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THE JEWISH OBSERVER (ISSN) 0021 ~6615 is published monthly except July and August by the Agudath Israel of America, 84 Wilfiam Street, New York, N. Y. 10038. Second class 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: 212-269-2843. Printed in the U.S.A. 6 RABBI NISSON WOLPIN, EDITOR Peace Begins at Home, Shmuel Schnitzer
EDITORIAL SOARD DR. ERNST L BODENHEIMER 8 Chairman Reflections: One Year Later, Dr.Aaron Twerski RABBI JOSEPH ELIAS JOSEPH FRIEDENSON RABBI NOSSON SCHERMAN 12 Who Took the "Jewish" Out of Jewish Music?, David Sears MANAGEMENT SOARO AVI FISHOF NAFTOLI HIRSCH ISAAC KIRZNER 18 RABBI SHLOMO LESIN The One-Minute Kiruv Person, Yoakov Astor NACHUM STEIN
RABBI YOSEF C. GOLDING 23 Business Manager From Dave to Dave, Hanoch Teller Published by Agudath Israel of America 28 RABBI MOSHE SHERER PRESIDENT Intensive Reflections, Ephraim Milch
U.S. TRADE DISffii8UTOR N.echemia Rosenberg Feldheim Publlshers K1ryat Telshe Stone, 10SA 33 200 Airport Executive Park D.N. Hare·1 Yehuda, ISRAEL Spring Valley. N.Y. 10977 Confessions of a Gemach'nik, Avroham Ellis AUSTRAUAN DISTRIBUTOR EUROPEAN REPRESENTATIVE Gold's Book & Gitt Co. M. T. Bibelman 36 William Streel 36 Grosvenor Works Balaclava 3183. Vic., Mount Pleasant Hill AUSTRALIA READERS' FORUM London ES 9NE, ENGLAND American Jews Without Torah: Where Are They Heading? ISRAEU DISTRIBUTOR
THE JEWISH OBSERVER does not 43 assume responsibility for the Kashrus BOOKS IN REVIEW of any product, publication, or service Faith at the Brink, Dr David Kranzler advertised in its pages ©Copyright 1997 Counterfeit Lives, Helaine D. Wolp1n 44 JANUARY 1997 VOLUME XX!X/NO. 10 LETTERS TO THE EOITOR 46 SECOND LOOKS The Shabbos the Rabbi Stayed Home Shmuel Schnitzer
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FALLOUT FROM entertain the notion of classifying THE COMMISSION'S REPORT human beings by the criteria of whether • they are non-vegetarians, or according r. Tzameret's f someone thought that appointing to their identification as non-socialists? a commission to clarify the issue of Dcomment For the State of Israel to remain a I the Sabbath traffic on Bar-Ilan Street Jewish state, its Jewish majority must be would contribute to a relief of tension encouraged those who preserved. But the attempt to examine and a mitigation of dissent, he under the political orientation of this major estimated the Israeli passion for con reject religion and its ity and to issue a "certificate of kashrus" troversy. The commission produced no practitioners to plan only to those whose Zionism is beyond more than an additional document to the shadow of a doubt, entails an inva· argue about. A proposal for reasonable intelligently on how to sion of privacy and freedom one would compromise has certainly not emerged associate with a totalitarian state, not from the commission's findings. limit the increase in with a country where rights are not lim At best, the Tzameret Commission ited only to those who subscribe to polit report brought the conflict back to its Jerusalem's Chareidi ically correct views. previous impasse: the proposal to stop population (of course, vehicular traffic in the street at prayer THE DIFFERENCES AMONG THE hours. But a comment made by the no one resents the VARIOUS "NON-ZIONISTS" chairman of the commission when it had completed its work "ruined the pud increase of the Arabs). r. Tzameret's comment encour ding;' creating another bitter dispute aged those who reject religion no less acriminious than the contents of Dand its practitioners to plan the report itself. His remark? That in a • intelligently on how to limit the increase matter of a few years, five-eighths of the and raises children and grandchildren in Jerusalem's Chareidi population (of residents ofjerusalem will be non-Zion· there less Zionist than a Jew who lives course, no one resents the increase of the ists: Chareidim (devout Jews) and Arabs. in the Diaspora, loves Zion from afar Arabs): Perhaps the answer lies in I do not know the criteria by which while paying the concept lip service, yet denying them housing, or withholding one determines who is a Zionist and doesn't. even think of making Zion his from them ways to earn a living ... or to who is not. Is a person who lives in Zion permanent residence? What do the thwart their flourishing in other ways, Chareidim and the Arabs think of being so that they will look for alternative Shmuel Schnitzer is editor of Maariv, Israel's linked together to share the negative cat· housing outside of Jerusalem. prestigious daily newspaper egory of non-Zionists? Would one even Those who lump the Chareidim and
6 The Jewish Observer, January 1997 the Arabs under one negative rubric a state of diversity, a mix oflifestyles, and betray a lack of love for both these com a variety of political and religious out • looks. It is hard to decide which of the munities. Moreover, they reveal some he Chiloniim must thing defective in their Ahavas Yisroel two sides is more severely affected with love of fellow Jews, especially in that Tunderstand that it the intolerance syndrome. They will instinctive sense of solidarity and mutu never reach a compromise if they will al care, which is the most beautiful was not secularism that not come to understand that the honor expression of Ahavas Yisroel. and the right to be a Jew does not expire. An Arab is not a Zionist because Bretz preserved the Jewish Chareidim feel obligated to rebuke Yisroel for him is only one of many nation throughout its the transgressors, but they must-and countries that the Islam warriors con can-understand that rebuke has its quered in their first campaign against exile, and that a Rabbi limits, and coercion lies beyond those "the infidels." He was not exiled from limits. this country two thousand years ago, as deserves at least as The Chiloniim, on the other hand, we were, and he has no need to return must understand that it was not secu and rebuild his national existence in it. much respect as a larism that preserved the Jewish nation By contrast, a Chareidi is not a Christian or Moslem throughout its exile, and that a Rabbi Zionist because a Zionist, in his eyes, has deserves at least as much respect as a strayed from the proper Jewish path; clergyman, and Christian or Moslem clergyman, and also, a Zionist, among other things, does perhaps even a little more. When both not count non-Zionists among his perhaps even a little sides will learn to conduct themselves brothers with whom he is inextricably with restraint when encountering linked in a covenant oflove and a bond more. brothers who maintain different of mutual responsibility. The Chareidim lifestyles, then Jerusalem will finally be and the Arabs? They share nothing in a city of peace with neighborly rela common, and there are a thousand • tionships between Jews and non-Jews, things that divide them. You don't ly been a secular city, until the religious and especially between Chareidim and count apples and pears together, nor can came and took control of it, neighbor Chiloniim. you bunch Jews and Arabs together in hood after neighborhood and street after Isn't it odd-even disturbing-that one bundle. street, and forced the secular residents Jews who are totally convinced that the to a rearguard battle and retreat. The dispute between Jews and Arabs must CHAREIDIM AND ARABS: A MODEL OF possibility that perhaps the process be settled by means of compromise, even COEXISTENCE FOR CHILONIIM had been in the reverse, and that if it entails giving away land and sur Jerusalem had been a city of faith and rendering rights, are at the same time of here are a number of places religion, seems so absurd to the Chiloni the opinion that disagreements between where devout Jews and tradition im-the secularists-that they cate Chareidim and Chiloniim require sur Tkeeping Arabs developed patterns gorically reject it out of hand. A person gically precise decisions that can be of co-existence and tolerance, which sec does not organize convoys of protesting reached by maintaining a non-com ular Jews might do well to learn from. vehicles on the Sabbath in a Chareidi promising stance? After all, the issue is one of developing neighborhood unless he is convinced If these reasonable negotiators are mutual understanding between two that it is a neighborhood from which he ready to bypass Ramallah and Jennin elements that are completely alien to had been forcibly evicted. for the sake of peace, why aren't they each other. One who can hear the able to bypass Bar-Ilan Street for the Muazin' s voice as it calJs Arabs to A HISTORY OF DIVERSITY sake of peace? prayer and not be bothered by it, will Where was this insane doctrine soon discover that his neighbors are o comprehend the essence of the born, one that maintains that with . ready to hear the shofar's sound with battle over the character of Arabs, with whom we maintain a his out protesting. He who is prepared to TJerusalem, we have to understand toric ledger written in blood, recording dwell with an Arab group and develop that both sides believe that they are generations of conflict, compromise is a neighborly relationship with them, will defending themselves from being dis acceptable; but with Jews, with whom undoubtedly learn how to live in peace possessed, and both want to preserve there are generations of fraternal ties, we with a Jewish neighbor who is non what each perceives as a pre-existing cannot make peace on the basis of con observant. condition. cession and compromise? • Too many people among us are They are both in error. What had Abridged and translated from Maariv, convinced that Jerusalem had original- always existed was the exact opposite-- by Rabbi Moshe Rosenblum.
The Jewish Observer, January 1997 7 Ur. Aaron 1wersKz REFLECTIONS: :>:,~oibe ;~ear··.Liiti~,;<
11 THE TIME FOR TIKKUN HA~ COME. ARE WE READY1"
The truth be told, I was uncertain as to whether I should write this article. The Jewish Observer had forwarded to me numerous letters DOWNSIZING OUR LIFESTYLES-TOO HARD FOR THE AVERAGE MOISH responding to an article that I had written entitled "Time for Tikkun" that appeared on these pages a year ago. The article To the Editor: appealed for firm takanos (rabbinical ordinances) to deal with all There is no question that Dr. Twer aspects of simchos (public celebrations of private milestones). The ski's plea for downsizing the lavishness of our simchos (Feb.'96)is right on the article was taken from a speech that I was privileged to deliver at mark. But, let's face it, the average Joe last year's National Convention of Agudath Israel. (or Moish) is not strong enough to withstand the pressure of the "keep up Unlike the standard appeal for restraint, I attempted to place the with the Jones" (Cohens) syndrome. problem of the lifestyle of our community in broader perspective. I The crux of the problem actually noted the high incidence of tension-related physical and suggests a solution: If an average baal psychological amictions that had become prevalent in our habayis refuses to order "french service," or omits sable, etc., at a bris, he is labeled community. There was an attempt to relate the need for restraint to a "cheapskate." However, if distin the phenomenon of large families, limited incomes and impossible guished leaders of our community demands made by the cost of chinuch. The article discussed the would agree to curtail extravagant time drain of being constantly on the go from one affair to another, expenditures at their own simchos and would insist that their fellow baalei sim with diminished time for self-development in Torah and attention to cha adhere to reasonable takanos, then one's spouse and children. And there was discussion of the views of the average person could follow suit certain educators in our communities who report declining academic without embarrassment. performance of students over the past several years. ABRAHAM DICKER Brooklyn, NY It is fair to characterize the reaction to my address and the subsequent article as extraordinmy. It was clear that the article had struck a TIME FOR CONTROLS-WEDDINGS ARE ONLY A START responsive chord with many who seemed to identify with the description of our tension-filled harried lives and the impossible financial pressures To the Editor: that rob us of peace of mind and any sense of tranquility. We suffer from pizur hanefesh (mas sive distraction) today more than ever A sampling from the letters reinforces the observations set forth before. There is not only a perceptible above. (See sidebars for letters from Abraham Dicker, Rabbi decline in academic performance with Binyomin Field, and a correspondent who requested that his name some, but the myriad social ills that afflict the general community are slow be with held.) ly seeping into our own circles-and at younger ages. Added to the stresses of Dr. TWerski is a professor of law -in- Brooklyn Law School and serves as chairm-311 of Agudath the social calendar are the necessary Israel of America's Con1mission on Legislation and Civic Action. He is a frequent contributor commitments to the various mosdos to these pages.
-~·~ .. 8 The Jewish Observer, January 1997 Why it is Difficult to Respond phrase. No witty quip can right their sense of frustration. They are, in my he letters and oral comments opinion, altogether right. The sad real share in common a profound ity is that this problem of lifestyle and Tsense of helplessness and deep takanos is simply not uppermost on the seated frustration that after years of ago priority list of the community leadership. nizing about the problem, little has been Shortly after last year's Convention, done to ameliorate it. several meetings were held. It quickly And that gets me to why I was reluc became evident that not all con tant to write this article. Frankly, I have stituencies could be pleased. Creating little more to say. I have no rejoinder to sensible takanos is very difficult. As they those whose pain I feel. No turn of a say, the devil is in the details. And the
would be happy to forgo. their daughters endure years of stress There is another issue to consider: over the fact that they are shut out of (insti TIME. There is nothing more precious a large part of the shidduch market due tutions) that need than time. Rabbi Aharon Kotler (in to their low financial status. our help ... and we are with Mishnas Reb Aharon) was highly crit I know a fellow who earns just out a doubt obligated to help them. ical of those who use a sefer in a beis enough to support his family and learns What was troubling were the pro midrash without returning it to its a couple of hours a night. His daugh posals ... or I should say lack of propos proper place; such practices steal the ters are in the young teens. Someone als. The items that Dr. Twerski is sug time of those who must later search for suggested that he quit his learning seder gesting be curtailed or controlled are the sefer when they need it. It seems to in order to take on a night job so that beyond the reach of most of the Torah me, and I know that others agree, that he will have what to offer when his community (without going into debt or the new Orthodox institution of the daughters reach shidduch age. He taking tzeddaka away from struggling gala" vort'' is one colossal waste of the brought this issue before a renowned mosdos). Even $1,000 bar mitzva cele precious time of scores of people. Why ta/mid chacham (to whom money was brations may be extravagant when is it necessary to say"Mazel toil' in per never an issue when he married off his repeated 7,8, or 10 times. There's no son, in a formal suit and tie? What is children). This scholar was adamant in doubt tliat tlie cost of putting on simchos wrong with a simple phone call? In a saying that the man should not sacri must be reduced, but is that even a begin generation that is so in need of zechuyos fice his learning for such reasons-and ning? What about our daily lifestyles? (merit), what right do we have to take he lamented the fact that the shidduch Ironically, on the pages of Dr. Twerski's fathers away from learning with their situation in our community should article, there appeared two interesting ads sons, mothers from their mothering, necessitate asking such a question. that say something to us about lifestyle: men from their sedarim (set times for As an aside: Some twenty years ago, camping in Eretz Yisroel (at any cost?) and 1brah study), and women from their the son of a well-known rav became Pesa ch get-aways. (Is that what was meant mitzva projects, so that they can wish engaged. The boy was considered a "real by yetzias Mitzrayim?) us Maze[ tov? catch," and after the engagement, RABBI BINYOMIN FIELD It seems to 1ne that many mechutan someone asked what the amount of the Baltimore, MD im whose vorts I have attended are in promised nadin (dowry) was. "Oh, one complete agreement with this. But they hundred thousand dollars," came the THDNEED FOR TAKANOS: MORE "do it for the kids." Perhaps the time has reply. "You see;' the rav continued, "my THAN MONEY AT STAKE come for every yeshiva and Bais Yaakov future daughter-in-law is so special, her to institute a pre-engagement class to materiaJ needs are so minimal, that over To the Editor: instruct their students concerning the the course of time she will surely save I am in perfect agreement with Dr. "wrongs" and "rights;' from dating to my son a hundred thousand dollars!" Twerski's proposals. However, please engagement to wedding to marriage. Time has proven him right. His son note the following: Dr. Twerski focused on the emo remained in kollel for many years and Dr. Twerski focuses on the financial tional stress brought about by unnec they have raised a beautiful family. drain of the t'nayim-vort- wedding essary simcha expenditures. A major It seems to me that this issue of shiti sheva berachosextravaganzas, and adds area of stress that his article did not duchim is a crisis of sorts that should that the costs of a wedding present and address is getting to the point of mak be addressed. babysitter are expenses many guests ing a simcha. Too many parents and NAME WITHHELD BY REQUEST
The Jewish Observer, January 1997 9 details are truly terribly difficult. But in One final letter needs to be cited. The the meantime, the pain and the angst of writer is a highly respected member of TAKANOS: A NEED •.. b'nei Torah is greater yet. our community, Nosson Munk: AND A SOURCE OF FRUSTRATION
To the Editor: After reading Prof. Twerski's article, I decided to get involved, and find out what it would take to get moving toward the desperately For careful attention to your needed takanos on downsizing sin1- individual needs, call us today! chos in general, and weddings in particular. I spoke to many well (914) 354-8445 known and respected people, Roshei Yeshiva, Rabbanim, wealthy ba'alei battim, and mechanchim (educators) who over the last twen ty years have been working on get ting a takana issued. Dr. Twerski's conclusion is that our gedolim would like to enact Ai! AMERICAN HEALTHAID CARE takanos, but are keeping silent because "they sense in us a cynicism incompatible with the kind of emu HOME CARE SERVICES nas chachamim necessary for a "A Heimishe company with a Heimeshe Tam" true allegiance to Torah." Furthermore, even if some frum, Home or Hospital wealthy individuals do agree on a Hourly* Daily* Weekly downsizing formula, it will be *English * Yiddish *Hebrew *Russian* insufficient for getting a takana enacted. A critical mass must *Nurses(registered nurses, licensed practical nurses and specialty nurses) demonstrate a readiness to respond *Therapists(Physical, Occupational, and Respiratory) before takanos will be enacted. *Certified home health and personal care aides The bottom line, then, is that we *Professional Companions (and "Live-in'~ are therefore doomed to remain ·*Homemakers without takanos and must suffer the *Private duty care consequences. This is not cynicism, *Medical equipment but the very sad and true reality. *Transportation Hashem Ya' azor! *Patient andfami(v counseling NossoN MUNK Brooklyn, NY Any health agency can provide skilled nursing, home health aides, therapy, homemaking or companionship ... But not every health care agency can deliver these services and others reliably, Orthodox Jewish caringly and according to the only standards that matter - yours. Social Service Agency is searching for Shidduchim on 1-888-AHCARE-1 behalf of highly capable, frnm young 1-888-242-2 731 men in their 30's. These young men have mild learning disabilities, are Serving the five Boros of NYC stable and in long-term employment. Mousey and Spring Valley If you know of suitable young 24 HOURS A DAY women, please call (212) 252-3782. Information will be kept in strict confidence.
·--·------10 The Jewish Observer, January 1997 Purpose in Writing • do not fully agree with Reb Nosson. ddressing the issue of overspending and the need True, we are so beleaguered with I problems of survival that this issue Afor downsizing, in speech as well as in print forums, has not gotten to the top of the list. But discussing the problem and examining is bound to make a difference-albeit incrementally-in its causes promotes public awareness, and keeps the subject on the agenda, how we think and how we act. Over a period of time, bringing closer the day when ultimate the overspender is bound to feel some discomfort, and ly takanos will be enacted. To be more specific: Addressing the the belt-tightener will bask in a degree of self issue of overspending and the need for downsizing, in speech as well as in print righteousness instead of embarrassment. forums, is bound to make a difference- albeit incrementally-in how we think and how we act. Over a period of time, • the overspender is bound to feel some ll-everyone of these members able for a Karban!" discomfort, and the belt-tightener will of Kial Yisroel-find themselves We too plead to our rabbinical bask in a degree of self-righteousness A echoing the pleas of Yitzchok leaders: instead of embarrassment. Avinu when his father placed him on "Bind our hands, that we do not And then, ultimately, a greater sense the mizbe'ach (altar), in preparation to spend foolishly! Bind our feet lest we go of readiness to respond to community offer him as a sacrifice. According to in ridiculous ways, and make our sim wide takanos will prevail. Even if they the Midrash, Yitzchok cried out, "Bind chos unsuitable in your eyes!" are spelled out on a sliding scale, my hands and my feet, father, lest I We need takanos. And we are read- reflecting varying degrees of wealth or swing out and render myself unsuit- ier than ever. • poverty, they will be salutary and most welcome-across the board. The affluent may not feel that they need any kind of restraints, thank you. The Perfect Review for Daf Yomi But in a time when so many dedicated melamdim are far behind in their mea ~ ger salary payments, extra tens of thou MASTER DAF TAPES sands of dollars lavished on personal sim chos is somewhere between criminal and ~d.. Master the Gemora by reviewing a Daf in obscene. There is inarguably a spiritual OICIO just 20 minutes! Each Daf is read, translated, benefit to the wealthy man who responds . • ·. explained, slowly, & clearly in 20 minutes or less. to such restraints. Moreover, these extrav agant gestures raise the ceilings on what Each tape consists of approximately 5 Blatt in their entirety is to be considered standard, and the ceil for only $3.00! (plus S&H) ings simply must be lowered. MESECllTES NOW AVAILABLE: Members of the middle class suffer (IO) nnn:rv (10) i1PlP (6) n>lJ.m most directly from upscaling, for they, more than anyone else on the econom ( 16) i11t i1Tl'.Jl' (19) 1'P') (8) ;,';»)r.J ic ladder, do not wish to be perceived as (3) nl'1li1 (18) pWl"T>j7 (6) 1Pj7 il'lr.J «schnorrers." (26 )t:l'T1'.Jt (24) Nr.Jj7 N:J:J (5) ii)>)tl And then we have the average head of family blessed with many children, (23) n1rur.:i (25) Nl''~l:J N:t:l (25) n1r.:i::i> who struggles to meet monthly expens (32) 1'7111 (26) ITTn:J N:J:J (13) 0'1i) es, and is forced to negotiate tuition and nn1:J::i (25) 1'1iillP (23) m::im:J camp scholarships for the kids. He and his wife are certainly hard pressed to (5) n1:Jr.:i (II) 1'tl maintain respectability, and still bring Subscribe now to receive new tapes in time for Daf Yomi! their children to the chupa in style, with joy-and solvency in place. 1-800-213-6626 •In Israel, 03-579-4067
The Jewish Observer, January 1997 11 David Sears
usic has always been an impor II (cleaving to G-d).6 Thus, it is no tant part of the Jewish spiritual coincidence that the synagogue-the M and cultural heritage. In the hat makes music mikdash me'at (miniature sanctu words of the Baal Hatanya, it is "the pen ary )-has been the focal point of of the soul," which can communicate WJewish is not the Jewish music throughout our galus feelings that are beyond words.1 In the until the present day. time of the Nevi'im, music was used to formal style in which it Given the close kinship of music and induce the prophetic state. According to is played. It is the spirituality, one would expect the music the Rambam: "The prophets did not heard in today's shuls and yeshivas to be experience revelations whenever they so emotion it conveys as a similar to that heard at our simchas. desired. Rather, they attuned their minds Oddly enough, they have hardly any [by] sitting in a joyous and positive frame result of its kavana-its thing in common. Take, for example, the of mind and meditating. For the spirit intensely Jewish neighborhoods of Flat of prophecy cannot be attained through original intention. bush and Boro Park. Imagine going to sadness and indolence, but through Modzitz or Chaim Berlin, Stolin or joy. Therefore, the disciples of the II Emunas Yisroel on any Shabbos when prophets would avail themselves of the those present are singing at the tisch or harp, drum, flute and lyre while seeking music4, as we sing in Shir HaMa' alos joining hands for a lively rikkud. Then the spirit of prophecy."' before reciting the Birchas Hamazon imagine visiting the nearest wedding Probably the foremost musician (Grace After Meals), "Then our mouths hall, while the harried waiters are prophet was David Hamelech, known as will be filled with gladness and our snatching away the barely-touched 5 "the sweet singer of Israel" for having tongues with joyous song" • chicken dinners. At the former, you composed the prophetically-inspired Historically, the focal point of Jew would hear niggunim full of yearning for Sefer Tehillim. 3 The revelations of the ish music was the Beis Hamikdash in the Ribbono Shel Olam. At the latter, you Messianic era, too, are bound up with Jerusalem. There, in the spiritual heart would hear brash, Las Vegas show tunes ------1. Sefer Haniggunim ( Chabad), Vol. 1, Hak of the Jewish nation, the Levi'im com grafted onto kosher-style lyrics, while the dama, p.21. posed and performed music, which not oblivious guests crowd the dance-floor. 2. Mishneh Torah, Hilchos Yesodei HaTorah 7, only added to the atmosphere of sanc Why? 4; also note I Divrei HaYomim 25, l; Shmuel tity but served as a vehicle for dveykus I 10,5; Rashi, Radak, Metzudas Tzion, et al, on THE JEWISH MUSICIAN: STRANGER IN ------Shmuel II (23,1). 4. Also note Rashi on She1nos (15, 1), citing A STRANGE LAND 3. Melachim II 3, 15. Sanhedrin 91 b; Tikkunei Zahar, Tikkun 21, 51 b; Likkutei Moharan 1:237. Dovid S-ears is the-author-Of The Path of the t has been said that music is the "uni Baal Shem Tov: Early Chassidic Teachings and 5. Tehillim (126, 2). versal language!' As such, it can reach Customs (Jason Aronson 1997). 6. Zahar Shen1os 19a; Likkutei Moharan 1:237. I beyond the borders that divide peo-
12 The Jewish Observer, January 1997 ple--for better or worse. For hundreds regarded with a bit of suspicion. They refreshments. Probably without excep of years, Jewish musicians performed at may have been admired as artists; but, tion, these singers are ehrliche Yidden both Jewish and non-Jewish events, justifiably or not, they had a certain stig sincere Jews who pray three times a day together with non-Jewish musicians. ma to overcome. and send their children to yeshivos. Sometimes, this prompted good will Today's Orthodox society has its However, the old negative attitude between people of differing beliefs. own Jewish Music Scene. One popu toward musicians still lingers on. Is this However, such encounters often had a lar Jewish magazine features a "Top the relic of an out-dated prejudice, or deleterious effect on the observance of Ten" of the latest cassettes. Almost a legitimate response to a problemat many Jewish musicians. In modern every Jewish bookstore sells these ic aspect of Jewish life? times, as the Haskala ("Enlighten tapes-some of them representing Perhaps it's a little of both. The con ment") made deeper inroads into tra the niggunim of various Chassidic temporary Orthodox Jewish musician is ditional Jewish communities, the new groups. Buildings and utility poles in probably as ehrlich as any other profes Jewish secularism co-opted the old Boro Park and Flatbush are plastered sional. The problem that resides with melodies for the Yiddish Theater and the with posters of Orthodox Jewish musi today's Jewish music is the emotional concert hall. Therefore, in pre-War cal celebrities who perform in concerts character of the melodies and arrange Eastern Europe, klezmorim were with separate seating and kosher ments in vogue. Somehow, the essen-
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The Jewish Observer, January 1997 13 tially spiritual nature of Jewish music has THE JEWISH POP MUSIC SCENE rearrange the old niggunim as if they been lost and a new esthetic derived were meant to be sung by secular pop from American pop culture has taken its nee upon a time-and it wasn't stars, and, in so doing, subverted both place. Again, music has served as a a long time ago-several ambi the esthetic and emotional intent of the bridge between worlds-to our detri 0 tious Orthodox Jewish entre compositions. The melodies were more ment. The culprit is not the frum musi preneurs and band-leaders, star-struck or less the same-but the stylistically cian. It is the Orthodox Jewish Music by the glitz of American Show Biz, set foreign chords and rhythms trans Scene itself; the brainchild of a few out to create its Jewish equivalent. I don't formed the songs entirely. Tragically, young entrepreneurs that, once created, think these people pursued their goal these quasi-niggunim, played at deaf took on a life of its own. This amplifi with malice aforethought; turned off by ening volumes, now afflict participants er-toting cultural golem has stumbled the light classical arrangements then in at virtually every simcha in and out of out of the yeshiva community's back vogue, they probably thought they were New York. door and blindly wreaked havoc upon doing Jewish music a favor. But, with Another Frankenstein's monster that the rest of town. certain naive enthusiasm, they began to stalks the chassana halls is the phe nomenon of popular rock-and-roll tunes, sutured together with Jewish lyrics, and promoted with a vengeance. This was the next glowing achievement of the Jewish Music Scene's kingpins. But a lot of kids (and a lot of parents) who don't know any better listen to them. Our troubles don't stop here. Intox icated by their rock-and-rollish musical brew, the entrepreneurs have even attempted to promote Orthodox Jewish celebrities at non-Jewish venues. The eei
------·-----·------··------····-·------·----·----- 14 The Jewish Observer, January 1997 repertoire and their unhip audiences. To be fair, the physical stamina it takes to play a chaseneh can be daunting, even to a musician with the best of intentions. And the common disregard for whether the musicians are given a chance to eat (or even catch their breath) is not con ducive to prompting good will. But, all excuses aside, the music of the Ortho dox Jewish world is being significantly influenced by these people. Typically, the non-frum or non-Jew • ish side-men at Orthodox weddings are ince the tzoddikim possessed pure hearts and out of work "dub-date" musicians forced souls, they knew that if a certain melody into the meat market of the big wedding S bands. 1b avoid the grim alternative of touched them, it, too, must be holy. The singers a "day job;' they have to churn out hours of constant loud, repetitive music with and producers who have created the current Frum out respite. Therefore, to break up the boredom, these players adapt the music scene may possess many fine qualities-but melodies to suit their own tastes: jazz I don't think they are on a lofty enough spiritual fusion, swing or rock. The result sounds exciting, and the crowd seems to like it level to make this sensitive birur (act of extrication). or, at least, part of the crowd. Besides, the musicians find it fun to see religious ladies dance to disco tunes with lewd • lyrics, thinking that it's just "good, clean THE HEART OF MUSIC Polish marches, Lubavicher niggunim fun." And what a joke for a hot saxo have a Russian flavor, many klezmer phone player with hair down to his waist ome readers may view this critique tunes sound l{oumanian or Bessarabar to play raunchy rock and roll for digni thus far with a question: why is the ian, Iraqi fe\vish wedding songs are sim fied rabbis who think that "rap" is short Scurrent Jewish pop inusic scene any ilar to Arab melodies, etc. The answer for Rappaport. So the band watches the less legitimate than any other form of is that what n1akes music Jewish is not clock and does its shtick, and nobody music we have developed during our the formal style in which it is played. If knows the difference. galus? Gerer niggunin1 often sound like such a unique Jewish style ever existed,
...... Sefel' ShmuC!!f I: 061 Per~ 17: Goliath Study Naeh ''°ma unique DI Pell/< I: Failing to Conquer 034 Perek I: Elkana and Chana 062 Pr!rek I 7: Oovfd & Goliath d f. "I/bf. • diJ 'II.I 02 P.,..,. The pe,lod 035 P~raklm 1·2: Transitions- 063 Peraklm I 7-8: Yehonasan an 'rRI. 'aZlng perspe, 11'1 • 03P_3;EhudandEglon 036 PN't!k 2: Chana·s Song 064 Pellk I 8: Yirah & Ahava 04 Pere!r4: Yavln, Slsra 037 Pf!f'aktm 2-3: House of Ell 065 Peraklm t 8-9; Purwft 05 Perek S: Shlras Devora 038 P~raklm 3--4: Rise of Shmuel 066Pellk19: Nayos & Nevua 06 P#!!°aklm 5-6: Shlras Devora 039 PQaklm +s: 067Peraklm19-20: Prophecy 07-8 PNaklm 6-8: Gidon The Aron's Captlvfty 068 Pere/< 20: Agreement NACH 09 Puaktm 8-9: Yeruba'al 040 Perek 6: Return of the Aron 069 Ped< 20: Rosh Chode$h 010 Pen*9:Avimelech 041 Ptm!k 7: Shmuers Reign 070 ~k21: Lechem HaPonlm DI 1 Pere/< 10: Yalr, Thirties 042-3 Pell/< 8: Monau-hy 071 Pell/<21: Doeg HaEdomf B'MACHASHAVA D 12 Pere!< 1 I : Yiftach 044 Peraklm 8-9: , 072 Peraklm 21-22: Insanity 013Peraklm11-2: lvtzan The Rights of Kings 073 Perek 22: Nov 014 Perdt 13: Shimshon's Birth 045 Perak/m9-10: Shaurs Rise 074PtNak/m22-3:UrlmvTumlm TAPES DI 5 Perilklm I 3-4: Yehuda, Dan 046 Pellk JO: Anointing a King 075 Perel< 23: MHalf Haller 016Pr!rek15: Revenge 047Perilklm10-1: Coronation 076 PHl!!k 24: Clothing 017 Perek16:0ellla 048 Pf!f'aklm 11-2: Gllad 077 Pemk 24: ~Gemul" 018-9 Perilklml 7-8: PeselMlcha 049 Peraklm 12-3: Valedictory 078 Peraklm 24-5: 020-1 Peraklm 19-20: 050 Perak/m I 3-4: Fatal Error Of Names and Sheep by Rabbi Yosef Gavrlel Bechhofer PllegeshB'Glva OS I Perek 14: Phllshtlm War 079 ~k 2S: Kaf HaKela Analyze the Nm4s story, text, message and language for Its deep and 022 Peraklm 20-I: Blnyamln OS2 ~k IS: Final FataJ Error 080 f'erf!k 2S: Gehlnnom profound Insights in Jewish Thought and Philosophy, with a special emphasis 023 Pt!'llk 22: The Dances OS3 Pere!< IS: Amalek W The Jewish Observer, January 1997 15 it was lost long ago. What makes a Jew being dragged into the mire of cheap, Where is the soul in a computerized ish song is the emotion it conveys as a commercial American pop music. And rhythm section? Or, for that matter, in result of its kavana-its original inten flashy, but spiritually banal, rock tunes any of the pseudo-instruments pro tion. When, for example, certain motifs are disguising themselves in the shtreimel duced by a synthesizer, however adept characteristic of Ukrainian music and bekeshe of ostensibly holy lyrics. You the player? appear in a Tchernobler niggun, they are don't have to be a Chassidishe Rebbe to part of a larger musical statement knew what violence, ego, and coarse sen IN PRACTICAL TERMS which expresses the way a person who sualism sound like. I think most of us composed it felt on a particular occa know what this music is really about, if n practical terms, it is almost impos sion: joy at a child's wedding, yearning only we will admit it to ourselves. sible to take a global position on the at a certain point in the prayer service, I current Jewish music tapes and inner resolve during times of trouble. L'MA'ASEH-AN AGENDA FOR CHANGE concerts; some are objectionable, some When a niggun is sung with holy intent, are not. (Despite my personal dislike for it becomes a vehicle for the neshama. ow that Jewish pop music has most of the Jewish pop music, I am not Much has been made of the fact that become mainstream, what are condemning everything on the market.) certain great Chassidishe Rebbes were N we supposed to do? A number Certain things are a matter of taste-and known to sing non-Jewish folk songs. of Chassidic communities have already there are reasons why we like what we The reason given is that, according to the diagnosed this musical malaise and like, but they are not always so easy to kabbala, when the Holy Temple was responded by forbidding their youths delineate. What really needs to be done destroyed, the music of the Levi'im was to listen to offensive tapes. They have is some soul-searching, especially by the dispersed throughout the world, Rec made various takanos (rules of conduct) trend-setters. If a new esthetic, rooted ognizing these melodies, the tzaddikim concerning their own chassenehs--pri in tradition and truly expressive of the were able to elevate them from the klip marily for financial reasons--including Jewish heart, is destined to flower, it will pa (the realm of impurity) and bring the restriction of musical accompani not find mediocre rock-and-roll the them back to their source of kedusha ment to electronic "one-man bands." most fertile soil in which to put down (the realm of holiness). How were The musicians who provide this service its roots. The obvious place to look for these masters of the spirit able to dis are usually respected members of the inspiration is the Eastern European Jew tinguish such melodies? I would venture Chassidic world, familiar with the ish instrumental tradition, much of a guess: since the tzaddikim possessed repertoire and empathetic with their lis which has been preserved on record. pure hearts and souls, they knew that if teners. Some are surprisingly skillful This tradition developed hand-in-hand a certain melody touched them, it, too, players, despite the fact that they are with the niggunim we still sing today. But must be holy. The singers and produc largely self-taught. even American folk and acoustic music ers who have created the current frum The "one-man band" solution unde have more in common with our vocal music scene may possess many fine niably has certain advantages. Realisti tradition, at least at the emotional qualities-but I don't think they are on cally, however, I do not think this is a level, as several popular performers have a lofty enough spiritual level to make solution with much of a future-nor is demonstrated. this sensitive birur (act of extrication). it one I would readily embrace. A syn As for the wedding bands, the present In fact, they may unwittingly be doing thesizer can make a lot of interesting situation must change. For starters, the opposite. Beautiful old niggunim are sounds and rhythms, and with the right band-leaders should be told to avoid amplifier, it can make them loud rock songs that masquerade as niggu 7. Divrei Yisroel ( Modzitz}, Mikeitz, Rimzei enough to make even the most jaded lis nim, and turn down the volume. The Chanuka; also note Zahar, Mikeitz 202a. tener wince. But electronically-simulated more traditional groups should be sounds and rhythms do not equal a hired, and the rest will eventually symphony-or an intimate, acoustic change their repertoire, as well. Again, Rabbi·Ar~h·Schecht!!r ensemble, either. Elctronic music is often the real issue here is not so much the like laminated wood-paneling: a poor specific style in which the music is SOFERS''TAM substitute for the real thing. As stated played as it is the feelings that it above, "Music is the pen of the soul." expresses. If the arrangers, singers, and musicians will only learn to respect the emotional intent of the melodies they FREE SAMPLE play, the wedding scene is bound to ~ 1 Mishlei 11 tape greatly improve. 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There are no black out dates for when you can use your award and you may transfer them to anyone you choose. For more information: Call us at 1-800-34-TOWER or in New York, 1(718) 553-8500 and press 5. ~"'1; ~.fi -~ ~--s;_~ More tnanjust ~reat tare. TOWer/ljr Reservation & Ticketing: (718)553-8500 Outside New York State: (800) 34-TOWER Yaakov Astor is the entire Torah. The rest is com mentary. [Now] go and learn." ( Shab bos 31a) How long can a person stand on one foot? One n1inute? Two minutes? After a while, it gets uncomfortable. Shammai and Hillel, then, were debating the value of the one-minute approach. Shammai saw no advantage to it. If the gentile was not ready to undergo the hard work of turning himself into a Jew, there was no reason to lead him on. So he pushed him away. Hillel, on the other hand, drew him close. He felt he could accomplish something of far-reaching effects, while not underselling 10rah, even in one minute's time. 1 The same passage (Shabbos 31a) tells us the stories of two other potential con verts approaching Shammai and Hillel. he One Taken all together, I believe that these Minute Manag- three stories correspond to the teaching T erwas a New York Times nation in Avos (4:28) that "Kina (jealousy), ta'a al bestseller with millions of copies sold. va (pleasure seeking), and kavod (ego 2 It purported to present a system where tism or ga'ava ) drive a person from this by any manager in any business could world:' Analyzing each story will not only vastly improve the performance of offer insight into how Hillel employed those he managed with a few simple, the one-minute technique to draw three pointed techniques that on the average types of typically estranged people took no more than one minute to hnple "close" to the ways of Torah, but will also ment. The book became such a success ONE-MINUTE KIRUV... AS IT WAS give us basic insight into human nature that it produced spin-offs: The One (others' and our own). Minute Salesman, The One-Minute s strange as it sounds, the "one if};e-B~n Yeh~y;d~--poi~t~ out that;-i~-~~ality; minute" approach can be a Jew Father, The One-Minute Matha, The Shammai and Hillel acted as a tea1n. Togeth One-Minute Teacher, etc. All in all, there Aish idea, one that applies to er they fulfilled the exhortation to "push away have been now over 10 million "One kiruv as well as parenting, education, and with the left hand while drawing close with the Minute" books sold! everything else we do. The source is a right." Apparently, according to the Ben Only in America. very famous Ghazal (discussion by rab Yehoyada, had the gentile received only Hil lel's "drawing close with the right hand" The truth is that, unlike fast food, bis of the Talmud). A non-Jew approached Shammai. approach, he would not have become a true instant lottery, and presidential promis Jew in the end. According to this, then, even (IConvert me on the condition that you es, there really is substance to the "one Shammai was utilizing a one-minute teach me the entire Torah while I stand approach. He was performing something minute" approach. Based on the 20/80 on one foot," he said. [Shammai] rule in business, which states that 20 per similar to what the "One-Minute" books call pushed him away with the rod that was a "one-minute reprin1and." cent of a company's salespeople produce in his hand. 2 [The gentile] came before Hillel. Although "kavod'' is usually translated as YaakOV-Astof--iSJ-j)ubliSheCfauthOr wbOse artT~ "honor;' the Vilna Gaon in Ewen Sh'leima (2: l) "Convert me." cles have appeared in these pages~most equates kavod with ga'ava, or egotis1n. I have recently, "The Singles Crisis" (April '96). [Hillel] said, '"That which is hate assumed that meaning here, as \Vill become ful to you, do not do to others.' That evident below. 18 The Jewish Observer, January 1997 turns off. Remote control is nean want to work too hard. It does not want derthal. It requires too much work. Your to hear a long shmuess or concentrate • finger may get strained flicking the but too hard. This gentile did not want to s strange as it tons as you lean back in your padded study or learn. He wanted to be fed facts, sounds, the "one lounge chair. preferably in an amusing way, in the A Only in America shortest amount of time possible. minute" approach can From the condition the gentile made OK, Hillel said. I will give you what (to hear everything while standing on you want, an answer to life, the universe, be a Jewish idea, one one foot), we can discern that he was the and everything while standing on one typically lazy person. Laziness, general foot: Love (which, behavioristically that applies to kiruv as ly, is a function of ta'ava, "desire" or plea speaking, translates into not doing sure seeking. The body's pleasure is to hateful things to others) is the secret well as parenting, be slothful, to "take it easy:• It does not behind everything in the Torah. That education, and everything else we do. Mozeson/Malinowsk1 Advertising (201)801·0101 The source is a very famous Chazal. THE BAAL• TA'AVAJ II THE PLEASURE SEEKER IC o Hillel, the essence of life itself was "V'ahavta l'rayacha karnocha T- Love your neighbor as your self' He translated that love into the very practical and easy-to-do dictum: "That which is hateful to you, do not do tooth ers." Just as you would not want to be • shunned by another, so should you not shun others who seek you out, even if they have ulterior motives or are off-base in one way or another. It does not take great analytic pow ers to determine how the gentile who wanted Hillel to teach him the entire Torah on one foot was off base. He was not exactly a "hinent' personality type- an Avraham Avinu saying: «Here I am"-ready and willing to answer G-d's call on a moment's notice, no matter what or how long the effort involved. He wanted it all done in less than a minute. The Shalom Task Force ..,~o A sound-system technology hit the Abuse Hotline is endorsed by .::;~~ market not long ago that made every leading Orthodox Rabbonim. "}I'"'~"' thing before it seem obsolete. No need The Jewish Observer, January 1997 19 was a concept the gentile could relate to. to convince him to undertake the very ineer or feel haughty. (The desire for Hillel was able to show him the prover thing he did not want to do: the hard honor or kavod is rooted in the need to bial forest amidst the trees. work of learning! feel superior.) This egocentric person That is an important point to under A pleasure seeker (baal ta'ava) only was his own man. Nobody was going to stand. Often a lazy person is lazy understands the pleasure of the moment. tell him how to read a book, or how to because he has no real meaning in his If you can broaden his perspective and interpret the Torah. life; he has no goal other than fulfilling show him the pleasure of eternity, then Shammai abruptly brushed him his own drive for pleasure. If you have he is more likely to work to overcome his away. When the gentile came before Hil no goal, then everything you do is a bur nature. He is more likely to make that lel, however, the sage offered to teach den. A donkey does not understand effort, and make it willingly. him the first few letters in the Alef-Beis, what it does, either. So, too, an outsider a normal way for a gentile interested in looking at the avoda, the Divine service KAVOD/FEELING SUPERIOR becoming a Jew to begin. After the les of a Jew, without knowing why or what son was over Hillel told him to absorb for sees Judaism as nothing but n another case mentioned in the what he had learned and to come back drudgery. However, show him the larg same passage, a gentile approached for another lesson the next day. The next er picture-a meaning, a goal, a pur I Shammai and wanted him to teach day arrived, the gentile returned, and pose-and the same drudgery becomes him only the Written Torah because, he Hillel taught him the same letters, but pleasure. admitted, he believed only in it, not the with different names and sounds. The gentile could relate to loving Oral Torah. This gentile is the typical "Are you playing games with me?" the your neighbor as yourself. Indeed, once egocentric person. As the Vilna Gaon gentile said. convinced that this was the simple, basic writes, kavod is in essence the same as "No;' Hillel responded. "But if you truth of Torah life, Hillel was able to tell ga'ava, 3 egocentricity: the need to dom- need a teacher of consistency and reli him: "[NowJ go and learn:' He was able 3See Ewen Sh1eima 2:1 and the note above. ability for something as elementary as A TRAGEDY OF EPIC PROPORTIONS A local frum family is devastated by the death of their father and husband. 7he story Is tragic beyond comprehension. A young mother of eight, herself sick with leukemia and trying valiantly to overcome the disease, is left an nltl~N by the sudden passing of her 43 year Old husband from a massive heart attack. THROUGH THEIR TEARS, THE nltl~ll AND D•tl1'1' ARE ASKING MANY QUESTIONS, AND '!!!!i MUST PROVIDE THE ANSWERS' + How will they pay their medical and insurance needs? + Who will cover tuition, living expenses, old debts, and future simchos? + An eight-year old girl asks, "Who will teach me to say the brachos on Chanukah? + A 12-year-old boy wonders: "Who will say 'lWll'IJ 11~!1 at my Bar Mitzvah?' WE, THE FRUM COMMUNITY MUST ANSWER THEIR CRIES! YOU MUST BE COUNTEO AMONGST THOSE WHO MADE A DIFFERENCE TO THE VERY EXISTENCE OF THESE UNFORTUNATE SOULS! A special fund, Keren Zichron Shimon, has been opened to create an interest-bearing account, Which will provide some monthly income to the family. This fund Is intended to provide long-term assistance to the family so that your one time donation will be used for years of itini n;n~. Please send tax-deductible checks payable to: KEREN ZICHRON SHIMON c/o Rabbi Shimshon Sherer • 1226 East 26th Street • Brooklyn, NY 11210 20 The Jewish Observer; January 1997 the Alef-Beis, then how can you expect pushed him away with his stick again. lack of a sense of self-worth. It is self to understand the entire Torah without Hillel, however, converted the gentile lessness not based on humility, which is such a teacher?" then and there. (Below we will attempt the recognition of the greatness of In less than one minute, Hillel taught to explain why.) Later, Hillel guided the Hashem. It is rather a selflessness born him perhaps the first lesson of Torah convert to the verse that said that a from weakness, from the inability to rec Judaism: the absolute necessity of Meso "stranger" could never become even a ognize one's intrinsic worth. Hillel ra, of an oral tradition. simple Kohein. Curious to know who the himself was famous for saying, "If! will Yet, the information Hillel con word "stranger" included, Hillel told the not be me (If there is no essential" am" veyed was only part of the work. At least gentile that it even applied to King to me), who will be me?" A person who as vital was the way he conveyed it. Hil David. On his own, the convert then feels he has no intrinsic worth {who has lel sensed the man's thirst for ego ful drew the conclusion that if King David no "ani") will probably seek relativistic fillment. Had he argued with him and could not be Kohein Gadol, his dream worth, i.e., he will feel good about him .conveyed even the most flawless proofs to be a Kohein Gadolwas impossible. He self only when he compares himself to supporting the necessity for Mesora, he was not heartbroken, though, because others who are equal to or less than him. probably would have failed. He would if even one as great as King David could And that is exactly what jealousy is: com never have gotten around the man's never become Kohein Gadol then he had paring oneself to another.4 ego. It might have sounded nice and nothing to feel envious about. He was And that is perhaps why Hillel con made a good book, but it would not in good company. verted him on the spot. The root of this have done the job. Hillel taught the Interestingly, unlike with the other non-Jew's character flaw was that he man in such a way that he was able to two, Hillel converted this gentile before conclude on his own that one needed even seemingly addressing his charac 4Jealousy, then, is the opposite of ga'ava. Ga'a va is an inflated or misplaced sense of self while to depend on others even for the ter flaw. He intuited that this gentiles jealousy is a missing sense of self. The cure for rudimentary understanding, i.e., how path to becoming truly Torah observant ga'ava is seeing that there is more to the world to read the Alef-Beis. Thus, he painlessly was not the same as the previous two. than you. The cure for kina is recognizing that bypassed the baa/ ga' ava's ga' ava and Perhaps we can explain the reason by bishvilli nivra ha'olam, "For my sake the uni still taught the essential principle that suggesting that jealousy at its root is the verse was created." one must have a rabbi with a clear understanding of the Mesora to truly interpret the written Torah. KINA/ENVY he third case involved a non-Jew who wanted to convert on the Tcondition of being made the •The l'chus of Living, Breathing and Experiencing the Kedusha of Erefz Yisrael • Kohein Gadol. However, the only thing The Torah Touring Experience of a Lifetime! •Kosel •Climb Matsado •Inspiring he knew then about the Kohein Gadol Shiurim • Shabbos in Tezfos • Teveria • Meron •Amazing Workshops• Kevrei Tzadikim • I Amukah •Meet Gedolei Yisroel •Experience Yerusholoyim in Depth• Delicious Hotel was that he wore majestic clothes, the Style Meals• Swim in the Kinneret • Shabbos in Yerusholayim •Kayak in the Yarden • bigdei kehuna. We see, therefore, that he Rosh Hanikra • Futly Equipped Modern Gym• Underground Caves• Eilat • Glass Bottom 1 Boot • Air Conditioned Dining Rooms • Banana Booting • fin Gedi • Biblical Zoo • I did not want the position in order to Waterparks • Har Haziseim • Beautiful Campus & Dormitory • Snorkling • Paddle lord over others (as the baal ga'ava laden Boating• Campfire• Tour the Go/ii •Daven Va'sekin at Kosel• Light & Sound Desert I with desires for kavod would). He Experience• Golan Heights• Gomla • Cable Cars• Be' er Sheva •Make Wonderful International Friends • Yod Vashem • Swim in Yam Homelach • Bedouin Tents• I merely desired nice clothes; indeed, the Decoupage • Climb Incredible Mountains• Achdus • Tz;pori •Arts & Crafts• Our Own nicest clothes. If he could wear such Olympic Pool• Grape Picking• Hor Hamenuchos • Shmiras Halashon Ralty •Rabbi Zev I clothes, he would never be envious of Leff• Ancient Susyo •Hotel Sarei Yisrael in Yerushalayim •Hotel Hamerchazi in Tzefos • Hotel El Artzei in Eilat • Kanyan Ha'adom •Silk Screening• Meo Shearim • Rebbe's I anyone-they would be envious of Tisch •Flower & Fruit Decoration • Camel Rides• Color War• Kever Rachel• Kever him. Thus, he was essentially driven by Dovid Hamelec:h • Mearat Luzit • Mearat Chazon •Nacho/ Amud Nature Trail• Climb I kina, jealousy, the need to possess the Sand Dunes • Mearat Hakemach • Degem Beis Hamikdash • Klei Hamishkan • Hoy Rides• Banyas• Mock Wedding• Swim in Hatzbanei River• Sunset Kumzitz by the I best of what others have ... merely Ocean •Cave of the Chashmonaim •Orange Picking• and Much, Much More! because others possess it; to keep up •Just Ask ~ of our Wonderful Moc:hane Bracha Campers! with the Joneses (or the Weisbergs), if .,,Pft¥"'-"I: you will. Naturally, when this potential con I A Safe, Secure, Warm Atmosphere in Magnificent Yad Blnyamln vert, obviously motivated by base Under the Direction of Rabbi Sholom & Mrs. Chaya Ginzberg I desires, approached Shammai, the sage L ------·1066 £ 23rd Street Brooklyn, NY 11210 (718)377·0234 The Jewish Observer, January 1997 21 simply lacked self-worth. So Hillel gave minute affair. One minute, indeed, is The applications of one-minute it to him-he made him a Jew. Once he sometimes all that is needed to change kiruv extend far beyond the bringing was a Jew, a member of the people cho another's life and ultimately bring that close of assimilated strangers, and sen by Hashem to bring light to the person closer to the ways of Torah. refers to much more than the funda world, he possessed the tool necessary mentals taught in an outreach profes to eventually overcome his lack of self ONE-MINUTE KIRUV. .. sional's workshop. It is a powerful and worth. He possessed intrinsic identity. IN TODAY'S SCENE useful tool for fulfilling nothing less He possessed a Jewish soul. than the "Great Principle of the Torah: The bottom line is that Hillel once ot long ago, I asked Rabbi Love your neighbor as yourself:' It more showed that kiruv can be a one- Meir Shuster the secret of his reflects the essence of the Torah ideal N success. As you probably know, of chessed, the empowering of anoth NOTICE OF Rabbi Shuster is that very quiet, unas er soul to exploit its greatest gift: bechi suming man in the black suit, tie, and ra, choice. NON·DISCR1MINATORY hat, who has successfully approached And G-d knows we need more of it. POLICY AS TO STUDENTS tens of thousands of Jews at the Kosel A baal(as) teshuva, even long after out and all around Jerusalem, asking them The Ner Israel Rabbinical College wardly and even inwardly committing if they would like a class to attend, or admits qU<>lifled men of the Jewish to Torah, has special needs more of us faith of any-race, color, national and a place to stay, or a family to eat with have to be sensitive to. And, of course, on Shabbos. Rabbi Shuster told me what ethnic origin, to all of the rights, the always-observant need kiruv, too. I already knew, what we already knew: A friend or acquaintance at work, privileges 1 programs and activities generally accorded or made available The main thing is that one has to care observant or non-observant, whom to students at the school. It does not about the other. you have been dealing with routinely discriminate on the basts of race1 That was Hillel's success. Time and may benefit from you changing your color, national and ethnic origin in the again he tuned into the need of the per routine and taking a minute to think administration of its educational poli .. son standing before him and used what how you can fulfill their need, physi cies, adm'issions policies, scholarship can be called an "other-centered" cal or spiritual, and then acting upon and loan programs; and athletic and approach. He did not discount the that thought. other school-administered Programs. potential convert's personality. He Perhaps more than any others, your quickly surmised it and gave each of own children and students are in need them a path to come to the truth on his of your undivided attention, and hope The Yitti Leibel own. Torah has an answer for everyone. fully you can give them more than just ------However, not everyone is satisfied with the one-minute variety. On the other HELPLINE the same answer. We have the respon hand, a good minute or two of quality sibility to find out which answer will No Problem is Too Big••• listening and caring usually goes a lot No Problem is Too Small••• satisfy the need of the other and sup further than hours of merely occupy ply that answer in a way that is sensi d Is there some terrible thing happening-in_ ing the same space together. your family that you are afraid or tive to that person's needs. If you One-minute kiruv (I like better to ashamed to tell anyoi;'le? understand that, then you may be able think of it as one-minute v'ahavta tl Attf you a-teerit'1ge or young :adult having to move mountains in minutes. If you l'rei'acha kamocha, "love you neighbor problems -that are -too difficult for you to handJe?? do not, then you may never budge them as yourself") may be efficient, but it is (j Are )'OU a single or married and experi¥ an inch, no matter how long you try and not necessarily easy. It may only take a encing personat or inter-personal con~ how well you argue your position. minute-but it takes a minute. It flicts'?? requires real time to turn your focus !) Are you confronted with a situation-that requires you 'to find an objectiye listener? away from your daily preoccupations. It does not produce if you do not take that Some of the Torah conimunity's highly CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST $ki11ed therapists, ate_-available to talk to quality minute. But you will find that you on thi! phone,' with'totat anonymity. DR. BENZION when you do take the short minute to II () fJ R S really tune into others (sometimes that Munday· Friday (Day) 8:00AM • 12:00 Noon SOROTZKIN other can be yourself), you improve the NY. State Licensed Munday· Friday (Eve.) 8:001'M • lt:OOPM quality of life, theirs and yours, immea Sunday 9:00AM • 12:00 Noon 9:001'M • 11 :00PM Adults and Adolescents surably. That one minute is a great investment. Why not take a minute right l>ial (718) HELP-NOW (435-7669) (718) 377-6408 now and start thinking about where to In Chicago, call 1·800·HELP·023 (91 7) 21 9-3867 invest it? • In New Jersey, call 1-908·363·1010 22 The Jewish Observer, January 1997 Hanoch Teller ric and Melanie never would have Ebelieved that one of their sons might one day become religious. If some clairvoyant or pundit had suggested such a notion, they probably would have responded by asking, "Which religion$" avoid. Hey, the world was round, and eventually you get back to where you started. Especially if you had Dad's credit card. It wasn't as if Dave or his cronies had a schedule to keep, a clock lermont, Florida. Hardly a bas Eric and Melanie never would have to punch, or a deadline to meet. tion of Torah, and even the few believed that one of their sons might one CReform Jews who lived in the day become religious. If some clairvoy urkey was the crossroads. Ahead greater environs didn't bother to estab ant or pundit had suggested such a lay Asia; above the CIS; below lish an edifice to enshrine their devo notion, they probably would have TAfrica. Heading south virtually tions. responded by asking, "Which religion?" precluded ever catching the sites of None of this troubled Eric and There were neither the environmen Novukuznetsk, Krasnoyarsk, Lesosi Melanie Brenner. Their Judaism was tal factors, nor the educational inputs, birsk, and other Siberian highlights, officially terminated and formaldehyd nor the emotional motivators that rumored to be a «must" in the winter. ed with their confirmation ceremonies would place Judaism on the multiple Continuing straight meant forgoing over three decades earlier. In sunny Cler choice list. Yet, somehow, it made it. the deserts of Oman and Pakistan, an mont they were able to raise the ideal Dave had finished his freshman year absolute requisite in the summer. Going American family, be gainfully employed, of college, and for an original "experi north all but eliminated cycling through and live a life free of any religious ence;' decided to be one of the count the peaceful countryside of Sudan and encumbrances. less thousands to bike around the world Rwanda. And without a little insurrec In such an environment were Cliff (and then write a book about it). tion, war and starving refugees, the expe and Dave Brenner raised. Everything was on track until he got rience would lack that "write-home" to Turkey. Such excursions, as a rule, fol quality these young adventurers so des Hanoch Teller, author of a number of popu lowed an itinerary mapped by impulse perately craved. lar books of inspiring stories-most recent and charted by whim. Fellow bikers con What to do? Perhaps it was just the ly, From Jerusalem His Word, on Rabbi Shlo ducted along the route impromptu mo Zalman Auerbach 7"Yt-lives in luck of the draw, the biker's sense of Jerusalem. symposia on where to go and what to direction, or G-d's own irony at work, The Jewish Observer, January 1997 23 but Dave decided to head south-by southeast. For a foray through Israel and • Jordan. avid's teachers were right: despite all his good Israel was quite a change from Romania, Bulgaria, and Turkey. The Dintentions and sincerity, he was unprepared for roads were actually lit, the telephones actually worked, and the bathrooms the onslaught that awaited him at home. He was were often sanitary. Wherever he went there were tourists. harassed from morning to night and pressured to In Israel, however, the attractions abandon a "lifestyle of antiquated nonsense." were not grand palaces, imposing forts, lush gardens and glassy lakes, but unadorned religious sites. There was no end to them; they were everywhere. For Mosque-and, of course the Kotel. • No, Dave had never heard of a a person whose entire familiarity with ually, the Kotel as a tourist yeshiva or the Torah, but he was Jewish, religion was limited to Easter bunny traction did not have all that in a biological kind of way. chocolates, sudden exposure to the A! uch to offer: just stones, a "Attend a class?" Why not? Hey, that's world's spiritual center was over broad plaza, a strange collection of birds what this whole bike experience was whelming. It just about blew all his cir nesting in sparse foliage--but undoubt about-tasting, trying and learning. He cuit breakers. It was out of sight, far out, edly a great photo op. What it lacked in had agreed to far, far more bizarre things and definitely cool. the way of pews, altars and elaborate car during the course of his trip. He peddled to Nazareth and Hebron, pets, however, was made up for by the The class was intriguing, and was like Bethlehem and Tiberias, Haifa and decidedly disparate assemblage. Every nothing he had ever experienced before! Jerusalem. The Armenian Patriarchate one and sundry was there, including a So Dave stayed on for a few classes; he and the Via Dolorosa, the Church of the man who saw to it that Jewish youth even stayed for the weekend. He even Redeemer and the Temple Mount, the walked away from the Kotel with more postponed seeing Petra. Garden Tomb and the Al Aksa than just a snapshot. Dave enjoyed yeshiva and found 1 110J. 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But he did David's teachers had tried to convince niches were impervious to reasoning. make it to rudimentary Hebrew, Jewish him that it was premature for him to After twenty-one weeks of rudimenta philosophy and Mishna. leave yeshiva. He had not yet developed ry Jewish instruction, he returned-this Dave devoted five months to study the firm foundation necessary to with time by air-to Clermont. ing his religion before concluding that stand the temptations of America or the it was time to heed his parents' requests, fortitude to combat a hostile home envi- ave's enthusiasm for Judaism was met by his parents' staunch Dopposition, he challenged them that they didn't even know what they • were protesting, but that too was II Attend a class?" Why not? Hey, that's what grounds for an argument-augmented by the young man's newfound religious this whole bike experience was about passion. tasting, trying and learning. He had agreed to far, Had the Brenners only lived in the • Miami area, the yeshiva would surely j. far more bizarre things during the course of his have assigned a back-up team to support j and assist. But Eric and Melanie, not trip. The class was intriguing, and was like nothing entirely by chance, had chosen a home nowhere near a Jewish populace. Cler he had ever experienced before! So Dave stayed mont was singularly isolated and insu on for a few classes; he even stayed for the lated from the perils of)ewish incursion. The Brenners-senior did not take weekend. He even postponed seeing Petra. kindly to their son's eccentricity and classified Jewish practice into three • categories: absurd, bad and intolerable. 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He was harassed • launched an inquisition against the from morning to night and pressured to or the final ten absurd and the bad (prayer and abandon a "lifestyle of antiquated non Kashrus), and regarding the intolerable sense:' His only defense was to wait for Fseconds of the show, (shmiras Shabbos)-it was an all-out a Divine signal-somehow, some way crusade. His parents actually forbade that would assure him he was following the close-up was not of him to observe Shabbos; and it wasn't as the right course. if he had an option of spending week David Letterman, or the ends with other Shomer Shabbos fami ne Friday night, as Dave pitifully audience, but of the lies in the area. attempted to observe a Shabbos David's teachers were right: despite 0 meal amid the tempestuous celebrity's mouth. And what were those Subscribe or give a gift of famous, six-digit-salary lips saying? They were The Jewish Observer closing the show with the words that had and $ave! captured the evening: WHY NOT GIVE OR GET A PRESENT "Shabbat Shalom, THAT WILL LAST AN ENTIRE YEAR? Davel" Subscribe, or give a gift at these reduced prices and The Jewish Observer- filled with the views of leading Torah thinkers on current issues- will be • delivered each n1onth, directly to your door. storm of vocal detractors, he finally caved in. Not in their presence-for he The longer you subscribe for, the larger your savings. wished to deny them that satisfaction. Of course, this offer is unconditionally guaranteed; But he came to the realization that in the you may cancel at any time and receive a refund for absence of a signal, Shabbos observance a11 undelivered copies. was simply not worth the hardship. Late Friday night, Dave treated his So order today, and the very next issue will be on tormented brain to a little leisure. He sat its way to you as soon as possible. down in the family room easy chair and flicked on the TV. It had been a long J.O.------SUBSCRIPTION SAVIN(iS CEK'l'IFICt\.'fE time since he had seen The David Let 0 YES, I want to take advantage of this money saving offer! Enter my order as follows: terman Show, and the late-night TV per ::J NE\V SLRSCHIPTION ::J HENE\'VAL 0 GUT Name ______sonality was always entertaining and l.,_A *Ol!J!;ffif, \l'.llU- !'SA witty. Address•------0;) years Cover Price $105 Your cost $60 $% Letterman's first guest was a well City 0 2 years Co\•rr Prict' $70 l'our cost $44 S68 ·------· known journalist who had just returned 0 l year Covtcr Price $35 Your cost $24 $36 State ____ Zip----- from an extended stint in Jerusalem. Let i.JSl•nd gift (·ard fromoo_ ---·---- terman welcomed the man and posed L.l ~~ndnsed: $ or what appeared to be an unrehearsed Charge my: 0 MasterCard 0 VISA question: "What was the most remark Suite 1:200. 84 William Street. New York, NY lOO:_~R The ]e1ri.1h Oh ------·------·----- 26 The Jewish Observer, January 1997 nonetheless a certain tranquil-almost hear his mother shouting something, or David Brenner had received the palpable-sense of the Sabbath being a the cats howling outside. All he heard signal he had longed for. Three days day of rest. Over the course of the Sab was "Shabbat Shalom, Dave!" repeating later he was headed back to Israel-he bath, whomever you meet-even per over and over and over again in a did not want the transmission to fect strangers-greet you by wishing you mantra-like cadence in his head. fade ... ever. • 'Shabbat Shalom; which means 'Sabbath peace'." Letterman smiled at the articulate reply and focused his eyes upon his guest. As if on cue, the guest addressed his host with, "Shabbat Shalom, Davel" and David Letterman returned the salutation. We've David Brenner tightly gripped the arms of the easy chair. Was this a signal, or what? Throughout the show each new Built ... guest was welcomed with "Shabbat Shalom." ... a reputation for VAWE. You ...a reputadon for OUAllTY. There were three cameramen cover get more for your fnoney at With brand names like Kohler, ing the show. To streamline editing and Village Park. Our homes come G.A.F, DuPont, Tyvek, Com ensure smoother transitions, the cam fully equipped with a long list fortmaker, and niore; premi eramen communicated with each other of standard items. Single-fam un1 grade lun1ber, plywood through headphones to assign who ily hon1es start as flooring and sheeting. All put would cover which angle-although low as $199,000 together with attention to their routines were well-rehearsed. detail that's second to none . They always opened with a wide ... a reputation for angle shot cutting to a closeup of the 1nnovA11on. ... a reputation for SERVICE. Unique, one of a Were always there for our cus star. The show ended the same way in kind floor plans, tomers, explaining every reverse: a tight shot on one of the stars walkout basements, detail, exploring every option. opened to a wide shot of all the guests, a real playground, surrounded Following through closing on a pan of the exuberant audi by acres of trees and grass. until the job is totally ence "spontaneously" responding to complete. the APPLAUSE sign lighting up with cinematic urgency. Tonight was different. The lead cam t,f,; eraman gestured that he wanted to digress from the standard procedure. Affordable, quality housing in Lakewood, NJ Beginning dead center he dollied right up the middle, zooming in the lens so that for the final ten seconds of the show, ... Quite a the close-up was not of David Letter man, or the audience, but of the celebri ty's mouth. B.IP.Utation And what were those famous, six digit-salary lips saying? They were clos ing the show with the words that had captured the evening: "Shabbat Shalom, Dave!" The entire screen-one quarter-of a-million pixels, twenty-four-bit color, a fraction of a millimeter dot pitch- · personally wished Dave Brenner Shabbat Shalom. He sat there transfixed. He didn't hear the applause or the credits. He didn't The Jewish Observer, January 1997 27 Ephraim Milch Intensive Reflections From Parents of an eight-year-old in the I.C.U. Our eight-year-old daughter recently spent one week in Children's Hospital, five days of which she was confined to the intensive care unit. Although she was blessed with a rapid recovery, the week was emotionally draining, physically and spiritually challenging. Unexpected difficult challenges, those beyond the normal routine, are stressful and trying-sometimes the most painful but often the most rewarding. Reflection afterward is important in order to focus the mixed emotions, accept and incorporate the lessons. The Risks of Confidence hat started as the common • cold or flu, and most of the hether it is health issues, antisemitism, or W time would have disappeared poverty, we become complacent, in a week or ten days, this time developed W into something worse. We take for grant expecting a tranquil, prosperous life, only to be ed modern medicine and the luxury of antibiotics. There are risks that come with shaken out of our slumber when the expected does such confidence. Occasionally we are reminded of the blessing of good health not occur. In the past, a person expected less and and the importance of G-d's role as the Rofeh Cholim-Healer of the sick. thus appreciated more. Today we expect more, Indeed, it was not that long ago when flu and are disappointed more often. season was dreaded and epidemics were frequent. Perhaps we are more unsettled by tragedies and difficulties and less pre pared to withstand the challenges than • previous generations because generally expect more, and are disappointed Home Immediately, we do not have it as hard. more often. We lack the appreciation Or With Parents at Her Side Whether it is health issues, anti and joy that one should feel at living in semitism, or poverty, we become com such times. Times when there is freedom ur daughter expressed her placent, expecting a tranquil, prosper to live as Jews being denied very few of desire to go home immediate ous life, only to be shaken out of our the opportunities that all Americans 0 ly and, if unable to do so, that slumber when the expected does not have. Times when children are expect we not leave her side. Otherwise, she occur. In the past, a person expected less ed to survive pregnancy, be born healthy reacted most positively to the entire and thus appreciated more. Today we and live to be zakeinim (elderly). Like ordeal. A combination of maturity, the Jews of the desert born after the trust, security and naivete. But even the Ephraim Milch, a talmid Of Yeshiva Ne~ l.Srael, manna was an actuality, we forget that slightest discomfort to one's child is too Baltimore, lives in Pittsburgh, where he prac there is no entitlement. Occasionally we much for her parents. Did she compre tices law with the firm of Campbell and Levine. His article, "Reflections of a Parent," appeared are reminded of the reality and that we hend the severity of the situation? I hope in JO, June '90. have much to be thankful for. not. Her actions and words constantly 28 The Jewish Observer, January 1997 reminded us how much we mean to her. We noticed and appreciated. Some marker left in the dirty laundry. I hope we properly conveyed how people have a way of keeping other One learns so much about the char much she means to us. human beings' feelings and problems on acter, depth and precious nature of one's Standing in the intensive care unit, one their own mind. To put it simply, they children at times like this. "I can't sleep perceives G-d's presence. There is an are people who truly care. They don't because I miss my sister." «The only uninterrupted line of open communi preach it, discuss it or learn about it. Chanuka present I want is for her to cation. To pray; to praise. I count my They just do it. come home." The hug and smile blessings as I pass each bed. One feels It is often those who are most busy, between patient and sibling when they G-cfs tears as He shares the experience. yet find the time for a visit, a phone call see each other cannot be captured IfG-daccompanies man into exile, how or a note. Even merely a kind word when except in our hearts. As parents, we com could he not accompany the patients in they see you on the street. Me, my life, fort and reassure the children, whose a pediatric intensive care unit? Innocent, my thoughts are important to you. I mat fears and concerns cannot be ignored. wholesome, trusting children fighting ter. One cannot underestimate how They naturally and unknowingly reas with the angel of death. Kids who just the important those feelings are. Calls from sure and comfort us, as well. other day were playing ball, laughing with friends, relatives and even Roshei Yeshi When our daughter first returned friends, taking their first steps or saying va from near and far.As Rabbi Aharon home, her brothers and sister were over their first words suddenly lie motionless Kotler said, "You can't be involved with ly sensitive-sharing and caring. It where every second is a gift. Each case Kial Yisroel if you are not involved with was, however, but a few hours before the defies explanation. Diseases they did not the individual:' Busy with communal special treatment ceased and they were ask for. Drunk drivers they did not want concerns, national issues and their own back to their usual selves. Isn't that the to meet. Somehow their parents and fam personal responsibilities, yet time for one way ifs meant to be? ily assume top importance. more person and his needs. We received support, strength and love from family and friends, which I A Break For Home hope will instruct us in becoming bet ter parents and friends and, thus, bet go home. To kiss and hug the other ter people. One is likewise moved by the children. For a brief moment, one ~~~~111 {lls~bled veruslt~n'll; . Jather ¢:1111'94!•· t11m!•Y·.· 1'141eds dedicated professionals. Professionals I stops worrying about neatness, and rising to the occasion. Most important, a not-so-perfect report card, a forgot .:!l'l!l~~Xl,i1'1llt'IC!'.1.~1e' J. Insufferably Alone or Strongly Connected Loan Fund in memory of loved ones he tragedy is insufferable when merits them eternal one is alone. Connection to "pleasantness and light to the Neshoma in Gan Eden" T others is critical. There is verti Chafetz Chaim cal connection over time from creation to redemption, all part of a master To establish a tl''TT ,rm plan. If all is connected, there must also Perpetual Keren be horizontal connection over space Fund at one of between people and in community. To our 14 branches be alone is to be abandoned. Every vis in Eretz Yisroel, contact: Ozer Dalim itor, every phone call, every card makes a difference-non-intrusive, Ozer Dalim just being there. It has impact for the 220 West Nineteenth St. moment and forever. New York, NY 10011 (212) 924·0023 The Jewish Obsetver, January 1997 29 Bonding Through Shared Vulnerability the hospital, the mutual vul • nerability of the patients' fami very now and then we A1 ies gives rise to a bonding. Per sonal stories normally withheld are need to reevaluate our 1537 SOth Street, E Brooklyn, l'IV 112:1.9 shared among each other. We are reminded that everyone has their own priorities, appreciate life for {718) 854-2911 package of difficult experiences, some its opportunities, and cherish the truly important things like INSURANCEBROKERS•&CONSULTANTS CommerciaL lndustrialResidential, Life & Health health and love. There will be time later to scream about the magic marker left in the dirty laundry . • PROFESSIONAL SERVICE • •QUALITY INSURANCE CARRIERS • having passed, others• ongoing. Even • COMfETITlVE PREMIUMS • those seem to have passed always remain with us. Memory can be a bless BAlWARA dOLfXJRABEN/HESHY SCHWEBEL ing or a curse. But without it, our life has no meaning. Our past defines us and connects us. We are often unaware of what other are contending with, that ~------~n there is likely a good explanation for I ARE You MOVING? I their seemingly inexcusable behavior. I 1 They are preoccupied with matters I ISYOURNAMEANDADDR.ESSt>RINTEO J they wish not to reveal; matters that con sume their complete attention. I INCORRECTLYONTHE JO MAILING LABEL? I And yes, despite the lack of time for I We needy our help to ensure proper delivery Qf the Jewis_h Observer to your home. , _·. . I each other, the bond between husband Please atta,ch current mailing label inthe space !J<;low, or print clearly your address and I and wife grows. It is G-d's way of pick I computer processing numbers that are printed above your .name .on the address lab<;!. ing up the difference. The emotional I .. I intensity draws you together. But equal I ~II .C.---•---'-•-··-· -~--·-:fix old label h::~------1 I ly significant is the love that comes from watching a spouse as she exhibits love I I I that only a mother can display for a I _J I child. The pain is shared as if the umbil L------···-,---.------____ ical cord were still attached. Decisions I Name I are made that may not be the most I New Address I rational or in the best interest of the entire family. But they are made out of I ~ I love and from a bond that need not be I State, Zip I explained or justified. It takes time to I -1 accept those maternal decisions and Date Effective maturity to appreciate them. In the end, I Send address--c-h~a-n.,.ge_s_t,_<)-:T-h-e~)e-w-is_h_O __ b-se-rv-e~r C~h-a-,.-ng-e~o"'f A-d-d-re-ss-. • ~ I these decisions reflect the unique nature I 84 William Street, New York, NY 10038 I of the family unit, the mother's central 1- ,Ple3~ <111()';'.l ,4~6 weeks:ior all-changef t6be_ ref!~~d- on your n;i~mng labe,t _We wHI_ not be-__:, ,-/ _---1 role, and why family is the most criti , ~esponsible/o(back is-sues; missey unless _you-,r:iotlfy u_s 6 weeks ptlor_ to your move. _ _ ,: ___ :.J--__ L cal unit for the survival of Judaism and ------all of civilization. • 30 The Jewish Observer, January 1997 <'Our nurse ,, was like family.'' This is what we often hear from the families we have served. They are thankful that our nurses and caregivers treat each patient and family as if they were their own. The Jewish Hospice of Greater New York When cure is no longer possible, comfort and respect the special needs of the Orthodox Jewish quality of life are of prime importance. We bring community. We encourage the patient and family these values into the home for patients and fami to consult with their Halachic Posek. lies facing terminal illness. Our skilled clinicians Our comprehensive services include: • Continuous care at home • Pain management • Physician and nurse visits • Nutritional counseling • Physical, occupational and speech therapy • Medication and medical equipment • Bereavement services Please call today for your free guide to the Jewish Hospice of Greater New York. 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It does not matter telephone; here I am, in farm country with what level of devotion in the Holy Land, away from the rest of it was enacted. We therefore the civilized world, but only a telephone say "Magen Avraharn," for it call away from anyone on the globe. is he who stood for chessed Hidden away in the office was an c,ld above other traits; we ask answering machine gathering dust. Hashem for salvation in his Then it bit me: Combine the two for merit and in the merit of our "Telegemach-the Information Gem own acts ofloving kindness. ach:' The idea is simple and inexpensive, but the results are priceless. OPENING MOTIVATIONS People call in about everything under the sun, from employment needs to shid IN THE WAYS OF AVRAHAM ne opens up a Gemach for any duchim. Lost-and-found to advice. one of a variety of reasons. At Gen1achin1 to volunteering. Needers, he word Ge1nach is an acronym Otimes, it is decided that a givers, buyers, sellers, apartments, furni for gemillas chessed, 1neaning acts Gemach would be a fitting way to per ture, trips, etc., etc. I leave the answering Tof loving kindness or charity. petuate the name of a deceased relative. machine on from eleven p.m. to seven Thousands of Gemachim exist round the The service would then be named after a.m. (as per public announcements and globe, wherever Jewish communities the deceased with the word "Zichron;' advertisements), and during tbe day I lis may be found. There are Gemachim that "Ner," or "In 1nemory of;' preceding it. ten to the tape, jot down crucial infor· lend out basic necessities like food, baby A Zichron Shmuel tape library, for mation, and make whatever connections supplies, various appliances for a short example, a Zichron Chana baby crib I could. It works. Occasionally I get a period of time, or basic services through lending service, a Ner David lecture ser tough one, like the guy who called up to volunteer work like baby sitting, advice vice, and so on. giving, repair work etc. You have vari Sometimes a comn1unity may be in Ill ous catering Gen1achs (dishes for a sin1- dire need of some service and a kind, cha, d1ick peas for a short order shalom dedicated member will see to it that it he word Gemoch is an zachor), baby pacifier Gemachs, shid is provided. And there are times when duchim, psychological and rabbinical one feels a desire or spiritual need to do Tacronym for gemillos Gemachs .... I recently heard about a acts of kindness on a steady basis; a chessed, meaning acts of Gemach in Yerusbalayim for those who Gemach is then born and carried to the have problems falling asleep; they pro masses. I fit into this third category of loving kindness or charily. vide music tapes and various electron Gemach'niks. Thousands of Gemochim exist ic devices for suffering inson1niacs. Opening up a Gemach has at least Baruch Hashem, there is no shortage of three prerequisites: a. the finances to round the globe, wherever Gernachinz. back it, b. the dedication it takes to keep Jewish communities may be The Baal Shem Tov H akadosh it running, and c. publicizing the service remarked that the reason we say "Magen to any number of people who could found. There are Gemachim Avrahan1" in the Amida, and not Magen benefit from it. I had a bit of a problem. that lend out basic Yitzchak or Yaakov, is because our pri- I am a dairy farmer on Moshav Yesodot-a small, 90-family, successful necessities. AVr~ha~ Enis, a natTve of Toronto and- taTn1id of Yeshiva Telshe-Chicago, lives in Moshav Moshav dedicated very strongly to Yesodot. Torah values; by no means the typical Ill The Jewish Observer, January 1997 33 sell a full set of scuba diving gear (he's an information service. The more peo because the Gemach itself puts me in throwing in the weights). Any buyer? I also ple see or hear about the Gemach, the touch with so many interesting and look through magazines and newspapers more they develop a clear understand kind-hearted people, research is never for interesting job opportunities, items for ing of its potential. too difficult, no matter what the issue. sale, and so on to help my callers. Now that my wife is convinced, I try not to get too emotionally involved more or less, it is time to advertise. At with the people who call, to insure that THE DOMESTIC HURDLE this point, not only is Telegemach being the Gemach runs smoothly without publicized all over Eretz Yisroel via interfering too much with my person irst, of course, I had to convince posters, mailings, the newspapers and al life or my efforts to help as many peo my wife: "No, Leah, they won't call radio, the Gema ch is be' ezer Hashem ple as I can, as quickly as possible. Fduring the forbidden hours. After going world-wide, as well. Calls come in continually from peo all, it's written to call only between 11 ple who want to get involved in doing p.m. and 7 a.m. The ole answering A ONE-YEAR'S LEGACY OF BENEFITS chessed. A writer in Tel Aviv, for exam machine will do all the work.''. .. But call ple, called for a chance to do volunteer they did. lthough the Gemach is hardly a work on Fridays. I put him in touch with "Leah, it won't cost us. Besides I'll year old it already boasts a host a widower in his area who was left alone tc.ke expenses off ma'aser.>' At first the A of heart-warming incidents. with a number of children, one of them telephone bills were a concern, till I got •A fellow in the Tel Aviv area called retarded. He had asked for volunteers to used to asking people to call me back. up to donate several beds. I put him in take care of the retarded child to allow About $30 a month is quite reasonable, touch with a family that had recently him to rest and work. Two people liv considering all the people who receive escaped from Iran with nothing to their ing in the same area were able to fulfill so much help through the connections name. He decided to bring the beds over each other's need, but had had no idea that are made. himself; when he arrived in their Bnei of the other's existence. uLeah, it doesn't mean we'll be Brak apartment, he found them sleep In this enterprise, information can be under the spotlight. This is a very mod ing on sheets spread out on the floor. He more valuable than money. est Gemach, really." So, how many peo was so delighted to ease their misery that Companies-entire industries- --·------·-----.. -·--·· ------·------·------34 The Jewish Observer, January 1997 Now Dial-A-Daf lets you choose any Oaf in Shas. So whether you're learning Daf-Yomi, Amud-Yomi or any Mesechta, you can call anytime and listen to some of the world's best Maggidei Shiur. SHIUR BEGINS .. .. . · $1-!IUR!MIN PAUSE, REWIND WHENYOUO\LL YIDDISH*.OR.ENGLlSH . &l'ASTfORWARD '" Yiddish currently not available in al! Mesechtos For further information, a brochure or to register contact: TORAH COMMUNICATIONS NE ORK 1618 43rd St. I Brooklyn, New York 11204 I 718-436-4999 I Fax: 718-435-0191 MEMBER.SHIP FEE: One·time $361\egistration charge. Cost per Program SS a month. Subscribe to 2 programs, the third program is FREE. With 2-year subscriptioo the registratioo ~is waived. Visa & MasterCard accepted. AMERICAN ]EWS WHERE ARE THEY HEADING? REFORM JEWS' SEARCH FOR have a much greater bearing on the gap from the outside looking in. SPIRITUALITY: IS ORTHODOXY AN between the frum community and our This problem is further accentuated ATTRACTIVE ANSWER! fellow Jews who are "yearning ... for reat when the spiritual search is an out tachment to the Divine." growth of the American ideal of total To the Editor: personal comfort. The person whose In his article "Do We Really Have All The Discomfort Factor motivation is that he is uncomfortable the Answers?" (Sept. '96), Rabbi Oppen with spiritual emptiness would have to heimer offers his answer to the question Viewing frumkeit through contem have this discomfort outweigh all the of why the spiritually starving masses of porary American values, the Orthodox discomforts and inconveniences of American Jewry are not "banging down choice is an unacceptable solution to the keeping Torah and mitzvos. The pleasure the doors of the Orthodox:' I do not feel problem of assimilation. Having lots of ofbeingfrum would have to be so much that Orthodox people are repelling sin children, driving older model cars, pay greater than the pleasures he'd be giv cere searchers for spirituality by lack of ing fat tuition bills, few, if any, real vaca ing up. The fact that one cannot have personal respect for anyone less com tions, eating only in kosher restaurants, the best of both worlds is a bitter pill for mitted than they are, or "looking down etc., is not glamorous and is just not the American psyche to swallow. their noses" at them. These might be appealing to the vast majority of Amer excuses, conscious or not, to blame the ican cultured adults. Of course, restric The Imperfect Role Model frum for why they don't want to be frum. tions are not the sum-total of Orthodox There are some very simple factors that life, but that is what is most obvious Much of the Western world has absorbed the Christian concept of spir ituality where the truly spiritual person is portrayed as benignly content, smil l5 ing, never in a bad mood and general TYPE OF CAR / SIMllAR 26 AUG 96 ly not bothered by material concerns. 19 DEC 96 "" ~ fLDANl7':1fi. The world of Orthodox Judaism does n't give this impression. Many people A FIAT.UNO STING . -····· ~.47 ... ~~ A" f1AT UNO STI_NG AIC _ ~___!?~ Iii leading a Torah lifestyle today are har B PEUGEOT205/------POLO 1.1 196 t~ ried, pressured, usually carrying more c MAZDA 121 P.S ·-· _23~ than their share of the load. Baruch ·c·1 PEUGEOT 30_6 I MAZDA 32_3 ~66. c·' 'POLO 1.6 P.S .~94 "~ <[;,:;1_'1$ll!ilw._'~-··.'·_:_._:.'.~\: Hashem, we have Torah guidelines with It\ )/ ... ·,,,.i,',.· /,.,_ .. -'_',,,,.'- ,,,.._. ____ .. -,:_-·,->""• MINIBU~ FOR~ 10 SEATS a ..M ~~o which to refine our middos while N BABY BUS 7 SEATS 420 ~· USA&CANADA attempting to juggle our daily affairs. • o! Our striving for perfection can be D SUZUKY SWl_FT_ ___ ~66_,,, Toll Free: (1) 800·938·5000 E MAZDA313~~---- -·-~15,_ indiscernible to an outsider, so long as ' SUZUKY BALENO__ -~~ Tel in NY: 212·629·6090 F _350 ~Q we are yet imperfect. A frum Jew dis Jl. 'SUBARU LEGACY 1.8_ _43.~_ http://www.eldan.co.il/ playing his imperfection in a public set JS_ 'GMC VANl)_URA ___ ~93 x :_CHEVROLETCAVA_l.l§l_ 4,?7 :i: a ting might just have revealed the Torah XL '._MAZDA 626 ___ S~J ~ improved version of his struggling self. SX ' CHEVROLE_T LUMl!IL_ ~~ :i: Given his nature, his behavior would be 'GMCSAFARI 770 KX much worse were he not Torah obser ~ POWER STEERING & ELECTRIC WINDOWS .,. vant! Isn't that spiritual? 36 The Jewish Observer, January 1997 Opting for Orthodoxy-A Humbling Choice additional expenses, greater restric the media tell us are so important. They tions, and lesser pleasure opportuni are looking for something more sub In order for a person to truly investi ties-is forbidding to the outsider. stantial, compelling and authentic with gate Orthodox Judaism, he would have which to find a meaningful life, and are to place himself in a very humbling posi Renunciation of Exotica often willing to forgo some of the above tion. He will be very obviously ignorant. to Become Orthodox for a chance to be in touch with what Also, believing or agreeing is insufficient they sense is their inner essence. When, in Yiddishkeit. One has to perform! In While this is certainly a large barri however, they discover that many frum contrast, take, for example, the average er for many people, it is not one that the Jews do not grasp the sincerity of their Yuppie professional: he is established and true "spiritual seeker" will find impass search, or that they are not given ade in control. He has accomplished much able. Many of these people, after all, have quate respect for many of their achieve in his field. Put him in a shul for a week lost their appetite for the exotic vaca ments and moral victories, since they do day Mincha and he's lost. He won't know tions, fancy restaurants, glamorous not measure up to our halachic stan whether to sit or stand. The service is homes, late-model cars, and other dards, they may choose to continue their incomprehensible. (It may as well be Chi "must-have" items that our society and search elsewhere. nese.) It is easy to understand why he ...... 7"0J wouldn't be motivated enough to put in the effort and the self-deprecation CC IS EVERY GIRL'S DREAM... required to literally "start from the Aleph The Best Summer in Israel camping I touring program Beis:' Human nature, being as it is, would for frum girls ages 10-17. Call today, for early have him rather back off, offering expla registration discount. nations of how Orthodox Jews are "cold" Six Weeks Of Over 22 Exciting Tours, Daily Shiurfm, or "lacking in spirituality:' Drama, Music, Dance, Arts & Crafts And The Special lll"-'n In conclusion, if we think we have the Spirit Which Is The Hallmark Of The BCC Program. v<:,,"'" answers, it's because we do! We have the The author responds: CAMP BNOSCFiOFETZ CHAIM" 623 CORTELYOU RD.- B'KLYN N. Y.11218 (718) 282-6350 Mrs. Menchel had made some fine observations regarding why the non Orthodox spiritual seekers are not "banging down our doors." She is cer The Best Calorie-BJJTI1illg tainly correct that there are many rea sons that make an Orthodox lifestyle seem remote and unappealing to cul Equipment Money Can Buy. tured, sophisticated, secular American According to The ]ounwl of the American Medical Jews. I still maintain, however, that a pri Assoliationi the most effective way to hun1 calories is on the mary reason that there is such an treadmill. According to Runner's WiJrid, the Trotter 685 is unbridgeable gap between our less the best treadmill on the market today. Own the best calorie- observant brethren and ourselves is the judgmental superiority that many of us buming exercise equipinent money can buy. exude towards them. Furthermore, I feel that this attitude TROTTER, problem accentuates the very factors that The Flnesl VitnessEquipurentln 'llie \rorld. she points to, which might otherwise be more readily bridged. She cites, as her better first factor, the '(comfort and pleasure" 5302 New Utrecht Avenue - Brooklyn. NY 11219 issue, whereby our lifestyle-with its h eOIth Phone: 718-436-4801 The Jewish Observer, January 1997 37 This unfortunately also occurs when He greatly lamented the people that are of our lifestyle, if we are to truly achieve such people come amongst us, and see turned away from joining us because a degree of kedusha and heightened sen the vulgar materialism that too many of they often see amongst us the very val sitivity in our lives, we cannot let the us are caught up with. It is particular ues from which they are trying to "harried, pressured" difficulties of our ly repugnant to newcomers to Ortho escape, albeit with a frum veneer. lifestyle overwhelm us. We need to take doxy to observe that many of us are so some time out, at least in our tefillos, on absorbed in foolish one-upmanship in Lack of Serenity: An Attractive "Earthiness" Shabbos, and at with our families, to our spending on smachot, in decorating focus on the spiritual and the sacred. our homes, and yes, late-model cars and As to Mrs. Menchel's second com exotic vacations. It looks incredibly ment, that our "spirituality)) often is not The Importance of Resona ting bizarre to them to see the money, care the calm serenity that they might be With Acceptance and concern lavished by some on the lat expecting, I have generally found that est Borsalino hat, dress, or other fash people are in fact attracted to our Regarding Mrs. Menchel's final ion statement, impeccable "tznius" cre "earthiness," the way that our spiritual point, it is achingly true that this dread dentials (sic) notwithstanding. ity is practiced in the "real world" of day of seeming incompetent is responsible In a wonderful shiur by Rabbi to-day life. While we certainly have our for keeping many people away. She cap Shloime Twerski ?":>It of Denver, he dis share of true baalei middos tovos and tured well the fear that keeps many cussed various lessons that all of us FFB mussar personalities who would appeal adults outside, even when willing to (Frum From Birth) folk should take to those looking for the more medita drop off their children at the synagogue. from the baalei teshuva among us. In tive, reserved spiritual model, there are Nevertheless, the more that we let our pointing to this phenomenon, he cried many who are excited by the notion of brethren know that we don't look down out to us to learn from these wonder regular, imperfect people who are seek at them; that we understand that ful people who, more often than not, ing to live in accordance with a Divine because we had the great privilege of have turned their backs on an easier morality. Nevertheless, if we are to be having a good Jewish education, we have material life to embrace a Torah lifestyle. effective in communicating the beauty an obligation to help them, and not, G- ------"--""- 38 The Jewish Observer, January 1997 tent to see Torah Judaism remain a club We should, therefore, be going after tions, in publications like The Jewish for current members only? That's the the rank-and-file, many of whom are Observer, Tradition or Jewish Action, question implicitly asked by Avi Shafran spiritually hungry to the point of star which provide a venue for Orthodox Jews in his important article, "Pluralism vation. A few kiruv organizations have to talk among ourselves, in our language, Must Matter" (Dec. '96). tried to do that, with very modest about our own often parochial concerns. Rabbi Shafran argues eloquently, as results-"modcst," given that what they The intellectual battle has to be carried always, that The Jewish Observer should are trying to interest Jews in is not just into the field, and we seem unwilling to continue to confront and criticize het some human product. If presented cor do it. That there exists not a single Ortho erodox ideologies calling themselves rectly, Torah should be able almost to sell dox magazine or newspaper that speaks "Judaism"-and never mind those read itself. The problem with Chabad, "Turn to observant and non- observant Jews ers who would prefer to see the journal Friday Night into Shabbos," and other alike, in which Torah confronts the stick to strictly inter-Orthodox matters. worthy but unsubtle kiruvelforts is that world in the language of the world, is a He is correct, of course: our fellow Jews for most part they present Yiddishkeitas shame, maybe even a scandal. deserve whatever help and guidance we an experience, a lifestyle. That's fine. But There is a tremendous kiddush can give and they will accept. As he the Jews are a people inclined to listen Hashem waiting to be done, but no place points out, the Observer is read outside to their intellects even more than to their to do it. of frum circles, by Reform and Conser hearts. To convey Torah to our secular DAVID KLINGHOFFER vative Jews. ized brethren, the Jews whose minds can New York City Rabbi Shafran doesn't note, howev be changed, we need to engage in a bat (The writer is literary editor ofThe National er, that the Observer's non-Orthodox tle of ideas. Review.) readers--and I doubt there are many That can't be accomplished from are leaders and functionaries in the het behind the walls of Orthodox institu- erodox movements, not laymen; in other words, people who depend on the heterodoxies for a parnassa, whose PINCHAS M:ANDEL minds are closed by their need to earn Over 45 years experience in Kvura in Eretz Yisrael a livelihood. You occasionally meet a Personal responsibility throughout service - NO AFFJl.IATES Reform leader with an open mind, but Originator of the present method - BEWARE OF IMPOSTERS not often. (When I wrote an article in Highly recommended by Gedolai Hodor- Here and in Eretz Yisrael National Review a few years ago that crit 1569·47th Street, Brooklyn, NY11219 icized Reform, I got a call from a rabbi Day &: Night phone: (718) 851.-8925 at a prominent Reform temple who con 1 fessed that for a long time he had felt, W1"r.iN"l!lr.lNp v~1i? ._.., 1"l:i "l~l rn~v 11l!:J if he were independently wealthy and Chesed Shel EMES with .Mesiras Nefesh ... as understood and practiced by one active in the industry for more than half a century, could quit his job, he would move to • TAllARAS HAN!FIAR S110ULD NEVER BE COMMERCIAUZED • Israel and live as an Orthodox Jew.) 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. AU ttaolam Cheese products are made in ttle U.S.A under the strict rabbinical supervision of: The IWlblnaU: of l'f'hal Adatli Je.tlaurun Cholov Yisroel Washln ~~,. nel.. hts. !fY The Jewish Observer; January 7997 39 TURNING UP THE VOLUME TO GET OUR MESSAGE ACROSS Ill To the Editor: f we are to be effective in communicating the I was touched by Rabbi Shafran's arti cle "Pluralism Must Matter:' and felt val Ibeauty of our lifestyle, if we are to truly achieve a idated as well. I suspect that it's as he degree of kedusha and heightened sensitivity in suggests, that some frum people might focus on the vibrancy of their own com our lives, we cannot let the "harried, pressured" munity, perhaps to the almost complete expense of concern and feelings of difficulties of our lifestyle overwhelm us. We need achrayis (responsibility) for the Jewish community in is entirety. to take some time out, at least in our tefil!os, on In the past year, Christian and other Shabbos, and at with our families, to focus on the proselytizing organizations have recog nized the weakness of the general secu spiritual and the sacred. lar Jewish community, openly declared "its time," and have moved in for its Ill destruction. The bulk of American Jewry is in the process of becoming a such as Yeshiva University, my alma tions of "successful') intermarriages. non-entity with barely a whimper, and mater, receive most of their private fund Even ifyou intend your silence to be inter never a scream. Perhaps we are too com ing from secular Jews, have a universi preted as disapproval, who can hear it? fortable and desensitized from drastically ty, work in the professional world, yet We could at least mocheh (object), in reductions earlier this century to really concentrate most of their public ener a public, intelligent, and sophisticated care, except for those who come to us. gies on their own definition. One would manner. If we wait for our brethren to When predators of the Jewish com suspect that if nothing else moves you, come to us to hear the Orthodox per munity have more numbers, more at least the inevitable loss of your spective, few will, as the frequency of our energy, and more commitment to sway socio-economic base should. This fact competitors is much greater. The most ing people ignorant of their own faith, is not lost on our competition. persuasive argument is useless without and a culture and status quo squarely How many Jews for J ads have you the person's attention. If the volume is behind them, we have a serious prob seen in The New York Times, Newsweek, turned up, more people will hear. The lem. It is ironic that apathy and accep and now even the subway? How many more who bear, the more will be will tance of this situation subsists equally, messages in storefronts and on TV ing to listen. We need an additional and perhaps even more, in the modern equating Chanuka and Xmas? There is approach, one of intellectual debate and Orthodox communities. Institutions no shortage of examples and glorifica- confrontation, to just kiruv alone. DAVID ). KELSEY New York City The lsraelSummerAdventure Your Son Will Treasure For Ufe "JEWS WITH TORAH": SAYING IT FOR US ~~~H~.• HAREIYEHUDAH To the Editor: for 'i'eshlva BOys, Ages 13· 1'8 • Dynamk learning . Enclosed please find a check to cover and Masmidim 1>r09ra111 three subscriptions to be sent to the ·Incredible Non·~opTouring below addresses. I know it is probably • ExcitingHikesandTri~s extra trouble, but because these sub •AU Sports and OlympkSize Pool scriptions are for my variously assimi At (jur AirConditioned campus lated family members, could you please Under The ~uillll.nce. ofRabbi l'isro•I Reisman,x""""' start with the issue from this December Act NOW! ()ur Early-Bird Spl!cial Price as soon as possible? It's everything · can'tBe Beat! we've been arguing over for years, but you say it a lot better than I do. Call fot our color brodlure ... NAME WITHHELD BY REQUEST Rabbi Nadmm Katz 718-471-7)91 Detroit ----·--·--·------.. ------.·---··--·--·------·---- 40 The Jewi5h Ob5erver, January 1997 COMMENT AND QUESTION RE: In any event, just as personal ticing Christians. Their resistance to AMERICAN JEWS WITHOUT TORAH tragedies, challila, may bring inheri kiruv and Torah's truth proves nearly tances and more meaningful blessings impenetrable; the pintele Yid has been To the Editor: still- like deeper appreciation for those buried deeper than that of the average Regarding the Dec. '96 JO articles on gone and closer bonds with fellow sur secular Jew; they are convinced that they American Jews Without Torah: a request vivors - so may communal ones seem are living, lehavdi~ lives of truth and and a thank you. to bear gifts. That does not, though, meaning. Some can be reached, however, 1) Rabbi Shafran writes:"... and sub make them any less tragic. as the Task Force and Jews for Judaism tly slide into the trap of regarding non Our place can only be to care des deprogrammers/kiruv-experts know. It halachic Jewish movements as, for some perately and speak truthfully. We may, takes knowledge of the issues and train Jews, better than nothing." I agree with and should, hope that our fellow Jews ing to succeed. Rabbi Shafran's statement, but I have who have been misled by non-halachic found people who disagree. Among their movements will come to recognize The Goals of Counter-Missionaries arguments: "At least, he'll have a better their spiritual heritage and return to it, chance of marrying a Jewish girl hence but it would be patently unwise to let Counter-missionary organizations have Jewish kids who will maybe that hope devolve into an assertion of have two goals: to educate vulnerable become observant.""At least, he'll know some inherent "value" to the counter Jews, and to deprogram individuals he's a Jew and, therefore, have the chance feit and dangerous. when it is possible. Education consists to eventually see the emptiness-false A.S. of (I) exposing so-called "Hebrew hood and find the truth. But ifhe opts Christianity," a.k.a. "Messianic Judaism," for nothing-he's lost:' Could Rabbi THE QUATROMINI PRINCIPLE & a.k.a. Christianity, for what it is; and (2) Shafran please write his supporting COMBATTING MISSIONARIES to steer Jews to Jewish learning-for argument for his statement. example, toAish HaTorah, Ohr Somay 2) Thank you for your on-going cov To the Editor: ach or Partners in Torah. This past sum erage of this painful topic. I have an I am well acquainted with the out mer, the Task Force on Missionaries and older married brother with three chil standing work of Rabbi Eli Gewirtz Cults and Jews For Judaism went pub dren who are Conservative-affiliated and (quoted in Nov. '96, JO "The Quatro lic, countering one missionary group's receiving Conservative "educations." I mini Principle") in the field of kiruv. The feel the pain personally for my brother value of his Partners in Torah pro Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, CSW and his family. The on-going coverage gram-one-on-one learning in a Psychotherapist allows me not to forget "and move on relaxed, social situation for those unfa 'to our own concerns"' but instead, to miliar with their Jewish heritage-can e e •Structural Family intensify my tefillos on their and others' not not be overestimated. With all due Therapy behalves, and to intensify my efforts at respect, however, I must take the issue • Marital Counseling self-improvement, so as to be a proper with Rabbi Gewirtz's's comment that • Singles Issues/ attractant and example of Torah-true "Many well-intentioned people miss the Premarital Counseling Judaism. mark in trying to combat the influence • Child/School Behavior Problems NAME WITHHELD BY REQUEST of [Christian] missionaries." "• Chronic Pain/Illness There are about half a dozen (cer Offices located in Queens and Manhattan The author responds: tainly not many) full-time "counter-mis (212) 598-6543 • Voice Mail (718) 595-0524 sionaries" in the United States. The Task There may well be Jews who were Force on Missionaries and Cults, direct kept in touch with their Jewish roots, ed by Dr. Philip Abramowitz of Brook perhaps even married other Jews, as a lyn, and "Jews For Judaism," directed by FREE SAMPLE result of their association with one or Rabbi Bentzion Kravitz of Los Angeles, another of the heterodox movements. are the most effective organizations If you are getting married But if, instead, the only options Amer working against Christian missionary within four weeks, we will ican Jews had were the wide range of ploys. All believe, as Rabbi Gewirtz does, Orthodox congregations or total divorce that the best inoculation against the mis send you a free sample of from the identifiable Jewish communi sionaries is substantive Jewish education. "The Wedding Gift''. ty, would less-than-fully-observant (or Sometimes, however, the disease hits even totally non-observant but Jewish before the inoculation has been admin Yeshiva Fund ly-conscious) Jews choose the latter? istered. Over the past 30 years, 25,000 Box82 The Jewish neshama does not so casu Jews, most of whom had little or no real Staten Island, NY I 0309 ally self-destruct. Jewish education, have become prac- ---.---.-.--.--.--... -.-.. ----.. -·-··---·- The Jewish Observer, January 1997 41 offensive annual summer "witnessing" "Messianic Judaism" is a movement top levels of Jewish organizations (e.g. campaign. The goal of that campaign is funded by Christian Fundamentalists in YM-YWHAs, community day schools, to convince Jews that without the belief the United States, to the tune of well over Hadassahs, and places where Jews wor in J-s as, lehavdil eleph havdolos, G-d $I 00 million a year. A revolting meld of ship); and umoshiach;' Judaism is incomplete Christian belief and Jewish ritual, its 4. tending to the Jewish ill, the lone and fraudulent. The Jews of New York methodology is to blur the absolute dis ly, the elderly in nursing homes, and to City were affronted all summer by tinctions between the two religions, and the Jewish handicapped; prominent billboards and MTA signs to create a "Jewish style" atmosphere in 5. adopting Jewish orphans; heralding, "BE MORE JEWISH. which unlearned Jews will feel at home, 6. seducing Jewish immigrants with BELIEVE IN J-S." The Task Force and yet will be practicing Christianity. Mis "friendship)'; Jews for Judaism, using media coverage sionary methods include: 7. adulterating Tanach, ascribing to and distributing Jewish literature in Eng I. offering free "Jewish holiday" and it false translations and meanings to lish and Russian, warned American and weekly "Shabbat" events--all focused on "prove" their points; Russian Jews that missionary groups, J-s; 8. working towards acceptance, pro posing as Jewish were out in force to 2. incorporating in their Christian jecting an appearance of legitimacy convert them through deception. (Russ worship the use of yarmulkes, talleisim, within the pluralistic Jewish world, as the ian Jews, by the way, denied Jewish edu Sifrei Torah, menoras, Shabbos licht, mik "fifth arm" of Judaism. cation in the former USSR for three gen va'os, niggunim, and thoroughly Hebrai Fundamentalist Christians mean erations, are particularly susceptible to cized terminology (e.g. "immersion in business and will stop at nothing to the claims that missionaries make about mikva" for "baptism"); claim a precious Jewish soul. what they call "the True Judaism.") 3. posing as Jews, infiltrating even the Widespread Torah-true education is certainly the key. Unfortunately, the phones of the Task Force on Mission aries and Cults and Jews for Judaism ring with the cries of families whose Jewish children might have been saved had they at least known that "Hebrew-Chris tianity" is a lie. Counter-missionaries are there for them, and for any Jew who would otherwise fall. Incidentally, Joey Quatromini would probably agree on the importance of FOR counter-missionary work. He recently THE FINEST purchased Jews for Judaism's 12-tape IN series entitled "The Counter-Missionary PHOTOGRAPHY Survival Kit" and had them sent to him at Yeshiva Aish HaTorah in Jerusalem, AND VIDEO where now, Baruch Hashem, he learns. ANDREA SOMMERSTE!N USAflSRAEL Passaic, NJ. If you are thinking of moving for Jewish Growth Opportunities ... Full Ser\iice Community BEGIN THINKING MILWAUKEE! Total Torah Comt1ltµllo/, • Healthy Job Market The Torah Community . . . Cheder.• · ... • Affordable Housing of BaisYakov •··. • A Nurturing Community Rabbi Michel Twerski invites your interest Yeshiva.G@ola · • • Learning Opportunities Sherman Park Jewish Initiative Ki>lli!l • • Community Activities 1-800-226-3129 Mik\.eh • BEGIN THINKING MILWAUKEE BEGIN TIIINKING.MILWAUKEE BEGIN TIIINKING MILWAUKEE BllGINtmNl ------·--· ----··------·· ---·------·--·- 42 The Jewish Observer, January 1997 Dr. David Kranzler youngsters ten years and under some times received a real luxury-half a glass of milk. In fact, this sector housed a group that was exchanged for Germans in Bretz Yisroel. In addition, it soon became the home for the seventeen hun dred passengers of the so-called "Kast ner Train" that arrived from Budapest in Faith at the Brink, by Osher note July, 1944. This train included, among Lehmann (NY Lehmann Books, worthy others, the Satmar Rav and Rabbi Yona 1996, Distributor: Judaica experi ences, son Steif, who were eventually released Press, Brooklyn, NY) especially to Switzerland half a year later. p until the past involving Tragically, the author and his two sis decade or so, the Holocaust spiritual ters were shunted to a worse part of the U had been co-opted by secular resistance and camp as a result of a little-known hero ist Jews. This was true not only in terms rescue efforts. ic episode that involved his father and of creating and controlling Holocaust Faith at the other Jews who made up the "Diamond centers, celebrations and newspapers, Brink, a ighly intelligent memoir by an Group." These were diamond cutters but also in authoring the vast majority Orthodox Jew whose youth was robbed and polishers who were greatly prized of memoirs, Yizkor books and histories. by the Holocaust, is a prime example of by the Germans who lacked this exper This has often resulted in the distortion such a book. More than merely focus tise, so crucial for their war effort. The of facts as well as in the perspective in ing on his experiences in the camps or Germans wanted to set up a diamond which the Holocaust should be viewed. the war years, this work provides the industry in Bergen Belsen, offering these For example, the glorification of the reader with the broader experience of a Jews "normal" accommodations and non-Jewish emphasis on physical resis Torah-true Jew before, during and after good food for their cooperation. After tance, in contrast to the "walking like the war. some discussions, the group, led by sheep to the slaughter" syndrome, is evi As a scion of a prominent German Lehmann's father and fully aware of the dent from the sub-title ofYad Vashem, Jewish family, including Rabbi Marcus dire consequences, decided not to "The Holocaust Martyrdom and Heroes Lehmann, the a>tthor of numerous cooperate with the Germans, thereby Remembrance Authority." Moreover, books of Jewish historical fiction and the denying their valuable skills to the pro one often had great difficulty in locat publisher of the Israelit, the influential duction of deadly new weapons to be ing material on the experiences of Orthodox newspaper, our author was used against the Allies. Orthodox Jews, whether as victims or as always aware of his lineage and family The author dramatically describes the rescuers, let alone a really Jewish weltan traditions. Moreover, among the inter painful, final farewell with his parents, schauungregarding their experiences. If esting facets of this work is the fact that who stand out as an extraordinary cou it weren't for the strenuous efforts by he was related to many other prominent ple. Their total dedication to Yiddishkeit Professor Yaffa Eliach, for example, to Orthodox families, such as the Prins, the under the harshest circumstances stood put a real Jewish face on her own exhib Sassoons, the Feuchtwangers an.d the him in good stead, when he had to it on the shtetl, the visitor to the Wash Frankfurt a.M. Levi's. This relationship endure his own difficult tests in this ington D.C. Holocaust Museum would was to come in good stead during the arena as the sole boy to remain fully ded get the impression that only secular Jews difficult postwar years when they pro icated to his religious principles. were martyred. In reality, the ratio of vided warm support for our orphaned Orthodox within the six million Jewish author and his two sisters. hroughout the book, the author victims has been estimated to lie manifests his strong Jewish feel between a third to a half. mong the lesser-known aspects of Tings and perspectives, as well as In recent years, the Orthodox have the Holocaust described here is his obvious hatred for the German finally discovered the Holocaust. They Athe author's experience in West monsters who destroyed the Jewish have begun to realize that observant Jews erbork, the Dutch detention camp, world in general and his own little world Dr. Kranzler, a historian and retired profes which served as a prelude to Auschwitz in particular. An index would have been sor from CUNY, is the author of seven books and other concentration camps. The most helpful to the reader. Interesting, on the Holocaust focusing on rescue efforts author's family was sent to the sector of but at times irrelevant appendices, from the free world, including: Japanese, Nazis Bergen Belsen reserved for those held for conclude an overall fascinating picture and Jews: The Jewish Refugee Community of possible exchange. This meant that con of a saga of faith amidst tragedy. This Shanghai 1938-1945 (tran~ated into Chinese) and Thy Brother's Blood: The Orthodox Jewish ditions were somewhat better than book is highly recommended for read Response During the Holocaust. those in the main camp; for example, ers of all ages. The Jewish Observer, January 1997 43 BOQKS IM l 11 I REV}(W EMBS AND FRAGMENTED TRUTH: integrated whole. The fragmentary PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER emes ... that was cast down to the earth ... represents our perception of the uni To the Editor: verse [which is that] the universe is frag The Tishrei issue of The Jewish mentary, incomplete." Observer (Oct. '96) featured an article, All of this is intellectually stimulat ~ l(.itl\i Krakowski, today a hale and hearty oflies." What did Hashem do? He took 1Vl)l .1"il"'N :nN n'IN1:17 nn:::J.i7i1 N:l\?J i'1)JV:I. j'lO''P 1"N Brooklyn resident, recounts how he was emes and cast it down to earth, where 7N tJ'l'm'lN ono .nrron nnom. C'I1'::J D'll':Jl!ro'no Wlllrn:tn "Tm{i'fl C\?J)i~m .N-0' ~ cnr.rt .N"O' chosen to be part of a special Nazi assign it shattered into thousands of frag .C'ion 'mu NmV N"O' 101N ion .lfl"l'l ci?wl ~ N')jW N1J' 10'N j71Y .IJ'l1j?\!1T7'mJN1J'7N 'lO'N nr.:N1 ment-counterfeiting English pounds! ments. When the frightened angels ro .nvvp f1'176iN"O' 'm: ir.nN t:n'7V .Tl1i7i3 iW'IV The transition from a warm cried out, "Why did You ill-treat Your (n '7N:'TT) i"ili1 . yiN7 '0'7\?Jm nDN 7vl i1n:::J.pn i1W D"l:i7lvnto1 .ii:lpn-rrhwm~ .itl"N!'lr.N °'fn'n1 Radomsker Chassidic lifestyle to life in most valuable jewel?" Hashem molli lr.I nON: i'l?vn .'"f7v fl't'O'::>'l'tfm tr1ron m:io nnN no .~n yiNonON: {i1!1 C'7nn) ii1n .)'1Nn a cave dominated by an outlandish cur fied them by assuring them that rency printer is vividly rendered. Mr. "Emes ma'eretz titzmach-Truth will Krakowski's adherence to three special spring forward from the earth" No where is there any mention of the mitzvos-- netillas yadayim, melaveh (Tehillim 85, 12). All the fragments of emes being shattered into thousands of malka and kiddush Hashem-under emes will be gathered by the people, fragments and no where does it mention incredibly adverse conditions, is awe and in the Messianic future will unite those fragments being gathered by the inspiring. The adroitness, decency and and will make emes whole again." people and being united in the Messianic faith he displays throughout his amaz The author then asks, "What sort of future. There is simply no such source! ing experiences make for fascinating emes is this that can be shattered into Moreover, it is quite obvious from all reading. And you will find out what thousands of pieces? Ghazal teach us the meforshim that the emes that was cast happened to all those carefully crafted that Hashem's seal is emes. Is it possible down to earth was the emes. Rashi, fol English pound notes. to speak of Hashem's seal shattering into lowed by the Matnas Kehuna, learn that A page turner. a thousand pieces?" He then proceeds -p-v n"t>:>>v?N t:r>tr.ll1 (the exact word Reviewed by Helaine D. Wolpin to resolve these difficulties by advanc ing of the Midrash which was translat ing the novel interpretation that "there ed in the article as "your most valuable would appear to be two Truths-the jewel") is actually chosam [chosamo shel authentic one, which is Hashem's seal, Hakadosh Baruch Hu emes]-Hashem's and the other, fragmentary emes!" seal. His intriguing theory is that "the Other Meforshim (Yefei To'ar, RD'L) authentic, true, whole emes (which is learn that the "jewel" was the Torah, Hashem's seal) is that the universe is an which was given to man on earth. Nei- 44 The Jewish Observer, January 1997 ther the seal nor the Torah remained in described in the article, was a nay-sayer, pregnancy. An informal survey of the Heaven.-And nothing was shattered. and an obstructionist because he was a thousand or so Lakewood Kolle! fami Hashem threw his seal down to earth "fragmentary thinker" and was therefore lies yielded no such person, the article and desired that emes me'eretz titzmach, shattered, is, to say the least, an antilo said. It added that, in response to a query the truth should come forth from the gy. If he was whole before he was shat regarding the existence of this woman, earth. tered, why was he a nay-sayer? And if he the author of the )TA report had "replied The Ketzos Hachoshen, in his intro was "the paradigm of the fragmented that the subject was a 'composite?" duction, quotes the Midrash and thinker;' why did he deserve to be the The )TA author relates that the explains it with the principle elucidat angel of truth, and why will he be any ed in Drashos Haran (Drush 7). Hashem better when he is put back together? desired that the final decision of Torah One may certainly agree with the CHEVRAOSEllCHESED be given to chachmei hador-the Torah author's main idea that human beings OFAGUDATH tSkAEL scholars of each generation. Even if their have an incomplete perception of the decision does not concur with the Universe. But that has nothing to do BlJRtALPLOTSIN absolute truth of Hashem, it is His will with the Midrash-and the idea of a ERETZ YlSROEL that Kial Yisroe/ follow the truth as fragmented emes is simply not emes. Interment in a Shomer Sh~6bos B¢is understood by the chachomim. This is RABBI CHAIM Dov KELLER OfamnearBeisShem~sh the authentic emes. That is why we do Chicago -Piease_ f>h ·------·-·---- ·------~--·----·---- The Jewish Observer, January 1997 45 description was not a composite, but but Tatty wouldn't. Could the Rav also portrayed someone who truly exists; she absent himself? (A reasonable explana · did not, however, live in Lakewood-a 15!C:OND tion, touching circumstances. But weren't there others to officiate?) change that was meant to protect the J LOOKS lady's identity. Then, after Shabbos, the rabbi report N.W. ed to the family how, at the Kiddush, the youngster dug out some hand-scribbled CORRECTION The notes that he had tucked away in the hall. He took a deep breath, cleared his In "Heimeshe Medicine;' JO Dec. '96, throat and read: a typographical error misrepresented the Shabbos Dear Tatty, setting of the 50% functional illiteracy This past Shabbos was my bar mitzva rate, which applies to the county (i.e. as you most probably know. As I lained I Yancey County, North Carolina,) not the kept on thinking: Tatty isn't here. But Tatty country. the Rabbi is here. This past Shabbos was probably the HAT PLUS Stayed hardest Shabbos in my life: Being bar mitz HATS • SHIRTS• TIES • ACCESSORIES va without my father. Before Jlained I told you that this is for you. Whether in body or Your#1Stop Home in soul, I know you were there. All I ask of For you is to be proud of me and my brothers. Quality Hats he entire extended family had left Mommy told me on the way to the kid their homes for the family sim dush, Shoshana kept on saying: "I want WE ALSO DRY CLEAN LARGEST SELECTION & RESHAPE HATS OF CHOSONIM TffS Tatty to be here, I want Tatty to be here." JN BROOKLYN cha, which was scheduled to take mil \J lk 0 lC ( ' p,, '0'1 T Oh, how you were! 463E.9thSTREETllQot.r1tn111._..., place at a location outside of the city. (718) 469-7420 + OUtolSt ... 1.aoMlll-HATS Parents and grandparents, brothers, I remember the morning that you were b10'.311.l,M,Y(Th1:00•7, T.- 2:38· 7,Fri11:SO· (EwHN~ Most oedt Catis · W. UPS sisters, nieces and nephews-all con niftar, the last words (as much as we know) verged, ready to celebrate. All, that is, were, YITZCHOK GET UP! except one particular uncle-a congre I wake up every morning, and I think of gational rabbi in Brooklyn. The rabbi these words every so often. Now I take it as BIG stayed home, alone. a mussar: "Yitzchok get up!': as ifyou were Apologies were accepted, with a bit telling me something more than that, that APPLE of puzzlement: The rabbi had the bar those words are telling me, as they tell every COPY & PRINTING CENTER mitzva of a congregant, which he could one: WAKE UP! n't miss. (Yet he could miss the family Are we willing to live our life the way it 87 NASSAU ST. NEW YORK, NY 10038 simcha!) This was different The local bar should be, or the way we want it to be? I (212) 962-4282 mitzva boy's father had just passed away think your death was a warning to the (212) 267·9478 quite suddenly. His ailing mother and world, as your last word~ GET UP were said, his brothers and sisters would lie there, and you gave your final words of mussar, and then you were niftar. Please help us change our lives, Tatty, ~~~~~i~~ul,~1v~:t~nt'ily' FREE SAMPLE please. inreres1~?i~'f,il[S)l]~~n ~?~r~ble•l.1ttle As I am finishing off my letter to you, If you are learning Dal Yomi, koy,Y1tht)cio/n·s;rnd;()me I would like to thank you once more. And 1 we will send you a sample of .:•The;app}eP~iat;•family,"";111.•ha~e; do the world one more favor: in the merit "Sending Birds Free" ofyourtefillos and ourtefillos, you should ··.·~.a¢ha~\·~cljoyl)'lth~itli~~s~jyile A guide to this~jyil?~illjyily~ .• thel~ve~ffamily' Mitzvas Shiluach Hakain: help speed up the geula shleima liimheira. ·····•• ..•1i'~MaJ'1ddishech1nutjy. Merit for Longevity, Offspring. Omein. ·. '.'~'{!if''l'.l~~r;~~!~~?.········· & Wealth. I love you Tatty. ·e1~~S"e~~11.;~~£t!?~~~~7s~. Yeshiva Fund The Rabbi shared the text of the boy's · ·· · 1\Vn1.1Jeh~natecl in Box 82 speech with the rest of his family. They i~~nt\~~~!1~i!jM:tV'. Staten Island, NY 10309 read it. And they understood. • 46 The Jewish ObserYer, January 1997 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT SEATING RESERVATIONS for the National Celebration of the TENTH SIYUM HASHAS OF DAF YOMI )Y.))11.'il )Y.)Pil t'j1 ?~ 'i)~l)il D"~il OPD 11 SUNDAY EVENING. SEPTEMBER 28, 1997. l Jl!JJ1 (nm"'D 'K)':ll':lK (J in the Main Arena of Madison Square Garden will be accepted as of 9:00AM, MONDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 1997 r"non PJ~ 1"J For a complete descriptive brochure ond reservation form, write: OAF YOMI COMMISSION Agudath Israel of America 84 William Street New York, NY 10038-4691 MHDRllDHDlOUHEH[N To bring a live satellite feed of this historical event to your city, 6R . call 212-797-9000, ext 57 arenowatr m~ifi~~iii b:i one'' " ; ,. '/, ,•;•.•',',',>' sifinterpre .of.Talmudic:~ This volUtne has :an unprecedented· and 'unduplicated combinatiRn:·· 9f f~atu~es::: ;• + J;!~'irly set, accurate, ~ :thoroughly ;;·· '>.researched Hebrew ~ext + Ne~. English ·Jranslation}ll>ased · · on.the <~liearch o( ari interlt.ational team of Torah·· scholars· + Jllumin,~ing notes and.· cOrfirflents· + Crisp, clear introductions .+ st~iili\r1~,1'~l!utiful l?~g~ l~yci~ . . ; .. :·. ;'~j/~3f~~~;~~~atly ..>11~ •·· '''· 1mt'1·mil\ec1 •.. ,.Y; ..... ·b1b1e. . ,···· ·• .• · •. pap¢ti'(' .· ...... /. ·.. · + Rel)lfor~ed ~1~1\.ig;' ·.• .O·l'i~'!>Pn. p1't