I'm certain that doesn't happen again? Do I sometimes m'e!l"Ct? lM'ml ~ , n:l i1'1M when that terrible accident happened in drive like the BQE is really the Indy 500? A Chessed prOject run by the Beis Hamikdash, all the Rabbanim of Do I rely on my children to handle situ­ Agudath rsuel of A111erka • in conjunction wlth 1• •; Jerusalem got together and convened a ations that are truly beyond them?" I Suki & Ding Productions •; .~' kinus hisorerus to bemoan and lament think many of us do. To set up an appointltlent, call: :I: {212)797-9000ExtA2. M-F, 9.5' L. over this tragedy. How could such a And then I think back to the fellow calamity take place on the holy preparing the list of names for Tehillim, mizbe'ach, of all places? And one by one, and I say to myself - "Ribbono Shel they prepared their derashos, each one Olam, there is so much pain and suf­ giving his own insight into why the Rib­ fering in the world. We can't control (in CHEVRA OSEH CHESED bono Shel Olam permitted this tragedy a physical sense) the midas hadin when OF AGUDATH ISRAEL to happen in His own Home. And you send sickness to so many people in although they were surely correct in their Kial Yisroel-But we can do something BURIAl PLOTS assessment of the "causes," for Klal Yis­ about controlling our own carelessness." IN ERETZ YISROEl roel did have need to improve itself in Let us not allow our pressure-filled Interment in a Sholl).er Shabbos Beis so many ways, Ghazal (the rabbis of the lives to be an excuse for irresponsible Olam near B.eis Shemesh Talmud) opted for something else first: acts. One day very soon, Moshiach will a takanna (ordinance) to remove the risk come, the world will be an incompara­ Please '1jh°'efe 'l?r W_rite to: of such an occurrence ever happening bly better place; but we will still be Chevra Oseh Chesed of Agudath Israel again. No more races! A lottery would invoking the pasuk, "Shomer pesa'im 84 William Stteet,New York. NY 10038 decide the outcome from now on!" Hashem;' if we continue to gamble with (212) 7'97-9000 The Rav concluded by saying, our lives and the lives of our children ... '

The Jewish Observer, October 1998 33 Bernard Fryshman

I watched them lower the oversized was far from alone. Time and again, the hings are different now. We coffin with a sense of detached disbe­ obituary pages of The New York Times have ;r:i witnessed the growth of lief My brilliant, ebullient cousin recount the lives of Jews of giant intel­ Ta vast network of day schools and would have nothing to do with the lect whose attainments in the secular yeshivos across America. Most Jewish morose scene. He, ofall people, would world of ideas, in the arts and sciences, children can find a yeshiva or day school have found one last remark to bring a beggar the mind. It cannot be that such within a reasonable co1nmute. Were he smile to everyone's face, relieved that giants were created except for Torah, yet entering school in 1998 instead of Benny was treating still another one of in each case their mark was made in 1938, Benny would have had his chance. the tragedies that comprised his life fields far away. Nor is the reason too And our hands would be clean. with acceptance, with good humor, with hard to fathom: they were sent to pub­ But in some respect, 1998 is worse a smile.... lic school, not to yeshiva. For some it than 1938. Reaching parents and enny was blessed with a giant was parental choice. recruiting children from assimilated intellect, a brilliant mind, a pow­ Recruitment in those days wasn't homes is 1nore difficult than ever. Liv­ Berful voice. He was a good per­ easy. I am always enthralled by the sto- ing in a world awash in iinmorality, their son, and never hurt anyone bleary souls weary from a - nor 1naligned anyone- in psychedelic existence, parents his life. The suffering of cannot easily relate to a sug­ mankind was his suffering: his gestion that their children own pain he shared with enter a yeshiva. Chidren, nobody. Not even himself. independent minded at eight He never complained- and and nine years old, are not rejoiced in the good fortune easily convinced to be "dif­ of others, even as he found ferent." And always, there is none of his own. the issue of cost. Even in At various stages in his life, these best of times, people Benny e1nbraced socialism, balk at the idea of spending found Lubavitch, sojourned in $6,000 a year - or more­ Russia, lived in Israel, sang in for the education of a child ... a major shul choir, and read, Mrs. P lives in a small town spoke, and thought at a level close to Washington, D.C. She that is usually associated with first called AARTS to learn classical philosophers. Benny about "long distance courses was not intended for such a which would help her train to life. Benny was a special gift become a rabbi." The quick to the Jewish people, a tree of answers were "no" (no long life that was stifled almost at distance courses) and "no" birth. Because Montreal- (not for women). But every 1938 had a thriving Jewish life, such call is a story, and I but no yeshiva. always try to listen. How Benny would have Mrs. P and her husband flourished in yeshiva! How have two little boys. They are his Rebbe'im would have part ofa one-hundred-family cherished his open mind, his delicious ries ofpeople like the late Mattersdor­ Conservative congregation that lacks a good humor, and his sensitivity for the fer Rav, 7··~, going door to door on rabbi. The "old men" who led the ser­ pain of others! In retrospect, in spite of Manhattan's Lower East Side, asking vices are tired; the "younger ones" use his magnificent talents, Benny conld not parents to enroll their children in Fridays nights and Saturday mornings have succeeded in the secular, grasping, yeshiva. The large multi-branched to spend with their children (soccer, cold world into which he was thrown. families whose simchas attract as many restaurants, and similar bonding expe­ There is only one life for which he was as sixty immediate relatives often start­ riences). It is up to people like her to suited. But he never had a chance. ed from a single little boy enrolled in a keep the shul going; she would "like to Benny was an extreme case - but he yeshiva. Many, if not most ofus, come learn trop," she said. from the ones; the thousands have long She went on to tell me that ]TS grad­ Dr. Fryshman, Professor of Physics at the New since assimilated. uates are snapped up, with one young York Institute of Technology and Executive Vice­ But for so many others, there was no President of AARTS, writes extensively on a vari­ •A few details were modified to avoid embar­ ety of topics. yeshiva. rassment to Mrs. P and her family.

34 The Jewish Observer, October 1998 man taking a rabbinical position - ish children who have had no Jewish at birth, spend fortunes on tutors, and right out of college - for $91,000 a education, and who are grist for the gladly pay $15,000 a year tuition if the year. "Who would look at our congre­ humming assimilation mills, 7"1! child is accepted. There is no reason we gation?" she asked. ((We can barely It is for this reason I believe that we cannot do as well. afford to pay a third of that." must take our communal efforts for And \Ve must reorder our personal I clucked sympathetically, and then Torah to a new level. We must actively and communal priorities to provide the asked, "What about a Jewish education scour the woods of Long Island, of four or five thousand dollars (per for your boys?" Scarsdale, and of Northern Virginia for child!) in tuition subsidies it would take "Too expensive. My husband and I the little Jewish boys and girls with the to bring Mrs. P's two little boys - and can't afford $6,000 a year for each." bright eyes and quick minds. We must tens of thousands of others - into Another couple close to them had develop a secular program in our yeshiva. made a different decision, she told me. yeshivas as attractive as that offered by We have the money; all we need is the "They are spending $16,000 a year to the independent schools in Manhattan. good sense to direct it properly. To save send their two sons to a day school near­ For these, parents register their children Benny's kids ... one by one. • by. Their whole lives - and work schedules - are centered around get­ DavkaWriter... lhe essential Torah word processor! ting the boys to and from school.", Mesiras nefesh of a kind that speaks to the Jews of an earlier era. At last-a Every year at his father's Yahrzeit, Hebrew/English Mr. K. tells the story. His father, a strug­ word proce88or gling tailor working on the East Side, that can handle owned two suits: one for the weekdays the writing •Complete and one for Shabbos. It was time for needs of yeshiva Hebrew/English young Mr. K to go to yeshiva and there students, kollel features! was no money for the $3 registration and seminary DavkaWriter has fee. Yet somehow he was registered. students, rabbeimand full bilingual Ever after, Mr. K's mother told him, the teachers with capability, 17 father wore his weekday suit on Shab­ ease! Hebrew fonts bos and Yorn Tov, as well. with nikud and DavkaWriter· trap, Hebrew/ r. and Mrs. P cannot know English spell how different their lives (and checker and dictionary! M their future generations) will be if they decide to sacrifice on behalf • Ideal for day school students! of their little boys. But we do. We know DavkaWriter is easy to learn and use, how easily these boys can 1"n slip into includes the complete Tanach for • Perfect for Kolle/ students and lives dictated by American culture. easy insertion into your word Rabbeim! Maybe they will succeed professional­ processing files, and comes with DavkaWriter is packed with powerful ly, and maybe marry a Jewish girl. But 100 Judaic clip art images. features for writing Chidushei Torah, maybe not. If statistics hold true, one including footnotes, columns, center of those boys will be like Benny. last line, Hebrew numbering of footnotes, low underline for text Charming, perhaps - bright, witty­ with nikud, much morel but uneasy with life. Ultimately root­ less, childless, unaffiliated, unconnect­ ed - another Jewish neshama lost! Only $149 Nor is anyone likely to notice. These are Americans, not "Russians" or "Ira­ Available at Judaic bookstores nationwide nians." Nor are these children from a or from Davka Corporation poor family. Nobody seems to be clam­ oring to serve these children - and 1-800-621-8227 although JEP, NCSY or may Attention Dagesh/Accent/Qtext Users- Call for upgrade details! cross their paths, their sheer number makes it unlikely. Yale University alone Davka Corporation • 7074 N. Western • Chicago, IL • 60645 • (773) 465-4070 has several thousand bright, alert Jew- Fax (773) 262-9298 • email: [email protected] • web: www.davka.com

The Jewish Observer, October 1998 35 Mordechai Mandelbaum A Model Agudist

Remembering Reb Chi'el Anisfeld i1"))

n these pages, we have Agudath Israel of Toronto. mourned the passing of The Agudah in Toronto is I Gedolei Yisroel, and have on blessed with a group of dedicat­ occasion marked 1nilestone ed laymen, many of whom are Yahrzeits of great Torah person­ members of the she'eiris haplei­ alities through the ages. And now, ta (survivors of the Holocaust), in something of a departure, we who worked together tirelessly to comment on the passing of a baal rebuild a kehilla in the image of habayis who will be sorely the alte heim. But Reb Chi' el was missed: Reb Yechiel (Chi' el) Anis­ repository of the Mesorah that he feld n"v. bought within him from before To those who knew him, no the war, perfectly intact. When he explanation is necessary. Reb leined, or davened Kol Nidrei, or Chi' el was unique. But to the rest Mussaf on Rosh Hashana, you of the readers, we offer the fol­ could have been m Reb lowing: There are those who Moishele's Beis Hamidrash in have demonstrated for the rest of "Crnka:' Reb Chi' el imbued in us how to be a loyal follower, and the next generation, and the - especially in his case - how to be a mind and spirit of the quintessential next, the nusach, the niggunim, the n-1in­ model transitional figure, bringing Torah-loyal Yid - there one will find hagim of a pre-war Europe which could cherished values, sensitivities and min­ Reb Chi' el Anisfeld. all have been lost. He gave them the hagim from Europe to the New World. taam (taste) of a Europayishe Yid in a This is especially relevant to Reb Chi'el The Road From Cracow to Toronto modern world. and his involvement in Agudath Israel. For the last forty years, as long as any­ For if one looks beyond the public eb Chi'el was born in Cracow, one can remember, Reb Chi'el was the images that come to mind when visu­ raised in a family steeped in the Baal Koreh, and when he leined, you alizing the Agudah - beyond the ram­ RChassidus of Rizhen, and learned imagined that the Sefer Torah was talk­ parts of Capitol Hill and the battles in in the Yeshiva of Radomsk. Having lost ing to you .... His last words were the the media; beyond the public procla­ most of his family to the Nazis, Reb Aseres Hadibros, read this past Shabbos mations of the Moetzes Gedolei Ha Torah Chiel survived through the darkest Nachamu. He was niftar the following and the conventions and dinners and hours of the war in the abyss of day, 17 Av/ August 9, leaving behind three special projects, and looks deep into the Matthausen and Ebensee. dedicated sons and his loyal wife Esther, heart and soul of Agudas Yisroel, into the After the liberation, Reb Chi' el land­ ''nnv. - - ed as a DP in where he met and This tribute was written \Vith the assistance of married his wife Goldie ""V and attached The Way They Did it in Europe Mordechai Mandelbaum, who lives in Toronto. himself to a group of landsleitwith whom He had joined Reb Chi' el Anisfcld in a number of co1nn1unal undertakings, including directing he eventually made his way to Toronto, eb Chi'el wore the badge of the annual parlor meeting on behalf of the Yeshi­ where they became part of the nucleus Rizhen; simple nobility and aris­ va of Philadelphia. of the founding the Beis Hamidrash of Rtocratic bearing defined his per-

36 The Jewish Observer, October 1998 sonality. Soft-spoken and unfailingly gracious, controversy could not exist in his daled amos. His very presence STATEMENT CONCERNING emanated calm and serenity. He was the arbiter of Vuz past und vuz past nisht­ THE SCANDAL CURRENTLY what is or is not appropriate. When the shul invited Rabbi Moshe Mordechai SURROUNDING THE PRESIDENT Lowy N"P>':>V to be our moreh d'asra, he insisted that two carloads of members of the board of directors personally drive OF THE UNITED STATES to Detroit to present the K'sav Harab­ 11To our own c:-ommunity, we issue an banus - his formal contract. That's Agudath Israel of America issued the fol­ urgent appeal: we prepare to usher how they did it in Europe. lowing statement: As Reb Chi'el was a life-long Agudist, he scandal currently sm'rounding the in the Yomi'm_ Noraim, the awesome clays and a close and dear friend of the late president of the United States is when we beseech HaShem to forgive Rabbi Moshe Sherer ?'':it. He sat on the Tcause for deep sorrow; serious concern our sins and inscribe us in the Book of board of the shul, attended each meet­ and profound introspection. Life, let us redouble our commitment ing of the Agudah with infectious "Sorrow - because the office of the pres­ to the standards of virtue and integri­ enthusiasm, and participated in every idency has been severely diminished by the ty that are the hallmark of our holy project, from Pirchei to Camp Agudah. conduct of the president, and hecause the nation. Let us recoil in shame and dis­ His last undertaking was to raise funds widespread publicity generated by the scan­ gust from the licentiousness and to build a new dining hall building for dal has coarsened and polluted our public immorality that engulf society all Camp Agudah in Toronto. discourse. around us. Let us resolve as best we 1 In all the years, Reb Chi' el only ' Concern - because America's pre-emi­ can to shield our children, aud our­ missed one Agudah convention, when nent role in the world today demands that selves, from the culture of decadence he was bed-ridden because of surgery. the president enjoy the full degree of moral and deceit to which we are relentless­ He constantly urged us, the members of authority necessa1y lo provide leader­ firm ly exposed - and from the .various the younger generation, to go and par­ ship on the international scene, and media that deliver that culture direct· ticipate. Because Reb Chi' el didn't trav­ because the public airing of the most sala­ ly into our homes, whether in the form el to the conventions to see or be seen, cious details of the president's improprieties you could have sat next to him and never may have caused indelible damage lo the of entertainment, information or news. have realized it. He went to give kavod moral well-being of our citizenry - par­ Let us rediscover, at our jobs- and in our to the gedolim and declare his achdus ticularly our children. homes, in our speech anJ in our dress, with Kial Yisroel. His face lit up watch­ "Introspection - because all of us must the time-honored Jewish values of ing the dais arrayed with the glowing grapple with our own lemplalions and imper­ modesty and restraint. presence of our Rebbe'im and Roshei feclions, and 1ecause the problems facing the '"V'hiskadishtem vi'h'yisem kedoshim' Yeshivas, and listened intently to their president should remind us that one day we (Vayi1ra 11:44): 'Make yourselves holy', divrei hisorerus, their words of inspira­ too will have to give account for our actions. says Hashem, 'and you will be holy'." tion. Upon his return, he would res­ onate with the experience for weeks, and Of all his relationships, his bond with after the other, young and old, with sto­ repeat the divrei Torah that he had heard. the Roshei Yeshiva of Philadelphia ries of how Reb Chi' el touched their lives. (where his sons had learned), Rabbi Elya Not a single miracle, not one tale of pub­ Dear Friend to Great Men Svei N"P>?v and Rabbi Shmuel lic bravura, just stories of simple kind­ Kamenetsky WP>?v, was strongest. ness, sensitivity and grace, basic courte­ b Chi'el was the yedid (dear The Roshei Yeshiva often said that, just sies and a derech hachaim, a way of life, riend) of Gedolim. His simple as an embassy of a foreign country is nurtured at the feet of the Rebbes of yes­ ru ome was host to numerous deemed by international law to be a part teryear. There was never a cross word. Torah dignitaries, including Rabbi of the foreign country, Reb Chi'el's Criticism, when necessary, was issued Moshe Sherer and Rabbi Simcha home was the embassy of Philadelphia, quietly with only a disapproving glance. Wasserman ?··:rr. The P'nei Menachem and had the status of the yeshiva itself. Reb Chi'el did not teach us with 7"::it, once departing fron1 a visit to Even when they had children living in words; he taught us with acts. What Reb Toronto, refused to board the airplane Toronto, the Roshei Yeshiva would not Chi' el taught us in life, we can sadly now because he had heard that Reb Chi' el stay anywhere else. only learn with words. For this reason, was coming to see him off at the airport, The week of shiva passed in com­ the story of Reb Chi' el richly deserves and was delayed. munal mourning. People filed in, one a place on these pages. •

The Jewish Observer, October 1998 37 :; Autnentic Torruf ~~~~~~fa 8e t49ug4t • }leliable up-to'date informatio /ii\ Penetrating anitlysis of the .newii • Women's features .and profile' ··~ Coverage of u.s ... Israef ·· ·... · · · • Children's section with and the ~ewish World stories and. games Letter and Response The May/Sivan 1998 issue of The Jewish Observer Felllin · ,i,i; lSti.-t orce That lf!i// . '',_ featured an article, "Feminism - A Force That Will Split Sp/1tor1'"" Orthodoxy?" by Levi Reisman, commenting on the 11vuo,i;v.' Second Conference on Feminism and Orthodoxy. In the article, he referred to a speech by Rabbi Yehuda Henkin, of Jerusalem. In the pages that follow, we present a letter from Rabbi Henkin, wherein he takes exception to some of Mr. Reisman's comments, and the author's response.

CITING OF SOURCES FOR STATEMENTS as to imply that the halacha AT THE FEMINIST CONFERENCE allows the free mixing of the sexes." \t\That I actually said was, "There To the Editor: exists a trend - not a dominant trend, rored the Thus far I have read two responses but a trend - within halachic thought Yam Shel Shelomo on to my remarks on the mixing of men that in interactions between the sexes the parameters of mixing the sexes. In and women which I delivered at the 2nd that might ordinarily lead to hirhur, fre­ fact, the Yam Shel Shlomoh, in Kesuvos Conference on Feminism and Ortho­ quency and familiarity of contact can be 1:20, does not agree with the position doxy in New York last February. The a mitigating factor, and that a commu­ of the levush on the specific issue of first came in a letter from a friend of nity can legitimately rely on this in 'using Sheva Berachos( !) What is customary in mine, the av beis din of a major Euro­ the services of and speaking to and look­ one matter or in one com1nunity is not pean community (name provided upon ing at women,' to use the words of the necessarily customary in another. I said request) and decidedly not a feminist, Maharshal." The quote from the in my remarks, "There is no halachic to whom I sent a copy. He took me to Maharshal is from Yam Shel Shlomo to imperative to introduce mingling of the task for implying that mingling of the Kiddushin, introduction to 4:25, evi­ sexes where it does not already exist." sexes in everday affairs was a distin­ dently based on the Tosafos there in 82a. Reisman writes that "Rabbi Henkin guished feature of"modern"' Orthodoxy. I also brought the language of the left unsaid that whatever mixing is He wrote: levush, talmid of the Maharshal, in his allowed never extended either to mixed "Before the Holocaust, considerable minhagim at the end of Orach Chaim, swimming or mixed dancing." In fact, mixing of the sexes was normal and "We do not take care about [avoiding] my exact words were, "The above [trend accepted in all communities west of the mixed seating [at Sheva Berachos] in halachic thought] applies only to River Elbe. The remnants of these because nowadays women are very mingling of men and women that is ancient kehilot whether in Golden common among men, and there are rel­ innocent in and of itself No degree of Green, Yeoville, Washington Heights, atively few thoughts [about them]." frequency or familiarity can legitimize Amsterdam etc. have largely continued Is this called the skewing of several what is intrinsically or intentionally sex­ to accept mixed weddings, mixed social sources? It is clearly a shita that the ually stimulating. Examples are gatherings, mixed shiurim and even Torah-true Yekkisheh communities immodest or provocative dress, erotic mixed hand-shaking. These same com­ mentioned above relied upon. More­ performances and entertainment and munities were the earliest (and remain) over, my exposition of it is not new. I other pitfalls too numerous to be list­ supporters of Agudath Yisroel. I doubt have addressed the issue several times ed. A sin indulged in a thousand times whether they would be flattered by your in She' eilos u'Teshuvos Bnei Banitn, par­ remains a sin." lvlixed swimming and including them in Modern Orthodoxy.'' ticularly vol. l, no. 35 which is cited in dancing are obviously included in The second response consisted of the Otzar Haposkim vol. 17, p107. "other pitfalls too numerous to be list­ caustic comments of lawyer and Regarding the Aruch Hashulchan, I ed," and any interpretation of my accountant Levi Reisman in the May cited him as a third example of the use remarks to the contrary is outrageous. 1998 issue of The Jewish Observer. He of frequency and familiarity as a factor Nor is there substance to Reisman's wrote that I "skewed several sources so in ha/acha. I did not suggest that he mir- reply to my wife's observation that

The Jewish Observer, October 1998 39 nowhere within the Rishonim or Acha­ is that among those attending were hun­ "Forgetting what is custo1nary, is there ronim is there an opinion that the dreds of women who fully observe Shab­ a halachic justification for relatively open halacha prohibits in principle the issue bos and taharas hamishpacha, including interaction between men and women in of [halachic] rulings by women. He many who don't even participate in modern Orthodoxy, and if so, what is comments, "Perhaps, but iu Hilchos Tal­ Women's Prayer Groups. These women it?" That he refers to "modern Ortho­ mud Torah, the Shulchan Aruch does deserve not to be abandoned to the doxy)' is significant. Even within most mention the rabbinical edict that pro­ guidance of the mostly left-wing rabbis right-wing circles, there is a 1nixing of hibits formally teaching a women Tal­ who spearhead the Orthodox feminist the sexes on the street and in business mud, which is the basis of halachic movement. I also used the opportuni­ or commercial relationships. It is only study:' Is he trying to say that the ty to tell the 2,000 women in the in the social realm that "right wing" and halacha precludes any possibility of a plenum, many of whom do not cover "modern" Orthodoxy diverge. Simchas, woman learning Talmud? If so, then he their hair, point blank that they should such as weddings and bar mitzvas are is unaware of the Perisha in Yoreh cover their hair. segregated by sex in the right wing, while De' ah 246, no. 15, the Torah Temima on On the question of rabbinical par­ they are mixed in 1nodern circles. Devariln 11, 48 and other Acharonimi or ticipation in feminist gatherings, nev­ Often, this mixing even extends to for that matter my Bnei Banim, vol. 3, ertheless, there can be legitimate dif­ such activities as singing, dancing, or no.12. ferences of opinion. The Jewish swimming. Thus, it is the mixing in I an1 surprised that Reisman com­ Observer would do the Orthodox com­ social situations that Rabbi Henkin pre­ ments on halachic matters he obvious­ munity a service if it sparked a serious sumed to address in his speech. ly knows little about. I am also surprised debate on how, practically, to deal with In both his speech and his letter, that he referred to my wife as "Ms:' She and relate to the large number of nom­ Rabbi Henkin cited the Maha.-shal in never uses the ter1n; she is always inally or real Orthodox women attract­ Kiddushin (4:25); in his speech, he referred to as Mrs. or, 1nore common­ ed to Orthodox feminism. went on to say that "what the Mahar­ ly, Rebbetzin (Rabbanit). Since when is RABBI YEHUDA-HERZI. HENKIN shal is saying is that an average indi­ The Jewish Observer in the business of ]erusalern vidual may not go beyond what others pron1oting feminist terminology? are per1nitted in these 1natters; when an 1'here is, however, a valid question to THE AUTHOR RESPONDS: entire co1nmunity is accusto1ned to be asked, only Reisman doesn't ask it. mingling with and speaking to women, The question is: in view of the fact we on the other hand, their familiarity can both oppose many of the excesses of When the Focus is Modern Orthodoxy be relied on to forestall sinful thoughts. Orthodox feminists and feminism (in It can be said that the whole world of spite of all the above), what was a ba' al Rabbi Henkin's letter does not fully modern Orthodoxy relies implicitly on hora'a such as myself doing at the Con­ conform to the tone of his speech. this Maharshal in making use of the ser­ ference on Feminism and Orthodoxy? Before discussing his sources at the Con­ vices of, and speaking to, and looking My answer, among a number of reasons, ference, he posed the following question, at wo1nen."

Two Misreadings of the Maharshal

There are two misleading elements in this statement. First, the Maharshal does not speak about the entire community. To quote his words more fully, "Every­ thing is according to what his eyes see, and also that he masters his impulses and is stronger than them; it is then per­ • Personal Counseling • Medical Referral • Crisis Intervention • Emergency mitted for him to speak to and think • Advice and Segulohs (S'"ll'1)t1} Medical Funds about them in a familiar nianner, and to •Prayer Hotline to Jerusalem ask of them how they are. The whole world relies on this in using their ser­ vices, in speaking to and thinking about women. But in any case, it is forbidden to employ a woman as a servant in a bathhouse. And if he sees that his 1469 42nd Street, Brooklyn, N.Y. 11219 -- Tel. (718) 436-0666 • Fax. (718) 972-2787 impulses overpower him, he should dis­ tance himself [from women] so he

40 The Jewish Observer, October 1998 shouldn't talk to a married won1an, and speech, "I will now note two addition­ ly lead to hirhur [unseemly thoughts], it is forbidden for him to look at them al who follow the path frequency and familiarity of contact can if they are dressed in colorful gar­ forged by the Maharshal. The first is be a mitigating factor." True, halachic ments." The Maharshal did go one step the Maharshal's student, Reb Mordecbai literature does make allowances forcer­ further than the Ritva or the Tosafos; the Yaffe, known as the Levush." He pur­ tain occupations (i.e. gynecologists) Rishonim allowed such behavior only to ported to quote the Levush in the same wherein the practitioner assumes an individuals of exceptional piety. The manner as he does in his letter, but in impersonal attitude toward women. Maharshal allows each and every man to each case, he is less than faithful to the But if there is such a trend regarding make the decision for himself. But even source. The Levush actually said: "The social interaction, within halachic so, everything depends on the individ­ Sefer Chassidim states that when men thought, we would expect it to be ual; community standards play no part. and women are able to view each other, expressed somewhere in the Codes, their The second point I would question at a wedding meal, for example, we do commentaries, or the teshuvos (respon­ in Rabbi Henkin's analysis is that he not say 'Shehasilncha bemeono,' for sa). Just as the dominant position is seems to overlook that the Maharshal there is no simcha before Hakadosh found in the Tur-Shu/chan Aruch-Evven speaks exclusively of employing women, Baruch Hu because sinful thoughts are Ha'ezer, so too, should the dissenting speaking to and looking at women. This present. We are not careful about this position be found there. And yet, Rabbi type of interaction is found even in because nowadays, women are common Henkin did not cite one source either {(right wing" circles, even in Chassidic among men and there are not sinful from Tur-Shulchan Aruch-Evven Ha'ez­ communities. Can one assume that the thoughts about them." The issue the er or the commentaries there. Maharshal would extend this to the Levush addresses is not men and women Secondly, Rabbi Henkin did state, social situations that characterize mod­ sitting together, but being seated where "There is no halachic imperative to ern Orthodoxy? Rabbi Henkin's speech they can see each other. In his B'nei introduce mingling of the sexes where implied clearly that he would. The Banim, Vol. 1,35, Rabbi Henkin recog­ is does not already exist." He says fur­ Maharshal in Kesuvos (1:20), however, nizes this fact; he states that according ther, "What we have stated here is a jus­ (which Rabbi Henkin did not mention to the Levush, the issue is n1en and tification of community practices, not in his speech) indicates otherwise. To women who see each other, even when an agenda. It is much easier to legitimize quote that section, "The Sefer Chassidim sitting at separate tables. Can one infer existing practice than to justify new writes that we do not say the words' She­ that the Levush would extend his ones. To do the latter, we should have hasimcha bemeono' when men and remarks to men and women even sitting to take into account the opinions of far \vomen are in the same room because together? If one looks at the Levush more Acharonim than just the Yam Shel the Sattan accuses, and there is no sim­ in Evven Ha'ezer, 21: 1, one would have Shlomo, the Levush, and the Aruch cha before Hakadosh Baruch Hu." He to conclude that one cannot. Further, Hashulchan:' In other words, Rabbi then continues, using the words of Eicha can one apply a less restrictive approach Henkin admits to looking for sources to (3,l), "!am the man who has seen the toward mixing from an era of modesty legitimize existing community stan­ affliction of my people, that how many in dress to the contemporary scene with dards. This itself is a dangerous prac­ evils come arise from this!" No men­ its provocative couture? tice, similar to that which has led to the tion of what is customary, or of com­ With regard to the citation of the munity standards. He states his posi­ Aruch Hashulchan as an example of tion on the mixing of the sexes in social using familiarity: Said in close proximity Digest of Meforshim situations in clear, unequivocal language. to his other examples, the implication For Rabbi Henkin to state that the world is clearly that the Aruch Hashulchan 'V1ji7 1I1:J 'V1ji7 of modern Orthodoxy relies on the endorsed his position. This implication 7"Yl 1)Jt:>7N 7N'il:l1!1 l"';"1To1l:l Maharshal to do things he had never was reinforced later in his speech when Available at sanctioned is, indeed, skewing the he referred to "the Yam Shel Shlomo [i.e., Maharshal's words. One simply cannot Maharshal], the Levush, and the Aruch LEKUTEI c/o Yitzchok Rosenberg claim that the world of modern Ortho­ Hashulchan" in one breath. One sim­ JO West 47th Street, Roon1 503 doxy relies on the Maharshal to engage ply cannot cite the Aruch Hashulchan in New York. NY 10036 in activities that he denounced, com­ support of a position he disagreed (212) 719-1717 paring his pain to that ofYermiyahu the with, unless that fact is stated dearly, 20 Volumes on Torah, Perek, Medrash, Prophet upon witnessing the destruction which Rabbi Henkin fails to do. Megilos and Talmud. of the Jewish people. Two more points: Rabbi Henkin stat­ Proceeds of sales distributed an1ong Yeshivos and used for reprinting of ed, "There exists a trend - not a dom­ volurnes out-of-print Other "Supportive" Citations inant trend, but a trend - within PRICE: $8.00 PER VOLUME halachic thought that in interactions All volumes now available Rabbi Henkin's continued in his between the sexes that might ordinari-

The Jewish Observer, October 1998 41 widespread misquoting of the Aruch and the like. It seems that the Germans, learning Talmud. That is not the issue Hashulchan to justify the failure of who by nature hold on to their min­ here. I will concede that Rabbi Henkin, women to cover their hair. It is com­ hagim with a tenacity unmatched else­ as a ba'al hora'a, is allowed to take a posi­ parable to past heteirim for a host of where, are giving up these particular cus­ tion allowing women to study the Oral lapses of observance, such as mixed toms. In Washington Heights, for Torah. But the fact remains: the swin11ning and mixed dancing. But a example, virtually the only mixed seat­ Shulchan Aruch takes the position that lapse in observance does not make a ing events are fundraising dinners; a woman is not allowed to learn Talmud. halachic shita. If, as Rabbi Henkin stat­ weddings and other simchos, even oneg Furthermore, a look at the Tur and Beis ed, a sin indulged in one thousand times Shabbos events, are now segregated by Yosef reveals that this is a position with is still a sin, it remains so even if the rab­ sex. The sa1ne process is occurring in foundations in the Talmud and Ris­ bis try to justify it, or fail to object loud­ London's Golders Green and in Johan­ honim. The Rambam expresses the same ly enough. nesburg.• (Similarly, religions Jews in position in the Yad, Hilchos Talmud Germany did not wear head-coverings Torah 1:13. Thus, even if Rabbi Henkin The Prevalence of Mixing in business or social settings) whereas disagrees with the Shulchan Aruch, he in Specific Communities today, the tendency is to do so.) cannot dismiss its ruling out of hand. Rabbi Henkin did indeed clearly It would not be unreasonable fora con­ With respect to the German custom warn his audience that "the above temporary ba'al hora'a to rule that a of mixing among the sexes, neither [trend] applies only to mingling of men woman cannot learn Talmud; Rabbi Rabbi Henkin nor the anonymous Av and women that is innocent in and of Moshe Feinstein did just that in Igros Beis Din n1entions the nan1e of any rabbi itself. No degree of frequency or famil­ Moshe, Yoreh De' ah 3:47. who went on record as endorsing the iarity can legitimize what is intrinsical­ Thus, there is substantial authority practice. It would seem that German ly or intentionally sexually stimulating. that, in practice, would prevent a practice stem1ned not fron1 any specif­ Examples are in1modest or provocative woman from acquiring the knowledge ic halachic position, but from a lapse in dress, erotic performances, and enter­ necessary to make halachic rulings. For observance. If the rabbis failed to object tainment and other pitfalls too numer­ Mrs. Henkin to claim that it is "non­ loudly enough, there is an explanation. ous to be listed." But what exactly con­ controversial') to suggest that a wo1nan Yiddishkeitin 19'" and 20,h century - stitutes immodest or provocative dress? can issue halachic rulings ignores a 1nany was in peril. Bear in inind that What falls into the category of "other major factor that indeed makes for con­ Rabbanim like Rabbi S.R. Hirsch were pitfalls"? To Rabbi Henkin, that is obvi­ troversy. And it is therefore both inac­ salvaging souls from amongst people ous. But, by his count, there were 2)000 curate and misleading for her to say that who had abandoned Torah observance. 1ncn and women listening to him) and there is nothing within the Rishonim or Similar to American Rabbanim of 75 that allows for the possibility of 2,000 Acharonim that prohibits it. years ago, the rabbis of that era were different answers. Rabbi Henkin him­ Rabbi Henkin takes exception to my besieged on many fronts, and had to self described the entire subject as referring to his wife as "Ms." I use that choose their battles carefully. "something which some people take for terminology in all 1ny correspondence, Furthermore, contemporary Ger­ granted, and others take for granted in both personal and professional. If I man co1nn1unities in Washington the opposite direction:' As a ba'al hora'a offended her, I apologize, and I will Heights, Golders Green, and Yeoville are with experience in rendering halachic refrain from using "Ms." when I refer to forsaking the practices of mixed seating decisions, Rabbi Henkin certainly her in the future. at simchos, inter-gender handshaking, knows that his listeners will construe his comn1ents in a way most favorable to What Was Said and What Wasn't 1 A men1ber of Kahal Adas Yeshurun suggested to me a reason why the Gern1an Rabbanin1 might their current or desired level of behav­ have chosen not to make a battle on separate seat­ ior. But the halacha is very specific about I did not question Rabbi Henkin's ing. Weddings in Gern1any were far 1nore a number of those pitfalls, and his fail­ decision to attend the conference. I restrained than anything we know of today. For ure to mention some of those that are would, however, note that he states, ''We one thing, they \Vere much smaller; only close fa1nily and friends attended. Women did not all too common in the Modern Ortho­ both oppose many of the excesses of dance at all, and very few 1nen danced, and only dox communities reduces his warning Orthodox feminism." It would help for a short time before Birchas Harnazon. This to a vague note of caution at best. immeasurably to know which excesses restrained atmosphere was also present in other he refers to. Given his reason for attend­ sirnchas such as bar rnitzvas. My informant Limitations and Salutations ing - that he doesn't want to abandon remembers his father, a native of Munich, say­ ing that while it was possible to make weddings women to the guidance of mostly left­ with mixed seating in Gennany or New York forty Rabbi Henkin takes issue with my wing rabbis - it would be useful to years ago, of his fa1nily of six children, five out comments on his wife's speech. He asks examine how effectively he counteract­ of six weddings had separate seating and a if I am trying to say that the halacha pre­ ed their impact on the Conference. mechitza, and the one mixed-seating v.redding had a rnechitza for dancing. cludes any possibility of a woman He began his speech with a caricature

42 The Jewish Observer, October 1998 of the ideal of kol k'vuda bas melech pen­ If Rabbi Henkin wishes to spark a doxy, my quote suggesting in no uncer­ ima. In his words, the right wing debate on how to deal with and relate to tain terms that Orthodox shuls should approach «is one which keeps women in the large number of women attracted to 'Get rid of the balconies' was clearly the home and out of the workplace and Orthodox feminism, he seems to be tak­ framed in a context which suggested that marketplace altogether or at least sep­ ing a misguided approach, pandering to meant to get rid of mechitzot. Nothing arates men from women in places of the prejudices of his audience and dis­ could be further from the truth. I am employment, transportation, and in missing the valid and legitimate opinions a staunch advocate of mechitzot, but I boards and committees of organizations. of Rabbonim with whom he disagrees. feel strongly that they have to be con­ As we know, 'separate is not equal.' [Scat­ To this writer, Rabbi Henkin came structed in such a way as to give women tered applause from the audience.] across as a far more powerful advocate a sense of being part of the kahal and Restricting a woman's physical place to of Orthodox feminism than any of the not merely spectators. I have an aver­ the home or other private arenas effec­ other speakers at the conference. sion to balconies even though they tively circumscribes her role and status improve the sightline of many women, in society" Apologia because I believe they send out the mes­ Later in his speech, he attacked the sage that women are not part of the p'sak of the Queens Council of Rabbis I wish to make several addenda to my kahal but watching the tefillot as they banning women's prayer groups in article, unrelated to Rabbi Henkin's let­ unfold. However, without a question, what struck this writer as a conde­ ter. First of all, in the April, 1997, arti­ someone reading the article out of con­ scending manner: «It was not authori­ cle, "Orthodoxy and Feminism: How text would have concluded that the tative in that it prohibited some activ­ Promising a Shidduch?" we stated the Orthodox Feminists were suggesting ities that are clearly not forbidden, such following: "Get rid of the [women's J bal­ doing away with mechitzot. And that is as women's Megilla readings. It is mutar conies" in synagogues, said Bat Sheva simply not my (or anyone else's in the lechatchila for a woman to read the Marcus, chair of the Women's Tefilla conference that I am aware of) agenda." Purim Megilla for other women. I Network and a member of the confer­ Second, it \Vas my error to refer to the showed this in my B'nai ence steering commitee. "Judaism was late Rabbi Shlomo Goren without any Banim, Vol. 2, six years ago. The group not meant to be a spectator sport." honorific titles. As much as the vast of rabbis was either ignorant of this or This quote was taken directly from majority of rabbinical authorities took chose to ignore it; I'm not sure which the New York Jewish Week. Not having exception to some of his halachic deci­ is worse."2 seen any letters of clarification in sub­ sions, he certainly should not have been Perhaps the rabbis in Queens decid­ sequent issues, we presumed it to be denied recognition for his semicha, ed in keeping with the Mishna Berura's accurate, and printed it accordingly. In and I apologize for the error. clearly-stated opinion) that a woman a recent communication, Ms. Marcus Lastly, I would like to apologize to should not read the Megilla on behalf of stated, "In the Observer article imme­ Ms. Susan Hornstein for misspelling her a group of other women. (See Shulchan diately following the First Internation­ name. Aruch O.Ch. 689, Shaar HaTzion 15.) al Conference on Feminism and Ortho- LEVI M. REISNlAN Since the Mishna Berura has stated his opinion and the sources supporting it, can Rabbi Henkin say that women's Megilla readings are clearly not forbid­ den? It is not my place to question his right, as a ba'al hara' a, to take a differ­ ent position, but by calling the p'sak of the Queens Council of Rabbis "not FREE authoritative;' he seems to deny them the right to rely on the Mishna Berura COMPUTER and its sources! COURSE 2 In reviewing this reply, a member of The Jew­ ish Observer editorial board called my attention For Women Coping On Their Own to the Mishna Berura on Orach Chain1 689. In note 7, he refers us to Sha'ar HaTzion note IS, (Widowed, Divorced, Separated) in which cites the Korban Nesanel on Mcgilla, ch. I, that a won1an should not read the Megilla for 30 Hours of Instruction - Day Classes a group of women, based on Tosafos on Sue ca 38a. In note 8, he cites the opinion of the A1agen Avra­ For More lrformation or To Register, harn that it is better for a woman to hear a n1an 1!!!!19!!!~1!!1 read the Megilla than to read it herself.

The Jewish Observer, October 1998 43 frustrated upon entering a lifestyle where we seldom have the opportuni­ ty to open a sefer to learn, and some­ tin1es not even a Siddur to daven. To keep Jewish girls within the fold, the Rabbanim had paskened for Sara Scheneirer that rather than be exposed to secular literature and philosophy, girls should be taught limudei kodesh. In their great enthusiasn1 to impart sacred knowledge to their students, many schools have overlooked a very crucial FEMINISM WITHIN meals, keeping house, diapering babies, point: learning is not the ultimate goal. ULTRA-ORTHODOXY? and dealing with the rest of the respon­ Yet, learning is stressed to such an extent siblities that marriage and mother­ that a school/seminary's prestige is To the Editor: hood entail, but felt that we were not based on its intellectual level. Should a Were I to tell you that the feminist properly prepared with the awareness girl who got IOO's on all her tests and movement has affected the yeshiva that this is our role. went to such a seminary be considered world, you would undoubtedly dismiss On that first Yamim Noraim after I a greater "catch" for a shidduch than my claim as preposterous. After all, there had a child, I had been accustomed to someone whose outstanding quality is are no congregational iterns nor daveningin shul, to being uplifted by the chessed! wo1nen's prayer groups in our com1nu­ solemn tefillos of the day, by the awe­ Girls should be guided to understand nities. On the contrary, we are vehe­ inspiring words and the haunting that the learning is valuable in as much mently opposed to the feminist ideol­ melodies. Instead, I spent my Rosh as it enhances our main function, not ogy that women should adopt many of Hashana warming up food, serving replaces it. Learning is meant to add the roles traditionally assigned to men. meals, washing dishes, and caring for spirituality to our lives, but we must be A few weeks ago in the waiting room babies, with only a couple of hours to able to find fulfillment in household of a doctor's office, however, I began to spend in shul when my baby-sitting shift tasks, as well. realize how many casualties we are suf­ was completed. Rosh Hashana was over After all, value in Judaism is deter­ fering in the raging war of feminism. I and I was deeply disappointed. The mined by the extent to which something was sitting amongst a number of young most meaningful days of the year had brings a person close to Hashem, even kollel wives like myself, and as we dis­ become so n1undane! Then, as I ana­ though it may not be intellectual. This cussed the trials and tribulations of lyzed what had transpired, I realized that is achieved by emulating Him. "Ma motherhood and raising children, the my priorities were out of focus and that Hu ... af atta - Just as He is merciful, so conversation suddenly took on a tone of my view of the woman's role had been should you be merciful:' Hashem is a frustration. It was not frustration with distorted. constant Giver and receives nothing in our children for being too difficult nor My conversation in the waiting room return. The woman too has an often with our husbands for not helping made me realize that I was not alone. thankless job as a "giver;' yet she attach­ enough. It was frustration at having This distortion of priorities is a es herself to the Divine by following in been insufficiently prepared for mar­ direct result of the infiltration of fem­ His ways. A woman 111ust view herself riage. We did feel capable of cooking inism into our camps. The woman's as the builder of a holy Mishkan (sanc­ traditional role is considered to be infe­ tuary), for it is primarily her influence rior and unfulfilling, and to find satis­ that guides her children along the faction, they must look outside their Torah path. Her seemingly mundane homes and into other domains. tasks are not mundane at all, for she can This is compounded by the school's be compared to the kohanim in the Beis strong emphasis on intellectual stimu­ Hamikdash. They were the elite of Kial lation. All of us in the doctor's office had Yisroe~ chosen to do the holy avoda. Her I te attended reputable schools and "ivy toil is also avodas hakodesh (sacred for information on league" seminaries, where we analyzed assignments), in keeping with what obtaining cemetery plots in mefarshim and sharpened our minds. Hashem requires of her. Eretz Hachaim Beth Shemesh But marriage thrust us into an entirely While it is itnportant to have various Har Menuchoth - Har Hazeisim new arena for which we now feel forms of achieving fulfillment, our unequipped. After years of achieving girls should come to realize that their 011-972-2-641-1923 spirituality through learning, we are left primary fulfillment must be through

44 The Jewish Observer, October 1998 being good wives and n1others. Devo­ [was doing. Twelve years ago, my daugh­ dren the proper way better than we our­ ra Hanevia was a woman who n1ade it ter was born with a defect and died at selves can? to the top. She is a heroine to "liberat­ t\VO weeks. "fhis experience made me Not everyone will like what I want ed" women, as she was a shofetes (judge), realize how precious are the lives entrust­ but it does come from the heart. It is a nevia (prophet), and a general. [n ed to us - they can be taken away. not a matter of faking that you enjoy Shiras Devora-the Song of Devora, Ordinarily, when I notice any lack in parenting-the "be happy" panacea. !t's there are many titles she could have used my own education, [ put it down to my a matter of accepting the challenge. Go to describe herself, yet she chose the one inattentiveness. But this attitude of not to that evening shiur, or give one after which she felt was the greatest of them valuing our mothering role is one I they are asleep. But be there for your all. She sang: "Until!, Devora, arose. [ have co111e across again and again child. It means so much to him. arose, a mother in Yisroel" (Shoftim 5,7). among women. Thus, I am writing Perhaps you can't daven the way you She prided herself as a leadership in these few words. did when you were single. But your terms of being a mother. I feel very strongly that when we tefil/a (prayer) is so much more How n1uch inore fulfilled we \Vomen bring children into this world, it's our poignant now. You don't need all the would be if only we realized what a cru­ responsibility to provide a presence for p'sukim (text), just a few heartfelt words cial role we play as wives and mothers. them. Sure, there are plenty of reasons when you can sneak them in. After all, We are entrusted with taking care of a to pass on the burden: n1oney, Torah you are caring for Hashem's children. Mishkan, a holy sanctuary, and we are learning, the "need" to get out of the Once children are older (over three), and responsible to produce, to educate, and house. But do these goals have to be can entertain themselves more, things to inspire the next generation of Ovdei mutually exclusive? Is there a way to in1prove in the davening arena. Hashem. earn money, help support our house­ As for happiness, that is a lifelong SHOSHANA NANNAS holds and be stimulated during our journey. We all know it is not found "out Sanhedria lfaMurchevet, Jerusakn1 hours as a 1nother-and still take care there/' but within. of our own children? Easy to write. [ struggle daily with WAKE UP CALL TO From the beginning, I did not want these issues. [ kvetch all the time about THE WOMAN'S ROLE to leave my kids with a babysitter. We the sabotage my children do to my found jobs for me to do at home, so [ efforts around the house. I have to To the Editor: could stay with the children, and my hus­ remember all of these things too. The I am a Bais Yaakov graduate and a band did manage to learn in Kol/el for journey goes on. I hope my children will seminary product. I was taught about five years. Did [ love what I was doing? want to be there for their own children. supporting my husband in kollel. Bretz Not necessarily. But is the goal to love That would mean a lot to me, if [ could Yisroel was an ideal. Teaching was what we're doing all the time? Not every pass this lesson on to them. encouraged. Tzenius (n1odesty) was task is going to be stimulating. So, to the young mothers who strug­ stressed. But I was never taught the value ... We have to accept the "blahs;' the gle with their own conflicting yearnings: of being a mother. The importance of routine tasks that life is so full of. Day I hope that my thoughts will help in mothering-being the person who is after day, the avoda (main task) con­ some small way. actually there with the child, providing tinues: to provide a warm, loving pres­ RtSYL EDELMAN the minute-to-minute care-was not ence for our children, along with a phys­ Baltirnore mentioned. ically safe, nurturing environment. (This letter originally appeared in Like so many others, I found myself There is great satisfaction in this job­ "Where, What, and Wizen," a monthly Bal­ at a total loss my first Rosh Hashana and plenty of aggravation. Children will timore-based publication.) after the baby was born. For years, [ had challenge us. They lose the eyeglasses we been crammed with lofty ideals for the just bought them. They untidy what Yamim Nora'im. That year, there was a we've just straightened out. A full-time 11N7 K:i' shiur or two-but mainly, a lot of time housekeeper would be helpful, but we 1!)0 on my hands with an infant. [ thought can't even afford cleaning help! I want min 7w n!ll'l?J!ll that all that my physical preparations for to be pleasant with my children. I also N"0'7!ll 1!ll IJ"N1l;J )11JIJ the Yom Tovwere just getting in the way want my home to be neat and clean. "'11)1 ':!N.1" 7ll:! of the main avoda, the spiritual prepa­ These two wants are almost mutually 1011J1 i1?J:Jn n111JN1 n11:!1)1 1:!1 rations. I knew some things had to be exclusive! That's part of my challenge. 7":iT n1111;'1 '711l 1J'n1:!11J done, of course, but I didn't think all that But we have to carry on, teaching our n:i;i7:i p:ii :iii n'm!l?J v'!lJi cleaning and cooking were important in kids to take responsibility in the home, C'l1!ll C'llJT:l1 0'1)111J:! !l/11j7 !l/N and of themselves. and trying hard to build a relationship "11!ll'IJ" f1'!llK1 ;J:i!);J [t wasn't until I had my own "wake with them at the same time. After all, up call" that I learned the value of what who can really love and teach our chi!- 718-871-8652

The Jewish Observer, October 1998 45 Lisa Herman

Unconventional learning doesn)t co1ne easily, highlighting how many "classical" meth­ Wisdom: Torah and discusses how much ods of chinuch- such as the use of Perspectives on the we can expect from such in learning Chumash - are actually Child Who Has Dif­ students. 1-Iis sources designed to draw on the specificity of ficulty Learning, by include the Torah itself, these learning styles. This awareness will Reuven Elkins, Tar­ Chazal (rabbis of the Tal­ provide the diligent mechanech and car­ gum Press, $18.95 mud), Rishonim and ing parent with new tools and food for Acharonin1 ( con1men­ thought in approaching their shared taries), including con­ goals of insuring a proper Torah chin­ ver the last few temporary teshuvos uch for all our children. In addition, years, the Torah (responsa) in their there are appropriate texts of tefillos for 0 con1n1unity has original Hebrew, with parents and mechanchim. Finally, he begun to co1ne to tern1s clear English transla­ ends with a con1prehensive sun1111ary of with a large and burgeon­ tion on facing pages. A fasci­ resources available to parents and ing problem. As parents nating window is offered to the reader mechanchini whose purview is any and educators, we have been confront­ in the forn1 of"Discussions with Con­ child with difficulty learning. ed with a number of children who have temporary Gedolim and Mechanchim." His "unconventional" insights are difficulty learning. Whether the cir­ In this chapter, Rabbi Elkins - who has actually fresh approaches challenging cumstances involve the actual classroom had the opportunity to question such our common understanding of the setting, or the learning proble1ns revolv­ Torah personalities as Rabbi Simcha statements of Chazal. He sheds new light ing around kriya (reading), grappling Wasserman and Rabbi Shlomo Freifeld on the axiom: A thousand enter the beis with a Gemora, or grasping a Rashi, or ':i""Yt., as well as v··m:::i, Rabbi Chaim hamidrash and only one comes out l'ho­ even the behavioral issues involving dif­ Pinchas Scheinberg, Rabbi Avrohom ra' a, forcing us to focus on the other 999 ferent learning styles for individual Pam, Rabbi Shmuel Kaminetsky, Rabbi taln1idin1. Furthern1ore, he urges edu­ students, the overall rubric spells unre­ Reuven Feinstein and others - para­ cators and parents alike to meet Mish­ solved dilemma. phrases and quotes his conversations lei's challenge to "educate the child Rabbi Elkins' book is a powerful with them. He has made available to the according to his way," illu1ninating his balm. Firstly, he offers insight from his reader their approaches to learning) cur­ ren1arks with encouragen1ent and guid­ personal experience as both a "regular" riculum concerns, and pace of learning; ance fro1n Chazal; he even offers words yeshiva teacher and as a learning dis­ even the question of hitting students is from Kadnzanitn, Rishonin1 and Acha­ abilities specialist. He addresses such touched on. ronim who, themselves, had difficulty points as what parents and 1nechanchim In a later chapter, he explains the the­ learning in their early years. are able to do with students to whom ory behind different learning styles, This book can prove helpful to everyone involved in children)s chinuch: father, mother, older sibling, grandpar­ ents, shul rabbi, rebbe, teacher, 1norah, TYPE OF CAR OR SIMILAR 26 AUG." 98 tutor, principal, ad1ninistrator, and even 19 DEC. 98 .... z board member. Rabbi Elkins has under­ A_ FIAT PUNTO 3 DR. 126 taken this co1nprehensive exposition B CITROEN SAXO 147 .. °' c DAIHATSU CHARADE P.S 175 ~ °' with precision and straight-forwardness. c·' PEUGEOT306 .... 217 Q. z This teacher cum parent applauds his c FORD ESCORT P.S/ DAIHATSU APPLAUSE 238 Q. '( unconventional wisdon1 and the inspi­ co CITROEN XSARA DISEL 259 :::> "\ N KIABESTA8SEATS 455 Ill II) ration it has provided. M MINIBUS 10 SEATS 490 • Z' Lisa Herman, who lives in Brooklyn where she KIA PRIDE I DAIHATSU SIRION o~ teaches English in a Bais Yaakov High School, 0 196 Ill • E DAEWOO LANDS 238 reviews current books tOr The ]e-wish Observer. F • NISSA"!_ ALMERA 280 ~~ G • MAZDA LANTIS I KIA 1.8 315 Ill Q K'- • GMC SAVANA 700 to The photographs of Rabbi Aharon x •SUBARU LEGACY 1.8 336 CC'4 Leib Steinman l<""\"';>\!J (The Jewish XL • MAZDA626 385 Observer, Sept. '98/p.18) and of sx • CHEVROLET LUMJNA 595 -t USA&CANADA KX •MAZDA MPV 693 Toll Free: 111 800-938-5000 cheder children greeting him, (Bais vx ·vOLV0940 630 Tel in NY: 212-629-6090 Mikra, Monsey) (p. 23) were pub­ J 'LANO.ROVER DISCOVERY 980 lished courtesy Shlomo Romand, of • POWER STEERING & ELECTRIC WINDOWS http://www.eldan.co.il/ Monsey, NY.

46 The Jewish Observer, October 1998