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THE JEWISH OBSERVER (ISSN) 0021-6615 is published monthly except July and August by the Agudath Israel of America, 84 William Street, New York, N.Y.10038. Periodicals postage paid in New York, N.Y. Subscription $24.00 per year; two years, $44.00; three years, $60.00. Outside of the United States (US funds drawn on a US bank only) $12.00 surcharge per year. Single copy $3.50; foreign $4.50. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: The Jewish Observer, 84 WiUiam Street, SHE'Al. .. ASK YOUR ELDERS AND THEY WILL TELL You N.Y., N.Y.10038.Tel:212-797-9000, Fax: 212-269-2843. 5 Agudath Israel of America: A Movement With a Historic Mission Printed in the U.S.A. Novominsker Rebbe, Rabbi Yaakov Perlow N""""'1
RABBI NISSON WOLPIN, EDITOR 8 The Past as a Guide For the Future
EDITORIAL BOARD Rabbi Matisyahu Salomon N"1"'w DR. ERNST L. BODENHEIMER Chairman
RABBI ABBA BRUONY All Roads Lead to Rome RABBI JOSEPH ELIAS Rabbi Sinclair JOSEPH FAIEDENSON Yaakov Asher RABBI YISAOEL MEIR KIRZNER m RABBI NOSSON SCHERMAN PROF. AARON TWERSKI Rebbetzin Tzila Sorotzkin il"V:The White Angel of Auschwitz Joseph Friedenson, translated by Sarah Shapiro MANAGEMENT BOARD AVI FISHOF NAFTOLI HIRSCH ISAAC KIRZNER Sometimes We Forget.• ., Robbi Dov Lipman RABBI SHLOMO LESIN NACHUM STEIN SECOND LOOKS ON THE JEWISH SCENE RABBI YOSEF C. GOLDING Suslness Manager 13
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EUROPEAN REPRESENTATIVE AUSTRALIAN DISTRIBUTOR M. T. Bi be Iman Gnld's Bonk & Gitt Cn. BOOKS IN REVIEW Grosvenor Works 36 William Street Torah Patterns/Rabbi Moshe Emanuel Mount Pleasant Hill Balaclava 3183, Vic., London ES 9NE, ENGLAND AUSTRALIA reviewed by Rabbr Larbish Becker The Committed Life/Rebbetzin Esther Jungreis THE JEWISH OBSERVER does not assume responsibility for the Kashrus reviewed by Rabbi Nasson Scherman of any product, publication, or service Compassion For Humanity/David Sears advertised in its pages reviewed by Robbi A Y Bookspan ©Copyright 1999 3 .I Letters to the Editor JANUARY 1999 3 5 Index to Volume XXXI (SUBJECTS AND AUTHORS) VOLUME XXXll/NO. 1 3 8 Dateline 84 William St. ITHA Based on an address by the Novominsker Rebbe, Rabbi Yaakov Perlow N"V''1!.i, at the recent convention of Agudath Israel of America, upon assuming the position of Rosh Agudas Yisroel
In his opening remarks, the Rebbe Here stood the leader who was able called attention to the fact that the to unite the different segments of National Convention of Agudath our tzibbur and build them into a Israel of America was being held in powerful force and a sacred the overwhelming shadow of the movement l'chvod Shamayim, a painful absence of its late president, figure of history whose Rabbi Moshe Sherer, zichrono accomplishments will remain a livracha. He went on to say: landmark for generations to come. Reb Moshe became synonymous "Much has been spoken and written with Agudath Israel. As Chazal of the loss that has befallen us, and say, 'He who has given his life for the entire Torah world, with the an ideal merits that it is called by petira of Rabbi Sherer, zichrono livracha. At his name.' Agudath Israel of America became this convention, though, we relive the experience Reb Moshe Sherer's Agudah. and the pain all over again. For here stood our spokesman to the Jewish - and non-Jewish - "This is therefore a proper juncture to review world. Here he conveyed the message and the and relearn the mission of the movement called spirit of our obligations as a Torah community. Agudath Israel."
PROMOTING K'VOD SHAMAYIM and serve the needs of the Jewish Peo issues and those that address our rela AND SERVING THE NEEDS OF ple. Agudath Israel is proud to be the tions with others - to respond to THE JEWISH PEOPLE sacred vessel where the goals and the detractors, to educate the questioners, problems of Orthodox Jews are to re-enforce the committed, to project gudath Israel of America's mis addressed. It hopes, too, to reach many 'forah spokesmanship that is universal sion is a tractate of many chap - indeed all - Jews and afford them ly heard and respected. A ters, a symphony of many an understanding of how the Torah Although the focus of the American melodies. Together, they all convey a sin views the issues of the day. Agudah is primarily on the American gle historic purpose: to promote the Agudath Israel stands ready to artic Jewish community) we cannot, especially K'vod Shamayim (honor of Hashem) ulate a Torah outlook on both internal at this time, fail to express our deep feel-
The Jewish Observer, January 1999 5 ings of concern for and solidarity with nization. In addition, the newly estab our brethren who dwell in our Holy • lished Development Fund for Torah Land, who live in constant peril under lthough the focus of Chinuch in Israel has already established the specter of murder and terrorism. five new schools and ten new kinder We take no position on the political Athe American gartens in Israel, and will, with Hashem's and military decisions that are being help, revitalize and expand the entire made. We are deeply pained at the Agudah is primarily on Chinuch Atzmai system - and is being thought of relinquishing even an inch of nurtured by a lay leadership rooted in Bretz Yisroel to other nations, murderers the American Jewish the history of Agudath Israel. of Jews - especially land that has been community, we cannot, We must thank Hashem that a new settled by Jews with such difficulty and generation of Torah-activists has arisen, dedication. The question of protecting especially at this time, disciples of Rabbi Sherer, proud to carry life, however, limiting war and bloodshed, on his legacy, eager to be vessels of is the over-riding concern; precisely fail to express our deep Divine service. where that concern points is very diffi We need more Jews to stand up and cult to determine. Ultimately, we have feelings of concern for be counted amongst those who labor on only Hashem on Whom to rely, and must and solidarity with our behalf of the Jewish People for the sake entreat Him with our heartfelt prayers: of Heaven. There is so much to be done "Shomer Yisroe~ Guardian of Israel, He brethren who dwell in to expand the frontiers of Torah and Who watches over the remnant of Israel, K'vod Shamayim, so much still to and will not allow the destruction of our Holy Land, who live accomplish, here and in Eretz Yisroel, Israel, those who call out' Sh' ma Yisroel'f' within Agudath Israel and beyond. What breaks our heart, however, is in constant peril under Each of us must help where he can, must that there are tens of thousands of Jews the specter of murder give of his time and means, in whatev in the Holy Land who do not say and er way is meaningful. No one is exempt do not know the meaning of saying and terrorism. from sharing the responsibility for the "Sh' ma Yisroel."We are devastated by the welfare of the Jewish People. This has realization that under the guise of a always been the philosophy and message noble ideal - the right of every Jew to • of Agudath Israel, instilled in us by our return to his homeland- hundreds of It is thus imperative now, more than teachers. And on this road the Agudah thousands of non-Jews have come to set ever, to support and strengthen all the will, with Hashem's help, continue to tle in the Holy Land. These people were, heroic efforts that are being made at grow and flourish in the years to come. for the most part, knowingly admitted bringing fellow Jews back to our reli Along these lines, it is important for by secularists who looked the other way, gious tradition, in Bretz Yisroel and else us to recognize that over past years, one who just did not care. The result is that where. The educational work of orga of the great indications of Hashem's a sizable segment of the Jewish State's nizations like Shuvu, Lev I.:Achim, the blessing of our endeavors has been the society is simply not Jewish, and does outreach efforts of groups like Arachim, emergence of a new generation of con not care to be Jewish. Gateways, Partners in Torah, and oth gregational rabbis and religious leaders I mention this here because I am of ers must receive our fullest backing and in our ranks. We are blessed with impec the opinion that this is the most serious, help. The grand idea of Am Echad, con cable scholars, decisors and diseminators the most catastrophic, situation that we ceived by Rabbi Sherer as his last mag of Torah, who have had an impact on face today in Eretz Yisroel - worse than nificent enterprise, must be continued thousands of people in their own com anything else. If we are concerned with and expanded. munities and in the broader public arena, intermarriage and assimilation in this Agudath Israel in America has played through their sermons, their classes, their country, the awesome fact is that in the a major role - sometimes in the fore written words, and the personal guidance future these concerns are likely to front and sometimes behind the scenes they have provided to so many. Our become part of the Israeli scene, as well. - in the effort to build a Torah society expanding Agudath Israel community May Hashem have mercy! in Eretz Yisroel. Indeed, Shuvu was includes our Yeshiva population, Chas We must realize that the secular Jew founded at an Agudath Israel conven sidic groups, Jews of Sephardic extrac ish establishment in this country will tion some eight years ago, as was the tion, German background, and Ameri sweep this threat under the carpet. They highly effective Operation Open Cur cans. And this community possesses a cannot cope with intermarriage in tain. And the Vaad I.:Hatzolas Nidchei veritable treasury of leaders, teachers, and their own backyard, and cannot be Yisroel, whose accomplishments are of mentors, who, we anticipate, will assume expected to be concerned about inter historic proportions, was also founded an even greater role in the continued marriage in Bretz Yisroel. as a project of the World Agudah Orga- growth of our society.
6 The Jewish Observer, January 1999 A TWO-FOLD MANDATE: THE ORCHARD AND THE INN
ay I offer the following thought: The Torah tells us Mthat our patriarch Avraham established an "eisheZ:' There are two Tal mudic interpretations of the word: one Front Row (L.to R.): Rabbi Yitzclwk Feigelstock, Rabbi Yaakov V\leinberg, Rabbi Avrohom Chaim Levin, Rabbi opinion holds it was an orchard that Aaron Schechter, Rabbi Elya Svei, Rabbi Yaakov Perlow (Novominsker Rebbe), Rabbi Simcha Bunim Ehrenfeld bore many fruits; the other, that it was (Matesdorfer Rov); Second row: Rabbi Moshe Silberberg, R' Chaim David Zwiebel, Rabbi Shlomo GertZrllin, a hostel, a lodging-place for weary Rabbi Shmuel Bloom, R'Reuvain Dess/er, Rabbi Avrohom Nisan Perl, Rabbi Ephraim Wachsman, N"t:i*w wayfarers. The Maharal understands the our children from these dangers? Are there parnassa (sustenance), shidduchim, or "orchard" to refer to wisdom; and the television sets in the home? Are we the raising of children. fruits, to the conclusions drawn from allowing our children open access to VCRs Undeniably, there is much pain in our that wisdom." Eishel," according to the or the lnternet!These matters constitute midst. Aside from the plagues of illness Midrash, is meant as an anagram of mortal dangers for a Jewish soul - and broken families, the awesome situ "she'al,""ask'' - inquire regarding the make no mistake about it! If you view ation of unmarried singles is a partic pure meaning of life; search for truth. it as such, you will do something about ularly stressful problem in our com Learning the truth will lead to correct it. And if you don't, I'm sorry to say, your munity. We must all - each and every thinking and proper values. dedication to Torah ideals needs a great one of us - try to help in this area. The second opinion - that what deal of improvement. Are the standards There are no easy answers. But serious Avraham established was an inn - the of holiness and modesty sufficiently thought, and serious caring about each Maharal explains, holds that not "deli maintained within the home and with other's needs, is crucial today to the lives cacies" but "bread and butter" was out? Is the Torah's value system sufficiently of so very many. what our forefather shared with those protected from erosion by the standards The army of)ews represented in Agu around him. Rather than teach distilled of the world around us! dath Israel, its generals and its troops, wisdom, he chose to impart basic guid What, you may ask, has this to do raised in Taras Chessed and committed ance in terms of the need to act with with Agudath Israel? The answer is to caring for others, is particularly sen propriety, providing them with the "everything:' Because those who affili sitive and attuned to the need to bring day-to-day diet of proper conduct and ate with Agudath Israel have chosen to about, with Hashem's help, some good deeds. receive guidance and inspiration from improvement in this, among so many I would suggest that Agudath Israel the sages of our time, and from gather other matters that require our attention. was meant by Hashem to serve both as ings where the word of Hashem is con an orchard and an inn; a repository of stantly heard and leaves a deep impact; NEW TIMES, GREATER NEEDS Torah ideals, and a station to serve the where people learn devotion to the com needs of Jews. The invasive secular cul munity's needs and to feel responsible he orchard and inn of Avraham ture makes it imperative that we have for the entire Jewish People; where they Avinu had one purpose: to clear statements of Torah values, not learn dedication to Torah-study, and Tenhance K'vod Shamayim. This, only for the estranged who seek to come love for fellow Jews and the importance of course, is also the mission of Agudath closer, but for ourselves - a profound of helping one another. Israel. It is not a new mission; it is the understanding of the priorities that fam This, I suggest, is the "orchard" of mandate of every Jew. In modern times, ilies and individuals must maintain as fruit that Agudath Israel provides for all though, a much greater public force has they struggle with the vicissitudes oflife. who have the wisdom - yes, and the become necessary than in previous The men in the Chareidi world may good sense - to join its ranks. It is an times. This was the innovation of the have studied in yeshivas; all our women, orchard of wondrous fruit for scholars great sages who founded Agudath Israel: in Beis Yaakovs. But maintaining a reli and laymen alike, and it aspires to widen to bring the force of a unified Jewish gious standard requires constant reeval its scope of attention to make the word movement, governed by Torah princi uation. Are the norms of our daily of Hashem more accessible to all seg ples, to all phases of Jewish life. We in behavior living up to the ideals we ments of contemporary Jewish society. America, even more than in the "old absorbed in earlier years! Is the society, But Agudath Israel is also an inn, one country," have come to recognize the from without, not making inroads in our that hopes to serve the needs of as many potential and efficacy of a vibrant, strong lifestyle, in our fear ofHeaven, in our gen as it can reach. It is, and will increasingly public force that results from the inter eral conduct? Contemporary society is so ever be, sensitive to the needs of Torah action of G-d-fearing Jews. We must steeped in immorality, from the top institutions, as well as to the problems retain that wonderful spirit of achdus down. How do we protect ourselves and of Jewish families, be it in the realm of (unity) and cooperation that was felt
The Jewish Observer, January 1999 7 during the recent visit of the Gerer Rebbe new members, new activists. There is so humble shoulders a very demanding and Rabbi Aaron Leib Steinman. That much that must still be done for k'vod task; it is something I did not seek, did visit was uplifting and inspirational, a Shamayim. There are new heights to be not wish, and personally did not need. ray of Kiddush Shem Shamayim. It scaled; new frontiers to be reached. True, But the compelling situation that we in brought out the best in us; our deepest "there is nothing new under the sun" Agudath Israel are facing compelled me desires to promote K'vod Shamayim and (Koheles), but our Torah, the Sages tell also to accede to the wishes of the Moet to attend to the needs of our people. us, is "above the sun,'' beyond all natural zes. I have deep gratitude to my fellow Baruch Hashem, this spirit of coopera limitations, and there are, no doubt, new members for their trust, to the admin tion has borne beautiful fruits in Bretz things to accomplish for Torah, through istration of Agudath Israel and to all my Yisroel and is already bringing about Torah. We must, though, approach good friends who have showered me stronger, more unified, commitment to them together, as a unified, empowered with their blessings. all the affairs at hand. This force must public force. May it be Hashem's will that His now be strengthened. Finally, the members of the Moetzes presence rest on the work of our Agudath Israel needs fresh blood, Gedolei HaTorah have placed on my hands. •
The Past as aGuide For the Future
Based on an Address by Rabbi Matisyahu Salomon N"V'7~ Mashgiach of Bais Medrash Govoha (Lakewood, NJ), at the recent National Convention of Agudath Israel of America
he theme of this discussion is "An omru Zach - Ask your father, he will prevented him from having more children. Eye to the Past; a Vision For the relate it to you; your elders, and they will He made a calculation based on histori TFuture:' Indeed, the Torah tells us explain it to you" (ibid) Do not trust cal precedent. Kayin and Hevel were two that we can learn from experience: yourself to interpret history. You must sons of Adam HaRishon. The world was "Zechor yemos olam binu shenos dorva' hear the explanations of the older gen apparently not big enough for the two of dor- Remember the days of old, com erations - zekeinecha, talmidei them to co-exist, so Kayin killed Hevel. prehend the years of the generations" chachamim ... sometimes even nevi'im. Noach already has three children; can we (Devarim 32, 7). By examining history, Rashi comments that even though we allow him to have a fourth? On this basis we can learn valuable lessons - we dis may know all the facts, we do not know Cham took action. cover what happened in the past when what lies behind them. We still lack the Let us analyze this insight: Cham was people sinned, and what occurred when correct interpretation of what actually the first person to formulate the problem people acted as Hashem Yisborach had took place. of"population explosion,'' having seen that expected of them. We then learn not to two people cannot co-exist on this plan repeat the mistakes that others may have A PRECEDENT OF NOT ASKING et, concluding that with more people, an made, and we come to understand the explosion will be triggered. World wars ways of Hashem. n example: The Torah tells us that will erupt, and normal life will come to But the Torah attaches a condition: Cham, the father of Canaan, who an end. So he devised a preventive mea "She'al avicha veyagedcha zekeinecha vey- Awas the least of Noach's three sons, sure.
8 The Jewish Observer, January 1999 Cham built his statistical projection on your father and he will tell you ... :' Dur concern is this new technological advan history. And the Chams of our generation ing the last ten years of his life, the Rosh tage, the Internet, which has so many have nothing more to base their statistics Yeshiva, Rabbi Aaron Kotler ?··~ was in problems inherent to it. Do people ask if on than did the original Cham. constant touch with Rabbi Sherer, day in they truly need it? Do they inquire how Consulting our elders, however, day out, sometimes several tin1es a day, to use it with proper safeguards ... where informs us that tl1e Ribbono Shel Olam cre guiding him in responsible Torah leader to place it? Why are people not asking? ated the world, and the Ribbono Shel Olam ship, responding to Rabbi Sherer's pre Many of us have chinuch problems gave us mitzvos, one of which is the Divine sentations of "She' al -Ask!" with young children - Yiddishe command "Be fruitful and multiply." This is a model for the rest of us: If you neshamos, who are unfortunately labeled Every child, possessing a unique neshama, truly want to do what is correct, if you dropouts in early stages oflife. If only they represents a fulfillment of this mitzva. want your actions to be constructive and would have asked beforehand, and not Every child is a share in eternity. Viewing not destructive, if you want to build Kial have been so confident tl1at what they are the prospect of bringing children into the Yisroel and not 1.. n destroy Kial Yisroel - doing is right.... world from the perspective of Daas then She' al, ask. Indeed, Agudath Israel Torah, who would be the fool to deny provides us with opportunities to ask. he theme being addressed, "An Eye zechusim for himself and for Kial Yisroel? Teach your children Kavod Ha Torah. to the Past; A Vision for the Future;' Kayin had recognized his error, and was Teach your children to ask, and to respect Tmay have many layers of meaning, afraid that others would repeat it. Thus, the answers of talmidei chachanzinz. but the obvious n1essage is that there is when he did teshuva for having murdered l)emonstrate your own respect in the pres no vision for the future if we do not keep his own brother, he spent the rest of his ence of your children - particularly of our eyes on the past, because Kial Yisroefs life building a city - hardly a necessity Rebbei'im, of teachers, of Mosdos Ha Torah ideology is based on the past. Interpreters for the sparse population of that time. Yet, (Torah institutions). Do not destroy the of the past are our zekeinim. We can not he did so to assure that future generations influence that can only co1ne from understand history without our zekeinitn, would be alerted: He wanted people to respect. nor can we understand the problems con know that the reason he had killed his There should be lines of people out fronting us without our zekeiniln. brother was because of a lack of chinuch side the doors of every Rosh Yeshiva, every Our task is to fulfill "She' al - (education) - he was not trained to Admor, every Gadol B'Torah, and every Ask!"... the She'al in which Reb Moshe understand the limitless bounty of the taln1id chacham. 'fhere are so 1nany issues Sherer was the master, and which was the Creator's resources. So he called the city today about which we are confused. And touchstone of his remarkable success. • Chanoch, to proclaim: "Educate yourself from thcn1 we can hear Daas Torah. But to co-exist." That vvas the Daas Torah of only if we fulfill She' a~ the Divine com- the time that Cham had ignored. 1nand to ask. If Cham would have only asked Noach: How should we lead our lives! What Are my considerations correct? Are my cal standard of living should we n1aintain? culations right?" She'al - ask!" Then he Should we be the ones to decide! Which par would not have made his tragic error! nassa (livelihood) is honest! Which have questionable activities within them! Which 1537 50th Street, A MASTER IN FULFILLING is recommended by Gedolei Yisroel, and Brooklyn, NY 11219 "SHE'AL" which is not? (718) 854-2911 Our generation is blessed with zckein erhaps the primary lesson that we im (sages), waiting to be asked, to solve can learn from Rabbi Moshe Sher problen1s and clear away confusion. 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The Jewish Observer, January 1999 9 Rabbi Yaakov Asher Sinclair
ALL ROADS LEAD TO ROME
f the Romans did one thing right, pening in the far corners of their religion. And religious wars are about they made great roads. Roman roads empire. Size is a function of the abili the imposition of a certain weltan I are still in use to this day. Why were ty to conquer space. We talk of the schauung- a cosmology. "We see the the Romans so interested in building world getting smaller even though it's world this way, and if you want to stay such long-lasting and straight roads? still some 24,000 miles around. The in this world, you'd better see it that way, We live in a world where we increas "size" of the world is in direct propor too:' The sword is often the ultimate ingly "let our fingers do the walking." tion to our ability to span the globe, both theological argument. From a portable cell-phone equipped physically and electronically. Even The imposition of the religion of the with a web browser, you can conduct though the Roman Empire occupied lit imperial power is an expression of its business on three continents without tle more than Europe, the Middle East, cultural domination. In our era, the cul leaving the beach. (Just make sure you and North Africa, in comparative terms tural domination of the heirs of the don't spill your banana daiquiri on your it was probably the largest empire that Roman Empire is the Coca-Cola sign cell-phone.) ever existed, because the world was a hanging beside the Inca Trail on the way Increasingly, the word "communica very large place in those days. to Macchu Picchu; it's the Golden tion" has come to mean electronic con Arches in the shadow of the Taj Mahal. tact as opposed to a flesh-and-blood MEDIA: ROADS TO DOMINATION The brilliance of American con meeting. sumerism is that it bonds into a cohe One of the prerequisites of rulership ust as the Romans used the roads to sive whole a country of numerous time is communication. The Romans built rule, so do the inheritors of their zones, vastly different geography and quick straight roads because they need empire use the electronic media. weather, culture and religion. Whether ed to know and dominate what was hap- JImperial domination, however, can you come from Biloxie or Topeka, take the form of more than brute force Encino or Nantucket, however far you Rabbi Sinclair, originally fron1 London, is a nwg gid shiur in Yeshiva Ohr Somayach in Jerusalem. and tax collection. Most of the wars in are from home, you can always look out history have been either about trade or your car window and feel right at ;··p:i home looking at the same icons you left behind: Best Western; Burger King; BCC IS EVERY GIRL'S DREAM••• Holiday Inn; K-Mart. The same famil The Best Summer in Israel camping/touring program iar landscape - the landscape of for Frum girls ages 10-17 Empire. Television performs the same • 6 weeks of over 22 Ezciting Thurs. Daily Shiurim, ~~'\ function: it binds the nation together. Hiking, Climbing, Drama, Music, Dance, Arts & Crafts ,c~ ·::- - ~"'<,;~ Wherever you are, you're in the same and the "Ruach" 1+1zich is the Hallmark of the AMAZING ~-_: ,_-_ --~,,-~-----$' ·~_,,'lP.S~ Midreshes L'Mitzvos Hatluyos Baretz, Farm, Zoo, Sports ~ Fields & So Much Morel ~ TORAH THROUGH MEDIA • Join the Hundreds of Girls who have enjoyed touring ~C? Eretz Yisroel, with the Zelman Family since 1986. ~~ roadcast television is sue~ a pow CALL FOR INFORMATION ANO APPLICATION. P., '$\'S erful tool, and it's so much a part Bof our cultural language, that peo ple frequently suggest it as a means of spreading Torah values. There is an idea that we can reach many of our brothers and sisters who have become estranged ,______(718) 282-6350 Directed I 941-5500 byZishe & D'vora Zelman. • (800) ______442-2295 .. from Judaism by making TV documen-
10 The Jewish Observer, January 1999 taries for broadcast television shout the Temple songs of the Levi'im were put up a satellite antenna and beam Torah and the 10rah way of life. Anoth silenced. The Romans took that music down a Big Mac, there the empire rules. er idea is that those who have had con and 1nade it serve a nev.r master. It resur The Romans built the best roads in spicuous success in the secular world, faced hundreds of years later as the Gre the world. But if they were alive today, whether in the arts, business or science) gorian chants of the church. they would be producing Seinfeld. should make their stories into TV docu If music and religion are but two 1"'elevision is an instrument of kingship1 dramas. (One can well imagine the sort aspects of imperial cultural domination, and the kingship is not ours at the of title which would emerge, such as television is the ultimate form of this moment. This is not just a physical real "From Wall Street to the Western Wall.") thrill: Television is the dream factory ity, it's a mystical reality. It means that It seems to n1e that such projects are which allows the ruling power to foist when we attempt, as the Jewish People, doomed from their very inception. its world-view on its vassal states. It to take hold of the reins of kingship, be Have you ever seen Orthodox Jews look places the minds of its subjects in the that music or television, we must anything other than weird on the cultural iron mask. V\lherever you can inevitably look rediculous and fail. media? Why is that? Why is it that only Muslims look exotic and picturesque Mozeson/Mahnowsk1 Advertising (201) 801-0101 against all those Lawrence-of-Arabia sand dunes! Why does Kodachrome love every African or Indian cult, where as the People of the Book are singular ly non-photogenic? Why do they seem It h parochial and rather shabby when exposed to the glare of the TV's gaze? Our Sages teach that the Jewish People will experience four exiles. These exiles are hinted to in the very opening lines of the Torah: "And the Land was st1c formless (Babylon) and void (Persia! Medea) and darkness (Greece) on the face of the deep (Rome)." Since the Torah is the blueprint of the world, something written at the very beginning of the blueprint indicates that these exiles are Ii a fundamental process in history of the • world. WHO WRITES OUR SONGS? It hurts he first of these four kingdoms took the kingship from the Jew Tish people. Each empire has suc cessively grabbed the mantle of power r from its predecessor. Ultimately the fourth empire, the empire of Esav/Rome and its current heirs, will return king o. ship to the Jewish People. Until that time however, the fourth kingdom has the power of the kingship and all its The Shalom Task Force - 3 trappings. It writes the songs of the ... ~ world, for music is a scion of kingship: Abuse Hotline is endorsed by ... .,..,. "' King David, the prototype of all kings, leading Orthodox Rabbonim. -t-. FO~c.; is called the "sweet singer of Israel:' But the lyre of David breathes the songs of Confidential Hotline 718 337 3700 Collect calls accepted. majesty no more. Do it for yourself. When the Jewish People went into this last exile, the exile of Rome, the Do it for your children.
The Jewish Observer, January 1999 11 NEVE YERUSHAJAYIM INSTITIJTIONS MIRRORED KINGDOMS
NEW, FIRST YEAR 7/(a,a,(,o,t 1t'fl SEMINARY! he Kingdom of Heaven is mir Announcing The Opening Of A First Year Seminary· rored in the Kingdom of Earth. In Addition To Our Successful Post-Seminary Program TThe Jewish People are in their darkest exile and the Divine Presence is • First Year and Post-Seminary Programs - Full Day or Half Day • Intensive Umudei Koclesh-Accelerated Program in that exile with us. This is an exile of • Optional Summer Program In Yerushalayiml such totality that most of us don't even • Dynamic Shiurim By The Foremost Mechanchim realize that we are in exile. We have almost • Endorsed By Leading Gedolei Yisrael totally accepted upon ourselves the yoke • Hundreds Of Successful Graduates Worldwide of the empire, its icons and its ideas. We • A Warm, Bais Yaakov Atmosphere - Select Group Of Students are glued to their visions. We wear their • The Exciting Altemative To A Full Year In Eretz Yisroell clothes. We think their thoughts. Our Renowned Mechanchim Include: Rabbi Avraham Blumenkrantz, Every day, when we recite the Shema, Rabbi Yehuda Cahan, Rabbi Dov Eichenstein, Rabbi Yael Kramer, we proclaim Hashem as King over the Rabbi Ahron Rapps, Rabbi Mechel Spitzer, Rebbetzin Chaya Blumenfeld, Rebbetzin Chaya Ginzberg, world. We crown Him in absentia, for Rebbetzin Devora Kitevits, Rebbetzin Esther Twersky there is little that we can see that Summer In Eretz Yisrael: Rabbi Nasson Geisler, Rabbi Leib Keleman, bespeaks His majesty. He is in exile, dou Robbi Yechezkel Monat, Robbi Dovid Refson, Rabbi Meir Treibitz, bly hidden in a world where material Rebbetzin Tziporah Heller, Rebbetzin Zehava Kass, Rebbetzin Rena Ta,..hish ism and selfishness are the twin rulers. We long for the day when this fourth 7Jta,a/,ot • THE NY SEMINARY kingdom will have run its course and the kingship will return to the Jewish Peo WITH THE EBETZ YISBAEL FLAVOR! ple. For on that day, Hashem will be One 955 Coney Island Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11230 and His Name One, and the people who RABBI SHOLOM G. GINZBERG, DEAN proclaim twice daily His Oneness will For More Information Phone Or Fax:(718)377.0222 be seen in their splendor, risen from the sack cloth of ages. •
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Heritage Foundation Local sponsorship: $100 6 Melnick Drive Monsey, NY 10952 For special project sponsorship call 1-800-867-2482 1-800-867-2482 TRANSLATED AND ADAPTED FOR PUBLICATION BY 50RAH SHAPIRO Joseph Friedenson Rebbetzin Tzila Sorotzkin rl"V THE WHITE ANGEL OFAUSCHW Z In box: Bais Yaakov Seminary in pre-war Cracow and untold others were heartbroken sonally; the rest I heard from my wife, Orlean 1, and we should seek her out. by the news from Yerushalayim of from the Rebbetzin's Bais Yaakov stu To me his words seemed a godsend. I the petira of Rebbetzin Tzila dents, and from her fellow inmates in Contacting an Orlean was a stratagem Sorotzkin (formerly Orlean), ?"t, noted Auschwitz, a chapter in heroic history that could lead to uncovering the mechaneches of Bais Yaakov Seminary in that warrants an entire volu1ne. whereabouts of my wife, whom the Cracow, a protege of Sarah Schenirer, Nazis separated from me on our arrival n"ll, illustrious wife of Rabbi Ekhonon FIRST ENCOUNTER IN BIRKENAU in Auschwitz. (In fact, finding my Sorotzkin, ':>":"~l, and, above all else, as I with the Rebbetzin (then Mrs. Tzila assign me to 'vork in this area.) remember her, the famous heroine I Orlean) in the won1en's infirmary in I began checking one infirmary bar (known as the "White Angel") of Birkenau. It was a Shabbos afternoon, rack after another. Everyone knew the Auschwitz. and I and some other Auschwitz slave nan1e Orlean, but no one knew where What is legendary about the Rebbet laborers were paving the road near the she could be found. Gathering courage, zin is the scope of her accomplishments infirmary. A hei111isher Yid approached I marched into the hospital's main office. in the Gehinnom known as Auschwitz me and said that he had heard that I no sooner crossed the threshold when Birkenau. Much of it I witnessed per- inside the infir1nary, there's an inmate a tall, stately woman blocked my path, named Orlean, who could be the shouting "'Raus.' Vas suchen sic hier?" Mr. Friedenson is the founding editor of Dos Yid daughter or sister of Reb Yehuda Leib (Get out! What are you looking for dishc Vort,Agudath Israel of America's Yiddish-lan here?) guage n1onthly journal of thought and opinion. 'Rabbi Orlean, a prolific writer, was the educa 'Tm looking for Mrs. Orlean," I --···------Sorah Shapiro, who lives in Brooklyn, is a fre tional director of the Bais Yaakov Seminary, and answered meekly. quent contributor to these pages, 1nost recently - along with Sarah Schenirer- the spiritual pil On hearing the name Orlean, she vvith "Shavuos in Ger" (May '98). She writes for lar of the Bais Yaakov 1novement. She had been nun1erous newspapers and magazines, and lec married to his brother, who had perished before mellowed into contrition. ''you'd better tures on religious and general topics. the events recounted here. go back to work;' she said with some 14 The Jewish Observer, January 1999 deference. "You're not allowed to be here. For that favor- and, needless to say, you and whomever you wish to bring. just tell me where you work. I'll find her for all the others - for proving to me You could use a nourishing soup." and send her to your group:' that my wife was still alive, I have It was predestined that my kapo sent About half an hour later, a young lady remained grateful all my life. During the me back there the next day. As Rebbet strode over to us and said, "My name is next six months, Rebbetzin Tzila pro zin Tzila had recommended, I brought Orlean. Is someone looking for me?" vided my wife with clothing, medical a guest, a Chassidisheryoung man, who "Yes," I answered. "I am. My name is care and moral support. She brought her had come from Lodz only a few days Friedenson." into the fold of Bais Yaakov students earlier and whose piety had made a "Fricdenson!" she exclai1ned. "From who worked under her supervision at strong impression on 1ne. All skin and Lodz? There's a Friedenson here, and I the infirmary. bones, he struck me as a deserving can didn't know about it? How can it be?" But this is not the main focus of my didate for some nourishing food. "Yes," I answered. "I'1n the son of Reb essay. What I want to stress is how the Rebbetzin Tzila was waiting at the Eliezer Gershon Friedenson. You should Rebbetzin also cared for complete barrack door. Lunchtime she brought us know me. You were at our house for a strangers, people with whom she had no two brimming bowls of boiling, fresh Bais Yaakov conference in Lodz. It was connection. ly-made soup. I'm not ashamed to say about eight or nine years ago." that I was carried away with joy by the «Of course I remen1ber your house. PROMOTING PIKUACH NEFESH mere sight of the hearty broth, but my And also your mother and two young friend was beside himself with anguish. boys. Are you one of those boys?" fter she had helped me find my "l)o you see '""hat's swi1nrning around "Yes;' I said, "but I'm not a young boy wife, she asked if I would be in this soup?" he asked apprehensively. anyn1ore. I'1n already married. I was A returning the next day. I said I "It's treife 1neatt I'm not going to eat this! brought here with my wife:' didn't know; it depended on the bar It's not for me! I overcame the ten1pta "I-Jave you seen her?'' she asked. rack kapo. tion in the ghetto until now, and I'm still "How can I see her? I'm not allowed "Try to come;' she said. "Ton1orrow living .... " to leave this base. I don't know if there is Sunday, and the Gcrn1ans won't be His words brought Rebbetzin Tzila to was a selektion of the women when we here. There'll be lots of food, enough for tears. "You don't want to eaH" she cried. arrived, or where she might be now. All J kno\v is that the women who were brought from Starochovitz are in Block 25:' {~-;;~·~;~,· --- "Block 25?" she paused to reflect. '> '> '> There was a time when Block 25 had 0 n Jl 1) Jl il J. \!.P Gitrlt'J;t:. been the last stop before the gas cham YESHIVA TORAS CHAIM/DENVER bers. "I know the block supervisor. She's a shrew' But wait, I have an idea!" BEIS MEDRASH AND MESIVTA HIGH SCHOOL Turning on her heels, she disap AN EST ABlJSHED MAK OM TORAH LED BY TAlMIDIM OF RAV AHARON KOTLER ZT"L peared. rfwo minutes later, she returned, • FOR THE MOTIVATED AND SINCERE BOCHUR flaunting a piece of paper. "I accom • WHO SEEKS TO ACQUIRE A SOUND DERECH IN plished something," she proclaimed LEARNING proudly."! told the head secretary that I must escort someone from Block 25 • IN A WARM AND POSITIVE ENVIRONMENT to the infirmary. Here's the pass. If your • WITH REBBEIM WHO FOCUS ON EACH INDIVIDUAL wife is in Block 25, I will bring her here." TALMID It didn't take long, and Rebbetzin . Tzila, presenting the pass, brought my AP PUCA TIONS ARE BEING ACCEPTED . wife to the infirmary for "treatment:' When I saw Mrs. Tzila the next day I FOR THE 9TH GRADE/ ELUL \J")\Un • asked her if she hadn't perhaps jeopar TO RECEIVE AN APPLICATION AND ARRANGE FOR A FARHER: dized her job... and maybe even her PLEASE CALL l-888-6.29-8.200; FAX 303·6.23-S949 ·• life ... to obtain my wife under false pre tenses. I shall never forget her answer: Rabbi Yitzchok WasseJZman Rabbi YisJZoel MeiJZ Kagan "Here in the camp we are constantly Rosh Yeshiva Rosh Yeshiva being beaten and punished for no sin. Rabbi T zui MoJZC>echaf FelC>heim Should I then be afraid of being penal Menabel ized for doing a mitzva?" ,. The Jewish Observer, January 1999 15 "Have you forgotten where you are? Eat, eat! You 1nust eat! It's a mitzva to neighboring barrack near the fence] is You're in Auschwitz, in the concentra eat! A number of tzaddikim here said so. the Novominsker Rebbe from Warsaw. tion camp, and this soup can keep you There are many religious Jews here who On your way out, stop in to see him. alive. You're not allowed to say you won't never ate in anyone's house, but here in He'll tell you whether or not it's a mitz eat. It's pikuach nefesh, and the Torah the camp they eat everything .... It's a va to eat!" says 'u'vocharto ba'chaim- choose life: mitzva to eat! Over there [pointing to a J can't recall everything Rebbetzin Tzila said in her long drasha about pikuach nefesh, but J do remember how delighted she was when my friend took spoon in hand and dug in. She waited until he finished, then handed him a piece of bread, saying, "J had this for you when I saw you, but I withheld it. I knew if J gave it to you, you wouldn't eat the soup. Now that I've convinced you to eat the soup, take this also, and may it be FOR to your good health! Remember, in THE FINEST Auschwitz you can't afford to be over IN ly righteous!" INHUMANE CONDITIONS, AND VIDEO THE HUMAN TOUCH USA/ISRAEL wice again I was privileged to cross paths with Rebbetzin Tzila Tin Auschwitz. On both occa sions, she helped several of us through serious difficulties. Shortly after that, I lost my work assignment in the women's camps, and I lost contact with both her and my wife, until after the war. After the liberation, when I was reunited with my wife, I heard from her •The Z'chus of Living, Breathing and Experiencing the Kedusha of Eretz Yisroel • and from others who were close with her • The Torah Touring Experience of a lifetime! •Daven by the Kosel Ha'Maravi •Climb for many months in Auschwitz numer Matsada •Inspiring Shiurim • Shabbos in Tzfas • Teveria • Meron •Amazing Workshops 1 • Kevrei Tzadikim • • Amukoh •Experience Yerusholoyim in Depth• Delicious Hotel ous accounts of her magnanimous Style Meals• Swim in the Kinneref • Shobbos in Yerushalayim •Kayak in the Yarden • 1 deeds - how from her infirmary bar Rosh Hanikra • Fully Equipped Modern Gym •Underground Coves• Eilat •Gloss Bottom rack she organized a legion of Bais Boot • Air Conditioned Dining Rooms • Bonano Boating • Ein Gedi • Biblical Zoo • I Waterparks • Hor Haziseim • Beautiful Campus & Dormitory • Snorkling • Paddle Yaakov girls to care for the weak and Booting• Campfire• Tour the Gali/ •Daven Va'sekin at Kosel• light & Sound Desert I sick, and to fortify their own faith with Experience• Golan Heights• Gam/a •Coble Cars • Be'er Sheva •Make Wonderlul International Friends • Yad Vashem • Swim 1n Yam Hamelach • Bedouin Tents • lighting Shabbos and Chanuka candles, Decoupage• Climb Incredible Mountains • Achdus • Tzipori • Arts & Crofts• Our Own 1 daveningwhenever possible, and so on. Olympic Pool• Grape Picking • Shmiras Haloshon Rally• Rabbi Zev Leff• Ancient Susya I A virtual spiritual beacon of Bais •Coiro Genizo Museum• Jeeping• Hotel Hamerchazi in Tzefos •Hotel El Artzei in fi/at • Kanyan Ha'odom • Silk Screening• Mea Sheorim • Rebbe's Tisch• Flower & Fruit I Yaakov, Rebbetzin Tzila felt a sacred Decoration• Camel Rides• Co/or War• Kever Rochel• Kever David Home/ech • Mearat responsibility to nurture the "children luzit • Mearat Chazon • Nochal Amud Nature Trail• Climb Sand Dunes • Mearat I of Sarah Schenirer." She thirsted to take Hakemoch • Degem 8eis Hamikdash • Klei Homishkan • Hay Rides • Banyas • Mode: Wedding • Swim in Hotzhanei River• Sunset Kumzitz by the Ocean • Tzlas Candle I newly-arrived Bais Yaakov students Factory • Cave of the Choshmonaim •Orange Picking • and Much1 Much More! under her wing, to set their hearts to rest, •Just Ask Am!_ of our Wonderful Machane Bracha Campers! and, primarily, to assure they remain steadfast in their ancestral faith. To keep their moral fiber intact, to retain their I A Safe, SeCU'e, Warm Atmosphere In Magnificent Yael Blnyamln mentschlichkeit, not to become far Under the Direction of Rabbi Sholom & Mrs. Chaya Glnzberg I lagert (tainted by the camp), as she was L -l2!'!..E~ ~ -~.!!.":-"!.. ~.! .!.~3.!!:!~ -- • wont to say, presented a formidable task, 16 The Jewish Observer, January 1999 as the appallingly squalid conditions the Chassidic young man to consume the THE BREADTH OF HER INFLUENCE tended to harden the hearts and pollute unkosher soup. How astonished I was the speech. Sapped by starvation and later to learn that she herself ate no treif bbetzin Sorotzkin's humanitar frightened by the licking tongues of the during the entire length of her stay. One anis1n vvas not li1nited to singu crematoria, an inmate usually developed could rationalize that in the infirmary Rrar or sporadic favors. Her work, a savage self-centeredness which there was no dearth of food, and she as my wife has always told me, embod brought him to see and think only of could easily bypass the treif. But the truth ied a secret, coordinated and all-enco1n himself (consistent with a statement of was that even those who had food in passing chessed mechanism that func Chazal, that impoverishment" ma' avir Auschwitz always went hungry. Her tioned as a lifeline to her grieving es ha'ada1n al daato v'al daas kono" - detennination to avoid treif was a for kinsmen. causes a person to violate his own will midable challenge requiring superhuman How did she do itl and the will of his Creator). Multiply strength. An even greater feat, perhaps, With the influence that came with that by famine, filth, foul odor, affliction, was not expecting others to do the same. her work assignment, she planted her flogging, constant fear for one's life, and the proximity of the gas chambers. Rebbetzin Sorotzkin, however, never You can! Just call cringed before the challenge. She pro The Yit:t:i Leibel claimed that precisely there, in that hell ''I wish I could ish abyss, one must strive to intensify Helpline. one's refinement, sensitivity and Jew HouRs: Monday-Friday ...... 8a1n -12pm ishness. Under her guidance, the girls speak to a Monday-Thursday ...... Spm -1 l pm developed into models of virtue and Sunday ...... 9am -l2pn1, 9p1n -l lpn1 modesty, smoothing the path of the suf Extra hours Sat. night...... 7pm - 9pn1 fering throughout those grueling years. frum therapist In fact, many of the women and girls in 718-HELP-NOW the various camps had completed their (718)435-7669 "active duty" and graduated her "basic on the phone Chicago .....•..•.. (800) HELP-023 training" in Auschwitz. They served time Lakewood ...... (732) 363-1010 with her in Birkenau, where they were Cleveland ...... (888) 209-8079 without giving Baltimore ...... (410) 578-1111 infused with her spirited and unflinch ' Morris, Union, Essex & Middlesex ing heroism. Later, when they were sent counties in NJ ...... (877) 4-LEIBEL from Birkenau to Stutthof, Mauthausen, my name.'' For addiction problems call our addiction Bergen-Belsen and other women's therapist, Wednesdays 11 :30pm to 1:30am camps, they went armed with the weaponry of her influence. It is only partially true that Rebbet zin Sorotzkin accomplished so much lS because of her special status. Providence TYPE OF CAR OR SIMILAR •JAN. " 24 MAR, 99 t- had so divined that she come to Auschwitz from Slovakia when she l~A_.,~Fi~AT• PUNTO 3 DR. 126 ~ OI, B crrR"'OENsAXO 147 ~ 0\ attempted to escape from Cracow in C DAIHATSU CHARADE P.S _ 17..s .. ...Ill ~ '~c~·+=P=euaE-6T306--····--·- .,., 1941. Auschwitz was not yet an exter 2 1 7 c· FORDESCORTP.S/DAIHATSUAPPLAUSE 238 t _1111(' mination camp, but somewhat of a CD CITROEN XSARA DISEL 259 !) ..., _N___ KiABESTAS"SEATS ______---4s·s ti) .... "respectable" concentration ca1np. With M MINIBUS 10 SEATS 490 Z l her advanced education and mastery of languages, she was engaged first as a 0 KIAP~!DE/DAlHATSUS!RION 196 ~ t ~·'-j~O~A=EW~O=O~L~A~NO=S'o__----t--~8 :!!.$ nurse in the women's infirmary and then F •NISSAN AL~A__ 280 - ' as secretary in the main office. G "KIASEPHIA1.8 315 ti)~ _Ji~' _:__~MC SAVANA____ 700 ,. :C 1 She saw this promotion as a calling to X 'SUBARU LEGACY 1.8 336 () "'f One day free• rental car "lemichya shelochani" (sent by the Cre XL • MAZOA626 385 :;: ('ii for each night spent at SX •CHEVROLET LUMINA 658 ... HOTEL ELDAN JERUSALEM ator to provide for others), as she reded KX •MAZDA MPV 763 *Valld; 6 Jan. 99 - 28 Feb. 99 icated herself to her imperiled brothers VX ' VOLVO 940 693 S'"Oup B car / Exel. Ins. J' •LANO.ROVER DISCOVERY 980 USA& CANADA and sisters. For hundreds, she was the • POWER STEERING & ELECTRIC WINDOWS Toll Free: ( 1) 800-938-5000 embodiment of a "malach moshia." Fll'ric;~ ir-1 ~Sc S Tel in NY: 212-629-6090 f.JINL.llVlt-rEC> IVllLE.A.~E I described earlier how she implored EX<=:o. INS.. http:/ /www.eldan.co.il/ The Jewish Observer, January 1999 17 students in strategic positions: in the weak ... caring doctors for the sick .... To to pursue an agenda unrelated to her kitchen, bread and clothing commis run this "organization" required her work assignments, was in itself a mar saries, and barrack management-as culean strength, which her assistants vel, especially since the officials were well as in "nursing." These placements soon discovered she more than ade obviously not her compatriots. She served a dual purpose, to lighten the quately possessed. lived in a world unto herself, where she burdens of daily life for her assistants There is no question but that her davened and did mitzvos as at home, as well as for those they assisted. She boundless reach, extending indirectly never compromising her ideals. Even taught the girls not to exploit their posi even to the men, of which I was only the most refined of the female doctors tion for their own self-aggrandize one, is attributable to the high level of were not ('her type." One could never ment but to aspire to loftier ideals: to respect she earned at the top echelons imagine her commingling with give of themselves and their of administration, particularly the them ... yet they somehow responded to resources ... shoes and warm garments infirmary's female Jewish and non-Jew her every request. for those who had to work outdoors in ish doctors. I can offer but one explanation, and the bitter frost...bread and soup for the That she could enlist the personnel that is the pasuk, "Vera'u kol amei ha' aretz ki Sheim Hashem nikra alecha v'yaru mimeka - that the nations will see that the Name of the Creator is called Subscribe or give a gift of upon you, and they will be awestruck by you:' It was no doubt her erudition and wisdom that not only impressed but The Jewish Obseroer enchanted the high-ranking women. But I am even more certain that it was her yiras Shamayim, modesty, majesty, and and $ave! innately spiritual mien that inspired her beholders to yield to her drive to give WHY NOT GIVE OR GET A PRESENT shelter to the shattered. THAT WILL LAST AN ENTIRE YEAR? Not only were the camp inmates touched, but also the Nazis. Orce, mus Subscribe, or give a gift at these reduced prices tering courage at a selektion in the infir and The Jewish Observer- filled with the views mary (selektions there were frequent), of leading Torah thinkers on current issues- \vill be she approached a Nazi and successful delivered each month, directly to your door. ly convinced him to reduce his quota of girls and women. When later asked The longer you subscribe for, the larger your savings. how she summoned the nerve, she Of course, this offer if:i unconditionally guaranteed; explained that something in his face you may cancel at any ti1ne and receive a refund for reflected a bit of menschlichkeit. Since all undelivered copies. unlike the others, he didn't shout, threaten, beat anyone or evoke fear, she So order today, and the very next issue \vill be on simply appealed to his conscience by its way lo you as soon as possible. saying: "You know what will happen to the girls you are taking. You probably .J.O. SIJBSCRJP'J'ION SAVINGS CER'J'IFICATE consider them unproductive and there 0 YES, I want to take advantage of this money sa\'ing offer! Enter iny order as follows: fore worthless, but you are making a ::J NE\V SUBSCRIPTION Ci RENE\VAL 0 GUT Nanw mistake. They are not as sick as they \,;(4 ' 18 The Jewish Observer, January 1999 retary, when the hospital was still a place to the Rav that I would like to write friends and students she lost. She feels for helping and curing the sick, the doc about the Rebbetzin's maasim tovim and she did very little. To write about her tors and barrack officials gazed in won niflaos- her wondrous good deeds - would only generate new suffering and der at her selfless devotion to the ill. That but he discouraged me, saying, "Don't pain. It's best not to." served as a forerunner to her being pro think it's because I'm such a 'borei'ach But now that Rebbetzin Tzila and Reb moted to an administrative position. As min hakavod' (flee from honor). I Elchonon, 7"!, are in Gan Eden, I can be secretary, she found even n1ore favor myself would take pleasure in having mekayem the mitzva of "l'farseim osei with the powers-that-be for extending everyone know what a tzaddeikes my mitzva - to publicize those who do her hand to the sick. (This account also Rebbetzin is, but I know it would dis mitzvos." Likewise, I hope to give oth warrants credibility, as the following nar please her. With all her good deeds, she ers an opportunity to do the same. ration from my wife will demonstrate.) feels remorse. She is still crying over the May her memory be a blessing. • A few days before the liberation by the Soviets, a report spread that the Nazis had fled. They were no more to PINCHAS M:ANDEL be seen in the watchtowers, barracks, Over 45 years experience in Kvura in Eretz Y1srael mess hall or other places where they Personal responsibility throughout service - NO AFFILIATES would make their daily appearance. Originator of the present method - BEWARE OF IMPOSTERS Stunned by the news, the frantic Highly recommended by Gedolai Hodor- Here and in Eretz Yisrael inmates scurried to the commissaries and food and clothing lockers to still 1569-47th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11219 their hunger for food and other neces Day & Night phone: (718) 851-8925 sities. 1V1''r.lN1!lr.lNj7 Vl"j7 - 1'1:> 1Nl l11r.l~V '1l!l What did the Rebbetzin do at that Chesed Shel EMES with Mesiras Nefesh ... as understood and practiced nioment? Since it occurred to her that by one active in the industry for more than half a century. when the mothers went to avail them - TAHARAS HANLFTAR SHOULD NEVER BE COMMERCIALIZED - selves of"bizas Auschwitz," (the spoils ofAuschwitz) they must have left their offspring unattended, she enlisted a few r.------~ helpers and rushed to the children's bar I I rack. There they found the young ones ARE You MOVING? alone and frightened, eyes transfixed I I with shock and grief, dirty and I IS YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS PRINTED I disheveled, an offensive stench from I INCORRECTLY ON THE JO MAILING LABEL? I their clothes, wailing for their mothers. We need your help to ensure proper delivery of the Jewish Observer to your home. Rebbetzin Tzila and her crew rolled up I Please attach current mailing label in the space below, or print clearly your address and I their sleeves and plunged into washing, I computer processing numbers that are printed above your name on the address label. I de-licing, disentangling and grooming every last child until the wee hours of I I the morning.2 I I I Affix old label here I A BELATED TRIBUTE I I number of years ago, on a visit I Name ______I o the home of Rabbi Elchonon nd Rebbetzin Tzila Sorotzkin in I I New Address------ Yerushalyim, I nonchalantly mentioned I I I City, I ' It's a fact that in death-permeated Auschwitz, State, ______.Zip where thousands of children were gassed daily, I I there was a children's barrack with dozens of 1nothers and children, n1ost of whom were obvi I Date Effective ------I ously Jevvish. Within a time fraine of two years, I Send address changes to: The Jewish Observer Change of Address I the Nazis had so brutally 1nurdercd more than 84 William Street, New York, NY 10038 one and half 1nillion children, many from that I I very camp. Why did the Nazis find it expedient Please allow 4-6 weeks for all changes to be reflected on your mailing labeL We will not be to n1aintain a children's barrack, yet for Jewish I responsible'for back issues mtsSed unless yoU notify 'us 6 weeks Prior to yoUr inove. I children? No one really knows. L------~ The Jewish Observer, January 1999 19 Rabbi Dov Lipman revolve around religion, and debates would develop on concepts such as, "Must there be a Creator?" and, "What is the purpose oflife?"We also found the time for lighter issues and general jok ing around, but my focus was on the religious issues. I righteously justified the time I was spending with Mr. Rubin as outreach - trying to teach a lost Jew ish soul about his glorious heritage. Aside from our conversations, Mr. Rubin took great pleasure and pride in watching my 15-month-old son, Shlo mo Menachem, grow up. He loved to take note of Shlomo's new achievements, such as walking and talking. He asked us questions about how my wife and I Sometimes we forget how much power street from the new home my family had were going to raise Shlomo, and added we have. Sometimes we ignore the incred recently moved to. When I wished him, his own advice as well. He enjoyed sim ible ability we as humans have to literally "Good afternoon," he responded. ply watching Shlomo run up and down give others life- with the easiest and sinz "Where in the Torah does it state that you the sidewalk. plest gestures. As religious fews, that respon must wear a hat and jacket?" One great moment in our relation sibility is even n1ore significant. The fol For someone to begin a conversation ship came when the Ko/lei only had nine lowing is a true story that taught me this with a stranger using that question, he people for Mincha, and I looked outside iniportant lesson, which I should have must have n1ore on his 1nind than hats to see Mr. Rubin, the self-proclaimed learned from Chazal. and jackets. I introduced myself and he fervent agnostic, walking by the build told me his name was Julian Rubin. Sure ing. The look on his face when I It Began With "Good Afternoon''. .. enough, over the course of the conversa described our situation was priceless. tion, he revealed to me that he had reject The man had not walked into a "Jew t was about a year ago, in Cincinnati. ed his Jewish faith completely, and we ish building" in 25 years. He walked I was walking down the street, when began to debate the issues. My"outreach towards the Ko/lei door and said I a man approached me. I recognized radar" was in full gear, and I took the time emphatically, 'Tm doing this because I him as the man who lived across the to speak to Mr. Rubin on a regular basis. like you, and for no other reason." Rabbi Lipman is a Rebbi in the Yeshiva of Greater Almost daily we would talk. More A few months ago, Mr. Rubin turoed Washington in Silver Spring, MD. often than not, the conversation would seventy, and he began to speak about death. He frequently mentioned how he was no longer as physically fit and strong as he was in earlier days. I tried to cheer him up, and also took advantage of the I --r>-'--~"' min:!ml'l 1a- Illness opportunity to inspire him further 1a- Easy Childbirth regarding religion. We had deep con 1a- Shidduch versations regarding what happens after ' . death. I told him how doing mitzvos and learning Torah make a difference in the FREE SERVICES PROVIDED: ---.:._.-"-'+-I • Personal Counseling • Medical Referral ultimate reward we receive. After a few • Crisis Intervention • Emergency weeks of dealing with this issue, Mr. • Advice and Segulohs {n1~1)"1) Medical Funds Rubin shocked me by making me •Prayer Hotline to Jerusalem promise that after his death, I would see to it that someone says Kaddish for him. T'l:r.l nr.i"'1 n><1!l17 77om'>1 -rrr.fh NJ ~ i)):t i1r.l~ 7~1'V' C"n 1469 42nd Stree~ Brooklyn, N.Y. 11219 REFUAH/VESHUAH '"l ,7 i11''V 1:i Tel. (718) 436-0666 • Fax. (718) 972-2787 tm::::rv 'l!lm -riw 20 The Jewish Observer, January 1999 He explained that while he did not live vinced that without my "righteously and helped him carry the load home. He his life as a practicing Jew, he wanted to motivated" friendship, he would have learned the boy's name, and all the things "cover all of his bases." taken his own life sooner. This has he enjoyed in life. As the conversation taught me a very powerful lesson. continued, he learned that the boy was ... And Ended With "Farewell" Chazal capture this lesson with one sim having trouble in many areas of his life. ple statement: Rav Yochanan ben Zakai The afternoon passed with small talk and y family moved from Cincin would say "Hello" to everyone he some laughs, and then they parted ways. nati to Silver Spring on Thurs passed, even the gentile in the market Many years went by and the two Mday, August 6th. While the place. Rabbi Yaakov Kaminetsky, ';>··~did talked occasionally. One day, the boy movers cleared our belongings from our the same to the nuns who lived near his who had dropped his belongings home ou the day before, Mr. Rubin home in Monsey, as is well known. No approached the boy who helped him spent the afternoon in my living room, ulterior "righteous motive" is necessary and asked, "Did you ever wonder why essentially telling me his life story. He to acknowledge another human being's I was carrying all of those belongings told me about the army days in Korea, existence and possibly even befriend with me that day? You see, I had life as a young and successful lawyer, and them. The very act of giving someone deaned out my locker so as not to leave why he never married. Perhaps more sig friendship is the most righteous act of a mess for others to clean. I had taken nificantly, he told me why he rejected his all. We don't realize how much friend some of my mother's sleeping pills and religion completely in his early teens. ship means to someone else. There are was going home to commit suicide. After The next day, Mr. Rubin reiterated his sad, lonely, and depressed individuals we spent that time together talking and desire that someone should say Kaddish out there who hide this component of laughing, however, it hit me that had I for him. I told him that I would stay in their lives very well (as did Mr. Rubin), killed myself, I would have missed out touch, and we bid each other farewell. who might literally stay alive because of on that good time and others that might W11ile we were unpacking in our new the friendly "Good morning" they follow. So, when you picked up my home in Silver Spring, I received a phone receive fro1n their neighbor, or a cheer books that day, you did a lot more. You call from a neighbor in Cincinnati. Mr. ful, "How are you?" which shows them saved my life." Rubin was no longer alive. I was that someone cares. There are cities where frum Jews pass shocked. Just two days after we moved, ing each other in the street rarely he was dead. But he wasn't just dead. He just Picking Up Some Books acknowledge each other, never mind committed suicide. "outsiders." Let all of us think about the I do not suggest that Mr. Rubin killed hile writing these words, a true lesson taught by Rav Yochanan ben himself because I moved. That would be story I heard just a few years Zakai, as well as these stories. Beginning ludicrous. He was dearly dealing with W ago comes to mind. A teenag with basics, such as saying, "Good immense depression and the possibili er was walking home from school one morning;' and at the very least, "Good ty of suicide before we even met. I day, when he saw a boy trip and drop all Shabbos;' we can graduate to the sim strongly feel, however, that he would not of his books, two sweaters, a baseball bat, plest of friendships. Oftentimes, as in have done this terrible act with my fam a glove, and a tape recorder. He helped Mr. Rubin's case, this can be the differ ily living across the street. I am con- the boy pick up his scattered belongings ence between life and death. • Not just a cheese, a tradition... ··. 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Call today and join hundre\!s' of companies who have found the olution\to .their staffing needs. essidtial Management- The inntil,g strategy for your business. ------~!Sl~8=f j...,.. ______P_nu_ez_R_eri ifting only his eyes, his slouched "Yes. I would;' I said, ready to lie face wanted to know. body motionless in his chair, his down on the floor. "Two years;' he said and shrugged. Lsleeveless arms limp atop the He led me to a sales counter at the "But maybe I'll make it back this sum armrests, the computer salesman held rear of the store, where he produced a mer:' Wistfully, he added, "I hope!" me in an adversarial gaze. carton bearing the COMPAQ logo. He He ordered a clerk to bag my pack "Yeah;' he breathed. broke the seal, placed what looked like age in heavy plastic and looked at me, "I need a laptop," I said, fearful that a tiny, gray briefcase atop the glass his eyes wide and lips pursed in an atti computer shopping in Downtown counter, and gently opened it. tude of regret. ('This was a vacation," he Manhattan would prove the most I liked the computer's design and said, "that turned out to be permanent:' annoying buying experience that I or my typed a few words. The keyboard felt I watched him move from behind the wife would suffer during our spring solid. counter and past me, toward the front vacation in America. "Ya know," he said, watching me, "I door. He lifted his languid face to look at could get ya a "It's a different world here, isn't it?" me squarely, and my fear suddenly more I called after him. turned visceral. I stared at his He turned his head without break slicked-backed, ebony hair, olive ing his springy, street-wise step and skin and fair, unblinking eyes, ter smiled. "It's a different world!" he called ribly unsure of both myself and my Masked back. need for a laptop. I clung to the image of his cool, chal "What ya lookin' for?" he asked, lenging gait and knowing smile, of his standing and walking away from his Jew perfected role within a definitively for chair with a slight bounce in his step. eign world. It evoked both laughter and "I'm not sure," I confessed. "I don't sorrow. Masks can be valuable survival know much about computers and only tools, and if one best manipulates his use them for word processing." advanced model environment through a menacing per Unmoved by my candor, he made an for a hundred fifty sona) so be it! offer. ''I'll give ya a COMPAQ for twelve more." Tragically, however, one often lives hundred,'' he drawled, his street accent "No," I said, not only to survive, forgetting to step from so heavy that I had to pause to process looking up. "This one is fine." the masquerade to nurture self. Then the words. Suddenly, he stopped speaking and "vacations" become "permanent." "Does that come with a CD ROM?" barked across the store, "Hey! Ani amar He was a Jew far from home, both I asked. ti l' cha, lo l'kachat et zeh!" physically and spiritually, and he knew it. He shrugged, as if relenting. "For I froze and felt lightheaded, as another ninety I'll throw one in." though the room had warped. I looked s I walked in the late afternoon "I don't know," I sighed. up at him. sun, thinking of the nice things "Rabbi;' he said impatiently, sliding "Are you from Israel?" I asked, stag A that I would write with my com his fingers into the front pockets of his gering. puter and wondering if! could make it jeans, "What da ya wanna do? Ya wanna "Of course," he said matter-of-fact Uptown in time for Mincha, the image buy, or bounce?" ly as he repackaged my computer. of his mask faded from my mind, and I glanced nervously at the floor, I laughed, barely capable of consid my solitary life resumed. The encounter incredulous that I had just been threat ering that the store might be full of became a disbelieving shake of the head, ened. I imagined a black Lincoln Israelis. "I live in Israel;' I said. a wonder-filled chuckle in the heart, an pulling up along the sidewalk and my "Yeah?" he asked. "Where?" experience gleaned and tucked away to body being stuffed into the trunk. "Yerushalayim," I said. "Where are be shared with my wife and friends, and «Well, I, I guess," I stamn1ered, "I guess you from?" I felt enriched. I want to buy:' "Tel Aviv." I hope, however, that on Purim, when "Tell ya what;' he snapped, returning Jews enter a masquerade and let go their quickly to his chair. "I'll give ya the COM found myselflookin. g at his face with separate bodies to nurture the single PAQ with CD ROM for a thousand:' interest and pleasure. He seemed no Jewish self that not only undid Haman I hesitated. I longer a stranger. 'fhe harshness in and Achashverosh but that stood at Har He stared up at me with wild eyes and his voice had fallen. His mask had lift Sinai, I shall reach beyond my enriched, an odd grin. "If! gave' em to ya for nine ed, and he spoke to me as though from solitary life and don a mask grooved hundred," he nearly shouted, his head within me, fro1n a com1non, familial with tears for a masked Jew. • bobbing forward and back, "then would place. Pnu~l Peri studies in-a Kolle! in -Jerusalem. His ya buy'em?!" "How long have you been away?" I essay, "No Free Agents," appeared in JO, Oct. '96. ------·-···-- The Jewish Observer, January 1999 23 Three legacies of Horav Yaakov Kamenetsky 7":\l His family. His talmidim. Be'er Hagolah. Honor all three on the Motzei Shabbos of the Rosh Yeshivas 13th yahrtzeit. I THE BE'ER!-IAGOLAH , 20TH ANNIVERSARY REPRESENTING THE ROSH YESHIVA 7"~l's MISHPACHA DINNER Horav Binyomin Kamenetsky K"tl'7e> Horav Shmuel Kamenetsky K"tl'7t7 Horav Nasson Kamenetsky K"tl'717 7"~i 'P~j~p :lPV' :lil111~JJ11i~ Y'i7 Horav Avrohom Kamenetsky K''tl'7t7 REPRESENTINGrnERosHYESHIVA 7'':n's1AIMIDIM 25 ADAR 5759/MARCH13, 1999 GUESTOF HONOR Horay.ArtbhomCha:in:rSpitzer N"e'~W Ateres Chaya Hall ------BE-:'E_R_H_AG-'O_LA_H_H_o_N_OR-E-ES-:--" 1411 54th St., Brooklyn, NY PARENTS OF OUR DEDICATED TEACHERS 8:00 PM Rahhi and Mrs. Moshe Grossman Rahhi and Mrs. Avrohom Lerman Rahhi and Mrs. Shimon lichtenstein Rahhi and Mrs. Shulem Zicherman KIRuv Lvovos AWARD David and Ester Melber B E'ER HAGOLAH INSTITUTES HoRAv Yw<:ov .IWIENETSKY 7"ll, FOUNDING CHAIRMAN, VAAD HACHINUCH 671 Louisiana Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11239 · 718-642-6800 Fax: 718-642-4740 ------~ SL~81fli------Ra_b_bi-Av_i_sh... afi_ra_n Brin in Wall Street Wis om othe Quest for Continnify ambitious program to send any logical journey," anyway? Historical willing Jew in the world between tours might indeed raise some con A he ages of 15 and 26 to Israel for sciousnesses, but that would largely ten days was recently placed before the depend on what elements of Jewish his public eye. The "Birthright Israel" plan, tory would be presented, and from what intended to help fuel Jewish identity and perspective. continuity, is in1pressive, to be sure. And expensive; it is expected to cost $300 THE JEWISH STATE million over five years, a sum that will be AS THE JEWISH FAITH have reveled in the romantic "my might initially financed by the Israeli govern and the strength of my hand" notion of ment, a group of North American Jew ichael H. Steinhardt, the suc temporal Jewish assertion of power and ish philanthropists and the Council of cessful Wall Street money man right to the Jewish land have become dis Jewish Federations. Mager who, along with Seagram illusioned oflate wifh fhe rude intrusion Only a truly hardened cynic could dis Company chairman Charles R. Bronf of geopolitical realities on the Zionist miss so we11-intentioned an effort out of man, is initiating the program, feels that dream. Israel's leaders, once effectively hand, yet the gnawing sound you hear is association with Israel is the ultimate goal. worshipped in this camp, are often per the suspicion that free tours oflsrael may "Israel has frankly... for much of my life;' ceived as the Jewish enemy. These days, prove less effective than expected, or even, he told The Times, "been a substitute for to recast a famous expression, it is hard chas v'shalom, counterproductive. [Jewish J theology." to be a secular Zionist. Many are the tales, to be sure, of con Leaving entirely aside the question of fused or uncon1mitted Jews who came to why anyone would deem the Jewish reli LOW ASPIRATIONS discover their roots and their lives' direc gious heritage in need of a substitute, there tion in the Holy Land, whose very can be little doubt that, for better or worse, n unintentionally depressing com atmosphere, Chazal teach us, is a catalyst the Jewish State is dearly less inspiring parison, as it happens, was to wisdom. But there is also much in today to many Jews than it was during the mployed by Mr. Steinhardt him Israel, especially these days, that could heady days of the 1960s. self, in an interview with a reporter for conceivably have a less than salubrious Those, for instance, who found it rel The Forward. He expressed his hope, the effect on unguided Jewish souls. atively easy to discern forces of good and weekly reported, that the program will The plan, after all, will be offering, of evil when a host of Arab nations ruth achieve success and establish a tradition according to The New York Times, "kib lessly threatened Israel more than three even "perhaps analogous to [the] bar butz trips, archeological trips, hiking treks, decades ago are less likely to perceive the 1nitzva:' ecological journeys and historical trips" persistence of that threat today. Things 1'he comparison bears reflection. In - fare that could just as easily disillusion like Yassir Arafat's astonishing ability to popular American culture, the bar mitz young visitors as inspire them. The kib preach coexistence and peace to some va celebration has sadly but undeniably butz movement has hardly been a suc audiences (even as he preaches entirely come to be associated not with the com cessful engine of)ewish (or even kibbutz) diametric ideals to others) and the press's mencement of commitment but with its continuity; hiking trails in Israel may not incessant portrayal of Israel as intransi smothering. What once heralded (and for always compete favorably with the gent, and worse, 1nake it even harder to some, still heralds) a life of intense Jew Appalachian Trail - and what is an "eco see things as they once were so dearly per ish identity has devolved, in so much of Rabbi._Avi-Shafran,-dire~tor of P~blic Affairs of ceived by so many, like the younger Mr. the Jewish community, into a celebration Agudath Israel of An1erica, is a frequent con Steinhardt. of teen-agerhood, a vehicle for parental tributor to these pages. Even many of those who may once excess, a showcase for disk-jockeys and -·-·------·-·---··----.-.. - ... --~-·-··---~------The Jewish Observer, January 1999 25 movie themes. It would be superfluous • change the demographic landscape of (not to mention depressing) to detail here he more years of Jewish the Jewish world. the "state of the contemporary American education - and the Does it not seem self-evident that, if bar 1nitzva;' but the picture, most of us T the will is there to empower Jewish con know, is not a pretty one. more traditional the tinuity, the way-or, at very least, a major Thus, ironically, should the "Birthright curriculum - the stronger way- is the Jewish school? Israel" plan live up to the hope for it Mr. Steinhardt expressed (though did not like the resultant bond with the PUTTING GOALS ABOVE POLITICS ly intend), it will not only fail to solidify Jewish people and faith. Jewish continuity, but become just anoth ome, of course, might wax cynical at er means for Jews to embrace material the thought of concentrating com ism and what passes for popular culture • Smunal Jewish efforts on institutions in modern times. the goal of connecting Jews to other Jews that, all said and done, are overwhehningly and to Judaism? Like, for instance, the Orthodox. Coming from Orthodox quar BEIABORING THE OBVIOUS road Jews traveled for the nearly 2000 ters, to be sure, the notion would certain years during which visiting or settling in ly seem self-serving at best. (Birthright Israel" is a good, if Bretz Yisroel was hardly an option. The But all truly open-minded Jews, what imperfect, idea, and its origina very same road, as it happens, that still ever their denominational affiliations, tors deserve credit for putting remains the n1ost effective means of realize that a traditional Jewish education forth any plan - notto mention the con ensuring Jewish identity, praxis and life: - one that regards Judaism as it has been siderable funds they have pledged - to a true, traditional Jewish education for regarded for three millennia - is, simply intensify Jewish identity and commit every precious Jewish child. stated, the most potent ensurer of Je\vish ment. Were the program amended, Every study of Jewish continuity, after continuity. If Jewish knowledge and though, to maximize the Jewish impact all, has identified Jewish education as the observance are good) it must be admitted of the gift it offers Diaspora Jews-were most potent predictor of future Jewish that more of each is surely better. it, say) to provide them ten days (or even identity and Jewish living; the more years And the undeniable, happy reality is two of the ten) in an Israeli yeshiva cater ofjewish education - and the more tra that, for decades, day schools have been res ing to students from overseas, or in an ditional the curriculum - the stronger olutely, sensitively and successfully servic adult beginner's program sponsored by the resultant bond with the Jewish peo ing children from a variety ofJewish back an outreach institute - it might well be ple and faith. grounds. a truly giant step in the right direction. So many Jewish day schools and Some of those children may have since Certainly no objective observer would yeshivas are suffering economically, and come to identify themselves as Orthodox, deny that Torah-study is an integral part so many Jewish parents are unable to others not. But all were equipped with the of the contemporary Israeli scene. afford them. For lack of nothing more opportunity and knowledge to make Jew Might there even, though, be shorter than dollars, priceless Jewish souls - ish choices-and all graduated more like and surer roads, even in the Diaspora, to from a wide assortment of Jewish back ly to remain conscious and dedicated pa1ts grounds- are being denied the oppor of the Jewish people (notto mention more tunity to learn to read Hebrew, to study likely to visit or live in Israel). Torah, to hear what Shabbos is like. Turn Some, of course, will agree and yet pro ADMITTED CHUTZPA pose that anything calling itself a Jewish school - even if it teaches ideas and ideals till, it is probably audacious for the diametric to Jewish tradition - should be Orthodox community to suggest to HIAt.'FH, enlisted in the fight for Jewish continu Speople like Mr. Steinhardt and Mr. ity. When a disease is the target, though, Bronfman how best to maximize invest a responsible and capable doctor will ments of funds; they are, after all, proven Into employ only the most potent and proven successes in the worlds of high finance and medication. If Jewish ennui and assimi business. lation are the enemies, the weapon of Their very success in their fields, choice can only be Torah, unadulterated though, might well afford us hope that, WEALTH and clear, as taught through the ages. when re-evaluating their plan, the dedi There can be little doubt that schol cated philanthropists will be keenly aware arships to help present Jewish children of the fact that here, as in every impor ::all: (888)-417-0443 with their spiritual heritage could tant endeavor, the wisest investments are deeply, relatively quickly and radically those placed in proven stocks. • 26 The Jewish Observer, January 1999 Rabbi Laibish Becker BOQJ Torah Patterns - The Magnificent ues is what constitutes true freedom. How Moshiach. All life is seen in terms of its four Unity Of Jewish Life And Thought, ever, this is a fallacious idea. Those who components: purpose, past, present and Rabbi Moshe Shlomo Emanuel, 1ar live a random ]ife do not attain true fu] future. Rabbi Emanuel carefully demon gum/Feldheim, $23.95 fillment and joy. They live only for strates the relationship of these concepts to the Present and do not lead lives the "four cups" of the Seder, the that have Purpose. For these peo Four Sons, the Four ew things can con1pare with the sub ple, the Present is divorced from Matriarchs, the four lime joy of a child rushing home to the Past and has no bearing on letter Name of Hashem, Ftell a parent a Torah concept learned the Future. and a host of other "fours" in school. The excitement stems from the This key to true freedom - in the Seder. His exposition glimmering of understanding of the beau compliance with a set order culn1inates in a wonderful ty and structure of Torah, the awe of real - means, specifically for the explanation of the WTl m and izing that "everything fits:' A wise parent or Jew, following the pattern Vi' '?:l 1nN sung at the conclu mechanech nurtures the joy by teaching the established by the Torah sion of the Seder. child even more about the wisdom and all and determined by our Moreover, the pattern estab encon1passing nature of Torah. Unfortu rabbis. The Shulchan Aruch lished through understanding the nately, as the child becomes an adult and Drach Chaitn instructs us in the pre Seder, he explains, can offer insight begins to think he knows all there is to scribed order that is necessary for us to into many other aspects of Torah know, he loses that childlike sense of won follow in our daily, weekly, and yearly lives. thought and life, including the mitzvos of der. The orderly pattern that is implicit with Succos, those of Purim, and the four rivers Rabbi Moshe Shlomo Emanuel, a in Judaism progresses in a preordained of Gan Eden, to mention just a few. pro1ninent 111echanech and principal of the and set sequence. Our every action relates Through the use of diagrams and an easy Menorah Grammar School of London, has to that special seder. This order was ini to-read format, what could have been a very previously authored the serninal work, tiated before creation and constitutes the formidable and forbidding book is clear and Tefilla and the Inside Story, and now presents blueprint of the universe. It extends readable. This sefer is both a window into another unique gift to Kial Yisroel with this through the length of our history and is the infinite wisdom of the Torah and ales ncvv sefcr, JOrah Patterns. The Magnificent part and parcel of our daily lives as Jews, son in en1una. May we indeed be zocheh, Unity ofJewish Life and Tlwught helps bring permeating every aspect of our existence. as Rabbi Emanuel says in his final para back the wonderful sense of awe over the Torah Patterns analyzes the patterns of graph, "to experience and uncover the depth greatness of Hashem's creation. Torah through tlle prism of the Pesach Seder of the patterns manifest within Torah more Rabbi Emanuel begins by describing the and its four sections: Kaddish, Maggid, and more, even beyond the scope of the lim symmetry of concepts throughout the Shulchan Aruch and Halle4 and seeks a pro ited illustration of the unity ofTorah provided 'forah, then demonstrating that every found understanding of history from the by this book, thereby achieving greater and thing is predicated on seder (order). This creation of the world until the advent of greater heights offreedom!" • sederis evident in the very words we use to describe our n1ost spiritual possessions and pursuits, from those in the Siddurwe pray fron1 to the sedra \Ve read from the Torah each week; in the Seder we arrange on Pesa ch, and the seder that bnei yeshiva attend each morning and evening. Indeed, Rabbi Emanuel teaches us that seder is the very essence of freedo1n. FREE He \Vrites: This emphasis on order and pattern COMPUTER reflects a basic concept in Jewish thought: to be a truly free person means to have a COURSE set order in one's life. Contemporary For Women Coping On Their Own thought would have us believe the exact (Widowed, Divorced, Separated) opposite: that tl1e right to follow a random pattern and choose one's own set of val- 30 Hours of Instruction - Day Classes For More Information or To Register, Rabbi Becker is Associate Executive Director and Director of Special Projects of Agudath Israel of An1crica. ·---·-- ·---·------····-----·- ----·------·---·--·--·----·--- The Jewish Observer, January 1999 27 Rabbi Nasson Scherman The Committed Life, by Rebbetzin She combines popular expositions of Esther fungreis, Cliff Street Books hashkafa and faith with personal anec (HarperCollins), NY, $24. dotes, Aggada, and Chassidic lore. vVhile Rebbetzin Jungreis is uncompromising n the over thirty years since Rebbet in her adherence to and insistence zin Esther Jungreis began her Hinei upon complete fidelity to the Shulchan I ni outreach organization, she has sincere Jew, such as, "Inviting G-d Into Aruch, she expresses herself positively become a major influence on thousands Your Life," "Faith," "Hope," "Compas and endearingly. When she admonish of people who flock to her for guidance sion," "Gaining Control Over Yourself," es individuals who seek her guidance on and teaching. How vvelcome that she not "Committing to Marriage," and "Cre a personal level, she does it as a con only talks the talk, but writes it, too. ating a Family." Due to the hectic pace cerned and loving friend. For that The Rebbetzin is a Bergen of modern life and the blessed alone, this book is valuable. Most of us Belsen survivor, a descendant of prevalence of n1itzva either shrink from saying anything many generations of rabbis. observance in 1nany unpleasant, or do it in such a cross and Her late husband was a warm, towns and neigh judgmental way that we alienate, rather kind and sensitive rabbi in the borhoods, many than help. Among its other virtues, the Five Towns of Long Island. areas of 1nitzva obser Rebbetzin's book is a primer in how to These are not merely bio vance have becon1e carry out the commandment to chastise graphical details, they are institutionalized. A by constructively, without causing a prominent ingredients in product of this is that destructive backlash. her lectures, writings, people tend not to give As one reads this hook, one develops and one-on-one contemplation to the qual an appreciation of the author as a encounters with peo ity of their religious lives, friend, who is sharing herself with the ple seeking her guid unlike people who must fight reader. We read of the traumatic time ance. Her essays, which are their irreligious environment when her daughter, at the start of her first based on her talks, are liberally pep or re-evaluate the1nselves. As the pregnancy, was diagnosed as having a pered with stories about family, pre Alter of Kelm used to say, most malignancy that required dangerous Holocaust Hungary, the ghettos and of us learned the narratives of Chumash and immediate surgery. The reader camps, and the outgoing goodness of when we were children and continue to shares the family's anxiety-indeed, ter her late father and husband. think of Yaakov and Eisav in juvenile ror - and then is uplifted by a display In her eighteen chapters, she discusses terms, without subtlety and maturity. of faith in the efficacy of prayer and con many topics that strike a chord with any Rebbetzin jungreis tries to make us think fidence in Hashen1, culminating in the about ourselves and our responsibilities astounding climax of wrong diagnosis Rabbi Nosson Scherman is a member of the Edi~ torial Board of The Jewish Observer and is Co with subtlety and maturity- a painful and the birth of a normal, healthy baby, General Editor of Mesorah/ Artscroll Publications but important process. Baruch Hashem. We join the Rebbetzin on a shopping trip to Thirteenth Avenue in Boro Park, and, with her, watch a woman seeking alms on the avenue and then, when she gets up and leaves her station, drops some coins into the cup of anoth er collector... reminding us how even a needy Jew feels the need of others. Leaming From the Rabbis Full Service Community Total Torah Community e learn the secret of her hus •Healthy Job Market •Cheder band's success, which, we sus •Affordable Housing •Bais Yakov W pect, is her secret, as well. A •Nurturing Community •Yeshiva Gedo la not-especially-Orthodox family that •Kolle! •Learning Opportunities became close to him told the Rebbetzin •Shomer Shabbos •Mikveh how it came about: They had lost their Medical Residencies •Eruv only child in an automobile accident. •Community Activities •Wisconsin School Tuition Vouchers For Qualifying Families Rabbi Jungreis, a neighbor who had never even met the mourners, paid a The Torah Com1111111ity of Rabbi Michel Twerski Invites Your Interests 1-800-226-3129 shiva call. He walked over to the griev- -----"------·-·------" 28 The Jewish Observer, January 1999 A. Y. Bookspan • Us and Them mong its other Avirtues, the A Review Article Rebbetzin's book is a primer in how to carry out the commandment to Compassion for Humanity in the Jew very force of our separateness fro1n it, ish Tradition, by David Sears, Jason from our example as a distinct people, chastise constructively, Aronson, 1998, $35.00 a point Reb David', a Breslaver Chassid without causing a well-known to Jewish Observerreaders, certainly makes as well. destructive backlash. eginning our days with grat Nevertheless, to ignore the itude to Hashem for having holy potential of the B"chosen us from all the rest of the earth's • nations" and winding then1 inhabitants is, in ing father, embraced him, and broke down by acknowledging how the end, to 1niss into tears. The parents were deeply He "guards His nation Yisroel part of the truth of moved that someone they knew only by forever," we can son1etimes our Mesora. Which sight could share their tragedy so per forget that there is a spark of makes Mr. Sears' n1ost sonally. He stopped being a stranger, and the J)ivine in every hu1nan recent offering a wel became someone they loved and being, that even that a co1ne contribution to the respected. With all the fashionable talk non-Jew can be, in the sphere of English-lan about kiruv and teshuva, can there be a Geniora's words, "like guage Torah literature. better way to demonstrate the beauty of the Kohein Gadol who His new book, like the TOrah than through such tangible enters the Kodesh Hakadashim:' work he published last year, ahavas Yisroel? We may know that Kial Yisroel has a mis The Path of the Baal Shem Rebbetzin Jungreis refers frequently sion to be "a light to the nations," and Tov: Early Chassidic Teachings to her father. Even when he was elder that history's culmination involves all of and Customs, is largely a collection of ly and unwell, he never left home with humanity's recognition of Hashenls diverse sources, in this case including the out his notebook of people who need dominion and His Torah's truth, but we Gemora and Midrash, Rishonim, Acha ed a shidduch; he insisted that everyone may not think about it often enough. roniln and contemporary Torah-schol has a duty to help everyone else. His Yid Realities, too, have a way of intrud ars, "rationalist'' and "1nystical", Chas dish was never a barrier in his rela ing. A world that sometimes seen1s to sidic and otherwise. tionships with English-speaking, and brim with Islamic terrorists, neo-Nazis What they all have in common, even non-Orthodox people; the heart and other evils of assorted colors and though, is a focus on the Jewish man transcended the tongue. stripes hardly inspires universalist date to have regard and concern for all The book is built around a chroni euphoria in Jewish hearts. In the words human beings. cle of inspiring forays into kiruv that of David Sears, author of the recently Included is material familiar to many ended with success. Certainly, there published Compassion for Humanity in who attended yeshivas or sen1inaries, as must have been many failures as well, the Jewish Tradition, "Who considers the well as material that readers may but the book is an exemplar of the old virtues of universalism when the Cos encounter for the very first ti1ne. There adage that a spoonful of sugar is more sacks are kicking down the door?" are even some truly startling quotes (like effective than a gallon of vinegar. And, in truth of course, our focus is the Scfer HaBris's opinion that Committed Life can be read as a indeed supposed to be trained, as much "rei'acha" - neighbor - in "v'ahavta prin1er in how to interact with other Jews. as possible, fir1nly on our own religious l'rei'acha kamocha" -love your neigh It can be read as a series of essays in how responsibilities. The Torah asks us nei bor as yourself - encompasses non to deal with real-life problems. It can be ther to missionize to non-Jews nor to Jews as well as Jews). Also presented in read for guidance in how to respond to regard them in the filial way we do our the work are three original and inter untutored or antagonistic Jews. But fellow Jews. Our influence on the larg esting essays by the author. among its many virtues, it can be read for er world derives, in the end, fro1n the the sheer enjoyn1ent of good writing; a 1 Author of"Who Took the 'Jewish' Out of Jev.' Rabbi Bookspan Jives in Metropolitan Nevv York. isb Music?" (Jan. '97), and "Chanuka and the book to read and recommend. • This is his first review in these pages. Paradox of Jewish Unity" (Dec. '98). The Jewish Observer, January 1999 29 ompassion for A Torah Directed Humanism believers. Many aspects of Christian or CHumanity in the Islamic theology may be anathema to ne's first reaction to a book pre Jewish Tradition is Jews, but they need not reflect negative senting the case for what might well-researched, ly on non-Jews who affirm them. 0 be called "Torah-humanism" That said, this may not be the book a could easily be wariness. "Universalism/' well-organized, and "doctor of the soul" would prescribe for after all, has been at the root of many a imminently readable ... most American Jews; having embraced sectarian Jewish movement, from ancient a worthy addition to universalism to a dangerous, indeed times through contemporary ones, rea mortal, fault, the non-Orthodox Jewish son enough for Jews who recognize the any Jewish library. world needs a stronger dose ofjewish par Torah's truth to harbor a healthy degree ticularism: the principle that Hashem "did of insularity. in the Torah, just because it has been not make us like the nations of the earth;' But just as Hakadosh Baruch Hu did n1isunderstood, misrepresented and that He "separated Yisroel from the not destroy the sun and stars when hea misused by some. amim:' On the other hand, though, per thens chose to worship them, neither The attitude we have for certain haps by seeing that universalism has a dis may we abandon, chas v'shalom, the deep beliefs, moreover, may not necessarily be tinct place in Jewish tradition, non-Ortho concern for all human beings inherent extended to our attitude toward their dox Jews might become more open to the rest of the Torah's teachings. In any event, the volume will likely prove a useful one for those of us who have well absorbed the lesson of Aleinu and Havdala. Because some of us who recognize what being a Jew really means run the distinct risk of occasionally overlooking the fact that all humans, in Entire Hotel Kbsher L'Pesrn:h • Trips/oral/ ages to major anractioris the end, reflect a tzellem Elokim. • Luxurious Accom 30 The Jewish Observer, January 1999 CHEVRA OSEH CHESED OF AGUDATH ISRAEL BURIAL PLOTS IN ERETZ YISROEL Interment in a Shoiner Shabbos Reis Olam near Beis' Shemesh Please phone or Write to: Chevra Osei! Che5ed of Agudath Israel 84 William Street,N~w 1:'ork, NY 100!8 ( 212) 191~9000 FOCUSING ON THE SOURCE OF classes of parents. We are all human TEENAGERS AT RISK beings who struggle, who try our best. We all experience every day a sense of To the Editor: helplessness and of utter dependence While paging through the October upon Hashem in the raising of our chil issue of The Jewish Observer, my eyes dren. We know that it is only with were caught by an enlarged bold-print Hashem's help that any of our children sentence that read: ('The consensus of do not drop out. And we also know that professional and lay activists working all too often the homes that children do with at-risk teenagers and dropouts has drop out of are kind, caring, disciplin been that the overwhelming majority of ing, balanced homes. Let us give strength their clients come from broken hon1es, to those parents who try so hard, and orphaned homes, dysfunctional homes, who even though they think they have or unhappy homes:' failed, really have succeeded! Let us help After studying the message careful them lift their heads and say, "I tried so ly, I realized that this statement could hard. It is not I who has failed:' possibly be interpreted in a much more As human beings we try together, we • Shabbos Sheva Brochos extreme way than it was intended, as if cry together, we stumble together. For to say the following: some reason, Hashen1 keeps so n1any of • Weekend Bar Mitzvas "There are two types of families. One: us on the straight path. And for some • School Shabbatons orphaned, divorced, dysfunctional, and reason, even in the best of homes, some unhappy. And two: the rest of us. Nine drift painfully away. Together, and • Family Reunions ty percent of our dropout children come humbly, let us be alongside one anoth from the first type. And we of the 'nor er to support each otl1er through the try mal' families, need to be careful not to ing times and the painful losses. And become like the other kind of parents." together, let us hope and pray for a joy For reservations Upon realizing the hurtful, albeit that defies unhappiness, a strength that and information unintentional impact this statement defies dysfunction, and a miracle that ea II could have upon a parent struggling brings back all the lost children, as well with a dropout child, I felt simultane as ourselves, to a place close to Hashern. 1-800-CAPITOL ously mortified and infuriated. I felt a Thank you for the opportunity to tremendous sense of responsibility to express my thoughts and feelings. (227-4865) stand up and support the many caring (RABBI) NAFTOLI BASSMAN and con1petent parents who have Lakc1vood, NJ 325 Seventh Street, enough pain in their lives without feel ing co1npartn1entalized in an over The author responds: Lakewood, NJ 08701 whelming majority of dysfunction. I felt I was truly anguished by Rabbi Bass (732) 363-5000 a need to rise up and say: Dropout chil man's letter, because the furthest thing Catering under Rabbinical Supervision of dren is an epide1nic in our midst, 7"i, from my mind was to add to the pain the Vaad Hakashruth of Lakewood, NJ and it strikes in the best of homes! of others. I certainly did not intend to 1.JN'::>~ 1\!l::J @D As parents, we need to unite and reach write condescendingly or cynically. I also 1'1'T;"il:l'::> 7N1l!I' ::i'::>n out to one another. There are not two specifically wrote about the pressure The Jewish Observer, January 1999 31 exerted by the outside world (which stands that there was an explanation for HAT PLUS includes the pressure exerted by the the "suede" yarmulka. However, being Hats • Shirts • Ties •Accessories drop-out population, as well) to account guilty of a deep sense of contempt - for the tragedy of children of stable sinas chinam - for someone with a dif Your #1 Stop homes that are dropping out. Outside ferent type of yarmulka, or ideology, was for of the inadvertent pain that may have not on his list of remorse. Quality Hats resulted from my words, I still maintain The fact that the Rebbi exhibited such that my position is correct as expressed. disdain is bad enough. That it never LAHGESr SELECTION occurs to him, even in his tragically OF CHOSONIM TIES IN I have spoken to psychologists and BROOKLYN professionals who work for major inspired moments of reflection) that this 1368 Coney Island Avenue national organizations, those who work attitude demands correction com (71 S) 377-5050 in a local level, as well as Rabbei'im, and pounds the problem. This omission Major credit cards accepted • We ship UPS yes, baalei battim who work with the exposes a terrible behavioral flaw that dropout population. They all share the permeates too much of our society. same view: most of these kids are a Should the Rebbi read these lines, I product of troubled homes. hope that he will realize that there is one Any time we discuss or write about more important lesson he could still a problem such as this, or about the learn. May he do us all a favor and older singles, childless couples, domes spread a bit of ahavas chinam ( unso tic violence etc., someone might be licited love) ... even to those in suede reminded of his or her problem and feel yarmulkas. hurt. But if we are to suggest real solu RABBI Yon SCHONFELD tions, which might avoid future prob Flushing, NY lems, and solve some current ones, we have a responsibility to write as honestly "A REBBI'S CONFESSION" as circumstances permit. - MORE LOSS THAN GAIN RABBl AARON BRAFMAN To the Editor: EXPANDING THE LIST FOR THE With much siyatta dishmaya, the REBBI'S CONFESSION world of chinuch has been elevated by MEHL CATERERS leaps and bounds to its current level in To the Editor: its professionalism, devotion, and sen Is Pleased To "A Rebbi"s Confession" (JO, Nov. '98) sitivity to the many individual needs of Announce is a compelling tale. There are numer our children. As a parent and an expe ous lessons from the Rebbi's experience, rience Rebbi, I can testify that the sen That We Are from which we all stand to gain. Chief sitivity, support and respect we must amongst the1n, of course, is the need not show our Rebbis has to be our first pri Accepting Bookings to judge a person before knowing the full ority. Before an article or a statement is For Your Simchas circumstances behind his/her actions. put on the public forum, it must be scru There was a lesson, however, which tinized with extreme caution not to the Rebbi, even in his confession, offend or undermine this authority and fJ-:===== seemed to overlook. When the Rebbi respect which our rebbe'im are strug Terrace On The Park greets his former student, Avraham, he gling to hold on to. is taken aback by what mistakenly The underlying message that flows Mehl Caterers appeared to be a suede yarmulka, through the article is grossly degrading New Award Winning Chefs Fealllring Nouvelle Cuisint which, as the Rebbi recount<;, was more to the esteem in which a mechanech With TradilWnal Tastes an ideological statement than a fashion must be held. Maintaining strong sup statement. This leads the Rebbi to his port towards the mechanchim of our Now Availablt With Largest Dance Floor In N.Y .C. admitted fit of rage. Only later does he children is the only medium through Chui: our 2Sdi Annivtnlll)' Spt 32 The Jewish Observer, January 1999 in the article. Being sensitive and caring whole indeed reflect," im yihiyeh Rab about the possible repercussions of bach k'malach Hashem." They are such an article is of even greater impor mechavein l'shem Shamayim, ehrlich, and ~" Invei tance ... no~;i:m~w 1a>1- the loss out deeply committed to their mission. weighed the gain. We live in a dor yasom, as Dr. Wik B~"cr Hagefen A MOST CONCFJ\NED REBBI ler's article in the same JO issue points [c(fc Lakewood, NJ out. Many of our homes are ones in r~l. ( The Shidduch service which both parents work in a world that C..Ll for older singles QUESTIONS JO ON MEDIUM FOR demands career-minded employees. l(~ A project of N'shei REBBI'S CONFESSION Parents have little time or presence of Agudath Israel with mind for the full time task of child rear Agudath Israel of America To the Editor: ing. A Rebbi is called upon to act as 6619 13th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 1!219 The article, "A Rebbts Confession;' left father, mother, and Rebbi. Not only does Tel. (718) 256-7525 •Fax (718) 256-7578 me wondering as to what the point of the a Rebbi not receive the support and article was. It seems that it was a message respect of the community, but he is to Rebbei'im and a call for introspection. under the constant bombardment of I question the use of so public a vehi evaluation and criticism by the public. cle as the JO for presenting so sensitive This is true for Rabbanim and Roshei an issue. There is no question that a Yeshiva as well. Rebbi or mechanech is obligated to be It is not necessary for the JO to print mefashfesh b'maasav (examine one's a letter indicating the possible faults of actions) to insure that he is transmitting a Rebbi. These issues are well discussed Torah and Yiras Shamayim al taharas in shuls, Shabbos tables, and the" Yid hakodesh. There is no question that dishe" market places of America. What lomdei Torah and parents of tinokos shel Rebbei'im, Rabbanim, and Gedolei Yis beis Rabban (school children) must roel do need is the respect and reverence choose their teachers carefully. But necessary to effectively do their job. once a person has fulfilled the require RABBI ZEV MEISELS ment of"asei lecha Rav (establish a Rav MENAHEL, JOAN DACHS BA!S YAAKOV - for yourself);• he is obligated to follow YESHIVAS TIFERES Tzv1 the halacha of" afilu al yamin shehu smol Chicago (even if he tells you that "right" is "left"):' The article plants a seed of mistrust THE REBBI'S CONFESSION - in a generation that is already groping INSTRUCTIVE TO ALL READERS for clearly defined leadership. The pub lic nature of the article casts a shadow To the Editor: on a group of people who on the whole I want to commend The Jewish are the shluchim of Hakadosh Baruch Hu Observer for its courage in printing the to insure us that the next generation will amazing story, ''A Rebbi's Confession," have the mesora in hand. As a Menahel in the Cheshvan issue. of a large Yeshiva Ketana in Chicago, I Such a story is sure to touch a raw can honestly say that while" eiyn tzad nerve. Why? Because we are all pulled dik ba'aretz asher yaaseh tov v'lo yechta in two directions by our yeitzer hara and Offer is valid (there is no such thing as a pure tzad yeitzer hatov. Will we act like the other Jan. 6- March .15 '99 dik without sin)," Rebbe'im on the nations and blame our "troubles" on "BaIJedm minimum 7 days o.f car CatefJt>TY A, fiXCludin(J insurance: Qullte teJiff"""" For careful attention to your individual needs, call us today! (914) 354-8445 Car Rental The Jewish Observer, January 1999 33 external factors, or will we - if we years in the past, actions which they check strikes me as a profound message experience adversity, G-d forbid - could not justify. to the meaning of the word "Amein:' make a din v'cheshbon as a Jew is taught It took courage to print "A Rebbts The Gemora (Shabbos 119b) explains to do, searching our own actions for the Confession" because - tragically- we «what is meant by the tenn "Amein": clue as to why such things are happen Jews are affected by the sicknesses of the "Kel Melech Ne'eman" - the three let ing to us? Galus in which we live. All around us we ters of the Hebrew word Amein stand for We learn from our avos hakedoshim are aware of people who react to adver three separate words. As Rashi explains, (patriarchs) that the latter course is the sity by marching on picket lines, we are testifying that Hashem, who is our Jewish way. One could cite countless screaming to the press or resorting to Creator, is instances, but what comes to mind is the violence. The goyishe velt, lehavdil, I) The source of all power, famous scene from Parshas Mikeitz in blames everybody but themselves when 2) The King, and which the brothers return to the house something «goes wrong." 3) The most reliable force extant. of Yoseif in Mitzrayim after the goblet I have heard that some yeshiva edu Tosafos (ibid) says that this is what is found in Binyamin's sack. Yehuda says cators have criticized the Observer arti one should be thinking when saying the to Yoseif, "G-d has uncovered the sin of cle because it allegedly casts a negative word «Amein." your servants." light on Rebbei'im, as if to say, "If my Thus, when the Gemora (Berachos Would anyone but a Yid have been child is not learning - or even if my 53b) teaches that those who respond able to say that the brothers' troubles child is not a mensch - it must be the with "Amein" are greater than those who were caused by their own sin? They Rebbi's fault:' said the beracha, we can learn that it is knew the goblet had been planted. But Nobody is perfect, obviously, but my because the "Amein" completes the they also remembered their own actions experience has shown that usually, message, certifying the blessing with this when there is a problem in the class "signature;' declaring that Hashem is room, the fault can be traced to the most reliable. home. Parents must be so careful to train [The blessing itself also proclaims their children in derech eretz. Hashem as the source of all power and This article shows dramatically that the King of the universe, but the third if something goes wrong in the class part, ''ne'eman;' is conveyed by the addi room - or anywhere in life - parents tional emphasis of the word, "Amein:'] and children must make a din v'chesh An unsigned check can serve as a bon on their own actions, not the metaphor for a blessing without an for information on obtaining Rebbts actions. After all, the Rebbi who appropriate "Amein" closure - as if it cemetery plots in wrote the article was not blaming any lacks a «signature." Eretz Hachaim Beth Shemesh one but himself for what happened. Let This also explains why the Gemora parents at the very least do the same. (Berachos 47a) also links one's longevi Har Menuchoth - Har Hazeisim May the anonymous Rebbi be blessed ty to the way one responds with 011-972-2•641-1923 for his courage in helping all of us learn "Amein": "He who extends his Amein a the correct derech. May the editors of little bit will merit to have his days and The Jewish Observer be blessed for their years extended:' ( Tosafos) When we tes courage in allowing Am Yisroel to be tify wholeheartedly to our loyalty to made aware of this great contemporary Hashem the Creator and source of life, example of how a Yid should react to we earn more life. adversity. When someone utters a blessings to YISROEL NEUBERGER G-d, he is thereby making a proposal Lawrence, NY that all who hear it should concur by responding with firm consent and com MESSAGE OF THE UNSIGNED CHECK: mitment. SAYING "AMEIN' PROPERLY May we all focus on saying "Amein" Brooklyn NY 11218 properly, and thus earn the blessing To the Editor: alluded to by: "One who responds with We make "housecalls" Your "Amein" article (Dec. '98) Amein with all of his concentration (718) 972-4003 caught my interest during Chanuka, the [Rashi] and with a loud voice [ Tosafos] :i-'"'IN Yorn Tov that is geared to chizuk in will have the gates of Gan Eden opened .,~=tv emuna and Hashgacha Prattis. The con for him" ( Shabbos ll 9b ). nection between the ''Amein" response (RABBI) MOSHE GOLDBERGER timing and the unsigned, returned Staten Island, New York 34 The Jewish Observer, January 1999 Index to Articles The Jewish Observer Vol. XXXII NOs. 1-10 Instilling a Healthy Self-In1age in Our Stu and Images For Yorn Kippur Eve/Rabbi Yitzchok SUBJECTS dents/Mrs. Chana Juravel, Nov. '98 Isbee 7"::ii, Sept. '98; The Soulful Cry of the Sho Chinuch (Torah Education) An Appreciation of far/1eremy Kagan, Sept. '98; Revisiting "Tash Achdus (Unity) Assessing an Extraordinary Expe Rabbi Yehudah Naftali Mandelbaum '7"r/Yona lich"/Rabbi Mayer Birnbaum, Sept. '98; A Sum rience/Rabbi Nisson Wo!pin, Sept. '98; "Let It Be son Rosenblum, Jan. '98; The Write Stuff/Rabbi mons to the Yam HaDin/Eli1nelech Meisels, Sept. Like These and Like Those"/Novominsker Yitld1ok Kasnett, Apr. '98; The Mandate to Com '98; From Fasting to Feasting ... to Rebbe, Rabbi Yaakov Perlow N"""'7w, Sept. '98; municate Torah in the Vernacular/Rabbi Nos Triumph?/Yosef M. Gesser, Oct. '98; (Succos) Words From the Rosh Hayeshiva, Rabbi Aharon son Scherman, Apr. '98; A Letter With a Com Then I Understood/Dina Smith, Oct. '98; Leib Steinman N"'0'>7':i, Sept. '98; An Opportu ment/Anonymous, Apr. '98; "Don't Hijack My ( Chanuka) A Conflict of Cultures/Jeremy nity to See and to Learn (Gerer Rebbe)/Yisroel Sarah Schenirer!"/Sarah Herman Cohen, Apr. Kagan, Dec. '98; Chanuka and the Paradox of Leizerson, Sept. '98 '98; Unconventional Wisdom (Book Review)/Lisa Jewish Unity/David Sears, Dec. '98; An Out-of Agudath Israel of America (see Rabbi Moshe Herman, Oct. '98; A Rebbi's Confession/ Anony Town Tradition (SL)/Bccky Amster, Dec. '98 Sherer·_,-~) mous, Nov. '98; The Casualties of Success/Dr. Grief The Most Recent Guest/Anonymous, Mar. '98 Am Echad Am Echad: Preserving One Jewish Meir Wikler, Nov. '98; Reclaiming Kamocha: Hashkafa (Torah Philosophy) Windows of Heav Nation (Dateline), Feb. '98; From Harvard to Har Instilling a Healthy Self-Image in Our Stu en/Rabbi Shimon Finkelman, Mar. '98; G-d-Cen Nof (and Back to Harvard!) .. ./Chanan (Antony) dents/Mrs. Chana Ju ravel, Nov. '98; Intersecting tered or Rebbe/Messiah-Centered: VVhich is Nor Gordon, May '98; Fear and Loathing in Jewish Objections/Dr. Bernard Fryshman, Nov. '98 mative Judaism?/Rabbi Chaim Dov Keller, Mar. America: Choice Selections from Am Echad's Communication The Write Stuff/Rabbi Yitzchok '98; Imitation, Limitation, and Nationhood/ Mailbag/Rabbi Avi Shafran, May'98 Kasnett, Apr. '98; The Mandate to Comn1uni Sholoin Scheinberg, Apr. '98; Where Are We Baal Teshuva Siyum on "Pesachim"/Mordechai cate Torah in the Vernacular/Rabbi Nasson Heading?/Rabbi Aaron Brafman, Oct. '98; Lead Tobin, May'98; From Harvard to Har Nof (and Scherman, Apr. '98; A Letter With a Com ing Aspirations/Rabbi Yisroel Miller, Oct. '98; Back to Harvard!) .. ./Chanan (Antony) Gordon, ment/Anonymous, Apr. '98 From Fasting to Feasting ... to Triumph?/Yosef M. May '98, Jump Start, Delay, and Conversion The Denver Joint Conversion Plan: His Gesser, Oct. '98; The Devaluation of Man/Rabbi Siyum/Mordechai Tobin, Dec. '98 tory~ and Revisionist History/HiUel Goldberg, Moshe Young, Nov. '98; A Divine Frown/Rabbi Beis Din The Exalted Status of the Beis Din Jan. '98 Eliyahu Meir Klugman, Dec. '98; A Conflict of Process/Rabbi Avrohom Pam N"t:n7w, May '98; Counseling Parents Getting Down About Their Chil Cultures/Jeremy Kagan, Dec. '98; Chanuka and Respect for the Halachic Legal Systen1/Novom dren Not Getting Up/Dr. Meir Wikler, Feb. '98; the Paradox of Jewish Unity/David Sears, Dec. insker Rebbe, Rabbi Yaakov Perlow N"1""n>, May The Most Recent Guest/Anonymous, Mar. '98; '98; Good Chumros?/Rabbi Yosef Gavriel Bech '98 The Casualties of Success/Dr. Meir Wikler, Nov. hofer, Dec. '98 Books in Review The Malbim Esther/Yonason '98; Reclaiming Kamocha'. Instilling a Healthy Hatzolah The Story Behind the Picture (PS)/Rabbi Rosenblum, Feb. '98; Torah From the lnter Self-Image in Our Students/Mrs. Chana Jurav Chaim Aron Weinberg, Nov. '98 net!Yonason Rosenblum, Feb. '98; After the el, Nov. '98 Health The Unbroken Glass (PS)/Rabbi Shimon Return/Yonason Rosenblum, Feb. '98; Drunk on Demographics Keeping Jerusalem Jewish (SL) Finkelman, Apr. '98 Stories: More Shabbos Stories/Hillel Goldberg, /Rabbi Nisson Wolpin, Feb. '98; (Dateline), Mar. Holocaust (See World War II) Mar. '98; Einei Hashem/Hillel Goldberg, Mar. '98; '98 History The Perversion of Truth/Rabbi Joseph Elias, It's A Small Word After All/Hillel Goldberg, Mar. Family Parents Getting Down About Their Children Jan. '98; The Gaon ofVilna/Rabbi Yaakov Feit '98; Not Just Stories/D.M. Ernest, Apr. '98; Not Getting Up/Dr. Meir Wikler, Feb. '98; Piv man, Feb. '98 Lights Along the War!D.M. Ernest, Apr. '98; otal Mitzvos in the Building of Our Hospice Care Hospice Care: Can it Have a Jewish Unconventional Wisdom/Lisa Herman, Oct. '98; Nation/Rabbi Zev Cohen, Apr. '98; Planting an Heart?/Rabbi Yosef Stern, Mar. '98 Three New Siddurim/Rabbi Berel Wein, Nov. '98; "AiSheL" in Your Home:The Benefit Hosts Hospitality Planting an "AiSheL" in Your Home: The Sefer Eretz Ha-Tzvi/Rabbi Laibish Becker, Nov. Receive .. ./Dr. Meir Wikler, Apr. '98 Benefit Hosts Receive ..JDr. Meir W1kler, Apr. '98 '98; Expanding on the Parsha-In Breadth and Feminism "Don't Hijack My Sarah Image A Call to Men of Integrity/Rabbi Moshe Sher in Depth (Review Articles)/Rabbi Nesanel Kas Schenirer!"/Sarah Herman (..oh en, Apr. '98; Fem er 7"::iT, Jan. '98; The Perversion of Truth/Rabbi nett/Rabbi Yisroel Hisiger, Dec. '98 inism - A Force That Wi!l Split Ortho Joseph Elias, Jan. '98; Their Outside & Their Chassidus G-d-Centered or Rebbe!Messiah-Cen doxy?/Levi Reisman, May '98; Letter and Inside/Rabbi Shlomo M. Breslauer, Feb. '98 tered: Which is Normative Judaism?/Rabbi Response/Rabbi Henkin and Levi Reisman, Oct. Inspiration My Mussar Seder \rVith Reb Yisroel Chaim Dov Keller, Mar. '98; Shavuos in '98 Meir/Rabbi Yechiel Yitzchok Perr, Feb. '98 Ger/Avrohom Ziemba 7"'t,May'98;An Oppor Festivals and Fastdays (Chanuka and Purim) Win Interdenominational Cooperation All in the Fam tunity to See and to Learn (Gerer Rebbe)!Yis dows of Heaven/Rabbi Shin1on Finkelman, Mar. ily (Sometimes)/Rabbi Nissan Wolpin, Jan. '98; roel Leizerson, Sept. '98 '98; (Pesach) Imitation, Limitation, and Nation The New York Board of Rabbis (SL)/Rabbi Nis Children Parents Getting Down About Their Chil hood/Sholom Scheinberg, Apr. '98; (Pesach) son Wolpin, Feb. '98; The Hillel HoaxJRabbi Avi dren Not Getting Up/Dr. Meir Wikler, Feb. '98; Whisper Above the Roar: Making the Case for Shafran, Sept. '98 Oh, What a Tangled Web!/Dr. Bernard Frysh Subtlety/Matis Roberts, Apr. '98; (Pesach) Piv Internet Oh, What a Tangled Web!/Dr. Bernard man, Apr. '98; It All Started With a Gift .. ./Dina otal Mitzvos in the Building of Our Fryshman,Apr. '98 Smith, Apr. '98; The Casualties of Success/Dr. Nation/Rabbi Zev Cohen, Apr. '98; Shavuos in Introspection Thoughts and Images For Yon1 Kip Meir Wikler, Nov. '98; Reclaiming Kamocha: Ger/Avrohom Ziemba 7~t, May '98; Thoughts pur Eve/Rabbi Yitzchok Jsbee 7":tr, Sept. '98; A The Jewish Observer, January 1999 35 RebbPs Confession/Anonymous, Nov. '98; From Chaim Aron \Veinberg, Nov. '98; Rabbi Schein Social Comment Their Outside & Their Fasting to Feasting ... to Triumph?/Yosef Nl. Gess berg's Laughter (SL)/Sarah Shapiro, Dec. '98; 'A11y Inside/Rabbi Sblon10 M. Breslauer, Feb. '98; Less er, Oct. '98 Tim Stood Through "Aleinu" (SLl/Henoch Than a i\Jinyan, But Still a Community/Jeffrey Israel: Politics Seizing the Silver Lining/Rabbi Avi Plotnik, Dec. '98; Jump Start, Delay, and a Siywn B. Schreck, Feb. '98; Fron1 Harvard to Har Nof Shafran, Jan. '98; A Call to Men of (SL)/Mordechai Tobin, Dec. '98 (and Back to Harvard!) .. JChanan (Antony) Gor Integrity/Rabbi Moshe Sherer ?":tr, Jan. '98; Am New York Board of Rabbis The New York Board of don, May '98; Fear and Loathing in Jewish An1cr Echad: Preserving One Jewish Nation (Dateline), Rabbis (SL)/Rabbi Nissan \Volpin, Feb. '98 ica: Choice Selections from Am Eclwtfs Nlail Feb. '98; Reflections on Fifty Years Since the Dec Outreach (Kiruv) Less Than a Minyan, But Still a bag/Rabbi Avi Shafran, May'98; Feminism~ A laration of the State/Rabbi Nisson Wolpin, May Con1munity/Jeffrey B. Schreck, Feb. '98; One By Force That Will Split Orthodox:y?/Levi Reisman, '98; A Divine Frown/Rabbi Eliyahu Meir Klug One to Torah/Bernard Fryshman, Oct. '98; May'98; Stretching the Limits ofTaste/''. .."(W and man, Dec. '98 Weapons of Ahavas Cl1i11am (SL)/Mrs. T. Goot W!O Comment), May '98; From Station To Sta Israel: Religion Seizing the Silver Lining/Rabbi Avi blatt tion ... Re-visited (PS)/Akiva Davidsen, Sept. '98; Shafran, Jan. '98; A Call to Men of Integrity Personalities An Appreciation of Rabbi Yehudah Naf Where Are We Heading?/Rabbi Aaron Brafn1an, /Rabbi Moshe Sherer ?'":tr, Jan. '98; Am Ee had: tali Mandelbaum .,.. t/Yonason Rosenblum, Jan. Oct. '98; Leading Aspirations/Rabbi Yisroel Preserving One Jewish Nation (Dateline), Feb. '98; The Ga on of Vilna/Rabbi Yaakov Feitman, Miller, Oct. '98; A Gift Passed Along/Sarah '98; Reflections on Fifty Years Since the Decla Feb. '98; My A1ussar Seder with Reb Yisroel Shapiro, Oct. '98; Succos Musings: Then I ration of the State/Rabbi Nisson Wolpin, May '98 Meir/Rabbi Yechiel Perr, Feb. '98; Louis J. Septi Understood/Dina Smith, Oct. '98; One By One Israel: Security A Divine Frown/Rabbi Eliyahu Meir mus n·v: An Exemplary Torah Baalebos!Yonason to Torah/Bernard Fryshman, Oct. '98; Letter and Klugman, Dec. '98 Rosenblum, Mar. '98; "Don't Hijack My Sarah Response/Rabbi Henkin, Oct. '98; The Devalu Jerusalem Keeping Jerusalem Jewish (SL) /Rabbi Nis Schenirer!"/Sarah Herman Cohen, Apr. '98; ation of Man/Rabbi Moshe Young, Nov. '98; Let - san Wolpin, Feb. '98 "My Mussar Seder with Reh Yisroel Meir" ters to the Editor, Nov. '98; Why Tim Stood Jews in Europe Shavuos in Ger/Avrohom Ziemba 7'1, (PS)/ Apr. '98; Hosting a Gadol BeYisroel, Rabbi Through "Aleinu" (SL)/Henoch Plotnik, Dec. '98 May '98; Yeshiva-Day Memories/Chaim Shapiro, Aharon Leib Steinman N"P'?v/Avraham Bider Tay-Sachs The Unbroken Glass (PS)/Rabbi Shimon Nov. '98; Rabbi Mordechai Rogow, 7":tr, on His man, Sept. '98; An Opportunity to See and to Finkelman, Apr. '98 Thirtieth Yahrzeit/Rabbi Ben-Zion Rand, Dec. '98 Learn (Ger er Rebbe N"P'?v )/Yisroel Leizerson, Technology Oh, What a Tangled Web!/Dr. Bernard Jews in Prison Less Than a Minyan, But Still a Com Sept. '98; Hacham Ben Sion Abba Shaul Fryshman, Apr. '98; It All Started With a munity/Jeffrey B. Schreck, Feb. '98 7":st/Rabbi David Sutton, Sept. '98; Reb Shraga Gift .. ./Dina Smith, Apr. '98 Jews in Israel Hacham Ben Sion Abba Shaul Feivel Mendlowitz ~,A Revolutionary for Our Tefilla Three New Siddurim (Books In ?"Yr/Rabbi David Sutton, Sept. '98; A Gift Passed Time/Yonason Rosenblum, Oct. '98; A Model Review)/Rabbi Berel Wein, Nov. '98; Hashgacha Along/Sarah Shapiro, Oct. '98; Rabbi Scheinberg's Agudist, Remembering Reb Chi'cl Anisfeld Prattis and Amein Chatufa (SL)/Rabbi Hillel Lit Laughter (SL)/Sarah Shapiro, Dec. '98 P"n/Mordechai Mandelbaum, Oct. '98; To Teach wak, Dec. '98 Jews in USA Louis J. Septimus n"p: An Exemplary and to Touch, A Tribute to Rabbi Dovid Teshuva Thoughts and Images For Yorn Kippur Torah Baalebos/Yonason Rosenblum, Mar. '98; Heckscher ?":lll/Hanoch Teller, Nov. '98; Rabbi Eve/Rabbi Yitzchok Ishee 7"':s'I, Sept. '98; The Soul Hosting a Gadol BeYisroe!, Rabbi Aharon Leib Mordechai Rogow, ., .. ~n, on His Thirtieth fuJ Cry of the Shofar/Jeremy Kagan, Sept. '98; A Steinman/Avraham Biderman, Sept. '98; Reb Yahrzeit/Rabbi Ben-Zion Rand, Dec. '98 Summons to the Yom HaDin/Elimelech Meisels, Shraga Feivel Mendlowitz 7"Yr, A Revolutionary Pluralism Seizing the Silver Lining/Rabbi Avi Sept. '98 For Our Time/Yonason Rosenblum, Oct. '98; One Shafran, Jan. '98; A Call to Men of Torah Study Siyum on "Pesachim"!h1ordechai By One to Torah/Bernard Fryshman, Oct. '98; Integrity/Rabbi Moshe Sherer 7":sr, Jan. '98; The Tobin, May '98 Rabbi Mordechai Rogow, 7tt:ST, on His Thirtieth Denver Joint Conversion Plan: History - and Translation and Adaptation The Exalted Status of Yahrzeit!Rabbi Ben-Zion Rand, Dec. '98; An Out Revisionist History/Hillel Goldberg, Jan. '98; All the Beis Din Process/Rabbi Avrohom Liss, May of-Town Tradition (SL)/Becky Amster, Dec. '98 in the Familv (Sometimes)/Rabbi Nisson '98; Shavuos in Ger/Sarah Shapiro, May '98; Lay Leadership Louis J. Septimus n"V: An Exemplary Wolpin, Jan. '98; The New York Board of Rab Assessing an Extraordinary Experience/Rabbi Torah Baalebos/Yonason Rosenblum, Mar. '98 bis (SL)/Rabbi Nisson Wolpin, Feb. '98; Am Nisson Wolpin, Sept. '98; "Let It Be Like These Marriage The Unbroken Glass (PS)/Rabbi Shimon Echad: Preserving One Jewish Nation (Dateline), and Like Those" /Rabbi Avrohom Liss, Sept. '98; Finkelman, Apr. '98 Feb. '98; (Dateline), Mar. '98; From Harvard to Words From the Rosh Hayeshiva/Rabbi Aharon Media Seizing the Silver Lining/Rabbi Avi Shafran, Har Nof (and Back to Harvard!) .. ./Chanan Leib Steinman N"~, Sept. '98; A Rebbts Con- Jan. '98;A Call to Men of Integrity/Rabbi Moshe (Antony) Gordon, May '98; Fear and L-Oathing Sherer 7"Yt, fan. '98; Protest Pays/Eliyahu Mayer, in Jewish America: Choice Selections from Am Jan '98; Stretching the Limits ofTaste/':.:'(W and Echad's Mailbag/Rabbi Avi Shafran, May'98; The W/0 Comment), May'98; From Station To Sta Hillel Hoax/Rabbi Avi Shafran, Sept. '98; tion ... Re-visited (PS)/Akiva Davidsen, Sept. '98 Poetry On the Avenue/Beily Palluch, Mar. '98 Messianism G-d-Centered or Rebbe/Messiah-Cen Protest Protest Pays/Eliyahu Mayer, Jan. '98 tered: Which is Normative Judaism?/Rabbi Rabbi Moshe Sherer Rabbi Moshe Sherer, in Memo Chaim Dov Keller, Mar. '98 riam/Rabbi Nasson Scherman and Rabbi Nis Mitzva Observance Planting an "AiSheL" in Your son Wolpin, May'98; Rabbi Moshe Sherer, ?-::n, Iiome:The Benefit Hosts Receive .. ./Dr. Meir Wik Special Memorial Issue, Jun. '98; The Story ler, Apr. '98; Revisiting "Tashlich"/Rabbi Mayer Behind the Picture (PS)/Rabbi Chaim Aron Birnbaum, Sept. '98; "Shomer Psa'im Hashem - Weinberg, Nov. '98 G-d Guards Fools": Commentary or Reportage Hosting a Gadol Be Yisroel, Rabbi Aharon License?/Chaim Kuperwasser, Oct. '98; Letters, Leib Steinman N"~/ Avraham Biderman, Sept. Nov. and Dec. '98; Good Chumros?/Rabbi Yosef '98; An Opportunity to See and to Learn (Gerer • MAIIMIZE YOfJll CHILD'S "°1ENTIAI. Gavriel Bechhofer, Dec. '98; Hashgacl1a Prattis Rebbe N"P'?v)/Yisroel Leizerson, Sept. '98 • PRIVATE SESSIONS AVAllABIE ON All and Amein Chatufa (SL)/Rabbi Hillel Litwak, Restitution The Hunt for Buried Treasures in the GRADE LEVELS IN HEBREW AND fNGUSll Dec. '98 Ukraine/Sorah Shapiro, Feb. '98 • LEARNING IN A FUN ATMOSPHERE Mussar My Mussar Seder With Reh Yisroel Safety "Shomer Psa'im Hashem ~ G-d Guards • CLASSES GIVEN AFTER SCllOOl Meir/Rabbi Yechiel Yitzchok Perr, Feb. '98; "My Fools": Commentary or License?/Chaim Kuper • SEPARATE CW»ES FOR GIRtS 6 BO'IS Mussar Seder with Reb Yisroel Meir" (PS)/ Apr. wasser, Oct. '98; Letters to the Editor, Nov. '98 For More Information and Dec. '98 '98 Call Mrs. Schonfeld Narrative A Gift Passed Along/Sarah Shapiro, Oct. Sepbardim Hacham Ben Sion Abba Shaul 7":sr/Rabbi '98; The Story Behind the Picture (PS)/Rabbi David Sutton, Sept. '98 (718) 376-5545 36 The Jewish Observer, January 1999 fession/Rabbi Eli Teitelbaum and Rabbi Zalman Drunk on Stories: More Shabbos Stories/Einei Scheinberg, Sholom hnitation, Limitation and Wald, Nov. '98 Hashem/It's a Small Word After All, Mar. '98; In a Natiorihood, Apr. '98. World War II The Perversion of Truth/Rabbi Joseph League By Himself (1Uv1S), June '98. Scherman, Rabbi Nosson Scherman The Ivlandate to Elias, Jan. '98; The Hunt for Buried Treasures in Gootblatt, Mrs. T. \Vea pons of Ahavas C!1inam (SL), Con1n1unicate Torah in the Vernacular, Apr. '98; the Ukraine/Sorah Shapiro, Feb. '98 Dec. '98. Rabbi Moshe Sherer 7"~ - in !v!e1noriam, .tvfay Yeshivas Reb Sh raga Fe iv el Mendlowitz ?~::n, A Rev Gordon, Chanan (Antony) From Harvard to Har Nof '98; The Man in the Corner (RivlS), June '98. olutionary for Our Time/Yonason Rosenblum, (and Back to Harvard!) ... , May'98. Sears, David Chanuka and the Paradox of Jewish Oct. '98; To Teach and to Touch, A Tribute to Horowitz, Rabbi Yakov Basic Training (RJ\..1S), June Unity, Dec. '98. Rabbi David Heckscher 7"::n/Hanoch Teller, '98. Shafran, RabbiAvi Seizing the Silver Lining, Jan. '98; Nov. '98; Yeshiva-Day Memories/Chaim Shapiro, Ishee, Rabbi Yitzchok 7":n Thoughts and hnages for Fear and Loathing in Jewish America: Choice Nov. '98; Rabbi Mordechai Rogow, ?":n, on His Yorn Kippur Eve, Sept. '98. Selections From Am Echads ivlailbag, tvtay'98; The Thirtieth Yahrzeit/Rabbi Ben-Zion Rand, Dec. '98 Juravel, Chana Reclaiming Kamocha, Nov. '98. Secret of Rabbi Sherer; Talking to the V\1all (trans Kagan, Jeremy The Soulful Cry of the Shofar, Sept. lation) (RMS},June'98; The Hillel Hoax (SL), Sept. '98; A Conflict of Cultures (Chanuka), Dec. '98. '98. Kasnett, Rabbi Nesanel The Yoseif of His Generation Shapiro, Mrs. Sarah A Gift Passed Along, Oct '98; (RMS sidebar), June '98; Books: Pirkei Torah/The Rabbi Scheinbcrg's Laughter, Dec. '98. AUTHORS Parashah Anthology/Peninim on the Torah/Parsha Shapiro, Rabbi Chaim Yeshiva-Day Memories: Lomza Parables, Dec. '98. and Baranowitz, Nov. '98. Amster, Becky An Out-of-Town Tradition, Dec. '98. Kasnett, Rabbi Yitzchok The V\lrite Stuff, Apr. '98. Shapiro, Sorah The Hunt For Buried Treasures in the Anonymous, The Most Re~nt Guest (PS), Mar. '98; Katz, Professor Lawrence Rabbi Sherer, 7~ - Never Ukraine, Feb. '98; Shavuos in Ger (translation), A Rebbts Confession, Nov. '98. Off Duty (sidebar), June '98. May'98. Arem, Rabbi Hesby Rabbi Yitzchok Ishee 7~ (side Keller, Rabbi Chaim Dov G-d-Centered or Sherer, Rabbi Moshe 7":lT A Call To Jvten of Integri bar), Sept. '98. Rebbc/Messiah-Centered: Which is Nonnative ty, Jan. '98; True and Unwavering, June '98. Bechhofer, Rabbi Yosef Gavriel Good Chunzros?, Dec. Judaism?, Mar. '98. Sherer, Rabbi Shimshon A Father to Me, A Father to '98. Klugman, Rabbi Eliyahu Meir Portrait of a Leader Kial Yisroel (RJ\..1S), June '98. Becker, Rabbi Laibish Book Eretz HaTzvi, Nov. '98; (RMS), June '98; A Divine Frown, Dec. '98. Smith, Mrs. Dina It All Started V\Tith a Gift, Apr. '98; Every Day, A New Agenda (RMS sidebar), June Kuperwasser, Chaim "Shomer Psa'im Hashem - Succos J\..1usings: Then I Understood, Oct '98. '98 G-d Guards Fools": Commentary or License?, Oct. Steinman, Rabbi Aharon Leib VVords From the Rosh Besser, Rabbi Chaskel 0. My Last Flight With Rabbi '98. Hayeshiva N"V>'ni, (translation) Sept. '98. Sherer 7":n, June '98. Lebovics, Dr. Irving Rabbi Sherer 7":n and the "Peo Stern, Rabbi Yosef, Hospice Care:Can it Have a Jew Biderman, Avraham Hosting a Cada/ Be Yisrocl, ple Thing" (sidebar), June '98. ish Heart?, !vfar. '98. Sept. '98. Lei7.erson, YisroelAn Opportunity to See and to Learn, Sutton, Rabbi David Hacham Ben Sion Abba Shaul Birnbaum, Rabbi Mayer Revisiting "Tashlich," Sept. Sept. '98. 7":n, Sept. '98. '98. Litwak, Rabbi Hillel Hashgacha Prattis and Amein Teitelbaum, Rabbi Eli A Rebbi's Confession (trans Bloom, Rabbi Shmuel Rabbi Moshe Sherer, ?"YT, Chatuja (SL), Dec. '98. lation), Nov. '98. Parnes Hadar, June '98. Lubinsky, Menachem Rabbi Moshe Sherer7"YT, A life Teller, Rabbi Hanoch 'IO Teach and to Touch: A Trib Bodenheimer, Dr. E. Remembering Rabbi Sherer 7'':n, of...Is It Good For the Jews?, June '98. ute to Rabbi Dovid Heckscher 7":n, Nov. '98. June '98. Miller, Rabbi Yisroel Leading Aspirations, Oct. '98. Tobin, Mordechai Siyumon Pesachim, J\.1ay'98; Jump Brafman, Rabbi Aaron Where Are V\le Heading? - Mayer, Eliyahu Protest Pays (SL), Jan. '98. Start, Delay, and a Siyum (PS), Dec. '98. Our Latest Encounters With \Nestern Culture, Oct. Meisels, Elimelech A Summons to the Yorn HaDin, Wald, Rabbi Zalman A Rebbl°s Confession (transla '98. Sept. '98. tion), Nov. '98. Breslauer, Rabbi Shlomo M. Their Outside and Their Neuberger, Rabbi Shefte! Personal Reflections on Wein, Rabbi Berl Rabbi lvloshe Sherer ?":n, An Irre Inside, Feb. '98. V\Torking with Rabbi Sherer, June '98. placeable Loss (Ri\1S), June '98; Review: Popular Cohen, Sarah Herman "Don't Hijack My Sarah Palluch, Beily On the Avenue (poem), Mar. '98. Siddurim, Nov. '98. Schenirer!': Apr. '98. Pam, Rabbi Avrohom The Exalted Status of the Beis Weinberg, Rabbi Chaim Aron, The Story Behind the Cohen, Rabbi Zev Pivotal Mitzvos in the Building of Din Process, May. '98. Picture (RJvlS-PS), Nov. '98. Our Nation, Apr. '98. Perle, Dr. Yitzchok Wake Up Call From Rabbi Sher Wilder, Dr. Nleir Parents Getting Down About Their Davidsen, Akiva From Station to Station ... Revisited, er (sidebar), June '98. Children Not Getting Up, Feb. '98; Planting an Sept. '98. Perlow, Rabbi Yaakov (Novominsker Rebbi) Respect "AiShef' in Your Ho1ne, Apr. '98; The Casualties Eizenstadt, Stuart E. A Leader With Few Peers (Rl\1S for the Halachic legal Syste1n, May. '98; "Let it be of Success, Nov. '98. sidebar), June '98. Like These and like Those," Sept. '98. Wolpin, RabbiNissonAII in the Family (So1neti111es), Elias, Rabbi Joseph The Perversion of Truth, Jan. '98; Perr, Rabbi Yechiel My i\1ussar Seder With Reh Yis Jan. '98; The New York Board of Rabbis (SL), Feb. The Unfinished Agenda (RlvlS), June '98. roel Meir, Feb. '98. '98; Keeping Jerusalem Je\'fish (SL), Feb. '98; Reflec Ernest, D.M. Books: Not Just Stories/Lights Along the Plotnik, Henoch Why Tim Stood Through "Aleinu," tions of Fifty Years Since the Declaration of the ivay, Apr. '98 Dec. '98. State, May '98; Rabbi Moshe Sherer 7":n - in Feitman, Rabbi Yaakov The Gaon ofVilna -Two Rand, Rabbi Ben-Zion Rabbi Mordechai Rogow, 7"~, Memoriam,May'98; Introduction (RMS),A Life Hundred Years Since His Passing, Feb. '98. on His Thirtieth Yahrzeit, Dec. '98. of Rilibui K'vod Shamayim (R11S), Biographical Finkelman, Rabbi Shimon Windows of Heaven Reisman, Levi Feminism -A Force That \Vil! Split Notes (RMS), June '98; Introduction: Assessing an (Purim),Mar. '98; The Unbroken Glass (PS), Apr. Orthodoxy?, May '98. Extraordinary Experience, Sept. '98. '98; True and Unwavering - an adaptation Roberts, Rabbi Matis \Vhisper Above the Roar: Mak Young, Rabbi ivfoshe The Devaluation of i'vtan, Nov. (RMS), June '98. ing the Case for Subtlety, Apr. '98. '98. Fryshman, Dr. Bernard Oh, What a Tangled Web!, Apr. Rosenblum, Yonason An Appreciation of Rabbi Yehu Ziemba, Avrohom Shavuos in Ger {translated fron1 '98; One by One, to Torah (SL), Oct '98; Inter dah Naftali Mandelbaum 7·:n, Jan. '98; Books: The Yiddish), May '98. secting Objections (SL), Nov. '98. Ma/bim Esther/Torah Fron1 the Internet/After the Zlotowitz, Rabbi Meir The tvfan in the Corner (RMS), Gertzulin, Rabbi Shlomo A Great Leader ... A Master Return, Feb. '98; Louis J. Septimus il":V:an Exem June '98. Teacher (Rl\1S), June '98. plary Torah Baalebos, ivfar. '98; Reb Shraga Feiv Gesser, Yosef M. Post- Yon1 Kippur Reflections: Fron1 el iv1endlowitz '/':n: A Revolutionary of Our Time, PS = Postscript Fasting to Feasting ... to Triumph?, Oct. '98. Oct. '98. SL= Second Looks Goldberg, Hillel The Denver Joint Conversion Plan: Schreck, Jeffrey B. Less Than a Minyan, But Still a RMS "" Rabbi Moshe Sherer ?~:it History-and Revisionist History, Jan. '98; Books: Community, Feb. '98. The Jewish Observer, January 1999 37 DATELINE 84 WILLIAM STREET Rabbinical Group Scores "Confidentiality" Lawsuit Decision In the wake of a recent New York State dentiality privilege with respect to her state prohibited. But halacha also recognizes Supreme Court Justice's summary judgment ments to that rabbi.) that there are certain exceptional cir against - and harsh words for - a Long In its decision, the court wrote that the cumstances that justify-even demand Island Orthodox rabbi in a much-publicized rabbis' conduct "so transcends the bounds of - the disclosure of such information. "breach of confidentiality" case, the Confer decency as to be regarded as both intolera "It is thus with a profound sense of ence of Synagogue Rabbonim of Agudath ble and atrocious:' Rejecting the rabbis' concern that we take note of the recent Israel of America has labeled the ruling "both assertion that their conduct was halachical New York State court ruling imposing troubling and dangerous:' ly mandated, the court concluded that there civil liability on respected Orthodox rab The case involves a woman who, experi~ was no religious basis for their disclosure of bis who, in the exercise of their halachic encing marital problems, revealed certain sen the confidential information. What the defen judgment, conveyed certain sensitive but sitive information r!:llarding her religious dants did, the judge added, "under the guise vital information about a woman's reli observance to two local Orthodox rabbis. The of religious necessity, conviction or the pro giously improper conduct to her hus rabbis, in turn, upon determining that the cir tection of the Torah, is not only wrong, it is band and to a court considering her fit cumstances justified a halachic exception to outrageous." The Agudath Israel rabbinic ness to serve as a custodial parent. We the general rule of)ewish law prohibiting the group, which consists of congregational rab find this ruling both troubling and dan disclosure of confidences, shared some of that bis from dozens of cities across the country, gerous. information with her husband, his lawyer and issued two statements today. The first, writ "We find it troubling because the a court considering the woman's fitness to be ten in Hebrew and addressed to the Torah court overstepped its secular judicial a custodial parent. She subsequently initiat community, reiterates the Jewish religious function by offering its view of the ed a civil suit against the rabbis, charging them prohibition against utilizing non-Jewish halachic propriety of what the rabbis with breaching their duty of confidentiality court systems instead of Jewish religious had done, going so far as to flatly pro and seeking millions of dollars in compen courts, and condemns the attack on talmidei nounce the rabbis' religious justification satory and punitive damages. chachamim and the quest to use the court sys of their disclosures 'wrong' and 'outra On November 18, 1989, the Queens tem to "punish" them for exercising their geous'. We believe that it was inappro County division of the New York State halachic judgment. priate for the judge in the case - Supreme Court (in New York, the "Supreme The second statement issued by the Con unlearned in the complexities of Jewish Court" is the lowest level within the state judi ference, written in English and intended for law surrounding this issue, and bound ciary) ruled that one of the rabbis had indeed the general public, addresses the specifics of by constitutional limitations on a sec violated state law protecting the confidentiality the court's ruling and its broader implications: ular court's involvement in religious of conversations with clergymen. (The court "Jewish law takes an unequivocally doctrine and practice - to evaluate the reserved judgment regarding the second stringent view regarding the disclosure religious validity of the rabbis' actions. rabbi's liability, pending a trial to determine of confidences; as a general rule, reveal "In addition, as synagogue rabbis we whether the woman had waived her confi- ing confidential information is strictly see great danger in this ruling, because the specter of civil liability may well dis NOTICE OF courage rabbis from getting involved in Digest of Meforshim sensitive personal matters involving their NON-DISCRIMINATORY congregants or other members of the POLICY AS TO STUDENTS ~"1ji7 111:1 ~"1ji7 community. To tell rabbis that they risk 7":111 ivv7~ ?Niow l";rmo civil liability if they follow the dictates of The Ner Israel Rabbinical College Available at admits qualified me.n of the Jewish faith halacha in the extraordinary situation of ariy race, color, national and ethriic LEKUTE I when they conclude that Jewish law man origin, to all of the rights, clo Yitzchok Rosenberg dates disclosure of confidential infor privileges, programs and acttvities gen 10 West 47th Street, Room 503 mation is to undermine an essential com erally accorded or m_ade available to stu New York, NY 10036 (212) 719-1717 ponent of the rabbinical function. dents at the school. It does not dis 20 Volumes on Torah, Perek, Medrash, "We express our solidarity with the criminate on the basis of race, color1 Megilos and Talmud. respected rabbis involved in this case, national and ethhic origin in the and urge an expeditious reversal of this administration of its educational poli Proceeds of sales distributed a111ong Yeshivas and used for reprinting of unfortunate court ruling:' cies, admissions policies, sCholarship volumes out-of-print and loan programs, and athletic and other (Signed) Rabbi Dovid Kviat, Chairman of school-administered programs. PRICE: $8.00 PER VOLUME the Conference of Synagogue Rabbonim of All volumes now available Agudath Israel 38 The Jewish Observer, January 1999 V11n UI AT WWW.WISH-BONE.COM Now WISH-BONE'S ITALIAN ANO ROBUSTO ITALIAN DRESSINGS ARE CERTIFIED KOSHER BY THE UNION Of ORTHODOX JEWISH CONGREGATIONS Of AMERICA.* '\;' THEY'RE THE #1 ITALIAN DRESSINGS IN AMERICA SO IT'S A DEFINITE CAUSE FOR CELEBRATION. \V~