ראש השנה א׳ תשרי תשפ״א At the 5781 SEPTEMBER 19, 2020 ISSUE #9 Yo m To v Table RABBI YITZCHOK WEEKLY INSPIRATION AND INSIGHT ADAPTED FROM CLASSIC ARTSCROLL TITLES HISIGER, EDITOR DESIGN & LAYOUT: AVIVA KOHN

A TINY OPENING Shofar Yomim IS ENOUGH Noraim The Mystery and the Majesty HORNS by Rabbi Daniel Glatstein OF Rav Meir Shapiro was invited to give a MESIRUS derashah (lecture) in a city he was visiting. His derashah focused on the verse in Para- NEFESH shas Balak, said at the beginning of Shacha- AND ris: “Mah tovu ohalecha Yaakov - How goodly REDEMPTION are your tents, O Yaakov” (Bamidbar 24:5). Rav Druck on Machzor The simple pshat, as explained by Rashi, is: “Al shera’ah pischeihem by Rabbi Yisrael Meir Druck (she’einam mechuvanim zeh mul zehֶ - He saw that the doors were not Pirkei D’Rabbi Eliezer (Ch. 31 aligned.” Bilaam was very impressed by the modesty he noted in teaches that the ram that was the arrangement of the tents of the Bnei Yisrael, as the doorways created at twilight of the sixth of their tents were not situated opposite their neighbors’, pre- day of Creation was utilized to LET US TAKE venting them from seeing its fullest, with no part of it go- into one another’s homes. ing to waste: The ashes of that ADVANTAGE Rav Shapiro explained ram formed the base above the OF THIS the verse homiletical- Inner Altar; its sinews were the EXTRAORDINARY ly. The Midrash says that ten strings of the harp that Da- Hashem tells the Bnei vid Hamelech played; its skin OPPORTUNITY. Yisrael, “You open a small was worn by Eliyahu; its left opening [of repentance], horn was blown at Har Sinai; as small as the point of a needle, and and its right horn — which is I will open for you an entrance to al- larger than the left — is des- low wagons to enter.” tined to be blown in the future. Hashem is telling us that we must This final statement about the make one small improvement and ram indicates that in its two then He will take us the rest of the horns lies all the spiritual pow- way. er of the Jewish people, for This is what pained Bilaam: He these horns encompass both saw that the “doorways were not the mesirus nefesh (self-sacrifice) aligned” — a Jew’s “doorway” of te- continued on page 2 shuvah is required to be only a tiny Rav Meir Shapiro opening and then Hashem will open a vast entrance for him. Bilaam was very jealous that even the smallest effort on our part is matched many times over by Hashem. Bilaam was commenting on what he felt was an ex- pression of Hashem’s unparalleled love for Klal Yisrael. Perhaps we can suggest that this concept is alluded to by

the shape of the shofar that we continued on page 10 MESORAH ARTSCROLL Rav Yisroel Meir Druck PUBLICATIONS 1 continued from page 1 used at Mattan Torah and in the fu- fact, they are called “Avos” — forefa- of Akeidas Yitzchak (the binding of FORGIVING OTHERS ture, when the mountain on which thers — because their ability to sac- Giving In Rav Chaim Kanievsky on the Yamim Noraim Yitzchak on the altar) as well as the the Torah was given will return to rifice themselves in sanctification by Rabbi Avraham Yeshayahu Shteinman, adapted by Rabbi Dovid Hollander mesirus nefesh of the Jewish people’s Yerushalayim and the great shofar of Hashem’s Name was infused into declaration of “Naaseh v’nishma – With the days of judgment approaching, it is appro- on having his way; a wise man of Mashiach will be blown from the the spiritual DNA of their descen- We will do and we will hear” at Har right horn of that ram. priate for a person to ask forgiveness from anyone he allows his wisdom to over- Sinai — which stemmed from the dants. Based on this Midrash, Rav might have harmed. Moreover, one who is asked forgive- come his desires and therefore love of Hashem implanted in them Some people wonder why Avra- ness should readily forgive those who harmed him, for it forgives and forgoes. In addi- Chaim Kanievsky explained the fol- ham’s one-time act at the Akeidah through the mesirus nefesh of Avra- lowing words, which we say in the is only appropriate that we forgive others before we seek tion, a forgiving man is called ham and Yitzchak. was considered so astounding, forgiveness from Heaven. And when a person forgives “mighty,” as stated in Avos D’Rebbi Nassan (Chapter 23): zemiros of Shabbos in the song Yonah Both and considering that Jews throughout others, Hashem responds in kind and forgives his sins. “Who is a strong man?...One who makes his enemy Akeidas Yitzchak Mattan matza vo manoach: “Diber bekadsho (the Giving of the Torah) are the generations have acted simi- Rav Chaim Kanievsky often says that one of the into his friend.” Torah behar hamor yom hashevi’i zachor described in the Torah as occurring larly, sacrificing themselves and most important character traits to strengthen in prepa- Rav Chaim adds an incident that occurred with Rav v’shamor v’chol pikudov yachad lig- . their children al kiddush Hashem. In ration for the Day of Judgment is the attribute of vitur, Shmuel Hanagid, a leader of Spanish Jewry during the bayom hashelishi, on the third day mor - The seventh day — remember This is no coincidence, for the truth, however, this very ability to giving in to others whenever possible. eleventh century. Rav Shmuel was a close adviser to the Mi- and safeguard. And all His precepts teaches ( 56:1) king of Spain. He was once walking with the king when a drash Bereishis Rabbah should equally be studied.” These be moser nefesh for Hashem’s sake is that the third day holds great signif- MAKE person ran toward Rav Shmuel and began to insult him. icance, as the verse states (Hoshea EVERY The king was furious at the disrespect to his adviser and 6:2): “Yechayeinu miyomayim bayom JEWS THROUGHOUT THE GENERATIONS he ordered Rav Shmuel to cut the man’s tongue out. hashelishi yekimeinu v’nichyeh lefa- HAVE ACTED SIMILARLY, SACRIFICING EFFORT TO Rav Shmuel reacted differently. He sent the man gifts nav – He will heal us after two days; GIVE IN TO and showed him graciousness and attention, until the on the third day He will raise us up and THEMSELVES AND THEIR CHILDREN AL man began to admire Rav Shmuel and show him respect. we will live before Him.” The Midrash OTHERS. Sometime later, Rav Shmuel was again walking Rav Chaim Kanievsky goes on to list several events that are KIDDUSH HASHEM. with the king when they passed the same man. This described as occurring on the third Chazal teach (Rosh Hashanah 17a) that one who for- time, the man bowed and called out praises to Rav goes his due measure [i.e., he does not insist on de- Shmuel. The king was furious. “Didn’t I tell you to cut day, including Esther’s appearance words seem puzzling, for the com- rooted in Avraham’s mesirus nefesh manding what is due to him] is forgiven for his sins. this man’s tongue out?” he said. before Achashverosh, which the mandments of Shabbos — zachor at the Akeidah, an ability that was Now, when we face judgment, a person should focus “I did as you ordered,” answered Rav Shmuel. “I cut rabbis say succeeded in the merit and shamor — were uttered at Har subsequently instilled in all future on this idea and make every effort to give in to others out his evil tongue and replaced it with a good one.” of Mattan Torah, and R’ Levi says it Sinai, in the Ten Commandments, generations of Jews. So it all started and to forgive them. Rav Chaim concluded: “A person who gives in to succeeded in the merit of Akeidas and not on Har HaMoriah. with Avraham Avinu, who gave the Rav Chaim adds that in general, forgoing one’s others saves himself from anger, hatred, fighting, and Yitzchak, both of which took place According to the above Midrash, Jewish people the ability to be moser own desires in order to give in to others demonstrates squabbles. He saves himself and his family from trage- on “the third day.” however, we can explain that Har nefesh. wisdom. A fool never gives in and stubbornly insists dy, simply by giving in.” The connection between Akei- HaMoriah — the site of Akeidas The right horn of the ram, which das Yitzchak and Mattan Torah goes Yitzchak — was plucked from its is larger, will be blown at the time further yet, for the Midrash (Shoch- place to serve as Har Sinai, upon of the final redemption, as the verse er Tov, Mizmor 68) teaches that Har which the Torah was given, and states (Yeshayah 27:13): “V’hayah bay- The Machzor CONSULT THE CHAZZANIM! Sinai is Har HaMoriah, the place Rabbi Meir Zlotowitz by Rabbi Yisroel Besser it is therefore accurate to say that om hahu yitaka b’shofar gadol - And where Avraham offered Yitzchak the commandments of zachor and it is said: And it will be on that day on the altar; Har HaMoriah was up- One Rosh Hashanah, Rabbi Meir Rabbi Levi said. ing dilemma. shamor were uttered upon it. .” At rooted from its place in Yerushalay- that a great shofar will be blown Zlotowitz, the founder of ArtScroll, Reb Meir nodded. “By next year, The standard im and moved to the Sinai Desert in MESIRUS NEFESH IN that time, the redemption will be was sitting near his friend, Rab- im yirtzeh Hashem,” he responded. machzorim order for the Torah to be given on OUR SPIRITUAL DNA complete, and the world will be bi Yehuda Levi, in shul. There was Rabbi Nosson Scherman trans- didn’t gener- it. In the future, the Midrash contin- The idea that the shofar sound- brought to its ultimate purpose and some confusion in regard to a par- lated the machzor, adding com- ally include ues, Har HaMoriah will be moved ed at Har Sinai was the horn of the rectification. All this will be in the ticular minhag and people were mentary and creating a special Yom the full text back to its rightful place. ram of Akeidas Yitzchak alludes to merit of Akeidas Yitzchak, which was peering into their machzorim in Tov overview, the comprehensive, of Kaddish. This powerful link between the idea that the mesirus nefesh mus- passed down through Mattan Torah confusion, trying to figure out what panoramic view of what the Yamim Rather, the word “Kaddish” was Akeidas Yitzchak and Mattan To- tered by the Jewish people at Mattan and will ultimately lead to the sho- should be recited next. The two Noraim mean. printed as a direction, an indica- rah is reflected in the two horns of Torah was drawn from the mesirus far-blowing of the future with the men looked at each other. The first machzor in the series, tion to recite the prayer. Rosh Ha- the ram of Akeidas Yitzchak being nefesh of Avraham and Yitzchak. In arrival of the geulah sheleimah. “You need to publish a machzor,” Rosh Hashanah, led to an interest- shanah in the year following the continued on page 5 2 3 continued from page 4 continued from page 3 Heroism Amidst The Flames Seconds later, the sound of the shofar rang out loud, plain- machzor’s release was slated tive, childlike. The young men lying beside the gate were to begin on a Friday night, so congregations THE SHOFAR OF BERGEN-BELSEN transformed from concentration camp inmates into Yidden would be reciting Kabbalas Shabbos before The Rebbetzin – The Story of Rebbetzin Esther Jungreis by Rabbi Nachman Seltzer back in shul on Rosh Hashanah. Yidden listening to the shofar. Borchu. The question was whether to insert Rebbetzin Esther Jungreis in the world for them to get hold of mesirus nefesh Yidden the way they’d been years before the Nazis destroyed the words “le’eila ule’eila,” an addition appro- would speak in locations across a shofar and a machzor for the Yamim on the part of their world. priate for the Aseres Yemei Teshuvah, following Israel, and her go-to person to ar- Noraim. Many people will no doubt the Jews, who “But the sound of the shofar sounds like a siren. And the Kabbalas Shabbos, since accepting the Shabbos range these speaking engagements ask why on earth they were even had nothing and yet managed to second the Nazis heard that siren sound, they came running essentially means accepting Rosh Hashanah, was Rabbi Yisrael Gellis. When the thinking about such things when somehow collect three hundred from all directions. They were fast enough to catch the young or if the actual day of Rosh Hashanah starts Rebbetzin wanted to speak at Is- people were dying right and left, cigarettes! men at the fence. Up went the clubs high in the air, and then only following the recitation of Borchu. There raeli army bases, Rabbi Gellis was but of course the opposite is true — “It goes without saying that news down they came on the prisoners, again and again, harder was no other machzor that clarified this issue, the one who made the calls and set because what is life worth without of the shofar’s arrival spread like wild- and harder, yet no matter how they were beaten, they paid because the other machzorim simply said the up the events. Rabbi Gellis called being able to hear the shofar being fire. Somehow, every Jew felt that no attention. The Nazis had been reduced to nothingness as word “Kaddish” without the air force and the navy on her blown on Rosh Hashanah? In their having a shofar with them portended the shofar drove every other thought out of their minds — behalf and drove her to many plac- minds, there was no question that great things to come. All waited anx- and they cried out with every fiber of their being, ‘Baruch THERE WAS es that were off the beaten trail — the sacrifice was worth the price. iously for the otherworldly moment Atah Hashem, Elokeinu Melech ha’olam asher kideshanu b’mitz- NO OTHER places that the average citizen nev- “It was eventually determined when the baal toke’ia would put the vosav v’tzivanu lishmoa kol shofar — Blessed are You, Hashem, MACHZOR THAT er saw or even imagined existed. shofar to his lips, sounding the blasts, our G-d, King of the universe, Who has sanctified us with His Rabbi Gellis recalled: “Watching NEWS OF THE begging Hashem to forgive His peo- commandments and has commanded us to hear the sound CLARIFIED THIS the Rebbetzin in action was always ple.” of the shofar.’ ISSUE. fascinating. The soldiers were used SHOFAR’S The Rebbetzin took a breath “And what about to entertainment. Many of the coun- ARRIVAL and continued her story. THE SECOND the machzor?” she went printing the text. try’s finest singers had a practice of “Near our camp was another on. “Didn’t we need The editors understood the responsibility be- making the rounds of the bases to SPREAD LIKE camp, for Polish Jews. They, too, THE NAZIS a machzor if we were fore them and knew that they had to get it right. give live performances. Many of WILDFIRE. knew about our shofar, and they, too, HEARD THE to daven as a tzibbur Reb Meir and Reb Nosson went to discuss them had been in the army enter- wanted — no, SIREN SOUND (congregation) on Rosh their quandary with Rav Moshe Feinstein. tainment unit themselves and were needed — to Hashanah? But three “I can offer sevaros (reasoning) to both happy to return ‘home.’ And then hear the sound OF THE SHOFAR, hundred cigarettes sides,” Rav Moshe said, “but to establish a min- along came the Rebbetzin, and not of the shofar THEY CAME didn’t buy you machzo- hag (custom), you need more than logic. I think only wasn’t she a singer — she talk- blasts: the teki- RUNNING FROM rim for an entire camp. you should approach a few veteran shamashim ed Torah to them! It was a sight to os, shevarim and It bought only one. of big shuls and ask them what the minhag is.” behold. Every single place she went, teruos. But the ALL DIRECTIONS. One machzor. How They went to ask Rav Yaakov Kamenetsky, she somehow managed to captivate shofar was in our was that going to help who essentially echoed Rav Moshe’s answer, the audience. It was almost super- hands. So they a few hundred people? suggesting that they consult with experienced natural. did what every “In the end, my grandfather and the other rabbanim de- gabbaim. After embarking on a gabbai-inter- “The Rebbetzin was a master or- Jew might have cided that everyone in the camp should learn at least one viewing tour, the decision was made to in- ator. Every speech held some of the done - yes, even special prayer, one tefillah by heart. But which one? They clude the words le’eila ule’eila. same elements, yet every speech in the concen- discussed it for a while before making a decision. And so, Over the years, Reb Meir would often was different. In every speech, she tration camps. in the days leading up to Rosh Hashanah, the Yidden of Ber- wonder why both roshei yeshivah had offered shared a few of her memories from They crawled up gen-Belsen memorized the prayer of ‘Levochein Levavos — the same suggestion, using a near identical her Holocaust experiences. I re- Bergen-Belsen, the site of untold suffering - and remarkable courage. as close as possi- [Let us pray] to He Who searches hearts on the Day of Judg- phrase and stressing that they should ask member when she told the story ble to the barbed ment,’ by heart. more than one person. He was exhilarated of the three hundred cigarettes and that it would cost them as much as wire fences separating our camps “There is no question,” the Rebbetzin concluded, “that when, after sharing the story in public, he was the shofar of Bergen-Belsen. three hundred cigarettes (a form of and waited for the moment when the when Hashem came down to our camp that year and heard approached by a young talmid chachami, who “In the days leading up to Rosh concentration camp currency) to piercing sound of the shofar would our prayer — there is no question that He searched our showed him a source. In the Levush, the Ba’al Hashanah,” the Rebbetzin began, obtain both a shofar and a machzor be heard. hearts, exactly as the prayer says, and knew that we had never HaLevushim writes a particular halachah and “there were many meetings as the through the very active Ber- “And then it happened. wavered in our love for Him. Not even then. Not even in the concludes, “This is the correct halachah, and camp’s rabbinical leadership tried gen-Belsen black market. And so it “The baal toke’ia lifted the shofar darkness of Bergen-Belsen.” I’ve even confirmed it with several chazzanim to determine if there was any chance was done — done with incredible to his lips. continued on page 5 The story wasn’t over yet. continued on page 11 yeshishim, veteran chazzanim!” 4 5 SMALL STEPS Perspective WHERE TO COME BACK TO Teshuvah It’s Never Too Little, It’s Never Too Late, It’s Never Enough By Rabbi Yissocher Frand From the biography of Rabbi Dovid Trenk, Just Love Them, by Rabbi Yisroel Besser Teshuvah under pain, or with a such a thing as teshuvah mei’yirah salem. Only On Rosh Hashanah during Rab- and Avraham Avinu says that he the good gun to one’s head, or in a vessel of — repentance undertaken out of one bera- bi Dovid Trenk’s last years, when loves them both. side of Yish- boiling water, or lying in a hospital fear of Hashem. Although less sin- chah stands he already lived in Lakewood, he “Come on,” Rabbi Trenk said. mael just as bed hooked up to machinery — are cere, it still causes the wrongdoer out. We ask spoke in his yeshivah before tekias “Let’s be honest. Here he had one he saw the all acceptable forms of teshuvah. to humble himself before Hashem, shofar, discussing Akeidas Yitzchak, son who embodied perfect yirah, good side In the courtroom of the human Hashem. But teshuvah under “Hashiveinu which had been in that day’s Krias had never done an aveirah, and the of Yitzchak. mind, this is surprising. Imagine duress? Why should that work? Avinu l’So- HaTorah. Hakadosh Baruch Hu tells other one who was a pere adam, He saw the someone coming to apologize for Indeed, it is a great chiddush (a rasecha — Bring us back, our Fa- wild and disobedient. Is it possible potential in Yishmael just as he offending you, and then you notice novel concept). ther, to Your did in Yitzchak. He loved both his that there is a person behind him The Talmud tells us that Hashem Torah, and bring us near, our “THE sons.” holding a gun to his back, forcing chose to accept the evil Menasheh’s King, to Your service, and influence It was quiet in the room, and him to apologize. You would con- teshuvah in order to leave the door us to return in perfect repentance ANSWER then Reb Dovid concluded, “And clude that in no way is this a real open for future baalei teshuvah. before You. Blessed are You, Hash- that’s why Rashi tells us at the apology. There would come a time when em, Who desires repentance.” IS THAT end of the parashah that we see The concept of teshuvah under people would feel so far gone, so Why is this berachah different that Yishmael did teshuvah… Of duress being accepted is so nov- distant, that they would assume that from all the rest? el, in fact, that no less a personage there would be no hope for them to The answer is simple. Hashem HE LOVED course he did teshuvah! His father than Adam Harishon was certain return to Hashem. Menasheh set can do everything for you. He can loved him and his father believed that it was invalid. a precedent for all future genera- give you knowledge, He can heal THEM BOTH in him, so he had where to come After Kayin murdered his broth- tions. Menasheh’s story teaches us back to…” EQUALLY.” er Hevel, Hashem reprimanded that even the worst of the worst can With that message — Reb him, and he confessed his guilt and repent. If one who served every sin- that a tzaddik like Avraham didn’t Dovid’s unconditional love for begged for forgiveness. The Mid- gle idol available and attempted to know which son he loved more? his talmidim and fervent belief rash (Bereishis Rabbah 22:13) relates eradicate all vestiges of Torah from Avraham Avinu to sacrifice his “The answer,” Reb Dovid said, in them — he was ready to blow that Adam Harishon asked Kayin Klal Yisrael could repent, then I’m son, and Avraham asks which son. banging on the shtender, “is that he shofar, ushering in the moment of what happened while he was being sure that we can too, no matter how Hashem says, “The son you love,” loved them both equally. He saw teshuvah. judged, and Kayin answered, “I did bad we consider ourselves. Why? teshuvah, and Hashem accepted it.” Because Hashem really and truly Adam Harishon clapped his wants us to return. hands to his face in shock and said, Rav Yissocher Frand Inside “Such is the power of teshuvah? I did not know!” HASHEM IS WAITING AT THE Rav Tzadok Hakohen of Lublin PROVERBIAL TELEPHONE (Pri Tzaddik, Vayeilech/Shuvah 13) FOR OUR CALL. Behind-the-Scenes Interviews notes that it is clear that Adam Har- with Your Favorite Authors! ishon knew that teshuvah existed, but that he was surprised by how Have you ever noticed that all you, He can build Jerusalem — all powerful teshuvah is. of the berachos in Shemoneh Esrei without your input. But He cannot Catch up on all the do teshuvah for you. fascinating interviews at Why? end by defining Hashem as One Adam knew that there is teshu- Who can provide the specific form There is one thing He does do, artscroll.com/ vah mei’ahavah — repentance that of salvation that we seek? He is the however. He profoundly desires insideartscroll one undertakes out of love of Hash- Chonein Hada’as — the Gracious your teshuvah and eagerly awaits em. When a person feels that he Giver of knowledge; the Rofeh the day when we will choose to re- Interviews with: Rabbi Gedaliah Zlotowitz/ turn to Him. Rabbi Yisroel Besser, Rabbi Meyer Yedid, Rabbi has hurt someone whom he loves, Cholei Amo Yisrael — the Healer of David Sutton, Rabbi Yaakov Feitman, Rabbi his teshuvah is sincere. the sick of His nation, Israel; Bonei This is true for every day of the Paysach Krohn, and Rabbi Binyomin Pruzansky Adam also knew that there is Yerushalayim — the Builder of Jeru- continued on page 8 6 7 continued from page 7 er that lies dormant within us? taking baby steps back to Hashem. THE AVODAH HASHEM WANTED year. We recite the berachah refer- I know of only one method: But aren’t we supposed to be con- Teshuvah Chizuk for Your Heart by Rabbi Binyomin Pruzansky ring to Hashem as a Rotzeh B’teshu- making one kabbalah (resolution) vinced on Yom Kippur that we are vah three times each weekday. But — something taxing, but not over- going to be perfect from now on? On Erev Rosh Hashanah, the to go to bed.” returned home. this is especially true for the Aseres whelming — and telling yourself, “I No. Rav Yisroel Reisman quotes his Weinstein home was busy with Before going back to sleep, she Drained from Yemei Teshuvah, during which Hash- will do this, no matter what.” rebbi, Rav Avrohom Pam, as saying Yom Tov preparations. Along with opened up the book Inspired, which the experience, em is particularly close to us and all the cooking and shopping, Mrs. her husband had purchased for he collapsed Kabbalos are like exercise. When that a kabbalah is like a down-pay- waits at the proverbial telephone Weinstein had to find the time and her as a Yom Tov gift. She found the onto the couch a person feels that he is starting to ment. When someone wants to pur- for our call. energy for her special-needs son, page where she had left off and be- and fell asleep. develop a midriff bulge and he must chase a used car from a private sell- The closest example I can give Chaim. Although he was a sweet gan to read. As the story unfolded, He had a dream in which his exercise to get rid of it, how does he er and requests permission to show to describe our situation during the and charming boy, he required she couldn’t help but be amazed at great-grandfather revealed to him the car to his mechanic and to his Aseres Yemei Teshuvah is one that is constant care and devotion. In the Hashgachah Pratis. This story, in that his mission in this world was wife — make that, to his wife and to poignant, but apt. Many of us know “I KNOW THAT addition to Mrs. Weinstein’s own all its details, spoke directly to her to care for his two disabled chil- his mechanic — the seller will often at least one set of parents who have efforts, a nurse came every day to heart. The story was about a talmid dren. The merit of being entrusted I OWE YOU A agree, but only if the buyer leaves suffered the horrible fate of having help care for him. chacham from Monsey named Yo- with these two holy neshamos was a deposit of, say, $500. If the car is a child leave the fold. This is by far Complicating matters that Erev nason, who was a great-grandson the reason he was living, and this LOT MORE THAN worth $12,000, why does the sell- one of the most painful experienc- Yom Tov was the fact that Chaim of Rav Yonason Steif, a gadol hador merit would stand for generations. er accept a down payment of only es a parent can have. Many of these THIS, BUT LOOK, had developed a fever. Mrs. Wein- of the previous generation. Yonason “You may think that you $500, a mere pittance when com- children have severed all ties with stein knew that she had to monitor had two daughters who were dis- are supporting them,” said his I AM SERIOUS pared to the sale price? their families, but the parents nev- the situation carefully and make abled and required round-the-clock great-grandfather, “but in reality, er give up hope. They wait and wait, THIS TIME. I The seller accepts it because that sure that the fever remained under care. Because his life was so con- certain that one day that child will AM ALREADY pittance shows that the buyer’s in- control. That evening after shul, come back. “He’s turned the cor- tentions are serious. the Weinsteins had a table full of ner,” they think to themselves. “He’s STARTING TO Until recently, one could pur- guests. After a beautiful meal, Mrs. “YOU MAY coming home.” They sit at that chase a house by putting down 10 Weinstein had a big clean-up to THINK THAT DO TESHUVAH.” percent of the sale price, taking a phone hoping that it will ring. do. Finally, at 1 a.m., she was ready YOU ARE If that is true for a set of parents mortgage for the remaining bal- to get some sleep. However, when start? He wakes up in the morn- who have human emotions and will ance. Why did the bank accept she checked on Chaim, she found SUPPORTING ing and does five sit-ups. You and I still remember their anguish even those terms? Because that 10 per- that his forehead was still hot and THEM, BUT know that five sit-ups are not going when the child returns, how much cent indicated that the customer his face flushed. Therefore, instead to get rid of that flab. But a deter- IN REALITY, more is it true for Hashem, Who was serious. of getting a night’s sleep in prepa- simply wants us to come back to mined person will continue to do That is what we show Hashem ration for the next day’s davening, THEY ARE Him, and Who can erase the past. five sit-ups for a week or two, then with our kabbalos. We realize that it Mrs. Weinstein spent most of the SUPPORTING As the Rambam puts it, “Yesterday move up to ten, and then to twen- might take 30 years to complete our night at Chaim’s bedside. Relief YOU.” [i.e., prior to doing teshuvah], the ty-five, and before long, he or she is teshuvah, much as it will to pay off finally came at 9:15 a.m., when the sinner was hated before Hashem, back in shape. our mortgage, but we tell Hashem, nurse arrived. disgusting, cast away — an abomi- Similarly, when you begin to “I know that I owe You a lot more Realizing that she was far too sumed with the care of his children, nation. Today, he is beloved, pleas- make kabbalos, start off small, and than this, but look, I am serious this exhausted to go to shul, Mrs. Wein- he wasn’t able to learn or daven at Rav Yonason Steif ing, held close — a “friend.” build slowly until you become time. I am already starting to do te- stein davened Shacharis at home. the level he was capable of reaching. they are supporting you.” We human beings do not easily great. Don’t try 100 sit-ups the first shuvah.” She missed the beautiful shul dav- The girls’ care took a toll on his life “But Zeide, it’s too hard for me,” forget being wronged. Hashem is week. Don’t accept upon yourself A kabbalah may seem pitiful ening and the special feeling of and he wondered why Hashem had Yonason protested. different. something that you cannot han- when compared to the “outstand- closeness to Hashem that she al- given him such a difficult challenge. “I’m begging you to make up Hashem sends us a message: I dle. It may seem noble, but when ing balance,” but this system really ways felt during these powerful te- He decided that he needed to your mind that you will do every- am a Rotzeh B’teshuvah — I can’t do you drop it a week later, you’ll have works. fillos. However, she also knew that daven at the kever of his illustrious thing you can to withstand the ni- teshuvah for you, but do I ever want squandered your impetus to do te- Let me share another story about she was where Hashem wanted her great-grandfather in Woodbridge, sayon, because this is your mission you back! And when you come shuvah. Realize that no matter how Rav Shlomo Freifeld. Approximate- to be. She turned her eyes to Hash- New Jersey. There, he asked Hash- in life,” his great-grandfather re- back, I will accept you with open miniscule a kabbalah seems, it is still ly four decades ago, a fellow who em and asked, “Hashem, I guess em why he had to go through such plied. “Stop your crying, because arms, and the iniquities of the past effective — as long as you stick to it. was virtually uninitiated to the this is how You want me to serve difficult tests, and cried his heart this is really the best life for you.” will no longer exist.” Teshuvah is not a matter of be- world of the Talmud walked into You. I could have served You by go- out. After hours of beseeching Mrs. Weinstein was amazed How do we awaken the willpow- coming a tzaddik overnight, but of continued on page 10 ing to shul, but I guess You want me Hashem for guidance, he finally continued on page 10 8 9 continued from page 8 er’s decision. Drawing on his wis- to write Bava Basra on the spine be- Perspective IN YOUR FATHER’S SHUL Sh’or Yoshuv and asked to join the dom and understanding of the cause it will be so thin, but at least Aleinu L’shabei’ach by Rav Yitzchok Zilberstein yeshivah. As fate would have it, the human psyche, Rav Freifeld sum- write the letters beis beis as an acro- yeshivah was studying Bava Basra, moned the yeshivah’s bookbinder nym,” he concluded. The son of a Chassidic rebbe posed the follow- Rav Zilberstein told the which happens to be the biggest When the bookbinder came ing question to Rav Yitzchok Zilberstein: “My father, son that he had no choice but masechta in all of Shas. The tome back with his craft project, Rav whose Chassidic court numbers only a few dozen Jews, to listen to his father, in ac- is so large that you can probably Freifeld summoned the newcomer has asked me to daven with him in his shul on Rosh cordance with the halachah get carpal-tunnel syndrome if you and said, “This is your Bava Basra. Hashanah. I prefer, however, to daven in the yeshivah in Shulchan Aruch (Yoreh Deah hold it for too long. This newcomer You are going to study it with me where I learn, since there are hundreds of other people 240) that if a son wishes to praying there. What should I do?” accept a voluntary fast upon came to his room on his very first until you know the shakla vetarya [dialogue] of the Gemara himself, but his father is opposed to the fast out of backward and forward. When you RAV ZILBERSTEIN UNDERSTOOD concern for his son’s health, the son is forbidden to fast. That is because the obligation to honor a father is “THIS IS finish it, I will make a fleishige siyum THAT HIS PARTICIPATION IN THE waived only for a mitzvah, not for a stringency or an act for the entire yeshivah, because you ROSH HASHANAH PRAYERS AT HIS of piety such as a voluntary fast. In a situation where a YOUR BAVA finished Bava Basra.” FATHER’S SHUL WOULD ENHANCE mitzvah is not involved, a child must obey his parents. Four decades later, that fellow is (The same would apply, for instance, if a child wanted BASRA.” still sitting and learning. Rav Freif- THE FATHER’S STANDING IN THE EYES OF HIS CHASSIDIM. to travel to graves of tzaddikim but his mother was ap- eld showed him that he could do it prehensive about it.) night there and told his roommate, if he broke it down into baby steps. Similarly, in this case, Rav Zilberstein told the son “I’m out of here tomorrow. Have Rav Shlomo Freifeld Our teshuvah may not be as As it happened, not only was he — the son — a talmid that he was obligated to listen to his father and pray in you seen the size of that book? much of a watershed event. For us, chacham, but he also had a beautiful voice, and Rav Zil- his shul, even though he would lose the advantage of and instructed him to take the very There’s no way I can learn the it is not a matter of returning in berstein understood that his participation in the Rosh praying with a larger congregation in the yeshivah and whole thing.” first daf of Bava Basra and bind it one fell swoop. It is a matter of tak- Hashanah prayers at his father’s shul would enhance the possibly other advantages. The roommate hurried to in- between two covers. ing small, deliberate steps back to father’s standing in the eyes of his chassidim. form Rav Freifeld of the newcom- “I know that you won’t be able Hashem.

continued from page 5 continued from page 1 “I know that shofar. I know ex- another. There were no words. continued from page 9 Many years later, the Rebbetzin sound on Rosh Hashanah, which for Mussaf. There she heard the actly what you’re talking about!” “Rebbetzin, I still have that sho- was again in Eretz Yisrael. One of has a very small opening on that Hashem had sent her the People looked at one another, far. It’s here. Right here in Neve Al- blowing of the shofar and dav- her many speeches took place in a the bottom, while the top has a story she needed to read at just then back at the Rebbetzin. izah. I’ll never forget how we blew ened her heart out, knowing that town called Ginat Shomron. There much wider opening. This in- the right moment. She under- “Please explain.” that shofar after liberation and took on that challenging day she had she spoke at a shul in a neighbor- dicates that even if we sincere- stood that although she wasn’t “My father,” the woman said, it with us, away from the horrors of done the ratzon of Hashem. hood called Neve Alizah. Elul was ly open our hearts only a small able to go to shul to daven the “my father was the rabbi in the Pol- Europe.” amount to do teshuvah, Hashem way she would have liked, dav- We all are given challenges in on its way. The Rebbetzin decided to ish section right beside yours. I do She left the room. A few min- will widen that small opening ening in shul wasn’t what Hash- life, and often, we feel resentment. tell the gathering the story of the sho- not know if anyone ever told you utes later, she returned, the shofar and elevate us. em wanted from her that day. But if we understand that this is far from Bergen-Belsen — the shofar what happened after that first day of Bergen-Belsen clutched tightly Let us take advantage of this He obviously wanted her to the mission Hashem has given us, that had impacted so many lives, the of shofar blowing.” in her hands. Only then did they shofar that had sparked such incred- extraordinary opportunity of the take care of her precious child. that this is indeed His will, how The Rebbetzin shook her head. lose control — two women, two ible mesirus nefesh. She spoke, and “What happened?” daughters of men who had risked Aseres Yemei Teshuvah and utilize This was the mission before can we become frustrated? Instead, this gift from Hashem by making her, and if this was Hashem’s there was not a dry eye in the room, “The shofar, the precious shofar, everything to blow the shofar on we must find the inner strength to even the smallest — albeit sincere will, she would do it happily as the audience relived the experi- was smuggled out of your side of Rosh Hashanah, though it put their do the best we can, and to believe — effort at coming back to Hash- and to the best of her abilities. ence with her. the camp and into ours. It had been lives at risk. em with teshuvah. When we accept Soothed and encouraged by that this is what we were meant to She finished her speech. There smuggled into the camp in the bot- The Rebbetzin hadn’t seen the upon ourselves a modest attempt the message of the story, Mrs. do. Although we may feel at times was a collective intake of breath. tom of a very large pail filled with a shofar in many years. Holding it, she to improve, the Ribbono Shel Olam Weinstein finally drifted off to that Hashem is concealed from us, Suddenly, a woman stood up in the coffee-like liquid and was blown by looked at it, running her hands over will provide siyata diShmaya and sleep for a few hours. She awoke we must remember that He is al- middle of the audience. my father in our side of the camp on its smooth sides. That moment in the enable us to return to Him com- refreshed, in time to go to shul ways there to answer our call. “That shofar,” she said. the second day of Rosh Hashanah.” Shomron was nothing less than a re- pletely, b’teshuvah sheleimah. “Yes?” The two of them stared at one union. 10 11 A classic Torah masterpiece, translated and elucidated for our generation. JAFFA FAMILY EDITION

Talmidei Chachamim From the that brought us the 13 � CHAPTER 2 — SHAAR HABITACHON ְו ֶשׁ ְנּ ִד bestselling classics Mesillas Yesharim and Shaarei יבוּתוֹ ֶכּוֹל ֶלת, ְו �ח ְסדּוֹ ֵסוֹבב29, ְכּ �ל ֹכּ ְ מוֹ ֶשׁ ֶנּ ֱא �מר (תהלים קמה, ט) ל ו�ר ֲח ָמיו �על ָכּל �מ ֲע ָשׂ 30 ”טוֹב ה‘ יו“ , ְו ָא �מר (שם קלו, כה) Teshuvah comes another monumental work, Shaar ִכּי ְל ָעוֹלם �ח ְסדּוֹ“, ְו ָא ֹ”נ ֵתן ֶל ֶחם ְל ָכל ָבּ ָשׂר �מר (שם קמה, טז) ֵ”פּוֹת � ָ ָרצוֹן“. ְו �ה ֵשּׂ ֶכ ח ֶאת ָי ֶדך �וּמ ְשׂ ִבּ �יע ְל ָכ ל ֵגּוֹזר ְבּ ִה ָקּ ֵבץ ֵא ֶלּה �ה ִ ל �חי .HaBitachon of Chovos HaLevavos �ה ִנּ ְב ָר ִ שּׁ ְב ָעה ִע ְנָי ִנים �בּ ֵבּוֹרא ִי ְת אים, ָל ֵכן ֵה ֵב ִאתי ֵא � �ע ֶלּה ִמ ִבּ ְל ִתּי לּוּ ה ְפּ ִסוּקים ִמ 31 ן �ה ָכּתוּב ְל ִז ָכּרוֹן ִבּ ְל �בד .

— And finally, we know that [Hashem’s] generos- extended to all people ְו ֶשׁ ְנּ ִדיבוּתוֹ ֶכּוֹל ֶלת ְו �ח ְס The Jaffa Edition Shaar HaBitachon ְכּ דּוֹ ֵסוֹבב מוֹ ֶשׁ ֶנּ ֱא �מר ”טוֹב ה‘ �ל ֹכּל ְו� ר ֲח ָמיו �על ָכּל ,all-embracing � מ isֲע ָשׂיו“ ity is all-inclusive and His [29]kindness including the undeserving, of Chovos HaLevavos includes: Tehillim 145:9): Hashem is good to all; His mercies— And thisare ְו ָא �מר ֹ”נ ֵתן ֶל ֶחם ְל ָכ ) as it is written — providing ל ָבּ ָשׂר ִכּי ְל ָעוֹלם �ח ְס [30] on all His works. “וֹדּ goodness and mercy toward all living things is expressed by actively 4 Phrase-by-phrase translation, in the format of He gives nourishment to all flesh, —for AndHis ְו ָא �מר ֵ”פּוֹת �ח ֶאת ָי ֶד ָך :(for them, as it says (ibid. 136:25 �וּמ ְשׂ ִבּ �יע ְל ָכל �חי ָרצוֹן“ Schottenstein Talmud, kindness endures forever. the which shows us the not only does He provide them with their basic needs, but He even generously it says (ibid. 145:16): You open Your hand, and satisfy fulfills their desires, as to prove richness and depth of the sefer, a classic work of the desire of every living thing. Chovos HaLevavos remarks that these verses are not really needed — The ְו �ה ֵשּׂ ֶכ ל ֵגּוֹז ר ְבּ ִה ָ mussar hashkafah קּ ֵב ץ ֵא ֶלּ ה �ה ִשּׁ ְב ָע ה ִע ְנָי :both and Torah . his point ִנים �בּ ֵבּוֹר א ִי ְת �ע ֶלּ ה ִמ ִ these seven qualities all exist together in בּ ְל ִתּ י �ה ִנּ ְב ָר ִאים truth is that logic dictates that it is obvious that ָל ֵכן 4 Extensive explanatory notes, based on a broad the Creator, exalted be He, and not in any of His creations; Thus, power, I cited and these so forth.verses from — ֵה ֵב ִאת,attentivenessי ֵא,only Hashem has unlimited mercy לּוּ �ה ְפּ ִסוּקים ִמן �ה ָכּתוּב ְל ִ [31] ז ָכּרוֹן ִבּ ְל �בד range of commentaries, as well as Torah and mussar Scripture merely for reference. verses and then easily remember the seven Had it been necessary to classics, give us a deeper understanding of this 29. And in regard to the deserving as well, criteria of bitachon. His generosity goes above what they de- prove that Hashem possesses these quali- serve and beyond their basic needs (see end ties, Chovos HaLevavos could have listed Pas Lechem). In Chap- classic work. of Ch. 1 and the Insight there). many more verses ( all in this verse includes even ter 3, Chovos HaLevavos expands on the log- 30. The term 7a; see also Ram- the wicked (see Berachos ical grounds that these qualities exist only in 10:12). 4 The unique Insights section brings the words of bam, Hil. Melachim Hashem, and cites some additional verses.* 31. Meaning, so that the reader will review the is my light and my By David, HASHEM , ְל �דִו -HaMelech In the well-known chap ד David ה‘ of ִאוֹרי ְו ִי ְשׁ Wordsִע י ִמtheִ ּמי in ִ א �יראShaar HaBitachon into our lives, showing us how we * The Seven Criteria of Bitachon ter of Tehillim that begins, salvation, whom shall I fear (Ch. 27), David HaMelech declares his pure faith and intense can live in tranquility when we fully trust in Hashem’s bitachon that Hashem will protect him at all times,(by R’ andAvraham then , expressesson of the thatVilna faith Gaon) bitachonin a notes plea for the protection to continue. Be’er Avraham that within the words of that prayer (vv. 9-11), David mentions all seven criteria for goodness — and how to achieve that trust. listed by Chovos HaLevavos, as follows: — Conceal not Your Face from Me; meaning, do not cease Your א� ל תּ ְ�ס ֵתּ ר �פּ ֶנ �יך ִמ ֶמּ ִנּי

Unlock the Hashkafah and Life Lessons of the Talmud!

Czuker Family Edition of Seder Moed TRACTATES ERUVIN / PESACHIM Volume Dedicated by the Dreifus Family

Just as the Schottenstein Edition of the Talmud provides an in-depth understand- ing of the halachic portions of the Talmud, this new series brings you an in-depth understanding of the Aggadic sections of the Talmud. With enlightening notes and an enchanting “Insights” feature rich with material drawn from a wealth of sources, including the masters of Mussar and Chassidus, as well as contemporary roshei yeshivah and authors, the Schottenstein Edition of Ein Yaakov is packed with fascinating Torah thoughts, lessons and principles, bringing new life to the study of Aggadah. 10