ELUL 5729 / SEPTEMBER 196S VOLUME 6, NUMBER 2 THE FIFTY CENTS

Waiting for Moshiach ... ------·-··------· ~,., Israel's State of War - Israel's State of Mind

The Key to Israel's Security THE JEWISH QBSERVER

In this issue ...

A JEW LOOKS AT THE WORLD: MAN TOUCHES THE MOON 3

ON OBSCENITY ······················································································· 4 THE NEW IDOLATRY ··········································································· 4 "WHY DIDN'T THEY RESIST?" ...... 5

WAITING FoR MosIACH, Y aakov Weinberg ...... 6

ISRAEL'S STATE OF WAR - ISRAEL'S STATE OF MIND, Ralph Pelcowitz ...... I 0

FIGHTING FOR SHABBOS ON THE LEGAL FRONT, Judah Dick 14

THE KEY TO IsRAEL's SECURITY, Joseph Elias ...... 18

A RussIAN JEW AND His TEFILIN, Chaim Shapiro ...... 23

SECOND LOOKS AT THE JEWISH SCENE:

INTER-FAITH AT THE WHITE HOUSE ...... 26 THE JEWISH OBSERVER is published THE MIKVAH AT MASSADA ...... 27 monthly, except July and August, by the Agudath Israel of America, 5 Beekman Street, New York, New York 10038. Second class We mourn the passing of postage paid at New York, N. Y. Subscription: $5.00 per year; Two R' YECHESKEL SARNA years, $8.50; Three years, $12.00; outside of the United States, $6.00 Nlii7 ?Nptn> 1i 11N)i1 per year. Single copy, fifty cents. Printed in the U.S.A. 1"1:>"ll7 i''1ll "l:>t Rosh Yeshiva of the Chevroner Yeshiva, RABBI YAAKOV JACOBS one of the outstanding Gedolim of our age, Editor who created the foundation of Torah learning Editorial Board in the New Yishuv. DR. ERNEST L. BODENHEIMER Chairman As this issue was being closed for the press, RABBI NATHAN BULMAN we learned the tragic news of the passing of RABBI JOSEPH ELIAS R' YOSEF SHLOMO KAHANEMAN JOSEPH FRIEDENSON RABBI MOSHE SHERER 1Y.lli1'.:J i1Y.l?\!I '1171> 'i 11Nli1 (J.i i)J\!l~)J))).l>)l'.:!9) THE JEWISH OBSERVER does not 1"1=>"ll7 i''1ll "l=>t assume responsibility for the Kashrus of any product or service Together with Kial Yisroel we mourn the passing advertised in its pages. of a Prince of Torah, a Builder of Torah, who has left each of of us a legacy that will SEPT. 1969 VoL. VI, No. 2 endure ad Bi'as Ha'goel...... @! back through the blackness of Space. And-the laws worked: they worked on the Moon exactly as they worked on Earth. a jew looks We must be careful in the excite­ ment of such a wondrous achieve­ ment not to assume the we-knew-it­ at the world all-the-time-posture, or draw naive conclusions that we may too quickly have to discard. Yet we could not but be amused when a famous scien­ tist declared that he was reversing himself on his theory of the origin Man Touches the Moon of the Moon: he is now more in­ Man has walked on the Moon. times. We will also refrain from dis­ clined to believe in the theory which Apart from the nature of the event cussion of the dangerous precedent attributes a common origin to the itself, is the almost equally incredible in tampering with our tefilos, es­ Earth and the Moon, because of phenomenon that it was "seen" by pecially in the excitement of the their now more apparent simi1ari­ millions throughout the world. Jour­ moment. What strikes us is the ties. Surely two bodies created by nalists, commentators, scientists, and failure to appreciate the poetry of One Creator will bear similarities, "the man in the street" have already the language of our tefilos. When and will in essence be governed by been henrd from. In America, where we say of the Moon: "i'efshar similar laws. the craving for "news" is insatiable, li'noga bock" we refer to man's in­ Religious thinkers and leaders were the news media reported every de­ ability to tamper with the celestial quick to praise the Moon landing, tail, down to the menu of each meal bodies. Even if one feels constrained kst anyone think they had any the Astronauts ate during their trip. to be perfectly liternl, surely no fears of its implications. For the As Americans and citizens of the one can "touch the Moon" while Jew there is this implication: When World, our feelings are little differ­ standing on Earth. The United we bend the knee and address the ent from those of our fellow human States Naval Observatory, which is Almighty as "the G-d of Avraham, beings. surely aware that the Earth revolves Yitzchok and Yaakov" it must make around the Sun, continues to list us all the more aware of the Might Jewish news media, searching for a for each calendar day the precise of our G-d, who in a tiny segment "Jewish angle" first featured the moment of "Sunrise" and "Sunset." of His Universe has manifested presence of Israeli officials at the such wonders. We must be grateful Apollo 11 launching, and then the FOR THE JEW-for the believing to our Prophets and Sages, who greetings of President Shazar to Jew-there is great significunce in armed us with the words and the President Nixon. Later they latched this latest of Man's achievements in phrases with which to address Al­ onto the "revision" of the text of the conquest of Space. There are mighty G-d-without them w e the tefilos recited each month when still some sophisticates around who would stand before Him struck the New Moon appears. No longer, question whether we live in an or­ dumb by His mighty works. Hav­ it was argued, could we say of the dered universe. Yet, building on his ing witnessed Man landing on the Moon "just as it is impossible to knowledge of our planet, and the Moon, the Jew goes back to his touch you ..."-Man bad indeed laws which govern nature on Earth, Sefer with the exhaltation of know­ touched the Moon. And-wonder man was able to plot a course to a ing that each word of Torah places of wonders-a variant text was place he had never been; land on a found which brings the tefilos into him in direct contact with the Mas­ surface he had never before touch­ ter of Space; the knowledge that the line with man's state of knowledge ed; and predict quite accurately Law of our Torah, and the Laws in July of the year 1969. what that surface would be like. which govern our Universe are We will refrain from an attempt to Man was able to protect himself equally the manifestation of G-d's explain what motivates such con­ against an environment he had love for Mankind and Kial Yisroel. cern with keeping in tune with the never experienced, and find his way Y.J.

The ]elvish Obsei"ver / September, 1969 3 hibitionism in the area of sexual morality, the newest spectacle con­ cocted to push ahead toward the On Obscenity outer limits of freedom will be the taking of human life on a stage. One In Fort Lauderdale, Florida, the cribe the human body as "a some­ can already hear the arguments ... city council, alarmed at the new what inadequate, energy source and but enough. permissiveness which is sweeping information retriever-which can be Yet in spite of our inhibitions against over American society, passed a mass produced," is to destroy the detailed discussion of the question strong anti-obscenity law. Anxious poetry and the mystery of human -Yes! we still believe that inhibi­ lest clever attorneys find ways of life. And to focus on the physical tions can be good-we must at least circumventing the law, the legisla­ aspects of human life to the nega­ record our anxious concern. There tors took pains to make the restric­ tion of the soul is to cut ourselves is little that Orthodox Jewry can do tions on pornography most explicit. off from the source of the ultimate to stem the rising force of obscen­ When the city attorney read the law beauty and human joy. The tradi­ ity in our society. Even our personal prior to its printing he ruled that tional Jewish abhorence of obscen­ options in avoiding obscenity are it could not be· published: it was ity is motivated by the wish that the being severely limited as the per­ pornographic. relationship between man and wo­ missiveness closes in on us from man be maintained on the highest so many directions. Yet we must Similarly, the press-even the so­ level of Holiness. What greater joy called "family newspapers" - in attune ourselves to the threats and can a human being experience than seek means of innoculating our­ their reporting the new permissive­ to have his body constantly inter­ selves and our children from the ness, become almost as pornogra­ acting with his Creator and attuned phic as the subjects of their reports. lethal fumes that creep through the to the Divine Will. Obscenity creates cracks in our homes, and through And conversely, a publication such discord: between man and wife; be­ as ours, must tread ever so lightly, the cracks in our spiritual structure. tween man and his Creator; between Perhaps the greatest thing we can Jest we fall into the same trap. man and his fellow man. Simply to talk about, to describe do i< to earnestly pray-really pray The permissiveness that grows from what is happening takes one into -that what is happening (some day to day raises serious questions have suggested, unconvincingly, that forbidden areas. as to the ability of a democratic it is only a passing stage) will in LET IT BE CLEAR: we are not here society to survive in absolute free­ some way reverse itself, and at least talking about prudishness or puri­ dom. At the same time, the present in this area, society will return to tanism-of any negation of the hu­ state of permissiveness is simply a a semblance of morality. Yet, all man body. The human body is logical extension of earlier levels. things being equal, it would appear fashioned by the Almighty: it is at Some social critics have suggested that things will be much worse be­ once a most complex and a most that the next step is predictable: fore they get even a little bit better. beautiful instrumentality. To des- when our society tires of mass ex- Y.J.

The New Idolatry

The Rambam in Hilchos Avoda pleased with the honors bestowed ship symbols of the sun and the Zora (MISHNA TORAH I: 1-2) relates upon His servants. Thereupon they stars as awesome gods capable of that in the days of Enosh mankind built temples, offered sacrifices and rendering weal or woe to Mankind. erred. They assumed that since the glorified these celestial bodies-not Some went so far as to claim that Almighty created the stars and as a denial of G-d, but in the mis­ a particular star or angel spoke to placed them in honorable positions taken belief that He sought such him saying, "Serve me in this man­ in the heavens, that it was not only worship as a form of fulfillment. ner . . ." Thus, the cult of star permissable to glorify these celestial However, after the lapse of many worship spread throughout the world bodies, but that they would thereby years, false prophets arose and com­ and gradually the name and memory fulfill the wishes of the Creator, manded all the people-men, wo­ of the Creator was Jost from the who, like an earthly king, would be men, and children alike-to wor- consciousness of mankind. Women

4 The Jewish Observer / September, 1969 and children knew only the worship able rights. The dignity of Man was rendered sufficient sacrifice and of figures of wood and stone. Until a corrolary of his creation in the homage to himself in his temples the days of A vraharn, a few select image of G-d. Hence Man was en­ of learning; that good and evil rest­ individuals alone, such as Chanoch, shrouded with constitutional rights ed in the palm of Man and that his Mesushelach, Noach, Shem and and freedoms. Temples of learning desires were the measure of ulti­ Ever carried the message of the were built and richly endowed with mate good. Thus the cult of the Rock of Ages. munificent sacrifices so that mankind Freedom-of-Men spread throughout might indulge its freedom to search the world, and grndually the name JN THE MODERN ERA a new A vodah out the secrets of the universe and and memory of the Creator was lost Zora has arisen. It also began with the wonders of creation, and to ex­ from its consciousness. Women, a well-intentioned idealism. The press freely its opinions thereon. children and the great masses be­ eighteenth century revolutions es­ But after many years, prophets lieved only in the gratification of poused the Rights of Man with a arose and preached that Man is an their own desires-save only for religious fervor--claiming that all awesome god, omnipotent and om­ select individuals who kept alive men are created equal and are en­ niscient; that nothing was beyond the traditions of their great ances­ dowed by their Creator with nnalien- his every wish and desire, if he but tor, Avraham. REUBEN E. GROSS

"Why Didn't They Resist?"

Ever since the end of World War II nation or a plentitude of ignorance volted and killed a number of guards and the realization of what had hap­ ... A bout 600 Jews escaped of the pened to European Jewry, there Jews under Hitler were as incre­ 1,000 who revolted. Only 40 were have been periodic outbreaks of dulous as most other people at the still alive at the end of the war; slander against our martyred broth­ thought of their extermination. The the others had died of wounds, or ers and sisters: "Why didn't they Big Truth is as unbelievable as the been killed by Germans, Poles, or fight back?"-"They went to their Big Lie is believable. The thick partisans . . . another reason why deaths like sheep."-"Never again!" curtain of secrecy with which the Jews lvere passive in the face of --coupled with glorification of the ss obscured the horrible truth of extermination. Where could they resistance fighters, and insidious the Final Solution aided incredulity. find refuge? D comparisons to Israeli fighting men. The gradualness of increasing sever­ These absurdities have most often ity against Jews helped deceive them come from secular Jews, and Jews into believing that each downward who have closed their eyes to the step was the bottom step, instead realities of life in the Death Camps. of a death-ridden escalator to eter­ We have just received a copy of a nity ... new book: The Tragedy of Nazi There were very few examples LIKE of Jews resisting. Those that did Germany (Frederick A. Praeger, THE JEWISH OBSERVER? New York), written by Peter Phil- resist met a horrible fate. Some 1ips, an Australian historian who Dutch Jews, who resisted and killed ss men, died a thousand deaths a spent the war years in Nazi camps. You can share it with thousand times over under slow, His words on this subject are en­ cruel torture inflicted during a pe­ dozens of readers for lightening. riod of weeks ... only $5.00 -- How were Jews to resist? They Jews have often been blamed for had no weapons, and no means of the passivity with which they went obtaining weapons anywhere near SEND A GIFT SUBSCRIPTION to gas chambers or mass graves. the equal of the enemy's ... The blame is so wantonly misplaced At Treblinka extermination camp TO YOUR LOCAL LIBRARY. that the sole charitable excuses for some Jews set up an escape com- it are gross lack of thoughtful imagi- 1r.yttee, and on 2 August 1943 re-

The Jewish Observer I September, 1969 5 Y aakov Weinberg W airing for Moshiach

The following is adapted from an address delivered by Rabbi Yaakov Weinberg,

Rosh Yeshiva of the Ner Israel Yeshiva in Toronto, Canada.

The beliefs embodied in the dinim concerning Moshiach go to the heart of everything that is Jewish. In our time, when belief and disbelief are often based on misunderstanding, it would be helpful to sum up these dinim. Every Jew is obligated to believe in the coming of Moshiach. Every Jew is further obligated-and this is most intriguing-not only to believe in Moshiach intel­ lectually, but to anxiously await his coming: to look forward to that moment when he actually arrives. And we must believe in the coming of Moshiach in spite of the fact that we have been waiting for him for two thousand years, and for two thousand years he has not come. For two thousand years Jews have awaited his coming-prayed to see the day, and we are still obligated to wait: year after year, generation after generation to continue to believe, and to believe firmly, that G-d will send him. Now-what do we mean by "Moshiach?" To believe we must know what it is we believe. Our belief in essence is: that Moshiach will gather and join together the Jewish people in Eretz Yisroel; that under his guidance and leadership we will live a full Torah life; that we will then be able to achieve the great measure of perfection which the Torah demands of us, and which the Torah alone makes possible. Not only our People, but all Mankind will then proclaim that G-d is One, His Name One; and they will know His Truth, His infinite Love and Kindness, and His infinite Justice. This is what we believe; for this we eagerly, anxiously wait. Having established what it is we must believe, let us look at the origins of this WHAT DO belief. Naturally we turn to the Torah, the source of Jewish faith-but which of WE BELIEVE? the six hundred and thirteen mitzvos of the Torah demands of us that we believe in Moshiach? As we search through the mitzvos, we find nothing-even by implication-that commands this belief. If then, it does not derive from the Torah, what other source is available to us which can make imperative such a basic belief? The source of our belief in the coming of Moshiach goes beyond the six hundred and thirteen mitzvos: the source is Truth. The Jew is obligated to accept Truth ... because it is true. There need be no formal command, no specific instruction. The coming of Moshiach is attested to, it is spoken of and described in detail by the THE SOURCE OF Ne'vi'im-the Prophets, and by Chazal, our Sages; and this makes it a fact which OUR BELIEF we must not only believe, but which must guide our lives. It is a fact, a belief,

6 The Jewish Observer / September, 1969 that must form our reactions to what happens around us; a belief which in turn forms additional beliefs. By what authority?-because it is a fact, because it is Truth. It becomes clear to us then that Torah is not only a series of positive and negative commandments, but that Torah is a repository of Truth that opens wide the human mind; that enlarges the scope of our vision: and broadens the horizon of Jewish thought and Jewish life. This Truth is a; basic to our Torah-and as binding-as the Taryag Mitzvos. In this light, it is no longer sufficient that we guide our lives by the laws of the Shulchan Aruch. We must also guide our lives by the truths of G-d's being, His Creation. We must know Creation and attempt to understand it. We must TORAH: study the Torah not only to know its laws; but also to aid us in finding the A REPOSITORY hashkofos, the weltanshauung of Torah, which are as fundamental to our belief OF TRUTH as the do's and dont's.

Many have fostered the belief that our Torah is concerned only with man's behavior: that action alone is important and beliefs are of no importance; that there is no dogma in the Jewish faith. Certainly we believe that without the discipline of deeds, our intellectual beliefs are meaningless. But we believe with equal certainty that without insight and understanding our deeds do not enable IS THERE us to achieve the fullness of Jewish life. It is only through the proper balance of JEWISH profound insight and disciplined behavior that the true Jew emerges; it is only DOGMA? from the mating of these two forces that the Jew can achieve the perfection that the Torah demands of him. (This axiom of Jewish belief has much to tell us about our goals in educating our children. We dnre not teach them only to do, we must also teach them to understand.)

There is yet another profound implication in our belief in the coming of Moshiach. In a sense, it looms more important than even Shabbos and Yorn Kippur. The Rambam lists this belief as one of the Thirteen Principles of Faith. But what is this notion of "Principles of Faith?"-is not every word of the Torah fundamen­ tal?-can we say of even two words of the Torah that one is more true than the other? ... Of course every word of Torah is true and must so be accepted. However in varying degrees, each of us is ignorant of some aspect of the Torah. Some are unaware of the subtleties of the dinim of Lashon Ho'ra. Some are unaware of PRINCIPLES the dinim of Shatnes. Some are even ignorant of the dinim of Shabbos. Some have OF FAITH­ not even heard of the mitzvah commanding us to put on Tefilin; and yet they WHY? remain Jews because they just don't know what they are doing. They may be beld accountable for not having learned, but they cannot be culpable for what they don't know. Yet they remain bona-fide members of the Jewish community and faith. But of these Thirteen Fundamentals, the Rambam tells us, the Jew who does not understand and subscribe to them-for whatever reasons-cannot be a member of the Jewish faith. lewish?-of course-he is always a Jew; but he cannot have a meaningful relationship to the Jewish faith. Take for example the first Principle: our helief in the existence of G-d. Obviously,

The Jewish Observer / September, 1969 7 if a Jew, for whatever reason, denies G-d, or is unaware of His existence, he negates the existence of Israel and he has no share in our faith. Again: he remains a Jew, obligated together with all other Jews to carry out mitzvohs, and we still are obligated to him as a Jew; but he has cut himself off from the Jewish faith. The Jewish faith is predicated upon the Oneness of G-d, and the Jew who does not accept this belief, rejects all of Jewish belief. In the very same way, the Rambam tells us, the Jew who does not accept the Truth of the Coming of Moshiach; who does not in fact believe that G-d will send us the Moshiach, demon­ strates that he does not have the spiritual stamina which makes all Jewish belief possible. Without belief in Moshiach, apparently, the entire structure of the Torah falls to the ground. Yet why is this so? Why is it not possible for a Jew to believe as a Jew, and behave as a Jew-to keep Shabbos and Kashrus ... all THERE IS the mitzvos-and yet remain a Jew even if he is unaware of the truth of the NO TORAH If WITHOUT Coming of Moshiach? Yet the Rambam insists it is not possible. I do not know MOSHJACH of Moshiach, I do not truly accept the truth of One G-d, I cannot fully know the meaning of Torah, and I cannot fully live, and I cannot fully believe as a Jew. I cannot fully commit myself and dedicate myself to the faith of Israel unless I am aware of and accept the actuality of Moshiach. Why?-why is it that the essence of Judaism as a faith is so dependent upon the fact of Moshiach? To answer this question we must examine more closely this concept of Moshiach. Moshiach says to every Jew: Judaism is not me or you, or any one person: Judaism is a collective, and the faith of Israel is the faith of a nation, because to yearn for Moshiach means that we can secure our fulfillment only as a People; that no man alone will bring about the fulfillment of G-d's plan, the ultimate fulfillment of Jewish life: that is what Moshiach means. It is only our People as a whole, as a nation of G-d, who will find ultimate justification and ultimate fulfillment. There­ fore, Moshiach means that I cannot withdraw fram my people, I cannot think only of myself. Moshiach means I must obey the laws of Torah; I must learn Torah; I must strive to become a tzadik; and I must strive to develop myself as a MOSHIACH AND truly Jewish personality and character. No Jew can find his way alone because JEWISH G-d has placed His faith in the People: it is the Am, the Kial of Ani Yisroel, that ..h PEOPLEHOOD constitutes the nation of priests, the holy people; the fulfillment of G-d's will and the fulfillment of Jewish nationhood. This is Moshiach. And more: The world is not made for me. If I live only for myself, will this bring Moshiach? I can finish my life as millions of Jews have finished their lives-without Moshiach. But have they no further role to play because they died before the advent of Moshiach? Is Moshiach so fundamental to my own life's fulfillment?

It is not for the vagaries of one man or another that from the very beginning G-d has unfolded a grand design-a design that must be fulfilled because it is G-d's will. And the fulfillment of G-d's design rests with a people who are living as a people of G-d and His Moshiach. Without belief in Moshiach we are blind to the purpose of Creation. Without the recognition of Moshiach as the ultimate goal and justification of our Jives,-! can regard life as being for me alone, and if life

8 The Jen•ish Observer I Septeniber, 1969 is meant for me t1lone I cannot be a Jew. If I see life in terms of what I will accomplish, what I will do, then I cannot have the faith of Israel as my guide, because the faith of Israel insists that there is a world beyond me. Our faith insists that the glory of G-d's Creation has purpose and design; that everything I do must work toward that purpose; that this goal must permeate my life and must motivate everything I think and everything I do. My life cannot be the fulfillment of my own passions, my own desires; rather, through my life others IF LIFE shall come to know G-d; others shall eagerly await Moshiach, and through my IS MEANT life the peoples of the earth shall be drawn together as an aguda achas to proclaim FOR ME ALONE that G-d is One, that His Name is One, and that His grand design has been achieved. I CANNOT This is the essence of the faith of the Jew, and obviously the Jew who thinks that BE A JEW he can satisfy himself with concern for his own frumkeit, worrying about his own Torah, and for the education of his own children, without awareness of being part of Kial Yisroel is not fulfilling his faith. He cuts himself off from the dynamics of Kial Yisroel; he rejects the justification of all that we have endured over the centuries, and he denies the Truth of Jewish history.

Long before he comes Moshiach has taught us-Moshiach teaches us- our duties as Jews. Moshiach teaches us to be aware, to be responsible, to engage our energies in those acts which will enable the totality of our People to grow and to flourish, to expand our horizons and understanding. Moshiach teaches us to know in greater depth, and to accept with more commitment, the truths of our Torah. Moshiach teaches that you are one of a holy people, a kingdom of priests; that through your life, through your actions, through every step you take, through fashioning yourself into the noble soul worthy of your G-d. you bring closer the day when all men shall share with us the eternal truths of Torah. And the Torah WHETHER WE WILL !T­ commands you-this is the imperative of our faith-that you be constantly aware OR NOT of all this sublimity throughout your days on this earth. It isn't enough to live our OUR LIVES faith unconsciously. Whether we will it or not, our lives support these truths. If SUPPORT we do not support them willingly, the world in which we live reminds us forcefully THESE TRUTHS again and again-and G-d spare us from the many ways in which we can be reminded. We cannot escape our destiny: it is inherent in our very being as Jews. But to be consciously aware of our destiny, to know its meaning, to plan the fulfillment of this noble design, is to expand our being, to be partners in Creation -in G-d's design. It is to throw off the yoke of human limitations in time and space, and to weld our lives to a People whose beginnings go back to Har Sinai, and in an unending stream, project forward to the coming of Moshiach. This is why Moshiach is fundamental to our faith: our lives as Jews have meaning only when we consciously look forward to his coming; only when we are part of that unending stream that leads from Sinai to Moshiach.

Looking forward to Moshiach is not only preparing for the future; it gives meaning to our lives now-today and every day. It gives purpose to our lives not in the future, but here and now: this day, this hour, this very moment. Waiting for Moshiach transforms our lives and makes each of us part of G-d's grand design. Waiting for Moshiach makes you a Jew. [J

The Jewish Observer / Septe1nber, 1969 9 Ralph Pelcowitz Israel's State of Mind­ Israel's State of War A Cheshbon Ha'nefesh Two Years After the Six Day War

The conclusion is inescapable. The State of Israel, remembered and what have they forgotten in the brief while not a state at war, is in a state of war. Her bor­ period of two years? ders are expanded and new, but so are the conditions along these borders. In the North, East and along the The Torah is most concerned about the method of Suez, artillery duels, air dog fights, and commando waging war and its effect upon the soldier. War is not raids, are so commonplace that it takes something really inevitable, but it also is not always avoidable. The unusual to capture the headlines. Two years have passed Torah laws regulating warfare-the unique exemptions since the Six Day War, but-as a recent cartoon has from service, the recognition of man's moral vulner­ one Israeli soldier saying plaintively to another a' they ability, the protection of natural resources, to mention sit in their foxhole-"The Six Day War is now over but a few-are unique in the history of mankind. What 700 days old." The Four Power talks have apparently we would stress, however, is the emphasis upon the failed; the Jarring mission is quiescent and the por­ holiness of the Jewish camp: 1V11i' 1'lMtl ''n1, and the tents for peace are painfully dim. sacred value ascribed to each human life. The parshah But, it is not our purpose to write a political or of Eglah Arufah is interposed between two portions military analysis of the Arab-Israel dilemma; what dealing with warfare to underscore this point. The concerns us here is the effect all this is having upon Torah teaches that the life of a stranger-friendless, the Israeli national character-and above all the unknown and ho1neless-found murdered, presents a Jewish character of the Jews living in Israel, under challenge of great importance and inherent spiritual these tragic and tense conditions. A state of war-be value. The elders of Israel are held responsible for the it small and limited, or large and full-scale-must victim, and even the Sanhedrin must send its emissaries create a climate and atmosphere charged with attitudes) to determine who shall bring the heifer and seek and permeated with perspectives that are far different atonement. The wholesale shedding of blood in battle than those which prevail in an environment of peace must not make us insensitive to the precious value and tranquility. The Vielman war, thousands of miles of one Jewish soul. In this respect Israel today mea­ away, has affected the political and social climate of sures up admirably to the Torah standard. War casu­ a country of 200 million-where depersonalization is alties, reported as numbers and statistics in The New the norm; how much more so would be the effect of York Times are a profound personal loss in Israel. a continuous battle hitting so close to ho1ne, where The loss of every soldier is felt most deeply: he is everyone seems to know each soldier who falls at the everyone's son, brother, husband. And this is not arti­ front? ficially stimulated to create heroes, to fan the flames A state of war has ever left its indelible imprint of hatred for the enemy, or to keep military morale upon people as individuals and as a nation. The value high. Anyone who has recently spent some time in of human life, economic and social priorities, the Israel can attest to the sincerity and honesty of these cultural and spiritual quality of a society at war-these heartfelt emotions. In this sense then the incessant are a few vital areas which are perforce colored and warfare and also daily casualties have not succeeded shaped by constant violence, terrorism, destruction and in cheapening human life. On the contrary it has made danger. How have our people fared since the summer the Israeli deeply treasure, prize and appreciate every of '67? And while we are examining the state of our yochid. people in Israel we would also ask, what has the world A nation under arms, as Israel is, where the bulk of able-bodied men comprise a people's army, is prone RABBI RALPH PELCOVITZ is the spiritual leader of the Congre­ to become a Prussian-like people: martial and warlike gation Knesseth Israel in Far Rockaway, a past-president of the lgud Harabbonim, and contributes to various Jewish in temperament and disposition. A military posture periodicals. may not become Jews, but it could well become a

10 The Jewish Observer / September, 1969 The people who descend from the Am Ha'Torah have not lost their collective character and the Am Ha'sefer still clings to the values and priorities befitting Jews . ... There is another level of nisayon ... belief in the providence of the Almighty, the faith in G-d's special, unique, protection of Am Yisroel in Eretz Yisroel. way of life, by necessity, and thereby also transform frenzied attention paid to security. Education, its ex­ the mien and face of the new Israel. Thoughtful Israelis, pansion and development, is very much at the top including many of the secular camp, have feared this of the State's agenda. In the realm of Torah study, consequence of three wars in two decades and the never have so many yeshivos and kollelim been de­ continuing period of crisis and challenge which imposes veloped and expanded as rapidly as they are today upon the nation the need for increased military service. in an Israel beleaguered by its enemies. Cultural ac­ For a people steeped in the tradition and teaching of tivities flourish, the arts are respected, and here, as Shalom this is an ugly and unwanted image. Fighting, in the area of human values and the moral character killing, planning military strategy and techniques, are of the nation, Israel has not permitted its sense of value alien to the Jewish spirit: they are engaged in with and priorities to be distorted by the state of war. reluctance and distaste. On this level of nisayon, on this plateau of testing, From all indications and reports, Israelis have not Israel has passed the test-for the present. The des­ been transformed into a military people. Shortly after cendants of the A vos have retained their compassion the Six Day War a number of young kibbutz members and concern for man-not to be confused with the who had p2rticipated in the fighting met to discuss specious, artificial concern for "mankind." The people, their reactions. The tapes were edited and published in who descend from the Am Ha'Torah h.ave not lost their Am Ha'sefer a volume called-Siach Lochambn-"Soldiers Talk." collective character and the still clings to the values aand priorities befitting Jews. Mirrored in these most interesting comments are the doubts and determin2tion of these young men, their Our Dreams Shattered qualms and convictions. Above all, in spite of their There is another level of nisayon, however, where I secularist point-of-view, there comes through a most fear Israel has not fared as well. Indeed in this area revealing and heart-warming sense of compassion and our fondest hopes may have been misplaced and, alas, control, of sensitivity and sincerity, and an abhorence our most cherished dreams shattered. I refer to the of bloodshed which one could never find among soldiers area of emunah~belief in the providence of the Al­ in other lands. Citizen soldier is still a former, profes­ mighty, the faith in G-d's special, unique, protection sional, teacher, or workman, and the job of soldiering of Am Yisroel in Eretz-Yisroel. The faith in the hash­ .is only temporary, to be set aside as quickly as possible. gochah of the Almighty "whose eyes are upon this land The Israeli society is gripped by a military mood, from the beginning of the year to the end of each but they have succeeded in refraining not becoming a year.'' This special Providence, which was so apparent militaristic people. and open during the Six Day War that even "non­ believers" saw the miracles, has been denigrated, dis­ A nation at war finds its primary victim to be its n1issed and denied. The reversion to a "my-strength­ priorities. This has been the problem of the United and-the-might-of-my-hand" philosophy is projected by States, during the past few years. Housing, education, far too many Israeli leaders. welfare, hunger and poverty are no longer the prime Recently, in a televised interview with the Prime concern of a government that must produce munitions, Minister and the Minister of Defense, the interviewer, arm and supply an army, and bend its best efforts a non-Jew, asked them if they felt that miracles akin toward the worst of all human endeavors-war. In to those related in the Bible had occurred in '67. He Israel, although much sacrifice is demanded from the asked if they believed that G-d had intervened on the people in the form of taxes and general economic side of Israel as in days of old. They both begged the belt-tightening, nonetheless the needs of olim, of hous­ question. Mr. Dayan protested that he was not "Or­ ing and welfare, are not shunted aside and lost in the thodox"-henee apparently disqualifying himself from

The Jewish Observer / September, JIJ69 JI answering such a "religious" question. Mrs. Meir rapid succession in one parshah of the Torah (Matos), fielded the question with more finesse, but-with an M~l? C'tvlM C~l1M~ i:.:?n:i-Moshe commands the Jews audience numbering in the millions waiting for an to arm themselves for the battle against Midian. Again answer to a most serious question-never rose to the when he speaks to the tribes of Gad and Reuven he challenge as a Jewish spokesman to proclaim a basic says "if you will arm (1:.:?n11) yourselves to go before faith in the G-d of Israel. As diplomats the two no Ha'Shem to war." Gad and Reuven also use the same doubt had to choose their responses prudently and expression-"we ourselves (y?nl) will be ready armed with caution, but had they acknowledged the inter­ to go before the children of Israel." Yet we also find vention of Ha'Shem on the side of the Jews, the worst this word in connection with chalitzah: to loosen or that could have happened would be that the Security remove the shoe of the brother who refuses to wed Council might choose to censure the Almighty, and the childless widow of his deceased brother. Oviously such displeasure expressed by the United Nations has the root of the word chalotz means not simply 'to never served as a deterrent to a brave and defiant arm" but to remove. The S'fas Emes therefore inter­ Israel! We hasten to add, l'kaf zechus, that not all Israeli prets the phrase in Matos to mean: "Remove from leaders are so reluctant to acknowledge our dependence yourselves" -divest yourselves from your own desires upon the Almighty. The Speaker of the Knesset, Kadish and ambitions, and only then can you be a Jewish Luz, though a non-observant veteran of the leftist Kib­ soldier! Even after the tribes of Gad and Reuven pledge butz Deganiah, in his address to the Israeli parliament themselves to be chalutzim, Moshe is dissatisfied, for on Yorn Ha"atzmaut invoked the help of the Almighty they have not mentioned the key words 'i 'JC?, hence and quoted the posuk: " ... And as Moshe raised his they have not divested themselves of their own pride hands Israel prevailed" with the classic interpretation and vanity; how then can they be true chalutzim? of Chazal-as did President Shazar in his message. What we desperately need in Israel today-in military Unfortunately, the Israeli press, in most instances, and government circles-is chalutziot as envisioned by saw fit to delete these pious wishes and prayers. To Torah. the world at large the image of Israel is rapidly and tragically becoming one of a pugnacious, audacious, Have We Also Forgotten? arrogant people, albeit brave, courageous and heroic. As these words are written, the political portents for The softening of this image, by simply being what we Israel are ominous. France re-affirms its embargo on really are, a Goy Kodosh, or at least by recalling and arms and planes to Israel. U Thant seems determined revitalizing our status as the Am Ha'Shem would be to re-enact his role as fomentor of war in the Middle helpful even diplomatically-but this seems to be too East. The United Nations is silent regarding Egyptian much to expect from non-believers who are committed aggressive acts and is vociferous in chastising and scold­ to the Land and the People, to its history and folklore, ing Israel for its position and policy in Jerusalem­ but not to the fundamental of all ikrim: Emunah ba' - with the United States concurring. The World Council Shem. of Churches and the Vatican are busy reiterating their To the m'amin this is extremely distressing and de­ anti-Israel stand on the Holy City. The world has so pressing. For our understanding of the Jewish army soon forgotten the events of '67. But have we also and its relationship to the G-d of Israel is special and not forgotten? The nations of the world have ever unique. To us the events of two years ago, and sub­ re-acted to our posture and position. When Israel for­ sequent developments, are seen as a call from on High. gets the miracles and providence of the Almighty the Not alone what is happening in Israel but throughout Umos Hdlom lose their fear and reverence and act the world cries out to mankind in general and Yisroel according to their natural instincts-which is in­ in particular to make a Cheshbon Hanefesh in this variably antagonistic to Am Yisroel. epoch-when we hear "the footsteps of Moshiach." Of Israel's Vulnerability course, to properly understand and evaluate the events in which one plays a role--especially an important and The prophet Jeremiah laments-"Neither said they, decisive one-demands a breadth of vision and a depth Where is HdShem that brought us up from Egypt, of understanding, which in turn requires a deep faith that led us through the wilderness." Mendel Hirsch, and a rejection of one's personal involvement and son of Samson Raphael Hirsch, makes the following concern. This, tragically, most of Israel's top political observation. In moment• of travail and trial they did and military leaders lack. not ask-what is the will of G-d, what does Ha'Shem have to say to us-what is His will? And he goes on A Call For Chaluziut to note that the present tense is used by the Prophet Jt is interesting that the pioneering spirit of Israel when he speaks of the Exodus and journey in the was called chalutziut and the original settlers chalutzim. desert: "Who brings us, (constantly) out of Egypt" What is the origin of this word? We find it twice in -"Who leads us (ever) through the wilderness." Cer-

12 The Jewish Observer / September, 1969 The reversion to a "my-strength-and-the-might-of-my-hand" philosophy is projected by far too many Israeli leaders.

tainly we must not allow ourselves to forget the Chas­ heroic in the eyes of those who measure by the yard­ dei Ha'Shem-who revealed His concern and brought stick of secular, material values-but is tragic and salvation two short years ago, and fail to ask "Ayeh ultimately dangerous to those who believe profoundly Ha'Shem?" in all of our diplomatic and military en­ that our gevurah and netzach depends upon the Ge­ deavors. This is the area of Israel's vulnerability. The vurah of He who is Netzach. test is great and the nisayon most difficult: to withstand An oriental philosopher once said "The meaning of the temptation of absorbing and emulating modern a room is not in the four walls but in the space between n1an's malady of taking undue pride in one's own them." The same is true of a country's boundaries: strength and prowess. what is in the space between them is all important­ And so as we study Israel's people, and their con­ its people, their values, their collective character their dition as a self-respecting proud people on their own cherished goals as well as their noble past. Am Yisroel fond, we are confronted with this duality as we ob­ in Eretz Yisroel has a historic responsibility, as does serve the two areas where they are being tested and tried K'lal Yisroel everywhere, during these days of trial by history and hashgocha. We are filled with pride and when the "voice of the dove is heard in the ]and " as joy at the basic majesty of people who have withstood the Vilner Gaon refers to the advent of Moshia~h in not only their enemies on the field of battle, but the his sefer Kol Hator. We must recognize the awesome greater more serious threat of inner erosion and des* burden that has been placed upon this generation. To !ruction of national character. We are dismayed and fail is to fail the call of destiny. To meet this challenge fearful as we witness a reliance upon personal skill successfully will be a zechus and triumph that will alter and might, competence and courage-which may be the course of all Mankind. O

The Jewish Observer / September, 1969 l3 Judah Dick Fighting for Shabbos on the Legal Front A Study of Orthodoxy's Capacity to Protect its Civil Rights

When Jews in large numbers left their established major stumbling blocks for Orthodox Jews looking for communities in the Old World and came to our shores, work. Many observant Jews were able to get jobs­ the most critical problem they faced if they were to and hold them-because their employers were more continue to be observant Jews was to find a job which tolerant and found that a Shabbos observer was gen­ Would allow them to remain Shomrei Shabbos. The eraly a more conscientious and trustworthy employee. sweatshops worked a sixty-hour week: ten hours a Many others were not able to find jobs and had to day, six days a week; and it was not easy to get a job make the rounds to many employers before finding without working on Shabbos. Not having a job in the one who would make allowance for him. Others just days before unemployment insurance and social welfare didn't say that they were Shabbos observers when they was a very severe blow for a man with a family to feed. got the job and often were fired or passed over for Many observant Jews started to work on Shabbos--at promotion when the employers found out. Others first very reluctantly-and soon other mitzvos began could not face up to being without a job and com­ to go down the drain. promised their Shabbos observance in order to hold These immigrants for the most part did not succeed the job. It therefore became necessary to seek legal in bringing up their children to be observant Jews. As means to protect Shabbos observers against discrimi­ a result, millions of Jews in America today are totally nation in employment. The rise of anti-discrimination ignorant of authentic Jewish life, and retain at best a legislation opened the door to the protection of Shomrei minimal attachment which sinks even lower from one Shabbos. generation to the next one. The few hardy immigrants The A nti-Discrin1ination Laws who were ready to make great sacrifices for the Holy In 1945, New York became the first state to enact a Shabbos were generally more successful in raising a law prohibiting discrimination in employment by private Torah-true family and assuring the Judaism of their as well as public employers on account of race, creed, offspring. Thus, in America, we have witnessed the or color. Many other states and cities followed New truth of the oft-quoted saying of a famed Jewish in­ York and enacted similar laws. However, New York's tellectual that the Shabbos has been the greatest factor State Commission against Discrimination ruled that the in perpetuating Jewry. It is because Shabbos is the law did not protect Sabbath observers' rights in em­ critical factor in maintaining Jewish tradition and con­ ployment since it was the employer's right to impose tinuity that the ability of Shabbos observers to compete a uniform work week on all employees and refuse in the job market must be fully developed if Torah to hire anyone who would not work the uniform work­ Judaism is to survive in this country. week or took off on non-scheduled holidays. However, Following the 19th century wave of immigration, when an employee was fired for taking off on Rosh various organizations were created to help Shabbos Hashana and Yorn Kippur, the Commission ruled that observers to find jobs. With the growing acceptance of the employer was acting from antisemitic bias and held the revolutionary five-day week, Saturday was usually that such action was discriminatory. a day off. But leaving early on Friday evenings in the In 1964, Congress enacted the Civil Rights Act of winter months and taking off for Yorn Tov became the l 964 which included the first Federal legislation pro­ hibiting discrimination in employment on account of JUDAH DICK is a 1ne1nber of the New York Bar, end a mus111ach of Mesifta Torah Vodaath. He is a Vice President of COLPA race, creed, color, sex or ethnic origin. This law was -the National Jewish (;onunission on Law and Public Affairs, at first limited to employers of one hundred or more participated actively in the developn1ents described in this workers, but now covers employers of twenty-five or article, and has recently been selected by COI-PA to supe1Tise processing of con1plaints by aggrieved citizens. more. (The New York Law covers employers of four

14 The Jewish Observer / Septe1nber, 1969 or more). The Federal law is limited to employers en­ Sabbath observer himself at some other time of the gaged in "interstate commerce," but this term has week without undue hardship on the conduct of the been given such a broad definition that very few large employer's business. And-the burden of proof is on employers are considered not to be engaged in inter­ the employer! The term Sabbath includes Friday eve­ state commerce. The law also covers labor unions and nings and religious holidays. If the Commission's employment agencios and certain religious institutions Guidelines are fully implemented by the courts and and membership clubs. The law bars discrimination in state administrative bodies, it wil mean that a Sabbath hiring, discharge, promotions, working conditions, or observer wil have equal opportunity in seeking em­ other privileges of employment. Unions are forbidden ployment, except in the few instances where his pre­ to expel, exclude, or otherwise discriminate or cause sence on the Sabbath is so vital to the employer as to an employer to discriminate. The only exception is for cause a serious interruption of the employer's operations a bona fide employment qualification. such as hiring if he were absent. a Jewish cook for a hotel serving kosher cuisine and The Guidelines offer the prospect that in due course, requiring someone familiar with the rules of kashrus Shomrei Shabbos would find all fields of employment and the preparation of such meals. open to them. COLPA has received a number of com­ The Civil Rights Act created the Equal Employment plaints of discrimination against Shomrei Shabbos by Opportunity Commission (EEOC) to administer the various large employers and has generally been able law, but gave it few enforcement powers. EEOC oper­ to resolve them with the companies involved after citing ates primarily by conciliation and persuasion. But, the the Guidelines to them, and indicating that legal action Federal Courts have jurisdiction at the behest of an would be taken if the employer persisted in such dis­ individual complainant to enjoin violations of the Act, criminatory practices. One of the most heartening suc­ and may award back pay and attorney's fees in addition cesses was the placing of a computer en&ineer with to reinstating the employee where the discrimination IBM. The applicant was a Chassidic young man who is found to be willful. EEOC is limited to issuing a Jetter was very talented in electronics and was very successful that probable cause exists before court action can on all the preliminary tests given by the company. begin. In those states which have their own anti-dis­ When he told the interviewer that he is a Shomer crimination commissions, complaints must be filed with Shabbos, he was informed that it may be necessary to the state commission before requesting EEOC action. repair a computer on Friday evening or Saturday and Some state commissions have stronger enforcement that he must be on call seven days a week, twenty-four powers and can issue a cease and desist order which is hours a day. A broken computer involves a substantial enforceable in the courts. amount of rental income to IBM, and COLPA felt that this may just be a case of undue hardship for the em­ The EEOC Guidelines on Sabbath Observers ployer. We communicated with the Chairman of the Shortly after the EEOC came into existence, they re­ Board of IBM and he indicated that he was willing to ceived inquiries as to whether an employer must hire take the young man on without committing the com­ a Sabbath observer. They ruled that an employer may pany not to call upon him on the Sabbath in an emer­ establish a uniform work week to which all employees gency. We advised the young man to take the job and must conform and that a Sabbath observer need not be has been working at IBM for a year and a half with­ be accommodated where this would cause serious in­ out any problems. The repair of computers is a growing convenience to the employer. This ruling was well industry and pays as well as many professional jobs publicized in the newspapers and caused great concern and should offer many opportunities for those mechan­ to Orthodox Jews. The Agudas Horabbonim initiated icaly inclined. a meeting of almost all Orthodox groups with the Besides coLPA's efforts, some persons went directly Acting Chairman of EEOC, Dr. Luther Holcomb, in to EEOC with complaints and in one reported case, a August of 1966. As a result of this meeting and many telephone company agreed to reinstate a Sabbath ob­ other communications and conferences, the Commis­ server and paid $800 in back pay for the time lost sion adopted new Guidelines along the lines suggested from work. by cm,PA. The new guidelines (c.F.R. Title 29, Sec. 1605. 1) state that in the absence of undue hardship, State Commissions and the Federal Guidelines an employer is required to make accommodations to While all this was happening, legislation was introduced the reasonable religious requirements of employees and at the 1965 session of the New York State Legislature prospective employees. Undue hardship for the em­ to prohibit discrimination against Sabbath observers. ployer exists only where the work can not be performed The bill was subsequently amended to cover govern­ during the Sabbath observer's absence by another em­ mental employment only and passed; but it was vetoed ployee of substantially equal qualifications or by the by Governor Nelson Rockefeller on the ground that

The Jewish Observer / Septen1ber, 1969 15 this situation was already covered by existing law. Since may be discriminatory if it denies employment to Sab­ the Governor acted on advice of the State Commission, bath observers. The Court reasoned that it must he we decided to test this assertion. We filed a complaint concerned with the impact of the rule, and if in its with the Commission against the Metropolitan Life effect, its application to a Sabbath observer limits the Insurance Company which had turned down a Sabbath choice of the employee's free exercise of religion, it observer for a job as a computer programmer trainee. may not be applied to diserimnate against such persons. The Commission dismissed the complaint for lack of Since there were others who were available to do the "probable cause" on the theory that the company hires work on Sundays, no undue hardship to the employer any Jew who will work the regular work week. We can be found. The fact that the union contract required appealed to the Chairman of the Commission without assignment on the basis of seniority did not disturb the success and then to the State Supreme Court. (In the Court, since the union was just as liable for any illegal interim, the Governor sponsored legislation to protect discrimination as the employer: the agreement between Sabbath observers in public employment and such an employer and union must give way to the Civil legislation became law in 1967. The only exceptions Rights Act as construed by the EEOC. The Court there­ are for jobs involving work of an emergency nature fore directed reinstatement of the employee with hack or where that employee is indispensable to the oper­ pay. ation of that particular office.) When the case came This decision (Dewey v. Reynolds Metals Co.) will up in court, EEOC had just issued its new guidelines be a landmark in establishing the rights of Sabbath and the Court sent the matter back to the Commission observers, if it is sustained on appeal. An employer for reconsideration in light of the new guidelines. who may want to discriminate against a Sabbath ob­ Almost a year later, the new chairman of the Commis­ server will think twice before doing so if he knows sion, Robert Mangum, ruled that the Guidelines will that it may result in legal action and paying damages be applied in interpretation of the New York Law but and attorney's fees. Unless the employer is sure that found undue hardship for the employer in that par­ he can prove undue hardship, he will probably make ticular case. In several other cases before the Com­ accommodations for Sabbath observers if he knows mission involving a secretary and a payroll supervisor, that Sabbath Observers will not allow such practices to the Commission ruled in favor of the Sabbath observer. go unpunished. Therefore, diligence on our part is At about the same time, other state commissions in esssential if the pattern of discrimination is to be New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Illinois issued rulings wiped out. adopting the EEOC guidelines. Illinois went even further and held that pre-employment tests may not be given Some Guides to Job Applicants on Saturday if this would disqualify Sabbath observers. Of course, the key to successful employer-employee relations is a spirit of cooperation and mutual goodwill. Recent Case of a Sunday Observer A Shomer-Shabbos should be doubly careful in his A very interesting case in Grand Rapids, Michigan dealing with his employer and should always conduct came to COLPA's attention. A member of the Reformed himself in accordance with the highest standards of Church who would not work on Sunday, refused to ethics and propriety. Such exemplary conduct will in­ accept any assignment for overtime work on Sundays duce an employer to overlook whatever difficulties from his employer, the Reynolds Metal Co. At first, he encounters in working out an accommodation for he arranged for someone else to take his place; then a Sabbath observer. on reconsideration he refused to do so on the ground In applying for a job, it would be best for the that this would also constitute a violation of his re­ applicant who is a Shomer Shabbos not to disclose this ligious beliefs. He was discharged and the discharge fact until he is about to be hired. Otherwise, it will be was upheld by an arbitrator under the union contract. almost impossible to establish that Shabbos observance He then turned to EEOC and to the Federal District was the cause of the refusal to hire. In certain circum­ Court in Grand Rapids. COLP A submitted a brief as stances, it may be wiser not to vo]unteer information a friend of the court and succeeded thereby in influenc­ that one is a Sabbath observer until the occasion arises; ing the Court's opinion. On June 6, 1969, the Court for example, when you are hired during the summer; ruled in his favor, and ordered him reinstated with or when you are not leaving another good job to accept back pay from August I, 1967, three weeks after EEOC this one, and believe that an accommodation will not issued the Guidelines. The Court found: • that EEoc's cause undue hardship to the employer. In discussing Gaidelines are the proper interpretation of the Civil the Sabbath, don't mention the legal requirements im­ Rights Act of 1965; • that no undue hardship was posed by the new Guidelines unless the employer stub­ shown; • that while an employer may make work rules bornly refuses to make an accommodation or states which apply equally to all employees, such rule in itself that it is company policy not to hire Sabbath observ-

16 The 1el1'ish Observer / September, 1969 ers. As an employee or applicant you should offer to mented by all employers and labor unions in the spirit make up the time lost on some other day of the week, of allowing religious liberty and freedom to prevail have it charged to your vacation, or take it without over narrow considerations of petty bureaucratic my­ pay, giving a choice to the employer. Don't expect an opia. employer to pay you for time off for the Shabbos or Any person who has lost his job or been refused a job Yom Tov. because he is a Shomer Shabbos, and wants-as he Most employers, especially large corporations, want should-to enforce his newly acquired rights, should to comply with the law. Very few have any desire to immediately communicate with COLP A at 66 Court get involved in administrative or legal proceedings in­ Street, Brooklyn, New York 11201 (JA 2-2233). In volving so minor a matter as the hiring of a single order to be able to establish a valid complaint, he employee. The employee or applicant should mention should be ready to demonstrate that he is fully qualified the Federal Guidelines to the interviewer and tell him for the job and that the only reason he was not hired­ that he will consider filing a complaint with the ap­ or was discharged-was because of his Sabbath ob­ propriate body, if the employer discriminates against servance. He should also learn as much as he can him as a Sabbath observer. It would also be advisable from other company employees as to whether the type to write to the company president telling him the facts of work involved can be done by someone else or put and pointing out that his company may suffer adverse off to some other time without adverse effect on the publicity if a complaint of discrimination were filed employer. Although some courage and fortitude will against his company. Some company officials will per­ be required of the first persons to test their rights under sonally review the facts if they know that their public the new regulations, they will have the satisfaction of image may be tarnished by a charge of discrimination paving the way for future job applicants so that they in violation of Federal law. will not be forced to choose between economic sacrifice It is hoped that the new Guidelines will be imple- and the Holy Shabbos. D

ZEIREI AGUDATH ISRAEL of CLEVELAND

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The Jewish Observer / Septen1her, 1969 17 Joseph Elias The Key to Israel's Security

As we switch on the radio to catch the morning's first objectionable entertainment, place our very exist­ newscast, we tense in anticipation: will there be yet ence in danger . ... another report of a terrorist outrage in the Holy Land In the month of the receiving of the Torah, when or battling across the armistice lines, of new threats to our forefathers stood at Mount Sinai, where we the security of our brothers, or further loss of life? accepted for ourselves and our children to ob­ Every Jew-unless he has severed all links to his serve and guard all the words of the Torah, let people, G-d forbid-shares this worry and anxiety, us strengthen ourselves through Torah study; and the fervent hope that the State of Israel attain true let us impress upon ourselves and our children peace. What can he done, above and beyond the mar­ again and again the sacred duty to guard the shalling of the political and military resources, to Heritage of our forefathers as it was given to bring this goal closer? What can we do? us, without com.promises and concessions. Our heart is confident and sure that then there A few months ago, at a meeting of the Mo'etzes Ge­ will soon be fulfilled the divine promises "You dolei Ha'Torah B'Eretz Yisroel, a call was issued "to shall be to Me a special treasure from among the the House of Israel in the Holy Land," which deserves nations-and you shall be to Me a kingdom of our careful attention: priests and a holy people--and any weapon fash­ Difficult days are upon us. Every day victims of ioned against you shall not succeed--and the the sword fall in the battle for the defense of the earth will be full of the knowledge of G-d." borders and our enemies, the open as well as the hidden ones, plot evil against us. In this serious LET us BE CLEAR ABOUT IT: fundamental to the faith situation, let us, brothers, bestir ourselves like one of the Jew is the conviction that the prosperity our man to grasp the weapon to be relied upon by people enjoyed in past ages as well as the catastrophies "tola'as Yaakov" whose strength lies only in we had to endure, were directly related to the spiritual his voice. condition of our people. Where secularists of all vari­ Let us all pour out prayer before Him who hark­ eties felt that the Jewish problem is like all other social ens to prayers, that He command the angel of problems, amenable to political, social, or oconomic destruction to rest. At the time when the voice solution, we sorrowfully remind ourselves in our prayers of Yaakov sounds in the Beis Ha'knesses and that "because of our sins, we were exiled from our Beis Ha'medrash, the hands of Esau-and his Land,'' and that only a new spirit can a£sure a truly new future. This is a faet we must keep before our eyes agents, the sons of Yishmoel-will not gain mas­ and those of our People. If, from an understandable tery over us. Let us trust in G-d, blessed be He, desire to find a common denorninat0r, a common ap­ that He will deliver us from tribulation, and proach behind which all Jews-"religious," or "not frustrate the schemes of our enemies. so reljgious," or completely secularized--can close However, at the same time, we are not exempt rank, we content ourselves with po1itical demonstra­ from searching our hearts, as our Sages teach us: tions of national solidarity and hush up the spiritual "If a man sees suffering befall him, let him ex­ problems that must be solved, we arc gnilty of weaken­ amine his deeds." To our sorrow, the spiritual ing, G-d forbid, rather than strengthening our People­ condition rof our people] has greatly declined. we will contribute to the illusion that security and That good gift, the Shabbos, is deliberately dese­ peaee can be achieved by "my strength and the force crated by those who have thrown off the yoke ... of my hand," rather than by national unity on the basis The wall of Tzni'us, which has kept our people of the Torah. unique through the centuries, is being shaken; Needless to say-but easily overlooked-the em­ from one side im1nodest dress, from the other phasis upon the spiritual rejuvenation of our people must start, literally, at home: with ourselves, our fami1ies, our own closer circle. But it must also involve RABBI ELIAS is a member of our Editorial Board and lVrites frequently on historical matters and Hashkofa. a .ense of responsibility for what is happening among

18 The Jewish Observer / September, 1969 our People as a whole, and particularly in Eretz Yisroel, feelings by the government majority. But perhaps even which inevitably occupies the center of the Jewish more revealing is the recent debate in the Knesset about world, and where our brethren need our concern, regular commercial flights of El-Al on Shabbos. our encouragement, and our liberal and forceful Until 1962, the Lydda airport was completely closed support. The course being taken by our people-to be on Shabbos; starting last year, foreign airlines received or, G-d forbid, not to be a Torah nation-is being permission to operate, with resultant Chillul Shabbos shaped in large measure by the events taking place by officials, police, mechanics, and other personnel. in Israel. But El-Al, as the national Israeli airline, did not fiy on Unfortunately, these events are disquieting. The proc­ Shabbos-until the last few months when two regular lamation of the Moetzes Gedolei Hatorah, quoted flights to London and Paris were operated and publi­ above, was motivated by the awareness of the tragic cized in the press. In response to a challenge in the contrast between the security situation in Israel, which Knesset, the Minister of Transportation declared that demands a national spiritual renaissance, and a series there were no scheduled flights on Shabbos, and that of recent events pointing in the opposite direction. the newspaper announcements were an error (duly repeated in The Jerusalem Post two days after the The Religious "Status Quo" in Danger debate!). The Minister was called "a liar" to his face It must be remembered that religious and secular phi­ and a wild scene erupted. According to Hdaretz, even losophies of Jewish nationhood were battling for su­ loyal government supporters were distressed by tbe premacy long before 1948. The creation of the State obvious dishonesty; Torah Jewry felt, even more pain­ of Israel made it necessary to resolve the issue in some fully, that it was impotent in the face of a government manner. Hence an agreement was negotiated that was apparatus that could do whatever it pleased, backed designed to provide a modus vivendi. It was not meant by a rigidly controlled parliamentary majority.* The to set up a Torah State, by any means; but in order very sam.e frustration has been experienced, of course, to prevent an unbridgeable gulf from developing be­ in connection with the problem of forced autopsies. tween the religious and non-religious elements in the Here too the facts were public knowledge. Here too country, it adopted as a public policy the recognition the responsible Minister absolutely denied them-and of certain basic religious demands. The State was to when the State Controller finally and disconcertingly abide by minimum religious standards in public life, put them on public record, another stormy Knesset to be respected and protected by whatever government session saw the government majority obediently vote would be in power: • Shabbos to be observed in public down even the mere request for an official inquiry life; • all matters of personal status (marriage, divorce, into what was, after all, mass violation of the law of etc.) to be governed by the rabbinic courts; • Kashrus the State. (In the same context, there is the Sadget to be observed by the government and its agencies; affair-the heart removed for transplant purposes from • and the religious education system to function freely. a man who, certainly halachically and probably medi­ As the years passed, Torah Jewry had to content cally, was not yet dead, and whose family has been itself with efforts to preserve the "status quo"-in many obstructed at every step in seeking justice.) respects to its deep dissatisfaction (thus, public trans­ From the purely practical consideration of national portation in Haifa operates on Shabbos because of unity, even more important than the agreement on the "status quo") but generally from a hope to assure Shabbos observance was that on "personal status." If at least certain basic essentials. Not surprisingly, in marriages and divorce! are not handled in accordance due course conflicts erupted over issues, that had with Halochoh there are bound to result innumerable not been anticipated) as well as over efforts to encroach cases where the Torah forbids marriage with the off­ on the "status quo" agreement itself. Torah Jewry was spring. In this area it has been the judiciary whicb never overly satisfied with the outcome of tbese battles, has taken the initiative in encroaching upon the autho­ but it did succeed in some measure in defending its rity of the Rabbinic Courts. For instance, the issuance positions. Lately, however, a series of encroachments of marriage licenses belongs to the latter, but it has threatens to put in doubt the entire continuation of the been the general courts that have arrogated to them­ basic agreement. Obviously, every violation of the selves the right to decide whether to give recognition Halochoh by any individual, is deeply regretted by us to marriages not approved by Halochoh, or, most re­ -but whenever government policy officially establishes cently, to pass on the admissibility of the "Heter Me'oh such violation or connives in it, the well-being of the Rabbonim" (the procedure by which a man is per­ entire community is endangered in the greatest measure. mitted to marry a second wife, if his first wife is, for The introduction of television on Shabbos received instance, incurably mentally ill). wide publicity in the American Jewish press, for it profoundly stirred up Torah Jewry in Israel as a * Since these Jines were written, El AJ has formally promised not to originate or terminate flights on Shabbos in Israel except completely uncalled for and deliberate disregard of its in special circunTstances.

The Jewish Ob.w>rver / September, 1969 19 The lack of understanding of the seriousness of this member then called his "second homeland," various matter was illustrated in a Knesset debate by a recent Mapam members were actively engaged in collecting case where the government attorneys asked to have a secret defense and other information for ultimate use man declared the father of his wife's child, contrary to by the Red Army. While Hare! was violently attacked the undisputed facts in the case "in order to avoid the for making these charges, no effort has so far been stigma of Mamzeruth." The fact that the child without made to disprove them, or even merely to make a any doubt was a mamzer, and what the government formal inquiry. Serious these charges undoubtedly proposed would have meant in the end permitting a nre-and there is much known to give them credibility forbidden marriage, was not considered at nil. A bill -but Mapam is a member of the government coalition was subsequently introduced in the Knesseth that would and thus can claim political protekzia. have reaffirmed that all matters of personal status belong Efforts to take care of "one's own" go hand in hand exclusively to the rabbinic courts-it was voted down with holding down "the others." The distribution of by the government majority. immigration certificates, at the height of the Nazi It would appear then, that the "status quo" agree­ terror, according to a party formula; the channeling of ment that was designed to restrain the forces of divi­ religious immigrants into settlements of the Left and siveness, is itself being destroyed by them. Far from the obstructions put in the way of establishing religious moving toward an ever fuller recognition of Torah as schools there; the repeated efforts of Youth Aliyah to the law of the Land and the People, we see an ominous put children of religious background under the control trend encroaching more and more on its demands. of non-religious counsellors, were all in large part expressions of the simple desire to assure future ideolo­ gical and ballot-box support for the governing parties, One Reason: Political Partisanship and to avoid losing political power to others. Of course, It might seem strange, but the threat to the mainten­ while this may have been largely the motive, the result ance and, even more, the strengthening of Torah ob­ was the same as if the motive had been pure anti­ servance is not just a matter of religious controversy. religious fanaticism. It is, in the first place, bound up profoundly with a There are today a number of areas of daily life where deplorable phenomenon in Israeli public life-the in­ the interests of Torah Jewry become affected by the tensity of political infighting. intensity of the political rivalries in Israel. For instance, The high degree of political partisanship thnt per­ with the reorganization of the educational system and vades public life in Israel is actually quite understand­ the extension of the compulsory school-leaving age, able. In the absence of a broad and conditioned national there are many difficult educational and administrative commitment to the Torah's values and discipline, a problems faced by the Torah schools-on top of these, spirit of national unity will surge to the fore at times as far as facilities are concerned, they are dependent of profound crisis-as two years ago-but otherwise upon the goodwill of various local and national govern­ will give way all too readily to the individual and mental bodies. Even more serious, however, is the collective self-seeking and diverse ideologies that mark problem of the Yeshivos Gedolos. Of 16 million Israeli partisan polities. It does not require a religious issue pounds set aside for students from abroad, only one to provoke the bitterest fights and to cause great dam­ million is allocated to yeshivos, even though there are age. Only faint echoes have been heard in this country three times as many yeshivoh students from abroad as of the recent violent strife among the various parties other students. But that is not all: the meager funds of the Left; yet it is extremely revealing. As in the ease available are distributed by the Ministry of Religion ac­ of the Lavon affair and its aftermath, the highest con­ cording to criteria which severely discriminate against siderations of national security become caught up in the "old-fashioned" yeshivos. political controversy. According to latest pre'5 reports, Another area where political partisanship has proven the Israeli government is deeply disturbed that the oral so very harmful has been that of the local religious understanding on Israel's future territorial peace terms, which was part of the peace agreement between the councils (in charge of locnl religious needs and con­ warring parties, was promptly leaked to the outside, cerns). Last year saw a bitter battle over control of with grave harm to Israel's diplomatic position. the Religious Council in Jerusalem-and now the Ministry of Religion is trying to impose such a council Less serious, perhaps, but even more dramatic is the issue created by Isser Hare!, a leading member of Rafi upon Bnei Brak which so far has been spared this and former head of Shin-Beth (Israel's secret intelli­ blessing and certainly has not suffered as a result. gence corps). He made a public statement that the A few weeks ago a maS< demonstration of thousands reason microphones were hidden at one time in the of Bnai Brak inhabitants went on record against the office of Meir Ya'ari, the head of Mapam, was that, proposed innovation; but there is grave doubt that the out of a feeling of dual loyalty to what a leading party government is going to pay attention to their wishes.

20 The Jewish Observer / Septe1nber, 1969 The Ultimate Issue: "Clericalism" proach sensed in the mere existence of the Torah I have given some instances to show the strength of and its adherents. (No other explanation can account political partisanship in general, and the way in which for, say, the readiness of the general Israeli press to 1t often happens to interfere with religious interests. pick up the most ludicrous canards and misrepresenta­ But it is of course necessary to face the fact that the tions about religious Jews and issues, while the Hare! penchant for political infighting receives a particular, charges or the earlier espionage trials of several lead­ and mortally dangerous, twist when religion is the issue. ing members of the Left barely ripple the surface of It g~i~s a particular bitterness when nourished by the public opinion.) Seen in this light, the religious issues hostihty to the demands of Torah "clericalism" and dividing Israeli public opinion reflect a fundamental "religious coercion"- as the slogans go. This hostility conflict of worldviews. Thus the exemption of yeshiva is by no means as widespread as some would think; and students from military service is a test of whether we at times of national crisis it becomes submerged. Yet, believe that practical considerations, manpower sources at the same time, its existence and powerful influence military action, will decide our future---0r whether i~ must be realized. is determined by our Torah resources. The definition The roots of this hostility lie in some measure in of Jewish identity in Torah terms tests our under­ a lack of communication. Many outside the Torah standing of the Jewish people's unique nature and sector (and even many on its periphery who observe function in the world. The treatment of the Kosel mitzvos to a degree) simply do not understand what Hama'arovi as an "Orthodox synagogue" rather than all these "clerical" demands are about. When the Kib­ a national historic shrine (so shrilly protested by the butz Dati demands the conscription of yeshivoh stu­ general press) is a test of whether we think in modern rational terms---0r whether we see the world as G-d's dents; when. t~e conscription of women is approved by parts of rehg10us Jewry; or when, for instance, a cor­ world, in the Torah's perspective. respondent in Hatzofeh can disapprove of the fight against television on Shabbos and write that: How Can This Challenge Be Met? we have to avoid any division in Jewish society, What conclusions do we draw from this analysis? There whether between religious or non-reliigous can be no question about the need to continue the Jews ... ' and attempts to compel faith or a cer­ struggle for the recognition of the Torah's demands in tain way of life, any struggle 'lishmoh,' increases the public life of the State of Israel. This duty falls in the tensions and create undesirable antagonisms, the first place upon Torah Jewry in Israel-but it such views are due in part to our failure to make our­ needs our ideological and practical support-particu­ selves understood properly. But only in part! Even if larly at this time when elections to the Knesset are we were the greatest experts at public relations there coming up. would still be great difficulty in getting our vie;.,point But, if our analysis is correct, the political struggle accepted. for the maintenance of the "status quo"-let alone In the first place, our ideas are so very much in for the much more far reaching objective of a true conflict with those of modern liberal rationalist secular Torah State, which we after all must strive for­ materialistic society. Modern man has set himself up cannot truly succeed unless it is backed up by even as the measure of all things; he has developed sets of more determined educational efforts. This should not values and conduct in many respects utterly at variance be understood merely as applying to the education with Torah values. Even more: if he were to let him­ of our young. Needless to say, our Yeshivas, our self be convinced, he would logically have to take the Torah schools and Beth Jacob institutions, are our next step and surrender his self-determination to the most immediate concern. But what is needed, beyond authority of the Torah. From a self-governed individual, them, is an effort to reach all our fellow-Jews, what­ he would have to become one governed by Torah. ever age they may be. We must endeavor to convey Thus the Torah's teachings represent an implied to them, at this time of worldwide dissolution of stand­ "threat'' to man's independence-and thus, also, we ards, that we must see our world as subject to a Divine can understand the violence with which they are met. Creator . . . our People as united solely by G-d's "Why is Sinai called Sinai?" our Sages ask; and they Torah ... and all our problems as soluble only in its answer, "Because from there hostility (Sinah) descend­ spirit. ed into the world." Hence, also the classification of the This is a difficult undertaking-but we cannot shirk laws of the Torah as Mishpotim-"which human it. It must be realized that such recognition as Torah reason would have arrived at on its own"-and Chu­ demands did receive in the original "status quo" agree­ kim-"which the Yetzer Horah and the nations of the ment, was granted by men-like Ben Gurion or Gruen­ world rebel against." The most irrational arguments, baum-who had totally shaken off the "shackles of defensive and offensive, are used to ward off the re- tradition" hut still understood its reality and the need

The Jewish Observer / Septembg, 1969 21 to compromise with it.* The new generation of Sabras is a functioning philosophy of life effectively governing has no patience for political compromises. But it too al1 our individual, social, and communal activities. can be reached-if it is approached in the right manner. Beyond that, it takes persuasiveness, intelligence, and Proof of this fact are the many positive instances of uncompromising commitment to get our message across. religious flowering in Israel. It is not just the growth And last, but not least, it requires Siyato di'Shmayo, of yeshivas I refer to, but the fact that so many find Divine blessing and help, to which we can only aspire the way to their gates because they seek here the through our own intense dedication. answer to nagging spiritual emptiness and purposeless­ CAN IT COME ABOUT? Let us remember the situation ness. At a time when Hashomcr Hatza'ir conventions two years ago, at the time of the Six Day War-the wrestle with the agonizing fact that the idols of old great upsurge of religious emotion parallelling the have proven fake, can we fail to seize the opportunity utterly unexpected total victory in battle. Hopes ran to present the Torah's teachings?-to show a hope­ high that we might be at the threshold of true peace lessly confused society that Torah provides meaning? enjoyed by a nation united around its religious heritage. On such a basis we will not only be able to obtain Both these hopes have not been sustained. As the respect for the bare minimal demands of a "status spiritual upsurge was eroded by the wear and tear of quo," but an understanding that Torah is vitally in­ daily life, so also the fruits of the military victory be­ dispensable for the community and must indeed be its came more and more elusive. Is it presumptuous to governing authority. Of course such an effort is a suspect that there may be a link, as the proclamation difficult undertaking. It requires, in the first place, a readiness on our part to demonstrate that to us Torah of the Moetzes Gedolei Hatorah hints, that peace will truly be achieved as we recapture the spiritual stirrings (, In a press inteview, Interior Minister Moshe Shapiro recently of yore, nay, go beyond them to attain the spiritual told the story of an anti-religious delegation that called upon fulfillment of unity with Torah ... so that there will Ben-Gurion to demand that transportation services be permitted all over the country on Shabbos. Ben-Gurion replied, "I have be realized the Divine promise that "all the nations of to keen the status ouo," and added (in Yiddish), "Where one the earth will see that the name of G-d is called over used tO ride [like iO Haifa], one rides; where one didn't, one doesn't ride." youi and will fear you?" D

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22 The Jewish Observer I September, 1969 Chaim Shapiro A Russian Jew and his Tefilin

The Mesiras-Nefesh Yidden of Russia are well known. hungry. For me Shabbos was worst of all: my ration Thousands of Lubavitcher and Braslaver Chassidim, filled the foreman's stomach. But there was some com­ and other Russian Jews have for years risked their pensation: my "freedom of movement" as a 1nessenger lives to observe Yiddishkeit in the Soviet Union. This gave me a chance to search for edible mushrooms in is the story of my encounter with one of them. the forest. Some of the mushrooms were poisonous and the first week I nearly died. But I soon became expert The Ural Mountains which divide European Russia at finding the non-poisonous variety for which I con­ from the Siberian Tundra are full of minerals. The stantly searched. stones are reddish-brown; they are filled with copper, One Shabbos I discovered a mushroom plot, and was and just picking them up shows they are heavier than about to dismount my horse to check the "crop" when normal rocks their size. The region produces little a rifle shot rang through the forest narrowly missing food; instead of farms, small, primitive copper mines my horse. I soon discovered that the shot had come dot the countryside. The government in Moscow had from a Soviet prison camp surrounded by barbed-wire ordered the building of a massive railroad network to fences and machine gun posts. I took off as fast as my increase the mineral output of the area. This task was horse would go, in a hail of machine gun fire. assigned to Stroitelstvo 92 ( "92" we called it). White as a ghost I returned to my brigade. When I told my fellow workers what had happened they I had been "drafted" into this parn-military unit revealed to me that they were all ex-prisoners; I was which operated in sunny Kazakhstan. We had been the only Jew in the brigade, and the only one who had sent to Stalingrad to rebuild the entire rail system never been in prison. which the retreating Nazi armies had destroyed. Finish­ ing our job in Stalingrad, we were shipped to Sverd­ It was already late afternoon and I kept myself lovsk-Serov-Sosva in the Urals. busy attending my horse: wiping his sweat, watering and feeding him. I was waiting anxiously for the sun I tried to keep the mitzvos as best I could. Kashrus to go down and for the stars to proclaim the end of was not much of a problem-there was no meat avail­ Shabbos, when Govorov the foreman banded me some able at all. The big problem was Shabbos Kodcsh. The papers and snapped, 'Take these papers to the prison country was at war and was on a seven-day work camp," and with a laugh he added "go to the front week. J solved this problem for a while by bribing my entrance so they don't shoot you," and handed me foreman. a pass. You couldn't bribe anyone with money-a million rubles couldn't buy a pound of bread; besides, I had I approached the prison entrance cautiously. From a distance I waved my pass to the guard. Checking my 110 money. But I did have a payok, the daily ration card given to each man in "92." The foreman was pass, the guard pointed to the office building. I rode about as hungry as I was, and in exchange for my my horse slowly: just being in a Soviet prison camp, payok he assigned me to messenger duty on Shabbos even as a free man, gave me the shivers. Suddenly­ and I could keep chilul Shabbos to a minimum. So it was hard to believe at first-I heard someone singing every Shabbos, instead of building a railroad, I went a nigun. As I listened more carefully I could make about picking up reports from the various brigades out the words: "El ginas egoz yo-o-radi-tee." I made a and delivering them to the headquarters of "92." mental note of where the nigun was coming from and hurried off to the office. Delivering the papers I gal­ When the railroad advanced deeper into the forest, loped off to where I had heard the nigun. and the distance between us and the brigades increased, the foreman assigned a horse for my use. The daily ration was 800 grams a day. In addition, "Gut Shabbos a Yid" our daily meal was a bowl of ballanda, hot water with In the midst of a heavily-wooded area I found a a drop of vegetable oil dished out of a huge kettle with man sitting on the ground. His head and face were a lone potato floating in it. Everyone was constantly covered with hair-just his nose showed out. Under other circumstances his look would have terrified me, CHAIM SHAPIRO studied in the Yeshivas Lomza~Baranowich and Kan1enetz, and now lives in Baltimore, Maryland. but the words of Shir Ha'shirim and the sweetness of

The Jewish Observer / September, 1969 23 the nigun drew me close to him. As he heard my horse a prison camp on the Russo-Finnish border, and when approaching he stopped singing, and stuffed crumbs of the Nazis attacked Russia the camp had been moved to bread into his mouth. the Urals. The prison had been guarded by NKVD "Gut Shabbos a Yid"-I greeted him. Two sharp men, and he would never dare sing zmiros. But the eyes glimmered out of the bush of hair at me and my NKVD had been replaced by invalid war veterans who horse. were less inhuman. He feigned insanity and became the camp "idiot" which made it possible for him to "Nye ponimayo/' was his reply: "I don't under­ stand." avoid some Chilul Shabbos. Reluctantly, I explained to him that I couldn't come Had I been mistaken? The piece of white cloth lying the next day. He insisted I give him detailed instruc­ on the ground in front of him with a few crumbs of tions to get to my bunk. I begged him not to come; bread assured me I was right: he was enjoying his he would surely be shot trying to leave the prison Shalash Seudos! I quickly realized that he was fright­ grounds. ended; he must have thought I was some sort of na­ Ignoring my plea he said, "So, you want to learn chalnik, an official riding a horse. the nigun, ah? Let's sing b'kol d'momo dakoh." I dismounted, tied the horse to a tree, and sat down The sweetness of the nignn stirred my neshomo; its facing his white Shabbos cloth. meaning, the desperate circumstances, gave me the "/ch bin a Yid fun Poi/en," I said reassuringly, and strength, the uplifting I so badly needed. told him I had heard his beautiful nigun. He looked The posuk is in Shir Hdshirim: at me-petrified-not moving a muscle. He knew all the officials and prisoners in camp, he said, and he ,,,,,, lllN :nl'l ;N had never seen me before. I explained to him that I ,;nm 'lNl mNi; was from the outside. I took out my tefilin which were 1 cm~in l!:lm ,1!lm nni!ln always with me: "Do you think they would let a prisoner carry tefilin?-would a nachalnik carry •''lllll "1)1i' N; tefiJin?" The Medrash explains the posuk as part of a conver­ "For fifteen years I haven't put on tefilin"-tears sation between Kudsha-B'rich-Hu and Knesses Yisroel. dropped from his eyes. "Could you please come to­ Kav'yochol asks if Knesses Yisroel is ready for the morrow so I could put on your tefilin? he pleaded and Geula, and Kial Yisroel replies "Lo yodati Nafshi"­ mumbled to himself, "Shabbos Kodesh! Oy G-ttenyu, "I don't know." Then came these words in Yiddish: finally I have tefilin ... and iCs Shabbos." 1Vt>"l1Vl "ttn iv"'llWl'lN iv1 Twenty Years For Teaching Torah 1 1ll;ll~"l '1 1Vlllt t>'lil '11 •1llt>"i 1ll;)lt>>l ! ,~,,)11l'i' ,,~ 1lll)ll 1"'i' '11 When he calmed down, he told me he was Nachman ! 1ll=>"ili)l1 t>t<1 1ll~ 1lli' '1l Baranov, a Braslaver Chossid. He'd been convicted of •''lllll >!1)11' N; teaching Torah to Jewish children and sentenced to twenty years in prison. For fifteen years he'd been in THE NEXT MORNING, as I was finishing Shmone Esrai under my blanket I felt someone touch me. I'd been discovered wearing my tefilin, I thought. I ripped off the shel-rosh and stuck out my head. In the dim light ZEIREI AGUDATH ISRAEL of dawn I recognized the wild bush of hair. of CLEVELAND "Reb Nachman! You escaped?-you'll be shot" I cried out. takes pleasure in wishing a hearty Maze/ Tov "Shah" he whispered, "the gnard is right outside. to its Executive Board Member Let me have the tefilin-Hurry!" He climbed into my bunk. Standing guard along­ A VROHOM GERSHON TRESS side, I heard sobbing under the blanket. I put my hand on the blanket groping for his mouth to quiet him. The cloth was soaked with tears. I heard someone outside and rushed to the door. upon his marriage to A soldier was standing there with a rifle and bayonet Rochel Katz hanging from his shoulder, and chewing on a piece of bread.-Reb Nachman had bribed the gnard! Soon he was out of my bed, embracing me: "I'll see you tomorrow, same time." Again I begged him

24 The Jewish Observer / September, 1969 not to risk his life. Choking with tears he said, "for fifteen years I haven't put on tefilin. Now I have a chance-so I'll be hungry. You think this is the first Israel Esrogim Center time I've had to fast. They locked me up for seven days without food because I wouldn't chop wood on Shab­ CENTRAL DISTRIBUTOR FOR ISRAEL bos. Baruch Ha'Shem, I'm still living." ESROGIM IN THE U. S. A. AND CANADA I felt miserable: I hadn't a crumb to offer him; not • • • even a mushroom. Worse yet, when he came back to~ morrow I still wouldn't have any bread. It was the Israeli esrogim are especially beautiful end of the month and I had used up my ration, and this year. The Center makes them the new cards weren't issued till the first. During the available at the lowest prices. day I saw my "landsman"-we had been drafted to­ gether-with a piece of bread in his pocket. I begged Gedolei Torah from Israel and him to lend it to me till I got my new card. But he America urge every Jew to insisted on interest and finally settled for my evening provide himself with an bowl of soup. The next morning I looked out for Reb Nachman. Esrog From Israel. He came with the same guard. After davening I offered The Israel Esrog Center, him some of my bread. He wouldn't take it, and I followed him outside begging him to share my bread. on Manhattan's Lower East Side The guard screamed "Vozmee Durak" (Take it! Idiot!). brings together the outstanding dealers I realized the guard would then snatch it from Reb and orchard owners who are respon­ Nachman so I stuffed a chunk of bread into his mouth. For three weeks Reb Nachman never failed to turn sible for the sale of over 100,000 up, overjoyed with the mitzvo of tefilin. Then my bri­ esrogim each year. gade was transferred to the Serov district. I never saw Reb Nachman again. • • • On a visit to Jerusalem a few years ago I sang Reb ISRAEL ESROGIM CENTER Nachman's nigun for some Braslaver Chassidim and 123 DIVISION STREET they wrote it down. The nigun will live as long as there New York, N. Y. Tel. 267-8143 are Reb Nachman's around-ad bi'as ha'goel. D

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The Jewish Observer / Septeniber, 1969 25 not think was warranted. The whole service, he said 'was done with great dignity.'" Finkelstein pointed out that other parts of the service were Jewish and non-denominational and second looks that he had ended the service with the singing of 'Adon Olam.' As for the Doxology. he said firmly 'my at the jewish scene presence did not of course indicate in any way acquiescence in the idea.'" Dr. Finkelstein has been in the United States Jong enough and has had more than sufficient contact Interfaith at the White House with non-Jewish communities to understand the meaning of the word An invitation to the White House is in our opinion, was most unexciting. "inter-faith." Dr. Finkelstein, the difficult to turn down, regardless of More interesting than the sermon American Jewish Committee, the one's attitude to its present occu­ was the closing of the '"inter-faith" American Jewish Congress, and pant. The difficulty is compounded service with the singing of a Chris­ others in American Jewish life not­ when with the invitation goes the dis­ tian hymn. The next morning The withstanding, we live in a Christian tinction of being the first "rabbi in New York Times reported that Dr. society. When Christians speak of a history to conduct a worship service Finkelstein was aware that the ser­ service as being "inter-denomina­ in the Executive Mansion," in the vice would conclude with the Chris­ tional" or "inter-faith,'' they refer words of a UPI dispatch. We can tiafl hymn, and had raised no ob­ to a service which will not he ob­ therefore understand the willingness jeection. New York's Daily News jectionable to any of the two-hun­ of Dr. Louis Finkelstein, Chancel­ had a different story. Their head­ dred-odd Christian sects in America. lor of the Jewish Theological Semi­ lines read "INTER-FAITH BLOOPER Dr. Finkelstein had the choice of nary (Conservative) to conduct one AT WHITE HOUSE SERVICE," In a dis­ either politely declining the invi­ of the series of "inter4aith" services patch accredited to United Press tation, or tactfully requesting that being sponsored by President Nixon International, the report noted "a the same courtesy be extended to on Sunday mornings at the White Rabbi leading an inter-faith wor­ him which would normally be ex­ House. ship service for President Nixon tended to any clergyman participa­ The White House released a tran­ and his guests at the White House ting in the service, by the omission script of the remarks of the Presi­ was startled today when the Doxo­ of Christological elements. 0 dent and Dr. Finkelstein. In intro­ logy, an explicitly Christian hymn ducing Dr. Finkelstein, the Presi­ was sung. dent said, "we are most honored "Rabbi Louis Finkelstein of New this morning to have one of the York ... maintained a tight-lipped ATTENTION: most distinguished religious leaders silence during the singing of the of our time." But the President did Doxology, which concluded: 'praise Teachers and Principals not make such a sweeping statement father, son and Holy Ghost.' without backing it up: "/ can say "The Christian concept of a Tri­ You can help your students to keep that not only because he has been nitarian God is offensive to the Jews informed on Jewish affairs with a one of the few religious leaders who , . , A usual practice in inter-faith

26 The Jewish Observer I September, 1969 site was scrutinized by several Rab­ The Mikvah at Massada binic authorities well versed in the When the president of an Orthodox and small towns of the European laws of Mikvah construction and shul in a small town was asked why continent. It is probably in this way use, it was found that the structure he keeps his store open on Shabbos, that Average Jew, U.S.A. views the had indeed been built in precise ac­ he is said to have replied 'Vos far institution of Mikvah and the body cord with the Halachah as it is a Y om T ov iz Shabbos?" Outland­ of laws surrounding it. Such an un­ known today. ish as this may seem, this attitude intellectual-to say the least-ap­ The gallant defenders of Mas­ is not uncommon among many proach can not always be refuted sada, who died almost 2,000 years Jews today. Many of the most sac­ by citing chapter and verse. ago in defense of Jewish dignity red institutions of Jewish life, many In the course of recent archeo­ have become in the eyes of a secu- of the most basic mitzvos, are look­ logical excavations at Massada, a 1arized Jewry "national heroes." To ed upon as an appendage of "shtetl series of three pools were uncovered those of us who study Jewish law Judaism" which became part of which after closer examination and the Jewish past from a Chu­ Jewish life in the narrow ghettoes proved to be a Mikvah. When the mash, these discoveries are, while intriging, of only passing interest. However to the Jew who believes that Jewish identity can be divorced Usher In the New Year 5730 With Carmel Wines from Jewish tradition and faith-in a word, separated from Torah­ And Usher In a Good Year For All Israel there is sufficient cause to ponder the implications of the knowledge that the defenders of Massada lived by Torah and were fighting for the UlllftlEL right to continue to live by Torah. SINCE 1882 The most f>Tized r 1 Imparted Wines, Yours for Champagnes and Liquors To prove it the asking «1e' ve got the Delicious GLATT KOSHER Break­ GOLD MEDALS fast, Lunch, Dinner served to you .from all over the world by most Airlines at no extra cost. The Gold Medal is the When arranging for your next air traditional award far trip be sure. request 11 Schreiber excellence Kosher Air Meals." Available in Carmel has been the over 50 cities. recipient of Gold Medals since 1882 Prepared under Rabbinical super· l:i\.U vision of the Union of Ortbodol( ~ No wonder CARMEL products Jewish Congregations. U, S. Govern- are the popular ment ln,specled. ~favorites with connoisseur$ ~-"--"------• SWEET WINES • TABLE WINES • DESSERT WINES •VERMOUTHS '/'hf' only win .. s and liquorz prl'­ •CHAMPAGNES dt.ud and bolt/rd In /a"in#d •BRANDY Richan U-Z/on, Zkhron Jacob, Iuaf'I since J882 • WISHNIAK e SLIVOVITZ c;.:r1i1ied Strictly K<»hf'r by the Chif'f Rabbim1t1H>/ l•l'

The Jewish Observer / Septen1ber, 1969 27 ------~-~--- ~ ~ ----

God In All Seasons ANSWER A New Work By Shubert Spero THE EMERGENCY APPEAL

These tenty sermons and essays­ while the Orthodox motivation OF THE GEDOLEI TORAH dealing with Rosh Hashanah, Yom runs like a grossamer thread Kippur, Sukkot, Hanukkah, Purim, through practically all the ser­ FOR THE WORLD-FAMOUS Pesah, Yorn Ha-Atzmaut, and mons, parochial dogmatism is by Shavuot-reflect an incisive mind and large eschewed. In listening and a profoundly dedicated Jew­ to these sermons, Rabbi Spero's MIRER YESHIVA ish heart. They are sophisticated, congregants must certainly have scholarly, Torah oriented, and of­ enjoyed a spiritual and intellectual founded by ten challenging. Both the thinking treat. Rabbi Kalmanowitz and writing are excellent, and -from a review in the JWB Circle Avrohom :i:ii:i? p>;~ i:it

TRADITIONAL EDUCATIONAL ASSOCIATION 11 West 42nd Street, New York, N. Y. 10036 Becauoe of the great influx of Tal­ Please send me-.... . ···-- ...... copies of God In Al! Seasons. midim from all corners of the earth - including a large number from I enclose $...... North African countries, and be­ NAME ... couse of the building of the new I ADDRESS ...... four-story addition, the yeshiva is I now faced with an unbearable finan­ l,_ci_:.Y::::: ------_::::~TATE:::::_ - :::~I"_ N_o.~:::: - - _I cial crisis which only you and other friends of Torah can help them to From: The Crown of Torah Publication Society of America carry. (Haskomos from Rosbci Yeshiva) Make your contribution now in The Americun Levite: A Philosophy of the Yeshiva: honor of the New Year and be· Career, College, Kolle!, Education of the come a partner in this great Jewish Masses, Bitochon (Faith) - $2.00 Torah institution. Dear Robert: A Jewish College Student Seeks the Great Truths From a Talmudist (2nd Ed.) - $.60 Send your contribution to: Dear Chaim: Judaism in the Space Age - $1.20 ROSH HASHONO A Series by DAVID EIDENSOHN (Half price for Students) RESCUE CAMPAIGN WRITE TO OUR NEW ADDRESS: 7 Elliot Court, Monsey, N. Y. Mirer Yeshiva BOOK REVIEWS AND 1791 OCEAN PARKWAY I.ETTERS TO THE EDITOR MOVINC? BROOKLYN, N. Y. HAVE BEEN OMITTED Be sure to notify us in DUE TO LACK OF Telephone: NI 5-0536 advance so that your copies SPACE. THEY WILL APPEAR will continue to reach you. IN OUR NEXT ISSUE.

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The Je1vish Observer / Septen-1ber, 1969 29 47th NATIONAL AGUDATH OVERFLOW CROWD AT ISRAEL CONVENTION TO SUMMER TORAH 'O EXPLORE ISSUES CONFERENCE IN CATSKILL MOUNTAINS A thorough airing of Agudist policies in this country and in Israel will take place A huge audience overflowed the main UNITED at the 47th National Convention of auditorium of Camp Agudah in Fern~ Agudath Israel of America, to open on dale, New York, at the first Summer Torah Conference sponsored by Agu­ Thursday afternoon (Thanksgiving Day) Chevra Kadisha dath Israel of America to give Catskill D' chasidim • Har Hamnuchot November 27th and continuing through Mountain vacationers several hours of Sunday evening. The three-day conven­ Founded 1856 spiritual uplift. They heard inspiring ad­ tion, which will take place at the Pio­ dresses from three distinguished Torah neer Country Club in Greenfield Park, leaders: the venerable Rosh Yeshiva, BURIAL IN JERUSALEM New York, will be addressed by dis­ Rabbi MOSHE FEINSTEIN, the Telshe tinguished leaders of Orthodox Jewry Rosh Yeshiva, Rabbi BORUCH SOROTZKIN, AND ALL CEMETERIES IN ISRAEL from every part of the world, including and the Bostoner Rebbe, Rabbi MOSHE the Torah authorities who comprise the HOROWITZ. Rabbi YAAKOV GOLDSTEIN, Moetzes Gedolei Ha'Torah. chairman of Agudath Israel's Educa· tion Committee, chaired the event. ;maal1n sakoOesh The biennial National Conventions of the American Agudath Israel move­ PIRCHEI LEADERS' society ment have in recent years become one 44 CANAL ST. of the most colorful gatherings ever CONVENTION NEW YORK CITY 10002 witnessed in this country, bringing to­ MAPS EXPANSION PLANS gether Torah Jews from every walk of An ambitious expansion program was Nr. E. Broadway Sta. "F" Train life, and every shade of the spectrum undertaken at the closing session of the of Orthodox opinion, united by a com­ National Convention of the Pirchei Agu­ mon loyalty to Torah views as formu­ dath Israel Leaders Council, held over Day & Nite Phone lated by the Gedolei 'forah. Registra­ the Labor Day weekend in Camp Agu­ WA 5-2277 tion applications for the Convention are dah. The Convention's chief guest over now being accepted at the National Shabbos was the Telshe Rosh Yeshiva. Headquarters of Agudath Israel, 5 Beek­ Rabbi MORDECHAI GIFTER who addresi;ed In Canada: man Street, New York City. Registration the young Agudist leaders several times on the unique responsibilities of Ortho­ Chevra Kadisha closed at the last convention two weeks dox youth and the special responsibilities ef United Jewish Congregations before the opening day, and the Con­ vention Committee has issued a special of the Yeshiva student in the current critical period for Kial Yisroel. Among Montreal Tel.: 273·3211 request that reservations be made with­ the speakers at the Convention were: out delay in order to assure facilities. Rabbi JERUCHEM GOREI"IK and Rabbi MOSHE NEUMAN. The Agudah Admin­ istration was represented by Rabbi Bo­ ISRAEL INTERMENTS RUCH B. BORCHARDT, Rabbi JOSHUA Sn,­ BERMINTZ, newly elected National Di-

RIVERSIDE SERVICES ARRANGED IH MEMORIAL CHAPEL, INC. YOUR COMMUNITY 76th STREET & AMSTERDAM AVENUE, N. Y. C. Tel. EN Z-6600 Norman L. Jeffer SHLOMO SHOULSON Announces: COMMUNITY CHAPELS, With a feeling of Responsibility and Personal Vigilance we make all Inc. necessary arrangements for BURIAL IN MEDINAT YISRAEL at ALL cemeteries. Everything is done with the greatest exactitude and accord­ 47th Street & Ft. Hamilton Parkway ing to Jewish Law. Brooklyn Phone UL 3-4000 SOLOMON SHOULSON • CARL GROSSBERG DIRECTORS Mikvah under Supervision of Chapels Throughout New York, Miami Beach & Miami Bikur Cholim of Bora Park

30 The Jewish Observer / Septe1nber, l96Y- rector of Pirchei Agudath Israel, and ir.innni i:m:m n:11" m..,, Rabbi SvscHE HEscHEL. The newly elect­ i:in:in n:11" ni..,, ed administration is headed by SHIMON Shona Tova Greetings to All our MR. & MRS. JACOB KESTENBAUM ZWEIG' President, and EZRIEL REICHMAN. Relatives, Friends and Kial Yisroel Chairman of the Board. & FAMILY NEW BUILDING OPENED BY BORO PARK MR. & MRS. DAVID J. LIPINS i:in:in n:n" m..,, AGUDATH ISRAEL Cleveland, Ohio MR. & MRS. CHARLES F. BAUMAN The huge three-story building erected by Agudath Israel of Boro Park on 14th ir.innm i:in:in n:11" m..,, A venue near 46th Street opened its doors on Shabbos Slichos. Mr. ABRAHAM n:i1" nr.i,nn1 n:i,n:i CANTOR & MRS. MAURICE CASUTO PLOTZKER, branch president, declared DANIEL Y. & CHAVIE CARLEBACH Extend greetings to all that this new edifice which is centrally and son AVROHOM YOSEF air-conditioned and has spacious facili­ for a Shonah Tovah ties for Zeirei and Pirchei Agudath Israel, will enable the Boro Park chapter of Agudath Israel to enter its second quarter century with a steeply increased ability to service the Torah needs of the com­ I found the story about the water munity. clof'k quite interesting - Albert Einstein PICTORIAL ODDITIES A first class delight and testifies to Think LEITER the depth of your scholarly re­ for all your search - Pierre Van Paasen SUKKOTH NEEDS FROM HEBRAIC LITERATURE ESSROGIM The hook wiU serve to impart a deeper appreciation for Hebrew O'~lil"l~ 'iV11~~~' lore - Sam Levenson t:l':J:lil!:l 'M'>:: •Kil O'~lil"l~ ~P~i~~ Many of these episodes have for ti•::i:iiir.i 'l'l5:l •N1l centuries served as a source of in· l:l' ~lil"lN '5Niz.'' 'f'iN spiration - Joshua Bloch, Former O't:'°>lt:'c ti•oi;i - ti•c;t::> o•::i5i5 Chief Jewish Divi..-;ion, N.Y. Public OVOi'~:l -- OJV:l - il15Nt:'"i' Sukkoh Decorations Library Wholesale Retail I have read and re·read your Pie· torial Oddities - Harry Hershfield Price: $2.00 plus '25 eenfs for postage. M:D10 Send money order or check {no cash) Exciting, enlightening, brilliant. All this jewelry. It should enrich every to' ODDITIES book shelf in the land ~ Barry P.O. Box 94 Farber, lr7 0R Kensington Station Special discount for organizations. BHyo, N.Y. 11218 Write for personal appearances by the author to enhance your organization's undertakings.

ll$til1~s9999 10 t:ii•i1$Cl1PN · Tiie loolt of P111/1111 i::o i:i:c~:i .V"iti t:l'r.i ,t:i•5!0!:ll$i' rv511t:ic>1lti•1N '~'i' i'1Yt .5~"!Jl:l'N t:li'."~l1J t:lil/11 WITH TABLE FOR GEMATRIC INTERPRETATIONS bVf"D .Villi~~ ~'1K 11$~ 1'f t:l'Vit iH:11$i:l iV"it lH~ Chaim Leiter's By SOLOMON LENCHITZ Prefabricated Packaged Sukkohs Price: $5.00 Factory and Show Room Send money order or check {no cash) to: 2281 Church Ave., cor. Bedford Tels. 282-6655 & 282-6656 GEMATRIC Local Stores P.O. Box 94 4310 14th Avenue Kensington Station 317 Kingston Ave., cor. Union St. Haskamah by Rabbi D.Z. Silberstein BHyo, N.Y. 11218 44 Lee Ave., bet. Rross & Wilson Chief Rabbinate, Tel-Aviv, Israel Brooklyn, New York

The Jewish Observer / September, 1969 31 free : while they last

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The Gallery includes portraits of the Chofetz Chaim, R' Chaim Soleveitchik, R' Chaim Ozer Grodzenski, R' Eliezer Gordon, R' Meier Shapiro, R' Isser Zalmon Meltzer, R' Yoseph Chayim Sonnenfeld, R' Elchonon Wasserman, the Gerer Rebhe, and the Czortkover Rehbe. O Each portrait is reproduced on special, heavy stock, 1naking them ideal for framing to adorn your home. O The Gallery has been prepared especially for us in a limited e

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