Moetzes Gedolei Hatorah Kol Korei: Ki Am Kadosh Atah
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Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah Kol Korei: Ki Am Kadosh Atah February 9, 2021 Download (PDF, 491KB) Agudath Israel of America, today, shared a Kol Korei from the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah of America, as the Covid-19 pandemic continues. At the time of Agudas Yisroel’s founding in Katowitz in 1912, it established a body known as the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah, consisting of gedolim from across Europe to stand at the helm of the movement. It has always been the hallmark of the Agudah, whether in pre-war Europe or post-war America, that its policies have been guided by the words of the Moetzes. The Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah of America has steered, advised, and guided American Orthodox Jewry through the challenges of Galus America for some three- quarters of a century, and continues to do so today. 27 Shevat, 5781 “Spring has passed and summer is over – we have not yet been saved.” (Yirmiyah 8:20) Thousands of our fellow Jews, among them Torah giants and tzaddikim, have been afflicted with the terrible COVID-19 disease, and – may Hashem help us! – many of those have passed away. The pandemic has greatly diminished the Torah learning in our yeshivos, Bais Yaakovs, and shuls; it has curtailed our Yomim Tovim and celebrations. It is clear that there is upon our nation an appeal from Heaven to correct our ways. Every person must examine his behavior and strengthen whatever may be lacking. But, in addition to that, the public – as a tzibbur – must examine its collective actions and lifestyle. We therefore feel it important to bring up a fundamental and broad point on which the public should now focus. Klal Yisroel is a “nation of princes and a holy people.” The dedication of our people to Torah learning and to raising thousands upon thousands of families on the foundations of Torah and service to Hashem should be proclaimed far and wide! It is only the nation of princes, the holy people, who can do this despite the influence of the culture surrounding us. How fortunate are we, and how good is our lot! However, we must remember that the meaning of “a holy people” is a people who – as Ramban, Vayikra 19:2 explains – distance themselves from the pursuit of excess. It is greatly concerning to us that if one examines our community’s lifestyle we see that there is much to improve in this area, as reflected, for example, in the advertisements in periodicals. There are amongst us people who, notwithstanding their care with mitzvos, pursue fine foods and expensive vacations; they boast of their clothing and furniture; they are swayed by the triviality and bad of unfiltered smartphones and internet. Those who are engaged in these pursuits have turned from the lifestyle that was always a characteristic sign of the chareidi Jew: a modest life centered around Torah, service to Hashem, and kindness to others; a life purposed on being close to Hashem. All Jews are responsible for one another; we must all repent on this direction. Certainly, in this time of danger, we must act with great care for the health of our communities. It is, however, also a holy obligation on us to uproot this spiritual danger from amongst ourselves and to return to being a holy nation to Hashem. We turn to the Roshei Yeshiva and Rabbanim – the eyes of the community – and to all leaders in every community: Seek ways to inspire your yeshivos and shuls to return to what was; not to allow the Jewish nation to descend into the trap of a life of materialism. Through this we will remain a nation of princes and holy people, in the full meaning of the words. At the same time, we call upon the public to participate in Yom Kippur Katan tefillos this Thursday, and may any who have the ability to accept upon themselves to fast at least half the day, or to accept a taanis dibbur, be blessed. In the days following Yom Kippur Katan, as well, we call upon the public to increase prayer – by saying Tehillim and crying out to Hashem that He save us, and the entire Jewish people, from the difficult time we are in – until His wrath passes and He takes mercy on us. May Hashem recognize our prayer and good deeds and send Heavenly salvation from this and from all afflictions, and may Yehuda and Yerushalayim be saved in our days. Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah of America Purim 5781: A Time for Mindfulness and Care February 9, 2021 As we prepare for this upcoming Purim, we can remind ourselves how this past year might have been different had we only known last Purim what we know now. We now do know, however, that Purim has the potential to be a “super-spreader” of the terrible pandemic, and are required to think of our neighbors’ and family members’ health and safety with great gravity and concern, especially as more highly infectious strains of the COVID-19 virus are proliferating. We are, by now, all well-schooled in proper safety guidelines; in case anyone needs a reminder, please see here for the latest CDC guidance. Based on consultation with our rabbinic leadership and medical specialists, the Agudah is providing the following recommended guidelines for the upcoming Purim. Specific areas that require mindfulness and care this year include: Heightened Public Scrutiny: It is critical to remind ourselves that the eyes of the world are upon us, and will likely be watching us closely this Purim. Acting appropriately in public is always important; how much more so this Purim. Mesibos and Seudos: Community Purim seudos, mesibos, or other gatherings, even with appropriate precautions, should be avoided. Megillah Reading: Depending upon circumstances, and under the guidance of local rabbonim, shuls should consider adding extra sessions of Megillah reading to ensure that everyone can hear the Megillah without dangerous overcrowding. Collecting and Distributing Tzedakah: Both givers and collectors of tzedakah funds in each community should minimize contact and social interaction this Purim. Of course, matanos l’evyonim and tzedakah should remain at least at the same level as previous years. Bochurim should not go out in groups to collect money. Mosdos whose talmidim usually circulate through communities might consider, this year, setting up a phone bank where the bochurim can call the yeshiva’s supporters for donations. Drinking: In light of the extra need to be careful with COVID-19 transmission, and with the imperative of avoiding chillul Hashem, it is even more important that bochurim, and those hosting them, follow the established guidelines of the gedolim about not getting drunk on Purim, available here. Mishloach Manos: In fulfilling the mitzvah of mishloach manos, it would be prudent to limit our mishloach manos giving and to minimize social interaction with the people to whom we give. Suspected Illness: Anyone suspected positive for COVID-19 or who has been exposed to COVID-19 must not go to shul. Consult with your rav on how to fulfill the mitzvos of Purim while keeping the appropriate doctor-approved precautions. May we be zoche to observe Purim this year properly and safely with a full measure of simchah shel mitzvah! WATCH: Asifah L’hisorerus February 9, 2021 During these tumultuous times, it is important to not lose sight of Who is really in charge- Hakadosh Baruch Hu. We are completely in His hands. It is imperative that we strengthen ourselves in ruchnius, maintaining our focus on His desired path. Sunday, October 25th, at 8:00 PM, Agudath Israel hosted an Asifas Hisorerus. The event began with a recitation of Tehillim by Rabbi Hillel David, Rav, Khal Yeshivah Shaarei Torah and Chaver Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah. Afterwards, four members of the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah, Rabbi Shmuel Kamentsky, Rabbi Yitzchok Sorotzkin, Rabbi Yaakov Horowitz, and Rabbi Shimon Yehuda Svei delivered divrei chizuk v’hisorerus. Please see below for the recoding. To call in, dial 718.298.2077, then press 9 followed by 127839# A video update from the Agudah – 10/23/20 February 9, 2021 A Letter from the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah February 9, 2021 A Letter from the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah (Free translation) 3 Cheshvan, 5781 Our community finds itself in a terrible situation. First, we are looking at the further spread of COVID-19. Second, we are facing the awful reality of the curtailment of shul attendance and the closure of Torah institutions – both yeshivas, in whose merit the world exists, and Bais Yaakovs, without which there is no future for our nation. It is obvious that we need to search for any possible methods to continue the education of our youth: Spiritual danger is even higher than physical danger. Yet, we have to put all our efforts towards adhering to the law and to the direction of medical experts. Certainly, we may not provoke through protests and unruliness against the government, something which has already caused an appalling desecration of Hashem’s Name, Rachmana litzlan. It is our obligation now to pray and cry out to Hashem because of these troubles, as we are obligated to do in every situation where the public faces danger, as stated in the Rambam’sMishneh Torah (at the beginning of Hilchos Ta’anis), until, in that merit Hashem will withdraw His anger from His nation. May it be His will that our prayers be accepted and that catastrophe is not heard in our communities; may Hashem send from on high complete recovery to our brethren’s illness; may learning Torah and proper education of our children recover their former status; and may we merit that the voice of Yaakov – the words of Torah – emanate from our shuls and places of learning and that we soon see the salvation of our people, individually and collectively.