MARCH 2006 • ADAR 5766

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CLICK HERE FOR TABLE OF CONTENTS This is the full Table of Contents of the print edition of the Jewish Observer. The web edition contains only a selection of articles (indicated in color). Click on the title to go to the beginning of that article. Navigate using your browser’s menu and other options. IN THIS ISSUE THE JEWISH OBSERVER (ISSN) 0021-6615 is published monthly, except July & August and a combined issue for 6 6 Remembering Rabbi Naftoli Neuberger l”xz, January/February, by the Agudath Israel of America, 42 Broadway, New York, NY 10004. Rabbi Reuvein Drucker Periodicals postage paid in New York, NY. Subscription $25.00/year; 16 Rebbetzin Nekritz’s Voluntary Trip to Siberia, 2 years, $48.00; 3 years, $$69.00. Outside of the United States (US Rabbi Hillel Goldberg funds drawn on a US bank only) $15.00 surcharge per year. Single copy $$3.50; Outside NY area $3.95; foreign $4.50. Purim Reflections

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: 20 Wiping Out Amaleik...With Tongue in Cheek, The Jewish Observer 42 Broadway, NY, NY 10004 Rabbi Yisrael Rutman Tel 212-797-9000, Fax 646-254-1600 Printed in the USA 23 Goodbye to My October Mask, Hello to My

Rabbi Nisson Wolpin, Editor Adar Mask, Marsha Smagley

Editorial Board Rabbi Joseph Elias, Chairman Rabbi Abba Brudny 20 PostScript Joseph Friedenson Rabbi Yisroel Meir Kirzner 28 “It’s 10:00 P.M. in Yerushalayim, Do You Rabbi Nosson Scherman Prof. Aaron Twerski Know Where Your Children Are?” Founders Dr. Ernst L. Bodenheimer Z”L Rabbi Shlomo Furst Rabbi Moshe Sherer Z”L

Management Board Naftoli Hirsch, Isaac Kirzner, 31 A Fishy Tale: Identifying the Talmudic Shibuta, Rabbi Shlomo Lesin, David Singer, Nachum Stein Rabbi Ari Zivotofsky and Zohar Amar

Managing Editor 36 Redemption is in the Air, a review article Rabbi Yosef C. Golding by Rabbi Moshe Eisemann Published by Agudath Israel of America 39 Rav Pam on Chumash and Rav Pam on U.S. Trade Distributor Feldheim Publishers Festivals, a review article by Rabbi Shimon 208 Airport Executive Park Nanuet, NY 10954 42 Finkelman

British Representative M.T. Bibelman 42 Bearing Witness on Churban Europa, Grosvenor Works Mount Pleasant Hill Dr. Meir Wikler London E5 9NE, ENGLAND 45 Letters to the Editor french representative Rabbi Bamberger 21 Boulevard Paixhans 57000 Metz, FRANCE About the Cover The cover photograph of Rabbi Naftoli israeli representative Intnl. Media Placement Neuberger l”xz (left), late Menahel of Yeshivas POB 7195 / 97 Jaffa Road Jerusalem 94340, ISRAEL Ner Yisroel, together with the Rosh Hayeshiva,

belgian representative Rabbi Yaakov Ruderman l”xz, is displayed in con- Mr. E. Apter junction with the Purim theme. Following in Lange Kievitstr. 29 2018 Antwerp, BELGIUM the footsteps of Mordechai Hatzaddik, he was

south african representative THE JEWISH OBSERVER does not assume not only a shtadlan (community activist) par Mr. V. Taback responsibility for the Kashrus of any product, PO Box 51552, excellence, he was a key figure in the physical publication, or service advertised in its pages Raedene, Johannesburg and spiritual rescue of thousands of Jewish 2124 SOUTH AFRICA © Copyright 2006 youth of Iran, the country where the ancient australian representative Dr. A. Dinnen kingdom of Persia had flourished under King 77 Birriga Road March 2006 / VOLUME XXXIX Bellevue Hill, NSW 2023, AUSTRALIA NO. 2 Achashveirosh, some 2400 years ago.

SUBSCRIBE TO THE JEWISH OBSERVER! CLICK HERE. M a r c h 2 0 0 6 “For the salvation is delayed too long for us, and there is no end to the days of evil…” (Ma’oz Tzur).

Rabbi Shimon Schwab l”xz once told when American Yiddishkeit was sorely to countless people who turned to him a father who had lost a young child wanting. His very birthday (17 Tammuz) for help and advice. By so doing, Rabbi shortly before Tisha B’Av, “Cry your bespoke galus. Yet, Rabbi Neuberger Neuberger joined the select ranks of heart out on Tisha B’Av for your son, regarded the problems of Klal Yisroel those in our history who have risen for all Yiddishe tzaros have their ultimate in exile that had spiritually crushed above their brethren to shepherd their source in Galus.” so many others as challenges that he generation through the travails of exile, Rabbi Naftoli Halevi Neuberger l”xz was personally called upon to remedy helping to bring them one step closer was one whose very life circumstances ddressed the needs of Klal Yisroel, locally to the end of a “salvation delayed too were shaped and whose life mission in Baltimore, nationally, and globally, but long.” In the process, he became an was forged in the crucible of galus. As also of the individual, serving as a ba’al acknowledged giant among men. a young refugee from Europe, he was chessed, ba’al eitza, and ba’al tzeddaka separated from his family, escaping as an immigrant to America at a time

Rabbi Reuven Drucker

fter the evening seuda on Shevi’i positions in their companies. (Obviously, because Rav Yechezkel was a ba’al shel Pesach, we were visiting with Rabbi Neuberger had no interest in such ma’asim, an individual noted for his ARabbi and Mrs. Neuberger. A trea- endeavors.) Upon hearing of these offers, extraordinary deeds (Kiddushin 33b). sured scene, it afforded a special window the Rosh Hayeshiva, Rabbi Ruderman, The Ran wonders how Mar Shmuel into the rarified lives of two great people was skeptical whether Rabbi Neuberger knew that someone of his exalted who worked as a team. Mrs. Neuberger, would have been as successful in the corpo- status was permitted, and indeed a brilliant and wise woman in her own rate world, notwithstanding his world-class required, to waive his personal dig- right, took great pleasure in her husband’s abilities, noting that his success came from nity and demonstrate such reverence devotion to the klal. She would tell us that a a special siyata diShmaya (special help for a ba’al ma’asim. The Ran explains number of the highest corporate executives from Heaven), to which he may not have that he knew it from the verse “You whom Rabbi Neuberger solicited on behalf been zocheh were it not for his total, self- should honor the presence of a sage” of the yeshiva had recognized his brilliance, less dedication to laboring solely on behalf (Vayikra 19,32). Indeed, we show acumen and judgment, and offered him top of Klal Yisroel. honor for a Torah scholar because

Rabbi Drucker, a talmid of Ner Yisroel, was Although Mar Shmuel was the his sagacity leads him to perform a member of its kollel for twelve years. he gadol hador – the greatest Torah the deeds that Hakadosh Baruch Hu serves as Rav of Agudath Israel of Edison personality in his generation – he desires. Therefore, included in the very - Highland Park, New Jersey. would stand in honor of Rav Yechezkel mandate to honor a Torah scholar is

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the requirement to pay homage to Da’as Torah could also live in a house. His immedi- the deeds that flow from his wisdom. ate reaction was, “All the rebbe’im live in Evidently, deeds performed by a Torah n a discussion with one of his talmi- apartments, and I should live in a house? personality deserve acknowledgment dim (Rabbi Shmuel Bloom, currently How could I have more than those who and recognition, even by the gadol Iexecutive vice president of Agudath teach Torah?” He felt that kevod haTorah hador. Israel of America), the Rosh Hayeshiva dictated that the Rosh Hayeshiva live in a Although our tradition does not pre- of Ner Yisroel, Rabbi Yaakov Yitzchok presentable dwelling, but a plain yeshiva cisely define the parameters of a ba’al Ruderman l”xz (whom we will here- apartment was perfectly acceptable for his ma’asim, Rabbi Naftoli Halevi Neuberger after refer to by his sefer Avodas Levi), family. During the shiva, one could see the l”xz surely met all the criteria – in his explained that da’as Torah – advice and small, worn, and dented breakfront that personal life, in his dealings with others, decisions formed through the prism contained a few well-used bechers behind and in his efforts and accomplishments of Torah wisdom and outlook – is Rabbi and Mrs. Neuberger’s dining room on behalf of the Jewish people. An end- not limited to great roshei yeshiva, and table in their Yeshiva Lane apartment. It less stream of people came to his door he gave Rabbi Neuberger as a prime bore testimony to their total disinterest in and called him by phone, each receiving example. One can only acquire da’as material pursuits. his warmth, dignity, caring, and wise Torah by achieving a level of selfless- Rabbi Yaakov Kulefsky l”xz (see JO, Jan. counsel. He served as a one-man phy- ness that allows for full objectivity and ’01) used to quote a Chassidic interpreta- sician referral service, an arbitrator of impartial application of Torah principles. tion regarding the statement of Chazal, disputes, a career counselor, an advisor to This selflessness is most often obtained “Whoever repeats a remark in the name roshei yeshiva around the world, a busi- (although not automatically) by many of the one who said it, brings redemp- ness consultant, an address for agunos, a years of full immersion in Torah study. tion to the world.” When the ultimate supportive friend to anyone who needed The Avodas Levi, however, was of the Redemption comes, it will come because to pour out his or her grief, and much opinion that it can be developed in an Hashem has so willed it, and He clearly more. The sheer volume of individuals extraordinary ba’al chessed, an individual does not want any mortal to take personal he assisted, tightly sandwiched between who is solely focused on the needs of credit for it. So, whom should He choose the primary foci of his life (see sidebar) others, when coupled with the requisite to catalyze such an event, if not someone for almost seven decades, unquestion- level of Torah scholarship and exposure who regularly avoids taking personal ably entitle him to the appellation, “ba’al to great talmidei chachamim. credit for things, even mere words that he ma’asim.” heard from others. Perhaps it was Rabbi Anyone attempting to have a brief Neuberger’s self-effacing nature that gave word with Rabbi Neuberger during the Pervasive Humility him the tremendous siyata diShmaya to day in his office would have his conver- bring about major Torah accomplish- sation interrupted many times by phone abbi Neuberger’s humble nature ments. calls coming from around the world made self-disclosure a chore for – often about obviously weighty issues. Rhim. As much as he understood With the utmost dignity, Rabbi Neuberger the necessity for a Torah institution to The Early Years fielded each call with a combination of choose an honoree for its annual fund- caring and incisiveness, and returned to raising dinner, and as much as he would any aspects of Rabbi Neuberger’s his visitor’s conversation without missing extend himself to help other yeshivos, he personal history are still not a beat. In the ‘70s, he would use the backs could never allow himself to be honored. Mknown by members of his own of IBM punch cards to record informa- What others identified as his accomplish- family. He was born in 1918 in the small tion pertinent to each phone call. On ments, Rabbi Neuberger saw as siyata Bavarian town of Hassfurt, some thirty his desktop there was typically a stack diShmaya. In his later years, he would miles northeast of Wurzburg, where his between a half an inch to an inch of such always say that he was so thankful to the family ultimately moved for chinuch rea- “open files.” Each caller became another Ribbono shel Olam for allowing him to sons. At approximately 18, Naftoli was personal concern, and he would often call be one of His agents. In fact, no one ever encouraged by Rabbi Samson Rafael them back in a day or two to follow up heard him refer to his prodigious acumen Weiss to study in the Mirrer Yeshiva in and offer to be of further help. or talents. Poland, a radical departure from the path The article that follows is an attempt, While the infrastructure was being of his peers in Germany. He followed the albeit feeble, to rise in honor of the Rabbi prepared for the Avodas Levi’s house on rav’s suggestion and immersed himself Neuberger we loved and who justifiably Yeshiva Lane (on the campus of Yeshivas in the Polish citadel of Torah, where earned our respect as the quintessential Ner Yisroel), it was suggested to Rabbi he was taught and mentored by some ba’al ma’asim, for his acts flowed from Neuberger that they lay the pipes and outstanding Lithuanian gedolim. It has the Torah that was embedded in his large drains for a second house at the same time been suggested that Rabbi Eliezer Yehuda heart. so that Rabbi Neuberger and his family Finkel l”xz became Rabbi Neuberger’s role

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model for devotion and responsibility to source of curiosity to fellow bachurim. It Epstein, and Rabbi Baruch Horowitz. the klal. soon became revealed, however, that Reb Thus, the bond between rebbi and talmid The students from Germany who Naftoli was using his spare time to help developed a secondary strength through attended the Mirrer Yeshiva were pro- arrange immigration papers and affi- their relationship as brothers-in-law, vided special guidance by a young talmid davits for others still caught in the jaws albeit that the Rosh Hayeshiva was some chacham, Rabbi Dovid Kronglas l”xz. Reb of Nazi Europe, a practice he continued twenty years Rabbi Neuberger’s senior. Dovid would later be brought to Ner for many years thereafter. His career in For more than 45 years, Rabbi Yisroel as mashgiach and maggid shiur by askanus had been launched and began Neuberger carried the entire burden of the Avodas Levi, upon the recommenda- its meteoric rise. fund-raising for the Avodas Levi, allowing tion of Rabbi Neuberger. Indeed, Reb Two years later, in 1940, he began him to develop hundreds of talmidim Dovid’s rare combination of mussar, assuming the administrative responsibili- in the yeshiva and continue his pursuit lomdus, and p’sak halacha made a pro- ties of the yeshiva. His first major project of Torah study at the highest levels. found imprint on the yeshiva, as Rabbi was to build a permanent h ome for While other yeshivos began burgeon- Neuberger had predicted. the yeshiva, at 4411 Garrison Boulevard. ing throughout this period, virtually no Newly introduced to the English lan- other rosh hayeshiva was provided for guage, identifiable by a German accent with a Zevulun executive director of such Fateful Meeting which was not stylish in the U.S. during magnitude. For just those years, followed WWII, and handicapped by the shortage by close to 20 years of support to his suc- ix months before Kristallnacht, the of building materials because of the war cessors, Rabbi Shmuel Yaakov Weinberg twenty-year-old Mirrer Yeshiva effort, Rabbi Neuberger nonetheless l”xz, Rabbi Yaakov Moshe Kulefsky l”xz, Sbachur received immigration papers raised the money for the new yeshiva and l”by Rabbi Aharon Feldman a”jyls, from an American relative, arrived in building and orchestrated the Chanukas Rabbi Neuberger certainly earned the New York, and headed to Baltimore to Habayis in 1943, in just two years! title of ba’al ma’asim. visit family. The second day after Reb Naftoli’s arrival on these shores, he spoke with the Avodas Levi to explore attending Yissachar-Zevulun The Beren Campus his yeshiva, Ner Yisroel, which had been Partnership founded only five years earlier in the s the demographics of the Garrison Tiferres Yisroel Shul. What might have hile the Garrison Boulevard Boulevard neighborhood began been a perfunctory meeting extended building was in the process Ato change and become inhospi- many hours into the evening. Although Wof being erected, Rebbetzin table to the yeshiva community, Rabbi the substance of what transpired is Ruderman h”i suggested to her husband Neuberger identified and purchased a unknown, one thing is certain. The that Reb Naftoli would be a fine match fifty-acre parcel of land in Pikesville, young European refugee was extremely for her youngest sister, Yehudis (Judith), quite distant from the Jewish commu- impressed with the Avodas Levi, and daughter of Rabbi Sheftel and Devora nity of 1964. Over the years, he annexed the Avodas Levi must have been equally (nee Frank) Kramer. Rebbetzin Devora another forty acres of land to preserve the impressed with the German youth. Reb was the youngest daughter of Rabbi pristine atmosphere of the campus and Naftoli enrolled in Ner Yisroel, and with- Shraga Feivel Frank, who numbered built a serene Torah village, composed in three months was granted the privilege among his other sons-in-law Rabbi Isser of many clusters of apartment buildings of having the key to the yeshiva’s office, a Zalman Meltzer, Rabbi Moshe Mordechai and town houses, domiciling close to 100 families. The crown jewel of the campus is the Beis Hamidrash Building, which has  Astonishingly, as Rabbi Neuberger’s sons been enlarged over the years to accom- learned during the Shiva, Rabbi Neuberger was just 23 years old when he suggested Reb Dovid modate the large influx of students. as the ideal candidate to fill this major role in the The dormitories, dining rooms, and yeshiva. The Avodas Levi evidently had complete classroom buildings support the Torah confidence in Rabbi Neuberger’s judgment in study of over 860 students and kollel appointing Reb Dovid, who was a total stranger to him.  See Rabbi Chaim Shapiro’s “Torah Pioneers”  During Ellul, Reb Dovid only spoke words of – JO, June ’74 Torah, and on the evenings of Rosh Hashana, he  The Avodas Levi was known as an illuy (genius) would sometimes complete his Shemoneh Esrei an in Europe and spoke extensively in learning hour after the beis midrash had emptied. Despite with many gedolim as a young man. The D’var the extraordinary levels of yiras Shamayim he  Steel was especially in short supply during Avraham (the Kovna Rav) (I:21) refers to him in evidenced, he could nevertheless relate to, inspire, the war, and to this day no one has been able to a footnote as one of the great personalities in the and transform American young men into the explain how Rabbi Neuberger was able to build kollel, and author of Avodas Levi, before he cites finest b’nei Torah. a steel-supported building at that time. the Avodas Levi’s penetrating question.

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yungeleit. The well-maintained buildings as bachurim in Ner Yisroel, their close for himself. This gave him credence and and grounds project the kevod haTorah association blossomed in the early 1970s. entrée to the highest political leaders. and kevod Shamayim, so emblematic of Their concern for any possible damage In Rabbi Neuberger’s own words (in Rabbi Neuberger. that could besmirch kevod haTorah moti- his hespeid for Rabbi Sherer): “Because vated them and several roshei yeshivos to Rabbi Sherer knew certain people, like found a yeshiva-accrediting organization Dr. Samuel Halperin, he was able to get His Work Ethic known by its acronym AARTS. By par- access to the people at the highest levels ticipating, Litvish and Chassidic yeshivos of secular education in America. Because abbi Neuberger’s watchword was would be eligible for government fund- of AARTS, between $10 and $15 million “achrayus” – responsibility to the ing and would be protected from any dollars goes to yeshiva students. Without Rklal. Whenever he would speak, allegations of abuse or corruption. Many the initial work of Rabbi Sherer, literally whenever he would advise, he would political figures had told Rabbi Neuberger hundreds of millions of dollars would always slip in the term – a term he per- that Rabbi Sherer never asked anything not have gone to the yeshivos.” At the sonally lived by. Occasionally, he would complain that there were not enough hours in the day. Often, Rabbi Neuberger During the past four years, families that would paraphrase the Gemara that there made weddings conforming to the Simcha will be plenty of time to sleep after 120 years. Guidelines, saved many thousands of One Motza’ei Yom Kippur, during dollars in unnecessary expenses. the upheaval in Iran, Rabbi Neuberger The Guidelines reduce stress and anxiety, left Ma’ariv and headed straight for his office. At eleven p.m. that evening, he was and enable baalei simcha to enjoy the spirit spotted on the phone, still wearing his of the wedding, rather than being focused kittel, because he had been so immersed on the excess trimmings in phone calls to save Iranian Jews that he had not found time to remove it. Indeed, that image of Rabbi Neuberger cloaked in his kittel as he toiled at his desk to meet the urgent needs of Klal Yisroel could serve as the defining portrait of his lifetime of avodas hakodesh. On a local level, Rabbi Neuberger’s sense of yashrus (justice) dictated that the rebbe’im in the yeshiva always be paid on time. He would never consider “borrowing” from the rebbe’im if the yeshiva’s funds were lacking. Once, when the yeshiva was forced to borrow many hundreds of thousands of dollars from a bank at prime interest to meet a shortfall, Rabbi Neuberger’s face looked pained for some time as he repeatedly mentioned that memmon hekdeish (the yeshiva’s holy money) needed to be wasted for debt service. Integrity and honesty were not words he would often use, but they were ideals that permeated his essence. Indeed, the fact that he and Rabbi Moshe Sherer l”xz shared these values, along with an overwhelming sense of mission for addressing klal needs, brought them into a partnership of sorts over the years. While their friendship began in their days

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same time, Rabbi Neuberger was highly Rabbi Sherer was close to Congressman it. Anticipating potential problems, he effective in reaching out to the yeshivos Stephen Solarz, Chairman of the House pre-empted them by working behind and organizing them for their participa- Subcomittee on European affairs, who the scenes. Not everybody always agreed tion in AARTS. was able to prevail on the Turkish gov- with him, but remarkably, he had no Rabbi Neuberger seemed to have a ernment to accept Iranian refugees into detractors in almost seventy years of keen sensitivity for both incipient trouble the country. efforts on behalf of klal, most likely due areas and opportunities for growth and Similarly, when the Senate passed a to the sincerity he evinced, enlivened by expansion. As a matter of routine, when bill to eliminate the draft exemption for the twinkle in his eye when he shared a such occasions arose, he would tele- clergy students, and the bill was coming word of humor. phone Rabbi Sherer, who invariably knew to the House, Rabbi Neuberger turned key people in the specific field. Thus, to Rabbi Sherer. In his words: “In those in that same tribute, Rabbi Neuberger years, our influence would not have been The Philadelphia Fire recalled that when the Iran crisis arose, enough. Frum Jews did not have the in 1980, a thicket of diplomatic difficul- power and influence we have today. It abbi Neuberger felt an intense ties and political pitfalls stood in the was important to enlist the non-Jewish sense of responsibility for all way of getting Jewish youths out of Iran. clergy, as well. Through his friends in Ryeshivos, not just Ner Yisroel. In the archdiocese, Rabbi Sherer was able late November 1988, the Philadelphia to convince the Catholic Conference to Yeshiva dormitory sustained a five-alarm become the headquarters of the lobbying fire, and the roshei yeshiva called an emer- effort to exempt divinity students. We gency meeting of a small, select group of decided that the yeshivos had to take askanim. Although Rabbi Neuberger’s a back role and the Catholics and the presence was not requested, he attended Methodists and the Baptists should take nevertheless. the forefront.” The strategy worked. It became clear that the Philadelphia Regular contact between the two was Yeshiva needed a government contact routine, almost daily, and continued to who could cut through all the bureau- bear fruit throughout the years. cratic red tape which might impede the Rabbi Neuberger’s work ethic included construction of a replacement dormi- the principle of gadol hashalom – work- tory needed by the following Ellul, only ing in peace with fellow Jews – and he 8 months later. That afternoon, Rabbi was admired by the Baltimore Jewish Neuberger, accompanied by his devoted community for it. Through his efforts, assistant Jerry Kadden, gained entrée a diverse community has functioned in to the mayor of Philadelphia, Wilson harmony throughout the years, despite Goode, to marshal his cooperation. At many issues that could have divided that meeting, Rabbi Neuberger displayed his political finesse, framing the matter so that a politician would respond positively. Upon securing the mayor’s support, Rabbi Neuberger then detailed the exact steps necessary for building approval and occupancy, and asked the mayor to call each specific department head in his presence and explain the urgency of the matter. They were thus informed directly by the mayor that this project was his top priority, and that any problems should be referred to him. The next day, Rabbi Neuberger went to a construction firm that specializes in fast-track construction to prepare plans for the new dormitory. Although the firm, Whiting-Turner, deals exclusively with large construction projects on the order of stadiums and hospitals, the owner, Willard Hackerman, a long-time

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friend of Rabbi Neuberger’s, accepted the a warm mazal tov letter together with on the seventh morning of shiva. Rabbi project as a courtesy. The new dormitory a small gift. When possible, he would Neuberger stayed on until the shiva was completed on schedule and at full “find time” to attend, no matter how room cleared, and helped him that occupancy that Ellul. distant the simcha. morning with the legalities and paper- And in times of sadness or grief, work necessary for his mother’s finan- cial welfare…. In another instance, The Father after being apprised by a talmid that his best friend had just been the victim Although he lost his own father just of a terrorist attack in Eretz Yisroel, four weeks after his Bar Mitzva, Rabbi Rabbi Neuberger sat and cried with Neuberger intuitively understood how him for ten minutes. Upon discovering to be a father when he grew to maturity. that the talmid’s parents wanted the And a beloved father he was, not only burial to take place in the U.S. rather to his own sons, but to the talmidim than Eretz Yisroel, Rabbi Neuberger of the yeshiva, the kollel yungeleit and arranged to meet them. He negotiated their families, as well. His levaya this a compromise: a funeral service would past Chol Hamoed Sukkos was attended take place in the yeshiva in Baltimore, by thousands who felt the double grief but the burial would be in Eretz Yisroel. of losing a father and a precious asset of As a meaningful consolation to the the klal.…Where they would turn for parents, Rabbi Neuberger arranged for the fatherly advice he would unstint- the state police to escort their car along ingly offer? the Beltway after the service. The role of a father exceeds what would be expected from the most caring outsider. For example, Rabbi Patron of Iranian Jewry Neuberger made over ten trips to New York to mentor a young rosh yeshiva ounded 2500 years ago by émi- who felt daunted by the task of fund- grés from Eretz Yisroel, before raising. Rabbi Neuberger spent full Fthe destruction of the First Beis evenings making solicitations with Hamikdash, the Jewish community in him for his new yeshiva…. In another Iran had maintained its emuna through- case, he took the initiative to contact out the centuries. Thirty years ago, the wealthy uncle of a kollel yungerman however, Rabbi Neuberger personally who was experiencing financial hard- assessed the spiritual well-being of the ship, and arranged for the uncle to send Persian community before the deposi- the yungerman a monthly stipend…. tion of the Shah, and concluded that Rabbi Neuberger arranged with a food Torah life in Iran would disintegrate if distributor to drop off a case of frozen there were not sufficient Persian b’nei food weekly to needy families…. Once, Torah capable of positions in chinuch a member of the kollel, who was in and rabbanus. Initially, he planned to the midst of difficult negotiations bring promising students to the yeshiva, about the terms of his first position, develop them, and send them back called from New York for advice. Rabbi to Iran to fortify their community. Neuberger took the next plane to New With the Islamic Revolution in ’79, York to join in the contract negotia- however, the Iranian Jews were placed tions. The many hours of effort were in physical peril, as well. As a result, unsuccessful, and Rabbi Neuberger Rabbi Neuberger shifted gears to help spent the return flight consoling the Iranian Jewry escape to the U.S. and young rabbi…. When called with the Eretz Yisroel. news that an alumnus had risen in his He lavished personal care on the 800 job or taken a better position, he would Iranians who passed through the yeshiva communicate a joy that only a father over the past 23 years. When informed could register…. Those who sent Rabbi Rabbi Neuberger was there for his that a new group had arrived in the Neuberger an invitation to their son’s talmid. A yungerman who had lost his middle of the night, Rabbi Neuberger Bar Mitzva or a chassuna would receive father was visited by Rabbi Neuberger took out his personal checkbook and

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wrote a generous check so that they The Ultimate Shtadlan could go shopping without delay and “Yoseif came to them [the butler and the baker in prison] in the morning, and get outfitted for yeshiva life. he looked at them and they were depressed. And he asked Pharaoh’s stewards The Avodas Levi was insistent that the who were with him in prison… ‘Why do you appear downcast today?’” (Bereishis Iranians maintain their minhagim and 40, 6-7) encouraged them to make a separate The Sforno (ibid. 37:2) comments that the incidents that took place in Yaakov Avinu’s Shabbos minyan according to Minhag life after he returned to Eretz Yisroel portended what would occur to the Jewish people Paras. As a Levi, Rabbi Neuberger would during the era of the Second Temple, its destruction, the diaspora, and the events that attend this minyan after they concluded will take place at the time of our ultimate redemption. Yoseif’s question to his non-Jewish kriyas HaTorah to wash the hands of the prison-mates became the turning point that led to Yoseif’s meteoric rise to power and Persian Kohanim who would duchan the subsequent deliverance of his family from the famine. Does the following account during Mussaf (as per Sefardic practice). recapitulate a ge’ula foreshadowed by Yoseif’s question? Rabbi Neuberger would then stay for Birkas Kohanim, and give the Iranian In the mid-1970s, it became clear to Rabbi Naftoli Neuberger that the climate in Iran had bachurim words of chizuk after daven- become inimical to Jewish education. In these years prior to the deposition of the Shah, he ing. No wonder that the members of recognized that the very continuity of Iranian Jewry was in jeopardy. As a result, he worked this community would refer to him as indefatigably not only to rescue individuals, but also to effectuate the salvation of what “Abba.” The former rabbi of the Shiraz would turn out to be an entire eida (community) in Klal Yisroel. Although many events community in Iran, Rabbi Yitzchak which took place behind the scenes in Washington and Teheran to orchestrate the liberation Baal Hanes, credits Rabbi Neuberger for of the Iranian community still remain obscure, there is a personal incident recounted by preserving Yiddishkeit among Iranian Rabbi Yosef Tendler, menahel of the Mechina in Yeshiva Ner Yisroel, which sheds some light Jews in all of America. His assistance on the process, as well as on Rabbi Neuberger himself. to their institutions was continual and Rabbi Neuberger had assigned Rabbi Tendler the responsibility to apply for visas for knew no bounds. the young Iranian men and women who wanted to leave their country. Halted in his tracks by governmental bureaucracy and resistance to aiding immigration, Rabbi Tendler reported back to Rabbi Neuberger that he had been totally unsuccessful. Instantly, Rabbi In the Political Arena Neuberger dialed a government contact in Washington and explained the problem. His contact stated that he lacked the power to assist him personally, but gave Rabbi Neuberger uring Chanuka last year, I sat the name and number of a colleague, a high-ranking bureaucrat who was in a position together with Rabbi Neuberger to expedite the visas. Rabbis Neuberger and Tendler quickly arranged an appointment to Dat a 16-seat table in the old petition him in person, but to their chagrin, this pivotal official was totally indifferent and Rayburn House Office Building in could not be induced to involve himself in the plight of Iranian Jewry. The case seemed Washington, D.C., awaiting the arrival hopeless. Then, there was an unexpected knock on the door of his office, and the official of President George W. Bush, who was that Rabbi Neuberger had originally phoned for help was ceremoniously ushered into the still basking in the glow of his four-mil- room. He immediately hugged Rabbi Neuberger and expressed his warm and genuine lion-vote plurality. In recognition of the appreciation for the rabbi. Witnessing this, the second bureaucrat did a total about-face. Orthodox Jewish community’s support From that moment until approximately four years later, the second government contact for his re-election bid, President Bush opened the floodgates of Iranian emigration, allowing thousands of Jewish youths to invited fifteen members of the Jewish come to these shores. community for a seventy-five- minute Curious about what had transpired, Rabbi Tendler inquired as to why the first contact, conference, followed by a Chanuka a non-Jew, was so motivated to help Rabbi Neuberger that he orchestrated such a dramatic party and photo op for five hundred scene in order to influence his colleague to fulfill Rabbi Neuberger’s request. The explanation supporters. Well aware of the many that he received was that some thirty years earlier, Rabbi Neuberger (at that time in his late elected officials who gravitated to Rabbi 20s) had struck up a conversation with this non-Jew while attending a conference. In his Neuberger and of the many govern- typical caring manner, he became acquainted with the fellow and discovered that he was ment contacts that he had developed suffering from a severe medical condition. After ascertaining the details, Rabbi Neuberger over the course of six decades, I asked did some research and referred him to an accomplished physician who ultimately cured Rabbi Neuberger how many presidents him. Rabbi Neuberger’s altruistic intervention made a lasting impression on his beneficiary, he had met during his career. I was to the extent that when he ascended in the ranks of government in Washington, DC, he astonished to learn that this meeting always put himself at Rabbi Neuberger’s disposal to express his gratitude. with President Bush would be the very In the final analysis, a single, sincere expression of Rabbi Neuberger’s characteristic first! I was taken aback that the person concern for the welfare of his fellow man (“Why do you appear downcast today?”) put into who would pursue and exhaust every motion the yeshua for the entire Iranian Jewish community! governmental channel to rescue, save, or help another Jew could be meeting

12 The Jewish Observer

My Years With Rabbi Naftoli Neuberger l”xz From a tribute by Howard Tzvi Friedman

Rabbi Naftoli Neuberger l”xz was more than a men- Just think about it. This was the leader of a major tor to me. He was a second father, a close friend and a Torah mosad, 75 years old, one of the most respected role model all in one. Most of all, he showed me what rabbis in the world, and he was so bothered by a news it means to care for every Jew. item about an irreligious Jew that he took time out of Rabbi Neuberger had no personal needs. He would his busy day to respond to it. Later that day, I asked buy a new piece of clothing only after one of his chil- him over the phone what had happened at the funeral dren told him he absolutely had to. I remember the home. He told me that he thought he had made some ripped couch in the living room of his small apartment impact. The family was considering his request and had on Yeshiva Lane. He would never have changed it, but told him, “Rabbi, don’t think that if we decide to go finally someone just gave him a new couch. While he ahead and not cremate him that you will get a funeral guarded the yeshiva’s money zealously, it was his grand out of it.” Woe unto them that they did not recognize vision that built Ner Yisroel into the major institution Rabbi Neuberger’s gadlus and had so little appreciation it is today. for what motivates a great Jew. I recall the first time we took a train trip together to Washington, DC. I always took the Metroliner, which * * * then cost $26.00, and asked Rabbi Neuberger if we would bB take the Metroliner. His instant response was, “I can get A few years ago when Senator Barbara Mikulski of the MARC local train with a senior citizen discount for Maryland addressed a Yeshiva Ner Israel dinner. She $3.50.” I tried to reason with him that the Metroliner began by telling us of a dilemma that had arisen a took only 30 minutes, while the local train took a full month earlier, when she was going through her invita- hour. But he was adamant that he could not justify tions and noted that two of them were for events on the spending the Yeshiva’s money on the more expensive same evening. One was from President Clinton, for the train. That gave me the idea of offering to pay for his White House holiday party, while the other was from Metroliner ticket, which he accepted. Now he was able Rabbi Neuberger, for the Ner Israel dinner. At first, she to save an hour on the round trip, and could use the could not decide whether she should choose to have a extra time back in the Yeshiva at no cost to the Yeshiva. photo op with President Clinton or to chat with Rabbi That was the best money I ever spent. Besides the obvi- Neuberger. Then, she said, she came to the conclusion ous fact of making things easier for Rabbi Neuberger, that presidents come and go, but Rabbi Neuberger will it taught me a valuable lesson. be here forever. So she came to Ner Israel. Today, Rabbi Neuberger is no longer with us, but the Yeshiva he built bB* * * and the legacy he left will be here forever. I was sitting in his office when he got a phone call * * * and told me that he had to run. “Where are you going?” bB I asked. I was driving home from New York. After I finished He told me, “There is a famous composer who has a 30 minute phone conversation, my wife asked me to just died, and I am going up the block to Levinson’s whom I had been talking. I said, “Rabbi Neuberger.” funeral home to convince the family not to cremate She said, “Oh! It sounded like you were talking to a him.” friend.” Perhaps I felt like his friend, but he was a giant I had seen the article on the front page of the news- and I will never be anywhere close to his level. But he paper about this man’s death and the plans to cremate had a special way that made me feel that he was truly a him, and I said to Rabbi Neuberger, “I didn’t realize friend, not only to me but to my entire family. you knew him.”

He replied, “I didn’t know him. But how can I allow Mr. Friedman, a talmid of Yeshiva Ner Yisroel, is active in Jewish them to cremate a Jew? I am going to try to convince communal affairs. them not to.”

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an American president for the first time at age 86. But I felt foolish when I realized the simplicity of the expla- nation—Rabbi Neuberger obviously never needed a president’s assistance in any of his myriad projects. He only made contact with those people who would serve the needs of his people. rpx Had he ever needed the intercession cegh ,uccus of a president, I have no doubt that he would have secured it. His interest NOW AVAILABLE IN SEFORIM STORES in politics was purely pragmatic and ON THE FOLLOWING ,u,fxn: utilitarian, not for appearance, not to 'tne tcc 'ihaushe 'ihyhd ',ca ',ufrc 'ihkuj impress. Rabbi Neuberger’s stance can be ihrsvbx ',uguca 'ohrsb 'tghmn tcc gleaned from a statement he once Each packed with ,ucua,u ,ukta that made to a confidant who was asked to accompany him to a political event. review the thryu tkea of the trnd in When his companion inquired if there accordance with ,upxu, and hWar would be kosher food at the gathering, written in Hebrew. Volume Rabbi Neuberger responded, “When Discount you attend these affairs, you don’t even On orders drink a glass of water. If you anticipate of 5 or more Recommended and used by ohfbjnv hkusd you will be thirsty once you arrive, as well as ohshnk, and oh,c hkgc for over 20 years. drink water before you get there.” His attendance was purely selfless and For more information please call D. Eisenberg (845) 356-4390 (718) 259-9472 focused on tachlis. During the ’70s, Congressman

14 The Jewish Observer

Ner Yisroel Campus on Mount Wilson Lane At the Lead

wo times a year, Rabbi Neuberger would lead the T yeshiva in davening. One was for the final kinna (dirge) that is recited aloud on Tisha B’Av – “Eli Tziyon,” which bewails the decline of G-d’s glory in the world since the Temple’s destruction, and the pain and suffering of the Jews since. With this annual recitation, it was as Clarence D. Long from Maryland G-d for the opportunity to live under if he publicly proclaimed his com- (Ph.D. from Princeton and eleven- such salutary conditions. mitment to focus his energies on term Member of the House) served as Although Rabbi Neuberger did not addressing these tzaros (troubles) Chairman of the House Appropriations make explicit reference to the fact that and take personal responsibility for Committee, and became one of the Hashem had granted him, the erstwhile their resolution or amelioration. The most influential lawmakers on Capitol immigrant, more than sixty years of remainder of his year was dedicated Hill. Despite the relative insignificance shtadlanus to “work” the American to this single purpose. The second of Maryland’s Orthodox Jewish vote, system of government, I could not help time he ascended the amud was on Congressman Long was convinced but conjecture that the tears he shed the evening of Rosh Hashana. It was that his biannual re-election to the represented his acknowledgment of the obvious to all that there was no one House was in large part due to Rabbi special Hashgacha he was granted to more qualified to arouse the mercy of Neuberger, and constantly sought his provide for his people’s welfare through Heaven on the Day of Judgment than advice and blessing. As the Hashgacha governmental intervention. Rabbi the quintessential ba’al ma’asim. unfolded, the congressman’s loyalty Neuberger, therefore, accepted this Rabbi Naftoli Halevi Neuberger played an essential role in the rescue invitation to meet with the President was a giant in our times in building of many Iranian Jews, as he permit- out of profound appreciation. He had and protecting Torah, and easing the ted Rabbi Neuberger the use of his no reason, however, to attend the plight of Klal Yisroel over the last diplomatic pouch to transfer papers Chanuka party following the meeting six-and-one-half decades of galus. in and out of Iran at a time when the or accept the opportunity to have his May his example inspire us to follow Iranian government would no longer picture taken with the President, and in his footsteps of chessed, askanus, allow communication with the United therefore he returned to Baltimore to and achrayus for the klal, in what we States. continue toiling for the yeshiva and pray will prove to be the final phase Given his dispassion for politics, the tzibbur. of our galus. d why, then, did Rabbi Neuberger attend the Chanuka meeting with the President? I believe the answer HIGH SCHOOL MENAHAL/ MENAHALES was revealed in his uncharacteristi- POSITION AVAILABLE cally halting and teary-eyed com- ment to the Commander-In-Chief. Bnos Yisroel of Baltimore is a school are looking for a Menahal/ Menahales Rabbi Neuberger was the first to for Orthodox Jewish girls that aims with high school experience speak after the President opened up the session to the participants. He to instill in its students a love and exemplary leadership skills. recalled the condition of the Jews in of Yiddishkeit in a fashion that The Menahel/Menahales will be pre-War Germany – how all access to enhances the confidence and self- responsible for the daily operations, the government was denied them as esteem needed for the growth of curriculum and will monitor the they lived in deplorable conditions B’nos Torah. With an elementary progress of the school. We are – land contrasted that dire situation school enrollment of over 260 girls, offering a comprehensive benefits with our current status in America, as we IY”H look forward to opening a package and salary commensurate typified by the fact that fifteen Jews did not plead for such a meeting, but high school in September, 2007. We with experience. were invited by the President for a discussion of issues facing American Please fax resumes to 410-358-9671 and world Jewry. He stirringly thanked

15 M a r c h 2 0 0 6

Rabbi Hillel Goldberg

Not To Be Left Behind Menucha Etel’s parents, Rabbi and “She Survived” – Simple Rebbetzin Avraham Jofen, escaped and Phrase, Mountains of o it was that Jews were sent to reached the U.S. as early as 1941, but Courage Siberia in 1940. It was the times. their daughter was married; the route SIt happened. Among the victims to Japan was closed to her and her hat simple phrase, “she sur- was Rabbi Yehuda Leib Nekritz. But to husband. vived,” conceals mountains of volunteer to go to Siberia? That seemed Rabbi Nekritz was a Polish citizen Tcourage and sacrifice. irrational. Truly “nuts,” in the vernacu- who had fled from Bialystock, Poland, to She and her husband lived in a hut, lar. But Rabbi Nekritz’s wife Menucha a small town near Vilna, which fell under 10 x 15, with their two girls – together Etel did just that. To boot, she had two Russian rule just before the Germans with a peasant, his wife, their two chil- small girls, four and one, respectively. attacked Russia. The Russians consigned dren, and several animals. They slept She wanted to entrust them to the Rabbi Nekritz to Siberia, along with on the floor. The temperature in the uncertain fates of the Siberian cold. many other Jewish men who had refused winter was fairly constant — about She would have it no other way. In to accept Russian citizenship. 40 degrees below zero. There was pre- fact, she fought for the right to go. She Their wives wept and hoped to be cious little food to be had altogether, saved her life; those who regarded her reunited with their husbands — the let alone kosher food. Nevertheless, as “nuts” lost their lives. Here’s what Russians said that the men would go neither Rabbi Nekritz nor his wife ate happened: first, the women later. But then the Nazis non-kosher food all the years they were In the chaos and snap decisions at overran Poland and killed these wives there. What they survived on — an the onset of the Nazi Holocaust, certain and their children. occasional potato? scraps of bread? rabbis and Torah students secured pas- When Rabbi Nekritz’s wife heard of — is a mystery. sage out of the Nazi inferno to Japan. her husband’s destination, she put on They sustained not only themselves. But if they had married children, these one royal scene before the communist Roughly a minyan of yeshiva students, children were not eligible. For example, officer. She simply wouldn’t leave her unmarried, had been shipped to Siberia Rabbi Goldberg is executive editor of Denver’s husband. Her friends deemed her daft. with them. While Mrs. Nekritz was Intermountain Jewish News. He has authored She eventually convinced the commu- cooking scraps for them, he was teach- several books on the Mussar Movement, nist officer, whose father was a pious ing them Torah and mussar, bolstering including The Fire Within: The Living Heritage Jew, to let her and her two little girls their spirits. This was all after hours, of of the Mussar Movement; Illuminating the Generations (both ArtScroll); and Israel accompany their husband and father course. Slave labor was the men’s daily Salanter: Text, Structure, Idea (Ktav). He is a to Siberia. She survived, her friends lot. Still, his nightly sessions of study frequent contributor to these pages. perished. with his students constantly made him

16 The Jewish Observer

suspect in the eyes of the authorities. They took him away at night for questioning countless times. Would he return? Menucha Etel Nekritz never knew. But she never asked him to play it safe and cease his Torah teaching. Quite the contrary. She encouraged him, despite the potential risk to her and her girls. It was not just his informal yeshiva that endangered them. It was their dedication to Shabbos. They simply would not work on Shabbos, a com- mitment that entailed countless sub- terfuges and deals, which, however, were not always successful. So they were endangered on that score, too. Constant You CAN DO All This sessions with the Russian authorities, confrontational questions — was he a And More! spy? — were Rabbi Nekritz’s lot.

The Smallest Item Could Make the Difference

Late Kollel Check Medical Aid Cash Crisis Dira Loans ust as the communist officer had Reduced Stipends Surgery Abroad Unemployment made an exception for Menucha Etel Nekritz by letting her go to One and a half J million Jews in Siberia, he also made an exception to BUT FIRST... Israel – including the normal, extreme limits on baggage. one of every Instead of seven kilos, she could take three children – live in poverty. Ten percent plus are unemployed. Major reductions in government subsidies all she could carry. to the elderly, large families and Kollel people have never The poverty in Siberia was so been restored. extreme that the smallest item – to Passover is by far the most expensive holiday season. be used for sale or barter – could Matzoh, wine, food, clothing and other Pesach expenses force many who can barely manage during the year to make the difference between life and apply for assistance. death. A piece of paper, for example. Our thirty-two all-volunteer staffed branches across A needle. A bar of soap. These could Israel are swamped with requests for Gemach interest-free Pesach food and necessities spell life. Siberia had no commodi- loans for Pesach. We cannot possibly answer all of them. ties. On one occasion, Menucha Etel ONLY YOU CAN MAKE IT HAPPEN traded a precious, beautiful tablecloth SEND YOUR MOST GENEROUS DONATION TODAY! that she had embroidered for six pota- Your Yom Tov Simcha will be multiplied by having made their Pesach possible. toes. Shortly afterward, the woman When repaid, your gift will be recycled, becoming a returned and wanted her potatoes perpetually revolving Gmach loan, aiding the struggling and back. (The tablecloth is now a family Then... the crisis-stricken in so many ways, every day of the year. heirloom.) The items that Menucha Etel brought to Siberia helped her survive at the beginning. In about 1942, pack- ages began arriving from America. How did her parents find out where Medical Equipment Religious Articles Summer Camp Wedding Expenses she was? Dental Care Bar Mitzvahs Tuitions Rabbi Nekritz had sent telegrams to his father-in-law, Rabbi Jofen, in Ozer Dalim 1301 Avenue K, Brooklyn, NY 11230 Brooklyn, or so he thought. The

17

JOads.indd 1 2/17/2006 2:35:53 PM M a r c h 2 0 0 6

operator never sent them. Months message from Mars. Then, packages and his wife Chaya. Her fabled grand- later, Rabbi Nekritz managed to send started to arrive — half stolen on the father, a Lithuanian baal mussar/rosh a postcard from a different Siberian way — but still, something. Enough yeshiva died in 1919, while her grand- town. Miraculously, it reached America to keep them alive. mother lived until 1935. seven months later. Imagine trying to (Parenthetically, Rabbi Nekritz He founded scores of yeshivos in make contact with family, not know- continued sending food packages to Russia and Poland. His daughter, ing whether you’re successful, in the friends and former students in Russia Rebbetzin Sarah Jofen, was deeply meantime living at 40 below, utterly into the 1980s.) involved in all his endeavors. (See removed from any normal routine. As In Siberia, Menucha Etel Nekritz “And Sarah Was Listening…,” by soon as the postcard reached America, had two memorable dreams. To relate Shoshana Perr, JO, Summer ’84.) the Nekritzes received a telegram, one of them, it is necessary to fill in a But it was her daughter, Menucha which made them instant celebrities, bit about her background. Etel, who cared for her grandmother, becausehamodia gettingad.qxd a1/11/2006 message in 3:06 Siberia PM Page 1Born in 1914, she was the grand- the Bubba Chaya, in her old age. in those days was equal to getting a daughter of the Alter of Novarodok Laundry. Nursing. Feeding. Spoonful by spoonful. Whatever it took. The bond between the generations grew into the proverbial “threefold bond, Summer Seminary unbreakable.”

Our Bubba Chaya’s Visit… Second In a Dream Amazing Experience Year! ive years after the Bubba Chaya’s death, her granddaughter found in Eretz Yisroel for Bais Yaakov Fherself in Siberia, with her first child named after her grandmother. High School Students (Little Chaya is now the rebbetzin of Rabbi Naftali Kaplan, noted mashgiach in Eretz Yisroel.) Menucha Etel’s first July 2 - August 8, 2006 dream took place when her younger daughter, Shoshana, became quite ill. The hospitals were simply rooms. • Taste of Seminary Studies & Tiyulim for Girls entering Grades 11 and 12 There were no doctors, no medications. People stole from each other. There was • Hear Shiurim from Rabbonim and Moros from the finest seminaries nothing to do for a sick child. This was • Improve your learning skills, meet new friends, receive personalized hadracha the dream: The Bubba Chaya appeared to her granddaughter and said: “Don’t • Exciting Tiyulim and Shabbatonim be afraid. The cat will be a kappara • Located at the beautiful Darchei Binah Campus-Bayit Vegan (an atonement, i.e., a substitute for Shoshana’le).” • Inspiring Chessed Projects This, of course, was not understand- able, and little Shoshana still had a high Be inspired by Toras Eretz Yisroel and Grow in Your Avodas Hashem temperature. A bachur had obtained a whole pota- to – not the peels that were their usual Haskamah from Harav Shmuel Kaminetzky, Shlita ration – and brought it to Menucha Etel to cook for him. In his fear of being late For Brochure and Application Contact: to work, he attempted to remove the RABBI YISROEL ROLL Program Director potato from the boiling pot, and acci- dentally poured the scalding water over Tel: 410-585-0497 Email: [email protected] a cat that got underfoot. The scalded cat www.binahyeseirah.org was carried out screaming, and died. Shoshanale’s fever came down. Menucha Etel Jofen Nekritz died last

18 The Jewish Observer

month at the age of 91 in Far Rockaway, “What did you do before you came voice, and the songs of faith (emuna) New York. For the past 20 years, she was to Nizhne and Machavaya [the name of and trust (bitachon) that she learned in cared for by her daughter, Rebbetzin a Siberia collective].” her parents’ and grandmother’s home. Shoshana Perr, the same Shoshana of the “I was a rebbi [a teacher and spiritual Her children thought that they had dream in Siberia, where her distraught mentor], and I will always be a rebbi.” learned all the songs their mother mother saw her daughter rescued by “Why were you exiled to Siberia?” knew, only to discover that as recently Heavenly intervention, signaled by a “So that you would see that there as a few years ago, she was teaching still post-mortal message from her grand- is a G-d in the world, and so that we, more songs to their own children, her mother. too, would see that there is a G-d in grandchildren. Just as Menucha Etel cared personally the world!” Rebbetzin Nekritz had what might for her grandmother, Shoshana Perr He lived thus in Siberia and Kafkaz, be termed an inner sense of hadar, with her husband, Rabbi Yechiel Perr, and after the war in Lodz, in France, splendor. She kept this up as she nursed the rosh yeshiva of the Yeshiva of Far in Canada, and, finally, as a long time her grandmother in her youth, then Rockaway, sustained Menucha Etel in “rebbi” (as he would put it) in the cen- in the wastes of Siberia and later in their home until the very end. tral Beth Joseph Yeshiva in Brooklyn, Brooklyn. first assisting his father-in-law, Rabbi In the shed, her residence in Siberia, Jofen, then in partnership with his late she had lived with animals — but The Survivors Remember brother-in-law, Rabbi Yaakov Jofen. retained her sense of inner beauty. He lived “hishtav’us,” a Novarodok And she demanded it, in a quiet and nly five people are still alive mussar term connoting a stable rela- unspoken sort of way, from the yeshiva from that small group of stu- tionship with Hashem and with people, students she cooked for in Siberia, and Odents who studied Torah with unaffected by one’s circumstances. His later from her six children and her Rabbi Nekritz in Siberia. Joel Orent once hishtav’us and Menucha Etel’s Tehillim grandchildren. wrote about them that their cohesive- helped them remain hopeful and It was a certain inner voice and sense ness astonished the local villagers and alive. of self. Who else would think of taking aroused their curiosity. They asked And she lived with song. on a communist officer and demanding Rabbi Nekritz: Her children remember her beautiful a trip to Siberia? d Apply your Rabbinic and Secular Degree toward a Master’s Degree from Bellevue University.

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19 M a r c h 2 0 0 6 Postscript

The previous issue of The Jewish Jewesses, whether they be religious or it. Eretz Yisroel can contribute to this. Observer featured an article “It’s 3:00 secular. Temptations are much more Before embarking upon any trip, we P.M. ………..10 P.M. in Yerushalayim. appealing. must realize why we are taking the trip; Do You Know Where Your Children Parents should know that night- what are our motivations, what are the Are?” by Rabbi Aryeh Z. Ginzberg, time cafes easily become hangouts for purpose and the goal that we seek. which focused on the importance of the bachurim. What they do there, whom Simply because everyone else is doing year or two years that boys and girls in they meet, and where they go afterwards it, it becomes expected and even required their late teens and early 20s spend in should concern everyone. Checking for – but that is not sufficient reason to war- yeshivos and seminaries in Eretz Yisroel, e-mail, aside from the predictable expo- rant a year or two in Eretz Yisroel. Our along with the hazards and pitfalls that sure to electronic pornography, runs presence in Eretz Yisroel is a mitzva, and can be part of the experience there. The another risk: purchase of both over- and therefore requires as much proper inten- article inspired much discussion, includ- under-the-counter pornography. tion, lishma — especially on the part of ing the following response by Rabbi Another example: We should know the parents — as any other mitzva. If not, Shlomo Furst, Mashgiach Ruchani of that a seemingly innocent trip to the the results could be disastrous. Kollel Ruach Chaim, which is affiliated Kosel is also a chance to meet old friends Tosafos (Chagiga 15a) list many with Yeshiva Torah Ore in Jerusalem. — and even make new ones. Word has causes for the heretical demise of it that there are mixed gatherings not Acheir (Rabbi Elisha ben Avuvhu). too far from this Holy Site. One is that Acheir’s father was so No Guarantees Missionaries also haunt the Kosel, impressed with the glory and honor as well as other locations. More than bestowed on those who learn Torah, fter reading Rabbi Aryeh Z. ten years ago, a bachur admitted that that at the time of Acheir’s bris milla, Ginzberg’s insightful and telling while on a trip to the Dead Sea, he he decided that his son should become Aarticle, several points should be was approached by missionaries. As an a ben Torah. This decision, however, mentioned. First, just to reinforce the enticement for continuing their conver- did not stem from pure motivations. It message, kedushas Ha’aretz provides no sation, the bachur was given directions was shelo lishma. Therefore, although guarantee of aliya or protection from to a “clothesless” beach. These are just the consequences were not apparent yerida. Therefore, parents must take several examples of how the yeitzer hara for many years, the hope that Acheir responsibility to safeguard their children’s can lead us astray. The rule is, as Chazal would be a ben Torah was not realized. future in the best way possible. teach us in the Gemara (Shabbos 104a): In the end, Acheir turned far from the Second, concerning the question of One who comes to defile himself will true path, resulting in spiritual ruin. the ability of the yeshivos and semi- encounter no resistance. Eretz Yisroel It is incumbent on us to help our naries to do more, the correct answer cannot protect us against ourselves. children far before their departure to should be Yes rather than No. Third and Eretz Yisroel. Many of those who come last, Rabbi Ginzberg’s article presents to Eretz Yisroel do succeed, but we can- just the tip of the iceberg. The spiritual The First Step: Motivation not be naïve. Everyone is at risk. Our dangers are both much more subtle and children’s success starts with us; our much more grave than Rabbi Ginzberg’s hazal also teach us: “[When] one motivations are vital. Realizing this, we article depicts. comes to purify himself, he will can take practical steps to ensure that For example: according to one Cbe helped.” If we make an extra our children will be as protected and bachur, simply walking down the street effort to succeed in life, we can achieve productive as possible. is much more challenging here in Eretz spiritual greatness. To receive siyata First, we must know our sons and Yisroel than in chutz la’aretz. There is diShmaya, we must make an effort, daughters. Putting all of our hopes and an automatic affinity to fellow Jews and for that is the proof that we truly want dreams aside, we must carefully evaluate

28 The Jewish Observer

what type of yeshiva or seminary is best guide the talmid through the difficulties dren home to join a family or friend’s for them. What are their goals? What are of advanced learning — and also steer simcha. Bringing them home before the their dreams? Many times, we must ask him through the challenges of life. z’man ends also ruins the ruach of the their teachers and friends, for they may We must foresee every possible dan- beis midrash and encourages others to know more about our children than ger. The nisyonos begin even before the follow suit. If we value Torah, we should we do. We must know our children’s movies start to play during the air flight. be careful not to cause bittul Torah. strengths and weaknesses, for they will Mini vacation stopovers in European soon be on their own and away from cities are an increasingly popular way our direct supervision. to get the most from the travel dollar. “Off Shabbos,” “Free Even when children live at home, We must advise our sons and daughters Shabbos,” or “Out Shabbos”? today’s world makes it almost impossible on avoiding such temptations. to shelter them from negative influences. Moreover, we have to realize the irre- n selecting a yeshiva or seminary, Once they are in Eretz Yisroel, it is even versible damage that occurs to shteiging we should be sensitive to how harder. Away from home, the yeitzer hara, when mid-z’man, we summon our chil- Ithe talmidim are allowed and which is very active in young adults, will exert a great influence. Second, we must actively research which yeshiva or seminary will best suit our children’s needs, especially in regard to supervision. Although Rabbi Ginzberg’s article states that educa- tors in Eretz Yisroel maintain that they cannot do more than what is currently being done, there is a different view: that if parents would wholeheartedly support yeshiva policies of discipline, much more could be done. “Shemira, shemira, and then more shemira” is excellent and necessary advice. But for yeshivos and seminar- ies to be successful, we need parental participation both before and after their children come to Eretz Yisroel.

When Parents Back the Schools

hird, parents must back the staffs in their efforts to keep watch over Ttheir children. Parents should not It feels better just to talk about it. That’s supply their children with cell-phones, why we’re here. Our staff is made up of iPods, palms – anything that will give caring and sensitive individuals. Together, we can help you explore your options. We our young adults access to unwanted can refer you to recognized professionals influences. Also, too much money is for counseling, legal advice or help in a negative factor. Credit cards and finding a safe environment. We can also put you in touch with some very special monthly budgets of more than $100 Rabbis. But in order for us to reach out to are an inivtation to trouble. Alcohol is you, you must first reach out to us. not the only addictive substance freely Confidential Hotline 1.888.883.2323 available here in Eretz Yisroel. (Toll Free) If our sons and daughters are com- ing to Eretz Yisroel for an aliya, let them 718.337.3700 ( N Y C A r e a ) leave the technology and excess money Do it for yourself. back home. Funds are much better spent Do it for your children. Shalom Task Force is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization on hiring an experienced tutor to help

29 M a r c h 2 0 0 6

encouraged to spend their non-sched- must be investigated. Are there orga- with a friendly, “Shalom Aleichem! uled time. Bein hasedarim (between nized trips, and are they safe? Driving in How are you and my son doing in classes), erev Shabbos, and Shabbosos Eretz Yisroel can be very dangerous. Are yeshiva?” indicates our concern. If are dangerous times. Expressions such talmidim allowed to tour by themselves? we take an honest interest, we can get as “off Shabbos/free Shabbos” are Will they be going to hotels, movies, honest answers. Do not be content indicative of a lax attitude; there is or worse? with past reports and performance. no taking off or getting free from our During the z’man, we must speak The yeitzer hara can change everything responsibility to put all of our time frequently with those who know our overnight. and energies to the best use possible. children. If the roshei yeshiva and Even if a yeshiva has a curfew and a Using the phrase “out Shabbos” subtly rebbe’im, and especially our children, bed-check at midnight, this does not but effectively transmits this message. know we want to shep nachas, every- preclude the possibility of “getting We may be going somewhere else, one will put in extra efforts to give out” for a few hours between one and but we are taking our responsibilities us the good news we want to hear. three a.m., returning, sleeping and get- with us. Also, we should try to get to know our ting to davening by seven-thirty. The Also, the school’s involvement in children’s roommates and chavrusos. roommates and chavrusos will know if bein hazemanim (intercession) activities A semi-regular phone call, beginning someone is sleeping at night or during seder. If the rebbi happens to notice Uncle Moishy, Dedi that someone is sleeping during shuir, Digest of Meforshim most likely there is a negative reason Avrohom Fried, for it. Roommates and chavrusos may yjvkl rtb yjvkl and other leading know the truth. l”xz rijla lavms g”hrhm Jewish entertainers Ideally, a dormitory should have Available at counselors who are experienced, are available understanding and accessible; people LEKUTEI to visit c/o Yitzchok Rosenberg who are good role models, particularly 1445 54th Street seriously ill in the derech eretz of how to get along Brooklyn, NY 11219-4228 children with people, how to keep a room and 718-854-6701 thanks to personal belongings clean and neat. 20 Volumes on Torah, Perek, Medrash, SIMCHAS CHAVA Surprisingly, but true, knowing that tmsn rczl Megilos, Talmud, and Tehilim. h’’i bkiy ‘r tb hvu there is a “big brother” who is a good Proceeds of sales distributed among A Chessed project run by friend waiting back at the dorm makes Yeshivos and used for reprinting of vol- Agudath Israel of America umes out-of-print in conjunction with it so much easier to return from “off Suki & Ding Productions campus” diversions on time. It also PRICE: $8.00 PER VOLUME To set up an appointment, call: (212) 797-9000 Ext.235 makes it easier not to go out at all! If we hope that our children will s”xc change for the better in Eretz Yisroel, Why did the Chofetz TO SAVE then we must prepare them for a real Chaim & R’Chaim TALMIDEI change. Let them leave all the useless Ozer Grodzinsky CHOCHOMIM distractions behind so that they can FROM THE PAIN AND devote themselves entirely to their start Ezras Torah? SHAME OF POVERTY. studies, to growth in yir’a, ahava, In an ideal world, those who devote In Eretz Yisroel today, Ezras Torah Make a life of Torah devotion and middos, avoda and chessed. We have their lives to Torah would be provides Housing, Emergency commitment an everlasting edifice to ask ourselves if we really want all recognized as the spiritual heroes Medical Funds, Wedding that will bring us the Rabbonim, that they are. Support Ezras Torah's Assistance, Yom Tov Stipends, Dayonim and Leaders of tomorrow! these vitally important virtues for our Zedakah Programs and make that Simchas and Special Need's Grants children. If we do, we must prepare ideal a reality. and Loans. STAND UP FOR TORAH! them and pray for their success. Help Ezras Torah's committed scholars and families stand strong! Prayers are answered if they are Call The 24-Hour Ezras Torah Tzedekah Hotline 1-800-514-0348 honest. Can we truly pray for our I would like to help Ezras Torah! Enclosed is NAME children to be spared spiritual demise my tax-deductible contribution for: Yes! ADDRESS if we personally focus on the tempta- $18 $36 $100 $250 $360 $500 $1,000 $ CITY STATE ZIP tions of this world? When our children Method of payment: Check Visa M/C A/E PHONE visit the Kosel, will they prepare to Acc. # Exp. 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30 The Jewish Observer

Ari Z. Zivotofsky and Zohar Amar

A Fishy Tale Identifying the Talmudic Shibuta

ava ate it for his Shabbos meal. literature is the shibuta, which is cited in the brain of the shibuta [a fish whose It is the most widely mentioned a host of different contexts as a popular brain tastes like pork]. Based on this Rfish in the Talmud. And yet, for and tasty fish. Given the multitude of categorical observation, she requested over a thousand years, there has been occurrences in the Talmud, it is under- the taste of meat cooked with milk. In uncertainty and confusion about the standable that attempts have been made response, her husband ordered up some identity of the shibuta. to identify it, and given the variety of broiled udder. The shibuta was thus The Jews of the biblical and talmudic clues, it is somewhat surprising that the recognized for its “special” taste. periods were very much in touch with suggestions have been so divergent and We know that Yalta was not describing nature and knew a great deal about the seemingly erroneous. a rare treat because there is evidence that plant and animal kingdoms. The Tanach Perhaps the most famous context the shibuta was widely eaten in Bavel. records names of numerous plants, ani- in which the shibuta appears is in the The Gemara (Shabbos 119a, Kiddushin mals, and birds, but never identifies a delightful story regarding kosher and 41a) illustrates various methods by particular species of fish. For example, permitted equivalents of non-kosher which the Amora’im would involve when listing the kosher and non-kosher foods and prohibited actions. The themselves in Shabbos preparations, species, the Torah names all of the Gemara (Chullin 109b) records that and as one example, states that Rava kosher land animals and four examples Yalta, the wife of Rav Nachman, noted would personally salt the shibuta for the of non-kosher animals, and it lists all that every item that G-d prohibited has Shabbos meal. From the fact that Rava of the non-kosher birds and the kosher a permitted counterpart. For example, prepared it regularly for Shabbos it is grasshoppers by name. But with regard He prohibited blood, but He permitted clear that it was a popular fish which to fish, there are no names, neither liver [which is halachically regarded  That one food can mimic another, and even kosher nor non-kosher. Rabbinic litera- as made of blood]; He prohibited the that a fish can taste like pork is not unheard of. ture does list fish names, but only rarely, cheilev (specific fats) of domesticated There is a fish found in the Amazon known as with a total of only five names appearing animals [beheima], but permitted it in the tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum) that is in the Mishna and a few dozen in the non-domesticated ones [chaya]; He pro- supposedly a delicious fish with a light, mild pork taste. And it is kosher. See http://www.acutean- Talmud. Because Babylonian life was hibited the flesh of swine, but permitted gling.com/Peacock/Morethan.htm where it states: centered on the Tigris and Euphrates “The tambaqui is the best tasting fish I have ever rivers, it is reasonable to assume that  On the desirability of craving such equivalents, eaten, bar none. It is typically grilled, its large for the Amora’im of the Babylonian see Ari Z. Zivotofsky, “Baco Bits and Non-Kosher ribs making generous individual servings. With Taste: Halacha and Hashkafa,” The Journal of its firm, fleshy meat and a taste like light, mild Talmud, fish was an important item Halacha and Contemporary Society, Sukkos 5766 pork, it is a wonderful treat. Even if you aren’t on their menu. Of these, probably the / Fall 2005, 50:89-109. lucky enough to come across one on a fishing trip most prominent fish named in rabbinic  Parallel versions of this account exist in vari- and enjoy it fresh from the river, all of the better ous other Midrashim, most dated later than the restaurants in Manaus will offer very, very good  The only possible exception is the livyasan, Talmud. For example: Vayikra Rabba (Vilna), tambaqui dinners. This is a meal you shouldn’t created by G-d on the fifth day of creation. See parasha 22; Tanchuma (Buber), Shemini 12; miss.” Of course the tambaqui, being a South Pardeis Yoseif, Vayikra 11:9 and Ba’al Haturim, Tanchuma (Warsaw) Shemini, 8; Midrash Aggada American fish, is clearly not the Talmudic shibuta. Vayikra 11:9 regarding fish not having names. (Buber, p. 30) Vayikra 11; Yalkut Shimoni, Shemini That different foods could be almost identical Rabbi Zivotofsky lives in Beit Shemesh, from 536; Yalkut Shimoni, Tehillim, 888. The variations in taste is not uncommon. See, for example, the let- where he writes widely on Jewish topics. His between the texts are mostly minor. For example, ter to the editor, Science News 156:19 (July 10, 1999) last appearance in these pages was “Tax Filing the addition of shatnez/tzitzis, spleen in the place that the barndoor skate tastes so much like scallop Season – As Required by Halacha” (Apr. ‘05). of liver, and the tongue of the shibuta in place that unscrupulous restauranteurs are known to of its brain. have “punched” “scallops” out of skate fins.

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enjoyed a status that qualified it to be west is known as al-shabut. He does not Talmud, including, of course, the shibuta. served by an Amora on Shabbos. use the word shibuta, but seeing that Ludwig Lewysohn (1819-1901)10 was a The shibuta was also thought to Rav Hai Gaon and the Rambam are rabbi in Germany and Stockholm, had a impact, both positively and negative- discussing the same fish, it is likely that doctorate from the University of Halle, ly, on one’s health. A salted shibuta al-shabut is Rambam’s term for shibuta. and was called a chacham by Rabbi was recommended as a treatment for Rav Yosef Kapuch in his commentary on David Zvi Hoffman (Melameid Leho’il, yarkuna (jaundice?) (Shabbos 110b), the Rambam’s commentary (p. 405, note YD:21). Lewysohn identified the shibuta and a shibuta in the month of Nissan 7) identifies the fish. He writes that it is as Acipenser (sturgeon – which is not was considered inauspicious because a small fish that is found in rivers year- kosher!). Interestingly, he (p. 270) identi- it can lead to tzara’as (Pesachim 112b). round; it has a small head and a wide fies the chamra deyama (“sea donkey”; cf. In several contexts, the Talmud dis- body covered with fins along the entire AZ 39a) as the shibut and belonging to cusses the laws restricting plowing with length of the body. In English it is called the genus Gadus, which includes many different species of animals. In an inter- Sole, and in German, schollen. In modern types of codfish. esting twist, it (Babba Kamma 55a, Hebrew, it is called “dag Moshe Rabbeinu Yisrael Aharoni (Aharonovitz) (1882- Sanhedrin 59b) queries about plowing – the fish of Moses.” Furthermore, it is 1946) was born in Vidgy, learned in Telz with a fish and a goat yoked together. not, as some who do not have a tradition Yeshiva, and moved to Israel in 1901, The fish that is cited as capable of plow- suggest, the Spanish mackerel (scomber where he became a pioneer of research ing is the shibuta, indicating that it is a colias). Rav Kapuch is implying that of fauna of Eretz Yisroel and neighboring relatively large fish. unlike those other people, he does have countries. He established the Zoological a tradition as to the fish’s identity, and Museum at the Hebrew University, it is sole. Interestingly, he suspects that where he was a lecturer on zoology. He Post Talmudic Discussions Rambam never saw the fish, because identified shibuta as Scomber scomber he comments that Rambam’s descrip- (mackerel).11 eferences to the shibuta did not tion of a “very thin skin” is based on a Menachem Dor (Hachai Bimei vanish with the closing of the Mishna (Shabbos 22:2). If the Rambam Hamikra Hamishna Vehatalmud, 1997, Talmud. Rav Hai Gaon mentions it was actually familiar with the fish, why page 174), for many years a zoologist R  in his commentary to Taharos. He identi- the need to base a physical description at Tel Aviv University, identified it as fies the kulis ha’ispanon mentioned in the on a Mishna? Merlucius rafinesque (codfish). He cites Mishna in Shabbos 22:2 and Machshirin The Aruch (Kohat ed., vol. 8 p.11 s.v. Lewysohn’s identification of Acipenser, 6:3 as kufia in rabbinic language, and in shibut) identifies it as a large fish that is but rejects it out of hand because, he the yeshivos, he says, this is understood found in “Aspania,” and equates the alsha- says, sturgeon is not found in waters to be the shibuta. The kufia mentioned by boot (Arabic) with the shibuta (Hebrew) near Israel. [Furthermore, sturgeon is Rav Hai Gaon is mentioned in Pesachim and the kufya (rabbinic Hebrew). The not kosher.-N.W.] 39a as having an extremely bitter taste, and Aruch (Kohat edition, vol. 1, page 189- Dr. Fred Rosner (The American Journal is suggested and then rejected as a possible 190, s.v. spanin) also suggests that the fish of Clinical Nutrition, 25, 1972: 628), in source for marror. Rabbeinu Chananel, in called ispania in certain places is called discussing treatment for jaundice, cites commenting on that Gemara, says that in Hebrew (see Shu”t Mishne Halachos the Talmudic suggestion (Shabbos 110b) the kufia is the shibuta, which is the kulis 13:147 that it may be Aramaic) shibuta. of boiling the head of a salted shibuta ha’ispanon, and its gall bladder is very He further cites an additional tradition in beer and drinking it. Regarding the bitter tasting. that identified it with the tunina (tuna; shibuta, he notes that it is the “name The Rambam likewise commented thunnus). The Rosh (Shu”t HaRosh, 2:16) of a fish, probably mullet.” He provides on the Mishnaic term kulis ha’ispanon. notes that the shibuta was eaten in France, no source for this identification, but it He identifies the kulis ha’ispanon as a as well. is likely that he took it from Marcus fish with a very thin skin that in the Jastrow’s dictionary of Aramaic. Jastrow (p. 1556) translated shibuta as: “name  Based on this Gemara, Tosafos to AZ 39a, s.v. Modern Identifications of fish, probably mullet (cephalus).” Ve’simancha, identifies the shibuta with the az shel yam (iza d’yama, lit., goat of the sea). It Mugil cephalus is the Latin name for is described in Babba Basra 74a as a massive n the last 150 years, a variety of the Flathead mullet (family: Mugilidae.) mythical fish measuring 300 parsaos in length attempts have been made to identify It is an important commercial fish in with inscribed horns. the many animals and plants of the 10 Author of the well-respected Die Zoologie  Also cited in Yalkut Shimoni, Bereishis remez I des Talmuds. Eine umfassende Darstellung der 15  The binomial name is Solea quensel, and in rabbinischen Zoologie, unter steter Vergleichung  J.N. Epstein, The Gaonic Commentary on modern Hebrew it is also known as sulit. Dor der Forschungen älterer und neuerer Schriftsteller. the order Taharos attributed to Rav Hai Gaon, (Hachai Bimei Hamikra Hamishna Vehatalmud, Frankfurt A. M., Baer, 1858. 5742, p. 130 1997, p. 178) identifies the sole as the Talmudic 11 Zichronot Zoolog Ivri, 2, Tel Aviv, 5706, p.  I thank Rabbi Dovid Cohen for this source. (Eruvin 28a) putaisa. 253.

32 The Jewish Observer

many parts of the world and is found easier to look in Europe than Bavel, back of trucks. in the Mediterranean, although not in and thus missed the obvious answer In a discussion of ancient the waters off of Iraq. Jastrow provides that was known to all who simply Babylonian cuisine, the book entitled as his source Payne Smith, Thesaurus looked in the right place. Delights From the Garden of Eden: A Syriacus, first volume, 4029. The true identity of the large, Cookbook and a History of the Iraqi As noted above, Rav Kapuch identi- Babylonian shibuta is really no secret. Cuisine16 states: “Fish from the river fied the al-shabut as the Sole. Others A novel finding for one person may Tigris was highly valued by the medi- have suggested that the shibuta is the be obvious to another. And that is eval Baghdadis because they believed turbot (steinbuut).12 the case here. For Jews in Europe that the best fish came from running and the Mediterranean region, the cold water sources, with stony river- identification of the shibuta was an beds. Euphrates followed in excel- Suggested Identification enigma, but as will be seen, for Jews lence. Top quality fishes were shabout (and non-Jews) in Iraq, it was not (carp), bunni and zajar (now called final, important clue as to even a question. dhakar), fishes with which we are still the identity of the shibuta Ken Ovitz,15 a NY-based chef who familiar. …Fish tongues were a treat. A is that the Talmud indicates is currently writing a cookbook, came Hundreds of them would be cooked that in their era it was not available across a recipe that speaks of a fish to make a dish fit for a caliph…. Of in the Land of Israel. The Yerushalmi in ancient Iraq called Shaboot, that the commercially important fishes (Ta’anis chap. 4)13 states that numer- is a variety of carp. And an Iraqi that are still swimming in the two ous kosher animals, birds, and fish taxi driver in Tel Aviv told me (AZZ) rivers, the medieval favorites still were exiled with the Jews to Bavel and about the paradise that he remembers hold their ground, especially the returned with them. The only excep- of the Baghdad of his youth. One of shabout (carp). The British called it tion was the shibuta, which did not the items he described was the large ‘the salmon of the Tigris’ for, appar- return. It seems clear that according shaboot fish sold in sections from the ently, besides their delicious flavor, to sources originating in the Land 15 Ken is owed a large debt of gratitude for being 16 Nawal Nasrallah, published in 2003 by of Israel, the shibuta was unavailable the impetus behind this research. Authorhouse to them, while the previously cited Babylonian sources portray it as a popular fish in Bavel. Thus, in search- ing for the shibuta, what should be looked for is a species that exists in the region of modern Iraq, but not in the Mediterranean or Kinneret, and certainly not in inland Europe.14 It appears that most of the European researchers were acting as the pro- The SEFER everyone has been waiting for! verbial man searching for lost money It is the key to mastering the Daf Hayomi easily and effi ciently. under a street lamp who explained to Chazoras Hashas is now complete in eight beautiful volumes a bewildered passerby that he had lost covering the entire 39 Masechtos of Shas! the money on the other side of the street, but it was dark there and so he BENEFITS YOU CAN GET FROM THIS SEFER ? was looking instead under the light. 1. To be well prepared for the Shiur So, too, the Europeans found it much 2. To be ready to review intensively after the Shiur 12 Lunz in his comments to Tvuos Haaretz, p. 3. To be able to test yourself 380; Krauss in Kadmoniyos Hatalmud (Tel Aviv, 4. Have Chazoras Hashas serve you as your Chavrusa 5689) p. 217 13 There are parallel passages in: Eicha Rabba, In honor of the publication of the entire Sefer Hachadash Pesichta 34 (Buber, p. 39) and Psikta d’Rav Buy all L’Chazoras Hashas, we offer incredible savings – Kahana, parsha 13 (Mandelbaum, p. 234) 4 sets $130.00 instead of $145.00 14 A puzzle that also must be dealt with is that (each set consists PLUS a bonus of three pocket size masechtos: of 2 volumes) the Talmud seems to be describing a large fish Brachos, Shabbos and Niddoh, valued at $24.00 capable of plowing, while Rav Kapuch claimed and Free S&H! Total savings: $39.00 to have a tradition identifying it as a small fish. An attempted resolution is offered by Rav Yehosef SAVE! Schvartz in his 19th century Tevuos Ha’aretz (p. (718) 544-6544 380), who suggests that there are two fish called E Mail: [email protected]; Subject: Chazaras Hashas shibuta, or al-shabut in Arabic.

33 M a r c h 2 0 0 6

both swim against the current.”17 fish.”18 The fish is still known by the I solved this riddle. First of all, The Iraq war of 2004 has partially same name and is still popular! If one when we crossed the Euphrates reopened Iraq to the West. On July merely knows the local Babylonian cui- at Biredjik, and had taken up our 12, 2004, CNN correspondent Michael sine, the identity is no mystery. quarters in a very dirty khan, a Holmes reported: “On the Tigris River, Nonetheless, its identity perplexed man brought us a large fish, some- brothers Ali and Mohammed (ph) ply more than just Talmudic scholars. In thing like a salmon. Something an ancient trade, ignoring the sounds of an 1896 letter from Ourfa (Edessa) reminded me of Aristides, and I their country’s unfinished war, seeking (Armenia), it states:19 said, ‘What is its name?’ He said, the local shabut and other species of “And now I think I will conclude ‘Shebyta’…. I was visiting, under this little letter with something of guard of a Turkish soldier, the most 17 Some refer to the closely related Barbus quite a different character, some- beautiful part of Edessa, the fish- esocinus as the “Tigris salmon” or “Euphrates salmon.” The closely related Barbus kosswigi is thing interesting to me, and per- pond…. The pool is full of fish, also found in the Tigris River basin and is known haps not altogether uninteresting which it is prohibited under severe locally as shebhe shirbot. to you. If you will look in Helen penalty to kill, and which every one Harris’s translation of the Apology feeds with bread and pennyworths of Aristides, you will find that in of parched corn. Such a rush when the account of the superstitions you throw it in! They tumble over Pesach Guide to of the Egyptians, amongst other one another, and jump half out of things, they are charged with wor- the water. Obviously, the protec- MMeeddicationsications shipping a sacred fish, whose name tion and support which the fish is Shebyta. This fish has been a enjoy comes from a time when they For a copy of the most great perplexity to the editors of were considered sacred. So I asked Aristides. … I must tell you how my soldier what was the name of Comprehensive Pesach Guide the fish, and his answer was, ‘In to Medications / Cosmetics 18 Downloaded from http://transcripts.cnn. Arabic, they are called shabut.’” com/TRANSCRIPTS/0407/12/lol.02.html on So here was my fish again, and the by Rav Gershon Bess Jan 9, 2006 19 Downloaded from http://armenianhouse.org/ explanation of the whole riddle. The Please write to: harris/armenia/letter11.html on Jan 9, 2006 translation of Aristides was made in Edessa, on the borders of the sacred Kollel Los Angeles pool, and when the translator came 223 S. Formosa Avenue KARKA IN ERETZ YISROEL to the passage dealing with Egyptian Los Angeles, CA 90036 Call Rabbi Gavriel Beer for information on obtaining cemetery plots in Beth Shemesh fish-worship, he substituted the Syrian Phone: (323) 933-7193 and other locations in Israel. sacred fish for what he found in his (Unless you are already on our list) 011-972-2-656-9427 Greek text. This identification of the Talmudic shibuta with the Arabic Shabout seems You can! Just call to be relying on a non-Jewish tradition The Yitti Leibel to identify the fish. What does halacha I wish I could Helpline. say about reliance on a non-Jewish H OURS : mesora? The Radbaz (Shu’’t haRadbaz Monday-Friday ...... 8am -12pm 6:2206) used a non-Jewish tradition, speak to a Monday-Thursday...... 8pm -11pm i.e., an Arabic place name, as part of Sunday ...... 9am -12pm, 9pm -11pm his effort to establish one of the bor- 718-HELP-NOW ders of the Land of Israel by identify- frum therapist (718) 435-7669 ing the biblical Nachal Mitzrayim with Chicago...... (800) HELP-023 Wadi El Arish. Lakewood ...... (732) 363-1010 But it is not only non-Jewish Iraqis on the phone Cleveland...... (888) 209-8079 who have preserved this tradition. The Baltimore...... (410) 578-1111 famous Rav Yosef Chaim of Baghdad Detroit ...... (877) 435-7611 also listed the shaboot as a kosher without giving San Diego ...... (866) 385-0348 Toronto...... (416) 784-1271 fish that was commonly consumed in The Rebbetzin Phyllis Weinberg Branch of the Yitti Leibel Helpline Baghdad. And he commented that it kgkuh ban, jh’v suxht c, r’ anutk crul uuhkvgko g’’v uuhkvgko crul anutk r’ c, suxht jh’v ban, kgkuh )bpyrv h"t thhr ,ak"v( thhr h"t )bpyrv is the Talmudic shibuta.20 my name. g"v crtui sus nav r’ ci hagh’v r’ xhui ,ak"v( xhui ’ c )bpyr But what is this fish that is called Dedicated by Mr. & Mrs. Shmuel Boruch Wilhelm 20 Ben Ish Chai, second year, end of Emor: 18

34 The Jewish Observer

shaboot in Arabic? Various fish lists meat cooked with Barbus grypus.24 Nun25 reports that during the inter-war and articles identify a freshwater Iraqi The species Barbus grypus does not period, when the British occupied both fish with the common name of shab- currently live in Israel, but closely Israel and Iraq, there was an attempt to bout and the scientific name Barbus related species do. Two such spe- import Barbus grypus to Israel. grypus. For example, an FAO (Food cies are Barbus longiceps, a fish that The Midrash (Yalkut Shimoni, and Agriculture Organization of the grows to about 70 cm and is found Yirmeyahu 281) observes that although United Nations) website21 that offers exclusively in the Kinneret and its the shibuta failed to return to the Land a fishing profile on each country lists tributaries, and Barbus canis, a fish of Israel with the return of the exiles under the important fish in Iraq the found in many parts of Europe and from Bavel, all species including the Barbus grypus, which is known as Asia including the Jordan River. Mendel shibuta will return with the future the shabbout. It further states that 24 Binisa appears in other contexts, as well. In ingathering of the exiles. May it be the most important Iraqi indigenous Babba Basra 133b, it was fed to a postpartum speedily in our day. d fishes belong to the genus Barbus. woman and in Gittin 69b it is ascribed medicinal 25 Ha’dayag Ha’Ivri Hakadum, 5764, p. 162. There are two other species of that value when roasted. genus common in Iraq, Barbus xan- thopterus (kattan) and Barbus luteus (himri). The fishbase website22 notes LEADERS IN SUCCESSFUL that Barbus grypus is in the Family EASTERN EUROPE Cyprinidae (Minnows and carps), and TOURING/CAMPING Order Cypriniformes (carps), and that EXPERIENCE! it is found in the Tigris-Euphrates basin. BOYS  AGES 1418 There is little question that the true identity of the Talmudic shibuta is the CAMP DATES OF CAMP: JULY 26, 2006  Iraqi shabout, a type of carp known AUGUST 25, 2006 today by the binomial designation RACH CHAIM Barbus grypus. It is also found in Iran O in the Khuzestan Province in the Gulf KIEV To request a brochure and and Hormuz basins, where it is known KIEV application, please contact: as shirbot, shilbot or shaboot in Farsi. Rabbi Avi Rubin 718-407-4105 It reaches a reputed maximal length THIS YEAR WE’VE ADDED POLAND TO or of 2 meters and 60 Kg. A sample is OUR EXCITING ITINERARY! 02-537-2158 shown below: CAMPING – accommodations are newly renovated “hotel like” e-mail address: An interesting halachic ramifica- [email protected] tion may exist. The Talmud (Pesachim rooms situated on 55 acres of rolling hills and natural forests. • 76b) gives a warning not to eat binisa Major sports facilities • Jeeping, horseback riding, rafting, paintball that was cooked with meat because of shooting, hikes, and campfi res • Camping in the Carpathian health risks. Many authorities assume Mountains • Learning program and shiurim Registra now opention binisa is any type of fish, and thus TOURING – Visit the towns of Crakow, Lublin, Warsaw, Berdichev, our outstanding for prohibit consuming meat and (any) Uman, Medzhibozh, and more. Be moved and inspired as we hear Masmidim fish that were cooked together. Others the history, and daven by the Kivrei Tzaddikim of: The Ramah, Program! limit it to the specific fish, binisa. Bach, The Baal Shem Tov, Reb Nachman M’Breslev, and more. The Rabbi Ovadia Yosef (Yabia Omer 1, YD, Auschwitz/Birkenau and Majdanek concentration camps and 7:8) cites a teshuva that cites Rashi23 the Babi-Yar memorial are also scheduled in that binisa is shibuta, and thus the our itinerary. prohibition would be limited to eating Camp Orach Chaim is under the leadership 21 http://www.fao.org/fi/fcp/en/yem/irq/pro- of Rabbi Yaakov D. Bleich, Chief Rabbi of the file.htm downloaded Jan 9, 2006. I thank Amy Ukraine, and is endorsed by Gedolei Hador McCune who pointed this cite out to Prof Joe Shlita. Regenstein who then directed me to the site. Both of them are at Cornell University. “We’ve put together a camping 22 http://www.fishbase.org/Summary/ program that will give your son a deep SpeciesSummary.cfm?id=54808 downloaded appreciation of his rich Jewish heritage Jan 9, 2006. and extraordinary memories that will last 23 The current editions do not have this in a lifetime!” Rashi.

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Rabbi Moshe Eisemann

Redemption is in the Air As per the Chofetz Chaim

form of photography simple faith of childhood. Childhood – that is, as a means in the Torah is not a barren way sta- of recording what they tion to adulthood, but a milestone had seen – but rather, as against which later life is to be an attempt to penetrate measured, a challenge to the weary to the inner meaning, cynicism which often accompanies mostly in a religious the passage of years. sense, of what was tak- ing place around them. For example, painters The World on a Word… would often render the or More The Word-Wise Adventures of Yisrael sky in gold, not because that is how they and Meir, by Gadi Pollak (Mesorah actually saw it, but because they wanted hich brings us to lashon Publications, Brooklyn, NY in conjunc- to convey the feeling of awe which per- hara and The Word-Wise tion with The Chofetz Chaim Heritage meated them when they contemplated WAdventures of Yisrael and Foundation $24.99) the heavens, seat of the Ribbono shel Meir – a projected trilogy of which the Olam, as they understood Him. first volume, Going Global, has just come And so, in essence if not in form, out. I have always maintained and it is Childhood – A Milestone children were perceived as adults who now confirmed once again that there is in Growth had not yet quite made it. Rather than a special beracha that attaches to every- sensing that children have a wisdom thing that the Chofetz Chaim Heritage hen art was still in its infancy, of their own, that they occupy a world Foundation touches. Why would it be it was customary to paint that boasts of its own perfection, they otherwise? With the Chofetz Chaim l”xz Wchildren as small adults. Of saw childhood as being defined by defi- and Rabbi Yehudah Segal l”xz, the late course, nobody can really know what ciency, a state of becoming rather than Manchester Rosh Hayeshiva, smiling went on in the artist’s mind, and why he one of being. down upon them from their place near ignored what seems obvious to all of us. Chazal taught us differently. It is the Kisei Hakavod, they cannot but suc- From the little reading that I have done not for nothing that they tell us that ceed in their determined efforts to make on the subject, it appears to me that the keruvim (cherubs) on the Ark had all of us a little nicer, a little cleaner, a these people saw painting not as some the faces of children, nor that our little more holy. This time, using the mother Sarah’s glory lay in the fact amazing graphic presentation of Ben Rabbi Eisemann, a rebbi in Yeshiva Ner Israel of Baltimore, is author of the translation that, at the end of her life, although Gasner Studios and teamed up with and commentary of the ArtScroll/Mesorah she was a sage and a prophetess in Mesorah Publications, there is every Yechezkel, Divrei Hayamim, and Iyov, as well as her own right, she still harbored the reason to anticipate that these books other books under private label, including The seven-year-old girl that she had been, accomplish the lofty goals for which all Machzor Companion and Lighting up the Night. within her personality. She had not the participants are rooting. He is a frequent contributor to these pages. lost the freshness, the enthusiasm, the The series is, of course, directed at

36 The Jewish Observer

our precious children. It is my feeling, to the second and third volumes of appeared to be a little too busy. I have however, that we parents are as much the trilogy. been assured by the editors, however, beneficiaries as are they. We cannot place All these, of course, are simply that, on the contrary, experts in child such an instructive, growth-oriented trimmings, designed to generate the education criticized an earlier version book into their trusting hands unless interest of the young readers, even of the book, which contained only we are ourselves able and determined to when the halachos – the meat and the lashon hara material, and insisted live up to its exacting standards. Without potatoes of this colorful and tasty reading a word of the book, we will still banquet – begin to drag a little upon turn into better Yidden. How is that for their attention span. This reviewer, a bonus? abetted by his wife, even thought that It is quite clear that a great deal of all these goodies might detract a little thought went into planning this book. from the value of the book, simply Experienced Shadchan The plot around which it spins its because of an overload of informa- for all age groups magic was dreamed up by artist and tion and a page which, at first sight, 718.338.1765 • Pager 917.486.5655 educator Gadi Pollak. Yisrael, studying the Chofetz Chaim, finds out that it is uncontrolled, wagging tongues that keep us in our exile. He shares this awful piece of news with his younger brother, Meir, who immediately suggests that they not just talk about it, but do what needs to be done to rescue Yidden from their distress. The boys leap into a world map and immediately find themselves on a journey that takes them to a variety YOU of places. Each of the globe-circling voyages brings its own adventures for the boys. Each adventure shows them another aspect of the shemiras halashon that is demanded of us. The book, attractively illustrated in full color by Ruth Beifus, combines the analysis of the halachos with all kinds of general knowledge tidbits, appropriate to the countries in which the boys land. Each page provides a map so that the readers can have an idea of where they are being transported. On each stop, Yisrael and Meir collect souvenirs which, in one way or another, tie into the sensitivities that the book is attempting to instill. The brothers each keeps a journal of their travels, which allow their fellow travelers to savor the tastes and smells and sights of the foreign places that make up the background to the tale. In addition, these journals allow the readers to become acquainted with Yisrael and Meir, and it is reasonable to hope that this acquaintanceship will eventually flower into friend- ship and even identification. Such CAN… a relationship will stand the young readers in good stead when they get

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that for the book to be really effec- toon-like sequences, which tell the tions of text which really constitute tive, a little lighter fare would have story of the boys’ adventures. This what the book is all about. The first to be offered. I am happy to accept first volume of the trilogy concen- of these is headed either “Positive the judgment of the experts. trates upon the do’s (mitzvos asei) Command #x” or “Negative Command and don’t’s (mitzvos lo sa’aseh) that #x,” and simply states what that com- may be transgressed through careless mand demands. The second section The Do’s and Don’t’s of speech. Each adventure involves one is headed, “Understanding the Rule,” Disciplined Speech of these commandments, and these and does precisely what this heading youngsters, who initially set out to indicates. It expands upon the first he main body of the work, reform the world, learn gently but section up to the point at which the carefully written by Yitzchak seriously, that they themselves still entire range of the implications is TKornblau under the general have a long way to go. made clear. Then we have “Measuring guidance of Rabbi Moshe Mordechai The illustrated adventures are Up,” which explains in vivid language Lowy, consists of pictures and car- always accompanied by four sec- the circumstance and state of mind in which one might be tempted to transgress this particular command, and attempts to persuade the young reader that adherence to the Torah’s norms makes the most sense. Finally, MAKE A we have “Reaping its Riches,” which argues that we can all gain immeasur- ably by accepting the Torah’s discipline in this matter. DIFFERENCE The combination of the gripping adventure, together with the lessons that are to be learned and inter- nalized, allows for a wide range in the ages of the readership. Younger children will love the stories and the illustrations, and their older siblings will relish the understanding that they gradually acquire through the four sections described above. I find something profoundly mov- ing in both the thinking that provided the stimulus for the undertaking of this vast project, and in the lov- ing and fastidious execution that is evident on every page. A great many intelligent and highly talented people clearly cared very deeply that our Yiddishe kinderlach should learn the secrets of non-lethal speech. The publishers of this important book have helped all of us take a giant step towards redemption. After all, it was Hillel who taught us that the Join the mentoring program of entire Torah is no more than a com- mentary to the principle that we are PROJECT YES! not to engage in behavior towards others that we would consider hateful PROJECT YES 1404 Coney Island Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11230 ProjectWorking with Families YES on Behalf of Our Children Phone 718.758.3131 Fax: 718.504.7887 E-mail: [email protected] if it were directed towards ourselves. To paraphrase Hillel, we should all say Project Y.E.S. is a project of Agudath Israel of America to our children, “Tsay ulemad!” – Go and learn this wonderful book! d

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Dr. Meir Wikler The Museum of Jewish Heritage

n the Museum of Jewish Heritage in Battery Park, New York, only one third Iof the space is devoted to document- ing the persecution and destruction of European Jewry. The rest of the museum showcases the dual subjects of pre-War European Jewry and the post-War renewal of Jewish life in the United States and Israel. With the clear purpose of being inclu- sive, the “Jewish” part of “Jewish life” includes social, cultural and secular aspects of the pre- and post-War periods. Religious components, or what we think of when we hear the phrase “Jewish life,” are also included, but only as a sideshow – not as the main event. As a result, for example, scant references are made to the fundamentally central role of yeshivos, chadarim and Bais Yaakov schools in the lives of pre- and post-War Jewry. Most of the videotaped testimonies of survivors describing their pre-War Jewish experiences seemed too cut off from the present. The survivors described Shabbos and Yom Tov scenes with the nostalgia “Zechor (Remember)!” reserved for something from one’s past to which one has lost all connection in he above word stands out in bold the present. It was as if the survivors were relief on top of the fifty foot obe- intimating, “I do not keep Shabbos today, Tlisk which towers above the open but I remember fondly how we kept it so plaza between the Central Bus Station beautifully in Europe when I was a child.” and Binyanei Ha’uma at the entrance to For this Jewish observer, the most mem- Yerushalayim. Built in the early 50’s, it orable experience in the museum was the was one of the first memorials dedicated brief film footage of a Chassidishe Rebbe to Churban Europa, or the Holocaust. tearfully exhorting his pre-War audience in Exactly what are we supposed to Yiddish not to abandon shemiras Shabbos. remember? Which aspects of that cata- It seemed as if he were trying to reach out clysmic period are most essential to across time and space to remind us now to preserve for future generations? And put Torah learning and observance at the what ultimate purpose is achieved by very top of our personal and communal our remembering? agendas. The obelisk in Yerushalayim was built at a time when such questions could not even be asked. In the last half- Yad Vashem century, however, these questions have been debated, discussed and dissected ad Vashem in Yerushalayim has Dr. Wikler, a psychotherapist and family by countless historians, scholars, and always been the gold standard by counselor in private practice, lives in  Brooklyn, NY. He is a frequent contribu- mechanchim. Ywhich all other Holocaust muse- tor to these pages, most recently with, “An  See, for example, the special issue, “The ums have been measured. The massive Encounter with Rabbi Shlomo Wolbe,” JO, Lessons of Churban Europa and How to Teach complex of libraries, archives, memorial Sept. ’05. Them,” JO, May. ’05. groves and museums are visited by liter-

42 The Jewish Observer

ally thousands of Jewish and non-Jewish the completely false impression that their appointed guides may lead tours. tourists and students every single day. while many Orthodox and Chassidic Practically all of the almost three million Jews perished, hardly any survived. yearly visitors to Israel have been to Yad 2. The heroic and tireless rescue efforts The Power of Protest Vashem at least once. As a result of its of the Rabbis and volunteers of the prominence, Yad Vashem has an enor- Vaad Hahatzolah were also com- few years ago, an essay appeared mous impact on the world’s impression pletely omitted. While a brief pass- in these pages encouraging readers of the Jewish people in general, and the ing reference was made to Rabbi Ato actively protest whenever they Holocaust, in particular. Michel Dov Weismandle l”xz (but encounter museums which demonstrate This past year, Yad Vashem opened not his unceasing and courageous religious insensitivity. It included a suc- an entirely new wing, featuring state-of- rescue efforts), the historic work of cess story illustrating the constructive the-art exhibits. Clearly, great effort and Rabbi Aharon Kotler l”xz, and Rabbi power of written complaints. Taking inspi- expense were invested to insure that this Avrohom Kalmanowitz l”xz, among ration from that article, this author wrote new building would document every others, was entirely overlooked. to the director of Yad Vashem, calling aspect of the Holocaust, from the roots 3. The countless acts of spiritual hero- attention to the omissions and distortions of anti-Semitism through persecution and ism throughout World War II were outlined above. annihilation. Artifacts, photos, film clips also ignored. I am referring here to Two replies have been received so far, and videotaped testimonies of survivors the clandestine chadarim and yeshi- one from the American office of Yad were creatively arranged, both chronologi- vos, the communal soup kitchens and Vashem and one from the main office cally and thematically, so the visitor both chessed projects in the ghettos and the in Yerushalayim. Although I requested it literally and figuratively walks through superhuman examples of steadfastly from both responders, I did not receive this most devastating period of recent maintaining emuna, bitachon and permission to reprint either of their letters Jewish history. mitzva observance in hiding, in cattle in this article. The gist of their comments, What especially impressed this Jewish cars, and even in the concentration however was as follows. observer was the painfully graphic detail camps. We did the best we could. We in which the deportations to the ghettos If the mission of Yad Vashem is to tell couldn’t include everything to please are portrayed. The crushing reality of this the complete story of the Holocaust, then everyone. Some of the survivors aspect of the Holocaust is driven home by this museum must be given a failing grade who gave videotape testimonies the extensive film footage of this ordeal. for purging their presentation of critical were religious, “though not neces- Actual films of young and old carrying, religious content. sarily Hasidic or ultra-Orthodox.” dragging or pushing meager possessions Worse yet, as of this past summer, Thanks for writing. into what was to be only a temporary should a Torah-oriented group – a tour, On behalf of the six million korbanos stopover on their journey to extermina- or yeshiva or Bais Yaakov classes – choose of Churban Europa, should we accept tion are most unforgettable. to visit Yad Vashem with its own guide, the that response? When we meet these After leaving this new wing, however, I administration will not permit it. Only  “Protest Pays,” by Eliyahu Mayer, JO, Jan.’98 felt that something significant was miss- ing. It was so unsettling that I returned Most of us have several areas that com- the very next day to retrace my steps pete for our time and attention. When Life Balance these areas are in harmony, you will more slowly in case it was I, and not the experience a apbv ,jubn — peace of museum curators, who had been negli- A Life-Coach mind — making you a more effective, happier person. gent. My second visit, however, confirmed can help you In 2-3 months, using weekly private phone sessions you can learn to my initial impression that the following develop and effectively take control of your life. critical components of Holocaust history maintain a HOW MUCH MORE PRODUCTIVE AND ENHANCED WOULD YOUR LIFE BE WITH BETTER LIFE BALANCE? were not being told, inadvertently or by wholesome WHY COACHING? Improving one’s life means making change; and design. balance people need support and structure to keep distractions and obstacles from 1. Orthodox survivors were grossly between the swamping their dreams and goals. Coaching provides that solid framework under-represented among the video- important of support and structure. areas of I have over thirty years experience in helping people fulfill their dreams, taped testimonies screened through- have authored books, articles and produced cassette programs out the exhibit. Only one of the your life. on this subject, and have taken special Life-Coach courses. dozens of men speaking wore a FREE OFFER — I would be happy to give you a free telephone session. Please yarmulke. And none of the women call USA 845-352-1175 for an appointment. Thank you. — MR. AVI SHULMAN survivors, presumably married or Live a Life of Design, Not Default widowed, wore head coverings of any kind. Chassidic survivors were not represented at all. This gave

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victims achar mei’a ve’esrim, will we be in hand to write to Yad Vashem, we make a few simple but critical additions able to defend our not protesting this could create a tsunami of protest and that could correct the historical record injustice by saying, “Well, I never went we could make a difference.* No, I do for the thousands of visitors who come to Yad Vashem,” or “My family and I just not expect Yad Vashem to completely to that museum each day. don’t go to Holocaust museums”? redesign their multimillion dollar new We owe it to ourselves. We owe it to If each and every one of us took pen wing. It is possible, however, for them to our children. We owe it to all future visi- tors to Yad Vashem. And we owe it to six million martyrs and neshamos tehoros who perished al kiddush Hashem. d

* Letters can be mailed to: Mr. Avner Shalev, Chairman of the Directorate, Yad Vashem, P. O. B. 3477, 91034 ISRAEL, or faxed to (02) 644-3443.

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