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THE JEWISH OBSERVER (ISSN) 0021-6615 is published monthly except July and August by the Agudath Israel of America, 42 Broadway, New York, NY10004. Periodicals postage paid in New York, NY. Subscription $24.00 per year; two years, $44.00; three years, $60.00. Outside of the United States (US funds drawn on a US bank only) $12.00 surcharge per year. Single copy $3.50; foreign $4.50. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: The Jewish Observer, 42 Broadway, NY., NY. 10004. Tel: 212-797-9000, Fax: 646-254-1600. Printed in the U.S.A. RABBI ELAZAR MENACHEM MAN SHACH m"13J r.n1:1 "'

RABBI NISSON WOLPIN, EDITOR A Biographical Appreciation,

EDITORIAL BOARD Rabbi Mordechai Kamenetzky RABBI JOSEPH ELIAS Chairman 16 The Roots of His Greatness: His Share in Torah, His Dedication to Truth, Rabbi Yisroel Friedman, RABBI ABBA BRUDNY JOSEPH FRIEDENSON translated and prepared for publication by Yonoson Rosenblum RABBI VISROEL MEIR KIRZNER RABBI NOSSON SCHERMAN 20 A PonevezherTalmid Remembers Rav Shach ';'""'• PROF. AARON TWERSKI based on a tribute by Rabbi Raphael Wolpin DR. ERNST L. BODENHEIMER Z"L Founding Chairman 27 Passion, Purim, and Snow, Baruch Leff

MANAGEMENT BOARD AVI FISHOF NAFTOLI HIRSCH REPORTS FROM ERETZ YISROEL ISAAC KIRZNER RABBI SHLOMO LESIN NACHUM STEIN 3 I Living Where Everything Is Ground Zero, Sarah Shapiro 3 3 Terror, Debbie Shapiro RABBI YOSEF C. GOLDING Managing Editor 3 S A Little Light, Miriam Zakon

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BRITISH REPRESENTATIVE BELGIAN REPRESENTATIVE M.T. Bibelman Mr. E. Apter Grosvenor Works Lange Kievitstr. 29 BOOKS IN REVIEW Mount Pleasant Hill 2018 Antwerp London ES 9NE, ENGL.ANO BELGIUM 42 Chasson and Kalla During Their Engagement, FRENCH REPRESENTATIVE SWISS REPRESENTATIVE Rabbi Bamberger Mr. S. Feldinger by Rabbi Pesach Eliyahu Falk/reviewed by Rabbi Mordechai Biser 21 Boulevard Paixhans Leimanstrasse 36 57000 Metz 4051 Basel 4 3 Nesivos Shalom - Nesivei Chinuch: Essential FRANCE SWITZERLAND Perspectives on Education, reviewed by THE JEWISH OBSERVER does not assume responsibility for the Kashrus Rabbi Shimon Finkelman of any product, publication, or service advertised in its pages 4S Letters to the Editor

©Copyright 2002 ·"'· February 2002 VOLUME XXXV/NO. 2 Rabbi Mordechai Kamenetzky

Rabbi Elazar Menathem Man Shath '"st

he lifetime of an individual scient signs of greatness, as his birth-date Tehillim, or just tears. whose every fiber proclaimed coincided with the yahrzeit of the Gadol Tthe supremacy of Torah should HaDor and manhig of World Jewry from SEEDS OF GREATNESS merit volumes of reminiscences. And so his home in Yerushalayim, Rabbi we attempt to remember Rabbi Shach Yehoshua Leib Diskin 7··~1, a point that er haps the seeds of his sense of - knowing that we are trying to recall Rabbi Shach's mother made to him on responsibility were sown when he a century, each hour of it worthy of a several occasions. It is unclear whether Pwas but four years old, and his volume - in a mere few pages. Several Rabbi Sha ch was actually born the year yarmulke fell off. He picked it up a bit thousand words surely cannot pretend of Rabbi Yehoshua Leib Diskin's pass­ too slowly for his mother's expectations, to capture and convey the slightest ing, in 1898, representing a true phe­ and sure enough, he soon saw her cry­ glimpse of more than a half million nomenon of "v'zorach hashemesh uva ing. "Lazer, how could you fail to jump hours of avodas hakodesh. hashemesh, the sun rises as the sun sets;' quickly to get your yarmulke? What will Snippets of his greatness recounted or whether Rabbi Shach was born four be with your Yiras Shamayim (fear of here, then, must be presented for wh~t years earlier, as is indicated on some offi­ Heaven)?" they are: morsels of an enduring life cial government documents, never His mother's tears made such an whose every moment encompassed known as the standard-bearers of pre­ impression upon him, that for the rest K'vod Shamayim, conveyed by the kind cision in a tumultuous and bureau­ of his life, if his yarmulke would slip of astonishing stories we have seen and cratically-inaccurate Europe. while he was putting on tefillin, or while read and heard in the few months since What we do know is that Rabbi he was asleep, he would rush to straight­ his petira (passing). Shach's life left an impact on the lives en it. Even as a zakein muflag- well past of friends, acquaintances and thousands 90 years of age - his talmidim relate, if BEGINNINGS of talmidim. Eventually, an entire nation his yarmulke slipped off his head in the was touched by his vision, leadership, middle of his sleep, he'd awake in a n 29 Teves, in the small village amkus (depth) and humility; and his sweat, referring on occasion to his ofVaboilnick, Lithuania, Elazar foresight altered the course of history mother's words ringing in his ears! 0 Menachem Man was born to through his influence on the most As a youngster, Lazer begged his par­ Rav Azriel and Bas Sheva (nee Levitan) scrutinized country in modern history. ents to permit him to fulfill his dream Shach. There may have been some pre- As powerful a force as he was, Rabbi - to which eventually they agreed, per­ Shach respected the insights, sensitivi­ mitting him leave home, and "exile him­ Rabbi Kamenetzky is the Associate Dean of Yeshi­ va of South Shore in Hewlett NY. He is a week­ ties and counsel of others. He under­ self to a place of Torah" - specifically, ly contributor to Yated Ne'en1an and the author stood the ramifications of every word to Ponevezh, a larger town some 38 kilo­ of Parsha Parables, a three-book series on Par­ spoken, be it by a loyal Torah Jew or oth­ meters away. shas flashavua. This article was adapted and erwise. He would respond felicitously to On the very next morning after he annotated based on the author's extensive research for the article on Rabbi Shach that any critical situation, whether it called obtained their permission, the seven­ appeared in Yated Ne' eman immediately after the for a visit, a mecha'a (protest), a kol korei year-old boy began a lifelong journey petira. (public proclamation), a kapitel that ultimately came full-circle, as the

6 The Jewish Observer, February 2002 young Lazer would eventually be known by his first stop - the Rosh Yeshiva of Ponevezh. While there, Rabbi Shach was influ­ enced by Reb Itzele Ponevezher. He often described watching the great tzaddik daven with tre1nendous kavana and his­ lahavus (concentration and enthusi­ asn1), emotions that would leave a life­ long impact on his own tefilla. In those days, being "away from home" n1eant years at a time) not just the few months between Yarnim Tovin1. Rabbi Shach would recount how, upon reaching bar mitzva, he simply put on unique approach to ameilus baTorah influenced by his great cousin, Rabbi tefillin without making any announce­ (laboring in study) and the shviras Aharon Kotler ?··~r. My Zayde, Rabbi ments. Indeed, these early years con­ hamiddos (breaking negative habits), Yaakov Kamenetzky?··~r, described his formed with C11azars formula for growth which is a prerequisite of character initial entrance farher (exam) for Sla­ in Torah:" Pas b'melach tocheil ... v'chayei refinement. He would always refer to Sla­ bodka, which he took with Reb Aharon. tza' ar tichyeh - Eat bread ... with water, bodka as "Eim Ha Yeshivas- the Moth­ The Rosh Yeshiva, Rabbi Moshe and live a life of deprivation" (Avos VI, 4). er of Yeshivas," pointing out that "all Mordechai Epstein, explained a logical major yeshivas, both in Eretz Yisroel and construct from the K'tzos Hachoshen (a SLABODKA YEARS America, are an outgrowth of Slabodka." classic commentary), and then chal­ lenged the young men: "Now argue fter a few years in Ponevezhi he Echoes of Slabodka: Battle Cry of Torah against it." traveled to Slahodka and began My grandfather recounted to me earning with Rabbi Yechezkel is insatiable desire for truth in how he sat in shock: "We were taught that Bernstein, the Divrei Yechezkel. Torah grew in his for1native we cannot argue against a revered com­ During that period, Lazer would H teenage years, and found mentary like the K'tzos." Jn contrast, Reb cross paths daily with the secretary of expression in verbal debate. As Rosh Aharon jumped from his chair:" Shoin ein Rabbi Yitzchak Elchonon Spektor, Rabbi Yeshiva, he said his shiuri1n in a man­ mohl veil ich dingin' oifder K'tzos! I most Yaakov HaLevi Lipschutz. Invariably, ner that displayed his primary objective: certainly will argue with the K'tzos!" when the young boy was returning to He wanted the bachurim to think, to I remember a shiur klalli, in which Rabbi the room where he boarded, Rabbi Lip­ challenge, to argue. Shach posed a difficult question on the Ram­ schutz would be on his way home from I was shocked at myveryfirstshiur klal­ bam. After the usual din, he opened the sefer the Torah institution that he directed. li in Yeshivas Ponevezh. I was an eager young of Reb Chaim HaLevi (Soloveitchik) and Rabbi Lipschutz would take the time to American boy, pen in hand, waiting to hear began, "Zugt Reb Chaim ... :' discuss with young Lazer pertinent a shiur from the premier I{osh Yeshiva. I Scanning the content looks on the faces issues of the day facing the Jewish com- expected a forn1al lecture with talmidim of the boys who were familiar with Reb 1nunity. These unsolicited conversations capturing every word, silently and method­ Chaim's brilliant ans1ver to the question, he were almost prophetic in that he would ically. That was not the case. snapped the sefer shut and declared, "Altz be bearing the yoke of Kial YisroeI's A question on the Ra1nban1 was posed. iz m'yushuv! Everything is resolved!" He dile1nmas more than half a century later. Then - as if sotneone had shouted "fire" in then proceeded to move off the platform as Eventually, the young prodigy joined a crowded auditorium - havoc seemed to if there lvere no need to think on our own , . the great Yeshiva of Slabodka, Knesses reign. There were shouts back and forth if Reb Chaim did the thinking for us. Yisroel, under the leadership of the leg­ between the bachurim themselves and After this dra1natic gesture, the Rosh endary Alter of Slabodka, Rabbi Nosson then an assault of Torah, directed toward Yeshiva returned to point out the difficul­ Tzvi Finkel.,.. ,.,. While there, he devel­ the Rosh Yeshiva. I was astounded - not at ties in Reb Chaim's approach, and offer his oped a close relationship with Rabbi the ability of this old man to instill this emo­ own response to those issues. Yitzchak Isaac Sher, Rabbi Moshe tional enthusiasm of the milchamta shel Mordechai Epstein, and above all, with Torah in hundreds of charges ranging in age WORLD WAR I YEARS Rabbi Isser Zalman Meltzer. Though he from 17 to well into middle age, but at the would later study in Slutzk and Kletzk, humility that exuded from this Gadol fter Rabbi Shach spent a number he frequently expressed an affinity with Hador toward his charges. of years in Slabodka, World War Slabodka, extolling the praises of its The Rosh Yeshiva was obviously AI broke out, and the bachurim

---··-----~-----··--·------··--·------·--··---·------··------The Jewish Observer, February 2002 7 were scattered to different cities. Rabbi nearest shul. He would search the Shach hid in an attic with only a Sefer Shach, along with hundreds of thou­ shelves for the volume of Shas he was Rav Akiva Eiger and a Gemora Yevamos. sands of Jews throughout Europe, then studying, open the Gemora and He did not cut his hair nor shave his became a destitute refugee on the run. whatever sefarin1 were available, and beard. He survived, thanks to a woman There are conflicting stories as to where continue to learn as if there were no war. who brought him food and water every Rabbi Shach was during those years. Devoid of food and clothing, he would day. Rabbi Shach relates in a letter printed spend his days and nights in the shut, (Both the woman and Rabbi Shach in the Yated Ne'eman that he returned sustaining himself with whatever food survived the war. It is told that many to Vaboilnick for a while, where he heard the residents offered him. In his mussar years later, at her tevaya (funeral) in Eretz shiurim from Rabbi Porer, who later shmuessen, years later, he would describe Yisroet, Rabbi Shach accompanied the became the Rav in Holyoke, Massa­ how he had slept on shut benches for aron (casket) in pouring rain, walking chusetts. months, and washed his hands and face all the way to the cemetery, and partic­ In Rabbi Shach's flight from one town with well water-whenever it was avail­ ipated in the burial.) to the next, his first destination was the able. It is told that for two years Rabbi Even abject poverty and dire cir­ cumstances never led Rabbi Shach to diminish the reverence and awe he had for the minutest detail of hatacha. The Bais Yaakov Academy Seminary Shulchan Aruch states tbat one must honor Shabbos with a clean shirt. And RABBI SHLOMO 'I1ie 'BrooK/yn half tfay Seminary for the 'Bais ')'aai(ov fiigfi scfwo{ so every Thursday night, he would take TEICHMAN graduate who wishes to Jurtlier lier viip ,,,n,7 stutfies in off his only shirt and wash it on the roof t])ean tantfem with a uni.que eXJra curricu[ar program. of the beis midrash. Refusing to return RABBI AVROHOM downstairs with only underclothing GREENBERG '})ean and tzitzis, he remained in the frigid Lithuanian winter air, waiting for the MRS. f AIGIE SELENGUT Coorffinator shirt to dry sufficiently to put it back on, and return to the beis midrash. In his introduction to his sefer Avi Ezri, the Rosh Yeshiva summed up the difficulties endured in this period: ((How can I thank Hashem for all of the kindness that He bestowed upon me during my youth, when I had noth­ ing? It is impossible to describe the conditions in which we lived during this period when the authorities deported all of the Jews from Lithuan­ ian cities, and I did not know where my parents were. I was alone, and I did not have any way of contacting them. I lived this way for severaJ years, and I suffered terribly."

+ Varied and multi-faceted extra UNDER REB ISSER ZALMAN'S WINGS +FACULTY+ + Torah Umesorah diploma curricular programs R' Naftali Bruck + Trips to Jewish communities + Teacher training course R' Yosef Mitnick and institutions outside er the War, Reb Isser Zalman R' Eliezer Sandler +Credit for classwork can be Brooklyn oined his son-in-law, Rabbi R' Shlomo Teichman applied to post high school + Guest speakers on the European haron Kotler, in Kletzk. Rabbi Mrs. Yehudit Oavidowltz degree programs and imn1igrant experiences, the Af Mrs. Miri Kroizer Baal Teshuvah movement and Shach soon followed. At the time, he had + Government funding available Ms. Rochel Licht many other topics no official capacity, but was recognized Mrs. Brelndy Reiss +Job Placement +Panel discussions on subjects for his brilliance and his fiery enthusi­ of Jewish concern + Interactive visits with 0)7)7) asm in learning. He would repeat Reb ' + Optional mid-winter trip to 7N1t!.n yiN A warm, involved atmosphere with Aharon's shiurini for the talmidi1n, an emphasis on individual attention. explaining the difficult parts, referring .. ------·--·------""-''"--"-"''"'""--''"""""'""''j 1213 Elm Avenue • Brook! n New York 11230 • 718.339.4747 Ext. 115 to other sefarim, as well. Rabbi Sbach

8 The Jewish Observer, February 2002 was totally fluent in the sifrei haRishonim weeks before thez'man what he was giving he would turn them back on and jump and Acharonim (classic commentaries, his shiur on. "Pesachim," the Rosh Yeshi­ out of bed to look into a sefer. This went starting from the 12'h century), quoting va replied. on throughout the night. the sources verbatim. Rabbi Shach asked if he had started His wife had once removed the When Reb Isser Zalman returned to preparing the shiurim. fuses, to insure that he sleep properly. his yeshiva in Slutzk, he took along Reb "Not yet," the Rosh Yeshiva said, to Rabbi Shach was later found studying Lazer, whom he treated like a son. And which Rabbi Shach reacted in utter shock. by the small red light of the water heater. Rabbi Shach, in turn, came to revere Reb "Not started yet?" he exclaimed. "Before Every minute of learning was precious. Jsser Zalman as a father. Reb Isser Zal­ I give shiur in Pesachim, I eat Pesachim, Rabbi Shach had a chavrusa, Rabbi David man included many of Rabbi Shach's I drink Pesachim, I sleep Pesachim ! Zimmern1an, who learned with him every Torah chiddushim and comments in his PESACHIM! PESACHIM! PESACHIM!" n1orning until Mincha, at 1 p.m. Once the sefer Even Ha'eze/, penning his own com­ Witnesses testify that only a short Philadelphia Rosh Yeshiva, Rabbi Elya Svei, ments in the margins of Rabbi Shach's while after Rabbi Shach would retire for came to consult Rabbi Shach on a certain notebooks. Reb Isser Zalman would say sleep and turn off the lights fur the night, matter. The discussion lasted until 12:45 about Rabbi Shach, "If you would cut his veins, you would not see blood flow­ ing; you would see Rashbas and Rav \\\\5 Akiva Eigers!" Rabbi Isser Zalman Meltzer '(et\:Pesach Costs~! arranged for him to meet his niece, Git­ tel, the daughter of his sister, Froma Evett More. Rivka and Reb Benzion Golomovsky. Violence-wracked Israel reels from economic crisis. The Central Bureau of Statistics declares Rabbi Shach would often speak of his this year the worst since 1953. Skyrocketing unemployment reaches ten percent. Recession spawned budget cuts force reductions in jobless benefits. Almost fifty percent of families Rebbetzin's devotion, and how she (over 314,000) live below poverty level. The Shekel loses value and the cost of living rises ... enabled him to dedicate himself com­ And Pesach is almost here. pletely to Torah while she sustained MORE PEOPLE NEED MORE HELP THAN EVER BEFORE! him by using her knowledge in phar­ maceutics and medicine as a physician's Our Sages decreed Maos Chittim, Throughout Eretz assistant. Pesach charity to aid the destitute. Yisroel, Ozer Dalim "Even after my wedding, I would go But what about the is the answer for away to learn Torah from after Pesach thousands not poor Pesach and year­ until Succos, and then from after Suc­ enough or too proud round. Twenty to accept charity or cos until Pesach, with her cooperation. branches extend outright hand-outs; All of my Torah is in her merit;' Rabbi Gemach interest­ ... the working poor, Shach would say about his Rebbetzin. free revolving loans teachers, civil servants, repayable on easy Kolle! families, new terms. Thirst For Growth Ohm and the elderly, all struggling on fixed With dignity intact uring the next five years of his incomes, unable to bear and self-sufficiency life, Rabbi Shach learned liter­ the many Pesach j:, preserved, a D ally without interruption, by day expenses all at once? deserving family can and by night, periodically taking a ... normally self­ celebrate the Seder brief nap to refresh himself. Rabbi sufficient breadwinners and the entire Yorn now unemployed, Shach would say that during this peri­ Tov as true Bnai Chorin, free seriously ill or in other and independent Jews. od of his spiritual development he financial crisis? "broke his yeitzer hara" (evil inclination) ONLY YOU CAN MAKE IT HAPPEN! and crossed a new threshold in his life­ long search for purity. Send your most generous contribution, today. Then your Pesach Sirncha will be multiplied by having made theirs possible. He constant1y reviewed his learning, and could not imagine others' relying on Rav Chaim P. Schelnberg (Honorary President) their men1ories when teaching Rav Nachman Bulman Rav Shimon Schwab• talmidim. Rabbi Shach would invariably Ralf Yosef S. Elyashllf Rav Aaron Y. L Shtelnman OZER DALIM ii! review the entire Mesechta before deliv­ Rav Mordecahl Glfter• Rav Moshe Stern• OzerD.Ulm Rw Alft'Ohom Pam• Rav Noach Weinberg 1301 Avenue K ·Brooklyn, NY 11230 it. ering his first shiur on Ralf Yost/ Rosenblum Rav Ovadla Yosef (718) 434-2228 He once asked a Rosh Yeshiva a few

--.. ·----.. "------·~·-----·-- _____._, ___ ------The Jewish Observer, February 2002 9 p.n1. Torah, who is equally effective in guidance of Reb Chaim Ozer, Rabbi Shach As soon as Rabbi Svei left, Rabbi Shach imparting Torah knowledge to others:' became the Karlin Rosh Yeshiva in asked, "11\'here is Zimmerman?" Rabbi Shach became close to Reb Luninyetz, White Russia. Reb Dovid rushed back into the house Chaim Ozer, and would talk to him in On the Yahrzeit of one of the previous in wonder: "There are only a few minutes learning for hours on end. Rebbe'im of Karlin, the entire Yeshiva left left to Mincha. Is the llosh Yeshiva certain Once, during a meeting of Europe's for several days. Rabbi Shach could not fath­ he wants to sit down and learn?'' Gedo lei Torah and Chassidus, he burst into on1 1vhat he considered such blatant bittul Rabbi Shach was e1nphatic. '!\.few min­ the room and ivalked right up to Reb Chaim Torah and imrnediately went back hoine to utes' learning is eternity," he declared. Ozer and declared with Joy, "About the Kletzk. The Karliner Rebbe could not sway kasha (difficulty) you brought up yesterday, Rabbi Shach to return. "How can I continue THE YEARS BEFORE THE SECOND WAR there is a si1nple answer." heading a Yeshiva where boys abandon 'the One of the Admorim (Chassidic rabbis) sources of invigorating 1vaters' for a n 1927, Rabbi Aharon Kotler asked chastised the itnpetuous intruder, "Young Yahrzeit?" Rabbi Shach to serve as ram ( abbre­ 1nan, a little dcrcch cretz!" After enlisting Rabbi Aharon Kotler's I viation for Rosh Mesivta: presenter Realizing what he had done, Rabbi intervention, the Rebbe persuaded Rabbi of a shiur) in Yeshivas Kletzk, a position Shach asked everyonr for forgiveness, and Shach to return. he accepted and held for five years. Rabbi quickly exited the roorn. When World War II began to rage in Shach then went on to serve as ra1n in The Adm or of Karlin, who had watched late 1939, Rabbi Shach fled to Vilna and Yeshivas Novaradok, for two years. the exchange, asked, "\t\!'10 was that young stayed with Reb Chaim Ozer. That Rabbi Aharon Kotler, in a letter man?" year, on Erev Yorn Kippur, Rabbi Shach's addressed to the universally revered Reb Chain1 Ozer ansivercd, "His name mother died; and later that winter, Rabbi Rabbi Chaim Ozer Grodzenski ofVilna, is Elazar Menachern Man Shach. To hin1, Shach's daughter, Miriyam Raizel n"JJ, asked him to "use his influence to sup­ relating a teretz was a 111atter of utmost passed away as well. When the family port Yeshivas Novaradok, especially in urgency." went to the levaya, Reb Chaim Ozer light of Rabbi Elazar Shach's decision to The Admor of Karlin declared, "I need stayed behind to tend to Rabbi Shach's serve as ram there... a great sage in a Rosh Yeshiva like that!" And so with the infant son, Ephraim, holding him on his lap and playing with him until Rabbi Shach and his wife returned from the cemetery.

ESCAPE TO ERETZ YISROEL

t was not long before the Russians • Full Day, Half Day, Or Part Time Programs invaded Vilna, forcing the Torah • Includes Intensive Limudei Kodesh I com1nunity to flee to nearby I • Endorsed By Leading Gedolei Yisrael I Yanove. joining Reb Aharon there, • Dynamic Shiurim By The Foremost Mechanchim Rabbi Shach continued to learn with • Hundreds Of Successful, Maalot Graduates Worldwide I incredible hasmada. I • Choice of Regular or Lishma Program • A Warm Bais Yaakov Atmosphere - Select Group Of Students But they soon realized that the • Option of Eight Week Summer Program In Yerushalayim I noose was tightening and escape fro1n I • The Exciting Alternative To A Full Year In Eretz Yisroel Lithuania would be the only alterna­ Renowned Mechanchim Include: Rabbi M. Blum, Rabbi Avraham Blumenkrantz tive. Rabbi Shach's uncle, Rabbi Aron Rabbi Dovid Gibber, Rabbi Yoe! Kramer, Rabbi Zev Merzel, Rabbi N. Rabinowich I Levitan, helped get visas for Rabbi I Rabbi Aron Rapps, Rabbi Ben Zion Schiffenbauer, Rabbi Yisroel Dov Webster Rebbetzin Y. Davidowitz, Rebbetzin M. Eisenberger, Rebbetzin Chaya Ginzberg Aharon Kotler to con1e to An1erica. At Rebbetzin Devora Kitevits, Rebbetzin Naoma Lerman,. Rebbetzin Rivka Oratz I the same time, Rabbi Shach's uncle, I Rebbetzin Bruria Rubin, Rebbetzin Esther Twersky, Rebbetzin Fayge Wolpin Reb lsser Zalman, who by then had Summer In Eretz Yisrael: Rabbi Dovid Refson • Dean,. Rabbi Dovid Koss~ Director moved to Yerushalayim where he was Rabbi Nosson Geisler, Robbi Leib Keleman, Rabbi Y. Monat, / Rabbi Meir Treibitz Rebbetzin Tziporah Heller, Rebbetzin Zehava Kass, Rebbetzin Rena Tarshish serving as Rosh Yeshivas Eitz Chaim, I 1 helped Rabbi Shach and his family get certificates to go to Eretz Yisroel (known then as Palestine), from the British Mandate powers. RABBI SHOLOM G. GINZBERG, DEAN At the time, the Ger1nan General 931 Coney Island Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11230 Rommel was poised to attack Palestine, • For More Information Phone Or Fax:(718)377-0222 _,. and many tried to dissuade Rabbi

10------The Jewish Observer, February 2002 Rabbi Aharon Kotler )"~t, Rabbi Isscr Za!man A1eltzer )"~I, The Brisker RoF )"~I, Rav Avrohom Karelitz (the 'Ch11zo11 !sh') )"~t

Shach from his plans. Nevertheless, support the family, allowing her hus­ tionship with the Chazon Jsh, who lived together with other Rabbanim and band to learn without interruption. in nearby Bnei Brak. Gedolim, among them Rabbi Lazer When she became ill, Rabbi Shach cared The Chazon Ish said of Rabbi Shach, Yudel Finkel, Rabbi Zalman Sorotzkin, for her, trying his best to do the house­ "Ha' emes ahuv etzlo, Truth is precious to Rabbi Shabsi Yogel, and Rabbi Yosef hold chores. He would go shopping, him:' The Chazon Ish first noted this great Chizkiya Mishkovski, the Shach fam­ standing in line like everyone else to pay midda of Rabbi Shach when one of the ily set sail for Turkey. for groceries, mur1nuring Mishnayos talmidim in the yeshiva in Petach Tikva The Turkish authorities refused to fron1 1ne1nory. related to him that once Rabbi Shach let refugees disembark on their soil, but After a while, Rabbi Shach was regretted a nuance of his shiur and a Jewish merchant vouched for the introduced to a Rav who engaged him approached every single student witl1 the families, and paid for their hotel to teach in his yeshiva in Tel Aviv. Rabbi correction. expenses. Without this unknown bene­ Shach felt uncomfortable with the Eventually Rabbi Shach returned to factor, these great families might have school's ideology, and soon returned to Yerushalayiin to serve as maggid shiur in been lost. Finally, after circuitous train Yerushalayim. Yerushalayim's Yeshivas Beis Yosef. He rides through Syria and Lebanon, When he appeared before the Brisker continued to learn with the Brisker Rav they arrived in Palestine. Rav with the news that he was once - the Brisker Rav showing him his writ­ Rabbi Shach and his family came to again jobless, the Rav declared, "Praise­ ings, probing Rabbi Shach's every subtle Bretz Yisroel absolutely penniless, with­ worthy are you Reb Lazer! You have reaction as he read them. out even enough money for one day's niade a decision to forego parnassa The Rav chided his other talmidim, food, as Lithuanian border guards had (livelihood) on a matter of principle! I comparing their reactions to his Torah seized their few 111eager possessions. have a tradition from my father that comments with that of Rabbi Shach. He From the port, they headed directly to those who forego parnassa because of once related a chiddush on Megillas Rus, their uncle, Rabbi Isser Zalman a Torah principle will only see bless­ but the talmidim did not respond. Dis­ Meltzer, 1noving into a one-roorn ings!" appointed, the Brisker Rav said, "Wait till apartment at Rechov Modi' in 10, in the I tell this to Reb Lazer. He will understand old Kerem section ofYerushalayim. THE BNEI BRAK CONNECTION its depth and react with enthusiasm'" In the Rails haskama on Avi Ez1·i, RELATIONSHIP WITH he Rav helped support Rabbi Rabbi Shach's sefer, he writes, "Who am THE BRISKER RAV Shach until he could find pamas­ I to give an approbation on Rabbi Shach l T sa. Eventually he joined the many He is one of the gedolim of our time and t this point, Rabbi Shach had no great European refugee- taln1idei certainly does not need my haskama!" livelihood and the outlook was chacha111im, who were learning in the Rabbi Dovid Finkel commented, "It was A bleak. Still he would learn day Lomza Yeshiva in Petach Tikva. He also not an approbation. It was a coronation[» and night, forging closer ties with his said a shiur in Yeshiva Degel Reuvein. Dur­ Once the Brisker Rav was saying a shiur. uncle, Reb Isser Zalman and with ing this time, he developed a close rela- He posed a difficult kasha and attempted Rabbi Yitzchak Zev (Reb Velvel) Soloveitchik, the Brisker Rav. 'The Rav once nientioned to a close talmid that since his father, Reb Chaim Brisker, was nifiar, he had no one with whom to "talk in learning'' until he n1et For careful attention to your Rabbi Shach. Throughout those first difficult years individual needs, call us today! without a livelihood, Rebbetzin Shach ( 845) 354-8445 stood by his side, working tirelessly to

The Jewish Observer, February 2002 11 to find a solution. Rabbi Shach walked into SPOKESMAN FOR TORAH INTERESTS and of Reb Yaakov's mother, but he had no the room. The Rav's eyes immediately lit up, clue to her name. Reh Yaakov was over 90 and he then delivered a brilliant answer. Rabbi Shach emerged as the years old at the time and in excellent health. When Rabbi Shach left, the bachurim asked oremost Rosh Yeshiva in Bretz Yis­ Reh Zvi could not recall a time where he had their Rebbe why he didn't tell them the oe~ he was revered by the Gedo lei mentioned our grandfather's name in the Mi answer before Rabbi Shach's entry. The Yisroel in Bnei Brak, in Yerushalayim, in Sheheirach for the sick, so he searched Bnei Brisker Rav responded that the teretz was America, and across the world as one of Brak for people who would know the name Reb Lazer's. They looked on in astonish­ the foremost spokesmen for Torah ofReb Yaakov's mother. Finally, a cousin told ment, as he said, "I want you to know that hashkafa. him that her name was Etka. Armed with the the kasha is Reb Lazer's, the teretz is Reb More than a commentary, his words information and an update on my grandfa­ Lazer's; it is all Reb Lazer's! When I learn often provided an agenda for action. ther's condition, he approached Rabbi Shach. through a sugya, there are times that I think Rabbi Shach sought means to give reli­ When he inquired about the welfare ofour that I have no solution to a difficult ques­ gious Sephardim a voice in their affairs, grandfather, my brother turned white. "That tion. But then I think how much enjoyment and a fair share in the benefits of the sys­ is exactly why I came," he stamn1ered. Reb Lazer will have when I am able to offer tem, which resulted in the creation of the Immediately Rabbi Shach's face filled with p'shat. So I work harder and harder, until Shas Party. He was in the leadership of consternation. My brother continued, "You I solve the problem. It's all Reb Lazer's." Agudath Israel and was the founder of see, my grandfather was not feeling well and Degel HaTorah. He spearheaded a num­ must undergo a procedure. I came to inform JOINING PONEVEZH ber of major efforts to reach out to non­ the ...." Rabbi Shach jumped up from his committed Jews to bring Torah to them chair and exclaimed. "We must be mispal­ n 1951, Rabbi Shach accepted an (in such places as Ofakim and Netivot in lel for Reh Yaakov ben Etka!" offer by the Ponevezher Rav, Rabbi the Negev), and to bring them to Torah My brother could not contain himself I Yosef Kahanemen, to join Rabbi (through such efforts as P' eylim/Lev "Rebbe," he began meekly. "The last twelve Shmuel Rozovsky and Rabbi Dovid I:Achim). During the 30-plus years that hours I have been trying to find out my great­ Povarski, as a Rosh Yeshiva in Ponevezh. his was the deciding word in the Gov­ grandmother's name. Now I see that the Rosh Rabbi Shach remained in Ponevezh for ernment Board of Governors of Chinuch Yeshiva knows her name. How is that?" the following 50 years, teaching genera­ Atzmai, he never missed its weekly Rabbi Shach explained. "Years ago, your tions of talmidei chachamim who are now Wednesday meetings in Jerusalem. And grandfather visited Eretz Yisroel. Afrer meet­ at the forefront of the Torah communi­ he was involved in the elevation of the sta­ ing hiin, I asked him for his mother's name. ty in Eretz Yisroel. It was there, from his tus of yeshivas and the welfare of their stu­ I could not imagine the Jewish world with­ humble apartment in Kiryas Ha Yeshiva, dents ... among other issues. out a healthy Reh Yaakov, and there is not a that he would go on to serve as one of the For many years, Rabbi Moshe single day that goes by that I do not say a spe­ generation's Torah leaders. Mordechai Shulsinger lived in Bnei Brak, cial prayer for his well-being!" His shiurim were punctuated with and served as an emissary between Rabbi One of the more famous stories of rev­ thunder and lightning. He would walk Shach and the Steipler. He personally erence for Rabbi Shach surpasses issues into the room, pose a question and revel attested that the Steipler said about of simple advice. in simcha as the bachurim battled with Rabbi Shach "Y~ yad, peh, peh. His hand During the Gulf War, some talmidim each other and with him! is my hand and his mouth is my mouth. approached Rabbi Shach to ask whether they When Rabbi Shach was over 80, he Whatever he says or writes is as if it were should adhere to the directives of the gov­ would sit in the beis midrash, willing to coming from n1e." ernment and use gas masks in Bnei Brak. "speak in learning" with any bachurwho Rabbi Shach's reverence and love for Rabbi Shach thought for a moment, and said approached him. He gave each ta/mid a Gedolei Yisroelwere legend. His relation­ that it would be the right thing to do. feeling of belonging, a sense that he was ship with my Zayde, Rabbi Yaakov Later, they met Rabbi Chaim Kanievski special. Similarly, talmidim could come to Kamenetzky 7":::rr, was warm and mutu­ who said that he felt it was not necessary. Rabbi Shach with their personal problems al. When told that his opinion seemed to con­ without embarrassment, and open their In the early 1980s, Reb Yaakov suffered an tradict that of Rabbi Shach, Reb Chaim hearts to him. angina attack and his doctor strongly rec­ smiled. "I know something that Rabbi Shach From the answers Rabbi Shach gave to ommended that he undergo an angiogran1, does not know. I know that we have the his students, it was obvious that he under­ a difficult and so1netimes dangerous proce­ zechus ofReh Lazer Shach here in Bnei Brak. stood the question better than the person dure for a man ofhis advanced age. My broth­ I am sure that as long as he is here, nothing who had asked it. He never told a person er Reh Zvi, then a talmid in Ponevezh, will happen to our city!" what to do, but voiced his opinion in a resolved to approach the Rosh Yeshiva with Rabbi Shach's influence was felt way that allowed the person to do what a request to pray for Reb Yaakov's welfare. My around the world. Decisions that would he wanted while gently urging him to brother knew he had to present Rabbi Shach determine the makeup of Israel's gov­ choose the right path. with the names of his grandfather, Yaakov, ernment, the balance of Knesset power

12 The Jewish Observer, February 2002 and thus relations with Arab countries Rabbi Asher Bergman, Rabbi Shach's person could call forth a "no" for and the United States, rested on his grandson, relates that Rabbi Chaim another. Some people were told to shoulders. Kanievski would appear in Rabbi wage battle, while others were directed During the period when Egyptian Shach's apartment every thirty days to to quietly accept the antagonism thrust President Anwar Sadat visited Israel, the recite anew the beracha of "Shechalak against them. He told teachers of some bachurim were enthralled by the startling n1e' chachmaso li'reiav - ... Who shares students who were becoming religious events. Some would sneak out of beis His wisdom with those who fear Him." 1 to send them to one specific school, midrash to hear news tidbits about the Actually, in 1993, Rabbi Chaim while other students were directed to dif­ goings and comings of leaders and Kanievski said that although the ferent ones. politicians. Rabbi Shach sat and learned beracha of Shechalak me'chachmaso Once a group of people in a frum sec­ with total im1nersion. His shiuritti were li'reiav was designated for those whose tion ofYerushalayim were protesting that given with the usual passion and excite­ Torah wisdom exceeds that of anyone their street should be closed on Shabbos ment. I was there, and cannot ren1em­ in recent generations, one can still make because there was a religious majority liv­ ber that he even left his seat in the beis a beracha pronouncing Hashem's name ing in the area. Rabbi Shach stated that n?idrash on his own volition. on Rabbi Shach. A Gadol Hadar has a the concept of majority should not be Governn1ent officials had to come to special siyata d'Shmaya (Divine assis­ used as an argument. They must fight for the beis midrash and ask Rabbi Shach if tance) and is always worthy of that the truth because of its inherent value. he could please step out, as they want­ beracha. "Rabbi Shach," said Reb Otherwise, in the sections of Tel Aviv and ed to ask him some weighty questions. Chaim, "is the Gadol Hadar." Petach 1'ikva where transgressors are in They stood in the upstairs anteroom Rabbi Shach's Daas Torah was for­ the majority, they will sell treifos and des­ before the beis midrash. Rabbi Shach mulated very methodically. Each situa­ ecrate Shabbos openly with impunity! took a few minutes to step out and, per­ tion was analyzed and dissected. A sit­ haps, help shape world history, and then uation that prompted a "yes" to one THE PERSONIFICATION OF HUMILITY returned to his place in the beis midrash 1 as if nothing had occurred. For us, it was The beracha designated for seeing an out­ n striking contrast to the awe and standing 'JOrah scholar. ()nc does not recite this the greatest lesson in the supreme rev­ beracha unless 30 days have passed since having reverence in which he was held, the erence for limud haTorah. previously seen this scholar. I Rosh Yeshiva remained the paragon

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The Jewish Observer, February 2002 13 of humility. rounded by talmidim who would have words, it was the address from the Gadol Rabbi Shach was extremely makpid considered it a privilege to get the sefer Hadar, returning to offer a different (particular) never to take advantage of for hin1. expression of the same theme year after others. He would never allow a bachur Every day before shiur he would look year - the supremacy of Torah as to help him find a sefer. It was not at his watch. Then he would strain to defined by Chazal, Shulchan Aruch unusual to see the Rosh Yeshiva stand­ see the time on the Yeshiva's wall clock and the Mesara. It was a proverbial State ing on a chair to retrieve a sefer from a to si11chronize the two. He did not want of the Union address to Kial Yisroel. high shelf by himself, despite being sur- to extend the shiur into the bachuritn's Deviations in any shape or form from lunchtime. "forah norn1s were viewed as being as Even when he was close to ninety, he catastrophic as a devastating earth­ PESACH GUIDE TO would regularly carry a number of quake. sefarim from his home to the yeshiva, Although Rabbi Shach's leadership of MEDICATIONS refusing all offers of help. the Torah community was deemed a The same Rabbi Shach who would guiding beacon by other Gedolei Roshei For a copy of tfle most be shaping the future of Kial Yisroel Yeshiva, Rabbi Shach was still concerned Comprehensive Pesach Guide would not hesitate to knock on the door with the simplest Jew, no matter how of a parent of a Ponevezher talmid and far he may have strayed from Yid­ to Medications I Cosmetics mention to them that he had seen their dishkeit. Even after 1995, when he grew by Rav Gershon Bess son walking in the winter cold without weak, and officially relinquished his a sweater. "Perhaps there is a sweater position, declining to sign any more let­ Please write to: that he owns and forgot to bring to ters or issue further directives, thou­ KOLLEL LOS ANGELES Yeshiva. Give it to me, and my grand­ sands of people still came to him to seek 223 S. Formosa Avenue son will take it to him:· advice. Los Angeles, CA 90036 Rabbi Shach had a special affinity for Phone: (323) 933-7193 FATHER OF A BESIEGED PEOPLE Ainerican bachurim who chose to grow (Unless you are already on our list) in Torah and remain immersed in hen Rabbi Shach would learning. Dressed in a style decidedly address topics that were different from that of Ponevezh foundations of Kial YisroeI's bachurim, they would often come to HELP FOR PARENTS OF W raison d'etre, he would become Rabbi Shach and receive warm TEENS IN CONFLICT extremely emotional and tears would einbraces and chizuk to continue their stream down his face. For exan1ple, his Torah studies. opening annual Yarchei Kalla speech A European few 1vho had acquired was not n1erely a mussar shmuess given unusual wealth and had been an excep­ to the hundreds of ba'alei battim, plus tionally generous ba' al tzedakka, suffered TEL: 718-758-0400 multitudes of b'nei Torah flowing out tremendous losses to1vard the end of his life, CONFIDENTIAL 10 AM-10 PM of the Ponevezh beis midrash into the and became depressed. The man, who -'SUPPORT GROUPS great hall of the Ponevezh Yeshiva. To hailed from a Chassidic background, was -'REFERRALS them and the thousands more who respectful of all Gedolei Torah, and so his /HOTLINE • stood on porches around the perime­ children took him to see Rabbi Shach for ter of the Yeshiva to hear his amplified chizuk.

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14 The Jewish Observer, February 2002 The n1an began to tell his life story. In tening to me. The only thing I have left should make an accounting with the course of the conversation, the man told is the ability to cry." Rabbi Shach con­ myself about everything that has Rabbi Shach that his family were Chas­ tinued crying for a few n1ore n1inutes. come to pass, especially all of the sidim of a particular Rebbistive. And then, while crying for Kial Yisroel, hidden things regarding which it is "Oy!" cried Rabbi Shach. "ThatChas­ he slipped into an exhausted sleep. possible to err and to cause others sidus has a lJeautiful niggun that I've to err, whether for good or evil, to always admired!" SUNSET think that this is a mitzva, when in I-le narned the tune and itnplored the fact, it is an aveira. These deeds n1an to sing it with him. Rabbi Shach asked uring the last years of his life, emanate from negative traits and are the children to join in, and together they Rabbi Shach removed himself the cause of all sorrow. Woe to us all began to sing. A feiv mornents later, Dfrom the public eye. Tired and from the day of judgment! Woe to Rabbi Shach stood up and exclaimed spent after a century of ceaseless yegia us from the day of rebuke! Who can again: "This niggun is not done justice ivith (toil) in Torah and mesiras nefesh for the justify himself before You in Your just singing! It needs a rekida (dance)," and Kial, he remained at home. judgment? together - the 90-yeai;,-old rnan and his On Thursday night, l6 Cheshvan Therefore, I request of all the European guests-daneed around the rick­ (November 1), Rabhi Shach, who was talmidim who know that they bene­ ety table in Rabbi Shach's tiny home. They already in critical condition, took a turn fited from 1ne, whether it be in Torah, continued to do so until a huge sniile broke for the worse. or in Yiras Hashem, or in middos, that out across the poor visitor's face. He At 2:40 a.m. Rabbi Shach took his last they be kind towards me and learn for allowed the realization to sink in that his breath. The news of Rabbi Shach's pass­ the elevation of my nesha1na - even travails ivere only a fleeting niornent in this ing quickly spread to Jewish commu­ one Mishna, or mussar thought. This ternporal world. nities throughout the world, who were will have made it all worth it, for I, too, Toward the end of his years, in one overcome with grief. rfransportation was dedicated myself completely for the of his last meetings, he called in the Rav organized in all of the country's main sake of your success in learning, and of Natanya, Rabbi Yisroel Meir Lau cities and Torah centers, and hundreds if I will be able to act and to advocate (currently Israel's Ashkenazi Chief of thousands of heartbroken and bereft on your behalf, I will do so, bli neder. Rabbi). He took Rabbi Lau's hand in his Jews headed to Bnei Brak to accompa­ I pray that I will merit to stand and started to cry. "I heard," said Rabbi ny the Gadol Hadar to his final resting before Hakadosh Baruch Hu in a Shach, "that there are forty stores that place. state of teshuva sheleima. sell pig meat in Natanya; that there is During his final years, he had made Yours, a problem in Ashkelon with chillul no pronouncements and addressed no The one who parts from you, with Shabbos; that they \Vant to institute sec­ rallies, but in his last will and testament love, ular reforms in Tel Aviv. he left us with a parting message: Elazar Menachem Man Shach "I'm over one hundred years old, I Since a man does not know when have no strength, and people are not lis- his time will come, I decided that I j!1::J. 1-i:Jt Nil" May his memory be an inspiration 0 - and a blessing. • Jonah's ·Fashion Inc. Unde Moishy, Mordechai Ben David, and other top-of-the-line Jewish entertainers • We make skirts and jumpers, solids are available and plaids, from size 5 thru to visit junior and pre-teens seriously ill • Bais Yaacov blouses made from children thanks to our own custom made ninnnr.iw (extra heavy) material ni.Wl: '"Ct? :uiT:m:t :lJ?l'" 1 m nm AChessed project run by Agndath Israel of Ameria1 ln con/uncllon w!th Suki & Ding Produ,tlons Tusctupanappo1ntmen!.call: i, (212)797-9ll00 Ext.235 • M·F. 9- ~~

The Jewish Observer, February 2002 15 of Rabbi Elazar Menachem Man Shach i1:J1.J~ P'I~ 1'.Jt

by Rabbi Yisroel Friedman, translated and prepared for publication by Yonoson Rosenblum

or nearly three decades, Maran daas Elokim you will find."' chevra kadisha in Binyamina, came to HaRav Elazar Menachem Man Rabbi Aharon Leib Steinman (Rosh see him. A terrible tragedy had taken FShach exercised an authority in the Hayeshiva of Gaon Yaakov in Bnei place in his home, and now the author· world of the yeshivas that has few par· Brak, a venerable leader of the yeshiva ities sought to take away one of his chil­ allels over the last 200 years. When sig· world) expanded on this point, quoting dren on the grounds of parental incom­ nificant parts of Klal Yisroel, acting as Rabbi Chaim of Volozhin: If a person petence. Rabbi Shach told a group of an organic whole, turn to an individual seeks guidance from the Torah, he askanim (community activists) who as their leader, their judgment is unerr­ should learn with intensity until the were present as the desperate father ing. The Kial intuitively knows who Torah becomes Torah lishma. He should poured out his woe that this would not embodies Torah to the greatest extent, then think about the matter he is delib­ be the last such case in the northern part \Vhose opinion is daas Torah. erating, and whatever comes to his mind of Israel. Rabbi Shach himself described this at that moment, he should do, for that "Take note;' he said, "that almost elusive quality of daas Torah in his sefer is the advice of the 'lbrah. If so, the opin· every such case arises in the North. 1'he Avi Ezri on Nezikin: ion of one like Rabbi Shach, whose every South is full of yeshivas; almost every «Only after one has toiled in Torah moment was spent in the study of Torah, town has a yeshiva. But from Ponevezh as much as possible, without any is certainly daas Torah. And that is how north to Kfar Chassidin1, there is scarce­ negia (bias) or netia (leaning) of any Rabbi Shach led Kial Yisroel. ly a single yeshiva. Where there is no sort, with a pure intellect, does his Indeed, the daas Torah in every gen· Torah, there the Satan will be found. If intellect become sechel mu/shat eration belongs to its gadol hador. And you want to annul the adoption law r, (objective wisdom) so that he can be in every generation there is one such fig­ which allows children to be taken considered to have shed his gashmius ure. So it was with Reb Chaim forcibly out of their homes], then (physicality), and then his opinion (Soloveitchik) of Brisk. There were establish another yeshiva, and another becomes actual daas Torah. AU this is those who could pose challenging ques· yeshiva. Fill the Nmth with yeshivas, and included in the words of Shlomo tions to Reb Chaim's chiddushim (orig· the Satan will flee from before you." HaMelech: 'Ifyou seek it like silver and inal interpretations). But did anyone search for it like hidden treasures, then imagine that he was greater than Reb "TO KNOW HIM, ONE MUST BE HIM" you will understand yiras Hashem, and Chaim? The same held true of the Cha­ Rabbi Friedman is editor of the Friday edition zon Ish. And in our generation, it was so e are totally inadequate to of the Hebrew-language Yated Ne'enzan, pub­ with Rabbi Shach; every individual describe the Rosh Yeshiva. To lished in Jerusalen1 by the Degel HaTorah Party. recognized that he was not Rabbi W fully comprehend him, one Rabbi Rosenblum, \\'ho lives in Jerusalem, is a Shach's peer. would have had to be him. Yet to con· contributing editor to The Jewish Observer. He Rabbi Shach viewed everything from fine ourselves to a few pieces of the is abo director of the Israeli division of Am Echad, the vantage point of the Torah. Once a mosaic would constitute a gross distor­ the Agudath Israel-inspired educational outreach effort and 1nedia resource. Yemenite Jew, who worked for the tion. Therefore we shall limit ourselves

16 The Jewish Observer, February 2002 to Maran's share in Torah, the root from returned to the Gemora. air as if he were giving a Talmudic dis­ which all else grew. One morning, the great Ponevezh course. He could be heard muttering: From an early age, the Rosh Yeshiva Mashgiach, Rabbi Yechezkel Levenstein, "What's the p'shatin maftzifln es macho made a binding commitment to divest called over a bachur and asked him to (his skull is cracked open)? What is the himself of everything that was not hand Rabbi Shach his teflllin she/ rash source for this halacha?" Torah. During World War I, the borders the next morning, as soon as he had fin­ Even Rabbi David Povarsky, his fel­ of Eastern Europe became impassable, ished putting on the teflllin she/ yad. low Rosh Yeshiva in Ponevezh, was and sovereignty over vast areas switched Otherwise, the Mashgiach pointed out, astounded. "I knew that his entire rapidly from one country to another. he was prone to start talking in ]earn­ being was absorbed in learning," Reb During that entire time, Rabbi Shach ing as soon as he had wrapped the teflll­ Dovid commented, "but I never imag­ had no contact with any member of his in she/ yad on his arm, creating a hefsek ined that even when under anesthesia family. They knew nothing of his fate, (interruption). (Rabbi Shach himself he would continue to plumb the depths and he knew nothing of theirs. would occasionally ask bachurim to of the topic he was learning:' Only after the War did the family remind him to put on the teflllin she/ Neither the need for sleep nor pain reestablish contact, although they now rash.) could deter him when he was involved found themselves divided from one The bachurasked the Mashgiach why in a difficulty in learning. Ponevezh another by a border. After appropriate he did not hand the Rosh Yeshiva the talmidim who posed difficult ques­ arrangements with the authorities, the teflllin himself. Rabbi Levenstein replied, tions to the Rosh Yeshiva might find family prepared to meet at a specially 'Tm frightened of him!" The talmid's themselves awakened in the middle of designated area on the border. Shortly natural reply was, "Shouldn't I also be the night when the Rosh Yeshiva found before the time for that meeting, Rabbi scared?" The Mashgiach told him, "Reb the solution to their questions. Once he Shach learned that his father had passed Moshe [today, Rabbi Moshe Kaplan], was discussing a complicated sugya away. you don't comprehend what there is to (topic) with a group of bachurim late at On the day of the eagerly anticipat­ be scared of." night. The next morning, the Rosh Yeshi­ ed meeting, Rabbi Shach's mother and va called them over and asked them sister stood at the appointed spot on the *** whether they had been able to sleep that border. But he did not come. In his place night. Told that they had, he expressed he sent a friend, who carried a letter that forn1er Ponevezh talmid remem­ amazement that they had been able to read: "I know that particularly at a time ers a visit to the Rosh Yeshiva's go to bed as long as the sugya was still like this, after Father's passing, my ouse. As soon as he entered, he not dear in their minds. (This tenacity obligation to come is even greater. But smelled a fire somewhere in the house. was borne out in an incident involving davka for that reason I held myself back. He assumed the Rosh Yeshiva was rest­ the Brisker Rav, which is recounted in 1 I fear that I will be overcome with miss­ ing and raced to the bedroom to rouse another article in this issue. ) ing him, and that will cause me bittul him, but no one was there. Then he Torah. For that reason I chose not to peeked into the kitchen. The Rosh *** come. I hope you will understand me." Yeshiva was absent-mindedly stirring a But his younger sister did not under­ pot of cereal with one hand and read­ n anticipation of the long Pesach stand at that time. It would be more than ing from a Gemora held in the other break one year, Rabbi Shach pre­ half a century later, when she witnessed hand. The contents of the pot were I pared to review Temura, a particu­ her brother as the leader of the Torah already burned to a crisp, and the pot larly difficult tractate. He began his world, before she could fully compre­ black. "If I hadn't come in;' the man review on Rosh Chodesh Adar. At the hend that letter, as she pointed out when recalls, "his hand would have soon been time, he had a severe attack of kidney she related this story. on fire, too." stones, a most painful affliction. As he learned in his room, those outside TOTAL IMMERSION IN TORAH *** would hear his Gemora niggun punctu­ ated by broken cries and gasps of he Rosh Yeshiva's total immersion ecades ago, the Rosh Yeshiva agony. After each interruption, the in Torah was legendary. When­ required surgery. In the days same sweet niggun returned. T ever he was thinking about a topic D immediately prior to the sur­ Eventually the kidney stones became in Gemora, the world around him gery, he was learning the sugya of a too much to bear, and the Rosh Yeshiva ceased to exist. Any time that his mind kohein who performs the avoda (serv­ had to be hospitalized. Even in the hos­ was free for even a fraction of a second ice) in the Beis Hamikdash while tam eh pital, the Rosh Yeshiva's face shone as he - the time between putting on the teflll­ (impure).After the surgery, while he was in she/ yad and the tefillin she/ rash, for still under the effects of the anesthesia, 1 Sec "A Ponevezher Talmitfs Appreciation," by instance - his thoughts automatically his fingers started cutting through the Rabbi Raphael Wolpin.

The Jewish Observer, February 2002 17 spoke in learning. Surgery was scheduled "Gehinnom is when you think you ago I experienced the same tragedy. for just after Pesach, and the Rosh Yeshi­ have a p'shat in a Rambam. Before you [Reb Chaim Ozer, lost his only child, va was released for Pesach. Over Pesach, can be sure, however, you must check a daughter, shortly after her engage­ the house was filled with the sound of out the exact wording in the Rambam. ment, when she was bitten by a mad Ten1ura. But the light in the room is very dim, dog.] You should know, "If Your On the Shabbos after Pesach, one of and no matter where you place the Ram­ Torah had not been my delight, I the bachurim from Ponevezh came to bam, you still cannot make out the would have perished in my affliction"' visit the Rosh Yeshiva. He found the Rosh words. In desperation, you start jump­ (Tehillim 119, 92) Then he got up and Yeshiva moaning from pain. A metal ing with the Rambam hoping to be able left." strip had been inserted in his body as to read. You jump and jump, but you still The Rosh Yeshiva went on to explain part of his medical treatment, and can't make out the words. That's Gehin­ to his visitors what Reb Chaim Ozer every time he moved, the pain was nom." meant with those words. "Imagine," he unbearable. Even he could not remain When the talmid to whom the Rosh said, "two prisoners in jail, both indifferent to the waves of pain that Yeshiva had described Gehinnom walked unshaven, in prisoner's garb, eating washed over his body. Between those out of the beis midrash, he was scraps of food. On one's face is writ­ waves, he groaned, "Ribbono Shel Olam! approached by one of the Rosh Yeshiva's ten the hope of a speedy death that will Yessurim (suffering) are a good thing, grandsons, who remarked in all inno­ free him of his suffering. The other but give me seichel (intelligence) to deal cence, "l don't know what happened to prisoner, however, is smiling and even with my yessurim:' He learned and Sabba this Shabbos. He woke up in the telling a few jokes. What explains the moaned, learned and moaned. After middle of the night and took out the big difference between the two? It turns each bout of pain, he returned to in­ Rambam. He sat on the chair and put out that the first prisoner has been sen­ depth learning, until he completed the the Rambam on the table, but the light tenced to life in prison. He has neither entire tractate. overhead was very dim. Then he start­ hope nor purpose. He knows that he Then, amazingly, the Rosh Yeshiva's ed jumping with the Rambam hoping will never see his home again. A small health began improving rapidly, with­ to see." cell to sleep in at night and back­ out any medical explanation. His doc­ breaking labor, humiliation, and tors decided that an operation was *** degradation during the day are the unnecessary, and by the summer he had future to which he can look forward. once again returned to giving shiurim f the inability to learn Torah con­ Only death will free him from the pres­ in the yeshiva. stituted Gehinnom for the Rosh ent situation. No wonder he looks for­ I Yeshiva, so did the ability to learn ward to his death. The other prison­ equip him to overcome every adver­ er, however, is due to be released in sity. From his earliest youth, he another three months. Though their or the Rosh Yeshiva, an inability to learned Torah in the most abject day-to-day routine may be the same, learn with clarity was Gehinnom. poverty without being distracted in the the second prisoner does not suffer FOne Shabbos, he approached a slightest. nearly so intensely because he knows bachur sitting opposite him after dav­ While in Vilna, just after the out­ it will not be forever. ening and asked him, "Tell me, what is break of World War II, his 14-year-old "Many people suffer hardships that Gehinnom?" daughter, Mir'ele, passed away. That accompany them their entire life. But When the bachur did not reply, tragedy was never forgotten. Next to for a hen Torah that is never the case. Rabbi Shach answered his own question. his bed until his last day was a picture 'If not for Your Torah .. .' ( Tehillim of Mir'ele. He once said that whenev­ 119). The ben Torah always knows that er he moved, the only items that he he is not a prisoner for life. He will AREIVIM took personally were his tallis and tefill­ return home to his regular appoint­ in and the picture of Mir'ele. ment with a daf Gemora. 'The com­ HOTLINE One year, on Mir' ele's yahrzeit, mandments of Hashem are straight, Rabbi Shach described to two visitors gladdening the heart...' ( Tehillim 19). From crisis to control. in the house how the gadol hador, 'There is no free person except one Helping our boys and girls Rabbi Chaim Ozer Grodzenski, who who busies himself with Torah.' I live was very near the end of his life, had in a daf Gemora, inside an ocean of joy. Parents: 1·866·6AREIVIM been menachem (consoled) him when There are periods that are slightly hard­ Teens: 1·866-0URGUYS he sat shiva in Vilna for his daughter: er that one must pass through. But you Email: [email protected] "Reb Chaim Ozer sat quietly for a can always return home to the Jl l"y? Shach! You know that a few months heart to rejoice."'

18 The Jewish Observer, February 2002 DEDICATED TO REVEALING TRUTH neh gives an answer, but I still want to he ferocity with which Rabbi understand why the Rambam did not Shach guarded the Mesora was the is life was dedicated to reveal­ learn the Gen1ora according to its sin1- Tother side of the coin to the gen­ ing Truth to the maximum plest and most obvious understanding:' tleness and warm smile that he showed H possible, and that Truth had A lack of clarity plagued him to the to one and all. Both were expressions of only one source, the 1brah. In a point of not sleeping, even with a solu­ his overwhelming love for Kial Yisroel speech at Ponevezh Yeshiva, he defined tion of so illustrious a predecessor as the and every member of it. Nothing was his mission: Kessef Mishneh. clearer to him than the conviction that "There is nothing simpler than only the purity of the Mesora, and a Truth. It should be self-evident, IN CONTROL OF GOOD IMPULSES strong nucleus of bnei Torah, could requiring no explanation. Truth is eter­ ensure the future and wellbeing of the nal; falsehood, fleeting. Yet the exter­ y rebbe, Rabbi Aharon Leib Jewish people and every single Jew. nal glitter of fa)sehood can, at times, Steinman offers a powerful With his passing, we have truly lost obscure the Truth. Sometimes Truth M insight into Rabbi Shach's "the one who leaves you with love." • is covered, and our task is to pul1 away middas ha' emes. Over a period of close the veil of falsehood and reveal the to nine decades, Reb Aharon Leib has Truth behind the veil. We must know known many Torah giants. Each one that although falsehood can darken the could be described as having con­ world, it cannot push Truth aside, quered his yeitzer hara (evil impulse). because falsehood does not endure. But Rabbi Shach did something else: He Our obligation is to remove the veil of conquered his middos hatov (positive falsehood to reveal the Truth. We must traits), as well. look at things from the proper per­ Everyone who knew him was struck spective - the deep one, not the shal­ by his gutskeit and feinkeit - his gen­ _servi~g in!ants/tocl~le!s_ low. When we examine the world erosity and sensitivity. Stories of how far & their famiUes deeply, we understand everything dif­ he would extend himself for a child or ferently. AJI of life takes on a new per­ a bachur, even when in his nineties, are spective. Our purpose is to elevate our­ legion. Reb Aharon Leib relates that selves, and with ourselves the entire when discussing the tzaros of Kial Yis­ world, by increasing K'vod Shamayim?' roel, the Rosh Yeshiva would take the That revelation of the Torah's Truth matters so to heart that he had trouble was the holiest of tasks. The door to his speaking. "When Kial Yisroel has prob­ room was closed from Monday after­ lems, there are those who are pained. But noon when he prepared for his Tuesday to become sick from them, to faint for shiur. On the day of the shiur, he Kial Yisroel, only Maran HaRav Shach immersed in the mikva. Body and soul did." went into the shiur. VVhen the shiurwas Yet, when he felt that there was the over, his clothes were completely slightest threat to the Mesora (the drenched and had to be changed imme­ sacred tradition) with which he had diately. been entrusted, be it ever so impercep­ tible, he stood in the breach and became a roaring lion. The ish ha'emes overcame all the warmth and kindness, the yeitzer e would not compromise on hatov that was naturally his. Truth. He once told some Again Reb Aharon Leib put the mat­ H talmidim that he had been ter best: "He feared no one. He trembled unable to sleep for weeks because of a before no man, and acted even against certain problem in the Rambam. When his own good middos, when he felt that the talmidim looked into the Rambam, he had to stand up for religious princi­ Evaluation & Therapy are available in the privacy of your homer:t;,. nf /1{uurJIJ they were surprised to find that the ples. Once he said that he was sure that 1 arat ourcenter 'J 1 eR/ '!J v v KessefMishneh had asked the same ques­ they would throw stones at him in acer­ tion in his co1n1nentary. More, the Kessef tain place. But he went nevertheless. He Mishneh had resolved the issue. was prepared to sacrifice himself to that Sensing their surprise, the Rosh extent. Personal honor meant nothing Yeshiva told them, "Yes, the Kessef Mish- to hin1."

The Jewish Observer, February 2002 19 A PONEVEZHER_ TALMID R_EMEMBER_S R_AV SHACH :r"~t Based on a tribute by Rabbi Raphoel Wolpin, delivered to talmidei Yeshivas Mikdash Melech, in Bayit Vegan, Jerusalem

hile we are incapable of when he had a kasha, he would get up That Special Tuesday Experience doing justice to a hesped and go quickly to a bachur who was W (eulogy) on Rabbi Shach, nearby: "What do you think about this he day of the shiur klalli was dif­ there is much we can learn from him, kasha I have on Rabbi Akiva Eiger?'' The ferent, yet it too had a tremen­ simply from the perspective of a boy would offer a teretz. Tdous influence on us. On that day, bachur who spent three years in his He would then go over to a second it was impossible to talk to Rabbi immediate presence in the Ponevezh bachur: "What do you say to this Shach. He would come into beis midrash Yeshiva in Bnei Brak - as I did, some bachur's teretz on the difficult statement in the morning and sit in his place with twenty years ago. Through the anec­ by Rabbi Akiva Eiger?" He would say his head leaning on his hand. He did not dotes and observations that follow, that he doesn't like the teretz, because move during the whole seder, he just sat one can catch a glimpse of his incred­ of this and that. Rabbi Shach would there. In the early afternoon, he took a ible ahavas haTorah (love of Torah), then call over a third bachur. "This one short nap and a bite of food. He then extraordinary hasmada (diligence), proposes a teretz; the other one rejects returned to the beis midrash for second and compelling sense of achrayus it. What do you say?" seder, and also sat in his place, thinking (responsibility) for the welfare of In a matter of minutes, the entire over the shiur klalli until the time to others. beis midrash was in a flurry because deliver it arrived. He was unapproach­ Rabbi Shach had a kasha. Even some­ able that day. Otherwise, he was very I. IN THE SAME BEIS MIDRASH one who did not hear what he had said accessible, and anyone could come to was swept up in the excitement. him at any time - in the beis midrash by here were two aspects to shar­ Learning and the love for learning day, or in his house at night. ing the beis midrash with him: were contagious in Ponevezh: when I recall one day - about an hour or TFirst of all, simply sitting and the bachurim saw a person over 80 so before the shiur - he remarked that learning in the same beis midrash as enter the beis midrash and suddenly something was bothering him in the Rabbi Shach had an impact on all who gain youthful vigor and strength, how projected shiur. He was not I 00% con­ were there. Beyond that, being pres­ could they not follow suit? fident that it was correct.. .. There was ent on the day that Rabbi Shach We also witnessed his unbelievable no shiur klalli that day. delivered a shiur klalli - a general lec­ hasmada. Summers in Bnei Brak can be That was our experience: Witnessing ture on a specific topic to the entire unbearably hot. In my" bachurish" days, the achrayus (accountability) that he had student body, an experience that took the air-conditioner rarely worked. for a shiur klalli, and how he was able place every Tuesday, chok v'lo ya'avor Nonetheless, the full beis midrash - led to involve himself in it, to the degree that (generally without exception) - was by Rabbi Shach - used to learn b'has­ the rest of the world was simply non­ distinct from the influence of the rest mada right up to Tisha B'Av. Rabbi existent. of the week. Shach was the first one there for the A certain Knesset member (from Rabbi Shach's seat in the beis afternoon seder (session) every day. The the Agudah) had wanted to consult midrash was in the corner, right by the seder started at 3:00; he was there at five with him about an urgent issue on a door. Even though he was over 80, minutes to 3. Rabbi Shach's very pres­ Tuesday. Rabbi Shach told him gently, - - Rabbi Wolpin is a maggid shiur in Yeshiva Kol ence gave us all such a cheishek, such a ''You know today is Tuesday.n The Torah in Yerushalayim. thirst for learning. whole yeshiva world knew that when

20 The Jewish Observer, February 2002 "today is Tuesday;' you could not talk He would virtually run to the other him improve his eyesight. Afrum doc­ to Rabbi Shach. This person, who had side of the small platform he stood on tor once visited him in his house. To enjoyed a close relationship with to field a question, then turn back to diagnose his problem, the doctor Rabbi Shach, protested, "I don't someone else who had a he'ora (com­ opened up a sefer - it was Shev understand. You have been a Rosh ment). '"\!\That you're saying is impossi­ Shmeitsa - and asked the Rosh Yeshi­ Yeshiva for 35 years. It must be the sev­ ble, because of this and this;' he con­ va to read from it. Rabbi Shach start­ enth time that you're saying this shiur. tinued, and the room exploded. The ed reading very fluently. The doctor [He did not necessarily say a new shiur room was alive with Rabbi Shach's said, "You're doing too well. This is not every cycle.] Moreover, the shiur is shiur. 1 your eyesight functioning; it's your already printed in your Sefer Avi Ezri. Rabbi Shach breathed out the Torah memory." So you know it already. You surely and we inhaled that same Torah. The Rabbi Shach was not attempting to thought it over when you wrote it for life-force of the Torah was contagious. fool the doctor. When Rabbi Shach start - printing. Why do you have to spend a That was the shiur klalli of Rabbi ed reading, he actually saw the words. whole day thinking it overl" Shach. They were real to him.2 Rabbi Shach replied, "Let me The doctor then picked up a copy of explain what a shiur is about. If the Vision That Responded to Torah that day's Yated. Rabbi Shach could not whole idea of the shiur is simply to read the headlines. 3 repeat what it says in a sefer, why n his later years, Rabbi Sha ch had The Torah that he breathed became should I say from Avi Ezri? I could severe vision problems and it was part of him, and all his senses became present a K'tzos; I could say over a I very difficult for him to read. When involved in this activity. Rabbi Akiva Eiger. Their Torah he would prepare the Gemora during 2There i~· a w;Ji~known sto;y regarding··Rabbi insights are surely better than mine. sederon a regular day- before shiur klal­ Akiva Eiger. Toward the end of his life, he was "The idea of a Rebbi teaching is not li, he did not look into sefarim; he was very hard of hearing. He went to visit his son, that he simply says over something just thinking - he was either talking or Reb Shlon10 Eiger, in Warsaw. When he entered a beis niidrash there, a young n1an who later grew from a text. When a Rebbi teaches, he sitting and learning in his place. When to be the famous Chiddushci HaRim was in a dis­ is a living link in the mesora. It is a mat­ looking into the Gemora, he pressed his tant corner saying a s'vora (explanation) to his ter of Torah sheb'a/ peh-Oral I.aw. In face against the page. He would sit like chavrusa. Rabbi Akiva Eigcr co1nmented, "That other words, the ta/mid has to see how that for hours on end because he was yunger man is saying a good s'vora." \!\Then some­ the Torah is living within the Rebbi. thirsty for knowledge. thing interested hi1n, Rabbi Akiva Eiger focused all his strength to hear it, so he managed to hear These thoughts and insights are what Different doctors attempted to help the s'vora of the Chiddushci HaRim frorn the the Rebbi is living; they are what the other side of the bei.s midrash. So it was with Rabbi Rebbi is breathing. This is his air; this 1 One of iny Rebbc'i111 in Philadelphia, Rabbi Shach's vision. 3 is his business; this is his source of life; Mendel Kaplan 7~, used to say that a shiur room This incident is recorded in the Sefer Tuvcha is a gymnasium. You're supposed to be active and Yabiu, by Rabbi Yitzchok Silberstein, a son-in-law this is his source of existence; this is exercise yourself, not sit back and passively of Rabbi Elyashiv, as told by Rabbi Meir Heisler, his sustenance. The talmid must see absorb. who was present. this. And that's what is transmitted to the ta/mid. "The reason I say over Avi Ezri is because that's me. That's what I am breathing, and that's what I can trans­ mit to my talmidim. I need an entire, dedicated day in which I can live the E SELECTION OF shiur.After I live the shiur, it can pos­ BORSA.LINO HATS! sibly have an influence on my We Also Carry talmidim, so that they too accept and Expert fitting • Courteous sezvice Brand Name absorb the shiur." Individualized attention • Hat cleaning & SI.iris & Ties, for The shiur klal/i was an unbelievable Big & Tall as well, experience. As soon as he posed a Renovating • Follow-up care long alter sale kasha, the bachurim responded with al Discount Prices terutzim. You did not just sit back and '"-x listen. He would listen to some of the *'" terutzim- especially from those who had the Siyata D'Shmaya to sit near him. He would say, "But it's shver if you say like that. Why not like this?"

---·------.. --··----·--·--·--··--·--·--··----·--··--··--·--·---- The Jewish Observer, February 2002 21 II. CARRYING HIS PERSONAL LOAD: The Ponevezher Rav said, "Just the rying such a burden on his head - his A MATTER OF FOCUS opposite. Don't disturb him now. He's wife undergoing major surgery- was to tense because a Rambam is bothering direct his thoughts elsewhere.4 abbi Shach's Rebbetzin was very him. You'll see that I'm right." Rabbi Shach once revealed that he sick, and had to undergo a major They waited until after the operation received this as a mesora (legacy) from Roperation. Someone drove the was over, and took Rabbi Shach home. Rabbi Chaim Ozer Grodzenski. When Ponevezher Rav, Rabbi Yosef Kahane­ Rabbi Shach went straight to his study, he was in Vilna at the outset of World man, and a close ta/mid, Rabbi Meir opened up a Rambam, Hilchos Malveh War II, he suffered a personal tragedy; Heisler, to join Rabbi Shach outside the V'loveh, Perek 22, took out a pad of one of his daughters was niftar (passed operating room. When they arrived, they paper and wrote ... for two hours. That away). Reb Chaim Ozer had shared a saw Rabbi Shach pacing back and forth. particular chiddush (original clarifica­ similar experience - his only daughter, Rabbi Heisler told the Ponevezher Rav, tion) is now in the Avi Ezri. who was intellectually gifted and of "He's so tense. Maybe we should talk to The Ponevezher Rav was right. The exemplary middos (character), was also him and comfort him." only way Rabbi Shach could survive car- niftar as a young woman. Reb Chaim Ozer advised Rabbi Shach, "There is only one eitza, only one way to survive: You inhabit the world of 'Lulei Soras'cha sha'ashu'oi oz ovadti b'onyi - If Torah It hurts had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction.' If you're 10 c II immersed in Torah, you are in a differ­ om es I ent world, a world of simcha. Only that can help you endure tragedy." He tried to convey this focus on Torah as a source of simcha to the talmidim, as well. If a talmid offered a .,.i good s'vora, he used to say, "This s'vo­ • ra is worth a million dollars!» Later, when he came into the beis midrash, he would tell other bachurim, "This talmid said a s'vora that's not to be traded for all the riches in the world." It hurts Indeed, Torah was his business; it assumed top priority in his thoughts. My Rebbi, Rabbi Mendel Kaplan, r once elaborated on the comment, "Torah was his business." The occasion was a reference to a matter that had o. been explored at length in an earlier class. One of the bachurim did not recall the discussion. Rabbi Kaplan It feels better just to talk about it. That's said, «We just spoke about it several why we're here. Our staff is made up of caring and sensitive individuals. Together, days ago." The boy replied, "Some peo­ we can help you explore your options. We ple have better memories than others. can refer you to recognized professionals I don't remember. What can I do?" for counseling, legal advice or help in finding a safe environment. We can also Rabbi Kaplan responded with an put you in touch with some very special anecdote: Rabbis. But in order for us to reach out to His old refrigerator had stopped you, you must first reach out to us. working. He realized that a specific Confidential Hotline 1.888.883.2323 part had broken, so he went to a hard­ (Toll Free) ware store and asked for a replacement. 718.337.3700 The storeowner said, "In a minute," Do it for yourself. (NYC Area) went over to a drawer, pulled out the

Do it for your children. Shalom Ta>k Force •s a 501(c)(3) charitable organization 4 Told by Rabbi Heisler.

22 The Jewish Observer, February 2002 part, and gave it to him. Reb Mendel asked the storeowner, «How many parts do you have in this store?" He had all types of appliances and a wide assortment of parts. He said that he ' had between ten and twelve thousand different parts. He asked him, "When was the last time you sold such a part?" This was an old refrigerator and not on the mar­ ket anymore. He replied, "About ten years ago:' Said Reb Mendel, "How did you remember where it is? As soon as I asked you, you went straight there." The storekeeper looked at him in astonishment and said, "What do you mean? That's my business." Reb Mendel told the bachur, "If the Torah is a person's business, then he remembers all the relevant parts." knew of a Jew in Bayit Vegan, Jerusalem outside for two hours until the bachur There is an expression, "Memory is - Reb Shlomo Hoffman, by name - who concluded the session, and then he went a function of identity." You identify with had learned under Rabbi Isaac Sher, the back with him to Bnei Brak. something to the degree that it becomes son-in-law of the Alter of Slabodka, and part of you, and you remember it. The had gained expertise in guiding troubled Torah Rabbi Shach breathed became bachurim. Rabbi Shach deemed it truly part of him. It was the source of his life, urgent that the bachur meet this person Another incident involved a bachur and he did not forget it. immediately, so he traveled with him from a different yeshiva, who was found from Bnei Brak to Bayit Vegan that with reading material not suitable for a 111. ULTIMATE DEVOTION evening. Of course, Rabbi Shach could yeshiva bachur. His Roshei Yeshiva felt TOTALMIDIM not be in the house during their session; that his place was not in yeshiva, and he he realized that it would be extremely should enroll in another type of school. hen a talmid - or even any unpleasant for the bachur if he would (In those days, one asked Rabbi Shach's individual bachur or yunger­ hear him recount his personal struggles advice before taking such drastic action. W man from Kial Yisroel - had and problems. So Rabbi Shach waited One did not simply expel a bachur.) a problem, he was willing to devote time "l"O:l to resolve the issue. 'fhis 1neant taking away from his learning and from his energy. In his lexicon) energy translat­ He Deserves a Camp Aishel Summer ed into learning - similar to the Ainer­ For boys, teens and young men with emotional ican expression, "Time is money." \'\Then disabilities or mild developmental disabilities. he said he was maser nefesh (gave away Camp Aishel is located on the grounds of Camp his life) for his talmidim, he meant that Avraham Chaim Heller and Camp Mogen Avraham in he gave up tin1e from his learning in the heart of the Catskills, in New York State. order to help them. We are currently accepting applications for camper & Rabbi Shach would undertake staff openings. For further information please contact: assignments that even people who do OHEL Children's Home & Family Services not necessarily cherish every minute 718-851-6300 • Fax: 718-851-1672 would likely shun. On the night of bedikas chometz (just before Pesach, when one searches for chometz and oth­ erwise prepares for the festival), some­ body brought a yeshiva bachur to Rabbi Shach because he was in desperate need of therapeutic counseling. Rabbi Shach

The Jewish Observer, February 2002 23 When the question was brought to To Save a Life responded, and the dialogue continued, Rabbi Shach, he asked to meet the back and forth. He then said, "We fin­ bachur before offering advice. He spoke f Rabbi Shach heard that someone ished the Gen1ora. Do you understand to the bachur for a few minutes, and did not have cheishek (drive or the Gemora? It's geshmak (enjoyable)?" sensed that the bachur was having I interest) in learning, he deemed it a "Yes, yes." problems in emuna. So he continued to matter of pikuach nefesh - saving a life. "Alright, let's start Rashi now." speak to the bachur a bit more. Whoever Rabbi Shmuel Deutsch knew of a They went through the Rashi. "The heard Rabbi Shach's shmuessen was younger bachur-just past bar mitzva­ Rashi is good?" "Yes." familiar with the tremendous impact of who seemed to have no cheishek in Rabbi Shach said: "Now we're in mid­ hearing his emuna shmuess, because in learning, so he asked Rabbi Shach to dle of the Tosafos." the same way that he breathed Torah, he speak to him for a few minutes. Hope­ In other words, Rabbi Shach main­ also breathed emuna. fully that would have some influence on tained that there's no such thing as con­ As soon as the bachur left -this meet­ him. Reb Shmuel waited outside of the vincing someone with a lecture that ing had taken place at the end of the room while Rabbi Shach was speaking learning is geshmak. You sit down and you winter z'man (semester)-Rabbi Shach to the bachur. He waited 10, 15 min­ learn with him, and he'll see it himself. indicated that he hoped that the bachur utes ... a half-hour.After an hour, he was When he gave up something for the would straighten out over the spring curious (or lost his patience): What is sake of a bachur, it was not simply his intersession, but the bachur (who lived going on in there? He knocked and time or comfort or convenience that he in Tel Aviv) should meet with him in the entered the room. Rabbi Shach was on sacrificed. He relinquished that which interim. one side of the table, the bachur on the was most valuable to him - learning. After Pesach, this boy's Rebbi asked other. Each of them had a Gemora Kid­ Learning was his prime business until Rabbi Shach if the bachur had come to dushin open. He asked Rabbi Shach, the last day of his life. see him. He said, "The bachur did not "Did you set up a chavrusa (partnership have to come to me. I traveled twice to in Gemora study) with the bachur?" His Remarkable Middos Tel Aviv to see him during the Pesach The Rosh Yeshiva replied, "I asked the intersession. I hope b' ezras Hashem bachur what he's learning, and he told hrough this exceptional devotion, that next z'man everything will be in me Kiddushin. I asked him, 'Do you runs a thread of remarkable mid­ order." know Kiddushin?' He said he has no Tdos - his highly refined and sen­ At the outset of the next z'man, the cheishelc, he doesn't know. So I said, 'Let's s1t1ve character. It would be quite bachurcame back to yeshiva, and told his see if you takeh know or not. Let's open impossible to trace this aspect of his Rebbi that he had no doubts in emuna a Gemora. What are you learning? Daf greatness to one specific source, yet a at all. If Kial Yisroel could produce a per­ Gimme/? Let's start. Read the Gemora.' strong factor in it surely was his rela­ son who is so caring, that he actually And he read the Gemora." tionship with one of his prime Rebbe'im, traveled to Tel Aviv to see him twice, he Rabbi Shach asked his view on an Rabbi Isser Zalman Meltzer ?'llT, a lead­ doesn't have any more questions. observation he made. They boy ing figure of Torah Jewry in the first half of the twentieth century. 5 Why did the Chofetz Chaim & R'Chaim Ozer GrodzinskV start Ezras Torah? Reb Isser Zalman was known for his exceptional middos, in ways that most TO SAVE other people could not fathom. His talmidim, however, did understand TALMIDEI CHOCHOMIM their Rebbi. One example: '"'""'"'~'· FROM THE PAIN AND SHAME OF POVERTY. • '"""""'"'"""" !nan ideal world, those who devote their lives to Torah Emergency Medical Funds. Wedding Assistance, Yom Tov Stipends. Rabbi Shach had a weighty Kial Yis­ would be recognized as the spiritual heroes that they are. Simchas & Special Need's Grants & Loans roel issue on his mind, and he made an Support Ezras Torah's Zedakah Proarams and make that Make a life of Torah devotion and commitment an appointment to discuss it with Rabbi ideal a reality. everlasting edifice that will bring us the Rabbonim, Dayonim In Eretz Yisroel today, Ezras Torah provides Housing, and Leaders of tomorrow! Elyashiv in Yerushalayim. He left Bnei Brak early in the morning, right after STANO UP FOR TORAH! HELP EZRAS TORAH'S Shacharis. After an exhausting trip - he COMMITTED SCHOLARS ANO FAMILIES STAND STRONG! ------was over 90, possibly 95, at the time - YES, I WOULD LIKE TO HELP EZRAS TORAH! Make payments trr. he met with Rabbi Eiyashiv for about ENCLOSED IS MY TAX-DEDUCTIBLE CONTRIBUTION FOR: EZRAS TORAH 0$18 0$36 0$100 0$180 0$250 0$360 0$500 0$1000 0Qther$ 5 Rabbi Shach had studied under Reb Isser Zal­ Method of payment: O Check n Visa .:i M/C ::i AJE -- 235 EAST BROAOWAY, Acc.#: ______Exp. Date: ____ NEW YORK, NY 10002 rnan in Slutzk, Lithuania, before World War I. Name ______,Phone, _____ PHONE: 212·227·8960 After the war, the yeshiva was relocated to Klet­ Please contact me regarding zk, where he was joined by his son-in-law, Rabbi establishing an Ezras Torah Aharon Kotler, who became the Rosh Yeshiva. Endowment Fund for a: Later Rcb lsser Zalman came to Yerushalayim, CJ Free Loan fund O Medical fund where he was Rosh Yeshiva of Eitz Chai1n.

------·------·-·--·-··-··- 24 The Jewish Observer, February 2002 an hour and a half, and then decided on the spur of the moment to discuss the issue with Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Auerbach, as well. In his later years, Reh Shlomo Zalman did not spend the day at home. He maintained a private room in a place unknown to anyone, except for his immediate family, to allow him to study in isolation. Not knowing where that place was, Rabbi Shach went to his house, unannounced. The family ofReb Shlomo Zalman told Rabbi Shach that they would call Akiva Eiger. Now, he said, he came across out any position, how would he proceed their father. Rabbi Shach remained a machlokes in a certain topic and he to the next step in his life's mission of standing there with the person who understands the other side better, not teaching Torah? So he decided to con­ was accompanying him. The family Rabbi Akiva Eiger's. He's working hard sult the Chazon Ish. When he introduced members who remained in the house to understand Rabbi Akiva Eiger's pshat. himself, the Chazon Ish told him, "I invited Rabbi Shach to take a seat in Once Torah is your business, you have know you already;' even though they had the meantime. He refused to sit down your distinct share in the enterprise. If never met. Rabbi Shach had had a chid­ until Reb Shlomo Zalman entered. His he failed to understand Rabbi Akiva dush published in Knesset Yisroe~ a Torah escort afterwards asked him: "The Eiger, then something must be wrong. journal in Europe, and the Chazon Ish Rosh Yeshiva doesn't have that much had read it. From having seen his strength. You completed a taxing trip His Written Legacy Torah, he knew Rabbi Shach's essence. and had a long session with Rabbi To Rabbi Shach's query, he said, "Such Elyashiv about a very important mat­ omeone once commented to a place is not for you. Go directly to the ter. Why didn't you sit down?" Rabbi Shach that he had acquired administration of the school and tell He said, "That I pay a surprise visit Shis share in Olam Habba by pro­ them that you are resigning. Don't even to Reh Shlomo Zahnan in his house is ducing his sefer, Avi Ezri. He replied that go home first. Your wife might convince enough. For me to sit down and act like Avi Ezri will not get him to the Next you that there will be no money to put I own the house is something that I World. He received much kavod (recog­ bread on the table:' cannot do. I have to wait until he nition) for it in this world. It's a "used­ Rabbi Shach followed the Chazon comes and tells me to sit down. I'm not up ticket" (an oisgeklapteh kart'el). Ish's instructions to the letter. in his home until he lets me in." Whatever he published had to be Years later, when he printed his Sefa entes - true to its source, beyond any Avi Ezri, the bachurim had known of the IV. HIS UNIQUE SHARE shadow of doubt. The first time Rabbi incident. They were also aware that IN "THE BUSINESS" Shach met the Chazon Ish, in 1941, it was Rabbi Shach's Torah in Knesset Yisroel in regard to a question of parnassa - was on the topic of"Hanokas Eved Ivri;' ix or seven years ago, a regular vis­ earning a living. He was teaching in an and much to their surprise it was not itor to Rabbi Shach dropped in and institution that so1neone had described included in Avi Ezri. The bachurim asked Sfound him very perturbed about as unsuitable for a person of Rabbi him why it was omitted. He said, "I something. While it was difficult for the Shach's stature. On the other hand, with- reviewed it, and I'm not 100°/o positive Rosh Yeshiva to speak at the time, he was still fully involved in his world oflearn­ ing. The visitor asked him, "What's both­ ering the Rosh Yeshiva?" He told him: Usually, when he was learning during the past eighty or Personal responsibility throughout service - NOT JUST "PAPERWORK" eighty-five years, and he encountered a ORIGINATOR OF THE PRESENT RABBINICALLY APPROVED METHOD machlokes (dispute) in an interpretation Highly recommended by Gedolai Hador- Here and in Eretz Yisrael of a Gemora between Rabbi Akiva Eiger 104J-42nd Street, Brooklyn, NY 11219 and another Acharon (later authority, 111 16 - I 91h century), he always understood Day &Night phone: (718) 851-8925 Rabbi Akiva Eiger's approach better. So )l>P'7JN1~7JNj7 )}l"j7 - )'1~ 1Nl l"117J~)} 'll~ he had assumed that his chelek (share) Kavod Haniftar with Mesiras Nefesh and compassion for the bereaved family. in Torah was similar to that of Rabbi TAHARAS ffANIFTAR SHOULD NEVER BE COMMERCIALIZED

----·-··------·------·------· The Jewish Observer, February 2002 25 that it's true, so I didn't put it in." either. We are not on that level. Our per­ "But the Chazon Ish gave you a haska­ sonal focus 1nust be somewhere in the ma (approbation)," they said. ne n1orning, Rabbi Chairn vast middle ground. We have to know He replied, "Ifl'm not 100% certain, Berman, one of the legends of that it is possible to get a geshmak in I won't include it." 0 Ponevezh, who was also an excep­ learning, even though it may be hard in One can infer, then, that whatever he tional 1nasmid, came to discuss something the beginning. Rabbi Shach himself said did publish was in his view absolutely with the Rosh Yeshiva. The Rosh Yeshiva that he went through much yesurim true. told him that he had seen a Midrash, which (pain) before he was able to learn the did not let him sleep. The Midrash says that way he did in his later years. We have to when the Ribbono Shel Olam gave the know that it is possible to reach certain Torah to Kial YisroeL it was similar to a king lofty levels. One of the important things ne evening, Rabbi Shach asked who gave his daughter in marriage to we must strive for is to achieve the feel­ the Brisker Rav (Rabbi another king. The father told his son-in­ ing that Torah is everything, and any­ 0 Yitzchak Ze' ev Soloveitchik law, "She is my only daughter. Lifrosh thing else is hevel havolim - empty, ';>··~1) a kasha. It seemed to be ironclad, mimena eini yachoL I can't be separated void .... It is obvious that Rabbi Shach with no resolution, and it gave the from her. Do 1ne a favor: wherever you are, lived with that hargasha, that feeling. Brisker Rav no rest. Later that night, prepare a small room for me so that I Torah was the only reality. the Rav came up with a terutz, and should be able to dwell nearby:' The Rib­ In his tzava' a (written will), he wrote instructed one of his children to go to bono Shel Olam said the same about the that he was maser nefesh (literally: gave Rabbi Shach, who then lived in a Torah and Kial Yisroel. away his life) for his talmidim. He gave neighboring section, Geula, to tell It seemed to Rabbi Shach that if you up time and effort, which could have him that he has a teretz, and he should want to know if your understanding of been channeled into Torah study, for the come right over. His son responded Torah is genuine, it 1nust resonate with sake of his talmidim. He requested that that it's a sfek sfeika (a compounded "Lifrosh mimena eini yachol: the Ribbono those who had gained from him in any uncertainty), and it did not pay for him Shel Olam is bound with the Torah you way should help him in turn, and learn to go: "It could be that Rabbi Shach are studying:' Only then is your Torah at least one Mishna or have one already has a teretz, so he doesn't have "Torah." After all, the Ribbono Shel Olam machshava of mussar (thought of self­ to hear one from the Brisker Rav. And says, "I can't be separated from Torah." improvement) in his merit. One might even if he doesn't have a teretz, perhaps Otherwise it's not Torah. Rabbi Shach think that he was asking for something he went to sleep already, and then I'll said, "I'm not sure that my Torah is like small, because he did not want to be be waking him up:' that, and I thus wasn't able to sleep the demanding. But that's not the case. The Brisker Rav told him, "It's whole night." Rabbi Shach knew what one Mishna is clear that he doesn't have a teretz, worth. One Mishna is an example of because if he had one, he would rush V. HIS PATH, OUR LESSONS "Tov li Taras pie ha me' alfei zahav right over to tell me. He knows that I vachessef - The Torah words of Your can't fall asleep until I have a teretz. rom these stories) it is obvious that mouth are more precious to me than You're saying that maybe he fell asleep? we are talking about a person thousands of pieces of gold and silver:' Just as I won't fall asleep until I have Fwhose essence is beyond our grasp. This is not limited to someone who a teretz, neither will he. So obviously, One point, however) is crucial - a point learns the entire day. One word oflearn­ he neither has a teretz, nor did he fall that runs counter to Western culture, ing, in any setting, can be worth more asleep. Go over right away." where they have the concept of specta­ than alfei zahav vachessef So his inten­ tor sports. You sit in an easy chair and tion was not, "Do a small thing for me." follow a game, and then read about it in The effort may be small for us; it only the newspapers. Your team won against takes five minutes to learn that Mishna. the other team. Terrific! But what did you But Rabbi Shach's standard was based financial do? Nothing. You simply decided that on what he could gain from one Mish­ Secrets you're a fan of this or that team . na. He knew how to evaluate a Mishna...... ,.., from the Our lives are centered around our A Mishna is worth the whole world. Torah gedolim. You've heard stories about this or that gadol, and know of his standing f we just select from these feelings on 3 CD's - $18 on 6 tapes - $36 amongst the great personalities of the and attitudes, and incorporate time. That tenuous association cannot I them into ourselves so that they YESHIVA FUND be anyone's ticket to Olam Habba. make a change in us - that would be Box 82, Staten Island, NY 10309 You may postdate your check On the other hand, we cannot be all that Rabbi Shach is asking for. Noth­ until you listen to the program. expected to model our lives after them, ing more. •

26 The Jewish Observer, February 2002 :.;--' · ter can be difficult. Tem- we venture outside on a snowy day it from our spiritual ardor, and leads us eratures plummet down­ would seem that we are actually sur­ away from our path of avodas Hashem. ard. Snowfall, when signif­ rounded by Amalek! What could this Amalek's coldness has the capacity to icant, can last for days or weeks, and can possibly mean? depress us and convince us that our spir­ make a simple walk around the block a The passukin Devarim (28,17) states, itual heat and energy will quickly fade potential accident waiting to happen, "Remember what Amalek did to you, on to despair. The growth that we fought not to mention driving hazards. These the way, when you were leaving Egypt, so hard to gain throughout the Yamim phenomena make one wonder: asher karcha baderech - that he chanced Tovim in the spring and summer Sifrei hashkafa' describe snow as a upon you and attacked you:' months can be lost to the deep freeze symbol of holiness and a reminder of The simple reading, as Rashi explains and cold of the winter snow. Amalek and Hashem's presence. Why, then, does it, is that Amalek's attack was a sur­ snow,3 indeed) form a mutually rein­ snow cause so many problems? Could prising, unexpected one. This was one forcing union. there be something else about snow that aspect of their hideous crime - the sheer Let us explore the philosophy of might explain its negative effects on the brazenness and trickery involved. Rashi, Amalek more deeply. world, effects that seem contrary to the however, also suggests a second mean­ idea of growth and inspiration? ing. The word "karcha" can also mean DESTROYING AMALEK - HOW? This perhaps can be answered with "he cooled you off:' Amalek cooled off another question: the fear of Kial Yisroel that had paralyzed he Netziv, 4 Nesivos Shalom (on On Puri1n we dance and sing with all the other nations. Amalek, then, can Beshalach), and Rabbi Eliyahu friends, deliver shalach 1nanos, and be related to cooling. TEliezer Dessler5 all concur in enjoy a sumptuous feast in fulfillment Rav Tzaddok explains that Amalek is explaining that the mitzva to remember of the day's mitzvos. But wouldn't a per­ related to the force of the yeitzer hara what Amalek did to us and the com­ son grow more by spending the day in (evil inclination) that whispers contin­ mand to destroy the memory of the beis midrash studying Hashem's uously in our ear, "Do you think that Amalek, do not instruct us only to erad­ Torah? What growth is a person to expe­ you can become great? Don't bother icate their physical existence. Rather, the rience on Purim? aspiring to lofty heights. You'll never get main focus of the obligation to wipe out Perhaps the solutions to these ques­ there!" Amalek makes us forget that we Amalek is to combat its philosophy and tions may be interrelated. can reach majestic levels,2 cools us off to safeguard ourselves from the evil 1 Maharal, in Be' er Hagola, p. 85, describes snow effects that such a philosophy can have SNOW: NOT ALWAYS PURE as an illun1inating force that is tantamount to on our commitment to the Ribbono Shel ::,pi ritual light. It is this spiritual light that we must 3 Rav Tzaddok explains that the pnssuk in" Eish~ av Tzaddok Hakohein of Lublin' be ren1inded of specifically in the winter, the sea­ son in which potential for spiritual growth is es Chayif' (Mish lei 31,30), "She shall not fear the mentions that according to Kab­ weakest. See JO, Dec. '99, "Chanuka and Snow." snow in her household," to mean that if a home is run in the proper Torah path, there is no fear ba/a, there is a klipa (barrier to 2 See Divrci Sofrirn, p. 43 and Pri Tzaddik, vol. 3, R of the snow~ of lack of inspiration and coldness. holiness) that is called sheleg (snow), 136. f' p. The word for snow- sheleg- has the saine Snow is definitely seen here as an enemy. nuinerical value (gcmatria) as the word "shikcha," which is associated with Amalek. When 4 which means forgetfulness. This would seen1 to (Rabbi Naftoli Tzvi Yehuda Berlin, ofVolozhin) Rabbi Leff is a Rebbc in the RITSS High School suggest that contrary to the earlier reference, snow Beshalach, 17,14. in Cincinnati. is not a vehicle for growth at all. 5 Michtav M'Eliyahu, vol. 3, p. 317, vol. 5, p. 332

The Jewish Observer, February 2002 27 Olarn and His Torah. Certainly, there are coldness and negativity. We must always Man's task from that moment onward many aspects to its philosophy, but one think on a large, ambitious scale, and became one of sifting and separating of these is kerirus- coldness (as in "kar­ accomplish accordingly. Never can we good from evil. He must seek out the cha baderech") - which is represented by surrender to despair and lack of pro­ good and attach himself to it in all places snow. When using the word "cold" in ductivity. and things. Reb Chaim of Volozhin regard to someone's personality, we refer The Midrash Tanchurna, Re'eh 13, offers an example of this challenge, to the lack of vitality, enthusiasm, and emphasizes this point: involving the eating of food. If we eat zest for life. The person seems to view "Chizkiya said: There are twelve with appropriate behavior ( derech eretz) life in a pessimistic, morose way and will months of judgment for the wicked in and intent, we extract the holy elements usually dismiss all positive, productive purgatory ( Gehinnorn). Six months are from the food and absorb it into our undertakings, saying that nothing good suffered in heat and the other six soul. If instead we eat merely to please will ever materialize. Significant, lofty months are in cold. Hashem first places our palates and fill our stomachs in an heights cannot be reached. This is them in the heat and then puts them in animalistic fashion, we increase the Amalek's essence. the snow." potential for evil within us. The Midrash also describes Amalek Bitz Yosef explains that there are two as a "letz." Rabbi Yitzchak Hutner6 distinct areas in purgatory. The Gehin­ SEEING THE NEGATIVE explains that this is not to say that nom of Fire is a punishment for all sins •.. OR THE POSITIVE Amalek "makes jokes;' in the way we that were done with passion and ener­ normally translate "letz." Rather gy against Hashem. The Gehinnom of s mentioned, this concept of leitzanus means cynicism. Cynical peo­ Snow purges one of the effects of sins seeking out the good applies to ple seek out the negative in everything. that are due to laziness and a lack of Aall things in the world - includ­ Rabbi Hutner uses an allegory: A" letz" energy. In addition, the punishment of ing snow. There are some pesukin1 11 in looks at a building to find the crack that Snow is meted out for all mitzvos done Tanach that imply that snow is a force can topple the whole building. In without zeal and excitement. We must of evil, while others indicate that snow attacking us, Amalek was trying to con­ live our lives with passion for avoda is a positive one. Both are true, even vey to Kial Yisroel- and to the world at (serving Hashem), and strive to avoid the si1nultaneously. It is a matter of how we large - that although it may seem at the Gehinnom of Snow and Amalek. view snow and how we deal with it. time that the Jewish People are with G-d, Every object and every situation in and that He will always protect and save SNOW -A SYMBOL OF PURITY? creation contains within it potential for them from enemies, this relationship spiritual growth and fulfillment. .. and cannot last. The inspiration aroused by es, snow can symbolize a total lack the capacity for evil and destruction. Yetzias Mitzrayim would not survive the of growth. Yet, as mentioned, And so it is with regard to snow. If we test of time. Ymany sources indicate that snow look at the superficial effects of snow, The Jews' great spiritual attainments is a positive, inspirational symbol. We become discouraged and annoyed, and as they left Egypt were compared to a can bridge this dichotomy with com­ stop at that, then all we will see are its scaldingly hot pool of water. The peo­ ments of Rav Tzaddok,9 with some negative aspects. But if we allow our- 10 ple of Amalek were willing to burn insights from Reb Chaim ofVolozhin. ---···--··--·------themselves by attacking us as long as Like many concepts in Jewish philoso­ 6 Pachad Yitzchak, Purim, pp. 27~33. See further they could demonstrate that we can be phy, the roots of this understanding are for an extensive analysis on the differences in atti~ tude between Amalek and Yisroel. cooled off and our heat of inspiration in the Garden of Eden. 7 Sec Divrei Sofrim, p. 43, Machshavas Charutz, would not endure (Rashi, Devarirn One of the disastrous effects of eat­ pp. 35, 129. Rav Tzaddok suggests that often the 25, 17). The battle against Amalek, ing of the forbidden fruits of the Bitz yeitzer hara will not try to tempt a person to sin, which lasts for all the generations, is to Hadaas Tov Va'ra (the Tree of Knowl­ but simply lessen his enthusiasm for mitzvos. make sure that we do not lose our pas­ edge) by Adam and Chava was that tov When this occurs, one should try to remind one­ self of the 1nitzva to remember and destroy sion7 and our excitement for Torah and (good) and ra (evil) became mixed and Amalek. mitzvos. We must continually strive to confused. Before the sin, a person could 8 See also Pri Tzaddik, vol. 3, p. 136. The Midrash maintain our energy and make our serv­ decide to be totally evil or entirely good, continues to distinguish between the nations and ice of Hashem dynamic. We must not let and adhere to his decision, because good Kial Yisroel. The nations 'complete' their time in ourselves fall into the insidious trap of and evil were distinct and separate from Gehinnom in the snow and Kial Yisroel does not, each other. After eating of the forbidden because they involve themselves in rnitzvos. This might indicate that Amalek and the nations fruit, good and evil became mingled accentuate the negatives and coldness of life rep­ confusingly in all people and all objects resented by snow, whereas Klal Yisroel is con­ of the world. It became difficult to dis­ tinually growing through their avoda and tinguish between what is right and prop­ mitzvos. 9 er and what is wrong and improper. Divrei Sofritn, p. 42.

28 The Jewish Observer, February 2002 selves to dig deeper, to uncover and from the coldness of Amalek. but the gematria (numerical value) of explore the depth of what snow is, then "Kasheleg' 13 is also that of "simcha" 14 we will be in touch with the beautiful, PURIM AND SNOW - happiness. Snow, as with all things in extremely positive, and genuinely spir­ life, has the potential to be viewed, and itual aspects of snow. n Purim, then, we celebrate our used, as either good or evil. Yes, both And this would strike a decisive blow distinction from Amalek and are true. The yeitzer hara knows how in the battle against Amalek. Otheir cold, cynical philosophy of powerful a symbol for inspiration life. We express our capacity to recog­ snow can be, and therefore has his stake FIGHTING AMALEK ON PURIM nize the positive12 aspects in all of cre­ in snow, as well. - WITH PASSION ation and shun the negative. We thus It would appear now that our ques­ view snow focusing on the purity and tions have been answered. Snow can cool urim celebrates the victory over the holiness it entails, and not its cold, off our passion for living a Torah Amalekian approach. Kial Yisroel unpleasant effects. lifestyle, but through experiencing Pwas faced with an extremely Snow may be a symbol of Amalek, Purim, the passion returns. • despairing situation - physical annihila­ tion through the hands of Haman and Amalek. Amalek was convinced that it finally was going to demonstrate that Jew­ ish closeness with G-d would be termi­ nated forever: Inspiration and positive thinking will not endure. In a dramatic, turnabout fashion, Amalek suffered defeat at the hands of Kial Yisroel. We prevailed - and we always will; despair will never fully reign. Inspiration and growth do have enduring value, and positive thinking will ultimately trample over cynicism. This may explain why Purim is a very unique time of simcha. All of the day's mitzvos involve increasing our happiness or the happiness of others. Gifts to the poor, exchanging food with friends, eat­ ing and drinking merrily, and reading of our victory over Amalek in the Megilla - all are intended to maximize our feelings of joy, dynamism, and pas­ sion for Hashem and His Torah. In this way, we increase our zest for life and for avodas Hashem, and distance ourselves This Purim, when you send IO Ruach Chaim III: 3. your little ones out to deliver 11 See note 5. A contrasting passuk is Yeshayahu Mishloach Manos, send 1,18: "If your sins are red like scarlet, they will alongsornethingspecial-Haolam Cheese. Cheese, you're giving wholesome goodness become as white as snow." Haolam Cheeses add variety -nature's finest gifts for this special holiday. 12 According to the insights of Rcb Chain1 of to "Shalach Manos" -a wheel ofHaolam So this Purim, don't give stale cake, Volozhin mentioned earlier in the article, we can Gouda or Muenster, our popular Smoked loose popcorn, or crumbling cookies. explain a statement cited in Sfas Emes, Purin1, p. Cheese Sticks, or your favorite triangles. Give the gift that's good for you ... and 181: "On Purim, we must soar beyond the level And when you give a bottle the little ones, too! of the Eitz Hadaas Tov Va'ra." It is on Purin1, when of wine, a nice piece of fruit, and Haolam This year, smile, give cheese, and say ... we successfully separated between the tov and ra HAPPY PURIM! in creation by destroying the An1alek philosophy of focusing on negative, that we singled out the good in creation and allowed once again for tov and ra to be distinct and not confusingly mixed. 13 As in" Kasheleg yalbinu- Your sins will become THE l'IOST TRUSTED l'IAl'IE 11'1 CHOLOVYISROEL CHEESE white as snow;' from Yishayahu 1,18. 14 Rav Tzaddok in Divrei Sofrim, p. 42.

------·------··--···-·-···-·---·-·------·--- The Jewish Observer, February 2002 29 METSUDA.H PUBLICATIONS launched its first title, the Metsudah Pirkei Avos. Two BACK IN PRINT: years later. the concept of linear Hebrew/ English translations was born, with the advent of the famous The acclaimed METSUDAH Metsudah Siddur. A new era in understanding and !earning CHUMASH/RASHI had begun. full-size Read the sample translation above. Read it again. The advantages of this type of translation are obvious: edition! • Sn>E>-BY,.SmE TRANSLATION: The English translation is right Available beside the Hebrew text - no need to search through an entire page to find the corresponding words. individually • EASY ON THE EYES: Your eyes sweep naturally, from or as a right to left and back again to the beginning of the next line- just as they do when reading a line of standard boxed set. Hebrew text! • CLEAN, NEAT PAGE: The page layout is clear, balanced and eye-pleasing, making it easy to read! • COMPREHENSION: The "phrase-at-a-time" breakdown is unparalleled, enabling you to grasp the meaning of the verse. while at the same time allowing you to zero in on specific words. The result: improved comprehension. guaranteed! Tens of thousands. worldwide. have benefited from this successful, time-proven method. Try Metsudah and "increase your happiness" todayl

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t's a mysterious thing, this impulse still: that so many other Jews feel the ; o-called to live here. Like other things that are same way. People from cultural back­ "accordion" double-length bus was I so much a part of me that I take grounds as different fron1 mine as packed. There were about a hundred then1 as givens - such as my maternal China's, or Ethiopia's, or Italy's - fifty people on board, almost all of instinct, or the desire for a roof over my whether we speak of those who were whom were traveling in silence, bearing head, or coffee first thing in the morn­ raised in accordance with religious tra­ a re1narkably similar facial expression, ing - this inner prompting to be in dition or those, like 1ne, for whon1 which I then realized was on my own Jerusale1n has proven itself to be as inex­ Judaism once seemed no less foreign face, too: stillness. plicable, as unchanging, as the natural than Zen - experience that identical l was a standee. When a news report inclination of a co1npass to point north. impulse, as if we'd all been made in the came on loudly over the bus radio that If I stand aside and try to observe same factory. This country may be there had been a suicide bombing of a this phenomenon objectively, it arous­ accused of racism, but the fact is that the bus in Haifa in which at least ten were es an awe in me for my own Jewish State is a veritable Benetton ad killed, the elderly man in the seat in front inscrutable self. What was it that drew for racial and national diversity, as has of me asked, "Whatl Did he say in 1ne as a young won1an, and held me been the case down through the cen­ Haifa?" I nodded. He threw back his here though I was alone, separated turies, ever since the first Jew, Abraham, face, raised his arms palms up and fro1n family and home in America? heard a divine call to" Lech Lecha ... Go, yelled, "Elokim! Elokim!" [God! God!] What in the world was it which told to the land that I will show you." Last night I attended the funeral for me to n1arry someone who intended a fifteen-year-old boy who was killed in to stay in this turbulent Middle East­ * * * one of this week's four suicide bomb­ ern land where Ground Zero is every­ ings. His mother, who kept falling as she where, where bon1bs have been going t has been said that the best way to was escorted to the cemetery, was cry­ off since n1y arrival twenty-five years love son1ething is to realize it can be ing, "I can't bury 1ny son! I can't bury ago; where for as long as I've been a I lost) and this was self-evident when my son! I'll die!" mother, I've bid the children a secret I was in Manhattan the week after This morning I went downtown unsaid goodbye whenever they leave September 11th. Love was in the air. and got a cappuccino in the Rimon Cafe, the house? Where prices are high and Here in Israel, that kind of love has where a number of customers had salaries low, where people joke that in had three thousand years to grow. been seriously injured, then walked over this country, you can't count on 1nak­ On Saturday night, we heard the to the spot where candles of reme1n- ing a fortune but you can surely explosions, watched the ambulances count on losing it? fro1n our kitchen window, heard the This inner compass is a nlystery, but sirens in our sleep. The next rnorning something else strikes tne as stranger, in an act of defiance, a refusal to be intimidated, l took a number 18, the line Sarah Shapiro of Jerusalc111 is a frequent con­ tributor to these pages, 1nost recently with her I've been too afraid to travel on since the interview with Mrs. J'vlirian1 Brovcndcr (Feb. '01 ). double suicide bombing of two number

The Jewish Observer, February 2002 31 brance had been set up. Two Newsweek daily Dagen, then by The Jerusalem Post, photographers, a man and a woman, which delayed publication of his were trying to pass through the police remarks until the report could be veri­ barriers, and I chastised them. "Look, fied. Arafat had been taped telling his lady;' the woman snapped. "We're just audience that Israel would "collapse in trying to record this so people will know the foreseeable future. We Palestinians what's going on here! The Palestinians will take over everything, including all pull out the dead children for us to take of)erusalem ... We plan to eliminate the pictures. I don't understand what these State of Israel and establish a Palestin­ Israelis are thinking! Isn't there anyone ian State. We will make life unbearable around here who wants some PR?" for Jews by psychological warfare and YESHIVA FUND Groups of store owners and workers population explosion. Jews will not want Box 82, Staten Island, NY 10309 were busy up and down the block to live among Arabs." Then he added: "I installing large new windows for the have no use for Jews. They are and will store-fronts that had been shattered. remain Jews." Glass crackled under my feet. I looked As I turned to go, I caught sight, in ~" Invei up and second and third story windows a blown-out storefront of a silver goods 0 were also blown out. Red-brown blood shop, on an otherwise empty, charred B~ c- Hagefen spattered the nearest brick wall. display shelf, of an eight-branched [cCfcr I thought for the umpteenth time of Chanuka menora. Someone had stuck C~C ( The Shidduch service an incident that occurred in the early it there though there was no glass any­ tLl for older singles nineties, when the Oslo Peace Process more in the window to keep it from C.. A project of N'shei was still going strong. A speech given by being stolen. Agudath Israel with Yasser Arafat before a closed gathering A sudden joy flickered through me Agudath Israel of America of Arab ambassadors in Stockholm, was like fire. In a few more days, in windows 6619 13th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11219 secretly recorded, translated from the throughout Israel, the lights will be Tel. (718) 256-7525 •Fax (718) 256-7578 Arabic, and published by the Norwegian burning. •

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32 The Jewish Observer, February 2002 REPORT FROM EllE7Z YISROEL Debbie Shapiro

here are son1e evenings that will the system and one is overwhelmed with tures, and spent over six weeks with his ren1ain engraved in your memo­ emotion. Thank G-d I am safely on the mouth wired together. Try, warming your heart for years bus, and my children are secure in their The attack warranted less than one to come. beds, but so many of my friends have sentence in the local newspaper. Motza'ei Shabbos started out as just children who frequent the midrachov on A close friend of mine, a single moth­ such an evening. It was spent visiting Motza'ei Shabbos. I refuse to allow er with five children, was shot in the close friends of mine who had recent­ myself to think beyond that and quick­ chest this Succos and reported as "mod­ ly made aliya and built their dream ly begin to recite Tehillim. erately wounded.'' house on a small moshav outside Kiry­ By the time I arrive home it is after The bullet pierced her liver, and then at Sefer. 12:30, yet everyone is still awake, still in passed within less than a millimeter of Childhood memories, laughter, good shock. Over 180 people, most of them her heart and I ungs before miraculous­ food; it was an evening of nostalgia, an youngsters, are wounded, and I 0 pre- ly exiting between her ribs. Although she evening of wonder that was grateful to be alive, so many years had gone she spent over two by and that now we were months in the hospital, even older than our par­ recovering fro1n her ents had been "way back wounds. when." Just two of the many Later, someone drove statistics, two of the me to Kiryat Sefer, where thousands of precious I returned to reality and Jews who were "only" had a quick visit with my lightly or moderately married children before injured. catching the 11 :30 bus It would be wonder­ back to Yerushalayim. ful if the politicians I had planned on could come up with spending the 40-minute some magic formula to bus ride catching up on erase terroris1n. A quick my sleep. I knew that it solution to eradicate evil would be after midnight and anti-Semitism. We'd by the time l arrived give in a little, they'd give home, and I had to get up in a little, everyone early the next 1norning. would understand each Before closing my eyes, I other and the world asked the won1an in the would be filled with seat ahead of 1ne to 111ake good will. sure I didn't sleep But that, as we all through my bus stop. know, is only wishful That was when I heard the cious Yiddishe nesha1nos have been thinking. announcement on the radio: two enor­ murdered. mous bombs had exploded in the cen­ Rabbi Ziemba's perspective ter ofYerushalayim. Half an hour later, Jewish blood is still cheap we were told that there had been a third abbi Menachem Ziemba, the explosion - this time a deadly car t has been close to one year and three famous Rav of the Warsaw Ghet­ bomb, precisely timed to maim and months since the beginning of this Rto, was a member of the pre-war injure the rescue workers. I mini-war. Every day - every single Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah and one of the All the words commonly used to day - there arc shootings, bombings, leading speakers at the third Knessiya describe "terror" cannot even begin to 1niracles and tragedies. Gedo/a (Jnternation Conference of Agu- depict that icy, gripping feeling that My own son was "lightly injured" a few comes as the adrenaline rushes through months ago after Arabs pelted his car with stones. Out of control, his car bounced nil>:l ni?w>:l ·T-- Mrs. Shapiro, a professional writer in Jerusalen1 back and forth across the highway until SHALACHMANOT.COM whose byline appears weekly in the Atnerican it crashed into the center and flipped over Yated Ne'cn1an, has had artides published in these U.S, - ISRAEL on its side. My son needed three hours of pages, 1nost recently, "Reb Shimshon's (877) 258·2829 Truth"(May 'OJ). emergency surgery to repair niultiple frac- l'""l,1'11.l'> .,W:l

The Jewish Observer, February 2002 33 Zionism - have been •Shimon bar Yochai," con­ tears. She told the reporter that she was to us through the generations. Yes, we cluded Rabbi Ziemba "was teaching us a ger tzeddek, a convert to Judaism. must take whatever measures are nec­ an in1portant lesson. 'It is a halacha' - "When I converted several years ago," essary to secure a true peace. But at the it is a halacha without any reason, and she said in halting Hebrew, "I was told same time, we must know that "kol kol no matter what we do, we will not be that through accepting the Jewish reli­ Yaakov." Our true strength lies in the able to discover the cause." gion, I was accepting everything that power of our tefilla. Rabbi Menachem Ziembas's words goes along with it, including the anti­ The choice is ours. We must turn to are as relevant today as they were over Semitism. the One who is the Cause of all caus­ 60 years ago. 'fhere is no rational rea­ "I accepted it then," she continued, es and beg Him to put an end to our son for anti-Sen1itism. There is no "and now I must also accept it." suffering. •

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34 The Jewish Observer, February 2002 .ttle light can dispel much souls delight in sefarim we finally have taining two small Shabbos candles every arkness, says the Chovos time to read through, shiurim we can Friday. Af aLevavos. attend. We turn off the cell phones, the But if the goal is simple, the project, Of darkness there is plenty. We've got computer screens, the beeps and rings involving thousands of volunteers, hun­ the darkness of prejudice ("All Charei­ and noise and sheer frenzy that char­ dreds oflocations, and a weekly expen­ dim want to transform the democratic acterize our lives and tune into a world diture of nine thousand dollars to cre­ State of Israel into Khomeini's Iran))), that is quieter, a reality that is closer to ate hundreds of thousands of"Shabbos the darkness of hatred (Kibbutz Sde emes, truth, in this confusing world. kits;' - more than 4.3 million kits every Boker, November 2001: a 22-year-old But for millions of Israelis, Shabbos year! - is certainly not. burns a Sefer Torah and desecrates a is a very different twenty-four-hour As Jewish homemakers have known shul, citing anti-religious incitement as span. You watch your soccer game and for generations, to be ready for Shabbos his reason), the darkness of despair. pull in the latest dirty laundry from the you must begin much earlier in the ("They hate us, the chillonim, and they heavy clotheslines of political scandal. week. The Neiros Shabbos project begins care about nothing but their villas and If you're in the upscale suburbs of Tel with the delivery of thousands of can­ their t.v. We can't ever reach them.") Aviv you examine the latest Paris fash­ dles, plastic bags, and 4 page pamphlets Most prevalent, possibly most perfidi­ ions in the mall and maybe sip an to dozens of packing points. One mitz­ ous of all, we have the darkness of igno­ espresso with a friend; poorer people va brings another: The kits are put rance - the kibbutz-bred youngster tnake do with a movie and a MacDon­ together by the homebound and elder­ who doesn't know what "Shen1a" is, the ald's burger, while teens check out the ly looking for a place that they can con­ youngsters in Teveria who live a five­ disco scene or drink lager in pubs. At tribute, a mitzvah they can do, and by minute walk from R' Akiva's tomb and best, Shabbos for those Jews is a family young people with special needs who have never heard of him, never heard of day, a short and pleasant lull in busy learn much by the structured activity. martyrdom, never even heard of the Tal­ lives. At worst Shabbos is a threat, a day The pamphlet, beautifully designed in mud. of banned public transport, stones four colors, includes the text of the Indeed, a lot of darkness. But there thrown at cars amidst shrieking shouts beracha on hadlokas neiros and a tejilla are also glowing glimmers of light to - could our ancestors have ever to say after lighting, Kiddush, clear sparkle and illuminate the blackness of believed that the word "Shabbos" would instructions, and an inspirational story gal us. be regarded by Jews as an epithet? - or thought on the subject of Shabbos. This is the story of one such light. and the heavy hand of perceived "reli­ Contact numbers for those interested in For most of the 1nen and women gious coercion." Into this aln1ost impen­ more information are also provided. reading this article, Shabbos is a time of etrable darkness, though, comes light: Once the kits are packaged a small white joy and warn1th. We reconnect with our the blinding light of 90,000 candles. seal is affixed, bearing the date and the families, with our own spiritual needs, time when Shabbos comes in that week. with our Creator. The delicious smells The Project The final product, put together lov- of fresh-baked cha/la and glistening chicken soup nurture our bodies; our haracteristically, the name of the project is simple and Mrs. Zakon is Senior Editor at ·1argu1n Press and Cstraightforward: Neiros Shabbos, j __ editor of Horizons. She has wrilten and trans­ Shabbos candles. Its aim is just as clear: lated n1any books, and is a frequent contributor to these pages, 1nost recently, with "Four Days in to bring the light of Shabbos to as many Poland" (May '01 ). Jews as possible by giving out kits con-

The Jewish Observer, February 2002 35 ingly by arthritic fingers or slow but sin­ sticks, and a challa cover. But while most the many women who walk by. "Would cere hands, is then picked up by still of their friends are setting the Shabbos you like candles for Shabbat!" As an arm other volunteers and delivered to sev­ table in their dining room these women wrapped in a modest long sleeve reach­ eral distribution centers. One Jerusalem are putting out the Kiddush cup and es out to one clad in khaki to offer a kit apartment receives 40,000 such kits china plates on small folding tables near an electric connection occurs: here is a monthly; Ashdod, home to thousands shopping centers, n1edical clinics, and woman's heritage being handed to her of Russian immigrants) gets 64,000; and busy thoroughfares. in a plastic bag. Tel Aviv, bastion of Israeli secularism, If it is the Shabbos table - complete receives 14,000 for its 14 distribution with bud vase and bottle of wine -that Who takes the candles? tables. gets the attention of the passersby, it is For more than 600 busy Jewish the women's s1niles that captivate them .th 90,000 kits being handed women, the project begins on Friday completely. "Shabbat shalom;' these out every week) the stories morning. Like their Torah-observant sis­ women from Jerusalem's Geula neigh­ W:coming in from all over the ters throughout the world, they pull out borhood, the Gerrer enclave in Ashdod, country are legion. a white tablecloth, gleaming candle- or Rechov Rabbi Akiva in Bnei Brak tell An elderly Russian couple passes a Shabbos table. The wife gives it a cursory glance and walks on. The husband stops, almost paralyzed. Haltingly, in rusty Yid­ Subscribe or give a gift of dish, he speaks to the volunteers, remembering his grandmother and mother from a time and a place so far The Jewish Obseroer away, lighting candles. He gratefully takes a kit and turns to his wife. "I'll show you how to do it;' he says softly. and $ave! A police car in Haifa pulls up in front WHY NOT GIVE OR GET A PRESENT of a Shabbos table. Though the organ­ THAT WILL LAST AN ENTIRE YEAR? ization sees to it that all necessary per­ mits are obtained, the volunteers are Subscribe. or give a gift at thPse n:duceJ prices nervous. Perhaps they will be ordered to and 1'he Jewish Observer- fiJlcd with the views move, even ticketed? The cop, tough member of Israel's Finest, smiles. "Can of leuding Torah thinkers on current issues- \vill be I have some candles?" he asks. "It's for delivered each rnonth, directly to your door. 1ny wife." The longer you subscribe frff, the largt>r your savings. A woman passes a Jerusalem table. ()f eoursf', this offf'r is unconditionally t.,'Uaranteed; "Your candles are now in Dallas, Texas," you may cancel at any tin1e and reC'Pive a refund for she tells the volunteers. "I sent them to my daughter who lives there." all undelivered copies. An Egged bus on the Kiryat She­ So order today, and the very next issue will be on mona-Tel Aviv route passes an inter­ its 'vay to you as soon as possible. section near Chatzor in the Galilee. The bus is packed with soldiers, men and women. It's been a tough week in the ;:J YES, I want to take advantage of this 111011ey saying offer! Enter nt~' order as follows: north, with Hezbollah firing mortars

!.J SE!J' 0 <~IFT from the nearby Lebanese border, and t'M 'Ol'J',;((lf: ONLl tM the soldiers look tense and weary. With 0 3 years Cover Price Sl05 Your cost $60 .$96 typical Israeli abandon the driver stops City ______0 2 years Co,·er Prire $70 Your cost $44 $68 short in middle of the highway, opens lJ l year Cover Price $:3S Your cost S24 s::Ki Stair·---·-~--_ /,ip _____ his window and yells," Giveret, come on ::::J SPnd )!:•fl emlr (}/,,,-,.,,.,r i.< 1•11Mi.,hed mtmlhl.l "-'""!'/ )1!!, llnd 4u!".'1SI. cialty of the house is pork. A Jew is a Jew, Please allm<' 4 · 6 11echs}Or deiit>'n. Expirn1im1 Dato·: (moni!il1ear) ______she thinks, and decides to go in and give '·Out.-id~ \ '_S_.-\_ prf,·~ wfl~,·h $12 nlr;1 p~r :-~'"tu d~fo"y air 'hipping """· fo,.Pi)(n paynwnt •Hlh1 h<" rnarlP in L .:;, dollaio. <·illu'1' hy l'iH'<·k out kits to the customers. A man rush­ dm''" nr> n li"nk in ilw {- ..... ,, , •>r h; I /Sil •W ,\Lt>l<'1{~~n! es up to her as she stands on the thresh-

36 The Jewish Observer, February 2002 old. "This place is not for you;' he tells the Chabad house in Rome for the infor­ But with all this, how does a busy her, in a thick Russian accent. She looks mation, but the woman shrugged; woman, wife, and mother manage? A at him. "And it's a place for you?" she apparently, it was too much trouble. Just close friend of mine spent two years as responds. They strike up a conversation, then another woman, religious by the a volunteer, manning a table in Tzefas and he introduces her to his wife. looks of her, passed by."! just had to stop until she gave birth to her tenth child "Would you like some Shabbos candles?" and tell you how lovely this table is;' she some months ago. She declares, with the volunteer asks. said. "I live in Rome) I'm here for a visit. absolute conviction, that her Fridays The man stares, coughs, looks at the I am part of the Chabad house .... " were more organized, more restful, ground. Finally he speaks. "You know, Another story. A woman who works and far more pleasurable when she was I always thought I'm nothing but a a table near a Netanya mall decided to giving out the candles. "How did you hooligan, a bum. Now I know that I'm change her location, move to a new spot manage?" I ask. "Was it the kids who did also a Jew." in the city. A few weeks later, a suicide the work, or did you pare down your His wife takes the candles. bomber detonated his deadly load on a preparations or begin earlier in the Friday, on the exact spot where the table week?'' "No," she says. "It was absolute Not missionaries, but used to be. (Since we do not rely on mir­ Siyata d'Shmaya, pure and simple. I can't women with a mission acles, at the request of gedolim the tables wait until the baby is old enough for me are no longer located in malls and other to go back;' she adds with a laugh. "I ho are these volunteers who areas which have been targeted by the want my Fridays to become easier take hours out of a Jewish bombers.) A nearby shopkeeper who again." W woman)s busiest day to stand had been helpful to the volunteers saw Israel tends to homogenous neigh­ in the summer's heat and winter's cold half of her store blow up - she stood, borhoods, and it is all too easy for the and accost strangers? They are Sefardic safely, in the other half. She has since told religious to forget that those" chillonim" and Ashkenazic. Their husbands wear the volunteers that she is certain it was out there are just as Jewish as you and shtreimels, fedoras, and knitted kipot. the merit of Shabbos that kept her safe. me. A few Fridays spent near the glass­ They are middle-aged mothers of large More than the overt miracles, fronted buildings of Herzliya or the families, young women with babies, though, are the quiet ones: the lady who pedestrian mall in Teverya is enough to retirees. They are of all political affilia­ adamantly refused the kit who later, a shatter stereotypes on both sides. Says tions; so1ne are native Hebrew speakers, bit sheepishly, begins to light every week; one volunteer: "I love to see Am Yisroel others fluent in English, Russian, or the boy with an earring who becomes in its beauty. I see the precious French. Though there are many differ­ a regular reader of Hamodia (available neshamos. Never mind how they look on ences between them, it is what they have free at many of the tables), the secular the outside." in common that is more iinportant. man who, outraged at a security guard's All the volunteers agree that whatever They are all Jewish women who love refusal to allow the volunteers into a it is they are giving, they are getting their Yiddishkeit and want to share it mall, takes the kits and gives them out much more in return. with their sisters. They all care about all himself. of Kl al Yisrael, not just their small piece of it. And, it seems, they all are blessed with contagious smiles. They are careful not to argue or preach. They show the same pleasant countenance to one who curtly refuses their candle and calls them missionar­ ies; often, the dour rebuff is followed, in later weeks, by a more accepting atti­ o $1~ 180 Candle kits will illum1na1e 1SO noty~observant homes. tude, and there is hardly a volunteer who o $100 Provides for the upkeep of a medioin.la1Jle cannot point to a «regular" who once o $200 Will allow us to establish a new table absolutely, positively didn't want a kit. o $9000 Distribution of Shabbos·l , ' a question (a common phenomenon). Neirus Shabbos c./o Oneg Shabbos. She was traveling to Rome and was curi­ P.O. Box 300917, Brooklyn, NY }1230 ous: did the women know when Shab­ Tel: 718-338-7985 bat started there? The volunteers sug­ Endorsed by Gedolei Harabonim, incliJ~inµ Harav Pfim i"11, gested that the traveler be in touch with Harav Salomon Shlita, Harav Perlow Shi/ta. amorig others.

The Jewish Observer, February 2002 37 A Friday in Ramat Eshkvl sunlight, and a busy Kupat Cholim med­ In a rare moment of quiet, the vol­ ical clinic. In front of this clinic one sees unteer points to a shop across the way. he commercial center of an odd sight: a fully set Shabbos table. The owner, she said, had objected Jerusalem's Ramal Eshkol neigh· I stand a few feet away, jotting down vociferously to their table, which had Tborhood is a busy place, partic­ n1y impressions of the morning. A heen placed nearby. Not wanting to ularly on a Friday morning. On one side woman in a green s'veater and white cause an argument, they had simply of the street stand a bank, supermarket, pants passes with her bare-headed hus­ changed locations. Some time later, a a flower shop, a bakery, and the ubiq· band. She gratefully takes the kit as he new volunteer, not knowing of her uitous greasy shwarma joint (free salad, gives the volunteers, two women from antipathy, had offered her the candles. as much as you can eat). The street itself Geulah, a thumbs-up sign. An elderly The owner was much moved and is abuzz with automobiles' constant woman is wheeled over by a Filipino accepted them. Seeing that the women honking, weaving, and speeding, occa­ aide. Later, one of the volunteers tells me each week had to fold their table and lift sional altercations between drivers, that the homebound woman, not reli­ it into the trunk of the cab that would huge Egged buses bearing down on tiny gious, had been very depressed. About bring them home, the store owner Volkswagens. Across from the center are a year before she began coming to the offered to keep it for them, helping her· large apartment blocks, their Jerusalem table on Fridays to chat. Her spirits have self to a piece of the mitzva. stone fronts glowing in the thin, wintry improved, and she now takes eight kits 1~he minutes pass. A Russian woman back home with her, to give out to asks when Shabbos starts. A blonde neighbors. In inclement weather, or if woman tells us she's from Sweden, is not Digest of Meforshim she's not well, she sends her faithful Fil­ Jewish, but wishes us luck. Several doc­ ipino out to get the lights. tors come out of the clinic and pick up ~v1p7 in:i ~v1p7 Hamodia; one, the volunteers tell us, is ?··~r 1VV'm 7N1r.:i-ei l··;rr.ir.:i such a regular that if they run out before .A·vailable at he comes, they race to a nearby news­ LEKUTE I stand and buy it for him. A chayelet, a c/o Yit;;;chok Rosenherg Modesty woman soldier, takes a kit, while her 1445 54th Street Brooklyn, NY 11219-4228 is the pony-tailed boyfriend smiles. A man in 718-851-5298 Best jeans and t -shirt takes a kit for his wife; 20 Volumes on Torah, Perek, Med.rash, Policy so does a woman with high-heels and Megilos, Talmud, and Tehilim. a determined, dress-for-success look. A white-haired woman with a colorful Proceed) of sale~ distributed an1ong Yeshivos and used for reprinting of sweater slowly circles the table, a dreamy volun1es out-of-print YESHIVA FUND look on her face. PRICE: $8.00 PER VOLUME Box 82, Staten Island, NY 10309 A nearby secular public school dis- Free Sample for Teachers 1nisses its students. Many of the children, in sweat pants and t-shirts, wave, and YOUR CAR llV ISRAEL... YOVR CAR llV l.SRAEL ... YOUR CAR llV ISRAEL some stop and take kits to bring home. A boy of about twelve races over. Beneath his mushroom haircut is a pleasant, freckled, Jewish face. He walks straight to Rochel, one of the grand­ motherly volunteers, and a torrent of Hebrew pours out. Later, Rochel tells me that he is now in 7th grade, no longer in the nearby school, yet he comes every Friday to see his "Savta from Geula." In less than two hours all the kits - three hundred of them - have been handed over. That's three hundred Jew­ ish homes prepared to properly meet the angels who accompany the Shabbos Queen. As the two volunteers expertly place the candlesticks, kiddush cup, tablecloth and other accoutrements of Shabbos in

38 The Jewish Observer, February 2002 a box, a peroxide blonde hurries over, gious in a pleasant, non-threatening such a time a public - and non-threat­ wheeling a carriage. "\!\Then we first got environ1nent is important. Those smiles ening- display of the wonders of Shab­ here, she was one of the 'anti-s'," Rochel can shatter stereotypes, the heat of bos observance is an ethical imperative. whispers to me after she'd gone, carry­ 180,000 candles can melt an awful lot Life in Israel can he dangerous; ing a kit that they'd managed to find in of hatred. a corner of a box.! look at the woman's In Israel, Shabbos has become one of baby, a pudgy, sweet-faced infant, and the great battlegrounds of the kul· KARKA IN BRETZ YISROEL Call Rabbi Gavriel Beer for information imagine her growing up knowing that turkampf, the cultural war being waged on obtaining cemetery plots in Eretz Ima lights Shabbos candles. by politicians and the judiciary. In HaChaim, Har Hamenuchot, &: Har HaZaitim. n1any cities ShablJos desecration is Why Candles? Why Shabbos? Why now? beco1ning n1orc and more overt, and 011-972-2-656-9427 niore and niore sanctioned by law. At inety-thousand kits a week is certainly an in1pressive nun1ber, N and the tales make for good reading (and pleasant writing), but really- it's only one tiny n1itzva, after all. The women now lighting candles, for the most part, travel and work on Shah· bas, know nothing of modesty; many of them eat treifc. Isn't this the equivalent of putting a Bandaid on a hem­ 1537 50th Street, morhaging artery? Brooklyn, NY 11219 Rabbinic:al references available Absolutely not, say the volunteers Home: (718) 338•1765 (and the gedolim, among them Rabbi (718) 854-2911 Chaim Kanievsky, Rabbi Matisyahu Pager: (917) 486-5655 Sa101non, the Novo1ninsker Rebbe, Rabbi Avraham Pam ';>":;?T, the Vizh· nitzer Rebbe, Rabbi Yehuda Leib Stein­ man and Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu, who have given their approbations to the project). There are few instances when \Ve can 1norc clearly see the phenome­ non of 1nitzvah gorreres 1nitzva - one mitzva leads to another. Many women have come back to the tables to tell of husbands who felt the need to say Kid­ DOMESTIC CORPORATE ACTIVATIONS dush, now that the candles \¥ere burn­ • Cellphone Rental for over 110 Countries ing, of families \vho were uncomfortable with open Shabbos desecration in the • Same day f Next day delivery glow of their lights. A kiruvworker tells • Voice mail & text messaging of a recent seminar for potential ba'alei • Guaranteed lowest rates teshuva, at which every single participant had begun to light candles because of • 24 hr. customer service the table; another activist knows of forty • Fax & data service families who've put their children into • Itemized bill religious schools as a result. Even for those many (too many) who • Call waiting don't go further than the candles in their •Caller ID Torah observance, the Neiros Shabbos project serves an important purpose. With n1uch of the Israeli media spew­ 877.CELL P ing out a constant strea1n of virulent 877.235.5746 anti-religious propaganda, just finding a place for the secular to meet the reli- www.travelcell.com

The Jewish Observer, February 2002 39 Almost Trashed his is wh.at Alan found in the through garbage high in Alan, garbage one day: for years and years. and pulled outAharon. T He must have known, - Bracha Druss Goetz movie ticket stubs, deep down, Mrs. Bracha Druss GOetz of Baltimore is a crumpled candy wrappers, that along with the trash, frequent Contributor.to these pages. a partially eaten ham and what still had value, the most value, cheese sandwich, was also being thrown away. Yesterday's newspaper, Alan stuck his hand into the garbage Blessings empty soda cans, and pulled out the tefillin. cru.shed cigarette butts, Then, Like a thief and an old pair of' tefillin. for years and years, I ate Your bread in turn, and forgot to thank You; Then.Alan suddenly the tefillin searched desperately, understood w,!ly found its way I thought for sure You knew he had been desperately searching through the garbage piled anyway. I was grateful for the food and blessings I know I have, that the unfortunate on the fringes of all our Jives do not have;

YouareG-d You are omniscient; You don't need my prayers!

But when I bowed my head over the words in the Siddur: 1f N1JWl111tev of'lcwiJli rhol!Jlif. "Do not make me needful of 'M~1 t!mf9nsijlif! § The Bentsch Press wi!! be available only by human loans mail & will ship at the end of each month. let me be strong ~libi 'Mot'll!l:btrti ~ekiy Back issues are included in subscription fee. anO feati.ired guest columnrsc · • sustain my family Please fill out form and return by mail or fax to: COLUMNS INCLUDE Thank you ... :' The Bentsch Press the words solidified within me ME, M'YsELf ••• AN EYE P.O. Box 14 Self·introspectlon. and personal Woodmere. N.Y. 11598 like a ladder ... to You! experiences· that impact lffe or Fax to: 516-569-7954 and attitudes How could I feel alone again Focus ON. FAITH when each empty nugget of time Insights_ on emunah a_nd bitachon. 0 Yes, send me The Benish Press ($36) the eternal glue that binds us was spent with our Creator conversing with You EvlRYDAY SoMl!TlllNGS Name each sip of water brought Musings ori: daily'life·that Address------·------another message exchanged with You make evetday somethfng: special Telephone ------the forging of a river became a vessel I HEAlll> A WORD ••• became a home ... to You Reflections· on soni.0 of our most lntriguing:expressiOns. for me their origins and ramifications :-,,-,::_-_-_-:_-::_~:::::::.~:~-·----: i You do not need my blessings LEGENDS OF THE FtmlRE CJ Visa a MC Cardll------Storiesthat -_actually occurred But I do. or one day willl Exp. Date ------Signature----­ • . . And many moreJntrlguin_g ':! Enclosed find check made payable to Bentsh Press . - Mina Friedler Ideas, reminiscent memories, historical_ anecdotes; and delightful Mrs., Friedler, who Jives in los Angeles, was incidents that will enhance your world. represented by the poem The Mezuzos in JO (Jan. '93).

----··~~~~- 40 The Jewish Observer, February 2002 1 JnY1 n'llVU Rabbi Matisyahu C. Salomon ;ii::il ip;;r.i n':l 11 63 7 swh Street iK11p ? Lakewood, NJ 08701

.Dear Friend, Our Sages understood the Jewish conscience well. True, they required us to eat, drink and be merry m '""" b" Wo hm• k ,_ - Nw • lo<• '" """" ""' ""' "'"'' h,h bk.J ,•• - • h' _, " ""'~'""' ,.,,,. "'" w hh ••, • ,, ""''" •• '""' • ''" h• ""'' • pWW fw '"'"''"' .r "' ,_ Md woe dm "'""''"' .wm « -"I~ of"' ""'- rn shul relates the shame and degradation of life as a covert pauper. Yo rl•o ,_ < dm m>~oof ,,,_., hie"'"'"' m. ,,.,,,1 oN<•'" w 1« '"'"' •l""'f'"!O M ""'"

But how to go about it? h • "'' ~"" h-• r..·-lm """"'""' whkh • .,.,,W "> 1i. '"''""' """""'"' of H•~ v~I ._.,_ slJim. F• - ~ '""" "" '"''""'"' ·-'""' "" """"" """' """ '"' '" _, "'""""' "' """""'' The nisyonos of these families run the gamut~·· of ""''" - ,,.,..,, """""""' -""""""'' OJ'•"'~~ ..,",~.""" that wouldn't tamper with the family's pride. Tim M«"' ,,.,_., <~t.C• "'"""'" ~ ;.,.i, m P•"" "'" w "'""'°" f'°"'" w lm•h ••""' temporarily residing in America. ;lw• d• ,~, ""'"" w~ m Yw• ,_.,, '""•'" wh f"' rn """''"" H W """"•-h< .. It will allow them to have a truly festive Purim and then. in turn. so can we. Sincerely, l\i>l~ (!"/\ "!ftJ' ti

Please rush your tax-deductible contribution payable to Gomlei Chesed and sent to: Robbi M•fi•Y'bo S•lom" • 637 SWb Stt<

Major Credit Cards Accepted Please charge my 0 Visa 0 Master card#------______Signature------Name Address Phone _____ For more info. caU 718-972-3549 or (347) 203-2897 • Fax (718) 871-7721 Rabbi Mordechai Biser

s halachos of yichud, and provides advice and proper hadracha (guidance) from a Rav, guidance on everything from phone calls, Rebbe, or Rosh Yeshiva. As one who occa· r~ writing letters, and giving gifts, to appro· sionally helps prepare chassanim for mar· priate and inappropriate topics of con­ riage, I personally know of situations in REV versation and proper preparations for mar­ which a Rosh Yeshiva advised one bachur riage. He emphasizes throughout the to have very limited contact during his Chassan and Kalla During Their spiritual and practical damage that can be engagement while advising another to Engagement, by Rabbi Pesach Eliyahu done to a marriage by improper conduct phone and see his kalla much more often Falk during the engagement period. than is the norm. There is no substitute for Chassan and Kalla During Their this kind of individuali7..ed hadracha, which n Der Alter Heim, as a general rule, par­ Engagement is above all a valiant attempt ideally should exist for shidduchim and

42 The Jewish Observer, February 2002 Rabbi Shimon Finkelman

Nesivos Shalom - Nesivei Chinuch: the proper way to fulfill that mitzva." «A person should constantly agitate Essential Perspectives on Education, his yetzer tov (good inclination) to Feldheim Publishers Oct. 2001, $24.95 *** fight against his yetzer hara (evil inclination) .. .If he vanquishes it, fine; hen the Slonimer Rebbe, On a visit to the Kosel, a chassid but if not, he should engage in Torah Rabbi Shalom Noach Bere­ attempted to clear a path for the Rebbe study... If he vanquishes it, fine; but if W zovsky, departed this world on so that he could stand directly in front of not, he should recite the Shema. .. Ifhe 7 Av 5760, Kial Yisroel lost a most the Wall. "It is not necessary," the Rebbe vanquishes it, fine; but if not, he should beloved tzaddik and leader. The Rebbe told him," a Yid is not a mechitza (inter­ remind himself of the day of death ... was an embodiment of Torah wisdom, position)." (Berachos Sa). purity and ahavas Yisroel, as is readily A debt of gratitude is owed Rabbi Asks the Slonimer Rebbe: apparent from studying his multi-vol­ Moshe Lieber of)erusalem,1 for having "If remembering the day of death ume Nesivos Shalom, which already in translated the Slonimer Rebbe's Nesivei carries such a heavy impact why not his lifetime achieved unusual popular­ Chinuch -Essential Perspectives on Edu­ evoke the imagery immediately? ity among a wide spectrum of Torah cation.2 "While many excellent works on Apparently, the use of negative mes­ Jews. chinuch have been published in recent sages is something one should resort The following incidents tell a lot years, a work written by a gadol b'Yis­ to only when no positive option about the person: roel, whose literary style is clear and exists.'' One year, the Rebbe invited a talmid uplifting, is must reading for both par­ The Rebbe sets down a basic princi­ to join him at his seudas Yorn Tov on the ents and educators. ple of Torah education: night of Rosh Hashana. The talmid 1'When a negative approach is eagerly anticipated basking in the tzad­ A POSITIVE APPROACH employed and the child is threatened dik 's presence on this awesome night; he with punishment ifhe does not apply was certain that the evening would be s in all his works, the Rebbes ideas himself to Torah study, he begins to highlighted by an unending stream of are firmly grounded in the teach­ associate it with physical punishment scintillating insights concerning the Day Aings of Chazal and in the writings and the like, and instantly recoils from of Judgment, much like the Rebbe 's hol­ of the luminaries of earlier generations. any connection or identification with iday essays in Nesivos Shalom. A well-known teaching regarding man's Torah study. Instead, parents and When the talmid accompanied the struggle with his evil inclination teachers must seek to imbue their child Rebbe home from shul, he discovered that becomes a foundation of Torah educa­ with a profound love for Torah and to some guests from overseas who had come tion when elucidated in Nesivos Shalom: give him a taste of its palatable sweet­

to daven with the Rebbe on Rosh j Rabbi-Li.~b~r is a~fh~~ of ArtS-~~~ll's Pirk;i-Avos ness and delight." Hashana would also be eating at his table. Treasury and The F~fth Commandment, an Earlier in his work, the Slonimer To thetalmid's dismay, a significant por­ anthology on the mitzva of kibud av v'em. Rebbe explains why it is particularly cru­ tion of the meal conversation was rather 2 The English volume contains the full Hebrew cial that our generation's youth be mundane, as the Rebbe put his guests at text. imbued with an appreciation of the ease by inquiring about their families and backgrounds with the warmth and gen­ uine concern for which he was known. After Yorn Tov, the talmid mustered "PEOPLE WHO all his courage and asked the Rebbe: "For­ give me, but I do not understand... on the -·THAYEAll night of Rosh Hashana ... ?" The Rebbe was taken aback by the AGEllT-WHO TAKES question. "On Rosh Hashana one is not required to fulfill Hashem 's will? I was CARE OF THEM1" presented with the mitzva ofhachnassas orchim (welcoming guests), and this was CALL NE FOR A FREE

-·-----~~--·~------~~- PROTECTIOll REVIEW. Rabbi Shimon Finkelman, a rebbe in Yeshiva MARTIN LEVY IJarchei Torah, Far Rockaway, NY, is a frequent Tel (718) 268-1700 contributor to these pages, including "lmn1oral­ e-mail:[email protected] ity and Violence-The Torah's Viewpoint:' in Feb. 103-20 Metropolitan Avenue '00. He is the author of several biographies pub­ Forest Hilts, NY 11375 lished by ArtScroll Mesorah Publications, as well as a recent book on the significance and cele­ @ 2001 AllS bration of Lag B'Omer.

--··----·~·---··-----·----···------~ .... ------~··--- ···------·---··---·· The Jewish Observer, February 2002 43 sweetness of Torah study. We live an1ong HIGHER EDUCATION In this vem, the Rebbe related an a secular society mired in spiritual deca­ encounter he had with a secular edu­ dence, and as a result, we are constant­ here is a very basic distinction, cator who was considered an expert in ly challenged with spiritual tests. There­ explains the Rebbe, between the his field. The secularist expressed his fore: goals of Torah education and sec­ amazement at the success of Torah edu­ 1 T ' 0ur mission is to create a coun­ ular education. In addition to scholas­ cation in our times, in light of the fact terforce and thus strengthen the pow­ tic achievement, secular education seeks that by comparison to the secular edu­ ers of sanctity and faith. Our educa­ to produce an orderly and refined indi­ cation systems, our use of new, inno­ tional approach must succeed in vidual who will live a decent life and will vative methods of communicating producing individuals with a height­ interact correctly with others. For this, information is minimal. ened spiritual perception, about a strict disciplinarian who will demand The Rebbe said: "The methods and whom we can say, 'His heart was ele­ that his charges "toe the line" would be tools you develop are very helpful in the vated in the pathways of Hashem' (II a prime candidate for teacher. superficial aspects of education, which Divrei HaYamim 17,6) .... The Torah "In truth ... compelling one's address the external, material side of the educator of our times must convey his charges to toe the line and display student. There exists, however, educa­ lessons in an enlightening and excit­ proper behavior is a far cry from real tion on a higher plane. The teacher [of ing fashion so that they [his students] education, which seeks to instill in the Torah] seeks to connect not only with will feel that all oflife's thrills pale into student the desire to want to live in an the corporeal being of the student but insignificance when compared to this appropriate fashion." also with the most inner and subtle areas [Torah study's] sublime pleasure." Torah education's goal is to light "the of his neshama. This type of education lamp of G-d which is the soul of man" needs little in the way of new method­ (Mishlei 20,27). ology. What is necessary is fluent co1n­ "Children must be intellectually mand of a special language - the lan­ and emotionally nurtured so that guage of the soul." they are able to comprehend and Yeshlvlsh absorb an elevated set of values ... We PRACTICAL ADVICE Classical must inculcate them with the deep Israeli Klez:mer realization that they are the royal hile Nesivei Chinuch conveys legion of the King, the small cadre of lofty concepts and ideals, it His undying loyalists .... The very W also contains practical advice realization that he is a member of this and observations. exclusive group will engender in the "I find it remarkably puzzling that Mrihentt child's soul a sense of responsibility to while it has recently become popular -,Wis maintain a standard of behavior that to crown children as champions in the www.nafshenuorchestra.com rises above the masses ...." study of halacha or Mishna, no one has seen fit to crown children as champi­ ons in good character, an area that is Thinking of Moving for Jewish 6rowth Opportunities? of supreme importance. "... And when positive ego-building full Service Community is called for, we must take utmost cau­ •Healthy Job Market tion that it is administered in very •Affordable Housing small doses. And we must ensure that •Nurturing Community the child's friends are not hurt and that •Learning Opportunities the child does not feel good that his •Shomer Shabbos Medical Residencies friends were not so honored." Begin •Community Activities It is to be hoped that this volume is but the first in a series of translations Thinking Total Torah Community of the Slonimer Rebbe's Nesivos Shalom. •Cheder •Bois Yakov Milwaukee •Yeshiva Gedola •Kollel • Mikveh • Eruv •Wisconsin School Tuition Vouchers for Qualifying Families ~hennan Park Jewi1h Initiative The Torah Community of Rabbi Michel lwerski invites your interests 1·800·226·3129

44 The Jewish Observer, February 2002 is a tikkun that these particular people 1nust undertake in order to achieve and reach spiritual heights in this world. They accomplish this goal by means of growth - their emotional and spiritual growth. The fact that their teens are going through their own individual nisayon is definitely linked to them, but in a total­ ly different venue. The struggling teen has his/her nisayon as his/her own POSTSCRIPT TO "CHILDREN AT RISK'' that stood out quite potently. The Jew­ tikkun in this world, much like a phys­ ish Observer was very helpful in sup­ ically- or emotionally-challenged child To the Editor: plying me with the phone numbers for who has his/her own tikkun to accom­ My son is alive today and we are a each therapist. Hence, a shidduch was plish on this world, on his/her level. healthy family B"H because two years made. We have been dealing with this We must recognize the fact that what­ ago in November, The Jewish Observer unbelievable malach of a therapist ever ever struggles our children in pain are was bold enough to put forth an issue since that time. His warm, caring and dealing with, it is theirs and not ours. on the topic of Children on the Fringe. compassionate middos are indicative of Our tafkid - our mission, if you will - This was the beginning of Hashem's his work. His method of therapy is based is to take a step back, to watch careful­ orchestration of events in our lives that on daas Torah and he uses hashkafa to ly and observe, to take care of our phys­ led me to write the following article. educate us. Our lives have changed dras­ ical and emotional well-being, to estab­ Before I do, though, I would first like tically, and we have been coping well due lish rules (in a cotnpassionate manner) to bring to the attention of the readers to the skills we have learned. These tools with which to govern our homes, and a n1isconception of a phrase, "kids at are now enabling us to deal with each most importantly, to continue loving risk." Struggling adolescents (fromfrum new daily crisis, and as a result, are our children and demonstrating this homes) are not the only teens who are allowing us to help save our son both love through our talk and our actions. at risk. Every teen throughout the physically and emotionally, and even­ We cannot fix them, though; they are not world is at risk of falling by the wayside, tually, even religiously. broken. of getting caught up in chemical abuse, To the average reader, the above These struggling teens are deep of living a life devoid of frumkeit. sounds like a fair synopsis of how clin­ down very sweet; their neshamos are Along with those risks come risk factors ical therapy is the source for a family to extremely sensitive, and that is why they for the parents of those potential strug­ become strong enough to help their are so very pained. As such, they are defi­ gling teens. These parents are at risk of emotionally unhealthy child. However, ant, they have difficulties in observing illness due to stress, of losing their liveli­ I would like to share with everyone a dif­ Yiddishkeit, they manipulate us and uti­ hood due to exorbitant expenses in ferent comprehension of what our lize tactics to make us hate them. They keeping the family on track, and many therapy has taught us. are masking their pain by means of their other risks. What we are referring to, Most parents fulfill their responsi­ irritating actions. We must open our then, are children whose situations in life bility by doing all they can to provide eyes to the neshamos that bellow were the cause for their state. A nu1n­ the best in terms of love and (physical beneath the pain. Our growth is to look ber of mothers have begun lovingly and emotional) care in rearing their chil­ beyond the vexing and to see the big pie- referring to them with a newly coined dren. Despite all their efforts, children phrase, "children in pain." I am such a have their own agenda. Parents who take n1other, among countless many others. their responsibility seriously are not fail­ In November of 1999 my neighbor ures, nor are their efforts. So1ne children handed me The Jewish Observer maga­ are not demonstrating signs of their zine, thinking that I might be able to excellent upbringing, they are shifting glean some information fro1n the arti­ from the religious and value system of cles, on how to deal with a struggling their ho1nes. It is not because of some­ adolescent. The subject was an eye open­ thing that the parents lack or do not er. To my chagrin, the happenings in accomplish; it is due to a totally differ­ New York City alone were outrageous­ ent issue. What we have here is a con­ ly shocking. I read through each article cept called a nisayon (feat, or challenge). YESHIVA FUND very carefully, including those written by Parents of a pained, struggling teen have Box 82, Staten Island, NY 10309 professional therapists, and chose three been given a specific nisayon because it Free Bonus Mitvah Cards

The Jewish Observer, February 2002 45 ture down the road. How do we accom­ him back by one or two steps. We con­ been writing for almost two years on this plish such a growth? The answer is in tinue loving him and demonstrating that subject, and have been able to help oth­ acknowledging spirituality. It is in rec­ love by implementing all that we have ers through utilization of this talent. All ognizing that their situation is a gift learned through utilization of our skills this orchestrated by Hashem; I have seen from Hashem to us, to the parents, to and tools. yedei Hashem throughout our entire offer us the opportunity to grow, to We may not currently see the Yiddishe nisayon. Each day brings more situations accomplish our goal on this world. nachas that many parents enjoy and each situation brings more growth, I am here today to tell you that I have throughout their children's adolescent and each level of growth brings us clos­ grown, and my personal growth has in years, however, with our continuous er to Hashem. And to think, it all began turn raised my level of spirituality. Both unconditional love, our implementing with one concerned friend and one my husband and I have learned to love of skills which we have amassed through magazine, The Jewish Observer. our child unconditionally, despite his our new education, and mostly with DEBBIE BROWN negative actions. We have learned and tefillos to Hakadosh Baruch Hu, we will sharpened our skills as parents by reap the appropriate Yiddishe nachas at RABBI PAM'S RELATIONSHIP WITH embracing such characteristics as com­ a very high spiritual level, at the right RABBI DOVID LEIBOWITZ ?"::it passion, patience, acceptance and non­ time. There truly is light at the end of judgmentalism. We accept each day with the tunnel. To the Editor: baby steps as his struggles and pain As for myself, I have grown for A tremendous debt of gratitude is diminishes somewhat, and yet moves myself. I am now an ardent participant owed to Rabbi Scherman for his beau­ in an organization that deals with tiful and intimate portrayal of our VISITING NY? struggling teens. I advise (in a non-pro­ unforgettable Rebbe, Rabbi Pam 7"::n MIDWOOD fessional capacity) other mothers via a (Dec. '01). It was a tremendous chizuk GUEST SUITES support system, with information based to myself and my family, and I am sure Ave. J, Brooklyn on our therapy and experiences in to countless others. 718-253-9535 dealing with our own son, in addition For the sake of emes, which was Rabbi to offering chizuk to that end. I have Pam's trademark, and for factual histo­ ry (as I am sure this article will be a ~------~ source of information for future pub­ I I lications), I would like to make a cor­ ARE You MOVING? rection. Mention is made on page 8 that I I "perhaps the single most pivotal peri­ I IS YOUR NAME. AND ADDRESS PRINTED I od for him [Rabbi Pam) was the year he I INCORRECTLY ON .JHE JO MAILING LABEL? I was in the shiur of the Rosh Yeshiva I We need your help to ensure pr<>~r delivery of the Jewish Obserler to your home. Rabbi David Leibowitz ?"::it." For the Please attach wrrent mailing lab.el .irtthe space below, or print dearly your address and I sake of accuracy, may I cite a conversa­ I computer processing numbers that are printed above your name .on the address label. I tion I had with Rabbi Pam in 1991: He told me that he was a talmid of Reb I I David ?"::it for seven years in Torah I I Vodaath. He spent two years in the daily I Affix old label here I blatt shiur, I year in the weekly shiur klali, followed by four years of chavrusa I I learning under direction of Reb David, I .,, .... __ --.------···- ...J I which included a weekly mussar I Name..;....,.._,:..~..,.,:.._,,...,.,:.....,...___,~---~--,...... -~-~~. I shmuess. This was confirmed recently by New Aadress Rabbi Nesanel Quinn ~"'l:>"ro, menahel I I emeritus Mesivta Torah Vodaath, a I City, I talmid in the same shiur as Rabbi Pam during those years of 1927-1933. State, -""""...,:..""""-~~-..:..~---~Zip I I Rabbi Pam ?"::it, on the occasion of I Date .. Effective·•·.. -...-~~=----~~~~-"----~~ I the som Yahrzeitofhis Rebbe, Reb David I Send a~s .The.Jewish Obse!ver I ?"::it, in 1991, held in Yeshiva Chofetz chart• to: Change of Address Chaim in Queens, said, "I would not be I 42BroadwaY, 14thFtoor, N~wYork, NY 10004 I what I am today if not for Reb David:' I. -Plecise---anow:4'6 W~ks-,for--an- Ch:anges-:t<):'be, reflected Oii yO:Ur mailing label. We Will _no_t I YON! LEVINSON L ,be responsible tor-back issues missed unless you_'_notlfy:us'-'6- weeks prior to- your move._ ..... Brooklyn, NY

------The Jewish Observer; February 2002 46 Burdens Lifted. 24 Hours A Day. Free of Charge.

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