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Germany,.1~:58••• • D JAL.A ..D AF Hllllllllllllllll lllllllllllllllllllUllllllHlllHHlllllllllllllllll Illlllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll II lllfllllllll •Follows the schedule• Available in English or • Expert Maggidei •Begins every hour-on-the-hour• Learn along with the program or use it as a mm of your own shiur. "'OMI BEGINNING FOURTH vie OF m:ii:i n:>'OI:) SHIUR I. lllllllllDllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll'December 14, 1988 - ""l:)'tlS'I n:i" '' • • Shiur in Gemora with •Taught in Yiddish• Approximately an -rlr.>Ya day• Relevant and Achronim discussed as well as the Halacha • Begins every hour-on-the-hour• Began with n1'.l,~ l'l'.>OY.l and continuing according to 0"1im i-ro • Friday's Shiur repeated on P"YJ~1r.i.

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5 AND Introduction Rabbi Joseph Elias Torah Proper or Hora'as Sha' ah? Dr.Leo Levi

THE JEWISH OBSERVER (ISSN} 14 0021-6615 is published monthly ex­ ceptJuly and August. by the Agudath The Crooked Mirror m: Israel of America. 84 William Street, Anti-Orthodox Sentiment in the Media New York. NY 10038. Second class Nisson Wolpin postage paid at New York. NY Subsciip­ tion $18.00 per year: two years, $30.00: three years. $40.00. Outside of the 23 (US funds only} $10 sur­ Two Letters charge per year. Single copy: $2.50: foreign: $3.00. Send address changes "Dear Mrs. Tishman.'' Robert Johnson to The Jewish Observer, 84 William St .. "Dear Mr. Johnson," Rabbi Moshe Sherer NY.. N.Y. 10038. TeL 12I2} 797-9000. Printed in the U.S.A. 27 RABBI NISSON WOLPIN. Editor Legators and Heirs Nahum J. Duker Editorial Board DR ERNST BODENHEIMER Chairman 33 No Recipe For Half-Baked RABBI JOSEPH ELIAS Yisroel Spiegel JOSEPH FRIEDENSON RABBINOSSONSCHERMAN RABBI MOSHE SHERER 37 Second Looks on the Jewish Scene Management Board NAFTOLI HIRSCH ConGraduations, It's All Over. Dr. Bernard Fryshman ISAAC KlRZNER An Open Letter to My Neighbor Down the Street RABBI SHLOMO LESIN NACHUM STEIN 43 RABBI YOSEF C. GOLDING Books in Review Business Mmwger New Books For Youth I Halacha Publications THE JEWISH OBSERVER does not assume responsibility for the Kashrus 51 of any product or service advertised in its pages. "•.. " (with and without comment)

© CopyrJght I988 51 If Only DECEMBER I 988 Hillel Goldberg VOLUME XXI/NUMBER 9 52 Letters to the Editor >_, ',_',, ,' · ..:··. < >'.·'. '·-- .. · .'S0me :. of '._the ... Ptto_ioita~.h~.·.·.·+~at~ .In .·the·. article·'.'Gat~h'¢lld,. the._Jeru~ We apologize for unavoidable factors that have delayed the appearance . Slllem ._,of . Englimd"c .'flio"'ifolier 'B~/ .were ot>tatn<'d by Jhe C9f~,~~or:s,:ippteµt~Iit; thought-provoking, and inspiring art ides that have appeared in The Jewish 'l)n ·Gate§h~tJ 'OttS€I>tethbet.2;.· ..lf!i,87~. Observer over the past quarter of a century. " ·.· ....·.:·.. ' .· A Unique Sefer for B'nai Torah to Learn and Enjoy ...

ln one magnificent volume Sefet Mesoras .HaShekel,. in Hebrew, places at your fingertips the Torah's moneyI weight system-tracing a tradition of over 2000 years. As an historical first, Mesoras HaShekel reveals a secret that is over 500 years old: The precise shiurim of the Torah's shekel, perutah, etc. At one time. these shiurim were determined by the varied method of weighing batley grains; whereas the current· find­ ings are based upon the precise mesorah of our Poskim who relied upon acknowledged statl.dard weights-accurate to within 111000 of a gram. To further enhance your learning, the ~ext contains a number or high-quality photographs including: the shekel and machatzis hashekel mi.nted before Charban Bayis Sheni; the actual gold dinar discussed in the Mishna and Gemoro makes its photographic debut in this sefer-in full color; and there are many other photographs of coin specimens-spanning over 2000 years- that pertain to various contemporary halachik issues (i.e. , kesuba, perutah, ett. ).

HARDCOVER $14.95 Among this sefer's special features: • Derailed analyses of pertinent sugyos in and relevant halachos; • 32 phorographs-8 in full color; • Convenient tables, charts, documents, table of contents, index-and the text is fully annotated. • The sefer is handsomely baund and printed on durable, high-quality srock. Mesoras HaShekel by Rabbi Shmuel Zev Reich carries the haskomos .')Vil n'ln 1tJtl ~lOl Jp'lln 11'~no ofleadingGeonim Shlita, and is excellent foruseinboth Yeshivaand Bais nvi,.pn O'JVJ·ri' ::Pn:n1 Medrash, for layman and scholar alike. Available at your local Hebrew book store or directly from the author at: Kolel Publications, Suite 8, 411 Lawrence Avenue West, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5M lCl I 416-787-6466 or Kolel Publications, 1303 Dirmas Avenue, Brooklyn, New York 11226 I 718-856-1645 0 FELD HEIM PUBLlSHEllS 200 Airport Executive Patk, Spring Valley, RY.10977 J!i Tel. (914) 356-2282/0ut of State, call toll free: 800c23 7-714.9 Visa. & MastetCard accepted Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch ? 11 ~l

On the twenty-sixth day of Applied to the 's relationship to Teves it is a hundred years since the society at large, it took the form of passing of Rabbi Samson Raphael Torah Im Derech Eretz (the use of Hirsch ;111 ~t. There were many in his general culture in the service of lifetime who viewed him with dis­ Torah), to be realized in our educa­ dain, as the champion of outdated tional institutions. Applied to our ideas and a Jost cause. Others communal and organizational con­ admired him as the redeemer and cerns, it meant that the Jewish savior of German Jewry. Still others people's cohesion-nationally, respected his gifted pen and brtlliant regionally, locally-could only be thought. But surely vety few antic­ built on a common loyalty to Torah. ipated that, while much more Applied to the exploration of the famous contemporaries of his have treasures of our sacred herttage, it been almost totally forgotten, Rabbi required that we should seek in it S. R Hirsch would be a toweling the answers to the problems and presence on the Jewish scene a issues of our time. The details of how hundred years later, his ideas the his grand design was to be realized, subject of Intense analysis, his works obviously depended ingreat measure studied-in diverse languages-all on the changing conditions and over the world. And this despite the needs of different times and places. historic upheavals that marked Not so the basic idea itself-he did these hundred years, the destruction not see himself as its ortginator, but of the European Jewry that he knew, merely as chosen to impress it upon and the rtse of new centers of Jewish his age. The Nineteen Letters (pub­ life and under totally lished in 1836) was the first work new conditions. specifically written to meet the Yet. while his name is a household challenges posed by the modern, word in the Jewish world, this does secular world to traditional Judaism. not mean that there is an under­ But the ideas which it presented so standing of what he stood for. Some tive reactions to the mention of his brllliantly were drawn from the see him as the champion of Orthodox name-there is little real under­ wealth of the Torah's teachlngs­ acculturation to the modem world standing of his teachings. Yes, he did and that is, of course, why they still and interpret "Torah Im Derech stress that the Torah Jew should not have such a dynamic impact. Natu­ Eretz" as mandating a college degree retreat from the world around him, rally, not only the structure of his for every Jew: they view him as a but tty to mold it in accordance with wrtttngs but many of the Insights founding father of what is (or used the compromising demands of that we find in them were ortglnal: to be) called Modem Orthodoxy. Torah. And yes, he argued that the but they had their roots in the Others consider him the drtving Jewish community can only find fullness of Torah. However, the force behind Orthodox separation, unity on the basis of Torah. But one manner in which he presented his and believe that he was only con­ of his descendants, in a recent great vision and how he applied It cerned thatfrumJews should be able article, stressed that these were only in practice-that was where the to "make Shabbos for themselves," aspects of his teachings but not the creativity, wisdom.and total commit­ totally disinterested in the rest of the core. ment of his personality found their Jewish people. But even when we What. then, was the core? It must fullest expression. disregard these distortions-and the be understood, in the first place, that We are pleased to present the resulting violent positive and nega- Rabbi S.R. Hirsch was an extraordi­ following article by Professor Yehuda nary Gadol BaTorah (no Jess a Levi on "Torah Im Derech Eretz" personality than the Ksav Sofer which both illuminates the roots of Rabbi Elias ts a member of the editorial board of The Jewish Obseroer and menahel of the expressed admiration for his Gadlus Rabbi S.R Hirsch's ideas in classic Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch High in Torah). From the wellsprtngs of Torah teachings, and defines his School for girls and the Rika Breuer's Teachers Torah he drew the vision of a world particular contribution to their Seminary. He ls author of a soon-to-be pub­ lished new translation and commentruyon The ruled by G-d's will as expressed in practical implementation. • Nineteen Letters- the Torah. This was the basic idea. Rabbi Joseph Elias TO IM DERECH ERETZ: Torah Proper or Horas Sha'ah?

ny discussion of "Torah Im almost unanimously throughout the TORAH IM DERECH ERETZ princi­ Derech Eretz" must begin the Torah world.1a Unfortunately, ple highlights the crucial role of the A with a definition of this the all-too-common failure to distin­ world in Torah life. phrase since it has been Interpreted guish between the Torah principle Let us now investigate the validity In different ways. In the first place and the educational system leads to of this principle. it has been used to describe the fact serious misconceptions and confusion. that the Torah views the world as THE TORAH AND TIDS WORLD essential raw material to be used in Here I would like to elucidate the service of G-d, and thus there is a (generally accepted) Torah principle ccording to our sages, the necessruy link between Torah and as distinct from the (disputed) first verse of the Torah, stat­ worldly concerns. This maybe called educational system. A ng that the world was the TORAH IM DERECH ERETZ princi­ created "in the beginning," implies ple.1 In addition. there is an educa­ DEFJNITION OF THE TORAH IM that the world was created for the tional system which, too, is called DERECH ERETZ PRINCIPLE sake of the Torah, which is called TORAH IM DERECH ERETZ because it "beginning."3 This immediately stresses that Torah education he meaning of the principle raises a question. Since the Torah should also include attention to of TORAH IM DERECH ERETZ I is so beautiful, so perfect, why does knowledge of the world. Whereas learned from my revered it need this world, which after all, this educational system is subject 'I teacher, HoRav Yosef Breuer of is often far from beautiful and to differences of opinion among blessed memory. He defined it as our perfect? Our sages gave us the Torah authorities, the above Torah obligation to imprint upon this answer to this question in a fasci­ principle is, I believe, accepted 4 world the ideas of the Torah. By nating Aggadah. conducting our worldly life in accor­ When Moshe went on high to Dr. Levi, who immigrated to Israel from America dance with the teachings of the receive the Torah, the angels pro­ nineteen years ago, heads the Dept. of Physics Torah, we mold the world according tested: "This concealed treasure, and Electro-Optics at College of Technology. His published works include Jewish to G-d's will. According to Rabbi Y.Y. which You kept hidden 974 gener­ Chronomy: a carefully edited version of Weinberg 0"1, the TORAH IM DERECH ations before the creation of the Yerushalmi's Shvi'is, with a new commentary principle sees the world as the world, You wish to give to man?" (Kau Venaki) prepared with Rabbi Aryeh Carmell; and articles in journals of Jewish thought, matter, which is to receive its form G-d then asked Moshe to answer including The Jewish Observer. as described in the Torah.2 In brief, them, and he did, as follows:

6 The Jewish Observer, December 1988 Dr. Leo Levi

What is written in the Torah? "I which is to guide us in our relation­ ism from other systems of religion am G-d, your G-d, Who brought you ship to the world. Torah and world or morality. outofEgypt"Haveyouangelsgone together make up G-d's creation, The following describes Torah down to Egypt? Were you enslaved and any effort to separate them in principles in the abstract accord­ by Pharaoh? What is the Torah to effect subverts the purpose of ing to their strict meaning. For prac­ you? creation. tical purposes, on the other hand, What else is written there? 'You That is the principle of TORAH IM the Torah invests the spiritual shall have no other gods before DERECH ERETZ, and in that respect leadership of the Jewish people Me." Do you live among the gentiles the Torah differs radically from both with the authority within well-de­ who serve idols? Greek philosophic and Christian fined limits, to promulgate modify­ What else is written there? "Do religious ideology. Greek philosophy ing directives as emergency regu­ not swearfalsely in My Name. "Do places abstract human reason at the lations when special circum­ you conduct business I that you center of things; not action, only stances warrant it Toward the end need to take oaths]? contemplation is praiseworthy. On qf thts article we will discuss this the other hand, Christianity idolizes pointfurther. What else? "RemembertheShab­ bath to keep it holy." Do you work. WITT W Ll ©lii\ii\iii\M0 W WWW that you need to rest? What else? "Honor your father Since the Torah is so beautiful, so perfect. why and your mother." Do you. then, does it need this world, which, is often far from have parents? . .. beautiful and perfect? We may paraphrase Moshe's argu­ ment as follows: "The Torah can only Mi i 1 ] &Mllii I H W be lived, and its mitzvos observed feeling and faith. In fact, neither of 1. The Torah as Guide to the by people who are exposed to the them really needs this world in any Utilization of the World vicissitudes of history and the positive sense. culture of nations, who engage in According to the TORAH IM DERECH And so it is with anyone who business and work. who many and ERETZ principle, we may View the wishes to elevate himself by culti­ have chtldren. To the extent to Torah as a guide to the proper way vating his own spirituality without which anyone flees the demands of of managing the world. Without it. expressing it in action, as ordained this world and isolates himself from any use we make of the world may by the Torah; he is likely to fall into it, to that same extent the Torah be harmful; with it. every aspect of either the trap of emotionality, as loses its full applicability for him." the world is significant and benef­ the religions do, or into the rational­ The Torah existed already before the icent. This explains a number of ity trap. as the Greek philosophers world-but it lacked its full signif­ halachos that appear puzzling. did. Both fail to appreciate the icance until the world was created • Tannaim of the Mishna dis­ importance of action and this­ for its sake. agree concerning the obligation to worldly involvement. Only Torah A similar idea is expressed by the be joyful on the festivals of the with its TORAH IM DERECH ERETZ Torah when it states that man was Torah. In one place, the Torah principle can guide man to a proper "put into the Garden of Eden to implies that these should be dedi­ synthesis of spirit and the material work it and guard it,"5 which the cated to G-d, and in another verse world; and only the Jewish people, Sages interpret: "!, before the that they should be used for qur­ who received the Torah, can appre­ sin,] was made a serf, who, if he does selves. Rabbi Eliezer deduces that ciate the fundamental importance not work. will not eat."6 Even more these festivals should, if possible, be of this world, so that they need not explicit are the words of the NetziV devoted to Torah study exclusively10 escape it, to avoid its challenges; in (Rabbi Naftali TzVi Yehudah Berlin): or else entirely to our own gratifi­ facing these challenges they are "!Adami came to be a worker of the cation, whereas Rabbi Yehoshua doing G-d's will. They trust that the land and thereby the purpose of holds that they should be diVided same Torah that asks them to creation was completed.''' That the between both endeavors. Concern­ confront the world will guide them shaping of the world is the goal of ing this dispute. the Amara Rabbi well along its paths. the Torah is expressed also in such Elazar states that regarding Sha­ Talmudic statements as: "The great­ vu'os even Rabbi Ellezer agrees with ness of (Torah! study is in that it IMPLICATIONS OF THE TORAH Rabbi Yehoshua that we should leads to action"8 -"Not study, but IM DERECH ERETZ PRINCIPLE devote the festival to ourselves in actions are primary."9 part. Why? "It is the day on which All this points clearly to the e will now elaborate on the Torah was given." 11 A rather interaction of man with his enVir­ some implications of the amazing argument. We might have onment as central to the purpose of WTORAH IM DERECH ERETZ expected this to be a reason for creation and to Torah ideology. principle which distinguish Juda- Rabbi Yehoshua to agree that this

The Jewtsh Observer, December 1988 7 day be devoted to Torah study ex­ sacrifices are of two types. olah and sanctity by separation from and clusively. and not the reverse! But shelamim The olah is given over rejection of the this-world!)', symbol· 1 if we grasp that it is the Torah which completely to G-d; it is burned on ized by the o!ah. • gives meaning to this world and the altar. The shelamim, in con· 2. Laws of Nature makes it accessible to us, the argu­ trast. are mostly eaten by the offerer ment becomes eminently under­ and his guests. this eating being a The Torah calls upon us to use standable. consummation of the offering. Shel­ the world in the service ofG-d-such • Another regulation unique to amim are, as a rule, brought only usage presupposes stable laws Shavu'os relates to the question of by private individuals. Most public governing the operation of the chametz and matzah which, in sacrifices, and all voluntary public world. Such laws are tools. necessary Torah thought, symbolize material­ sacrifices, are of the olah type­ for the implementation of the Torah ism and spirituality, respectively. totally spiritual in nature. There is program. Were the world to behave Chametz is appropriate to the just one exception, only one shela· haphazardly, we could not foresee "private table" in our home, all year, mim sacrifice that is brought by the the results of our actions, nor plan and matzah to the "divine table" - public, and that is on Shavu'os13- any accomplishments. The giving of the altar in the Temple. (The mena­ it is "on the day on which the Torah the Torah with its commandments chos flour-offerings, all year. must was given" that the nation, as such, implies the imposition of strict laws upon the world, and they are, indeed. among the wonders of creation. The Laws of nature do not possess an existence of Prophet Yirmiyahu's statement. their own; they are simply an expression of the 'Were it not for My covenant, day and night. I would not have estab­ consistency with which G-d runs the world. lished the laws of heaven and earth,"17 can be understood to tell us that the laws of nature were be matzah.) Only on Pesach, the demonstrates through the Shela­ established only to enable us to live "festival of matzos," even our private mim that its service to G-d is based Torah. If moon and sun did not obey table must be free of chametz; and, on the use and enjoyment of the strict laws, how could we fulfill the vice versa. on Shavu'os chametz is material world.14 first mitzva given to the Jewish offered in the Sanctuary, in the form It is only the Torah which makes people, commanding them to estab· 12 of "the two loaves." Only the this· possible this use of the world. That 18 worldliness of the Torah can explain accounts for the fact that a non.Jew lish a unique lunar-solar calendar , requiring the calculation of the why just the "time of the giving of can only bring an olah, and shel­ passages of moon and sun? How the Torah" is the occasion when amim are not accepted from him.15 could we fulfill the last command· chametz, worldly materialism, can Through the acceptance of the be offered to G-d. Torah, the Jew can sanctify himself mentofthe Torah and write a Torah scroll 19, if a given ink would one day • Turning to animal sacrifices, even when he performs mundane we discover another anomaly uni· activities such as eating. He who did adhere to the parchment and on que to Shavu'os. The voluntary not accept it. can only strive for another day roll off it? The Torah's positive view of the laws of nature is well expressed by the great medieval scholar Rab­ "W'11i'M 'it:J,, beinu Nissim (popularly known as ""~T l'Uci nw ., .. .,rm:i '"'!:I.KM Tl.Kll't MXl:I ,C'lVip ?y Ran): "It is G-d's wish and desire to maintain the 'custom' of the :n1n:10~ ;Sf ru::t1u .nucrn"l nn:n "'J!>Dtt rt::t?:t1n Dl>l'lrt}C"tl"I ntU''P t111 li".DJ~ a,.,,t<,:i .D':J.,:i ~··uc .,'"':i. world as much as possible and .:i"l'l .n1N1pn ,n1l)n JC,,,, ,ti'nori ,.,,-on ,;,;,,,.,, ,nin,.,::t ,~.,11 ,l'f'i'ltin ,l"11"'l1:1::i. ,,,,,,, ,n\l'IJn ,a,r121 nature is dear to Him. so that He .tl"tvil tl1,l11:) t;,y C~'1!li0 ,"1:l"'T will deviate from it only when !ir.i::i nuiw n1,no1 c,~,J:V i'l:l'1il W' n::ionn -.,,o ~!li, t'J"11 qi 7:J r,.YTU n~tv1"t'n;i r,,:i">~ ,,y necessary ... Events do not occur ninr,, ;;rr-n!) .,:i,:i ti?Kw . io ,.,, c~ 1<::r11 tlK ,;1o•K "1'.Ji 11::l'"ll' ;'ll'KIU 11Y"l';:i J""r::l , 1 according to individual causes. but nn!)b:i nJw:i '"l"ni"l•::i .;it:i rti)"7) n?,:.n:i? nin•?ID r.,::i: .2 according to general causes, '"l'"ot"\? '">l"ib 1:1~"1':JY'11V lt'i' t:n:i.• ,,,j .b ,,::i,., ,.,::i 11n .l because G-d does not wish nature rl'J'ill~ li'Mi, r.i":v 1,,p?pr.i 1•,:i . , i M)'"'tnK ,,i,y t,:ipw yr.in i,,,.,,:;i: .1 ::i?n1 rminw ::i?n OK n,•pn ..o1. f'"1111 '01M 1'i:J O":lr.J"lfl ntJ'l\IJ i1K'j .s cn•?:v nvvm 1., .n?::i) to be changed according to [the 20 .,,m tt"lpl 01< 1•-r:i. ;-ntitr::i: . , 2 nYpiti ?1::11

8 The Jewish Observer, December 1988 who stresses that the righteous 3. Scientific Knowledge that Rav spent a full year and a half must believe that G-d directs nature with shepherds in order to learn the to meet his needs,22 states that For "laws" of nature to become pathology of mumim {physical generallyG-d's help is given through efficient tools in our hands, we must defects that make first-born male the normal operation of nature. know them. This explains the high cattle pennissible].28 "The Torah commands us to con­ esteem the Sages had for science. duct our lives according to {the "Every one of the seven scientific 4. The Importance of Work demands of] derech eretz and per­ wisdom is praiseworthy and forms miracles in a hidden manner esteemed in the eyes of the Sages The Torah values work greatly: only. He does not wish to change the and they loved each of them. You will "He who enjoys the fruits of his nature of the world, except when not find in any Aggadah what­ hands' labor is greater than one who there is no other way to salvation soever-neither in the Babylonian fears Heaven."29 Nor are we simply or, occasionally, to make His Name Talmud, nor in the Jerusalem Tal­ to tolerate work; we are taught to known to His adversaries, as He did mud, nor in any -that they "love work."30 The Sages elaborate at the Splitting of the Sea ..."" deprecated any wisdom.''26 The on this: "If he has no work to do­ These opinions were, of course, Sages even declared scientific study if he has an uncultivated couri yard not originated by the authorities we a mitzva: "From where do we know or fallow field, let him busy himself cited. The Gemora already hints at that it is a mitzva upon a man to with it."31 this principle when it says: "If make astronomical calculations Work is even in the category of someone steals a measure of wheat {beyond those needed for calendar walking in G-d's ways. "You shall and sows it in the ground, by right calculations]? For it is written: 'For walk after G-d' -is it then possible it should not grow. But the world this is your wisdom and under­ for flesh and blood to walk after G-d? goes according to its ·custom' and standing in the eyes of the nations' ... At the beginning of creation G-d the destructive fools will eventually "27 occupied Himself first of all with have to render account."24 Just one illustration of the planting I the Garden of Eden] ... All this does not deny, in the least. lengths to which our Sages went in so you too, when you enter Eretz the complete power that G-d has their efforts to acquire the scientific Yisroel, occupy yourself first of all over the world; nor does it imply that knowledge required for mitzva with plantlng."32 From this it is He refrains from leading it surely observance: The tells us evident that work is dear to G-d through history, along the course that He planned for it. He can do so even while He lets the laws of C.I.S. PUBLICATIONSBRINGSYOU nature function fully. "When man walks justly, that is in G-d's ways, A MAJOR PUBLISHING EVENT! he can reap blessing also in a natural way. That is how the Jewish people were blessed: 'If you walk in My ways,' then the laws of heaven fLECTf1) and earth, too, will function in the right way. For the divine wisdom has arranged the ways of nature in such AvaDable from Yout local bookaeller a manner that they run parallel and Kill or order dbec:tJy from the publisher: are correlated to the ways of Torah and mi tzva. "25 C.I.S. Publications A5 to the frequent statements in the later rabbinic writings that we 180 Park Avenue should not place too much trust in Lokewood, l'IJ 08701 the laws of nature, they appear to (201) 905-3000 me to be meant as a warning that we should not ascribe to these laws CJ.K. and Europe: an independent existence-as if G-d 1 Palm Court had instituted them and then with­ Queen Elizabeth Walk drew from directing this world (G-d London, England Nt 6 forbid). In the Torah view, laws of nature Israel: do not possess an existence of their Rechov Hakablan 13/2 own: they are simply an expression Rav Har Nof, Jerusalem C.On«regatlon K'hal Adath .Je1bunm of the consistency with which G-d Wuhiniton Heigbt&, New Yor·>---- Hardccwtt only; •t5.95 runs the world.

The Jewish Obseroer, December 1988 9 because He desires the development selves to a few highlights. Torah's directives, it is, In essence, of the world33 and not only as a Beautiful surroundings are recog­ very good, for it is one of the means for a livelihood. nized as conducive to intellectual strongest forces In society and Is of accomplishment38 with the impor­ primary Importance in Its tance of music In this respect even functioning. 5. Guarding Our Health based on Tanach: the Prophet This may be the point of another Elisha requested the services of a Talmudic statement: "G-d says: I The Torah obligates us to guard musician to enable him to attain have created the yetzer ho'ra and our health and even declares that prophetic inspiration.39 No wonder the Torah as a spice for it''-not a "endangering our physical well­ that the service in the Sanctuary remedy or antidote, but a spice, a being is worse than transgressing was accompanied by music;40 we are spice that makes food fit for con­ a prohibition."34 Also, saving a life asked to beautify the mitzvos, 41 and sumption! "That you may enjoy the overrides all Torah prohibitions anyone with special artistic talent pleasures of this world and not fall (except idolatry, immorality, and should devote it to the service of Into a transgression."44 Apparently murder).35 This rule applies to G-d.42 the yetzer ho'ra is a vital tool in Torah life; the only trouble is that it Is sharp and tough, and Is likely We have to use the world for this service of G-d, to do more harm than good. Only the Torah can make it flt for and everything that is used for it is naturally consumption. ennobled. But anybody who argues that "everything is holy" does not know the difference 8. Solitude between holy and profane. In many philosophies and reli­ saving the lives of others-all the 7. Yetzer Hora gions, solitude is the hallmark of more so are we commanded to guard piety. But Judaism opposes exces­ our own, for "your life takes prece­ The TORAH JM DERECH ERETZ prin­ sive sol! tude. 'You shall Jove your dence over your neighbor's."ss ciple can also help to explain the fellow as yourself-this ls a great Torah's surprising attitude toward rule of the Torah."45 The nineteenth 6. Beauty and Art the yetzer hara, the "evtl inclina­ century Torah giant, Rabbi Moshe tion." The Sages explained: 'And G-d Schreiber ( Chasam Sofer) pro­ In contrast to the traditionally saw all He had made and lo it was claimed: "It is not G-d's wish that ascetic moral schools, Judaism very good'-very good, that is the we be seclusive, that is that we go values beauty and art, certainly not yetzer hora."43 It is called "evil," to desolate places, deserts and as ends in themselves,37 but as because it is originally self-centered; forests, to investigate and contem­ precious tools. Here we limit our- but, when educated according to the plate G-d's awesome works; He did not create [the world] desolate; He formed it to be settled. It is G-d's wish that we love IHisl creatures ... and even if that would mean that we thereby limit our self-perfection, nevertheless it is G-d's wish that we love [His] creatures ... " for thereby ANNOUNCES THAT REGISTRATION FOR THE he brings them to Torah, by his '----' 1989/90 Z'MAN HAS BEGUN'--~ association with them.4• Here. in particular, we see how the • Full dorm facilities Torah guides us. On first sight, •Transportation to and from Brooklyn (25 minutes) common sense would endorse the seclusive contemplation (omphalo­ •Small classes-Rebbayim available at all times skepsis) of Greek philosophy and •General Studies program headed by noted educator- the hermitism of Christianity and other systems; Involvement in Rabbi Alexander Friedman society would appear to be harmful • Will be occupying our beautiful new building to the striving for self-perfection. But the Torah, through its TORAH • Interviews will be conducted by appointment IM DERECH ERETZ principle, teaches (718) 846-1940 otherwise: "It is not good for man to be alone. "47

10 The Jewish Observer, December 1988 CIS PUBLICATIONS TORAH IM DERECH ERETZ AS TOTAL SANCTITY BRINGS YOU

t is characteristic of the TORAH A NEW BEST SELLER! IM DERECH ERETZ principle that I it does not negate completely any aspect of our physical existence; this C\QiCCiams6ur9 is one of its outstanding features. Consequently, it rejects extremism and projects moderation. Since moderation and compromise ap­ ~emories pear similar to each other. on first sight, it is important to point out that the TORAH IM DERECH ERETZ principle, as elaborated here, is very far from compromise. On the con­ trary, it demands from the Jew total dedication-emotional, intellectual, and physical: "Look upon yourself and all that is yours as My properiy, and devote yourself wholly to Me, with every fraction of your property, every moment of your time; with mind, feeling, bodily strength and means, with word and action. "48 Such total dedication-to account for every moment of our lives, every penny of our possession, every small pleasure we derive from the world: to devote ourselves completely to the service of G-d-that is the peak of sanctity, and that is what TORAH IM DERECH ERETZ demands of us. Such sanctity demands a proper use of the means the world puts at our disposal. It is therefore much more difficult to attain than the limited sanctity that consists of A NOSTALGIC MASTERPIECE merely refraining from improper By Gershon Kranzler use of our means. The Mesi/as Yeshorim sees in this the superior­ A prominent author and social historian 4 ity of sanctity over purity. 9 In this warm and beautiful book, the author relates his I would like to comment in this memories of the immigrant community of Williamsburg connection upon the idea, held in as it developed over the last forty years. Poignant vignettes certain circles, that we have to "sanctify the material" -or, as it is of Reb Gedaliah Schorr, Reb Shraga Feivel Mendelowitz, sometimes put, that "the whole the Stoliner Rebbe, the Modzhitzer Rebbe, the legendary world is holy." This is a questionable "Mike" Tress and many others, as well as a powerful concept and it is not what I mean portrait of the saintly Satmar Rebbe, his ideology and with my remarks here. I only mean impact on world Jewry. Two large pictorial sections brings to stress that we have to sanctify Old Williamsburg to life. """''"~' .n1y, m.•• ourselves, i.e., through full dedica­ tion to the service of G-d. As for the Available from yaur local bookseller or order directly from the pubUsher: world, we have to use it insofar as it is needed for this service of G-d, C.I.S. Publications and everything that is used for it 180 Park Avenue• Lakewood, New Jersey 08701 • (201) 905·3000 is naturally ennobled. But anybody Direct: order: add •t.50, 50 each •ddltkmal ttook who argues that "everything is holy"

The Jewish Observer, December 1988 11 does not know the difference (bl There is also some reservation RABBI S.R. HIRSCH'S between what is holy and what is concerning learning a vocation in CONTRIBUTION TO profane. Unlike the profane. that general, and especially an academic TORAH IM DERECH ERETZ which is holy must not be used for profession. This seems to be far derech eretz even if the intention more recent. (The Rashba did, for have concluded here that is for the sake of Heaven. On the a period of fifty years, ban the study he TORAH IM DERECH other hand, the profane, too. must of Greek science by the young, but RETZ principle always was only he used in G-d's service. explicitly excluded the study of part of Torah proper; and perha;>s 50 medicine from this ban.) In part, even one of its foundation stones. this development may be due to the If that is so, what was the contri­ mE SITUATION IN greater difficulties and moral temp­ THE TORAH WORLD TODAY bution of Rabbi S.R Hirsch '"'" tations that the modem world poses whose name is usually associated to the Torah observer-particularly with this principle? n the light of what has heen said, in connection with academic stu­ It appears that his contribution the situation in the modern dies there is the above-mentioned to It was a dual one: I Torah world raises some ques­ secularism-and there is also the (a) The unnaturally restrictive tions. The Torah world, today. is impact of the information explosion. circumstances that had prevailed concentrated primarily in the (It was vastly easier in the time of for centuries in the Jewish ghettos higher yeshivos and kollelim, and the Rambam to be a doctor as well greatly limited derech eretz, worldly activities, and caused the awareness of their significance to atrophy The Torah Im Derech Eretz principle always was somewhat. When the Emancipation opened the gates of general society part of Torah proper; and perhaps even one of its and culture to the Jewish popula­ foundation stones. tion, Rabbi Hirsch realized the danger inherent in the existing separation of Torah and derech these tend to limit and m1mm1ze asa Torah authority than it is today eretz. There was a great temptation their involvement in worldly endea­ to combine Torah eminence and for the Jew to enter the contempor­ vors. How could it be that Torah success in professional study.) ary world, leaving the Torah authorities would disapprove of a But this is not the whole expla­ behind-while the reaction of the basic Torah principle? nation for the reservations that pious, the rejection of all current In reply we must tum to the exist today concerning earning a derech eretz, threatened to leave second interpretation of TORAH IM livelihood. I asked a number of Judaism as form without sub­ DERECH ERETZ that was mentioned Torah authorities about it. They stance, soul without body. He saw at the outset of this article-TORAH explained it as an emergency mea­ in this situation a great and urgent IM DERECH ERETZ as an educational sure: in emergency situations, the challenge to restore derech eretz to program. The comprehensive imple­ Torah leadership is permitted to its proper role, and bring about an mentation of the TORAH IM DERECH deviate temporarily from Torah awareness of its significance. ERETZ principle in our present-day principles in order to save the whole (b) He developed the educational society demands familiarization Torah.5 1 As a result of the Enlight­ system designed to achieve this goal with general science and culture­ enment, and especially after the in the fullest sense-a system that and this is a matter of controversy, horrible European holocaust extin­ would include science study with for it raises several questions: guished the major Torah centers of Torah education in the school (a) For many generations (at least the world, Torah knowledge became program. This may have been a since the days of the Rashba, i.e., weakened to such an extent that it hora'as sha'ah, a temporary mea­ the thirteenth century) the study of hecame necessary to deviate some­ sure-though, even so, it may be philosophy and science had harmed what from Torah principles lest argued that the need for it has not many of those who devoted them­ Torah become forgotten from Israel, yet passed. selves to it Since then there have and to restore the proper balance While his contribution to TORAH been disputes concerning the extent between Torah scholars and the IM DERECH ERETZ may have been that protective fences must be general public. But all these Torah limited to these two points, his erected around their study. The authorities agreed that according accomplishments in these areas danger still exists today, and has, to Torah proper, it would be pref­ were truly gigantic. Perhaps the indeed, been aggravated by the erable that everyone be self­ ideas that he advanced are capable, secular rationalism and the adop­ supporting as long as this does not even today. of helping to heal the tion of science as a surrogate "reli­ prevent him from being learned in spiritual crisis of our sorely troubled gion," which have marked the mod­ Torah and steeped in Yiras Sho­ nation. But anyone who thinks that ern era. mayim and Avodas Hashem Rabbi Hirsch originated the TORAH

12 The Jewish Observer, December 1988 IM DERECH ERE1Z principle is surely HaRav S.R. Hirsch, M!shnaso V'Shitaso, ly regarded authority: the XV century author mistaken. As we have tried to show, Jerusalem (5722), p 192. of the Sefer Ha'Agur asked him for his 3. Bereishis Rabba l,l approval (haskama) for this authorttative the TORAH IM DERECH ERE1Z princi­ 4 Shabbos 88-89 work. ple is fundamental to Torah ideology 5.Bereishis 2,4 27. 4, 6; Shabbos75a; the parenthetical 6. Bereishis Rabba 14, end remark is based on Rash! and Maharsha ad and is not an innovation, and 7. Ha'amek Davar, Bereishis 2.4 loo. certainly not an emergency mea­ 8. Kiddushtn 40 28. Sb sure. On the contrary, it may be 9.Avosl, 17 29. Berachos Ba IO. Bettzah 15b 30. Avos 1. l 0 argued that the deviation from it, 11. Pesachim 68b 31.Avos DeRabbl Nathan 11 which is widespread today, and was 12. Vaylkra23,l7 32. Rabba 25, 3 apparently necessaiy to save the 13. Vaytkra 23,19 33. Yefeh To'ar ad loc. 14. Rabbi , oral communication. A 34. Chullin l Oa Jewish people spiritually, repres­ similar thought is brought by Meshech 35. Kesubos l 9a ents a response to an emergency. • Chochma to Shemos20.l8. 36. Bava Metziah 62b 15. Rambam. Ma 'asei Hal

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The Jewish Observer. December 1988 13 THE CROOKED MIRROR III The Medias Anti-Orthodox Campaign

THE DIATRIBE with caricatures of long-caftaned "It is painful to see the psycho­ , ridiculing their demands and logical realities of the Jewish People he November 1 national elec­ the pseudo-Jewish accents of their determined by primitive and fanat­ tions in Israel, followed by statements. Judging by the hyster­ ical men."-Martin Peretz, editor-in­ T:seven weeks of negotiating ical pitch of the rhetoric, one would chief of The New Republic (quoted with the religious parties, resulted have thought that a band of Aya­ Nov. 3,'88). in an unexpected Likud-Labor unity tollahs had just taken over the White "A Jewish Iran may be price of government, led by Yitzchak House and was about to transform Israeli elections."-LA Herald Exa­ Shamir. But the mere suggestion of the United States into an Islamic miner, Nov. 9, '88. a government dependent on the republic: Here it was, exactly fifty years participation of the religious par­ since . The media had ties-whose chareidi components just commemorated how the fever­ won unprecedented gains ( 13 seats, pitch that Hitler's anti-Semitism as compared to 6 in the past)-had had taken In 1938 had been greeted unleashed a venomous outpouring with deafening silence by the rest of vitriol and hatred from the media, of the world. And then-not missing far surpassing the anti-religious a beat-the same media imme­ mutterings that were always a diately took Der Sturmer-type liber­ feature of the Israeli political scene. ties of its own with contemporary Moreover, the smear campaign even Jewish dignity. took on an international scope. Political cartoonists In the dally DELWERATE press the world over had a heyday Pancho/Le Monde/Paris SELF-DEFAMATION et, the media's abuse of the The Crooked Mirror. by Menachem Lubinsky {JO, Feb. '80), dealt with the distorted reportage in "Israel Is not immune to the wave religious Jewish community the Israeli press on Agudath Israel during the of fundamentalism that has swept was not self-generated. It was Knessta Gedolah in 1980. The Crooked Mirror Y: II (Nov. '81) analyzed a N.Y. Times story on disaffected people all over the Middle feuled by the shrill name-calling by Orthodoxy in IsraeL East."-Newsweek, Nov. 14,'88. secular-Jewish spokesmen against

14 The Jewish Observer, December 1988 8 ,...... _1~_ra_~_rs_~_ei_lig_~_u?_,_~_h_1~-u_!_e_~_Yt_Pl_a~_s_p_o~_iti_c~-'-~-b~_t!_~ __ _,_-_-_:::::::-_~_-_-_~ ___-_N~ 'Who is a Jew' issue sparks outrage, protests here

Se.-er11I l'rl:~: 1!.1::::::1'~~:=;~~ ~~ 'l'be d«:!antion 0f.'l.tt inde. hen perfw,.,..,d "in acC1?rd•!l'•<"'1 witll halaeha I pendent Palesti11111n sq,1 .. .,u,. ! .. w/." ~·tuiarmAmenoanJo;..,, eanwttile, lhe ""'"' hell4 r.f thf! Ag\ldi;.t Yfstue! l)<'..arly 1'l!I much. aa the pros. l.,;I the dia~porn !»'IAAst,. ~n,.~i...r>cal." !*:' '>on. b11' tluil'E! is " strong pt!Sllihllity that u.ltr;i.-Orthil. do. politjcal l>'lrtie5 will d.14· Israel: democracy or theocracy? tw.e tM re!~ !Xtlicies of t}te, >lf!:tt isl-lle'!i J~ lM <11Jrbl IQ it"" u Ml <:IU­ nient. Am.. rican J~, mo$tQf ""'"~~~ gMv• r-.no•Mr..,~l:>oul poll' ...,..1n tll< J...... n - ... !~ tb<'lf 1... oei .,_I\. T1>o """"'4.. a-J..,.• !gw ,.J• t<> ar O;ru;i,rvati"e branch~ <;f W.. ,...._ tJw Pr!"'~ M!tl:iw,r 'llldtalt "11~&1"!Cono«.•'1~~4-.ln<4· tbeir ni!U¢•>n. feat that the l!~-WllOlll!J\'ll-.y.,.....__oe.i p01it~al ?OW'>r Qf the O~­ lnK•.,..,..U'<>r> "11.th ,,.., l..,., b>-~ut '"'~"'~ 11: wi.flff<>mr -C,.,..,.,,.uwJ-. tbod1>J: wiB 11, ~ UW all IM U"'~ \IW:y "1"'-\f"Nl"fl"bl. ish le"'~ hawi $1.ldcillnly P!lt Vf>rts ever try I':! daini I ., •Y'7>fl<>lk•,lly rime Minill~r 'fitZhalt Sha· 1y it i~ very, very impo iited him la.st wttk, many American J~~ e1 protesti!'lg his p!llt.I 1,0 am•md f'.>ur Jewishnw ot ~ut Demands Irk -IT IS WRONG L!.rae!'sLa.wofRetum oothM dNin'sJewislmes11 isl\tlt ~vertM J""1 ean dalm J,,. gt>Od enouglt ti.\ lj'.IJ to !sr taeli eiiiun$t,ip (ID~y if t!N,y c<:mip.la\M Ral)bi Atei< bave bften brought into t~ Secular Jews Schindltt, a !~der\Jf!he tail:h by Onh«lo:t ~- fonn m11vemen1. '•It'~dek

15 REPORTAGE IN THE NEW YORK TIMES ORTHODOX-BASHiNG

uring the weeks following the Israeli election1 The New York Times, paragon BY FELLOW JEWS D of fair and comprehensive journalism1 scarcely let a day pass without some anti-religious reportage. On December 2, one day after The Times officially rejected ew York City's Newsday (Nov. 11, without explanation a sober, objective essay on the Orthodox point-of-view by N'88) reports: "Secular Israelis resent an award-winning journalist, the paper outdid itself, running a pathologically hateful (the Orthodox) attitude. They're para­ Op-Ed essay called 11 'Who is a Jew 1 Hits Home," which described an avowed agnostic sitic/' Nikki Moss, a 26 year old immi­ feminist's encounter with the implications of mamzeirus. And then, page 10 of grant from South Africa, said of the ultra­ the same issue carried an arresting photogr.aph of Bella Abzug and other concerned Orthodox. "To them, Judaism is living Jewish women carrying a sefer Torah in a demonstration against amending the with that little book (the Torah), and Law of Return; the caption quoted Rabbi Meir Yehuda Getz, "Rav of the Kassel,'' that's what it is to be a Jew." She ... as saying/' A woman carrying a Torah is like a pig at the Wailing Wall." Only after said she is fearful she might lose her job ten days of stormy reaction around the world (including a full-page symposium as a special education teacher in a in the Boston Advocate), did The Times take note in its usual one-one-a-half inch government school if religious parties correction box that the insulting remark was attributed to Rabbi Getz in error. take over the education ministry. He never said it. But the correction was not picked up across the country, and William Safire, Op-Ed columnist in The the damage was done. New York Times (Nov. 17, '88), predicts that a government run by "politico.. would sacrifice Israel's national security on the altar of religious rigidity." The Los Angeles Times (Nov. 3, '88) quotes Ari Rath, editor of the Jerusalem Post, as describing the election as a shift "a bit to the Dark Ages." Dan Williams of The Los Angeles Times writes: "Black-robed fundamentalists are pushing for the application of religious law in Israel. Such law covers everything from dietary practices to dress codes to the control of medical procedures such as organ transplants.;. He is substantiated by a choice quote from a Jew: "The fundamentalists are out to show that religion and are incompatible," said philosopher David Hartman, head of the Shalom Hartman Institute here and a persistent critic of the ultra-Orthodox as anti-democratic. Haim Gordon (Professor of Education at Ben-Gurion University), writes in the Chicago Tribune (Nov. 16, '88): Jewish Feminists Prompt Protests at Wailing Wall "They will demand much greater government support for yeshivos and for Some of more than SO Jewish feminists who prayed yesterday at the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem, clad in prayer shawls and yarmulkas and carrying a Torah. They drew furious protests from Orthodox education, and will request rigorously Orthodox rabbis, including Rabbi Meyer Yehuda Getz, who is in charge of the site. funds for many religious needs. Since "A woman carrying a Torah is like a pig at the Wailing Wall," he said. In , Israel's funds are limited, these demands the only form officially recognized in Israel, women may not become rabbis or lead prayers. probably will come from the already embattled health system-Israeli doctors have been on a slowdown strike for THE "ULTRA ORTHODOX"-A London view months because of conditions in hospi .. tals-and the crippled educational ondon's Sunday Telegraph (Nov. 27, '88) offered the following: system. In the last six years, government L "The majority of Judaism's ultra-Orthodox sects ... are drawn to the very support for yeshivos has grown by 55 extremes of religious dogma .... According to the Torah the length of a man's percent while support for universities beard indicates the strength of his faith. living on grants donated by other, less has been cut 33 percent." (A university Orthodox Jews, most of the Haredim never work but spend their lives in student's stipend is still more than five­ or yeshivos studying the writings of the ancients .... fold the amount of the scholarship a "For the average Israeli, however, the activities of the ultra-orthodox zealot are yeshiva receives per student. And criteria nothing less than contemptible. . . . They live in overcrowded, dilapidated for accreditation as a -basis for funding neighborhoods similar to the medieval rabbit-warrens of central Europe, and they is much more demanding for Chinuch­ persist in wearing the dress of the 18th century mid-European peasant, even though Atzmai Torah Schools than for govern~ it is entirely inappropriate for the blazing heat of a Jerusalem summer.... The ment public schools, All proposed Israeli police took great delight in firing water-cannons at them (during a changes are in the direction of equity, demonstration)-a long-awaited opportunity to give them a bath, some said ...." not favoritism-N.W.) cess, permitting a non-Jew con­ definition of a Jew . . . "to cease verted by a non-Orthodox rabbi to providing funds to organizations be accepted as a full-fledged Jew Unity is best achieved by anywhere in the world which sup­ under the Law of Return. And it is finding a common port the proposed change in the Law virtually impossible for a person of Return." The motions were all undergoing such a conversion to denominator upon which defeated, but according to the pub­ becomeJeWish, for the sine qua non all can agree, not by lished reports, "punishment" was of geirus is a commitment to accept insisting upon the thrust of the delegates' private the entirety of the JeWish heritage­ controversial standards conversations. Indeed, Cardin an acceptance that cannot conceiv­ reported that the CJF board asked ably be overseen by a rabbi who does acceptable only to some. all donors to look closely at the not subscribe personally to this purpose of the Jewish organizations commitment. This has always been to which they contribute funds. the unequivocal view of leading halachic authorities. CARRYING THE MESSAGE Periodic attempts at amending THE CJF ERUPTION the law to specify giyur kehalacha e GA did not stop with pro­ has always been met with resistance he controversy also domi­ nouncements. Before the con­ from the non-Orthodox, but nothing nated the recent General T:lave was over. Cardin and approached the furious fire-storm T Assembly (GA) of the Council seven other JeWish leaders were that broke out when passage began of Jewish Federations, convened in already in flight to Israel to meet to seem a possibility in the post­ New Orleans during the week of With Shamir, Peres and other pol­ election negotiations. While not all November 14-20. The 3,000 dele­ itical and religious leaders. (The of the religious parties had agreed gates came from all over the USA, invitation was solicited and secured to the advisability of insisting on a and, according to a report in the in four frantic hours of Fax-ing guarantee of passage of this amend­ Baltimore Jewish Times (Nov. between New Orleans and Jerusa­ ment as a pre-condition to joining 25,'88), lem on Friday.) a coalition government, they all "Who is A Jew" even overshadowed This was but the first of some certainly concurred that, In princi­ such other topics as the new Palestinian thirty delegations to make similar ple, a mechanism should be estab­ "state" and the recent U.S. elections. flights, including spokesmen for the lished to prevent the granting of "What we're dealing with here," said American Jewish Committee, automatic recognition as Jews to Shoshana Cardin of Baltimore, "Is Hadassah, B'nai B'rith and numer­ perceived disfranchisement of millions non-Jews who were improperly of Jews. And in this case, perception ous Federations. When the Cardin converted. is reality." group concluded their negotiations, A Reform-Conservative-secular Cardin is a former president of the they reported on their valiant battle axis emerged, reacting to the pop­ Council of Jewish Federations (CJF) to preserve pluralism in Israel via ular misrepresentation of the 'Who and chalrmanoftheCJF Committee on satellite to Federations across the is a Convert?" issue as a question Religious Pluralism. She repeatedly American continent. This was fol­ of'Who Is aJew?"-arguing that the used the words "anguish" and "pain" to lowed by mailings and full-page ads Knesset had no right to delegitimize describe ' reaction to in major and minor newspapers­ them just because they are not the proposed change. to the tune of hundreds of thou­ "ultra-Orthodox." The press, of Ernst Michel, executive vice­ sands of dollars-spreading distor­ course, helped reinforce this mis­ president of 's United tion, disinformation, and hatred. conception. For instance, Ha'aretz, Jewish Appeal/Federation, recalled Local Federation offices took on the an independent Israeli dally, editor­ the world's silence in the aftermath appearances of war control centers ialized (Nov.24, '88 ): "The Orthodox of Kristallnacht. ''This time," he and walls once covered with heart­ and charedi insistence on placing said, "we dare not be silent, as rending murals of Federation dol­ outside the law Jews whom they before!"-implicitly comparing lars at work in nurseries, in senior­ consider halachically impure is proponents of amending the Law of citizens' activities, and in hospitals threatening the unity of the Jewish Return with perpetrators ofKristal­ were instead plastered with huge people." Or the nationally syndi­ lnacht. Michel's speech was greeted poster-size replicas of the full-page cated Jewish Telegraphic Agency with much applause. ads calling for support in the fight press bulletin (Dec. 9, '88) reported A number of punitive resolu­ for "Jewish unity." These ads were that the Law would "deny Israeli tions were proposed-to curtail funded by private donations specif­ citizenship to non-Orthodox con­ future donations if Israel's defini­ ically marked for this, but the time verts," when in fact they would be tion of "Jew" is changed ... to bar and effort expended represented an eligible for conventional citizenship from the North American Jewish unconscionable expenditure of and would only be denied imme­ community any member of the charity-solicited resources for nar­ diate, automatic citizenship. Knesset who votes to change t_he row denominational interests.

The Jewish Observer, December 1988 17 To top off this flurry of activity, a delegation of three New Jersey congressman flew to Israel in late BAR/BAT MITZVAll CLASSES AT YOUR November, and expressed their COHVEHIEtlCE Jewish constituents' alleged con­ cern that Israel not legislate them out of the fold by amending the Law of Return, for if the Knesset does pass the amendment, the flow of American aid to Israel might just waver. (Did they check it out with voters in Elizabeth, Lakewood, Deal, Teaneck, Union City, Edison, Mor­ ristown, Passaic ... ?) Israel through all sorts of difficul­ launched the major campaign, and There is a deep-grained abhor­ ties-on both material and spiritual the comments• that follow are rence against Jews enlisting non­ plains-are labeled anti-Zionist: addressed primarily to its ads. Most, Jewish government bodies to do while those who enjoy the relative however, apply to both groups. as battle for them against other Jews. security and splendor of life in the well as to much of the secular­ It's called mesira, and it can be a gilded Gola can attach strings to inspired slander. capital offense. Of course, the con­ their support of the beleaguered One particularly offensive ad, gressmen said that American sup­ state-and are heralded as "Zionist which appeared in a Sunday edition port of Israel is unconditional. Yet, leaders and spokesmen"! of The New York Times, claimed their warnings dominated the news. that "the Law of Return or kindred One wonders: did the establish­ legislation would attempt to read tbree­ THE REFORM ASSAULT ment leaders that agitated for this quarters of the Jewish people out of the congressional pressure consider Jewish fold." that there is an implicit message in nning an intensive cam­ This accusation perpetuates the their lobbying-that it is perfectly aign of its own, the Reform outrageous libel that Orthodox Jews permissible to review Israel's con­ nion of American Hebrew regard non-Orthodox as non.Jews, duct, and when it does not conform Congregations addressed a series of a malicious falsehood that has to one's standards of "good behav­ full-page ads to Israel's political probably done more to rupture ior," the state just may not deserve leaders, demanding that they leave Jewish unity and generate mass unlimited aid?.... Should that really the Law unamended. To be sure, hysteria than any of the other be the case? (See box.) Conservative conversions would unfortunate developments of recent How ironic that the religious Jews also be excluded by an amended Law weeks. Of course, a Jew Is a Jew­ that tough it out in life-threatening of Return for not conforming with always-no matter what his reli­ situations, and continue to live in halacha, but it was the Reform that gious affiliation. One can only wonder: Why does UAHC say other­ wise when it knows it is not true? Comments From Mark Talisman, CJF Representative in the District of Columbia: The Reform ad included a plea: What is upsetting however, is that you use such harsh rhetoric, some of which "Do not surrender to those extremists 1 heard when I entered this room. Our best friends in Washington, on the Hill, In Israel who demand political conces­ do not understand how it is that Jews fight among themselves so bitterly when sions but who will not let their sons and daughters serve in the nation's defense they, non~Jews 1 have been supporting us With three billion dollars worth of aid for the government of Israel. They _are themselves getting involved in the internal forces." affairs of the state of Israel, and they do not understand how Jews who profess This "draft-dodgers" accusation to be good Jews, on the fortieth anniversary of that state, seem to be turning is another of the all-too-popular their backs on it. A number of members of the House and Senate have returned anti-Orthodox canards that is from Israel and unloaded on me in the last week and a half. One Senator asked simply untrue. The fact Is that most

me why a lot of the people he met1 not members of Likud, feel that the American Orthodox Jewish men do serve In Jews have deserted them in their time of need. the Israeli defense forces. Many Well, I do not have an answer for that, do you? It's a very personal thing when serve full-time immediately upon people in Israel feel that their American brothers and sisters are fair weather friends. becoming age eligible. Many are In Those were the words quoted to me continuously by members House and Senate hesderyeshivos. Even most of those who are not Jewish. They feel they must be doing something wrong, because Jewish American leaders they respect, now say things like, "I'm not going to give any who obtain service deferrals to study money to my local federation campaign"; "l'm going to punish them"; "I'm going for several years in full-time yeshi­ to show them who's who and what's what. 11 vos (not unlike the deferrals divinity And these non-Jewish guys do not quite understand that language. I have to tell you, neither do l. '"Much of this section Is excerpted from a letter written by an Agudath Israel of America staff member to a leader of the Refonn movement.

18 The Jewish Observer, December 1988 students received when there was a military draft in the United States) eventually do serve. In fact, several thousand obviously chareidi Zahal veterans-a number of them wear· Ing military decorations on their Chassidic garb-as well as widows and orphans of chareidi war dead, demonstrated in front of the Prime Minister's residence, protesting against the propagation of this defamation. A tragic footnote: One of the most recent fatalities of Intifada was a ·fellow on reserve guard duty. The ad went on: "Do not permit a political body-the Knesset, which Includes Arab and Communist mem­ bers-to decide the religious question of who Is a Jew." A noble sentiment with which most Orthodox Jews would concur. The problem, though, is that the Knesset already has arrogated to itself the authority to define JeWish­ ness, and-With respect to JeWish converts-has done so In a way that Is not acceptable to Orthodox (or, for that matter, Conservative) Jews. In In truth, all Orthodox say that, fact, the Arab and Communist not just the "ultras" (whatever that M.K's have been instrumental in connotes). adopting and retaining this contro­ And, of course: "The Jewish people versial definition of JeWish conver­ Is one people, committed to lsrsel's Torah Law and distorting the hala­ sion: if not for their votes, the Law welfare and security. We plead with you chic process for the past eighty of Return would have specified giyur not to sacrifice that precious unity by years. kehalacha years ago. making a political deal for the sake of Until some 150 years ago, we were "The first piece ofleglslatlon enacted gaining office." indeed "one people." Everybody after Isrsel's Declarstlon of Independ­ While UAHC may In fact believe agreed that classical halachic stand­ ence was the Law of Return, which said that the campaign to block the ards formed the sole basis for that any Jew from anyplace could enter proposed amendment is truly an and claim citizenship. Now, 40 years determining JeWish Identity. Disun­ expression of Jewish unity, an ity-lack of "oneness"-began With later, there are attempts to :narrow the Informed objective observer would definition of who is a Jew." the advent of Reform Judrusm and conclude otherWise. For the follow­ its abandonment of millennia'old The implication is that from the ing reasons: outset Reform conversion stand­ standards. This unilaterilism con­ ards were accepted for purposes of • Unity is best achieved byfinding tinues unabated even today, as the Law of Return; and that only a common denominator upon Reform thumbs its nose at the rest now are the Orthodox seeking to which all can agree, not by insist­ of the JeWish people and at centur­ effect a change in the law. In fact. ing upon controversial standards ies of tradition and law by "adopt­ before the 1970 definitional section acceptable only to some. The kaha­ ing" patrilineal descent as a legit­ was added to the law, Interior lacha standard Is the only one that imate determinant of JeWish birth. Ministry regulations insisted upon is universally recognized. More Thus, in the near future, any giyur kehalacha. Most Orthodox fundamentally, ifthere are divisions Orthodox or Conservative Jew con­ parties opposed the 1970 amend· among the Jewish people, those templating marrying someone from ment precisely because it aban· divisions are the result of what the Reform community will be doned this standard. The issue has UAHC would refer to as the "refor· forced to question his or her Jewish­ been With us for years. mation" of Judaism-or, stated less ness, possibly rejecting the intended "The more ultra-Orthodox are saying euphemistically, Reform's unilateral partner as the child of a non.JeWish that men and women converted by changing of the rules in the middle mother. Can there be a more dra­ Reform and Conservative rabbis are not of the game ... accompanied by the matic schism in the unity of the converts.... " Conservatives' doing violence to JeWish People? The Jewish Observer, December 1988 19 ORTHODOX RESPONSE TO MEDIA ASSAULT

Letters to the editor.from coast to coast as well as afull·page ad sport.<;ored by A_qudath Israel ofAmerica. PoaleiAgudathlsrael. the Rabbinical C..ouncilef Amertca. and the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America. which appeared In _t\n~ ~er_l:~~~!ican Jews, The New York Times. as well as a numbetof Jewish publications. THE LIES THAT ([bicayo ['ribunt HAVE DIVIDED US '~"' '~"'~"<~~'"'·' """"f""'""'''h"O-Thc lnvrcli-tt and bias \fj8in$1. No one is seMd by Uic lies, carltatun:s "~"""'""" 'oc"'"'~' ""I"'"'" pcjontiYCS. The iuue it onty '°"'"'"'=""'"''~'"'""''~'""'''' ...... _... """'''"""'"-"'"-"""'"' ~ the. media one: What 9. OrthC'do1 Je-.vs Wt lilll!d it1 recent ""'"'"'"""°"-~'"""'""~'·""" ___ _ '"''""'~''"~""""'"''"~""""'""'-­ \lied~ f'Cilthcd 1 n-.Wir with \he S)nd'IC»tcd ca~ for Jewish unily: the lin&)c, age.old, WI """""°"!"""-"•-"'''"'""'"'"' __ '"'""""'m'&'~""~"'""''°- '=""""'~J"""~"""'··ff•'''"' T .,..,__ in The Tribune on Nov. 30 carie.1urin1 the ~pled s\.andUd,,_,,._. ot lhft:e &epvtle, Ot!CI? """""'"''""l<""'r'Pk~'"''"'J~"' __ !i';::::,:":x":;'.,":';:.:'!"~ "ultra.()flh6do1~ in 1 manner rtmini!ICCnt of lhe­ , __ _ '""'" ... _ ...... __ "''""""""'"""'"""'"•""'"•· __ bbbl Chaim G,.,.. '"""'""""'"~"""'"~""'"''' ...... pN$.\ in pn:w,,r F:urape and dcpictirta \hem u "' ...,,. J~-•d~. "'"~~,,.~ =o~· ,... - -., ...... _,.I, "-"'''"""'''"1'-'"'"""""""' -otT.. --_ _,,.._... ---»"i'"'"'"'"'"'m°"O''= _ ""''"""'""''~'""""'"""'""""""' __ """'"~'°"'·~~'°"'""''""1"""' qucstion1na the Jewishness of li · ' __ '""'"''"""'°''""""''~""'' I_.,_.., ___ ._,..,._ __ I..' .....:LS WF. MIAMI TRIBUNF: - {JfCFMBtR 11»22, 19M '"'""""""""~"""'"'"'"'"'"' """''"''"""""''"'""'"""""""'·"'-"''"""''-"""~m"'""""" '!'bis tdiyious slur not only JEWISll 'o""°""""'""'"'""'1""''m'"""""'"' ., ''··"·~·"~'•"'"'"'""'"""­ Orthndol Jcwhh communi1y,· ""'1''-'""""~m»•i><•h""°''"""' ______I .. """ ='"" '"""'~'"'""'"' '"',....,. Hol<'>CJIUSI lUrvivtln. lO them -....--,-...... --...... I ""''""'"-""'''~·~·""··'"'""'"'"" E~~=F":;=:,~,,"; , ~''''"'''''""'"'""""""'"" during the N<>~ .... ~.,.-­ our cmmmunity trsditionally ·--·!_--"'>"---·.. _____..... --1'! I...... ,,_,.,..,.,_ .. """''"'""~'''•I<-'·-·-'*"' were victims of the 1'1:s:t1 ho """"''"'''"''"''m.""" "'°"'="'"~""''"'"1"""'""'·"'"'' "~"""'"""''''"'~"'""'"'""""" pt('lduct or • lie \hat can1 · ~'"'"""''""°""'~"'''"~'"' °''''"'"'"'"''""""""'"'m'"''" in the media by 1hnsc 'Unhap '"~' "''"'""''~'" m•bpl"ITTof ''""""""'"'~'rrJp<•""""'""' ...... Stirring Fires of Hate' -"""'"''""""""'"'~'"'i'''"'h "'"""~'"'"'"'''"'"""'"'""'­ results in Israel, which $1W • '''""' "''"'~·-·~'"'" '"'""~''""""''""'""~f<">""i<"'"" ~1\lcs. "~""~'"'"''""I""'"'"""'". rclilk!u$ El;ioncnu o[J<~,;,f>1>•~"'<'"""""''"' '''" ."""'~""""""'"'""""""""'"''''"•"'"""'~'"" n:p::ncdly have b~ '""'~"'""'''""'"''"''"""""'°''''h lllCOlfCLUllOll Orth!XIOl J~TY wz:us !O ::~~;.<;;~:'.'.::,::..:·::~:;'~,7~:~;.~" American Jews out or the ro "'"'"'""'"'"°"'·~nvcrsion to Judt.iun. mr>•~Od""'"'''''"'"·H•oh"'''""''" Let 1hcrc be no mis~ cammuni1 onc believes ,,. • Friday, December 16, 1988 It An Oliphant and N-Yotk N"'11d.y niaily in Editorial Cartoon Was . . . poait.lon to judge hittorie J~ ..- "llQ"IW)"' DI' • "fundameniai1-t"? Charedi Servicemen Oliphant~• c:11rioon of Nov, 22:, depleting Prime "' M'ini•ter Y1bh1k Sh'nmir bein' c.rried to 1 "far· Fi!Ullly, \hti "Mel.n Golly" in che c.rtoon'1 cap­ out way.off bra~" by t.wo nliliOWIJt1W11 detl(:ribed t.icm 1hould have llbDe uut !lie window with Alno5 Protest Defamation u "lmlWY, right-•inr furuWiientallau," is highly and Andy dillhiel. '1 ~nent.ion »&O· ofJenaive - and not only to the 16 percenl or J&r•• Rabbi Nileon Wolpln el'1 etector1tethat W>tect lbT reliriou• partiee"' to Manhauan -,. 1U the million·pl1.1$ urthockix Jew1Uie world ovtr. Edilor'' Nott: TM-Wrilel'" U «liU>rofTM J.. ·~~. Any f9ir·minded pertcm who Nfp«t.I the derllO­ iah ~.ap1r-11olofJewilh~hL . . ' P,[ erat.il: l'OllMI" understand. thai\ In ltnel'1 rlia- .·~, '~

~;.;. Debate on 'Who Is a Jew?' Stirs Deeper Waters '"i°fl-"' )1'~ Tc the Editor: pray and may pray bU! is nu1 ohH< I c! nil lovers of Israel and lhe Jcw1~h Charedtm who serve In the lllnel Defente Foreet O!hers more knowledgeable than I gated to. ThE"obscrv:int man is thank· pcUj)lc tom• down !he rhetoric, c)(~1m· mareh In a cotrnter·demonstraUon to their defamers, will, I am sure, write to assure Nancy Ing God \ML he nm only tan pn1y ;ulriul ranklnr otncen to prove their point, fLllly Jewisb as any child born ol a that a man, w1thOlll the olih~"tiun. Jewish mother, as is her sister, and might Skip or put off µraying and thus that whether or not her parents had a tniss the beneh1s antl s;1!i>['1ctinn$ rehgious wedding eeremony, she is of the regular pcrlhn11unte of hi!; nc1 a bastard, as there is no concept duty. PllMFl.ATAMARIUN of iJ\egittmacy in Jewish law for chil· Bronfnrtl, Conn,, Dt'L 2, dren bom of a nanincestuous union to • A second look at a previoU~ly unmarried woman. I am writing to give her and others The Road to Unity "'IK> read her arucle !he lnterpreta· TD!ht' Editor: tion of the morning prayer she men· lkccnl weeks bavc bJ"OUgh! an Uoned in which a man thanks Gcd lor !ant'ht' nf ;1ngry anatks by ntm·O 'Who is aJew' debate not having made him a woman 1ha1 dux Am~rlran Jewish spokes1 my father gave me whtn I stood be· nr.~111~\ llit p;·;,pu,;«J ;w;"mhnc fore him, an illdlgnant il·ycar-old, and lswcl's Law of Rcmtn, This a At the tilne of the rounding Oflhe demanded an e)(p!anation or such nwnt would ln.~urc that convc TURNABOUT lsraeU state. certain agreements were seemiogly SC)(iSt goings-on Judaism coullt'! i and women were not; that wcmen m:~onlancc wilh flal.:icha, Jew Israel. Thal requirement was 1nade · had no lime-spcdlic obligations In religious law. Chaim Schnur, a rabbi, 11 the dlreclor ol Jewish observance because though Typical is William Sahrc's Nov .. ,·cry real'by the vast dilTerences an1011 there was nothing more important column, "Who 16 a Jew?", in wh Agudath Israel of California. Stanley Trellel the imnligrant Jew.<;_, and the security nor more santlilied that a man could Mr. SJhrcdccncs "1he way a c11ba ts the oroanlzalion'i cO.Chalr be doing at any particular time than Orthodox poli11co.rabbis in lsrac .needS or the besieged stole. One or : ' praying, a woman might have rilore making a gr~b for eccle~iastital c those arrangemettts"was the , ' Important and more sanctified things clusiv'11y"; and a quorntion in a N tH\ !lr>r:ihl Ex:uniner editorial establishment or the Orthodox to do in attending to her home and 21 O<'W~ story rrom Enc McYC\'S, cliildren. 1 did not bristle at the impli· \'cctor of Duke Umvcrsily's Ct'n writer Joel Ucllman's prirne Habbinale as the determining authori cation that I would one day be a concern been accuracy, the , ___ ,.t , ___ ,. .:- ... _ ~ »• _,_ - ...... ~n '!'~ll.ers ~~.P~rso~al statu~. 1>m makn• "~I N'llll