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Elul 5763 • September 2003 U.S.A.$3.50/Foreign $4.50 ·VOL XXXVI/NO. 7

THE JEWISH OBSERVER (ISSN) 0021-6615 is published monthly except July and August by the Agudath Israel of America, 42 Broadway, New York, NY10004. Periodicals postage paid in New York, NY. 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 sur­ charge per year. Single copy $3.50; for­ eign $4.50. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: The Jewish Observer, 42 Broadway, NY., NY. 10004. Tel: 212-797-9000, Fax: 646-254-1600. Printed in the U.S.A. ANTI-SEMITISM: YESTERDAY, TODAY ... AND T OMORROWI

RABBI NISSON WOLPIN, EDITOR I I A Blow to the Heart of

EDITORIAL BOARD RABBI JOSEPH ELIAS 11 Yes, We Are Different, Rabbi Aaron Brafman Chairman

RABBI ABBA BRUONY I S The Truman Diaries in Retrospect, Yonoson Rosenblum JOSEPH FRIEDENSON RABBI YISROEL MEIR KIRZNER RABBI NOSSON SCHERMAN PROF. AARON TWERSKI 20 Reflections on the Passing of Moreinu Hagaon Rabbi DR. ERNST L BODENHEIMER Z"L Yechiel Michel Feinstein 7"Yr, Rabbi Rephael Moshe Gettinger RABBI MOSHE SHERER Z"L Founders

MANAGEMENT BOARO AVI FISHOF, NAFTOLI HIRSCH ANTICIPATING THE NEW YEAR ISAAC KIRZNER, RABBI SHLOMO LESIN NACHUM STEIN 26 The King and i, Rabbi Yosef Levinson RABBI VOSEF C. GOLDING Managing Editor JO Great Expectations, Rabbi Avi Shafran Published by Agudath Israel of America J4 Guilt: A Positive Factor in Teshuva, Mrs. Shira Frank

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Just when we were hoping .... just when things seemed to brighten up ... just when we started to dream "maybe, just maybe" ....

BUT IT WAS NOT TO BE. lives have been torn apart by the evil that plagues Eretz The barbaric bus bombing in Jerusalem has shattered Yisroel. And now, there are many more victims - bringing these dreams, and has shattered the lives of over 100 the total to over 1000 killed and thousands wounded - many of wonderful families. whose farni1ies need immediate assistance. THE AIA TERROR VICTIMS EMERGENCY FUND, We beg you to open your hearts, today, to help the founded by Agudath Israel of America a year ago, has orphans, the widows, and those main;;::;fOr crippled for life. already distributed hundreds of thousands of dollars to We beg you to help alleviate the unbearable pain and suf­ families devastated by injury or death; families whose fering our brothers and sisters are enduring in Eretz HaKodesh. "Ri bono Shel Diam, please bring this terror to an end!" n1,.\·:1n y11 nN r1,:iyr.:i 'Dj:i_-r~fl' n?£in1 n:i1\!Jn1

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to the Heart of Jerusalem

piece of the Kosel was blown up mourning for them in their absence. as scores of people who frequented the by a suicide bomber \!J"' at 9 p.rn. • The body of Rochel Freydel Dushin­ Taubenfeld home in New Square, N.Y. Aon Tuesday night, August J 9 I 22 sky 1"'il was not brought to rest for two for a meal and an encouraging word. MenachemAv.At your next visit to the days, because she left no children • Reb Yosef Dov Binder 1"'71, a Gerer Kosel, you will look for the scars, and through whom her DNA could be Yungern1an, was loved for his warm per­ you won't see them. But I tell you they identified. But she left thousands ofbro­ sonality by all who met him. He was a are there. ken hearts. She and her husband, Reb key member of the Kashrus department Earlier that evening, hundreds upon Mordechai Y'J - members of an old of the Rabbanut. hundreds of people ascended to the foot Yerushalmi family - hosted some 200 • Rabbi Yitzchok Ezrachi N"D'J\>! of the of the Har Habayis, the Temple Mount, guests at each of their Shabbos meals every Mirrer , testified that Rabbi to touch the splendor of the Shechina that week, most of them American yeshiva Eliezer Weissfish 1"'71, only forty years old, has never departed from this site, a rem­ bachurim. They ate in three shifts of 30 had mastered Kol Ha Kula - the nant of the Wall that surrounds the area. - 40 minutes each-Kiddush, full cours­ entire Torah. They came there to daven, to heseech the es) Zemiros, a Dvar Torah, and Birchas •After Mrs. Lilach Karadi 1'"71 had lost Almighty for the myriad needs of Kial Hamazon. At the funeral, Reb her father, she assumed responsibili­ Yisroel and for themselves. And then they Mordechai weepingly begged his guests: ty of her ailing widowed mother and left, with the experience alive in their Don't forget. Come this Shabbos. I'll put her siblings. She would not entertain neshan1os, taking a piece of the Kosel, as up the cholent (in accordance with his offers of shidduchim unless her two it were, with the1n. Rav's directive). youngest siblings would be included. Well over a hundered of them • Wife of an admired talmid chacham, She leaves her husband, Dayan crowded aboard the Number Two bus, Mrs. Schwartz 1"'il, davened each of the Karadi N"D'J\>!, of Chacham Yosef's Bet and at 9 p.m., on Rechov Shmuel Hanavi, three tefillos with a minyan, said Sefer Din, with one son, bereft of his wife a son of Yishmael detonated a bomb, Tehillim in its entirety every day. She was with their expected next child. and shattered many of these Kosel . on her way home from the Kosel where The Yesod VeShoresh Avoda says that Every Jew is precious, and everyone who she had spent three hours in prayer for the last mitzva a person was engaged in is martyred by a blood-thirsty terror­ the success of her son, who had been before passing away characterizes that ist is a Kadosh. We happen to know of accepted in a new yeshiva. person's lifetime. These kedoshim, and several of these "Pieces of the Kosel"; •Mrs. Golda Taubenfeld 1">n and her son the others with them, carried the Kosel as we weep for their loss, we invite the Shmuel 1"'71, left twelve mourning chil­ with them ... and we all surely share in reader to stop and savor the luminos­ dren, plus the children of her late sis­ mourning the loss of each and every one ity of their personalities, and join us in ter-in-law who joined her family, as well of those pure neshamos. N.W.

The Jewish Observer, September 2003 11 ANTI-SEMITISM: YESTERDAY, TODAY.•• AND TOMORROW? Rabbi Aaron Brafman YES

AS IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN the eyes of the Poles, we could argue with them over the way they treat us. But they ur every brush with anti-Semi­ do not give us any standing or consider tism, our every exposure to its us a people at all. Thus there is nothing 0 virulent expression is painful. to even talk about." (from the Brisker But it never comes as a surprise. Haggada) Whether the recent disclosure of Pres­ And so it has always been. Leaf ident Harry Truman's diary and its rev­ through Chumash and Nach and note elation of his anti-Semitic attitudes, the how, for example, the Sar Hamashkim rejection of the rights of Israel [read: (Chief Cup-bearer) informed Pharaoh Jews] in the U.N., its echoes in elite col­ that Yosef interprets dreams, describing lege campuses across the U.S.A., or the him dismissingly as "a Hebrew youth, obvious bias against Israel in the media, a slave of the Chief of the Butchers."... it is a prejudice that has been our con­ Balak sent emissaries to engage Bilaam stant companion through the millennia. to curse "A people who has gone out of Close to 80 years ago, the Brisker Rav Egypt," without even mentioning the (Rabbi Yitzchak Zev Soloveitchik) J"'l\ Jews by name... on through the ages, visited the Chafetz Chaim when he was conferring neither honor nor dignity to on a stopover in Warsaw. The Chafetz the Jews. Chaim told him of an incident that had World War II abounds with cases in just occurred to him. point. For example, early in the war, Jew­ Already in his 90's, he decided to apply ish organizations pleaded with the U.S. for an exit permit to go to Eretz Yisroel. Government to make a strong statement [He never made the trip.] The responsi­ conden1ning atrocities against the Jews, ble ministry told him that before they and to threaten the perpetrators with would grant him the permit he would punishment. European powers and the either have to produce a birth certificate U.S. Government refused to do so. (which were not even issued when he was In 1944, with Germany clearly head­ born) or bring two witnesses to testify to ed for defeat, when such threats would the date and place ofhis birth. The Chafetz carry weight, the War Refugee Board Chaim replied that the witnesses would once again asked President Roosevelt to have to be over 100 years old, which made issue such a declaration. A statement was finding them an impossibility. prepared, but when Roosevelt finally {The Chafetz Chaim continued:] released it on March 24th, J 944, the What was the rationale of the Polish emphasis on Jews was moved from the minister? Don't they recognize that first paragraph to the fourth. theirs was an impossible request? The presentation of his dedication to Lavan In September, J 944, retreating Ger­ answer is in Parshas Vayatzei when the beyond the call of duty, and his mis­ mans started killing surviving camp Torah describes the confrontation treatment at the hands of Lavan and his inn1ates. General Eisenhower warned the between Yaakov and Lavan: When sons. Lavan does not respond to Yaakov's Germans not to "molest, harm, or per­ Lavan pursues and catches up with argument. He 1nerely says, "Your wives secute the concentration camp inmates, Yaakov and threatens him, Yaakov Avinu are mine and your sheep are mine." no matter what their religion or nation­ responds with a logical and passionate Lavan does not even consider Yaakov an ality may be." Again specific mention of ----·--- adversary worthy to deal with. the Jews was omitted. The excuse that Rabbi Brafman, a frequent contributor to these pages, is menahel of Yeshiva Derech Ayson in Far [Said the Chafetz Chaim:] "JfYidden mentioning Jews would only invite Rockaway NY. would be considered a normal people in more retaliation is rather lame.

12 The Jewish Observer, September 2003 Even today, when the Palestinians are the nations developed towards us in lining up against us, obviously some­ allegedly reaching out to the in response to our assignment at Sinai thing is wrong with our spiritual status. an attempt to achieve peaceful coexis­ (Shabbos 89a). And we do have the Torah to guide us. tence, they do not even allow the word And so we find ourselves once again "Israel" to be used in the Road Map A PATTERN OF SPIRITUAL at a 1najor juncture in our history. On agreement. CAUSE AND EFFECT the one hand, there is an almost Indeed, consult the Cl11unash again. unprecedented amount of Torah learn­ Bilam summed it up well when he he Books of Judges, and then ing and keeping of mitzvos in Bretz Yis­ described the Jews thus: "Behold, it is a later, the Book of Kings, recounts roel, as wcH as an extraordinary an1ount nation that will dwell alone in solitude Thow, time and again, whenever of chessed being done by the Jews living and will not be reckoned among the the Jews were attracted by the culture there. This could be heralding the geula nations - u'hagoyin1 lo yis'chashav" and form of worship of neighboring we are waiting for. On the other hand (Bamidbar 23, 9). There is another nations, and strayed frorn adhering to (it is no longer even disguised), there are explanation of this prophecy, inter­ those who want to do battle with G-d, preting the expression "lo yis' chashav" His Torah and with the upholders of to n1ean that we will not be accorded any Ill Torah - which does not portend a peri­ (( chashivus" - neither respect nor legit­ od of peace and security for us. The out­ imacy - by the nations of the world. ne thing should come of the internal battle will ulti­ We can at ti1nes attempt to ignore the mately determine the outcome of the fact, but now it is beco1ning rather 0 be clear to all; external one. impossible. One thing should be clear to all; the the dream of dream of creating another secular state UNDERSTANDING aping Western culture with all its deca­ THE UNREASONABLE creating another dence, as a means of bringing peace or secular state aping security, will not work. o understand why we have been What, then, can protect us from subject to this unreasonable Western culture with recurring anti-Semitism? Political and Ttreatn1ent, we need only turn to social efforts do not yield positive the seminal confrontation between all its decadence, results by any conventional formula. In Yaakov Avinu and the Sar Shel Eisav - fact, results are often counter intuitive. Eisav's Ministering Angel - as Yaakov as a means of Leaders and opinion 1nakers respond prepared to cross the Jabbok Ford to bringing peace or unpredictably to our efforts. As the pas­ enter the Land of Canaan. The Torah suk says: "Like streams of water is the says, "And Yaakov was left alone, and a security, will not heart of a king in the hands of Hashem. man wrestled with him to the break of As He wishes, so does He direct it." Yes, dawn" (Bereishis 32, 25). work. this passuk explains how Harry Truman The Midrash comments, "Just as the -whose newly-found diary reveals him Prophet said, 'On that day Hashem will Ill to have harbored strong anti-Semitic be alone - ii:r'.J Dl'm :rll'JJ1' ( Yeshayahu feelings - spoke out on behalf of the 2, 17) so too is Yaakov destined to Jews during World War II and recog­ remain alone." G-d's commands, they were persecuted nized Israel against the objections of the As the representatives of Hashem on by these very nations. A prophet (or State Department, while other heads of this world, we are designated to bear His judge) was given the task of calling the state since, who are considered to be message to the peoples of the world. We people to teshuva, and, as a result of their genuine friends, put pressure on Israel are the conscience of mankind, we tes­ positive response, they succeeded in to accept proposals that would spell dis­ tify that might is not the ultimate overthrowing their occupiers. aster to its future existence. source of power, that unbridled expres­ 'fhis pattern is repeated numerous Obviously, in those days it was a mat­ sion of passion is not a meaningful, pro­ times. One thing dearly emerges from ter of simple survival, and we were ductive lifestyle, and that man is answer­ the many events in Nach: the safety and zocheh le'nissim - Hashem granted us able to G-d for his conduct. But the security of Bretz Yisroel is dependent on miracles. Today, more is demanded of world does not want to hear this mes­ the Jews' conforming to the will of us. A positive outcome to current crises sage. That is one of the explanations of G-d. Today, we have no Navi to tell us is contingent on our personal and the Chazal - that Mount "Sinai" refers the specifics as to why we suffer and national conduct, and surely not on the to the sina - hatred - that emanated what corrective measures we should thrust of political pressures and eco­ from the revelation at Sinai, the hatred embark on. But if we see the entire world nomic contingencies.

------·---·"--·------·----~··--·--·---- The Jewish Observer, September 2003 13 "NO PEACE WITHOUT INNER PEACE" Thus, fron1 every criterion, we arc our silver and our paintings? \i\fe can't just at a great crossroad - for us Jews as walk away from it all." he Navi Yeshaya quotes the Rib­ well as for the entire world. The My father began pacing back and forth bono Shel Olam, "For the sake of unrest in all areas of the world is not thinking. Finally he said, "This is the 20th TZion I will not be silent, and for separate from what is happening to us century. It's the Western World. We are the sake of Yerushalayim I will not be in fretz Yisrael. The outcome will educated. I'm a lawyer. I have plenty of still, until her righteousness emanates depend on the degree of ruchnius we influence. What could happen!" like a bright light and her salvation glows bring into our lives and into the lives He turned to my mother and said, like a torch:' of the world population. "You are right. Let's go back." So we The Targum explains this to mean: turned around and went back. "Until there is a redemption for Zion, recently published book, titled We were so close. Of the 182,000 fews I will not give any rest to the nations; Heaven on Earth, is a collection in my hometown, only 184 survived. My and until there is a consolation and Aof essays by baa lei teshuva about parents did not. comfort in Jerusalem, there will not be their life-changing experiences. 1'here is The story is moving in itself. But it peace among the nations." an article by a holocaust survivor who can also serve as a metaphor for our cur­ Rabbi Eliyahu Eliezer Dessler in sev­ is now a psychotherapist. She describes rent situation, as well. We are all living eral places in the Michtav Me' eliyahu (I, how, when the war broke out in Poland, in 1nomentous times. Let us rise to the pg. 68; III, pp. 97 and 163) explains it her family started to flee and make their challenges and not be destroyed by the on a yet deeper level. That until Moshi­ way towards Ro1nania. distraction from all the trinkets vying for ach comes and the focus of mankind can On the 1vay we ran out of gas, so 1ve our attention. Let us focus on the spir­ be elevated to a higher spiritual level, hired a horse and buggy and continued. itual core of our peoplehood, the emanating fro1n Zion, there cannot be We crossed a big river and it was very essence of our mission, the thrust of our peace. For if all of man's strivings are for scary. Finally we stood at the bottom of goals for the future. Growth in Torah, more physical pleasures and the amass­ a hill, seeing the border of Romania spiritual improvement, pursuit of jus­ ing of material mementos, there will halfway up. At that point, my mother tice, love of chessed. Tbese should be our always be strife and competitiveness turned to my father and said, "But distinguishing features, our message to an1ong both individuals and nations. honey, what about our Persian rugs and the world. B

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14 The Jewish Observer, September 2003 ANTI-SEMITISM: YEsTERDAY, TODAY••. AND TOMORROW? Yonoson Rosenblum THE TRU DIARIES in Retrospect

I. THE HISTORICAL CONTEXT from harmless. Negative feelings about II. DETACHMENT FROM REALITY Jews doubtless had a great deal to do with he recently published excerpts American immigration policy through­ he foregoing serves as the histor­ fro1n President Harry S. Trun1an's out World War II. During the War years, ical context for President Tru­ Tpersonal diaries serve as a useful polls consistently showed 71-85% of Tman's now fa1nous outburst ren1inder of how 1nuch An1erica has A1nericans opposed to any increase in about Jewish selfishness after a phone changed over the last half century. Fifty iin1nigration quotas. Even a proposal to call from former Treasury Secretary or sixty years ago, negative stereotypes bring 20,000 Jewish children to Ameri­ Henry Morganthau, Jr. Morganthau about Jews were pervasive and discrim­ ca over a two-year period was opposed sought Tru1nan's intervention with the ination was widespread. by 60% of those polled. The over­ British to secure permission for a ship In the decade prior to Pearl Harbor, wheln1ing opposition to any relaxation carrying over 4,000 survivors of the anti-Semitic firebrand Father Charles of immigrant quotas partly explains the European inferno to unload its human Coughlin commanded a weekly radio reluctance of the Roosevelt adn1inistra­ cargo in . audience of 3.5 million listeners. A tion to commit any resources to the res­ That humanitarian request moved wealth of poll data from the period reveals cue of Jews throughout the War. Truman to rage against the selfishness widespread anti-Semitic stereotypes. The murder of Jews elicited no out­ of Jews: "They care not how many In one series of polls between l 938- pouring of sympathy. Audiences, in Estonians, Latvians, Finns, Poles, 1946, over one-half of those asked one study) reacted with seven times Yugoslavs or Greeks get killed as DPs described Jews as greedy and dishonest 1nore revulsion to stories of Nazi as long as the Jews get special treat­ and one-third felt they were overly atrocities when the Jewish identity of ment." Having worked himself into a aggressive. Between one-third and one­ the victims was hidden. That apathy to fine lather, he proceeded to compare half perceived Jews as wielding too much the slaughter of Jews was fully reflect­ Jews to the two worst mass murderers power, in another set of polls. Most ed in the media. When the State in history: "When [Jews] have power, shocking was another group of polls Department confirmed in late 1942 physical, financial or political neither showing that 15% of Americans would that the Nazis had already murdered Hitler nor Stalin has anything on have actively supported an anti-Jewish 2,000,000 Jews, only five papers in the them for cruelty or mistreatment of the movement and another 20-25% would entire country placed the story on page underdog." have been sympathetic. one, and none prominently. Two years There is no mitigating these con1- Anti-Sen1itic stereotypes were far later, a report that 400,000 Hungari­ ments. Truman's dislike of Jews was an Jews had already been deported to such that it that left the President com­ Rabbi Rosenblum, who lives in Jerusalctn, is a the extermination can1ps at Auschwitz pletely detached from reality and sti­ contributing editor to The Jewish Observer. He and another 350,000 were slated for fled all the normal human sympathy is also director of the Israeli division of An1 Echad, the Agudath Israel-inspired educational outreach deportation merited only page l 2 that the plight of the desperate sur­ effort and media resource. coverage in the New York Times. vivors should have elicited. Such

The Jewish Observer, September 2003 15 remarks, for Tru1nan, were neither a III. TYPOLOGIES OF ANTI-SEMITISM one-time event nor the sort of fleeting, private thoughts that most of us have resident Truman's anti-Semitism from time to time and which would was both real and ugly. Yet it is still leave us mortified were they known to Pimportant to distinguish it from others. In a letter to his wife from older, more virulent strands of the dis­ Mia1ni, he once remarked on the sur­ ease. There is no evidence, for instance, Child Development feit of "Hebrews" to be found there. that distaste for Jews played any central The accusations of Jewish cruelty to role in his worldview, as in the case of Specialists serving society's underdogs and his comparison those who blame the Jews for all the to butchers who wantonly murdered world's problems. infants/toddlers millions of innocents Stalin are made Nor was 'fruman's anti-Semitism doubly ugly by their lack of any basis in immutable or impervious to all evi­ and their families reality. In Truman's day, as today, Jews dence. For 1'ruman, negative stereotypes were the group most likely to take up the about Jews were no more than rebut­ cause of society's downtrodden, long table presumptions. His first business after they themselves had left the cate­ partner was a Jewish army buddy by the gory of "underdogs." name of Eddie Jacobson. Their friend­ Morganthau did not seek special ship long outlasted their failed haber­ treatment for Jews, only that Truman dashery. At Jacobson's request, Truman should acknowledge the unique nature agreed to meet with Israel's first presi­ of their situation. The Jews alone dent Chaim Weizmann, two months among the post-War refugees had no before the United States became the first place to go. The doors of America and country to recognize Israel. In 1955, Western Europe remained closed for all shortly before Jacobson's death, Truman but a lucky few. Most had no desire to wrote to his old friend expressing his return to their forn1er homes in places intention to visit Israel and suggested drenched in the blood of their loved that they go together. He once called ones, and those who did often found Jacobson "as fine a man as ever walked." themselves the victims of pogroms at Nor is there much evidence of a dis­ the hands of those who had appro­ taste for Jews overriding Truman's esti­ priated their homes. mation of either the national interest or Evaluation &Therapy at our center Far from discrin1inating in favor of his own personal interest. He ignored a Jews, the Allies had systematically dis­ threat from his Secretary of State Gen­ or in the privacy of your home criminated against them in all rescue eral George Marshall to resign if he rec­ Bi-Lingual Services Available and relief efforts during the War. In the ognized Israel, though as Sidney Zion entire course of the War, not one Allied has pointed out, that decision may have All Services are Free of Charge ship was ever made available to trans­ owed more to shrewd political calcula­ port Jews to safety, even where that was tion than to anything else. As an unpop­ possible and troop ships were return­ ular incumbent approaching the 1948 Executive Offices: ing to America empty. Yet, notes his­ election, Truman felt he could not 4228 Tenth Avenue torian David Wyman, "transportation afford to lose the traditionally Democ­ Brooklyn, New York I 1219 somehow materialized to move ratic Jewish vote in New York, if he were Queens Office: 100,000 [non-Jewish Yugoslavs, Poles, to have any chance to defeat New York 70-14 141st Street and Greeks J to dozens of refugee Governor Thomas Dewey, who had Flushing, New York 11367 camps that sprang into existence." already strongly endorsed statehood for The British refused to allow foodstuffs Israel. 1 Finally, there were always counter- SERVING BROOKLYN, QUEENS, to be sent to Jews in Polish ghettos on the grounds that the food might help STATEN ISLAND & MANHATTAN 1 Richard Nixon was another president whose the Nazi war effort. Yet the Allies char­ own personal anti-Semitistn did not ovcrco1ne tered ships to move tens of millions of his estimation of the national interest. The Water­ dollars of food to Greeks under Nazi gate tapes are filled with almost paranoid rant­ occupation, even though their average ings about the Jews. Nevertheless, Nixon over­ 718•972•0880 ruled his Jewish Secretary of State, Henry caloric intake was 50% higher than that Kissinger, to resupply Israel in the first dark days of the Jews in ghettos. of the Yorn Kippur War.

------·------·-·-·---·-·... ·------·------16 The Jewish Observer, September 2003 vailing factors present within American ic epithets are more likely to be used by cut out of professions like banking, society that limited the impact of anti­ friends as a form of ethnic identification excluded from social clubs, and reject­ Semitism, and are reflected in rfruman's than as expressions of hatred. ed by the old WASP law firms. overall behavior to Jews. Among those True, American Jews continue to rate Yet America also offered Jews the abil­ factors was the constitutional guaran­ resurgent anti-Semitism high on their ity to mitigate the impact of that dis­ tee of religious equality- the protection list of concerns, but this has little to do crimination. Denied admissions to the of the "free exercise" of religion by pri­ with their own life experiences. In one Ivy League, ambitious Jewish students vate individuals, on the one hand, and survey of Jews in Northern California, turned CCNY into the most intellectu­ the protection against the establishment one-third expressed the view that non­ ally alive campus in America. Cut out of any particular religion by the state, Jews would not vote for a Jewish can­ of banking, Jews came to dominate on the other hand. The general egali­ didate for Congress. At that time, all investment banking and built Holly­ tarianis1n of American society and idea three congressmen in the area were Jew­ wood. Denied places in blue-blood law that each man should be judged as an ish. One suspects that fears of renewed firms, they formed their own and, in individual also mitigated the force of anti-Se1nitism express a psychological time, competed on equal terms with American anti-Semitism. need rather than a reading of reality. those that had closed the door on them. Truman's anti-Semitism, then, must Anti-Semites, even imagined ones, pro­ be distinguished from older forms of vide confirmation that one is a good Jew, Missing: The Flip Side of Rejection what might be labeled theological anti­ linked to all those other Jews through­ Semitism.2 For the theological anti­ out history.3 t the same time, the passing of Semite there is nothing casual about his No one will wax nostalgic about the the older forms of discrimination hatred of Jews. All his thoughts revolve waning of American anti-Se1nitism. A has not been without its costs. around that hatred, and it shapes every For those denied the societal benefits The discomfort that gentiles once felt in aspect of his worldview. The Jew is the that their abilities and ambitions should the presence of Jews reflected a meta­ Other, the denier of the central values have won them, the discrimination of physical reality - Jews and gentiles are of society. the past was a bitter pill. Jews were sub­ different. That discomfort is akin to the For the theological anti-Semite ject to rigid quotas in admissions to Ivy natural discomfort an a1n ha' aretz feels hatred of Jews is not a distraction fro1n League colleges and to medical schools, in the presence of a ta/mid chacham. his life goals, it is the goal. Hitler, though Cultural anti-Semitis1n served as a 3 Perh~-Ps th·;onlY pl;~~;j~-An1~;·ica t~da; ;,;he~~ not a believing Christian, inherited the Jews arc likely to confront blatant anti-Semitism useful reminder that Jews are different, mindset of theological anti-Semitism are the college cainpuses. The rabid anti-Israel are meant to be different. The flip side that once characterized the Catholic sentiment on many elite ca1npuses has an intim­ of anti-Semitism was far greater Jewish Church and later Martin Luther. The idating effect on many Jewish students. Reluc­ pride than exists today. Shunned by gen­ extermination of the Jews was for him tant to be identified as co-religionists with the colonial oppressors in Israel, they shy away from tiles, Jews were far stronger in their Jew­ not a byproduct of world conquest; anything Jewish or too frequently join in the con­ ish identity. They were more likely to live rather world conquest was the means for de1nnations of Israel. in Jewish neighborhoods and to asso- removing the stain of the Jews from mankind. That is why the Nazis con­ tinued to divert badly needed military You can! Iust call supplies to the extermination camps in ''1 wish I could The Yitti Leibel the final year of the War. Helpline. HOURS! IV. WANING ANTI-SEMITISM Monday-Friday ...... 8am -l 2pn1 speak to a Monday-Thursday ...... 8pm · l l pin Sunday ...... 9a1n - l2pn1, 9pm -11 pm he once pervasive cultural anti­ semitism has largely disappeared frum therapist "~ 718-HELP-NO. W Tin America today. Most Jews \!;~ (718) 435-7669 have never neither been physically Chkago ...... ( 800) HELP-023 attacked nor discriminated against by Lakewood ...... (732) 363-1010 on the phone Ckveland ...... (888) 209-8079 anti-Semites. Even the old anti-Semit- Baltimo;c ...... (410) 578-1111 2 That is not to deny that some of Trun1an's Dctrnit...... (877) 435-7611 attitudes towards Jews had their roots in his without giving San Diego ...... (866) 385-0348 Southern Haptist upbringing. He once 'foronto ...... (416) 784-1271 ren1arked a cabinet meeting, "If J. could not sat­ The Rebbetz·1n Phylli5 Weinberg Branch of the Yitti Leibel Helpline ;i··r n'.7r;i'.n11 111::r l;t{mt' "1 n::r t{'D1"1 ;-rn J1b'V) 'l~n·I; isfy these people, how a1n I supposed to?" But F1'~l1 1"~ ~-, >ntJ~JI my name.'' >T!' ll~•::r 11' >Tt'O '1 p '1'll1t" '1 in general, his feelings about Jews were nlore FT'.7C'J1 ]1>!) ';:; 11;>~)) social than theological. Dedicated by Mr. & Mrs. Shmuel Boruch Wilhelm

The Jewish Observer, September 2003 17 ciate primarily with other Jews. Jewish­ would marry other Jews. are harder to sustain precisely because so ness was a far more crucial component Today the old social barriers have fall­ little distinguishes the lives of most Amer­ to their self-identity than today, and the en. Gentiles are no more likely to oppose ican Jews from their gentile neighbors. fate of other Jews around the world their son or daughter marrying a Jew than Does that mean that anti-Semitism will more central to their concerns. Jews of Jewish parents are to oppose their child not reappear? Not if the patterns of Jew­ that era naturally assumed that they marrying a non-Jew. The old prejudices ish history bold true. Rapid assimilation into the host culture has often preceded GEFEN »~ outbreaks of vicious anti-Semitism. The hundred years of assimilation by German Jews prior to Hitler's rise to power is but FINto1k~~AL-· the most horrible example. Reg;stered Mortgage Brokers ...... NYS Dept. of Banking •• The Beis Halevi traces this pattern to our very birth as a people in Egypt. Amidst Corporate lleadquarters·son Manor Roa\l_ Ste #1 • Stat'n Island NY 10314 Phone 718-983-9272 • 914-MORTGAGE praises enumerating all that Hashem did 973-MORTGAGE • 212-983-1000 for our ancestors in Egypt, the Psalmist includes, "He turned Ithe Egyptians'] heait to hate His people, to conspire against His servants" (Tehillim !05, 25). Why should the hatred we suffered at the hands of the Egyptians be considered one of Hashem's kindnesses? asks the Beis Halevi. For careful attention to your After the death of Yosef HaTzaddik, the individual needs, call us today! Beis Halevi explains, the Jews in Egypt began to fear the onset of the 400 years (845) 354-8445 of enslavement foretold to Avraham. They sought to prevent this by removing the most visible sign of their difference r.------~ from the Egyptians: the bris of Avraham. The removal of that sign of Jewish dis­ ARE You MovtNG? tinctiveness led, for a period of time, to IS YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS PRINTED greater intermingling between Jews and Egyptians. At that point, says the Beis Hale­ INCORRECTLY ON THE JO MAILING LABEL? vi, Hashem protected His people from We need your help to ensure proper delivery of the Jewish Observer to your home. being absorbed into Egyptian society by Please attach current mailing label in the space below, or print clearly your address and causing them to become disgusting in the computer processing numbers that are printed above your name on the address label. eyes of the Egyptians. Throughout history, writes the Beis Halevi, that pattern has repeated itself. "To the extent that Jews decrease the distinc­ Affix old label here tion between themselves and the nations based on their observance of Torah and mitzvos, HaKadosh Baruch Hu increases Name ______the hatred of the Jews by their hosts:' Viewed from this perspective, the old social New Address barriers, which prevented Jews and gen­ tiles from drawing too close together, City, served to protect Jews from the worst anti­ State, ______Zip Semitic excesses. In sum, we may one day come to view Date Effective ------­ the diminution of older forms of social Send address The Jewish Observer discrimination, in the same way the Baal changes to: Change of Address Ha viewed Napolean's emancipa­ 42 Broadway, 14th Floor, New York, NY 10004 tion: Good for individual Jews, but not Please allow 4-6 weeks for all changes to be reflected on your mailing label. We wiH not necessarily good for the Jewish people L be responsible for back issues missed unless you notify us 6 weeks prior to your move. .J or . •

18 ------The Jewish Observer, September 2003 We Can't Tell You Who They Are... That's Because You Know Them Well!!

Dear Friend,

The righteous. The wicked. The ones-in-between. Three categories we become intimately familiar with as we prepare for the Days of Awe. But really. there is another area. too, in which al/Jews find themselves divided in the days preceding the Yomim Tovim: the haves, the have-nots, and the somewhere-in-betweens.

It's with the latter category in mind, that these words are penned. It is common knowledge that this full month ofholidays takes a heavy financial toll. Situated on the calendar in the same month as the beginning of the school year and precisely at the time when the cool autumn winds start blowing, the yomim tovim season is the time to stock up on a proper winter wardrobe. It is also the time that a lot of food gets consumed, what with all of the children home tQ C,., Z'lN~irr and so many festive meals to be served. •Fish & Meat• Suits Ods • Clt&aneis •Groceries The "haves" manage to negotiate their way "-g'.~'-iulttv •And Much More .. through this taxing time. The "have-nots" rely on the good benevolence of fellow Jews and organizations. But then there is that third group. These are healthy, thriving families with working parents. They may be people that you know. Even people that you are related to. They are respectable and proud to be self-sustaining households. In truth. though, their income only suffices for ten months ofthe year, because comes the yomim tovim, and these families fare no better than year-round paupers.

There's no money to buy a winter coat for their big girl or new shoes to replace their little boy's torn sandals. They have no means with which to pay the larger fish or meat order, so they'll just do without, all the while hoping that no one will notice and expose their shame.

No one will notice! And that's because Gomlei Chesed did their homework. In Gomlei Chesed's possession lies a list ofjust such families who simply cannot afford the basic necessities for the holiday season but are too proud to ask for help. We'll make sure they receive the assistance without them ever having to ask and in such a waythatthey will not lose a shred oftheir self-respect. But for us to do our work, we need you. We need your urgent and most generous contribution. Move these wonderful families up the financial scale so that they can make it through these Days ofAwe unashamedly. and in return may you merit to have the Divine Scale tipped in your favor, too. /, Sincerely yours, 1 c::;.fV';. ;f/. "'".[;.,.,~'>I c 7 1(0 <"( ,1{a1e /,..~., ""'/( f,,,,f'c r··~ '•Ni~ .r~ g""t'f'I ,N'llf'f""'*:> Rabbi Yaakov Perlow Rabbi Shlomo F. Shusta! Rabbi Matisyahu Salomon Rabbi Malkiel Kotler

or Call in to our HOTLINE at 718-431-1575

~~~ J For your convenience, ou can now make a donation with our credit cards L- -~ Hagaon Rabbi Michel Feinstein 7"on Rosh Hayeshiva Beis Yehuda, was niftar on Sunday, May 18/16 lyar, in at age 96. He was a gaon and tzaddik of stature associated with earlier generations, and he had been an exemplary ta/mid of Slutsk, Kletzk, Mir and Brisk. He taught Torah on an advanced level in America and then, from 1952 until the present, in Eretz Yisroe/, leaving a legacy of myriad shiurim deliv­ ered and seforim written over the decades.

The following tribute is written by a ta/mid, Rabbi Rephael Moshe Gettinger.

Reflections on the Passing of Moreinu Hagaon Rabbi Yechiel Michel Feinstein 'i"~t

A BRIDGE BETWEEN TWO ERAS their faces reflect their satisfaction with the responses they receive as well pon hearing of the passing of as their love for their Rebbe. my Rebbe Reh Michel ':nn, I • A half-century forward to a humble, U broke down and cried. Why sparsely furnished apartment in Bnei does the demise of a ninety-six-year­ Brak. In the living room sits a cluster of old person arouse such emotion from people surrounding a venerable Torah those at a distance, who are not imme­ sage. The group includes great Torah diate family members? These few lines scholars as well as younger yeshiva are an attempt at offering a perspective bachurim who have come to consult of Reh Michel 7""t that might shed with and learn from the . some light on the profound influence Three scenes depicting Reb Michel he had on those who had the good for­ Feinstein ., .. on during his lifetime, which tune to learn from him. spanned three continents and a century. Three pictures come to mind: What con1mon denominator unifies • In the illustrious Mirrer Yeshiva of the three seemingly disparate scenes? pre-World War II Europe, a young Reish Lakish said: "As it is writ­ vibrant talmid chacham is electrifying ten, 'This is the book of Man's younger scholars and students with descendants' (Bereishis 5,1). This the solution to a major difficulty in teaches us that G-d showed ... the sugya of the week. [Adam] each generation and its • 1Wenty years later ... in a restaurant talmidim and followers. American teachers, each generation and its on the Lower East Side of Manhattan, post-high-school youths, they are pos­ sages" (Sanhedrin 38b). a middle-aged Rosh Yeshiva is having his ing to the Rosh Yeshiva a myriad of Rav Chiya bar Abba said in the dinner, surrounded by admiring philosophical dilemmas that occupy the name of Rabbi Yochanan, "G-d saw mind of the typical American yeshiva that righteous men were few in num­ Rabbi Gettinger serves as Rosh Hayeshiva of the Rabbi Naftoli Riff Yeshiva of South Bend, student of the late forties and early ber, so He spread them out, in every Indiana. fifties. The looks of contentment on generation" ( Yoma 38b ).

20 The Jewish Observer, September 2003 The yeshiva world of the twentieth Torah to their talmidim, and they to yet in your own right. Jn the process, he century enco1npassed two eras. The others. As my Rebbe, Reb Mendel molded you into another di1nension of world of the eminent Torah institu­ Kaplan t;,~~t, reminiscing on his years in a ta/mid chacham. tions of pre-World War II Europe the Mirrer Yeshiva, remarked, «Reh To put the geshmak factor succinct· occupied the first half of the century, Michel was the one who gave other ly: it wasn't that you talked with Reb until its destruction. The second half talmidim in the yeshiva the most gesh­ Michel because it was "geshmak" to do of the century saw the rebuilding and mak and enjoyment in learning when so; rather, when you talked with Reb transplanting of those and similar they spoke with him:' And that was Michel iu learning, Torah became institutions in Eretz Yisroel and Amer­ how we experienced him. After a Torah "geshmak:' ica, with their ensuing growth and discussion with him you became uplift· Reb Michel was concerned over the development until their present ed, and that much more of a koneh proper development of each ben restored and vibrant state at the cen­ Torah (bonded with Torah) and a Torah in his learning skills. When J tury's end. Jn line with Reish Lakish's marbitz Torah ( disseminator of Torah) asked him once for advice to pass on teachings, all generations were blessed with leaders and guides for their wel· fare. And as Rabbi Yochanan said, Hashem planted righteous people at key juncture paints for each generation to gain maximum benefit from them. THEVORT • The menu for the seuda is limited to 3 Indeed, our generation was witness to • The Vort celebration is to be courses followed by a regular dessert. Hashen1's messengers' accomplishing discontinued. The L'chaim (held at the restoration of the Yeshiva world to • No Viennese table and no bar. its pre-World War II stature, after its the time that the engagement is THE MUSIC near obliteration in Europe during the announced) should also not turn into a Holocaust. Vo rt. • A band may consist of a maximum of Reb Michel 7··~r, clearly such an THE WEDDING 5 musicians (one of the musicians may act as a vocalist) or four musicians and one emissary, was one of the luminaries of • Only 400 invited guests may be the pre-War yeshiva world who served additional vocalist seated at the chassuna seuda. as a Rosh Yeshiva-at -large, molding and • A one-man band is recommended. having impact on hundreds of • The kabbolas panim smorgasbord taln1idim over seven decades. These should be limited to basic cakes, fruit plat· FLOWERS & CHUPA DECOR talmidim included not only members ters, a modest buffet, and the caterer's • The total cost of these items for the entire of his own yeshiva, but also talmidim standard chicken or meat hot dishes. wedding should not exceed $1,800. from yeshivas around the globe. For Reb Michel was a master guide to all bnei FOR THE FULL VERSION OF THE SIMCHA GUIDELINES Torah in learning Torah lishma - with· AND THE ACCOMPANYING KOL KOREH, out any ulterior 1notive, other than the please email [email protected] or call 212-612-2300 pleasure of acquiring Torah through the forty-eight middos (attributes) enu­ We the rabbinical signatories - barring familial obligations - and unusual and n1erated in Pirkei Avos. In fact, he extraordinary circumstances- will not participate in or attend a wedding celebration that served as a role model for these mid­ disregards these guidelines. (Rabbinical listing in formation) dos, especially those that relate to Rabbi Shmuel Birnbaum Rabbi Eli Simcha Schustal Rabbi Elya Ber Wachtfogel interpersonal relationships. Rosh Hayeshiva, Mirer Yeshiva Rosh Hayeshiva, &lll Binyomm, Stamford Roih HaYeshivii, Yeshiva Gedo/oh of South Fal/Jburg Rabbi Elya Svei Rabbi Yisroel Rokowsky Rosh Haye>hiva, Yeih1va Gedo/a of Philadelphia Rabbi Yisroel Simcha Schorr Rabbi Chaim Boruch Wolpin THE GESHMAK FACTOR Rosh H.iyeshiva, Ye;hiva Kar/inSto!in Rabbi Shmuel Kaminetzky Roshei HaYeshiv.i, Yeshiva OhrSomaya{h Rosh Ha~hiva, Yeshiva Gedo/a of Philadelphia Rabbi Aryeh Malkiel Kotler Rabbi Zecharia Gelley he enjoyment and enthusiasm Rav, Kha/ Adas Jeshurun Rabbi Yaakov Perlow Rosh Ha yeshiva, Beth Medwh Go\tOha, Lokewood that Reb Michel displayed when No\tOminsker Rebbe Rabbi Yisroel Tzvi Neuman Rabbi Lipa Margulies interacting with others in the Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak feigelstock Rosh Ha~hiva. Beth Medrash Govoha, Lakewood Rosh Hayeshiva, Yeshiva & Meiifta Torah Temimah T Rosh Ha}'f'shiva, Yeshiva of Long Bea(h give-and-take of Torah discussions left Rabbi Dovid Tzvi Schustal Rabbi Rabbi Moshe Wolfson Chairman, Conferen(e of Synagogue Rabbonim Rosh Hayeihiva, Beth Medrash Govoha, Lakewood an indelible imprint on every ben Maihgia(h, Yeshiva Torah Vodaas of Aguda!h Israel Torah who sought him out and Rabbi Aron Moshe Schechter Rabbi Yeruchem Dlshin Rabbi Shlomo Mandel approached him with his own divrei Rmh Ha yeshiva, Ye1hiva Chaim Berlin Rosh Hayeshiva, Beth Medrash Govoha, Lakewood Rosh Ha yeshiva, Yeshiva of Brooklyn Torah. This created a ripple effect as Rabbi Yosef Rosenblum Rabbi Mattisyahu Salamon Rabbi Ephraim Wachsman they in turn passed on this love of Rosh Hayeshiva, Yeshiva Shaarei Yosher Mashgiach, Beth Medr.ish Govoha, Lakewood Rruh Haye;hiva, Meiivt.i Meor Yitz{hok

The Jewish Observer, September 2003 27 to talmidim, he responded with a gen­ approach without method. weeks, and years of a gadol's laboring eral directive to the effect that every­ Reb Michel was thus not just a Rash in Torah study- privately, sight unseen one should have some form of derech Yeshiva for his own circle of talmidim, - at all hours of the night? ... at times - an individual approach - in Ge1no­ but a Rosh Yeshiva and moreh derech when most other people, including ra study ... be it the derech of Reb Shi­ (guide) for all bnei Torah who came in bnei Tarah, are occupied with other mon Shkop ., .. ,.,,be it the method of contact with him. activities, such as on E:rev Shabbos and Brisk. It should not be a haphazard Motza'ei Shabbos? We can only project INCALCULABLE GREATNESS from the glimpses we get when we KARKA IN BRETZ YISROBL IN TORAH interact with a gadal, such as when one Call Rabbi Gavriel Beer for information visited Reb Michel in his home in Bnei on obtaining cemetery plots in Beth he scope of Reb Michel's great­ Brak: Shemesh and other locations in Israel. ness in Torah embraced a num­ He was either giving one of his ber of factors, most of them numerous shiurim, or preparing for 011-972-2-656-9427 T incalculable. Can one count the hours, one, or discussing divrei Torah with one of the countless bnei Torah who came knocking on his door. Besides his daily shiurim in his own yeshiva, on Erev Shabbos he gave a special extra­ curricular shiur for talmidim of other yeshivas. On Motza'ei Shabbos he gave yet another extra-curricular shiur for alumni talmidini. His multitude of shiurim covered all parts of Shas, from Berachos and Zer­ a'im through Taharos. Similarly, visi­ "Rabbi lVk>ir baa! Hanes sa\V in his time ho\\' the poor tors would comfortably exchange with people in Eretz Yisracl were suffe1ing. It -was his \\ill him in-depth chiddushei Torah on that \\1toever \Vould givl' charity in his honor to the poor of Eretz Yisroel, Rabbi 1\\eir Baal Hanes would any or all parts of Shas. he an advocate in Shamayim for that person ·s \\-elfare Reb Michel would relate with much and success ... ror sure if you give any charity haslwm wonder a story regarding the Netziv \Vill reward yoit I lo\VCVt'r, \\11e11 you gi\'e charity to hi-; 7"'11 (his Rebbetzin Lifsha's great-great­ cause, tlw T111dik himself \Viii ad\'ocate on your grandfather), the Rash Yeshiva of behalf." 1::ip,·•0J:'K''"i

-----·--·--- 22 The Jewish Observer, September 2003 seudos - one can nianage to learn for six­ ity. This earned him his key role for complex dvar Torah of Reb Chaim teen hours! But the Netziv did, and for n1esoras ha Torah - com1nunication of Brisker (the Rav's father) to his satis­ twenty five years. That is how you become Torah from generations before him to faction. No wonder the Brisker Rav a genuine gadol, as did the Netziv," he the generations that followed. subsequently selected Reb Michel as a would conclude. During 111y years as a talmid of Reb prospective son-in-law, which he did Such was the standard of devoted Michel in Eretz Yisroel, I was learning indeed become. attachment to learning that Reb Mesechta Zevachi1n and discovered what Likewise, his uncle, Rabbi Moshe Michel would impress upon us, reflect­ appeared to be a categorical contradiction Feinstein 7"'1l, invited Reb Michel to ed in his own constant involve1nent in between the discussion of a topic in join him as Rosh Yeshiva in Torah study all year long, without Zevachi1n and the way it is presented in Tiferes Yerushalayim of Manhattan's break or vacation. Indeed, "!sh left Eruvin, with no apparent resolution. I Lower East Side. This particular stage mehallelo -A man is recognized by that posed the question to a number of in Reb Michel's career as Rosh Yeshiva which he praises"! renowned gedolci Torah of that time was particularly challenging for him - (some twenty years ago), including Reh a European-trained ta/mid chacham CLARITY AND ANALYTICAL PROWESS Michel. Most of them succeeded in reduc­ reaching out to American youths ing the severity of the question, but still raised in a foreign culture. Yet, Reb longside his breadth of knowl­ failed to resolve the apparent contradic­ Michel more than rose to the challenge. edge, Reb Michel also pos­ tion. Reb Michel, however, differentiated Even though this period only spanned Asessed remarkable clarity and a between the two Gemoras with a defin­ a few years, his impact on the taltnidi1n capacity for in-depth analysis, coupled ing clarity; one immediately felt the truth and the relationships he formed with with extraordinary skills in transmit­ in the ans1ver. I later repeated Reb Michel's them lasted a lifetime. ting his insights to others. My Rosh explanation to one of the other gedolim, Reb Michel earned respect and rev­ Yeshiva, Rabbi Yitzchak Hutner 7"'1l. and he rc1narked tlzat Reb Michel's answer erence from lay ba'alei battim, as well. posed the question: "Why did the Ram­ was indeed e111es - the truth - conveyed He thus received an invitation fro1n the bam merit to have his work, Mishneh with incontrovertible clarity. Young Israel of Manhattan's Upper Torah, occupy such a 1najor position in Thus bnei Torah and talmidei West Side to deliver a Shabbos Sh uva the transmission of halacha for all chachamim sought to present their drasha, when they were a newly-estab­ ensuing generations, in that this work questions and divrei Torah to hi1n. Even lished shul without a Rav. (Interest­ is the basis for the Shulchan Aruch used senior gedolei Torah of his time valued ingly, one attendee of that drasha by all? Moreover, there are hundreds him for his gift of clear thinking. It is recalls that one of the main points in of other works of gedolei Acharnnim well known that the Brisker Rav his message was urging the kehilla to based on this work, focused on clari­ (Rabbi Yitzchak Zev So!oveitchik) ., .. ,., engage a Rav to guide them.) fying and elucidating his words and held Reb Michel in high esteem, and When Reb Michel was engaged in intentions. We do not find anything once kissed hin1 in a rare public dis­ a discussion, it was obvious that he was comparable to this in regard to works play of affection upon his clarifying a not focused exclusively on expressing of other great Rishonim." Rabbi Hut­ ner said, "The answer can be expressed in one word: communication." The Ramban1 could communicate a IN £R£T% YISRO£L thought of Torah from his mind to the under the direct leadership of mind of the recipient with utmost clar- HARAV MORDECHAI fRIEDl.ANDER,N 111:l'?I!! il:t'11J>il \!IN°\ HELP FOR PARENTS OF OhrChodosh was established in order to give every bochurthe possibility of a warm yeshiva experience while enhancing his capabilities in vocational training. TEENS IN CONFLICT •Expetienced warm and understanding Rabbeim •Small Shiurim developing e.ach Talmid's strong points • Woodworking, eletlical, muSic, computer & GED courses •Recreational activities, sports, tiyulim, sWimming ·lots of Ruach • For ages 16· 18 TEL: 718-758-0400 Register now for Fall Z'man Limited spaces available CONFIDENTIAL 10 AM-10 PM For more infOrrnalion please call Rabbi Aaron Zimmer at: (Tel) 972·2·533·4833 (Fax) 972·2-534·4540 -'SUPPORT GROUPS or in USA 917·753-4163 /REFERRALS email: [email protected] -'HOTLINE

The Jewish Observer, September 2003 23 his own thoughts, but listened with Yona wanted, he could have easily had recently become an address for genuine interest in what others had to pointed to the overwhelming faults yeshiva bachurim, including Americans say. He never spoke condescendingly and transgressions of the other peo­ studying in Eretz Yisroel, to discuss to anyone; whether you were a promi­ ple aboard as the cause of Ilashem's divrei Torah with him. In reality, this nent leader or a young student, he wrath. He did not do so because was the essence ofReb Michel's great­ always conveyed respect and patience. when a true oveid Hashem is faced with ness and uniqueness throughout his Reb Michel would frequently quote the question, "Who is at fault for this life, in all venues - from Europe to an observation of his father-in-law, the terrible fate?" he does not blame oth­ America to Bretz Yisroel. He was every­ Brisker Rav, on Sefer Yona: ers, but rather looks at his own mis­ one's beloved, universal, quintessential The Navi (Prophet) Yona was on takes that need correction. In our Rosh Yeshiva-at-large, who was con­ the ship, fleeing from his Divine mis­ times, as well (Reb Michel quoted the stantly sought out for his capacity to sion, when Hashem caused a storm to Brisker Rav), when we are faced with mold and have impact on all who inter­ break out, threatening to capsize the threat of violence from Arab nations, acted with him. ship. The ship's captain and other pas­ we should do as Yona Hanavi did when Our beloved Reb Michel ':nn was one sengers, who were idol worshippers the question of fault arose: We should of those special Torah leaders of giant and guilty of illicit behavior, were cast­ look internally, and then make the nec­ stature who served as one of the last ing lots to determine who was the essary corrections of our own errors. great bridges connecting us to the stan­ cause of this impending calamity. This is an example of Reb Michel's dards and levels of the Torah world in The captain noticed Yona calmly sit­ life perspective, reflecting his ba' al pre-Holocaust Europe and its leaders. ting in his place, and asked him why mussar status, which had made him so He is gone now .... What a gaping void he was not joining them. Yona appreciated by others. exists now for all of Kial Yisroel! Will we answered, "I know that the storm is Reb Michel remarked to my parents rise to the challenge and learn to emu­ because of Hashem's finding fault during one of our family visits (my late him in our teaching and transmis­ with me. The only course of action for maternal grandfather, Rabbi Naftoli sion of Torah to future generations in you to take is to throw me into the sea." Riff, was a first cousin to the Brisker the same manner as we were privileged The Brisker Rav noted that had Rav) in his later years, that his home to receive it from him? •

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rently, Tommy Lapid and his ilk think so. Your _The Israeli government has just eliminated a generous standing grant that awarded 1,354 shekels per donation of orn baby. Under the new law, each child after $220 (the irst will receive only 406 shekels. approximate Aside from the economic hardship this will difference between se, the budget cut sends an ominous and decid- the old and new : un]ewish message: Population control, grants) will help e building of Kial Yisroel, is the new of the day. The new policy will save the i government approximately ii/ion - a sizable sum to be concerns over where to find , but hardly worth the threat­ money to meet the newborn toll on the future of Israel. most basic needs. Because that's a threat we 'tafford to ignore, Agudath Israel tnerica has established a new ·ch MiBanim Newborn Subsidy Fund," will provide Israel's needy Jewish parents Divine blessing - one child is one blessin?; the traditional one-time grant for each new child. children, a multitude of blessings.

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JUDGMENT ... WITHOUT is determined by our past deeds, it is ing of Moshiach. That would surely put TIME FOR CONFESSION incumbent upon us to do teshuva, to an end to the current crisis in Bretz Yis­ repent. True teshuva converts our mis­ roel, as well as resolve countless other n Rosh Hashana-Yom Hadin, deeds into mitzvos, thus tipping the urgent issues. We must ask, however, will the Day of Judgment' - we all scales of judgment in our favor, grant­ we be better off when Moshiach comes? O pass before the Kisei Hakavod, ing us a year of life. Chazal explain the passuk "V'higi'u the Heavenly Throne, for Hashem to We do have until Yorn Kippur to shanim asher tomar, ein Ii vahem cheifetz decide whether we deserve another repent, when the judgment is sealed, but - And those years arrive of which you year of life. Will it be a year of prosper­ why should we let our lives hang in the will say, 'I have no desire in them"'4 as ity or poverty? Good health or illness? All balance? Rosh Hashana can be com­ referring to the days of Moshiach. 5 The is decreed on Rosh Hashana, the begin­ pared to a trial and Yorn Kippur to an Ramban writes that in the time of ning of the New Year. appeal. While we have a right to appeal Moshiach, bechira (free will) will no How is our fate decided? The Ram­ a guilty verdict, we do our utmost to win longer exist. Electing to do what is right bam writes that on Rosh Hashana, the trial at the outset. In a trial, we might will be natural, the automatic response Hashem weighs our mitzvos and aveiros. be considered innocent until proven to the obvious, compelling truth of One who has more mitzvos than avciros guilty; in an appeal, however, we are Hashem's demands. The Ramban con­ is considered to be a tzaddik, righteous, guilty until proven innocent. Rosh tinues that since there will not be and his verdict is sealed for life; one who Hashana should therefore be a day of bechira, there will be no reward for ful­ is found to be a rasha, wicked, is sealed teshuva. Yet, most Rosh Hashana tefil­ filling mitzvos either. Reward is only in for death; and the fate of a beinoni, one los (prayers) do not even mention place when we make a choice between who is in the middle, is undecided until teshuva. Teshuva is not the focus of the good and evil." Who can honestly say Yorn Kippur. If he repents, he will be day. Jn fact, we do not recite the con­ that he is satisfied with the madreiga, the sealed for life; and if not, he will be fessional Viduy on Rosh Hashana - we level that he has currently reached in sealed for death.2 Since our judgment do not admit our guilt - yet Vidduy is avodas Hashem? 7 In this way, then, we -·--·-··----·-·--··--- an integral part of the teshuva process-' are better off now, in our current sta­ Rabbi Levinson, an alumnus of Lakewood's Beth Medrash Govoha, has recently moved back to tus, when we must struggle with our Lakewood after learning seven yeas in Kolle! Beth THE ESSENCE OF yeitzar hara (evil inclination). In a very H.aTalmud in Melbourne, Australia. During this ROSH HASHANA: MALCHUS crucial way, we can grow and reach ti1ne, he founded and edited Moadim U'zn1an­ newer heights in Hashem's service. But irn, the Kol!el's Yom Tov publication where his article originally appeared. Currently Rabbi et us examine why we do not focus that will not be the case after Moshiach's Levinson is an editor for the ArtScroll Yad Avra­ on repenting on Rosh Hashana. arrival. Yet, nonetheless, we all hope, ham Mishnah project. LWe all hope each day for the com- yearn, and daven every day for the geula,

26 The Jewish Observer, September 2003 the ultiinate rede1nption. actually a source of n1erit for earning a sands have given up their lives for 'fhe reason for tl1is overarching hope year of life - as is evident by the Akei­ Hashe1n. Furthern1ore, there was no is because it's consistent with the plan da. !n fact, on Rosh Hashana we beseech room for doubt in Avraha1n's n1ind; Hashem had when He created the world Hashem to recall the Akeida, when in Hashem had revealed Himself to Avra­ - that is, that He will ultimately reveal response to Divine co1nn1and, Avraha111 ham, telling him to sacrifice Yitzchak. His Maleh us, His rule over all mankind. Avinu was \villing to sacrifice his pre­ Rabbi Elchanan Wasserman ?··~1 This will only be fully realized when cious son Yitzchak. This was considered (who himself died al Kiddush Hashem) Moshiach comes: "V'haya Hashem l'M­ the ultimate of Hashem's Ten Tests, and answers9 that one who dies al Kiddush elec/1 al kol ha'aretz bayom hahu yiyeh Chazal say that eifer Yitzchak, Yitzchak's Hashem knows that he will go directly Hashen1 cchad u'shel'na echad - IJashe1n "ashes," as it \Vere, representing a con­ to Gan Eden. One gives up his life on this will be King over all the world; on that sun1ed offering, are always before temporary \vorld in exchange for Eter­ day will Hashem be One and His Name Hashcn1. The question is asked: V\!hy was nity. If, however, one were asked to sac­ will be One."8 this considered so 1neritorious? Over the rifice one's life for Hashcn1 and forfeit On a personal level, then, we may well generations, thousands upon thou- his portion in Olam Habba, this indeed seem to be better off in our current state when we have the opportunity to improve our ways, for which we will be amply rewarded. Nevertheless, the will Important Notice to of the Ribbono Shel Olam certainly takes precedence over our personal prefer­ Holocaust Survivors ences and our vision for a better \Vorld. Our foren1ost desire is to see that J-Iis and Their Heirs will is fulfilled, as it will be in the era of Moshiach. If you are a Holocaust survivor or the heir of a Holocaust victim, you may have a legitimate unpaid Holocaust era life, education or dowry claim. A KEYSTONE ANNIVERSARY You can file a claim through a Claims Resolution Process set up by the n our Rosh Hashana tefillos we International Commission on Holocaust Era Insurance Claims {ICHEIC). The Commission consists of representatives of United States declare: "Hayom haras olam." Rosh insurance regulators, five European insurance companies and their Hashana is considered the birthday I subsidiaries, the State of Israel, worldwide Jewish and Holocaust survivor of the world, the anniversary of the cre­ organizations and European regulators as Observers. ation of man. With the appearance of Adam and his recognition of Hasheln's ICHEIC has managed an extensive research effort to identify potential greatness and kindness, Hashem became policyholders. In total, 450,000 names have been published representing King. Therefore, every Rosh Hashana we more than 500,000 insurance policies. The list will be updated with new focus on accepting Divine Malchus. Yes, names in the coming weeks. However, these lists are unlikely to include all the names of Holocaust victims who had insurance policies during the we all want to emerge victorious in din relevant period. People should not be discouraged from filing claims simply on this day, and focusing on teshuva because their name or the names of family members do not appear on any would help us achieve our goal. published lists. Anyone who believes he or she has a valid life, education or Nonetheless, we put aside our own needs dowry policy is encouraged to present the claim to ICHEIC. and concentrate on the will of Hashem. Indeed, this is the greatest expression of The opportunity exists for you to receive payment if you submit a claim before Malchus. Although we might actually September 30, 2003. fear that we will suffer by doing so, we The Claims Resolution Process is a free service that provides individuals nonetheless focus primarily on accept­ with a central source for information on, investigation into, and payment of ing Hashem's Malchus. A servant of the these outstanding policies. King does not have a will of his own; only the will of the King. If you or someone you know may be eligible visit the website: THEAKEIDA TEMPLATE www.icheic.org oncentrating on accepting Hashem's Malchus while ignor­ or call Cing our own needs, at the appar­ ent expense of a favorable judgment, is 1-800-957-3203

The Jewish Observer, September 2003 27 would be a severe test. When Avraham ner similar to Avraham Avinu, we reveal His sovereignty, He does so Avinu was asked to sacrifice Yitzchak, prove ourselves worthy of his merit. We through judgment. Hashem did not request that he give up focus on accepting Hashem's Maleh us, Our judgment, however, is not the his portion in the Next World; He asked and ignore our own fate. This is com­ focus of the day. The essence of Rosh hi1n to give up something even more plete kabbolas Malchus. Hashana is acceptance of His Malchus. dear to him than Olam Habba. And, bearing this in mind, our After winning the war against the REPENTANCE- STIH ON THE AGENDA thoughts and conduct on this day four kings, Avraham was worried that should fully reflect this awareness of His he had received all the reward that had his is not meant to minimize the imminent majesty. As long as we been reserved for him in the Next importance of repentance. On choose to accept His Malchus, then we World. The Ribbono Shel Olam told T the contrary, the month of Ellul have achieved the purpose of the day. Avraham - "Al tira Avraham - Do not is a prime time for teshuva. By antici­ Hashem will not need to judge us by worry, Avraham," you have a great por­ pating the upcoming Yorn Hadin and our past deeds. This, too, is an act of tion awaiting you in the next world. making a cheshbon hanefesh (an kindness towards us, for after all, who Avraham's response? «Vayon1er Avra­ accounting of our past deeds), we pre­ can honestly say that he will prove to ham, 'Hashem Elokim ma titen Ii pare ourselves to accept His reign. be fully deserving of Hashem's grace v'anochi holeich ariri?"' 10 Avraham said Should we feel fear for the awesome through his deeds? that if he would not have a child, it Day of Judgment, it is certainly to our Therefore, if we reflect on the mag­ would all be worthless. Avraham did credit. nitude and consequences of Yorn everything lishma, shelo al me'nas le'k­ If, however, we choose to ignore our Hadin, that makes our Kabbolas abel p'ras; he was not looking for personal fate on Rosh Hashana, and Malchus all the greater. We are aware reward. More iinportant to Avraham instead focus on Hashem's Malchus, our of what is at stake, and we still focus than the Afterlife was his desire that his acceptance of His Kingship is then on Hashem's will and not on our own. legacy continue. If he would not have much enhanced. In this way, we emu­ a son to spread Hashem's Name after he late Avraham Avinu, for Avraham was A TIME OF RENEWAL ... LIKE ADAM leave this world, his life's work would keenly aware of what he was forfeiting go to waste. This was more precious to and nonetheless followed the will of he Midrash notes" that con­ him than Olam Habba. Hashem. We, too, should bear in mind cerning all the Mussafim - the Reh E!chanan explains that this what we stand to lose when we choose Tadditional sacrificial offerings of was the great test of the Akeida. to focus on Hashem's sovereignty on the festivals it is written Although all of Avraham's hopes were this day. "ve'hikravtem, and you should offer"; pinned on Yitzchak, he was neverthe­ If we do not focus on judgment on however, regarding Rosh Hashana, it less prepared to lose him, and all that Rosh Hashana, why was Rosh Hashana states «va'asisem, and you should was associated with him, to fulfill the designated as a day of judgment? It is make:' The Midrash explains that on will of Hashem. It is this zechus that surely no mere coincidence that the Rosh Hashana, Hashem in effect makes protects us on Rosh Hashana. Avraham Day of Creation, when we reaccept His us anew. Just as Adam Harishon was totally surrendered his own will, even Malchus, is the Day of Judgment as well. created on Rosh Hashana, so, too, are though he did not understand the pur­ Another point to ponder is: Why is we all reborn every Rosh Hashana. pose of sacrificing Yitzchak. It is much there no mention in the Torah that Rabbi Aharon Kotler ?°lit explains 14 that the same with us, as we attempt to Rosh Hashana is Yam Hadin? 11 on Yorn Kippur we are judged accord­ en1ulate Avraham. By acting in a man- The Gemora 12 states that during the ing to our past actions, so we must Asseres Yemei Teshuva, the Ten Days of repent on Yorn Kippur if we did not do Repentance, we conclude the beracha so until then. Rosh Hashana, howev­ of Kedusha with the words "Hamelech er, is a time of his'chadshus (renewal); Hakadosh - the Holy King," instead of if we fully accept His Malchus and we the customary "Hakeil Hakadosh - the sincerely resolve to begin afresh, then Holy G-d." Rashi explains that Hashem we will merit to be inscribed in the Visiting New York? judges us during this period, and Book of Life. The Gemora says" that Beautiful rooms, with kitchen facilities, in judgment is a manifestation of on Rosh Hashana we are judged, as it the heart of Baro Park, by day or week. Hashem's Malchus; only the King of is written, "Tiku bachodesh shofar, Near Shuls, take out foods, etc. Profits to kings has power over universal life and bakeseh l'yom chageinu - Blow the sho­ Mifal Torah Vodaas. death. It may be said that if Hashem's far at the moon's renewal, when it is judging us is an expression of His sta­ concealed, at the appointed time of our Call (718) 851-2969 tus as King, then, ipso facto on Rosh festive day [i.e., Rosh Hashana]; ki chok No T.V.'s Hashana, when Hashem chooses to l'Yisroel hu - for it is a decree for Yis-

------·----.. -·--··---·--- 28 The Jewish Observer, September 2003 roel." 16 The Gemora asks, {(How do we chok also means portion. Hashem even though we might not understand know that the rest of the world is also decides on Rosh Hashana what every­ why Hashem wants us to do so, Hashem judged on this dayl The passuk con­ one's portion will be for the entire year. will grant us life through a chok, with­ tinues, 'Mishpat Leilokei Yaakov - This applies, however, only to Bnei Yis­ out reason, even if we would be unde­ judgment for the G-d ofYaakov." roe/, who accept His Malchus and are serving.18 These two expressions, "chok" and His servants. As a matter of course, a May we accept Hashem's reign this ((mishpat," are opposites. The first king provides for the needs of his ser­ Rosh Hashana. In merit of our surren­ refers to a decree without rational pur­ vants. When the rest of the world, how­ der to His will, may Hashem find us pose or design, while the latter is an ever, receives mishpat, they are judged deserving of a year of life. And may we ordinance that conforms to human rea­ according to their merits. We might witness the coming of Moshiach, the soning. include that chok, as mentioned, also ultimate revelation of Hashem's Reb Aharon writes that the Gemo­ means a decree without reason. If we Maleh us. • ra in Beitza17 explains that the word accept His Maleh us and ignore our fate,

1 Rosh Hashana l6a. 7 See also Ritva, Taanis 30b;Matnas Chai1n, Maa­ hada'as. Hashem judged him and he merited to live. Hashem told Adam, "Just as you succeed in 2 Hilchos Tesl1uva 3:3. marirn p.227-228. 8 your judgment, so too I will judge your children 3 Zecharia 14, 9. See Ramban1 Hilchos Teshuva 1:1; 2:2. Indeed, every year on this day, and they will succeed in 9 Beis Yosef(O.C. 584) omits the Avinu Malkeinu Kovetz Maamarim. their judgment" (Vayikra Rabba 29). phrases that n1ention sin, and this is the preva­ 10 Bereishis 15, 2. Adam had chosen to sin for what he perceived lent custom amongst Sefardic Jewry (see Kaf 11 See also En1es l'Yaakov Vayikra 23, 24. to be the sake of Hashern. The Michtav HaChai111 584:4-6; 582:16). Although the Ashke­ Me'Eliyahu (vol. 2) explains that Adam was so 12 nazic custom is to recite them, we reinterpret the Berachos 12b. dose to Hashen1, his knowledge of Hashem so phrase to mean "Avinu Malkeinu chatanu 13 Vayikra Rabba 29. great, that he lacked the free will that we enjoy. l'ftmeclia -i.e., our forefathers sinned before You." 14 Mishnas R' Aharon vol. 2 p. 199. He decided to sin in order to create darkness, so But as for us, "ein lanu Melech ela Ata, we have 15 he would be faced with a challenge. Adam thought no king besides You" (see Reina 584:1 with Mish­ Rosh Hashana 8b. that in this way, he could better serve lfashe1n. na Berura no. 3). 16 Tehillim 87:4,5. He was wrong. He transgressed the will of Hashem 4 Kohclles 12, I. 17 Page 16a to enter what he thought was a better status. 5 Every Rosh Hashana, we do what Hashem Shabbos 15lb. 18 On this day, 5764 years ago, Hashem created wants: we accept His kingship in ways that defy 6 Adam. Adam sinned and ate from the eitz Rarnban, [)evarim 30, 6. our reason. In this way, we rectify Ada1n's sin.

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The Jewish Observer, September 2003 29 ANTICIPATING THE NEW YEAR Rabbi Avi Shafran C-recrl Ex eetcrlion~

MESSAGE ON the arrow leaves the bow THE LABEL - or an error of a single digit at the first step in a houghts of conse­ long calculation - can quence can some­ yield a difference of miles, Ttimes arise fro1n or millions, in the end. the most mundane expe­ Modern scientific termi­ riences. Even from son1e­ nology has given the con­ thing as unremarkable cept both the unwieldy as a headache. na1ne "sensitive depend­ Opening the medi­ ence on initial condi­ cine cabinet one day in tions" and the playful one search of relief, I was "the butterfly effect," the struck by a sticker on a latter after the influence prescription container. l that the flapping of a had seen both the con­ butterfly's wings halfway tainer and the sticker around the world could countless times, but the presumably have on full implication of the tomorrow's local weather. message on the latter The most striking but­ had somehow always terfly effects take place escaped me. during formative stages, "Not for use by preg­ when much is transpiring nant wo1nen," the caveat with particular rapidity. read. Thus, the label on the "And why not?" a medication: the gestation part of my aching but of a fetus, that single cell's still functioning head incredible journey toward wondered. personhood, is strikingly Because, another part responsive to so much of answered, a fetus is so what its mother does, eats much more sensitive to the effects of the most subtle stimuli. and drinks. The developing child is chemicals than a more developed person. Which thought led, slowly but inex­ exquisitely sensitive to even the most oth­ Partly, of course, because of its very tini­ orably, to others, about b'rias a/am-the erwise innocent chemicals because begin­ ness, but more importantly, because it is creation of the world - and Rosh nings are formative, hence crucial, times. an explosively, relentlessly developing Hashana. Leaving the realm of the microcosm, thing. When things undergo a process of our world itself, too, had a gestation development - especially as furious a THE SENSITIVE LAUNCHING STAGE period, six days' worth. Interestingly, just process as a single cell growing to a many­ as the initial developmental stage of a billions-of-unbelievably-variegated-cells he Maharal notes that the trajec­ child takes place beyond our observa­ organism in a matter of mere months - tory of a projectile - or, we tion, so did that of the world itself. The they are easily and greatly affected by even Tmight similarly note, the outcome event and processes of those days are of a series of mathematical computa­ entirely hidden from us, the Torah sup­ ------·~------Rabbi Shafran serves as Agudath Israel of Amer­ tions - can be affected to a sometin1es plying only the most inscrutable gen­ ica's Director of Public Affairs and as the Amer­ astounding degree by a very small eralities about what actually took place ican director of Am Echad, the Agudath lsrael­ then. Thus apply the "The inspired educational outreach effort and n1edia change near the start of the process. A Ghazal passuk resource. diversion of a single degree of arc where honor of Hashem is the concealment of

30 The Jewish Observer, September 2003 things" (Mishlei 25,2) to the days of Cre­ first Shabbos seeming in every detectable pun value - their na1nes reflective of ation. Honest scientists admit the sa1ne. way to reflect millions of years of hoped-for blessings; they become sud­ E.A. Milne, a celebrated British development, years that never actually denly valuable in an almost solemn way. astrono1ner, wrote: "In the divine act of were, eons that occurred entirely with­ These sirnanirn would hardly seem sub­ creation, G-d is unobserved and unwit­ in the six days of the world's explosive, stantive means of ensuring good for­ nessed." The physicist Richard Feynman en1bryonic growth. tune, and are not suggested for any other once re1narkcd about quantum Which leads to Rosh Hashana: "The time of the year, yet on Rosh Hashana mechanics, the physical system under­ birthday of the world." That, at least, is they suddenly en joy great prominence. lying matter," I think it is safe to say that how the first day of the Jewish year is Could it be that the reason things not no one understands [it]:' etched in n1any a Jew's mind, the yield greatly significant under normal cir­ l)espite our inability, however, to of the phrase hayon1 haras olan1 on our cumstances suddenly take on pointed truly know anything about the hap­ lips as the shofar echoes in our ears. importance during Aserres Y'n1ei Teshu­ pening of the creation week, to think of va is because those days have their ana­ those days as a gestational time is pow­ WHEN THE NEW YEAR logue in the concept of gestation? That erfully enlightening. It may even help IS ABOUT TO BE BORN those days are so incredibly sensitive to explain the apparent discrepancy minor influences because they are the between what we know from the Torah he word haras, however, is root­ days from which the entire year will devel­ is the true age of the earth and what the ed not in leida, the Hebrew word op? And that, therefore, the first day of geological and paleontological evidence Tfor birth, but in hirayon, a \¥Ord the year - the hayom haras alam, the seen1 to say. that nleans the process of conception conception-day itse1f-is the nlost sen­ Consider: what would happen if the /gestation. Annually, at the start of the sitive of all? age of an adult human since his con­ Jewish year, it seems we relive the ges­ While mitzvos and good conduct are ception were being inferred by a sci­ tational days of creation. But 1nore: those always in season, they have particular entist from Alpha Centauri, a hypo­ days are formative ones, the develop­ power during the Ten Days of Teshuva. thetical intelligent creature with no ment period for the year thot is to follow. And while simanirn may not be of great familiarity whatsoever with our bio­ Beginning with the "conception-day" of concern to us over the course of the year, logical world, using only knowledge it Rosh Hashana itself, and continuing on Rosh Hashana itself they are to be has of the human's present rate of with the "gestational days" leading to cherished for their substantial, if growth and development? In other Yorn Kippur, the period of the early new inomentary, power. words, if our alien professor knew only Jewish year is to each year what the Cre­ And so, it is with the very same vig­ that the individual standing before it ation-week was to the world of our ilance and care an expectant mother has developed from a single cell, and saw experience: a formative stage. for the rapidly developing, exquisitely only the relatively plodding rate and All of which may well lend some sensitive being within her that we 1nust wholly unimpressive degree of change insight into a puzzling halacha. We are all approach our own recurrent gesta­ in its subject, it would have no choice instructed by the Shulchan Aruch to con­ tion-times, the flap of the figurative but­ but to conclude that the 30-year-old duct ourselves in a particularly exem­ terfly-wings that is the start of a new human was, in truth, fantastically old. plary manner at the start of a new Jew­ Jewish year. • What the Alpha Centaurion is missing, ish year. For each year's first ten days, we of course, is an awareness of the spe­ are to avoid eating even technically cialized nature of the gestational stage kosher foods that present other, less seri­ Digest of Meforshim of life, the poignantly pregnant peri­ ous, problems, and to generally conduct od before birth, with its rapid, ourselves in a more careful manner than ~V1j77 in:t ~V1j77 astounding and unparalleled rate of during the rest of the year.' 7"ll) iv'D7N 7Ntr.J1!1 l"i'IT.1l:J development. Rosh Hashana itself, according to i\vailahle at If we recognize that a si1nilar gesta­ Jewish custom, is even n1ore strictly LEKUTEI tional stage existed for the world as a responsive to our actions. On the year's c/o Yitzchok Rosenberg 1445 54th Street whole at its creation - and the Torah tells first day, it is recommended that a Jew Brooklyn, NY 11219-4228 us to do precisely that - then it is only avoid sleep, that we utilize the entire day 718-854-6701 reasonable to expect that formative stage to the fullest and squander not a 20 Volumes on Torah, Perek, Medrash, to evidence a similarly accelerated rate moment. Megilos, , and Tehilim. of development, with the results on the Indeed, so sensitive is Rosh Hashana Proceeds of sales distributed ;1111ong to what we do that even seemingly Yeshivos and used for reprinting of ' For exan1plc, the prohibition against eating pas pointless and often baffling practices volu1nes out-of-print patter - bread baked by non-fews on a com­ mercial basis-which is an optional chunira, but take on sudden importance for that day. PRICE: $8.00 PER VOLUME to be avoided during the Ten Days of Penitence. For instance, the foods we eat for sheer

The Jewish Observer, September 2003 31 •p:c1cp ;1m:111 Rabbi S. TCamenetsky

2018 Upland Way Home: 215478-2798 Phila

Practically N!:i'll ?N'1'11' n'.:'l"ll !:ill o>>l'.lNl 0"1];)1'11., ir.i?lll 1t>l'Jlll 01pl!ln 1Y'Q every O>"l!"l 0•:11111nn cmpt>v;i o:nm1 ini i11 ':i:i 1?n1111 il:Jll1 n:i:m i::itw ?Nill» nl'.lro 101ori 'mll'J n"n 1i'i Nl"\l':>Y.11 l'Cr.in11 Nni';it,11 Godo! Yisroel tl'W!ll 'll'N ,,.,.sn O•ll!m 1~11Xli \11 l:)) mi•or.t::i a>:l1n J1N i::mi has warmly IV•ln? ;nx O::>'tl i':>\:lli 0'1nl'( mi'tl:l ml11? p,, z.1?111 .,N1111•r.i ul';i.sN ?::iipr.i::> m1n>1 nr.»';IYJ rn11:JN !:iw nz.11'1 n1m ?iu 1um on>l!:>':> endorsed .11i .,,;1:3 the work of

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NY.l., O>lY.lm 'l:l O>))'Jrt1 ,N,111' 'IJ:l U>nN ';l'l) m:l::I':> iii.ll!:i m:i 'l'lN:l cn-n::1.11:1 on? !il»o;,, >Pm' iOmn 1'1:1'::1 Tlr.>!1171 0>11::1n 'ii m1).l:i O'::>Y.lil"ln ?:>., 11,, 11l).I> n~r.ln :m:m 1n:irr3 nni n:ini i':l wnpn nro ::1'1 lli'i 'Jl)n n11-<•1:n '"l\!Jill1 1\!Jl?Q OJ:l'.:) 1n~n~1Vl:l ';:,::i i::!1::1l'1''1!1 .i)I' l'lil'Jill OJ1Pi!!1 O!!':m 'N.lli> ?::>Y.l We undertake to pay their tuition in yeshivah and they remain part of klal Yisroel

CAN YOU STAND BY AND DO NOTHING? For $75 you can p~ a child's tuition for one month! With 12 checks for $75 you can pay a child's tuition for one year! - and save a Jewish child from shmad! Take your responsibility seriously ANTICIPATING THE NEW YEAR Mrs. Shira Frank

A Positive Factor in Teshuva

n contemporary American culture, construe and reinvent "Jewish guilt:' appreciation and love, rather than fro1n the expression "Jewish guilt" is syn­ self-deprecation and belittling oneself. I onymous with senseless self-flagel­ TRUE REGRET: If an individual is full of arrogance, lation, or in the vernacular, "beating up A STEPPING STONE TO GROWTH however, he would first need to be makir on yourself unnecessarily." Within Jew­ es mekomo (know one's place in the ish tradition, however, guilt differs ore significantly, true regret is scheme of life) in order to come to teshu­ greatly from what one might surmise. reflected in the pain one sens­ va. Yes, there is pain in the process of The state of being guilty of a partic­ M es for the loss of spiritual approaching one's liabilities and limi­ ular act can be expressed in Hebrew as potential, the missed opportunity that tations; yet without this, how could one "aslzam:' If one harbors feelings of guilt, results from doing an aveira. In Mich­ attempt to improve oneself? One must however, one is said to have charatta or tav Me'Eliyalzu, Rabbi Eliyahu Eliezer be aware of the consequences of one's regret. Guilt is a state of human account­ Dessler states that a person needs to feel actions so as to be certain that one will ability rather than an emotional state. that something is n1issing and a certain not repeat the same patterns of behav­ Thus when one has feelings of remorse connection with Hashem is broken or ior that led to error. Feeling accountable when looking at his past, it is part of the loosened when one is chotei (sins or for one's thoughts, speech and actions human process of positive change, and misses the mark, as the word connotes). reflects taking life seriously. This is seen constitutes a step toward self-improve­ One should yearn to be reunited with with Yoseif Hatzaddik in his encounter ment. It reflects a desire to become clos­ Hashem, and the so-called pain of guilt with Potiphar's wife. Rashi said that he er to Hashem, as one hopes to fill a void should ideally be that which a person came to make a cheshbon (an account­ within oneself; it is the antithesis of wal­ experiences when losing a closeness in ing) on that day at work. This is a ref­ lowing in an abyss of depression, which the most important relationship in his erence to a spiritual accounting of his reflects despair and distancing oneself life. The mere idea that teshuva is actions. This introspective examination from Hashem. Indeed, embracing guilt­ always possible is a most uplifting was instrumental in stopping himself induced depression for having commit­ thought - quite the opposite of despair. from succumbing to the entreaties of ted sinful actions can only emanate from In a similar vein, according to Potiphar's wife. the crafty designs of the yeitzer hara. From Rabbeinu Bechaya lbn Pakuda, in this defeatist response, one comes to mis- Chovos Halevavos, one feels remorse and FEELING EMBARRASSED: ITS VIRTUE ... experiences a desire to do teshuva as a Shira Frank C.S.W. is a psychotherapist in pri­ response to one's appreciation of all the hen examining one's past vate practice specializing in play and family ther­ apy. She resides in Flatbush, Brooklyn. She has good that Hashem has bestowed upon actions, one feels embar­ written previously in these pages. hi1n or her. Teshuva, again, comes from Wrassed upon discovering per-

34 The Jewish Observer, September 2003 sonal shortcon1ings. It 1nay be a source heart, the 'falmud advises him to speak - which occurs when a person does not of discomfort, but it is really a virtue. it over with others. Sometimes, howev­ allow the inner experience of teshuva to According to the Maharal in Nesiv er, the n1ore one speaks about a wrong­ occur ... a type of smothering one's Hashalo111, e1nbarrassn1ent shows that doing, the less guilty one feels about it. spiritual heart, a distancing of one's rela­ you have not integrated the sin into your It becomes almost comn1onplace - a tionship with Hashem. being. It is too alien to one's norn1al con­ sort of joke, a topic of frivolous con­ duct for the person to take it lightly. This versation amongst friends. In fact, OF DESTRUCTIVE GUILT is reflected in the statement of Chazal: merely speaking of one's wrongdoings, -AND DESPAIR "Should a person who commits a sin be without taking them to heart, can erad­ truly ashamed of his conduct, all his sins icate whatever inner remorse a person hus far, we have been speaking of are forgiven" (Berachos 12b). For exam­ may have felt for having distancing him­ guilt as a positive force - ren1orse ple, Shaul Hamclech demonstrated his self from Hashem, by transgressing His Tfor wrongdoing and an impetus remorse for having brought about the will. Rabbi Dessler speaks of this as tim­ for self-i1nprovement. As 1nentioned, destruction of Nov (the city of Kohan­ tum haleiv - the callousing of the heart however, when guilt is self-deprecating im ), as reflected in his not inentioning the Urim Ve'tumim (the breastplate worn by the Kohein Gadol), when speaking to Shmuel. Because of his sense of shame, he was forgiven by Hashem, as inferred fron1 Shn1uel's response to hiin: "Tomorrow you and your sons will be with me" - Shaul will be permitted to enter the same spiritual domain as Shmuel.

... AND ITS DOWNSIDE

ome people may feel a sense of shame (as this is one of the three "What giues us success in u;ar? Please use my donation to: character traits reflected in all S The spi1'itval fortresses of 1brah." • Help a young Choson­ Jews), and yet this shame may not lead Rabbi Ychoshuah bcn Levi (Afa1cos) Kallah. get n1arried! to a constructive outcon1e. Rabbi For thousands of years, the Torah has kept Ain • Give a 'Jbrah scholar in Dessler cites the maxim that "resha'im Yisrocl alive. need of surgery peace (evil-doers) may feel remorse for their Keep the learning of 'Ibrah alive. of mind! actions;' yet they may have no desire to • Enliven the lives of a Due to further severe reductions of up to 80% in Torah family 1-vith a Yo1n change. Eisav, for example, was the pro­ Israeli governn1ent subsidies, Yeshivas and 'forah Tau grant! families arc turning to us 'vitb ever-increasing totype hunter - "game was in his • tfelp provide a home requests for assistance. We cannot let them dcnvn. mouth!' His entire existence was exter­ for a newlyv.red couple! Ezras Torah nolv more than ever needs your help. nal, remaining in his n1outh; never • Endo'"' ;:i Free Loan Beco1ne partners vvith Ezras 1brah and send in ingested, to reach his inner self. Fund or Medical your generous contribution today! When a person carries a worry in his Emergency Fund! ------.A.REIVIM I "'IT.es , I would like to help Ezras Torah's needy. I ..l_ ( e Enclosed is my tax deductible contribution for: HOTLINE I .J$18 Cl$36 U$50 8$100 D$180 U$250 8$360 Cl $500 u $1,000 [.) $, ____ I Method of payment: :..l Check 0 Visa U MIC Q A/E Ac. #: ____ ----· Exp. Date: -·--- From crisis to control. I Please contact me regarding establishing an Ezras Torah Endowment Fund for a: Helping our boys and girls I Cl Free Loan Fund 8 Medical Emergency Fund I Please send me an Ezras Torah Halachic Pocket Calendar & Guide, for the current year. (checked Parents: 1-866-&AREIVIM I below, contributionendosed) Teens: 1-866-0URGUVS I i.J Pocket-sized Hebrew Luach O Pocket-sized English Luach U Wall-sized Hebrew Luach I Email: [email protected] I Name Tel. {

All calls are confidential. I Address City State Zip ,.,,,,,,K ·~~ ~ 11'~ )' l")>? I Please make check payable to: Ezras Torah, 235 East Broadway, New York, NY 10002 • (212) 227-8960 JO ~------The Jewish Observer, September 2003 35 it can lead to falling into a state of have done more to help others - perhaps carry culpability, even if the outcome despair. A person can think, "Hashem close family members - and these proves to be negative. is so good. I am truly nothing - I'll thoughts can plague their minds. There As for those who feel guilt because never be 'good enough'; why bother try­ are two possibilities - either they clear­ they truly did not do enough to help ing?" As my Rav, Rabbi Aharon Zuck­ ly did enough to help, or they were truly others and the one who suffered is no erman shlita, commented, "If one negligent in their familial obligations. longer alive, there is an atonement becomes greatly saddened in the mid­ If, for example, they did all they could process, but it is not simple. The Ram­ dle of a tefilla, a person should know to help their ailing relative (i.e. with bam informs us that if a person mur­ that the yeitzer hara has triumphed." medical assistance, or by visiting the ders someone and attempts to do True teshuva is not associated with patient), then it becomes an issue of teshuva, the murderer cannot fully despair. Jn fact, according to a well­ ((Who is really in control here?" Hashem atone for his action in this world. known Chassidishe vort, the worst decrees the years of a person's life in this Nonetheless, just as he has taken a life aveiros result from despair, for once a world, and no human action can change in this world, he must devote heroic person gives up hope, he is no longer this. If one tried one medical method efforts to bringing life into this world: motivated to take any action. and it proved to be disadvantageous, this spiritually- through spreading Torah; The principle, "One transgression was clearly not a deliberate mistake, but physically - through bikur cholim and causes further transgressions" also con­ an option chosen with all the possible other acts of chessed; emotionally - veys that a person can plummet down­ information available. An example of through befriending and supporting the ward once he begins to lose spiritual this is related in the Gemora (custom­ forlorn, alienated or bereaved. A person vitality. arily studied on Tisha B'Av). cannot change the past, but he can at According to Rabbi Dessler, teshuva Rabbi Zecharya ben Avkulis object­ least attempt to rectify his past actions. is not a matter of being a prisoner of ed to accepting a sacrifice that had been In the process, he will rise above his feel­ the past, for teshuva reaches beyond offered by the Caesar which had an ings of despair and sense of self-dep­ time and space. To the contrary, the invalidating blemish. He thus inadver­ recation. As the Rambam mentions in world is constantly undergoing re-cre­ tently set into motion a chain of events Hilchos Teshuva, besides vidui (verbal ation, and as a result, each moment that resulted in the destruction of the confession) and charatta (regret over endows us with a totally new potential. Second Beis Hamikdash. Yet he is not one's actions), one is required to have Hashem thus responds to our desire to called a murderer or destroyer, as his kabbala al he'asid - to focus on ways to come closer to Him by granting us a motivation was to preserve with clari­ elevate oneself in the future, so as not freshness and a force that equips us to ty the criteria for determining which to repeat the same misdeeds. Beyond redress the errors of the past. Teshuva animals were suitable to be offered as remorse lies a future of hope. transcends the past and enables us to sacrifices in the Temple (see Gittin 56a). transform ourselves. He had no premonition that his action GROWTH FROM would have such devastating ramifica­ RECOGNIZING ONE'S FAULTS ... SHORTFALL JN tions. We too are judged by our actions, INTERPERSONAL DEALINGS not by all the unanticipated ripple ne may ask: Why do we recite effects that may result from them. the detailed "Al Cheit" confes­ any times people experience When one is motivated le'sheim 0 sional year after year on Yorn guilt in the realm of interper­ Shamayim, and makes use of the infor­ Kippur, when we do not find ourselves Msonal obligations. They could mation that is accessible, one does not having changed in the areas mentioned since having confessed them the previ­ ous year? Rabbi Nachman of Breslav speaks of the concept of "doing teshu­ va for one's teshuva." Perhaps we have not changed dramatically in certain areas, but hopefully our perception of the aveira has changed. The level of regret is deeper; we recognize how dis­ tant we really are from Hashem; so we are doing teshuva for the shallow level of the previous year's teshuva. Hopefully, our awareness of Hashem's presence has sharpened, and thus our teshuva is not the same - just as our awareness is not the same, but has become enhanced.

36 The Jewish Observer, September 2003 ... REGRESSION FROM DENIAL some effort, Hashem will open many with His grand design. possibilities to help us in our agenda to Small actions aimed in the proper here is a potent psychological fac­ improve. direction facilitate continual human tor that can impede a person Rabbi Dessler speaks of timtum growth and improvement. Regret, with­ Tfro1n initiating changes - one's haleiv, the desensitizing of the heart that in the Torah's perspective, can be most natural reluctance to acknowledge his occurs when a person has an awareness constructive, if it is used to elevate our­ guilt. After all, who wants to admit that of wrong-doing that borders on regret, selves and continually come closer to he or she is imperfect? In genera], peo­ but is free of almost any emotional realizing our G-d-given abilities and ple prefer not to ackoowledge guilt, just involve1nent, not permitting this cog­ strengths. As human beings, we are cre­ as they naturally avoid other painful nition to penetrate his psyche, nor ated betzellem Elokim - in G-d's image experiences. allowing it to help the person change. - and our daily steps in our avodas This denial can stem from arrogance, The Baal Hatanya describes timtum Hashem have infinite potential. We an exaggerated sense of self-importance: haleiv as occurring when the coarseness should be bold enough to recognize our How could I have done such an act? I'm of the physical body does not allow the shortcomings) and to use them for cre­ really greater than that. This disinclina­ G-dly soul to shine through and make ating a strategy for self-improvement tion to be "makir es mekomo" - refus­ an impact upon the person. Physical and spiritual growth. • ing to recognize one's status- ultimately limitations and normal human preoc­ leaves a person with a subconscious real­ cupations also prevent a person fro1n ization that on one 1evel or another, he responding to Hashem's Presence and Uncle Moishy, Dedi is rather "stuck." This in turn can cause initiating true teshuva. The advice Avrohom Fried, him to feel depressed for not experi­ given by the Baal Hatanya is to set aside and other leading encing growth or change. designated time to make a din ve'chesh­ Jewish enterJainers And as we shrink away from admit­ bon (introspective accounting) of one­ ting that we are lacking in desirable self, and to lash out at one's yeitzer hara are available traits, we find it difficult to accept that in one's thoughts, in keeping with the to visit the world may be adversely affected by Chazal (rabbinic dictum): "One should seriously ill our misdeeds. To admit that we are always incite his yeitzer tov (good children expected to embark on a serious impulse) against the evil inclination;' thanks to effort to improve our conduct or char­ asking, 'Until when will you block my SIMCHAS CHAVA -,. ..: C!~l nt.Wl"'l:lt? ~ acter, or that we truly diminish oth­ access to the infinite light of our i'l''l' :imn "'I ro rim ers (or Hashem's Presence in the blessed G-d?'" A Chessed project run by Agudath Israel of America , world) by our misdeeds, can be over­ In reality, all facets of existence stem in conjunction With . "). • ·, ; • whelming. Worse yet, we may have from Hashem, including the yeitzer Suki & Ding Productions ••• ... ·· • To set up an appointment. ca!!: t•, 1 become so accustomed to ingrained hara. Thus, "A small amount of light can (212) 797-9000 Ext.23S.' ~.' negative habits, that we react, "Why dispel nluch darkness," in accordance must we think about this? Anyway, we are shomer Torah and mitzvos. Isn't that enough in our generation? So w h at 1fl '111 wea k.tn .....I"

NAVIGATING THE "GUILT" BARRIER

ndeed, to function and grow as a human being, one should believe in I oneself and in one's G-d-given potential. And yes, one does need FOR healthy self-esteem, and it is important THE FINEST· to accept that all human beings have IN imperfections, in order to deal with one's 1nistakes constructively and to contin­ PHOTOGRAPHY ue to persevere. Hashem is aware of our AND VIDEO many habits and limitations. All He demands of us is an "opening in our USA/ISRAEL hearts the size of a needle's eye;' as men­ tioned in Chazal. If a person puts in

The Jewish Observer, September 2003 37 ANTICIPATING THE NEW YEAR

I. THE ELEMENTS OF ATONEMENT gated to apologize whenever we have most important words in marriage are, hurt someone in any way. And the ones fle sa!aty , llutw/i~nJlif.'ftf{{s explodes. 'Tm not ready to lose our yffe '!!'• we linow you 'tr alway.< tfiete assets again on another get-rich-quick kiitli ·a Wan to tile·uruvei" · scheme!" Dav Tcnnenbaum "But, Lieba, this is different. I am not Bti-SfJtihesli hiding anything from you. The real estate 1narket is booming now. 1fust Di!'11'1g t~$.comln~y~1~d,\1'1~!>~ys of Jud$$W~J me." th~"$/{~nfi.~(Sth~ptal!~YP#'( Tl)~-~lude f6t~. "How can I trust you? You kept 1ne Yl!u~~ ii ~~.cotril.Jg yea"• ~~d.~11ation becorl)_~a completely in the dark last time." loan, aiding.the strugglil'Jg an

----··-··-·-·-··--- The Jewish Observer, September 2003 39 "O.K., Lieba, you're right. I should Many people share Mutty's misun­ poor judgment in taking such a huge apologize for what happened. I'm sorry derstanding of asking for forgiveness, risk, his apology would have been more I got into that mess. But I was under a and their apologies are as ineffective as effective. More importantly, however, lost of pressure at the time. Could you Mutty's was. Mutty should have included his deceiv­ please forgive me now and let me cash For an apology to be effective, the fol­ ing Lieba, violating her trust in him, in the insurance? This is a great oppor­ lowing guidelines should be followed: as well. tunity now for both of us:' I. Do Not End Any Apology With 3. Acknowledge the Damage. Even though Mutty was brought to "But ... :' A complete apology should include tears by her refusal, Lieba remained If you follow your apology with a a list of the damages that the victim suf­ steadfast. long list of excuses, rationalizations or fered. It is not enough to say you were justifications - valid as they may be - at fault for going through the red light, Ill. WHAT WENT WRONG? you will severely water down its effec­ for example. You must also mention to tiveness. the owner of the car you hit that you are hy was Lieba so unforgiving? Mutty included a "but" in his apolo­ responsible for bending his fender and Where did Mutty go wrong? gy, inflaming Lieba's anger at him. It sig­ cracking his headlight. W And was there another way naled that he was more interested in If you do not realize on your own, Mutty could have apologized, which defending himself and escaping her wrath then by all means ask your spouse how might have been more effective? than he was in accepting responsibility for you hurt him or her. If you already Mutty did not understand that the the consequences of his behavior. know, however, then definitely inform purpose of any apology is to heal the 2. Acknowledge Your Wrongdoing. your spouse that you comprehend wound inflicted by the perpetrator on To be effective, your apology must exactly how (s)he was inconvenienced, the victim. The victim is emotionally include a statement of exactly what you insulted or worse. hurt, and is frightened that (s)he may are apologizing for. Saying only 'Tm Mutty should have said, "I know I was be hurt again. The apology, therefore, is sorry" leaves it doubtful in your spouse's responsible for our house and cars being supposed to provide the victim with mind as to what you are regretting. Are repossessed. I caused you and the children reassurance that the same injury will not you sorry you got caught? Are you sorry to be embarrassed and forced out of our be repeated. your spouse is angry at you? Or are you home. And I gave you good reason to be Mutty viewed an apology as a means sorry for what you did? distrustful of me for a long time after­ to escape punishment or other negative Usually, a hurtful episode includes wards." consequences of his misdeeds, and as a multiple statements and/or actions. 4. Acknowledge Your Spouse's Feel­ tactic to get Lieba to agree to release his Not all of them were equally offensive ings. life insurance policy for him to invest. to your spouse. You must, therefore, spell The purpose of your apology is to Failing to understand the purpose of an out exactly which statements and/or convince your spouse that you fully apology, he delivered his in a most inef­ which actions you now regret. understand the gravity of your error. fective manner. Had Mutty apologized for using If you have any idea how your spouse felt about what you did or said, then mention it. ·rhis will communicate your full appreciation of the conse­ Ionah's Fashion Inc. quences of your actions. The purpose of your apology is to convince your spouse that you fully comprehend the severity of your offense. Clear reference to the negative feelings your words and/or deeds triggered in your spouse • We make skirts and jumpers, solids will increase the effectiveness of your and plaids, from size 5 thru apology. junior and pre-teens If you are not clear about how your • Bais Yaacov blouses made from spouse felt, then certainly ask. At least our own custom made that way, you will demonstrate concern (extra heavy) material for his or her feelings. Mutty could have told Lieba that he understands now how shocked she had been. He could have acknowledged how disappointed and angry she must have felt towards him. Finally, he could have

40 The Jewish Observer, Sepfember 2003 indicated that he recognized how much IV. LABEL AND BLIMA Label's invitation, adding that he would the financial debacle must have made like to speak, briefly, during the seuda her feel alienated and distant from him. ongstanding open wounds can be (meal) as well. Label took it as a mat­ 5. Spell Out Your Resolution. healed. The healing, however, is ter of course that Blima would uot object You are convinced that you will Lnot an event, but a process which to a short d'var Torah at the dinner. He never repeat the same mistake again. only begins with an effective apology. To was mistaken. But your spouse is not as certain about enable the reader to fully appreciate the "Speak twice? Is he serious?" Blima this as you are. To reassure him or her, dynamics of this healing process, I pres­ was incredulous. "People want to social­ disclose the steps you will take or have ent another in-depth case example: ize at a chassuna, not listen to speech­ already taken to prevent a recurrence. Before Label and Blima got married, es. Once is pushing it. But twice is out If you have made a personal prom­ they discussed every detail of their of the question:' ise to yourself, let your spouse know chassuna. Label, for exan1ple) wanted At Blima's insistence, Label agreed to about it. If you have a plan that will pre­ his Rabbi, who would officiate as go back to his Rabbi and ask if the din­ vent you from making the same mistake mesader kiddushin, to address the cou­ ner speech could be eliminated in def­ again, spell it out. If you have resolved ple under the chupa, as was the min­ erence to Blima. to handle similar circumstances in a hag in his family. Blima was not too "No speech at the seuda?" The Rabbi more constructive fashion in the future, thrilled about this, for her relatives and took umbrage. "It is our minhag to speak then, by all n1eans, let your spouse in friends are not accustomed to this at the seuda. This is not a matter of on it. practice. As a concession to Label, how­ kavod. It is a matter of principle:' Had Mutty decided that he would ever, she consented. Blima, however, would not give in. As make full financial disclosures to Lieba The Rabbi enthusiastically accepted the special day approached, Label in the future, or that he would never take high financial risks at all, shar­ ing these commitments with Lieba would have gone a long way towards reassuring her that the previous catas­ trophe would not be repeated. Personal responsibility throughout service - NOT JUST "PAPERWORK" 6. Ask For Forgiveness. ORIGINATOR OF THE PRESENT RABBINICALLY APPROVED METHOD Only after you have completed Highly recommended by Gedolai Hador- Here and in Eretz Yisrael steps 1-5 are you ready to say you are 104.J-42nd Street, Brooklyn, NY 11219 sorry and ask your spouse to pardon your wrongdoing. To seek absolution l)ay & Night phone: (718) 851-8925 before you complete steps 1-5, makes JJJt"r.>1-<1no1-

The Jewish Observer, September 2003 41 assumed it would all work out. He was reneged on an agreement we had made." disturbed you so much. And I'm sorry wrong again. The Rabbi sent messages Label decided to avoid the issue it put such a damper on our wedding to Blima that she would be pleasantly entirely. In time, he reasoned, Blima for yotL I know you had told me that you surprised with the brevity and warmth would let go of her resentment and for­ were opposed to any speeches at wed­ of his dinner speech. In the end, Blima get about the entire episode. And dings and you felt embarrassed to have relented. The Rabbi's d'var Torah was indeed, she would have done well to take two. And I know that I had promised brief and extremely well received, but into account Label's loyalty to his you that I would speak to the Rabbi Blima was left with a huge reservoir of Rabbi, and simply forget about the inci­ about it before the chassuna. I did try resentment. She felt that Label did not dent. But that did not happen. to dissuade him from speaking at the live up to his commitment. Over time, whenever Label would dinner, but I was not successful. I real­ After the chassuna, Label tried to mention the name of his Rabbi, Blima ize now that you were hurt by that. And minimize the incident. "We're married expressed a disparaging remark. Four­ you felt betrayed by me. I really am very now. That's the 1nain thing. Everyone teen months after they were married, sorry. I'm asking you not only to forgive had a wonderful time at our wedding." Label felt he could no longer tolerate me, but also to tell me what I can do now This only poured salt on Blima's Blima's sniping comments whenever his that will demonstrate to you that I do wound. "So what if everyone had a won­ Rabbi came up in conversation. realize how much I hurt you and that I derful time?" Blima shot back. "Not only Although he had pleaded with Blima to am determined not to hurt you again:' did you disregard my feelings, you also forgive him, he never succeeded in "For one thing," Blima replied after receiving a full pardon from her. catching her breath, "you have just lf he ever hoped to put this issue proven to me how sincerely sorry you CHEVRA OSEH CHESED behind them, I advised Label, he would are. I believe your remorse is genuine. have to offer an apology that covered all You don't need to do anything to OF AGUDATH ISRAEL of the bases outlined above. Label was prove it. And secondly, ... I accept your convinced that even a full apology apology:' BURIAL PLOTS would be useless. Once again, he was During the past year, to Label's sur­ wrong. prise, Blima has finally let go of her IN ERETZ YISROEL Label brought up the subject on his anger towards him and even dropped Intennent in a Shomer Shabbos Beis own: "Blima, I want to apologize to you her resentment towards his Rabbi, Olam near Beis Shemesh for something." demonstrating that wounds that festered "What did you do now?" for fourteen months can be healed if Please phone or write to: "It isn't something recent. It took apologies are complete, sincere and non­ Chevra Oseh Chesed of Agudath Israel place fourteen months ago:' defensive. 42 Broadway, New Yorh, NY 10004 "What are you talking about?" Yes, Blima had been holding on too "Our chassuna and the fact that the long to her grudge and she certainly (212) 797-9000 Rabbi spoke at the seuda. I'm sorry it could have made life easier for Label by accepting one of his earlier apologies. But sometimes you need to apologize .i!~iii' triOi~~ i!j;~:l OiiO' O"l"iii! ~~.,, ~"i even when your spouse is 1naking it dif­ il"'.:li' ''0 n"1N N"r.:n nHUil ficult for you.

0''.:l11'.l 7"t n17'.:l'i1 1!'.lO OW:t 1:in::i ''.:l :i~i NW"" W"i (:-t) * ** ill'.l 'l'..17 11':in1 nnNn ON il:t'.:l1)'.) '111'1 0')'.)"\!) '17 DnN s you approach the Yorn Hadin , W11i' wnp W11i' 0'1l'.l1N1 t:l'W'1i'l'.l"I!> il))W'.l il"\!)1)) 'lNW this year, remember that to be on7nn n,:i., onn., n1N1WJ Dil'l'V 1'il'W on1N nn.,1 A absolved for the sin of hurting others, you must ask whomever you ;ivw ;in1N::i o71v:i ilNJil ,7 pN ''.:l ,;i.,vn7 on~v D'NW1J1 hurt for forgiveness. You must apologize. 'JN il))"\!) iln1N'.l ,Oil'l'V'.l 'l'V1 'l'V'.l n1N1WJ Oil'l'VW A good place to start that teshuva 1''.:ltl'.l1 ;ipwJn1 ;ip:inn1 '.li'V' n1n1:i '11'.l'.:l No::i:i rn1N process is at home with your spouse. Following the guidelines above can nnuo Pil'W 1J"i11 .1:1"!1")1:-t (i) :on71N) 1nnn1 on1::it increase the chances that any apology D'l11nN ;i:i1n .,:iN t"t:>il ::i"::i n1n1nn D'PV'.l N7 7:iN you make will achieve your goal of appeasing your spouse and healing ;,,,,~ mwn :on1n::i 0'11'.l) pnil pon1 t"V 0'i'"1n ';i!{t\ ;;.•w:i1? whatever wounds you may have 718. 856-6671 inflicted. •

-----·---·------42 The Jewish Observer, September 2003 ntil last year, Yoram and Yehudit Gilad were nonobservant Jews. Then one night, Yoram Upassed by his son Uria's bedroom door and heard him recite Shema for the first time. It suddenly hit him. For the longest time, he had felt that something was missing from their lives. Uria's Shema showed him what it was. Today, he and his family are observant Jews.

Uria is a first-grade student at the Keren Nesivos Moshe school in Afula, Israel. The Keren was founded five years ago to build Torah schools in Israeli cities where none exist. Since then, the Keren has done more than provide a Torah education to nonobservant children. It has showed them the beauty of a Torah way of life, and they - and their family members - are accepting upon themselves Torah and mitzvos as a result.

In 1998, the Keren opened its doors with 388 students in 15 schools. Last year it served 2,872 children in 48 kindergartens, 13 elementary schools and 3 high schools nationwide. This school year, the numbers are only expected to increase.

But the Keren needs your help. The cost of maintaining and expanding our schools are enormous. Yet the demand for the Keren's schools has never been greater. The Gilads are just one example. Thousands of other families could also become Torah Jews. They just need to be given the chance. i

ITJ Yes, I'd like to help Keren Nesivos Moshe show Eretz Yisroel's nonobservant families the beauty of a Torah life.

0 $750 - Sponsor I child for I year Address ______0 $375 - Sponsor I child for Y2 year City______State ____ Zip____ _ 0 $ I 50 - Sponsor I child for 2 months Tel ______Fax. ______0 $I 00 - Give I child a hot lunch for I year Keren Nesivos Moshe 0 $75 - Sponsor I child for I month ID I

Keren Nes1vos Moshe, 80 Broad St , 29th Fir., New York, NY I 0004 Tel 212-259-0385 RABBI NACHMAN BULMAN ,"s~ A Page From the Book of His Life

Rabbi Nachman Bulman was a man no. He was doing so many things at of vast knowledge and extraordinary once, and he refused to focus exclusively passion, possessing a clear vision of on one item. Therefore, as a result, he truth, and a fierce dedication to it. was usually running late. These and other qualities of Reb Nach­ man, founding editor of The Jew­ e did not change when he ish Observer, were highlighted in sev­ moved to Israel, in 1975. I met eral articles featured in the October H him right after he had returned '02 issue of JO. On the occasion of here, on one of his visits to New York. his first yahrtzeit, we present several He was absolutely worn out, drained. I personal anecdotes by Rabbi asked him, "Why are you so tired?" Yechiel Perr, Rosh Yeshiva of He replied, "I was up the night Yeshivas Derech Ayson (of Far Rock­ before." away), who had enjoyed an especially I asked, "Didn't you go to bed before close relationship with Rabbi Bulman. a trip like this?!" This is excerpted from a more "You don't know what happened," he extensive appreciation delivered sighed, and he told me what had taken last year. man: The Man Who Couldn't Say No." place in the previous twenty-four hours. often traveled by car with Rabbi Bul­ At that time (close to 40 years ago), A young woman from Boston had man, and was amazed at how he Far Rockaway was blessed with a large gone to Paris to study art. There, in Paris, I knew the roads of New York City, population of young people searching she met a non-Jewish artist. They keenly aware of every shortcut. We'd be for answers. Yeshiva She'ar Yashuv, for became close, and he proposed to her. stuck in a traffic jam with several thou­ example, was a center for ba' alei teshu­ She called her parents in Boston and told sand other cars on a highway leading to va. If someone was plagued with a them, «I met this fine fellow, and we're the Midtown Tunnel. He would get off question at 2 a.m., he would not hes­ thinking of getting married:' at the next exit and zoom down a side itate to call up Rahbi Bulman for guid­ They replied, "Wonderful." road while the others remained behind, ance. He wanted to come over and talk "Do you object to the fact that he's sitting there on the highway. His com­ with him, and Rabbi Bulman would not Jewish?" mand of the bypasses matched that of never say no. «No, we don't," they responded. the man in a traffic helicopter. After We would be on our way out of his "Why should we object?" marveling over this skill for years, I final­ house to attend a meeting, and some­ "I know that in both of your fami­ ly figured out how he knew all these one with a nagging problem would call lies, the two of you are the only ones shortcuts. He was invariably late for his him on the telephone. He would imme­ who married Jewish. Everyone else appointments. And since he was always diately pick up the phone. He could not married non-Jews. I thought that maybe late, he had to compensate with the go to a meeting if someone had a prob­ because you married each other, you'd shortcuts. lem. He could not say no. mind if I'd marry out." Why was he always late? Had I been His agenda was crowded, because Her parents hastened to ensure her asked to give him a title, I would have every need that people around him had that "it happens to be a coincidence that described him as "Rav Nachman Bul- become his need, and he could not say we married Jewish, and we're not mind-

------44 The Jewish Observer, September 2003 ful of the issue. You can n1arry whoev­ immigration, she got into a conversation doorstep that evening. She spent sever­ er you want as long as you love the per­ with someone standing next to her. She al hours in discussion with him. Before son. If he's a good person, what differ­ confessed, "I know it's a strange thing. he left for the U.S., she was already reg­ ence does it make?" But I came here, and I can't say exactly istered in a seminary for ba'alos teshuva. She had her parents' approval to do why. I just felt I had to come. I'm not That's what came from his inability something that she had expected would certain as to what I should do next." to say "no." • inspire resistance. Apparently, the Hash­ The person alongside her said, "You gacha responded to her sincere ehrliche know what you should do? You should question -Should she marry a non-few? go see a person in Jerusalem. Bulman is - which opened the door for further his name, Rabbi Nachman Bulman. Go Torah explorations. From that little bit see him as soon as you can." of Yiddishkeit came yet another thought: When they completed passport con­ "Before I get married, before I make this trol, she got the telephone number from decision for life, I really should go to the party in line with her, and called him Israel. I've never been there." This from the airport: "Rabbi Bulman, I came SATELUTE PHONES AVAILABLE thought entered her mind, and it did not to Israel, and I was told I have to see • Rental for over 150 countries let go. So she told her fiance, "I don't you." • Nationwide delivery available want to decide just yet. I feel that I He said, 'Tm sorry, but I'm leaving • Voice mail & text messaging should go to Israel first." for America tomorrow." • 24 hr. custi>mer support Just as she had thought that she She pleaded, "Rabbi Bulman, please! • Call Waiting • Caller ID should ask her parents before taking a I came to Israel, I guess, to see you. Oth­ • Fax & data service precipitous step, she now decided that erwise, I don't know why I came. • Itemized bill she should go to Israel and find out what Please, Rabbi Bulman, don't say no." other Jews are like. Off she went to Israel, So, characteristically, he said, "OK, with no clear idea of what she was going come over." to do there. She arrived in Lod in the He gave her instructions as to how to afternoon, and while standing in line for reach him, and she arrived on his

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·--···-··--·-··-··--·--· ---·-··--·----·------·--- The Jewish Observer, September 2003 45 A month of The children came joyous Yomim Tovim was home from school with their about to commence and I was adorable arts & crafts and holidays and we had to face the ( started clamoring: "Mommy, feeling anything but joyful. I agony of deciding which one of when will you buy the head of a was already deeply in debt 1 fish?" Jwasata!ossforwords.} ) from the many medical ) our children would merit the joy } ') How could I explain to them \ I expenses that I had over the ~ of a new pair of shoes. All of < l that I could not face the angry < ? past year. To start. borrowing ) their footwear were in terrible - eyes of the fish merchant, to •. whom we owed an enormous ( j money to buy basic Yorn Tov } shape but our painfully frugal ( fo.od was more than I could ( sum of money... > ? budget would only allow us one ( l swallow. Thanks to you I f . :r Then, along came yout Fund f ) didn't have to tak···' .. ·.'.h.'t \ \ '""h'"· . .. .. ~ ) and e_xceeded the···ir\ ?... ~a1R=!~ ... ,S.~.fea!.!:-.P" -~-~?_~:;]_;SB'..~ Dear Friend, l,,,,~n 171~H .,,,,,:i Rosh Hashana. The New Year. A Yorn Tov when we dine ata table laden with symbolic food. We plead for a year of blessed bounty and easy livelihood. A year that will allow us to partake of just the kinds of delicious food simmering right now on the stove. A year in which we can afford to clad our children in precisely the kind of beautiful apparel they wear at the present moment. Rosh Hashana. Can we imagine the scenario otherwise? Sadly, the answer could be yes. Somewhere on the next street or in the adjacent building, there is another family who will soon be sitting down to their Yorn Tov meal. But attheir table, their hopes will not be symbolized with the food. It is likely to be etched in the creases on the father's brow or lurking in the mother's hollow eyes. And their silent prayers will have a different twist. They will plead for a year that should look very unlike their Yom Tov table. A year in which the fish or poultry won't always be missing from their plates. A year in which the children - now dressed in their outgrown clothing and castoff shoes-won't have to hide in shame when meeting a classmate on the way to shul. A year in which he will find a steady job and she will regain good health. Rosh Hashana. Will this scenario really take place? Dear Friend, you - through the channels of the "Yorn Tov Relief Fund" - can answer this question with a resounding "No!" The Fund - under the auspices of HaRav Mattisyahu Solomon - was founded with one goal in mind: to provide our neediest families with basic necessities. A generous poultry delivery, along with new clothing and shoes for all family members, can so easily put a downtrodden family into proper holiday spirits. But we need your generous help to accomplish this. Please forward us your best contribution and allow us to proceed with our eagerly awaited relief campaign. Allow every Jewish home to experience a Rosh Hashana as it was meant to be and for your compassion may you merit a healthy and successful year. Sincerely yours, ~ 1 ? !ri; ;:-,, r; :{,I)Jc 11(0> -i7 ~,;;:/'??I;§!/{; RaNbi 'Matkiel Kotler Rabbi Yaakov Perlow Rabbi l,muel Ber;nbaum

•?1 3 J? L•Q..tf/; JO,..., I')' Rabbi Dovid Schustal 'Rabbi Yerucliim Olsl1in Please send your tax-deductible donation payable to: RELIEF & HATZOLAS NEFOSHAS FUND RABBI MATISVAHU SOLOMON SHLITA 637 Sixth Street, Lakewood, New Jersey 08701 SECOND Nachman Lapa LOOKS

Where Are The Alarms? our school systen1. Magazines that manageable. devoted article after article to the topic Perhaps the need for such schools no new ocean liner is launched with of "kids at risk" praised their ability to longer exists? Maybe there are no longer a bottle of champagne breaking rescue boys and incorporate them into kids from Orthodox homes on the A against its bow. A new store "mainstream" yeshivas. They offer Torah streets? Maybe every boy has a yeshiva opens with ribbons and freebees. New learning and vocational training under that will take him in. Unfortunately, beginnings attract attention and fanfare. the same roof, a lifesaver to many boys. that's not the situation. The need is as Not so with endings. No grand cele­ Many boys come in feeling low and leave great as ever. brations mark a rusty boat's demise or with confidence and self-esteem, expe­ So why are these schools closing a business declaring bankruptcy. They riencing success as they go on to lead a down? The unvarnished, painful truth seem to just slip off into the annals of Torah-true life. Many are still learning is that the yeshiva of our reference closed history without much of a trace. today in well-known yeshivas in Amer­ its door because its enrollment was too I'm not bothered by the quiet demise ica and Bretz Yisroel. low. Despite the hundreds of boys that of pet rocks, hoolahoops, or wacky The danger in which these high are out of yeshivas, only seven families packages. I am greatly troubled by a schools find themselves should raise enrolled their sons for the previous recent ending that drew little, if any, flags and sound alarms in our minds and school year. It is true that the yeshiva tar­ attention from the Orthodox Jewish hearts. We are not simply mourning the geted a specific population. Neverthe­ community. An alternative yeshiva high loss of a yeshiva. We are witnessing a fail­ less, it would be absurd to think that school' closed its doors this past ure on our part to effectively deal with only seven boys fulfilled the yeshiva's Chanuka. Other high schools, founded a crisis in Kial Yisrael. requirements. Incidentally, that yeshiva's in the same vein, find themselves in the classrooms were never filled to capaci­ same or similar predicament. You may Why Aren't the Boys Coming? ty. Similar yeshivas find themselves in the recall that these high schools were her­ same struggle. alded as a breakthrough in our troubled hat caused the demise of one So why aren't the boys coming? Bet­ times. World-renowned Jewish speakers such yeshiva, and why are ter yet, why aren't parents bringing their touted them as a viable solution to our W similar high schools threat­ sons to such schools? crisis involving troubled youth. They ened with extinction? Is it due to Parents, you ask? Yes. A child at risk offer a yeshiva environment for those unbearable financial hardship? As with is usually identifiable in?'" or S'" grade, that had "fallen between the cracks" of most yeshivas, money is tight, but sometimes even younger. At that age, somehow the economic pressures are they're willing to go to a school that has Rabbi Nachman Lapa is a rehbe at Rabbi Pesach RaynHHl Yeshiva is Edison, NJ, and a licensed *The author is referring to the Mesivta of Bradley more to offer than the failure and mis­ social worker with a practice in Lakewood, NJ. Beach in New Jersey. ery they're used to. Unfortunately, it is

The Jewish Observer, September 2003 47 often the parents who don't want to in a mainstream yeshiva. Many alter­ phones, cigarettes, sometimes drugs or commit their son to a special school. In native high school alumni accomplished alcohol, has perhaps become too com­ fact, many parents would rather keep that. But by not taking any decisive pelling or appealing. He can support this their son at home than send them to a action, there's a good chance that the lifestyle with a job in the summer or on school recognizable for its special mis­ child will continue to slide in the direc­ the side. Now it is the child who may sion. In truth, it is very painful, and may tion that he's already heading. refuse to try another yeshiva. even feel shameful, to go public and join And so, a year or two later, the par­ the group of parents with a child "on the ents have no choice but to face the real­ Choosing Not to Choose edge:' The parents hope and pray that ity that their son needs a special school. the problems will "go away." But by then, it's often too late. Their son's here is no doubt that parents are But let's weigh the odds. By sending self-perception and identity is no longer faced with very hard choices. But their son after S'" grade to a high school tied to yeshiva. He no longer sees him­ Tall too often, the results of inde­ designed for him, the son has a good self as a yeshiva bachur, or even as a cisive action are far more undesirable. chance that after two years he'll be back potential yeshiva bachur. The life of cell- Parents are also afraid that their son may slide if they send him to such a school. "Who knows what he'll learn from the other boys?" is a familiar sen­ timent. But unfortunately, the son who is rebelling either knows it all already or will find out. Again: In which direction is he heading? Are there any other options? Yes. Such schools do exist- in Brooklyn and Mon­ sey, for example. Choosing an elemen­ tary school (7'h and S'h grade) geared for such students may allow the child to suc­ How Can I Thank Hashem ceed in a mainstream yeshiva high for the gift of school in 9th grade.* Students who had accomplished very little in their former marrying off my child? schools are now motivated, learning well and are excellent candidates for main­ stream yeshiva high schools. And one such school is opening a class for 6'h l You can make another graders. This form of "early interven­ wedding possible! tion" has saved many boys. Perhaps par­ ents find it easier to send their son for It's a Resounding Thank You! one or two years of elementary school to a tailored program, in the hope that A jewish wedding is a Simcha that everyone dreams about. their choice of high schools will remain intact. There are certainly fewer issues lt"s joyous and it ushers a new couple into the ranks of Kial Yisrael. involving a 12-year-old than a 14-year­ Many families cannot afford even the simplest weddings. old. You can enable Yad Eliezer to make this couple a true Simcha on the And so, although the number of boys same day as your own wedding. in need is staggering, the schools WEDDING SPONSORSHIPS ARE: designed to assist them are severely $500 for half a wedding under-populated. As with a physical ail­ $1000 for full sponsorships. ment, early diagnosis and treatment increases the odds of recovery. Rabbi & Mrs. Zevi Trenk 1586 E. 9th Street Brooklyn. New York 11230 The pain of the parents, and their Mr. & Mrs. Zolly Trapper 1102 E. 26th Street Brooklyn, New York 11210 son, is as loud as ever. And so is the cry for action. • YAD ELIEZER For more information call or write: The Gttty Perkowski Slmcha fund *Rabbis Rephael and Pinchus Wallerstein (father 1102 E. 26th Street. Brooklyn. New York 11210 • (718) 258 - 1580• [email protected] and son) have one such prograin in Brooklyn and have been very successful. Rabbi Pinch us Waller­ This ad wa~ sponsored by Econo Bill stein can be reached at 718-252-6964.

48 The Jewish Observer, September 2003 SECOND LOOKS

eet Tim, a doctoral student in Robert Burns but Torah, and he lives not Torah scholarship:' his fourth year of postgradu­ in New Haven but in Jerusalem. Somehow, The Jewish Week over­ M ate research in his field of Because, in other words, he is not an all­ looked Pirkei Avos, which has a some­ choice (or better, love): Scottish litera­ American collegiate but an Israeli what different take on the matter: "This ture. His parents, who used to chide him chareidi. is the way of Torah - eat bread with salt, about "getting a real job," have reconciled A psychoanalyst might relish the drink water in small measure, sleep on the1nselves to their son's dedication to prospect of ferreting out the reasons for the ground, live a life of deprivation ... :' his field of academic endeavor, and even that attitudinal double standard. But the And numerous, of course, are the many speak of him with pride. bottom line is that it is, undeniably, ma'amorei Chazal that hold the study of Jennifer, 1'in1's wife, is proud of there. Torah, day and night, to be a high Jew­ him, and considers it an honor to help ish ideal. support him and their family. Her job n a recent editorial, The New York 10 be sure, there are other passages as a medical assistant, along with the Jewish Week chose to "respectfully in Jewish sources that extol work (pri­ small stipend Tim receives from the I disagree" with the revered gadol marily physical labor). But one of the public university and a modicum of gov­ Rabhi Aharon Leib Steinman, N .. Wro, reasons we have gedolim like Rabbi ern1nent assistance (in the form of a who reportedly described austerity as a Steinman is to synthesize seemingly dis­ monthly WIC allowance), allow them to facilitator of success in Torah-study. cordant texts, and to guide us regarding get by. They live modestly but do not "Poverty," the paper dissented, is not "a their application to our times and mind; they are happy. badge of nobility ... in the quest for world. Most people, even if Scottish litera­ ture is as strange to them as haggis, can respect its study as a distinguished aca­ demic endeavor and honor its students as scholars. And most people, even if they can't imagine themselves living like Jennifer ..... '--E SELECTION OF and Tim, can appreciate their dedication BORSALINO HATS! and idealism. They certainly wouldn't We Also Carr.,, consider them societal freeloaders or Expert fitting • Coiuteous service Brand Name score them for neglecting their family's Individualized attention • Hat cleaning & Shirts & Ties, for needs. Big & Tall as ,..,ell, Renovating • Follow-up care long after sale ow meet Yossi. The life that he al Discount Prices and his wife Elisheva live par­ N allels that of Tim and Jennifer, yet some look down at the choices they have made and consider Yossi a poor excuse for a husband and parent. Because his object of study is not

The Jewish Observer, September 2003 49 What the Rosh Hayeshiva reported­ encourage disciples to enter the work breathes Torah. ly did that incurred The Jewish Week's world at the appropriate time. And as it happens, true appreciation disapproval was display the audacity to The prospect of a more ambitious of Torah - or, better, the lack thereof - reject a large offer of money to create a attempt at social engineering of charei­ is likely an important part of the expla­ well-funded and promoted system of di society may have excited The Jewish nation for why so many perceive Yossi charcidi employment training centers. Week, but it apparently did not have that so differently from Tim. Academic As it happens, there are already institu­ effect on Rav Steinman, who, like all true research, no matter how esoteric, is seen tions in Israel where chareidi men can Jewish leaders, is not one to be dazzled as a respectable end in itself; Torah­ and do receive professional training - by dangled sums of money. Anyone who study, as something entirely different. and Rabbi Steinman has never object­ has had the great fortune of visiting him And in fact it is precisely that, ed to them, or to any chareidi man who in his clean and neat but exceedingly though not the way Yossi's detractors chooses to leave the study hall to pur­ modest, sefarim-lined apartment well think. Torah-study, in the eyes of sue a profession. Indeed, Torah leaders understands that his prime dedication Judaism, is something conceptual, light­ across the chareidi spectrun1 routinely is to his Creator, that he lives and years beyond a mere academic disci­ pline; it is the mind of the Divine, and the lifeblood of the Jewish people. At a time when the vast majority of American Jewry stands poised, as stud­ It hurts ies tell us, before the demographic abyss, birth rates plummeting and 1oc intermarriage rising, appreciation - true appreciation, not de rigueur lip serv­ ice - of what has inspired and animat­ ed the Jewish people over the ages is no mere theoretical concern. It is nothing less than a matter of communal life or death. • Were all American Jews and their institutions to regard the study of Jew­ ish texts and traditions as it has been regarded by Jews for millennia - as the most sublime and meaningful Jewish It hurts endeavor imaginable, the sine qua non expression of Jewish identity and a pow­ erful source of merit to divine protec­ tion - we American Jews might be look­ ing at a bright, instead of fading, future. And Yossi, no doubt, would be an object of our gratitude, not disap­ proval, regarded as the dedicated, quin­ tessentially Jewish idealist he is. • It feels better just to talk about it. That's why we're here. Our staff is made up of caring and sensitive individuals. Together, Be part of a true we can help you explore your options. We CHALLAH and tried segu/a can refer you to recognized professionals for counseling, legal advice or help in BAKING when baking your finding a safe environment. We can also SEGULA cha//ah without put you in touch with some very special L'n Tzvi shalom any cost to you. Rabbis. But in order for us to reach out to Ben Chaim Shimon The only thing you you, you must first reach out to us. have to do is recite a name of a child­ Confidential Hotline 1.888.883.2323 less couple while being mafrish your (Toll Free) chal/ah. Become part of a group of 718.337.3700 forty women who will do the same Do it for yourself. (NYC Area) that day. Groups forming for Thursday and Friday. Do it for your children. Shalom ·1a'>k Force is a S0Hc)(3) charitabl\" organizat1or Please Call (718) 972-4793

______,__ _. ______'" ______------· 50 The Jewish Observer, September 2003 SECOND LOOKS

he lights went out at 4: 11 p.m. on between man and nature, making one Living in a natural world makes the Cre­ Thursday, August 14, and fifty mil­ insensitive to the C'reator's constant pres­ ator and His caring for our every need that Tlion people sweated, stumbled in ence and involvement in our lives. This nluch 1nore imminent. the dark, got stranded in high-rise hit home when he was engaged in a A far cry from our contemporary buildings and subway trains, on top of lengthy conversation with an acquain­ world, where - in our high-tech, world­ ferris wheels and on unlit streets far away tance in the man's office. Suddenly his sweeping sense of control of events and from ho1ne. Discon1fort, unce11ainty, pain, host pulled out his watch and com­ occurrences - we have a sense of being enormous financial loss, and dcep­ mented, "We had better daven Mincha. impervious to the vagaries of nature. A seated fear played against one another, It's getting late." crop failure in the peach orchards of Geor­ as the dyna1no of An1erica's Northeast Jn contrast to the European shtetl gia? No problem. Peaches can be jolted to a stop. where Reh Yaakov was ever aware of the imported from New Zealand - even in We are told that while a storm in the afternoon's lengthening shadows and the February, if you wish. Extremes of tem­ Rockies) a revolt in Liberia, or a 1nassacre approach of twilight, in this brightly­ perature effect us only in our passage in Jakarta may sound remote, each event /it Manhattan office, he was unaware from our climate-controlled homes is in truth a message, and the n1essage of the hour for Mincha slipping away. into similarly controlled vehicles, and is n1eant for us. How 1nuch n1ore It could have been night, and he would then again, from car/train/bus to the immediate 1nust the message be when have been oblivious to the dark outside. office. Distances between people and it is conveyed through an overwhelm­ countries disappear through instant com­ ing experience that shook up major pop­ n simpler times, our comfort, well-being munication. Medical needs from pesky ulation areas in the Western world, hon1e and focus of activity were directly tied illnesses to devastating plagues - some to mill ions of Jews. There may be peo­ I to the change of the seasons - espe­ are neutralized and quickly cured; oth­ ple who can divine the lessons to be cially in agrarian societies. No less the shifts ers nlust still wait for the ever-growing gleaned rrom Blackout of 2003. Until they in temperature and illumination around reach of scientific research and expert­ - or he or she - share then1 with us, the clock. Exposure to the wonders, beau­ ise. No, not yet controlled, but not out we offer several of our own. ty and bounty of nature, as well as the pain, of reach. suffering and desolation experienced from being deprived of nature's gifts, served uddenly, at 4: 11 Thursday, a 48th I. AS REB YAAKOV SAW IT to make us all the more aware of our floor in a Manhattan tower offers dependence on" Melech haolam, yotzer ohr Snot a comn1anding view, but a hun1- When Rabbi Yaakov Kamenetzky'nt uvorei choshech oseh shalonr uvoreh es hakol bling challenge. The oppressive heat of arrived in America, he had heard that - King of the universe, Who forms light the city's streets is unavoidable, and the "the skyscrapers block out the heavens." and creates darkness, inakes peace and cre­ miles between workplace and home were He had assu1ned thnt this expression was ates all" - as we say in our daily 1norn­ to be counted shuffling one stride at a a description of the city landscape that ing prayer. And it inspires our gratitude time. Paying tribute to "Mele/ch ha'olarn affords little exposure to nature. Later, to "Melech ... hazon es ha'olam kulo betu­ hameichin mitzadei gaver- King of the he appreciated it as a metaphor for the vo - the King ... who nourishes the entire universe who prepares land 1nakes way in which all technology, as well as world in His goodness" - the words with firm] man's footsteps" - part of the human achievements, form a barrier which we begin our Grace After Meals. morning's blessings - is experienced not

The Jewish Observer, September 2003 51 just from the bedroom to the kitchen to sive Northeast? Whichever, one seem­ Seemingly small, isolated acts and the garage, but again and again and again, ingly random jolt threw fifty million insignificant words reach the I-leavens through agonizing repetition, from people into darkness and heat, with a and reverberate around the globe, rain­ appreciation to prayer. And the need for legacy of discomfort, pain, and dis­ ing down blessings or destruction in ways relief from the hot, unforgiving, dehy­ orientation, and a tremendous blow to we cannot fathom. drating sun with a tongue-and-throat­ the economy. Yes, they can make the world a wetting, thirst-quenching glass of Little things can make a big difference much better place: water... Ah, "Shehakol nihiyeh bid'varo - - not only through the unleashing of A man alone, sitting at his desk, por­ all comes into existence through His natural and technological forces, but in ing over a difficult Tosafos; a minyan of word." Will it ever again just be a mum­ the realms of the spirit as well. And they Jews praying in earnest, listening care­ bled, verbal crossing of the barrier can work for the positive, too, through fully to each word of the Chazoras between parched mouth and welcome the seemingly insignificant but truly potent HaShatz; a young woman in a hurry, stop­ drink? Hopefully not. acts and words of every individual. ping to help a wandering old lady gain Yes, from anticipated need, through An empty rnoment during carpool from her bearings; an off-duty teacher stay­ articulated blessing, to bonding with the ho1ne in Baltin1ore to the office in the Belt. ing in during lunch break to give guid­ Creator. The illusion of man in control A passenger n1utters to his companion hovv ance, friendship and comfort to a dis­ of his circumstances and destiny is only ridiculously slow the baal tefilla ivas in shul couraged tenth grader who is being that- an illusion. Perhaps -just per­ that 111orning. "Just because it's Rosh scorned - or worse, ignored - by her haps- in the days ahead, one will rein­ Chodesh and he's up to Halle/, does that friends; a desperate father entrusting his force the deep sense of total dependen­ make him Yossele Rosenblatt?" ailing child to a team of surgeons, and cy and intimate closeness with G-d A chance remark in an isolated set­ then opening his Tehillim to pour out through daily repetition: making bless­ ting. Yet Chazal say that, as a result, Caius his heart and his tears to the Chief of all ings, and articulating expressions of hope for Jews worldwide has just become a lot surgeons, "Rofei cholei amo Yisroel-Who and gratitude. longer and more painful. heals the sick of His people Israel!' The Puny, vulnerable man has the capac­ The bell rings. Another at the cures, the blessings, the bounty come as ity to connect with the ultimate Source door- No. Another two 1neshulachim. Those a result. of Energy. poor fellows, shlepping through the hot And careless gestures and remarks deserted city, so far from home, thinks the can be destructive, beyond reckoning. JI. WEARE ALL CONNECTED man of the house. "Come in and sit down, For example, in his Introduction to the and have a drink. '[hen tell n1e what I can Sefer Chafetz Chaim, the Chafetz he lights went out in America's do for you." Chaim cites a quotation from the Zahar, Northeast - on a recent Thurs­ An act of chessed that reverberates "A spirit rises from those who speak Tday. Was it terrorist violence? A around the globe, generating hope and lashon hara. When they provoke oth­ tree that fell over power cables in Ohio? relief for far more than two dusty, tired ers with their speech ... an evil, impure A weak link in the power grid of the mas- Jews. cloud is aroused above, called 'Sich'­ sucheh: It hovers over the tale-bearers ... and causes death, sword, and violence in the world!' One might have dismissed this as poetic abstraction, mystical inti­ mations ... until a nuclear meltdown in Complete family Resources Chernobyl caused death, and violent •Healthy Job Market illness in far-flung corners of the •Affordable Housing earth with the destructive radioactiv­ •Nurturing Community ity that rained down in Brussels, Kiev •Learning Opportunities and points east. •Shomer Shabbos Medical Residencies We may tend to gloss over the •Community Activities dynamic reach of potential spiritual forces. We then need to be reminded through Total Torah Environment physical, material or technological • •Sais Yokov occurrences that can serve as compelling •Yeshiva Gedola •Koliel metaphors for the very real world of spir­ •Mikveh •Eruv •Wisconsin School Tuition Vouchers itual cause and effect ... The lamps flick­ for Qualifying Families er and go out, and we begin to see the light. The Torah Community of Rabbi Michel Twerski invites your inferest 1·800-226-3129 We have much to learn. N.W

------·--- 52 The Jewish Observer, September 2003 At one inon1ent, he was teaching us hashkafa, and at another, he was teach­ ing us the niggun for the Pesach Kiddush. I distinctly remember thinking at the time: what a unique man, who at one moment is absorbed in a deep, ­ sophical discourse, and yet derives We make "housecalls" pleasure from teaching Jewish melodies to newco1ners. 718) 972-4003 REMEMBERING RABBI BULMAN 7"':tv I was in Rabbi Bulman's shiur at then only three years old. Even then, Yeshiva Ohr Somayach, Jerusalem, in Rabbi Bulman referred to the Baal Specializing in small batim for a perfect fit. 1976. (See "Remembering Rabbi Bul­ Teshuva Moven1ent as the most i1npor­ man )",t," JO Sept. 02) I had been intro­ tant event happening in the Jewish duced to the yeshiva by Rabbi Meir world. And he was right again. Schuster, who struck up a conversation Rabbi Bulman also had a profound with me at the Tel Aviv bus station. I was love for Eretz Yisroel. He demonstrated a recent liberal arts college graduate. the kedusha of Eretz Yisroel by telling us • Each Daf is read, Rabbi Bulman ., ..,,, was among my first of how, on one occasion, he was walk­ translated, and explained rebbein1. His soaring intellect was i1nn1e­ ing with another rav (I believe Rabbi slowly and clearly in just diately recognizable. He easily outshone Eliyahu Kitov) discussing the mitzva of 20 minutes all of my college professors. We "baalei yishuv Eretz Yisroel. His friend grabbed • $4 per tape (plus S&H) teshuva" loved him, and he loved us. He him around the shoulder, and as they • Subscription rate: $3 per tape answered all of our Why questions. This walked, said, "Aleph, Beis, Gimme!, (plus S&H) is what we, the philosophy, English, polit­ Dalet - mitzva, Aleph, Beis, Gimme/, ical science, and history majors, were Dalet - mitzva:' Every four steps is a looking for. (There is a lesson here for n1itzva. those mechanchim involved with chil­ I was in Rabbi Bulman's shiuron July dren-at-risk, and for that matter all chil­ 4, 1976, with about 5 or 6 other dren.) His intellect, combined with his talmidim when, through the windows, passion - he often shouted, cried, and we heard shofros blow throughout the pounded the table when he spoke-made city. For days, the Jews of Israel had been . him a fiery Torah advocate. reciting Tehillin1 in organized rallies, Rabbi Bulman often spoke about beseeching Hashe1n for assistance in res­ world events. He spoke about the cuing the hijacked airline passengers in ko'ac/1 of a Jewish soul which, when Entebbe, Uganda. As we heard the misdirected, could change the world, shofros, we all knew that something good t:1>'11K•.:n t:1•1i11-rn but only temporarily. His examples and special had to have occurred. Rabbi P"Wi'T n1•~1tir.i m:pr.i.:i were Marx, Freud, and the Christian Bulman's mien reflected a co1nbination tl'llW t:I>J>Jl!'.:il deity. The false "isms" and ideologies of great emotion and cautious opti­ they and others created were doomed mism. And, he continued the shiur. to failure, he said. Recent events arc When the shiur was concluded, and we proving him right. The Soviet empire heard the news, we danced in the yard is no more, Freudian psychoanalysis is in front of the yeshiva. >l11K 'i'T pn '1WK mostly discredited, and for the time Not until this past month did I know being, secularism is gaining a hold on that Rabbi Bulman was a founder of the .,v,,:i~ 7°t 1::is ,.,::i pns> the masses in the place of the organ­ Yeshiva of Far Rockaway. Today, my son ized Christian sects. On the other is a 9'h grader there. Now 1 know that :1>1i1ri7 1i)l hand, the properly channeled Jewish Rabbi Buhnan's influence will last in 1ny soul, directed through Torah, can and family for generations, as it will for so 7.n!'.l J't:l>J::i ,., :is~ will change the world for good, and many others. ultimately bring about the geula. ELLIOT B. PASIK 718-252-2472 He had enormous personal warmth. Long Beach, NY

The Jewish Observer, September 2003 53 YOUR RESPONSE TO gedolim and be marbeh kavad Shamay­ following ironic personal tale - espe­ NO RESPONSE CARD im, thus bringing Mashiach Tzidkeinu. cially since the protagonist of this story YEHUDIS NEWMAN was actually The Jewish Observer. To the Editor: Brooklyn, NY My daily companion to my abbrevi­ You receive an invitation, open the ated breakfast ritual often includes The envelope, look through the envelope, FORMULA FOR A MODEL WEDDING Jewish Observer. My Dr. Atkins' regulated open the folded invitation, and to your cheese omelet just wouldn't be the same dismay, there is no response card. What To the Editor: without Jonathan Rosenblum, Drs. should your response be upon not I recently attended a chassuna with Twerski and Wikler, Second Looks, Let­ receiving a response card? a different format that worked excep­ ters, and Sarah Shapiro, et al. The baalei simcha regard you as a tionally well. I believe it satisfied all the In a particular rush one Monday friend, appreciate your friendship, want financial curbs advocated by our morning, J was perusing Dr. Sylvan to share the simcha with you, would he Gedolim, yet did so without sacrificing Schaffer's February '03 article on custody delighted to see you at the simcha, but the "quality" of the more "traditional" disputes. Frankly, the topic didn't specif­ are adhering to the takanas of our system. And in some ways, I felt it was ically interest me, especially given the gedolim. Be'li ayin hara, taking into actually far superior. world-shattering events that dominat­ account large mishpachos, many The Kabbalas Panim reception was ed everyone's psyche at the time, hut I acquaintances, lots of friends of chas­ limited to cake, fruit, and drinks. The stayed with it simply because it lasted all san!kalla, the line has to be drawn and chupa was followed by a buffet dinner of two pages. is drawn with no intention of slighting (smorgasbord), eliminating the need for "Coincidentally;' that very same anyone chas v'shalom. assigned seating. By the time the chas­ afternoon, I found myself face to face On the part of the baalei simcha, san and kalla were ready to come in, with a couple in the process of a when agonizing over - How can I? Haw everyone's appetite was satiated. ~fhe divorce. A friend had prevailed on me will they? etc. - the first question has to dancing could now begin with full vigor to squeeze them in for a one-time con­ be - Haw can I lower the esteem of our (a big improvement over dancing after sultation prior to their separation final­ gedolim by not sticking ta the takanos? a fruit cup and salad). ization. After meeting with the Past that, there are no questions. The first dance was followed by a estranged couple - initially both Ortho­ We, baalei simcha and guests, must Viennese dessert table, and then a sec­ dox - I then spoke with each of them finally and firmly realize that these ond round of dancing. At this point, individually. Incredibly, the main focus takanos will benefit the prat and klal. most of the guests were able to leave the of my dialogue with the father centered Aside from the financial issue, there are wedding (at a respectable hour), and on his religious concerns for the children too many parents out for the evening too only relatives and close friends remained after the divorce, since his wife seemed often. With the ruach ha tu ma (deca­ for a one-course "family seuda" and to be straying in her spiritual commit­ dence) of this generation, rachmana l't­ Sheva Berachos. ments and practice. zlan, children need as much supervision, Not only were the savings substan­ Using Dr. Schaffer's article as my guidance, time and love of parents as tial, hut the guests finally got what they guide, we discussed where the children possible. really want: a chance to be me'san1e' ach would live, how Shabbas and Yamim May we make, attend and enjoy one chassan v'kalla, the whole meal in 30 Tovim would be spent, and how to set another's simchos being dan l'kaf zechus, minutes, and an early departure. Fur­ precise guidelines for chinuch and with simcha metach bre'us and through thermore, the family seuda was intimate kashrus. Our talk virtually opened his this, we will be giving due respect to our and filled with Divrei Torah; a difficult eyes to many scenarios that he had never feat to accomplish at a large affair. fully considered. Nor had I, frankly, until Please share this wedding model with I read the article just a few hours before! your readers so that others can also Marveling at the providential inter­ adopt this excellent idea. vention I had just merited, I left theses­ A. KANEFSKY sion and hurried to review the article to Deal, NJ see if the information I had provided was totally accurate and comprehensive. THE WISDOM OF I opened the magazine to page 15 for all age groups "SOLOMON'S NIGHTMARE" and, to my further amazement, the title for the Orthodox Jewish community, of the piece leaped off the page: To the Editor: "Solomon's Nightmare." Rabbinical references available Given the recent proliferation of lit­ Almost, anyway. Home: (718) 338-1765 erature on Hashgacha Prattis) Divine YAAKOV SALOMON, CSW P er: (917 486-5655 Providence, I thought I might offer the Brooklyn, New York

-----·----.. ------.. ------.. ------"o------······----·------54 The Jewish Observer, September 2003 .

Michael I. Inzelbuch Mr. & Mrs. Berish Fuchs Attorney-AH..aw and Mr. & Mrs. Moshe Fuchs 555 Madison Ave, Lakewood, NJ (732) 905-0325 wish all of their friends and relatives: Real Estate • Personal Injury • Special Education

"We Fight For You" .

Best Wishes for a n:i,,., nr.l~nrn n::i~ri:> 1r.lnnn1 ,:in:>n n:i11' nw? Mordechai arid Rechi Friedman Best wishes to all our friends and Shl11uelB. & Simi Friedman Cheskel and Meita G. Heimlich relatives for a happy, healthy and Yosef Sholom & Esther .Wertheimer prosperous New Year Moshe Yaakov & Leah Friedman Yoel & Sara Y. Schlesinger Yaakov Shia and Mimi Klein Phyllis and Chaim Shroot Mordechai andRuchi Semp Better Health Fitness & Recreation 5302 New Utrecht Avenue Brooklyn, N. Y. Brooklyn, NY 11219 (718} 436· 4693 .

Best wishes to aU my friends, relatives and .Kial Israel for Mr. & Mrs. William W. Wealcatch a Happy, Healthy and wish all the(r friends & relatives Prosperous New Year. a Ksiva Vachasima Tova Dorothy Liebman 1r.ll1nrn 1:in:>ri n:i,,., nw7 ,r.lnnn, 1:in:>n n:i,,., nl1?>7 Best Wishes to aU our friends and relatives for a Best Wishes to all our friends and relatives for a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year Mr. & Mrs. Chaim H. Leshkowitz Mr. & Mrs. Alan Jay Rosenberg Mr. & Mrs. Yossie Leshkowitz Kew Gardens, N. Y. . .· ·. n::i11' ilr.l>nrn n::i>n:i n:nt> i"lr.lmrn n::i'l"'O Best Wishes for a year of Mr. & Mrs. Israel Mr. & Mrs. Yossi Stern ' joy, prosperity Dembitzer and family l'Wl~i171~ wish Klal Yisroel a . Edison/Highland Park, New Jersey for aU of Kial Yisroel . i1:11t:> i1r.J'l"lM'I i1::t'11:l Mr. & Mrs. Willy Wiesner . mnnrn ~:in n:iID rn'l?I? n:i11' rn>rm1 n:i•n::> l'l:l"l:l !il:l'IP ill\?/? :::Ul?llil U"!W' 111r.wmn nw'7 Best wishes to all our friends :iiti ?:n nm~n 1'1l"lX nii:i~ c71:1· l'elll'r and Klal Yisroel . ". tb1?I ;:i::i?::i imii l"1W)>7 . ni:ii C'l'l?I? i:irn Sholom and Levi & Davida Reisman 1n'l>'l~ Ni7ttr ~Nt.J :iin · LeahMark . . .· The Jewish Obse'\f"r, Seplember 2003 55 To all our friends and clients: Avenue Plaza Hotel May prosperity and joy be a 4624 13th Avenue, permanent fixture in your home. Brooklyn, NY 11219 Wishing you a happy and healthy New Year. 718-552-3200 .• *'-,_:·:.'4'<<>41.···: ·_.··.:::«:\:·.... -: /;~.·~,·.. ··: :.'':$<·"'•: -,--1\i-': The Avenue Plaza Hotel

..:: '.-:*:. ·.• ~~·ti..&~;.'&.:··/;:+ ;_'>*:-: wishes all their past andjiLture guests a >'*·.<: .»'.: ;!!.t)s~ii.~i~~ <;_~•.. :__ \,_:.,<:; ·~.:·.·: Avrohorn Tikotzky n:n" i1?J'nn1 i1::l'n:l

FIXTURES FAUCETS HllRDWllRE TILES .ACCESSORIES We wish to thank all ofyoufor helping us 1663 Coney Island Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11230 (718) 787-1000 complete our fourth year so successfully www homeandstone.com

Best wishes to all our friends and relatives for a happy, healthy and To all our family prosperous New Year and friends and to all of Klal Yisroel THE GOLDMARK GROUP Mr. & Mrs. Yonah Blumenfrucht Mr. & Mrs. Nutti Goldbrenner Mr. & Mrs. Yisroel Blumerifrucht Mr. & Mrs. Shiya Markowitz

;i:n,, i1l:M"lrn i1:::t'l1:> n:ii:::i:::i n:m' nr.:imni n:im:i i1:::tW i1l:l'l1rn i1:::t'l1:l Yaakov Hoffman n:rn:ir.:i1 i1:111' i1W Mr. & Mrs. Menachem M. and staff To aU our family &friends Shayovich Tri-State Surgical &Family 409 Hoyt Street, Brooklyn, NY 11231 Shia and Susi Bernath

To all our clients, friends To All Readers of the J.O. Mr. &Mrs. and relatives Chaim Kauftnan Isaac Kirzner Mr. & Mrs. N. Benjamin Perlman, C.P.A. & Son

i1:111' i1r.l':nrn i1:l'l1:1 Mr. & Mrs. Chaim J. n:iw nr.:imrn n:im:i Banker Avi & Renee Herskowitz Eli and.Rochie Jeidel from wish one and all a &Family Gitty, Chaya, Yitzchok and Roise Yaakov & Bryna Bender n::nv ill:l'nrn il:::t'l1:l and Family Kew Gardens Hills, NY

i1:111' i1r.:l'l1T11 i1:J'l1:1 The Shmuel Oelbaums ;i::nv il)~7 il:::t11'ilW wish friends 1r.innr111::in::>n Mr & Mrs. Lawrence S. To My Family and Friends Bootin & Family and relatives ivsv~7.:17~iw) i1j?1l1r.i'l i1:::t11' i1W Peska Friedman wish one & all a happy & Yisroel Glatzer healthy, sweet new year

56 The Jewish Observer, September 2003 D;IJTK n1;rn:o WtJ i'Jtl',trtl iTJ\7il .nK'lp? tJ',liK tJ"ti JT'i01'1 tt11t? tl..117

Wishing You a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year

Yoel C. Goldberg Ben Z. Goldberg President Vice President

ir.ir111rn i:::ircn n:n" rol?b

to all relatf:,ve$.af:idfriends ',• ,••,·'"\·'. ',• .·_-:<. 1 Wish aU oft~~nds

.iWeu1is1Jourfamily &friends We aU our · and aU of~»=>. tn,~h frie~i;~liitives. Jews eJ?~f:YtPhere l"l:iw i"1~ntnn:i>r1±1•11. •''and l~lJ?~~~;v•··· ··· n::iw n~rn i'l:l'n:> Ml'.. &. M~f1Jetti1111tm Katz &l<'amily Mr.··~M~;.Max .Berg

May we be grantedaye?f i"1:Jl1' i"I~ i"1::l'l't:l 1r.lnl'1tn i~n il:lw m'el? ofpeace and 'IW:i;IJ!t>l),Y, •· to ourfamily and ·:1;t: ·~ tJ?t~.l'm!> to all Of Klal Ymtoel ••• Sorah Shapiro ::i""'r.:1·rtmri A~r, (:;th,{ ~fr .F'lre ;and. llt'r. Al!;iva & Chavq Last .61. .llff"S· ~f.$1J..~t ;rrtd1s aridi.\lirriu.mphs . . tittd...lt!-"1-~'lll .

i"1::ll1' i'1l1!>':1 Mr. Charres .Richter •:>:~~~· To aU ollr relatives and~ wishes all a Mr,&Mrs. 1'fr..~ .Jfr-S. Joseph Sittf'lllr Simon Bexter '""''>\! West Lawrence; NY.

F;,r this yecu; IE;o/it;iii~i@r-i>Ve your ·~r11:rc1 i"1W 'mn .,·;_,·,·,····· commurtlcatii>.i:r"ki!IS by•~ Mi; & Mrs, Leibish m:iwl"llJlh •· "T~.···°""°test·~..Hist.or§• in .Rapaport Maury DeutsclJ.. $10. a copy to: Brooklyn, New York .. Yeshiva Fund, 8ox 82 May we all be iriscribed and sealedjor a good yeaT. '.J:';he Weinbergs t:}'.::3§'/M;;,·;.:;>: .. . .·.. ,,,,. :-<\;:/·::<> K· 1 6J Cin.~nn:ut:i.,Ohio y ·. (~TJ31'6oklyn, New York

Congratulcitio~s, tg (Ill Ohavei Yisrael. upon the We e~rrd to all of Klal Yisroel ·t'up~om~fj(;th,':Aimwersary of the State ojisraeL our\~erest wU;hesfor a ' · · 1rfa!J>it,~µolt;e inU:!(ln EretzY~raeI al pi Torat )"israetl May tf1f'<11Jhole world merit the ilj1t>\~1~,~' .. '2'2in:l'c/:>•l>>·· '·'>> ' Messianic epoch s.ogn,iriour d.ays. Mr. &Mrff~'t!ftolii> Hen · i.sel ~~'jatn.ily

:i\!li'il;inr.:i>nrn,')-'·•·· n::i>ro bi5til"i~~~~~~~;71~' . T(). pf!}~biit: rtglatives arid./riEnds. . .\\\\\ MoiShe & Feig> Law Ofjicej:~jii[{~1t~i;1,ram&ofi,.·Esq. Meehl puv Fend-rl &family ofS'®.rot <:• ·:• Pn~!f(l,,~~'Yftzchok Wilk & family of Ran~ii ;: r.qs.Angews,·.california Menacfu1~«~ Lea :Friederwltzer &~a~~Y>f>fHar Nof J:l•r.JM'l::l ll':h ~'11!/::l 'll'l'V.#i\+iin ·. '~a:}'.ifOutA[Judah;Jtrl.ends ,;~l l't:n'I' i"lr.mt'l1 t:!5.~n:::i 1r.inMn1 1:in:::in n::t ·· · ·. f.:.·' ' ' ·:;···:'-}//\¥;·' w? t~ till our rela;tives and friends .Mr. and·Mlts.,lir'''·'· Rabbi & Mrt,;• Josef Loebenstein Kew (l.~~~r!S Hills .. N. Y. Vinelanfl,, New Jersey

•• ,, ..V{iShfhg all QfKlal Yisroel a i"l:J1P i"ll'" "'' . ti~\;t happy.and healthy New .Year TrC1(!:1/>& La.rry 1:,0igmqtt Mr. .. &· M'f'S• Stanley 'treitel ·,&; Family \ ·~·:>.::.;:;t ~;:I:· Joshua & Daniel Los ~les, Ci;illforr).iq { :_,. \'.> :,··.<\;,;;:;.{0::~.~:.. ;;;;1.~·· ArJff

1r.inmi i:in::itl n:ii'I' nlw'/ ToRabbi YosefC. Golding 't.o~fi~J'~urjamily andfriends 0 YisroeJ,;~~~:: ::~~n; :::i Family!\ .• v>MP.i~rtl'M'f'Si1 Simcha Grun.hut i · ,,,,.:".·'··••.i'i:y:<:•;_:•\)"·Y·.-,!H<·\\c;.··:;.. · · .. ·:."".•; 0S <:·<; .;,~:!&-·:<-: ''.Reisman. Broth:i~,Bake· In H~1JjPo.f¥llli:stqffof Agml(Hfl1~~~~ft'Alnertca U!iShes a year qf sUJ~~th~s~,cj¢~'"an4 \ .••••.., .• ·· .• ili'1n~' n~lJ?};-;i~ ,; . prosperity toa~lofJ9.al YiSroel ..· <· S:ltitnon·:·zeU:!es.. >.~·.~i:AcMINC. n::nv i"ll:l'l''1Tlli"l::t~11:::i 1a~l9i1·1~.~~L...... 718-331d975 Lo:.··.. k.ew.·····•{;;m, :·/','' < ',' N.J~tc.o. ' '··>·""··· ''• 1.• ······... ·• ...... ;;'i~)~~gii:;.n:i,,, nll?.'? ;"•' ,. ,t.lnmi':ln::irt i::ircn n:n,, i1ll?.'? ... ,.. • .~~?.?~1¥'.sffoTc 1~ 1.n'l).):l).)l 1'1.l N ·1'ilE w~i.sS~RYEBril<'AMILY . oJ~f~()rtltpoft:;tW Rabbi E.B. (B~nnyJ an({. $1taindy ~edma.n ¥• Kenneth H. Rges~y. ~S,q• OakPatk, 7MI Dr. Tamara E. Wei~~' Hayim Ryesky, • ·

We would like to tl.!~11.<. all of KlcllYtsrqel a Shan~ 'l!dva '(]'"¥Jsuka, V'sM~,.~~V'yeshua Steven H. Sh~~~ic•~sq. Jt;G.$tBrunswick, N~~.J:ersey ~il~imti~;~~i·~s~r··· and Fam.it~' •••

··.:,· ·).'>--' :·'·':'.. ·:.· ::t:::0; Louis ctnd SltSan~eman · M'a1" ntl'nrn''na,n:> Ma.y the blessings of1J(jfjd:~ct!th. pf!..~! and. happtnessflllYOttt hDme Alameda, Californ,iii ~Pli? on"'l::i.~ ti~ ···~>t~rtll1s neu; Yt'!llJ" qm: aiway~ . m?l>.>~ 1nrnren:i1 .... •iici~~~~iiy •i

m::m:> fu'l!l:i i'l::l~'lp~ •• Michael· and Alison i:irori n:ii,, nn?>? n:::iit> ~rim :tt'l't> >·•~i Mr. & MrS JV'Orman to all our family Ilana, Dahlia, 1 Mr. & Mrs. Reuven ·.. . Avi, Bayla & 1Calman. Freedman t:IJtdfrlends ·... Sage andfattiily Yitzchok .RosenJ;ierg - _;~_;:, :_::"'s · Y~efand Edie Davis · :.. ,. I'aSsaic/.(;;llfWn, .NJ ?:;~~··>.' n:::ii" n~fif11i~~~rti n::ii~·~·· S~aTova! J"l::l,'l>nw? Integrated·Mv\: 500 8th Avenue; !11905 Avi &.•~rah Ral>bi B.M•. Felder Neu! York, NY 10.018 Norman Patnass ·· and.Family ~n.i family .Dien,striiJ.~81.'~Q.~ily Menach~J11, ~iriSky, .;>iesident

. Mr. J1::J ·.·. i"~ Shana Tova U'mesuka ~onrirW'l:in~~~:iw ·i1l~ A Year of Health. Happiness & Parnossa Best wishes to allo{.Lrjjiends an~relatives Irving (YrsroelJ and Ruthie Safrin for a happy, healtflty and Jacob and Shifty Safrin prosperous New Year SAFRIN AssocIATES Offices in New York.Ctty:&'i.fons"}y Mr. & Mrs. Avrohom Schonberger · Insurance & Benefit Planni11g and Family Tel. 845-426-1999 • Fax 845-426-1998 [email protected]

Greetings fr9W. Shana Tova to JtpJ~h·.G~~·~1trl.~.~i~uncil of Rabbi & Rebbetzln Nisson Wolpin · Ot~ttt~ff'~cffteYJ~{[sland. Inc. and the Sta.ff ofThe Jewish Observer from 3001 West 3~th St~~igt, Brooklyn, The Jewish R~urce Center New York 11224-1479:•:718-449•5000 'l'taditional Jewish (ilfittigaph ip.Buifalo Providing Supportive Services to thliP'rail Elderly. Voca­ tt9i;idtty Disadvantaged Poor. RefugE/es and Education­ Rabbi Yita:chl.tk Aaron Schwartz . ·· · ally At-Risk Youth of New Y'();k City Arnold and Rtta·.weiss Isaac:Bacon, Ph.D. Rabbi M~~"! Wiener 410 Main Street • Buffalo, NY 14202 Presfilent Executive• Director 716-852-7588

Best Wishes.for a Moshe M. Friedhl,9n, P.E. ilJ.W ill:l~?'lrn il:::l~l"O To the incomparable Architectural Engineering to our friends, relatWes, J J.C.H. (718) 382-1702 and Kial Yisroe1 ~t's pr'!#}'or 90 more yedrs. (845) 356-3999 Mr, & Mrs. Harry Fried Yoor:~teji.&l Husband Los Angeles, Calif. Pirchei Agudas Yisroel n:n" nr.imrn n::i~ro 1'1:ll1' nr.mtn l'l:l'l"O of America to all i:!ur relatives, Best wishes to our family and friends for a Would like to wish all of its friends, dnd ~ '77.l happy; hecdthy and prosperous new year branch coordinators, leaders, Rabbi •and Mrs~· Yosef Moshe members and.friends a Rand and, Family Aaron S; ,Bachler & Family ·.·Passaic, NJ nrl:>:imi ,ni.nwi .n::l'1;:i :nw Toronto, Canada

Best wishes t() ~1i6~r jiien~l\ Rabbi & Rebbitzen Wolpin L'Shana Tova to .the and relatives for a Happy; Healthy Aguda of St. Louis and Prosperous New Year ·•. :•·:f.~Y Hashem grant you the good ~I'". and Mrs. Moshe Katz · rence Slater Benyam~tt,Heyman

-\\ci<:-f",, ·· Mt12e! Tov to :\,~:tf:;",::::,'_)1,, We would like to wish .~'r.hn:iw m'l"ll'l'l~ A11iva & Michael all ofKial Yisroel a Shana Tova l:!i"l'I!> rnr.nvr.i 7.l:i Greenberg · Rohinsky Umesuka. Vshnas Geula VYeshua Osher &·Ruth Lehmann on their. Chasunah! • Flatbush, New York Peretz Chaim & Z«hava Uncle l!!lieiet1{.1etiirti !:· • . Levin & Family

60 i"trl>..'n ;_,. ·:y.;;<,.;;-,:;,_. >\\'.;\(· n:::n" i'll:l'nni n:i,n:> L' shana T6'1./a nvi~ n7r~ ru'l?'l 0 '.···•f':iv.• • m. · the · ' Jf'V >\\~: May our collective rni,~nn COLEMAN LAW Jt7RM penetrate: the heave~ ')m:l 881 Allwood Road 757 'third Avenue Clifton, NJ 07012 l\lew York.J:iVJT1 17 973-471-4010 212-7$12,959000 Jacob I. and Chanie F'riedntan

Wishing KlalYisroel a ~~~rti~ii*~'llS Shana Toiici .U'mesuka W' rn~m~~· Rabbi Chaim Ed.D. Feuerni~rr.• Bruce and.Judy ~is~haus <"'.:;, .. 141-20. 70thRoaa,;1, · :sfrew Gar'dens Hills, NY 11313~;1937 and· Family ·... . 718~544-1821 .

n:iw i1tptl1"11 i1:t'l1:! Tqr-;q.h Greetings to all ofK1cil. Yisroel to idl~our Leaders .Ezra and Debbie .BeYman Shmuel Roth· Wi

it::ir1.:> i1l:l'nrn n:i,n:> May 5764 be a year of Teshuva, GeJiah, •••~. to the entire std.]Jat Agudath Israel ofAmerica and Yeshuafor Klal Yisroel! and to all ofWal YtSroel Yisroel and Leah Ne~flW" and Family Sheldon WrotSl~sky Nesh:er Printing;·lnc,

rj;~~i~' L'Shana Tqva Ksiva V'Chasima Tova all our friends ,~'#:J, to our dear friends to andfainily and relatives Mr. and Mrs.1'[ed Pfeiffer J14/?!J;~IJ!

'':.·:·:::··/,·.:·.· •. ·· ¥1.:m:> rnl'tirn to'ti9'•1Zl·'· ..•.. ·······. ·.··.· .••.... · ·. · to · ••c · '&ruch and ·Helen n:>'tl~ti;1~~ Rabbt.ty;~~son 'Jl'olpin Greisman and F'rJ,mily wis.hal.l ourjriends andfamily Mr. and ,3frs. Ch~~~~~ from an i.!fbnirer ·• to~'D nr.i,nrn n:i~m A.D~ .··. . :· \.. :.2<"··0t~;;~,. ···We wish all@'.urfamily, i1:J.11' i1r.:llTIM'I i'l:J. Tl:Ji:J. May the New Year usher in peace, relatives·and:friends prosperity and falfillment for M::twnblMrnri~ro Am Yis1-oel, and each and every T1~'> V'\:)'Vll':J.Vl 1'll N j'IN meffiker of Klal Yif;roel. ,>->'' -> Dt. and Mrs. David .Reuven and Leah Olli.ck Di~~qnil and Family

• : ~w~~~~~;JJDETROIT Wishing all our Family and Friends South:~.~4~.M~chigan and 7~ '>l:J. 1l'IT1N i'l:J.11' i'lf.l~~;Jr n i1::l'TI:> Rabbi Dov Loketch • Rablfit.t~her Eisenberger ·:ftom··· Mr. Irwin Cohen, Pf~~ident Mr. and Mrs. Akiva Hirth & Family Rabbi Mattel Weiss, Gfipbai Passaic. NJ \'(e

1~11ini·l~T'I i1:lW ill~ i1a!~Pr.:i'nn1 i'l:i..,n:i Best Wishes to alloilrfriends, relatives '>)~,,::,, and clients for a.Happy, Healthy & A YEAR.'FtJLD.QFSIMCHAS and Prosperous New .Year EUTE c.Al'iRERS THE KATZ FAMILY Mr. & Mrs. Yitzchok Oberlander Under''l:he Exclusive Superoiswn of ,. K'HALADAT'H JESHURtJN /I~) IAICObftlMdet&(o. RC. 'Ji,~~ .... .···. Olrt!fied .f>u~':ic Accountants 718-337-6600

¥/il;11ing ·all. c:iff~nds Best wishes for a Ksiva Chasima Tova •• a Happy and Healthy~WJi? }T~ar The Dessler Families · ;~; · Richaf"d:and Barbara ~ldgrtilien.. Cleveland, Ohi.6:

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