Moetzes Gedolei Hatorah Kol Korei: Ki Am Kadosh Atah

Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah Kol Korei: Ki Am Kadosh Atah

February 9, 2021

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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.

Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah of America

You can download the PDF here.

Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah and Torah Umesorah Release Joint Statement

February 9, 2021 Please see the following joint statement from the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah and the Vaad Roshei Yeshiva of Torah Umesorah about the importance of good health practices, testing in high infection areas, and, of course, tefillah:

20 Tishrei, Day 4 Chol Hamoed Succos 5781

OUR KEHILLOS ARE CONFRONTED WITH THREE ALARMING REALITIES. EACH DEMANDS OUR IMMEDIATE ATTENTION.

• Although, very thankfully, we see nothing of the horrific rates of infection from COVID-19 and the dreadful proportions of serious illness and death of the past spring, still, there has been an indisputable rise of sicknessר”ל again in our populations, some cases with serious consequences.

• The perception of our communities’ laxity in compliance with governmental and medical guidelines of social distancing and masking, bolstered by a statistical actuality of a disproportionate rate of infection as compared to the general population, has painted us in a negative light across the country.

• Once again, our batei chinuch and batei medrash and batei knesses have been thrust into immediate jeopardy! The core of our existence, our ruchnius lifeline and our societal endurance are in the direct hazard of abrupt shutdown!

Consequently, we call on all roshei eidah to do everything in their power to ensure compliance with good health practices, including social distancing, masking and abstention from large gatherings. Peoples who have COVID-19 symptoms should stay home. The elderly and those with medical conditions to do everything על פי התורהmust exercise special care. We are obligated possible to avoid even one occurrence of serious illness. Also, it is critical that we protect and assure the ongoing function of our schools and shuls; our survival depends on it! Additionally, to facilitate an accurate assessment of the infection spread in our communities and to prevent further surge, it is important for people in high infection areas to get tested now for COVID-19.

Most importantly, we must pour out our hearts in tefillah to beseech rachamim for this ongoing gezeirah that still threatens the ruchnius and gashmius integrity of our kehillos.

הן קל כביר לא ימאס – אין הקב”ה מואס בתפלתן של רבים!

Moetzes Gedolei Hatorah of America Vaad Roshei Yeshiva of Torah Umesorah

To download the statement, click here.

Hebrew terms in the statement are explained in our glossary.

Statement 10.08.20

Moetzes Letter Sukkos 5781

February 9, 2021 Moetzes Letter Sukkos 5781

Yomim Noraim Reminders: Statement from Agudath Israel

February 9, 2021

Unfortunately, the uptick in COVID-19 cases in our communities, noted in Agudath Israel of America’s recent statement regarding simchos, continues its upward trajectory. While there have been hospitalizations, boruch Hashem most of the recent cases have not been as serious as those in March and April. Theories to explain this phenomenon abound, and much remains unclear. Some medical experts see the slow rise in cases now in our community as echoing what we experienced in early March,chas v’sholom, and are concerned that we may be at the cusp of an exponential rise. Others see the past month, in isolation, as less alarming.

The truth is, we do not know where this is headed.

And that is exactly why we must remain vigilant.

So, this Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur, please remember to daven fervently for tichleh shona v’kililosaho. We must all resolve to improve our limud and support of Torah, kavod hatefila, and kedusha, as the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah has instructed. And, with the guidance of your rabbonim, please also take the precautions you’ve heard about so many times in the past 6 months – for yourself, and for the people next to you who may have health conditions that put them at greater risk.

Medical experts and health officials are recommending that, as much as possible, people mask and social distance, especially given the uptick. They further advise that for indoor gatherings, ventilation should be enhanced by opening windows and/or increasing the fresh air input settings of HVAC systems. This is especially so in the context of the Yomim Noraim, when we spend additional time together in shul.

Of course, the elderly and those at high risk should be especially careful. Individuals who have had exposure to a COVID case or attended a high-risk event should seek medical advice before attending shul. And if you feel at all ill with COVID symptoms, please stay home; do not risk endangering your fellow man.

May our renewed focus onbein adam lamakom and bein adam lachaveiro merit a k’siva va’chasima tova for all of us.

Please click here for glossary of terms.

Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah Adds Members and Releases Kol Korei in Advance of Rosh Hashanah

February 9, 2021

Agudath Israel of America, today, shared a Kol Korei from the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah of America, as we are poised to enter the New Year.

The new chavrei Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah are: Rabbi Hillel David, Mara D’asra of Kehillas Yeshiva Shaarei Torah; Rabbi Aharon Dovid Goldberg, Rosh HaYeshiva of Telshe Yeshiva Cleveland; Rabbi Shlomo Eliyahu Miller, Rosh Kollel and Av Beis Din of Kollel Avreichim Toronto; Rabbi Yeruchim Olshin, Rosh HaYeshiva of Beis Medrash Govoha; Rabbi Yitzchok Sorotzkin, Rosh HaYeshiva of Mesivta of Lakewood and Telshe; and Rabbi Shimon Yehuda Svei, Rosh HaYeshiva of Talmudical Yeshiva of Philadelphia.

These distinguished gedolim joined the sitting members of the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah: Rabbi Elya Brudny, Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivas Mir; Rabbi Yitzchok Feigelstock, Rosh HaYeshiva of Mesivta of Long Beach; Rabbi Dovid Feinstein, Rosh HaYeshiva of Mesivta Tiferes Yerushalayim; Rabbi Aharon Feldman, Rosh HaYeshiva of Yeshivas Ner Yisroel; Rabbi Yosef Frankel, Vyelipoler Rebbe; Chacham Yosef Harari-Raful, Rosh HaYeshiva of Yeshivat Ateret Torah; Rabbi Yakov Horowitz, Rosh HaYeshiva of Yeshivas Beis Meir; Rabbi Shmuel Kamenetsky, Rosh HaYeshiva of Talmudical Yeshiva of Philadelphia; Rabbi Aryeh Malkiel Kotler, Rosh HaYeshiva of Beis Medrash Govoha; and Rabbi Aharon Schechter, Rosh HaYeshiva of Yeshivas Rabbeinu Chaim Berlin.

May the words of their Kol Korei – the translation of which follows – be a source of inspiration and guidance to us as we enter the New Year. The staff and administration of Agudath Israel join them in wishing acheinu b’nei Yisroel a wonderful 5781, in which the Jewish people – in health and prosperity – join as one in Yerushalayim.

Translation:

Elul 5780

We find ourselves, both here and in Eretz Yisroel, apprehensive about our fulfillment of the Torah and service to Hashem, and alarmed about our health and financial stability, in the face of challenges not faced for many years. We are faced with the dangers of technology and popular culture’s dilution of our values on the one hand, and the ever-present fear of COVID-19 on the other. Our young children’s schools are closed to a greater or lesser extent, our older children’s schools are operating under significant constraints, and attendance in our shuls is down – of the ones that are still even open. The future is uncertain – may Hashem rescue us from calamitous decrees!

It is quite possible that the troubles we are facing are measure for measure: It may be that because we have been deficient in honoring the Torah, its commandments, and those who learn it, and because we have been deficient in acting respectfully in our shuls, our places for Torah and prayer have been shuttered. And it may be, too, that because of strife between groups and conflict between individuals, we have been compelled to distance one from another, as well as to cover our mouths and faces with masks.

The Rambam writes (Hilchos Taanios 1:2-3):

This is a characteristic of Teshuvah: When a calamity occurs and people cry out and blow the shofar, everyone will recognize that it is because of their misdeeds that this has befallen them, as it is written, “Your sins have caused these to be withheld…” (Yirmiyahu 5:25). It is in this merit that the calamity will be removed.

If the people do not cry out and blow the shofar, and instead say, ‘This calamity is a natural one; this disaster happened to be,’ then this callousness causes them to continue their misdeeds and that calamity will be followed by others…

Therefore, in these upcoming days of mercy and grace – in which we “Seek Hashem while He is there,” (Yeshayahu 55:6) and in which prayer and Teshuvah are accepted readily, annulling calamitous decrees – we must examine our actions, repent, cry out, and blow shofar that Hashem, in His mercy, eliminate this suffering.

We suggest the following concrete steps which can bring us closer to these goals:

1. Torah: To undertake to increase our set times for learning Torah, to better support those who learn Torah, and to raise our children in Torah and fear of Hashem. 2. Respect for shul: To act respectfully inside shul by not speaking or acting frivolously. It is appropriate that each shul appoint members who remind congregants not to talk in shul, especially during davening. 3. Davening: It is appropriate, under our present circumstances, to be especially mindful during prayer, and certainly to not change in any way the recitation of the traditional prayers and piyutim. (It goes without saying that the blowing of the shofar should not be changed in any way.) The Mishneh Berurah (581:3) notes the custom of increasing the recitation ofTehillim during the Aseres Yemei Teshuvah. One should endeavor, at least, to recite ten chapters on Rosh Hashanah, and five chapters each morning (after Shacharis) each of the Aseres Yemei Teshuvah. Congregations might consider dividing the whole Tehillim each day amongst themselves. 4. Tzedakah: It is appropriate to give “kofer nefesh” to charity for each member of one’s family, in the amount of at least $18. 5. Conduct with others: To avoid conflict; it is appropriate that each shul and each person set times for learning the laws of lashon hara, the keeping of which deters conflict. 6. Sanctity: If circumstances oblige one to use the internet or a smartphone – it should be only with a kosher filter.

We close with words of blessing: May this year and its ordeals end in the merit of our Teshuvah, prayer, and Tzedakah; may the new year and its blessings begin, and may we merit a year of uplift of Torah and prayer, a year of health and prosperity, a year of healing and imminent redemption for all Jews.

Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah of America

Rabbi Aharon Dovid Goldberg Rabbi Aharon Feldman Rabbi Aharon Schechter Rabbi Elya Brudny Rabbi Aryeh Malkiel Kotler Rabbi Dovid Feinstein Rabbi Hillel David Rabbi Yitzchok Sorotzkin Chacham Yosef Harari-Raful Rabbi Yosef Frankel Rabbi Yakov Horowitz Rabbi Yeruchim Olshin Rabbi Shlomo Eliyahu Miller Rabbi Shmuel Kamenetsky Rabbi Shimon Yehuda Svei

Kol Korei 9.13.20

Agudath Israel to Partner with RELIEF to Host a Back to School Event

February 9, 2021

This Sunday, August 30th at 8:00 PM EDT, Agudath Israel, in conjunction with Torah Anytime and the Flatbush Community Fund, will partner with RELIEF to host a virtual event for the upcoming back to school period.

The event will feature Rabbi Elya Brudny, Rosh Yeshiva Mir Brooklyn and Chaver Moetzes Gedolei Hatorah, and Dr. Shmuel Mandelman, and will discuss the process of reintegrating ourselves into this new and different school session. The event will also a feature a Q&A session moderated by Duvie Kessner, Director of Operations at RELIEF.

Watch or listen live atwww.torahanytime.com/agudahlive or by calling 718.298.2077 ext. 52, or, in Lakewood, join at Yeshiva Ketana Hall, 120 2nd Street.

To submit questions for the Q&A portion, email [email protected].