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Glimpse of Women’s Window into Greatness Wisdom the Kollel 3 4 5 chicago A monthly publication of Yeshiva University Torah Mitzion Kollel of Chicago אדר תשע”בTORAVolume 1 Issue 5 Adar 5772H table of message of the month: ADARVolume 1 Issue 1 contents By: Rabbi Ya’akov Trump, Kollel Fellow “תשועתם היית לנצח ותקותם בכל דור ודור” - שושנת יעקב 3 Glimpse of Greatness “You were their salvation for eternity and their hope in every generation.’”— Shoshanat Yaakov 4 Women’s Wisdom n the song Shoshanat one; it was signed by G-d as well. merits in the time of Haman’s Yaakov we extol G-d The Midrash states that when decree; we had no grounds for being our eternal the Megilah speaks of “the for redemption. G-d saved us 5 Window into the Kollel I salvation, both king,” it is a veiled reference for one simple reason: we are historically and in the to the King of Kings (Midrash His nation. Purim’s unique 6 Torat Eretz Yisrael future. It is fascinating that Abba Guryon 1). When the salvation shows us that the this message finds its way into Megilah (3:10) describes the connection of the Jewish people 7 Kosher Korner the liturgy of Purim specifically. “king” handing over the royal to G-d can never be severed. What is it about Purim that seal to validate Haman’s plans, This message of Purim is elicits this reference to our this means it was sealed in the timeless. In Hilchot Megilah 8 Yahrtzeit of the Month redemption throughout history Heavenly records as well. (2:18), the Rambam writes that and in the future? Escaping a divine decree was in the Messianic era, all books chicagoTORAH 5772 is Though the Jews have no simple matter, especially for of the prophets will become endowed by Lennie & faced destruction in many the Jews of Shushan. The Sfat obsolete, except for Megilat Jessica Weiss in loving generations, Haman’s plot Emet (Shmot, Purim) explains Esther. Our unconditional memory of Mr. Irving posed a unique threat. This that this Midrash means that connection to G-d is truly Weiss, a”h decree was not only an earthly the Jewish people were bereft of enduring “in every generation.” לע”נ ישראל בן דוב ע”ה This issue is anonymously Yeshiva University Torah Mitzion Kollel of Chicago sponsored in honor of AnnuAl Dinner SunDAy evening, MArch 18th, 2012 Rosh Kollel Rabbi Reuven Welcoming - rAbbi herShel SchAchter, Shlit”A Brand and all the Kollel Recognizing the contributions of fellows for enriching and strengthening the Dr. ShMuel AnD chAnA golDStein greater Chicago Jewish Dr. MichAel AnD DArryle gillMAn Mr. ShMuel AnD Miki Schreiber community with inspired to MAke reServAtionS or for More inforMAtion contAct uS At 773.973.6557 or [email protected] Torah living and learning. letter from the EDITOR Rabbi Menachem Rosenbaum Chicago Dear Reader, TORAH “When Adar enters, we to why Esther asked for a second party with Rabbi Reuven Brand increase our joy” (Taanit Achashveirosh. The mitzvah of reading the Rosh Kollel 29a). Outside of Yeshiva Megillah itself implies this notion of communal University’s Beit Midrash Torah learning; Megillat Esther is the only Sam Medow there is a sign that goes Megillah that is read publicly and then publicly Executive Director up every Adar that adds reviewed the next day. The halacha is telling us: the following explanation: let’s talk about the story again. Torah learning Rabbi Menachem “There is no joy other than during the month of Adar is more joyous Rosenbaum the joy of Torah.” because it brings the community together, one Editor-In-Chief of the major themes of Purim. There are many ways for us to enhance our Shaina Weiss General Editor Torah learning, but Adar increases our joy of In our own small way, that is what we are trying learning Torah in a unique way. Every one of to do in the YU Torah Mitzion Kollel every Stacy Kass us, at one time or another, has found ourselves day and with chicagoTORAH every month. Graphic Designer with that chidush, that incredible Torah novelty chicagoTORAH brings the community together that brings us so much pleasure that we just by displaying a buffet of timely Torah literature chicagoTORAH have to share it with someone, only to find no that everyone can access. This publication 5772 is endowed one with whom to share it. This is what makes strives to present the Chicagoland community by Lennie & Jessica Adar different- it has an element of communal with Torah thoughts that help connect its Weiss in loving learning. So many people are familiar with the readers to each other as well as to the Torah that memory of Mr. Irving story of Esther. Everyone loves to talk about the Kollel learns daily. Weiss, a”h the many nuances found in the Megillah, from Rabbi Menachem Rosenbaum why Vashti’s death is not explicit in the text לע”נ ישראל בן דוב ע”ה Please feel free to contact me at [email protected] did you KNOW? • The Kollel has Celebration. Families joined together for developed a new interactive games, activities, and a seder 3 part women’s Tu B’shvat presentation by our Kollel halacha shiur in fellows and community members. Northbrook for the women and friends of • Over 275 Ida Crown Jewish Academy Congregation Darchei students participated in a Yom Iyun Noam of Glenbrook. facilitated by the Kollel last month which Given by our Rosh brought together community scholars Kollel and Kollel and the Kollel fellows who each offered fellows, this series individual learning sessions that the focuses on food preparation on Shabbat and Holidays. students were able to choose from. • In partnership with Bnei Akiva, Hillel Torah and • The Kollel partners with Hebrew Theological College to Or Torah the Kollel hosted an Israeli Tu B’shvat offer a joint summer learning and internship program. 2 chicagoTORAH • A monthly publication of Yeshiva University? Torah Mitzion Kollel of Chicago glimpse of GREATNESS A Story of Inspiration: Rav Chaim Soloveitchik, zt”l Rav Chaim Soloveitchik, zt”l (1853-1918) Further evidence of his sense of compassion in the house was being used by Rav Chaim’s When most people is described in the following story: Rabbi son, Rav Yitzchak Zev, who was using the pen think of Rav Chaim, Meir Bar-Ilan once asked his grandfather, to write divrei Torah. Nonetheless, Rav Chaim what immediately comes Rabbi Yechiel Michel Epstein (author of the demanded that his son hand over the pen to to mind is his piercing Aruch HaShulchan) what was the role of a the beggar. In his mind, there was nothing that analysis of Talmud community rabbi. He answered, that his role preceded gemilut chasadim. and Rambam that is to be a posek, a decisor of Jewish law, for Although his life was dedicated to learning and revolutionized the study the town. Rabbi Bar-Ilan later asked Rav teaching Torah in ways that were unparalleled of Torah worldwide. Chaim Soloveitchik the same question. Rav in previous generations, that is not how Rav However, another vital aspect of his personality Chaim said that the main role of the rabbi is Chaim wanted to be remembered. Before he was his remarkable, boundless compassion. to provide chesed to those in need. passed away, he commanded his family what to An article published during his lifetime in the For Rav Chaim this answer was not just write on his gravestone (pictured below). The Yiddish newspaper, The Forward, describes theoretical. When Rav Chaim would only thing he wanted inscribed was that he was Rav Chaim as a paradigm of benevolence: encounter a poor person who didn’t have the Rav in Brisk, who cared for those in need. “To the locals, who know the rabbi, he is, shoes, he would take off his own shoes and quite simply, a moral giant. In Brisk, young give them to the poor person. Similarly, Rav atheists and old religious Jews share the same Chaim was given a woodshed to heat his house view of Soloveitchik. He is talked about as if during the winter, but only agreed to use it he is a living legend. Soloveitchik’s breadth as if it were left open and accessible for all who a thinker and moralist is known to all in his needed wood. Sources: Forward.com, Revach.net, The Rav by hometown, no matter what religious affiliation Once a beggar came to Rav Chaim’s door Rabbi Aron Rakeffet-Rothkof, Rabbi Kenneth they may or may not have.” looking for a pen. The only pen to be found Brander, in a shiur The Purim Tail Megillah 12b chicagoTORAH • Adar 5772 3 חכמת נשים בנתה ביתה women’s WISDOM Every Last One By: Dr. Nechama Brand n a curious passage, the Rabbis of word matching. There is a thematic one tree- the tree of knowledge- that the Talmud (Chullin 139b) find connection between the two stories. was beyond them. Adam and Chava an allusion to the main characters Haman had everyone in 127 countries could not be satisfied until they were I of the Purim story in the Torah bowing to him. Yet, “Umordechai Lo able to enjoy every last fruit and no itself. Regarding Haman, the Talmud Yichra V’lo Yishtachaveh” (Esther 3:2). restriction to their desires existed, just cites the phrase from Bereishit, “Hamin There was one Jew, Mordechai, who like Haman. Haetz”- from the tree. We learn to refused to bow, and this drove Haman connect the name “Haman” with the mad. Haman was not satisfied with Chazal are teaching us the importance word “Ha-min,” which relates to the all of his fame and honor, because his of happiness with one’s portion- tree of knowledge from which Adam desires would not be quenched until he sameach b’chelko.