Rabbi Ze'ev Kraines

The Guy At The Next Computer Terminal

an interest in Jewish learning. or who have been referred. The ]rum co-worker can. over a long period, bring out an interest that is in its first. uncertain stages. So much of the ice-breaking that is necessary between a rabbi and a non-observ­ ant Jew has already taken place be­ tween co-workers. The professional kiruv teacher must cultivate a \ rapport through meetings at weekly and monthly intervals; the "non­ professional" can be a constant in­ formal influence. True. not every religious Jew is suited for the multifaceted mitzva of kiruv rechokim His non-observ­ ant brother may be puzzled by the most elementary fundamentals of Jewish belief and require a teacher who can deal with his questions t's not unusual these days to challenge being met by these ded­ with the sensitiVity and sophistica­ hear of non-observant Jews icated few. there are countless tion that come from experience. He I meeting over lunch in a posh opportunities in the workplace that may also need specialized personal midtown office for a Parsha talk go unanswered. Certainly. the suc­ counsel to help him make a smooth given at lunchtime by some noted cess of "office kiruv" presents a transition to observance. He cer­ Jewish educator. Jn fact, there are stirring challenge for the growing tainly will require a consistent role now several organizations in Man­ number of yeshiva-educated Jews model of religious integrity. and not hattan alone that specialize in who find themselves behind the every ]rum person will feel comfor­ outreach to the non-observant pro­ blinking "shtender." table in that position. fessional at his workplace. Actually, on many counts the There is one isolated aspect of But, let's face It. For every teaching "non-professional" outreach teach­ kiruv, however, that is our sacred er has an advantage over the itin­ responsibility, with all our imperfec­ Rabbi Ze'ev Krahles, a former co-director of the erant office rabbi. The professional tions. In fact. it is part of our daily Jewish Learning Exchange in Monsey, ls pres­ ently Assistant Rabbi in Brtth Sholom Beth Israel generally comes in contact only with commitment in the "Shema Yis­ Congregation in Charleston, South Carolina. people who have already expressed raer·: learning Torah with our fellow

The Jewish Observer. April 1989 11 Jew. As we study together. we are Readers of The Jewish Observer not setting ourselves up as a holy will surely remember Rabbi Moshe sage, for we are engaged in some­ As we study together, Feinstein's now famous call to thing "bigger than the both of us." religious Jewry to give maaser (a If we are unschooled in the special we are not setting our­ tenth) of their time for outreach skills of outreach, we should simply teaching, just as they give of their limit our teaching to areas in which selves up as a holy sage, resources. In an address to Zeirei we feel confidence. for we are engaged in Agudath Israel (JO June '73, reprinted in the recent 25th Anni­ something "bigger versary issue), Reb Moshe ruled: THE OBLIGATION than the both of us." ''.As in charity, where one has an obligation to give O(le tenth ef his hough a cursory reading of income to the poor, so must one the Rambam in Hilchos Tal­ spend a tenth of his time working deduced: there is a man who mud Torah might lead us to if on behalf ef others. bringing them T understands the Torah. he should believe that the mitzva to teach closer to the Torah. if one is en­ one's fellow Jews in only incumbent bestow itfor his own wisdom shall dowed with greater resources, he increase ... and who does so will upon scholars, 1 the Vilna Gaon in must correspondingly spend more surely be rewarded. ... 3 his commentary on the same hala­ ef his time with others." 2 cha in Shulchan Aruch brings Rabbi Simcha Wasserman '""'''"' To Its credit, the world of the sources that clearly obligate every has many times taught publicly that yeshiva has produced most of the Jew to share of his Torah wlth the the GRA cites this Midrash to show dedicated teachers and volunteers less fortunate. One of the Midra­ that even if a Jew has a loaf for in outreach today. But Reb Moshe's shim the Gaon quotes is based on himself. he must give a part of it to call was to every Jew who had the a passage which we read in the his fellow Jew. good fortune of receiving a Torah Haftorah ofYom Kippur. Indeed, one does not need to be education to share of his treasure a scholar to teach a Jew " ... the with others. "Slicefor the hung111 your bread . .. " Shema and the tefilla. and teach Clearly. there are great numbers (Isaiah 58,7): There is no hunger him every day one pasuk and one of yeshiva-educated working men like he who hungers for words of halacha and encourage him in the and women who love the Torah and Torah and there is no bread but mitzvos ...... as the cited Midrash their people no less than their peers words ef Torah ... From here they goes on to enumerate. in chinuch. Is it not the natural expression of love of Torah study to want to introduce others to the beloved? Why then do we feel AN URGENT REMINDER unequal to the task of the outreach FROM tithe? CHEVRA DOR YESHORIM THE OBSTACLES he sad truth is that many YOUNG PEOPLE OF MARRIAGEABLE AGE MUST BE TESTED religious Jews. in order to in order to prevent the scourge of Tay-Sachs disease from striking the next T survive in a hostile culture. generation. in accordance with the directives of the Gedolei Hadar. have placed religion together wlth politics-safely off the list of SCHOOLS and YESHIVOS: approved topics of conversation Please call 718-384-2332 if you are wlth their non-observant brethren. interested in having testing done for students. Their experience has shown that the Genetic counseling is also available. non-observant co-worker might very Call for an appointment: well react defensively and even angrily as such discussions inevit­ (718) 384-6060 or (914) 783-1370 ably point out his own lack of Confidentiality assured. commitment. The religious Jew might rightly assume that his fellow CHEVRA DOR YESHORIM, INC. is very far from changing his lifestyle 160 Wilson Street. 1-B, Brooklyn, NY 11211 to honor the strictures of Jewish tradition. These concerns, however. do not negate the prospects that the

12 The Jewish Observer, April 1989 estranged Jew might very well desire THE POTENTIAL STUDENTS bear fruits in his greater observance his own special part in the study of of the mitzvos. Though we may the Torah. Our sages tell us that t is unfortunate that many mis­ never have the ego trip of being able whoever studies Torah in front of takenly feel that only the Jew to claim credit for our office mate's an Ignorant Jew is considered as if I who seems to have the potential total transformation, the influence he had violated his betrothed in to change his life around fully is a of our Torah With surely be felt in front of him.4 No matter how distant likely candidate for outreach work. myriads of ways that we don't have a Jew may seem from Judaism, he College students and JeWish cult­ to be aware of. "A little bit of light may still be stirred by the authentic members should not be the only pushes away a lot of darkness." expertence of Torah. market for the Torah's message. To Many an observant Jew in the Frankly, not every discussion of encourage any Jew to begin Torah workplace is afraid to get involved religion must pose a threat to the study is in itself a great accomplish­ with a co-worker, because that secular Jew. Though much of the ment and Will in almost every case involvement might brtng to broader matertal covered in a JeWish edu­ cation relates to the practical obser­ vance of the mitzvos, there is a good deal of attractive and engaging subjects and texts that will not 1270 48th Street. 718-633-3005 directly challenge his life-style, but Brooklyn .N.Y.11219 718-435-1041 Will most assuredly influence him for the good. Just as we ourselves have studied areas in the Talmud that have little bearing on our practical behavior, in the belief that fORYOV every contact With the divine word Who Admires the Challengins and Values the Ullie{m'!, Who Drizeg the Oare and &elecU the Meaningful. has an ennobling effect. so must we You Will Delight-Ill ... have faith that religious issues need not be tackled head on in order to brtng our brethren back to obser­ vance. In the words of the Midrash: 3112 DAYS "... let them forsake Me, yet study My Torah, because as they engage At t'hc Yarc'hci Ralla'h Seminar: in it the light Within it Will return h program presented with Hair and real caring thal cater. lo YOU them to the good."5 to helping you. to encouraging you lo gauge the vistas of your potential. Nor should the religious Jew be SPEAKERS: Harav Ezricl Tauberj<"tl'"" embarrassed to tell his learning Harav.Shim&bon Pinc••J<"~ •.,., partner that he doesn't feel qualified Harav Yiorael Rakovsky J<"tl'.,"' to handle sensitive questions about Rebbetzin Tcbila Yager "'1)1 JeWish faith. He should simply state that having been raised in a reli­ gious environment, he either was Come To Yarchei Kallah Seminar #23 not bothered by the questions or has When: May 25-28 :si1pn:i J11'>:J J1:i1' solved them for himself in ways that Thursday afternoon till Sunday evening he finds difficult to verbalize. There Where: The Jackson Hotel. Long Beach. N.Y. are so many books available that deal With these types of questions in an enjoyable way that one may The Jack~• llotcl offer. special fealure• and convenience. You'll relax in easily refer the inquisitive student lhespociou• beautiful &urrounding&. while every de toil i& tokencare of by lhe to these resources and not have to graciou• hosts. handle every question himself. Many observant Jews have turned To .Register Call: their uneasiness With answertng 718-435-1041. 718-633-4095. 718c633-3005. hashkaja questions into a positive 1-914c356c3515. learning challenge. In the process of &halhevel ha• leclure&every week-oighl by reknown speakers&uch as, Harav meeting that challenge, they have Ezriel Tauber J<"""'"'· Harav Shlomo Brevd•J<"""~l!I. introduced themselves to a new Harav Yehuda Oelbaum.J<•I?•.,.,. world of seforim and sQ[rim that Shalhevel. 1270 48(h Street. Office Hours: 12·4 Weekday&. have brightened up their own appre­ ciation of Torah.

The Jewish Observer. April 1989 13 social interaction. He may feel that encounter with Aramaic. For him, It is in the best interest of his family the Steinsaltz edition of the Talmud to insulate them from the pop Is it not the natural with its punctuation and vocali­ culture within which most non­ zation could be quJte refreshing. observant Jews live. He may likely expression of love of There is always the possibility of fear the sticky kashrus problems Torah study to want to having the student follow the argu­ that could arise, should his student ments without a text as the teacher wish to reciprocate the hospitality introduce others to the presents them, but this may prove offered to him. Moreover, he may beloved? Why then frustrating In a sugya of even simply be too busy with the respon­ average complexity. Many outreach sibilities of family, livelihood and should we feel unequal educators resort to the ultimate personal learning to take on an to the task of outreach? yeshiva no-no: photocopies pages of adopted kinw family. If these are his the handy-dandy Sonclno transla­ concerns, he is free to limit himself tion. Given the time and skill lim­ to a learning relationship and per­ itations of the working person on haps ultimately direct his partner FormanyJews, then,simplygoing lunch break, its path of instant to a kiruv professional or organiza­ through an ArtScroll Siddur with enlightenment may be the wise one. tion who can meet his student's them, in English or in Hebrew, is other needs. Alternatively, he may an ideal learning relationship. There find that opening one's home to a is so much new information in the BEYOND GEMORA fellow Jew enriches one's life and the Siddur for the average beginner, lives of one's family (as long as the that one does not have to strain to aimonides is a well-respect­ dust of avoda zara is left on the recall all the vertlach in one's ed figure In the general doormat).6 repertoire. Again, it is never a crime Msociety and it has a good to be frank with your student and ring when you ask an intellectual WHAT TO LEARN admit that you either don't know if he'd like to study his thought in how to answer his question, or have the original or even in English. Try firmly believe that most edu­ forgotten. the introduction to the Mishne cated Jews require no reminder Of course, there will be many Jews Torah, the laws of Klddush Hashem ! of their obligation to share of whose road to Judaism will not lead (Yesodei HaTorah 5 ), selected chap­ their Torah with others and no through davening. They will be ters in Hilchos Deios and Hilchos reassurances about the possible drawn to Jewish study at first purely Teshuva. the first chapters of Hil­ negative effects of starting up a for its intellectual stimulus. Though chos Avoda Zara and Tefil!a, which relationship with a non-observant the mussar implications of this ir­ have all been translated. The laws brother. They simply have no tech­ reverent approach may put off many of Sanhedrin are often fascinating nical experience in how one goes a prospective teacher, the sages of to a beginner, especially to attor­ about learning with a beginner. Israel were not daunted by it.' neys, and the laws of tzeddaka Many may have the impression Though mental aerobics is certainly (Matnos Aniim 7-10) have a broad that the first thing a beginner is not the ultimate goal of Torah edu­ appeal. These translations are not interested in Is proof of the Torah's cation, it is certainly one of the more as readily available, but a Jewish veracity. Though, to be sure. there tried and true she'lo lishma mot­ librarian could certainly help you are kiruv organizations that accen­ ivations that have brought Jews to locate them. Again, one could always tuate these issues, it is my expe­ lishma. learn from a Hebrew text and pro­ rience that, perhaps unfortunately, A natural vehicle for the intellec­ vide a running translation. these are not pressing issues for the tually active beginner is Talmud Ironically. Chumash is one of the average American Jew. The recent study, with the excitement of Its hardest texts to teach to a beginner. success of Hebrew reading crash controversy and the rigor of its logic. Though the emunos and deos that courses and beginner's services It is also a natural teaching instru­ we absorb from Rashi study as across the country are clear indica­ ment for those of us who spent more children are central to Jewish con­ tions that our brethren are more time with a Gemora than with sciousness, the colorful Midrashim likely to simply be embarrassed by Siddur commentary! Technically, that we treasure may seem Incom­ their lack of familiarity with the however, it is also the most difficult prehensible to the beginner. If one rudiments of Jewish identity and text to teach in the work Is not ready to deal with statements knowledge. It is generally only after environment. such as "I think Rashi's wrong," he the Jew, through learning, begins to The Jew with a bit of a back­ should choose carefully with whom realize that he should really be more ground who will usually delight In he'll learn Chumash. observant, that he becomes con­ remembering little phrases of his Fortunately, we live In an age cerned about the objective truthful­ Hebrew as he goes over the Siddur, where more and more texts are ness of the Torah. will generally be discouraged by his available in English. Many begin-

14 The Jewish Observer, April 1989 ners will find It enjoyable to learn great rewards stored away in the So the next time you see Shmerl through a tractate of Mishna either world-to-come for those who teach at the water cooler. try: 'You know. in Hebrew or English. Always let the Hashem's Torah to others, the Jew I've been meaning to ask you ... student do some of the reading to who teaches finds his own learning have you read this book?" lt'sagood grant him the dimension of being deepened In the process. Spending one-liner; one that Avraham Avinu Involved In the oral tradition. Let so many hours in the sterile envir­ would be proud of. • him read the simple Hebrew texts onment of the corporate workplace, it certainly is uplifting to know that 1. Mishna Tomh. Hilchos Talmud Torah 1:2: It as often as possible. Reading a He­ is a mil2va on each and every chacham to teach brew text, however haltingly, means one's presence may be instrumental every- student. having a relationship with one's in effecting a kiddush Hashem. 2. Y.D. Hilchos Melamdim 245:3 Biyur HaGRA ad hoc 5. heritage and somehow connecting As Torah-educated Jews, we have 3. Tanna Dvei Eliyahu Ch. 27:1 (author's with Jews across the generations so much to offer the world of steel translation}. who have studied the same texts. and glass. There are so many hungry 4. Pesachim 49b. 5. Pesichta Eich a Rabba 2 {author's translation). The true beneficiary of all this is, souls who wait to share our bread 6. See Rashi Bereishis 18.4. of course. the teacher. Besides the at lunch-break. 7. See Michtav MeEliyahu Volume III, pp. 362-3.

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The Jewish Observer, April 1989 15 'Ifie Fddheim Collection of Haggados: Let Us Join You at Your Seder.

THE SEPHARDI HAGGADAH by Rabbi Jonathan Cohen A Contemporary Classic The text includes an English translation, traditional commentary and a complete guide to the laws of Pesach and the seder according to the Sephardi Minhag. THE LEHMANN HAGG ADAH by Rabbi Marcus Lehman This popular haggadah is known for its rich and ex­ pansive commentary; an in­ spiring text worth studying not only Pesach-but all year round. THEKAFRA HAGGADAH This full color, illuminated Haggadah written in beautiful calligraphic script is an ideal gift-and it's attractively priced! THE CHILDREN'S HAGGADAH by A.M. Silverman A perennial favorite with children at the seder: large print, full text, full trans­ Drawn from Hirsch's classic commentaries to lation-and full color, pull out illustrations! Chumash, Tehillim, & Siddur, as well as from the famous Nineteen Letters, Chorev and the SECRETS OF THE HAGGADAH Collected Writings, this magnificent selection is by Rabbi Matisyahu Glazerson deftly interwoven with the Haggtu:lah text­ With his insightful analysis of providing readers with a unique and memorable Hebrew letters and numbers, learning experience. Rabbi Glazerson sheds light on the more mystical aspects of The English text is newly translated and Pesach and the Seder night. tu:lapted for the modern reader making Hirsch's YAY'NO SHEL TORAH by Rabbi Binyomin Adler profound ideas easily accessible to all. This contemporary classic draws upon the wisdom of many Sages throughout the centuries, compiling their insights into a Hardcover $15.95 Paperback $12.95 choice selection-brief and easy to follow. In Hebrew only.