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5 TIIE JEWISH OBSERVER (ISSN) 0021-6615 is published monthly Remembering Rabbi Yaakov Kamenetzky except July and August, by the n:n:i? p>i~ 1:n Agudath Israel ofAmerica, 5 Beek­ Nissan Wolpin man Street, New York, N.Y. 10038. Second class postage paid at New 9 York. N.Y. Subscription $15.00 per year; two years, $27.00; three years, An Appreciation of the Rosh Hayeshiva $36.00. Outside of the United Rabbi Yisroel Belsky (excerpts) States (US funds only) $20.00. $25.00 in So. Africa and Pacific 23 countries. Single copy. $2.00; for­ eign: $2.50. Send address changes Solving the Tay-Sachs Dilemma to The Jewish Observer, 5 Beek­ Rabbi Shimon Finkelman man St., N.Y., N.Y. 10038. Printed in theU.SA. 33 RABBI NISSONWOLPIN Editor Not Too Late for Kayama Avram Cahn Editorial Board DR ERNST BODENHEIMER 37 Chairman Unreal Rabbis RABBI JOSEPH ELIAS Rabbi Avi Shqfran JOSEPH FRIEDENSON RABBI NOSSON SCHERMAN RABBI MOSHE SHERER 41 Management Board Fighting the Cults NAITOLI HIRSCH a review article ISAAC KIRZNER RABBI SHLOMO LESIN Strive For Truth II/Bris Milah/Halichos Bas Yisroel/ NACHUM STEIN Lilmod U'lelamed: Judges/Artscroll Mishna Series: Business Manager Nazir-Sotah, Bava Kamma RABBI YOSEF C. GOLDING 47 Second Looks on the Jewish Scene TuEJEWJSH OBSERVER does not assume responsibility for the Shabbos: Uniter or Otherwise? Kashrus of any product or ser­ In Case You had Any Doubts ... vice advertised in lts pages. ©Copyright 1986 50

Cooer photo: Na('hman Wolfson Post Script The Mormons and Your Bobbe and Zaide IYAR5746, MAY 1986 VOL. XIX, NO. 5 51 Letters to the Editor

Nisson Wolpin

REMEMBERING RABBI E n:>1:i'J P"1~ 1:>~

could keep his dailyschedule ofstudy Kamenetzky was a favorite of Reb I. PERSPECTIVE with their Rav?"The impact of their Yisroel's disciple, the Alter of Slo­ ON TIME respect for the Torah study of a mere bodka. and was much influenced by child never left me," said Reb Yaakov. Rabbi Naftali Amsterdam, who had abbi Yaakov Kamenetzky Can we evaluate the strength of been so close to Reb Yisroel.) ~"~' isnolongerwith us.and conviction of the young Rav of Tzi­ Do we recognize the implications R now Kial Yisroelhas become tovyan refusing to officiate at the when a man of eighty five refuses to painfully aware of its humble status. funeral of an over-zealous congre­ answer a highly complex she'eila Reb Yaakov, blessed as he was with gant? The man who had been told by (halachic query) "because I may at arichas yomim (longevity), living a his doctor to eat on Yorn Kippur, for the moment forget a Tosqfos some­ full 95 years, represented a unique health reasons, was instructed by where in Shas (the entirety of the richness in the Lithuanian tradi­ that Rav to follow this prescription, Talmud)"-as Rabbi Kamenetzky tions of pursuit of excellence in fasted nonetheless, and then died. saldjust eleven years ago? ... And we Torah and midos (the ethical per­ Reb Yaakov did attend the funeral become aware how every psak ren­ sonality) associated with earlier and, apparently to discourage others dered until then was without such a times, a tradition that in its fullness from following this reckless behav­ liability, having Shas. all codes and is so beyond the reach of our at­ ior. announced that the family not their major commentaries at his tainment that it is almost beyond sit shiva, since the man had in effect fingertips! our comprehension. In his absence, taken his own life. Do we fathom the devotion to Klal that greatness of the man and his Do we appreciate the sensitivi tyof and prat (the Congregation and the era are now further removed from a sixty-five year old man who stayed individual) of a man of 90 years of us: up all night-learning throughout, age who tells his loyal, protective Can we gauge the life-long effect of of course-to keep an early morning Rebbetzin. as did Reb Yaakov: "Don't the experience of an eight-year-old appointment, rather than set his leave the telephone receiver off the who saw elderly Jews back into the alarm for dawn since it might dis­ hook-even during my lunch. Pic­ snowbanks to permit him, the "illui turb the sleep of a non-Jewish ture the frustration of the person of Dolhinov," as Reb Yaakov was neighbor who returned from his job who calls. finds the line busy, and known. pass through the narrow at 3 a.m.? (An echo of Reb Yisroel calls again-goes on about his busi­ path dug through the drifts, so he Salanter? Of course! Rabbi Yaakov ness. and stops his car to get out and

The Jewish Obseroer, May, 1986 5 "Myfeeling is that G-d granted me these extra years as a gift to usefor others. How can I squander my time on my own comfort?"

call again, and again the line is busy. plain. We religious Jews have our ... Besides, my feeling is that G-d own understanding of the passing of granted me these extra years as a gift generations. We look back on Jew­ for me to use for others. How can I ry's face-to-face encounter with G-d squander my time on my own com­ on Sinai at the giving of the Torah as fort?" the spiritual highpoint of world his­ How far removed we are from the tory. The generations immediately way in which the simple facts of after Sinai viewed their parents with halacha absorbed by a Torah per­ awe: 'They actually heard Q .. d speak!' sonality can graduate from chachma And their children after them looked to bina to daas-from knowledge to at their parents with asimilar defer­ understanding to ingrained nature ence: 'Imagine! They actually lived ... the manner in which Reb Yaakov with people who were present at learned as a child that one holds an Sinai!' And so it has been through­ item requiring a bracha in one's out the ages, to the point that my right hand in honor of the bracha. children and grandchildren believe and then. lying in a hospital bed at that my familiarity with earlier gen­ 94, how he strained to maneuver his erations. beyond their horizon of right hand laden with a complement described the implications of this contact-my relative closeness to of intravenous tubes. to grasp the role. Sinai, so to speak-endows me with cup of water on which he wanted to On the plane returning from the a wisdom and spiritual sensitivity pronounce the "Shehakol." ignor­ 6th Knessia Gedolah (International that they do not possess. So they ing his free left hand. Conference) of Agudath Israel in respect me.And I, in tum, attempt to Men such as Reb Yaakov serve as a Jerusalem in 1980. Reb Yaakov was transmit to them whatever I may means of viewing distant times, seated in one of the two seats at the happen to have gathered from pre­ times of pristine purity, inhabited very front of the aircraft, next to vious generations. by men of towering greatness of Yerucham Meshal. treasurer of His­ "But you are a Darwinist. You scholarship and genius of character. tadrut. While the two discussed believe that man is in constant evo­ We must quickly gather our fleeting various matters ("Mainly Tanach, lutionary ascent from the apes. Why impressions of Reb Yaakov before especially some questions he had on should your children or grandchild­ the light he cast upon our lives dis­ Sefer Ruth," reported the Rosh Ha­ ren respect you? All your age and appears into the shadows. yeshiva), a man in his forties. and your generation represent to them is then a girl in her early twenties, one step closer to the apes!" came periodically to check on Reb Indeed, Reb Yaakov's familiarity eb Yaakov Kamenetzky '"" Yaakov's personal needs. with earlier generations was a bless­ had a keen awareness of how "Aides de camp?" asked Meshal. ing-one that he appreciated and our generation is in desper­ "Oh. no," said Reb Yaakov. "My son delighted in sharing with others. ate need of any guidance he could from Brooklyn, and a granddaugh­ Before we explore the lessons he offer from his far-reaching perspec­ ter from Jerusalem who's coming to taught-by word and by example­ tive, rooted in the era in which he the States for a visit." let us first review the outline of his had grown. He understood this task "Do you mean that you actually life. how he progressed from one as the responsibility of all parents to have contact with your children and stage to the next: Yeshiva bachur, their children as part of their role as grandchildren?" marvelled Meshel. Kolle! fellow, teacher, Rav, poseik. living links in the chain of Mesorah. "I seldom see my children except for Rosh Yeshiva, leader of Klal Yisroel, In this way, he was a parent of sorts occasional labor conferences, and living link to the greatness of pre­ to an entire generation growing up the grandchildren-never." vious generations, guide and men­ in America... Just one anecdote to "That's to be expected," smiled the tor to countless individuals-leaders illustrate how Reb Yaakov himself Rosh Hayeshiva. "Permit me to ex- and humble folk alike.

6 The Jewish Observer, May. 1986 II. THE STAGES OF AMAN

CHILDHOOD: From Bluke's Kloiz to the Butchers' Beis Midrash e was known as Yanke! Doh­ linover. He had been born in H Kalushkove in January 1890, but his parents, Reh Binyomin and Et'ke Kamenetzky, had moved to Dohlinov when their son. as a mere child, revealed his vast poten­ tial, in hope of finding sufficiently challenging teachers in the larger town. He was learning Chumash by age two. and had learned major parts of Tanach and committed them to memory when he was six. Under­ standably. the resources ofDohlinov soon also proved insufficient. and the youngster moved on to Minsk. to learn under Reh Yehoshua Tzvi Zimbalist ("Horodner") in the famed As a young man in lhe Kollel Slobodka. The Alter qf Slobodka. Reb Yaakov 's Rebbe. Blumka's Kloiz.* After his bar mitzva. the Doh­ The Alter was known for his stress Rav of Krinik, where Reb Yaakov linover illui, as he became known, on Gadlus Ha'adam-the potential spent several months; Rabbi Yisroel moved on to the Katzovishe Klotz for greatness within each person­ Shulevitz and Rabbi Yechiel Michel (the "butchers' beis midrash," so and the sensitivity one must develop Gordon, Roshei Hayeshiva of Lom­ called because it was built by the toward the needs of others. For the za, where Reb Yaakov made a deep butchers of Minsk upon the initia­ next twenty-one years. Reh Yaakov impression on all with his unusual tive of a Reh Yaakov Ochsenburg) was learning in Slobodka and asso­ hasmada (diligence) during the two where he studied with the slightly ciated yeshivas. and he emerged as a years he spent (1916-17) there*: younger Artchele Sislovitzer (later prototype Slobodka talmid. Rabbi DovTzvi Heller. Mashgiach of known to us as Rabbi Aaron Kotler During his years in theseyeshivos the Slobodka Yeshiva-who. during ''"') and at times with Reuvain and the various Torah institutions the yeshiva's exile in Kremenchug Minsker (Rabbi Reuvain Grozovsky where he sought refuge during the immediately following the war. wel­ '""· son the dayan of Minsk. Reb upheavals ofWorld War[. he encoun­ comed Reh Yaakov's return and Shamshon). who was three years his tered a number of outstanding rab­ proudly accepted him as the chasan senior. binical figures. While using the op­ of his daughter Itta Ettel: Rabbi portunity to absorb their approach Reuvain Dov Dessler. who headed SWBODKA YEARS to Torah study and Mussar. he in­ the famed Kolle!, the "Talmud Torah variably impressed one and all with of Kelm,'' where Reb Yaakov spent henhewasfifteenyearsof his brilliance in Torah and excep­ several years: Rabbi Chaim Ozer age, Reh Yaakov and Reh tional character. The list of people he Grodzenski, ofVilna, who responded W Aaron followed their older studied under. or otherwise met, favorably to Reh Yaakov's petition on friend to Slobodka, where Reb Yaa­ includes such luminaries as: Rabbi behalf of the Alterforagrant of 4,000 kov became especially close to the Moshe Mordechai Epstein, Rosh Mark from the Vaad Hayeshivos, Alter, Reb Nosson Tzvi Finkel '""· Hayeshiva in Slobodka. who was needed to bring the yeshiva back to extremely fond of Reb Yaakov (see Slobodka.... AB one of the founding ~his was the celebrated beis midrash built by a the letter he wrote to him): Rabbi members of the Koll el Beis Yisroel in lady~Bluma. by name-in gratitude for the ful­ fillmenl of the ShaagasArye's blessings to ht>r for lsserZalman Meltzer, author of Even Slobodka, Reh Yaakov published riches and worthy children. He had blessed her !n Ha'azel, Rav and Rosh Hayeshiva reward for her gift ofShabbosproVisions when he of Slutsk. where Reh Yaakov spent was expelled from his dayanus of Minsk on a •1n the words or Rabbi Aaron Zlotowitz N"V')'l!: short Friday in 1733 for issuing a controversial several years to help strengthen the "Nights in the Lomza Yeshiva were not illumi­ psak. Her offspring married into the family of yeshiva. at the Alter's request: Rabbi nated by electric lamps.but bya solitarywax can­ Rabbi Akiv-a Eger, and the Kloiz she built with her dle. There was Reb Yaakov 'Minsker,' at his open wealth became the setting for the growth of some Zalmen Sender Shapira. talmid of Gemora until the last flicker of the candle-every of our people's greatest scholars. the Beis Halevi of Brisk and. later, single night."

The Jewish Observer. May, 1986 7 solicit funds for a yeshiva. Reb Yaa­ kov later recalled that the mounting anti-Semitism in Nazi Germany to the west and the incorrigible Soviet Jew-baiting to the east had made him extremely uneasy. As a result. he accepted the assignment to America with the intention of exploring the Jewish community there as a possi­ ble place of refuge. After a rude In­ troduction to the nature of fund­ raising as it was then conducted, he resigned. He was soon Informed of an interim Rabbanus In Seattle. Washington. Rabbi Solomon P. Wohlgelernter. the Rav of the city's Congregation Bikur Cholim. was taking a leave of absence for a half year. and confided that he was hard pressed to find someone qualified who would step in for him during his absence. and then relinquish the position upon his return-until he met Reb Yaakov. While serving as Rav in Seattle, Reb Yaakov was advised that It was essential that he publish some of his chiddushei Torah if he expected to gain a prominent position. He wrote to his family to mail him one of his many manuscripts,• for a sefer de­ voted to resolving a number of prob­ lematic halachic decisions of the Rambam:The classic commentators chiddushei Torah (novellae) on FROM GREAT RAV were at loss for sources for these Shabbos and Eiruvin in the institu­ OF A SMALL TOWN decisions, which Reb Yaakov, in his TO GREAT RAV OF A BIG CITY tion's journal, Kisvei Beis Yisroel in sc;fer, traced directly to different 1923.... Over ten years later. a dele­ passages in Tanach. The parcel gation from Antwerp invited him to uring the years 1926-1937, never arrived in Seattle. a loss that become their Rav. '1low do you know RavYaakov served as Rav in Reb Yaakov accepted as an expres­ of me?" he asked. D the small town of Tzitov­ sion of G-d's will that the writings They replied that the Chazon !sh yan-a resort some twenty kilo­ not be published. (in Bnei Brak) had recommended meters from Kelm. In spite of the After his stay in Seattle, Reb Yaa­ RebYaakov. extreme poverty which barely kept kov had planned to assume a sha­ "But we've never met," he protest­ body and soul together. this posi­ moshes in a shul in San Francisco ed, "and he would never suggest a tion-typical of Lithuanian rab­ and then arrange for his family to person for a position unless he bonus-offered Reb Yaakov a golden join him. Before departing for Cali­ knows him." opportunity to immerse himself In fornia. he was Informed that Rabbi The recommendation remained a Torah and continue his growth.* Yehuda Leib Graubard, Rav of the puzzle until many years later. when Summer months brought a stream Toras Emes Shul in Toronto, had a visitor to the Chazon !sh saw his of vacationing visitors. allowing him passed away, and that he might copy of Reb Yaakov's Chiddushei to meet a number of leading rab· apply for the position. First he Torah that were published in Kisvei binical figures. sought the approval of the Kovno Beis Yisroel, with notes and com­ In 1937. Reb Yaakov was asked by ments on the margins. Apparently it the Kovno Rav to go to America to *When he was seventeen. he had authored another was on that basis that he believed sefer on the Rambam. a study of his terminolo­ him to be fully qualified and most *In his hesped forhls first Rebbelzin. Reb Yaakov gies, demonstrating how precise interpretation of suitable for the position. (Reb Yaa­ paid tribute to her single-minded devotion to his the expressions can resolve a number of apparent growth in TtJrah: ··she spared me;> from every contradictions. In 1984, his lyunim Bamikra kov did not think so. and declined distraclion .. -1 never knew the jletshige shelves containing some ofReb Yaakov"s highly original the invitation.) from the milchige in our kitchen.'" commentaries on Chumash, was published.

8 The Jewish Observer, May, 1986 DEDICATION TO RUSSIAN JEWRY one of the chief backers of the school and asked, 'What can I do to help?" chapter in the Rosh Hayeshi­ The individual hesitated. va's life which deserves special "Perhaps I can be chairman of the mention was his involvement A Vaad Hachinuch (Board of Educa­ with Russian Jewry. The Rosh Haye­ tion)?" 'Yes, of course." shiva was deeply moved by the physical "Is there a meeting scheduled?" and spiritual suffering of his erstwhile "I don't think so." compatriots and he ceaselessly "Then convene one for the day after searched for ways to ilnprove their lot. tomorrow." One incident that sharply revealed his And. so it was. The Rosh Hayeshiva feelings was the visit to America by prodded, advised, encouraged. He raised Chief Rabbi Levin of Moscow. funds, v1sited there numerous times Rabbi Levin was an accomplished and spoke at all its dinners and gather­ talmid chachamand Yorei Shomaylm, ings. but his visit had been orchestrated by non-religious groups and his itinerary ne poignant scene stands out.A was in their hands. Throughout the twelve year old boy from Minsk tour, misguided demonstrators clamor·· With childrenjrom Be'er ffagolah. 0 was introduced at a fund-rais­ ing for the release of Russian Jews ing dinner. The boy said a Torah marred his appearances. They shouted yeshiva principals in New York City. thought for the crowd in a heavily epithets at him, quoting some remark He spoke to them with prophetic force. accented English and there was a well­ or other which indicated to them that "Know then:· he began, "that our hopes deserved round of applause. Then the his sympathy lay with the wrong side. and dreams for the corning of Moshi­ Rosh Hayeshiva spoke. In his inimita­ To further complicate matters. the Rav achare being put to the test.We cry out ble manner, he pieced together a beau­ was tailed day and night by Russian to Hasheni~end the GoltL'>!Bringback tiful mosaic portraying the Minsk that agents and, consequently, could never Klal Yisroel from the four corners of he knew in his youth. He spoke of the open his mouth. His silence was taken the earth! Hashem asks us, 'Do you families that supported Torah, of the as a sign of complicity and a dreadful really desire it with all your heart? Let chessed of the masses. of the talmidei pall settled over the whole affair. me see how you react to a miniature chachamim and Rabbonim of a by­ An appearance was arranged for ingathering of just one small tribe of gone era. Then he turned softly to the Rabbi Levin in Boro Park and the Rosh Kl al Yisroel.' This has now miracu­ child at his side and said, "And now all Hayeshiva was asked to introduce him. lously come to pass. What have we that remains of Minsk is this one little Reb Yaakovbegan bypainlingapicture done? Most of us just turn away from boy." At that moment a little smatter­ of Jewish life in Old Russia, depicting them and brutally ignore them. How ing of the Rosh Hayeshtva 's Ahavas the kedusha and temimus that existed can you claim that you want Klal Yis­ Yisroel rubbed off onto each one there. He skillfully blended anecdotes roel back when you spurn the first present. and quotations from Ghazal to warm group that He sentyou't' the crowd to the Rav 's impending mes­ Reb Yaakov then demanded that each heRoshHayeshivaoncesaid:I sage. He made them understand that yeshiva house at least one classroom of always wondered. what will the Rav would say things that had Moshiach Beer Hagolah talmiddim. He wasn't T look like? I found the veiled meanings and he encouraged satisfied until he received a personal answer in a Gemora in Mesechta Me­ the Rav to speak his mind. The effect commitment from each principal. gilla. The Ge mom comments on the was overpowering. The Rav spoke and Someone asked, "Rosh Yeshiva. what passage in MegillasEstherthat "Esther the people heard. The pain of the Rus­ will we do if one yeshiva fails to accept a ch armed everyone who saw her.·· Rabbi sian Jew found its way into the hearts class?" Elazarexplained: "This means that Es­ of a community that had been immun­ The Rosh Ha yeshiva responded With ther appeared to each individual as if ized to their suffering. It set the tone for cold fury. 'What Will we do? Nothing!" she were one of his own people." things to come. Everyone was stunned by this res­ To this Rabbi Yaakov commented: ponse, but the Rosh Hayeshiva con­ That'sexactly how Moshiach will strike oon afterwards the mass immi­ tinued, 'Yes. nothing. We will have us. 'fhe Satmar Chassidim say that gration began. The Rosh Ha ye­ nothing to do with such a person. He he'll be a Satmarer. The Klausenberger S shiva expanded his involvement will be locked out of our camp. Barak Chassidim think he'll be a Klausen­ with each passing day. It reached an hen Avinoam and Devora excommuni­ berger, and the Litvaksare certain that apogee with the development ofYeshiva cated Mairoz for not joining the battle he will be a ba 'al Mussar. And then, Beer Hagolah. That institution had to save Klal Yisroel. Son1e say that Mai­ when he comes, every Yid will look at hardly been organized when it was roz was a star. It was too holy, too high Moshiach and say "See, it's as I said! beset by a struggle for its very exist­ up in the heavens to join with the oth­ He's one of our very own!" ence. Over four hundred children had ers. That didn't help it. It got its just It was Reh Yaakov's love and con­ been enrolled and school was about to deserts." sideration for each individual member open when it became evident that all The message can1e across and within of Klal Yisroel that allowed him to view arrangements for classroom space had a few days Beer Hagolah opened in Moshiach in such personal terms. His collapsed. The Rosh Hayeshiva then fourteen locations. It was the Rosh regard for the sensitivity of anyone and convened an emergency meeting of all Hayeshiva and only the Rosh Haye­ everyone, as much as his kedusha and shiva, who pulled it through. gadlus, drew the masses into his orb. Rabbi Belsky, a Rosh Yeshiva in Mesivta Torah From then on, Reh Yaakov's leader­ Vodaath. and Rav ofCampAgudah, was a tal· -from An Appreciation of mid of Rabbi Kamenetzky, and enjoyed a dose ship and guidance became the main­ Rabbi Yaakov Kamenetzky relationship With him for thirty years. stay of I~eer Hagolah. He approached by Rabbi Yisroel Belsky repeat of the previous invitation. As part of his yearly review of the en­ tirety of Tanach (Scripture), Reb Yaakov was studying the Book of Ruth. He was struck by the criticism of Elimelech for seeking refuge In Moab from the famine in Eretz Yis­ roel. 'Why fault him for ensuring his own survival?" wondered Reb Yaa­ kov. "Except that as a leader he had no right to forsake his people during their time of need. Nor should he have left the spirituality of the Land of Israel. ... Am I better? Do I have With a graduating class at the Yeshiva Maharil in Toronto, 1940. the right to stay in Toronto and not respond to the call of Reb Shraga Rav, Rabbi Avraham Shapira, who Ner Israel. Reb Shraga Feivel Mend­ Felvel to head Aish Dos? And had dispatched him to America. lowitz '"'" a product of Hungarian wouldn't my children be better off During his interview, he was asked yeshivas, was impressed with Reb with the superior Torah education If he was a Chassid. "Yes, I am," he Yaakov, the prototype of Slobodka, available in Brooklyn? I will accept replied. "My Rebbe, however is a Lit­ for having traveled by train from his offer!" vak"-referring to the Alter. Reb Toronto to honor the Yeshiva where Yaakovbecame Rav in Toronto, and his son learned. And Rabbi Kame­ was joined by his family, thanks to netzky was fascinated by the self­ the efforts of some of the city's baa­ effacing Menahel of Mesivta Torah leibattim who recognized the trea­ Vodaath-the man who looked sure that had become theirs. around for "Rabbi" Mendlowitz While in Toronto, Reb Yaakov de­ when the name was called, summon­ voted himself to raising the level of ing him to the dais. ("Rabbi? Not I, the community's religious schools, I'm Mister Mendlowitz.") When they Including the Eltz Chaim Elemen­ were introduced, Reb Shraga Feivel tary Day School, and the Yeshivas Invited Reb Yaakovto head hisAish Maharil where boys attending pub­ Dos Teachers' Institute. but Reb lic high school, out of lack of a Yaakov was not interested. yeshiva, learned Gemora for four During a later visit to New York in hours every afternoon, full days on 1945, Reb Yaakov was to meet with Sundays: giving regular shiurim to Reb Shraga Feivel. and he expected a the city's baaleibattim (which in­ cluded a number of learned men of yeshiva background), and guiding While a Rav in Toronto. as many young men as possible to pursuing their studies in the senior­ Reb Shraga Feivel did not mention level yeshivas in New York and Bal­ Aish Dos but offered him the Rosh timore. In his later years, he fre­ Ha yeshiva's daily blatt shiur of quently referred to this or that Rav, Mesivta Torah Vodaath, to replace Rosh HaYeshiva or melamed of the then-ailing Rabbi Shlomo Hei­ Torontonlan origin as "my Olam man '""· Reb Yaakov felt that ac­ Habba," "my purpose in being In cepting the position could harm Reb Toronto," or "the living proof that Shlomo by making him feel discard­ America can produce a Chafetz ed, and refused. The following year, Chaim-thank G-d that I had a hand in 1946, after Rabbi Heiman's pe­ in discovering him in Toronto!" tira, Reb Yaakov did join Mesivta Torah Vodaath,* eventually giving RISE TO PROMINENCE the shiur preparatory to semicha.

he place was Baltimore, •This appointment was suggested by Reb Yaa­ Maryland. The occasion, the kov's boyhood friend and colleague in Siobodka, chanukas habayis (dedica­ Rabbi Reuvain Grozovsky )"::fl, who also had T refused to take over Reb Shlomo's weekly shiur tion) of the new building of Yeshiva Rabbi Shraga Feivel Mendlowitz klalli until after Reb Shlomo passed away.

10 The Jewish Observer, May, 1986 Following the will of the Hashga­ cha as he understood it, Reb Yaakov left the relative comforts of Toronto for what was to become a major chapter in his life, and in the history of Arnelican Torah Jewry. Reb Yaakov's former colleagues from Slobodka-Rabbi Reuvain Grozovsky, Rosh Hayeshiva of Torah Vodaath, and Rabbi Aaron Kotler. Rosh Hayeshiva of Bais Medrash Govoha-were quick to Initiate him into the leadership ranks of the Torah community, first as a member of the Presidium of Agudath Israel of America, and then to its Moetzes Gedolei Ha Torah. He was also initiated into the leader­ ship of Torah Umesorah, Agudas Harabbonim, and eventually Chi­ nuch Atzmai. His talmidim in the semicha group in the Mesvita were soon aware of his exceptional sta­ ture, as a talmid chacham of vast knowledge and exemplary midas, as With Rabbi Gedalya Schor1 (r.) at a wedding in 1949. were the other talmidim of Torah Vodaath. MONSEYYEARS With Reb Shra.ga Feivel's passing In 1948, Reb Yaakov, together with hen Reb Yaakov stepped Rabbi Gedalya Shorr J"'1, became down from the leadership the heads of the yeshiva. During the W of Mesivta Torah Vodaath years through 1968, the yeshiva in 1968, shortly thereafter moving to opened its in-city Kollel, and even­ the then-rural community of Mon­ tually moved from Williamsburg to sey, New York, it may have been its current Flatbush campus. The construed by some as a step toward Impact of his activities duling these retirement. but that was not the years cannot be measured with sta­ case. Rather. it signalled a shift in tistics. Rather, it is to be evaluated his activities, even a broadening of by the growth of each bachur who sorts. Under the watchful eye of his watched his davening, marked by second Rebbetzin n"Y, the former intense concentration cloaked with Mrs. Chana Urman of Toronto* (his minimum movement; who heard first wife, Itta Ettel passed away in him articulate yeshiva policy regard­ 1954 ), Reb Yaakov was able to make With the late Rebbetzin Chana Kamenetsky. ing the criteria for selecting one his home and his beis midrash on shechita (brand of meat) over ano­ Saddle River Road a magnet for rab­ rael of America were always a high ther ("The Torah is more concerned bis, laymen, leaders and young peo­ point of the conclave, wherein he about a shochet's control of his ple needing his psak halacha, his shared brilliant insights on the tongue than his outer appearance"), advice and his blessings. Beyond Sidra, woven with personal anec­ or time of tefilla on Shabbos; who doubt, the scope of Monsey as an dotes, and presented them with their was guided by him in day-to-day expanding Torah community is in contemporary application. At the study in the Kollel; who posed a great measure due to his influence. latest Knessia Gedolah in 1980, Reb halachic query or asked for advice, Up until his last years, when ill­ Yaakov declared his profound love and was treated to a deliberately ness curtailed his activities, Reb for Eretz Yisroel, especially the "sin­ paced show of a quick mind, pene­ Yaakov travelled far and wide with· gular chein (charm) of the children trating analysis, and vast knowledge; out hestitation for Torah causes. His of Yerushalayim." Whenever he who looked into his calm, smiling Shalash Seudas discourses at the visited yeshivas and chadorim in face and saw a reflection of the great annual conventions of Agudath Is- the Holy Land, Reb Yaakov was men who had taught him, guided mobbed by children and bachurim him and, ultimately, entrusted him •Rebbetzin Chana Kamf'nf'lzky passed away on who responded to his warmth. The with the next generation. 12 Iyar/May 21. ten weeks after Reb Yaakov. love was obviously mutual.

The Jewish Observer, May, 1986 11 m. THE LIGHT OF HIS WAYS

hat is darkness, other than an absence of light. Ours W Is not to curse the dark­ ness but to bask in the remembered glow of the illumination that once was ours. The light of Reb Yaakov·s personality, passing through the prism of his actions, gives us an opportunity to learn and to grow. For one, his life was a quest to perceive and fulfill the specific role assigned for him by Providence. (The source could be an invitation to fulfill a position or an insight from his stu­ dies-such as the passage from Ruth.) Throughout, he was distin­ guished by the Torah he learned and the midos that he had developed, especially during his years in Slo­ bodka. Specifically, as he said in response to a question, how he had come to merit so long a life: "I did my best to avoid hurting others, and I never said a sheker (falsehood)." The framework for this study, then, is the nature of his leadership, his dedication to protecting others from pain, and his commitment to truth.

LEADERSIUP "Nothing in the Past Quarter cg a Century"

week after Reb Yaakov's passing, the author attend­ A ed a communal function in Chicago, seated near several local rabbinical leaders, including the head of the Chicago Kolle!. the dayan for Agudath Israel of Chicago, the principal of a local yeshiva ketana, and the head of a yeshiva geared for baalei teshuva. They each recalled In detail difficult halachic matters and knotty policy questions that each had brought to Reb Yaakov In recent years, how his counsel had been crucial to the running of their respective institutions, how he had travelled to Chicago In his advanced age to help this or that mosad ... Mention was made of his similar involvement in Toronto and Los An­ geles, never mind his own Monsey.

12 The Jewish Observer, May, 1986 The next day (back in New York City), this encounter was described to a Rav from yet another commun­ ity, who commented, "Do you think that anything of significance took place in the Torah community of America these past twenty-five years withoutReb Yaakov's involvement?" • • •

Reb Yaakov was respected for his clarity of thought from the time of his youth. He was known• as the star of his chabura (company) in Slo­ bodka. which had its share of brtl­ liant talmidei chachamim, includ­ ing Rabbi Aaron Kotler '"~I and '"J' Reb Yaakov' s cousin, the Rosh Ye­ shiva of Ner Israel, Rabbi Yaakov With the sons of his colleagues-Rabbi Elya Svei fl.) and Rabbi Yaakov Perlou1 fr.}. Yitzchak Ruderman K''I'."'"'· At the same time. Reb Yaakov confessed to total recall of relevant texts ("! did Reb Yaakov's "Es ducht zich mir" being so in awe of Reb Aaron's gifts. not experience forgetting until I was initswaywasbuilton the entirety of even while in their youth. that "hts seventy.'' he commented sadly when Talmud and its commentaries. supeiioiity was beyond my emy." in his eighties. but still cited copious Whether personal advice or res­ The respect was mutual, for when quotations from Talmud, Codes, and ponses to questions in chinuch Rabbi Moshe Sherer, president of their Commentartes without error). submitted at "Ask the Rosh Yeshiva" Agudath Israel of America, would his lucid presentation of his under­ sessions in Torah Umesorah, they consult RebAaron on pressing prob­ standing of the matter. and his tak­ consisted in their way of rendertngs ing into account the further impli­ ofpsak halacha,even when specific lems facing Klal Yisroel, he often cations of his decisions. But durtng would say, "Nu, Ich vell ztch meya­ chapter and verse were not cited. the last twenty five years of his life. in shev zein mit Reb Yaakov. (I'll dis­ cuss it with Reb Yaakov.)" addition to the usual halachic AGUDATHISRAEL­ queries. he was deluged by people Communal Expression Qf seeking counsel on communal or Torah Concerns personal matters. Here his genius for grasping the specific situation eb Yaakov viewed Agudath and his insight into special needs Israel as the communal ex­ came especially into the fore. Some­ R pression of Torah concerns, times he quoted a Chazal or cited a as he articulated countless times by historical precedent. Other times affiliation. by action and by the this was submerged. and all he would theme of numerous public addresses. say was "Es ducht ztch mir-it ap­ At a dinner for Agudath Israel of pears to me.... " America, he pointed out how the A subjective assessment of the degalim (banners) that the Tiibes issue? Not at all. It was more in line carried on their forty-year trek With Rabbi Reuvain Grozovsky (l.) and with the famous dictum of Reb Yis­ through the wilderness-each bear­ Rabbi Aaron Kotler. roel Salanter that he often quoted: ing the insignia of its respective "When the Rosh (Rabbi Asher. circa Shevet-were not introduced until DRAWN FROM 1300) records a judgment based on a the erection of the Mishkan. the tra­ THE BROADER CONTEXT textual proof, one can find an author­ veling sanctuacy. one year after the ity with a different interpretation of Exodus. Why the delay? He explained hoever approached Reb the same text, and build a differtng that individuality (as represented by Yaakov with a she'etla conclusion based on that other au­ the degalim) can cause frtction and W (halachic quecy) or kushya thority. But when the Rosh says. destructive factionalism. unless (question) in any area of Scripture. 'Nireh li, It appears to me.' he is bas­ Torah serves as a central transcend­ Talmud or Aggada. will not forget his ing his judgment on the complete ing force uniting the disparate instant grasp of the question, his Talmud, which had become assimi­ groups. The Mishkan, which housed •According to Rabbi Meir Chodosh of Slobodka lated into his thinking process. One the Tablets of the Law. was that cen­ at a hesped. cannot dispute the Rosh on this." tral. uniting force.

The Jewish Observer, May. 1986 13 "Secular knowledge is like material wealth. It's wonderful to possess as long as you don't believe that it makes you into a superior person."

Jewish life today is marked hy a There are so many religious inter­ and my 30-some grandchildren pray wlde range of groups and interests. ests to protect in Eretz Yisroel and that they and my 60-plus great­ bearing a potential for heated dis­ so much more to gain. And, then. grandchildren grow up to be no putes and factionalism. Ideologically, consider the opportunity to topple wealthier than I, as long as they per­ Agudath Israel serves as the spirit­ the avoda zora (idolatry) of Social­ petuate my values. How do we suc­ ual core that binds these different ism that has dominated Eretz Yis­ ceed in preserving our value system? forces together with a transcending roel since 1948!" Because I always knew where my purpose that overrides conflicts, but As predicted, Agudath Israel won children were, and they know where does not obliterate differences. four seats, which provided the swlng their children are. We control and vote to give Begin a coalition based nurture our children's environment. on 61 out of 120 seats. ending the I have a granddaughter who devotes Labor monopoly of controlling the a number of hours every week to government. Moreover. Begin's first volunteer work in Hadassah and four years in office saw an end to a Shaarei Tzeddek Hospitals. Not be­ number of anti-religious practices cause a bureaucrat in an office sends that had been plaguing the Yishuv, her there, but because her father including harassment of religious and mother want her to be there. Her girls seeking exemption from mil­ value system will not be influenced itary conscription, and the abuse by others. She is her parents' daugh­ by pathologists of limitations on ter. That is the secret of our genera­ autopsies. tional chain of loyalty. and we w111 not compromise on it." ... Safeguarding Tradition ...... And Source of Infonnation A committee of rabbinical leaders met wlth Prime Minister Golda Meir Ten years ago. The Jewish Ob­ to explain Agudath Israel's objec­ server(Jan. '76) had interviewed two tives-including its opposition to religious Russian Jews. One of them Sheimt Leumi, national service of had expressed the opinion that pub­ At the Agudath Israel Convention ln 1961. religious girls in Israel. lic demonstrations in America are "I can understand your opposition an effective tool for increasing im­ to Giyus Banos-military conscrip­ migration from the Soviet Union, A Vehiclefor Change ... tion of girls in the army," Mrs. Meir while the other interviewee strongly argued, "but what can bewrongwlth disagreed. The JO editorial board Sheimt Leumi? Is it so terrible if was troubled: Gedolei Yisroel had Reb Yaakov's words in the closed­ religious girls put in a few hours a gone on record in opposition to door sessions of the Moetzes Gedo­ week caring for the sick in hos­ demonstrations. Could we publish lei HaTorah are not on the public pitals?" the two interviews, simply permit­ record. but several non-classified All present instinctively looked to ting the two men to speak for them­ pronouncements are: before the Reb Yaakov for an explanation. selves, or was the magazine lending elections of 1979, Reb Yaakovwas a "I brought up my family in abject dignity to an unacceptable position? committed advocate of supporting poverty," he said. "I owned but one Reb Yaakov was consulted, and he the election campaign efforts of the shirt. which my Rebbetzin washed said, "Of course you can publish Israeli Agudath Israel. "Additional every erev Shabbos. Meat or chicken both. The first view just may be votes can give us another man in the was a rarity on our table. My situa­ correct." Knesset, and one man can make all tion has improved, but I still have no "But haven't we always condemned the difference in coalition politics. savings account. Yet my children street demonstrations?"

14 The Jewish Observer, May, 1986 With Rabbi Yaakov Yitzchak Ruderman, Rabbi Moshe Feinstein, and Rabbi Baruch Sorotzkin.

''Yes, we have. In the past, they YIRAS SHOMAYIM­ G·d at theAkeida, he was told, "Now would tend to get out of hand, and A Basisfor I know that you are a G·dfeartng could be dangerously counter-pro· Counsel and Guidance man." In other words, Avraham's ductive. So we've been against them. response to G-d's command dem· And even if today they possibly have eople seem to know instinc­ onstrated what otherwtse was not succeeded in helping release more tively where to turn for ad· apparent-hisfearofG·d. Now, isn't Jews, there must always be a group vice-to a person who cares fear an emotion that is etched on a that tells the Russians: We shun for the individual and respects him, person's features, there for all to such activity. You can rely on us not who is sensitive to the individual's see? What need was there for the to seek to embarrass you!'-Then we needs, and sees beyond the problem Akeida to elicit the obvious? can request special treatment for to the solution. Our experience as So I thought {said the Rosh Haye· our religious needs. We-the reli· Torah people has taught us to expect shiva), until I personally encoun· gious community-are that group. more: We know that a person im· teredfear. As a young man, I was So you may publish the one opinion, mersed in Torah will draw from his wamed that the Czar had dis· as long as you present an opposing Torah knowledge to counsel others, patched officers to conscrtptJewtsh point of view. First, however. you and-equally significant-when he youths into his army-a terrible must determine that the Amelican is endowed with the Yiras Sha· fate. I was hidden in the cellar of government looks favorably on dem· mayim (fear of Heaven), he has the our house. From there I heard the onstrations. We cannot publish any· prerequisite of "G·d imparts His officer's horse gallop up to our thing that suggests activities that wisdom to those who fear Him" (Te· house. Once hts boots clicked on the antagonizes the U.S. Government.'' hillim 25, 14). So it was with Reh floor boards over my head, I began "Kissinger has gone on record Yaa.kov. to quake uncontrollably, fearing against-" ••• that he mayfind me. I later heard 'Tm not referling to what he says. him leave the house and the horse I'm referling to what he wants." Reh Yaakov once explained his hooves beat on down the road, yet I "How are we to know that?" understanding of Yiras Shomayim continued to tremble for the rest of "And to know that," said the Rosh in the following manner: the day, and the next, and the day Hayeshiva. "[call 5 Beekman Street. lifter Avraham had responded to after that ... I rely on Agudath Israel to find out the Divine command and offered It then struck me that a fear that what the government really wants." hts son Yitzchak as a sacrijlce to is visible paralyzes a person. and

The Jewish Observer, May, 1986 15 /! 01 ,,., jj) ,.. ,., Cfll~.r P~l\!JI I Yaakov took the front seat. After Reb Moshe alighted from the car, Reb Yaakov explained, 'We were clarify­ ing who would be getting off first. That person, we decided, should sit in the back. Would he sit in the front. the longer-riding passenger would be in the back leaving you alone at the wheel, making you look like a chauffeur. But that is not the case. We appreciate your importance and did not want to compromise your dignity." There was a motion among mem­ bers of the board of directors of Mesivta Torah Vodaath to install a time clock to monitor the amount of time the rabbeim spent in the ye­ shiva. Reb Yaakov was incensed: "How dare you install a time clock! What do you think they are-press­ A letter in praise of Reb Yaakovfrom Rau Moshe Mordechai Epstein, 1926. ers? Not that there is anything wrong with being a presser. It's a decent does not pennit him to function. bos-no special treatment necessary and honest way of earning a living. Fearof G-d is meant to be elevating for the Rosh Ha yeshiva of Mesivta But a presser works from 9 to 5. and and inspiring, not paralyzing. Av­ Torah Vodaath .... But a photo-eager then goes home and doesn't give his raham possessed that motivating little boy mustn't be left wanting. job a further thought until the next kind offear, and thus he was warm. It was not beyond Reb Yaakov to morning-which is fine and ehrlich. cordial and smiling aftertheAkeida tell the waiter in Camp Mesivta: "The Not so a rebbe!When he goes home as he was before. His fear of G-d cholent was delicious. Ask the cook he thinks about his talmidim. and was internal and not manif est until if! could have doubles." Not in keep­ may even lose sleep on a boy's prob­ he gave it expression in his ulti­ ing with the dignity of his position? lems. Moreover. a rebbe may stay up mate act offaith, directed by Yiras That didn't matter. The lesson that late into the night preparing a Shomayim. the waiter. and others within ear­ superior shiur for his class. Should Reb Yaakov could have been des shot. learned was how to express he oversleep the next day and arrive cribing himself. While his every word gratitude to an overworked, under­ late to the yeshiva, is it out of per­ reflected Yiras Shomayim, he always appreciated cook. Ifhe had observed sonal indulgence? Not at all. It is out appeared relaxed, congenial. closely, the waiter already knew well of devotion to his talmidim There is from the Rosh Yeshiva's dining no place for a time-clock in a An Awesomely Nonnal Approach habits how he carefully selected his yeshiva!" food, following the "Rambam's cui­ In relating the above incident Walking out after a session at a sine," which involves moderation as about his father, Rabbi Shmuel Ka· National Convention of Agudath ls·· its cornerstone. menetzky (Rosh Hayeshiva in Phi­ rael. he noticed a disappointed ladelphia) added that his father had youngster holding a camera watch­ been autobiographical in his des­ ing him slipping out of range. Reb K'VOD HA'ADAM cription of a rebbe's consuming de­ Yaakov stepped back in front of the Respect.for the Dignity votion to his talmidim. He recalled boy. smiled. and commanded: of Man an incident when his father was "Shoot!" staying at his home. Late at night he No. he was not publicity hungry. In eb Yaakov had regard for the heard him go downstairs. He fol­ fact. Reb Yaakov was so self-effacing inherent dignity of every lowed, to find him making an entry that he dispensed with many cus­ person-young and old, great into his pocket diary. tomary dignities that most people of and simple. "l was concerned about a certain position took for granted. For exam­ After a Chinuch Atzmai meet­ bachur in the yeshiva," explained ple. when as a lonely widower fifteen ing. Reb Yaakov and Rabbi Moshe the Rosh Ha yeshiva, "and I believe I years earlier, he ordered his Shab­ Feinstein stood outside a waiting have a way of helping him. So I bos meals at a Williamsburg restau­ car discussing who would sit next to rushed to jot it down in my ap· rant on Fridays. he sat at a table with the driver (the favored seat) and who pointment book for tomorrow to other single guests on the Shab- would sit alone in the back seat. Reb make sure that I don't forget."

16 The Jewish Observer, May, 1986 ••• Rabbi Shmuel Dishon. menahel ofYeshiva Karlin-Stolin. recalled how the Rosh Hayeshiva had invited several bachurim to his home for Kiddush on Shavuos morning, shortly after his second marriage. The Rebbetzin had prepared a sumptuous repast, with various cheese delicacies. When Reb Yaakov saw the set table he blanched. be­ cause he had honored a custom that his grandmother had kept. to refrain from eating cheeses on Fridays. (He had said that he did not understand the basis for the minhag. but he would not eat foods that his parents or grandparents did not eat.) "Is something wrong?" asked the Reb­ betzin. "Not at all.'' he replied. "l just did not expect such a beautifully pre­ pared Kiddush." When she stepped out of the room. he quietly turned to the boys. ex­ plained the situation and asked them to be mattirneder(release him from the implied vow of not eating cheese on Friday) since he would never have accepted this custom had he known that it would cause someone pain. This was not the time to explain his practice to his new wife .... He then pariook of the pas­ tries and complimented his Reb­ betzin on her fine baking. (Accord­ ing to his children. he soon resumed this minhag.) ••• When asked of his opinion of the advisability of burial in Eretz Yis­ roel. he related a well-known inci­ dent wherein Reb Meir Simcha of Dvinsk probated a will of a wealthy woman who had expressed strong ties to the Holy Land. Rather than expend the exorbitant sums then required for transporting a body to Eretz Yisroel (this was in the l 920's). Reb Meir Simcha ruled that she be buried in Europe and that the re­ mainder of the funds be used for Torah education. Reb Yaakov then added on a per­ sonal note: "It seems to me that when Yaakov Avinu asked that he not be buried in Egypt. for the rea­ sons that Rashi cites. he implied

The Jewish Obseroer. May, J 986 17 that under ordinary circumstances. "She should say the prayers my he should have been laid to rest Rebbetzin used to say when she was where his children and grandchild­ busy with our children: Birkas Ha­ ren were living. A father must think Torah. Birkas HaShachar," said Reb of his family's needs after he is gone, Yaakov. and must plan to be accessible for "And ?" their entreaties and prayers after he "Birkas HaShachar ends with a has died. 1 imagine that after I've Yehi Ratzon'," said the Rosh Haye­ lived my 120 years, the expense of shiva. and he recited the entire burying me in Israel will not be pro­ prayer slowly. verbatim, emphasiz­ hibitive, but I also know that my ing a phrase here. a word there: " ... children are not men of means, and 'accustom us to Your Torah, attach they will not be able to easily fly to my us to Your commandments. Do not graveside to pray should I be buried bring us into ... error. nor ... sin or in Israel." transgression ... Distance us from an evil person ... Grant us ... kind- ness and mercy in Your eyes and in LISTENING FOR CLUES the eyes of all who see us... .' Not a bad prayer," he commented with a abbi Avraham Kamenetzky. twinkle in his eye. son of the late Rosh Haye­ Chinuch, and Beyond R shiva, recalled how his Rabbi Yaakov Kamenetsky 1vith two qf his father listened closely when a person sons (r.) on a visit to Jerusalem. asked him for guidance, to pick up In speaking to a group of counse­ clues as to his leanings. Once he the mother cartng for her children lors in a summer camp, Reb Yaakov ascertained that halacha would be full time herself, and so on. told them that their Inevitable func­ honored, he would then take into A half year later the young man tion as mashpi'im (those who have account a person's natural inclina­ returned with his wife. She now had influence over others), outside a tions and the limitations of his three children, which kept her occu­ formal teaching situation, can be capacity. (Sometimes, for instance, pied all day and half the night. How­ extremely po tent, explaining that the he would help a yeshiva student ever, she felt limited, frustrated, and Hebrew word for influence, hash­ devise a strategy for spirttual en­ was impatient with the children. pa 'ah, derives from shipua, incline. hancement even when it was con­ Could she find part-time work in When one stands beneath the eaves trary to his parents' plans: other her field? asked the Rosh Haye­ of a house during a rainstorm, the times he would caution a student shiva. water that hits the roof drains not to violate his parent's wishes.) ... When she replied in the affirma­ downward and pours on the person Jfhe did not pick up a clue. he would tive, he suggested that she try work­ below. drenching him far more than simply shrug his shoulders and say, ing outside her home several hours a would the rainfall itself. Such is the "Vais ich nit (I really don't know) day. effect of an incline, and such is the ... ,"and wait for further indication. After thanking the Rosh Yeshiva impact of the role of the mashpi'ah. Or he might suggest a particular for his advice, and the couple had whose attitudes and actions set an course of conduct to test for a re­ left, the husband returned for a example for those "beneath" him. action. moment and asked, "Didn't the Rosh At the same gathertng, he pointed Yeshiva suggest that my wife give out how the Avos, the prophets, and Busy Mothers up working, six months ago?" many other early leaders had been "Six months ago I described the shepherds, a rather lowly position A Kollel fellow discussed the var­ ideal situation. Today I counseled on the social ladder. There was area­ ious options open to his wife. She yourwif~ in the course best suited to son for this, however. Tending sheep had been working full-time, while a her needs." entailed dealing with the herd as a babysitter cared for their two in­ whole while caring for the individual fants. A third child was now on the ••• sheep that may stray, run ahead, or way and the young man was taking Another Kollelfellowdescrtbed his have other special needs. This exer­ on some work assignments. His wife wife's struggles with davening be­ cise ofresponsibilityon so many dif­ would be able to stay home with the fore leaving for work: She used to ferent levels was an excellent train­ children, the babysitter costs would daven Shacharis every morning. ing ground for leadership of our be spared, and she would no longer Now that she cares for the children people. While the occupation today have to work. What does the Rosh before she leaves, she has no time is not as it was in Biblical times, it Hayeshiva think of a mother giving left for Shacharts at home. Should does have a contemporary counter­ up outside work? Reb Yaakov des­ she perhaps daven on the bus on part of sorts: serving as counselors crtbed the ideal Jewish home with the way to work? for the children in summer camps.

18 The Jewish Observer, May. 1986 NORMALITY: BUILDING BLOCKS TO GREATNESS

eb Yaakov always seemed to take a person's normal needs R into account. even when dealing with loftier goals. We are all familiar with ambitious parents that push children beyond their endur­ ance. or inhibit them beyond their ability, provoking rebellion or pro­ ducing misfits. Reh Yaakov studi­ ously avoided such excesses. Thus, while serving as a me lamed in his wanderings during World War I. he puzzled the parents of his stu­ dents by permitting his young charges to play freely for a spell every hour or two. Worse yet-he did not have the customary disciplinary strap hanging prominently on the wall as a warning to mischievous students. Distraught parents were only consoled by the assurances of the local Rav that someday the por­ trait of the melamed "Yanke! Doh­ linover" will grace homes alongside the ubiquitous picture of the revered Kovno Rav, Rabbi Yitzchak Elcha­ nan Spektor '""· ••• His oldest son, Rabbi Binyomin Kamenetzky (Menahel of Yeshiva Toras Chaim), recalled how his father had called him into his study on the day after his bar mitzva, climbed onto a bench to reach for a carefully wrapped package, and told him, "Now that you are bar mitzva, l want to give you the most precious commodity in the world. You must promise me that you'll guard it like your very life." He opened the package and gave him a wrist watch, adding that Reh Yisroel Salanterwould often say that time is life, and when one wastes time, one is actually losing a portion of his life. The message lasted far longer than the wrist watch did. Shabbos with relatives in the New ico City-into the Rosh Yeshiva's • • • York area, but not knowing how office to articulate his request for When the author served as super­ observant the hosts were, the yeshi­ him in Yiddish. After a five minute visor of the dormitory in Mesivta va's hanhala (administration) de­ discussion, during which Reb Yaa­ Torah Vodaath, a large number of cided to refer all such requests to kov learned the name of the Rav of Latin American boys were enrolled Reb Yaakov for screening. Chaim's relatives, Reb Yaakov told In the yeshiva. Many of them would One Thursday afternoon I ush erect the boy. ''I'll speak to the Rav and request permission to spend a Chaim-a 16-year-old boy from Mex- then l'll let you know."

The Jewish Obseroer, May, 1986 19 "And I'll be able to go for this various subjects offered, he should ble. Family is an Important factor, Shabbos?" put in the extra half hour. If It is but by no means the exclusive one." "Oh, no. It's Thursday afternoon. I important to do at all, then he should • • • doubt if everything will be clear by do it properly, not half-heartedly." tomorrow." An American yeshiva musmach 'What? Another week here?" • • • who is very effective In his career of "Blztdu nit zufrieden daw(aren't Klruv work on college campuses, you pleased here)?" asked the Rosh A controversy ensued In the school had one daughter who had gradu­ Yeshiva. where the yeshiva fellow's sons at­ ated from an Intensive teachers' "It's OK, but all I see is the same tended-should translation and seminary program, and was on the rooms and the same walls, day in language of Instruction be in Yid­ faculty of a local Bais Yaakov high and day out, week In and week out.A dish or English?What does the Rosh school. She had been introduced to a person needs a break once in a while, Hayeshlva think? brilliant yeshiva student whom she too, you know." Reb Yaakov acknowledged that found interesting and attractive, but With that, Chaim-on the verge of there were differences of opinion on she was repelled by some of his tears-rushed out, fairly slamming the matter, but stressed that the key extreme anti-secular statements, Issue was: how will the children the door behind him. and could not see herself marrted to better learn Torah? Judging from I started to apologize for Chaim, him. The parents favored the match but Reb Yaakov simply shook his his own grandchildren, who were and decided to take their daughter studying in both types of yeshivas, head. saying. ''The boy is really right to Reb Yaakov to discuss the matter For him the yeshiva with no change he found those learning in English with him. in routine or scenery, isa virtual pri­ covering more ground and under­ The Rosh Hayeshlva listened to standing the material better than son. Nebach, we have no choice. One the description of the young man, those studying in Yiddish. "But I do Shabbos in the wrong environment and the girl's complaint that "he's not want you to consider my opinion can undo all the good that the Ye­ too 'European,' and very unworldly." on the matter," he added. "Every shiva has accomplished in three "That could be," he commented. months. But he is still right." generation has its own instinctive "Some boys do Insulate themselves grasp of what will help it survive. completely from the American en­ • • • Your generation seems to invest In vironment Tell me, does he play Yiddish as an important factor: it Is ball?" A father of a diligent student in an not for me to disagree." "Only in the summer," she replied. out-of-town Meslvta high school had "Then he's not European," he said a problem with his son's singular Maniage and Other Problems with a smile. "But you also complain devotion to his religious studies. that he's not acquainted with world The boy had been scoring straight affairs. In truth, every man, in A's, until mid-term, when his A young talmld of his in Torah searching for the perfect woman for mathematics grade plummeted to a Vodaath asked him how much in­ him to marry, subconsciously has C-. 'Tm attentive in class and pass quiry is necessary before choosing a an image In mind. The more similar all my exams," explained the boy. wife. she is to his mother-who In his "but I can't afford the time required 'When der Alter suggested the experience represents perfection­ for homework assignments. So, all I daughter of the Mashgiach, Rabbi the closer she is to the ideal image. earn is a C-." Heller, to me, I agreed to meet the Similarly, a girl searches for the ideal The father checked into the boy's young lady. I came up to the house, man, and in her frame of reference study habits and found him to be a and she asked me if I'd like a cup of her father represents perfection. The dedicated masmld. Shall he insist coffee. Yes. thank you.' I said. You're more similar he Is to her father, the that he do his homework at the welcome,' she replied. I was basically more pleased she is. Your father is a expense of his learning, or should he pleased with her, so we got marrted." talmld chacham, a good person, overlook the low report card grade as The young man was taken aback. and quite worldly, and while the long as he's using his time produc­ "And that's all there was to it?" he young man in question has the first tively? He decided to bring the ques­ managed to ask. "Shall I do the two attributes, you find fault with tion to Reb Yaakov. same?" him for lacking the third. The Rosh Hayeshlva asked the "Not really," smiled the Rosh Ha­ 'Worldliness is surely a ma'ala.. a boy, "How much time would it take yeshiva. "I knew the family well, and positive attribute, but today's ye­ you to do your mathematics home­ in those days in Europe, a girl was shiva student cannot grow fully in work to earn a decent mark?" the product of her home. There were Torah and worldliness. The fact that "About a half hour." no other major influences on her. To he is less worldly is not necessarily a The Rosh Hayeshlva then turned be sure. I had to meet her, but no liability. In fact, if he were more to the father, "As long as you have further exploration of character was aware of the outside world-that decided that your son should be necessary. Today, in America the would be cause for hesitation. It enrolled in high school, taking the situation is much more unpredicta- would be a chisaron, a drawback, an

20 The Jewish Observer, May, 1986 indication that he is less of a ben Torah. As for your father. he needs the outside knowledge for his Kiruv work." The youngladytumed l 80 degrees In her attitude. As the father later remarked to me. "Imagine a nine­ teen year old girl consulting a nine­ ty-one year old man for the affairs of the heart. and after a five minute conversation, heeding his advice. Such is the power of a Torah per­ sonallty!" • • • In a different context, Reb Yaakov once quoted the Alter of Slobodka's opinion of a rabbi who had earned a secular degree: "I am not against secular knowledge as such when there is no question of apikorsus (heretical ideas). It is the same as material wealth-it's wonderful to possess. Problems only arise when one comes to believe that the rich­ es-or the secular knowledge­ makes one into a superior person." Reb Yaakov had extensive know­ ledge in the natural sciences. On an automobile trip to upstate New York for a talmid's engagement, Reb Yaa­ kov told the driver that he's off course."! checked a roadmap. and I Ing gebrochts. So as not to be guilty • • • believe we're doing fine," the driver of an untruth, he then and there Said. accepted that restriction upon him­ One of Reb Yaakov's first stops on "I checked the constellations, and self and kept it for the rest of his life. his fund-raising mission in Amer­ we're heading Northeast instead of • • • ica. in 1937, was the Manhattan Northwest," said the Rosh Haye­ When interviewed by a draft board office of a manufacturer. Reb Yaakov shiva. produced a copy of the receipt for the The next gas station confirmed in Czarist Russia, Reb Yaakov pro­ duced documents for a medical def­ previous year's donation, and then Reb Yaakov's assessment-fifty took a seat in the waiting room.After miles too late. erment. The interviewer scoffed, "Forget it! Papers like these can be an unusually long delay. the manu­ bought for two Kopecks!" facturer returned with a check made INTEGRITY "But these are genuine," protested out for a smaller amount than the Reb Yaakov. "l want you to know that receipt had recorded for the previous onesty-in word, deed, and I've never said a false word in my year. financial matters-was a life." "It's really the same as last year's H hallmark of Reb Yaakov's life. The officer looked into the face of contribution," explained the manu­ It is well known that he refrained the earnest young man. and accepted facturer. from eating gebrochts (matzah that his papers. "But the receipt is for a larger had contact with any liquid) on Pe­ * • • amount." sach-a custom not usually followed 'Yes, I know. It was purposely done In his native Lithuania. One Pesach Reb Yaakov often told of how. as that way by your office in hope that I during his youth. he was visitlng a Rav of Tzitovyan, the postmaster might duplicate that amount this family with standards in Kashrus consistently gave him too much year. but! knew that I had given less. that were somewhat lower than his change for his purchase of postage, so I checked my records. The amount own. When invited to join them for which he always returned ... and on the check is correct." supper. he declined, and not want­ how years later the postmaster Reb Yaakov was shocked. "! will ing to offend his host. he said that helped Jews escape the destruction not work for an institution that runs his minhagwas to refrain from eat- of World War II. a dishonest office."

The Jewish Obseroer. May, 1986 21 transfer to board a bus, the bor bir· shus harabbim (an obstacle in a public place) of a nailhead protrud· ing from a shtender in the beis hamidrash (did you ever catch your jacket on one?)-like so many of the fine points of being a Shulchan Aruch Yid, with all of its ramifica· tions, twenty-four hours a day that he discussed. ("There are places where one may not ever think words of Torah. yet one must be guided by them, even there, since we do have Hilchos Beis Hakisei-Laws of Pro· per Conduct in the Lavatory.") But he taught and demonstrated with his every motion that integrity is not just a matter of dramatic gestures, or avoiding grand larceny, but one of At the levaya, outside Torah Vodaath. minutiae. honortngthe hairsbreadth that separates Eden from Gehinnom. As he got up to leave, the contribu­ the wrapping, examined the title tor stopped him. "Here, take the page, the binding, the number of • • • check in the meantime." pages, and said, "J imagine that he "No. I am no longer the yeshiva's prtnted 500 copies-that's about two Reb Yaakov eulogized his rebbe, meshulach. as I resigned a minute and a half thousand dollars, or$5.00 the famed Alter of Slobodka, Rabbi ago. I am not authorized to accept each, plus postage. Hmmm. I'll have Nasson Zvi Finkel '""· molder and monies on its behalf.'' to send him a check for $7.00." mentor of some of the greatest men The manufacturer was dumb­ The family tells that each of his of our century, on his fiftieth yahr· struck. "Don't you have a family to seforim has the amount paid writ· zeit He introduced his memorial support?" he asked. ten on the inside cover. lecture with an observation on a 'Yes. a wife and six children." single word used in regard to the "Then take this," he said, whip­ • • • return on the Yoveil(Jubilee Year) of ping out $200 from his wallet. all ancestral lands that had been Reb Yaakov shrank back. "J don't With Reb Yaakov visited the kin· sold since the previous Yoveil, fifty accept gifts." dergarten of his son's yeshiva in years earlier: "The sale shall be "It's a Joan. Until you get another Hewlett, Long Island, he noticed that Le'olam-forever," that is. up to fifty job." the mezuzah was fixed on a spot on more years, with the advent of the "Thank you kindly, but G-d will the doorpost within reach of the following yoveil. (See Rashi on provide. I do not need a loan." children. "It's a lovely idea to let the She mos 21,6.) The word "olam "also Reb Yaakov returned his portfolio children reach the mezuzah," he means world, informing us that as and lists to the yeshiva office. The said, "but put the mezuzah where it society undergoes gradual changes following day, he bumped into an belongs, on the upper third of the from year to year, with the passage of old-time colleague from Slobodka, doorpost instead, and let them use a fifty years, a new world comes into Reb Alter Poplack, who recommend­ stool to reach it. Otherwise they will existence. Thus, said Reb Yaakov, we ed him for the position of interim grow up thinking that a mezuzah must act swiftly at the close of the Rabbi for the Congregation Bikur can be put anywhere you wish. One fifty years since the Alter's passing Cholim in Seattle, which Reb Yaakov does not raise children with un­ to recall how he thought and lived, accepted for the following six truths." because it was another world that he months. inhabited. a world remote from our • • • experience. We must make haste to • • • learn now whatever we can. Reb Yaakov's Monday afternoon The applicability of Reb Yaakov's The author was once present in shmuessen in the Mesivta Torah words to his own life needs no fur· Reb Yaakov's office in Torah Vodaath Vodaath Beis Midrashoften focused ther underscoring. Ifwe are wise we when a parcel was delivered. The on what struck some bachurim as will follow his directive in regard to Rosh Hayeshiva looked at the pack· trtvia of life or details of the Shul· the world he inhabited. transported age, checking the return address chan Aruch-the gazeila (dis· with him from Slobodka, and now and the postage. "A new sefer from honesty) of taking a place in line in taken along with him on Erev Rosh ----~" he said. He removed front of others. using someone else's Chodesh Adar II, 5746.•

22 The Jewish Obseroer, May. 1986 a report by Rabbi Shimon Finkelman

Everyone has heard of Tay-Sachs, a debilitating disease that strikes infants and brings them to an early death. There has been much discussion regarding testing young people before they reach marriageable age-if they prove to be carriers, they could choose other partners in marriage and be spared the agony of bringing stricken children into the world. Nonethe­ less, the prospect of widespread systematic testing of Beth Jacob and yeshiva students invariably has been greeted with vehement opposition. When some­ one learns that he or she is identified as a Tay-Sachs carrier, it creates the fear that it can ruin shidduchim prospects, even though carrier status may be totally irrelevant to the proposed match. Moreover, carriers often find them­ selves weighed down with a tremendous psychic burden, while their status as a carrier is truly meaningless in most situations.... Yet the need to test and screen is urgent, if Tay-Sachs is to be thwarted. Is there, then, no way to avoid the scourge of Tay-Sachs while preserving the confidentiality of the carrier's status? Until recently, there did not seem to be a way to achieve both ends. Then along came a man who had seen several of his own children suffer and die from Tay-Sachs, while he had succeeded in usher­ ing yet other children to the chupa. Using available scientific knowledge and common sense, he devised a simple yet ingenious method for SOLVING THE TAY-SACHS DILEMMA

I. TAY-SACHS: HOW IT WORKS

SUCH A HAPPY FAMILY, UNTIL .•• anan and daughter Shoshana Miriam. Little Zevi is no longer with them. ike most people, Shlomo and Chevi Schrader* Four years ago. when Zevi was seven months old. Mrs. never dreamt it could happen to them. Mr. Schrader noticed that something was wrong. Zevi had L Schrader is an optometrist in Frederick, Mary­ grown normally at first, learning to lift his head and sit land; Mrs. Schrader. a housewife. They live in a modest up. Then development not only stopped, but steadily apartment in northwest Baltimore with their son Yoch- worsened. Before, Zevi would sit and play for several hours at a time.Now he tired easily. seemingly exhausted *from an article in The Baltimore Jewish Times. after only a few minutes of activity. He became listless, a Rabbi Flnlrelman, who teaches Gemora in Yeshiva Tiferes Ellmelech ln child with no personality. no smile. Brooklyn, wrote "Taking F1lght With a Mttzva" {JO. Nov. '84) and a Succos article (Oct. '85), and is the author of four books for theArtscroll Youth Series, After a local pediatrician could not pin-point the prob­ including the recently published Story qf the Shaagas Aryeh. lem. the young couple sought out experts at Long Island

The Jewish Obseroer, May, 1986 23 Jewish Hospital. The Schraders learned the dreadful truth: their thirteen-month-old son had Tay-Sachs dis­ ease. Originally identified at the tum of the century by Dr. Bernard Tay of London and Dr. Warren Sachs at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York, Tay-Sachs disease is a fatal disorder primarily affecting babies of Jewish Ashkenazic descent. The disease causes degen­ eration of the nervous system and severe mental and motor retardation-eventually culminating in death. No treatment exists for the disease at the present time.

CARING FOR THE VICTIM­ A FULL TIME OCCUPATION

routine was established: Every morning before going to work, Mr. Schrader would lift his help­ A less son from his waterbed (important for avoid­ ing bedsores) and gently place him on the living room sofa. Since Zevi could not swallow, his parents employed a special machine several times each day to clear his clogged airway of mucus and saliva. Eating was also a chore: Zevi had to be fed five times a day, a bit at a time, through a tube that ran through his nose in to his throat. Tay-Sachs babies die after a prolonged debilitative period, usually by three-to-five years of age, from various infections that their devastated bodies are unable to fight. However, the nightmare does not end there. for the griev­ ing parents always live with the fear that future offspring

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24 The Jewish Observer. May, 1986 may be stricken with the disease. There is a 25 percent chance that other children born to such parents will also have this disease. Two weeks after Zevi had been diagnosed, Mrs. Schrader gave birth to their second son. Moments after delivery. Mr. Schrader rushed a blood sample to Mt. Sinai Medical Center in New York for analysis. After an agoniz­ ing 12hoursofwaiting, test results revealed thatYochanan was a perfectly normal. healthy seven-pound boy. "It was the toughest day of my life.'' Shlomo Schrader sighed. THE Two years later, Yochanan. a spritely boy with curly brown hair and an infectious smile, would often ramble mischievously through the house. When reprimanded, JEWISH he would tum to his older brother and say. ·we can't play ball in the living room, only outside," or the like. But Zevi didn't answer. His face was pale, his breathing labored. OBSERVER The once-bright eyes were fixed and glazed. Zevi could neither see nor hear anymore. Wedo more than just observe. II. LEARNING WHY IT STRIKES ------D One Year/$15.00 (for ten issues) D Two Years/$27.00 (a $40 value) D Three Years/$36.00 (a $60 value) FROM A "NON-ISSUE" TO A TRAGEDY D Canada, Israel and all Europc-$20.00. D Australia & South Africa-$25.00. hen a child has been diagnosed as being a Tay­ Sachs victim, his parents-if this is their first U.S. FUNDS-DRAWN ON A U.S. BANK ONLY W encounter with the disease-are informed by 5 Beekman Street/New York, N.Y./10038 the pediatrician of facts that they probably did not know: their child's condition would not have occurred were Send magazine to: Name ______tbey not both carriers of the disease-causing gene, and this could have been determined prior to marriage Address through a simple blood test. The primruy cause for such widespread ignorance in City ____ State _____~ .iP·---. so serious a matter is that, for the most part, Tay-Sachs D Enclose gift card 0 Master card D Visa has been a non-issue, at least in Torah circles. Families Account No. DDDDDDDDDDDDDDD who have been affected by the disease are, understand­ ably. reluctant to speak of it, and those who have not, are Expiration date OD (month) DD (year) either oblivious to the problem or under the erroneous Signature ______Impression that it cannot affect them. Actually, Tay­ Sachs, like other genetic diseases, can v•n occur even in KATZ FAMILY families that have no previous histoiy of the problem. Moreover, the disease is unfortunately more prevalent In Orthodox circles than is commonly thought. Leading LAKE HOOSE pediatricians at major New York Hospitals, such as HOTEL Mount Sinai and Albert Einstein Medical Centers. have We are Open Passover thru Succos testified to having diagnosed each year at least one or Enjoy a traditional atmosphere amidst over 200 lovely two babies in Orthodox Jewish famtlies as having this rolling acres . . with delicious glatt kosher meals and disease. excellent accommodations. Cholov Yisroel & Glatt meats, In a letter dated 15 Kislev 5745, Rabbi Moshe Stem indoor pool-Sauna-Whirlpool-separate sw'1mmlng, a N"\J>?'l', Rav of Debricin, wrote: Kosher L'Mehadrin house, a hotel as warm and friendly and as reliable in Kashruth as your own home. Write or call "It is lmpossible to describe on paper the wave of tragedies that for brochure & rates. has engulfed many families among our Jewish brethren whose LAKE HOOSE HOTEL offspring suffer from the dreaded Tay-Sachs disease .... To my NOW BOOKING WOODRIDGE,l'l.Y.12789 great distress and heartache, many of these families have come GROUP PACKAGES (914) 434·7800 or (212) 923-8600 before me with halachic queries {pertaining to this matter).... "

The Jewish Obseroer, May. 1986 25 FEIVEL KIRSHENBAUM, Ph.D. FINANCIAL ADVISER Ill. SEARCHING

Expertise in financial planning, investment FOR A SOLUTION selection, tax strategies, retirement and estate planning. uch was the situation when two years ago efforts were finally made to rectify the matter. Yitzchok Registered Investment Adviser. Twenty years S Friedman.* a member of New York's Chassidic of experience In financial analysis. No sales or community, who himself had endured the sufferings commissions. Absolute confidentiality. brought on by this illness, embarked on a sacred mission to spare his brethren from similar anguish. (914) 352-1919 The first person whose assistance he sought was Dr. RobertJ. Desnick, Chiefof the Division of Medical Genet­ ics at Mount Sinai Medical Center and Director of its Center for Jewish Genetic Diseases. Dr. Desnick had come to Mount Sinai in 1979 after having spent a number of years researching Tay-Sachs disease and other Jewish genetic disorders at the University of Minnesota.

GETTING APPROVAL IS YOUR REDUCING DIET DEPLETING THE BODY OF NUTRIENTS? fter receiving Dr. Desnlck's written endorsement of his cause along with a detailed report on the *FREEDA ® VITAMINS* matter, Mr. Friedman took his case to Individuals - WITHOUT SUGAR - A in his own community who were familiar with the rav­ HELP KEEP YOU FIT & TRIM ages of Tay-Sachs and solicited their aid in implement­ ing a solution to the problem. Your body cannot properly burn calories This small group of volunteers named itself "Chevra without the necessary nutritional support DorYeshorim" (based on Tehillim 112:2. "Dor yeshorim of vitamins and minerals yevorach-a generation of the upright who shall be •FREEDA makes a Kosher L-Phenylala­ blessed") and established as its primary goal the detail­ nine, used in many reducing programs. ing and executing of a program of blood testing that would determine the genetic compatibility of any given shidduch-prior to marriage. The program would have to meet with the approval of the Torah leadership. avoid­ ing the pitfalls associated with wholesale screening. It FREEDA would also have to satisfy Dr. Desnick, who had agreed to have it implemented at Mount Sinai under his super­ Pharmacy Vitamins vision.

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26 The Jewish Obseroer, May, 1986 IV. THE APPROACH: SIMPLE AND PRACTICAL MIGDAL OHZ SEMINARY fter much consultation and discussion, Dor Yeshorim's program officially began in early 1984. FOR TFACHERS A A simple and practical system was established: To Rabbi Shimon Groma, Dean be tested, one contacts the Dor Yeshorim office for an appointment at the Mount Sinai Medical Center. is happy to announce the acquisition of their own school building in the Bayit NUMBERS, NO NAMES Vegan section ofYerushalayim. All class­ rooms, dining room and dormitory facili­ orYeshorimdoesnotrequireanypersonalidenti­ flcation from those being tested. Evety person is ties will be available in this building. D assigned a special Dor Yeshorim identification For further information regarding the number and is asked to submit only his birthdate as an added check against test results becoming confused. coming school year, please contact our (Ideally, this test should be taken before a particular N.Y. office at (718) 851-8855. boy or girl becomes actively involved in shidduchim Rabbi Moshe Feinstein'"" recommended* that the test be taken by girls at age 18 and boys at age 20-unless A note of thanks from the they are contemplating marriage at an earlier age.) Bostoner Rebbe WHEN A SHIDDUCH IS SUGGESTED Brooklyn, N.Y. hen a shidduch is suggested, both parties' I wish to crtend mp heartfelt thanks and identification numbers are submitted to the W DorYeshorim office to check the compatibility deep appreciation to the dear friends of m)' of the match. If only one of the parties is a carrier, there is Father tl":Ji1 and all those who were mispallel no problem. Only when both the boy and the girl are for me and who ossisted and gave chizu.k to carriers-which means their marriage would be capable mp Jamil)' du.ring the time of my illness. of producing Tay-Sachs children-would the parties be advised to seek other mates. Your care and concern, your devotion and With the approval of leading Torah authorities, Dor dediration will always be close to my heart. Yeshorim responds to the submission of two identifica­ Map Hashem grant me the opportunit)' to tion numbers with nothing further than either "compat­ repa)' I hese gestures of love and friendship on ible" or "non-compatible." If the match is found compati­ ble, the carrier status of the individual is not divulged to good and happp occasion.5. * ~· either party. Even parents are not told whether or not ------Continued on page30 ThP Yaarzeit of the Bost oner RelJ/Je Adrrwr • Sejer Halacha U'Refuah. p. 327 R lvloshe ben Admur R'l'inchos Dovid Halevi J"~l ;vill be on ShahlJOs Kodesh N\Ul '!l, 11'0 i'" Vacation in a Torah Atmosphere at (June 21 !. The si)'um n1'l1Ur.J and 0"\Ui1 will be on Sunda)' 11'0 1"\J (Jane 22) in the afternoon. CAMP YESHIVA All those who took mn:ior.i or n1'l\Ur.J should please try to finish on time. OF STATEN ISIAND May the Re/Jbe's greot z'chu..5 stand b)' as in the Catskills and all klal )!isroel, whom he so dearl)' loved, that oar C)'es be open to the Torah and oar Spacious Bungalows & Deliciously Prepared Meals. tLfi.los be lovinsi)' accepted b}' the Ribono Shel We are proud to announce that the well known Rabbi Olam. Yisroel Kleinman will be Leaming & Day Camp Director. With gratitude and respect Chaim Avrohom Halevi Call (718) 356-5119 or (718) 356-5412. 1535 49th StrC'et, Brooklyn, N.Y. 1121~1

The Jewish Observer. May, 1986 27 e11e11ber When for

The Father Speaks:

II of Zcroyim. All of Mocd. And mosl of Seder Noshim. And all by the time he's Bar Mitzvah - 8 months from now! It's hard to believe that Henoch will have Imrned and will know almost half of Shas, very soon!

We go lo the Bechina (test) together each month. Last month my shver (fathcr­ in-law) surprised us and came here to Netanya for the test, instead of ' Yerushalayim. I was a litlle embarrassed when a local newspaper photographer wanted to take a picture of three doros (generations) in one MIFAI, HASHAS family! But we all tdt a little proud when we saw the picture in the paper a week later.

That night - alter the Bechina - my shver noticed that Henoch was upset. It seems there were several questions on a few Tosfos, that Henoch hadn't known. lie spent the next hour with his grandfather going over the Tosfos and the other Rishonim. until they both fell aslPep - it was almost 1:00 AM.

Whrn he awoke the next morning, Henoch told me that he couldn't wait unlil he was 24 years old. When I asked him why, he said that he is just so eager to finish learning Gantz Shas (the entirP Talmud). When he noticed my puzzled expression, he replied, "I know. Ta, I know what you're thinking. But when I'm 24 I will finish Shas for the second time - maybe then I'll begin to know it."

This ad was donated I Were 12 fears Old?

The Rebbe Speaks:

f course Henoch is a special Bochcr. There musl be something exceptional about a 12 year old boy who will finish Shas in a few years. But to tell the truth. hardly anyone even knew that Henoch was in ~llFAI, HASHAS until a short while ago. He is so careful about not showing off.

A rebbe of mine once taught me to judge a bochur by what he docs outside of chedcr, not just inside. A few months ago, Henoch spoke to me after Yeshiva and asked if he could learn b'chavrusa (partnership) with the shvachest (weakest) boy in the class. There is just no describing how much that boy has changed since.

Henoch may not even be the brightest boy in the class. It's hard to tell. But what makPs him so special is his love for learning. No matter how difficult a se'ugia (sPgment), he never gives up. Of course he gets that from his home. Stop by the Bais Med rash on Shavuos Night and watch Henoch and his father learn together for six straight hours - and enjoying every minute to the fullest. It's a sight you won't soon f(>rget - and one we can all learn from.

The home planted the seed. MIFAL HASllAS provides the nurturance. K'lal Yisroel will reap the fruits." ,------, : Yisoscher/Zevulun Partnership Agreement : I I 1 I would like to become a partner 1n the wonderful work of Mifal Hashas by contributing 1 I I I NAME 1 ADDRESS------·------to the development TELEPHONE ______dy and examination nly those who excel. o $150 per month as a Shutaf HaTorahT o $36 per month as a Mokir Torah o $100 per month as a Parnes Ha Torah D 18 per month as a Chai Supporter o $50 per month as a Tomech Torah o $ other I *The cost of supporting one scholar 1 I Any and all contributions to "M1fal Hashas" are tax deductible and most appreciated : : M!FAL HASHAS 4606 16th Avenue Brooklyn. N.Y. 11204 (718)436-7790 : Skull Cap, 46 Hester St. N.Y.C. I------I (',ontfnuedfrom page 27 Jewry. The founders of the organization are hopeful that their own children are carriers. Thus, the all-important everyone will heed the call of our leaders and utilize this Information is decisively and painlessly retrieved. Gui­ program, so that, with G-d's help, this deadly affliction dance without damage. will cease to exist In our community. While the program Is run through the Center For Jew­ NO STIGMAA1TACHED ish Genetic Diseases of Mount Sinai Medical Center, efforts are being made for testing to be done at selected n this way. Dor Yeshorim has succeeded in solving hospitals In other states, from where the blood sample the problem of carrier-stigmatization. which in the would be shipped to New York for analysis. I past has been a major obstacle for those who sought A testing center has recently been established in Israel to implement mass Tay-Sachs testing in the Torah under the supervision of Dr. Gideon Bach. Chairman of community. Were a child's carrier status to become Human Genetics at Hadassah Medical School. Dor known. this might result in the rejection of certain shid­ Yeshorim hopes to establish similar centers elsewhere In duchim due to the other party's fears-fears that have no the near future. medical basis whatsoever. In fact. positive carrier status Assuming that the program will gain broad accep­ has absolutely no bearing on one's health or on one·s tance, Dor Yeshorim's small staff of volunteers will have future offspring, as long as one's mate is not a carrier as to expand to accommodate the projected volume of well. participants. V. THE PROGRAM IN ACTION VI. ENDORSING THE PLAN

AFTER A MODEST START ome may wonder whether such testing is not con­ trary to the faith a Jew is required to have in Divine n its first year. Dor Yeshortm·s program received little S providence: why search for problems, they might publicity and was utilized by only approximately ask. when in all probability none exist? The following, I thirty matches. Last year, as Dor Yeshorim gained quoted from a responsum by Rabbi Moshe Feinstein 11 familiarity and repute among New York's Chassidic ' !:!l, clarifies this point: community. approximately 200 matches were screened: "Although the percentage of infants born with !Tay-Sachs} dis­ three were found to be non-compatible. (In each of these ease is small and one might be apt to apply the verse 'Be 1..vhole­ cases. suitable matches for both parties were eventually some with Hashem, your G-d' (Devartm 18:13) !which Rash! found.) interprets as meaning that one should not delve into the Rather than cause unnecessary difficulties, Dor future], in light of the fact that a simple test has been developed Yeshorim has accomplished just the opposite. In the for this, one who does not make use qf ft is like one who shuts past. parents of Tay-Sachs victims were often forced to his eyes to what can clearly be seen ... and since the birth of endure the added suffering of seeing their healthy chil­ such a child. G-d forbid, causes great anguish ... it is prudent dren rejected time and again by shidduch prospects. In for all who are considering marriage to undergo this test." fact, it has been proven, beyond any doubt, that the unaf­ In conclusion, we also offer the following quotes: fected siblings of Tay-Sachs children are perfectly Dr. Robert J. Desnick (from a report dated December healthy: at the very most, they may be merely carriers of 18. 1985): the disease-causing gene, and very possible not even "It is of utmost importance to encourage all families that. Dor Yeshortm's staff members are all fluent In the who are involved with shidduchim to contact Chevra Dor Yeshortm to arrange testing to determine the com­ particulars of the Tay-Sachs problem and are prepared to qf offer information on the subject when the situation war­ patibility the match. It should be noted that this program has the backing of the New York medical com­ rants it. As is clear from the public proclamation accom­ munity and, in particular, of the physicians in the med­ panying this article, the broad spectrum of today"s Torah ical genetics community qf New York." leadership has given its enthusiastic support to this project and has cautioned against assuming without Rabbi Moshe Stem N"O'OV, Rav of Debricin (from a proof that the Tay-Sachs problem cannot affect one's letter dated 15 Kislev 5745): own family. 'We must offer praise to Hashem who .. has granted the wisdom to expert physicians to discover a method BEYOND THE NEW YORK AREA by which one can escape the suffering of [Tay-Sachs] which destroys the body . .. and leavesfam!l!es broken aving achieved acceptability In the Chassidic and bereft"• community and gained the approval of leading rabbanim and roshei yeshiva. Dor Yeshorlm Is For further lnfonnation regarding this program, contact Chevra Dor Yeaborlm. 33 H Spenct'r Street. Brooklyn, N.Y. 11205, or call {718) 384-6060, (914) 783-1370.or(914) now ready to offer its program to other segments of 425-4466.

30 The Jewish Observer, May, 1986 THIS JUNE 15TH, COME HONOR THE CHILDREN WHO HONORED BORO PARK. Meet the winners of the 2nd Annual "Salute to Boro Park's Youth" Student Essay Contest, sponsored by Community National Bank at P.S. 160, corner of 5Ist, and Ft. Hamilton Pkwy., 3·5pm. Baro Park is a neighborhood filled with bright children. Over 300 of these children participated in our recent "Salute to Baro Park·s Youth" Student Essay Contest, conducted for school children in grades 4-8. Each of them answered the question, "What can you do to make Baro Park an even better place to live?". These children sent a real message to the leaders of Baro Park regarding issues that are of importance to all of us. And on Sunday, June 15th, you can honor them all with your presence. Specifically, CNB will award the winning contestants and the schools they attend with cash prizes. Grand prize $1,CXXl. So this June 15th, you're invited to join us at P.S. 160 from 3-5pm as we celebrate "Salute to Youth Day" and honor our neighborhood school children. They didn't enter the contest just to win it for themselves. They did it for you. By the way, a magician will be on hand to entertain the children and refresh­ ments will be available for everyone. Borough President, Howard Golden will also be present to issue a proclamation. Notjustacheese, a traClition ••. :: Haolam, the most trusted name in Cholov Y1sroel Kosher Cheese. A reputation earned through 25 years of scrupulous devotion to quahry and kashruth.With 12 delicious varieues. Under the strict Rabbinical supervision ofK'hal Adas Jeshurun, N. Y. Haolam, atradition you'll~:::vk::: l lao THURM 81l~. WORLD CHl:ESE CO . INC. NEW YORK. N Y ,/l...... jllll...,.

YESHIVAH CHOFETZ CHAIM OF RADIN

Founded by the Chofetz Chaim Zt'l in 1864 In United States By !fa Son-In-Law Hagaon Maran Rabbeinu Menachem Mendel Yoseph Zaks Zt'l In response to the overwhelming demand ofthe parent body ofthe Yeshiva and the greater Monsey-Suffern community, the Yeshiva is pleased to announce the opening of our Mesivta High School this coming Rosh Chodesh Elul. In continuing our past tradition of highest educational standards in both Limudei Kosesh and secular studies, it is with great pride that we announce Harav Akiva Rothenberg Shlita, as i1Y''ll 1')Y.:l Harav Yitzchok Ginsburg Shlita, renowned educator and Mar­ bitz Torah as principal of Secular Studies.

Rabbi Avrohom Gershon Zaks Rabbi Henoch Zaks Mr. Bernard Hochstein Rosh Jfapt•shivah Menahel Pmsident

For infbrn1ation regarding registration, call the Yeshiva at (914) 368-0154 24 Highview Road, Suffern, N.Y. 10901 Avram Cahn

Not Too Late For ~

mag!ne a split in Am Ytsroel: America is at least 30 percent. The nent: "Even in the tenth generation, Imagine a group of Jews, un· vast majority of the people involved he shall not enter the congregation I deniably JeWish, who are hal­ are young. Will most likely remarry, of G-d"-Devarim 23,3). Large seg­ achically unable to marry into an· and-tragically-know nothing ments of the JeWish community Will other part of Am Ytsroel. about a get And when the divorced be unable to marry With other large Such a situation is developing to­ wives remarry and have children, segments. And many baalei te­ day, potentially involving hundreds those children may be mamzeirim. shuva, who endure more than of thousands of American Jews­ There may be as many as 7,000 to enough travail in joining the Torah Jews in New York, Baltimore, Chi· 15,0000 mamzeirimbomeachyear! community, mayencounteryet more cago. and countless other cities and This trend shows every indication difficulties when planning to marry towns across the countcy. of continuing unless we do some­ into mainstream Orthodox JeWI}'. thing about it. True, the divorce rate among Orthodox Jews, who are DIVORCES WITHOUT GITTIN aware of the need for a gat, is con­ PERPETUATING A siderably lower than that of other UNITED JEWRY he problem begins when a parts of the JeWish community, but JeWish marriage ends in di· the non-Orthodox community is also ast May, an organization was T vorce Without benefit of a get our community. founded to deal With this (halachic bill of divorcement). This Projecting the figures of an aver­ L problem: Kayama. The name, unfortunately is not a rare occur­ age of 10,000 mamzeirim born an­ reflecting its intended purpose, Ki· rence. for according to some esti­ nually, there Will be 150,000 mam· yum Am Yisroel-the perpetuation mates the JeWish divorce rate in zeirim in America by the year 2000, ofa unitedJeWl}'-maysound rather '"1. This estimate does not take into grandiose, but in truth the scope of account the numbers from previous its endeavor is highly ambitious: Avram Cahn, formerly a talmidofKerem BYavne and Yeshiva Ner Israel in Baltimore. is currently years and also ignores their children that no irreparable divisions arise in enrolled in Columbia law School. (remember, mamzeirus is perma· the JeWish community. Kayama's

The Jewish Observer, May, 1986 33 I

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Letters supportive of Kayama.from Rabbi Moshe Feinstein. Rabbi Yaakov Kamenetsky, ::r••:::n. Rabbi Yaakov Yitzchak Ruderman. Rabbi Mordechai Gifter. and Rabbi Yaakov Perlow. first undertaking is "Project Intra­ Torah Umesorah's SEED programs, FROM PAPER TO .•• marriage," a drive to educate people in NCSY, through hosting public PARCHMENT about the vital importance of gittin school kids in the yeshiva, and sim­ and to assist divorcing couples in ilar activities, they were first struck s the organization took shape obtaining a get by how the specter of mamzeirus on paper, its practical feasi­ A pilot program was organized could darken many a potential baal A billtywas still unknown. The during the summer of 1985. With teshuva 's return to Yiddishkeit­ summer project clarified the dimen­ minimal personnel and funding, and and then by the far-reaching ramifi­ sions of the problem and demon­ despite some occasional stumbling, cations of the phenomenon for all of strated the viability of the solution. Kayama established the viability of Jewry. After discussions with their The problem, broadly stated, is the project. Educational methods rebbL Rabbi YaakovWeinberg. they that most divorces outside the Or­ were developed. Direct solicitation of consulted with Rabbi Yaakov Yitz­ thodox community are not accomp­ divorcing couples was attempted, chok Ruderman, N"'"''"· Rosh Ye­ lished through or accompanied by a and working relationships were ini­ shiva of Ner Israel, as well as Rabbi get This includes non-observant tiated with other Jewish organiza­ Yaakov Kamenetzky, """ Rabbi people married by Orthodox rabbo­ tions. Kayama is now working to Moshe Feinstein mMvg, and '"'.l"' !:Inn nim as well as those married in Con­ establish a permanent base with -o~o,\Jl'J~:ino !n:i:in N""'''W, Rabbi servative, Reform* or civil cere­ stable funding to develop this po­ Yaakov Perlow. Everyone urged them monies. tential. to proceed. Rabbi Benn Chernev. a member of Kayama was conceived by Geda­ Touching base with what would the Kolle! Elyon at Y~shiva Univer­ liah Litke and Moshe Bane, alumni be the vital co-workers in the pro­ sity, joined Kayama as director and, of Yeshiva Ner Israel (Baltimore), ject-rabbis and community leaders together with several other volun- who at the time were completing across the entire spectrum of Torah •1n special situations, Rabbi Moshe Feinstein their final year in law school. They Judaism-Litke and Bane found vir­ was known to accept as legitimate a child born became aware of the situation tual unanimity in recognizing the from a second marriage following a Reform or through casual conversation with need to preserve the elementruyunit Conservative marriage not dissolved by a get since the first marriage was never valid. This, several rabbis. Having both been of Klal Yisroel. the ability of all Jews however, is not a universally held view, and only involved with baalei teshuva in to many with one another. applicable in special situations.

34 The Jewish Obseroer, May, 1986 The child of an unwitting adulterous union will not blame his mother or her first husband for not arranging a get. He will blame us, the religious community. teers, organized the activities with ten. The other forty-nine were more people to Kayama The format is not donated space and minimal budget. receptive. These contacts are now one of"dialogue" with Conservative A two-pronged approach was at­ being reinforced and expanded by or Reform Judaism. Rather. It Is an tempted, Involving educational approaching more lawyers through expression of our responsibility for measures designed to reach broad their professional associations. each individual Jew. to ensure that groups of people. and direct personal Contacts have also been estab­ he or she is halachically and practi­ solicitation of divorcing or divorced lished with Conservative and Reform cally an unsevered part of Kial couples. Identifying and contacting clergymen to encourage them to refer Yisroel. the appropriate individuals for di­ rect solicitation proved difficult. al­ though when contacted their res­ Do you know of a ponses fell within the usual range of direct solicitation projects. More young man who is emphasis was thus put on advertis­ ing in newspapers and lecturing to searching for his roots? singles groups. Located in the heart of the How does someone react to the "Torah City" of Bnel Brak, Ye· suggestion that he or she should shiva Marbeh Torah offers give or receive a get? Initially, with young English-speaking men vaiylng degrees of ignorance: Is a get (ages 18 and up) with little or some complex or demeaning ritual? no Torah background, an In· Does It include lengthy proceedings dlvldualizcd program of Torah and piying Into personal matters? study. The curriculum is en· First the procedure Is explained: all hanced by the dedication to that is involved Is the transfer of a Torah which our students can observe In the surrounding community. specially prepared document. The Experience has shown that this environment contributes significantly reason offered must be phrased so to their growth and development. as to convince even a totally non­ observant Jew: "So that your chil­ YESHIVA MARBEH TORAH OFFERS••• dren will be able to marry my chil­ *Small study groups ·in Chumash, * Stress on personal grovvth and dren and the Jewish people will re­ Talmud, Mishna, Halacha (Jewish law). character development. main one. undivided." Presented *Full range of Talmud classes: from *Warm and comfortable atmosphere with this explanation, the people beginner's level to advanced level. with opportunities to develop lasting become more responsive. * Fundamental Hashkafa (Jewish friendsh.1ps. philosophy) and Mussar (Ethics). * Shabbos meals in the homes of * Gifted and dedicated English-speaking English or Hebrew-speaking families. AND NOW, TO THE LAWYERS staff, \II.rho know how to maximize * Ulpan program to develop Hebrew students' scholastic abiiities. language skills. ayama's next move was to * Individual tutoring. * Full residential facilities. reach people indirectly by * Special emphasis on developing self· * Scholarship opportunities. K alerting and informing law­ sufficiency in Torah learning. * Part-time program for university yers, rabbis. and similarly respected students and working people. persons. in the hope that theywould For additional information or application contact pass on the urgency and availability ISRAEL: USA! RABBI SHMUEL WEISSMAN of a get for divorcing couples. Yeshiva Marbeh Torah Yeshiva Marbeh Torah 25 Maharshal St ROSH HAYESHIVA c/o Weissman Fifty matrimonial lawyers were Bnei Brak 11 Rashi St 1235E 12St. approached during the summer. (03) 792-673 Bnei Brak, Israel Brooklyn, NY. 11230 Only one categorically refused to lis- (03) 792-673 (718) 773·6733

The Jewish Obseroer, May, 1986 35 ''Wiby a get? So your children will be able to marry my children and the Jewish people will remain one, undivided." A ... tlt'll JO£L ""' se1-1w .... D Uiof"~£9'\N;.\ ,,.,.fG>'t>..w ... vr: ..Uf: ...t:im.UOOIM. N£W YOR" H)ll•O BROADENING THE BASE

Nnvcll'll>er 2\ • \911) ayama is now establishing a permanent and broader base. K Relationships are being solid­ ified with other organizations. Ka­ yama currently operates in the New York metropolitan area and the Bal­ timore-Washington area, while ex­ ploring the possibility of further ex­ pansion. Rabbonim in other major cities have offered to help set up branches. Endeavors are also being made to set up a full time organiza­ tion, rather than relying solely on donated evening hours. (In a parallel endeavor, independ­ Lett.er front a Conservative Rabbi, cooperating with Kayama. ent of Kayama, two Orthodox rabbis These contacts have yielded mea­ year-old-woman. who agreed to in Vancouver, B.C., Rabbi Mordechai surable results and a particular accept a get. The husband also Feuerstein of Congregation Schara Conservative clergyman wrote that agreed, and Kayama arrangedfor Zedek and Rabbi Avrohom Feigel­ he would gladly refer people to Ka­ him to sign the get and give it to a stock of the regional Chabad House, yama (see attached). Similar res­ shaliach (authorized agent). Two convinced the local Conservative and ponses have been received from hours after signing the get. the hus­ Reform rabbis of the imperative na­ others. band boarded a plane to California ture of a halachic get They then arranged for Rabbi Avraham Teich­ During a casual conversation, a to live there. leaving behind no for­ warding address. man, Rav of Agudath Israel of Los Rav mentioned that he knew

36 The Jewish Observer, May, 1986 Rabbi Avi Shafran

I

~~/;.'·.:r

c~·,

UNREAL

ow and then I am approached smile and change the subject, or into business at this point." by an old friend who, though deliver a lengthy lesson on the ety­ For fear of seeming a mindless Nperhaps less in touch with a mology of the word "rav"alongwith idiot. I never mention the fact that I blattof Gemora than I, is a good deal a digression on the role of the teach­ served as principal of a girls' high more in touch with general Jewish er throughout Jewish history. school for one year, only to choose, at society, He usually asks me a q ues­ I invariably elect to smile. Some year's end, to return to full-time tion that I am at a loss to answer. questions aren't yet on the mad­ teaching. Sheer incredulity would 'When are you going to take a reiga to receive real answers. surely stare back at me were I to pulpit?" At other times I find myself speak­ mention how a great Rosh Yeshiva I tend to hesitate before admitting ing with another old friend, this one had had to convince me to take that that I really haven't any such plans every bit as comfortable With a blatt exalted position in the first place. at all. of Gemora as I, and very likely more And, were I to recount how, after 'Well, you're a rabbi, aren't you?" proficient in fathoming it. yet our that positive and rewarding expe­ he queries, with suspicion. conversation is similar, and equally rience, I had been offered a similar It then takes whatever small pow­ frustrating. position at another school and didn't ers of persuasion I have to attempt to "Are you considering a move up to pursue it. grabbing instead the first communicate that I am a teacher of administration yet?" he asks. teaching position I could, and at a Torah and would li\<:e to, at least "No." considerable financial disadvantage, essentially, remain just that, with no "Don't you feel ready?" the listener would likely suspect me offense to the rabbinate intended. "Am I supposed to?" of something more gravely serious 'You mean you don't want to be a 'Well, don't you want to advance than mere naivete. real rabbi?" yourself in status, in pamossa 7' So I summon the old standby smile A real rabbi. Indeed. The thought is tempting, and it and tactfully change the topic. I weigh the choices, smile a polite must show on my face, for he con­ Such encounters, though, always Rabbi Shafran teaches In the high school of the tinues before I even answer. get me thinking ... is it really so out­ New England Academy of Torah In Providence, 'What options do you have? Un­ landish to aspire to be a rebbetoday? R.L His .. Abraham Gelger,Are You There?" was featured in JO.Jan. '86. less, of course, you feel you could go ... What indeed is a rebbe today?

The Jewish Obseroer, May, 1986 37 Link in Tradition, struggler, time-management expert, acrobat, walkingfiling-cabinet, employee, psychologist,friend, role modeL entertainer, marathon runner, public servant: today's rebbe-for real.

hether his setting is in a maintain the education of thefrum day school or a Talmud students on a par with their "in­ W Torah. a yeshiva high town" counterparts, while literally school or a yeshiva gedola, a rebbe changing the lives of those talmidim today, as always. is foremost a link. and talmidos with lesser back­ He is a link in the most important grounds. This bi-directional pres­ chain imaginable, the millennia-old sure can at times take a dreadful toll series of interactive links, or hish­ on the rebbe's yishuv hadaas talshelus, of Torah's transmission. (equanimity), bu the knows thatitis A rebbe cannot help but feel over­ part of the job, our generation's spe­ awed at the thought of standing, if cial tint to an age-old mission, and one may even think such a thing. in he must deal with it to the best of his Moshe Rabbeinu's shoes. The vexy abilities. idea is overwhelming and fills one A rebbe today is an aggressive with humility and a strong sense of contender. afighter. inadequacy-but with the greatest gratitude for one's fortune and the chedules are generally tight to most exuberant happiness in the begin with for rabbeim these universe, as well. S days, and the overtime hours or second jobs that the financial situation often dictates only make rebbe Is expected by most things harder. Many rabbeim com­ people to stop there and think plain of inadequate preparation time A no further about his status and of too few opportunities for per­ today. He is, however, much more in have so deluded themselves that they sonal counselling of talmidim, an our times, and though it may be actually expect to live comfortably by today's standards. Still, there are inherent part of their role. An almost convenient to ignore that fact, it is universal woe among rabbeim is the no service to Yiddishkeit needs, not just luxuries, in life, espe­ cially in the lives of those committed Jack of time afforded them for their One thing he is, is underpaid. personal learning and for their fami­ Evexyone knows of cases of prom­ to teaching Torah and being exam­ lies. A rebbe must therefore learn ising, dedicated, potential mechan­ ples of Torah. Unfortunately. even those needs can't always be ade­ how to carefully parcel time and chim who, frightened by the pros­ manage to squeeze as much quality pect of an inadequate income, chose quately met. Nevertheless, a rebbe must func­ as possible from a paucity of quan­ other paths in life or, unable to tear tity. themselves entirely away from a sac­ tion with a positive attitude to be effective, and the pressures of sup­ A rebbe today is a time-manage­ red calling, entered the administra­ ment expert tive levels, to spend precious time porting one's family must somehow and pricelessenergypushingpapers be laid aside, left at the door of the and managing meetings. They are classroom or beis midrash. Sadness hese days, a rebbe cannot not necessarily less dedicated to the precludes not just prophecy, but pe­ have the Juxuxy of a homo­ ideal of chinuch than their col­ dagogy too. T geneous group of students, at leagues who teach all day: they simp­ So a rebbe today is one who must least not in most situations, and ly took stock of their family respon­ struggle to get by. that means educational juggling. sibilities and personal needs and There is the constant need to stimu­ then made as selfless a decision as oday's rebbe, especially if he late one student without losing an­ they possibly, in good conscience, teaches in an "out-of-town" other's attention, to help one with­ could. T environment, is under con­ out boring another. He must learn Chinuch has always involved what stant pressure to make the grade, to the balancing act and never 1"n drop is, to one degree or another. a vow of produce superior results. His res­ a baton. poverty. Mercifully few in the field ponsibility is to simultaneously A rebbe today is an acrobat

38 The Jewish Observer, May, 1986 oday, a rebbe cannot. as he hug me warmly when that response slightest appearance ofwrongdoing. may have been able to in the was indicated. Today, unfortunately, I probably would have missed many T past, just teach and guide. either conduct would likely land him a minyan (and justifiably) and The papeiwork. especially in paper­ in prison. So, the realities being scowled many a scowl (for good rea­ obsessed American society, can what they are, rabbeim today must son) but for the pedagogic consider­ sometimes be oveiwhelming. Many use more subtle and sophisticated ation of how it might appear to schools and yeshivos are in effect methods in dealing With problems of talmidim. bureaucracies. Where there are flaws behavior and discipline. A rebbe today is a man on a in the system, or inadequacies, they A rebbe today is a psychologist pedestal. are often covered With paper. Add to that the periodic deluges of tests and gradings, forms for this and forms talmid. of course. is-today rebbe, especially in an out­ for that and forms for in-between, as always-more than just a of-town community, has and it becomes apparent that a reb­ A student. and a rebbe must A social and community res­ be today must be more than a rebbe. serve also as a guidance counsellor ponsibilities for which, as a rebbe, A rebbe today is a wrtter. a secre­ and often as a surrogate parent. His he is particularly qualified, or at tary, and a filing cabinet interest in his charges must extend least earmarked. Whether it's to beyond what happens in the class­ help kashera home, plan or build a room and beyond what is evident in hereas in the past a rebbe succa, perform (chalila} a tahara, an exam. He should be a guide in was, to a large extent, his make a speech, give an ad hoc learning but also a guide in life, a own boss, modern society class, or just talk things through W mentor and an ally. has created a mentality that some­ With someone less knowledgeable. A rebbe today is afrtend. times fosters the impression that this is an intrinsic, often pleasura­ teaching Torah is a job and not a ble but always time and energy calling. Many rabbeim may at times rebbethesedaysiswatched­ consuming element of modern (and feel demeaned by this, but in Amer­ at times painstakingly scru­ ancient) rebbeship. ica they must face the fact that A tinized-by the keen eyes of A rebbe, after all. is a public structure and hierarchies are omni­ students looking, as only young servant present. A rebbe must face the fact idealists can, forthe slightest hint of that structure and hierarchies are hypocrisy or Inconsistency. This rebbe today must compete omnipresent. A rebbe must respect means that rabbeim have an inor­ With the intense distrac­ and accommodate not just his su­ dinate responsibility to avoid not A tions of the various forms of periors in Torah, but those above just impropriety itself. but even the entertainment available at the stu- him in the pecking order of his institution. A rebbe today. in addition to at­ 1HE TITIY LEIBEL HELP-LINE tempting to be a malach Hashem Tzvokos, is an employee. A Free Service of the Yi.tty Leibel Chesed Fund ith compulsory universal • Marital problems? • Fear ofbreak-down? education, and With most W yeshivos and day schools • Overpowering stress? • Parent-child friction? dedicated to all Yiddishe Kinder. a Do you have problems like these and are afraid or ashamed to talk to rebbe today finds himself With not only anxious, open, dedicated and aI1}'0ne? ... I)oyou vvant a traine-

knuckles when my dark side begged This pn:j('<"t h;:is bePn approved by k;:iding:Torah authoritii>s. ror information iml)' call (718) 435-7706. for such attention, and who would

The Jewish Observer, May, 1986 39 dent's mere push of a button. Tele­ fear this may read like a list of paperwork, the lapses of respect. vision was much more than complaints; it is not. the discipline problems, the myriad enough; MTV and VCR's are the I It is a stock-taking of what responsibilities, the competition very point of saturation. And the role of the rebbe has evolved from the lures of general society, somehow a lesson or a shiur has to into, in our age. The recognition of the guilt borne from not being per­ manage to be stimulating to a kid, what that multi-faceted role entails fect, the expectations to live up to, which puts quite a load on his today can only serve good purposes. all pale In contrast with the largest rebbe'screatlve shoulders. He must It can help rabbeim more clearly single factor in the life of the rebbe be, in addition to knowledgeable, realize how many and how varied today; the ability he has to actually prepared, and dedicated, capable of their responsibilities are, so that change the future in a real and rivaling the other interests in his they may better execute them. meaningful way. students' lives. He must hone his It can help the general Jewish Being entrusted with a piece of skills of projection and timing, per­ community realize the same, so the next generation of Jewry­ fect his delivery, sharpen his wit. that they may support them even and a new piece each year!-being A rebbe today is an entertainer. more strongly. able to, with Hashem's help, guide It can even help potential me­ and mold them, being able to plant ecause these days a rebbe chanchim, by alerting them to the seeds in their minds, to affect their often teaches a very full day realities of the field. so that those attitudes, to bring them into touch B of quite varied classes, per­ who may labor under misconcep­ with what is really important in haps In different schools, and be­ tions might carefully consider their life-that is, simply put, the closest cause capable and willing substi­ plans, and become doctors, engi­ thing to immortality In Olam tutes are not easy to come by, even neers, businessmen and "real" Hazeh. if his contract allows him days off, rabbis, rather than charge head­ One glowing report about a tal­ the guilt for leaving so many tal­ first toward frustration and even mid or talmidah who really "made midim in the lurch Is often un­ burnout. And so that those with it"; one phone call from an old stu­ bearable. So, at times, when a pri­ the "right stuff' can knowledgeably dent.unheard-from for years, who vate day Is really needed, whether pursue their destinies, knowing wan ts to be makir tov (express to nurse a cold or rest some under­ what lies before them, and tackle It gratltude)-or just to talk; one standably jangled nerves, it is sel­ with determination. moment ofrealizatlon of what it Is dom taken. Who, after all, needs the Chinuch is a specialized and holy all for, can blot out all the tedious guilt? It's psychologically easier, in field; It is not, however, among the and trying baggage, even-at least the long run, to just keep going no easiest of jobs. momentarily-lighten the pile of matter what. But ... unpaid bills on the desk. Such mo­ A rebbe today is a marathon ... the pressures, the lack of time, ments are-how do the kids put runner. the challenges of the classroom, the it?-they're just unreal!• ADULT EDUCATION INSTITUTE Evening Division of Rika Breuer Teachers Seminary 95 Bennett Avenue, New York, NY 10033 announces that during the coming school year (5747 /1986-7) basic and advanced evening classes will be offered in Flatbush in addition to its Washington Heights and Monsey classes. For information and registration forms call (212) 568-6200 or write to our office.

Late Registration for RIKA BREUER TEACHERS SEMINARY Day Division dorrnitory and non-dormitory students: untiljune 30

40 The Jewish Observer, May, 1986 .

FIGHTING THE CULTS

WHY THE VICTIMS FALL (Phila., 1980, Fortress Press, $8.95). The authors analyze the major religious cults and conclude that they are dan­ uietly but inexorably a flood of cultists and Chris­ gerous both to society and to their followers. They cata­ tian missionaries is Impacting entire segments of logue various reasons people have for joining cults, and QAmerican Jewry. This is a problem that cannot and list as the main reason "their search for a caring com­ must not be ignored. munity." Since James Rudin is the assistant director of interreligious affairs of the American Jewish Cammi ttee, an organization far removed from traditional Judaism, we need not be surprised that, even though he notes the abnormally high number of Jewish cultists, he does not understand the real reason for the vulnerability of our youth. Interestingly enough, a study by Charles Selengut of Jews for Nothing, by Dov Aharoni Cults and Jewish Identity (Midstream, January 1986) Fisch (NY. 1984. Feldheim, HD comes much closer to the truth: it concludes that what $13.95). goes for Judaism among the majority of American Jews is unsatisfying to the typical Jewish converts to cults. "They seek a religious system which would incorporate This volume is a "book born of its generation," in the divine law and sacred meanings into everyday life"-the words of the author. It deals with the failure of American system, in short, which Judaism offers and of which they Jewry, by and large, to furnish its youth with a sense of were deprived by their parents' forsaking of Torah. The purpose. a commitment to the Jewish values which volume by the Rudins, not suprisingly, omits all referen­ maintained our people for four millennia, and an ability ces to Hebrew-Christian sects and Christian missionary to resist the onslaught of modem materialism and hedon­ efforts in general. Yet they, too, are like vultures gnawing ism, on the one hand, and the pseudo-spirituality ofcults at the vulnerable parts of contemporary Jewry-and, on the other. In the first part of this book the author even more than the exotic sects, they represent a world­ describes and analyzes the various cults and sects which wide planned effort. are attracting so many of our best young people; he deals Admittedly, the Sho'ah, and the active or passive com­ with the Eastern cults as well as the various Christian plicity of the Christian world, have aroused a consider­ groups in Hebrew wrapping, and also devotes a chapter able amount of soul-searching and a recognition that to Marxism, definitely a pseudo-religion. Christian religious anti-Semitism has been with us for The reason that so many young Jews are susceptible to almost two thousand years and has helped make possi­ the appeal of the cults is that they have been denied an ble the Nazis' "Final Solution" (cf. My Brother's Blood. by authentic Jewish upbringing by parents caught up in a Malcolm Hay; Has G-d Rejected the Jews, by Clark M. world of ostentatious consumption, assimilation, and Williamson; Faith and Fratricide, by Rosemary Ruether: intermarriage. To these trends the author devotes the or The Crucifixion ef the Jews, by Franklin H. Li tile). Yet, second part of his book, punctuating his account with it must be understood that the Christian church faces a details-outrageous, heartbreaking and totally authen­ difficult dilemma. The ecumenical efforts to reformulate tic-of what is going on in many of the Jewish estab­ Christian theology, so as to do away with Jew-hatred and lishment's temples, community centers and communal the downgrading of Judaism, face the problem that organizations. In the final section, Rabbi Fisch briefly Christianity claims a monopoly on the salvation of souls. explores the world of Jewish traditions and values-the Thus, even a personality so eager to work against anti­ impact of Mattan Torah on the Jewish people, the crucial Semitism as Jerry Falwell maintains the importance of role of the Oral Law, the equal importance of all mitzvos. Christians "reaching out to (i.e., proselytizing) others, to An earlier book dealing with the phenomenon of the bring them fulfillment" (see Jerry Falwell and the Jews, cults is Prison or Paradise, by James and Marcia Rudin by Merrill Simon, p. 44 ).

The Jewish Observer, May, 1986 41 S. R. "EZRA" A CHRISTIAN "FINAL SOLUTION"

INFANT AID FUND Israel: The Christian Dilemma by Rabbi A H. Rabino­ This is an URGENT APPEAL to aid mothers in witz (Jerusalem, 1985, Gefen Publishing) Eretz Yisroel who are in dire need to furnish their new born infants with layettes, blankets, sweaters, etc. This is a frightening, closely documented study of the concerted effort by the major Christian churches to con­ In merit of thisgreat mitzuah may the Al-mighty bless you vert the Jews, detailed in the so-called Thailand report, in all walks of life which is the Christian version of the final solution of the Endorsed By: Jewish problem. Since the rise of a Jewish State in the Rebetzin Rashel Krawiec Mrs. Dora Weiss land of Israel challenges Christian theology about the Rehetzin Dohe Levovitz-Rehetzin Esther Shain triumphant role of their savior in Jerusalem, proselytiz­ Mrs. Bessie Safrin-Rehitzin Baila Suzholz ing efforts are being concentrated on Eretz Yisroel-and We also furnish linens to needy kaHas Rabbi Rabinowitz calls upon world Jewry to perceive and .~fake C!wdt~ l':1vabit> !ll CONG. OHEL YITZCHOK counter the danger. He attaches to his book a section on 202 Hewes Street, Brooklvn, N.Y. 11211 the meaning of being a Jew because the failure ofJews to (Tax Dedumhk·'i understand this makes them vulnerable to conversion; but he also appeals to the Israeli Government to take action against the missionaries. The research for his book was largely done by Mrs. 1'1'Uj:!::il 1'1'Tl'1 Sylvia Vickers; however, it does not include her docu­ mentary material on the Mormon Church's designs 1~ ;:i; 1i:i; pm11n ll'1TI'1 •'1'1'U1'1'U Alas no action was taken. •:iN 1mi1ota'1 im THE INSIDE STORY .'1'T)1'1 lli:l'U JIN ll',)I)) '1llj:! 1~1'1 llillll:I tl:l'1ll>'1'1'Ul'l In this context. mention should be made of several ~i ;;:i; 1'1ilN )ip:i 'Uil'U '"lit )"i'T1'1 ll':INl '11'1'1 other books. ll''Tl1'1; 'Ul'Ti' :i1n; llN o•Nll'ln , 1•'1ll>i''U1'1l ,,,,,,,:i lN'll'I' l'l:I pi'U ''1'1 'Ul'Tj:!1'1 llllli'U t1•:ii '1::1 i)l'U:I You Take J .. ., 111 Take G-d, How to Refute Christian Missionaries, by Samuel Levine (Menorah Press, P.0.B. •a; , 1'1l>j:!'U1'1:1l 1'1:1'Uflil:I 1'1il'1:1 1;n)I •ii> JIN i1N; 4882, Los Angeles, California 90048, 2nd ed. 1980. l•i•pl)) ;:in llN tl•'Up.:U:l lt '1llil'Tt1'1:1l l'1'Ui':I •i:i'Tn it•N t1'T' ,,,,,, YI' i-uN 1•'T•n;J11 l''T''T' Despite its unprepossessing title, this volume is an , inN )l>lN ;:i:i1 Vl>"1':1 )1'1:1'1:1::111'1 , l''1ll>j:!'U1'1l l'1il'1 indispensable handbook for anybodywho has to contend with missionaries. It analyzes and shows up the decep­ ••i'Ui>N1'1 tl'Ti'1'1:1 ll'~ i•:l)l1'1; tive nature of all the "proofs" used by missionaries, and '1l:i1'1; o•:ill'ln1'1 1•1'1:i'U llN 1:1•1pn provides a list of questions to which they have no answers. The book was written at the suggestion of a il1'11'1'1 li:in ,,,,,,, "'' ll':IN :li'll'" inND1'1 tl"li'', 'UN prominent Rosh Yeshiva, to provide essential informa­ .Nll"):IJI ~i-u• ,,,:i ;,,,, llllit •am ii>an -uin• "'' tion not readily available elsewhere. (The importance of making it widely available is shown, e.g., by the story of ,,,,:i llJlll( tlnl' tl'''tlli• 1'1ll:ll ll'll tlfll))1'1 Escape From J, . ., by Shlomo Sherman, which details 'Tlll 1'1:1N'T; '1'V1l N'1 ~i'U• ;;:i both the way in which "Hebrew-Christian" missionaries, supported by the American Board of Missions to the 'i'lllili' '"lit '"111'1lil )lN)l'l '1fll>'UD Jews, use their "proofs" to best advantage, and the '1:1'1:i1'1 •a; in1n1'1 ni;-u; Ml unwitting help they get from the insensitivity with which religious Jews sometimes deal with questing and con­ The family requests of anyone having any letters, tapes or fused souls.) Chidushei Torah to forward same to the addresses below.

Rabbi Rabbi Confessions of a Jewish Cultbuster, by Shea Hecht Benjamin Kamenetzky Avraham Kamenetsky with Chaim Cloifene (Tosefos Media, Brooklyn, 1985. 357 Barnard Ave. 1130 East 9th St. $15.95 hardcover, $11.95-softcover) Woodmere, N.Y. 11598 Brooklyn, N.Y. 11230 This is the account of a man who for ten years worked as a deprogrammer and here presents actual case histo-

42 The Jewish Observer, May, 1986 rles of Jewish youngsters rescued from the cults. The author points out that the cults appear to receive less Would you like your children attention than they used to but are really more active and dangerous than ever, though they have somewhat to develop more interest and changed their methods. Hence our attention must re­ main focused on them-and Rabbi Hecht tries to show, excell in their learning? There through his practical experiences, what can be done to is a proven expert in the field get Jews out of the cults and to keep them out. The reader will find it difficult to put this book down-and, hope­ who can show you step by step fully, he will feel moved to give whatever support he can to the various groups, in this country and in Eretz Yisroel, how to help your children the that fight the cults and missionary efforts. whole year. • •• and in addition, you can The Highest Bidder by Mayer Bendet translated by Jacob Ben-Zweig (Brooklyn 1985, Bach Publishing, dis­ obtain tutoring for your child tributed by Moznaim, $13.95) himself this summer in the This is another book irresistible to the reader, but of a mountains. very different nature. It is that rare breed, a contempor­ ary novel that can be read without violating halachic Before you come to the rules. It is readable and has an exciting plot: it deals with mountains this summer, contact the efforts of missionaries to get hold of underprivileged Israeli children and to spirit them out of the country into the hands of the Church-efforts which unfortunately RABBI REUVEN BIAlA are well documented in actual life-and the work of an (914) 434-8380 or "underground" of yeshiva boys who fight these efforts. The plot-line is based on an assumption which appears (914) 415·4743 questionable to this reviewer, i.e., that it is permissible to masquerade as a priest and participate in Christian ser­ vices in order to save neshamos. Also, it might be ques­ tioned from a halachic angle whether it is proper to publish a fictional story that contains such a violent Oppenheimer's indictment of the Church as a whole. This reviewer assumes that the publishers consulted authorities on Regis Hotel this point; their book certainly makes a significant con­ FLEISCHi\iANNS, N.Y. 12430 tribution in creating an awareness of the problem posed by missionaries. NOW OPEN FOR SHEVUOTH & SUMMER SEASON OTHER BOOKS OF NOTE <> Glatt Kosher - Cholov Yisroel Kashruth Under Supervision Strive for Truth, Vol. II, by Rabbi Eliyahu E. Dessler, Rabbinate K'hal Adath Yeshurun translated by Rabbi Aryeh Carmell (Jerusalem, 1985, () Feldheim Publishers, hardcover $12.95, paperback All Outdoor Sports, Filtered Swimming Pool: Separ­ $9.95). ate Swin1ming Only, Tennis Court, Spacious Lawns1 Children's Day Camp, Daily DafYomi Shiur, Golf, This is the second volume in Rabbi Carmell's transla­ Fishing {;-,o Horseback Riding Nearby. tion of MichtavMe-Eliyahuand comprises the second of <> the three sections contained in the first part of this CALL: (914) 254-5080 classical work. The editors of the Hebrew original ar­ N.Y.C. Direct Line (212) 724-7921 ranged these three sections in ascending order of diffi­ culty; hence the volume before us contains more de­ N.Y.C. Phone (212) 568-6640 manding material than its predecessor. However, Rabbi Choice Dates Available For Your Sin1ch<1 Carmell's translation is done so well, and the subjects or Group Outings May-(kt. 198f-i treated are of such concern that the reader's interest is WE \\'ILL Rl~i\l;\JN OPEN fOR THE YOMIM NORAIM f,,:- SUCCOTH sure to be maintained. Moreover, to make his task some­ what easier, Rabbi Carmell has added explanatory notes

The Jewish Observer, May, 1986 43 to a number of the essays. Yet that does not mean that one can lightly skip through these pages. To derive any Famous benefit from them. one must study them with an "open ear" and an attentive mind. letting them seep in and The Dairy Restaurant become part of one's being. Among the subjects treated are the lessons to be gained from the momentous hap­ 222 West 72nd Street(212) 595-8487 penings of our days; how to deal with one's yeitzer hara Cholov Yisroel • Shomer Shabbos and attain olam hubba; the meaning and role of our free Under the Supervision of K'hal Adath Jeshurun will; nature and miracle; understanding the biblical personalities-to list just some of the many themes dis­ Open for [)real

Bris Milah, by Rabbi PaysachJ_ Krohn. with an overview by Rabbi Nosson Scherman (Brooklyn 1985. Mesorah POSITION AVAILABLE Publication. $11.95-hardcover. $8.95-softcover) This book is a most useful compendium of both Major Torah Institution in large out oftown insights and laws concerning this crucial mitzva. There community .seeks well rounded sincere is truly no aspect of it which Is not treated here, from its Ben Torah for challenging position in­ general significance to the giving of a name, the role of volving educational outreach and financial the sandek. and all the customs that have grown up development around it (a special section deals with the customs and rituals of the Sephardim). The text of all the brachosand Please call 312-262-7151 tejillos is included. togetherwithacommentaryon them. or 718-788-6700, 718-854-2596 and there is even a chart listing and explaining the var­ ious honors that can be bestowed at a bris. A fine biblio­ graphy concludes this valuable volume.

Artscroll MishnaSeries-NazlrandSotah (Volume ll(b) of Seder Nashim, Brooklyn. 1985. $17.95-hardcover. $14.95-softcover) mark the completion of Seder Na­ shim, and Bava Kamma (Nezikin l(a). Brooklyn. 1986. $16.95-hardcover, $13.95-sofcover) the beginning of Seder Nezikin in this remarkable undertaking. TORAH UMESORAH These two volumes are worthy successors to those that appeared previously. The authors of the comprehensive announces a commentaiy Yad Avraham (Rabbi Yosef Kalatsky and Rabbi Avraham Yoseif Rosenberg. in the case of the 35th Annual Summer Seminar second) continue the pattern set previously: introduc­ offering the Following Courses" tions to the Mesechta and to individual sections, clear exposition of each Mishna according to the main com­ •Teaching Preschool • Ha'schala Gemora mentators. and-in smaller print-exposition of more complex points of primaiyconcern to the more scholarly. • Primary Grades • Chumash, Novi, • Principals' Workshop • Halacha, Grammer • Classroom Psychology • Hebrew Ulpan • Methodology • Jewish History

DATES: JULY 7 THRU AUG. 1 Lilmod U'Lelamed on Neviim: Judges, by Rabbi Mordechai Katz PLACE: YESHIVA RABBI CHAIM BERLIN (Brooklyn, 1986, JEP Publications. FOR DETAILS CONTACT: $8.95-hardcover. $6.95-softcover) distributed by Feldheim. Rabbi Ahron Garfinkel Menahel, Summer Seminar This is another volume in the JEP-Rothman Founda­ 160 Broadway, N.Y.C. 10038, 212-227-1000 tion series. and represents a compendium of insights. homilies. and interpretations. Like the earlier volume, on

44 The Jewish Observer, May, 1986 Joshua. this work summarizes each chapter of the bibli­ cal book, focusing in detail on select verses. the teachings MARRIAGE MINDED? of our Sages concerning them and insights to be drawn from them. Easily read and understood, even by readers THE UNION OF ORTHODOX JEWISH CONGREGATIONS with limited background. these volumes make a most OF AMERICA valuable contribution in spreading an understanding of IS PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE the lessons to be gained from Tanach. A National Commission On Family and Marriage Sh'al Avicha, a Basic Guide to Jewish Law and Heritage for the Young Adult. Vol. II. by Rabbi Aharon Yisroel OUR GOAL: Kahan (Kesser Torah Publications. Brooklyn, 1986, To introduce seriously marringe-minded Orthodox individuals. $11.50). THE PROCEDURE: As explained in our review of the first volume, this work AH interviews will be held with Rabbi Danie! Fingerer, Ph.D. is based on Sha 'arei Yitzchak, a compendium of Jewish They wii! be private and confidential. Careful thought and serious study has been put into the creation of a program that law, in question and answer form. for use in schools. The will be of special interest to those !hat seek discretion and present volume covers the calendar year. starting with understanding. the laws of Rosh Chodesh and ending with the Arbah Parshios. A vast amount of material-laws, interpreta­ Appointments will be arranged at mutually convenient hours. tions and related ideas-are packed into this work, and it ~ is arranged in an easily readable fashion; indeed, a very Rabbi Daniel Fingerer, Direclor useful text for young people. Marriage Commission w The Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America 45 West 36!h Street New York, N.Y. 10018 Halichos Bas Yisroel, a Woman's Guide to Jewish (212) 244-2011 Observance, by Rabbi Yitzchak Yaakov Fuchs, trans­ lated by Rabbi Moshe Dombey (New York 1985, Feld­ heim. $11.95 ). This is the first volume of a very readable translation of A GUIDE TO this valuable work. and contains its first fourteen chap­ Th(' \Vi11c c )1uic..:tton ters. They deal with the general obligation of women to 1 SELF-DISCIPLINE observe mitzvos as well as such specific subjects as $3.00 prayer. tzniyus and yichud, Torah study and training of children; a second volume will contain the laws concern­ Available at Hebrew ing Shabbos and chagim. Rabbi Fuch 's work deals with bookstores or order directly all the topics in an exhaustive manner. making full use of from the publisher; footnotes to give sources and divergent views or other Moshe Goldberger details. The publishers of the English edition made the P.O.B. 82 decision to translate these footnotes also, in order for the Staten Island, N.Y. 10309 English reader not to be limited to "a needlessly superfi­ cial knowledge of the subject matter." This is a valid point; however. the plethora of information provided in the footnotes may perhaps prove confusing to the lay readers for whom this text is after all meant. Also. while the translation is excellent. one might perhaps have wished for a more circumspect treatment of some of the k~~'O. .., ~~n more delicate matters discussed, notably in chapter 4. Maybe this can be done in a future edition which this • • important work will surely require. l'l'm~i l'','~li :r{tl 'Cl':-1'~~, 'Cl'::l:!'11::l The author advises that. in cases of doubt about any subject on which differing opinions are mentioned, the 'C'~::l, l'l"W>', l'i''l'I'-, :ir1i:i~ reader should obtain the counsel of a Rav. This is an important warning, since one cannot and should not "l Jll\l :"lj?''Tl l'~ll'il)'U N il'l'iN \l'll'~ t>Nl1 tl'tll lllN "l Jl'~lj?Nl l:rl 1'1N o decide halachic questions on the basis of a halachic .tl"111)1\l)l) 1Nl )Wt compendium, no matter how carefully written. However. .t1•io1t1 l'll'Un 1lN l'll':.•':>;?l'ltl'1N 110 l'':>'OTI JlN tlllH~ • the author has certainly been remarkably successful in ARYEH SCHECHTER providing a thoroughly reliable and complete treatment WE DO ''HOUSE CALLS" TEL. (718) 851-1637 of his subject.•

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Jewish Scene . .

Shabbos: Uniter or Otherwise?

'You are One, Your Name is One, and who is like Your people, one nation on earth?" Amtda. Shabbos Mincha

sakeysymbolofJewry'ssin· into theirrespectivecitycentersand This remarkable display of unity gular relationship with the town squares to welcome the Shab­ was. unfortunately, triggered by a A Creator. Shabbos has a bos. ln Jerusalem, tens of thousands deep division within the ranks of unique ability of uniting Klal Yisroel. ofJews davened together, shoulder Klal Yisroel, a division so deep and And so, on Friday evening, Par· to shoulder. in hundreds of minya· so profound that it expresses itself shas Kedoshim (May 9), religious nim that together overflowed Jeru· in loyalty to Shabbosversus flagrant Jews of every shade and stripe, from salem's Kikar Shabbos into adjacent violation of Shabbos-inJerusalem, those wearing the knitted kipot streets. Similar open air Tefilloswere in Petach Tikava, and in Haifa, as through those with spodecks and held in Bayit Vegan. Ramot. Givat well as in other places on the map of streimlach, from Haifa's Rabbi Shaul and Har Nof.... From Chatzor Israel. Shabbos the uniter has also Shaar Yashuv Cohen to the Eida in the north to Arad in the south, become Shabbos the divider. Hachareidi's Dayan Yaakov Yitzch ok with special focus on Haifa and Pe­ Weiss-as well as Rabbi Sholomo tach Tikva, all the country's Jews Zalman Auerbach and Rabbi Yoseph faithful to Torah felt a need to pub­ THE IRONY OF IT ALL Sholom Elyashuv-all emptied their licly proclaim their loyalty to Shab· shuls and batei midrashim to pour bos. here is an irony attached to Shabbos as a battleground T between the religious and non-religious populace of Israel, for this was a conflict that the founders of the State had taken pains to avoid. One clause of the historic Status· Quo agreement signed by David ben Gurion with representatives of Agu· dath Israel guaranteed Shabbos as the national dayofrest, with closing down of public transportation, fac­ tories. and places of business and entertainment. At that time, excep· tions were made for "vital activities," for which heteirei avoda were is· sued by the government. With time, these permits for Sab· bath violation were given out indis· criminately to the point where well over 1,000 industrial firms were operating on Shabbos-until the Labor-run coalition that ruled the Halachic authorities deemed it an obligation to publicize this photo of Rabbi Salomon being State since its inception was toppled "escorted .. to the police station on Friday night by Begin's Likud coalition in 1977.

The Jewish Observer. May. 1986 47 Help Document Agudath Israel agreed to participate The largest gathering took place History in the Likud government on the outside the Great Synagogue on condition that a commission be es­ Herzl Street and another large one If you have any pictures, tablished to review all heterei avoda, was held in the Achuza neighbor­ memorabilia, tapes, with all findings subject to the ap­ hood. At the request of the city's proval of the Institute for Science Rabbonim, Rabbi Pinchas Mena­ stories, or remembrances and Halacha. This resulted in a con­ chem Alter, Rosh Yeshivas Sefas of events, regarding siderable reduction in public Sab­ Emes, addressed the assembly out­ the unforgettable bath desecration. side the shul. Since then, however. there has • In Tel Aviv, one more movie R' ELIMELECH (Mii<£) been a build-up of resentment on house opened, joining twenty two TRESS!:>"~' the part of the some of the more fer­ that are already In operation on Please Contact, vent secularists, and it almost ap­ Shabbos. E. Tress (718) 853-4347 pears as though a concerted cam­ • In Ashdod, a bathing facility B. Rosenblatt (718) 338-1984 paign is taking shape to undermine the status of Shabbos in Israel. near the religious neighborhood is Moreover, it appears to be part of a slated to be open seven days a week. deliberate effort to generally erode •A shopping center, owned jointly You're Readyto Leave the historic Status Quo agreement by Arabs and Jews, is opening. to New York City ... which-in the view of some anti­ operate seven days a week, opposite BUT ..• dati quarters-has outlived its polit­ Kever Rochel, just two kilometers You \Vant ro continue to have a choice ical usefulness. south of Jerusalem. of schools \vhich offer a high quality e One of the prominent battle­ • Israeli television programmed a of Orthock)X and secular education . grounds has been Petach Tikva, live broadcast of the European Cup You \vant your family to experience a where last fall the mayor authorized soccer games on Shabbos. close knit, warm comn1unity dedi­ the opening of the Heichal Cinema cated to Torah, Avodah and Gen1illus on Friday nights, in violation of the FOLLOWING ONE'S EYES Chassodin1 . local city ordinance. The Rav of Pe­ You v.·:int to he close to your job or tach Tikva, Rabbi Baruch Shimon ne might ask: What is the business in Midtown or lower Man· Salomon, has regularly been conven­ purpose of the public Shab­ hattan .. ing gatherings of protest outside the 0 bos prayer sessions? It is You want excellent hon1e value with theater on behalf of the sanctity of unlikely that Friday night movie the !owest real estate taxes in Bergen the Shabbos, often suffering indig­ patrons will rethink their lifestyle County .. nity at the hands of the local police. simply because a thousand Jews are The accompanying photograph praying across the street from the THEN ••. shows Rabbi Salomon, under arrest K'hal Adath Jeshurun of Paramus, box office. (On the other hand, it under the leadership of Rabbi Ye· on a Friday night, being forced by must be quite an impressive sight. chezkel Zweig, may be a solution you the police to accompany them to the and it should give pause to less viru­ should consider. police station, the week before the lent non-religious.... ) So what is public Shabbos tefillos. call 201 265-5686 the point of these gatherings? The 201 265-0111 e In Haifa, a new cable car line was tens of thousands of Jews partici­ or 201 261-6488 constructed connecting the seashore pating in these outdoor tefillos are to find out n1ore, or to spend with the top of Mount Carmel. The givtng collective expression to the a wonderful Shabbos with us. owners had claimed that the line's pain of the loss of so many of their solvency depended on operation on brethren, who are so far removed the Shabbos-until a group of five from their heritage and are drifting GAR.Y HONIO.; {301) 764-8676 Orthodox Jews bought the company further; and they are crying out for EDDIE 51NGER. (J01) 358-40.37 and has been demonstrating other­ the agony of Shabbos, symbol of wise. unity of Jew with Jew. and Jew with On the other hand, the Haifa Dis­ his Creator. being turned into a trict court had rejected a request wedge that divides Jew from Jew, from religious residents for a tem­ separating Jew from his Creator. porary injunction to prevent Shab­ This outcry and show of solidarity is bos screenings in five movie thea­ the first step, battling public Chilul ters. The cinemas are surrounded by Shabbas (Sabbath desecration) with other shops that are also open. As a public Shmiras Shabbos. Let us pray result. a number of open air tefillos that the hearts of those who witness were held on the given Friday night the demonstration of loyalty to with thousands of men taking part. Shabbos will follow their eyes.•

48 The Jewish Observer, May. 1986 In Case You Had Any Doubts ... c:MATANA s the Conservatives discard one Torah law after another, ranging from permitting Sabbath desecration to presiding over forbidden mar­ QALLEJzy' riages (a kohein with a divorcee), it should be obvious that differences 4906 1Hth Ave. A Brooklyn, N.Y. (718) <351-4448 between them and Reform is merely a matter of cosmetics, not commitment. Yet, there are those among them that argue that Conservatism is just another form of Judaism that happens to differ with Orthodoxy on fine points oflaw. ]civish hooks, Judafr:a, Taleisim You know. like Hillel and Shammai of old. It's those Reform fellows who are J\1ezuzos, personalized Tali.s ha~t,-ts, undermining the basics of Judaism by dropping "inconvenient" laws of Tefllin lxr~<.;>· Yarrnulka.sand r.halah Kash111S at whim, and changing the laws of matrilineal descent at will. (Most covers, rt•cord.s and tapes, l uci te, people know that a child of mixed parentage takes on the religious identity of silver, serni-prccious stones and gold the mother, but the Reform leadership had to have some way of stopping the iewelr)'. numerical losses from mixed marriages when only the father is Jewish-so presto! you have patrilineal descent as an alternative source ofJewish iden­ tity.) Now. the Conservatives would never do anything like that. they argue. ALL AT SUPER They honor halacha. even if they water it down a bit. DISCOUNT PRICES! Except that at the most recent convention (reported in the N. Y. Times May 22. 1986) of the (Conservative) Rabbinical Assembly, a proposal to accept patrilineal descent was put to a vote. and lost bya resounding 235 to 92. That is reassuring. isn't it? BIG Until you realize that the mere thought ofputting a Torah law clarified in APPLE the Talmud and codified in Rambamand ShulchanAruch upfora vote, and Western Wall and at our Yeshiva in Jerusalem. Anvil of Sinai, 320 /l/l- Ord p'UI'' !;; legacy of Sinai, 3S2 pp (2nd ed ! by ~ A FREE PUBLIC SERVICE OF !fi,lo1v ol Tnr,ih /r,111'flH"lo11 Rabbi z ~ Halacha and Beyond, l-52 pp Zc><·hariah The American Rabbi Meir fl'>Cdi fth1c'> ,111d Ri1achrin Fc>ndel !;; ~ Baal Haness Charity Torah Faith: The 13 Principles, 3Sl flp ~ z ~ V\'irh r('il'vdnl //1J/11r<1u,1 narr,i11v('' z KOLEL AMERICA ~ All book~ h,ird r ovp1: q2.95 liq iH Tor,ih fait/1 .iho '>of1 cover· >9.95 !i~t "

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The Jewish Observer. May, 1986 49 CORRECTIONS I. The review of S. Bernstein's Renaissance of the Torah Jew (April '86, pp 39-40) quoted the author's "proof' that Agudath Israel was really in favor of the Synagogue Council ofAmeiica~because Rabbi Herbert S. Goldstein was one of the founders of the S.CA. in 1926 ... and remained active in it even after he joined theAgudah. The review pointed out, in teply, that Agudath Israel was not responsible for Rabbi Goldstein's position on this point. The review unfortunately failed to add, as it should have, that Rabbi Goldstein actually had a dramatic change of heart when the Roshei Yeshiva issued their issuron belonging to the Synagogue Council, and, in an unusual demon~ strati on of humility. publicly expressed his adherence to this issur-an act as typical of Rabbi Goldstein's reverence for Daas Ha Torah as it was of his sense of responsibility as a committed member of Agudath Israel. (For details see The Maverick Rabbi, the biography of Rabbi H. S. Goldstein by Aaron J. Reichel.) 2. Unfortunately, through a typographical error, the name of the author of The Day Schools and Torah Umesorah {same issue. p. 37) was misspelled; it should have read Doniel Zvi Kramer. The book is available from Hinukh Publication. 111 Rennard Terrace. Philadelphia, Pa 19116; readers of The Jewish Observer who so identify themselves can receive it at a 20 percent discount-$12.00, which includes postage and handling. 3. Aleppo in Flatbush reViewed in the same issue (p. 35) was written by Joseph A. I). Sutton (not to be confused with his nephew, Dr. Joseph D. Sutton, author of ''The The Mormons Arachim Approach," page 23). and Your Bobbe andZaide

hen the JO published Rabbi Shmuel Gorr's arti· W cle (March '86) on the theological basis of the Mormon's intent in building its genealogical files, attention was given to the hala· chic decision prohibiting use of the Mormon's resources for such re­ search. In editing the article for pub· lication. an important note was omitted:An international conference of genealogical researchers is sched· uJed to be held in Salt LakeCityearly this summer with the participation of a number of Jewish groups. They should be put on the alert that such participation plays into the hands of the Mormons, and is akin to sup· porting "avoda zora."

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50 The Jewish Obseroer, May, 1986 make a deep impression upon them Letters and bring them closer to the service to the of Hashem," which outweighs the loss of attention of the parent. This is entirely irrelevant to our Editor unnamed correspondent's request (Feb. '86) for a source for the toler­ ance "1"'11Yl ofchildren "running back and forth" (as the Magen Avraham THE SOURCE FOR response to dealing with the situa­ wrote) and our ingraining in them a NOT GIVING CHILDREN tion is discipline and training in lack of respect for the shul and FREE REIN IN SHUL decorum. (Plus. of course. setting an tefilla. We must therefore realize examplefor the children tofollow!) that the rhetorical question will re­ To the Editor: If the discipline is not forthcoming. main unanswered until we remove it then everyone would agree that the by increasing our appreciation of The recent Letter to the Editor children should be left at home. The the respect and dignity the shul concerning "Noisy Children in Shu!" ideal solution still remains bringing deserves. puzzled me. Are you suggesting that the children and impressing them Rav Nosson Adler is disputing the with the holiness of the shulas Rav RABBI YOELCHONONWENGER ruling of the Magen Avraham and Nasson Adler states explicitly. Congregation Eitz Chaim Shaloh? By checking the quote in Montreal RABBI MOSHE GoWBERGER Sejer Iturei Torah. the the contrary Staten Island, N. Y. becomes evident. (See above letter for the quotation.) Obviously. Rav Nosson Adler is NO EXCUSE FOR 1~1·1~1111~11~113 not apologizing or excusing anyone. NOISY CHILDREN IN SHUL From Factory Rep He is rather commenting that al­ SAVE !II though in practice a parent may feel the strain of having to control his To the Editor: I Call (718) 851-1314 ~ children. it is obligatory and re­ Regarding Rabbi Schonfeld's let­ warding. ter supporting the bringing of small This then also concurs with the children to shul (April '86):Although Shulchan Aruch Orach Chayim it is impossible to discuss with cer­ (124:7). which states: "One should tainty the intent of the Iturei Torah CLINICAL teach his young children to answer (for lack of a primary source). the 'Oma in· for as soon as they answer following is indisputable: Children PSYCHOLOGIST 'Omain '. they become eligible for a did not run about at Hakheil. as portion of Olam Habba." there ls a positive command to be in DR. To this, the Mishna Berurah (28) awe of the Mikdash. The question of comments: "They are to be trained to the Iturei Torah was that adults who BENZION behave respectfully in shul." adding: have small children in tow cannot "Very young children who will run concentrate fully on the Kriyah SOROTZiaN around in shul playfully should not (Torah reading). as they must super­ be brought, for they will become vise and discipline them. ls it more Psy.D. accustomed to behaving disrespect­ important to bring the children or to fully in shul. ..." devote one's entire attention to the NY STATE LICENSED It seems that we do expect some lessons of Hakheil? His answer is tumult and distractions from the that "the inspiration for the young children in Shul. However. the proper ones in the holy atmosphere will •Adults •Children Formerly Kosher Country COME TO OFFICES IN BORO PARK & FLATBUSH Whitehead Hall, Brooklyn College (718) 963-7961 On & Off Premises Catering @ Cholov Yisrael EVE: 372-3111

The Jewish Observer. May. 1986 51 PINCUS MANDEL With the influx of the survivors, REMEMBERING THE ROLE OF Cemetery Consultant THE INCOMPARABLE MR. TRESS Rabbonim, Rebbeim and learned laymen, undertheguidanceoflnow] Over 30 Years of Dedicated "Elimelech" Tress, we took our gui­ Service to the Orthodox Jewish To the Editor: dance from them, and members of Community One of the highlights of my life Agudath Israel also became active in foundingyeshivos and Bais Yaakovs here in Yernshalayim Ir HaKodesh Karka available on and changed the face of American all cemeteries in is receiving and reading The Jewish Obseroereach month. It gets handed Jewiy.... My husband and I, and Eretz Yisracl controlled and many of our friends, feel that Reb maintained by the around to all of our children and friends as well. Therefore, I feel sony Elimelech Tress deserves to be re­ Chcvra Kadisha about having to write this letter of membered not only once a year as a of each community, criticism about one particular issue, name on an Award at the Annual Jerusalem, Tiberias, Tzfus, that of the Holocaust. Dinner. Miron, Holon, etc. How is it possible to write about SYLVIAKlAUSNER Jerusalem Recommended by the Holocaust and not mention the Gedolai Hador- name of Mike Tress n!IY, in connec­ here and in Eretz Yisrael tion with the effort to save as many RESPONSE: for hone•-ty-integrity Jews as was possible? and responsibility Recently I have read in various We refer the reader to A Path Through the Ashes recently pub­ NO compromises in kovod baniftar publications that recognition is fi­ as evaluated by a nally being given to the role played lished in conjunction withArtScroll, cemetery expert. by Orthodox Jewiy In helping to save which is a collection of articles that A service from the beart­ as many of our people as was possi­ had appeared in The Jewish Ob­ wltb a heart ble. Among the organizations of Or­ seroer on churban Europe. Aside thodox Jewiy, the work of Agudath from prominent mention of Mr. Tress I 569 47th Street, Brooklyn, N.Y. ·11219 in several articles (such as my own Israel and Zeirei Agudath Israel was Day and Night Phone-(718) 855-5121 "'Never Again'-Who Can Say It?") outstanding. And the work of Mike Tress as leader of Zeirei Agudath in regard to hatzalah, he is the sub­ Israel: was incomparable. He gave his ject of Dr. Gershon Kranzler's trib­ V11Y.li1 1l)J. ute, "Setting the Record Straight" life and his health to this tremend­ ov ,~ ous effort. (pp. 242-251). Nisson Wolpin 1~))1J. i1Y.l?V J.1i1 220 Bennett Avenue Washington Heights, N.Y. HOME Clip and Catch is proud to welcome their ATTENDANTS new Rosh HaYeshiva Your Nails needed for Rav Meir Levi W'tl'7'V A nail clipper with a HOUSEKEEPING AND plastic holder to catch Registration is now taking place for PERSONAL CARE your nail cuttings the Elul z'man. for the The curriculum of the Yeshiva includes: DISABLED AND "A pious person burns his nails, a righteous person buries them, but • Dailv Shiurim B~ivun HOMEBOUND • DailJ Mussar Shi~r one who leaves them around is a • Cbaburos by distinguished good pay and benefits wicked person." Rahbonitn Boro Park, Bensonhurst and Moed Koton 18a, cited in Mishna Brura 260:6 •Semicha program availab)C' fOr Flatbush Area qualified students full-time live in positions only Dorn1itorv fbcilities (including :3 $3.00 each postpaid. daily tne~1s) are available. Project OHR Inc. i for $5.00 BE PART OF A GROWING KEHILA Goldberger BYJOININGA (Office for Homecare Referral) P.O. Box 82 GROWING YESHIVA ... 1308-40th Street Staten Island, N.Y. 10309 (212) 568-6200 Brooklyn, NY 11218 You will also rece_ive 853-2700 a Halacha instruction sheet.

52 The Jewish Obseroer, May, 1986 1------C:f:::-.y""''--"------' Calif. Assembly Passes Bill to Combat the California chapterofAgudath Israel's ! \)\·. Religious Articles Fraud Despite Re­ Commission on Legislation and Civic '~.-J-i,- ' I' ' form Opposition: A measure designed to Action. has been approved by the Health ·-0:..:.,:LL..:::-_.:::.::"J combat consumer fraud in the sale of Committee of the California State As­ NEWS FROM religious articles. drafted at the behest of sembly by a margin of 10 to l. and is now the California chapter of the Agudath headed for the floor of the full house. The AGUDATH ISRAEL Israel Commission on Legislation and bill. sponsored by Democratic Assembly­ Civic Action. has passed through the man Richard Katz, was passed after California State Assembly by a vote of 42 lawmakers heard testimony by Dr. Irving to 17. Lebovi cs. co-chairman of the Cal. Agudah DATELINE: The bill. sponsored by Republican As­ Legislation Committee and Rabbi Chaim CALIFORNIA semblyman William Filante, was intro­ Schnur. director ofAgudath Israel of Cal. duced in view of the proliferation of Such efforts are being coordinated as bogus mezuzos in the California area part of a nationwide strategy by Orthodox Calif. Agudah Dinner Hears Ass't U.S. that have been photocopied or otherwise Jews in the area of time-of-death legisla­ Sec'y State: Speaking before a crowd of mass-produced in a way that renders tion, under the guidance of Agudath some 500 rabbinic leaders. lay activists, them totally fraudulent Israel's national Commission on Legisla­ and public servants gathered last month The new measure would require all tion and Civic Action. for the first annual dinner of the Califor­ religious articles sold in the state to bear nia Agudath Israel Commission on Leg­ the name and address of the person or P''l ""PND on1:1N islation and Civic Action, Ambassador company responsible for the manufac­ N"7::ll1 N"7J1::1 1Dt'1D 111::1 Richard Schifter. United States Assist­ ture or importation of the religious item, ant SecretaiyofState for Human Rights and any supervisory authority. Similar D')ll::ljJn D'l''T 'llJ::l 'lJ1 ))11\Jl and Humanitarian Affairs. pledged un­ Agudath Israel legislation was enacted in For Practical Assistance in sparing effort on the part of the U.S. New York several years ago. Settling financial Disputes Government to press for the human Rabbi Leonard Thal. director of the According to Din Torah in rights of Jews in lands of oppression Pacific Southwest Region of the Union of N.Y. and Vicinity. throughout the world. American Hebrew Congregations (Re­ Rabbi A\.TOhom Meir Gluck The banquet, which drew the partici­ form}, who lobbied against the bill was (914) 356-5572 pation of the broadest circles ofOrthodox quoted in the Los Angeles Times as say­ Jews in the state, feted the unveiling of ing. ·· ... By and large Reform Jews will the legislative agenda of Agudath Israel not care very much whether it (mezuza in California for 1986. It also provided writing) is done by hand by ascribe ... or occasion to cite individual Orthodox ac­ whether it is mass produced." tivists and public officials sensitive to ZAVE Jewish concerns who have contributed to the successes of Agudath Israel's Leg­ Calif. Assembly Panel OKs Religious SHERUN islative Commission in Sabbath-obser­ Exemption to Brain Death Standard: A ORCHESTRA ver protection, kosher consumer inter­ new bill that would recognize religious (718) 434-3540 ests. and autopsy exemption in the two exception to state criteria in defining Also Available As ONE MAN BAND short years of its existence. time of death, drafted at the request of

Rabbi Elya. Svel addreuee Agudath I1m1el Dinner: Rabbi Elya Svel, Rosh Yeshiva. Yeshiva Gedola of Philadelphia and member of the Moetzes Gedolel HaTorah, addressing some 1500 Orthodox rabbinic leaders and lay acttvtsts at the 64th annual dinner of Agudath Israel of Amertca Sunday.June I, at the New York Hilton. At .:,-enter dais are seated (I. to r.J: Rabbi Yekuslel Blttersfeld. Rosh Yeshiva MeslvtaBeer Shmuel; Rabbi Israel Piekarski. Rav. Keh Illas Bats Yaakovand Rosh Yeshiva. Tomchei Tmimlm: membersofAgudath [srael'sNeslus/Presldium Rabbi Elya Fisher. Rosh KoleJ-Ger .Rabbi Shmuel Fal velson. Rosh Yeshlva. Bals Medrash L"Torah ofMonsey. Rabbi YosefHaraJi-Raful, Rosh YeshlvatAteret Torah. and Rabbi Yltzchok Felgelstock. Rosh Yeshiva, Meslvta of Long Beach: Rabbi MelrTZVI Bergman, Rosh Yeshiva. Yeshivas Rashbi ofBnel Brak: Neslus members Rabbi Aharon Schechter, Rosh Yeshlv<1., Meslvta Chaim Berlin and Rabbi Yaakov Perlow. Novomlnsker Rebbe; Rabbi Sve! (speaking): Rabbi Moshe Sherer. president, Agudath Israel of Amertca: Nesius member Rabbi Lev1 Yitzchok Horowitz, Bostoner Rebbe-Boston: Dr. hvlng Lebovics. co-chairman ofCalifomla chapter ofAgudath Israel's Commission on Legls!atlon and Civic Action, who chaired the dinner; honorees Yerlchem Friedman. , Leibel Kahan, and Rabbi Joshua Sllbennintz: Neslus member Rabbi Chaskel Besser; Dr. Isaac Lewln. presidium member.Agudath Israel World Organization; Rabbi Y!sroel Perkowski, Rosh Yeshiva. Bals HaTalmud and Rav, Agudath lsr-c.el of Boro Park/ 16th Avenue; and Rabb! Dovid Lifshitz. Rosh Yeshiva. Yeshivas Rabbi Yltzchok Elchonon.

The Jewish Observer, May. 1986 53 LOOKING FOR A Boos Agudath Israel Convention In dath Israel of America, testifying before COMFORT ABLE, YET Toronto: Delegates from Cleveland. Det­ the N.Y. State Task Force on Life and the roit, Montreal. New Jersey and the met­ Law in Albany on March 17 and in New REASONABLE PLACE ropolitan area of New York, along with York City on March 20, against the Task TO STAY IN NEW YORK? their hosts from this community, ga­ Force's recommendation that the Health thered here for a spirited conclave bring­ Department promulgate a regulation MALONE ing together some 200 youth leaders of adopting a uniform "brain death" stan­ Bnos Agudath Israel of America. dard stated that "a number of halachtc MIFAL II 1 &i "i!i7Wri%Y% wE uw&ww wvwm§i§irEw&u* authorities have stated unequivocally that regardless of the presence or ab­ Beautiful air conditioned rooms by the Agudath Israel Testifies Against Pro­ day, week, with kitchen facilities in the sence of brain function, an individual is posed "Brain Death" Standard: David very heart of Boro Park. "Around the alive so long as his other vital functions Zwiebel, Esq., General Counsel and Di­ corner" from shuls, take out foods, continue to operate; and that to discon­ rector of Government Affairs for Agu- restaurants, shopping, etc. nect a patient's respirator under such REASONABLE RA TES• circumstances is a violation of Jewish $15.00 and up per night/per room A boy of a family of 10 souls law." (Single Ocupancy) was hit by a truck. Shomer Rabbi J. David Bleich, a recognized $25.00 ~ $30.00 - per nfght/per room \Double Occupancy) Shabbos driver was not in­ authority in the field of Jewish bioethics and a member of the Task Force. issued a An added plus: Proceeds go to sured. Boy lost speech, is in MIFAL TORAH VODAATH statement dissenting from the draft re­ wheel chair, mother depressed. port's recommendation and urging legis­ While enjoying o'ur beautiful Need is great. Kindly issue tax accommodations you wil'I be supporting lation designed specifically to protect the our 66 torah centers in Yerushalayim deductible check to Bikur rights of patients whose religious beliefs and Teveria which continue to being Cholim Inc. and mail to: would be violated by adoption of a uni­ back thousands of Sefardic youth to form brain death standard. Yiddishkeit. RABBI AVROHOM for reservations & information please call: BLUMENKRANTZ (718) 851-2969 814 Caffrey Ave. Far Rockaway, N.Y. 11691

Con Edison now slices the cost of apple power

RabblAvrabam Pam Named New Presi­ dent of Cbinucb Atzmal: Rabbi Avra­ Announcing reduced electric and gas rates ham Pam N""''\!J, Rosh Hayeshiva of Me­ for economic growth sivta Torah Vodaath, assumed the Presi­ dency of the Board of Governors ofTorah If you're thinking of starting, For more information on how Schools for lsrael/Chinuch Atzmai, at relocating or expanding your PROJECT APPLESEED's the request of the Board. The organiza­ tion's 33rd National Dinner on Sunday, business in New York City or reduced electric and gas rates can May 18, 1986 featured a videotaped mes­ Westchester County, find out help your business, call John sage from Hagaon Harav Elazar Schach about Con Edison's PROJECT Manak, Manager of Area ""'"'"'·in a greeting to Rabbi Pam and a APPLESEED. Thisaward­ Development at (212) 460-4153. call to the community to support the winning program offers qualified Or write to him at: Con Edision, organization. In his speech Rabbi Pam declared: businesses reductions in electric Area Development, 4 lrving rates of up to 253 and reductions Place, New York. N.Y 10003. "Israel's Jews are either for Shabbos or against It, and as long as we do not in gas rates of up to 193. And this teach Jewish children what Shabbosls, is in addition to property tax they will grow up fighting against It. incentives you could receive from ~PROJECT Rellglous confilcts among Jews must local governments. Edl~APPLESEED be resolved In the classroom, and It Is What a way to grow! the responsibility of American Jews to make thoae classrooms a reality."

54 The Jewish Observer, May, 1986 agers seeking refuge from years of op­ From 60 to 80 young people now par­ pression. ticipate in the program, any number of DATELINE: The success of the lunch program has whom can be found attending one of the Vienna spurred on the recent inauguration of five or more shiurtm given daily by these "Phase II" of the 'Vienna Project". The dedicated rabbis and their wives. in var­ scope of both material and spiritual facil­ ious locales. The apartments serving as Young Refugees In Vienna Find Haven ities have now been substantially ex­ the liVing quarters of the mechanchim at Expanded Agudath Israel Project At panded through the joint efforts of Agu­ were rented specifically with an eye to the behest of prominent Torah authort­ dath Israel of America and Agudah include rooms for informal classes and ties in the United States, the Agudath groups in Switzerland, Belgium and festive events in a home atmosphere. The lsrae1 world movement, through its res­ England. Agudath Israel shulin Vienna, under the cue and rehabilitation ann-Va'ad L'Ha­ According to Rabbi Shlomo Berger of leadership of Rabbi Chaim Greenfield, is tzolas Nidchei Yisroei-established a New York, Director of Agudath Israel's used for the Project's evening classes as year-and-a-half ago a center in Vienna Hatzolah Department, Agudath Israel's well as for morning minyan and break­ offering free hot lunches, classes in Vienna Project has brought three out­ fast. The Agudah program also supplies Torah, and, above all, a warm, emotion­ standing mechanchim (Torah educa­ kosher meals to another group of refugee ally secure environment for Jewish teen- tors) and their wives to Vienna. youngsters learning in the Schiffschule.

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