THE ACCLIMATES By Baruch Weiss

We had the privilege of speaking with another four members of the Kollel’s original nine yungerleit; Mendel Nojowitz, Rav Gershon Eisenberger, Rav Boruch Kupfer, and Rav Zvi Horowitz. HaRav , Zt”l Kollel. During those visits, the yungeleit would often visit the Urman home on Palm drive and consult with It should be noted that Moreinu Rabbi Yaa- him about chinuch, halacha, and hashkafa. kov Michoel Hirschman, as well as a number of the original yungeleit, have expressed the Rabbi Kupfer related the following incident in which he received hadracha from HaRav Yaakov. Af- sentiment, that were it not for the encourage- ter learning with the Kollel for two years, Rabbi Kup- ment and backing of the Philadelphia Rosh Ye- fer decided to begin to help with the Kollel’s fundrais- shiva, HaRav Elya Svei, the Kollel would not ing. While developing financial relationships with the have been able to launch when it did. Most of community of shomrei Torah u’mitzvos continued the original nine yungeleit were his talmidim, to be handled by Moreinu HaRav Yaakov Michoel and a number of them consulted with him be- Hirschman, Rabbi Kupfer set his sights on those who fore deciding to come. were not yet Torah observant. Approaching successful businessmen who unfortunately had little knowledge Rabbi Mendel Nojowitz related, that orig- Harav Elya Svei zt”l about Torah and yiddishkeit, Rabbi Kupfer would talk inally, he was ambivalent about leaving Lake- to them about the need for Torah education in order to wood and participating in this new venture. perpetuate the identity, culture, and legacy of the Jewish people. After his chaveirim exerted a certain amount of pressure on him, he went to speak to his rebbi, HaRav Elya, Zt”l. Although After engaging in this practice for a short time, he began to feel HaRav Elya left the ultimate decision up to Rabbi Mendel, he that he was perhaps misrepresenting the true purpose of an institution told him the following story about the Chofetz Chaim. like the Kollel, and went to discuss his concerns with HaRav Yaakov. HaRav Yaakov reassured him that there was nothing wrong with what The Chofetz Chaim was once travelling, when his train he was doing, and explained as much with a mashal. When a diamond stopped at a juncture. The local townspeople, having heard merchant shows a precious stone to a fellow expert, he can tout the that the gadol hador would be passing through their town, stone’s lack of impurities and speak in educated terms. However, when had gathered at the train station to be mekabel ponim. Not a potential customer is not a diamond connoisseur, the merchant will wanting to go outside and receive so much kavod, the Chofetz talk simply about the stone’s shine and its other superficial qualities. Chaim hesitated to greet the crowd. However, when someone Either way, however, the diamond remains a diamond. whispered in his ear that “Yidden varten (Yidden are wait- After another few years of working for the Toronto Kollel, Rabbi ing)” he acquiesced and went outside. So too, HaRav Elya Kupfer proceeded to assist with the fundraising and executive func- told Rabbi Mendel, although he wasn’t obligated to go, “ober tioning of a number of Torah institutions in both Montreal and Los Yidden varten oif aich,” referring to Rabbi Mendel’s chavei- Angeles. rim who wanted him to partake in this special project. Rabbi Mendel ended up coming, and after learning in the Kollel for Some More Early Memories three years, became a maggid in Ner Yisroel Toronto for the next eleven years. On the first full day of learning in the Kollel, after the first first-sed- er, the bris of Shmuel Eliyahu Nojowitz took place. The Tzelemer Rov, Rabbi Boruch Kupfer also remembers consulting with Rabbi Levi Yitzchok Grunwald, who happened to be visiting from Wil- HaRav Elya before deciding to come to Toronto. Rabbi Kup- liamsburg at the time, served as the mohel and his talmid Rabbi Lipa fer had consulted with HaRav Elya regarding his shidduch Vechtor did the priah. and about all of his significant life decisions, and related that After the bris, the oilam gathered together to make a l’chaim. Look- if HaRav Elya hadn’t told him that joining the ing for a schnapps whose hechsher he was familiar with, Kollel was a good idea, he never would have the Tzelimer didn’t see any. “Nu, sicha k’shsiya, he said, come. and he proceeded to rub some schnapps into his hands. HaRav , Zt”l While today the Kollel is Boruch Hashem filled to capacity for almost every tefilla, Rabbi Kupfer recalled As we mentioned in Reflections Volume I, how in the first year, they had to, at times, scramble to HaRav Yaakov Kamenetsky, Zatzal, provided find a . If one or two of the yungeleit were ab- guidance and encouragement to the Roshei Ha- sent, someone would have to go downstairs to the local Kollel and to the yungeleit on many occasions. grocer and recruit some help to make the minyan. When HaRav Yaakov would come to visit Toron- to, he would stay at the home of the Urman fam- While most present bottei medrash pride them- ily, shetichye, the mishpocho of his zivug sheini, selves on being fully stocked with the most up-to-date seforim, the Kollel didn’t begin with a particularly large and would daven Shachris during the week at the Harav Yaakov Kamenetsky zt”l Cont. on page 3

2 Have a Kollel story/picture to share? Email us at [email protected]. Ref lections in-box Kollel pro bono and never took any “Great job on the first My parents owned * money.” Rabbi Hirschman. * edition of Reflections! I didn’t know Miriams in the 1970s. I that Mr. Phillip Alter had so much remember the Kollel was to do with the Kollel. He was in my * “My wife really enjoyed above their store and so many father’s chabura and I never knew reading all about the early years people started davening and he was involved with the early years of our Kollel. Now it means so learning there that the stairs of the Kollel”. M.S. Toronto much more to her that I learn in going up to the Kollel got this Kollel knowing it’s history and dented in and were extremely appreciating all the energy it took “You wrote that the lawyers worn”. M. R. * to start the Kollel movement.” A were ‘hired’ by Mr. Reichmann. Member of the Kollel I’m sure they did the work for the selection. Rabbi Gershon Eisenberger recalled how the Kollel some- Lipshutz, who had a shteible in a storefront on Bathurst and Ra- how inherited the seforim of one of Toronto’s early Rabbonim, Rab- nee, was a lively individual and would often become very excited bi Avrohom Shmuel Tzvi Hirsch Silverstein, who was known as the when speaking in learning. When the yungerleit would respond Beizetshiner Rebbe or alternatively as the Vierzbeniker Rebbe. In the in kind, a lebedike rischa d’oraissa would ensue. inside of the front pages, under his name, Rabbi Silverstein would sign as; “he who camps presently in Toronto and yearns to ascend to Soon after the Kollel’s founding, an exciting event took Yerushalayim.” place when Rabbi , Zt”l, came to Toronto to raise funds. Accompanying Rabbi Moshe was Rabbi Moshe Speaking of seforim, Moreinu Rabbi Yaakov Michoel Hirschman Rivlin, the executive director of Rabbi Moshe’s Mesiv- related, that he was told by Rabbi Mendel Aron- ta Tiferres Yerushalayim, and the father ov, that in the months following the Kollel’s ar- in law of Moreinu Rabbi . rival, his seforim business experienced a signif- Rabbi Gershon Eisenberger remembers icant increase. Rabbi Moshe saying a shiur in the Kollel on the topic of sukka tachas sukka, and Due to the odd number of yungerleit who Rabbi Mendel Nojowitz remembers the had arrived for the first zman, Moreinu Rabbi yungerleit engaging him in a conversation Shlomo Miller found himself without a sec- regarding the concept of ruach metzuya. ond-seder . As hashgocha would have it, Rabbi Menacham Adler, Zatzal, who re- When asked who amongst the city’s mained a lifelong friend and mentor to the Kollel L to R; Rav Menachem Adler Zt”l, Rav Naftoli Friedler baalei battim they recall being particu- until his recent petirah this past Shabbos Shuva, Zt”l, Rav Zvi Akiva Fleisher, R’ Moshe Zolty larly warm and welcoming, this group came and learned together with the Rosh Kollel. singled out R’ (Moshe Aharon) Morley After Rabbi Adler, the Rosh Kollel began to learn b’chavrusa with Rab- Orbach and R’ Wolf Szydlow. As the yungerleit reminisce, these bi Meyer Berglass, the Rov of Shaarei Tefilla at the time. two individuals would literally jump at any opportunity to help them and displayed tremendous ahavas hatorah. After the Kollel settled into a routine, it began to attract a steady stream of community members who would come to learn and daven. The Torah Vodaas Contingent Mr. Mordechai Rosenthal, whose parents owned Miriam’s during the 1970’s, related how the stairs which led up to the second floor quickly The second group to arrive at the Kollel approximately a became worn out due to the Kollel’s constant flow of visitors. In addi- year after its founding were four yungerleit who were original- tion to the frequent visitors that we mentioned in Reflections Volume ly talmidim of . They were; Rabbi Dovid I, Rabbi Avrohom Arnold has been davening with the Kollel Shabbos HaKohein Pam, Rabbi Zvi Akiva Fleisher, Rabbi Zvi Simcha mornings since its inception until today. Herskowitz, and R’ Shraga Wilhelm. Several of them had been approached in 1970 to be part of the first wave of yungeleit to Rabbi Zvi Horowitz, who after a few years of learning in the Kollel come to Toronto, but for various reasons were not ready to come went on to become the Menahel of Yeshiva Yesodei HaTorah, recalled at that time. one of the city’s rabbonim, a Polish Rov named Rabbi Lipshutz, com- ing into the Kollel from time to time to talk in learning. This Rabbi As Rabbi Dovid Pam related, Moreinu Rabbi Shlomo Miller

Cont. on page 4

3 THE KOLLEL ACCLIMATES CONTINUED

had said chaburos to their group while they were still learning in been said about Rabbi Zvi Simcha Herskovits. Even after assuming the Lakewood, so they all had a certain level of familiarity and shay- position of Mara d’Asra of Khal Toras Chesed (the Alte Yesodei Ha- chus. Torah), he remained a mainstay of our Kollel throughout every day of the week. Additionally, Rabbi Zvi Simcha served for many years as the The significance of the arrival of this group cannot be over- Kollel’s baal mussaf for the yomim noraim, and spearheaded the nu- stated, as their outstanding contributions to the growth of our merous yarchei kallahs which would take place at the Kollel on various kehilla is something of which we are all acutely aware. legal holidays. He also took an active role in organizing chavrusos for To refer to Rabbi Dovid Pam, shlita, as an ‘alumnus’ of the numerous members of the community, a chesed for which many are Kollel is perhaps incorrect, as he has, boruch Hashem, never eternally grateful. After serving the community for close to fifty years left (kein yirbu). Although Rabbi Pam has risen to the ranks of and impacting many individuals on a very personal level, Rabbi and becoming one of the eminent rabbonim and poskim of the city, Mrs. Herskovits moved back to Lakewood where eleven of their chil- serving as the Mara d’Asra of Bais Medrash Zichron Shneur, dren presently live. he remains firmly planted within the halls of our bais medrash. Rabbi Zvi Akiva Fleisher, shlita, is the city’s veteran Sofer Stam, a Those who seek him in the mornings, afternoons, and early eve- man who has provided many of us with tefillin and mezuzos and has nings, know that the Kollel is where he will be found. trained numerous individuals in his avodas hakodesh. As a young bo- Until approximately a year ago, much the same could have chur learning at Yeshiva Torah Vodaas in Williamsburg, Rabbi Zvi Aki- va ate his Shabbos seudos at the home of Rabbi and Mrs. Moshe Rivlin, Cont. on page 6

POWERFUL LESSONS FROM THE LAKEWOOD OF OLD

Excerpts from Moreinu Rav Yaakov Michoel Hirschman’s remarks at this year’s Ladies’ Auxiliary tea at the home of Rabbi and Mrs. Yaakov Drucker

I would like to begin with a disclaim- Yomim tovim were by-and-large spent boy that wanted to stay in learning. Much to er. While contrasting the Lakewood of sixty at home with family, with the rare exception the contrary of the way things are today, when years ago with the Lakewood of today may be of someone who was ill going to a hotel for there was a girl who was open to going out perceived by some as a disparagement of the Sukkos. These hotels were quite simple and with a boy who wanted to learn, she would Lakewood of today, that is by no means my in- nothing like the Sukkos and Pesach vacations quickly be snatched up by one of the many tention. The Lakewood of today is a wonder- of today. available Yeshiva boys. ful makom torah where there is unparalleled learning taking place by those of all ages. The On the one hand, there was less money in Owning a car in those days was consid- purpose of this discussion is merely to speak our communities, but at the same time there ered a luxury, so it was rare for a bochur or a about the differences between the time peri- was less of an interest into olam hazeh. During yungerman to have one. On the odd chance ods and to see if by contemplating our earlier my first zman in Lakewood, Rav Elya Lopian that one did, it was nothing to look at, and its times, we can enhance our present avodah. came and delivered a shmuess which lasted purpose was only to get from one place to the for a couple of hours. In it, he remarked; “it next. It was in those days that the term “a ye- In order to give context to the Lakewood says in tehillim, ‘VeDorshei Hashem lo yach- shivishe car” took on its meaning. Therefore, of old, we need to first speak a little bit about siru kol tov (those who seek Hashem will not travelling to N.Y. and dating took place mostly Orthodox in North America at that lack any good).” He continued that, “Es shtait on buses and subways. time. In the late forties and early fifties, there nisht zey zol hobben altz (it doesn’t say that was a tremendous emphasis on being a good they will have everything), nor az s’felt zey Nowadays it is more economical for many “American.” After learning in high school, gornisht (rather it says that they won’t lack yungeleit to lease brand new cars than for almost all of the frum boys would continue anything!” He repeated this refrain in a sing- them to have to pay for the maintenance of a on to college. The more traditional would go song fashion a number of times. yeshivishe car. However, an unfortunate by- to College at night while the more product of this is that our children are raised modern would go to the more official colleges At the time, learning as a full-time occu- with this higher standard of living and will and universities by day. After college, most pation was something strange to most people never be open to driving a yeshivishe car. boys would start to engage in some form of and the idea of doing so bothered many of the modern orthodox community. Someone even In those years, there was not a lot of avail- parnassah even before they got married. able housing, and many yungeleit lived on top coined a term for the idea, calling it “Kotler- nd th As far as the affluence of the frum com- ism”, while denigrating it as fanatical and out- of the stores on Clifton Ave, 2 street, and 4 munities was concerned, most people were of-date. street. There were others who lived “past the hard workers who engaged in a trade of some tracks”, which in those days was a particularly kind. Although there were a few wealthy fam- Most of the bochurim that came to learn primitive neighborhood. ilies, they were the visible minority, as most in Lakewood in those days including many of today’s prominent Roshei Yeshiva, did not In those days, with the Kollel’s cheque of people lived in a simple fashion and sufficed $40.00 a week and a person’s wife working a with much less than what is common today. come with the intention of staying there for more than a few years. However, they ended half a day, you were easily able to live and get It is interesting to note that in many fam- up becoming inspired by the by. Almost none of the wives worked full time. ilies at that time there was a particular em- and completely altering the trajectory of their When I came to the Yeshiva, there were phasis on not wasting food, quite possibly due lives. about twenty yungeleit and around a hundred to the fact that there were so many survivors bochurim. who had recently starved for over five years. When it came to finding a shidduch, there were very few girls that were interested in a The Rosh Yeshiva, Rav Ahron Kotler Zt”l, Cont. on page 6 4 DR. GEFT MEDICAL HALACHA SYMPOSIUM

Last winter, we were privileged to host a Medical Halacha symposium presented by our dear friend Dr. Colin Geft in conjunction with Moreinu Rav Shlomo Miller. We present some of the points which were discussed.

Lacerations If a Jewish doctor inspecting a lacera- at rest, a barking cough which is further tion ascertains that there is indeed a high agitated by crying and coughing, and Dr. C. Geft: Regarding lacerations, risk for infection, he should stitch or glue then followed again by no noise at rest, the most crucial concerns that must be up the wound as quickly as he can, even no treatment is necessary. For moder- evaluated from a medical standpoint are; though it would entail the melacha d’orai- ate croup, characterized by noise at rest the size and the depth of the wound (i.e. if sa of tefira. If he were to ascertain that which becomes noisier with crying, sitting the wound has only penetrated the skin, or in a hot steamy bathroom if it has made its way to for twenty minutes pro- the fats, nerves, blood vides relief. Alternatively, vessels or even to the the child could be exposed bones and muscle fas- Cont. on page 6 to very cold (-six to -ten cia), can the bleeding degrees F). If that does can be stopped by ap- not help, steroids must plying pressure, the be administered. Severe location of the wound croup, where the child is and whether there is working hard to breath the concern of last- and is agitated or restless, ing damage (horizon- is a medical emergency tal scars blend much and requires a Hatzoloh better with natural call. Nebulized epineph- skin-lines than verti- rine must be administered cal ones), and if the followed by a hospital visit wound is clean or dirty Harav Shlomo Miller with Dr. Colin Geft and oral steroids. An ad- (if dirty there is greater ministration of Ventolin risk for infection). the sakana is limited to a specific limb, will not help for this condition. The optimal time frame to close a cut he should do the stitching or gluing with a Rav S Miller: Even in a case of mild should be within six to eight hours from shinui, thus rendering it d’rabbonon. croup where there is no risk of pikuach its opening, but there is an indication in The risk of a permanent scar, although nefesh, the child is considered to be a the medical literature that within the first very worrisome to people, would be con- choleh kol haguf (bedridden/incapacitat- eighteen hours there is limited risk of in- sidered a sakana to a limb, and a Jewish ed) and melachos d’rabbonon are permit- fection. doctor should take care of it with a shinui. ted. Therefore, the child should be taken The treatment of a laceration, depend- It is important to note, that doing into the bathroom and exposed to steam. ing on the aforementioned details, will melacha with one’s weaker hand is only One may do so by turning on the hot wa- include cleaning it with water or saline, considered a shinui for writing. However, ter with a shinui (i.e. with one’s arm). The drying it with gauze, and then applying ei- picking up a phone and dialing with one’s water can also be turned off with a shinui. ther Steris-Strips/adhesives in the case of weaker hand is not a shinui. Therefore, Sore Throat the more superficial wounds and sutures regarding lacerations, squeezing the glue or glue for the deeper ones. This will help with one’s left hand would not suffice. Dr. C. Geft: Many people seek med- minimize the risk of infection and facili- However, squeezing it with one’s mouth ical attention on Shabbos and Yom Tov tate the wound’s healing. or knuckles would be an option. when suffering from a sore throat, out of Rav S Miller: As a general rule in the concern that they may be suffering hilchos Shabbos, if a situation poses a risk Croup from strep throat. The only definitive way of pikuach nefesh, all melachos must be Dr. C. Geft: Croup is a viral infection to ascertain whether the illness is viral or performed to take care of the problem as of the vocal cord area where a child’s air- bacterial is via a throat culture. There are quickly as possible. If a situation only pos- way becomes narrowed. This condition is different ways for doctors to accomplish es a risk to a specific limb, only melachos usually seen in children who are between this without transgressing s’chita and which are d’rabbanan may be performed. six months to three years old, but appears tzoveiah. If the culture indicates the pres- Often, the determination that there is only in older children as well. There is an added ence of strep throat, the patient should be- danger to a specific limb and not to the factor of panic which sets in as the older gin taking medication immediately, even entire body can only be made by a compe- child realizes that he or she is having trou- if they do not feel incapacitated (choleh tent medical professional. Where there is ble breathing. kol haguf) yet. This is outlined in the sefer a chance of an infection that could spread Halachos of Refuah. Regarding the treatment for croup, throughout the body, a layperson cannot there is a difference between mild, mod- Rav S Miller: In my opinion, there is decide on their own that only a confined erate and severe forms of the illness. For really no concern of tzoveiah is such an in- limb is at risk. mild croup, characterized by no noise stance, as the melacha of tzoveiah is only when one’s intention is to enhance some- Cont. on page 6 Cont. on page 7 5 POWERFUL LESSONS FROM THE LAKEWOOD OF OLD CONTINUED

was the life and the breath of the Yeshiva. Not The Rosh Yeshiva used to say, that in order The Rosh Yeshiva’s furniture was very old only was he always learning and speaking to reduce their conflicted feelings, these bo- and dilapidated. Although the baalei batim of- about learning, but he totally embodied the churim rationalize that although olam hazeh fered to refurnish his apartment, he adamantly Torah. When you were in his presence you may not be as important as olam haba, it’s still refused. Someone once told the Rosh Yeshiva’s knew with a clarity that nothing other than the something. They think that olam haba is of son-in-law, Rav Dov Shwartzman Zt”l, that his Torah mattered. There was even a certain baal eighty percent importance while olam hazeh is shver’s apartment didn’t have a zecher lechur- habos who was so influenced by the Rosh Ye- only of twenty percent importance. However, ban. To which Rav Dov replied, “what do you shiva that he lost his entire interest in business in truth, olam hazeh has zero inherent value mean, the whole place is zecher lechurban!” and ended up neglecting it and losing his mon- other than being used as a vehicle by which to ey (or so is believed). come to olam haba! Being around the Rosh Yeshiva caused one to imbibe this hashkofa of the primacy of To- The Chovos HaLevavos says that love for The Rosh Yeshiva’s Rebbetzin once told rah and that is why so many of the talmidim olam hazeh and love for olam haba cannot me that the Rosh Yeshiva once remarked that of those days ended up going into harbotzas roost in the same heart. This was actually one in his mind, the only purpose for money is to Torah. of the criticisms that the Rosh Yeshiva used to be able to give it to the yungeleit and bochurim level against the American bochurim who are to help them continue learning. The gemara says “lo achbara ganav raised to attribute significance to olam hazeh. ela chura ganav (the mouse is not the thief Cont. on page 7

THE KOLLEL ACCLIMATES CONTINUED

the in-laws of Moreinu Rabbi Shlomo Miller. He came to know to one of the Kollel’s members, Mr. Spitzer happily exclaimed to his the Rosh Kollel during those years, and continued to maintain a wife “di Kollel hut gehat a yingle!” shaychus with him in Lakewood. Rabbi Wilhelm related a similar incident about the time when he Soon after the Kollel had been es- and his wife made their firstshalom zachar in tablished in Toronto, Rabbi and Mrs. Toronto. That leil Shabbos, there were three Fleisher were advised by Rabbi Yaakov shalom zachars made by families connected Kamenetsky, that if the opportunity to with the Kollel. Making their shalom zach- move to a city with a more sophisticated ar in their apartment on 411 Lawrence Ave, infrastructure should arise, they should they were honored with a visit from R’ Moshe take it. Additionally, around the same Reichmann himself. With an expression of time, Rabbi Fleisher was told by the Sko- satisfaction, R’ Moshe remarked that boruch lya Rebbe, Zt”l, that he should expect a Hashem, it looked like there would be a fine- Kollel to approach him and that when it sized class for these yingelach in Yeshiva Ye- does, he should agree to join it. It was, sodei HaTorah. therefore, without hesitation, that Rabbi Rabbi Wilhelm has been the Kollel’s baal Zvi Akiva accepted the invitation from Harav Yaakov Kamenetsky zt”l shachris on Yom Kippur for many years and the Toronto Kollel a short while later. with R’ Moshe Reichmann zt”l is the baal mussaf in Beis Medrash Zichron Rabbi Fleisher fondly recalls the small space which the Kollel Shneur as well. He continues to daven in the Kollel every Shabbos occupied on top of Miriam’s Judaica and how, as the gabbai, he morning and is an exemplary member of our community to this very struggled to assign seats to all who wanted to join the Kollel for day. the Yomim Noraim. At the same time, Rabbi Fleisher relates, the small quarters enhanced the unity of the group, causing them to Growing Pains learn b’chaburah in a very real sense. A few years later, due to the burgeoning growth of the Kollel com- After the Kollel learned meseches Menachos and Rabbi Zvi munity, the Kollel expanded to include the area on top of a beauty par- Akiva exerted much time and effort into learning the halachos of lour which was next to Miriam’s Judaica. This, however, led the Kollel to Sifrei Torah, Tefillin, and mezuzos, Rabbi Shlomo Miller advised run into some issues. Some of the yungeleit had the custom of swaying him to use his newfound knowledge to serve the community. Af- in a particularly excited manner during the recitation of boei b’shalom ter consulting with Rabbi Yaakov Kamenetsky about the matter, on leil Shabbos. This resulted in a stomping noise being heard through Rabbi Fleisher embarked on his successful career of safrus. the beauty parlour’s ceiling which disturbed the patrons and the own- er of the beauty parlour. The Roshei HaKollel therefore instructed the Rabbi Shraga Wilhelm, who was the youngest of the group, yungerleit to temper their enthusiasm, as to avoid any semblance of has very fond recollections of those early years. The idea of com- chilul Hashem. ing to the Toronto Kollel was particularly inviting for the Wil- helms, as both the Herskowitz’s and the Nojowitz’s were their However, as some recall, a lively Simchas Torah ended up being cousins. Rabbi Wilhelm relates how the Kollel in those years the final straw, and the beauty parlour did not renew the Kollel’s lease was like a close-knit family and there was tremendous achdus on top of its store. Thus, the Kollel was forced to downsize, going back amongst them. He remembers a grocery store across the street to being confined to the space on top of Miriam’s alone. AsRabbi from Miriam’s Judaica called “Kol Tuv” which was situated where Hirschman recalled, this was in fact the ultimate impetus which led to the coffee house “Auleaf” is today. This grocery store was run by the Kollel constructing an actual building. a chassidishe couple named Mr. and Mrs. Spitzer who were very fond of the Kollel. He remembers when, upon the birth of a baby To be continued…

6 Have a Kollel story/picture to share? Email us at [email protected]. rather the hole is the thief).” It is sometimes One good example of this is that of de- should also instruct our children, that even if hard to perceive the cause and effect of a lot of signer clothing. It used to be, that if you saw they can’t restrain themselves and need the our problems and the same is true in this re- someone wearing a sweater with a label on latest modes of fashion, they shouldn’t deni- gard. On the one hand, today’s manufacturers the outside, you told them that their sweater grate others who are doing the right thing. and businesses work tirelessly to constantly was inside-out. Now, people pay three times produce new amenities which are totally un- the price of the exact same sweater so they These were the hashkafos of those who necessary. On the other hand, if we as con- can wear someone’s label on their back. If we came to start our Kollel many years ago and it sumers would say that we aren’t interested in as a group can push back against such trends is with these ideals that we continue to move such things and refuse to buy them, perhaps which lend credence to the importance of forward. May we all be zoche to recognize what they would stop making them. olam hazeh, it would be a very good thing. We is important and eternal and what is transient and insignificant.

DR. GEFT MEDICAL HALACHA SYMPOSIUM CONTINUED thing’s appearance by coloring it. When the The principal aim of treatment should of broken bones, one must go to the hospi- purpose of the color is merely to determine be to lower the fever and raise the mood of tal even on Shabbos, such as with a broken Cont. on page 7 a status, that is not the melacha. This is the child. The two-hour mark for Tylenol femur (where there is concern for loss of discussed by the Chasam Sofer at the be- and the three-hour mark of Motrin is the blood volume) and when a bone appears to ginning of Meseches Kesuvos. optimum time to assess the fever response. be bent out of shape. A dislocated elbow I also agree with what was quoted about After treating a fever in the above manner is also potentially very serious if it is not taking medicine on Shabbos for strep even for a number of hours, the usual outcomes looked after as soon as possible (it could be before one becomes incapacitated, and this are either that the child will significantly pressing against a blood vessel or nerve). was the opinion of the Rosh HaYeshiva improve, or the illness will develop into Rav S Miller: The halacha is that if an (Rav Ahron Kotler) as well. The Rosh Ye- something more specific and definitive like animal falls ten tefachim (40 inches) it is shiva once said that one who suffers from a cold, diarrhea or rash. Alternatively, the a safek treifa. Similarly, a bor which is ten asthma may take medication at the onset fever will continue without any objective tefachim is called k’dei l’homis (able to kill). of an attack being that they are destined to illness. At times, an investigation involving Therefore, it is correct to consider a situa- become incapacitated. urine, spinal fluid, chest x-rays or blood tion in which someone falls a distance of 40 may be necessary. Another pertinent principle which inches and suffers a head or other form of is worth mentioning regarding pikuach The most frightening fever symptom trauma to be a safek pikuach nefesh. nefesh is as follows; Rav Moshe Feinstein is that of convulsions. Babies under three Hives and Allergic Reactions held that a fever of 102 º Fahrenheit is months who have a fever with no definite considered a safek pikuach nefesh. The focus of infection for three days will usually Dr. C. Geft: There are gradations in Tzitz Eliezer disagreed and wrote that in be advised to go to the hospital for an eval- this matter. Mere hives, can be treated the opinion of many doctors 102 º Fahren- uation. Often doctors will err on the side of with Benadryl and are not that serious. heit is not pikuach nefesh. Now, the basis caution but they should not take the risk However, there is a risk of escalation and for this machlokes is as follows; before the and this is the correct mode of treatment. therefore needs to be monitored carefully. The minute that a person’s airways become advent of antibiotics, many people would Ear Infections die from infections like strep and fevers of affected by an allergic reaction and there is 102º. Rav Moshe held that as long as the Dr. C. Geft: There is often intense concern of anaphylaxis, they must call Hat- machla, if left to its own devices, would pain which accompanies an ear infection. zoloh and go to the hospital right away. pose a threat of pikuach nefesh, it should The diagnosis is made by an otoscopy Rav S Miller: A difficult question aris- be treated as a sakana. Rav Moshe held which will require the doctor to turn on a es regarding a person who is anaphylactic that the fact that we have medications light. The treatment is aimed at the pain of to bee stings and wants to carry an epi-pen and modes of treatment which are readily the infection. If the infection is only at 99%, on Shabbos. On the one hand, if they are available for such illnesses does not make there will be no pain. At 100%, there is in- stung it is pikuach nefesh and they will a difference. The Tzitz Eliezer argued, and tense pain. Antibiotics will help but most need the epi-pen right away. On the other was of the opinion that as long as we have children will only require pain treatment. hand, who says that they will get stung? A readily accessible medications to treat an Wheezing potential eitza is for them to carry the epi- illness with, it is no longer considered a pen with a shinui, such as inside their hat safek pikuach nefesh. Dr. C. Geft: If a child presents with in the band, as was the common practice wheezing, they must get adequate response for those who suffered from Angina and Fever from a Ventolin inhaler and if a response is needed to take Nitroglycerin tablets. not obtained or sustained, a medical evalu- Dr. C. Geft: Fever is often a concern Eye Injuries which will prompt parents to seek medical ation is necessary. attention especially with regards to infants. Head Trauma and Dr. C. Geft: While conditions such It is accompanied by headache, dizziness, General Trauma as conjunctivitis are not serious, keratitis, lethargy, muscle pain, loss of appetite and peri-orbital cellulitis and eye-trauma are sometime dehydration. An essential guid- Dr. C. Geft: If an infant falls a dis- indeed very serious and may require hos- ing principle regarding fever is “how is the tance of four feet, there is strong concern pitalization right away. There are certain child”, not the fever. If the child is dis- for fractures which may need urgent at- eye-injuries that are even pikuach nefesh, tractible, has colour, and sufficient energy, tention. If a child falls off a monkey bar so unless a doctor can ascertain that it is the situation is not an emergency. If they or from running on the pavement, there is not life-threatening, they must be consid- become lethargic or pale there is strong often the risk of a wrist fracture, otherwise ered as such. cause for concern. known as a buckle fracture. In some cases 7 Conregation Shaarei Tefillah joins the Kollel Rabbi Hirschman addresses the Harav Shlomo Miller at the SBH flanked by for a father and son program Village Shul group his children and grandchildren

Rav Shlomo Miller and Board Member Rav Shlomo Miller and Rav Shlomo Miller with Rav Shlomo Miller with Rav Mordechai R’ Barry Reichmann Rav Yaakov Felder Rav Dovid Pam Kanner and Rav Shia Fuhrer

Rav Shlomo Miller with with Rav Yitzchok Zvi Kaplan Rabbi Hirschman Makes a siyum Rav Nosson Brodsky on Terumos with his Daf Hayomi Yerushalmi shiur

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