ב"ה FOURTEEN A Man of Mind of Action Chassidus for the Czar's Soldiers The Life and Writings of R. Chatche Feigin The Tzemach Tzedek - 150 Years since his Passing The Chain of Chassidus My Heroines Chinuch in Our Time: Rabbi Chaim A. Chazan Rachel Altien Rabbi Nachman Yosef Twersky – Part 1 Truth Breeds Truth My Journey to the Yeshivah in Lubavitch Harav Yitzchok Yehuda Yeruslavsky Memoirs of Reb Shmaryohu Sassonkin – Part 2 14 PRICE: $6 / $5 NY בה ZAL IS AN EASY PLACE TO GET LOST. We start with a principle: Personal relationships with teachers and hanhola are crucial for a student’s development. At Chovevei Torah, we are a team of devoted staff, personally commit- ted to bringing out the best in every Bochur. By making a personal connection with every bochur who walks through our doors, we are able respond to the individual needs of every bochur. From beginner to advanced, from Chassidus to Niglah, we have B”H been matzliach in creating an atmosphere of growth and Hadracha in Limud Hato- rah. As we continue to grow in numbers, we will always stay true to our roots and ideals, caring for each individual bochur as just that- an individual. Gaining independence doesn’t have to mean getting lost in the crowd. We promise to look after him. Yeshivas Tomchei Temimim Lubavitch | Chovevei Torah | 718-735-6601 885 Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn NY, 11213 | [email protected] | CentralYeshiva.com FOURTEEN Contents 42 12 Chassidus for the Czar's Soldiers A Man of Mind and Action The Tzemach Tzedek THE LIFE AND WRITINGS OF R. CHAtcHE FEIGIN Rabbi Shimon Hellinger 56 72 The Chain of Chassidus Truth Breeds Truth Rabbi Chaim A. Chazan Harav Yitzchok Yehuda Yeruslavsky 8 BALL PRACTICE The Rebbe's Perspective 78 MY HEROINES Rachel Altien 104 AGAIN A HORSE? P: 347.471.1770 Rabbi Shalom Ber Avtzon E: [email protected] W: www. MerkazAnash.com HOW TO PROTECT LOVE 125 478 Albany Ave. Ste. 11 FROM ABUSE? Brooklyn NY 11203 Rabbi Mendy Wolf 132 MY PERSPECTIVE Readers Write Rabbi Shimon Hellinger General Editor Rabbi Matisyahu Friedman Mrs. Basya Yahel Rabbi Yehudah Leib Altien Editors Rabbi Schneur Zalman Rabin Reviewer Rabbi Mendy Browd 84 Mendy Drookman CHINUCH IN OUR TIME Levi Weingarten Rabbi Nachman Yosef Twersky – Part 1 Mendel Schtroks Design Rabbi Mordechai Morozow Rabbi Mendel Schtroks Administration Rabbi Shmuel Pevzner Vaad Hamosifin Printed by 108 MY JOURNEY TO THE YESHIVAH IN LUBAVItcH Memoirs of Reb Shmaryohu Sassonkin - Part 2 Foreword Geting Through to Children arav Shmuel Vosner a”h was a foremost halachic posek Hand a well-respected Torah leader. His relationship with Lubavitch began in the 5690’s (1930’s) when he delivered a Tanya shiur in the Pressburg yeshiva and corresponded with the Frierdiker Rebbe on what it means to be a chossid and mekushar. In summer of 5736 (1976), Harav Vosner visited the Rebbe and was received with outstanding friendship. He took the opportunity to present the Rebbe with a dilemma he had: Oftentimes, he was called to speak before young children; what should he talk to them about? The Rebbe advised him to discuss the basic meaning of the bracha “shehakol nihya bidvaro.” Children recite this bracha numerous times each day, and they should understand and consider what they are saying: that everything comes into being from Hashem’s word. ■■■ Where is the genius here? Why did Harav Vosner have to turn to the Rebbe with such a basic question? To speak simply is not easy. Shlomo Hamelech and R. Meir are extolled for being able to draw down profound ideas into ordinary minds through apt parables. As Chassidus puts it: The brighter the flame, the further it can shine. In our efforts to transmit lofty ideals to young children, we often feel compelled to compromise one of the two ends: the ideal or the child. Attempting to remain faithful to the ideal, we will tell a child the unabridged truth. For example, when discussing the value of Torah study, we will quote from Chassidus how Torah is “higher than the worlds” and is “Hashem’s essential delight.” Mystified by what is far beyond his understanding, the child will either feel alienated or he will submit to memorizing what to him is practically gibberish. 6 • PERSPECTIVES Seeking to make the ideal more child-friendly, we may water it down or offer cute slogans which match childish thinking. Children are drilled that Torah and schoolwork are “important,” and some are encouraged to learn “to make the Rebbe happy.” Though these are true, they don’t expand the child’s perspective or deepen his understanding. The child does not walk away with any intelligible reasoning into which he can grow. The Rebbe did not compromise either the child or the ideal. On the one hand, he spoke to children with such simplicity that even a young child could relate to it. He didn’t share abstract ideas or even a basic vort – only simple messages and directives that every child could appreciate. Yet, on the other hand, the Rebbe did not talk down to children or just give them instructions. In his talks at the rallies, the Rebbe enlightened the children and empowered them in their avodas Hashem. In those deceptively simple addresses, the Rebbe touched upon such profound chassidic ideas as emuna and hashgacha pratis, the neshama of a Jew, the power of a mitzva and making the world a home for Hashem. In fact, the Rebbe emphasized that the advantage of simple terminology is that it goes straight to the point, without getting sidetracked by fanciful ideas and abstractions. The goal of chinuch is, of course, not just to give a child information, but to raise him up and place him on a higher path – “ad shetehei shalheves oila mei’eleha,” – until he can illuminate on his own. Rabbi Shimon Hellinger General Editor REFERENCES: Sichos Kodesh 5737, Vol. 1, p. 112 – Though Dovid was punished for praising Torah as a precious commodity, children who cannot appreciate its true greatness as “Hashem’s pleasure” should be told just that. Sichos Kodesh 5739, Vol. 1, p. 609 – Unlike those who mistakenly think that “al pi darko” means to give the child a variant interpretation, it is rather the whole truth in a language that he can understand. Igros Kodesh, Vol. 3, p. 397 – To explain to a child about the Frierdiker Rebbe in age appropriate wording. Igros Kodesh, Vol. 26, p. 410 – To explain to Pre-1-A children “in a suitable manner” about the neshama’s connection to Hashem. Igros Kodesh, Vol. 15, p. 369 – The sicha spoken to the children contained fundamental concepts in Chassidus, it was merely presented in words that children could understand. ISSUE 14 • 7 Chinuch Ball Practice THE REBBE'S PERSPECTIVE Parshas Shmini 5740 • Sichos Kodesh 5740, Vol. 2, p. 812 Children would much rather play than learn all day long. We sometimes wonder whether or not we should encourage them to use their free time for schoolwork and additional learning. Portraying learning as the only worthwhile activity may repress them, but promoting unlimited play won’t make them ambitious to grow. What is the healthy balance? 8 • PERSPECTIVES PURPOSEFUL PLAY At the seder, in response to the four questions, we teach a child about the significance of Torah and mitzvos. Then, during the month of Iyar we teach a child how to make his everyday life a means to serve Hashem. In simple words: Since a child naturally When a child concludes his studying and wants to play ball, it would certainly be wishes to play ball, we inappropriate to reprimand him until he must [not discourage him doesn’t want to play anymore. The correct approach is to “teach the child according from playing ball, but to his way,” through using an inviting and rather] inspire him that sympathetic—yet firm—hand. In this way, the Rambam writes to award a child with his ball playing should be nuts and monetary rewards to propel him to learn better. l’sheim Shamayim, for the Since a child naturally wishes to play sake of Heaven. ball, we must [not discourage him from playing ball, but rather] inspire him that his ball playing should be l’sheim Shamayim, for the sake of Heaven. The child should be taught that in order for him to better study Torah later on he needs to engage in physical exercise and run around. A PILL FOR THE ILL The parents however, must realize that playing ball is like taking medicine. When someone needs a prescription, we certainly don’t withhold it from him, on the contrary, we make sure that he receives it. At the same time, the treatment is clearly not appropriate for a healthy person. Similarly, the goal is that the child should study Torah. However, since at his young age he is immature, underdeveloped, and wants to play ball, we must teach him that his play should be for sake of enhancing his Torah study and mitzva performance. The child is incapable of grasping that his play is only a “medication,” but that must nevertheless be our attitude to the matter. Only when a child is allowed to play and is taught to utilize it l’sheim Shamayim, will he continue on that path as he grows up. ISSUE 14 • 9 Credit: Lubavitch Archives Lubavitch Credit: POWERED BY YIDDISHKEIT Another way for a child to serve Hashem in playing ball is to want to win so Yiddishkeit will be victorious. He accomplishes this when he wears tzitzis, eats kosher food, and davens beforehand that he should win.