A PUBLICATION OF THE RABBINIC ALUMNI OF THE ISAAC ELCHANAN THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY • AN AFFILIATE OF UNIVERSITY CHAVRUSA Volume 47 • Number 1 אין התורה נקנית אלא בחבורה (ברכות סג:) September 2012 • Tishrei 5773

YU-Puah Online Course Community in Focus: in Reproductive Health Southfield, MI and Halacha Page 18 Page 5 In This Issue

Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary Richard M. Joel Page 5 YU-Puah Online Course in President, Reproductive Health and Halacha Rabbi Dr. Chancellor, Yeshiva University Rosh HaYeshiva, RIETS

Rabbi Joel M. Schrieber Chairman of the Board of Trustees, RIETS

Page 16 Special Feature Rabbi Musings of a Mourner Max and Marion Grill Dean, RIETS By Rabbi Eliav Silverman Rabbi Kenneth Brander David Mitzner Dean, Center for the Jewish Future

Rabbi Menachem Penner Associate Dean of Operations

Rabbi Dean Emeritus, RIETS Special Advisor to the President on Yeshiva Affairs Page 19 Special Feature Community in Focus: Rabbi Robert Hirt Southfield, MI Vice President Emeritus, RIETS

Rabbi Chaim Bronstein Administrator, RIETS

Rabbi Adam Berner • Rabbi Binyamin Blau Rabbi Kenneth Hain • Rabbi Elazar Muskin Page 3 In Pictures Page 10 Recently Published Books Recent Events at Rabbi Moshe Neiss • Rabbi Dr. Shlomo Rybak Yeshiva University Rabbi Shmuel Silber • Rabbi Perry Tirschwell Page 15 Special Feature Rabbi Elchanan Weinbach • Rabbi Howard Zack Rabbinic Alumni Implications of Gynecological Page 7 Procedures on Hilchot Recognition of dues paying Rabbi Eliezer Zwickler By Rabbi Gideon Weitzman, Yeshiva University Rabbinic Advisory Committee members and Amud Director, Machon Puah, Hamusmakhim CHAVRUSA Page 8 Divrei Chizuk Page 23 Special Feature A Publication of RIETS Rabbinic Alumni Ayin Tovah Can Divorce be Civil? By Rabbi Assaf Bednarsh By Rabbi Menachem Rosenfeld Rabbi Ronald L. Schwarzberg Director, The Morris and Gertrude Bienenfeld Page 9 Book Review Department of Jewish Career Development Kuntres Yerach Tov Page 25 Special Feature and Placement By Rabbi Elchanan Adler Mythology and History in Their Reviewed by Rabbi Times and Places Rabbi Levi Mostofsky Raphael Stohl By Rabbi Zev Eleff Editor-in-chief, CHAVRUSA Page 29 Lifecycles Noson Waintman Editor, CHAVRUSA Ms. Keren Simon Editorial Policies Assistant Editor, CHAVRUSA • CHAVRUSA will consider articles and letters for publication. Rabbi Robert Shur • Books authored by musmakhim that are reviewed by musmakhim will be considered for Graphics and Layout, CHAVRUSA publication as well. CHAVRUSA is published by the Rabbinic Alumni of the Rabbi Isaac • Obituaries about and authored by musmakhim will be considered for publication. Elchanan Theological Seminary, through the office of Yeshiva University’s • CHAVRUSA aims to maintain the Hebrew pronunciation style of the author of the article. Center for the Jewish Future. Yeshiva University’s Center for the Jewish Transliterations follow the author’s preference i.e. academic, Ashkenazic, modern Hebrew Future serves as the community service arm of the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan or the like. While we will remain consistent within articles, each author will be afforded to Theological Seminary (RIETS). It continues the work of the Max Stern transliterate within his comfort level. Division of Communal Services which, for over 60 years, has served as one of the premier service organizations for the Jewish community. • CHAVRUSA reserves the right to edit articles received for publication, and will make every effort to show a draft form to the author prior to publication. 500 West 185th St. Suite 413 • New York, NY 10033 • Contributions may be sent to [email protected] 212-960-5400 6014 [email protected] •www.yu.edu/cjf • In addition to CHAVRUSA magazine, articles and divrei may also be submitted for publication in the weekly Rabbinic Alumni e-newsletter. Please e-mail them to Editorial contributions and submissions to CHAVRUSA are welcome. [email protected] This publication accepts no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts or photographs. All submissions are subject to editing and are used at the editor’s discretion. Opinions expressed in this publication do not reflect 2 official Seminary and/or University policy. Chavrusa • Tishrei 5773 In Pictures Rabbi Yaakov Ariel, of Ramat Gan and president of Tzohar, visits Yeshiva University February 9-14, 2012

Sephardi Chief Rabbi of Israel Visits Yeshiva University Delivers to Students, Meets with Roshei Yeshiva March 28, 2012

Rabbi Dr. Memorial Lecture Given by Rabbi , Rosh of the Marcos and Adina Katz Kollel and the Nathan and Vivian Fink Distinguished Professorial Chair in , on the topic of “Innovation and Halacha: Machine vs. Hand Shmurah Matzah.” March 29, 2012

3 Chavrusa • Tishrei 5773 In Pictures Yom Ha’atzmaut Se’udat Hodaah This past Yom Ha’atzmaut concurrent with the usual festivities at Yeshiva there was a special se’udat hodaah to mark the day. A festive meal was served and several roshei yeshiva, including Rav Hershel Schachter addressed the standing room only crowd of talmidim and rebbeim. This was followed by spirited spontaneous singing and dancing by our talmidim who were joined by their rebbeim in a beautiful display of hakart hatov to the Ribbono Shel Olam. There was also a second wonderful se’udah on Yom Yerushalayim. April 26, 2012

Yom Iyun II for the Machon Puah Course at Yeshiva University Joint Certificate Program on Medical and Halachic Issues Associated with Infertility April 30, 2012

Yeshiva University Begins the New Zman August 2012

4 ChChavrusavrusa a• • T ishrAdare i5771 5773 News CONTINUING RABBINIC EDUCATION YU-Puah Online Course in Reproductive Health & Halacha

A recently completed six month fertility and reproduction. Based in Israel, Continuing Rabbinic Education Machon Puah has helped thousands of opportunity offered by the Center for couples suffering from infertility through the Jewish Future brought together 43 the process of building a family, and and semicha students from three has provided professional expertise to countries both online and in person to the general public (including rabbis, learn about issues of fertility, from both physicians, healthcare providers and a medical and halachic perspective. couples) through a wide variety of Important contemporary topics were lectures, seminars and training courses. discussed, including “Egg and Sperm Throughout the course, participants also Donation,” “Fertility Treatments,” benefited hearing from several Roshei and “Birth Control.” Participants were Yeshiva of RIETS, and leading medical provided with extensive supplementary experts in the field. resources and readings posted to a special Join us next year for an exciting new course website, and received a certificate continuing rabbinic education course on upon successful completion of the final Rabbinic Marriage Counseling: Defining exam. The CJF was excited to partner Roles, Enhancing Skills. n in this endeavor with Machon Puah, a world renowned resource in areas of

We are proud to recognize our 43 course participants

Yonah Bardos Peter Kahn Benjamin Samuels Eli Belizon Wesley Kalmar Etan Schnall Avrohom Bergstein Maurey Kelman Jonathan Schwartz Craig Berkowitz Benjamin Kelsen David Shabtai Reuven Boshnack Eli Kohl Simi Sherman Jonathan Cohen Gad Krebs Moshe Shulman Michael Davies Meir Lipschitz Tzvi Sinensky Ephraim Epstein Neil Maron Zevi Spitz Aaron Feigenbaum Binyamin Marwick Dovid Sukenik David Fine Motti Neuburger Sam Taylor Zev Goldberg Adir Posy Lawrence Teitelman Dovid Gottlieb Chaim Poupko Yehuda Turetsky Barry Hartman Nosson Rich Richard Weiss Mordechai Hochheimer Daniel Rockoff Gedaliah Jaffe Dovid Rosenbaum

5 Chavrusa • Tishrei 5773 News

Sephardi Chief Rabbi of Israel Delivers Shiur to Students, Meets with Roshei Yeshiva

Rabbi Shlomo Amar, the Sephardi Chief Charlop, dean emeritus of RIETS; Rabbi Rabbi of Israel, paid a visit to Rabbi Isaac Hershel Schachter, Nathan and Vivian Elchanan Theological Seminary (RIETS) Fink Distinguished Professorial Chair in on March 28. Upon arrival he was greeted Talmud; and Rabbi , by Rabbi Eliyahu Ben-Haim, Maxwell Rabbi Dr. Sol Roth Chair in Talmud and R. Maybaum Memorial Chair in Talmud Contemporary Halacha, among others. and Sephardic Codes; Rabbi Dr. Herbert This was Rabbi Amar’s third visit to the YU Dobrinsky, vice president for university campus in recent years. affairs and Rabbi Moshe Tessone, director “Hakham Amar’s visit to Yeshiva of YU’s Sephardic Community Program. strengthens the relationship between our The chief rabbi, also known as the roshei yeshiva, the RIETS administration Rishon LeZion, delivered a shiur [lecture] and the office of the chief rabbinate of the to hundreds of students in the Glueck State of Israel,” said Rabbi Tessone. “His Beit , after which he participated visit is also significant to the Sephardic in a luncheon with various roshei yeshiva population on campus which benefitted and members of the YU faculty and from hearing his words and participating administration including Rabbi Yona in the of kabbalat pnei hakhamim Reiss, Max and Marion Grill Dean of [receiving great Torah luminaries].” n RIETS; Chancellor Rabbi Dr. Norman Lamm, Rosh HaYeshiva; Rabbi Zevulun

RIETS Wexner Kollel Elyon Fellow on End of Life Issues

Rabbi David Shabtai, MD, ’09R recently religious discrimination in medical treatment,” published his first book, Defining the Moment: 5.4.2012; Times of Israel, “Misplaced Priorities,” Understanding Brain Death in Halakhah (New 6.7.2012), discussing the role of religion in the York: Shoresh Press, 2012), which explores the public debate about time of death as well as some scientific and halakhic underpinnings of this very of the relevant public policy considerations. important medical halakhic question. He has also penned several Op-Eds (Haaretz, “A voice that should be heard,” 3.30.2012, “New Israeli law puts

6 Chavrusa • Tishrei 5773 Divrei Chizuk

functional, and he could see only through his ayin ra’ah, and could not help but focus exclusively on the blemishes and Ayin Tovah failings of others. Our role, of course, is to be a disciple not of Bilam HaRasha, but of Avraham Rabbi Assaf Bednarsh , RIETS Avinu, and espouse his middah of ayin Ruth Buchbinder Mitzner Chair in tovah. Avraham was able to bring others Talmud and Jewish Law close to Hashem not only because of ‘97R his own steadfast and sophisticated emunah, but because he always saw the good in others (even the inhabitants of Sodom!). Avraham was able to bring out the best in others because he recognized n 105a, inform us lechtech acharai bamidbar b’eretz lo and emphasized the good that was truly that Bilam HaRasha was blind in one zeruah. The unique danger of Bilam, present within them, instead of their eye. While they seem to be speaking unparalleled by the false prophets of the failings and vices. aboutI a physical disability, we know that various nations, was that he was able This approach of ayin tovah was there is generally a deeper metaphorical to utilize his relationship with Hashem championed by Aharon HaKohen. (The meaning to the drashot of Chazal, and in a destructive fashion by focusing his equation between the methodologies of we have cause to wonder what hashkafic attention on the negative qualities of even Avraham Avinu and Aharon HaKohen is message may be conveyed by the image of the holiest of nations or individuals. explicated in Avot DeRabbi Natan 12.) Bilam’s semi-blindness. Chazal teach us (Avos 5:21) that Unlike his brother Moshe Rabbenu, who In order to deepen our understanding one of the characteristics which define served as the ultimate dayan and judged of the nature of Bilam’s disability, perhaps the disciples of Bilam Harasha is ayin without bias or prejudice, Aharon served we must ask a more basic question about ra’ah. What is the nature of this “evil as a mekarev (Avot 1:12). How did Bilam’s role. If Bilam was indeed a true eye”? How can an eye be evil if it merely Aharon go about being “ohev et haberiyot prophet of Hashem, then clearly he could sees what is in front of it? We can suggest umekarvan laTorah”? Avot DeRabbi only prophesy truthfully. How then that our two eyes represent the two sides Natan explains that when Aharon saw a could he have believed that he would of every issue, or two facets of every sin, he would take pains to befriend be able to curse the chosen people? We individual personality. There is good him and make him feel important, so that must acknowledge that Bilam knew the and bad to be seen in everything, and the next time that Jew was tempted to true glory of am yisrael, but he knew the average person sees the good with stray, he would refrain from sin so as not another truth as well – the truth of the one “eye”, or mode of apprehension, and to jeopardize his newfound friendship. egel hazahav, of the meraglim, and of all the evil with the other, thus forming a Aharon was able to connect to the sinner our sins and failings. As Rashi (24:1) composite perspective. The disciples of not as a sinner, but as a peer, as someone explains, Bilam focused on the sins of the Bilam, though, choose to see only the who shared the spiritual ambitions , particularly the egel hazahav. (See failings of others, utilizing only their and commitments of the kohen gadol, Ramban there regarding the differing “evil eye”, and are thus able to honestly because Aharon used his ahavat haberiyot girsaot in .) A nation convince themselves and their colleagues to see the holiest and most sublime facets who could betray Hashem in such a (and perhaps even Hashem – thus the of his fellow’s persona. When Aharon vile fashion, who could violate the most well-known danger of “ayin hara”) that saw the good in others, he brought out basic principle of the Torah while still the good fortune of others is undeserved that good and caused them to live up encamped at Har Sinai, truly deserved and should be supplanted by retribution. to his image of them. (See also Likutei to be cursed, perhaps even annihilated. Thus, if even his disciples are masters of Maharan 282.) Bilam merely chose to focus on one facet ayin ra’ah, Bilam himself can be accurately As Rabbonim, we are sometimes of the truth, on the negative perspective, described as metaphorically “blind in called upon to stand on principle like ignoring the counterbalancing factors one eye”. He had sunk to the level where Moshe Rabbenu, but more often we are of zechut avot, naaseh venishma, and his “ayin tovah” was completely non- called upon to be mekarev our brethren

7 Chavrusa • Tishrei 5773 Divrei Chizuk to Hashem in the spirit of Aharon not as they see themselves, but as we see deviations, but we can see them as HaKohen. (For further analysis of these them when we look with our ayin tovah, an expression of a ruach shtut (Sotah two methodologies, see Sanhedrin when we seek out the most idealistic 3a) and not his innermost nature. We 6b.) Young Rabbis are often perplexed and spiritual facet of their personalities. can thus forge bonds of commonality regarding the proper way to relate to When we connect personally with a between ourselves and our fellow Jews their baalabatim or talmidim. If they student or congregant, we must strive to on the plane of idealism and spiritual maintain distance and do not connect see a person with idealism, goodness, and ambition. to them with bonds of friendship, they spirituality, and to believe that this is the A Rav who utilizes his ayin tovah can will have no influence, but if they try to person who stands before us. Perhaps we connect to the idealistic and spiritual core connect by schmoozing about sports or can connect with his intellectual interest of any Jew, and by further strengthening the stock market, the Rav can end up in Torah, or middot tovot and devotion that connection, he can bring out the being dragged down instead of raising to chessed, or loyalty to Torah values spirituality in others, and bring them others up. Aharon HaKohen teaches us, and continuity. If we look properly, we closer to Hashem and His Torah. May though, that there is no contradiction can find in every Jew many admirable we all merit to be successful disciples of between maintaining our spiritual focus traits and spiritual accomplishments, Aharon HaKohen – “ohev et haberiyot and connecting with our fellow Jews who whether great or small. Of course, we umekarvan laTorah.” n might not have perfected that focus yet. may (and sometimes should) be aware We are bidden to connect with other Jews of his spiritual challenges, failings, and

Book Review

Jewish calendar are written in a manner Kuntres Yerach Tov that combines both depth and clarity. by Rabbi Elchanan Adler The Kuntres also includes a line-by-line analysis of the prayer, so that the reader Reviewed by Rabbi Raphael Stohl ’11R can fully appreciate the tefilla in all its detail. In his recently published Kuntres Yerach Besides for the enlightening insights Tov, RIETS Rosh Yeshiva Rav Elchanan of the author himself, Kuntres Yerach Adler has done a superb job in bringing Tov is also replete with scholarship and the prayer of Birchas Hachodesh to life. explanations from the whole gamut of Rav Adler takes the reader through the our rich history of scholars. Rav Adler history, meaning, and halachic reasoning masterfully weaves together findings (lumdos) behind this well-known, from old manuscripts, scholarly journals, but not widely understood, prayer. By classical mefarshim ( and thoroughly covering each topic, the Achronim), as well as present day works. reader is left with a deep connection Rav Adler mentions in his introduction to Bircas Hachodesh and a yearning that this is hopefully only the first of to understand the rest of our prayer many more works of its kind. I surely service to the same degree. The Kuntres hope and pray that his goals are met. is written in an interesting and concise manner, never losing the interest of the reader. Even the descriptions of the If your interested in purchasing the Kuntres, please intricate laws of kiddush hachodesh and contact Rabbi Adler at [email protected]. n the calculations behind the scenes of our

8 Chavrusa • Tishrei 5773 Recently Published Books from our Yeshiva

Beit Yitzchak 43 Imrei Baruch on Devarim a publication of the Student by Rabbi ‘89R Organization of Yeshiva MBH Publications, 5772 Yeshiva University Press, 5771

The Next Generation of Modern Kuntres Yerach Tov Orthodoxy (The Othodox Forum) by Rabbi Elchanan Adler ‘90R edited by Rabbi Shmuel Hain ‘01R (see review on previous page) Series Editor, Rabbi Robert Hirt ‘62R 2012 Yeshiva University Press, 2012

Reshimos Shiurim on Berachos Defining The Moment by Rabbi Understanding Brain 2012 Death in Halakhah By Rabbi David Shabtai, MD ‘09R Shoresh Press, 2012 (see review on page 6)

The of America recently published the first issue of The Journal of the Beth Din of America, a periodical that contains articles on Jewish jurisprudence and beit din practice, with a particular emphasis on the policies and practices of the Beth Din of America. One of the unique features of this publication is that each issue of the Journal will include anonymized versions of actual din torah (arbitration) decisions issued by the Beth Din of America. The first issue contains two such decisions, in addition to articles covering an assortment of topics relevant to the litigation of commercial and matrimonial disputes in beit din. The Journal of the Beth Din of America is a publication of the Beth Din of America, in collaboration with the Rabbi Norman Lamm Yadin Yadin Kollel at the Rabbi Isaac lchanan Theological Seminary (RIETS) of Yeshiva University. The Beth Din of America is one of the largest rabbinical courts in North America. The Beth Din handles approximately 600 matters a year, including Jewish divorces, personal status matters, and the arbitration and mediation of commercial, matrimonial and community disputes. The principal office of the Beth Din is located in New York. More information about the Beth Din of America and the new journal is available at www.bethdin.org.

9 Chavrusa • Tishrei 5773 Rabbanan.org

HOW RABBIS ARE USING THE NEW RABBANAN.ORG

WHAT IS RABBANAN? How do YOU use Rabbanan.org? An online collection and collaboration “ Sometimes just the list of Shiur Outline topics is enough to give me an idea of what to talk about. The of resources where over 850 rabbis are outlines themselves always have some sources that I would not have found on my own which enhances the already visiting, sharing, and enhancing presentation. Having the sources ready to be used is extremely helpful in making source sheets on short notice, their drashot, shiurim and professional especially from seforim that I don’t personally have. development. On the 8th of Shevat of When looking at a parsha it is very hard to zero in on one idea that will be relevant and usable for a derasha. this year, the new Rabbinic Resource Sometimes just seeing the sources that other people are using is helpful in finding one thing to focus on. The blog is also very helpful as a starting point for talks that I give over . ” Website was launched as Rabbanan.org. — Yonah Gross, Rabbi, Congregation Beth Hamedrosh, Wynnewood, PA We welcome ALL of our RIETS Rabbinic Alumni to come join, see what everyone is “ The Rabbanan website helps me in both the research and implementation of drashot and shiurim, and the talking about, see how over 850 rabbis are Rabbinics blog and joke archive add a lighter, fresh touch as well.” using its resources. We welcome YOU to — Dani Rockoff, Rabbi, Congregation Beth Israel Abraham Voliner, Overland Park, KS share your Torah with your colleagues, be it “ In this day and age, there is an almost infinite number of resources and commentaries on every Parsha, and Drasha Nuggets, Shiur Outlines and source while there is no way to go through each one, being able to share our findings and share in the findings of sheets, stories, jokes, interesting articles and others has really enhanced my drashot, allowing me to provide content I otherwise would not have seen. studies, or other relevant online links and Preparing an advanced Shiur is extremely time consuming, but perhaps most time consuming of all is resources. locating all the appropriate sources on a given topic. The YU Staff has taken away half the work in providing a plethora of sources to flip through and choose which would be ideal for our particular class.” access to Otzar Hachochma, Bar Ilan —Elie Farkas, Rabbi, Maroubra , Sydney Australia and more via the YU Library Alumni Portal. Ask questions via the Responsa Form (see Email [email protected] and tell us how YOU use Rabbanan.org next page) and more. If you don’t already have a login for Rabbanan, signup now at www.Rabbanan.org

10 Chavrusa • Tishrei 5773 Rabbanan.org

FROM THE RESPONSA ARCHIVE This service is available to help you, be it obtaining sources on a specific topic for shiurim or drashot, locating a specific page or chapter from a sefer not in your library, or even gathering background information in dealing with halachic inquiries from congregants. Below is a recent example of a question that came in erev .

This service is not intended to reflect Psak Halacha, and does not necessarily represent the opinions of Yeshiva University or the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary.

Question: A congregant has a hot water heater which uses electricity (has a plug connected to an outlet). Here is the info: Bradford White, model number MIITW75T6BN12. Is there a problem using the hot water in the house on yomtov?

Answer: Based on the manual [available at Resha Le’acher Zman. This idea is mentioned http://www.bradfordwhite.com/images/ by Maharal in his Gur Aryeh commentary to shared/pdfs/manuals/46238-A.pdf] the way Shabbos, 73b, s.v. HaZomer and he describes this heater works is that when the water in the it as being when the pe’ulah and the prohibited tank drops below the temperature set on the result are not simultaneous. Maharal doesn’t thermostat: the blower will turn on in order to consider this a regular pesik reishei. This allow for venting, the electricity will ignite the may be the basis for opening a refrigerator on pilot and the gas valve will be opened to allow Shabbos and Yom Tov even though opening for heating. it causes the thermostat to trigger the motor In this sense, it is halachically similar to a earlier. Being that havarah on Yom Tov is only standard electric water tank which ignites d’rabanan, this case would be similar to the when the temperature in the tank drops refrigerator. (This idea is referenced in Kol Zvi below the temperature set on the ther- 7, 5755, in the article entitled “Shitas Rambam mostat. Shemiras Shabbos Kehilchasa 2:7 Be’Pisek Resha” available at YUTorah.org.) (and footnotes) quotes R. Shlomo Zalman That said, this water heater is slightly different Auerbach as saying that it is permissible to in that you can know whether it ignites right use an electric water tank on Yom Tov based away based on the LED indicators. You should on two considerations: 1) Since there is a also be able to hear the blower turn on. The delay between removing the hot water and service manual states that when the heating new cold water triggering the thermostat, it system starts, the indicator switches from short is considered grama. 2) We don’t know if the flash every four seconds to “heartbeat.” thermostat will be triggered immediately. In One way to test this is to have one person the shiur outline on motion sensors (available turn on the bathtub while the other checks how at Rabbanan.org), we noted that R. Shlomo long it takes for the light to switch to “heartbeat” Zalman had a more lenient stance on what is and see if it turns on right away or takes some considered grama. However, in this case, it is time. It makes sense to check this three different not exactly grama anyways. Rather the more times before Yom Tov because you want to technical term for what is happening is Pisek make sure that there is some consistency. n

11 Chavrusa • Tishrei 5773 We thank our AMUDEI MUSMAKHIM and our regular dues paying members for their donations in 5772. AMUDEI MUSMAKHIM

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12 Chavrusa • Tishrei 5773 We thank the following rabbinic alumni for their dues in 5772 Dues paying Musmakhim Rabbi David B. Aberbach • Rabbi Elliott L. Aberbach • Rabbi Evan J. Abrahams • Rabbi David M. Abramchik • Rabbi Moshe A. Abramowitz • Rabbi Aaron Abramson • Rabbi Mitchell S. Ackerson • Rabbi Joseph Adler • Rabbi Ely Allen • Rabbi Daniel Alter • Rabbi Shimon Altshul • Rabbi Marc D. Angel • Rabbi Aharon Angstreich • Rabbi Shlomo Appel • Rabbi David Arzouane • Rabbi Bernard Auerbach • Rabbi Yisroel R. Auerbach • Rabbi Richard Auman • Rabbi Kenneth Axelrod • Rabbi Shalom J. Axelrod • Rabbi Elisha Bacon • Rabbi Michael J. Baker • Rabbi Hanan Balk • Rabbi Simon Basalely • Rabbi Avvraham Basch • Rabbi Jerome S. Bass • Rabbi Shalom Baum • Rabbi Pinchas J. Becker • Rabbi Reuven G. Becker • Rabbi Nehemiah Israel Ben-Zev • Professor David Berger • Rabbi Gedalyah A. Berger • Rabbi Samuel Berger • Rabbi Daniel Elliot Bergman • Rabbi Solomon Berl • Rabbi Mordechai Besser • Rabbi Hillel M. 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14 Chavrusa • Tishrei 5773 Special Feature Implications of Gynecological Procedures on Hilchot Niddah Rabbi Gideon Weitzman, Director, Machon Puah, Israel

Rabbis are commonly asked to give halachic decisions regarding gynecological procedure would be considered as opening the the ramifications of gynecological procedures on hilchot niddah. uterus, since no procedure opens the cervix that much and were There are two major questions that need to be considered before it to do so it would cause quite considerable damage. being able to deliver a halachic position; was the cervix opened, However it is common for a woman to bleed as a result of a and was there uteral bleeding. gynecological procedure. It is essential to ascertain whether this The in Niddah brings a difference of opinion as bleeding could be caused by an abrasion to the uteral lining or a to whether we can state that it is impossible for the cervix to be result of vaginal or cervical bleeding none of which would make opened without bleeding. The is of the opinion a woman a niddah. There are opinions that endometrial bleeding that we are strict and anytime the cervix opens a woman would would render the woman a niddah even if caused by a clear be considered a niddah, but the Rambam does not mention this abrasion and there are opinions that any procedure in which stringency at all, leading us to assume that he is of the opinion instruments were placed inside the uterus and bleeding was seen that the opening of the cervix does not automatically render a would be problematic. woman a niddah. If the bleeding was of a hormonal nature then it is more In addition there is no clear indication as to what is difficult to be lenient especially when dealing with bleeding that considered the minimum amount of cervical opening, with lasts for several days. some holding it as little as 3-4 mm. Rav Moshe Feinstein says It goes without saying, that in order for the Rabbi to give a that since the whole issue is somewhat contentious we can pertinent psak it is essential that he first familiarize himself with be lenient and only render a woman a niddah if the cervix the procedure through a discussion with a professional expert was opened at least 19mm. This effectively means that no and only then render his decision. n

About Machon Puah The Puah Institute (an acronym for Poriyut U’Refuah Al-pi HaHalacha, or Fertility and Medicine in Accordance with the Halacha) was founded in 1990 by Rabbi Menachem Burstein under the guidance of the late Rav with the aim of guid- ing couples undergoing fertility treatment. From humble beginnings Puah has grown to be an internationally recognized center dealing with the complex and intricate issue of fertility and halacha. Today Puah is housed in a four story building in a discreet street in Jerusalem and fields in excess of 180 calls each and every day from couples worldwide who seek guidance, referrals and support within a halachic framework. All of this counseling is offered free of charge and in a relaxed atmosphere in order to allow the couple to explore all the possibilities that lie before them and to navigate the potential difficulties that they may face along the way. In addition the Puah Institute supervises fertility treatments in hundreds of centers worldwide to ensure that there will be no tragic mistakes made in the laboratory which could have disastrous ramifications. Puah has prevented over 40 mistakes that could have happened without such supervision. Puah also offers classes worldwide on a variety of topics and to many different audiences to educate and raise awareness of these issues, and to train the next generation of Rabbis. Puah has trained men and women to be Sex Counselors in a way that upholds the highest halachic standards and presents a Jewish value system when dealing with intimacy. Puah maintains links with all the major poskim across the Orthodox spectrum to ensure that each couple will receive halachic answers that complements their own hashkafa. The Puah Institute offers a agency for men and women who may have problems having children, promotes genetic testing and treatment when necessary, and has been active in setting legislation in the area of fertility treatment in Israel. Each year Puah is involved in the birth of 1500 Jewish children worldwide and this is the most rewarding part of the hard work, effort and true concern shown by the entire Puah staff.

15 Chavrusa • Tishrei 5773 Feature

Musings of a Mourner

by Rabbi Eliav Silverman ’06R Sho’el u’Meishiv, RIETS Israel Kollel

have studied the laws of aveilut, When I think of my experience of For many, this is experienced through mourning, many times. In fact, my aninut and aveilut, the first word that interaction with family and friends. It first encounter with studying comes to mind is vulnerability. The is true that occasionally mourners want Iwas learning masechet Moed Katan, in feelings of helplessness, loneliness and and need their privacy, and that should which the last chapter deals primarily aloneness that I experienced during that be respected, but more often than not, with the laws of aveilut, together with time left me feeling more vulnerable then people want and need the care and my father in honor of my Bar Mitzva. As I had ever felt before. comfort of community. a Rabbinical student, I studied and was The Gemara in Moed Katan (25b) A number of halachot reflect the tested on these laws, and as a teacher relates that when Rav Yochanan died, importance community plays in the I have the opportunity to present the Rav Yitzchak ben Eliezer compared mourning process. The fact that the conceptual basis of these halachot to his passing to seeing the sun set in the seudat havra’ah, the first meal eaten advanced rabbinical students, and to middle of the day. On a basic level, this by the mourners after the funeral, publish chidushei Torah on this topic. analogy highlights the sense of extreme must be provided by the community, This extensive study unexpected loss that was felt at the time highlights the centrality of community notwithstanding, after having experienced of Rav Yochanan’s death. At the same in the grieving process. Additionally, the aveilut firsthand upon the passing of my time, I believe that this analogy also mitzva of nichum aveilim, providing the dear mother z”l, I have come to recognize sheds light on the sense of vulnerability mourners with visitors who show their the great gap that exists between that is experienced at the time of death. care, support and empathy for them, theoretical and experiential knowledge, We take many things for granted, and we mitigates on some level the feelings of especially in this extremely sensitive never stop to think that the many “givens” vulnerability and aloneness that the avel area. Here the Talmudic statement “aino in our life are essentially gifts, and, as experiences. domeh shmiyah l’reia’ah” – one cannot such, can be taken away. The sun setting Nichum aveilim can also offer new equate hearing about something to seeing at midday symbolizes the shattering of perspectives on the life and legacy of the and experiencing it first hand – resonates the stability of our existence. How often deceased, which aids in the comforting strongly. The vast chasm that exists are we thankful for and appreciate the of the avel. The Mishna in Sanhedrin between rigorous intellectual theoretical fact that the sun rises every day? Could (37a) states that each person can be study and the emotional journey we imagine, even for a minute, what the compared to an “olam maleh” - an experienced at the time of the loss of world would look like if the sun ceased entire world. Sitting brought new a loved one is gaping. I hope to afford to rise one day? The realization that meaning to this statement for me. While readers who have not, baruch Hashem, much of what we take for granted is not I knew my mother z”l very well, I found experienced a loss of this magnitude, as permanent as we would like to believe it very inspiring to hear from others – some insight and understanding into leaves us in an extremely vulnerable state her colleagues, teachers, students and the heart and mind of an avel. I offer of mind. acquaintances, some of whom I had never this perspective to provide some During this time, when, on a personal met – how deeply she touched them. The direction regarding how one can be more level, the world seems to be caving in memories and anecdotes of the chesed receptive and sensitive to the feelings and on the mourner, a grounded and rooted she performed with so many, and the kind emotional needs of mourners.1 sense of consistency is so important. ways in which she interacted with them,

16 Chavrusa • Tishrei 5773 Feature provided me with new perspectives on seeing their cute little kid smiling in the is striking. An avel is prohibited from the many facets of her personality. Every stroller, but from the vantage point of attending smachot, and the rationale person in a given community can add a the mourner, who feels vulnerable and usually provided for this is that attending dimension to the “olam maleh” that was alone, it would probably be emotionally a simcha would distract the avel from his lost.2 healthier to be engaged in normal friendly or her mourning. Having experienced I immensely appreciated interaction interactions than to have the feelings of aveilut, I believe that there is an additional and communication with all who reached loneliness compounded by being ignored. reason not to attend a simcha. Attending out to me during the time of shiva and This same individual commented that, in a simcha can be extremely painful for an beyond, regardless of my relationship his opinion, the reason an avel is ideally avel, because during times of smachot with them. I was touched by all those supposed to lead the tefillah, is not only people leave their “routine” existence and who made an effort to write a note, to benefit the soul of the departed, but get more in touch with their emotions. call, or visit the shiva home, even when to place the avel in center stage. While Those same emotions that give us the they had little to do with me or with my the congregation may have inadvertently ability to rejoice give us the ability to mother z”l.3 I received calls, notes and ignored his state due to its discomfort mourn deeply, and during the heightened visits from friends and acquaintances with death and mourning, the fact that he emotional time of simcha, the emotions from years gone by, as well as from total leads the tefillah forces them to recognize of pain and loss often come back to strangers. I was also touched by those the avel’s harsh reality. haunt the avel. For some mourners, who didn’t contact me during shiva, but The pasuk in Kohelet (7:2) not attending a simcha is not a way of acknowledged my loss upon meeting me teaches: “It is better to go to the house diminishing joy, but it is a way of limiting subsequently by saying something simple of mourning than to go to a house of the pain that is often experienced at like, “I was sorry to hear about your feasting, for that is the end of all man, these events. My teacher, HaRav Aharon loss.” Many people feel that there is no and the living should take it to heart.” Lichtenstein, who buried his mother at point in saying this, presumably because According to the simple understanding, sunset just a few months before his son’s either they believe that it doesn’t help the pasuk conveys that it is better for the sunset wedding, commented that during the situation, that it is entirely obvious, visitors to go to a house of mourning, as his son’s , gazing into the sunset, or that it is hurtful, as it reminds the avel this will remind them of their mortality “all I saw was my mother’s funeral.” of the death of their loved one. People and propel them to repent, than to a It is well known that many mourners don’t realize that for many aveilim, the house of feasting which might distract often have a difficult time during Yamim recognition that people sincerely care them from repentance.6 Tovim. For me, the experience of lighting about them can be very comforting, and From a different perspective, this a ner neshama and reciting Yizkor, just certainly overrides the aforementioned pasuk can be interpreted from the six weeks after my mother’s z”l death, was rationales for not saying anything at all.4 vantage point of the mourner. 7 It is much not the most challenging aspect of Yom The sense of vulnerability that more important and meaningful for the Tov. 8 What was much more difficult aveilim experience often leaves them mourner to have friends and family at was reciting the bracha of Shehechianu, feeling like a changed person, and the shiva home than at a simcha. I would traditionally said at candle lighting or aveilim generally want that reality to be advise anybody who is unsure if they during Kiddush on Yom Tov. In this acknowledged. People often ignore that should pay a shiva call, because they think bracha, we thank Hashem for having which they find uncomfortable, yet my that they are “not that close to the avel,” “kept us alive, sustained us and brought experience as a mourner has taught me that if they consider themselves close us to this season.” I have recited this the value and importance of reaching enough to attend the avel’s simcha, they bracha many times, but suffering the loss beyond one’s own comfort zone in such should certainly visit the shiva home. In of a loved one has given me newfound situations, rising to the occasion to bring my experience, everyone who came to the appreciation of its meaning. Thanking comfort to the mourner.5 A person who shiva home provided comfort, no matter Hashem for life is a different experience lost a child once shared with me the how distant they were. Additionally, after having come face to face with death. following sentiment: “It’s hard enough to if one feels “close enough” to wish an Knowing that a person whom you love lose a child. Why do your friends make acquaintance mazal tov on the birth of a wasn’t “kept alive and sustained” to it harder by alienating you and crossing child, one should express condolences experience this Yom Tov can be very the street if they see you coming their upon hearing about their loss. emotionally intense. way?” It is true that some good friends The juxtaposition in the pasuk in Experiencing aveilut affects the way may have wanted to “spare” him from Kohelet between simcha and aveilut a person views the world. The Gemara

17 Chavrusa • Tishrei 5773 Feature in Brachot (5a) teaches that reminding of nichum aveilim is discharged with the benefit not only children, but their parents ourselves of the day of death is the most statement of “Hamakom ynachem etchem as well. ...” emphasizing the fact that only Hamakom, It is noteworthy that most poskim exempt potent weapon that we have in our fight Hashem, can truly bring comfort to the minors from the Rabbinic obligation of against the yetzer hara. The realization mourner. It is up to the visitors to help to the chinuch when it comes to the mitzva of that the things we take for granted as best of their abilities in that process, but it is aveilut (see Pnei Baruch pg. 266-7). This fact “constants” are in fact temporary gifts, certainly better not to say anything than to can be understood as a recognition that the allows us to better appreciate these gifts express thoughtless or empty sentiments. concept of aveilut is one that might not be 3. One advantage of writing a note, as opposed appropriate for minors. This notwithstanding, and maximize our time in this world. to calling or visiting, is that the writer can parents often “protect” even their older Even a relatively casual encounter with remain in their comfort zone, somewhat children from death and mourning, thus death, such as attending a funeral or removed from the avel. Additionally, from depriving them of the opportunity to learn visiting a shiva home, can and should the vantage point of the mourner, a note is how to relate to mourners. sometimes more meaningful because the 6. It is interesting to note that there is a dispute inspire one to become a better person. note remains and can be read and re-read, amongst the Rishonim as to whether going From this perspective, paying a in contrast to a phone call or a visit. On the to a funeral takes precedence over going shiva call is not only an act of chesed, other hand, on the level of interpersonal to a wedding. The Rambam in Hilchot but is beneficial for the visitors as well, connection, a visit or a phone call is much Avel (14:8) writes that burying the dead as this experience will hopefully inspire more meaningful, as it enables dialogue. takes precedence over going to a wedding. (Regarding those who chose to write, I However, the majority of the Rishonim, them to more fully appreciate and value found that handwritten notes were more including the Ramban (Torat Ha’adam pg. life. Paying a shiva call requires one to meaningful to me than e-mails, as they felt 109 in the Mosad Harav Kook ed.), argue overcome discomfort and reach out to more personal.) based on the simple reading of the Gemara help those in need. This mitzva can also 4. Those interacting with mourners must work in Ketubot (17a), that going to a wedding toward striking a balance between on the takes precedence over going to a funeral. provide one with new perspectives on the one hand recognizing the mourners’ loss, This is the ruling of the Tur and the Shulchan gift of life and its opportunities.n yet at the same time interacting with them Aruch (Yoreh Deah 360). It should be noted, in a way that makes them feel like a normal however, that the Shulchan Aruch states Footnotes functioning member of society. A friend who that during the seven days of shiva for the 1. As people have different personalities, lost a parent at a young age mentioned to me mourner, and the seven days of rejoicing for they experience and react differently to that although he appreciated knowing that the bride and groom, paying a shiva call takes aveilut. While I can only draw from my people cared about his loss, he dreaded the precedence over attending a sheva berachot own experiences, I believe they are largely “shiva face” with which people would greet celebration. representative of the universal experience of him even months after the shiva. 7. I thank Rabbi Moti Novick for sharing this aveilut. 5. While it is normal and natural to fear death, interpretation with me. 2. Sharing stories and memories of the departed there are negative ramifications to ignoring 8. There are different customs as to whether one are very appropriate. Unfortunately, I that which we find frightening or challenging. should recite Yizkor within the first year of have been to many shiva homes where Parents who “protect” their older children the death of a parent. Some believe that it is the conversations were not related to from encounters with death and mourning appropriate to recite it, as the soul is judged the deceased at all. Of course it is always are essentially foregoing an opportunity to and punished for its sins during this time, and important to take the cues from the avel, but educate them. One learns how to fulfill the as such, benefits from the recitation of Yizkor. the conversations shouldn’t be a distraction mitzva of nichum avelim not only from the Others find it inappropriate to recite Yizkor from the aveilut. Sulchan Aruch, but by personal example. during the first year due to the concern that It is often very hurtful when visitors begin to The educational process of learning about one will be brought to tears, thereby failing to discuss theodicy or totally irrelevant issues. the meaning and significance of life, and how fulfill the obligation of simchat Yom Tov. Some have commented that the obligation one reacts to death and mourning, can greatly

18 Chavrusa • Tishrei 5773 Feature Community in Focus:

bySOUTHFIELD, Rabbi Yechiel Morris MI

ollowing Shavuos, Young Israel have been blessed with an influx of of Southfield (YIS) received an Musmachim from RIETS that have e-mail from the six member YU helped transform and re-energize the FTorah Tours team that had been with community. the community during the Chag. The Rabbi Yechiel Morris ‘00R and his students reminisced about the multiple wife Adina came to the Young Israel of and varied Shiurim, teen programming, Southfield ten years ago following two youth Bible hunt, teen Kumsitz and years at the Boca Raton Community Oneg, and the family learning, Siyyum Kollel under the leadership of Rabbi and barbeque. The students said, “We Kenneth Brander (himself, a former were so impressed by the way every Detroiter,) Dean of Yeshiva University’s community member is uniquely involved Center for the Jewish Future. “When I in giving to the shul and invested in its arrived,” said Rabbi Morris, “I inherited growth. We were blown away by the a community that was well established. teens’ energy, passion, and idealism. Detroit already had numerous Shuls, At every turn, all of us could not stop several Kollelim and Yeshivot, a K-12 marveling at what you have here: all Modern Orthodox day school, a beautiful of our values brought to life.” They Mikva, an , Kosher restaurants, and Rabbi Yechiel Morris, ‘00R concluded, “This is the only time we have a very strong Federation that supports ever felt that a three-day Chag was not a wide range of Jewish agencies and recognized organization, Kids Kicking long enough!” The students’ sentiments services.” Cancer. “Rabbi Goldberg”, says Rabbi were greatly appreciated and at the Rabbi Elimelech Goldberg ‘81R had Morris, “is a walking Kiddush Hashem. same time, reflective of the growth and recently stepped down after eighteen His organization serves children and their vibrancy of the community. years serving as Rabbi of the Shul in families, both Jewish and non-Jewish, and In the last several years, the Southfield order to give his full attention to founding his seminars presenting his innovative and larger Detroit Jewish community and heading his now, internationally breathing techniques have been well

19 Chavrusa • Tishrei 5773 Feature received by international corporations Rav. In addition, the YIS membership were some very real concerns for what the as well as local faith groups. In addition, has been blessed to hear numerous future would hold,” said Rabbi Morris. he somehow finds the time and energy Shiurim from Rabbi Chelst over the years Recognizing, however, the strengths and to deliver the in our Shul and comparing the servitude of the Jews in advantages of the community, including a Shiur following our Shabbos morning Egypt to African American slavery in the relatively low cost of living, a beautiful Hashkama .” When I came to the United States. The classes resulted neighborhood, and the strong Jewish Southfield, I wasn’t starting from scratch,” in the publication of his book, “Exodus infrastructure, Rabbi Morris partnered says Rabbi Morris. “Rabbi Goldberg had and Emancipation” (Urim Publications, with several dedicated and passionate already created a dynamic Shul and my 2009.) “Not only is our membership members to create a plan to revitalize job was to maintain what was there and grateful to be the beneficiary of high the community. “The first thing we bring it to the next level.” caliber Shirum and lectures from Rabbi understood is that we needed to create a In addition to Rabbis Goldberg and Chelst,” said Rabbi Morris, “but through base of young couples. If we could attract Morris, the Shul has also been blessed his scholarship, quiet acts of Chessed and a few younger families, they would serve with the presence of Rabbi Kenneth his ongoing examples of generosity and as the magnet for future growth. With Chelst, PhD ‘72R ‘74R as one of its volunteerism, he lives and models the some prodding, creating both financial members. Rabbi Chelst is a Professor teachings and ideals of his beloved Rebbe, incentives and a job assistance program at the Industrial and Engineering Rav Soloveitchik.” and old-fashioned networking, they Department at Wayne State University The greatest challenge facing Rabbi indeed were able, around five years ago, where he is the Director of their Morris was the growing age of the to attract several young families. “From Engineering Management Masters membership and the beginning of the there, things began to take on a life of Program. Along with his academic and general global economic downturn their own”, says Rabbi Morris. “This professional pursuits, Rabbi Chelst that had hit Michigan especially hard. summer alone we will be welcoming often delivers Shiurim at YIS, as well as “While the Shul was still full of energy at least five, and possibly several more, partners with his wife Dr. Tamy Chelst in and dynamism, and supported a vibrant young families including many YU creating dynamic Shul and community youth program, we only had a handful of graduates.” Some grew up in the Detroit programming. As former Talmidim of members in their 20’s and 30’s. Children area and others have come for advanced Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik, he and who grew up in the community were not schooling and/or work. Rabbi Goldberg both deliver annual returning when they married, and as the With this strong group, and the Yahrtziet Shiurim in memory of the economic outlook grew bleaker, there continued marketing of the Shul through social media and word of mouth, the community has become a more realistic and attractive possibility for young families looking to settle down. An addition to the Shul was recently completed that includes a large Beit Midrash, a youth lounge and an outdoor patio. An outside playground is also in the final planning stages. The Shabbos toddler room is overflowing with children and one of the biggest challenges in the Shul is finding adequate space for all the strollers! In addition to creating Shiurim, programs, and other traditional Rabbinic responsibilities, Rabbi Morris says he spends much time networking with homeowners and real estate agents to find adequate housing for all the incoming families. Yechiel and Adina Morris with city of Southfield mayor Brenda Lawrence

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The school still wanted Shlichim to share each student will succeed at Akiva and Torat Eretz Yisrael, but Rabbi Morris beyond.” All the pieces in the puzzle and others also moved to attract teachers now seem to be in place for a future of and administrators from the Yeshiva continued growth and development. University family. In addition to the aforementioned In the summer of 2010 the school hired alumni, there are two more RIETS Rabbi Jeff Ney as its Rabbinic Dean. Musmachim who are positively impacting He in turn helped attract Rabbi Aaron Leib ‘10R who currently serves as the middle school Assistant Principal. Rabbi Rabbi Nemes says; Asher Nemes ‘08R was brought in as well to serve as a middle school and high “ Being in Detroit has been a school Limmudei Kodesh teacher. The tremendous opportunity. The trio joined long-time and beloved Akiva community is a tight-knit one teacher Rabbi Eliezer Cohen ‘72R and where people genuinely care Rabbi of Congregation Ohr Chadash in about each other and go out of Rabbi Eliezer Cohen Oak Park, MI. their way to help others. I have Rabbi Morris also teaches high met many people seeking to Rabbi Morris also recognized the need school students Limmudei Kodesh and learn more and grow in their to strengthen the local Modern Orthodox several periods a day. knowledge and understanding day school, Akiva Hebrew Day School, Yeshivat Akiva now has a vibrant, RIETS of . As a teacher at educated, Judaic studies faculty and also known as Yeshivat Akiva. The school Yeshivat Akiva, my formal strong administrative team. Together was founded nearly fifty years ago as a classes are middle school and with several carefully selected and Modern Orthodox Zionist day school. I high school, but the community guess it is in my blood. My grandfather, talented Shlichim and some local talent, the students are exposed to teachers feel within the school has given Rabbi David L. Silver z”l ‘31R founded me the opportunity to interact a day school in his community of committed to Torah U’Madda and Religious , who serve as strong with students throughout the Harrisburg, PA in 1944. He understood school. In a given day, I have that the future of a community, not to role models. helped a younger student work mention the future of the Jewish people, In 2011 Akiva began a search for a new on reading skills, had a Chavrusa rested upon a full day of Jewish day head of school at Akiva, both Rabbis school experience beginning in nursery Morris and Leib joined the search with a high school student and extending into high school, college committee, with a determination to bring during lunch, and led Bentching and beyond.” in an excellent educator and administrator for the elementary students. Similar to the Shul, the school already as well as a leader who shared the Students seek not only to learn was strong, but needed to be further community and school’s values. After an from their teachers but to build strengthened. Many of the Limudei extensive search, Rabbi Tzvi Klugerman relationships with their teachers. Kodesh teachers were Shlichim from ‘94R was selected. He had served, for These relationships extend Israel, while enthusiastic, energetic, and the previous eleven years, as middle outside of the classroom and school principal of the Melvin J. Berman passionate about transmitting Torah, continue after one has already Hebrew Academy in Rockville Maryland. often struggled to initially connect graduated. Parents appreciate with the students. “There was certainly “Rabbi Klugerman has transformed the school,” says Rabbi Morris. “He is a the fact that their children’s a language and cultural barrier,” said teachers take such an interest in Rabbi Morris. Over time, their language Talmid Chacham, is fluent in educational theory and educational best practices, helping educate and shape their improved and their relationships with children’s future.” the students strengthened, but by that and by understanding the abilities and time, their Shlichut was coming to an end. potential of each child, he is able to create a plan with faculty and parents so that

21 Chavrusa • Tishrei 5773 Feature the community. Rabbi Azaryah Cohen and engaging personalities. I have told my ‘05R (son of Rabbi Eliezer Cohen) members in the past, that when they hired resides in the Detroit area and teaches me, they not only hired one individual Judaic Studies at the Frankel Jewish rabbi, but they hired, as well, the entire Academy (FJA), a Jewish high school support and backing of YU and RIETS.” located in West Bloomfield, MI. Rabbi As Detroit continues to be a strong Eliezer (Louis) Finkelman, PhD 72R’ and viable option for Modern Orthodox recently left the FJA, where he taught families, RIETS Musmachim can be Jewish Studies for several years. He credited with playing a critical role in previously was the director of the Wayne its development and growth. Rabbis State University Hillel in Detroit and Morris, Goldberg, Chelst, E. Cohen, currently teaches literature at Lawrence Ney, Leib, Nemes, Klugerman, A. Cohen, Technological University in Southfield, as and Finkelstein, are a Minyan of RIETS well as Jewish Studies for adults through alumni who have and continue to lead, the Detroit Jewish Federation, and is a nurture, and guide the Jewish community freelance researcher and writer. in metro Detroit. Rabbi Morris is grateful to RIETS, Rabbi Tzvi Klugerman, ‘94R “The YU Torah Tours students who not only for the education and guidance led and participated in programming from the Roshei Yeshiva that he and continues to offer guidance, support, and at Young Israel of Southfield, this past fellow Detroit Musmachim received direction. My Rabbeim, such as Rabbi Shavuos,” said Rabbi Morris, “not while at Yeshiva, but also for the ongoing Herschel Schachter, Rabbi Mordechai only enhanced the experience for the support that YU and the CJF provide Willig, and Rabbi Baruch Simon are membership, but they too, the students to the community. “Rabbi Schwarzberg always available to answer Shailos and themselves, left energized and inspired, by (another former Detroiter!) assisted us give guidance. The staff at CJF: including all that we have to offer in our community. over the years with identifying candidates Rabbi Mostofsky, Rabbi Lavenda, and As much as they assisted us, I believe that could be brought in to teach at Akiva. Rabbi Shur and their entire team, make we also gave them the tools to see how a I faithfully attend the annual Alumni themselves available to convene the successful Modern Orthodox community Yarchei Kallah with Rabbi Dr. Jacob J. resources of YU and RIETS to help operates. And who knows, maybe they Schacter and credit him, along with my strengthen our community. This past will decide to move to Southfield in a mother, Malka Morris with inspiring spring, Rabbi Yosef and Dr. Rivka Blau few years and become the next link in the within me a love and passion for studying came to Young Israel of Southfield, and chain in imbuing the community with all and teaching Jewish History. Rabbi inspired and challenged our members the knowledge, energy, and passion that Brander, as was the case while being with their Shiurim, lectures, and warm YU and RIETS offers!” n a member of the Boca Raton Kollel,

22 Chavrusa • Tishrei 5773 Feature

Can a Divorce be Civil? by Rabbi Menachem Rosenfeld

here is a Medrash on Parshas The Baalei Mussar often talked of possible varieties. Will they learn positive that is based on the “strategies” we need to devise to cope or negative lessons from the way we Pasuk that “Tov HaShem LaKol with life’s challenges. What strategies can talk, act, and perform during our period TV’Rachamav Al Kol Maasav”. We are exist for the young man or woman going of divorce? (Insights into how divorce expected to imitate the Goodness of through divorce? I will list a few below impacts on our children can be gleaned HaShem, and Noach did so by providing that I have advocated in my work as a from the works of the late Dr. Judith for the animals in the Tevah. The Medrash divorce mediator and former Bais Din Wallerstein, whose latter research was bolsters this idea by telling of a divorced Menahel. dedicated to this important topic.) man who supported his ex-wife even 1. Life presents us with many 3. There is a theory about mediation though he had no such legal obligation. nisyanot. Why that is so we may never that it works best when the parties Why did he do so? Surely this was not his know. However, it is clear that how we will be continuing some type of future halachic obligation. The Medrash informs react during a nisayon will color the relationship. Thus, for example, it us that when he saw her state of poverty, rest of our life. A divorce is one of the behooves a landlord and tenant in dispute he was overcome by feelings of humanity most traumatic events a human may to search out mediation but it is less and kindness. What is the Medrash ever experience. How will the person act important for a fired employee to seek telling us? Its message seems to be that during that time? Will they call up their out mediation for his demands on his while kindness to a former spouse is not inner strength and rise to the occasion former boss. What future relationship easy to perform, it is a meritorious act. and show sterling behavior? This behavior will a divorcing couple have? They Simply stated, we are expected to exhibit need not mean that one will give up all will always be the co-parents of their conduct defined by compassion and their rights in a discussion negotiation. children. (If there were no children in decency, notwithstanding the challenge However, it does mean acting in a way the marriage, they may be responsible of doing so. that shows that one is imbued with to care for aged parents, etc.) The It is not easy to be civil and Torah values. One needs to be civil and need to co-parent means the need to cooperative when a marriage has been respectful, even in a divorce process. The communicate effectively in the future. terminated. The natural impulse is to divorce process is trying and embittering. How this will be possible in cases of bitter blame the other party for their role in One strategy to call upon is simply to ask: divorces is something that is not at all disrupting our married state, our inner “Will I be proud of my present behavior clear to professionals. The only remedy peace and our sense of self-worth. It is in 5, or 10, or 20 years?”If the answer is is to seek to eliminate the bitterness and not for naught that Chazal describe that not in the affirmative, you may need to dig confrontation during the divorce process. the sadness of divorce makes even the a bit deeper into your “Kochot HaNefesh” This also eliminates the likelihood of mizbaech weep tearfully. However, as to define appropriate behavior. children choosing sides in the divorce sad as it is, the Torah demands certain 2. Children always learn from what that their parents will undergo. behavior from us. Divorce does not they observe in parental behavior. A 4. The last suggestion is perhaps the exempt us from conducting our life in divorce is a period of great challenge. most universal. Rancor and bitterness accord with Torah values and principles. One day our children will go through taint our Neshama. It is hard to bounce challenges in their own life, of many back spiritually from: prolonged legal

23 Chavrusa • Tishrei 5773 Feature battles, charge and counter-charge, and live your live obsessed with feelings of divorce. For your own sake, if not for that finger-pointing. hate and rancor? It simply makes sense of your children, conduct yourself during I read recently of a woman who to consider being civil and dignified in the divorce process, in a way that will visited her father in prison. Her father, a divorce. Divorce may be the end of a make you proud of the choices you made a borderline personality, had killed the chapter in your life; it is not the end of the and the behaviors you exhibited. n woman’s mother, after he been through a book. Live, and act, accordingly. bitter divorce with the mother. The visit In the above few paragraphs, I have The readers of this journal tend to be active in their in prison had been arranged through a summarized possible insights that may communities and leaders of communal institutions. program in England which was created help you in your divorce (or even if you It is my hope that this article will lead to discussion to get parties to discuss the possibility of experience marital difficulties). Life and action relative to the way the divorce rate is reconciliation and forgiveness after tragic has challenges. The Alter of Slabodka impacting our Orthodox communities. Many of events in which they both were involved. once addressed such situations by you will be counseling people going through divorce. Victims of crimes, in this program, were saying :”There are those who say if you I will be pleased if the ideas expressed here will lead being asked to consider forgiving the have obstacles in the road you must go to a heightened insight into the divorce process. perpetrators of terrible crimes. This around it. In Mussar we say, if there is an (Readers may contact me at [email protected]. woman did forgive her father. Her reason obstacle in the road you must soar above I have written the article in a manner such that it was simple: “I couldn’t see living my life, it.” There is much to ponder in these could be distributed to a congregant, colleague, etc consumed by hate”. Divorce is sad, tragic, profound words. Divorce is a stressful and would be “speaking” to them, but it is meant for and quite painful. But do you want to time. Remember that life will go on, post- those in leadership roles as well.)

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Mythology and History in Their Times and Places by Rabbi Zev Eleff

n 1956, The Young Israel Viewpoint should nevertheless be preserved with published an editorial about a rabbi’s integrity. These stories, too, are the stuff departure from the rabbinate. The of our tradition. At the very same time, Ianonymous writer confessed many we must make considerable space for reasons for his early retirement. One of Jewish history, stripped of its mythology, the more colorful laments centered on the in our syllabi. For me, two encounters, way laypeople disregarded his sermons. both of which took place during the High “Moral lessons were often forgotten by Holidays of last year, do well to clarify and the end of Mussaf,” the writer recalled distinguish educational values of both with more than a bit of disdain. Instead, concepts. he noted how his “witticism lingered on, told and retold until some joker Nahmanides and Reb Avner eventually found a smutty twist.”1 Gedaliah ibn Yahya (1515-1587) was The author added that he was most one of the first to recount Nahmanides’s dismayed that despite his yeshiva-training (1194-1270) exciting reunion with his that prized precision and intellectual wayward student, Reb Avner.2 After honesty, his rabbinic career often led deserting Judaism, the powerful apostate arranged the elaborate affair. “Because him to exaggerate Jewish lore. Although summoned his mentor to appear before one time,” the student began his reply, he would never bend his presentation of him on Yom Kippur. Aware that refusal Nahmanides had claimed that “all mitzvot Halakhah or manipulate a reading of a was not an option, Nahmanides went and all matters of world” are contained Rambam, the rules of storytelling seemed to see his student. Wishing to show his within Parshat Ha’azinu. Nahmanides’s to him, quite justifiably, less rigid and teacher just how little he valued Judaism, abductor considered this a preposterous its plots far less sacred. Sadly, though, the wicked Avner forced Nahmanides to assertion. Reb Avner could not square even when he focused on style rather watch as he slaughtered a pig, and then his rationalism with that sort of mystical than on content, this rabbi found that his cooked and finally devoured it in front of notion and abandoned Judaism. message, replete with superlatives and him. Upon consumption, Avner queried “I still believe this,” said Nahmanides! overstatements, had missed the mark. All the sage—as to invoke the difficult final “Ask whatever you want,” he challenged he was left with, then, was guilt. sections of Tractate Kritut—how many Avner, confident that he could find a No doubt, many sympathize with times he had obligated himself with a source for whatever he may suggest this author’s struggle to narrate Judaism’s punishment of excommunication. “Four,” within Ha’azinu. stories with unyielding sincerity. answered Nahmanides. “Five,” Reb Avner “Find my name,” Avner requested, as Sometimes the tales do not end the way retorted. if to ask if there was yet room for a heretic we need them to conclude. Oftentimes Sensing that his kidnapping had more in the Torah. the protagonists of our legends are not to it than just pedantic hypotheticals, As the story goes, Nahmanides the heroes we need them to be. But they Nahmanides asked Reb Avner why he had prayed and located his answer: a verse

Rabbi Zev Eleff (‘11R) is a doctoral student in American Jewish history at Brandeis University. He also teaches Judaic studies at Maimonides School in Brookline, MA.

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(32:26), in which the third letter of every father-in-law to pay close attention. word spells Reb Avner’s name. Avner But the climax that I had come to was thunderstruck. He felt compelled to expect from all of the myth’s storytellers repent and, as he had done repeatedly never came. Instead, the rabbi concluded long ago, turned to his former teacher for that as soon as Nahmanides bested his advice. Nahmanides told Avner to set sail student, “Avner repented and mended on a boat without provisions or paddles. his ways.”7 Puzzled, to say the least, I Avner did exactly that, “letting the wind approached the congregation’s spiritual guide him; never to be heard from again.” leader after Mussaf. He confessed For a variety of reason, this narrative that he had never read the legend in has captured my attention for some time. Hebrew. “I’ve never seen it inside,” he The legend addresses notions of free will, told me, allowing slight expression of the limitlessness of Torah and, of course, embarrassment to show through his face. repentance. In addition, Avner’s fate, I “I got it from the Gutnick .” have often noticed, parallels that of the His answer left me further perplexed. hero of the Arthurian legends. Suffering Easily detectable by its leather cover, from a mortal wound, King Arthur, as the Gutnick Chumash is a popular Rabbi Jacob Joseph. Courtesy of American Jewish one version of the myth has it, sailed off English compilation of the Lubavitcher Archives, Cincinnati, OH. on a boat toward the Lady of the Lake. Rebbe’s weekly Torah lectures. The so-called “Gedolim Stories” at face Like Avner, Arthur never returned from editor’s motive for augmentation is value.8 Instead, it is my sense that there that voyage. Jews have been aware of King unmistakable. Avner’s suicide flies in the is frequently an aggressive backlash to Arthur since 1279, when an unknown face of ’s Teshuvah mission. The that genre. As a result, the underlying author from Northern Italy published editor, I believe, weighed championing 3 message and the surrounding Torah Melekh Artus. Since then a number his community’s contemporary cause content become victims: dismissed along of Jewish Arthur legends—nearly all against fully preserving a piece of rabbinic with the modern-day-myth. Permit me to stripped of their Christian content—have lore—one that has gained added majesty 4 demonstrate with the following case. appeared in Hebrew and in . and meaning as its caretakers have passed Rabbi Jacob Joseph (1840-1902) is It is unsurprising, therefore, that it from one generation to the next. one of the most tragic figures of American Nahmanides’s own Camelot adventure Evidently, the contemporary Jewish history. Although several men has been retold by a number of Jewish Reb Avner requires compassion far before him (and after) claimed the writers, most notably by Rabbi Yehiel more than the original one needed title of Chief Rabbi of New York, none Heilprin (1660-1746) in his well-known Nahmanides’s sympathy. No matter that 5 arrived in the New World with so much Seder Ha-Dorot. Gedaliah ibn Yahya, Yehiel Heilprin expectation than Rabbi Joseph had when Even more recently, the Lubavitcher and the Lubavitcher Rebbe saw value in he disembarked at Hoboken on July 7, Rebbe (1902-1994) recounted the tale protecting and nurturing the tale as they 1888.9 During his earlier years as one as one that had warmly resided within had first heard it. of Vilna’s leading rabbinic figures, Rabbi him since a teacher had introduced it Joseph had earned a reputation as an to him years ago when he was a small Rabbi Jacob Joseph’s Final 6 excellent halakhist as well as a superior child. The Rebbe, like those before him, Sermon preacher. Both were reasons for his recorded Ibn Yahya’s legend with laudable In our day and in our community, election as chief rabbi by the Association accuracy. It is exactly for that reason the creation of mythology has largely of American Orthodox Hebrew that I was so startled to hear a deviant been replaced by the more rigorous Congregations. The leaders of this group version on Rosh Hashanah 5772. While reconstruction of Jewish history as our anticipated that Rabbi Joseph would spending the holiday in Los Angeles with greatest narrative source for values and raise the level of ritual observance among family, I listened as my in-laws’ synagogue messages. Intelligent Orthodox laypeople Gotham’s traditional Jews and attract non- rabbi introduced his sermon with the embrace the legends of Judaism in ancient observant Jews to the synagogue with his Nahmanides-Avner story. As the punch and medieval times but they are mostly celebrated orations. line neared, I excitedly prompted my resistant to accepting romanticized Unfortunately, Rabbi Joseph did

26 Chavrusa • Tishrei 5773 Feature not stand a chance. His authority among Jews.14 American Jews possessed a high being is. This can happen to any of you. the ritual slaughterers was too narrowly regard for sermons but expected a certain Repent before it is too late.”17 circumscribed to affect change; the style and organization that was foreign At least some of the facts of this butchers continued to practice as they to all that Rabbi Joseph knew about story are incorrect. Not since Rabbi had before Rabbi Joseph’s arrival. What is homiletics.15 Throngs of Jews never again Joseph’s first sermon did audiences more, the Association that invited Rabbi filled the Norfolk synagogue to listen to jostle for standing room and climb the Joseph was politically weak; other rabbis the Chief Rabbi of New York. rafters to hear his lectures. While it and religious functionaries claimed that What happened to Rabbi Jacob mutes the potency of the narrative, that they were never consulted in the decision Joseph—and what he had wrought to inaccuracy by itself does not delegitimize to bring him to America. By 1895, himself—is, therefore, an important the episode. The Chief Rabbi did in fact vexation and consternation had taken cautionary and highly relevant tale about suffer a stroke toward the end of his life their toll on the Chief Rabbi, leaving him Old World Judaism in the United States. and he may well have stumbled through impoverished and virtually bedridden Believing this deeply, I found myself his first sermon upon his return from the until he died in 1902.10 once again astonished by a sermon hospital. Yet, for me, something is not Although Rabbi Joseph could not delivered on Yom Kippur, mere days after right. Something about Rabbi Joseph’s have avoided his fate, he did not help his bearing witness to the public revision of biography, one that teaches us about the cause when he delivered his inaugural Nahmanides’s encounter with Reb Avner. struggle for tradition in the New World, sermon in the Lower East Side’s Beth On that occasion I found myself back has been irretrievably compromised Midrash Hagadol on July 21, 1888. That in New York, preparing for Ne’ilah. The by this tale. To make the claim that weekend was Shabbat Nahamu, and crux of the rabbi’s sermon rested on a the Chief Rabbi retained hundreds of thousands converged on that synagogue story about Rabbi Joseph’s final years. He loyal followers despite the hardships he at Norfolk Street that afternoon to hear later explained to me that the anecdote faced throughout his tenure in America Rabbi Joseph, just as those who arranged was transmitted to him by a friend who blunts the severity of his tragic fate and for his appointment had hoped. In fact, had heard it earlier from Rabbi Shlomo diminishes the extent of what we may the police had to be called in to control Riskin. The latter has published the learn from his story. the crowd. “Capt. Webb and 12 stalwart account several times. I will now draw Of course, Rabbi Riskin and other policemen had their hands full trying from his most concise iteration.16 history-tellers are disadvantaged in a way to preserve order among the struggling Rabbi Riskin’s story—which he that myth-tellers are not. Myths are told mass of people bent on gaining at least probably first heard as a student in the and retold as part of a tradition. Each time a foothold with the temple,” the New Lower East Side yeshiva that bears the a legend is recounted it becomes part of York Times reported.11 In all likelihood, Chief Rabbi’s name—begins shortly after that next generation’s . In the Chief Rabbi ascended the pulpit and Rabbi Joseph suffered a stroke. Despite this way, the myth transcends the scrutiny preached in the same manner that he his condition, doctors permitted the of history. Whether or not Nahmanides had done in Vilna. But, as he would soon rabbi’s release from the hospital just a and Reb Avner met on that Yom Kippur learn, Manhattan was not Vilna. few days before Shabbat Shuva. As Rabbi nearly eight hundred years ago is hardly To say that Rabbi Joseph’s sermon Riskin described it, the synagogue “was relevant. Jews have listened to that story was not well received would be an filled to the rafters with hundreds of for generations and imbibed its various understatement.12 Journalist Abraham Jews anxious to hear his sermons.” The meanings, canonizing it as mesorah. And Cahan (1860-1951) wrote that “some of elderly scholar “rose to the pulpit a bit we owe it to that chain of storytellers to the very people who drank in his words shakily” and began: “My masters, ladies protect those lessons. thirstily in Vilna left the synagogue in the and gentlemen … My masters, ladies and Modern Jewish history, by contrast, middle of his sermon here.”13 Similarly, gentlemen …” Rabbi Joseph repeated as I have argued, is judged on its veracity. Judah David Eisenstein (1854-1956), circularly, as tears began to flow down As we shape our community’s future a vice president of the his cheeks. “I prepared this sermon so around our most immediate past, it seems Hagadol, recalled years later that the same carefully first in the hospital and after I critical to learn from the most accurate rhetoric that had caused “tears to fall” got out, but now I have no recollection of and precise lessons of history. As we in Lithuania was “lightweight” and even what I prepared. I can’t even read my own compete with scientists and scholars in “loathsome” in the eyes of New York’s writing. My masters, this is what a human the marketplace of religious truth, we

27 Chavrusa • Tishrei 5773 Feature have no right to be any less sophisticated. kabbalistic tract, Emek Ha-Melekh (Amsterdam, 12. The best description of this episode is found We can ill afford to dabble in make- 1648), 4a. A children’s biography contains a in Menahem Blondheim, “Divine Comedy: believe. And yet, as heirs to a wondrous fanciful, but mostly accurate depiction of the lore. The Jewish Orthodox Sermon in America tradition, we have every reason to See Yaacov Dovid Shulman, The Nahmanides: 1881-1939,” in Multilingual America: The Story of Rabbi Moshe ben Nachman (New Transformationalism, Ethnicity, and the transmit the lore of our past. n York: CIS Publishers, 1993), 132-36. Languages of American Literature, ed. Werner 6. Menahem Mendel Schneerson, Hisva’aduyos Sollors (New York: New York University Press, Footnotes (Brooklyn: Lahak Hanochos, 1990), 109-10. 1998), 191-92. 1. “Why I Left the Rabbinate,” The Young Israel 7. Chaim Miller, The Gutnick Edition Chumash: 13. Moses Rischin, Grandma Never Lived in Viewpoint 44 (March-April 1956): 15 The Book of Deuteronomy (Brooklyn: Kol America: The New Journalism of Abraham 2. Gedaliah ibn Yahya, Shalshelet Ha- Menachem, 2004), 244. Cahan (Bloomington: Indiana University Press, (Jerusalem: Ha-Dorot Ha-Rishonim ve-Korotam, 8. See Aharon Feldman, “Gedolim Books and the 1985), 72-73. 1962), 128. Biography of Reb Yaakov Kamenetzky,” The 14. Judah David Eisenstein, Otzer Zikhronotai 3. See Tamar S. Drukker, “A Thirteenth-Century Jewish Observer 27 (November 1994): 32-33; (New York, 1930), 60. Arthurian Tale in Hebrew: A Unique Literary and Jacob J. Schachter, “Facing the Truths of 15. For more on this, see Kimmy Caplan, Orthodoxy Exchange,” Medieval Encounters 15 (2009): History,” The Torah u-Madda Journal 8 (1998- in the New World: Immigrant Rabbis and 114-29; and Paul R. Rovang, “Hebraizing 1999): 200-73. See also the Foreword to Nathan Preaching in America (1881-1924) (Jerusalem: Arthurian Romance: The Originality of Melech Kamenetsky, Making of a Gadol: A Study of Zalman Shazar, 2002). Artus,” Arthuriana 19 (Summer 2009): 3-9. Episodes in the Lives of Great Torah Personalities, 16. For other versions told by Rabbi Riskin, see 4. Robert G. Warnock, “The Arthurian Tradition in vol. 1 (Jerusalem: PP Publishers, 2004). Shlomo Riskin, “Shabbat Shalom,” Toras Aish Hebrew and Yiddish,” in King Arthur Through the 9. Abraham J. Karp, “New York Chooses a Chief 13 (Vayelech 5766): 5; “: Our Ages vol. 1, eds. Valerie M. Lagorio and Mildred Rabbi,” Publications of the American Jewish Days Pass Like a Shadow,” Jewish News of Leake Day (New York: Garland Publishing, Historical Society 44 (September 1954-June Greater Phoenix (September 10, 2004): 61; 1990), 189-208. 1955): 149. and “Yom Kippur: Seize the Day,” Jerusalem Post 5. Yehiel ben Solomon Heilprin, Seder Ha-Dorot vol. 10. Ibid., 79-80. (September 13, 1999): 11. 1 (Jerusalem: Yarid Ha-Sefarim, 2003), 321. 11. “Hearing the New Rabbi,” New York Times (July 17. Shlomo Riskin, “Shabbat Shalom,” Toras Aish See also Naftali Hertz ben Yaakov Elchanan’s 22, 1888): 8. 11 (Nitzavim-Vayelech 5764): 3-4.

28 Chavrusa • Tishrei 5773 Lifecycles

Professional Mazal Tov Rabbi Eric Nahorai Kotkin Mazal Tov Rabbi David ‘80R and Arlene ‘07R on the public launch Etengoff on the birth of a Rabbi Dr. Alan Brill ‘90R on of his new website www. Rabbi Shimon ‘76R and grandson, Levi, born to Chani the publication of Judaism and bible4community.com. Sharon (Marks) Altshul on (Etengoff) and Asher Laub. World Religions: Encountering the birth of a granddaughter, Christianity, Islam, and Eastern Rabbi Dr. Norman Lamm’s Gili Yehudit, born to Zahava and Rabbi Eliot ’76R and Ann Traditions. ‘51R on the publication of Aryeh Altshul. Starkman Feldman on the birth Majesty and Mystery (Yeshiva of a granddaughter, Lila Ava, Yeshiva University’s CJF David University Press). Rabbi Eli Babich ‘02R on born to Dov and Arielle Maslow Mitzner Dean Rabbi Kenneth his marriage to Lisa Okun of Feldman. Brander’s ‘86R most recent Rabbi Haskel Lookstein ‘58R Hillcrest, NY. article, “In the Eye of the Storm: on being honored with the 2012 Rabbi David ‘02R and Malka Rabbi Ari ‘95R and Anita Shabbat Observance During a Gershom Mendes Seixas Award Flamholz on the birth of a Berman on their son, Binyamin, Hurricane or Severe Weather of the Columbia/Barnard Hillel. daughter, Nava Tzirel. becoming a Bar Mitzvah. Event,” has just been published Rabbi Gidon ‘92R and Rabbi Yitzhak ‘65R and in the Journal of Halacha and Elizabeth Rothstein on being Rabbi Julius ‘59R and Marcia (Davis) Frank, on Contemporary Society, Fall 2012 honored at the Riverdale Jewish Dotty Berman, and Rabbi their granddaughter, Hodaya, edition. Center’s 58th Anniversary Michael ‘64R and Sarah daughter of Uriel and Le’a Frank, Hecht on the birth of a great- Rabbi Dr. Kenneth Richard Dinner. becoming a Bat Mitzvah. grandson, Ya’akov Uriel, born Chelst ‘74R on receiving the Rabbi Dr. Gidon Rothstein to Josh and Lani Berman and Dr. Mechy ‘71R and Sheila 2011 President’s Award from the ‘92R on the publication of to grandparents Zev and Judy Frankel on the birth of a Institute for Operations Research We’re Missing the Point: What’s Berman. grandson, Meir Yaakov, born to and the Management Sciences Wrong with the Orthodox Jewish Betzalel and Dr. Shana Posy; (INFORMS). Community and How to Fix It. RIETS student Reu and Miriam and on the occasion of their Berman on the birth of a son, Rabbi Dovid ‘97R and Ruchi Rabbi Eliezer Schnall ‘03R, grandson, Daniel Abba, son of Nachum Mordechai. Benjamin and Shlomit Edinger, Cohen on being honored with PhD authored “Psychological and becoming a Bar Mitzvah. the Rabbinic Leadership Award Social Characteristics Associated Rabbi Joel ‘10R and Chani at the Annual Dinner of the with Religiosity in Women’s Bloom on the birth of a Rabbi Avi ‘08R and Sarah Young Israel of West Side. Health Initiative Participants” daughter, Ahuva Batsheva. And Fried on the birth of a son, to grandparents Rabbi Allen Rabbi David Etengoff’s which appeared in the Journal Aharon Yerucham. ‘86R and Alisa Schwartz, and ‘80R of Religion and Health in March most recent article, to great grandparents, Rabbi Rabbi Jonathan and Minky “Contemporary Modalities of 2012. Rabbi Schnall also Glass on the birth of a authored”Groupthink and the Herbert ‘51R and Leona Bikur Cholim,” appeared in Bomzer. granddaughter, Batsheva the Journal of Halacha and Sanhedrin: An Analysis of the Esther, born to Elke and Elazar Contemporary Society, Spring Ancient Court of Israel through RIETS Student Avi and Dena Bronstein. 2012 edition. the Lens of Modern Social Block on the birth of a son, Psychology” which appeared Pesach Tzvi and to Avi’s RIETS Rosh Yeshiva Rabbi Meir Rabbi Yitzhak Frank ‘65R in the Journal of Management grandparents, Rabbi Robert and Hila Goldwicht on the birth on the publication by the Ariel History in July 2012. ‘76R and Belle Block, Rabbi of a granddaughter, Avigail Toba, Institute of a newly revised and Avi ’84R and Rivi Katz, and born to Orital and Zev Weinroth. expanded edition of Grammar Rabbi David Shabtai, MD ‘09R on the publication of Defining to Dena’s grandparents, Rabbi Rabbi Dr. Macy Gordon for Gemara and Targum Onkelos; Norman I. ‘55R and Judy Katz. An Introduction to Aramaic The Moment: Determining Death ‘56R on the birth of three (Feldheim). in Halakhah (Shoresh, 2012). RIETS Student Mendel and great-grandchildren: a great- granddaughter, Renana Hadas, Rabbi Joseph ‘73R Abby Breitstein on the birth of Rabbi Melvin ‘67R and Malka and born to Betzalel and Nitzana Dvorah Telushkin a son, Amram Yishai. Granatstein on being honored on being (Greenblum) Friedman; a great- at a tribute dinner at Green Road honored at Congregation Rabbi Asher ‘81R and granddaughter, Reisheet Chen, Synagogue in Cleveland, OH. Ramath Orah’s Annual Dinner in Leah Bush on the birth of a born to Edna (Friedman) and Manhattan. granddaughter. Rabbi David Hartman ‘54R on Yanai Apelbaum; and a great- the publication of From Defender Rabbi Akiva ‘06R and Yael RIETS student Robby and grandson, Meged Tal, born to Critic: The Search for a New Willig on being honored with Shoshana Charnoff on to Nava (Friedman) and Tzori Jewish Self. the Nathan K. Gross Community the birth of a daughter, Aliza Wieder. Service Award at the Annual Devorah. Rabbi Murray ‘46R and Rabbi Nathaniel Helfgot ‘89R Dinner of Congregation Ohab Rabbi Daniel ‘94R and Diane Francine Grauer on the birth on the publication of Mikra & Zedek (OZ) in Manhattan. Meaning: Studies in Bible and Its Cohen on their daughter, Tamar, of a great-grandson,Yosef Interpretation. Rabbi Howard ‘77R and becoming a Bat Mitzvah. Shlomo, born to Dena and Annette Wolk on being honored Rabbi Zechariah Grauer, and to Rabbi Zvi ‘02R and Laurie Rabbi Benjamin G. Kelsen, by Congregation Shaare-Tefilla of grandparents, Amy and David Engel on the birth of a daughter, Esq. on being named to the New Dallas, Texas, on the shul’s 25th Grauer. Aderet Bina. Jersey Rising Stars list for 2012. anniversary.

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Rabbi Maury ‘04R and Malka RIETS Student Yitzi and Aviva Rabbi Eliezer Schnall PhD Rabbi Raphael ‘98R and Grebenau on the birth of a Matanky on the birth of a ‘03R and Shira Schnall on the Vivian Willig on the occasion daughter, Talia Ta’ir. daughter, Meital Tziporah. And to birth of a son, Gavriel Eliyahu, of their daughters, Ella and Tova Rabbi Harris ‘63R and Judi grandparents Rabbi Dr. Leonard and to grandparents Azrieli Dean Willig, becoming Bnot Mitzvah Rabbi Dr. David ‘72R Tova Guedalia on the birth of a and Margaret Matanky. and and to grandparents RIETS Rosh Schnall. Rabbi Mordechai ‘71R great-grandson, born to Gilat RIETS student Alon and Linsay Yeshiva Faygie Willig. and Asher Sacks and to the Meltzer on the birth of a Rabbi Dr. David ‘09R and and grandparents, Allison and Dr. Ari daughter, Daliah Sarah. Monica Shabtai on the birth of Rabbi Eliyahu ‘10R and Adina Kupietzky and Judith and Alan Wolf Rabbi Meir Neuman ‘07R on a son, Yosef Chaim Menachem. on the birth of a son, Hillel Sacks, and to the great-great his marriage to Shira Jacobson Rabbi Gideon ‘93R and and to grandparents RIETS Rosh grandmother, Mrs. Els Bendheim Rabbi Mordechai ‘71R from Brooklyn, NY. Bonnie Shloush on the birth of Yeshiva wife of the late Charles H. and Faygie Willig. Rabbi Shalom ‘11R and Bryna a son, Shmuel Amichai. Bendheim. Rabbi Howard ‘77R Ozarowski on the birth of a Rabbi Robert ‘05R and Aviva and RIETS student Jonathan Annette Wolk daughter. Shur on the birth of a son, on the birth of and Sefi Hefter, on the birth Benzion Mordechai. a granddaughter, Shoshana of a daughter and to the Rabbi Adir ‘06R and Dr. Hindi Rachel, born to Yonatan and Lani grandparents, Rabbi Yaakov Posy on the birth of a son RIETS Student David and Talya Wolk. 73R Abby Lerner Yaakov Amichai. Stein on the birth of a son, Ilan ‘ and . Rabbi Benjamin ‘80R Amichai. and Rabbi Shmuel ‘99R and Rabbi Chaim ‘11R and Karen Barbara C. Yasgur on the Rhanni Herzfeld on the birth of Poupko on the birth of a Rabbi Michael ‘86R and marriage of their son, Ari a son, Bear Moshe. daughter, Chava Tova. Sheryl Susman on the birth of Mordechai, to Shushannah a granddaughter, Hadas, born Rabbi Raphy ‘09R and Miriam Rabbi Baruch ‘01R and Leah Martina Jane Walshe. to Elisheva and Itzik Dahan of Hulkower on the birth of a Shifra Price on the birth of a Rabbi David ‘08R Sarah Beit Shean; and on the marriage and daughter, Nava Leora. daughter, Adina. Zahtz of their son, Eitan, to Michal on the birth of twins, Yael Rabbi David ‘72R and Marcia Rabbi Ariel ‘06R and Jessica Elishevitz. Batya and Alta Chava Malka. (Perin) Jacobowitz on the birth Rackovsky on birth of a son, Rabbi Dr. Erich ‘62R Rabbi Etan ‘95R and Esther and of a granddaughter, Emanuela Yeshaya. Naomi (Baumol) Zauderer Tokayer on the birth of a son, on Nitza, born to Ronnie Perelis and Rabbi Robert ‘88R and Blima Yedidyah Mordechai. the birth of a great-grandson, Dr. Tammy Jacobowitz. Rhodes on making . Yitzchok, born to Elana and Gabi Rabbi Stuart ‘69R and Anita Rabbi Netanel ‘10R and Pinchasov. Rabbi Daniel ‘08R and Shira (Presler) Tucker on the birth Rachel Javasky on the birth of Rabbi Robert ‘81R Rosenfeld on the birth of of twin grandchildren, Yagel Ayal and a daughter, Leora. Mindy Zeiger a son, Itiel Shlomo-Daniel, and Ziv Shalom, born to Yoni and on the birth of Rabbi Aaron ‘10R and Molly and to grandparents Rabbi Tami Biton. a granddaughter, Talya Malka, Katz on the birth of a daughter, Menachem ‘75R and Karen born to Eliezer and Nadine Rabbi Ari ‘90R and Sandy Rivka Chana. Rosenfeld. Zeiger. (Levitz) Waxman on the Rabbi Yaakov ‘59R Anne Rabbi Akiva ‘08R and Chaya RIETS Student Evan and marriage of their daughter, and Zev Sima Koenigsberg on the birth Susanne (Goldstone) Rachel, to Eliad Dennis and to on the marriage of their of a daughter, Leah. Rosenhouse on the birth of a the grandparents, Rabbi Dr. granddaughter, Estee, to Yishai daughter, Rebecca Noa. Yisrael ‘63R Myra Levitz Stern. Rabbi Dovid ‘93R and Bonnie and Prof. Chaim I. ‘66R Rabbi Ellie ‘01R Sharon Kupchik on the occasion of Rabbi Dr. Joel ‘58R and Eta and and and Chaya Waxman. Zwickler their son, Roni, becoming a Bar Rosenshein on the birth of a on their son, Levi Mitzvah. great-granddaughter, Shaine, born Rabbi Jay ‘09R and Sharon Yitzchak, becoming a Bar to Mr. and Mrs. Chananya Mannes Weinstein Mitzvah. RIETS Student Dov Lerner on on the birth of a son, and to grandparents, Rabbi ‘58R his marriage to Miriam Weiss Eitan Binyamin. and Mrs. Shmuel Rosenshein. Condolences from Passaic, NJ. Rabbi Yosef ‘05R and Rabbi Shimon Altshul ‘76R Rabbi Dr. Elihu ‘57R and Rebecca Weinstock Rabbi Yaakov ‘73R and Abby on the on the loss of his mother, Ruth Freida Schatz on the marriage Lerner on the birth of of a birth of a son, Eitan Chaim. Brooks Spanglet. of their granddaughter, Idit granddaughter, Esther Chana, Rabbi Matan ‘10R Yaffi Schatz, daughter of Yechezkel and Aviva Adler, Penny Kraut, Daniel born to Nachman and Hudi (Spodek) Wexler and Lisa Schatz, to Noam on the birth Besdin, and Tova Morgan on Elsant. Freeman of Jerusalem; and on of a son, Shlomo Zalman and to the loss of their mother, Bertha Rabbi Ira ‘74R Rabbi Elihu ‘56R and Chaya the marriage of their grandson, grandparents, Besdin, widow of the late Rabbi Paula Spodek. (Heschel) Marcus on the Raziel, son of Shalom and Yehudit and Moshe Besdin ‘36R. marriage of their granddaughter, Shushan to Yael Asor of Modiin; Rabbi Netanel ‘06R and Sara Rabbi Hershel Billet ‘74R on Sari, to Oran Heschel; and on the and on their granddaughter, Wiederblank on the birth of a the loss of his mother, Pearl birth of a great granddaughter, Lotem Kfir, daughter of Beanie son, Yosef Mordechai. Billet. Michal. and Shulamith Kfir, becoming a Bat Mitzvah.

30 Chavrusa • TaTishrmmuezi 57735771 Lifecycles

Rabbi Robert Block ‘76R on Learn Mishnayos le-iyluy Nishmas Prof. Gerald August z”l the loss of his mother, Ruth We regret to inform you of the passing of Professor Gerald Block. August, a”h, who lost his courageous fight with cancer on Rabbi Abba Bronspigel ‘61R Shabbat, August 1, 2012. Professor August had been a on the loss of his brother, Sol Brown. distinguished faculty member at RIETS for nearly 15 years. Rabbi Levi Buchen ‘57R on the He helped pioneer the Public Speaking curriculum for RIETS, loss of his sister, Ann Newman and had a profound effect on many of the students, particularly Rabbi Chaim Casper ‘82R on the Fellows of the Wexner Semikha Honors program and the the loss of his father, George Wexner Kollel Elyon. Professor August pushed himself to teach the Friday before his Casper. passing. Although clearly suffering, he made his way through his two classes. Rabbi Dr. Hillel Davis ‘75R on the loss of his mother, Rebbetzin May his memory continue to inspire us. The funeral took place at the Beth Shalom Helen Davis. Cemetery in Wilmington, Delaware on Wednesday, Sept 5th. A number of students Rabbi Aaron Feigenbaum and staff traveled to attend. To sign up to learn mishnayos le-iyluy nishmas Prof. go to www.shloshim.org and search for ,יצחק חיים בן שלמה ז”ל ,06R on the loss of his brother, Gerald August‘ Chaim Feigenbaum, son of Mr. Gerald August. May we share in future semachot. Jackie and Chaya Feigenbaum and husband of Talia (Horwitz), and father of Nosson and Ora. Rabbi Richard Kirsch ‘94R on Rabbi Daniel Rhein ‘73R on Rabbi Ira ‘74R and Paula Spodek RIETS Student David and the loss of his father, Dr. Harry the loss of his mother, Edith on the loss of Paula’s Chevy Glassberg on the loss of Kirsch. Rhein. father, Sam Freund, husband of Chevy’s mother, Carol Brody. Rabbi Sidney Kleiman ‘36R on Rabbi Joseph Rosenbluh ‘82R Helen Freund. Rabbi Aaron Tirschwell ‘94R Rabbi Shmuel Goldin ‘76R on the loss of his son, Rav Yitzchak on the loss of his mother, Doris Rabbi Perry Tirschwell the loss of his mother, Penina Kleiman. Diamond. and ‘97R Goldin. Rabbi Micha Landau ‘83R on Rabbi Dr. Jonathan on the loss of their father, the loss of his mother, Gita Tova Rosenblatt ‘72R on the loss of Donald Tirschwell, husband of Bilha Gordon on the loss of her Barbara Tirschwell. husband, Rabbi Dr Martin L Gloria Landau. his mother, Jaclyn L. Rosenblatt. Rabbi Dr. (Menachem) Gordon ‘62R, Gail Levy on the loss of her Rabbi Benzion Scheinfeld RIETS Rosh Yeshiva Moshe Dovid Tendler ‘48R father of Shoshana-Razel husband, Rabbi Joel Levy ‘88R, Sara Meckler, and Gordon-Guedalia, Aliza Epstein, ‘47R. Hillel Scheinfeld on the loss of on the loss of his brother, Rabbi Tova Breslauer, Yonina Deutsch Rabbi Herbert Yosef Tendler. RIETS Board Member, Leon their father, and Yitzy Gordon; and brother of Scheinfeld ‘54R Rabbi Joel Tessler ‘83R Meyers, on the loss of his wife , husband of on Florence Wassner. Joan Meyers. Esther Scheinfeld. the loss of his mother, Gertrude Rabbi Mark Gottlieb ‘94R on Rabbi Label Sharfman ‘79R Bennett-Fox. Dvora Petroff on the loss the loss of his mother, Judith Rabbi Nahum ‘72R Sivya of her husband, Rabbi Dr on the loss of his sister, Leah and Gottlieb. Twersky Yaakov Petroff ‘57R, father Hain, wife of Dr. Daniel Hain, on the loss of Sivya’s Ariella Rabbi Rabbi Lenny (Eliezer) of Yehoshua, Moshe Aharon, mother of (and father, Rabbi Pesach Z. Levovitz. Yaacov ‘96R) Ellish, Moshe Greenblum ‘75R on the loss of Shalom, Ora Lifshitz, Menucha Rabbi Tzvee Zahavy ‘72R, Hain, Yaffa Lev, Baruch Hain, his father, Yaakov Yosef (Jack) Weisbord, Yosef, Chemda Professor Reuvain Zahavy and and Gavi Hain. Greenblum. Freiman and Tova Baum. Professor Miryam Wahrman on Rabbi Esther Harris on the loss of Francine Poleyeff on the loss Sharon (Lowenstein) Shoham the loss of their father, Zev Zahavy ‘42R her husband, RIETS Professor of her husband, Rabbi Israel on the loss of her husband, , brother of Rabbi Gilbert Lewis Shoham Rabbi Richard M. Dick Harris, father Poleyeff ‘51R. May Chait and of the late ‘53R Noah Goldstein ‘51R of Judah Harris, Batya Harris, , father of Steven Shoham and the Rabbi Aaron Reichel ‘74R, and Avi Harris. and Cynthia Shoham Follick late Selma Guedalia. Miriam Bronner, and Rabbi and brother of Faye Mishkin, Rabbi Dr. Joel ‘76R and Bella Rabbi Henry Hoschander ‘50R Hillel Reichel on the loss of their Rabbi Sidney Shoham and Jacob Zdanowitz on the loss of Bella’s on the loss of his brother, Dr. father, Rabbi Dr. O. Asher Shoham and grandfather of father, Rabbi Isaac Linshitz. Fred Hoschander. Reichel ‘42R, brother of Rabbi Daniel Shalom Shoham, and Solomon Reichel ‘49R Rivky Elefant and Bentzion and predeceased by his first wife, Rabbi Hyam Reichel ‘55R Kaminetzky on the loss of their Mrs. Dorothy Cohen Shoham z”l. and son-in-law of the late Rabbi father, Rabbi Sholom M. Rabbi Daniel Price ‘04R Herbert S. Goldstein z”l and the and Kaminetzky ‘69R, brother of Debra Rabbi Marc ‘98R grandson-in-law of YU benefactor (and ) Rabbi Eliezer Kaminetzky Spivak the late Harry Fischel z”l. on the loss of their ‘66R and Chaim Kaminetzky. father, Dr. Clifton Price.

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