THE UNDER· GROUND YESHIVA INGILOH
It is located outside the all-new rope. Basements, old farm open 38 new schools in com· development of Giloh, because houses, barns, some with the Thousands more munities across Israel. By no space has been allocated for barest facilities, are the scene of are trying scraping together all available a yeshiva. When you enter the dedicated Rebbes and women resources, we il":l opened low building you must stoop teaching grouPs of children. to get in. four new schools. While we down. The floor is of raw con They are seated on benches And into those dilapidated facili· speak of dollars, we are dealing crete, there is one bathroom, some with the rain dripping from ties are streaming ever more with Jewish souls, with the and no heat. It is divided into 5 the ceiling, the wind blowing children every day. They throw future of our nation, with the rooms, each jam-packed with through broken windows - glances of contempt at the future of Klal Yisroel. children. The chairs and tables freezing in the winter. They are modern edifices of secularism look like they were rescued from sitting and studying our cherish· that stand partly empty. They We could do so the local junk dealer. ed heritage so that Torah should are partly empty because hun· Yet the children are there will continue for their future. But dreds of thousands of secularly much today. ingly. They could be sitting in a while the physical facilities are educated Israelis have made We can change the face of school near their homes, an ul so poor, their Torah and acade· "yerida" to other parts of the Israel. Imagine the sound of tramodern facility filled with a mic education is rated among world - their spiritual ties to Torah being heard from Eilat in gym, swimming pool and com the finest in Israel. Israel being meaningless. the south to the mountains of puter room, but empty of the Golan in the north. Never before spiritual existence of our nation This is Chinuch This year we had could your money accomplish -empty of Torah. Atzmai today. to turn away not so much. Let us face up to the challenge 40,000 children from kinder· hundreds but G-d has given us, and G·d will This school is but garten through eighth grade thousands of surely give us a lot of nachos one of many. man y with parents who from our children here in themselves have no religious children for lack America. A tour across Israel will make education-gladly sacrificing one think he has returned to the comfort for a lite of Torah of money. shtetl of 150 years ago in Eu- Judaism. Last year we had requests to
Your dollars today can save future generations for Torah. You make the choice!
Torah for One Dollar Per Day It costs us one dollar to subsidize a child's Torah learning for one day. ------• TORAH SCHOOLS FOR ISRAEL I CHINUCH ATZMAI '"t<~ 't
Dear Naomi, Greetings from Sanhedria! You responded so quickly to my letter, I felt I just had to reciprocate (same old, guilt-ridden Shaindy). Sorry I didn't explain about Nochum's involvement with Mifal Hasha& - I thought the whole world knew about it already. Anyway, in addition to his regular daily "sedorim," Nochum also learns 30 blatt of Gemorra each month in order to qualify l for participation in Mifal Hasha&. On or about every Rosh Chodesh, Nochum takes a 3 hour written exam on the learning he just completed. The test is given here in Yerushalayim to about 500 men, as well as in 7 other cities in IsraeL I understand that there are also several test sites in the States too, including Monsey (so tell Mordechai to check it out). At each test, Nochum receives his previous exam, graded, and a check, if he really did well. Twice he got a 96%, Baruch Hashem, although last month he just cleared 70% (he had been sick for almost 10 days,just after Zvi's bris). He says the monetary incentive is not the real motivation for him. But when Nochum walks through the door with a 96% or 92%, and a check in his hand, a really special glow surrounds him, as do our four little ones, who let their Tatti know that they understand and feel proud too. Don't get me wrong, the extra• 150 or so per month cetainly helps, but the truth is, that I have never seen him learn with so much "hasmodoh," desire, and fulfillment. And he's never been happier. Last week I overheard him tell his 'chavrusa' that before Mifal Hashaa he was learning how to learn... but now he's learning. I guess we can all learn from him. Ei:Uoy the pictures and write soon.
:------...... ______• YISOscher/:Z., ------, WOu1q Jilo;e io become a vu1 un ParbteJShtp A ------..... - ...... , a ft50 .oer s:iartro1 rn lho wonoori 9ree111ent ' o $100 per= as a &iutar HaToraJr Lt l\Q/k ol MAW H'lshas Oy COo!rihuti-. : 0 $50 Der Tnonlh as a Parnes Ha Toran ° $36 per O'lOnlh as a · . ·--,.. "' "To..- asaromeclii0ran a l&~rrricn!fl Mokiriorah """ cosi o1 SUDTV:vt;__ o $ as a Chai :e:. .... ___ _ -----·~°"">Chola•. --...... AflOAESS""'"":====-:------"""" Any ~~PtioN~•-=====-----=====ancr aff ~lo ''Mifa! IJ~-L - .. MlFAL HASHAs '=mas fa>: 1 are Oeduciible ------4SOS lB!h Avenue Sfldtnost anr.n.,...;~~ -----... - ...... ___ 8 'OOklyn, NY. 11204 {7 -.-·~"'"''W, ------______l8]436.7790 j' ------Clip coupon and mail with check to:·------
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TiiE JEWISH OBSERVER (ISSN) 0021-6615 Is published monthly CHALLENGE TO TODAY'S JEWRY except July and August, by the COMMITMENT AMID AFFLUENCE Agudath Israel ofAmerica. 5 Beek man Street, New York. N.Y. 10038. Second class postage paid at New 7 York. N.Y. Subscription $15.00 per year: two years. $27.00; three years, Children Are the Very Future of Klal Yisroel $36.00. Outside of the United Rabbi Elazar M. Shach States (US funds only) $20.00. $25.00 la So. Africa and Pacific 11 countries. Single copy: $2.00; for eign: $2.50. Send address changes To Plummet Earthward or To Soar to the Sky? to The Jewish Observer. 5 Beek Rabbi Yisroel Perkowski man St., N.Y.. N.Y. 10038. Printed In theU.SA 13 RABBINISSONWOLPIN Editor When the Call Was Issued Hadassah Becker Edltortal Board DR ERNST BODENHEIMER 18 Chalnnan 1be 400th Blow RABBI JOSEPH ELIAS JOSEPH FRIEDENSON Yisroel Reisman RABBINOSSONSCHERMAN RABBI MOSHE SHERER 23 Management Board 1be Sad, Sad Triumph of Ophar Mahler NAFTOLI HIRSCH Miriam Stark Zakon ISAAC KIRZNER RABBI SHLOMO LESIN NACHUM STEIN Second Looks at the Jewish Scene Business Manager 27 RABBI YOSEF C. GOLDING "Selektzia" after the Fact. Nisson Wolpin ntEJEWISH OBSERVER does not 31 assume responstblltty for the Kashrus of any product or ser Challenger: A Tragic Reminder vice advertised In Its pages. .. Copyright 1986 32 Who's Agitating For the Ethiopians? ADARI.5746 FEB. 1986 VOL. XIX. NO. 2 35 Letters to the Editor A DE~ADE OF tJARING.
American Friends of Kiryat Sanz Laniado Hospital will celebrate a decade of unique care and pay tribute to those who have shared in one of Judaism's most fascinating social adventures.
Join leaders of our community on A special commemorative journal will be March 9, 1986, 28 Adar I, 5746 at published on the occasion. An interesting 5:30 p.m. at the New York Hiiton program featuring prominent personalities to celebrate the Tenth Anniversary Dinner. is being prepared. For journal ad and dinner reservation information, contact Guest of Honor: Henry A. Roth American Friends of Klryat Sanz l.anlado Hospital. 18 West 45th Street, New York, New York 10036, 212-944-2690. Man of the Decade Award: Rabbi Meir Elsemann Raphael Award for Medicine: ~~ Dr. Bernard Ehrlich ~ J. TIUXK \'Of' l<'OR SIL\Rl:\'41 Tu ""-·-# .\ f)E(.'.\f)E 01<' C\RI :\'G. CHALLENGE TO TODAY'S JEWRY COMMITMENT AMID AFFLUENCE Esther Reisman
CHILDR Are the Very Survival of Kial Yisroel
Rabbi Elazar Shach N""''"'· Rosh HaYeshiva of Ponevezh, in Bnei Brak, made the following remarks at an emergency meeting of the Board of Governors of Chinuch Atzmai, the network of Torah Schools in Israel, which serves 40,000 children. The meeting took place in Jerusalem, with the participation of six prominent American Roshei HaYeshiva who were visiting Israel, in advance of the September/Elul school year, focusing on the devastating budget cuts that the school system was facing because of reduced funding.
(The discussion at the meeting dealt with, among other things. bus service, so essentialjor transporting children from scattered communi ties. This service, contracted to Eg ged, has become more costly, while the government funding has re mained constant One administrator reported on his negotiations with Egged: the bus company explained that an 8 a.m school start coincides with rush hour in IsraeL if Chinuch Atzmai schools would begin their day at 8:30, Egged would be willing to cut itsfee by 30%. Until this point. Rabbi Shach was sitting with his head bentforward. as though distracted. At this sug gestion, Rabbi Shach intelTUpted the speaker, and addressed the en tire topic.) Photos in this article show scenes from Chinuch Atzmai schools in Israel.
The Jewish Observer/February 1986 7 The Chofetz Chaim asked: "A bracha for children? Where will they learn? Why have children if they will not learn Torah?"
"D o you really believe that but without Torah schools, where his lifetime, yet he craved a share in we can save the situation will they learn how to be Jews? this undertaking! He understood by starting school at 8:30 Without a place to learn, the Kiyum how crucial it was to the survival of Instead of 8 am.? I hear your res ef Am Yisroel, the very existence of the Jewish people: If there is Torah, ponse: end the day at 3:30 Instead of Israel, Is threatened. there Is Judaism, and Jewry has a 3 p.m. and no time will be lost. How The second time that I visited the future. Otherwise, why have chil would this strike the Chlnuch Atz Chofetz Chaim was close to 1930. dren? mai students' neighbors? Everybody Sarah Schenlrer had founded the Is off to school and studying, and teachers' seminary for girls in Cra want to tell you: I am deeply these children are still waiting for cow, and the school's supporters Impressed with a number of the bus! And what about the work had approached the Chofetz Chaim I young men who are baalei te ing mothers who must be out of the fora letter of recommendation. There shuva that have come to consult house and at work by 8 a.m.? Let us were some groups opposed to the with me. I usually ask them about not lose our common sense nor our seminary. who questioned: "How can their background, their families, appreciation for the dignity ofTorah. you teach Torah to girls?" On re their schooling and other experien Kavod Hatorah is surely more Im viewing the project, he exclaimed: ces. Recently. I was visited by a young portant than a saving of $100,000! "Such a worthwhile undertaking, man who had become a baal te I had the privilege of visiting the and I should be without a share In shuva just three years ago. I asked Chofetz Chaim on two occasions. It? Of course I'll write a letter!" him: 'Where did you go to school?" Once. when I was still in Kletsk, my The Chofetz Chaim was over 90, "A secular elementary school," was uncle, Reb IsserZalman Meltzer, sent and had accomplished so much In his reply. me to the Chofetz Chaim to ask that he pray for a young childless couple thatlived In a town near Chortkov to ask for a bracha that they have children. At that time. the chadortm In the small communities of Poland were undergoing a severe crisis, and many were closing. The Chofetz Chaim was heartbroken about this situation. He asked me to sit down, and I told him that Reb Isser Zalman had sent me to ask for a bracha for children for this specific couple. "A bracha for children?" he said. 'Where will they learn? Why have children if theywill not learn Torah? The couple will have children one day. But for what purpose?" That was the thinking of the Chofetz Chaim: the survival of the Jewish people Is dependent on Its children.
8 The Jewish Obseroer!Febrnary 1986 I asked if he had learned Gemora into the sea! Today it is a problem of As the Chafetz Chaim said: 'What do ... he had never heard of Gemora. maintaining transportation, tomor we need children for if we cannot "Did you learn Chumash and row it will be a problem of eliminat· teach them Torah?" The survival of Rashi?" Ing classes. closing schools, or re Kial Yisroel is dependent upon us. "Only some Chumash." ducing hours of instruction. If the "How did your teacher explain im ship is sinking, do we lighten the 1\!l'Ti'~ nJ\!l;i 01> 11N (remember the Sab load by throwing our tallis and tefil · bath to keep it holy)?" !in overboard? He replied, 'We were told that the Yes. we are already canying a great ancients wrote these books and laws burden, but we must accept still for their times, but they are not rele· more responsibility. Are we so mor vant today." This is what they taught ally bankrupt that we must make an him! And this is how an entire gen· issue over such monies? We must eration is being educated! extend ourselves and see to it that there are no cutbacks. Tell me what I Do you know how many children can do. I will sell my trousers! My are enrolled in the government coat! I will arrange for loans to be schools in Israel? One million chil· repaid later. We are all here today ... dren are being taught that way! we must pool our efforts to find a When we discuss accommodating way together. Let us not seek stop very individual child is a mat more children in Chinuch Atzmai, gap measures by eliminating a ter of Kial Yisroel. One child we are dealing with the survival of school here, cutting hours there, E In a public school becomes a Kial Yisroel! If one does not learn reducing a program elsewhere. Save Tabori !the mayor of Petach Tlkva Torah, he cannot be a Jew. He knows $100,000 this month. and next who has been agitating against nothing about Shabbos, he knows month there will he another prob Sabbath observance in the commer nothing about teft!!in, he knows lem. This is an ineffective approach! cial strip of his town!. and tens of nothing about being a Jew! If there thousands of Jews are mechalel are still Jews in this world. it is only Shabbos because of him. Another of because some people have learned today's children will become director what it means to be a Jew. in the Ministry of Education. How much damage or how much good must tell you that, gathered will he accomplish? One will build here as we are. theveryexistence Torah, one will destroy Torah. See I of Kial Yisroel depends upon us. for yourselves how many people were We are making decisions that will saved bya Torah education. We must mold the future of Kial Yisroel. If we act with all our strength. throw up our hands in defeat. and I must confess that l am not a impose cuts in the budget simply strong man. But ever since I heard because we are short $100.000 for the words of the Chafetz Chaim I am this or that item, we are shirking our driven, for I am still overwhelmed by responsibilities! If we can't meet our them: Why have children? Where will obligations, what good are we? We they learn? Children are the very may as well go and throw ourselves survival of Kial YisroeL •
The Jewish Observer/February 1986 9 112°10 extra interest bonus is included in these accounts
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Every generation has its own challenges to overcome, its specific tasks to perform. How are we, as members of American Jewish society in 5746/1986, to understand our contemporary situation? Rabbi Yisroel Perkowski N"\J'''ll, Rosh Hayeshiva of Beth HaTalmud in Brooklyn, Rav of the Agudath Israel of 16th Avenue, in Boro Park, points to a particular challenge and suggest a proper response.
ach of the Avos (Patriarchs) and self-aggrandizement of Avime distinguished himself by lech. the King of the Philistines... E achieving perfection In a spe And Yaakov's emes (Integrity and cific character trait. In each case, the devotion to truth), representing the individual trait demonstrated that Divine attribute of Truth in the the respective patriarch rose above earthly setting, was all the more the trends of his time. Thus, Avra meaningful In the context of his ham was the epitome of chessed father-in-law Lavan's trickery .and (generosity and loving kindness), deceit. We, too, might gain an Insight reflecting the Divine attribute of Into our specific mission by taking chessed In a time when the people of note of some of the downward trends Sodom and Amara exemplified the of our own society. most depraved levels of selfishness Never before In history have we and hedonism.... Yitzchok's self experienced such comfort, enjoyed negating devotion to G-d stood In such plenty, possessed such a degree stark contrast to the Imperialism of affluence. This, of course, Is a
The Jewish Observer/February 1986 11 A "rasha" is not defined by his deeds, but by the direction of his interests.
blessing, to be utilized for helping EMULATING AVRAHAM our fellow Jews come closer to Torah and its teachings.and for enhancing the spirituality of our own lives. e are advised In Avos (V, Beyond doubt, this is why we have 22) to be counted among been favored by Providence with W the disciples of Avraham such unprecedented wealth: to ac Avtnu, which involves possessing "a complish more than ever before. If generous eye, a humble spirit, and anything, however, our times have an abstinent soul.... The disciples of been marked by an extraordinruy Avraham enjoy this world and in emphasis on materialism, excessive herit the World-to-Come." involvement in the luxurious trap Beyond punctilious performance pings of personal lives, and indul of mitzvos, more than avoidance of gence in all sorts of pleasures. transgressions, we have an obliga On the simple level. if we are tion to rise above the Zeitgeist Spe caught up in such an emphasis, it cifically, Instead of drifting along can lead to outright aveiros-viola with the trend toward more opulent tions of Torah law. But there is furnishings and ever more indul another threat implicit in a mater gent lifestyles, we must focus on our ialistic way of life that can be even spiritual needs. more insidious. Focusing on pleasu On the individual level, we should rable experiences can make our aspire for growth in Torah knowl edge, and increase our hours of neshama-the spiritual aspect of Rabbi Eliyahu Lopian '"'"a mas our existence-seconda:ry to our ter teacher and exponent of Mussar study. On the communal scale, we material existence. The dust of the (ethics) of the last generation, com must see that every youngster has a earth. which is the source of our mented on the above passage from yeshiva that meets his needs: that bodies. could become the prime as Shaarei Teshuva: every town, every neighborhood where Jews live be provided with a pect of our personal make-up. Our Should someone ask you. What is a very neshama could then be severed Torah school; that there be more rasha ?'the answer. obviously, would be adult classes and more Kollelim to from its heavenly sources and, in 'a person guilty of transgressions.' Rab stead, become attached to the object beinu Yonah, however, does not mention serve Jewish communities across of its yearning-the material, the the word 'transgression' at all. Instead. the expanse of this country. If this be sensual. he describes the soul of the rasha as our concern, if our thoughts and This concept is stated clearly by desiring only physical pleasures. In other plans and activities are directed Rabbeinu Yonah of Gerund!: words, even a person who observes mttz along such a course, then-as Rab vos and avoids avetros-he davens three beinu Yonah says-our neshamos times a day, as is prescribed; he never The soul of the rasha (the wicked man) will by their very nature soar upward, eats bread without nettlas yodayim (lav is such that all of its yearnings are for rather than plummet earthward in bodily pleasures, its drives are directed ing his hands) and reciting the proper keeping with the pull of our times. bracha; and so on. All his interests, his away from serving G~d, and it becomes Thus can we convert the challenges actions. the full range of his concerns, alienated from its ethereal source. At the however, are totally directed toward ful ofour generation Into the opportun time of the person's death. his soul de filling sensual desires, and these alone ity of our generation, for the general scends earthward, toward the object of betterment of our people and ap its desires. Its very nature is similar to provide him with the joy of his life. By contrast, when he approaches a mitzva preciable enhancement of our per be the dust of the earth-to drawn down or any activity associated with Divine ward, not to ascend heavenward. To be sonal lives. • service, he may fulfill all that is demand sure, the soul will be taken aloft to stand The above essay ts based on an address trial, to determine why It traded In Its ed of him, but he is totally lacking enthu siasm or pleasure. He is only doing what delivered at the 63th National Conven sphitual essence for the grave. After that, he must. as though he were being coerced tion qfAgu.dath Israel qfAmerica, trans however, it will follow its own nature, and to do so. cribed by Rabbi Yehudah Oelbaum, go downward, to the earth. from Leiv Eliyahu: menahel of Mesivta Rabbi Samson Shaarei Teshuva: II, 18 ''that You Learn to Fear," Raphael Hirsch in New York City.
12 The Jewish Obseroer/February 1986 CHALLENGE TO TODAY'S JEWRY COMMITMENT AMID AFFLUENCE
THEY CALLED AND WE CAME e left our children. our busy households. our WHEN THE harrted Sunday schedules. and assembled to W hear words of Inspiration and mussar. Seeking guidance and direction. we came to hear two rabbinical leaders speak: Rabbi Avrohom Pam. Rosh HaYeshlva of CALL WAS Meslvta Torah Vodaath. and Rabbi Yaakov Perlow. Novo minsker Rebbe. We came, In part. because we were heartbroken by a IS,SUED series of tragic Illnesses that had befallen some of the best and most promising members of our community. A group of concerned women. who had seen their friends and relatives touched by tragedy, decided that It was time to act. They turned to our Rabbonlm to ask: nw~ mn no '°'P''N ll' What Is being demanded of us? How do we respond? And that's how this gathering came to be. Personal There was no large group or major organization behind this assembly. Nobody came because of any particular Reactions to an affiliations. A handful of dedicated and determined women called out. and the women of our community Extraordinary Event: responded overwhelmingly. Not hundreds. but thousands-over 4.000 by some estimates-of women cared enough to come. Young and old, mothers as well as grandmothers came, along with many teenagers from the local BaJs Yaakovs. Most of us were from Baro Park and F1atbush, but there were A Gathering for Introspection women who came from other boroughs and a number of for the Entire Community, ouilying cities as well. At 12:45 there were throngs of women attempting to enter the "Sephardlshe Shu!" where the gathering was convened. but It was already Convened for Women packed. The overflow was directed to the nearby Bals YaakovElementarySchool where loudspeakers had been on the Tenth of Teves set up In the main auditorium. Soon that too was jammed to capacity. and a second auditorium was Hadassah Becker opened to accommodate the massive crowd. Despite the fact that they were fasting. many women stood for the entire three hours.
"WE TURN TO THEM FOR OUR ANSWERS"
hat so many people had come together for a spirit ual purpose was In itself an Inspiration. It was a T public acknowledgement of our belief In hashga cha. the calamatles we suffer are messages directed to us from Above. and our decisions to change ourselves can
Mrs. Becker teaches in a Bais Yaakov High School in the F1atbush section of Brooklyn.
The Jewish Obseroer!February 1986 13 4 ,000 women came to hear how to improve their lives and thereby raise the spiritual level of the community. They came to hear, to listen, to effect changes.
make the difference. It was also a demonstration of emu (Tzeddaka and chessed? my friend admitted think nas chachamim-that when seeking answers we tum to ing. But that's our strong point! Why start with that?) our rabbinical leaders. 'We do give a lot of tzeddaka." continued Rabbi Pam, We were not coming merely to listen. but to hear their "but it is not enough. We must give as much as we possi words and to accept them. People were thirsty for expla bly can." nations, for guidance. leaning forward In their seats, hanging on to every word: In the front row I noticed an (Sometimes my little son comes home from school older woman earnestly taking notes. At my shoulder sat with a bag qfpopcorn. my friend commented. and I ask the young mother of one of my students, also taking htm ID share it with his brother and sister. He takes out notes. Behind me was a former student of mine, pen and one piece of popcorn. divides it in half. and gives it notebook In hand. And. of course, tape recorders were away. An extreme example, but when we give tzed everywhere In evidence. daka and we do chessed. the proportions might be all My younger sister sat in the Bais Yaakov auditorium. wrong.) where they were not privileged to see the speakers. A Rabbi Pam quoted the Vilna Gaon·s injunction to his thousand women sat. faced only by a huge loudspeaker. wife that she separate no less than a fifth of their meager At one point. the loudspeaker failed for a moment. "There income and allocate it for tzeddaka. He read the words of was an audible sigh of disappointment." a friend told me. the Chafetz Chaim in Ahavas Chesed. that when one is "People wanted to hear every word." aware of poverty, it is not enough to give maaser-a 'When Rav Pam called us nashim tzidkaniyos (right tenth of one's earnings. One must then give up to a fifth eous women);· she added. "I felt our potential to be of his income to tzeddaka. Under certain circumstances nashim tzidkaniyosawakened, aroused. When he called one must give even more. us mevakshos Hashem (seekers of spiritual guidance). The same theme was ariiculated by the Novomlnsker who among us did not feel an increased desire to hear the Rebbe: word of Hashem? It was a feeling that we took with us after the gathering was over." 'Unlike previous times when people had to face tribu "I feel uncomfrotablegiving mussar(reprooo:· said the lations-poverty. pograms-to remain erliche Yidden, Novominsker Rebbe. "but this is such a unique oppor most of us tace very few nisyonos (challenges). Yiddish tunity. such a rare occasion." keit Is presented to us on a silver platter. We have lost the "I am very moved." began Rabbi Pam, "by the size of capacity of being able to confront difficult conditions, this audience which has come to hear divrei hisorrerus difficult spiritual conditions.... Perhaps Hashem wants (an Inspirational message) and suggestions for improve us to rise one or two rungs higher. in the quality of our ments In their society. in their homes and In their personal commitment to mitzvos and maasim tovim hearis." He later told someone that he feltliterally choked (good deeds) .... up as he entered the shul and saw the size of the crowd. We must stop doing business as usual and feeling self-satisfied. A TIME FOR "CHESSED" ... PLUS Permit me to say that tzeddaka and chessed at times come easily ... they make us feel virtuous. And (perhaps abbi Pam quoted from the Chofetz Chaim·s Sefer It's too sharp a remark, so please pardon me) it pampers Ahavas Chessed that at a time when the midas our ego, too. R hadin (unbending judgment) prevails in the At a time like this we must think very hard about the world. we must increase the amount of tzeddaka and changes we want to bring about in ourselves thatare not chessed. so easy to accept. that are not so easy to practice. f
14 The Jewish Obseroer/February 1986 A FOCUS FOR OUR GENEROSI1Y kedusha (holiness) ifwe but bear in mind the thousands of children of our community as well as those of Eretz Yisroel, where there is a struggle for the character of Kial abbi Pam spoke extensively about the many Jew Yisroel. And the only solution is chtnuch. Will we have a ish children who are totally ignorant of their heri generation that's destined to establish Torah, or a gener R tage: Children enrolled in public schools must be ation that will be dedicated to uproot Torah?f taken out and given a Jewish education.
6There areyeshivos that would be willing to take them. BEYOND SUNDAY: A LASTING IMPACT They have lists of children who have applied for admis sion and are still enrolled in public school. Some of them t the ktnus Itself there was an awareness that one are even under the influence of missionaries. For what afternoon of hisOrrerus (Inspiration) was not the reason? For lack of money. goal. The Novominsker Rebbe stressed emphati Where do we find the money? I think that we already A cally that "some concrete action should result." have sources at our disposal: if we would cut down on The Novominsker Rebbe added that ifwe are seeking to some of the expenses in the general lifestyle. and particu avoid illness and plague, if we desire to live long, healthy larly if we would cut down on the expenses of our stm lives, we need not seek arcane segulos (charms). "The chos, we would save many thousands of dollars that first place to consult is no further than our Tehillim as could be put to wonderful use. the Chafetz Chaim pointed out in his seforim and In his When we celebrate a bar mitzva, our stmcha is for the very way oflife. David Hamelechsaid clearly. Who wants elevation of a Jewish boy to a full-fledged ovetd life, who loves days of seeing good? Guard your tongue Hashem-servant of G-d. How beautiful it would be if we from evil. your life from deceit (Tehtllim 34:14). We all made a simpler celebration, cut down on the expenses desire life. Let us honor the passage in accordance with and used that money to bring other Jewish boys to Its simple, literal meaning." Torah. causing them to be ovdei Hashem He suggested that everyone present make a kabbala Chasunos. We do so many things as a segula-an accept the obligation-to totally refrain from speaking omen for hatzlacha, for bracha (success and blessings). Lashon hora fora three hour period everyday. "If we back We are particular on which day we schedule the wed up our inner desire for self-Improvement with a kab ding-we want it to be in the beginning of the month as a bala-and a kabbala has almost the force of a neder (a good omen. The skylight is open as a good sign. We are vow)-that means that this is serious business." anxious to have Hashem bestow his blessings upon the After the kinus a group of friends decided that they bride and groom. But wouldn't it be the greatest segula. would choose the same set of hours to abstain from the greatest stman bracha-to take a good, good portion lashon hora. They decided upon the hectic hours of of the wedding expenses and use it for the chtnuch. the seven to ten In the evening. One member of the group education of Jewish children ... or to be mesame'ach a hesitated. poor bride and groom, or an orphan, and help the~ "It's such a hard time of the day, and three hours is too celebrate their wedding.? nr.ivr.i "">'.iv"" nr.ivr.i nnN ON long. I don't think I can do it." "1'.>v l1N-You bringjoy to Mine, and I'll bringjoy to yours. "Think about it," urged her friend. There are many people who would welcome such innova The next day she called back. "I decided to keep those tions, the problem is that nobody wants to be the first. hours. It's true that those hours will be the most difficult, We must reach out to the thousands and thousands of but those hours will have the greatest impact on the children who are starving for a bit of Yiddtshkett If whole family. Maybe after a while it won't be that hard." permitted to continue the way they are without our ever Others got together and split up the day between reaching them, then we will eventually be battling against themselves so that all the hours will be covered. The them; they will be in the Reform movement or theywill be entire student body of the school In which I teach agreed anonymous assimilation statistics.... A beautiful wed to accept the same three-hour period. That way they can ding is one that takes this problem Into consideration reinforce one another In their commitment. and makes solving it part of the stmcha. One person commented: "Until now I always felt awk There Is an incident described in Titlmud Yerushalmi ward when Lashon hora came up. It was hard to find a (In Shekalim)-i have some hesitation in quoting it. but comfortable way of curtailing the conversation without I also hesitate omitting It: preaching or offending. Now it's easy. All I have to do Is Rabbi Oshiya, Rabba, and Rav Chana bar Chanina wink and say, Sorry. not now. It's my three hours!" were passing a magnificent shul building in Lud. Rabbi Oshiya commented: "How many lives were lost because of this building? Weren't there talmidei chachamtm wer A TREND TOWARD MODERATION en't there bnet Torah. weren't there Yiddishe ktnderthat this money could have been used for?" If this is said about a shul, how much more so does this ''Gr phones have not stopped ringing," said one judgment apply to a private dwelling! Or to the building f the women who organized this gathering. of a bayis ne'eman beYisroel-establishing a new Jew "But they are not only calling to express grati ish family. Thousands ofchildren are being lost while we tude or to tell us how moved they were. They are asking, Indulge In excesses. We can imbue our stmchos with What's going to be next? Where do we take itjrom here?'
The Jewish Observer/February 1986 15 Did you ever listen to the stories of the shalichim collecting for the poor in Eretz Yisrael? Could you then have the arrogance to be extravagant with the monies you've been blessed with?
"People want change," her co-worker added. 'We've spirit of this sefer he will regard people differently. An been talking to many people and we see it more and more. oheiv chessed is sensitive to the needs of others rather People are beginning to realize that there is something than to their shortcomings. Rabbi Pam added: wrong with the imbalances in our lifestyle. I am con 'When we have ahavas chessed. we have no problem vinced that the turnout at this gathering attests to that.'' with lashon hora. During the sixty years that I was with These two women have been active for some time, seek her, I never heard lashon hora from my mother n"~. Was ing to promote moderation in simchas. 'We are meeting It an extra-heroic effort for her to restrain herself? Not at with rabbonim, and they will soon be meeting among all! It took no effort whatsoever-because she had aha themselves to discuss ways ofdealing with this issue. We vas chessed. She had a le iv tov. It hurt her, it pained her. are also trying to get grassroots support for this idea. We to hear anything bad about another person.'' are speaking to many people, trying to enlist their back (When I heard those words, said afriend. I wondered. ing. Several prominent members of our community, what will my children be able to say about me?) planning weddings for their children, have decided to Many women commented on Rabbi Pam's discussion eliminate not only a Viennese table but the Smorgasbord of speech within family relationships and his description as well. We hope others will follow suit.'' of the home as a place where insulting and hurtful talk is Said the Novominsker Rebbe: not permitted. "The Noda BeYehuda (Rabbi Yechezkiel Landau, framed 18th Century rabbinical leader) in his day insti HOMEISWHEREITBEGINS tuted rulings regarding how many people are to partici pate in each kind of simcha. This is nothing new; in the he quality of chinuch in the home was an issue Vaad Arba Aratzos they dealt with It. And in recent that Rabbi Perlow discussed from many angles. He times, before the Churban (of World War II) there were T cited the importance of serving as proper role rulings in various communities, and in our own times as models as well as the need to inculcate our children with well. If this is a tangible result from this kinus, it would be derech eretz. a Kiddush Hashem." 6 Do we realize the opportunities that exist in our homes for chinuch ?Do we realize that so much more can THE HEART OF THE MATTER be done with our children by spending time with them, by talking to them, by listening to them, by having friend of mine expressed concern that we not Melave Malka with them? Why shouldn't fathers and forget about the ayin tm.>-the gracious, forgiv mothers and children get together and discuss devarim A ing eye-that Rabbi Pam spoke about. "It is so shebikedusha (spiritual discussions) together, and hear easy to point a finger and say, 'THEY made such a lavish a ma'aseh (a story ofold) and be told a mashal (parable)? wedding,' 'THEY have such an ostentatious home.' It It requires input, it requires effort, it requires a certain would be so unfortunate if this led people to judge other degree of preparation, but just look at the rewards!We are people and regard them witha tzorus ayin-an unforgiv judged as parents not by what our children bring home ing attitude.'' from school, but what they bring to school. The idea of leiv tov (a good heart) was extensively dis Perhaps the most important idea Is that a Yid is to live cussed by Rabbi Pam. who suggested that women set only as a Yid and not as a cultural goy. This challenges us aside a few moments a day to learn the Sefer Ahavas so much in our personal lives, in our homes, our families, Chessed. (As of this writing. the seferis sold out in most in our human relations that one cannot over emphasize Brooklyn seforim stores!) If one absorbs the content and this.
16 The Jewish Obseroer/February 1986 She never spoke lashon hora-not because of self-control, but because of her love for others.
Living as a Yid doesn't only mean observance of Torah LONG RANGE PLANS and mitzvos. it means living our own wayoflife-howwe live. how we think. how we dress-not to adapt to the teacher who discussed the gathering with her customs and lifestyle of the non-Jew. It's veiy insidlous.f high school students expressed surprise at how A well they had absorbed its message. quoting spe He stressed the characteristic of nefesh shefeila (ab cific points. discussing details. stinent soul) that is ascribed to the disciples ofAvmham A phone call from St. Louis pleaded: "Send me a tape.* I Avinu, as opposed to the greed of Bilaam. who revealed would like to organize an evening of chizuk." ... Other himself in his words "Let Balak give me his house full of gatherings were held-in Lakewood as well as in Los silver and gold:' A soul that has modest desires. This Angeles.... Groups were formed in the F1atbush and means striving for modesty. restraint as opposed to Bensonhurst sections of Brooklyn to implement some of extravagance-not showing off our affluence in the way the ideas of the kinus. And a series of lectures is sche we dress the way we live and rejoice. duled in Boro Park as a result of the klnus. 'Walk humbly with your G-d"-doesn't only mean One group contacted Rabbi Pam for advice on how to doing mitzvos in secret. Sometimes one has to do a proceed. He advised them to make a written kabbala to mitzva openly to set an example. 'Walking humbly" limit the size and expense of simchos. to study the hala means having about oneself a feeling of not displaying chic sections of Ahavas Chessed, and to undertake to whatever one owns. whatever one does, whatever one sponsor a specific item in a school such as R'tzad, Be'er wears. Hagolah. or one of the schools of Chinuch Atzmal or 6one's home. one's clothing should have a sense of Tashbar. He mentioned the possibility ofsponsoring one refinement ... even men's fashions have gotten out of year's salary of a teacher. hand.... When people come knocking on your door for People have begun to study Ahavas Chessed in earn hachnosas kalla (to help a poor bride). did you ever sit est. A husband and wife of my acquaintance spend sev down and listen to their stories? And we have the arro eral moments learning it each night. Two women of my gance to be extravagant with that which we own! acquaintance are studying it together by phone. from We expect to be delivered from this galus to Yernsha 6:50 to 7:00 each morning. The mother ofa large family layim Ir Hakodesh. and we are not going to be taking it gathers her children, even the young ones. and tells them all with us., a daily halacha from the sefer. Several schools have already instituted the study of He also spoke strongly about the imporiance of remov Ahavas Chessed, and others are discussing various pro ing foreign influences such as television from the Jewish jects that would Implement some of the specific sugges home. (I prided myselfon totally restricting my children tions made. (The Novomlnsker Rebbe had pointed out from watching television. said a neighbor the day alter how the Chafetz Chaim was ofastature ofearlier genera the gathering. But after yesterday I thought "if I don't tions. but was planted In his time to guide Klal Yisroel. want them to watch it why do I have it in the house?") Apparently. this is as true today as It was fifty. a hundred "It was a pleasure to drive through Boro Park on Mon years ago. His works were the most quoted all afternoon.) day," quipped one lady. She was referring to the Novo The kinus has stimulated much thought and discus mlnsker's citing double-parking as an example oflapses sion. "It has set off a huge ripple effect in thought and in our sensitivity to our fellow man. He had spoken about action,'' said one of its organizers. Let us hope that the the little things that we do "not with malice. but with a ripple has just begun. • certain degree of insensitivity;• and called for a higher "Tapes are available. Call (718) 435-5793/6974 or write: Klnus Tapes/ standard of derech eretz. 4514-15 Av/Brooklyn, N.Y. 11219.
The Jewish Observer/February 1986 17 CHALLENGE TO TODAY'S JEWRY COMMITMENT AMID AFFLUENCE Yisroel Reisman
The 400th Blow The old man taught Reb Yechiel to open his eyes to the lessons qf the letter "Tqf"- and then start all over again.
t the Manhattan side ap Yechiel carefully planned to "AH!" pean professor-turned baa! teshuva, proach to the George Wash the crowd with a tremendous pledge or a Lamed-Vovnik, a hidden saint. A ington Bridge, there's a cor to the local Yeshiva. A few generous All they knew for certain was that ner where bearded Orthodox Jews "Mi Shebeirachs" later and Yechiel the Old Man was always cheerful. stand and wait for a ride to their was "Reb Yechlel." And very wise. homes in the Monsey area of New On Yorn Kippur, the Rav was al The people In town might never York State some thirty miles away. ways honored with Shltshi, the have really known him If not for the They don't know who their driver choice aliya to the Torah. while Reb Chumash shiur. Between Mincha will be until he pulls up. And I-the Yechlel got Shtsh~ the number two and Ma'ariv, the more learned mem driver-knew less about the elderly. spot. No one EVER outbid Reb Ye bers of the shulwould study Gemora salnily-looking man I picked up on chiel. While everyone paid their year on their own. It was the others, the that corner. I'm glad I did, because ly hundred dollars for their shul less accomplished, that the Old Man otherwise, I would never have heard seats, Reb Yechiel gave the Gabbai gathered. "Let's learn Chumash to his stmy. $400, and of course, he was placed gether; between us we 11 manage to on the Mizrach Vant the Eastern understand something." • • • Wall, next to the Rav. Reb Yechlel Naturally, the Old Man did most of "Reb" Yechiel was an am ha'aretz, had the nicest house, the best car. the talking. And soon even the more by Its most simple meaning. Not that and certainly, the most money In learned members of town gravitated he didn't have time to learn. He just town. He never had reason to be In toward him. And. often, the Old Man never bothered. He got his respect awe of anyone. That Is, until the Old told a story of a shepherd. anyway because Reb Yechiel was Man moved Into town.... "Day after day, year after year, he very wealthy. walked the fields with his sheep. Oh, Yechiel had earned his title "Reb" he put on tefillin and kept the Shab soon after arriving In town. They obody really knew where he bos, but he was Incapable oflearning made an appeal that Shabbos, and had come from. Oh, there the most simple pasukln Chumash. N were rumors-some said he And by the age of 40 he felt It was Rabbi Reisman, a member of the Kollel ofMeslvta was a freed Soviet refusenlk who much too late to start. Torah Vodaath In Brooklyn. wrote several articles "Until, one day. he sat down by a that were featured tn JO, most recently "The Old wanted to live out his years quletlv. Man Counted to Nine·· {Oct. '85). Others claimed that he was a Euro- ·-.-,.,k. and his life changed. He ob-
18 The Jewish Obseroer/February 1986 "You are skeptical about the power of the unforgiving eye," said the Old Man, "because you do not understand. Some day, when you really want to understand, perhaps you will." served how dripping water had Cheder Rebbe a question that he main outside of this Influence, we pierced a hole through a stone. "If could not answer. must attach ourselves to another only I pound away, continuously,' he "The last letter of the Aleph Rais, Tof-the Torah, which saves and told himself, "the Torah too can pe the Tof. has a numerical value protects. The word which occurs netrate my heart.' And It did. gematrtya-of 400. Wouldn't It be most often In the Torah, 'es•. has a "The shepherd's name was Aklva. more appropriate,'' Reb Yechlel numerical value of 401, to symbolize and many years later, he became the asked, "to end with a rounded num Its superiority over Ayin Ra." greatest of the Tannaim" ber, such as 100 or 1.000 or even The answer did not really satisfy And the Old Man would explaln 10,000?"' Reb Yechiel. Somehow, numerology, 'Wlsdom and knowledge are two dif The Old Man sat back and paused, spirits. and evil eyes seemed far re ferent things. Undoubtedly, many choosing his words carefully. moved from 20th century America people had observed that very stone. ''To answer your question properly, And, why attach such significance to and thousands like it. But they didn't one would have to delve deeply Into a number? see what Rabbi Akiva saw. Rabbi The Old Man saw this. 'You're Akiva-though Ignorant-was wise. skeptical because you do not under His eyes saw what others failed to stand. Some day, when you really see. Knowledge rests In the brain, want to understand, perhaps you but wisdom shines from the eyes." will."" The Old Man's eyes seemed It was his eyes-Reb Yechiel de sure that the day would come. cided. The Old Man's powers lay in his eyes. Somehow. the Old Man saw n ensuing days, the topic of things differently. Others looked, but Ayin Ra seemed to come up he penetrated. Others saw, but he I often in the Old Man's shiur. understood. Generations earlier, he And, more often than not. it had might have joined Aklva, the Shep some connection to the number four herd, at the spring ... and he, too, hundred. Sometimes, It seemed to would have understood. Reb Yechiel that the Old Man was Many great men aspired to reach speaking to him. Maybe it was his the level of Pardes-the garden of Imagination. HaShem's secrets-where are hid "Efron, too, had an evil eye. His den the luscious fruits of pure know generous offer to Avraham was part ledge. But only four were privileged areas that are bestleft to those more of a scheme to get an exorbitant to enter during their lifetime. And of capable than we. But-in a more price for the MeOms Hamachpetla, the four, only Rabbi Akiva was great simple sense, the Tqf. the power of the cave where Avraham burled enough to grow from the experience. 400, symbolizes a very potent force. Sarah. And, Rashi tells us, that for And, on his own level-Reb Yechlel Four hundred is the numerical this reason. the Torah spells his would soon discover-the Old Man equivalent of Ayin Ra1-the evil eye. name with the letter Vov missing. knew some secrets, too. Ayin Ra. as explained by those who "Efron3 without a Vov," the Old understand such things, Is an all Man explained, "has a numerical consumtng power. Eisav, Bllaam, value of 400. or the first time since he Nevuchadnetzer, and even Satan "And the price paid for the Meoras came to town. Reb Yechiel himself are Said to take their des Hamachpetla waS precisely 400 di- F felt awkward. During the tructive powers from this mysterious nars." question period after the shiur, his force. The year was 1980 and Reb Ye friends would ask all kinds of ques ''The Talmud relates that Rav once chiel's pamasa was in precious me tions-about Torah, halacha, or life spoke to the souls of the dead. and tals. As the price of gold soared In general. But. try as he might, Reb was told-'of every hundred people towards $1,000 an ounce, he Invest Yechlel never had a question. And who are buried, ninety nine die of ed heavily in the metal. Then. almost for the first time since he came to Ayin Ra. and only one of natural overnight, his Inventory was de town. Reb Yee hiel actually felt like an causes.' valued by 50%. Reh Yechiel always am ha'aretz. ''The Aleph Rais ends with the relied on his business sense and he Reb Y echlel strained to remember. Tqf, as if to warn that after the Ayin felt sure that gold and silver prices Sometime, long ago he had asked his Ra, nothing more can come. To re- would rebound. Stubbornly. he held
The Jewish Obseroer/February 1986 19 The clearest vantage point from which to view life is from the hospital bed. on to his stock. only to see Its value light bulbs above him seemed to continue to fall. take on the shining shape of the Old And still. the Old Man spoke of Man's eye.... AyinRa. ... Reb Eliezer was once arrested It was Parshas VaYishlach "Yaa and prosecuted in the Roman kov was blessed with the power of courts. Upon returning home. he the voice-Kol Yaakov, while Elsav took account of anything he had was given thepoweroftheeye. Yedei ever done. seeking a sin that had EisaV" has the numerical value of been responsible for this punish 400, symbolizing his mastecy of us ment. so that he would be able to ing the Ayin Ra to destroy. repent Try as he would. he could "When Elsav threatened to do bat tle with Yaakov. Yaakov sent him find nothing. His chaveirim came to console gifts. Rash! explains that he did this him. but he would not be comforted. 'to satisfy the eyes' of Elsav. With Finally, his talmid Rabbi Akiva what power did Elsav come to wage asked to say afew words. "Perhaps war with Yaakov?"-Reb Yechiel you once spoke to an apikores-a looked down at the Chumash before heretic-and enjoyed his words. For him-'With 400 men." that reason. the heretics instigated outburst of "heresy." "There were against you in the Roman couris. Gaonim and Rishon!m who did not That would befair punishment" eb Yechlel's business, and the feel bound to believe in sheid!m and lndustcy In general. con RabbiAkiva was right Rabbi Elie other spirits. But Ayin Ra Is differ zer recalled speaking to an api R tinued to decline. Reb Ye ent Reference Is made to it In Chu kores many years earlier. and en chiel's Income still was more than mash. when Yaakov gave Yoselfthe adequate for most households. But. joying a witty comment he had blessing of 'ale! a yin '-invulner made. his standard of living was higher ability from Ayin Ra. The Shulchan than most. and, soon. Reb Yechiel RabbiAkivasaw what othergreat Aruch mentions Ayin Ra In regard men couldn't see. The Byways of felt It prudent to make some down to various practical halachos, be ward adjustments. There were peo Heavenly Justice were open before cause Ayin Ra falls Into the realm of hisshiningeyes.Andhecouldknow ple In town, Reb Yechiel knew. who the natural, not the supernatural. As were always jealous of his wealth. It something about Rabbi Eliezerthat to Its explainability," the Old Man Rabbi Eliezer himselfdid not recalL hurt to see those feelings placated. smiled, "I will explain It to you. Reb The Old Man quoted Rabbeinu Yechiel. But now. it's time for Mortals that we are. we should B'chai: "The greatest act of kindness Ma'ariv." never attempt to keep an accounting ever to occur was the giving of the of HaShem's actions. Bad things Torah at Sinai and the elevation of s his business fortunes drift happen to good people; If not, man Kial Yisroel as the Chosen People. ed, Reb Yechiel became des would lose his valuable power of Subsequently, the Jews would be A perate for new customers. bechim-free will. Yet there are some come susceptible to the Ayin Ra. And when one such customer called vecy special people with vecy clear and to shield them from this from Miami. he flew down to meet eyes who can see through the cur Hashem decreed that they would him. tains of nature, to view the Heavenly first work and suffer In a land that Is It was a set up. Reb Yechiel had Byways. And on cerialn vecy rare not theirs for 400 years. Again, the barely left the airport when two occasions, for reasons known to Him, number400.And. here too, the words goons approached him. Months ear G-d parts the curialn and an ordl 'Eretz lo lahem 5-a land that Is not lier. Reb Yechiel would have quickly nacy person can receive some vecy theirs-has the numerical value of handed over his goods. but now he valuable Information. 400." hesitated. His delay cost him a bullet Reb Yechlel could restrain his In the chest. eb Yechiel was depressed. It doubts no longer. 'You keep on "The clearest vantage point from had been a vecy rough year. speaking of Ayin Ra, something to which to view life," the Old Man had R and now. he was holed up In tally Inexplicable. We live In a civ once said. "is from the hospital bed." a hospital far from home, recuperat ilized. technological society; are we As he was carried to the emergency ing from a collapsed lung. The long supposed to believe in old wives' room, Reb Yechiel understood what lay-off would not bode well for his tales like Ayin Ra?" he had meant. His business prob business. The Old Man betrayed no surprise lems were far from his mind.And. as Then the Old Man walked In. Reb or condemnation for Rev Yechiel's he slipped Into unconsciousness, the Yechiel was astounded. The Old Man
20 The Jewish Obseroer/Febnuuy 1986 had travelled to Miami to visit him! wealth. 'The Ain Ra has no effect on As I drove on, I reviewed the amaz The two sat and talked. And Reb things hidden from the eye,' says the ing story-and the vartous gemat Yechiel released his pent-up frustra Talmud. The other is to study Torah. riyos-1 had just heard. And I smiled tions. He told the Old Man of his dif Because when rtghteous people are as I realized that the gematriya• of ficulties ... and he could see in the rewarded by HaShem, He-like "Rabbi Aklva" Is 401. • Old Man's eyes that he understood. Yaakov-protects them from any po He understood very well. tential harm His gifts may cause. ~e proper Hebrew spelling of "Akiva" Is w:lth a 'Heh' at the end, making the Im Hakollel gemat "Reb Yechiel, I travelled here be rtya. 401. (Hakdomo to Ohr Zarua). cause this is a shas hakosher, a rare opportunity. Yesterday was too early mE NUMERICAL EQUIVALENTS: and tomorrow may be too late, but 1. 70 = y today I think you'll understand. I 10 = want to teach you something about Ayin Ra. 50 = J "Man's feelings-his emotions of 200 = , joy and grtef, oflove and hate-can 70 = y have tremendous effects in the phys 400 ical world. While HaShem does not reward us for mitzvos in this world, 2. 1 = N He does reward man for the joy and 400 = ,, love with which a mitzva is per 401 formed. In this manner, emotions have constructive power. 3. 70 = y "But they can be destructive too. 80 = 0 Jealousy and hate are powers ofdes "And you, Reb Yechiel''-the Old 200 = , truction, more lethal than bombs Man spoke with a stony sertous 50 = J and bullets. When one is fortunate ness-"are in desperate need ofboth 400 enough to be blessed with unusual these cures. For years you've abused wealth, he is in danger. By flaunting a wealth you hardly deserved, and his wealth, he causes jealousy, an now-the eyes all around are begin 4. 10 = guish and hurt. These feelings, al ning to demand satifisfactlon." 4 = 1 though wrong, are very natural, and The Old Man opened a small brown 10 = the man who flaunts his wealth sefer he had brought along-the 70 = y should have avoided causing them. Derech HaShem•. He read to Reb 300 = "' The effects of these feelings are. in Yechiel: "To straighten the crook 6 = 1 its most simple sense, what we refer edness symbolized by the letter 400 to as Ayin Ra. One must pay in one Tof-this is all that is required of way or another for causing pain to man." 5. 1 = N others.And then, when people don't Reb Yechlel wasn't exactly sure 200 = , find someone's good fortune accep what the words meant; but the mes table. they provoke Heavenly justice 90 = ' sage hit home. To fight the TQf. he'd 30 = 7 to question if the person is truly have to begin from Aleph. deserving of his wealth, or whatever. 1 = N The net result is usually harmful to earrtvedinMonseyjustas 30 = 7 the person involved. my guest concluded his 5 ::: il "When brothers lose a father, the W tale. As I pulled up to the 40 = )'.) bechor(eldest son) receives a double address he had given me, I intro 397 portion of the inhelitance. This is duced myself to him. "And you must 3 = coming to him-it is the halacha, be a mechanech-a teacher," I re 400 tncludlngan Integer and it shouldn't cause jealousy marked. "Mechanchim always have for each word. among brothers. However, when one such Interesting stones.'' 6. 200=i is NOT a bechor, and his father 'Yes," he answered, "I'm an Alef 2 = J bequeaths him a double portion. Bais rebbe. Until a few years ago, 10 hurt and jealousy are a very normal though, I was a businessman. The = 70 = y consequence. Of all the brothers. name is Stelnmetz-Yechlel Stein Yaakov blessed only Yoseif with alei metz." 100 = i' ayin. By giving Yoseif a double por He winked, and before I could say a 10 = tion, Yaakov was-In a sense-put word, he was off. 2 = J ting him In danger. which the bra 5 = " cha alleviated. •by R'Moshe Chaim Luzzato. better known as 399 author of Mestlas YeShortm. The above quote JJ1"CI DY "There are two ways for a man to appears In Derech Etz. Chaim (pg. 135 of the pop +2 = avoid Ayin Ra. One Is to hide his ular edition} ln greater length. 401
The Jewtsh Observer/February 1986 21 There is a Young, Dynamic, Growing Orthodox Community in Matawan N.J.
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The Sad, Sad 1iiu:mph of OPHER MAHLER n the past twenty years, some large numbers of Jews to Judaism, had been a bright and talented boy, thing new has been added to the we often find a feeling of self-right Interested in theater, in drawing, In I annals of religious Jewish folk eous smugness with ourselves and science and geology. The Holocaust, lore-the ba'al teshuva story. Typi our cause. We are right, they are particularly, had always fascinated cally, it begins with a young man or wrong; we are victorious, they are him. In politics, he leaned towards woman living a life which is as es defeated; we are to be praised, they. the nationalist Techiya camp. tranged from Jewish tradition as censured. Like many. indeed most, Israelis, one can possibly imagine: visiting a But before we break out the the family's secular roots did not go guru high atop a mountain in Tibet, l'chaims, before we begin the cele very deep. Their stock was Chas or reaching the heights of cinematic brations. let us take a look at one sldic, but of their traditions and stardom in Hollywood or Tel Aviv, or particular family, one particular faith, only the slightest hint, the perhaps careening to the top of the ba 'al teshuva. We shall see that our faintest memory. remained. economic heap as a brilliant Wall joy. while appropriate, ought to be Opher's life followed the well Street analyst. Comes the obligatory muted. Perhaps the happy ending is marked course of a middle-class trip to Israel (or, if you're Israeli. the not quite what we should expect. secular Israeli. He went to school, three years of army service), the epi Let us examine, then, the sad, sad graduated, and joined the ranks of phany, when one faces the empti triumph of Opher Mahler. the army. At the end of his service, ness ofone's life, and the discovery of his parents expected him to attend the yeshiva, of Shabbos. of Torah. THE PARENTS AND THEIR SON university, hopefully marry, and Shortly thereafter, comfortably es make them proud of him. conced in a small apartment In Mat It was not to be. Stung by the ersdorf/Arzei HaBira/Monsey, with y first look at the Inner taunts of an Egyptian in Eilat, who spouse and children, the al!ya from workings of the embattled ridiculed his claim that Israel's justi secularism ends. And they live hap Mahler family came through fication for existence was to be found pily ever after. M a cover story in the weekend maga in the Bible-"Do you live by the Though many of us recognize that zine of Israel's largest newspaper, Bible? What connection do you have the personal journey of each and Ma 'ariv. Written by Professor Dan with your Blble?"-Opher began to every Jew who returns to his G-d and Mahler, it was a tale of an aggrieved seek his Jewish roots. At the begin the Torah is not quite as simple as father, a put-upon mother, an un ning of army service, he told his par all that, there is a tendency to facile grateful child. ents that he was going to a presenta treatment. In our joy at the return of The facts in themselves were not tion by a group called "Na'aseh Mn. Zak.on, translator of Artscroll's Engllsh unusual. Dan Mahler was a profes Ve'Nishma," an organization dedi language Tzena U'rena, and author of several sor In Ben Gurion University in Be'er cated to rekindling the flame of novels on Jewish themes for teenagers. wrote 'The Teacher Is the Lesson" about Sarah Sche Sheva. His wife, Sophia, also had a Torah In Jews. Slowly, inexorably, nlrer for the Aptl '85 Jewish Observer. doctorate. Their eldest son, Opher, Opher rediscovered what his par-
The Jewish Obseroer/Febru.ary 1986 23 ents had lost-and Opher changed. First, a knitted ldpa. followed by a black one; tzitzis, payos, black suit. Mahler, Sr.: My son University was rejected; Opher was sitting and learning Talmud. has discovered 612 Were the Mahlers pleased that their son had found a lifestyle which mitzvos; he never brought him boundless satisfaction? heard of #613- Did they breathe a sigh of relief that their son had rejected the drug cul honoring his parents. ture, was not livingwith an Arab girl, had chosen ideals over materialism? Not exactly. To hear it from Dan Mahler. their SOME DISTURBING son has chosen a lifestyle which has INCONSISTENCIES placed an impenetrable barrier be n objective look at the Mahler tween him and his family. He can no To visit their children and grand story, though. discovers some children, they would have to come longer speak to his son, for they have disturbing Inconsistencies. nothing in common to speak of. His A before Shabbatand stay ail day. And Mahler begins his diatribe with the there is nothing for him to do there, son withholds his two young chil accusation that his son, in rediscov dren from loving grandparents, In complains the Professor. "I do not go ering 612 commandments, had Ig to the synagogue, that is not my way sults his mother, incites his broth nored the613th:thecommandment ers and sisters. The long-suffering of life." The loving father cannot be of honoring one's parents. But he expected to sacrtfice one day of soc parents held their peace but, finally, himself admits that his son "desires it all welled up Inside of them. and cer to be with his grandchildren. to avoid open quarrel ... telephones Professor Mahler does not deign to they were forced to take their story to sometimes to ask how I am, remem the public; the mother, in the leftist speak of his son's teachers as rabbis; bers my birthday and brings me a they are, in his estimation, mission magazine Koteret Reishit the father gift. and tells me that he loves me. in his story in Ma 'artv. aries. His son has not freely chosen ..." The picture of the recalcitrant his new life: he has been brain and obstinate child grows dimmer, washed. Mahler says that he would becomes fuzzy: Is it because the only have accepted his son's choice, had sin which the father can discover, !fil1'i11 the ultimate crime, was his son's he done it after much thought and n11n .. ·n choice of a life which does not seem reading. but this is not the case. The .. nl1wn1 suitable to him? Strange, for some choice, rather, was made almost overnight. !DJn•1 nn~' n111N one so liberal, for someone whose Strange. because at the same time canon and code of ethics Is based on Mahler maps out his son's course. O'OV'l"l-:i t>'t.:n!:IV:"\ o.,in~ 0'1V i>1:~:i a belief in "live and let alive." But c.,,,,,:i1mn: :iN::1111:i ~"lkJ. 01 -' finding several distinct stages of 'VJ this, to Mahler's way of thinking. is "!tit<'!- ·nn':1'1 ,'""''""' n,tn,,n 'li'l!>J religious development (overnight? ,~0 ,., '~'!"!!) ~Y.l ~N:i:"'I "i'Vt C'lt'"'\!) not life .... Without thought?). He admits that .(16.10.85 1":J'"l~1 ':-.,) Mahler speaks of a home replete the first clear interest in religion was "'1'1i"l'lf 0')~!l.,'Ci'1 .,!l~?·n O':ln:i~n !"1ND with books, with music, with good ')').It.• .i:i~ )'\ICN"I !1'N i'"I on 'l':':li' sparked at the beginning of his son's ,'"'lp\1n TIN. :irn:i> l"l'N"l:O :rnnp!:>) 0).', conversation. In his child's home, he Army stint. while his final decision .":"'l:.'\'..'~:l :i.,tr,:i,,:iv t""'nn'I 1"'n~ cries, there is nothing. It Is a he~ as to lifestyle was not reached until "n:u.-n2 ,,,'"""" ')J)I) lU,K,, "l)N breaklng scene. but again, there s over three years later. : T"!"lillNil 'l1~V!>l :l1\:J" :l'lV.: 0''~'!111' that disturbing Inconsistency; Can ! n'l)ll:a n'l")ll'I ! ,.,,11n .,,.,,,,, Yes, there are inconsistencies, un it be that a man who spends practi N., Ct-<' .fl"IV.:l':> t:l'~V "l':"lh X., ON truths, exaggerations a-plenty in the cally every waking hour poring over Senior Mahler's Invective. The objec \:JNil )Jl!>~ "'Inc - c:i'>:>VJ::i' lV''t'J"l seforim has not one book in his - ''llN 1)).tl~) C'\;:"'I 'O=''\? f:l:0'11.:l:l tive reader should reject much of c,,,;, .. C!"IN ),I)~.,., D''''V .,no home? Is it possible that a Jew who what he has to say out of hand. ~C''i:i>i lingers for hours over Shabbos ze j:''lt'n:i1 .,,,.,vn ,,,.,,c "!)'H 'lJ ,,1'1,"111 merely on the basis of rational con miros has totally rejected music? sideration. ·nfltili 't)l'l("! : f'UV,trJ'I t<" D':;,0 e''N Ah. but those are not Mahler's i"\'N\?r.> ,M'}.I) '~l I )'1').I!) '\!)'1!'0. O:>l"IU> Unfortunately. It didn't happen. ,,,,lN,.~ ,,0 il~ - !:l~~ ,,~, lN books. That is not Mahler's kind of 104J1 ·"-" - "ri::nwn:. n··nnnn ~).ll!>l music. Vll nr.i»l? >V~l ,,.,,, ,H·US ll~"'" THE MEDIA '"'llll -in.,, /'nl1w,,2 n°"tn-:i,,n The breach widens. The man ,,,v whom the father publicly terms a AND THE Bl1TERNESS ,~., ,., '""*' ntt1i1 .,.,, ben sorer u 'moreh (the archetypical ll•Ut< ~f'I 'llll rebellious son-see Devartm 21.18- he Mahler story struck an "":li'Wf\) f't,tr\ftft tJ.fJD),, 21) opens his home to his parents. Incredibly responsive chord But the parents cannot come. for throughout Israel. People Declaration of war against ba 'a let te T shuva. printed in Ismeli papers. their only free time is on Shabbal talked about It. wrote about It, ar-
24 The Jewish Obseroer/February 1986 gued about it. It became something Jew who comes back. Is there one ofa media event, with the son's stoiy who turns his back. who rejects. who and response being printed in Erev hates with evety fiber of his being? Shabbat a religious weekly. and, Said the Egyptian And what of the purveyors of that later. in Ma'ariv's weekend maga hatred. the media, who grab at the zine. Secular and religious news soldier: "You claim chance to humiliate their Jewish papers carried the stoty. There were that the Land is yours ness? In his introduction to Mahler's editorials, mass meetings, letters to article, Editor Tzvl Lavi writes of his the editor. The furor wouldn't die. because of the own personal feelings of sorrow and It is in this astonishing response Bible.-Do you live empathy for the av shakul, the that the first sad fact displays itself: father who lost his son. and for the Large numbers, enormously large by the Bible?" thousands of parents who have re numbers of Israelis feel threatened. mained in "their own silent hell" alarmed, and upset by the religious while their children enjoy their new awakening of their youth. Despite found spiritual heaven. He speaks of the clear inconsistencies; despite the and their many counterparts-they, the "cruel laws" offanatlclsm. which obvious rejection of the liberal values too, are Jewish children: lost, hating. "know no compromise. and father. which the Drs. Mahler themselves but always Jewish-tears for the mother. and the old world be purport to espouse, values that In many Israelis who. If not so steeped damned.'' clude the acceptance of alternative in Jewish self-hatred as to disown Anyone who has had any kind of lifestyles; despite the monstrous as their children. sun feel a kinship contact with a ba'al teshuva knows sertion that Mahler would have "pre with Dan Mahler and his preference just what an ugly distortion of real ferred to see his son a drug addict, for drugs over Torah. ity these words are. And yet they flow for there Is a cure for drugs and none Our joy in our new-found retur from the pen of a journalist. one of a for religion" -despite all of these nees cannot be complete. not while breed that prides itself on objectiv things.Jewish parents wrote in sup there is so much to be done. There ity! Dr. Mahler's poison pen article port of Dan Mahler, in bitter disap are so many misunderstandings to appeared without any response from proval of his wayward son. explain. so much hatred to overcome. Opher: "equal time" is not some Mahler had titled his article: 'We The full celebration must wait: the thing that secularists believe in, It Have Lost A Son." What a frighten happy ending is not yet upon us. seems. Only after the furor grew too ing thing, that in the land of Israel, This. then. is the sad. sad dimen great to ignore: only after the reli where so many men and women sion of the personal triumph of gious press took up Opher's cause learned the true meaning of grief as Opher Mahler. and printed his version of the truth; they lost their sons to four wars. only Have the secular Israelis strayed only weeks later. did Ma 'ariv finally a few voices, the vast majority of so far from their own religion that see fit to grant Opher Mahler space them religious. were heard dectylng they have come to this? For evety fora reply. • a father who had "Jost his son" Opher Mahler today with his son. through his own grim choice!
A NATIONAL DIMENSION
ere the conflicts between parents and child confined W to one troubled family in Be'er Sheva the stoiywould be a sad one, but would Jack the dimensions of a national tragedy. Unfortunately. It is not confined to Be'er Sheva. While many. perhaps most. parents welcome. or at the veiy least. tolerate their children's new religious life style. large numbers do feel threat ened. With the support of the Mah lers and other ultra-leftists. a society has been formed for these parents. a society which has dedicated itself to fighting the "missionaries" that "threaten our children.'' And so. along with the celebration of the new movement of return. along with the joy. there are tears to be shed. There are tears for the Mahlers
The Jewish Observer/February 1986 25 GUEST OF HONOR !/ana'Cfj' Rebetzin T ziril Kamenetzky BELLA SCHLESINGER Lc£:!6', ''.l ·m-i '" AWARDEE ji!,- NU' Mrs. Bertha Jacobovits ~a/:&ndwn MIRIAM BORCHARDT AWARDEE a/1£c Mrs. Olga Leiser Jf/!W ?Ye,,.,+ £/lo,, HONOREES Mrs. Hindie Fried 5{;,,,d,,,,, 'ff'£avmcn · Mrs. Rivka Langenthal rff'l£c/ !/8"';?7 Mrs. Hencsi Singer Mrs. Pearl Weinberger ~It f!8uk~
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- ...... - - ''SELEKTZIA" AFTER THE FACT In Search of Gentler Metaphors
A MISGUIDED LOAN "Today, only one generadon after Auschwitz, and only one month after the tragedy ofthe Achille Lauro, Orthodox zealots penilat In their elforta to establish their own kind of selecting vents and figures from hlstoiy are convenient in process, not In Poland, but before the gates ofJerusalem, not to aort the strong &om the weak, but Jew from Jew." helping us understand contemponuy problems, quoted In the N.Y. Times, Nov. 13, '85 E even If only as a point of reference-"a national tragedy surpassed only by the destruction of the Second The Infamous Mengele sorted Jew from Jew, dispatch Temple" ... "joy unequalled since the Simchas Bets ing this one to a swift death, that one to a slower, living Hasho'eiva" . .. "not since tbe pogroms of Chmlelnltzkl" death. So much for the original Selektzia. . . . "clarity of thinking rivalled only by that of Rabbi Aklva As for Orthodoxy's Insistence that Jewiy be protected Elger" ... "a veritable Haman!" from an Influx of non-Jews being granted recognition by The systematic murder of Six Million Jews by Nazi Reform's latest non-restrictive policies-we are not alone GermanyduringWorld War II so stands out as an atrocity In this. Eveiy religious group has its standards for without parallel In hlstoiy, that It became necessary to admission, no less we Jews, whose guidelines are from create an entire lexicon of terms to describe the events Sinai. Granted, our ranks are hemorrhaging through surrounding It: genocide, Holocaust, Selektzia, Kapo, assimilation, intermarriage and just plain evaporation Musselman. Zyklon B.... These words are double-edged notably from the liberal flank. where Identification is swords and as a result one should think twice about anchored by neither memoiy nor commitment to Juda borrowing them to describe other events. for fear either ism. Granted, the Reform movement is doing Its best to of tilviallzlng the horrors they originally were meant to keep the ranks full by stretching the definition of describe, or of Inflating the crimes and sufferings of Jewishness to Include children of mixed marriages even other epochs. (Remember how upset we all were-liberals when the mother is a non-Jew, as long as the child Is and conservatives-when tbe Blacks complained of Geno "brought up as a Jew": as well as non-Jews who "convert" cide In Bedford-Stuyvesant. or Holocaust In Watts?) without accepting Torah and mitzvos, as long as they It Is thus deeplydlsconcertlngto read the statement of "identlfywith the Jewish people" (whatever that means). Rabbi Alexander M. Schindler, head of tbe Reform Union These people lack the basic conditions for joining Jew of American Hebrew Congregations. depicting Orthodox iy-they were not born Jewish and they did not undergo Jewiy's rejection of the Reform open-door policy to full conversion-and Torah law does not accept them as Intermarried non-Jews as Jews. Says Schindler: Jews.
The Jewish Obseroer!Febru.ary 1986 27 FROM MADISON AVENUE'S DUST BIN
y does the Reform leadership persist in mak ng such a dishonest and unsavory compari W:son? There Is an old rule In public relations whereby any claim, no matter how preposterous, Is ulti mately believed If It is repeated often enough. Madison Avenue has risen above such deliberate disinformation, but the Reform Movement seems to still be In the snake oil-that'll-remove-your-warts-and-make-your-roses bloom era. Say It again, and Incredulity goes with the wind: People will believe that the Orthodox are reading When the sheep slip out of the fold, conventional wis Conservative and Reform Jews out of Jewry, all protests dom would call for locking the gate, not extending the to the contrary notwithstanding. (Of course Reform and parameters of the pasture. But this point has been Conservative Jews are Jews. It Is the Reform and Conser made ad iriftnttum In these pages. More germane Is vative "rabbis" that are not rabbis, and their converts Schlndler's outrageous accusation that Orthodoxy Is that are not getrtm.J guilty of Selektzta. • As for the motive behind the Reform leadership's (Parenthetically, a number of advocates of a Jewish assault on Orthodoxy, It Is obviously out of a sense of unity totally void of halachlc guidelines. Including some desperation born from witnessing the Orthodox upsurge Orthodox rabbis such as Irving Greenberg, have de of the last twentyyears, highlighted by the two bulkheads scribed denominational differences between types of of this growth-the yeshiva movement and the baal Jews as "irrelevant and even obscene," since Hitler did teshuva phenomenon-that the Reform leadership has not discriminate between Hassldlm, Orthodox and Re resorted to a cheap hucksterism, hawking a phony pro form Jews, consigning them all to the gas chambers. It's duct with a sophistication all Its own. (Insiders admit worth noting that we are defined by Torah at best, by quite openly that the devlatlonlsts have resorted to ourselves at worst, but never by our enemies. Moreover, ordaining women, against historical and halachlc prece the tragic Selektzta at the gates of Auschwitz affected dent, because thelrsemlnarleshavefalled to attract qual avowed Christians whose entire reason for Internment ity candidates.) was a single Jewish paternal ancestor, and whose iden In addition to the Selektzta label tacked on to Orthodox tity was so patently non.Jewish that even Alexander policies, some additional unflattering-and totally fal Schindler would not consider them Jews. Recognizing lacious-labels have been dusted off for Orthodoxy. criteria for membership and abiding by these rules does "Ultra-Orthodox": the prefix "ultra" Is defined as "going not make someone guilty of "Selektzta. '1 beyond the ordinary: excessive: extreme" (Random House Dictionary). Whenever the Torah community Is •ttarold Schulweis, Reconstructtontst rabbi of Encino, Caltfomla. favors the conspicuous by achievement, pronouncement, or simply term "Apartheid" to desert be Orthodox practice of defining Jewishness. (See Moment.. Dec. '85.) In numbers, It Is perceived as a threat, and must be
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28 The Jewish Observer/February 1986 discredited with an "ultra" tag, as in the Jan. 7, 1986 Zionist International News Service item (which follows the discrediting tactic of the Reform Movement) "JERUSALEM'S ULTRA-ORTHODOX POPULATION REACHED 27 PERCENT JERUSALEM (ZINSl-The rapidly laugh. Say it growing ultra-Orthodox population In Jerusalem Is now 27 percent of the city's Jewish population, or some ag~un, and 85,000 persons, according to a study of the Jerusalem uu~re1duJitv !!,oc~s ' The Jewish Obseroer/February 1986 29 CNB&YOU "A Growing Bank for a Growing You" WE Dear Friend, After 20 years as Staten Island's full service neighborhood bank taking care of your needs is still the first thing on our CARE minds. Everyday, we faithfully serve your financial needs. With everything from simple checking and saving accounts to loans for a new car. a home improvement, new furniture, a college education, a real estate development, expansion of a small business, and more. The list is endless. 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And to all of you who are not our customers, we invite you to try one of our full range of financial services. It would be a privilege to show you first hand how we care about your needs. ~~I~~ I tieSident o/'0tafo/14~;1/~~8aJ" lt'IE!t'IBER f'DIC/ EQUAL OPPORTUl'tlTY LEl'tDER Located in the heart of Boro Park at 5005 13th Avenue, (718) 436·6900 CHALLENGER: A TRAGIC REMINDER Qh L-rd, how mighty is Your Name throughout the earth. ... When I behold Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have set in place. ... What is the frail human that You should remember him? Terullim vm 2, 4-s merica and much of beyond earth, all testify to man's the rest of the world vulnerability. Moreover, the totally were on the launching unanticipated explosion of Chal pad, as it were, with the lenger only served to further seven brave astronauts dramatize man's fragility, Indeed, Aon the fateful Tuesday morning the technicians will pore over when the Challenger space shuttle every frame of film of the crucial two minutes to try to find the tell prepared for its flight. And the gious Jew expresses his gratitude tale spark or loose bolt that caused shock of its tragic explosion sev to G-d three times daily for enty-four seconds after its spec the tragic mishap. And they must. 1'nlN'J!:>l 'J)Jl llr.l)J Ol' ?:lJY.I 1'0l tacular lift-off hit with all the more Yet, whatever the apparent ... 0'1i1~l lP'.ll '.ll)J ll)J 'J:::i'.l'l.' 1'!1l:ll"l impact on the rest of us, here on cause, the thread that runs through "For Your miracles that are with us earth. Along with the overwhelm it all testiiies to man's total depen every day, and for Your wonders ing sense of personal loss, there dency on the grace of the Creator, and favors in every season, eve was a tightening of a certain ten which transcends any measure of ning, morning, and afternoon.... " sion that pervades all of men's man's ability to anticipate needs, (Modim) explorations of the further reaches hazards, and problems, and to To whatever extent man suc of our universe. accommodate them. This depen ceeds in maintaining his own sur What is the nature of this tension? dency, however, exists not only vival-even under optimum con On the one hand, Voyager 2 (for when he is beyond Earth's gravita ditions-this sell-sufliciency is il instance) continually opens our tional pull, but even when his feet lusory, for man is simply not in eyes to the ever-splendrous won are planted firmly on terra firma control of his lile situation. As David ders of creation, inspiring puny itself; here, too, \man needs G-d's Hamelech said, when he sang man with an overwhelming sense grace and providence to protect G-d's praises: of humility. On the other hand, it him and sustain him. Need we reminds us how man has suc refer to the awesome earthquakes mm 0?1y? ,, ,i;>? m?m ,,,,..,~, n~1Y? ceeded in dispatching his probing of Mexico City and the terrifying "To Him who performs wonders eyes across the cosmos and is mudslides of Colombia to under alone. for His kindness endures for capable of viewing visions trans score the point? Not really. ever." He paid homage to G-d's mitted by signals, describing a Man does not move without risk unique role as the one wonder view that was not even guessed at ing all sorts of hazards to lile and worker, forever. Man does expe a generation ago. Greatness and limb. And even the conventional rience a sense of involvement in humility, each growing with every day-to-day functions of lile and his own survival, but in truth it is G-d quantum leap forward in technol limb, unto themselves, are mira alone who is constantly perform ogy and science. And now, the cles. Of course, illness or personal ing the miracle of lile for us. sudden setback. mishap of one sort or another will , The shocking termination of In truth, however, man's self provoke a search for natural Challenger's flight brought us all image as conqueror of the uni causes-too much cholesterol in down to earth again, but no less verse is obviously illusory from the the diet?-too much stress in busi dependent upon His grace here first contemplation of leaving the ness, or at home?-a faulty brake on earth than in the further reaches supportive environment of earth. shoe in the car? One always seeks of space. Along with "How magni The space suits, the controlled at natural causes for whatever oc ficent is Your handiwork. Oh L-rd" mosphere of the space vehicle, the curs. And one should, so as to cor is our constant praise to "Him who elaborate technological appurte rect things on the natural level. but performs wonders alone, for Hts nances that surround his journey we must not stop there. Every reli- kindness endures forever." fledged Jews without any conditions ,, whatsoever. The Chief Rabbinate fi nally agreed to withhold judgment on all Ethiopians until marriage, when every such case would be con • • • '' sidered on Its own merits by the offi with and without comment: ciating rabbi. At first, this did not satisfy agitating Ethiopians who carried on a widely publicized demonstration of several weeks' duration in the park opposite the Knesset building In Jerusalem. Eventually, they did disband their demonstration, under the impres sion that their demands had been met. The Chief Rabbis, however, claimed otherwise (see P.S. In JO, November 1985). We are quite familiar with the role ' of some of the left wing Knesset Ethiopians demonstratt.ng at the Western WalL members in poisoning the atmos phere against the rule of Torah law. But what about the Ethiopian agita tors? Who are they? Well-meaning Who's Agitating Ethiopians who, considering them selves heirs to a long-standing Jew For the Ethiopians? ish heritage, are deeply pained by the requirement that they undergo mongthemanyadjustments In truth, this Is not only a com conversion? Or are they agents pro the new olim from Ethiopia promise (foregoing hawjas dam brts vocateurs, not at all Interested In A must undergo In adapting for males), it successfully circum honoling halacha, as the basis ofall to life in Israel Is the Chief Rabbi vents the problem of possible mam Jewish life? nate's requirement that they under zeirus that clouds their status. (See The following excerpts from an go conversion to Judaism (at least JO, April 1985). Mountainous pres article in Maariv, Israel's popular Immersion In a mikva and formal sure and public demonstration Labor-backed daily, points to the lat acceptance ofTorah and mitzvosfor against the stance of the Rabbinate ter. (The translation Is from Coun membership in the Jewish people) has succeeded In directing media terpoint a supplement to the Bnal so as to qualify for acceptance as and public sentiment for the accep Brith Messenger weekly of Jan. 3, Jews. tance of the Ethiopian olim as full- 1986.) SHAAREI AHARON DO YOO LOVE c:2J1ATANA HEBREW COMMENTARY ON CHILDREN? CHUMASH, RASHI {}ALLER}' ANDTARGUM Would you like to care for a child on a part-time 4906 18th Ave. An Important Work For Everyone Brooklyn, N.Y. (718) 851-4443 Who Studies Chumash basis? JBFCS/Mishkon lndispensible For Rebbis, Rabbis And Magidei Shiurim has families who need 6Volumes help with their "frum" Jewish hooks, Judaica, Taleisim Mezuzos, personalized T'alis bag>, Parshas Breishis Through Kedoshim mildly retarded children. Telfilin bag;, Yarmulkas and Chalah Available From The Author covers, records and tapes, lucite, Hours to suit your silver, semi-precious stones and gold RABBI D. ROOTER schedule-stipend given. jewelry c/o Weiss 4911 18th Avenue For more information call: Brooklyn, N.Y. 11204 Mrs. Jacob at Mishkon ALLATSUPERDISCOUN'I' Tel: (718) 633-2192 (718) 851·7100 PRICES! 32 The Jewish Obseroer/February 1986 he Ethi<>plan absorption cen ownlocalcommittee.Atfixed times sP¢akingwithhas. been threatelled T ters are being l'llled with an during the day they stand by. the and is afraid. iroti£'1st by an_extremist committee public telephones and receive .the Aliyllh j)epartment Head Haim ofyoung militants, who don't hesi day's orders. They pass. these in· Ahr.on blames th~ . Absol'.ption tate to use viol.ence to keep their struetions on to the new immig· Ministry for suppotting th.• com' pe()J>le in line. They are the new rants who are torn between their mitteeleadership during the. strike . leadership,.vying for the power in trust in the Israeli staff and thcir againstth~ Rabbinate, thus giving the cornnmnity. that had in Ethio own representatives; whosefearful lt.de facto official recognition, MK pia been reserved -for· the _Kessim 1 hands loom over them. Miriam Ta' asa-Glaser, head of the the spiritual leaders <>fthe people. When thesignalisgiven, they go Knesset Aliyah Committee, shares They are not a· democratically .out to.demonstrate. Many of them this view. chosen voice of the people, and don't know what the demonstra· Tarnar Eshel, head 1'£ the Na' according to many who work in the tion i.s.afl about. When, and if, they tional Council f!>r Ethiopian Jews absor1>tionof the community, their have the nerve to talk to an out and former Labor MK, says. that methods aresimilartotheMarxist sider; ~hey:say,_''They don't watlt all the. politica.I private intervement$ have __ t_a._ken __ a,_, ride: -on Moshe Rachamim. They work to ments under wretched conditions this opporli11nity to attack the gether with a small group of spirit and we're no leS_s- Jews ,than any~ authority of the Chief Rabbinate. ualleadets, including Kess (Priest) one· else. Why do they doubt our In the absoyptilt against theChiefRabbinate. m:igr_ants?_'' rants for the most part d9n't un In the Rabbinate they say his mo A conversatiOn as basic as this derstand what they are fighting tives :are not pure, he is not -versed was virtually impossible during for, but the gravest danger lieain in laws of Kashrut and ritual the strike against the Chief.Rab the stories they are fed, which are slaughter, and continU.es: to per: binate .earl.ier this year. Even now laced with raeism and discrimina form· marriages for 12-year old in the absorptions ~ntersj cofiver~ tion, which does not.exist for the. girls, .which is against the law of sations with outsiders are held most. part 011 the outside. the state, clandestinely' in. a dark doorway Each absorption center has its orcomer. 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(718) 436-4999 Name Tel An Educational Project of TORAH COMMUNICATIONS 51.J/(' Zip NETWORK Yeshiva aHending Cradf' Age producer5 of Dial-A-Oaf & Dial-A-Shiur D fnrlmed plPase find $42 for membership p/u<. 1>1 monrh. for additional information call (718) 436-4999 0 I wouid like lo parricipale in tl1e Grand Farher of o~~nt 11". -;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii Please ;end m(' addir1onal df'!aifa • subscribe to IE:'! ~~@ l.r@LL ~lliillJJ~ the magazine about Jewish personalities! D It's the magazine for &. about interesting Jewish people. D Written in a style as lively as the people it covers, Good Fortune takes you inside the minds of vital and influential Jewish personalities, offering you an in-depth profile of some highly unusual people. D Featured in past issues: Steven Hill. Uri Zohar. Shlomo Carlebach, Mayor Ed Koch, Nosson Scherman, Nota Schiller, David Mintz, Julius Berman &. Avita! 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Editor You also omit my comment that (as of the writing of the column) not a single leading Orthodox rabbi had disowned "Elbaum's ... confronta tional Intervention": nor did any leading non-Orthodox rabbi or lead er express understanding, regret at CRACOW the "slight to current halachlc prac tice and Orthodox sensibilities." "As a result, a ceremony that should ity now live in two worlds. which lack have brought pure joy and uplift to Outburst at Bar Mitzvah both an elementary basis of com all of world Jewiy has been be mon speech and some mechanism smirched and another wedge driven of reconciling conflicting visions of between Orthodox and non-Ortho reality." dox Jews." My article tried to explain both You twice state In your column sides to each other. The group who that I did no research other than to sent the bar mttzva to Cracow were read the newspapers and take the individual Jews (not the Federation reports at face value. In fact, I spoke Itself, as you report); most of them to the Federation first, and then to were Reform Jews, but they were not the principals who had organized looking for a woman rabbi, and not the entire matter. To this day, no Orthodox organization has stepped bbblNA<-""'Dho""'...-u!:tioSlmm....,.r...... 111tT-dorhi• until there was a month to go did 11:1. 8u MllnU i~ enc-. they realize the objection that would forward and taken responsibility for be raised to sending a woman rabbi Inviting Nachman Elbaum to come to Cracow. It may sound amazing to to Cracow, so I could not check with readers of The Jewtsh Obseroerthat anysuch sponsor. It is true that I did CRACOW REPORT: people were not sensitive to this, but not check with Rabbi Elbaum, but I SINS OF OMISSION that ls exactly the point of my ar have worked with him In other con ticle-that this generation of Reform texts and I believe that I know him To the Editor: Jews is not "guilty non-observant and his approaches well. No one Orthodox." should have gone and confronted Your review ("Second Looks at the At the same time, I explained to the Cracow Bar Mltzva. But, In any Jewish Scene," November Jewtsh the rest of the community the objec event, not Rabbi Elbaum but some Obseroer, pp. 40-41) of my article on tions of the Orthodox. "The great one capable of respectfully and elo the Cracow bar mitzva does not synagogue of the RMA ... was to have quently explaining the claims of tra meet the standard of midvar sheker a bar mltzva led by a non-Orthodox dition, should have been there. Even tirchak (Shemos 23, 7) which In woman rabbi. Rabbi Moses Isserles in your version. Rabbi Elbaum's structs that even to justify a true rul is the great Orthodox poseik decisor words only sound as if they confirm ing, or to communicate a truth, one of Polish Jewish histmy ... co-author the stereotypes of Orthodox male must not misrepresent the argu of the Shulchan Aruch . :· I de chauvinism. You claim that "He was ments on the other side. (See Sha scribed the Orthodox response as, "a dispatched to Cracow by rabbinical vuos 30b and following.) By selective leaders In Amerlca"-unless those quoting, you imply that I 'forgave' travesty ... a sense of desecration ... outrage at this aggressive incursion leaders step forward and take res the Reform Jews and faulted Elbaum ponsibility for their actions (not that without any understanding of the by Jews, lacking in learning and observance, into a synagogue which I blame them for tiying to not be Orthodox position. Clearly. such had followed Orthodox practice for linked to so embarrassing a situa one-sidedness would delegltlmate centuries." tion), I cannot assess this claim. me in the minds of your readers. The real thrust of the article was not to assign any blame at all Some Channel qf Contact Could No Mechantsm to Avoid although I remain convinced that Have Been Worked Out A Split in Jewry "the shame of such a spectacle on the front page of the New York My main comment was that, even Above all, you do not respond seri Ttmes"was, plain and simple, a chil at the last moment-were there some ously to the main concern of my lul HaShem. The point of the article channels of contact-some arrange column. There ls a mechanism for is, "the extent to which the Orthodox ment could have been worked out to Israel to deal with Arab nations and the rest of the Jewish commun- avoid a chillul HaShem. Either. pri- which are at war with it and sworn The Jewish Observer/Febrnary 1986 35 EDITORIAL RESPONSE: \!.)£)) Rabbi Greenberg argues that all 1J'>NJ JN1\!.I'>>::) rinN J'>~>::)n JJ the parllclpants in the Cracow bar mitzva were well-meaning. unin NJ>::) OJ1)) 0''P formed Jews, and only a lack of A child is born in Israel to esteemed channels ofcommunication brought parents. Her father is a great Tal about the "ch!llul Hashem" that mud Chochom. She is the grand resulted from the media's unfavora ble portrayal of the event. daughter of Gedoeli Yisroel of Rabbi Greenberg ls apparently un Yerushalayim. But instead of rejoic aware that Ms. Korzenlck, Eric ing upon her birth, her parents Strom's "rabbi," made it veiy clear In shed many tears. Instead of happi an interview on public television ness, there is sadness-for the child that she went to Poland to show the is born with a severe problem. world that America has come of age: the countiy has women ordained as AN EYE IS rabbis. She chose to ignore the pleas of Mrs. Jakubowicz (the Cracow lady MISSING ~ 11 ? who started It all by asking for a Bar Mltzva, last July) that she take into Doctors are promising to account that "women rabbis are un help medically. However, known to us" and that she touch Endorsed By: base with the Bobover Rebbe. Her the costs are tremendous. role In the family celebration was not The financial burden is Horav Moishe Feinstein, Shllta meant simply as an innocent social great! Rosh Yeshiva gesture. It was an ideological state Dear Friends-Let us help this child Tifereth Yerushalayim ment as well, and as such It was have a normal future. please! Open Horav Moishe Stern, totally Intolerable, especially in Cracow. For the record. the family your hearts and give generously. Debrecener Rav, Shllta was spoken to and Orthodox objec Together, let us help this little girl Horav Menashe Klein, tions were explained to them, but for fill the void in her missing eye! Take Ungvar Rav, Shllta reasons of their own they stuck with part in this great Mitzvah and you Dr. David Diamond, M.D., their original plans to have Ms. Kor shall be rewarded by Hashem for Pediatrics, Boro Park zenick officiate. your good deed. Let us help ease Dr. Avrom Cooperman, M.D., If Rabbi Greenberg means to imply the pain of this poor little child and New York that he.would have been an effective enlighten the hearts of her parents. Medical Surgeon "channel of contact," why didn't he May you be blessed with good Rabbi Jacob Bronner, Brooklyn get into the act before "Monday health, prosperity and lots of joy. Rabbi Simon Ostreicher, Monsey morning"?· Did he require an invita tion from Agudath Israel. or Bobov, Send your tax deductible contributions to: or the Rabbinical Council of Amer ica. to present the Orthodox point of CONG. TZEDOKA VOCHESED c/o view to the celebrants? Anyone who J. TEICHMAN or R. WEBER feels strongly enough about the topic 1544 48th St., Bklyn, N.Y. 11219 1521 56th St., Bklyn, N.Y. 11219 to syndicate his written dismay over its unforiunate resolution should not have hesitated before the fact to to its destruction In order to avoid riages. You owe It to your readers to speak to the principals and attempt Incidents that can escalate into full engage In serious discussion as to to dissuade them from bringing Re scale war. There is a mechanism for what all of us can do-not just what form Judaism to Poland. Ifhe did his President Reagan and Mikhail Gor the others can do-to avoid funda homework, as he claims, how did he bachev, the heads of two nations mental schisms that will weaken the fall to discover Mrs. Jakubowicz's locked in a life-and-death struggle of Jewish people. My sad conclusion letter ofAugust 4 to Ms. Korzenlck in peace against dictatorship, to talk was, ''The prospect of splitting aparl which she asked her to clear her par and to prevent catastrophe, if possi on a much more serious issue grows ticipation in the event with the Bob ble. There ls no mechanism to avoid steadily grimmer." I eagerly seekyour over Rebbe? a fundamental split of the Jewish response and suggestions on this As for Rabbi Elbaum's role. he people which is fast approaching. matter. went to Poland at the request of the After all, this sad incident!s not even RABBI IRVING GREENBERG leaders of the Committee for Polish near the stature of the truly d!vls!ve President Jewiy. headed by Rabbi SWomo Hal issues of mamzerut or patrilineal National Jewtsh Center berstam (Bobover Rebbe): Rabbi descent or deleg!timatlon of mar- for Leaming and Leadership Moshe Steinberg, last Rav ofCracow, 36 The Jewish Obseroer/Febroary 1986 religious discourse, deliberation and decision with a Jews that denies the Ani Maamtn's, and even promotes their abandonment? And then consider the innocent bystander who is being presented with a religious Jewish achdus that cuts across denominational lines; why shouldn't he assume that dif k to him during the .d tempted to spea . d from ferences between Orthodoxy and . . mcnts, Davi · . "h tallit was nppe . other groups are merely of style and In his opcntng com .d "All service er . he (the rabbi) not of substance?-and that there is son, of Temple Beth El~;:~~ut the her shoulders ~;c~~;\e allowed to a commonality amongst the respec of us arc deeply concern wish com· felt she shou . . tive clergy that overrides Sinaitic divisiveness in the Je speak," he said. v· wpoints guidelines? · " Different ie mun1ty. f the Connec· . asserted that the Such blurring of distinctions may . He cited t~h~~:~ year went to Dav~ds~nH~~~~im "were trying to indeed promote unity. but it would ucut youth d f his bar mitzvah, Lubav1tc . h life" by pressmg the be a tragic unity, tied together not by Cracow, Po.tan or his rabbi, a contro~ Jew1~,, issue in lsrael. An The Jewish Obseroer!February 1986 37 - ••••••••••• ••••••••••• [±1 KEEPING SHMJRAS SHABBOS - ON THE GROUND AS IN THE AIR CRACOW: THE FALSIFICATION To the Editor: To the Editor: It was with considerable Interest Your second Looks "The Mom and that I read the article entitled "Cra Pop Deli In the Sky" (May '85) was cow: Who Owns its Memories?" (J.O .. long overdue to us earthlings. Wide Kislev 5746). My late father came spread confusion In the marketplace from that city and Indeed a number tum engraved on a building around has made It difficult for the Orthodox of my close relatives remained there the corner of theCracow Alte Shu!. It Jewish consumer to keep both feet reads as follows-"Ch'K' Kovayah until they perished In the Holocaust. on the ground. Your suggestion that That the Reformers and their like Itim L 'Torah "-set aside time for people continue to support stores or should want to falsify history should Torah study. airline caterers that are Shomer come as no surprise to anyone. The C. GoLDBAUM. Esg. Shabbos Is basic to those of us who only way to fight falsification Is to Edgeware. Middlesex have heard a maaseh or two from ensure that we all practice the die- England der alter Hetm, but probably re quires extra mention for those of us whoarecompletelycaptured bymass market glatt production. The "Concerned Group for the Glatt Kosher Consumers" feels that ,l,T.l't7 Kashrus standards can fly as well If only we remember that being aloft does not really detach us from our D"''71U1,, responslbilitlesofbelng on earth. To be safe, we need to be assured that the food we consume Is prepared by ..,,,No re tJ•fe1-,· '"o companies where the owner Is Shomer Shabbos, Torah and mltz "..,,. '";::;) ..,..,"e .,...,..,e vos, not only the supervising rabbi. If we have learned anything from re curring scandals, It Is that we can not rely on hashgacha labels alone. have, with the help ofHaShem, succeeded in If we really want to eat Kosher we We need to know more about the back creating a seminary which has become recognized for grounds of the owners of restau its scholastic level, and for the warmth and vitality rants, caterers, or airline caterers which our many years of experience in America have before we eat. It Is In your best Inter est to call the Kashrus organizations helped us develop. as well as the airlines to let them Our enrollment for the 5747 (1986-87) school year will, know not only of the importance of B'ezras Hashem, be increased by 500/o. the certification, but that Orthodox ownership of a company Is of equal Applicants for the places remaining may contact our Importance. office in the United States for details and/or We cleared the air on Shabbos of registration. El Al flights. Now let's fly the flag of Shemiras Shabbos, Torah, and Mltzvos in the Glatt Kosher indus try. Let us make sure that just as we have a choice of stores In Boro Park. SEMINAR that we can also make that choice regarding the Kosher food we eat in the air. Thank you J.O. for keeping YERUSHALAYIM~~ Torah standards aloft. The branch in Eretz Yisroel of Y.KruEGER Sara Schenirer Seminmy, New York For the Concerned Group 4622-14th Avenue, Brooklyn, N.Y. 11219, (71{3) 633-8557-8 •Jerusalem, P.O.B. 7556 for the Kosher Consumer Brooklyn. New York 38 TheJewtsh Obseroer!Febnmry 1986 the country, such as Dial-A-Oaf. sands of people Involved in DafYoml. SEEKS A SOURCE Torah Tapes. etc. I have observed a bungalow colony I have heard some criticism about where there ls at least fifteen people what has been happening. One com learning DafYoml. Twentyyears ago To the Editor: ment was that everyone is learning If you looked around in a bungalow I have been searching unsuccess Daf Yorn! and no one is learning colony it was difficult to see more fully for a source for quite some time, Torah. This. ofcourse. is exagerrated, than a handful of people just open and none of the talmidei chacha but I feel that people might be get ing any sefer on a regular basis. mim I have consulted have been able ting the wrong Impression due to I feel that we really have to look at to help. So I would like to pose my the fact that there Is more quantity this phenomenon with the right query to your readers with the hope than quality. However, I have noticed frame of mind. that perhaps their collective bektyus In the past twenty years a tremen ALBERT S!JITON will meet the challenge of my query. dous difference between the post Brooklyn, N. Y. The Magen Avraham (Drach yeshiva student of then and now. In Chayim 124: I 1) cites this from the the old days, It was: squeeze In as Shaloh. much Gemora as you can for a cou MONUMENTS (Regarding) those (children) who run ple of years and then It was straight From Fac1o1yflep back and forth In play when they come to 4 7th Street. That total scope SAVEUI to shul, It would be better If (the par covered just a few blattin a relatively ents) do not bring them. few Gemoras. Call (718) 851•1314 The Be'er Heitev (124:13) quotes Today. there must be tens of thou- this Magen Avraham and Shaloh without any deletions or revisions. The Mishna Berurah ( 124:28), how GEfTHE ever, adds the following . . . . It would be better If (the parents] do not bring them because habitual pat terns (or Improper conductln shul) can become Ingrained. In addition, they M.O.SX disturb the congregadon from their prayers. OUT OF YOUR YEAR IN ISRAEL. Although I have searched through many Achronim, I have been unable to find a single barplugtah (dissent ing opinion) which disputes the rul ing of the Shaloh. the Magen Av raham and the Mishna Berurah. Nevertheless, as Is apparent from almost every shul I have attended, the Rav and congregation must know of a halachlc source on which they base their non-compliance with the words quoted above. Therefore, I would be most grate year in Israel can be a dream con1e tn1e for a Yeshiva high school girl. Yet tht?re has long been a need for a unique ful If anyone could cite that source alternative for Jrwish learning in Israel. A need for a seminary for me. I'm sure there Is one: but I with a different perspective. A need for a sen1inary where discovering just cannot find It. tr(' The Jewish Obseroer/February 1986 39 of the new Kehilla, called lsraeli of the sons of the first-generation tische Religions-Gesellschaft With members, heard them recount that the help of G-d. the Kehilla grew same authorttative descrtption of rapidly and by mid 1851. the mem events time and again. bership had rtsen to about one hun The reason a number of authors dred. It was only then that the lead made that Inaccurate statement ers. after a membership meeting. about eleven members only. when offered the position as their spirtt Rabbi Hirsch arrtved. Is simply be THE FRANKFURT KEHILLA ual leader to Rabbi Samson Raphael cause the first one of those so-called WHEN S.R. HIRSH ARRIVED Hirsch, who readily accepted. histortans started with it. out of When Rabbi Hirsch arrived In ignorance or misunderstanding, and Frankfurt that same year. he found then the following wrtters, one after To the Editor: already a flourtshing congregation the other, copied what they found In the preface to the article about of some one hundred members, and prtnted without checking its accu Abraham Geiger (JO. Jan. '86). you not just eleven members. This his racy. As far as I could ascertain, the said regarding Rabbi Samson Ra tortcally documented fact can be first one to invent the story about phael Hirsch: 'When the time came found in the following books: Die the eleven members, whom Rabbi for him to restore the glory of the Gruendung der lsraelittschen Reli Hirsch, nebbach. found at his arrt ancient Kehilla of Frankfurt, only gionsgesellschaft zu Franlifurt am val, was Ahron Marcus in his book eleven families joined him in his Main, published In 1896 by Ema DerChassidtsmus, ( 1901 ). After him endeavors." nuel Schwarzschild, the son of one came J.D. Eisenstein in his Otzar This statement obviously Is based of the co-founders of the Kehilla and Ytsroel ( 1907), who repeated the on a chronological error. As a native its one-time president. The History same mistake.And finally along came Frankfurter. I feel it incumbent upon of Orthodox Jewry in Germany. by a new crop of wrtters and lecturers, me to send you a correction: Hermann Schwab, a native born all of whom took for granted what The accurate course of events was authority on Jewish History in they found printed. and thus per as follows: In the year 1849, eleven Frankfurt: and 900 Jahre Mutter petuated a regrettable error regard members decided to secede from the gemeinde in Israel, Franlifurt A.M.. ing the sequence of events at a cru Reform-dominated community in by PaulAmsberg. a well-known local cial time in Orthodox Jewish History. Frankfurt and to form anew Kehilla. historian. 1 myself. as a youngster, MAx0EtBAUM Those eleven men, were the founders having been acquainted with some Brooklyn, N. 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SPECTACULAR VALUE!\ Entire set of five books for f('ss rhan fist price of four!.'.' for honesty-integrity •so entire set (over 20% discount); Single vol., '11.50. and responsibility NO compromises in kovod baniftar Add ~1 postagE>, plus 50~ each additional vol.; ~i.w enlire sel; Offer t>•pires Feb. 28th as evaluated by a Hashkafah Publications, 68-61 Selfridge St., Forest Hills, N.Y. 11375. (718) 261-6076. cemetery expert. Please send me: A service from the beart D Entire 5 vol. set @ s50 !>el with a heart 0 Anvil 0 Challenge 0 legacy O H&B O TF ('11.50 each) D TF (soft, s9.) 1569 47th Street, BrookJyn, N.Y. l J 219 Day and Night Phone-(718) 855-5121 Name Address City State Zip 40 The Jewish Obseroer/February 1986 An observant Jew may still feel uncomfortable by the points of the Young··'lerushalOli had.hear{ high-pressure ad but our Torah attack.. His wife takeJ gara pf sources indicate that the truth Is the him .and 8. children unae,r 1!$. exact opposite. As the coffin Is low Need is great. KindlY;se11dtax ered Into the ground, the deceased Is deductible .contribution . to: being comforted In the best possible way. That Is the loving tribute to a BikurChotim, ltlc.,.cto dear one to enable them to rest In RAB~f peace and to merit "to repose In the AVROJ'fOM. grave With the proper contentment, BLUMENKRANTZ pleasure, gladness and peace . . and 814Caffrey Avec, to be bound In the bond of (eternal) Far Rockaway, l\l;y,· 1'f691 THE BURIAL IMPERATIVE life" (Prayer for Deceased). To the Editor: (RABBI) MOSHE GoWBERGER Sta.ten Island, N. Y. HATZOLOH Your article directed at the proper procedures for burial In-the-ground (The writer is author of a number Qf booklets dealing with halachtc and lnspirattonal (718)EV7-1750 (not above ground) In your recent themes.) Issue (Jan '86) prompted me to re search the matter. 1i~11 1l111:l Rav Moshe Feinstein, (Igros Moshe, Yoreh Deah 3:143) says that It Is an obvious obligation YESHIVAS CHOFETZ CHAIM to publicize the prohibition against leavinganydeceasedJewinamauso TALMUDICAL ACADEMY leum. In the Rosh Hayeshiva's dis cussion. he lists three transgres OF BALTIMORE sions In this matter. is accepting applications for two positions 1) It Is a positive Torah obligation for burial to be In the ground (San· starting Summer, 1986 hedrtn 46b). The Shulchan Aruch (Yoreh Deah 362:1) even explains that It Is preferable for burial to be MENAHEL-PRINCIPAL directly In the ground even Without a coffin. Administrative-supervisory experience required. 2) Bydelaying to place the deceased Responsible for educational administration of In the ground. one transgresses a daily prohibition against postpon school with specific attention to Middle School ing a burial. and High School. 3) In addition. until the flesh of the deceased decays. the Nifta.rls denied atonement and he does not rest from PRINCIPAL OF ELEMENTARY SCHOOL judgments. It Is therefore a terrible act of Wickedness towards the de Yeshiva education & college degree required. ceased to prolong his suffering by refraining from an In-ground burial Administrative experience in Limudei Kodesh and and espectallyforan extended period Limudei Chol. of time.... For this crime against the de No fundraising required. Llve in vibrant and ceased, repentence would require established frum community. Good salary and one to ask forgiveness of the de ceased. but that may not come so fringe benefits. easily-the deceased may claim: Send resume, (specifying which position) to: What excusedoyou have for causing me such harm, Without even any Chairman, Search COmmittee personal gain to yourself? Yeshivas Chofetz Chaim It would also be a disgrace to have Talmudical Academy of Baltimore someone burled In a cemetery that 4445 Old Court Road contains a mausoleum, for It Is a Baltimore, Md. 21208 place where the dead are disgraced All replies will be held confidential. and caused extreme suffering.... The Jewish Observer!Februmy 1986 41 I I I I Capodanno Bl . 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He said that Eliahu Essas's name was pr:>minent on the list of Soviet Jews mentioned by Agudath Israel as well NEWS.FROM other national and International Jewish groups in their appeal to American statesmen to press the case of Soviet AGUDATHISRAEl refuseniks with the U.S.S.R government. Essas, whose courageous and almost single-handed tutelage and leadership of the ba 'al teshuva community tn Russia Eliabu Eesas Freed From Soviet Union: has made him something of a legend In Jubilation, relief, and profound joy his own lifetime, represents to many, poured forth on the part of Jews the through his own personal history, a world over Tuesday, January 21, as the symbol of the powerful Ude of spiritual famed Soviet Jewish refusenik and ba 'al awakening that has drawn increasing teshuva Eliahu Essas arrived in Vienna numbers of Jews In the Soviet Union to with his family after 13 years ofwalting renewed discovery and practice of Juda for permission to leave the SoViet Union. ism over the last 15 years. The 40 year old baal teshuva activist. When Essas arrived In Lod on hts way his wife and three children then depart to Jerusalem, he was welcomed by thou ed for Israel on Wednesday. accompanied sands of yeshiva students, Russian im by Mordechai Neustadt, chairman of migrants, and men, women and children Vaad L'Hatzolas Nidchei Yisroel, the res from across Israel singing and dancing cue and rehabilitation arm of the Agu in his honor. dath Israel World Organization who was At a special news conference at the among those on hand to greet the family airport Essas described his exit from the upon their anival here in Vienna Neus Soviet Union as his own, personal yet tadt is assisting the Essas family in set ztas Mltzralm-slmilar to the Biblical tling In Jerusalem and integrating wtth Exodus. Thanking all those who helped in the local religious community. him along the way toward that moment, According to Neustadt, Essas' release he singled out the World Jewish Con seems to have come about as a result of gress and the Agudath Israel World Or the recent warming of U.S.-Soviet rela- ganization for their efforts on his behalf. HOTLINE TO JERUSALEM .diJl:("\J.············~·· OUlf BEST AllVllflSEIWEHT$ AIEJJUlf WALKlllO ONES - In lime of illness, surgery or .. THEf'LL}'EIJ. "'11 fllAT1JIE crisis, special prayers will be recited at the Western Wall and LIVE A"O L~~RN'tOUR at our Yeshiva in Jerusalem. FOii antt.S 11~21 JIAS • .: •. CALL 24 HOURS The Best Tours ~ Six Remarkable Weel The Jewish Obseroer/Febru.ary 1986 43 Plrchel Agwlath Israel 5-ln-l Event nual Mishnayos Bifnim contest; the Ke· cial Education, Developmental Disabili· Cites Torah Con-tWlnners: Over I 000 dushas Shabbos contest, wherein chi!· ties and Foster Care. citations and awards for outstanding dren spend the long hours of summer In reporting on the controversy, Dr. attainment in extra-curricular Torah Friday afternoons and Shabbosos-as Gerald David, Chairman of the Agudath pursuits were presented to children from well as the Shovuos Yorn Tov-involved Israel Commission. explained that Chush the middle-Atlantic states by Plrchel in Torah study; and the Shnayim Mik· has been servicing learning disabled and Agudath Israel of America. the national roh VEchod Targum contest. initiated emotionally handicapped children of the Torah youth movement to encourage a broad grasp of Chumash Orthodox community since 1976. At a festive ceremony in Brooklyn. and fulfillment of the din of reviewing UnderNewYorkStatelaw.locallybased complemented by a similar event held the Torah portion and commentary each Committees on the Handicapped are earlier In Baltimore, hundreds of young week. charged with designing "appropriate sters were in attendance as certificates educational programs and placement" to and prizes were awarded to winners in Press Fight for State Recognition of meet "the need of the Individual (hand!· four of Plrchei Agudath Israel's famed Jewish Special Ed Needs: Despite oppo· capped) child." If no public school can series of nationally sponsored Torah sition by the New York State Department meet that Individualized need. the law contests, while the organization's covet· of Education. the Jewish Center for Spe· authorizes the local Board of Education ed "Outstanding Mechanech" award was cial Education (known as "Chush ")will to contract for the child's education with bestowed upon Rabbi Avrohom Respler. continue its long-standing fight for rec· private schools that have been approved a devoted Rebbe of 28 years in Torah ognition of the special needs of Orthodox for that purpose by the State Depart· education Jewish learning disabled children, it was ment of Education. But Chush's efforts The contests included the 24th semi· reported at a recent meeting of Agudath to obtain such State approval have thus annual Hasmodoh contest; the 6th an· Israel of America's Commission on Spe- far proven unavailing. Agudath Israel of America. through Its President Rabbi Moshe Sherer and its General Counsel Shmuel Prager, has taken up Chush's cause with high rank· ing Department of Education officials. Dr. Gerald David and Dr. Bernard Fryshman have also met with New York State assemblyman Dan Feldman to dis cuss possible legislative approaches to the problem. High level contacts with members of the New York State Board of Under the supervision of Vaad Harabonirn of Flatbush RegentshavebeenmadetopleadChush's cause. In addition, the prestigious law firm of Paul, Weiss, Rlfklnd, Wharton and Garrison has agreed, on a pro bono basis, to evaluate the various options open to Chush at this stage and represent the school in its battle to gain Department approval. GARY HON!CK {JQ1) 764·8676 EDDIE SINGER (J01) J58·40J7 BALT!MOl\E, MARYLAND ZAVE Delicious, mouth watering SHER UN VVATCHforBREAKFAST ORCHESTRA (718) 434-3540 COMING SOON! Also Available As ONE MAN BAND 44 The Jewish Observer/February 1986 can for Effective Orthodox Input In School Board Elections: A call for exten sive participation by New York's Ortho 1)'{saJtyyCES~¢itfER$S. C~ffS(JLTi!lffe&\\ dox Jewish community in the upcoming Cotrnnercia:4 Industrial, F,esidentiaI; LJfe &-Hi!a.ltfi · cUywlde School Board election campaign was issued this week by the Commission on Legislation and Civic Action of Agu dath Israel of Amertca The nominations process for the May. 1986 elections began in January, it was noted in a communication to commun ity leaders by Mordechal Avigdor. Esq .. recently appointed Associate General Counsel for Agudath Israel and executive director of the Commission. Petition ol PRQ~lbN!\f..$ERVl(;JS: .9' .• ·...... forms for nominations became available ~ Qt1A.Ll'1Y. IN$(JRAJ:'{CE; ~ff{J!:f?Si• to the public on January 14th, with the •COMPE1JTMPREM!UMS Int'I Agudah Conference Maps Plans to Seek Out Holocaust Orphans Raised as Non Jews: Lugano, Swl tzerland-Ortho dox Jewish leaders from 10 countries, Do you know of a gathered here for an intensive 4-daycon ference of the International Executive of young man who is the Agudath Israel World Organization, concluded their deliberations here Wed searching for his roots? nesday, January 8, with a wide-ranging series of resolutions on matters affecting Located In the heart of the Jews in Israel and throughout the globe, "Torah City" of Bnei Brak, Ye including a resolve to expand the efforts shiva Marbeh Torah offers of Agudath Israel's Comntission on Res young English-speaking men cue and Rehabllitation for Jews in Poland (ages 18 and up) with little or and throughout Eastern Europe who no Torah background, an in· were reared as Christians in the wake of dividualized program of Torah the upheavals of the Holocaust. The con study. The curriculum is en· ference also passed major resolutions hanced by the dedication to towards countering escalating attacks Torah which our students can observe In the surrounding community. on Orthodoxy by Conservative and Re form leadership, strengthening Torah Experience has shown that this environment contributes significantly life in Israel, and supporting the world to their growth and development. wide baalei teshuva movement. YESHIVA MARBEH TORAH OFFERS ••• * Small study groups in Chumash, * Stress on personal grovvth and Talmud, Mishna, Halacha (Jewish law) character development. 5 largC' beautifill apart1nents, in *Full range of Talmud classes: from * Warm and comfortable atmosphere one housC', available for sun1111C'r beginner's level to advanced level with opportunities to develop lasting rental in Beit Vegan,jerusalen1, fOr * Fundamental Hashkafa (Jewish friendships. individuals or group. Prin1e loca philosophy) and Mussar (Ethics) * Shabbos meals in the homes of tion. * Gifted and dedicated Eng1·1sh-speak1ng English or Hebrew-speaking famil'1es. Call (718) 633-8557. staff, who know how to maximize * Ulpan program to develop Hebrew students' scholastic abiiities language skills. * Individual tutoring. * Full residential facilities. p>7l 1>Nr.J on1:1N * Special emphasis on developing self * Scholarship opportunities. N"7Jl1 N"7JlJ 1r.l01r.J 111:1 sufficiency in Tor ah learning. * Part-time program for university O>)l1Jpn 0>)>1 'l1JJ >lJ1 ))111J1 students and working people For Practical Assistance in For additional information or application contact Settling Financial Disputes ISRAEL: USA: RABBI SHMUEL WEISSMAN According to Din Tor.:1h in Yeshiva Marbeh Tor ah Yeshiva Marbeh Tor ah 25 Maharshal St ROSH HAYESHIVA c/o Weissman N.Y. and Vicinity. Bnei Brak 11 Rash1 St 1235 E. 12 St Rabbi Avrohom Meir Gluck (OJ) 792·673 Bnei Brak, Israel Brooklyn, N.Y. 11230 (03) 792·673 (718) 773-6733 '----(914) 356-5572-----' TheJewtsh Observer/February 1986 45 Jerusalem area. 5 In the Negev. 6 In the as additional hours of Torah education Galltl, and 11 tn the Tel-Aviv-Central and transportation to brtng chtldren DATEUNE •• , ISRAEL Region. over Jong distances to the schools. This ts The conference was also informed of espectallY vital In the face of drastic the following evidences of growth: budget cuts by the government. • Kindergartens-up 77 to a total of 257 33 New Chlnuch Atzmai Schools Dur tn 6 years: total chtldren enrolled tn Chlzuk-Fllllag a Leaming Gap In the ing Paat 10 Yeara/Emeigency Cam them-up 2,530 to a total of7,140. paign Launched In Iarael to Save Net Heart of Boro Park: "It's not so easy to work. Rabbinic and lay leaders from • Chtldren enrolled tn grades 1-8 of come to a shiur like this," said Irv. a communities throughout Israel at an government-recognized elementary middle-aged man who holds a position emergency conference In Bnet Brak. early schools-up 7,579 toa total of29.766-a tn ctvtl service. 'Tm embarrassed to admit December, were told of the extensive 34.2% Increase tn 12 years. publtcly that l need a shiurtn Mtshnayos growth of the Chtnuch Atzmai-Torah •This year's net increase in enrollment: that works at my pace, on a more basic School System as well as the urgent need 1.912 students. level." for massive support to prevent Its col •An emergency campaign was launched Stories such as Irv's are typical among lapse. During the past 10 years, a total of at the conference aimed at supporting the members of the chevra. which meets 33 new schools were opened: 11 tn the the Network's special programs-such each Tuesday night at the Novomtnsker Bals Medrash on 47th Street In Brook lyn, led by Dr. Meir Wtkler. Founded by Chtzuk. an Agudath Israel agency that Formerly Kosher King promotes popular learning among Jews Come To of all backgrounds, the group has coa lesced into a colorful, intimate commun ity of participants, which Includes pro fessionals. businessmen, students, sin gles, heads of fam111es. baalei teshuva. born-and-bred Orthodox. young adults and old. Whitehead Hall, Brooklyn College @ glatt Supervised BNEITORAH CAR AND VAN SERVICE tl>ll,'10 1Yll )lN iNp nim 'll Cousin Jeff was more Interested IN Wlll.lAMSBURG: IN BORO PARK: 342 Marcy Ave. 5010 12th Ave. In tennis than Torah ... 388· 7058· 384· 7492 851 ·2022-851-2072 "" ., ,,,,. ,,. - '·'· 1.~: GUARANTEED LOWEST RATE ·. "' ---··'· 105 Vans, Station Wagons and Cars ... and today he learns Daf Yoml What made the difference was the HAPPINESS cassette from the series 48 Ways to Wisdom* by Rabbi Noach Weinberg. Jeff found the HAPPINESS cassette warm, witty, and full of down-to-earth wisdom. Through the 4916 13th Ave., B'klyn, N.Y. 11219 "48 WAYS TO WISDOM" he was able to (718) 854-2911 discover-on his own-the depth, relevance, and beauty of Torah - at his own speed. • Perkei Avot 6:6 "My son, make for Me one opening of Tshuua the size of a needle point Go with the Best .•• and I will make for you an opening that carts and wagons can enter." Shir HaShirim Rabbah, Parsha 5 ~ HOW MANY FRIENDS AND RELATIVES HAVE YOU LIKE JEFF? SIMCHA VIDEO Send $5.00 for each "48 Ways to Wisdom" HAPPINESS tape to: PLUS Aish HaTorah Audio Center Dept. Joi • Broadcast Video 900 Forest Ave., Lakewood, N.J. 08701 • Candid Photos Postage and handling are $1.00 for first tape, .25 for each additional copy Your gift of 'Happiness' CAN change a life! (718) 438-6010 46 The Jewish Obseroer/February 1986 Haolam, the most trusted name in Cholov Ytsroel Kosher Cheese. A reputation earned through 25 years of scrupulous devotion to quality and kashruth.With 12 delicious varieties. Under the strict Rabbinical supervision of K'hal Adas Jeshurun, N. Y. H~>lam, atradition you'I~::~:::' l Iao TliURM BR~-. WOIU,OCHilSE.00., INC, NEW YORX. N. Y...... u Yes! You can dance /6~1<6 I<' /6p /6N at two weddings! ! .nljl.nn •11.5 f.11< While you're celebrating here, you can do one more thing to make your wedding the most beautiful, as well as meaningful day ofyour life! Help Yad Eliezer make a wedding in Israel for a Choson and Kallah who are unable to get married without your generosity! $500.00 makes the wedding! What a great guarantee that all your anniversaries be golden ones! ENDORSED BY GEDOLEI HADOR WORLDWIDE! Help YAD ELIBZER make the difference between surrender and survival!!! COORDINATORS Please send wedding sponsorship to: \ Rabbi and Mrs. Yaakov Weisel -~M{fi Yad Ellezer Kiryat Sanz, .Jerusalem l!f 1102 E. 26th St. Tel. 812060 Brooklyn, N .Y. 11210 Mr. and Mrs. Zolly Troppcr Rabbi and Mrs. Yehudab Rupp (718)258-1580 1102E. 26th St (718)853-5111 ~\ ~ .-. Brooklyn, N Y. 11210 Mordechal Gelber t::;jjF'.... -~~"\::x (718)258-1580 (718)463-6780 212)371-6220 w-,~~·~'(Jl;;:":'~======P=ai=d=fo=rb:::y=a=s=up:::p:=orte=r=of=Y=ad=E=Ue=z=cr======'- A panoramic view of the Chum-ash (Five Books of Moses)-through the illuminating tens of talmudic and post~ Talmudic law and phifosophy, as elucidated by the master of Orthodox thought, Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch {1808M1888). Compiled from th_e classic original German work of the same title, the new Hirsch Chumash now features: • A new and complete English rendition (by Gertrude Hirschler, the noted translator ot Hirsch's commentary on Psalms, and other works of classical Jewish litera~ ture) oj.Hirsch's uniqUe translation of the text. • A careful and full selection of commentaries most representative of Hirsch's singular approach not only to the Chumash but to Judaism. • Completely reset, enlarged elegant print of both the Hebrew text, fully vocalized, with cantillations, and facing English transla:tions. • The Five Megilloth (the books of Esther, Ruth, Song of Songs, Ecclesiastes, and Lamentations) and the complete Haftaroth {corresponding readings from the Books of the Prophets). newly translated by Rabbi A.J. Rosenbetg, editor of the Judaica Books of the Prophets series. • Introductory material and instructions for alternative readings of t_he Haftaroth for communities following the Ashkenazic, Sephardic, Chabad, Minhag Prag, frankfort-on-the--Main, Nuremberg and Furth, Minhag Eretz Yisroel, Italian and Syrian rituals. r; "'--i r?U-,,,. .,..,.,. t-1,'l , "'~? 'VII •·;~ 17' rl".i n~~· , rro "'· ·. _!"?ii "II~ : '~~-""'.) "F'"'":J "'~' •'~t"tl "Cll!Q o·;~ ''l' ,,..,.,,, ,o•:i • => "i': "'' Soon to be available in one • ' '· ... ';:: '•.VO: •• ;o,. handy and handsome volume ·a~ light 4. C.d sa\\ 7"1J"1 Ji""'~ •• "'" the essence of Hirsch's popular \·as good. and G·d separat· .... ' -- . . commentary on the Torah ... , m thl' darkness 5. And K)~~l ' :~Vf~;:t J:' ht- light; ··Day!·· and to the • Vital and fascinating lied· ··~ight'. .. And it was "'".l:J :i't_i K1~ iWi:t'i t \\aS morning: onE' da~. C''f?\! 11,)K~l ; D :1!;1~ • In penetrating and Let there be a vault in the eloquent E1tglish aters and let it separate the c;p J'}! '''Pl,) • Unobscured by foreign language construction. and form Nm1· \"er~e Z directs our P<·~~ibk an intnaction of force~ I 'the <-arth and tells us. There was a fit and ~twn~th<'n tht>m all. L Sample pages available •·th. <>n whkb we no" behold indh'i· upon request. •uthout light and da ly dt>fined and distinctly St't apart rt»tr~ml» ~~~[~)%~.t~~ ih "" n prmfot't'- And again i' ''+.:,~:~':~~~·~::::~ ei. was •rl~) •:il'I j'"confu~ed and Who l'al!t>d 001 into th"' darlm ~~ This monumental achievement, 1he io His .i.lmight~ P'""''r inkn result of eight years of intensive gn•att•st. most significant an' labor involving scholars across the e light, that it u·a1 good. This state· ing <1!1 maller. molding all~ world, and edited by noted educator ;imilar ~t.iter.,ents concerning subse· and a"akening life, art' Rabbi Ephraim Oratz, is designed for the Widest possible use of synagogues, ii: ':f Cl'j?'n!; K".!:!- and at the end cl His "orld individuals and educational institutions throughout the English~speaking world. XCI :l':t: :"IJ;:ll :in ,~ ~~ n~ C'?.,1': 111~ _ And G-d c:al' The PENTATEUCH-T'rumath Zvi by Samson Raphael Hirsch 1088 pages, 714"x101A" •f what He bad created and lo~ ii 5 I 31 ). i~ intended. if we Oil<' of Hi~ ere:> The work of a lifetime-for the use of a lifetime ... >rtb nnt> irreat truth: Not mi~~ion r r------, •. 1 fall tbinp is Pre-Publication Price: $30.00 until March 31, 1986 I L______($35.00 Upon General Release) J 1 • 5 t:ssex Street, New York, N.Y. 10002, (212) 505-8900 Oi$lrlbUted in Great Britain by' J. Lehmai'l 20 Gambridge Ten., Gateshead, England NE81AP