ELUL, 5738 I SEPTEMBER, 1978 VOLUME XIII, NUMBER 5 THE EWISH ONE DOLLAR

CHOOSING THE REPRESENTATIVES M:1'l'i!:> OF THE ORTHODOX JEWISH COMMUNITY­ By Election or Selection? n~,nni -a symposium, featuring presentations n:iiu by Bernard Fryshman and Nathan Lewin

PIETY, PSYCHOPATHOLOGY, AND PARENT POWER - an analysis by Dr. Jacob Mermelstein

GROWING UP IN BRISK: REMEMBERING REB CHAIM ""~T - a reminiscence by Rabbi C.L. Ba/gley

STRICTLY A MATTER OF PRINCIPlE - a report by Ezriel Toshavi

,q I SECOND LOOKS '

POST SCRIPTS

LETTERS THE JEWISH BSERVER

• THE JEWISH OBSERVER is In this issue published monthly, except Julv and August, by the Agudath !sra~I of America, 5 Beekman Street, New York, N.Y. 10038. Second class postage paid at New York, N.Y. Subscription: $7.50 per year; Choosing the Representatives of the Orthodox Jewish two year<:., $13.00; three years, $18.00; outside of the United Community - by Election or Selection? States, $8.50 per year. Single copy, A JO Symposium, featuring presentations one dollar. Printed in the U.S.A. by Bernard Fryshman and Nathan Lewin ...... 3 Piety, Psychopathology, and Parent Power, RABBI NISSON WOLPIN Or. Jacob Mermelstein ...... 13 Ediror Growing Up in Brisk: Remembering Reb Chaim, Editorial Board as recalled by Rabbi Chaim Leib Balgley ...... 21 DR. ERNST L BODENHEIMER Chairman Strictly a Matter of Principle, Ezriel Tosha vi ...... 27 RABBI NATHAN BULMAN RABBI JOSEPH ELIAS Second Looks at the Jewish Scene JOSEPH ERIEDENSON Close Encounters of a Wireless Kind ...... 35 RABBI MOSHE SHERER Brave New Heroes I ...... 39 Soviet Jews and Political Reformers, THE JEWISH OBSERVER does not assume responsibility for the an interview with Hermann Branover, by Daniel Wall ...... 41 Kashrus of any product or service Brave New Heroes 11...... 45 advertised in its pages. An Exchange of Words ...... 47

Copyright 1978 Post Scripts "Identity Crisis?" "Si, Senor," SEPT., 1978 VOL. XIII, NO. 5 Nahama Consuela Nahmoud ...... 48 Typography by Compu-Scribe Letters to the Editor ...... 51 a1 AnScrol! Studio_s, Ud. Choosing the Representatives of the Orthodox Jewish Community by election or selection?

A symposium on a timely - even urgent - topic, featuring the vzews of two seasoned advocates on behalf of the needs of the Orthodox community.

Bernard Fryshman Nathan Lewin A Vote For "Hesh" The Time Has Come is a Vote For - "Hesh" To Vote For 11Hesh"

We are beginning to see Orthodox Jews runn­ Anti-Shechita: A Near Miss ing for public office in ever-increasing numbers. A little item that appeared in a Sunday morning This is undoubtedly a natural outgrowth of the edition of The New York Times in mid-June 1978 heightened sophistication and professionalism of alerted the observant Jewish community to an in­ our people. In spite of the dangers politics holds sidious effort to chip away at legal protection for for the personal religious life of the individual. shechita (ritual slaughter). The Agriculture Com­ there are Orthodox Jews who have held political mittee of the United States House of Represen­ office and continue to do so while remaining com­ tatives had quietly approved legislation to extend mitted to Torah life. We can thus expect ever the federal Humane Slaughter La·w enacted in more Orthodox individuals seeing politics as a 1958 - which had covered only meat purchased road toward personal advancement, as well as a by the federal goverment - to all meat shipped in 1neans of serving their fellows. interstate commerce or imported from abroad. d This has definite implications for the Orthodox The 1958 law had a double layer of protection for Jewish community. for (continued on page 3 J kosher slaughter, shechita, as well as handling °'in i connection with" it, were found to be humane; I and a concluding pro- (continued on page 8) DR. BERNARD FRYSHMAN is associate professor of physics at the New York Institute of Technology and executive director NATHAN LEWIN, a pr01ninent Washington attorney, is the o,f tlie acrreditation commission of the Association of Ad­ scion of a family with a distinguished history of Shtad!onus, vanced Rabliinical and Tabnudic Schools. He also serves as a11d lias hinrself been active in corn1nunal endeavors. He is a cfwriman of the Co1nn1ission 011 Legislation and Civic Action 11atio11al vier-president of COLPA, and has argued cases 11f­ of Agudath Israel of America. ffe is a frequent contributor to fccti11s, tl1e Orthodox Jewish community before the U.S. these pasJ'S. Supreme Court.

The Jewish Observer I se,Jtl.'1nber, 1978 3 These ties may allay the natural suspicions a A Vote for "Hesh" sophisticated electorate should harbor in evaluating any political aspirant, since the result can be the election of is a Vote for - "Hesh" an Orthodox Jew who satisfies all the irrelevant con­ siderations noted above, but who may lack the ability to properly represent Orthodox Jewry. (continued from page 3) we are surely affected by the kind of Orthodox Jewish individuais elected to public There are, for example, individuals who consider office. Our relationship with other constituencies such themselves "politicians who happen to be Orthodox," as government and other ethnic groups will perforce rather than "Orthodox Jews who happen to be in change as a result of the fact that our leadership may politics." We can visualize such people using their now be viewed as emanating from the political process, Orthodoxy to become elected, but once in office, find rather than solely from the age-old method of selection their efforts directed towards building a constituency by Torah leaders with strong controls and guidance among other groups. In such a case, would we not be from within. far better off with a representative from another ethnic group who understands that his chances of re-election One might well argue that having our own political depend upon his cultivating the Orthodox Jewish com­ representatives can only be to our benefit. After all, not munity? Hopefully, we are knowledgeable enough to having to turn to outsiders for intervention on our own realize that one need not be a member of a group to behalf has undisputable appeaL And indeed, were there represent the interest of that group and to be sensitive Torah communities so populous as to be able to elect a to its concerns.* substantial number of legislators to any given body, the thrust of this piece would be significantly different. There is another danger in supporting a candidate The realities are, however, that our numbers are impor­ who is Orthodox, simply because he or she is tant in only a few select areas in New York City, so that Orthodox. A non-Orthodox, or Gentile incumbent who there is no legislative body anywhere in the United has been accessible to the Torah community and has States where the Orthodox Jewish community can con­ worked to meet its needs has a right to expect that his trol more than a miniscule number of seats. That being efforts will result in electoral support. Should this the case, we must evaluate Orthodox Jewish political prove not to be the case, should we support an oppo­ representation within a framework that dictates that nent who is Orthodox just because he is Orthodox, the our political representatives can accomplish something lesson will be clear to all other candidates, and especial­ on behalf of the community only through compromise, ly to the defeated incumbent's political allies. We are far negotiation, and political accommodation with other too small a community to risk antagonizing our friends. groups, Those Orthodox Jews who do aspire to public office should be encouraged to enter only those races where This question reduces itself to one of tactics. Are the there is no incumbent who has been sympathetic to our benefits of having elected Orthodox Jewish political interests. Defeating a friendly, non-Orthodox incum­ representatives outweighed by very real risks involved bent can have very serious, adverse consequences. in such a situtation? The author of this piece will sub­ mit the thesis that the conventional time-tested reliance In our community, the ultimate goal of political ac­ upon internally selected representatives (Shtadlonim) tivity is to ensure passage of bills vital to our concerns, poses far fewer dangers for the Orthodox Jewish com­ and defeat of measures that threaten us. Neither is pos­ munity, and in most respects is more effective as well. sible without a close, sympathetic working relationship with the legislative leadership, Supporting a candidate The "Voting for Hesh*" Phenomenon only because he/she is Orthodox can antagonize that To begin with, let us consider the process whereby leadership and mark the Orthodox community as the observant Jew seeks election. The Torah com­ "enemy camp" to both parties. Indeed, if there is a munity is a tightly knit one, most Orthodox Jewish can­ perception among political leaders that we support only didates have close ties with large segments of the com­ our own, crucially important contacts will no longer be munity, and therefore expect assistance and votes for open to us. reasons totally unrelated to the community's needs. Finally, we must recognize that whenever an Synagogue affiliation, yeshiva work, and personal Orthodox candidate runs for political office our entire friendships are but a few of the considerations which community stands to lose. Many outsiders believe that will be used to exact support. Furthermore, the com­ an insular community such as ours always supports its munity at large will have a tendency to support" one of own. Yet a poor showing at the polls is always possible, its own," no less than Blacks, Irish, Italians, and other *Those who do not agree are welcome to plumb the depths of a identifiable ethnic groups do. reductio ad absurdum whereby only a Misnagid can represent the *As is the case with all fictional characters in this piece, "Hesh" is yeshiva community and only a Chassid can represent the Chassidim non-existent, Any similarity to any "Heshes," living or dead, is pure­ .. and only a Chelmer can represent people who stem from north ly coincidental and unintended. central Poland.

4 The Jewish Observer I September, 1978 It is possible for a person to have served the Torah world honestly and effectively, and still not be suitable as a political representative. There are ample means of rewarding this individual without catapulting him into a role for which he is unsuited.

because many Orthodox Jews continue to vote ac­ such issues. When an Orthodox Jewish legislator cording to a candidate's potential effectiveness and not espouses a different point of view, his colleagues his religion. This would result in a re-evaluation of our will be far more sympathetic toward his position. size and voting strength, and inevitably be mis­ Others naturally inclined to support of gay rights construed as a weaker political image. will be able to "explain" their stance by pointing to the Orthodox Jewish representative who shares "At Least He Came to Our Melave Malke* their views. The potential dangers do not end with the election of an observant legislator of less than brilliant com­ • Another candidate who ran as an Orthodox petence. The very functioning of this person in a Jew demonstrated a "left of center" orientation on legislative body can have serious unanticipated conse­ certain issues. Although he claimed he would con­ quences. sult with the rabbinate on issues that require a clear Daas Torah, he felt that there was no As a relatively small community, we cannot pass characteristic Torah perspective on Affirmative desirable legislation or stop negative legislation by Action and ERA, and consequently, was prepared ourselves. Cooperation of many legislators from com­ to vote his own conscience. munities other than our own is necessary, and it is at times necessary to ask assistance from individuals who Were this individual not Orthodox, he would are part of a "machine." It has become traditional in have received very slight support from our com­ New York City to run "against the Machine," which is munity. As is, he was barely defeated by a non­ perfectly acceptable provided the individual can, if Orthodox Jew whose societal outlooks are far elected, make the necessary political compromises and 1nore in consonance with those of the Torah com­ cooperate with the political establishment when the munity. needs of our community so dictate. If, on the other e The issue of ERA brings to mind another area hand, the individual is unable to make the requisite in­ of danger. A non-Orthodox woman represen­ tellectual accommodations, we can find ourselves sad­ tative who supports ERA, or is quiescent on the dled with a representative who - with popular, gran­ issue, poses no threat beyond that of any diloquent statements - postures for posterity, but ac­ legislator with the same views. An Orthodox complishes nothing for his constituency. woman who does not take an active leadership Nor is it only incompetents in office who may hurt role opposing ERA can, by implication, cause us; honest, capable individuals "voting their con­ serious harm to the image we have been trying to science" can also cause grievous harm to the interests of project, namely that we are in total opposition to Torah Judaism. the ERA. • Thus, one candidate running for public office as an Orthodox Jew was reported to have a "So What? I'm Also a Rabbi"* "pareve" view on gay rights. Had he been elected The temptation not to consult with Daas Torah is he would have been far more dangerous to our somethimes most tantalizing to the able and learned. cause than any non-Orthodox individual une­ Thus, there are yeshiva graduates in the professions quivocally for gay rights. whose energy, devotion, and ability are unquestioned. The seeming anomaly is easily explained. Torah They may have served the community in a variety of organizations and rabbis have always found it ways - and indeed, many members of the Torah com­ possible to garner support among their political munity may feel constrained to support such people representatives for a legitimate Torah ·1iew on when running for office. The problem is that these peo-

""Melave Malka:; are to a politician what Yorn Kippur is to the *The code words enabling the cognoscenti to recognize that the Jewish people, only more so. Appearance at a Me!ave Ma!ke. even speaker, having spent six year5 in a yeshiva. is a rabbi and is therefore without true teshuva, absolves one of all political sins. equd! to any other rabbi.

The Jewish Observer I September, 1978 ple may view themselves as legitimate leaders with in the legislature. To be sure, we are grateful for perfectly valid perspectives of their own. Undoubtedly whatever they have done. some among the1n would deem it unnecessary, even un­ Whenever attempts at passing (or stopping) legisla­ wise, to consult with Gedalim (Torah authorities) on is­ tion in the interests of the Jewish community suc­ sues of crucial importance to the entire community. ceeded, however, it was primarily because of the efforts Electing such Orthodox individuals to a meaningful of community-wide groups such as Agudath Israel political office would be tantamount to transferring the (which has a long history of successful advocacy since decision-1naking power from the collective wisdom of its founding 65 years ago), COLPA (which was our Tor ah leadership to that of one individual. founded for the express purpose of representing The above bears repeating. It is possible for a person Orthodoxy's needs). Chassidic groups, the Union of to have served the Torah world honestly and well and Orthodox Jewish Congregations, Young Israel, and a still not be suitable as a political representative. Thus, handful of others. Moreover, since these groups have there are many in.dividuals who have devoted signifi­ acco1nplished legislative successes without elected cant parts of their careers to furthering the cause of Orthodox Jewish representatives, it is not unreasonable Torah, some with fanfare, some without. We have am­ to conclude that the latter are not essential to our com­ ple 1neans for recognizing and rewarding these in­ munity's welfare. The services of those people that are dividuals. But sometimes we can be made to feel un­ in office, that do serve well, are undoubtedly useful - grateful if we do not support an individual of this kind in much the same way that many other people serve the for <1 role for which he might be unsuited. Hakoras community with skill. But to the extent that they are haTov simply requires recognition and gratitude. It useful but not essential, we are justified in concluding does not demand capitulation and endangering one's that the risks outlined earlier are comply not worth tak­ community interests. ing. Finally, we must look at the other end of the spectrum, at the less-than-scintillating individual The Tried and True; The Old is the New whose appeal is only that of being a fellow Shomer Shabbos. Certainly. we should try to help a fellow The one essential we do recognize is the community Shomer Shabbos: support the Shomer Shabbos spokesman who is appointed from within, and who 1nerchant, help a Torah observer obtain a job, endeavor serves only so long as he has the confidence of his con­ to advance the career of the Orthodox professional. stituency. In this capacity, he is able to form close per­ But, clearly this does not include selecting a newly­ sonal relationships over a long period of time with trained, recently-graduated. Shomer Shabbos doctor to legislators of all parties and all backgrounds. This in­ do delicate brain surgery. No more should we support dividudl often serves as the cement of temporary al­ candidates who may perhaps have very little under­ liances which are needed for legislative action. His standing of the various issues involved, and a meager 1notives are not questioned because he is not seeking of­ record of public service within the Orthodox Jewish fice. I-Iis effectiveness is thus all the greater. community. Moreover, because he has the confidence of his com- 1nunity, this person can present its views with more fidelity than can any politician elected from a given, A Response to Nascent Apoplexy li1nited geographical area. Every politician, no matter One might conclude from the foregoing that the how dedicated a Jew, must represent all the citizens in record of every Orthodox Jewish legislator, past and his/her district, and therefore cannot hope to present as present, has been besmirched. Not so by any means! consistent a position as can an internally appointed We may well take justifiable pride in the observant spokesman. Jews who have served in office for having proven to be The internal representative, with time, develops con­ honest, competent, and effective. I have presented some tacts and supports throughout the nation; he can forge of the dangers we face very time an Orthodox Jew runs issue-based, rather than political alliances with other for office; the fact that we have been fortunate in the groups, and in a multiplier effect accomplish far more past in no way diminishes the force of the argument. than any small group of legislators. The level of Quite the contrary, the law of averages coupled with political leadership that continues to seek out the the demonstrated ethical character of some of our fel­ legitimate internal spokesmen of our community bears lows makes it a virtual certainty that we may well rue adequate witness to the political power of these people. the day we collectively encouraged "our own" to run Finally, the long tenure possible in a "spokesman" role for office. usually transcends political careers and empires, and Nor does the author intend to demean the record of therefore provides a format within which newly accomplishment of our Orthodox legislators when he emergent political powers easily interact. maintains that all their attainments could likely have This is n 'n abstract dream we have described. been achieved without the presence of observant Jews Centuries of \_,,, L'Ctive action by the European Shtadlan

b The Jewish ObservC'r I September, 1978 When an Orthodox candidate runs for office we all stand to lose: Outsiders believe that an insular co1nn1unity always supports its own, yet many Orthodox Jews vote by other criteria, projecting a weaker electoral image that we deserve.

bear witness to the wisdom of having the Jewish com­ gratitude by most - and the target of invective and munity, through its Torah leaders, appoint a slurs by others. spokesman based on its own criteria and standards. The And the true Shtadlan will have been successful. ability to establish and maintain close guidance and Whether it is the national spokesman whose input in control even while choosing the best person for the job Washington results in massive support for yeshiva stu­ is one of the most potent arguments on behalf of dents, or the Chassidic representative protecting the in­ Sh tad Ion us. terests of his group beyond any expectations, the The American Shtadlan experience has been highly Shtadlan will have verified many times over the successful, although the structure of American society viability, the desirability, the effectiveness of this ap­ is significantly different from that of Europe. For one, proach in America. the average Jew in America has far more independence that he did in Europe - both within and without the If You're So Smart, Why Aren't You Rich? Jewish co1nmunity. Each person votes as he/she likes, An explanation is in order: If the theory is valid, and therefore allegiance and support must be earned should we not be in better circumstances? Why are rather than enforced. This has meant that Gedolim have some politicians unfriendly to our Shtadlanim? Why had to reaffirm their choice in a variety of ways - per­ can certain people get a position, a contract, a favor sonally. publicly, and regularly. This has also meant while many who wait for the Shtadlan wait in vain? that the successful Shtadlan must be able to reach out to his constituency as well as represent it. Much of the answer cannot be published in a public journal, but we can begin to understand the reasons by Another aspect unique to the American experience is taking note of the lack of organized Kehillos in that an individual can be a member of several com­ America; some Orthodox Jews, not unlike their fellow munities, each having its own spokesman. Thus, one citizens, have stretched the bounds of their personal person may be represented by his synagogue Rabbi on freedom to include license. Many of these refuse to local matters, by the Shtadlan of the Chassidic group to recognized discipline or authority and set themselves which he owes allegiance, and by yet another up as leaders and representatives, usually without any spokesman on the national scene. Although areas of real constituencies. Those who are prepared to accept concern overlap, the tendency has been towards the guidance of our Gedolim can only watch with fum­ cooperation and coordinated action by all legitimate ing impotence as virtual charlatans exploit political groups. Indeed, the intra-group cooperation in camera, contacts and favors for their own benefit. often belies the public spats that sometimes flare up between disparate segments of the community. Halachic injunctions against me_sira (informing) and lashon hara (slander) limit the action that can be taken Mark of the Shtadlan against individuals and small groups who incorporate grandiose names and proceed to milk political and The Shtadlan concept properly executed, has several bureaucratic offices in Washington and elsewhere. The recognizable features. Whereas many individuals are resources of the Torah community are strained beyond visited by politicians before an election, the successful belief because of the assets siphoned off by such peo­ Shtadlan will be visited by elected politicians after the ple. election. Sometimes, private political "experts" latch on to a The true spokesman will in his early years of activity candidate, help him/her win, and then use the resulting be guided closely by Gedolim; as time progresses, political capital for personal advancement. Gedolim consult with him - even while continuing to Individuals have claimed to have elected such and direct him. such senator (or president or congressman) with an eye The successful individual will build bridges to other to using this claim for private gain. Once again, laws of communities to multiply the effectiveness of our mesira prevent definite action from being taken. Ir­ numbers. He will be the recipient of honors and responsible groups and individuals have relied on

The Jewish C)bserver I Septen1ber, 1978 7 limitations of expose' to protect their status with elected Law and Public Affairs), immediately called the respon­ officials, and rely on the laws governing lashon hara sible staff personnel in the Congress to find out what (slander) to protect their standing within our com­ was happening. They learned that hearings had been n1unity. held without notification to the Jewish community and We are not entirely helpless, of course; but the solu­ that the humane societies had urged that the Case­ tions are long term, involving as they do marshalling Javits Amendment be dropped as "unnecessary". In ever more support for the spokesmen selected by our order to placate these interests, the House committee Torah leaders. Certainly the mesiras nefesh (sacrifice) had accepted the suggestions - without even asking the shown by our venerable Roshei Yeshivas to strengthen community whose vigorous protests in 1958 had legitimate Shtadlonim should serve as ample testimony resulted in adoption of the language. of their desire - and as ample direction for their It took hours of angry and frustrating telephone con­ tal1nidim. ferences with staff personnel and, ultimately, the per­ sonal intervention of Senator Javits with Senator Dole Summary - the sponsor of the bill - to get corrective language inserted. Throughout the entire excerices, every person Relying on Orthodox Jews in the roles of elected of­ with whom contact was made insisted that he (or she) ficials poses many problems for the Torah community did not want to endanger or remotely question the prac­ with little additional benefit in return. Certainly en­ tice of shechita. But the principal claim that was thrown couraging the perception that "Orthodox Jews only up by Congressional staff to the spokesmen for the support Orthodox Jews" would have the devastating community (which included the author of this article) effect of crippling Orthodox influence among was that there were "conflicting interests" which had to legislative leaders. be compromised. Only after they were satisfied that The Shtadlan approach, on the other hand, is time there could be no compromise whatever on so impor­ tested for effectiveness and places a maximum degree of tant an issue to the Jewish community did they yield control within the Torah community. The American, as and put the language of the Case-Javits Amendment well as the European experience has long validated this into the new law. approach. At one point in the negotiations, the Anti­ Irresponsible individuals can misrepresent Defamation League of B'nai Brith was invoked by the themselves in a manner that can be used for their own Congressional staff. The Washington representative - self-interest to the general detriment, even while a thoroughly well-intentioned and conscientious in­ destroying the effectiveness of legitimate groups. dividual - did not understand, at first, why com­ Orthodox Jews can protect themselves in various promise was impossible. The fact that even the 1958 ways. Registering to vote and voting regularly is one language had not prevented the enemies of shechita way to esti'lblish a political presence. Isolating those from bringing a lawsuit to declare preliminary handling who would destroy us is another effective approach. illegal was viewed as a minor concern. Legislative com­ But even more impact is to be had by joining and par­ promise was routine business for him, and he initially ticipating in those community structures that have the felt that this matter should be compromised with less­ active support of Gedolei Yisroel. !!i". than-fully-satisfactory amendments to other provi­ sions. Only when he was told, with no equivocation · whatever, that compromise on the subject was unaccep­ table, did he join forces and subscribe to the Orthodox community's position. After-thought: Alarming Symptoms The Time Has Come What are the lessons to be learned from this ex­ perience? First, that the Orthodox community had no To Vote For "Hesh" institutional way of keeping abreast of federal legislative developments that affect its interests. That (continued from page 3) vision of the law (known pop­ so crucial a bill could slip through formal hearings without notification to community representatives is an ularly as the "Case-Javits Amendment") had declared alarming symptom. Even our friends (and there purport that, to protect freedom of religion, shechita and to be many of them) cannot know what touches the preparatory handling were exempt from all provision of sensitivity of the Orthodox community. They believed the law. The bill approved by the House committee had - many with the best of intentions - that the Case­ quietly dropped the second of these protections. Javits Amendment was really unnecessary and cumber­ Concerned representatives of the community, in­ some, and that they were giving us adequate protection cluding Rabbi Moshe Sherer of Agudath Israel of when they formally recognized shechita and its America and Dennis Rapps of COLPA (Commission on preliminary handling as humane.

8 The ]ewis/1 Observer I Septen1ber, 1978 The single most critical difference between the Shtadlan and the elected representative is that the first - no matter how effective and persuasive - is Mr. Outside; the second is a Member of the Club.

Second, the difficulty of the struggle between highly themselves on public display and dedicate their energies respected representatives of the Orthodox community to carrying out the desires of public constituencies. I and relatively low-level staff members of Congressional wish that many more Orthodox Jews - and, particular­ offices, and the fact that the impasse was not really ly, electable Orthodox Jews - could be found in that broken until Senator Javits intervened personally with group. Their presence would substantially facilitate the a call to Senator Dole (who, in turn, "put the heat" on adoption of government policies helpful to the com­ his staff member, to quote her words to me), prove that munity and enhance the respect we are entitled to ex­ Orthodox Jewish "clout" is wanting. This was an issue pect from government agencies. as to which there was, in priniciple, little disagreement. The point can be proved by many other actual ex­ No one professed to be challenging our objectives; they periences. Major illustration comes to mind immediate­ maintained only that their means of realizing these ob­ jectives were adequate. Yet we were unable to persuade ly. In mid-1971, the situation appeared ominous for non-elected employees of the Congress to accept our Shornrei Shabbos job applicants. The Supreme Court position, and we ultimately had to call on Senator Javits was taking seriously the argument that it was not for personal intervention. This was true even though a religious discrimination to refuse a job to someone who member of Senator Dole's staff, who was responsible would not work on Saturdays or religious holidays. The for the prospective presidential candidate's relationship law that Congress had enacted in 1964 - the famous Civil Rights Act that was ·a linchpin of Lyndon with the Jewish community, expressed sympathy and Johnson's "Great Society" - prohibited discrimination indicated that he would see to it that the Case-Javits on account of "Race, color, religion, sex or national Amendment was inserted in the Senate bill. origin." COLPA had managed to persuade the federal Third, the attitude exhibited by at least some of the commission charged with interpreting the law that if staff members with whom the community's represen­ someone was denied a job because of his observance of tatives had to negotiate was that the Orthodox com­ a religious day of rest, that amounted to discrimination munity - with its strange habits - was a noisy on account of religion. But employers persisted in argu­ minority, totally out of the mainstream, that could and ing that "religion" referred only to belief and identifica­ should be treated like a tribe of aborigines. Even in this tion with a faith, and that a policy under which Jews day and age of great enlightenment and professional were hired so long as they could be called in for work tolerance, the community representatives (including seven days a week was not religious discrimination. It myself) sensed a substantial degree of condescension. seemed, from at least one case in which the Supreme Court announced a tie vote (4-to-4), that there was The Inadequacies of the "Shtadlan" enough doubt as to the meaning of the existing law that Congress should be spurred to redraft it. The short recent battle over the humane slaughter bill, as well as other similar experiences I have had The job was done in early 1972. But if not for repeatedly in many years of dealing with governmental Senator Jennings Randolph, who happens to be a Seventh-Day Baptist (a small Sabbath-observing sect, agencies of all kinds - executive, legislative, and not to be confused with the Seventh-Day Adventists). judicial - leads me to disagree vigorously with the and for a young lawyer from a Shomer Shabbos home proposition that" our own political representatives" are who happened to be a key legislative aide on the Senate not needed, or are less desirable than the" tried and true Labor Committee, the amendment would never have Shtadlan." This may come as a surprise, emanating been introduced or passed. from one who had firmly chosen for himself the capacity of Shtadlan over that of a "political represen­ More than a year ago, the Supreme Court - in a par­ tative." Personally, I have no stomach to run for public ticularly obtuse opinion - gave the 1972 enactment office, nor have I the intestinal fortitude to maintain a (which was probably the most sweeping protection ever public office dependent upon the wishes of an elec­ given by a law to religiously observant employees) a torate. I marvel at those who are willing to place reading that cut it to bits. A strategy session was held

Thf' ]Pwish Observer I Septe1nber, 1978 9 shortly thereafter among groups particularly affected was more respectful during the very few minutes in by this ruling. What was the location of the meeting? which it heard about the Orthodox Jew's problems, but Senator Randolph's office. And the prospects for it was obvious from its ultimate decision that it saw the legislative improvement depend substantially on what law as a boon prinicipally to a group for which it had no he can do with his colleagues in the Congress. personal sympathy. A majority simply could not have arrived at that result if it had to face a Justice whose This points up the single most critical difference betweeen the Shtadlan and the elected representative - personal conscience was affected, even if slightly, by the principle of Sabbath-observance. the first, no matter how effective and persuasive, is Mr. Outside; the second is a Member of the Club. When Jennings Randolph offered his amendment protecting For an Inside Track in Congress Sabbath-observers on the floor of the Senate and ac­ companied it with a speech explaining that he, as a The method in which decisions are reached among Seventh-Day Baptist, had a personal interest of con­ nine men on the Supreme Court is not much different science in tis provisions, the Senate responded by from how decisions are reached among 100 in the adopting his amendment 72-to-O - unanimity that United States Senate, among 435 in the House, among would never have been possible if not for the personal the dozen-and-a-half in the federal cabinet, and among ingredient in the mix. The members of the Senate staff the dozens, scores, or hundreds in state and local ex­ who were condescending to Rabbi Sherer, Dennis ecutive, legislative, judicial, and administrative bodies Rapps and myself in discussing shechita would not around the country. A voice - or several voices - in­ dare take the same attitude to a United States Senator or side the cloakroom is worth hundreds, no matter how Congressman who said that his or her belief encompas­ golden, singing from without. And, as the shechita il­ sed similar practices, even if, as is the case with lustration proves, it is not only the persuasive voice, Seventh-Day Baptists, they are few in number. but the sensitive eye and ear that are important to our community. A legislator who is himself attuned to the No "Shomer Shabbos" Jew on the Court Orthodox community's needs, who knows its concerns by instinct and not by exhortation, can accomplish Most of my experience has been with courts, where worlds more in initial stages of legislation or regulation political pressures are, at least in theory, of only than five centuries' worth of our ablest Shtadlonim minimal importance. A book soon to be published - would achieve if they learn of things only after and awaited with trepidation by the justices of the legislative policies and directions have begun to harden. Supreme Court - will disclose, according to initial reports, the decision-making process in the Supreme Why Not Vote for "Hesh"? Court is much more political than is commonly believed. The prejudices and predilections of the What are the arguments against Orthodox public of­ Justices are balanced out in the give-and-take of a full ficials? The first is that we should not "Vote for Hesh" Term's rulings, and factors other than pure law affect only because he is Hesh. No one quarrels with that the decisions. But even without the disclosures of this proposition. Incompetent or dishonest candidates new volume, anyone who appears regularly before the should not be elected, whether or not they are Court knows that the nine men who sit on it come to Orthodox. But the fact that a candidate is Orthodox and their jobs with their own life's lessons and biases, and is, therefore, naturally sensitive to our community's that in working together they must accommodate to needs is a very important plus. No" trade-offs" need be each other's most strongly held beliefs. made with such a candidate. He is not doing the Orthodox comunity a favor, for which he will demand What motivated the Supreme Court in its ruinous repayment, if he supports or originates a bill protecting decision on the Sabbath-observer law? The absence of a Shomrei Shabbos. It will not take a call from Agudath Sabbath-observer among them·- indeed, the absence of Israel, or from COLPA to teach him (or her) that a a Jew who might even be offended if Sabbath­ humane slaughter bill must be examined meticulously. observance were viewed as no more important than tak­ Why be less ready to recognize a candidate's ing off from work to watch a football game on Saturday desirability on this ground than when the issue is crime - had much to do with the result. During oral argu­ in the streets, detente or a tough line with the Soviet ment in the case, justice Lewis Powell - highly influen­ Union, or the usefulness of wage and price control? tial in the present membership - asked several caustic questions about the Sabbath-observing religion, Ted In today's world, a candidate's membership in a Armstrong's Worldwide Church, one of whose racial minority is viewed as a legitimate attraction to members was a party in the case. It was plain from minority voters. In the Williamsburg Reapportionment Powell's questioning that he had no respect for the Case, in which I represented the Satmar Chassidim church, which he viewed as a device for raising money, whose districts were divided to meet prescribed by radio solicitation, from naive listeners. The Court minority-race ratios, I heard over and over again that

10 The Jewish Observer I September, 1978 LEWIN: Do lapses of integrity on FRYSHMAN: The true Shtadlan is the part of self-appointed groomed over the years. Elected of­ Shtadlonim constitute a record that ficials are not "groomed" by inspires confidence? ... The selec­ Gedolim; they simply appear on tion process is too haphazard. the scene and demand support. black candidates must be given heavily black districts Hashe1n. That, too, is a price we have to pay. I would to insure their election. Why, if black voters are en­ gladly contrast the possible future record in that regard couraged to vote for black candidates, does it become with what the record has already shown with respect to reprehensible for Orthodox voters to back an Orthodox self-appointed Shtadlonim and spokesmen. When the candidate? Do white candidates who seek black votes com1nunity decided to influence elected politicians visit "serious, adverse consequence" on their black fro1n outside, there were some who chose, unfortunate­ constituents because race is a factor in the minority ly for them and for us, to exercise this influence in un­ voters' choice? lawful wavs. Perhaps concern over the inevitable devia­ tions of efected officials may be justified. but do lapses A second argument made against Orthodox can­ of integrity on the part of self-appointed Shtadlonim didates is that they cannot enact legislation by truly constitute a record that supports the position that themselves; the help of a '"machine'" is often needed. we should continue to exercise influence exclusively These "machines," however, have a way of accom- from without? 1nodating most graciously to the interests with the greatest power, and a winning candidate has precisely To ine, it proves the contrary. Try to elect honest that desirable commodity - more power. The group Orthodox representatives who can accomplish what the that tries to run the "machine" while staying outside it co1n1nunity needs because they feel the need in their is probably destined to be overpowered by the bones. I prefer those to the officials who support us "machine," or to find that it has run off on its own. because of possible financial considerations, testimonial dinners, or promises of personal advancement. A third argument is that the public pronouncements of an Orthodox candidate may be contrary to Daas Torah and, therefore, harmful to Orthodoxy. If Daas The Falacies of "Close Guidance and Control" Torah on every American legal or social issue were so clear that one could distinguish plainly between views Beyond all this lies a glorification of the Shtadlan and that support Daas Torah and those which oppose it. an inapposite transposition of his selection and func­ there might be some validity to the point. Even then, l tion in Europe to the different circumstances of this would argue that the benefits of an internal expression country and this age. I yield to no one in my respect and of Orthodox Jewish view and feeling on 80-90 percent admiration for the honest and effective Shtadlanim of of the issues that affect our community outweigh the our own generation - Rabbi Sherer and my father, Dr. disadvantage- of an occasional expression that veers Isaac Lewin, X.,tJ,';iiV, are paradigms of the role when it from the straight and narrow. But on the kinds of issues works. But the selection process is far too haphazard that are likely to provoke divergence by honest, bona and open to self-aggrandizement to really justify fide Orthodox candidates, the line from which one may generalized praise. Anyone who has time and money not deviate to the right or the left is not so clear. Is it and a nose for publicity can declare himself a represen­ really contrary to Daas Torah for the United States tative of the Orthodox Jewish community and, much to Constitution to declare that .. equality of rights under our sad experience, many have. Torah leaders do not the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United assemble regularly to select their spokesmen, and the States on account of sex"? Does Daas Torah require us picture of "close guidance and control" applies to only to demand that the United States or a State deny or a handful of those whom we anointed - and almost abridge equality of rights on account of sex? At the never to those who anoint themselves. very least, one must admit that there can be room for For me, I prefer to see the representatives be selected legitimate difference of opinion, within the framework by public ballot. If Torah leaders are unhappy with him of Daas Torah. as to whether the Equal Rights Amend­ or his views, their opinions will be known and his elec­ ment is a desirable parthe United States Constitution. tion will be affected by that judgment. And, by the A fourth argument is based on a prediction, which is same token, a consensus of Torah leaders with regard to likely to be borne out, given human nature - that is, a particular candidate should go a long way towards that there will probably be elected Orthodox officials electing him in a district with a heavy Orthodox orien­ who will be dishonest and therefore create a Chilul ~t~n. ~

The Jewish Ohsl'rver I Sepff'n1/Jer, 1978 II REJOINDER TO MR. LEWIN by Bernard Fryshman

One cannot disagree with Mr. Lewin's description of the "expertise" of "our" representative? The quantity the facts relating to the recent tl-.reat to shechita; his - and quality - of the measures passed (or thwarted) in conclusions, however, are quite another matter. the past several years alone far exceed what could have True, the Orthodox community was late in becoming been done by a miniscule number of legislators. alerted to the problem in this isolated instance - but only because there was a conscious effort on the part of The Black Caucus an Agriculture Committee official to camouflage the Experience: Irrelevant nature of the committee's activities. Given that there are literally thousands of bills submitted to Congress each This raises another point. The Black experience in year, the fact that seemingly only one almost slipped by America is not relevant to the Orthodox Jews in in the past several decades is a record few groups can Ainerica. Blacks are a "minority" in name only; our duplicate and no one can fault. situation has little similarity to that represented by the More, there isn't a legislator in the United States who Black Caucus which has sixteen members, with a follows every piece of legislation; at present we are able potential of as many as fifty. How many Orthodox to call on many sources - in both parties and from Jewish Congressmen can we realistically hope to elect? states throughout the nation - to monitor legislation. And how many Orthodox Jewish Senators 7 Perhaps Mr. Lewin's approach might work if we had If there is a lack of sympathy or understanding of the several Orthodox Jewish Senators and perhaps a dozen Orthodox Jew in our legislatures and courts, this can be Congressmen; barring that, Agudath Israel's current solved other ways. We should endeavor to project the system of monitoring legislation is as good as any other Orthodox Jew in a positive light, explaining his par­ and better than most. ticular needs and life style before the broader public, Nor wiil electing an Orthodox Congressman induce making optimum use of electronic media and the press. any more respect from recalcitrant congressional aides Mr. Lewin contrasts the selection process and the - certainly not from a person who found it possible to control over Shtadlonim as compared with that of resist staff members from Senators as powerful as elected officials, and finds the latter superior. The ex­ Javits and Dole, Actually, in citing the recent shechita perience of centuries points otherwise. The true legislation problem, Mr. Lewin has given an example of Shtadlan is groo1ned over the years. As he grows in how effective our current mechanism really is: could an capacity, the confidence of his mentors increases, and Orthodox elected representative have been able to so do his assignments grow. The emergence of the oc­ marshal! the muscle of such as Javits and Dole as was casional, ad hoc self-appointed Shtadlon, who under­ accomplished by our Shtadlonim? Aren't we better off takes a one-shot assignment is not a long-term threat having a Sabbath amendment enacted for a Seventh and often reveals himself for the power broker he truly Day Baptist (especially when he is a Senator with the is. seniority of Jennings Randolph) than for an Orthodox Jew? True, the Shtadlan is himself an outsider - but the On the other hand, elected officials are not competent Shtadlan has the ability to pick and choose "groomed" by Gedolim; usually they simply appear on from among many well-placed insiders to "carry the the scene. They are elected and kept in power by more ball" on our behalf. than the Orthodox element in their constituency. Not infrequently, their re-election is assured by virtue of With the most capable Orthodox individual elected non-Jewish and peripherally Orthodox support, and as to national office, we would undoubtedly find a result, they may have the true Torah community in ourselves greatly benefitted in countless ways; yet, in their hands instead of the reverse. some ways, we might not be as well off as we are now. True, an Orthodox Jew on the Agriculture Committee ln the final analysis, the welfare of the Orthodox would know that a humane slaughter bill bears Jewish community demands that we support the efforts watching. But will this individual necessarily have the of those Shtadlonim who have the confidence of our ear of the leadership that some of our Shtadlonim now Gedolim - both because of their hashkafos and their have? Would we have the freedom to work out a coal­ effectiveness. I would only add that I am delighted that tion to deal with this bill - or would we have to rely on Mr. Lewin has chosen for himself the capacity of Shtadlan. From his reputation among those in a posi­ Dr. Fryslnna11 and Mr. Lewin were inuited to review each other's tion to know, one can deduce that Mr. Lewin is another 1nanuscripts. Mr. Lewin's comments are integrated in his article. On outstanding example of what a Shtadlan optimally tl1is page Is Dr. Fryshman's "Rejoinder." should be. "'i'.

I 2 The Jewish Observer I September, 1978 The following article is based on a in a revised and expanded form, with the paper presented by Dr. Mermelstein encouragement of a widely recognized before a professional conference of the Torah authority whom the JO editorial Behavioral Science - Mental Health Sec­ board has consulted. He asked us, tion of the Association of Orthodox however, to caution the reader to read the Jewish Scientists. That paper will appear material carefully rather than superficial­ in its original in INTERCOM, the official ly - lest it be misunderstood or mis­ organ of AOJS. It is being published here construed. Piety, Psychopathology and Parent Power

by Dr. Jacob Mermelstein

A Torah of Life ... and Emotional Stability into a better human being, but to the contrary, that there exists (chas veshalom) a correlation between Clinicians who serve the Orthodox Jewish com­ chareidus (piety) and maladjustment. This idea, of munity are frequently called upon to concern course, is not a particularly new or novel one. Anti­ themselves with matters where it is not quite clear Semites, Jewish and non-Jewish, had "discovered" the whether they are within the province of psy­ Evil Jew ages ago. Similarly, well-known clinicians in chopathology or are really religious issues where the mental health field, past and present, have confused guidance or resolution should be sought from ap­ their otherwise correct clinical observations with wild propriate religious authorities. Such matters become metapsychological speculations or personal biases to particularly thorny when they are enveloped within in­ conclude that "religion is a neurosis," or at least con­ terpersonal conflicts, such as between parents and tributes to mental ill health. 1 To the contrary, it has children or husband and wife, because at those times been clearly demonstrated elsewhere' that, holding other confounding factors also operate to becloud the other variables constant, true and normative Torah life real issues. Less frequently, one also encounters situa­ indeed correlates with positive mental health. tions where an individual finds himself behaving in cer­ The fact that certain individuals, who are ostensibly tain ways ostensibly because of religious conviction, yet Shomrei Torah Umitzvos, do manifest anti-social somehow he himself senses an overlay of psy­ behaviors cannot shake our axiomatic belief that our chopathology of which he wants to rid himself. Taras Chaim' provides us with a tried and tested In proceeding to deal with such matters, extreme cau­ tion is in order for more than one reason. To begin 1. Viz. Criddle, W.D. "Guidelines for Challenging Irrational with, merely speaking of Torah-true Jews and mental Beliefs," Rational Living, 1974, pp. 8-13. Also Ellis, Albert, health problems in one breath may give our detractors J{1nna11isitic Psychot/1erapy: The Rational Emotive Approach, N.Y.: added ammunition in their notion that being a Shomer Science House 1970, pp. 24-25. Similarly, Freud, Sigmund, passim. Torah Umitzvos (observant Jew) does not make one For his overall view on religion, see: Jones, Ernest, The Life and Works of Sigmund frt>ud, Basic Books, pp. 349-374. DR. MERMELSTEIN, a 1Jsychologist in private practice, is certified in 2. Mermelstein, ]., "Halachic Values and the Clincial Practice of his field hy the States of New York and New Jersey, and is a Psychotherapy," fntercom 16:2, pp. 4-9. dip/onwtc of the America Board of Professional Psycholos.y. VVel/ k110WJI as 11 lecturer and author, several of his articles have been 3. "V'chai bohem" (Yuma 85b), fulfillment of commandments can­ fcafllrcd in THE JE\YJSH ORSERVLR. not be contradictory to life or health.

The ]e

The Jewish Observer I September, 1978 household weeks before Pesach to remove all traces of chametz, may do so because of one or a combination of f-!ow ca11 one tell if he is dealing with several reasons. Namely: true, if extreme, piety or with psy­ (a) Chametz is forbidden in even the minutest amounts - thus this is true piety. chopathology cloaked in religious fer­ (b) The lady is generally anxious, and compulsively vor? checks and double checks - thus her religious practices (and Pesach cleaning) are in line with general (anxious) the iinportance of the 1nitzva in that it generates anxiety behavior. and is dealt with in that individual's habitual (normal - (c) This individual has a more specific anxiety­ i.e., usual) anxious fashion. Yet the intent and purpose related syndrome, relating to cleanliness - thus her of the behavior is mitzva. meticulous Pesach cleaning is in line with this specific On the other hand, totally neurotic motivations, as in compulsivity. determinant (d), have little, if anything to do with (d) Harassing one's family for Pesach is an" excellent 1nitzva - and can indeed lead to aveiro.5 First, as with opportunity" to be hostile in a safe fashion (super-ego all coinpulsivity, there is the "all or nothing" possibility in the service of the id), or here is a chance to control - total attention to relatively non-essentials and neglect others, to be heard, or to satisfy other neurotic needs. of essentials.6 Moreover, if the repetition of words (in the Sherna) is carried to a pathological extreme, back One may readily recognize determinant (a) as ob­ viously religious behavior. Determinants (b) and also and forth, it may no longer be Kerias Shema - reading (c), if part and parcel of a persistent structure, can the She1na; but a caricature of the mitzva, a reading of words. Moreover, performing a mitzva in such dis­ similarly be expressions of true mitzva observance. torted form may interfere with tefilla betzibur, with Thus, the Chazon Ish S"Yi reportedly commented that the Brisker Rav's great piety and, for example, his fre­ learning, even with providing for one's family and general human existence. The essential test, then, quent repeating of words during Kerias Shema were in would be to determine whether this particular line with his general attention to detail, worry, and need manifestation of piety adds to one's total religious for certainty in important matters. Contrary to fre­ behavior or detracts from it. 7 quently cited interpretations of this incident, H.abbi Shemaryahu Karelitz, nephew of the Chazon Ish, as­ More fundamentally, one must consider the intent of sured me in a personal communication that this remark Torah life and mitzva observance - the joy coming did not chas veshalom imply criticism; it clearly shows from an introjected beloved Torah, the simcha she/

5. Note for example A1itzvos shf'hechziku bo kusii1n etc. (8erachos t'ounJ to sl'rve their psychological needs. 47b) - Kusiim, who adopted certain Mitzvos, ohserved these to the Yet another ('Xample is the yeshiva bachur whose extreme fervor in extreme, while totally neglecting all oth('rs. According to some le,itning, both in terms of intensity and time (frequently against the ,1uthorities, they embraced Judaism (at least parts of it) because of advin' uf hi.; Rosh Yeshiva). cu!rnina!('S in total non-karning once he fe,H and superstition (geire aroyos hayu). Thus, their observance had !eavf's the yeshiva and/or his compulsivity invests itself in other mat­ nothing to do with tnitzva observance; it was simply a neurotic tPrs. (superstitious) device to ward off fear. fialachically, they were not 7. Note the Ran in Pesachim SOb on the question of Shemitoch she/a ron<:-idered to be Jews. lishnw ho /isl-imo. He concludC's that though at certain timrs, rnitzva 6. Another example of the" al! or nothing" phenomenon also occurs ubserv,1nce predicated upon improper motivation will eventual!y lead with l·ertain haale teshuva (individuals newly and rather suddenly to pro1wr motivation and should thus be encouraged, at other time!' ii enthused with Torah), some of whom manifest compulsivf' traits. should be harshly di5couraged. He 5ays, or can be understood as say­ fiave these individuals truly developed a love for Torah~ but in their ing, that the fonner dictum obtains when, for examp!P, selfish "entl1usiasrn" (and relative ignorance) accepted it in a compulsive motiv,1tions operate, which help to get an individual started (hishnei fashion? Or, have these individuals sought an arena for their com­ yitzreclia), but once initiated they become part and parcel of hin1 - a pulsivity and believe to have found it in Torah with its rituals, ex­ new personality (Compare A!lport's notion of "Functional acting demands and authority consciousness? As one such individual Autonomy" - Allport, C.W., in HalL Calvin 5. and Linds{'y, put it to me·- "Fantastic, no doubts, no unknowns, no need for deci­ Cardner, Theories of Personality, N.Y. John Wiley and Sons, lnc. sions - Torah even tells us which shoe to put on first and which to 1957, pp. 257-293.) On the other hand, when the shelo lishnw has an lace first!'' In either case, the therapist is frequently called upon to "anti-Torah" detl'rminant, a !ife of its own, such as an evil intention sustain their Torah behavior, yet free them from the attendant com­ this type of observance will not lead to lishmo. It must be condemned. pulsivity - a difficult, and at times almost impossible task. One In the same way when a person's observance is totally motivated by p,."-ient, after a successful analysis, put it this way: "I now seem to neurotic-compulsive propellants, it will not !C'ad to lishmo without in­ have less of a 'religious experience' - but I believe in doing more tensive therapeutic intervention. fn the words of the Ran, "There

The Jewish O[Jserver I Seplt>1nher, 1978 15 mitzva - as opposed to performance out of neurotic "rights" or even in the issues involved. Yet, when the fear, 8 with attendant bitterness and impatience. Similar­ struggle goes on regardless of adverse results, and is ly, one must ask: is one's mitzva observance with feel­ continued ad infinitum - this is clearly a struggle, a ing (warmth, closeness to Hashem) - or does it appear power play. The bitter result, the "war" that is lost to as automated, repetitive, compulsive, magical behavior all, is the proof of the nature of the battles. Needless to (Mitzvas anoshim melumada)? And what is the out­ say, there is also the aveiro of velifnei iveriz, causing the come - does the mitzva performer become a better child not only to continue the wrong (or the extreme person himself, and more loving toward others - or is right), and disrespecting the parent in the process. he bitter, angry with himself, and controlling others, belittling them and using his "superior" mitzva obser­ vance to cast down his fellow man ?9 The Positive Use of Authority Practically, then - to distinguish true, if extreme, This brings us to the ever-complex matter of 1 piety from compulsive psychopathology - one may use authority vested in parents and teachers 3, and how this an intra-personal as well as an inter-personal approach. authority is to be exercised. Here, careful distinction In the former mode, one may ask whether an in­ must made between true authority, on the one hand, dividual's particular piety is correct from a Torah point and authoritarianism and permissiveness on the other. of view and consonant with that individual's total Like most extreme and opposite psychological phenomena, authoritarianism (dictatorship) and per­ Torah behavior. 1° Concerning inter-personal life, one must discern the extent to which a particular brand of missiveness essentially stem from the very same root - extreme piety lends itself to, or better yet, is propelled an inadequate parent or teacher. The incompetent by, psychological ploys to control or harm others. 11 authority, unable to reach the child (learner) through modeling and a loving relationship14, makes harsh, ar­ Concerning religious behaviors which generate bitrary rules15, or gives up entirely and fosters permis­ parent-child conflicts, one must first dismiss out-of­ siveness. Both extremes are invoked to simplify life for hand issues that are clearly battles of wills and use Yid­ the authority, but in actuality cause havoc and severe dishkeit as a battleground - but have in reality nothing intra- and inter-personal disturbances. This is a far cry, to do with guiding our youth, or with Chinuch. For ex­ and qualitatively very different, from child-rearing that ample, a parent who has failed in the education process is based upon strength of conviction and authority, but of his child and hounds him instead - or, conversely, a in an ever-loving, relating fashion. child defies a parent - on whether the boy's hair is too long or short, or the girl's dresses too immodest or over­ Proper child-rearing uses authority (there are values ly modest. Such a situation will deteriorate into a power and standards for behavior), love, approval and direc­ struggle - accomplishing nothing but polarization and tion. As a result, the child's conscience is developed to hate. Parents argue that they have a "right" to impose the point of self-direction, which now rewards itself their brand of Yiddishkeit upon their children, and, (feeling good) and punishes itself (feeling guilty); yet, conversely, children claim to have a "right" to lead all of it enveloped in unconditional love. Authority is their own lives - and there may be merit in both viewed with both love and awe, and will be sustained through this balance (really reverence). On the other B. See Tose_fos, Gittin 5Sb, on the matter of Ashrei adam mefached hand, authoritarianism produces extreme negativism tamid, also the Maharsha. Only fear concerning dikduk bamitzvos, and defiance, or overt compliance - to the extreme Torah learning. or other reality factors should-be encouraged. On the because of mortal fear - but with latent rage. Permis- other hand, baseless fear {neurotic anxiety) or anticipating harm is deen1ed as sinful (see also Berachos 60a). Also, Rasl1i (Devarim 12. "D(1 not place a sturnbling before the blind" (Vayikra 19:14), 18:13), on the posuk: "Tomi1n tiheye im Hashem E/okecha - Be sim­ referring to any action that can ensnare another in a misdeed. Thus, ple [wholesome] with your G-d," makes it clear that one must refrain one must avoid overly harsh treatment of one's child lest it incite him from anticipating anxiety, from over-planning, and from supersti­ to act disrespectfully. tion. Rather, one should be "simple, perfect (tomim)," and put his 13. viz. "Es Hashem Elokecha tira" - /e'rabos talmidei chachomim - trust in Hashem. I'esachi1n 22b. "Fear of G-d" should be extended to include awe of 9. See the Shaarei Teshuva 1:18 on the pasuk in Mishlei 28:12 how one's teacher. the righteous find good in people as opposed to the wicked who 14. See Mermelstein, J., "Torah Insight in Educational Psychology," search out the errors in man in order to cast them down. He says: "Torah Sources For a System of Pedagogy in Proceedings of AOJT "Hatzaddikim mefa'arim umechabdim bnei adam - the righteous Professional Conference'' in AOJT (Teachers) News Nov, 74 9:2, pp. praise and honor others." See also note 29. 55-57; also "To Be a Parent," The Jewish Parent 25:3. 10. In a very general sense, perhaps the point made by Reb Yisroel 15. Note the dictum "Al yattil adam eimo yeseiro be' soch beiso. One Salanter, referring to the Gemara Chulin 105a, that religious practice should not be excessively harsh and authoritarian" (Gittin 6b). should have some uniformity, could be applied - albeit with great Similarly, the notion "Le'olam yehei smol docheh ve'yamin me'karev, caution. one should repel with one's left, while drawing near with one's 11. Yotzo secharo beheseido - one loses more than one gains. (Free right," indicating that the excercise of authority is to be within a car­ interpretation of Avos 5:14.) ing and loving relationship (Soteh 47a).

]6 The Jewish Observer I September, 1978 siveness usually brings about chaos and nihilism, a life void of meaning and substance. Tlie striving, compulsive, rigid, Wise parents and teachers ever so carefully proceed Orthodox Jew does not reflect ]ewisli according to the situation and the child with whom they values. Tliey are a product of liis social are dealing. In exercising their authority, they subscribe to a general value system, such as the concept of reward group, espousing values tliat sound and punishment, the value of time, and the need for Jewisli (like chicken soup) but are achievement. But they individualize their exhortations. They never, for example, indiscriminately wield ad­ mzytliing but ]ewisli. monitions such as men vett mohnen (you'll have to ac­ stress the repression of feelings, and make shame an ex­ count for that) to the child already beset with over­ perience to be avoided at all costs. Childrearing takes whelming guilt, or a shod die zeit - men darf shteigen place within the context of arbitrary dogma where be­ (must not waste time - one must strive) to the student ing a parent is a "job" - making sure the child is already racing along far beyond his mental or emotional always "safe" and striving toward success (i.e., educa­ capacities. Whether the arbitrary, ever-hounding dis­ tion, money, power, fame). And the child is controlled pensers of such admonitions - frequently so-called with "love," which becomes conditional - "if you are educators who should know better - are destructive good" (implicit rejection - explicit, i.e., intellectual, ac­ compulsives themselves or simply use poor judgment, ceptance). As a result, the child - following a neurotic the result is the same - the child/adolescent suffers, compromise - fights the parental intrusion, and at the likely to become a compulsive himself. very same time incorporates these values, some intact The Disciplined Jew in a Compulsive Society and some with his very own neurotic modifications. It is no wonder that ostensible Torah behavior is all Because all of this affects a substantial portion of the too frequently flavored by compulsivity, yet nonethe­ population, it is essential to discover the source of this less is defended as a special brand of piety or dikduk particular syndrome (compulsivity) - and ways and bemitzvos. Torah does teach values that should bring means to bring about relief to those already" affected." about desirable behavior. But the control should result Basically, emotional disturbances come about because fro1n the internalization of such values. It is not because of various factors - some of which are intra-family of blind repression, authoritarianism and dogma - relationships, particular child-rearing practices, values leaving intact undesirable tendencies, ever ready to ex­ espoused by one's social group, and environmental fac­ plode whenever control is loosened or becomes un­ tors inherent in society at large. 16 It is generally agreed bearable. that today's striving middle-class, if and when afflicted Needless to say, materialism, or achievement and the with psychopathology, tends to "favor" the obsessive­ pursuit of knowledge unaccompanied by commen­ compulsive syndromes.17 Even in the absence of clinical surate action,1 8 is not appreciated. The entire body of symptomatology, there is a proclivity towards the Torah Sheba'al Peh (the Oral Law) and the knowledge development of compulsive personalities who are open to all of us should lead us to obedience that does "driven" and must succeed at all costs, are highly con­ not flow merely from blind dogma. Moreover, while forming, overly inhibited and rigid. They are excessive­ one should strive toward the highest perfection, a con­ ly exacting, valuing highly control of oneself, and feel­ cept such as ad sheyado maga' as19 clearly indicates that ings are repressed and intellectualized. To bring t.his there are limits to what one is expected to achieve. 20 In about, child rearing practices are highly controllmg fact, we are warned, "Al tehi tzaddik harbei"21 - if one with an over-involvement colored with both anger and goes to unwarranted extremes in one p;.irticular virtue, anxiety. one may in the process fall prey to other weaknesses. 22 The striving, compulsive, rigid Orthodox Jew, then, does not reflect Jewish values. It is rather the Jew living 18. Avos, 3:12, also 3:22. within a particular social group which produces com­ 19. "One's responsiblity extends as far as one can reach." e.g. pulsives. This social group espouses values which may Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim, 433. sound Jewish (like chicken soup) but, if anything, are 20. See Avos 2:21; "Lo a/echo ha1ne'lacha ligmor - Yours is not to akin to materialism, authoritarianism, or phony Vic­ complete the task." Also see the Sfas £mes on the pasuk and Rashi in torianism. Briefly, these values equate happiness with Bereishis 1 :1 saying that though G-d's design was for perfection in material success, regard safety as more important than man, it simultaneously decreed that perfection is impossible. joy, value brain power to the exclusion of emotions, 21. ''Man should not be overly righteous,'' Mid rash Rabba Bamidbar 21 :6. 16. See Opler, Marvin K., "Cultural Determinants of Mental 22. See the Or 11aChayim on Af ki omar (Bereishis 3:1), how it is the Disorders,'' in Hai1dbook of Clinical Psychology, Wolman, Benjamin yeitzer hara who is all forbidding in order to heighten lust and have B. ed., McGraw Hill 1965 p. 240. n1an give vp Torah altogether. This notion has also been voiced hy 17. See Laughlin, Henry P., The Neu.roses, Washington's But­ the Chofetz Chaim on Vehasir Satan milfaneinl' ume'achoreinu. See terworths, 1967 pp. 244-45. also Lo dayoch mah she'asra Torah (Jerush. Nedarim 9a).

The Jewish Observer I September, 1978 17 Similarly, on the question of blind repression of im­ Deprogramming the Compulsive pulses and hypocrisy, neither of them are encouraged. What is to be done? Obviously, as a preventative The yeitzer hara has a place in this world, albeit to be measure, sound knowledge of what Torah life is all 23 controlled and channelled. By the same token, human about (including the proverbial fifth Shulchan Aruch), behavior, in all its aspects, is dealt with honestly and proper child-rearing practices, and sound values, frankly without hypocritical shame. 24 Chazal in the beliefs and attitudes that save one from psy­ context of Torah study do not shrink from discussing chopathology should be encouraged. For those who frankly most intimate matters,2s yet condemn lewdness have already "caught the bug," the road to adjustment with utter harshness.26 The power of unwanted or ex­ is quite difficult. In part, this is due to the fact that cessive impulses is recognized, yet to be dealt with - compulsive behavior "looks good" and is socially not through massive repression, but by therapeutic valued30 - to strive, to be correct, to control oneself, sublimation and displacement. 27 There is no room for etc.; and in part because it serves powerful neurotic phoniness, nor for false modesty. Rabbi Aharon Kotler needs. 7"~T, in a personal communication, spoke out against skipping "delicate" Parshios, lest our children be Off hand, the most obvious approach would be to "disturbed." Honest Torah learning by healthy in­ "tell" the individual, to explain the errors of his ways to dividuals, he said, cannot possibly harm our young. him, to consult a gadol, a Rosh Yeshiva, a Rebbe, to show him the halachically proper way. Unfortunately, Nonetheless, though qualitatively quite different, such intellectual-educational approaches are rarely honest piety and compulsive pedantry are easily con­ 28 useful. Indeed, our compulsive will simply label that fused because of certain superficial similarities and gadol as being "not frum enough." This is so because, also because certain practitioners of piety in public while our compulsive may respect the gadol in other positions themselves contaminate their Yiddishkeit matters, he cannot accept any challenges to his com­ with compulsivity.29 pulsivity because of the powerful neurotic needs it serves. In addition, because of intellectualization, that 23_ e.g. Y wna 69b - the need for the yetzer hara to propel life (note individual somehow knows it all, knows it better, and si1nilarity to the concept of the "id"). See also Mish lei 25:21 the com­ will out-argue anyone who stands in his way. Thus, ml'nts of the Gaon, how the yetzer hara facilitates the good deed (Mosh'cheihu /ebeis hamidrasl1 - have him participate in the mitzva). any amelioration of the symptoms can come about only by dealing with his underlying neurotic needs and by 24. e.g. Berachos 62a - how one is to learn all of human behavior in­ breaking through and establishing emotional contact" cluding proper toilet practices, because "Torah hi ve'/ilmod ani that overrides intellectualization and rational power t:.0rich - it is teaching, and I must learn it." struggles. 25. e.g. Baba Metzia 84a - sexual behavior is discussed without sha1ne or false modesty. Those who undertake to deal with such matters must have sufficient knowledge to recognize the difference 26. e.g. Shabbos 331 - "Hakol yodin - Although the motives for between honest piety, no matter how extreme, and marriage are known to all. those who befoul the matter with unseem­ compulsivity; be thoroughly versed in the very many ly candor are harshly condemned." specific practices of particular groups; and remain ever­ 27. Sec Succa 52a and 52b concerning how one's sex drives can be ready to consult the gadol when true Tor ah behavior displaced and sublimated. Note in particular the Maharsha. Similarly, and compulsivity overlap. Therapists subscribing to the see Yoma 78b as to how aggressive drives can be dealt with. Kol modern dynamic methods - dealing with both underly­ de'asra lanu Torah (Chulin 109b} - may also be a form of how Torah ing determinants as well as with current every-day itself provides for displacement and sublimation of one's desires. behavior - must also be well-versed to counter chapter 28. SeP Freud S., "Obsessive Acts and Religious Practices" (first and verse (Torah and Talmud) that patients cite out of published in 1907), in Collected Papers, Vol. 2, N.Y. Basic Books, context to support their compulsivity. 1959, pp. 25-85. While Freud obviously had no understanding of Torah, and wrongly used pseudo-science to "explain Tor ah," he does On a rational level then, perhaps, a somewhat new not equate compulsivity with religiosity. In his words ' .. equally view of Torah and its demands of man must be obvious are the differences (between religion and compulsivity) some developed in the mind of the patient. For example, the of which are so startling that they make the comparison into a value of man in "being" (every man a tzelem Elokim) as sacrilege ... an obsessional neurosis furnishes a tragi-comic travesty opposed to "doing," may free him from his driven of a private religion" pp. 27-28. behavior and the exaggerated need to produce. And by 29. See note 9. It is a sad comment to find some latter-day "preachers" ,.. vho harass their fe!low Jews through fault-finding, 30. Laughlin, Henry P., ibid., n. 17. belittling and harsh denunciations -- all in the name of Yiddishkeit. In contradistinction, for example, Rabbi Avrohom Kalmanowitz ?""Yf in 31. Reb Yisroel Salanter always stressed the study of Mussar to be his hesped on Rebbe uMori Rabbi Shlomo Heiman ?"YT , lauded the bf?'liispa'alus - creating feelings and emotionality to make such niftar (deceased) for building and elevating his students gratuitously, learning effective. Also note the "Rebbe's Tisch" - how rational finding and inventing rationales to make even errors sound good and teaching is to be enveloped in feelings generated through worthy of discussion. camaraderie.

18 The Jewish Observer I September, 1978 carefully distinguishing between teshuva and construc­ tive guilt (sheviras halev), and destructive guilt l'11~11rpa~scd Ka.~brus i11the111ost ('f('g,1111 tradition (atzvus), Torah behavior will be freed from unwar­ ranted (neurotic) fear and equally incapacitating 'guilt. Emotionally, contact between patient (or ta/mid) and ~,;.,~~9i!l "~.~~f~ HAS BEEN PROUDLY SERVINC THE ORTHODOX COMMUNITY therapist (or the Rebbe) is essential - for the real WITH DJSTINCTJON FOR MORE THAN TWENTY YEARS wounds that produce psychopathology come from EU~CANT SERVICE RY THE MOST EXPERIENCED SPEC!AUSTS JN Tl-ff CATERING FJELD \.\·'!Tl-! THEIR OWN KITCHEN rACJUT!ES 2 these emotional sources.3 Thus shimush - education ON PRLMJSE5 CUARANTf.f THE UTMOST !N QUALITY AND through service, modeling, and interpersonal contact - Tl!E ULTIMATE IN KA5HRU5 is a highly useful therapeutic device. Here the teacher Allow SO - 700 Persons (be it the Rebbe or the therapist), himself living the Open Chupah Torah way (and using the "fifth Shulchan Aruch"), Parking Available reaches the individual on a rational as well as an emo­ Glatt Kosher tional level, helping him adjust his rational thought by enveloping all such learning and growth within a car­ For your next Simcha - Call: ing, emotional relationship.33 !..'l

J2. Scl' l !ucn-S,nic, R. {"Emotions ,1nd Psychotherdpies," America11 Journid (lf Psychotlwra11y 31:1, pp. 88-94) who says that' of gredtt'r import.inn' than the technique St'ems to bP tht' ther.ipist's

33. A1ori 11Rel1'1i R,1bhi Yaakov Kt1menetzky K"t'.l'Sll', when ap­ pnind his way~." If you've !earned at any of these yeshivas then Merom Zion. a moshav shitufi. may be for you. Ifs a new frum community for Benai-Torah between the ages of 21-35 and is now accepting applica­ IT'S HARD TO BE A BABY tions from qualified couples across the country. m Each family lives together in its own modern - ESPECIALLY WITHOUT MOMMY! home. II Free yeshiva education for children. II Daily shiurim in Gemora and Posklm. Dena's Mommy is ill and II Agriculture, light industry and an educational hospitalized. We need help to complex. keep the smile on her face till Merom Zion, an alternative for those who want her mother comes back. Can to live in a complete Torah environment in Israel. you help? Forfuther information call (212) 924·9475. Poale Agudath Israel, Suite 811, 156 Fifth Please call Ave., New York. N.Y. 10010. or write:

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The Jewish ()hserver I Septl'mher, 1978 19 '"JI"

M'7M,:li!l, M~W i,nn Chinuch Atzmai-Torah Schools for Israel Founded by Gedolei Yisroel Directed by Gedolei Yisroel 25 successful years of guaranteeing Torah for Kial Yisroel "'"r,WM 5 739: A year of new development • 17 new kindergartens .. 1 new teachers institute • 4 new schools .. 5 new buildings • 1 new mesifta .. 61 new classrooms • 1 new junior high school PROJECTED BUDGET FOR 5739: 200,000,000 IL. Including Supplementary Budget for: Head-start programs • 100,000 extra cunicular hours of Torah study " These iterns are in addition to Chinuch Atzmai's Teachers training programs share of the regular operating budget, that is • Teachers salary differentials basic to the independence of this system. YOUR ONE CONTRIBUTION HELPS MAINTAIN: • Thousands of children in 175 kindergartens. day dent and Day Camp Programs throughout the sum­ care centers and head·start programs. mer.

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20 The Jewish Observer I September, 1978 • Growing Up In Brisk - as recalled by Rabbi Chaim Leib Balgley

The Lithuanian city of Brisk is celebrated for the out­ standing scholars that served in its rabbinate - from Rabbi Yoe/ Serkis (the "Bach") in the 16th Century, to the more recent Rabbi Yehoshua Leib Diskin, Rabbi Yoseif Dov Soloveitchik (the "Beis Halevi"), and his son, Rabbi Chaim. What was it like to grow up in their town? What was the nature of their leadership, their personalities? One can only guess - unless one has the rare opportunity of speaking to someone who did grow up in Brisk. Rabbi Chaim Leib Balgley l<"to'7W was born and raised in Brisk, where his father, Reh Mordechai Yaakov, was an intimate of Reh Chaim. In these pages, Rabbi Balgley shares with the readers of The Jewish Observer his recollection of incidents in­ volving Reh Chaim - incidents that he personally witnessed or heard from authoritative sources: Rabbi Chain1 is celebrated in yeshiva circles for his innovative analytical approach to Talmud study - known various­ ly as "der Litvishe derech" (the Lithuanian approach), "der Brisker derech," or "Reb Chaim's derech." His ex­ ceptional generosity as well as his uncompromising staunchness in religious matters - both in personal conduct and in communal leadership - were legendary in his day, but have faded somewhat from public knowledge in recent years. These stories reveal some fascinating aspects of Reh Chaim's personality. Remembering Reh Chaim Soloveitchik i1:r1:iC, P",Y i:JT Sixty years since his passing: 21 Menachem Av 5678 (1918) Transcribed and translated by Mrs. R. Roth. Prepared for publication by N. Wolpin.

A Ba'al Habayis in Brisk tight, Reb Chaim offered him the post of secretary for his yeshiva, Etz Chaim - which he accepted. Reb Chaim then told him that since he would be deal­ EB MOSHE Guttman became a dayan in Brisk ing with a broader public, he would like to acquaint him R when he was yet a young man. After several years with the ba'alei battim (laymen) of Brisk: As an exam­ in the position, he was approached by Reb Chaim ple he pointed to a simply-dressed man - Mr. Zelcer, regarding his financial status. Reb Chaim asked him by name - standing by the bookshelves in the library, how he was managing, in view of the growth of his looking at a sefer. Reb Chaim called him over and asked family. When he replied that the situation was very him an halachic question. Mr. Zelcer answered, quoting hosts of Rishonim and Acharonim (earlier and later RABBI BALGLEY, a native of Brisk, served as Rav in Dubinava, commentaries) - the Rosh, the Rambam, Tosfos Yorn Poland, and now resides in Monsey, New York. Tov - and went on, explaining a pertinent Mishna in

The Jewish Observer I September, 1978 various ways, according to the different shitos reasons would find a warm welcome in Reb Chaim's (interpretations). Reb Moshe was astounded by the home.) The child was ill and the Rav summoned a doc­ beki'us (vast knowledge) and clarity with which the tor, who examined the child and found him more dead man answered - as if he had just finished studying this than alive. He suggested that a lit candle be held close to particular subject. the baby's eyes. "If the child reacts, then there is some Reb Chaim later told Reb Moshe: "This is our typical life left in the child: if not, all is lost." ba'al habayis in Brisk." We stood by, watching. Said Reb Chaim to my father: "Reb Yaakov Mordechai, get a candle and 1natrh," whereupon my father went into the kitchen. In the meantime, Reb Chaim turned to his son Reb Velvel Brisk Recovery (who later succeeded him as Brisker Rav; a young man at the time) and instructed him to go quickly and bring a candle and match. Reb Velvel ran, snatched the candle T IS well-known that when someone was sick on a and match from my father's hand and brought them I Shabbos or Yam Kippur, and it was questionable as into the living room. The doctor held the candle near to how seriously he required medical attention, Reb the child's eyes and reported that there was no sign of Chaim would decide in favor of meeting the needs of life in the child. Reb Chaim was, of course, terribly up­ the patient, even if it meant over-ruling the day's set. restrictions. (Reb Chaim would say: "I'm not lenient in On our way home, I asked my father, "Why did Reb regard to Shabbas or Yam Kippur. I'm stringent in the Chaim tell Reb Velvel to bring a candle and match when mitzva of guarding one's life.") In my own experience, you were already in the kitchen for the same purpose?" one Erev Yorn Kippur, when I was very young, I was My father answered: "We all know that if a person's on the way to the dayan Reb Simcha Zelig*. Reb Chaim life is in danger on Shabbas, halacha demands that we stopped me and asked me where I was going. I replied, do any of the prohibited labors necessary to save him. "I'm going to ask a she'eila about a weak person with The Rambam says that one should do anything that regard to tomorrow (Yam Kippur)." would be done on a weekday for the sick person. He Reb Chaim listened to my description of his condi­ says further that one should not delegate the tasks to a tion and told me, "He is permitted to eat." non-Jew, a child, or a servant, but Gedalei Yisroel Ve'­ Generally, Reb Chaim referred halachic queries to Chachomeihem (great and wise men) should do it. One the dayan, but in his deep concern for each and every is not permitted to hesitate in such a situation. Reb member of his community, he wanted to decide on Chaim realized that I was not running to bring the can­ health matters himself. dle. l was calculating: First, I had heard the doctor say that this was an experiment to see whether or not there is any hope for the child - this was not a cure. Also, I knew that this child was one of those that had 9"" Father to the Foundlings abandoned at Reb Chaim's doorstep - a child of dubious parentage. But I did as I was told. Reb Chaim, with his ~harp eyes, perceived this reluctance. Since one NE Shabbas morning in 1910, I joined my father is not allowed to make cheshbonos (calculations) in 0 at Reb Chaim's private minyan in his house. We such cases, he sent Reb Velvel and told him to run. noticed a baby carriage in the living room and Reb Which he did." Chaim seemed very concerned. The child was not Reb Chaim's own, but one that was left abandoned at his doorstep. (It was widely known that a child that would not have a normal upbringing for one of any number of The Sweetness of a Mother's Concern

*Reh Simcha Zelig. the Rosh Beis Din of Brisk (head of the rab­ binical court) lived in the upper flat in the Rav's house. I often saw HESE children that were brought up in Reb the two studying together, with Gemoras, Ra1nbams and countless T Chaim's house were cared for by hired wet-nurses. other scforim spread open all over the house. The two were constant­ Once, Reb Chaim did not have money to pay one of the ly occupied in Torah discussions, even when travelling together. As nurses and asked her to return the following day. The great as he was, Reb Simcha Zelig was extremely humble. He dressed woman became excited and exclaimed, "Rebbi, just simply, with a plain hat and an ordinary jacket (rather than rabbinical because you want to bring up mamzeirim, doesn't mean frock)_ Whenever he saw us boys coming home from school, he that I have to suffer!" would come down the steps and ask us what we had learned, pat us on the cheek or ho!d one of us on his lap and kiss us on the brow Reb Chaim immediately quieted her down: "One is when he was pleased with our answers. f'{is simplicity contrasted un­ not allowed to speak thus of Jewish children. I promise believably with his celebrated greatness. you, I'll pay you tomorrow."

The Jewish Observer I September, 1978 The woman accepted his assurances and left. Shortly certain death - was scheduled for the next day. When thereafter, Reb Chaim ran outside and called the Reb Chaim learned of this, he immediately contacted woman back. Said Reb Chaim: "I see that you are ex­ so1ne wealthy men who had connections with the army, cited. If you nurse the child now, it might be harmful to instructing them to arrange for food to be given to the him. Please sit down until you calm down, and only prisoners; in addition, they should use all their con­ then feed the child." tacts, and make every effort to save these youths. The men did as Reb Chaim requested, and notified him that there was a possibility of freeing the men with 10,000 rubles. Where does one get 10,000 rubles - a Recording the "Chiddushim" huge so1ne of money, especially in those poverty­ stricken times? Time was running out, and the lives of these unfortunate youths were hanging in the balance. EB CHAIM did not write down his Chiddushei Reb Chaim dispatched messengers to all shuls and R Torah (original interpretations) himself. The task yeshivas, Botei M idrashim and shtieblach, to convene a was performed by Reb Noach, one of the shochtim meeting of the Gabboim (trustees). At the meeting, Reb (ritual slaughterers) in Brisk - a Slonimer chassid, who Chaim established a fixed amount for each shul to raise was an accomplished ta/mid chacham. On one Shabbos by that very same evening, and also decreed that Kol Erev Chanuka, Reb Chaim instructed his Shammos to Nidrei not be said until he would give the word. ask Reb Noach to come to his house right after havdala, for he had some chiddushim to record. That evening, the money was brought to Reb Chaim's house. When they had collected the entire Reb Noach came at the appointed time and sat down amount, Reb Chaim sent the Shammos to notify the to write. While Reb Chaim paced the floor, talking various shuls that Kol Nidrei could be said .. and the without pause for several hours, Reb Noach wrote. boys were, of course, freed. When Reb Noach seemed to tire, Reb Chaim gave him a glass of tea, and then started talking once again, until he had dictated a full twelve pages. Suddenly, Reb Chaim reached over to the writing Boundless Generosity table and took hold of the notes and began to rip them into shreds. Said Reb Noach: "Give the pages to me. Why should you bother tearing them?" AN UNCLE of mine who was in a business had When Reb Chaim heard this, he tore the pages into once made a large shipment deep into Russia. even smaller strips, to make sure that they could not be Through soine mishap, his merchandise was apparently pieced together later. Reb Chaim wanted to start dic­ lost, which could throw him into bankruptcy. He tating again, but the hour was late, and Reh Noach was sought help from Reb Chaim, who advised him on without the strength to write anymore. whom to see and what to do to recover his money. My Said Reb Chaim: "False Torah explanations are not uncle followed Reb Chaim's suggestions and he suc­ permitted to exist. The world needs only true, authentic ceeded in recovering his money. Torah." On his way home, my uncle stopped in to thank Reb In view of the scrupulous attention Reb Chaim gave Chaim, who was extremely happy with the results. My to every word written it is not surprising that his uncle took out a large sum of money, placed the gold published chiddushim earned the recognition of being coins in a kerchief, and gave it to Reb Chaim telling him Taras E1nes. that it was ma'aser (a tithe of his gains). Reb Chaim thanked him and then shared a Dvar Torah with him. In the midst of their conversation, a poor man came by and told him of his desperate need for a large sum of money, asking for a donation. Reb Chaim took out the Yorn Kippur Rescue entire sum of money and gave it to the poor man.

HE Jewish "Bund" had played a large role in the T 1905 laborers' revolt against the Czar's govern­ The End of Days ment. The Czar suppressed the revolt and had all the offenders shot. Furthermore he issued a decree, that if a "proclamation" should be found in anyone's posses­ EB CHAIM noted that after the Torah enumerates sion, that person should be shot on the spot. Rthe curses of the Tochacha, which will befall Kial Once, Erev Yam Kippur, two Jewish Bundists were Yisroel if they abandon their covenant with G-d, the caught, bearing "proclamations" on their persons. Torah tells us: "And the last generation - your They were arrested and placed in jail. Their trial - and children ... and the stranger from a distant land will say

The Jewish Observer/ Septen1/Je1·, 1978 23 "

... 'Why did G-d punish this land so?'"(Devarim 29:21, §ELICH QT Authorised 23). Hebrew & English Reb Chaim asked: If the person who asks is a Edition "stranger," why describe him further as corning "from For The Whole Year a distant land"? It would seem to be redundant. He answered: The Torah is describing the situation that Although Selichot is will prevail during lkvesa de'Meshicha - the era just recited by millions of Jews prior to Moshiach's coming, when ignorance will be so all over the world, on public prevalent in the world that a Jew will ask the same Fast Days and around the questions as a Gentile from a far off country. A Gentile High Holy Day season, its that lives among Jews knows that Jews do not work complex vocabulary and once a week, on Shabbos ... that they have a festival in poetic structure renders it which they do not eat bread ... one when Jews leave largely incomprehensible their homes and erect huts, to eat and sleep in them. but to a select few. However, a Gentile from a distant corner of Asia or And even fewer are aware of the origin of Selichot, its Africa probably never saw a Jew in his life. He has no outstanding composers, its historical development, and conception of their customs. Thus, the Torah describes its diverse literary forms. the time just prior to Moshiach's arrival: There will be Now, English-speaking Jews in America can better such ignorance in the world that "The last generation - familiarize themselves with this crucial, but often your children" the Jewish people will be so far from neglected, body of Jewish liturgy, with Rabbi Abraham Torah, as to be comparable to the "stranger from a dis­ Rosenfeld's SELICHOT FOR THE WHOLE YEAR, just tant land" - a Gentile that never lived among Jews, and published anew by Judaica Press. is totally ignorant of their customs ... This is what the Featuring: Gemora means when it says: "Torah is destined to be • Selichot for the entire year presented in the original forgotten from Israel." f-lebrew. complete with full translation in English; Unfortunately, we have seen much fulfillment of this • highly informative annotations, with the names of the prophecy - may G-d have mercy on us and speedily composers of each pfyyut (poem) and the history behind usher in the next era. ~T, it. • biblical source reference notes appearing in the margins alongside verses excerpted from the Tenakh: • an alphabetical index of the composers and Pincus Mandel biographical sketches for each one; Renowned Expert - Over 25 years • a brief history of the origin of Selichot, its purpose. experience in development, and variety in style and structure: Kvura on all cemeteries in Eretz Yisrael • Torah and Haftorah readings for public Fast days. With all Hidurim - as done only by SELICHOT FOR THE WHOLE YEAR promises to Shomrei Torah Umitzvos bring this seemingly distant body of prayer closer to its readers as the most crucial days of the year draw closer. Responsible for current system - speedily With this invaluable contribution to the English·speaking expedited - at Airport in 4 to 5 hours public, the recitation of the Se/ichOtwill become meaningful With more than 45 years of cemetery experience to more readers. It will help create a more conscientious awareness of not only the meaning of the words, but also unceasingly dedicated to the highest standards the dramatic history of their development and, in turn, a cif Chesed Shel Emes in all its implications better understanding of JevJish destiny. without emphasis on the inyan of SELICHOT FOR THE WHOLE YEAR monetary gain. 6"x9", 832 pages Recommended by Most Prominent Hardcover$1095 Softcover $795 Rabbanim and Admorim Available at your book store or direct from: Pincus Mandel Israel Book Shop, Inc. 1569 47th St I Brooklyn, N.Y. 11219 Exclusive United States distributor Day and Night Phone: (212) 855-5121 410 Harvard Street Brookline, Mass. 02146 (617) 566·7113,7114 All bills rendered on actual "Costs-Plus' Basis THE JlJDA!CA PRESS. INC., No hidden or 'padded' charges 521 FIFTH AVENUE, NEW YORK, N.Y. 10017 Agudah Member - 50 years

24 The Jewish Observer I September, 1978 !'\- -

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0 YES! Please send me The American-Israeli Friendship THE KENNEDY MINT One Kennedy Circle, Cleveland, Ohio 44142 ------!Tribute which includes a complete set of Mintmark 30th 0 I am enclosing my check, payi'lb!e to The Kennedy Mint, for the full cost- Anniversary Israel coinage, three uncirculated U. S. $29.95 plus $2.00 shipping and handling Bicentennial coins, and an uncancelled Israel "200" stamp O PleasechargethefuHcostto: (NoC.0.D. orderswi!lbeaccepted) saluting the U. S. Bicentennial. I understand I must be c VISA/BankAmericard CJ Master Charge completely satisfied with this heirloom collection or I may O American Express O Diner's Club 0 Carte Blanche return it within 15 days for a full refund. Account No. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~- D Personalize my Tribute with the following name: (Please Print) Expiration Date Name ------~ Address (Note: Only one American-Israeli Friendship Tribute per collector.) City ______State ______ZIP ____ TO PLACE YOUR ORDER YOU MAY DIAL TOLL FREE Signature: 800-321-1030 Ezriel Toshavi Strictly a Matter of Principle Culminating twenty-five years of struggle, a new law has been passed in Israel, liberalizing the basis for granting religious girls exemption from military service ... but the storm has far from subsided.

"For girls, serving in the army is tan­ Kamenetzky K"\J'':'1l7, publicly cautioned tamount to violation of basic laws of families contemplating aliya with growing morality, and is in the category of 'yehoreig girls who would be of draft-age in the next v' al ya' avor' - demanding martyrdom rather ten years to bear in mind that they must ac­ than violation." - Moetzes Gedo lei Ha Torah, cept that their girls might find themselves in 1952 the Israeli Army. - Not necessarily as draftees who "failed" to pass review board "I don't care if it would be more scrutiny, but perhaps even as willing draftees economical to hire civilian clerks than to use ... Today, as a result of the Knesset coalition female soldiers. Every girl must serve in Chen agreement reached between Agudath Israel as a matter of principle; we must bring these and Prime Minister Begin, the situation has people into the twentieth century." - David changed totally. Ben-Gurion "Military service is a right and a duty. It "Religious? No. But I still don't want my must apply to everyone, not only to 70% of sister in the army." - Zahal soldier quoted in the girls ... no exceptions at all." - Rakefet DAV,·1R, Dec. '71. Katz, 17 year old leader of Israeli high. school girls' movement to resist the amendment to the At a national convention of Agudath Israel Security Service law, quoted in JERUSALEM POST, of America six years ago, Rabbi Yaakov July 18, 1978.

THE QUOTATIONS ABOVE merely reveal the surface of a performing one's obligations to Medinat Yisrael versus deep rift that has cut through all layers of Israeli maintaining the lofty traditions of Am Yisroel .... society. Considerations of military security versus con­ No battle is as fierce as one waged between adver­ cern for morality ... designs to homogenize Israel's saries who are convinced of their cause as responding to polyglot society as opposed to aspirations to preserve a higher calling, and none more bitter than one carried the purity of the bas Yisroel (Jewish womanhood) ... out by someone doing "more for the Land" than his adversary. (Whether that "more" is through service to EZRIEL TOSHA VI observes the Israeli scene for readers of THF JElV!SH G-d or by way of serving in Zahal does not matter ()BSER\TR much in the intensity of the feelings.)

The Jewish Observer I Scptemher, 1978 27 In Israel, where every aspect of life is so politicized, Zalmen Meltzer, the Gerrer Rebbe, the Belzer Rebbe nothing exists without some sort of political expression. i1'.Ji::l? DJ1i:JT among others - perceived the army as not Whether an issue deals with social problems, the only a threat to a woman's religious convictions, but as economy, health and welfare, security, religion, or antithetical to the Torah's moral imperatives as well. philosophy, it invariably has some political ramifica­ They declared service in the army for women as tan­ tions. Moreover, the Israeli multi-party parliamentary tamount to violation of one of the three cardinal system tends to exaggerate every such difference prohibitions which call for martyrdom rather than because of the ripple effect disputes can have on transgression.* precarious Knesset majorities and makeshift coalitions, In face of such unyielding opposition, carrying out lending a shrill tone to many an otherwise benign dis­ the draft of religious women was patently impossible. agreement. Draft of women is very much a case in Thus the law as passed in the 50's granted religious point. women exemptions, subject to review by a military The Army as a Social Tool board. (This, in turn, became a source of contention - but more of that later.) As an alternative to military ser­ It can surely be argued that during the founding days vice - as much to pacify those supporting the bill as to of many a kibbutz, it was essential that everyone do prevent the religious women from "getting away" en­ guard duty - women as well as men. During the War tirely - the Sheirut Le'umi Law was passed, which gave of Independence, as well, some women joined the men girls exempt from army service the obligation to select in bearing arms. But nationwide conscription of women another type of compulsory national service - in is quite another matter. Factors other than defense enter hospitals, schools, or some government office. While the picture - both in the arguments pro and con. this seemed an innocuous enough compromise - es­ In the early 50' s, the "inga thering" of the exiles pecially in view of the appreciable number of religious brought hundreds of thousands of Jews from Oriental girls that did work in hospitals, schools and offices - and Mediterranean lands to Israel, joining pioneers and the Torah leadership declared that any type of con­ pre-World War settlers, pre-War refugees and post­ scription for women - whether in armed services or War survivors, forming a socio-cultural polyglot. To white collar jobs - is unacceptable. David Ben Gurion, the mixture was a problem - a Agudath Israel, which had belonged to the governing country of no single definable culture would offer little coalition until then, voted against the bill and left the means of communal identification and would be ex­ government. Members of the Torah community all over tremely difficult to govern. the world rallied in public protest. Ben Gurion travelled Religion? Rather than as a national cohesive force, to Bnei Brak for his historic encounter with the Chazon Ben Gurion - an incorrigible Marxist- saw this as part !sh to discover for himself why the revered scholar ob­ of the problem. Education was one potent tool in the jected so strenuously to Sheirut Le'umi, and to explore homogenizing process of Israeli society, and indeed, for how far he could press the issue. The exact exchange a time Ben Gurion attempted to do away with the between the two is not known, but the end result was religious school system. When this failed, he tried to as­ that Sheirut Le'umi was never enforced: the law was sume control over religious education. shelved, only to be dusted off every once in a while by Notwithstanding, the broad-based independent anti-religious extremists seeking to create public up­ Chinuch Atzmai Torah School network was founded, roars. and is now flourishing, with 384 schools and nurseries Exemptions - Subject to Review serving 115 communities. Education of the young as a means of affecting social The government continued the draft of women, change is a slow process that can mold the up-and­ honoring the exemption of religious women with vary­ coming generation, but makes little imprint on the ing degrees of leniency. While graduates of Beth Jacob parent generation. Thus, the army was harnessed as high schools and seminaries were exempted without more than a means of achieving national security, and difficulty, this was not the case with other girls from became a key cultural tool as well - the ideal adult­ religious homes (mostly Sephardic girls, who did not education medium to homogenize Israeli society. In have a Beth Jacob-type of tradition of secondary fact, in the early so's, Ben Gurion boldly announced religious education, and girls in smaller communities that in ten years hence there would only be one culture in Israel - the Israeli one. But this would require more *The foresight of the Torah leadership has long since been cor~ than conscription of men, for unless women would also roborated by the sad facts. Haaretz military editor, Zeev Schiff, in his be drafted, they would preserve their "galut" culture in widely~quoted History of the Israeli Army, describes the Chen situa­ their homes, in spite of the "social rehabilitation" of the tion accordingly: ,.Entering the Army at eighteen, for most young women, means their first experience away from home and their in~ men in the army. troduction to [promiscuity] ... serving as a rite of passage for the The leading Torah scholars of the time - the Chazon women. It is widely believed that most women come of age sexually at !sh, the Brisker Rav, the Tchebiner Rav, Rabbi lsser some time during their military service" (page 124).

28 The Jewish Observer I September, 1978 that did not have such schools). The awarding of ex­ magnifying a ready-made one for whipping up anti­ emptions was under the jurisdiction of local military Begin sentiment. review boards. In many a locality, the members were It had become common knowledge that for all prac­ determined to ensnare the girls, and would rule on a tical purposes, the intent of the proposed law had been girl's religiosity in accordance with her performance on honored since the new government had been formed: religious-information tests dealing with esoteric infor­ the case of every girl claiming religious exemption was mation, not generally known among even better­ deferred as a result, the opposition proposed a vote of educated girls. Agudath Israel held public information no-confidence against the Begin government for pre­ assemblies, acquainting draft-age girls with their rights, empting the Knesset's function of legislating the laws preparing them for examinations, and advising them of of the land, but the motion went down .... Newspapers how to get help in the event they were called up. (It is printed grossly exaggerated reports of a "50% increase now well-known that in the Rabin government, names in religious exemptions" since the review boards had of religious girls whom biased examiners unjustly lost their final say, and girls claiming to be religious sought to conscript were often submitted to the were being deferred. (10% would be a more accurate Defense Ministry by Sephardic Chief Rabbi Ovadiah figure.) ... Petitions were circulated among high school Yoseif and Rabbi Shlomo Lorincz, Agudath Israel seniors, protesting the "injustice of allowing religious M.F.; the Ministry generally would see to it that they girls a two-year headstart on post-high school careers." were exempt.) Nevertheless, to the deep chagrin of the ... Some newspaper pundits saw the deterioration of Torah community, some girls were forcibly drafted, or the nation's defense system an immediate, ominous were forced into hiding to avoid conscription, a situa­ result of the new system of unchecked exemptions. tion that drove an ever-deepening wedge between the Others urged all girls to sabotage the entire system by various elements in Israeli society. claiming to be religious .... And the Israeli press, long- Throughout this painful period, whenever Agudath Israel was invited to join in the formation of a new governing coalitiong for the State, it made abolition of Unfair! these review boards a binding condition. Numerous of­ fers to join were made, always to be dropped for this "It would be unfair to define unfitness from army reason - among others, to be sure - until the most re­ service in terms of Shabbos and Kashrus, Observant cent election in May, 1977, when Menachem Begin's boys serve, why shouldn't the girls?" Likud party won the largest bloc of votes, and agreed to JERUSALEM POST, July 6, 1978 honor Agudath Israel's list of 43 conditions to be fulfil­ -Editorial, led (see JO June, 1977), which included the abolition of the review boards. notorious for its anti-religious bias, ran shrill headlines Passing the Bill about a "Sellout to Agudath Israel." In the meantime, spokesmen for the Torah com­ While some points of the coalition agreement were munity took every opportunity to clarify its stand: enforceable by executive order, others called for new Exemption from the draft is a matter of religious legislation - as was the case with draft of women. In principle, not a privilege exercised by the well­ such cases, Begin could sponsor a bill, but was simply connected (as claimed by some who used the issue to not in a position to guarantee passage. The Begin vent their hatred against religious elements). government submitted its bill to free all religious girls from military service on the basis of claim of religiosity Security is not compromised by reducing the number alone. The bill then had to go through three "readings," of girls in the army; the services provided by girls are during which it was subject to debate and possible basically non-essential. Moreover, the time and money amendment, with referrals to appropriate commit­ invested in training girls for more sophisticated tasks tees.The first reading passed peacefully, but by the time are invariably wasted in the long run because the girls the second reading was scheduled, a storm was beginn­ are discharged within a year of mastering their assign­ ing to brew. Anti-religious elements (which unfor­ ments, never to use them again in military service once tunately abound in the Holy Land - many of them they are married. It would be far more economical to within Begin's own Likud party) resented this major engage skilled civilian workers under longer term con­ "concession" to the Torah community. Beyond tracts, without providing them with room-and-board ideology, opponents to Begin's Likud government are and free training. also in generous supply; the Labor Alignment Granting deferments before passage of the law (as (Ma' arach) is still smarting from its loss of control of was done since June,1977) is consistent with the prac­ policy-making in the Holy Land after its virtual tice in other cases of administration-sponsored legisla­ monopoly of half-a-century, and it was not beneath tion. Besides, the Ma'arach had also circumvented creating issues where they did not exist, let alone review boards when it was in power by responding to

The Jewish Obscrvrr I Sr.>pternher, 1978 Allowing religious women to continue to pursue Kulturkampf by Stealth their own way of life is of greatest value to the country. We are witnessing in Israel a "Kulturkampf by Many religious women are already doing the greatest Stealth!' service for their country by raising large families; demographers continue to bewail how Israelis are There is a segment of Orthodoxy in Israel, dooming themselves to oblivion as Arabs are taking formed into Agudat Yisrael and Poalei Agudat over the country through sheer number power by vir­ Yisrael, that seeks actively to discourage young men tue of their large families - 4.5 children per family, as and women from from serving in this country's compared to the average of 1. 9 children per Jewish defense, and they have already succeeded in forc­ household. More specifically. birth control information ing the Ukud to do their bidding, as exemplified in and free abortions are administerd to women soldiers as the recent bill exempting in the recent hill ex­ a matter of course, giving them the experience to guide empting even self-styled religious girls from their conduct in their post-army years as wives and national service. They get their share of the party mothers. spoils system - perhaps even more than their fair allocation - yet they regard the state as if it were still Czarist Russia or Horthy's Hungary .... Five Votes Are More Than Fifteen Agudat Yisrael has demonstrated how much "Agudath Israel never promised radical change, . power can accrue to a faction of four very deter­ but it delivered it. , .. As a minority, without fifteen mined MKs, given as malleable a Premier as Mr. votes in the Knesset, with only four seats in the Begin. Recognition, indeed legitimation, of this un­ Knesset, wearing kapottes, sporting the precedented Aguda power has come from the NRP "batlonishe" styles of Batei Ungaren and Bnei Brak, (Mizrachi), when it has agreed to form united they realized unheard-of achievements, which the religious lists for the local government elections in fifteen members of Dash could never dream of do­ November. This means that religious extremism will ing .... This small party, which has no active share now become institutionalized right down to the in the government succeeded in passing a law grass roots of our political system, ... regarding conscription of wom{:-n, and even its The real issue in this controversy is whether Israel historic opponent, the Mafcfa/ (Mizrachi), had to is to be an open Western-oriented society, drag along and say "omeir." to the halachic deci­ dedicated to the observance of civil rights and in­ sion of the Moetzes Cedo/ei HaTorah." dividual liberties, or a spiritual ghetto controlled by - L. Y. Ycrushalmi, MAARIV reactionary clericalism. The struggle is on between tbose who want a The Poisoned Atmosphere Jewish state where the law and parliament reign By the time the second and third readings of the bill supreme, and those who wish the country to be approached, the Knesset was charged with acrimony. gov<>rned by the Halacha, with the Aguda's Council Bitterness and anger that accumulated for years was ex­ of Sages having the final say .... pressed in all sorts of wild accusations, ranging from Yet as the religious bloc pursues its Kulturkampf, Begin· s alleged feeble physical and mental condition to the opposition - which in fact is the majority - is the Likud·s supposed betrayal of the army in its sellout flexing no muscles. The Liberals and Profossor to Aguda. The coalition forces were sufficient to ascer­ tain that a no-confidence motion was doomed to failure. Yadin's rnen in the coalition government continue But enough agitation was stirred up to cast doubts on to dither, and even the Labor Party is hesitant to passage of the bill as it stood' that a girl need merely speak up for fear of antagonizing a potential coali­ submit a signed, notarized statement declaring that she tion partner, especially after the local government is religious to be automatically freed from the army, elections. without any objective standards being established for The only present hope lies in the public exerting her religiosity. A demand was rising for the creation of enough pressure in the mainstream party poli1icans some type of control to weed out "shirkers" without to stand up and block the Orthodox ;idvance. discriminating against the truly religious girls, and even some of Begin's Likud'niks threatened to defect if this - Mark Segal, JfRUSALIM POST, August 29, 1978 "leak" were not plugged. Agudath Israel refused to retreat on its insistence that the Military Review Boards recommendations for exemption submitted by respon­ be abolished. Suggestions that the Sheirut Le'umi law sible parties - taking this practice out of the realm of be enforced were revived, which was, of course, found immediate political controversy. equally unacceptable by Agudath Israel.

30 The Jewish ()!;server/ Septcmlicr, 1978 Again, the press (see boxes) expressed the worst - and the best - of the feelings aroused. On the one hand, the English-language Jerusalem Post saw fit to call the entire episode "A Sellout to Aguda." On the other hand, Amos Kinan in Yediot Acharonot begrudgingly confessed that "Reluctant as I am to ad­ mit it, Agudath Israel is the only party in this country that has any principles." In all, a major victory was won in the struggle to make the Medinat Yisroel more hospitable to Am Yisroel, demonstrating to the world that there is no area of Jewish life - politics included - which a Torah com­ The New Law munity can approach without seeking guidance from its Torah leadership. !.T. Negotiations continued over a three-week period, until the proposal was made that a Sabbath- and Kashrus-observing girl would be freed from the armed Moetzes Gedolei Ha Torah - a Model services solely on the basis of her signed declaration to As unpleasant as .it is for me to admit it, Agudath that effect. (Her private conduct would be subject to Israel is the only party in the country thot has princi­ scrutiny, however, and severe penalities would be im­ ples. And in general - and again it is unpleasant to posed on any girl who is found to have petitioned for a say so - the religious community in general is the army exemption on a false basis.) In addition, a non­ observant girl from a religious home would also be only one that maintains priniciples. If Maida! is the eligible for exemption, on the basis of the incom­ religious counterpart to Mapai - that is, the party patability between her home environment and religious that deals with religion much as Mapai deals with . life. But this girl would be required to appear before a socialism - it still has more principles than any local civilian board, consisting of three members: one of other secular party. But it pales in comparison to Agudath Israel, one from Mafdal (Mizrachi), and one Agudath Israel, which functions on two principles: Likud member. If her statements were found to be true, It will support any party that will yield to its de.­ she would also be freed. . mands; and will mak.e no compromise with any Since the original agreement had made no two party that does not yield to its demands. categories of exemptions, and had no provisions for Beyond being the most principled, Agudath any kind of formal review, this restructuring of the agreement was submitted for approval to the leaders of Israel is also the cleverest political party. We all Agudath Israel's Moetzes Gedolei Ha Torah (Council of know that"man's inclinations are evil from the time Torah Sages), which is composed of Israel's out­ of his youth." Anyone who occupies a seat (in the standing Roshei Yeshiva, Rabbonim, and Chassidic governing coalition) is not especially ready to give it Rebbes. up. Agudath Israel is well aware that its members · Once again (as in April 1977) the eyes of the country are beset with this same inclination .... It is here were focused on this council. The results, of course, are that the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah steps in. The well-known - the rabbinical council approved of the members of . : . (this council) are not Knesset modified form of the proposed bill as meeting the basic members. They have no seats to lose. As a result, all requirements of the agreement. After a bitter 13-hour their decisions are based on the principles of their debate - one of the longest marathon sessions in Knes­ movement and the Knesset members must abide set history - in which some unprecedented nastiness by .their decisons. Even when it is difficult Even and expressions of anti-religious sentiments seemed to when it is unpleasant. When the Moetzes decides peak, the bill became law by a vote of 54 to 45. that it is time to step out of the government, nothing helps. Aguda - No Democracy Let us remind ourselves that a government never "There are debates regarding the democratic fell because of any political, military, orsocialcause. process within political parties: is it effective or not? The only reason that a government was ever top­ - appropriate or not? In Agudath Israel there is no pled has .been a religious one. And that is because such debate, for. it has no democracy. The t.he religious people form the only group that has procedure is simple: Moetzes Gedolei Haiorah principles." decides, and that ends it." OMER, 1978 -Amos Kir.an, YEDIOT ACHARONOT, July4, 1978 -shlomo Mordechai, ).ufy 5, .

The Jewish Observer/ September, 1978 31 *We offer a brief summary of the premise of the Mechon HaHoyroa for Appreciation the sake of those who did not have an A t.etter o f opportunity to read the article: It is the intent of Mechon HaHoyroa :nt..,,:h 'fl?"...... oa to do whatever possible to meet the IL~v°"'~ Kal'vr b virtue ol our growing need for qualified Poskim . Mechon HaHoyroa Y The Jewish (halachic authorities) by selecting highly As participants in xpress our grat1tudfe ~~ undertaking, qualified scholars who have already regular support, ~~iz~g the importance ~h~ June '78 issue: received semicha (ordination for com­ Observer lordr~~~he extensive wnte-utr~ning of Poskim.'' by pleting specific parts of Shulchan Aruch: as evidence\ Render Decisions? The Yoreh Deahl and enrolling them in a "Who Sha\ \an.* . 's devotion of closely guided, highly structured Rabbi Aryeh Kap '-now\edge Rabbi Kap\atn gthe goals of wish to acr. . ·n presen m . program to complete the Four Sections We al so . - nd expression' Ii the imagina1 ion of the Shulchan Aruch with their major his gilts of creHat1vi:;:: so effectively as tde:~ concern for the commentaries over a period of ten Mechon Ha oy h \ike us, have a years. During this ten year period, they eaders w o, ' " of many r , k \\ VJ "Zevu\un s would be given an adequate stipend, to future of p sa . i to invite our le o ture ol our enable them to pursue their studies We take this opport~~! of the imperative ;diversify the without any financial worries what­ who share our ap;re~~ab\e us to broad~nt~~e Zevu\un's wi\\ soever. cause. to join us o As a result, these uh highest \eve\. This is an innovative program for, as a f our program. d Torah at t e f scope o . \ hare in bui\ ing . f the organizers o rule, once a young scholar has been gain a direc s f na\\y appreciative d tion is making it guided to a high level of Torah We are excep io whose supreme . evo t be utilized ex­ scholarship in a yeshiva/kolel, he is on Mechon HaHoyroa nt of our contribut~T i~ei Chacharnirn his own - financially as well as possible !or evhery cpeport of the young\ a ~thing whatsoever scholastically. As family obligations \usive\y !or t e su h with absolute y n mount, he may be forced to abandon c d . the Mee on, enro\\e m head expenses. d tion that ac- full-time study to earn a livelihood_ !or over d" nary evo . dive rt e d . their extraor ' h HaHoyroa in Mechon HaHoyroa offers a scholar Undoubtedly, it '~ b\e success of Mee on both support and program guidance. counts !or the remar at was founded. To avoid overhead costs, Mechon . ears s1nce l their two Y . b·\·n, to inspire HaHoyroa functions as an agency for T them we say. u the a 'h, f bringing together those who want to o H hern Yisborach grant yle\\oVJ supporters o our support Torah with those who are study­ jv\ay azevu\un's to join you as ing. Office space and secretarial work ever more . are contributed by the supporters of the expanding enterpnse. Kolel.

It is rare that one can influence the world in which one's Achievement thus far: children and grandchildren will live. By providing Torah • 43 advanced Talmudic scholars are currently under leadership for future generations, one can guarantee that the Mechon HaHoyroa programs, including 30 men under 10- world of our children will strive to the same high standards that year contracts to complete the entire Four Sections of the distinguished the world of our fathers. Shulchan Aruch. Mechon HaHoyroa was organized by a group of laymen • Founding, guidance, and support of with the following goals: Mechon HaHoyroa • Providing Kial Yisroel with qualified Poskim, fully 16 Edwin Lane knowledgeable in the Four Sections of Shulchan Aruch, with Monsey, N.Y. 10952 immediate attention to mastery of the two more neglected sec· Mechon HaHoyroa al yedei Yeshivath Ahavath Shalom lions: Choshen Mishpat (dealing with business law) and Even (for Sephardim) HaEzer ( halachos relating to marriage and divorce). 12 Rechov Levi Yitzchak Berditchov • Creating Kolelim specifically geared for this purpose. Geula, Jerusalem • Subsidizing advanced scholars in existing Kolelim - offer­ Mechon Hahoyroa al yedei Kole! Tarbitze ing them encouragement and guidance, coordinating their (for Ashkenazim) study programs with the structured, high-standard syllabus of Kikar Zupnick Mechon HaHoyroa's three Kolelim. Geula, Jerusalem • Promoting the emergence of Sephardic Morei Hoyroa • A ripple effect from Mechon HaHoyroa has reached (experts in Torah Law) in Erelz Yisroel, to lead Sephardic Kehil­ many other yeshivas and kolelim, inspiring the setting of long­ los - with complete independence from any political party or range goals and the introduction of more substantial stipends in government bureaucracy. these other institutions. - 0 RABBI MOSES FEINSTEIN 1••t:)Wl••t ntttc Letter From Rabbi Moshe Feinstein .1< u1?111 '55 r. D. a DRIVE c•,ll"li' ni1t1111 o•i These lines am meant to ,testify to Jews the world -over regarding the great itnpor· Nn, York 1. N. Y. pilt• M'll:I o,. ..,,,., 1·1222 tan~ of the Rotel Mechon ffaHoyroa. which was founded_ for_ young scholars _out· ,,.,, standing' in Torah and fear of G·d, both'in the land of Israef and in the_United States. :i: •,:;•:;:; ,....,,~,,. ol'l•n,,,.,,!) ni!lr!l ';>:;:; 7:\-Y.7' •:n:i ;;t':> rnn;i ;i;r.'Ol ;ir:J:;i Virtually all of them are ordained as authorities in Torah Law. ff ls theMeclton's lntent

.,t>»n;- " ;i t\ i ~ ;i 7 l 1 :i :J " '>'>,,fl ';>".:" inn•~ni in':>yo ci., ,,,,., 10 e:nable them to study without interruption and to complete their study of Torah Law tl1E> day n';>i:;:i o:;ii-;. ,:;•':iitt~i ,';>tti"• Ti1t:i , •, n1<:-.•i <'> in other sections of Shulchan Aruch, which ate so neglected ln oUr and aQe.· D) Cn!>'>::oni un-.11n:i "'!':'!:11<'; 1<1n .,,,..,,n nilllll ,;i>:i o•:>!l01!l i:i:i These ,outstanding scholars ..who are .unusually fit .for this -undertakitig, are now flt in,,:; W?)ll 1•1t1 ,,,,,., l'>'= .,"" ,,.,,... 1n':>"n ·~'>r. "'!It"' 7lll'T1l'l71 i111•'>J Stud~~ng in three kolelim - two in Jerusalem, and one lh Mons_ey, coordinated in a single course of study. The great adVahtage of this ls evident to everyone familiar with • ,,,., """'" 1""' -,t)>:! p11 ,,,,.,,, 111::. Toiah, They are also preparing to publish their research.their halachic de~iSlons.-as ni"'""' '>'''" n,i.,,l:i ,,,,,,,., 1:1•ir>:>H>1 t1•P1::to o•:ii:rn i~oinl nnY ,,. ;inJi ~Vd! as 'the scholarly correspondence between the three kolelim. i•vJ ,.,,,.,,,, irrni i"n o•?w1i• ~".-.•~J ;,.,.,.,, T11t) o•l"C ,n•'>'>i:i """" '>w The supporterS of this sacred institute h:>i:i Ji:! n'>J>1flfl1 •'"" .,,,, • ., i10J ,,.,. """""!) ""''" ,11''1>• •OJI n•1tol o'T• i1J>1 ,ri:o11pri llniin pii n1 •y11• '>:o'> P'>1<0 Pl'> ri1>:> dodve info their studies without distraction or finandal concern. 011>:>•., .,,,..., o•n'>noi 11•-.1:on1l1 0•':1nn,,;i n1:0'>11 ·~0!11 o•i•i '"1-.•nn i11<'1 During-these inflationary' times, underwriting the financial needs of these men wlth '-"' 1 " o•'>'>i:o~. ':>J pJ ;i:o;:i ;,,, tn»i ""'" inll digni!y (most of them with large families) is an extremely great expt O'lll' '>J> lo""" n•l'I :ci'Tpn ioion t•o•'l o•io11>;i o•ipoyn:o ni•;n from whith torah decistons 'Will emanate for all Israel, please G·<.t onoJ11' ll'l""" ''""' ,, • .,.,,J ll':'l'J ?•1-.n>:> 1<11• TJ:1111J1:o n1>-.n •o•o:o o»i•1tt 0•1>:0 '>1'1~? i'>:oi•w ,,,, n:oni:iJ us wi!h the merit to be worthy of G-d's bountiful blessintJs. nn nt'1i:on nii<:n;i,i •1:0•1 11 il"1n 0•:01J1<;1 O>'l!I'> (Rabbi) Moshe Feinsteih 7'm r-r.;>7 7Mi'll'CJ 1nt< '?J 7y 7'.'l11:1 ,1117 :nn;i p 7:; , n• 1n 11'>1 -.1::0:0

•1'l'> r•:>•-.l ?:on1 ;inl'lJ ';>;{"'!";•'( '11\11'1 Kl'1 1J'J'.:l'V ;tTJ ~':'1\i' 1011:1 011;>:::1

-~ , • ~1:0:01 .,,,,,, n""'""~' n1•:i•:o """ l''~ :111~;1 n:;1~:0 ;1Jn1n1 nnn It·. 'r ').'r (.._ ;i•p•1n,,1 n•ioi';\1 :i11n~ -.1:0:0'> nni:in ,.,, RABBI J. KAAlfNTZKY

:i1in :t:iln '1:> n'1 ot111n1 o:ry f1!>in :i:i1., ;iyi~ Letter from Rabbi Yaakov Kamenetzky .l<"U1?111 00-.ioo.1 '>'>nfl ?t1 1ninn,,n;i1 in1io•n;i •~i-.'> l':"~• 'Ol!t!>:> " ;f K , 1 ;) 7 1 1 '.:I !'.I fl :t1" !>'11:> I rejoice nver the news of the founding of the Ko.lei Me.chon HaHoyroa in .Monsey. •i• ':-1> ?1<""1::>•'> ;1111:> 111n T:t Hll!l:t It ls aptly named, for ii shows e\ieryindication of emerging asa source ofhalachic deci· '-. n1n•1 n11n •iin:i 0•1<•p:tl 0•1'1!11>:> o•:t1:>1t sion (hoyroa). lis fe!laws are young tnen who are outstanding as experts in Torah law as well as in their fear of G-d. They labor without respite in their Torah study and sue· •, niin:t nu:.'»:> ittn• "" -.•Dn , o-.:nJ: 1t•n teed in conduding their dehberafi6ns in con'sonance with Torah law. , 11n::>'>:ii 11:i•'>>< Knnl'= 0•;>•11!)1 They have reputations as Torah g'tants, and l can persona Hy tesfifyto fhe VeraCity of '•>);'>!>1"' "'l>!!Oi 'lit l''Ti> nl<"!l1 ,1>!>C:t 'lltl these reports, :i::i'1nn p1>lY i1i•:i:i l'l'lln •'>1-.1:i aw o:r':> lll•1 It is indeed an act of very great virtue to genero.usly. support this. Institute, , n•'>:r• o-r•J •., T!IM1 :i11n '>11 nn>:>1t'> which will endow aU Israel with ~at benefit in the near future with the help of 1">:>o•nM1 inrv•n1<'> n1•:r? -.11:11'1 i)I' ;p, :'l,,;1n

G·d. :11-.p:tt! ;ir: t"lip -.on>'> n:i•11 n1.,, :i~• t•l':t (Rabbi) Yaakov Kamenetzky ,.,:in• Ct'~ n.,n•:t ~ .. ,,,. :t•:i ~:. 1'"111!0 1 li'I• r: ,;(:(' '/ .. ~, :)""

We invite you to do "Chessed" with Hashem Yisborach! (Use the envelope attached) G·d has chosen for Himself in this world the MECHON HAHOYROA P.0.B. 371 / Monsey, N.Y.10952 four "ells" of Halacha. Gentlemen: By contributing to Mechon HaHayroa, you will I am interested in enrolling tn the Mechon as a Zevulun: enlarge G-d's domain in this world, for every dollar D with my contribution of $ ...... D with a regular monthly contribution of $ ...... you give will be directed to a new Yissachar - to D kindly send me ...... reprint(s) of the article "Who Shall support one more scholar in his study of Halacha. Render Decisions?". Without your contribution, less will be done! Name .. During these crucial Days of Judgment, we appeal Address to you: City. JOIN US! State. Zip. (Mechon Ha'Hoyora is a tax exempt organization) For your vacation pleasure due to popular demand SIM CHA BY THE SEA Located on scenic, historic Midland Beach Staten Island, New York will be open for the Yomim Tovim Facilities are available for Simchas

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34 Tlie Jewish ()/1servcr I Srptemher, 1978 second looks at the jewish scene A year-old infant is suffering from a brain tumor. After surgery, she is hospitalized, receiving radiation Close Encounters of a Wireless Kind treatment. Help the impoverished mother .save Tuning in to Mesivta D'Rake'ah her child' Prominent Rabbis and Roshei "CQ, CQ, Mesivta D'Rake' ah, by Sochotzhover Rebbe ~·::.-1 on Yeshiva ask you: WA3KKN calling ?.nd standing Sabbath Laws). I couldn't reach Give will all your heart to this very by: WA3KKN, here is WB2EVL. him, but I'll try again in a half hour urgent_ cause! How are you tonight, Pinnie?" and patch him in. Now, as for the Make checks payable to: "Good evening, Simcha, we are difference between replacing onions Bikur Cholim fine, baruch Hashem. How are in loose dirt for storage, which is Le'aniye Eretz _Yisroel you?" permitted on Shabbos - and put­ 230 Keap Street ting them in for the first time on "Fine, baruch Hashem. WA3K­ Brooklyn, New York 11211 Shabbos, which is not permitted: KN standing by." Why should this be so? They're How did it all start? At a New "K2YHM" "WA2JZT here only put in for storage and they are York wedding, Asher Biron - a also" "W2GRD here. not growing in the loose dirt member of Kole! Bais Avrohom of WA3WHL anyway?" From WAJKKN: "Good even­ Los Angeles - bumped into an old ing, Yitzchak (WA2JZT), Avi * * * (K2YHM), Moshe (W2GRD), and "i:or example: Shalom (WA3WHL)." No, this is not a case of crossed iv,\2JZT (Yitzchak Sokol) of Lakewood co1n1nunication wires. In fact, there KzYHM (Avi Gittler) of Monsey "W A2JZT taking over net con­ are no wires. This is the Mesivta lV AJVVHL (Shalom Gilbert) of Potomac. trol. D'Rake'ah (literally: heavenly aca­ MJ. Yitzchak: "Were there any ques­ demy) - the Yeshiva of the Air, lVJ CAJ (David Schwartz) of Amherst \V2CRD {Moshe Bush) of North Brunswick tions left over from last night? We wanning up at 9PM Eastern Time were wrapping up zore'a (the \tVABJR (Reuben Shmidman) of Baltimore Sunday through Thursday, an hour VEIAIJ (],1cob Columbus) of Sydney, Nova prohibition against planting on the and a half after sundown on Satur­ Sabbath), and starting ketzira (reap­ Scotia day nights, keeping its scheduled \VAJKKN {Pinchas Fleischman) of Har­ ing). ~How are the signals tonight, hour-and-a-half-to-two hours of risburg:, Pa. A vi?" Torah study. More than kvi'us ittim VV08KAK/VE3 (Bruce) of Toronto, Canada Avi (K2YHMJ): "Fine, baruch - keeping reserved time for Torah, \V20xR {Reuben Grossl) of Staten Island, Hashem. 40 over 9 .. Do you hear it is kvi'us avir - a standard, or set New York me7 I have Baruch on the telephone frequency, night after night, at 1. Reuben ;-i··y, an outstanding, in­ patch, and he's listening." (A patch 3.825 MHZ. novative and visionary leader in Jewish com­ munal ,1ffairs, founder of COLPA, and is a means by which a non-set Mesivta D'Rake'ah binds operator can tune in and participate author of pentrating comments that ap­ together a group of amateur radio peared in the Jerusalem Post, Jewish Life, as through a telephone call to one of operators (HAMS - or Kosher the set owners.) well as these pages, passed away since this Hams, as they prefer to be called), writing. Hi: had literally rnade history with Yitzchak: "Increase the gain on from all over North America.* his HAM radio, transmitting code messages the patch." regarding anns shipments to the fledgling While more than 30 people have State of Israel, as documented in Slater's The Avi: "Got me?" checked in and participated in the Pledge, a popular book on the subject. Yitzchak: "You're all coming in sessions, normally some eight peo­ Beating his sword into a ploughshare, well. Good evening Baruch. Good ple participate each night, not in­ Reuben was a f,1ithfu] member of Mesivta D' evening to all I tried to check cluding the many SWLs (short Rake"ah until the very night before he signed with Reb Shimon Eider regarding wave listeners) who reportedly tune off and joined the prototype "Heavenly the Eglei Tai (halachic commentary in, but are unable to respond. Academy."

T/11' Jcmisli ()hserver I September, 1978 35 friend, Pinchas Fleischman, of Har­ risburg, Pa., who complained of be­ ing at a loss for a steady Torah study partner to learn with every night. Remembering Pinchas as a HAM operator, the Kole! fellow suggesed he contact Yitzchak Sokol - also a HAM operator - who is a member of the Kole] in Lakewood, New jersey. It was a shidduch from the first hook up, and just one year ago, on the night of August 31, 1977, when Pinchas and Yitzchak made contact, they immediately delved into halachic discussions relating to the shofar, in the Mishna Brura, and they became steady chavrusas (study partners). A beep at a time, more listeners 9, he tuned to the Mesivta fre­ and "munning" them if they don't, tuned in - some by responding to a quency for his very first radio con­ with his own lighter-than-air touch. notice in Chavairim - a Jewish tact. He was amazed by what he All of those active have been HAM journal; others by mere se­ heard. Now, he and his family par­ radio operators for many years, rendipity - like Moshe (W2GRD) ticipate every night, never missing. usually since childhood. They come who confessed, "I've been tuning A small group quickly took from a variety of walks of life - in­ on HAM radio for 20 years and shape. They appointed Yitzchak cluding chemists, phricists, never heard anyone learning Sokol Rosh Mesivta - in charge of lawyers, salesmen, teachE'f, and Talmud." setting up the curriculum, controll­ yeshiva-leit. One of the rr,embers Another Mesifta member, Avi ing the group on the air (known as was recently introduced through Gittler (K2YHM) of Monsey, New net control), and preparing the the radio to a chavrusa at a local York, had been inactive for many shiur in advance - that is, to know yeshiva, and is now learning direct­ years. He had just recently set up a the material under discussion. ly with him instead of with the station and took the test. Then, Pinchas was appointed Mashgiach, group. In some ways, he claims, he turning on his rig at one minute to making sure everyone shows up misses the radio, for he found it

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36 Tl1e Jewish Observer I Sept,?mber, 1978 easy to concentrate when learning many local experts on halacha and on the radio. Talmud, including Rabbi Eider, the IQ#fimi#foi:M1!ii''f ~ author of the current official text. In Curriculum and Extra-Curriculum addition, several sessions every We are proud to announce five The group (of only two at the week feature guest lectures by more titles in our protninent rabbinical figures (such start) was launched with the study PAPERBACK LIBRARY of Hilchos Shofar in Mishna Brura as Rabbi Shmuel Blech of - with "live" demonstrations and Lakewood) or Kole] fellows (R' A.B. CHALLENGE The second, revised edi· practice sessions on the radio, of Maimon, R' Shlomo Gissinger) on a lion (fourth printing) of this highly ac· course. Next came Hilchos Succah philosophical theme, related to claimed anthology of articles on the relationship of science to Torah Judaism. ~ with a com1nunal review (span­ either the topic under study or an approaching festival. Edited by Aryeh Carmell and Cyril Domb. ning some 2,000 miles) from $6.95 everyone's individual succa during The format of the drashos in­ (hard cover $12.50) Chol Hamoed, to fulfill the mitzva volve the Rabbi pausing every ten of making the succa the kviyus - 1ninutes for station identification DAVID, KING OF ISRAEL Based on headquarters for all living activities. (required by law), allowing for authentic Rabbinic sources this book pre· The syllabus continued to switch questions and comments. These sents Torah-true account of David by from the perpetually relevant drashos are therefore slightly dif­ Henry Biberfeld. (Birchas Hamazon), to the seasonal­ ferent from the conventional, $3.95 ly topical (Purim to Pesach to Sefira because of the audience's active FUNDAMENTALS OF JUDAISM The - with nightly counting, to be participation. first comprehensive anthology of sure). Currently, the group is The group also studies representative selections from the works studying Hilchos Shabbos, as the Mishnayos every night and plans a of Samson Raphael Hirsch and his out· opening sequence quoted. Siyum-gathering at a future date. standing disciples, edited by Jacob The Rosh Yeshiva's Lakewood Another spin-off from the sessions: Breuer. location permits him to consult the one participant invested $200 on an $4.95 (hard cover $7.95)

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The Jewish Observer I September, 1978 37 excellent pair of tefillin and had all responsible for getting my chavrusa ·~p::np:::n i::i.Jt;)::J ,l"li:;i il1J?::i.1 his mezuzos checked. on the air to learn Tor ah, was a mis­ h\ your car, in your office, at home, sionary!" you 'can tunP in to informative, in­ Sidetracking <;pirational As another first, Reuben Since kvi'us ittim is a very Schnidman (WB3LIC) had recently Torah U'Midos Tapes serious concept, the group was set up his old radio to tune in on the on twenty three different subjects, quite at a loss once when Pinchas - group. It is so ancient that the including sections of nt:::q,?::i n:;;11n, th£> 13 key attributes according to Rabbi the Mashgiach himself - couldn't inodulator doesn't work and he was YLsroel Salanter, Sholom Bayis: Also: be reached. In an attempt at tracing only able to transmit on Morse 30 tapes on Chinuch, Pirkei Avos him, Yitzchak tuned to other fre­ code. The oddity of hearing Reuben Parsh,1s Hashovua "' quencies, and the Amazon jungle in shlug,ging op someone or saying a (Yiddish) $2 -- each Brazil came in clearly. As Yitzchak English tape<; also available on O chiddush in Morse code was a real Chintich 0 Honoring one's parents 0 recalls iL "] heard him saying that first in the annals of Torah study. Lashon Hara 0 Gan fden of the he was talking to Harrisburg, Pa., so For another first, the Mesivta Mastnid 0 500 Gems on Midas and I asked him to relay a message to the recently featured Pinchas deliver­ Mussar Penn station to call Pinchas to get ing, from his home in Harrisburg, a by Rabbi Elchonon J. Hertzman him on the air. Pinchas came on drasha at a Sheva Brochos at (English) $2.SO each soon after, but I found out that the Yitzchak's house in Lakewood. A Alsn: station in the Amazon, who was speaker was set up in the dining Second Editions of room, to permit him to convey his ,.Ultl wishes live to the chasan and kallah. !:l"niN - ~!Iii! qtin pn1n< ::i-,il MEOREI GALICIA Encyclopaedia of Galician rabbis and This cordiality may seem "il"til MD1ll" .,Dt! (1 scholars from 1772 strange, considering that most of 'Y'DliJJ'J ?i-;1 ?w 1'T1UlbK1 fin11?1n the Mesivta members had never met i);1-i::i. -n:r1D;-; by before - except for a July 4 get­ ?"Yl l''iJtiJ'"l? ?Kpln' 'J."l Rabbi Meir Wunder '"b n::1i1;1i 7ttl i:in1-i0 i!?i!:!Y.l il'ilu,,· 'n together on the Staten Island estate .il'JW;i 0?1Yi1 nbn?n n"l:JO::l KD'7::i VOL. I - A-D of Reuben Gross '1"l1. But there is ·i:i::i::i 'TJ.''.ll!:l n::i.'ill' i.,1v 'Jhl"ltl n7;.. nr.r: price: $25. no need for face-to-face meetings to ,,.,,KY.I 'lD" "tDt! (l Sole distributors in [J.S. & Canada: enhance these wireless hook-ups. tiO''!J i'Ktl i::i"l ?w rnn01Ji11 11l11•71n Grunfeld's Book Store Some argue that by their very ,iT11i7' ifl\Vb W'lJK"i1::1J tl'i1W ?··:;t 4624 - 16th Avenue nature, intellectual/spiritual en­ .n1JllVJ nU"liY.l? n7y 1Y.J::1·;.r n1n::i::n Brooklyn. N.Y. 11204 counters best ride the airwaves un­ ,,,,b l't~''W'' l:itu nl:i~MM t!l" (~ (212) 871·8885 encumbered by corporeal con­ ""Pn" nJ't,:.'' ?w n'O'Ji"1 ;i?~nn 'i''!:l siderations. 1..1' l!:P ,.,, «1':!1Vil t:il:inn1 nr.iti?b nn1pn::i :1)1iVK"17 nr.io;;:inb il i1IV"'"ID .'KflJW1 ;iJ1bK ;ni!:loi ."'lnP:i o-iinn r:nKJ .nn:i.11·;i:i D'"'liY.ln ;;::i.y? i"t::111Vil 1T K'J10 nY''"'I' ll!:l'i'Y.:l :i:i1nri i?:ip'ttr 'i:J ,1J'11"lJ ;;rn;i1 llil::l ni'K'11V 'iH{ n1r.i?11< ililLKD Ol'"Pi1J1 .nx1wn n?inr< ATTENTION MECHANCHIM T1':1::1 -iixS '!RY-. 7"Ji1 b.,..,!:ltJ."1 nw?w 111:11\J 111\ ll ''"\Do? -;non;i·in:i:::i ;i'"P"..:ln? D'tC:l'r.n1 ,inK ACTIVITY PROGRAM Hebrew Academy of Cleveland $4 -·· .'Y.ll'JY "l'Mb:i t'.i'11i' Publ1cat1on Depa'rtment offers "lnNl Ml::1" "t!JO i1X:7 KY' lJ"ilJJ P">•t~ C00!>1M J1ld« 3 - S Curricular manuals. guides. ,l1'i:JYJ "lnin HEBREW ACADEMY Rabbi E.J. Hertzman PUBLICATIONS DEPT. 61 Harrison Avenu:e/ Apt. 50 Brooklvn, N. Y. 11211 1860 South Taylor Rd. (21zl 388-9141 Cleveland Heights, Ohio 44118

38 The Jewish ObserPer I St>ptember, 1978 spoke in his own defense. For a half Brave New Heroes hour, Shcharansky lectured the courtroom - not on freedom of the I press, not on the Helsinki agree­ ment, but on what it means to belong to the Jewish people. He the wild-eyed fanatic. Nor the Heroes are those who defy the said, in part, as transcribed by his primitive acceptance of the non­ elements, fight a bigotted establish­ brother, Leonid, who was present at ment, overcome insurmountable sophisticate. Just the strength of the trial: obstacles. No, not the adventurers conviction of the true ma'amin. In March and April, during who seek challenges that threaten One such hero is the Soviet interrogation, the chief investigators life and limb for the mere sport of it. refusenik. We've written about warned me that in the position I have Such foolhardy behavior is silly - them before, but each one is dif­ taken during investigation, and held to even sinful - and not at all worthy ferent fro1n the other and inspires here in court, I would be threatened of praise. Heroes are those who rise that much more wonderment. Most with execution by firing squad, or at above forbidding circumstances recently it was Anatoly least 15 years. If I would agree to because they respond to a higher Shcharansky. cooperate with the investigation for the calling. His trial during early July at­ purpose of destroying the Jewish Our generation is breeding a new tracted world-wide attention. emigration movement, they promised type of hero, and the rest of us Shcharansky, a 30 year old Jew me early freedom and a quick reunion would be wise to take note - whose wife succeeded in emigrating with my wife. emulate them, if possible - but at to Israel, was accused of treason Five years ago, I submitted my ap­ least be aware of their existence. His against the USSR, for allegedly plication for exit to Israel. Now I'm greatest strength is his direct, un­ feeding state secrets to members of further than ever from my dream. It varnished, unquestioning loyalty to the American press. At his trial, he would seem to be cause for regret. But it his convictions. Not the hysteria of refused state-provided counsel, and is absolutely otherwise. J am happy. I ISRAEL Burials and American Disinterments liiKl~'i~t:l i1tl~C' the Transfer to Israel within the same day

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The Jewish Ohserver I Septen1ber, 1978 39 am happy that I lived honestly, in peace exchange activity in the emigration other places less - and the Jews have with my conscience. I never com­ movement for a life with my wife A vital been able to accept the culture of the promised my soul, even under the threat in Israel. country in which they live. That is not of death. The history of the Jewish nation is surprising. What is surprising is I hope that the absurd accusation distinguished by the fact that for 2,000 something else - that Jews have main­ against me and the entire Jewish years it has remained scattered, and tained themselves as a nation. emigration movement will not hinder therefore it is not surprising that it has In the 1960's, an emigration move­ the liberation of my people. My dear been partly assimilated in certain ment arose again. Seven or eight years ones and friends know how I wanted to localities - in some places more, in have passed, and 150,000 people have left. What is that? A provocation by American special services? It is a natural, historical process. Now Jews are seeking not the path of assimilation, but of Judaization. That is the ground over which my activities passed at the end. For more than 2,000 years the Jewish people, my people, have been dispersed. But wherever they are, wherever Jews are found, every year they have repeated, "Next year in Jerusalem." Now, when I am further than ever from my people, from Avital, facing many arduous years of imprisonment, I say, turning to my people, my A vital: Next year in Jerusalem. Now I turn to you, the court, who were required to confirm a predeter­ mined sentence: to you I have nothing to say. If Anatoly Shcharansky even knows that there are 613 mitzvos - lbl1 have for let alone keeps those applicable to­ day - it would border on the 40years... miraculous. Thus, this cannot be the measure of his commitment. It is "Migdal" Kosher his deep instinctive understanding Cheese simply of the unassimilable Jewish essence that impels him to such bravery - cannot be beat NATURAL not pleading as much as boldly declaring his Jewishness in the for delicious MUENs-r~ER murderously hostile court, forcing natural flavor CHEESE the rest of us to question our own MADE fROM.Pf\ST[VRIZEO MllK and Kashruth pale Jewish pride - that draws our admiration. ~T. you can rely on. Chap.A-Nosh at Miami's REMEMBER "MIGDAL" is DELI-NOSH Gt.A TI KOSHElt FAST FOODS produced under the Under Orthocloa Rabbinical Council supervision of Rabbi (g) DlllllRS,LUllCHES Joseph Breuer, K'hal HAIMISHE TAKE HOME FOODS Adath Jeshurun, IAl-14 CHICKEN, DEUCA TES SEN SANDWICHES, BURGERS, FRANKS NYC EAT IN OR TAKE OUT Open All Yoar 11AM 0 11 PM THURM BROS.-World Cheese Co., Inc., N-York, N.Y. 10013 420 Arthur G~. 4111 St. Miami leach, Flo.

40 T/ie Jewish O/Jserver I Septe1nber, 1978 Revolution," he explains. "This can Soviet Jews only result in more trouble for Soviet Jewry and accelerate the end & Political Reformers of the Jewish identity." Branover believes that ties with the reform movement only serve to An interview with Prof. Hermann Branover, increase the assimilation of the Jews in Russia which, he claims, is a by H. Daniel Wall, from the Jerusalem Post. principle inherent in the ideology of the Communist state. As evidence of this he cites Lenin who, in 1903, than against someone trying to The persecution of Soviet Jewish wrote: "To accept the existence of a change the internal political dissidents seeking to come on aliya Jewish nation would be absurd regime," states Branover in his of­ would be considerably diminished if from the academic point of view fice at Ben-Gurion University of the they stopped associating them­ and a tragedy for the working selves with the political reform Negev, where he is a professor of class." rnovement in Russia. This opinion mechanical engineering. was voiced by Hermann Branover, "So even a more liberal regime," "Aliya," Not Liberalism head of "Shamir" the Association concludes Branover, "will not help of Religious Scientists and Profes­ "Shcharansky," he notes, "had the cause of Jewish identity." sionals from the Soviet Union, and close contacts with the dissident But wouldn't such an a leading spokesman of the Russian movement, which enabled the ethnocentric and seemingly selfish cornmunity in Israel. Soviet government to fabricate a attitude, if voiced on a large scale, "One thing needed to prevent case against him." He adds that the undermine public support for the further trials like that of situation of Alexander Ginzburg, Jewish dissidents, especially in the Shcharansky is for the Russian who was sentenced to eight years' US where concern has been Jews to dissociate themselves entire­ imprisonment recently, was even manifested for the rights of all the ly from the liberal movement in worse owing to his clear involve­ oppressed people in Russia. Russia," says Branover, who ment with the Solzhenitsyn fund "Don't delude yourself that the acknowledges that there is a large for supporting human rights ac­ American government can change number of Jews participating in the tivities in J{ussia. the situation," says Branover firm­ monitoring of the Helsinki accords The Beersheba scientist feels ly. "And even if it involves the risk and other dissident activities. strongly that Jews in Russia should of losing popular support, we must "Persecution and harassment are concentrate their efforts on aliya. concentrate intensively on the relatively lighter against someone "We shouldn't be working to help freedom to make aliya. The wishing to emigrate from Russia bring about a second Russian strongest influence we can muster is

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Thr J1•wish ()bsenwr / Septen1her, 1978 that of 50,000 Jews petitioning the Russia by the normally heavily­ !Pave, not as many applications for Soviet Union for exit visas." censored media. exit visas, and not the same united Branover, who came to Israel But insofar as the Jewish activists front for aliya as there was several from Riga in 1972, thinks that the are concerned, he believes that the years ago," he says. current crackdown against dissi­ main factor behind the trials is the Branover explains that the big dents reflects a power struggle relatively weak Jewish movement in pressure by those with a strong within the Moscow regime. He Russia today. Jewish identity occurred in the early points to the wide publicity that has "There is not as much pressure '70s. In 1973, at least 50,000 Jews been given to the trials throughout applied by Jews for the right to applied for exit permits to get to Israel. Today, there are only about 20,000 such applications pending. "The trials are intended to frighten the population," says Branover. "The Soviet government sees that the group striving for emigration is so small that they can be more easily intimidated, and pos­ sibly the aliya movement can now be completely snuffed out." The visa applications are down, says Branover, because motivation and a sense of Jewish identity have been seriously eroded. He realizes that this opinion won't endear him to his fellow activists in Israel.

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42 Tl1t> fnoi;;/1 CJhsen.>er / Septemher, 1978 "Raise Jewish Awareness" den1onstrations, while useful, can derground Jewish education and He does not disagree with those only be part of our efforts." n1ethods to promote aliya," con­ who say that Jews aren't leaving Branover calls for a major cam­ cludes the Shamir leader. "Without Russia for fear of reprisals against paign directed toward the revival of an increased Jewish consciousness themselves and their families if they the Jewish liberation movement. among Russia's Jews, where can we apply for a visa. He himself, an in­ "We n1ust increase radio broadcasts expect them to find the motivation, ternationally renowned expert on and letters to Russian Jews. and the essential courage, to apply for e1nigration?" !..'i'. fluid dynamics, was jailed several "We have to use every means at times after applying for a visa, al­ our disposal to increase un- legedly for "hooliganism." But, he adds, "it was even more . difficult in the early '70s, when the The Jewish Patient's Bill of Rights, Soviet borders were hermetically published by Agudath Israel of A completely new edition sealed against emigration. America. is now poicy in at least one Nevertheless, people took the risk, hospital. We want more hospitals to and Moscow felt the pressure when ·do the same. It is important that we 100,000 Jews demanded exit visas. interview people who have recently "Not enough is being done to in­ spent some time in a hospital. In­ crease Russian aliya," he declares in dividuals who are prepared to be in· , apparent criticism of the Jewish terviewed please call: 233-3967 and organizations as well as the Israel ask for: "Bikur Cholim" govern1nent. "Protests and

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Till' ]ewisli (Jhserver I September, 1978 .JJ Special money-saving offer to our friends: Due to sky-rocketing production costs, the single-copy price of The Jewish Observer will be increased to $1.25, as of October 1, 1978. The subscription fee will be: One year - 10 issues (a $12.50 value) will cost only $9.00 (old price: $7.50) Two years - 20 issues (a $25.00 value) will cost only $17.50 (old price: $13.00) Three years - 30 issues (a $37.50 value) will cost only $25.00 (old price: $18.00) Old Friends, who are already subscribers: Save $19.50 by extending your subscription for three years before October 15 (pay only $18.00 instead of $25.00 for a $37.50 value!) New Friends, who are not yet subscribers: Order a new subscription beginning September, 1978, at the old price; save yourself from $5.00 to as much as $19.50 on the single-issue price. Do not delay. Use the handy coupon below. An additional bonus to all friends, old and new, who subscribe NOW for three years: Five vintage copies ofThe Jewish Observer from our files of fifteen years of publishing, selected at random for your pleasure and inspiration, will be ~( JE!::::: 11 The Case FO< mailed to you absolutely free upon receipt of (: : NATIONAL IDENTITY your $18.0

Tft1· Jewish ()/1scrvcr I Sq1tcmber, 1978 45 tion ("only 2% survival chance, but The disease was in remission, it ap­ want from life?" To which he absolutely fatal without it"). It peared .. but not for long ... More replied, "Not very much .. just to worked, it seemed.- David was on Tehi/lim, more thousands upon learn as much Torah as I could." the way to recovery, it was hoped. thousands raised and distributed for In a complex society of sophisti­ tzeddaka, more demands from cated expectations and subtle ex­ Heaven: "Tzeddaka redeems from changes, there is an army of heroes. SORRY- death ... You have no right to take Their intelligence and gifts for we must stop sending him from us." "Teshuva, tefilla, abstract projection, do not impede and tzeddaka dispel the evil their grasp of the simplicities of life: THE JEWISH OBSERVER decree." "The merit of Torah study They confronted the Malach when your subscription protects from death." So the decree f{arnoves, demanded life for a runs out , , , don't miss was again stayed, for a short while. friend a buddy . a fellow stu- During his final halted breaths, dent an unknown yeshiva a single issue . his head cradled by one of his bud­ hachur in distress . and snatched RENEW NOW f dies, Moshe David hen Margolis, twenty months of it away from the was asked, "Tell me, what did you Malach's clutches. !...7-

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The Jewish C)hserver /September, 1978 46 hope it bespeaks was kept alive - An Exchange of Words both before Theodor Herzl and since - by generations of Torah­ People arguing with one another eternally bound with this sacred loyal Jews of whom the Aguda com­ are often described as "having Land. The true alienists are decided­ munity is a major part. words with each other." Sometimes ly the galut-bound secularists who In the metaphysical sense, it has the words can create - or exacer­ are still pledging allegiance to a 19th been astutely pointed out that the bate differences. Some of history's Century brand of super­ Land of Israel is extremely sensitive most successful propaganda cam­ nationalism that fails to recognize to violations of the moral code, It paigns have been launched on the the transcendant nationalism of the has thus been quite effectively basis of a few well-chosen words - Jewish People - a faith community argued that the security of the Land words that may not even be ger­ that extends beyond the finitudes of is vouchsafed by those who main­ maine to the position of the oppo­ fixed boundaries and national ban­ tain unflinching fidelity to Torah nent, but words that are effective ners (although these have their and its teachings, in spite of the weapons because of the strong place) ... And those who still believe debilitating effect of those who emotional baggage that they carry. in the pagan dogmas of Marxism in deviate from the Torah norms of During the recent storm sur­ its various incarnations in spite of morality - making whom the rounding the passage of the law its obvious bankruptcies are the ob­ parasites? granting religious women un­ scurant aliens, still committed to a George Orwell wrote presciently contestable exemption from army galut Orthodoxy - not a religious about the twisted logic of Double­ service (see Ezriel Toshavi' s article Orthodoxy, but an ideological think in his 1984 - overshooting in this issue), the Jerusalem Post Orthodoxy, bound to a musty, his target by six years. !.T. took some exceptionally virulent mildewed, antiquated tradition. swipes against the "Aguda com­ Bear in mind: the Maarach (the munity," using some very strong Labor Alignment of Peres, Rabin, THE WORLD FAMOUS words that were surprisingly more Alon, and Gali!) still parades every DIGEST OF MEFORSHIM aptly descriptive of the critic than May Day to the stirring beat of 'tl1v'i in:i 'tl1v7 of the intended object of criticism. Internationale, along with all other '"::lT iy?J'K 'lC~t-' 'i :.";'i.,if~ Socialists and Communists of Old The mere fact that a Yosef Goel! Avoilc:rble of World vintage, not giving up its old wrote a defamatory article against LEKUTEI INC. alien galut allegiences. c/o I. Rosenberg the Torah community ("Selling out 10 We~+ 47th Street, Room 702 to Aguda" - Jerusalem Post, July "The secular community ... has New York, N. Y. 10036 25) would perhaps not merit com­ tended to regard the Aguda attitude 20 Volumes on Torah, Perek, ment. What is noteworthy, however towards state and society as essen­ Medrash, Megilas and Talmud, is the selection of epithets he hurls tially parasitic" (Goel!). Proceeds ol toles disfribufed omol?g Yes/iivos ond used for teprinling and their surprisingly applicablity of volumes ouf.of.prinl to - the hurler. We offer two exam­ In what sense does Mr. Goell's friends label Aguda members PRICE$6PER VOLUME ples' "parasites"? - Economically? Mr. "The current controversy over Goel! should take note that the women's conscription is not merely Aguda embraces Jews from all about how many girls from non­ walks of life - the business sector, religious homes will be permitted to the academe, the sciences, con­ ~ lie brazenly to win exemptions from ..,... tributing productively and creative­ l<"tvm lreturn to Zion ... " NEW YORK CITY 10002 the Torah loyalists, who strive to was being uttered three times daily D11y & Nite Phone align their every action and aspira­ in prayer millennia before the First 233-7878 tion with the values of the Book Zionist Congress, and the fervent

The frwi~h Ohscrver I September, 1978 47 for a time. I needed the strength of ill'X)'.J i1"11l1 T1:ll'.l it; the intensity of belief that is MACHON TORAH MEIRAH transmitted and absorbed within the 17 Twekesbury Drive group. Having cut myself off from Prestwich, Manchester, England everything and everyone familiar to me, and moving to a foreign Works by country (Israel), I needed the Rabbi Meir Meiri (Feuerwerger) "family" of the group, which I 7"Y! found in a couple of little Jerusalem neighborhoods. All my questions t:l"W'j I'1"1lj.7, Thif'. volu1ne is a key to the on what to do, what to think, what nwny pnl/1/r1ns arisins. out of the impact to believe, now that I had discarded of pn'sent-day conditions on 1\>1arriage my old beliefs and habit patterns - «11d [)h•orce: Ci1'il i\1m·riages, Gittin al they were all answered in the books T'1111i li:1 a soldier l1efore }nilling the To the Editor: of our Gaon and those of his fol­ Forces: the Agur1ah problern in the I just received the April lowers, and I could see it in practice fut11rr; Kiddur•hin Al T'nai; the status of Observer, containing a letter on the in the day-to-day lives of members tlrr educated deaf-·1nuff' in Jewish Law. subject of teshuva and shitot in of the group. It was like learning to /-\II these proh!t•111s are dealt with by tl1r relation to Exotic Judaism. I walk again. le11r11ed author tl'itl1 caution and erudi­ thought I might put in my two Two Roads tio11, mu! Fonnularics are appended in pesos' worth on the subject and am nn1urction 1uill1 each su/Jirct. VC)L 3 enclosing a letter. There are two derakhim in the This fr; truly an Encyclopaedic work, Nehama Consuela Nahmoud Sephardi world today. One is the and is 11.f ;:111 cxceptionally high standard "old Spanish" (Livorno) nusah, aF rl'gards conte11t, style and rnethods of Identity Crisis? "Si, Senor!" generally followed by the descen­ dants of the Jews who found refuge 1ncsc11tntlo11. The identity crisis is a fundamen­ from the Inquisition in such places 3 Vols. (Hebrew) $12,50 tal part of teshuva, if not its basic as North Africa (Morocco, Algeria, .3 Vols. ;"l!'XlJ ;r1in tvlJin element. One sheds a twenty-, Tunisia), Italy, Turkey, Greece, Ki'1. 17-1?. 11~-n·iz...·xi:i thirty-, or forty-year-old identity, what is now called Bulgaria and layer by layer, as if peeling an Co1n1nel1cnsive cornpi/ation of Clas­ Yugoslavia, Sfat, Tiberias and onion, until one reaches the tender Jerusalem. This is the Torah-y­ ;;ica! ro111nu'11taries 011 each co1n111ended for by one with different, better ones. Maimon, M.D. (born Cordoba, Rahbis, Teacliers and Lay1nen. For some this can be a long and ex­ 1135 CE.), as renown among his 3 Vols. (i1ebreto) $12.50 tremely painful process, and in this contemporaries for his medical opi­ process the person needs a very nions as for his religious ones. strong outside framework to bolster him up while the inside is in a state Today's spiritual descendants of New Lower Manhattan of pain and confusion. the Rambam, the ones I knew and rnost admired in Jerusalem, in­ Mincha Minyan Guide I went through this experience cluded the PhD in Kiryat !try, in myself, beginning at age 38, and I long beard and black suit, who went 1111 If you know of minyanim ended up in a shita (approach in off to work with his attache case Ill If you wish to start a Divine service) which is certainly every morning; his sons study in one of the most "exotic" going to­ the Sephardi yeshiva at Beer minyan in your neigh­ day. Why? Not because of its "ex­ Yaakov (R. Todedano, Rosh borhood otic" qualities and the emphasis on ha Yeshiva). There were two young kabbala. That actually put me off men taking advanced courses in law write: school· half time, learning Torah the MINCHA MINYAN MAP MRS. NAHMOUD (nee' Rezac) has written other half; an engineer; another sn>cr11/ published articles 011 Sephardic studying for an advanced degree in Agudath Israel of America Jewry. "So111eo11r Cares in the Bukharian 5 Beekman Street/ NYC 10038 Q11artrr," and a11 article on the Ben !sh Chai physics while studying Talmud; or call· werr puhlished in JO (Mar. '77 and Dec. '76 two PhDs in nuclear physics. i\mong the women, one was an MD DR. BEJlNARD FRYSHMAN: 339-0289 respectively). In deferrnce to the subiect mat­ ter of t/1is article, we have preserved her and another, a PhD in French Sepl111rdic transliteration. literature, teaching at Bar Ilan

48 The Jewish Observer I September, 1978 University. These were all part of and are more likely to be dayanim Three years later, I had gradually today's crop of Sephardi ba'ale than mequbalim. (The Dayan Rav found my way to Hakham Mus­ teshuva from France. Ezra Basri is one of the leaders of safi' s group and moved to the The other shita is that of Hakham the Ben Ish Hai movement in Bukharian Quarter; and now I feel Yoseif Haim, the "Ben !sh Hai" (d. Israel.) Some of the women of this empty if I don't read my daily dose 1909 Baghdad)*. Up until only very group wear wigs. of Ben !sh Hai drashot. recently, this shita has been fol­ Judaismo in Paris A year ago I married into the lowed by Jews from Iraq and Buenos Aires Ben !sh Hai quehila, 'neighboring Syria, Iran, Lebanon, I discovered Judaismo (Ladino for and Eretz Israel (plus the mountain Yiddishkeit) with the Spanish group in Paris, where there are areas of Afghanistan and Kur­ : distan). Most of Jerusalem's "Ben many thousands of Jewish im­ .. Ish Ha'inikim" are concentrated in migrants from North Africa and the the religious neighborhoods of Balkans. Due to a very Latin up­ NEW BOOKS Geula and the Bukharian Quarter. bringing that included an education ALL HARD COVER They study full time in Yeshivat Po­ in Portugal and France, I initially GREAT RABBIS 46 portraits ln pen rat Yosef as well as other, small­ felt quite comfortable with the and ink by Bernard Bemiker. Available in er and less known yeshivot and Spanish shita. There was a strong, book-form or in portifolio for those who bate midrash. There -are working dynamic teshuva movement among wish to frame drawings. Biographical men, usually in manual trades, in Sephardi university people there d~scriptions by S. Gorr. Each edition the Bukharian Quarter who go which I became part of immediate­ $10.00 directly to the little bate-midrash ly. After several months, I felt I KOHELETH - life and Its Meaning. A from work, and study for several wanted to leave the non-Jewish new, insightful translation and commen­ tary to the Book of Ecclesiastes, which hours a day, as was the custom in world completely, and with my applies the Wisdom of Koheleth to the Baghdad at the turn of the century. Livorno Siddur in one hand and a suitcase in the other, I immigrated pn~dicament of modern man. Hebrew Other worldliness? And how! text VJith facing English translation and to Jerusalem. There I took a room in English commentary. By Harold I. When you turn off Rehov a neighborhood with a mixed Yehezkiel into the Bukharian shuq, Leiman. Also includes a newly edited text religious-irreligious population, of Rashi. you are suddenly in a Nineteenth­ continuing my association with $7.95 Century Middle Eastern Jewish men1bers of the Paris group now ROAD BACK by Mayer Schiller. ghetto. A shoemaker sits with an living in the Holy City. Foreword by Norman Lamm, President open Zohar beside hirrt on another of Yeshiva University. An enthralling in· table; a white-bearded old hakham Three years passed, and I felt I tellectual voyage of discovery to Judaism in a jalabiyya comes in for a cup of needed something more. Time had without embilishment. An honest book Turkish coffee and a Torah discus­ come to discard the last peelings, it VJithout oversimplification presenting step sion while the shoemaker works. seemed: those of the university. I by step, a highly readable case for the There are shiurim and drashot needed to strip off that part of the truths of the Torah. every night to a packed house at the old identity, and the only way was $8.95 Musayoff synagogue, given by the to get completely away from CHALLENGE: Torah views on science leading Sephardic rabbanim of everything to do with the university and its problems edited by Aryeh Jerusalem. The sounds of Oriental and bury myself in the kind of at­ Carmell and Cyril Domb. A new, revised hazanut fill the narrow streets after mosphere necessary for my par­ edition of the highly acclaimed anthology 3:30 p.m., when the men come to ticular kind of neshama to grow of 34 articles by people in many dis­ ciplines, that chal!enge . many pre· study after world. further. I looked around and found the little neighborhoods of Geula, conceived notions about Orthodox "Ben Ish Hainikim" come in two Bukharian Quarter and Matersdorf. Judaism, showing as a whole how the varieties. One is very traditional, Torah faces the secular world of science that of Bukharim's Hakham Mus­ Ben Ish Hai in Matersdorf and technology. hard cover $12.50 safi. These venerable mequbal An Ashkenazi friend in Maters­ soft cover $6.95 wears a white jalabiyya and fez; dorf introduced me to the Ben !sh women in this group wear scarves Hai, recommending that I look into Feldheim gives you value for your only, never wigs. These people rare­ it. I did, and it seemed to fit. Shortly money! ly leave the Bukharim-Geula area. afterwards, I moved to Matersdorf. All our publications are usually available The rabbanim of the other group I resisted kabbala for the first two at your local JeVJish Bookstore. ff you wear modern, black "yeshiva" suits years with the "Ben !sh Hainikim," VJish, you can order direct from us. Send sticking to what I considered at the check (add sales tax) with order and we * See tlie article "Ben !sh Hai" in JO, March, time more down-to-earth things like will pay postage. 1976. . the Gaon's books on halakha, etc. PHii !PP FELDHEIM INC 96 East Boadway NY 100ll2

The Jewish Observer I September, 1978 49

• Needed - For a History of which is composed of Syrian Jews Variety in Needs who returned to Judaismo as a Agudath Israel! It is widely accepted that some group thirty years ago. The men people are better suited to life in Work is in progress to publish wear business suits with their cold, northern climates, while a history of Agudath Israel of beards and kipot; the women wear others fare better in desert or A1nerica. wigs. We live in a "ghetto," both in tropical ones. Some people need Pictures and documents, es­ the literal and the figurative senses. more of one kind of vitamin, others pecially from one or two genera­ Life revolves around the busy Kole! 1ndy need 1nore of a different kind tions ago, are needed. All dnd the other educational institu­ for optimal health. The same with materials will be returned. Please tions. Parnasa comes from the rest and exercises. I have come to respond soon. Call or write: garment-and-textile trades in the the conclusion that neshamot differ Agudath Israel of America I neighborhood (most quehila fro1n each other as much as bodies Publications I 5 Beekman Street I inemhers are shopkeepers); or work do, each with different strong and New York, N.Y. 10038 I (212)­ in the quehila, such as teaching and weak points, each with different %4-1620 kosher food production and dis­ needs. Part of finding one's way in ---~------·--- tribution. We have nearly no con­ teshuva is determining what those ' tact with the outside world. Now available nationwide... I needs are and tending to them.

airlines, cruises, hotels, schools, I' J need the ghetto to survive as a I tried the T orah-y-derekh eretz conventions and hospitals. Jew. Not everyone does. shita, thinking it was my thing. I discovered it wasn't; it was quite a SUPERIOR 1 surprise to find that I was happiest 18 AVENUE as a follower of the Ben !sh Hai ac­ QUALITY SEFORIM & GIFT CENTER cording to Rav Mussafi! The other Glatt Kosher dinners produced 11esha1not I 1nentioned could find in ultra modern, Government 5001 - 18 Avenue their nourishment only in the inspected, sanitary facilities Brooklyn, N, Y. 11204 derekh of the Rambam. These two (212) 633-9225 shitot have been around a long time SUPERIOR - they have approximate Ashke­ • Large selection of .c•il:ltt nazi parellels in the R. Samson KASH RUT and English Books Raphael Hirsch school of thought Chasidic shechita and and Hassidim. The reason these two cholov yisroel exclusively, and • We sell exclusively all types of derakhim have been shomer shabbos ownership lecture tapes of around so long and are still thriving Rabbi Avigdor Miller l<"l"?w is because they correspond to cer­ SUPERIOR • Wonderful story tapes for tain needs of certain neshamot. One children (in Yiddish) is not better than the other; but one SCHREIBER by Rabbi L Weinstock might be better for a particular Schreiber Kosher Caterers, Inc. (from Monsey) person's spiritual growth than the 9024 Foster Ave., Brooklyn, N.Y 11236 other. Phone: (212) 272-9184 A criterion for judgment, if judg­ ment is necessary, might therefore be along the lines of: "A shita is Enjoy ..... good if it helps people become good Eal in Jews, even if it isn't my own and I good health! don't understand what other people see in it." A question presents itself at this point, too: "How am l doing in the shita l have chosen?" Neha111a Consuelo Nahmoud Buenos Aires 'i'he Sefer "Gedtr Olom" by the Chafe~ Chaint, ·rtow available- in Ehglish ·tiariStatJon only· so~ per copy :to for·.s3ao write to: Ziahron .Shlorito Pubi. S Beel

50 The Jewish ()fisen1er I Septe1nl1er, 1978 Ohserver or in any reprints of the Corrections article which might be prepared? The article, The Bluzhever Rebbe 5AULllOl5TEIN, D.S.W. Remembers (June 1978) consisted "The Stone Rejected ... " - Praise Consultant of Social Planning of mv recollections of war ex­ and Correction Federation of Jewish Philanthropies perip~ces retold by the Rebbe To the Editor• of New York K"tJ,?w. Unfortunately my memory was faulty in so1ne details, none of Hanoch Teller's article in the vvhich detract from the inspiring May Jewish Observer "The Stone More to Redeem "Stones Rejected" nature of the ren1iniscences. The Rejected by the Builders " per­ corrections are as follows: forms an important service in To the Editor: - The Rebbe's personal ordeal pointing up a serious community Hanoch Teller's article, "The begdn in the Yanovsky Camp in proble1n which has been inade­ Stone Rejected by the Builders", Len1berg. quately faced by all segments of the (JO May 1978) is a superbly ar­ - The incident during which Jewish comn1unity. We share the ticulated documentation of the Rabbi Yehudah Leib Orlean '1"''1 hope that this article and our work tragic fate befalling our Jewish sang V'ye'esayu on Shmini Atzeres will begin to break through the wall retarded brothers and sisters. The occurred in 1943 outside the bar­ of indifference and discrimination article represents a hopeful turning racks in Bergen~Belsen. that has prevented us from meeting point in the contemporary Jewish - The former Polish bundist the needs of this important group. attitude of indifference towards our Zomatchkovsky still lives in Poland I appreciate the reference to the intellectually impoverished. and it was fro1n there that he sent work of Federation and to my paper However, we cannot relent in our the n1essage that ''Rabbi Spira on the retarded. I must note, efforts and must continue to de­ saved n1e." however, that there was an error in mand that our Torah community -··- ft was Reb David Yaraslaver the article. It was not I who planned assume complete responsibility to (his fa1nily nan1e, incidentally, is or called the 1neeting on the redeem those neshamos already in Singer) to whom the Rebbe expres­ retarded, but rather the Federation the hands of Gentiles and let no sed his gratitude that" there are still of Jewish Philanthropies, the Com­ more Jewish souls ever be given Jewish children and the nation has a mission on Synagogue Relations of over to non-Jewish homes. It's un­ future." (Rabbi) Nasson Scherman the Federation, and the Jewish conscionable and inexcusable in the Co1nmunity Relations Council. The Eyes of G-d lo allow such ZEIREI AGUDATH ISRAEL quote with regard to the rabbis - catastrophies to occur in our midst. of America and the invitation to the rabbis was Perhaps your readers have some Announces a Shiur on sent - by Rabbi Isaac Trainin, who further suggestions on how to move HAIACHOS with Malcolm Hoenlein (the Ex­ those who need to move others. OF IllE FOUR MINIM ecutive Director of the Jewish Com­ (Rabbi) SOLOMON L. WULLIGER A comprehensive English-language shiuron munity Relations Council) and MA, MSW the ha/achos of the Four Minim with an myself were the co-planners of the Jewish Chaplain emphasis on practical applications conference. Could a correction by Brooklyn Developmental Service Given by noted in a subsequent issue of the RABBI SHIMON EIDER Author of 'Halachos of Shabbos,' 'Halachos of A New Year's Gift the Eruv,' Chaver haKole! Beth Medrash for Every Day Govoha, Lakewood Feauturing A 5-color linen hanging wall A Discussion on: calendar. 0 How to know if your Esrog, Lu/au, You 'II be proud to hang it on your own u.;al/ or use it as a gift. etc. are Kosher? And the proceeds help a O How to select Muucharim? great Torah center! O What are the pitfalls to avoid? Minimum contribution per SUNDAY, SEPT. 24, 1978 calendar - $5.00 please 623 CORTEL YOU ROAD (22 ELUL) (OFF OC£:AN PKWY) BROOKLYN, N.Y. 11218 Mesivta of Long Beach at 8:00 p.m. 205 W. Beech St. CONG. B'NAI YOSEF Long Beach, N.Y. 11561 1614 Ocean Parkway (cor. Av. P) i1:nu n~'Mn' n::i.,ri:i Brooklyn, New York Maariu following Shiur

Tltc Jewish ()bserver I Seµte1nber, 1978 .'il .--~~~~~~~~--~~~~~~' FACTORY OUTLET A Fantastic 313 3rd Street Jersey City, N,J, New Record (201) OL 9-9300 Azameir DIRECTIONSo D 10 delightful songs By Car: 14 blocks fron1 (9 originals) Holland Tunnel By Train: 5 block from D the glorious voices of Grove St. PATH Station the Baltimore Pirchei Choir H D accompanied by members of the Baltimore CONSIDERATIONSPECIAL ~ TO YESHIVA "j Philharmonic Orchestra STUDENTS w D a recording you'll love to play again and again We have the largest and again For your copy, see your local Hebrew Book Store selection of name brand men's hats in the world EXPLORE THE PATHS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!~ at lowest factory prices OF TORAH KNOWLEDGE The Darchei Noam Institute, a division of Try MODERN HATTERS and you'll discover­ the Sara Schenirer Evening Seminary, providing a comprehensive Torah Education - in the heart of ITS MORE THAN WORTH THE TRIP! Bora Park for 4 years - for women with a limited M:lit.l Ml:l'MM1 M:l'M:l to our patrons and friends formal background and a strong commitment to The Shachnow Families Halachic Torah Judaism. 1978 Fall Calendar - P"r,IUn Unhappy? Worried? Classes begin Monday Oct. 30, 30 Tishrei, and end Wednesday Dec. 20, 21 Kislev. Don't Blame Others! Help Yourself! CURRICULUM: Read ONE: THE ESSENCE Profiles of Outstanding Jewish ing into the Midrash and Com­ Leaders in Recent Times mentary. Course will continue OF THE JEWISH HOME Wed. 7:30~8:45 p.m. through winter. by Rabbi Chuna Hertzman Rabbi ,Nissan Wolpin, Yochcved Gelbtuch, Teach er Educator, Editor of SRH Girls H.S.; Lionel and Rabbi Shmuel Elchonon Brog The lrwish Observer. Cold1nan Se1n. 1 Boston. Discover yourself! Your role in the family! Chumash I Torah Dimensions How close you are to the Source of Life! Wed. 8:45~10:00 p.m. Mon. 8:45~10:00 p.m. Textual techniques and pre­ In-depth discussions on Then get busy enjoying friends, marriage, life and pardtion for independent selected Torah concepts and Torah! study. Rashi plus synopsis of their personal appllcation; /:-'. .... ,_ Parshas HaShavua. Staff based on Mkhtav M'Eliyahu Practical suggestions ... New insights Chumash II of Rabbi Dess\er Sr":YT. ,, , Inspiring Ideas Wed. 8:45~10:00 p.m. Rahbi Aaron M. Weitz, Fonner For the 1nore advanced begin- Principal, Bais Yaakov-L.A. PRICE: $s•s Postpaid ner. utilizing Rashi and other Hebrew Instruction Rabbinic commentaries plus At student's own !eve\ with I Rabbi S.E. Brog synopsis of Parshas HaShavua. private instructor or small I 1474 E. 10th St Staff " group. Emphasis on reading : Brooklyn, New York 11230 Megilas Esther 1 and translating the Siddur I Dear Rabbi Brog: Mon. 7:30-8:45 p.m. (Prayerbook). Time to be A verse-by-verse study. del.v- determined. Staff : Please send me . . .. copies of I One: The Essence of the Jewish Home. Tuition: $20 registration fee entitles student to enroll in as many I Name .. courses as she wishes per semester. I Location: Sara Schenirer Seminary I 4622 14th Av. I Brooklyn, I Address .. N.Y. 11219. Registration: For information write: Darchei Noam Institute I I City .. I 161Q 55th St./ Brooklyn, N.Y. 11204, or call (212) 438-2349 I Ls~~.:i:::·:·:::::·:::·:·~·::~ ______J 033-4440 I or 637-3292.

52 The Jewish Observer/ September, 1978 AGUDATH ISRAEL PROGRAM MAKING IMPACT ON COMMUNITY •A group of tenants in a dilapidated fro/Ir a social worker at the Brookdale Senior 1\,y,Hding lo Rabbi David Seeve, the ln1ilding on tlie edge of Bora Park organized Citizens Center, slie now receives Sup­ director of the Community Service Division, to i11sist thtlt their landlord correct serious ple1ne11tary Security l11co1nl', food stamps, the projc>ct"s success has been two-fold: Piolatio11s in the /Jui/ding ft' 111ake it 1nore and n1edicaid. providing meaningful community-service l1al1itahlf' ~ tliank,. to guidance hy Hennan, eFor a group of Iranian students in New c>xperience to young unemployed people, and G. a 110/unteer of the Co1nmu11ity Service York City, for the recent Jewish holidays, benefitting the conununities with prdctkal Division of Agudat/1 Israel of Anwrka. Brooklyn was suddenly horne. results that otherwise would have gone begg­ ing. eTlie Melamed farnily, recent arrivals All of these episodes dre directly excerpted fro1n l.11ho11 i11 the Soviet Ukraine, needed horn the case history book of the Com­ AlSHel (M·ronym for Agudath Israel Stu­ hef11 in p/a1111ing for their d1ildren. Tlianks munity Servkes Division of Agudath Israel dt•nt Hospitality League) was initiated for the to A,i;,udath Israel's JEP program, their two l\f America. Launched in 1978, CSD, which prl1ne purpose of hosting foreign and yo1111gcr childre11 wen' enro//ed in a Brighton \Jpcratt'S under the umbrella of Project COPE domestic students. Students from out of ycs/1i7.1a, and their older daughter is anending (the circer guidance and joh training agency town ,1s well as from foreign countries who a con1puter progrmnrni11g course at Agudatf1 nf Aguddth Israel of America), became dC­ study in New York often find themselves in fsrael'.~ Proiect CCJI'E. !11 the 111eantin1e, the tivcly involved in a host of community con­ need uf some kilnd of association with com­ yo11nger two were enrolled in the JEP Su1n- ,.t,rns. Funded under the Public Service mpnity life. AISHel has helped students 1ner Pros,rmn, which includes a day cmnp. Emplnyment, CETA Title VI. most of the from ,1s far <1way as Iran and from as close as nimmunity worker:. were previously un­ Lon~ Island by making them guests in •Sadie said it /Jest wht>n she thanked thf emplnycd and experiencing difficulty in Arnericin homes. In addition, AISl·ieL has two social workers who /1e/11ed her in de11li11g !ocdtin)!, a perrndncnt job. Under Agudath drrdnged for get-togethers for foreign stu­ with her condition. "Unfortunately, I still lsr<1el"s new program. they not only got jobs, dents by means of discussion groups and suff<'r from a very S('Vere illness," she wrotf'. but wen' assigned to a host of interesting Pntertain1nent to hc>lp develop a sense of "If it were not for the help and the thought­ community projects. For some, it is com­ cnmradeship between themselves and the _f11/ness of your sochil workers, [don't believe munity org tuuch with American life styles." He said life is /Jeco111i11g I/lore bearable for her as she Jewish Education Program. Still others were that the isolation he felt when he came to is undergoing medical treaflnent to correct doing social work undE'r the "'Fifth Com­ qudy in America w;;is unbearable He lier condition, as a result of rxtensive mandment Project" of Agud

PROJECT COPE IN HIGHER SKILLS TRAINING PROGRAM

A new program, which will train 78 people be followed by a five month internship at week sales {outdoor) program, which will be for better paying jobs, was announced by ht)spita!s throughout the city. Transporta­ fo!!owed by a one-month internship, is also Rabbi Menachem Lubinsky, director of Pro­ tion to Queensboro College from Brooklyn scheduled to begin in September. The train­ ject COPE (Career Opportunities and will be arranged at a nominal fee. ing wi!! be followed by actual on-the-job Preparation for Employment), the career A second major portion of the new COPE training. Another area of the new COPE guiddnce and job training agency of Agudath STIP program wi!l be a kosher chefs course, STIP program will be training for the posi­ Isrdel of America. The program, funded un­ which will be held in Far Rockaway at tion of legal secretary, which will be given der the Skills Training and Improvement Carmel's Kosher Catering. The course will be during a six-month course at the COPE Program (ST!P) of CETA, will provide ex­ given four days a week during a six-month Vocational Institute, beginning in the fall. tensive tr

f/11• /1'u·i~h {)/Jsenwr I Septemher, 1978 53 PIRCHEI'S NEW BAR MITZVAH TORAH LEADERS' VISITS HIGHLIGHT CAMP AGUDAH SEASON MISHNA YOS DRIVE As Camp Agudah dosed its 36th season, gave an added spiritual dimension to the In a new independent study project, the visits by some prominent Torah leaders camping experience of the youngsters. Pirchei Agudath Israel is encouraging stand out as some of the most memorable Similarly, when Rabbi Yaakov Perlow, the youngsters to complete the study of an entire events of the summer months. Novominsker Rebbe spent a Shabbos in Seder lvlishnayos (one of six sections that When Rabbi Yaakov Kamenetsky, Rosh C;unp Agudah, he instilled a new breath of comprise the Oral Law) in honor of their Bar Yeshiva of Mesivta Torah Vadaas and a spiritual aspirations in the campers. Stress­ ing Torah study as foremost, he emphasied Mitzvah. According to the plan, the boys will venerable member of the Moetzes Gedolei fJaTorah (Council of Torah Sages) of the i1nportant role that Agudath Israel plays prepare for their Bar Mitzvah by embarking Agudath Israel, visited the camp, the sight as a training force for future Torah leaders on the study of Mishnayos well in advance was breathtaking. A huge enthusiastic through its camping and youth division. of their thirteenth birthday. The Hadran throng of youngsters stood with reverence, Meir Frischman, director Of camping, (concluding ceremony) will then be recited at lining the road both as he arrived and when noted that the visit by the Tor ah leaders was the Bar Mitzvah celebration, giving an added he departed. While in camp. he spoke to the another example of the uniqueness of the diinension to the occasion. youngsters, giving them encouragement, Agudath Israel camps. He pointed out that spending many hours with individual The innovative concept was introduced by while Camp Agudah had in the past few children. His presence was extremely impres­ Rabbi Moshe Perlowitz, who inspired one years been engaged in massive physical sive to the youngsters, who will long renewals of its facilities, it still places the class of 14 to complete one or two Sedorim of remember this visit by one of the world's highest value on making use of the summer Mishnayos in honor of their Bar Mitzvah. furemost scholars. weeks as a time for educating youngsters for The Siyu1n Mish11ayos - Bar Mitzvah idea The Shabbos visit by the Bostoner Rebbe, responsible adulthood as Tor ah-loyal Jews. has hegun to take hold all over the country. !{;ibbi Levi Yitzchok Horowitz, was another Agudath Israel also sponsors Camp Bnos According to Rabbi Joshua Silbermintz, highlight of the spason. The Rebbi addressed fur girls {in Liberty, New York), which this national director of Pirchei Agudath Israel, at thC' youngsters and taught them several year enjoyed a record enrollment and also l('ast 50 youngsters are preparing to say a ( ·1iassidic songs. His presence in tht> ('amp featured numerous inspiring events. f!adran at their Bar Mitzvah celebrations this con1ing year. 56th NATIONAL AGUDATH ISRAEL CONVENTION IN PORTCHESTER, NEW YORK, NOVEMBER 23-26 KOSHER FOOD GUARANTEED After many years in Atlantic City, the the Agudist movement and chart its course in FOR ELDERLY BY NYS LAW national convention of Agudath Israel of building an effective n<1tional Torah Governor Hugh L. Carey of New York Anwrica will now be held in the Rye Town coalition. signed into law a n1easure which mandates Hilton in Port Chester (Westchester), New In addition to the problems facing the nursing hotnes, health-related facilitif'S, and York. Tht> change was made because of the Jewish community in this country, a major old age homes throughout the state to new casino industry which has become so segment of the convention '"rill focus on the provide kosher food to patients upon re­ prominent in Atlantic City. recent developments in Israel, resulting from quest. The 56th anuual convention of Agudah Agudath Israel's membership in the The law was praised by Agudath Israel of Israel will be held over the three-day parliamentary coalition. \\lhile probing An1erica as" a major breakthrough in solving weekend of November 23-26 with the ideological views and policies, the a problem which has long plagued the participation of delegates and guests from deliberations will directly corne to grips with families of elderly religious Jewish men and every part of North and South America. problems through concrete programs. women who, because of special circum­ [)istinguished Agudath Israel leaders from The Rye Town Hilton is a magnificent stances, had been placed in non-kosher in­ Israel and Europe will also participate in the hotel situated on many acres of scenic stitutions, and could not receive kosher deliberations. grounds with the first-rate facilities food." As in the past, the foremost Torah necessary to accommodate such a huge The law, introduced in the Senate by scholars in the country, 1nembers of the gathering. A special convention office has Senator Sheldon Farber and in the Assembly Moetzes Gedolei Ha Torah (Council of Torah been established at the national headquarters by Assemblymen Howard Lasher and Sages) of Agudath Israel, will head the roster of Agudath Israel of America, 5 Beekman Sheldon Silver, was signed by the Governor or speakers who will explore the policies of Street, New York City. on July 20, and went into effect thirty days OVERFLOW CROWD AT ZEIREI MELA VE MALKA later. It is now Chapter 486 of the Laws of A huge crowd of over four hundred The evening was chaired by the outgoing the State of New York. yeshiva students and graduates heard promi­ executive director of ZAI, Rabbi Yaakov Agudath Israel also commended the New nent Torah leaders call for "a rededication to Bender, who also introduced his sucessor, York State legislators who introduced the the ideals of Torah and Torah study" at the Rabbi Dovid Pitterman, a member of the bill. The organization's Commission on annual MelavE' Malka raHy. sponsored by Kole! of the Mirrer Yeshiva in Brooklyn. Legislation and Civic Action, headed by Dr. Zeirei Agudath Israel of America at Camp Bernard Fryshman, will circulate the new Agudah in Ferndale, New York on Motzoei regulation t() these health-related institu­ Shabbos, August 19. Rabbi Mordechai i1'5li1 ~!)1i tions, to make certain that Jews who seek Weinberg, Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshiva Gedolah kosher food will obtain food products of Montreal, and Rabbi Yisroel Belsky, a EV 7-1750 ''prepared in accordance with Hebrew Rosh Yeshiva in Mesifta Torah Vadaath, 11""1!:1 "115!:1 Orthodox religious requirements," as clearly struck this theme at the largest gathering of spelled out in the law. Torah students during this past suhmer. 111w1i•ciiK •c:vwi'l"l'~!I

Tlw Jewish Observer / Septem/Jer, 1978 JUST Off THE PRESS! In English

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