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THE JEWISH OBSERVER (ISSN) 0021 ~6615 is published monthly except July and August by the Agudath Israel of America, 84 William Street, New York, N.Y. 10038. Periodicals postage paid in New York, N. Y. Subscription $24.00 per year; two years, $44.00; three years, $60.00. Outside of the (US funds drawn on a US bank only) $12.00 surcharge per year. Single copy $3.50; foreign $4.50. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: The Jewish Observer, 84 William Street, NY, NY 10038. Tel: 212-797-9000, Fax: 212-269-2843. Thoughts and Images forYom Kippur Eve Printed in the U.S.A. Rabbi Yitzchok lsbee 7"Yl

RABBI NISSON WOLPIN, EOITOR I I The Soulful Cry of the Shofar EDITORIAL BOARO OR. ERNST L. BODENHEIMER Jeremy Kagan Chairman 14 RABBI ABBA BRUDNY RABBI JOSEPH ELIAS Revisiting "Tashlich" JOSEPH FRIEDENSON Rabbi Mayer Birnbaum RABBI YISAOEL MEIR KIRZNER RABBI NOSSON SCHERMAN 16 PROF. AARON TWERSKI A Summons to the Yorn HaDin

MANAGEMENT BOARD Elimelech Meisels AVI FISHOF NAFTOLI HIRSCH ISAAC KJRZNER AN HISTORIC EVENT RABBI SHLOMO LESIN I 8 Introduction NACHUM STEIN Robbi Nissan Wolom RABBI YOSEF C. GOLDING "Let it be Like These and Like Those" Suslr>e$$ Manager Novominsker , Rabbi N"P>?w Published by 23 Hosting a Gadol BeYisroe/ Agudath Israel of America Avraham Biderman U.S. TRADE DISTRIBUTOR ISRAELI DISTRIBUTOR An Opportunity to See and to Learn Feldheim Publishers Ne&hemia Rusenberg 200 Airport Executive Park Kiryat Tel she Stone, 108A Yisroel Leizerson Spring Valley, N.Y. 10977 0.N. Harni Yehuda, ISRAEL 3 I EUROPEAN REPRESENTATIVE AUSTRALIAN DISTRIBUTOR M.l Bibelman Gold's Book & Gift Co. Hacham Ben Sion Abba Shaul 7"YT Grosvenor Works 36 William Street Mount Pleasant Hill Balaclava 3183, Vic., Rabbi David Sutton ES 9NE, ENGLAND POSTSCRIPT THE JEWISH OBSERVER does not assume responsibility for the Kashrus From Station to Station of any product, publication, or service Akivo Davidsen advertised in its pages © Copyright 1998 SECOND LOOKS The Hillel Hoax SEPTEMBER 1998 VOLUME XXXl/NO. 7 Robbi Avi Shafran

lETIERS To THE EDITOR Thoughts and Images For Yom Kippur Eve

based on a Shabbos Shuva (5756) derasha by the late Rabbi Yitzchok Ishee 7":-:lt

IN SEARCH OF A and was taken Hakippurim. We all enter this day on SPRINGBOARD aback. He went what appears to be equal standing. At FOR TESHUVA off to the side the end of the day, the proclamation is and began to made: Havdel hachaim min hameisim. YomKippur weep bitter Some will live, some will prosper, some approaches, tears. "\'as iz will achieve success, experience good A we all seek gevoren mit health, celebrate simchos... and some ideas or experi­ mein leben!" he will rn not. ences to inspire us cried. "What I heard this every Yam Kippur dur­ to teshuva. We look has become of ing the ten years that I davened in Ner for the vort, the my life!" Israel, and I continue to carry this expe­ story that will All of us rience with me. touch us and wake nurture certain us up, to prompt us to begin examin­ mental images, certain ideas, that we LETTER FROM RABBI DESSLER ing our deeds, to determine what needs dra\v upon to help us in our own striv­ correction and what would benefit ing for teshuva. I can vividly picture the ver the years, I have collected from itnprovement. Rosh HaYeshiva of Ner Yisroel, Rabbi other ideas as part of my Yamim Great people have little difficulty Yaakov Yitzchak Ruderman ':>"Yr, who 0 Nora'im preparations, and since finding sources of inspiration. Rabbi would say the same vort every year. I became a Rav, I have repeated some Chaim Shmulevitz 7"Yl was moved by Dressed in white, standing in front of the of them many times. I often refer to a a picture. Someone recently told me that packed beis hamidrash of close to 700 letter written by Rabbi Eliyahu Eliezer his grandfather had been a childhood people on Yam Kippur evening, he Dessler 7"Yt to a ta/mid who was seek­ friend of Reb Chaim. They grew up in would illuminate the significance of Yam ing guidance in getting ready for the the same town, Stutchin, and played Kippur with the Midrash in Eicha that Yamim Nara'im. Rabbi Dessler writes together as young boys. When his described what happened every Tisha that the key to preparing a productive friend went to Bretz Yisroel, his grand­ B'av that the Jews were in the Midbar. outlook is to review the events of the father sent with him a present for Reb On that fateful evening, every year, each year gone by- all the levayos (funer­ Chaim. It was a picture of Reb Chaim Jew was commanded to dig a ditch and als), all the sicknesses, pain and suffer­ as a teenager - a striking photograph, lie down in it for the night. The next ing that one has witnessed. When was for he had been a tall, handsome boy. morning a proclamation was sounded: this all decreed? The previous year, on He visited Reb Chaim and presented Havdel hachaim min hameisim: "Let Rosh Hashana, Aserres Yemei Teshuva, him with the picture. Reb Chaim saw it those who have remained alive separate and Yom Hakippurim. All of these themselves from those who have per­ occurrences depended on how we dav­ Rabbi Ishee ?"::rr served as Rav of Agudath Israel Bais Binyomin, in flatbush (Brooklyn) until his ished." Said Rabbi Ruderman: "That is ened and to what extent we did teshu­ passing last year. how we should view ourselves on Yorn va. How awesome and frightening!

6 The Jewish Observer, September 1998 Rabbi Dessler continues in the letter is "Vayikra-and He called to Moshe": to his student: "[ heard this thought regardless of who called him, and no from my father every Rosh Hashana • matter what transpired in his life, hat does it take when I was a young boy. The picture of Moshe perceived it as an instance of my father comes back to me, and I see Wto shake us up? Hashem calling to him. In every expe­ him standing up from his chair and rience, he heard the voice of the Ribbono telling me, 'Now you are young, but Haven't we attended Shel Olam; and then he internalized the inscribe these words in your heart message and acted upon it. because some day you will beco1ne enough levayos this What does it take to shake us up? deeply aware of their significance. Then year? Did it inspire Haven't we attended enough levayos this your Rosh Hashana and Yorn Kippurwill year? The passing of an older person is be on a different plane! This year, l see more yiras Shamayim sobering enough. But what about peo­ terrible dangers for Kial Yisroel, a terri­ ple in their 40's or so's? When we hear ble deterioration of their situation, and (fear of G-d) in us? The of such pain, do we become changed l understand what my father was telling people? Do our tefillos take on a new me." [The letter was dated Elul of Ribbono Shel Olam is urgency? Does the spectre of some day 1936.] calling to all of us, but I giving an accounting endow us with a My own feelings at this juncture echo new perspective on what our priorities those of Rabbi Dessler sixty years ago. am not sure that we should be? Did it inspire more yiras As I review the events of 5755, a year of Shamayim (fear of G-d) in us? The Rib­ intense sorrow for myself and my fam­ hear the call. bono Shel Olam is calling to all of us, but ily emerges, since we experienced the I am not sure that we hear the call. agony of losing someone dear and spe­ There are so many gravely ill people, cial [the patriarch of the family, Rabbi • so many tragic occurrences. Every such Leibel Isbee ':nn]. Yes, the Yamim ma to make the difference? Some years, occasion is a summons from Hashem, Nora'im of l"l\?711 have taken on deeper Hashem showed Himself in the pain of and it should leave its mark on us. We meaning. I know that at some point dur­ a friend's loss - or in the joy of the birth become shaken into the realization that ing the Rosh Hashana- Yorn Kippur sea­ of my baby, or yours. Why didn't I notice the middas hadin (Divine justice) is awe­ son of 5755, the decrees of the loss of these special features every year, and some. But somehow life goes on as usual. these two tzaddikim were sealed. The realize that everything had been decid­ How loud does the call have to be? Why haunting words of "Who will live and ed upon during the opening week of do we have to wait until it is aimed who will die ... who will live with tran­ each of these years? Then every Rosh directly "at me"? Why don't we hear? quility and who will suffer" have now Hashana could have been special. Perhaps we are like the people assumed a new immediacy. The tefilla In truth, something troubles me described in a passage in Devarim (31, of "Zochreinu lachayim-Remember us more. Hashem speaks to us all the time. 17-18). The Ribbono Shel Olam tells for life" is being said with more kavana, There are so many events that happen Moshe of a time when Kial Yisroel will every word charged with more emotion. daily that should make us aware of our sin, and He will punish them. obligation to take our Yiddishkeit more "My anger will flare against it on that ALL THOSE YEARS OF seriously. We believe - with firm faith day and I will forsake them. It will say NOT TAKING NOTE - that there is no such thing as hap­ on that day, ... 'Is it not because my G-d penstance. Whatever takes place - is not in my midst that these evils will ut I am troubled. For one Yamim major or minor, happy or sad, joyous or have come upon me?"' Nora'im period, the searing pain troublesome - is directed by Hashem, This is followed by: "But I will sure­ Bof a year will have its desired effect. and every event has a lesson, a n1essage ly have concealed My face on that day." The anguish of the past year indeed has to convey. We only need use our eyes to Rabbi Meir Bergman', in his sefer, brought me to a deeper awareness of the see and our ears to hear to decipher the Shaarei Ora, explains that the person presence of Hashem in our lives, of our message. discussed in the pasuk fails to under­ dependence on Him. What about next Note how the Maharal explains the stand that a painful event is actually a year, and the year after that? first pasuk in Sefer Vayikra. "Vayikra el Divine message direct from Hashem. His Even more troubling- as I now look Moshe (and He called to Moshe) vayed­ reaction is "Ein Elokai bekirbi - back to past few years, every year had abeir Hashem eilav (and Hashem spoke Hashem is not in n1y midst.)' He is just carried a special message, during every to Moshe)." Two problems: There seems not part of my life. Such a reaction pre­ year the presence of Hashem was clear. to be a repetition ("He called ... Hashem cludes the possibility for teshuva. Why then wasn't every Rosh Hashana spoke ....") And who was it that "called special? Why did it take personal trau- to Moshe"? The implication of the pasuk ' Head of Kolle! Rashbi in Bnei Brak.

The Jewish Observer, September 1998 7 Rabbi Heshy Arem Rabbi Yitzchok lsbee 7":in

2 Nissan 5757. It was a clear spring day; yet it seemed A Beloved Rebbe as dark as if the sun had set at noon. It was a regular work­ Reb Yitzchok joined the faculty of Yeshiva Rabbi Sam­ day; yet thousands were .in the shul and the surrounding street son Raphael Hirsch in Washington Heights, proving to be a all morning.The world seemed quiet, at a standstill; yet heav­ superb rebbe, winning the love and admiration of his talmidim en a.nd ear.th were weeping. with his wisdom, wit, and straightforwardness. The tragic news was posted on every shul entrance in Rat­ During this period, he began giving Gemara shiurim to thou­ bush: Rabbi Yitzchok lsbee,the beloved rav ofAgudath Israel sands over the telephone and on tape via Dial-a-Oaf. He later Bais Binyamin and maggid . to thousands in his .shul, in became Sho'e/ U'maishiv in the Bais Medrash ofYeshiva Mer­ Yeshiva, and through Dial-a-Oaf, had passed away at the age caz HaTorah of Belle Harbor, and then served as Rebbi of of 44,An entire C()mmunity had been thrust into mourning. the 12th grade in Yeshiva Tifereth in Staten Island.

Early Years The Shul

Reb Yitzchok was raised in the Bronx, where his father, When a,young group of ba'a/ei battim in Flatbush found­ Rabbi Yehuda Leib lsbee ':>"lit, .was the longtime Rav of the ed the Agudath Israel of Bais Binyamin ofAvenue L, Reb Yitz­ Young Israel of Astor Gardens, and maggid shiur in Mesivta chok, the founding rav, was the driving force and inspiration Torah Vodaath and then Yeshiva Rabbi Isaac Elchonon. Rabbi behind the ~pectacular growth of the shul. From a storefront, Yehuda Leib had been one of fourteen talmidim with whom the minyan grew to become one of the largestAgudah-type Rav ':>"lit had founded Beth Medrash Govo­ kehillos in Ratbush. ha i.n 1943.Yitzchok's mother 1rn?:in, Rebbetzin Rochel Besides its own busy schedule of shiurim on Shabbos and (Kowalsky) lsbee, a scion of a prominent family of rabban­ throughout the week, members of the shu/ founded Hakhel, im, is a presidium member of N'shei Agudath Israel of Amer­ a major series of shiurim on diversified topics for all of Flat­ ica.Yitzchok attended Mesivta Torah Vodaath, where his uncle, bush Jewry. Rabbi lsbee was a frequent speaker at Hakhel Rabbi Gedalya Schorr ':>''lit, was the ; then the gatherings. Yeshiva of Philadelphia, where he became extremely close The shu/ was also involved in Kehilla Kashrus, a new to the Roshei Yeshiva, Rabbi and Rabbi Shmuel organization composed of rabbanim - among which Rabbi Kaminetsky N"""'1!1- an intimacy that he maintained for the lsbee had been a founding member - and lay leaders rest of his life; followed by several years in Mir, Brooklyn. dedicated to raising the level of kashrus supervision in the While learning in Beth Medrash Govoha, he married Miri­ community. am Kronglass, the daughter of Rabbi Dovid Kronglass ':>"lit, Reb Yitzchok was a prominent, active member of the Con­ the late Mashgiach Ruchani of Ner Israel in Balti­ ference of Rabbanim of Agudath Israel, and would rotate in more - a true goon in Torah and Mussar, who .had passed manning the Conference's Halacha Inquiry Line, answering away a short time earlier. she'ei/os from callers all over the country. Following their marriage, the lsbees moved to Baltimore where Although it is already a year and a half since Rabbi lsbee's Reb Yitzchok joined the Ner Israel Kolle! for the next eight years, untimely passing, his legacy remains fresh and alive through acquiring a reputation as an outstanding talmid chacham. his teachings and recorded shiurim.

MISSING THE MESSAGE episode of Kayin and Hevel: Kayin's was rejected, he was very dis­ "And Kayin spoke to Hevel. When tressed. At that point the Ribbono Shel here could well be another reason they were in the field, Kayin arose and Olam appeared to Kayin and spoke to why we might be missing the Kol killed Hevel:' The Torah leaves us guess­ him: "Surely, if you improve yourself, THashem, the Divine message. We ing: \\'hat did Kayiu say to Hevel? What you will be forgiven. But if you do not may recognize that Hashem is talking words were spoken? The Ibn Izra improve yourself, sins root at the door." through events, but He's not talking to explains: "All the reproof that Hashem This was a powerful mussar derasha in me. For example, Kayin was spoken to had said to him." That is, the entire dis­ which the Ribbono Shel Olam revealed directly by Hashem, and yet he missed course that Hashem had spoken to to Kayin the power of the yeitzar hara, the point of His communication. This Kayin, he repeated to Hevel. When the evil inclination - and man's abili­ is implied in a difficult pasuk in the Hevel's offering was accepted and ty to fight against it.

8 The Jewish Observer, September 1998 Why did Kayin tell this to Hevel? A thing. They were all clutching their Sid­ form the service ofHashem who saved gadol once explained that the Torah is durim as if they were their most pre­ me from death." revealing to us man's perverse nature: As cious possession. And they were each The Mishna in Avos (3:8) quotes unbelievable as it may sound, there were reading every single word - slowly and Rabbi Elazar of Bartosa: only two people in the world when carefully. Give Him of His own, for you and Hashem spoke to Kayin; was there any Traumatic events force changes. Must your possessions are His. And so doubt as to whom the mussarwas direct­ we wait for such shocks to awaken us out David said, "For everything is from ed? And yet Kayin went to Hevel and of our stupor? Shouldn't we always be You, and from Your own we have given repeated the derasha to him, telling him: davening like that? Can we not appre­ You" (Divrei Hayamim 29,14). "The Ribbono Shel Olam was speaking ciate waking up every morning, full of All that we have and are is from to you:' Kayin simply failed to accept gratitude to Hashem for allowing us to Hashem. that the mussar was directed at him. experience another day? In addition, the Gemora says: Similarly, so many of us close our eyes Hashem gave wisdom to the wise to the mussar of profoundly com­ Reb Mordechai, who lived in the man. pelling events directed toward us. Shaarei Chessed neighborhood of A Roman matron asked Rabbi Yosi Yerushalayim, had the unusual custom ben Chalifta, why should Hashem A MAJOR WAKE-UP ALARM of waking up very early in the morn­ give wisdom to wise men? He should ing-perhaps we could call it the mid­ grant it to the fools, who are in much ajor events change lives for­ dle of the night, as dawn had not yet greater need! ever. 1 read the account of a broken. Night after night, Reb The Gemora offers a mashal (para­ M young religious policeman, Mordechai would be in the Beis ble) that compares this situation to two who survived a recent terrorist bomb­ Midrash long before the first rays of people, one poor and one wealthy, who ing of a bus in . Badly hurt, he light. People would ask him why he both had need to borrow money. was taken to Shaare Zeddek Hospital. He arose so early each day, without receiv­ They both approached a G'mach (loan writes of his experience. ing an explanation. Only late in life did fund) for a loan. To whom would the he reveal his secret. Years before, Reh G'mach more likely lend the money? The next morning, the injured Mordechai, as a young boy, was diag­ It is certainly safer to lend money to policeman managed to make his way to nosed with an incurable illness, and he the shul in the hospita~ and opened his decided to move to Eretz Yisroel to live Siddur to the first page:"Modeh Ani - out his few remaining years. Baruch I thank you, Hashem." After saying Hashem he lived to marry. raise a fam­ these two words, he could not contin­ ily, and reach old age healthy and ue. How many times had he uttered sound. "But each night, as I went to those words glibly and automatically? bed," he said, "I was never secure. But today, today he felt blessed to be Would I wake up to see another day­ alive, and all he could do was lay his or not? When I awoke, at whatever head on the shtender and weep help­ hour, I was so grateful to be alive - lessly. could I just turn over and go back to As he cried, he felt a tap on his shoul­ sleep? No, I would jump out of bed as der. It was an old man in his SO's, also long as my neshama was in me, to pre- in hospital pajamas. "I understand," he said. "That's how I felt after I survived the concentration camp. I was the only survivor ofmy entire family, ofmy entire town. I also tried to pray, but the words were too powerful for me to utter, too full of emotion to say." Personal responsibility throughout serl·ice - NOT JUSf "PAPERWORK" This old man asked the young ORIGINATOR OF THE PRESENT METHOD policeman to look around and take note Highly recommended by Gedolai Hador- Here and In Eretz Yisrael of what the other people in the shul 104.1-42nd Street, Brooklyn, NY 11219 were doing. He surveyed the room; it I>ay & Night phone: (718) 851-8925 was full ofhospital residents. Some were ]Vt"r.JN1nr.lNj? ))l"j? - ]'1:J 1Nl nlr.1~)) 'lln survivors ofthe bus explosion, while the Oresft!Shd EMR> Mdt Mes;ra, "100. .a< undersloodand ~by one-m1hehtchJslly furmore1han half a""""1' rest were there because of medical BEWARE OF IMPOSTERS • TAHARAS HANIFTAR SHOULD NEVER BE COMMERCIALIZED problems. He noticed an amazing

The Jewish Observer, September 7998 9 the wealthy man; the poor man is too high a risk. Thus, this mashal implies, Hashem gives wisdom to wise people who know how to use it properly. Fools will use their newly-gained intelligence in places of sport and entertainment, while wise men sit in houses of study and use their enhanced intelligence to delve into Torah and mitzvos.

People have questioned this parable. To be sure, when one lends n1oney, he would prefer to lend it to a wealthy man, but when he gives it away, wouldn't he prefer to give it to a poor n1an rather than a rich man? After all, he does need it more. If the Ribbono Shel Olam is granting intelligence as a gift - not merely lending it - shouldn't He give it to the fool? In truth, whatever we possess is on loan. Hashem does not give wisdom, nor does He give wealth or health to anyone on a pern1anent basis. VVhatever we have is on loan from Him. Nothing is grant­ ed to us - not wisdom, talent, per­ sonality, wealth, nor family. My very life is on loan. It is not 1nine to do with as I please, but to use as the Ribbono Shel Olam would want.

ith that message uppermost in our minds, don't our tefillos W assu1ne a pressing urgency? Doesn't our mitzva activity beco111e endowed with an exalting sincerity? Aren't we ripe for teshuva? • Uncle Moishy, Mordechai Ben David, and other top-of-the-line Jewish enterJainers are available to visit seriously ill children thanks to i11n nrn::iv 00\!.l),;)y';o .ll'"f"».U :ivv, ., ro. nm AChessed project run by Agudalh Israel -0f America • Jn conjunction wlth ).~•.,. Suki & Ding Productions •; ~· To set up an appointment, call: 'J•, (212)797·9000 Ext.42 • M-F, 9.5' ~-·'

10 The Jewish Observer, September 1998 Jeremy Kagan The Soulful Cry of the Shofar

usually flanked by advertisements that are pitched in a way that makes abun­ dantly clear in what world we are all that standing. Except for the very few, our ----- AS THE reali­ world is vast, flat, unmovable, and EARTH TURNS? y is con­ secure; it is not G-d's world. If G-d the s ntly brought into Judge is absent from much of the real­ osh Hashana is eing by G-d (Nefesh ity we truly occupy, how can the "Day the Day of Judgment. I HaChayim 1:2). By contrast, the Eng- of Judgment" be real for us? Rutter these words with no sense lish equivalent, "existence," implies of confusion; they are meaningful to me independent, self-contained being. If FRAMED BY THE SHOFAR'S CALL because I also say that I believe in G-d, asked about the nature of reality, I the Judge. Yet, there is a serious gap would stop, think, and give the correct ne could argue that Rosh between my belief and the way I actu­ answer- that G-d supports the world. Hashana is a time when we ally perceive the world moment to But if I look at the way I actually per­ 0 strive for our highest vision of moment. Buck1ninster Fuller, a ceive reality, I see that I live in a world self and world. We do have a connection renowned American genius, once asked which "exists" - I sense my life and to a G-d-centered world; therefore, a student what he would be watching if world to be self-contained and secure. perhaps we can say with impunity, "Rosh he sat on a hillside when the sky We can get a feel for how a created Hashana is the Day of Judgment." But changed from yellow to orange to red. world compares with one that exists by if our Rosh Hashana world is too dis­ The student answered that he would be returning to Buckminster Fuller. Think­ tant from our everyday world, we risk watching the sun set. Mr. Fuller ing about his insight, I once pulled off turning Rosh Hashana into a fantasy responded with something to the effect the Palisades Parkway during an early rather than a religious experience. How of, "This is the problem with people morning bakery run for a Monsey are we to relate to judgment when the today. You know full well the sun does­ mini-market. As the sun rose over a still Judge is so far? n't set, the world turns. But you still live sleepy New York, I tried to frame the The shofar ushers in judgment on in a world where the sun sets!" scene as a world-turn rather than a sun­ Rosh Hashana, just as its blast proclaims My belief in G-d is like the student's rise. The earth suddenly shrank into an the end of the process after Ne'ilah, the knowledge of a turning world. I know insecure litte ball, spinning very fast. I final prayer. The shofarinitiates, brack­ intellectually that G-d exists, but it does literally had to grab on to the wall to ets, and defines the nature of judgment not effect my actual view of the world. keep from falling. Reframing reality as during this period. If we can understand A true belief in G-d requires perceiv­ a G-d-centered creation has much the the shofar and our relationship with it, ing reality as creation. This is implied same effect. Everything seems much we can understand judgment. in the Hebrew term for existence, more vulnerable, prayer more urgent, for The shofar is sounded by drawing a "metziut," which comes from the same our sense of security in life tends to deep breath and blowing into a horn. root as" motzai," meaning "bring forth" derive from confidence in nature and When G-d created man, He breathed (Rabbi Moshe Shapiro). Jews believe inertia more than trust in G-d. from within Himself into a physical I am amused to see occasional arti­ body (Bereishis 2,7). The resemblance Jeremy Kagan teaches in several yeshivas and sem­ cles debating whether the religious between these two acts is the key to inaries in Jerusalem. Feldheim recently published community should integrate itself with understanding the mitzva of shofar. his book, The Jewish Self Recovering Spiritually in the Modern VVorld. His essay, "A Time to Weep the larger American society, or whether Man's spiritual root is the breath of G-

The Jewish Observer, September 1998 11 ing. Through the soul we are inextrica­ ing and stirring within us, is the sound dorous being; when we ask who it is, we bly linked to the infinite, living G-d. All of our own, deeper self. It rings so will be told it is the person we could have the beauty of our humanity, however, strongly because it is us (see Pachad become had we striven more. The pain results from jamming that infinite soul Yitzchak, Rosh Hashana Ma'amar 25 and we experience at that moment will be into the narrow confines of a finite body. Rosh Hashana 26a). our personalized gehinom (see Sifsei For the isolation of the soul in the phys­ Chayim Ip. 326). ical world creates the immense desire to SHOFAR: THE VOICE OF The shofar blasts on Rosh Hashana return to G-d, which is our true great­ THE INNER SELF come as sets of blasts. Each set is com­ ness. To develop this desire, we need to posed of a teki'a, a teru'a, and a teki'a­ nurture our divine root until it comes he shofar confronts us with our a simple blast, a broken blast, and a sim­ to define us. But once the soul is placed most iuternal soul - a place ple blast. Though there is an argument in our body, we easily lose it in the mun­ Tbeyond language where there is in the over the exact nature of dane details of managing and main­ only voice, a place of simple unity above the middle, broken blast, all agree that taining our physical being. We forget the the brokenness of this world. The con­ it must imitate a cry (Rosh Hashana most essential element of our self. trast to the narrow, limited self we expe­ 33b ). The order of blasts suggests that When we blow the shofar, we push rience day to day is startling. This is the first we hear the echo of our deepest, our breath out of ourselves, where it moment of judgment, as we are com­ infinite self in the simple, unitary blast. passes through the narrow mouth piece pared with our deepest potential (see for The contrast to the limited self that we and then emerges from the broad open­ example Sifsei Chayim I, p. 9). The have become breaks us, and we weep. ing of the horn. We seemingly reverse power behind this experience lies pre­ But this breaking of our present, super­ the original process of human creation, cisely in its intimacy. We are unable to ficial self is the opening to teshuva and releasing the soul and allowing it to revel reject the judgment as imposed from recovering our connection to a deeper once again in its unencumbered, expan­ without by some foreign vision or self which is defined by its close con­ sive form (see Vayikra Rabba 29,6 with power, for we are keenly aware that we nection to G-d. Thus the broken cry of Radal). As it returns to its pristine free­ are being compared to ourselves. This the teru' a is followed by another simple, dom, it produces that haunting and is always the form of divine judgment. unitary teki'a blast. We hear our deep­ mysterious voice which is so familiar. We are told that when we reach the next er self, we are broken by our distance What we are hearing, what is awaken- world, we will be greeted by a splen- from it, we respond by reintegrating

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12 The Jewish Observer, September 1998 Serving delayed infants, ourselves with that deeper self- teki'a, toddlers, teru'a, teki'a. newborn - 3 years THE JEW: OF FAITH AND RELIABILITY Free Comprehensive Evaluations and Therapies aith in G-d is definitive of what a Performed in YOUR HOME, at YOUR CONVENIENCE Jew should be. The very term Jew, FYehudi, comes from hodeh, which • OT, PT and Speech Therapy •Respite means to admit - to admit to G-d. The • Special Instruction • Psychological Counseling Maharal teaches that the Hebrew word • Nutrition, Vision Therapy, Assistive Technology .. emuna, which we translate as faith, • Unparalleled Service Coordination (small caseloads, comes fron1 the ter1n ne'eman, which personal attention by experienced case coordinators means faithful in the sense of reliable (Nesivos Olam Vol. l, p. 111-112). The Torah concept of faith is not a momen­ tary profession of belief, it is a relation­ ship with G-d which permeates every inition of self - a discovery or recovery bridge back to Him is that aspect of self moment and aspect of our being - it is of a self, which is defined in relation to that is intrinsically aware of our fun­ faithful. We are all far away from this G-d. It is this self which is calling us damental connection to G-d. This is the stringent understanding of faith, and it through the voice of the shofar. part of us through which we know our­ is toward this level that we must strive. Rosh Hashana is the day of judgment. selves to be creations of G-d, and sense How are we to move back toward it? As we prepare ourselves for this occa­ the honor and meaning of our lives and Such a faith cannot be achieved through sion, we must understand the nature of the lives of others. On Rosh Hashana we a passing inspiration to see G-d in the our task. We live in worlds that shut G--d must seek this self. If we listen careful­ world. Though powerful, such an expe­ out - to pretend otherwise is to reduce ly, we will hear in the voice of the sho­ rience does not have the strength to stand Rosh Hashana to a theatrical distraction far that self also seeking us, beckoning, against the tide of the material world. unconnected to our actual lives. We need inviting us to return to a deeper, truer This could only come through a redef- to bring G-d into our world. Our self. •

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The Jewish Observer, September 1998 13 Rabbi Mayer Birnbaum Revisiting "Tashlich"

hen we launch the new dip the apple in the honey to have year on Rosh Hashana, a good year. Of course, there are W every minute and every many layers of deeper meaning to gesture is precious, and the many those venerable minhagim, but they minhagim that mark the two-day may well be beyond the grasp of festival are worthy of contempla­ children. However, as they mature, tion. For exan1ple, there is an so should their understanding of the ancient custon1 among Ashkenaz­ compelling richness of our min­ ic Jews to go to a body of water on hagim, and yet I have heard grand­ Rosh Hashana and say what is parents saying things you might known as ''Tashlich." The focal expect from their tiny offspring. point of what we say at Tashlich is the • Nurturing this mistaken concept for final three verses of the prophecy of hen we revisit decades is a lot more hazardous than it Micha which state that Hashem is so may at first appear. This minhag has merciful and forgiving, He will eventu­ W Tashlich this year, becon1e so misconstrued that one of my ally have mercy on us and throw children once came home with a paper ["vesashlich" - lit. "and You, Hashem, will whether in the classroom stating that they should throw rocks throw"] our sins into the "depths of the or by the river, let's throw ( chillul Yorn Tov!) into the water to get sea." 1 rid of (really, to increase) their aveiros!• The sole reason for this custom, away our misconcep­ In addition to various problems that according to Rishonim,' (explained in Tashlich may entail, which are mentioned the Maharil) and cited in the Mishna tions. After all, this is an by earlier sefarim' (the Maharil mentions Berura (583:8), is based on the Midrash• that one should not feed the fish any­ that when Avraham Avinu journeyed to especially opportune time thing because it is forbidden to do so on the Akeida, to offer his son Yitzchak as to be inspired to go in Yam Tov), this misconception that one a sacrifice to G-d, the Sattan attempt­ can just "throw away" one's aveiros is ed to thwart him through the means of the ways of Avraham harmful. People have a sense that nowa­ a river that appeared in his path. But days one can do almost anything and, Avraham was undaunted and entered Avinu, even to the point with a good lawyer, get away with it; or the river until it reached his neck. He consult a psychologist who will tell him prayed to Hashem to save him from the of mesiras nefesh, to do that it's not as bad as he thought. Moral life-threatening waters. Thus, too, we go the will of standards are almost non-existent in to the river to remind us of the Akeida. Hashem. contemporary society, and any action Rosh Hashana is an appropriate time one does can be rationalized to the point to invoke the zechus (merit) and inspi­ of being meaningless. ration of the Akeida because it took place • We surely do not want our children on Rosh Hashana.• Like so many other be inspired to emulate his ways in serv­ to think that whatever they do is mean­ things we do on Rosh Hashana, includ­ ing Hashem, and repent, thereby deserv­ ingless or inconsequential. Even pre­ ing blowing the shofar, which brings to ing to benefit from his merit. schoolers should not think that one can mind the ram that replaced Yitzchak as violate Shabbos, steal, or talk disre­ a sacrifice at the Akeida, so too, do we THE TASHLICHTRAP: LIVING WITH spectfully to parents, and then just go for go to a river to remind us of the great CHILDISH CONCEPTIONS a walk to Tashlich and "throw it away"! mesiras nefesh of Avraham Avinu that we One of the major beliefs of ne might well imagine that lit­ is the concept of reward and punish­ Rabbi Birnbaum has been the Mashgiach tle children will be instructed to ment. We mention this at great length Ruchani of Yeshiva Gedolah of Bayonne for the past five years, and is the author of Kuntres Avo­ Ogo to Tashlich to throw away our in the middle beracha of Musa[ on Rosh das Hatefillah and Pathway to Prayer (Feldheim). aveiros (sins), just as they are taught to Hashana, and state very clearly that on

14 The Jewish Observer, September 1998 Rosh Hashana "the remembrance of all After all, this is an especially opportune i Rabbi Yaakov Moellin (d. 1427); Hilchos Rosl1 deeds come before You, and You exam­ time to be inspired to go in the ways of Hashana (38a) 1 ine the deeds of all." Everyone and every Avraham Avinu, even to the point of · See Tanchunza Vayeira 22 4 action is weighed. Nothing is forgotten, mesiras nefesh, to do the will of Hashem. Pesikta Rabbasi 40 (17Jb) as we say at the beginning of that And let us motivate ourselves to do 'Some do have a custom to shake the corners of their gannents, as is mentioned in the Mattch beracha. teshuva by taking sincere steps to cor­ Efrayim (598:4). But as the .i\1atteh Efrayim The Mishna says in Avos (2:1) "and rect and improve our actions. explains, that is just a symbol for us to repent and all of your deeds are written in a book." Once we do that, then perhaps we to seek ways so that in the future our "clothes" should be white and dean of all sins. See Shaarei It is real. It is permanent. It is brought will be worthy of Hashem "throwing Teshuva of Rabbeinu Yonah (2: 15) v.:ho discuss­ to judgment. And, as we say in Unesaneh away" our sins, and granting us all a es this analogy from Kohelles. Toke[, "You open up the book of good New Year. • 6 See Elef Hamagain on Matteh Efrayim (598:7) 7 remembrances and it reads itself." And, - ·-· Rabbi Yeshaya Horowitz (d. 1630); Meseches Rosh of course, we have the responsibility of 1 This custom is cited in RaMA (Orach Chayinz Hashana 583:2) and elaborated on in the ML>hna Berura. every thing we do. Hashem gave us an entire Ten Days of Repentance to remove the effects of the transgressions we have done, ten special days when teshuva is more accepted. We obvious­ Picture What Your ly need ten days. It takes time. It takes introspection. It takes serious contem­ Money Could Buy plation. It takes determined planning, The pride and joy on a young kal/ah's face. as to how to avoid stumbling into the Her chatan is devoting his life to learning Torah. same pitfalls again in the future. And Picture what yaur maney could buy. after all that, it still requires the great Peace of mind for a father recovering from surgery. mercy of Hashem in the form of a Yorn His medical needs have been arranged, Kippur to atone for (get rid of) our sins. his family provided for Picture what your money could hug. NEITHER A SUBSTITUTE, NOR AN Comfort and support to a Kolle/ family of eight. ALTERNATIVE ... BUT A FACILITATOR Their commitment and devotion to Torah a reality. These families and countless You can mafte ut in comes my preschooler and others living in Eretz Yisroel face a difference. says, "What's the problem? Go to many hardships. But they are not You too can join the Tashlich and throw your aveiros to alone. For over 81 years Ezras Torah good works of B has been helping. As the leading the fish!" (I don't know what the fish did Ezras Torah. You can Tzedaka helping Talmidei Cha!homim help the young wrong to deserve this.) The aveiros just and their familiesto survive, K111/ah prepare for her "go away:' Who needs a second day of Ezras Torah provides financial marriage, the Kolle/ family feed their assistance in a respectful and Rosh Hashana and Tekias Shofar? Who chi!dren,the orphaned child receive loving care.the dignified manner. struggling immigrant begin a new life. needs to bother with an entire Ten Days Thousands of Bnei Torafl Your support will help us to help them. of Repentance and Yorn Kippur? The and their families cany the torch of Your money could buy joy, comfort, relief and sustenance ... Torah for all of us. Because of their aveiros are already in the river. the necessities needed for thousands of Bnei Torah to pure and idealistic lifestyle, our continue to lead their holy lives. Of course this is infantile, totally worlds a better world. They help illogical, and false. Tashlich was never sustain us spiritually. They need meant as a substitute or alternative to our help to survive physically. repentance. just to the contrary. As the Shlah' writes, the custom of Tashlich is ESTABLISHED II EZJRA§ TOJRAJlI l1-l-1 _9_1_s_ good "when it inspires one to total THE HUMAN SIDE OF TORAH PHILANTHROPY repentance." Consequently, we must ------YES, I WOULD LIKE TO HELP EZRAS TORAH. ENCLOSED IS MY TAX-DEDUCTIBLE CONTRIBUTION FOR: ,·,, instill in ourselves, and then our chil­ 0 $18 :J $36 0 $100 D $180 CJ $250 CJ $360 CJ $500 CJ $1000 CJ Olher $ __ dren, the seriousness of our actions) real­ Please contact me regarding establishing an Ezras Torah Endowment Fund for a: D Free Loan fund .J Medical fund izing that nobody can just "throw Please send me an Ezras Torah Halachic Pocket Calender & Guide to Customs, 5759 (checked below, contribution enclosed). away" their sins. Our actions are real, O Pocket-sized Hebrew Luach CJ Pocket-sized English Luach J Wall-sized Hebrew Luach Name ______and we are accountable for them. 1 When we revisit Tashlich this year, Address------• whether in the classroom or by the river, City ______State Zip Phone _____ let's throw away our misconceptions. RHsgJO Make check payable to: EZRAS TORAH 235 East Broadway New York, NY 10002 • 212-227-8960

The Jewish Observer, September 1998 15 Elimelech Meisels A Summons To The Yom HaDin

recently had the unwelcome oppor­ (or, more politically correctly, Chareidi­ the greatest censure, as it implied dis­ tunity of seeing the Israeli legal sys­ Americans ), my wife was understand­ respect for the ultimate authority, the I tem in operation. My wife had been ably quite apprehensive. However, when State of Israel. This, too, was an inter­ issued a sun1mons by an overeager I pointed out that there was no reason esting parallel-to honor Talmidei motorcycle cop, who, rather than just to be more apprehensive about this Chachan1im, as representative of a ticketing her, had assigned her a court mishpatthan about the one scheduled Higher Authority. hearing. We received an official sum­ for Rosh Hashana, she agreed, and Mar Dan, showing why he was cited mons in the mail, informing us that the calmed down. in the first place, answered the judge's State was requesting a six-month revo­ Bitachon notwithstanding, I was still lecture with a sullen, "Since when is there cation of license, and demanding a hefty less tJ1an eager to waste an Elul 1norn­ a law against arguing with a policeman?" fine. All this for passing a student dri­ ing visiting with the traffic judge. Lit­ Said the judge, "There is no law. But ver on the highway. tle did I know that I was to receive a why are you looking for trouble? You're Given the local bureaucracy's less­ mussar haskil - a potent lesson in faith only a kid, and I'm telling you now that than-friendly attitude towards "blacks" - in the process. if you start with the little things, one day As we entered the courtroom, I you will find yourself in court over more noticed that the judge was rather splen­ serious matters." Digest of Meforshim didly attired in a black silk robe, befit­ I was sitting there wondering if the ting his lofty position as arbiter of rolling judge had been maavzr Sedra "1'1j77 in:i "1'1p7 stops, and illegal U-turns. When I (reviewed the week's Torah portion), .,.. ~l 1V1'.,N 'm'lr.:n:> )";Tii"lr.J remarked to a clerk upon the imprac­ and seen the section about hen sorer Available at ticality of such old-fashioned, formal 1/1noreh, the errant son, who starts with dress in this sultry Mediterranean coun­ the little acts of defiance, and eventu­ LEKUTE I try, he replied, "He's a judge, he has to ally will devolve into a murderer. (}o Yitzchok Rosenberg JO West 47th Street, Roon1 503 dress with dignity." Who ever said this wasn't a religious New York, NY 10036 I thought, "That makes sense. Just like country, after all? (212) 719-1717 the chareidim who are maligned for their But my real traffic-court epiphany 20 Volumes on Torah, Perek, Medrash, embarrassing, medieval robes. They're came when the clerk handed the judge Megilos and l'ahnud. also only dressing with dignity." a printout of Mar Dan's driving record. Proceeds of sales distributed a111ong "Isn't it interesting;' I thought, "how Upon perusing the document, the judge Yeshivos and used for reprinting of voluines out-of-print 'enlightened people' (in the words of)us­ came upon an interesting entry. tice Aharon Barak) make use of the most "Mar Dan, are you aware that you PRICE: $8.00 PER VOLUME benighted customs!" were driving with a suspended license?" All voltuues now available asked His Honor. e sat down, and watched the "No, sir," said Mar Dan. proceedings. The culprit "Well, here it is, May 16, 1997 ... sus­ W ahead of us was a scruffy­ pended for reckless driving." looking eighteen-year-old named" Mar "It never happened, Judge. There Dan." After enumerating the charges must be some mistake." against Mar Dan, the judge told him to "Mar Dan," thundered the judge, Discover t e answer in sit down while his file was being "hakol nirsham, v'shum davar lo our new sefer/book brought. It seemed that one of the nishkach." (All is transcribed, and not a charges against him was rudeness to the thing is forgotten.) Gems from Mishlei, police officer. This offense came in for Well, I missed first seder, but at least verse 25: 16 I chapped arein a mussar seder.' • Elimelech Meisels, who is studying in a yeshiva A Targum/Feldheim Publication in Jerusalem, was represented by a Second 1 at your store or Looks comn1ent on contemporary Purim cele­ Yeshivish for: "I n1issed the morning study ses­ Box 82, Staten Island, NY 10309 brations in The Jewish Observer, Mar.'93. sion, but at least I caught the Ethics period."

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The mission is clear: To claim a trea­ their capacity, to direct their In truth, we can transcend sure stored in a castle on a remote hill­ strivings for future attainments. parochialism and egoism. In fact, top. But where is that castle? And how we did. Last spring, for a ten-day does one reach it? Night is falling. The The goal of Achdus - the unity period, beginning at Rabbi terrain is rough and hilly. Clouds are of Kial Yisroel, structured on the Moshe Sherer's kevura (burial), blocking out the fading sunlight, and defining basis of Torah - is as two leading figures of the Torah soon cover the moon. Thunder rum­ elusive today as ever. The broad world who had flown to America bles in the distance, and a bolt oflight­ ranks of our People, its from Eretz Yisroel, representing ning flashes across the sky, followed by institutions, its political and two distinct trends in avodas a drenching rain storm. But that flash ideological movements, are beset Hashem (Divine service), of lightning illuminates the entire with assaults of derision, succeeded in radiating an landscape, including the castle on the divisiveness, and dispute - both unprecendented, exemplary unity distant summit and a path clearly trac­ internally and between competing based on common cause and ing the way from here to there. It's dark, segments. Do we simply lack the mutual respect. and the drenching rains make the jour­ capacity to respect each other in ney that much more daunting. The spite of differences? - to Rabbi Aharon Leib Steinman treasure, however, is within reach. disagree, if necessary, without N"V'7!l!, Rosh Hayeshiva and being disagreeable? - to come author of sefarim of note, and the Thus does the Mezeritcher together in harmony for some Gerer Rebbe, Rabbi Yaakov Aryeh Maggid, the Rebbe Reb Ber, 'rpi::n higher calling without feeling Alter N"V>7&\ came to America to describe the power of an isarusa threatened ... without sensing that impress the members of our di'le'eila - an inspiring Divine we might be sacrificing our various communities with the illumination which allows people personal individuality or our possibilities of winning over a glimpse of madreigos (levels of respective community's thousands of children from non­ clarity) that are normally beyond uniqueness? religious homes in Israel to a

------~------18 The Jewish Observer, September 1998 Torah life. This would be achieved The message was simple, dramatic, can be achieved. through registering children, inspiring, and clear: We are one through the heroic efforts of people by virtue of Torah. It is In the pages that follow, The Peylim!Lev L'achim, and inherent to us as a Torah People to Jewish Observer presents further establishing new Chinuch Atzmai­ be united. Let us continue to strive observations and lessons to be Torah Schools to accommodate for mutual respect and unity. It gleaned from this historic event. them. Their visit was meant to underscore the urgency that we act on that possibility.

Examplar of the yeshiva world and head of a leading Chassidic group, the two more than

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/iros ve'leira'os - visitations for Dofwlnsights w concise essays on perplexing points. overviews of the Rishonim, Holachic and inspection and exposure - the Aggadic analyses, helpful charts, and introductions to new Masechtos. Rosh Hayeshiva and the Rebbe Oaf-Background - word definitions and brief abstracts on concepts brought up in the Daf. Oaf-Review - a comprehensive review, in question-answer format, which provides a concise toured major and smaller summary of the entire Daf. institutions up and down the Oaf-Discuss - questions sent to the Kollel are researched and answered. Questions pertinent Eastern Seaboard, culminating in to the Oaf are shared with our readers, leading to interactive discussions. Anyone can send questions to the Kolle! by writing to [email protected]. The Kolle! has an impressive gathering in the answered over 1000 questions this past year. Baro Park section of Brooklyn, For your tree subscription, write us at: [email protected]. where they spoke before some Archives available online and by email request. Help us continue our work by dedicating a Dot or sending a tax-deductible donation. 7,000 participants. US TAX !D # 11-3354586

The Jewish Observer, September 1998 19 AN HISTORIC EVENT

Rabbi Steinman (1:) and the Gerrer Rebbe (c.) with Rabbi Sim­ cha Bimim Ehrenfeld (Matersdorfer Rav). ''Let It Be Like These and Like Those'' Based on the remarks of Rabbi Yaakov Perlow, the Novominsker Rebbe N"V~':i'V at the annual dinner of Yeshivas - Kol Yehuda, in which he commented on the historic visit of the rabbinical delegation from Eretz Yisroel, which had come to conclusion the previous day.

he Prophet Yeshayahu consoles (strength), and Michoel, the Angel of angels" - both Shoam and Yoshfei. (See Knesses Yisroel: After the tor­ Chessed (kindness), regarding the iden­ Babba Basra 75a.) Tment of being 'l\niya so' aro lo tity of these precious stones that will One could certainly venture that the nucha1na" - like a storm-tossed, dis­ bring comfort to Knesses Yisroel. Others machlokes between the forces of Gevu­ consolate woman - it will be consoled: attribute this dispute to two Amoraim ra, represented by Gavriel, and the "Hashem will lay your floor stones upon (rabbinical authorities in the Talmud) forces of Chessed, represented by pearls ... and make your windows of of Bretz Yisroel, Yehuda and Chezkia the Michoel, reflect distinct cosmic powers Kadkod stones." The Navi then con­ sons of Rav Chiya. Michoel is of the that will serve as sources of consolation cludes with the well-known passage, opinion that the Kadkod stones were to Kial Yisroel after the great Destruc­ "V'chol bonayich limudei Hashem, v'rav Shoam, the gem that represented Yoseif tion and Exile that would befall our shalom bona'ich-All your children will Hatzaddikon the Choshen (breastplate) people. Will it come about through the be students of Hashem, and your chil­ worn by the Kohein Gadol. Gavriel intervention of the midda of gevura or dren will enjoy abundant peace" believes it is Yoshfei, the stone assigned the midda of chessed'! To this, the (Yishaya 54, 11-13). to represent Binyamin. This machlokes Almighty replies, "Kad-Kod: Lehava The Gemora tells of a dispute (dispute) surely represents deep, esoteric kedein v'kedein," let it come about between Gavriel, the Angel of Gevura ideas. The conclusion of the Gemora, from both forces. The Master of the however, leaves us even more per­ world consoles us with the knowledge This article was translated into English and adapt­ plexed. Hashem answers regarding the that at the time of the ultimate redemp­ ed by Rabbi Avrohom Liss, who is currently on dispute between these two Malachim: tion, Kial Yisroel will be adorned with the ad1ninistration of Bnos Leah-Prospect Park High School For Girls, in Brooklyn. "Kad-Kod - Lehava kedein v'kedein - the glow and brilliance of Kad-Kod: let it be like the interpretation of both both Shoam and Yoshfei.

20 The Jewish Observer, September 1998 HISTORIC PATTERNS OF RECONSTRUCTION AND CONSOLATION

here is more, however, implied in this Gemora, for - as men­ Ttioned - it states that just as there is a machlokes in Heaven as to the means of consolation, so too is there a difference of opinion between two sages in the Beis Midrash, Yehuda and Chezkia the sons of Rav Chi ya. There is surely some significance in the identi­ ty of these two Amoraim cited in this context. Indeed, the Gemora ( Succa 20a) tes­ tifies that Rav Chiya's return from Bavel Rabbi Steinman with the Novominskrr Rehbe. Standing: R' Yisroel Perlow (l.) and Avraha1n Biderman to Bretz Yisroel reinvigorated the study of Torah to such an extent that the great mercy, which restored the glory of selves to the continued flourishing of sage Reish Lakish said, "Were it not for Torah and dedication to its study and Kial Yisroel. True, "lo harei zeh k'harei Rav Chiya and his sons, Torah l"n service. zeh" - the two paths are clearly distinct, wottld have been forgotten from Kial Yis­ The Baal Shem Tovand his disciples, different from one another. In the years roel." The Gemora cites three such indi­ and the Vilna Gaon and his disciples, since, their unique kedusha and nieso­ viduals who succeeded in reestablishing each in their own unique approach to rah have been maintained by the nation the supremacy of : Ezra avodas Hashem, returned the crown of of Israel, as they, in turn, have served to Hasofer, upon the return of the exiles the Torah to its former state, enabling perpetuate our people through the from Bavel to build the Second Beis future generations to rededicate them- vicissitudes of Ga/us. Hamikdash; Hillel Habavli, who restored Torah forgotten in the time of Bnei Beseira; and finally, Rav Chiya and his sons, in the first generation of Anzoraitn, following that of Rav Yehuda Hanassi, Thtlewish whose mastery of Torah She b'al peh has sustained Kial Yisroel to this day. Festivals HISTORIC PRECEDENT in Ancient, Medieval and Modern Sources nd so has it been in the healing >•·''""'''·""'''''''''' ~'<'·"""""'''''''"'" that followed similar occasions of By Aprecipitous loss ever since. For example, three hundred fifty years ago, Gloria Wiederkehr-Pollack the massacres and ruin of Tach V'Tat, left Kial Yisroel in a decimated, weakened state. This was compounded by the shat­ tering disillusionment left in the wake This unique and novel presentation of the origins and meaning of the yomim of the false Moshiach Shabsai Tzvi, who followed Tach v'Tat. This enormous tovim and their observances is scholarly yet traditional. It combines accu­ decline in body and spirit caused Kial rate documentation from the entire range of Jewish literature with historical Yisroel to sink to an unprecedented low, analyses to engage the scholar and delight the layman. both materially and spiritually. Soon pb $17.50 afterwards, however, two forces emerged, through Divine love and Available at all Judaica stores, or directly from the publishers:

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The Jewish Observer, September 1998 21 Rabbi Steinman with the Reb/Je.

uprooted. What was to the differing approaches of the sons of become of our people? Rav Chiya, Yehuda and Chezkia, who Who could possibly both together rebuilt the Torah edifice reestablish Torah for in earlier difficult times, the Almighty's Kial Yisroel? response is, "Let it be Jike both.') Once again, Hashem Perhaps that is why Reish Lakish did not abandon His referred specifically to the sons of Rav nation. A handful of Chiya, who both - each in his singu­ great Roshei Yeshivas lar way, each differing from the other in and Chassidishe his path - restored the glory of Jewish Rabbe'im were spared to spiritual life. RECENT LOSSES AND REGENERATION revive the spirit of our devastated soci­ Indeed, we are witness to this in our ety. And yes, lo harei zeh keharei zeh: The own generation. The Chassidishe rnos­ n our times, scarcely more than fifty approach to Torah study and avodas dos (institutions) and their Rabbe'im, years ago, we once again suffered a Hashem of the Chassidic schools and the with their distinct philosophy of life and I devastating destruction. European "Lithuanian" schools differ greatly, just avodas Hashem, and the Litvishe yeshiv­ Jewry and its hundreds of Jewish com­ as profound differences existed in the as and their Gedolim and their approach munities that had flourished for a views of the dispnting Malachim Each to learning and living Torah - each thousand years were destroyed both seeks to acquire Kirvas Elokim, an group serves to enhance the other. The physically and spiritually. Communities attachment to the Ribbono Shel Olam, Chassidishe mosdos have emulated the that gave us the Rishonim that guide us through a different approach. The emphasis on total immersion in the in the study of the Talmud, as well as the response from Hashem, however, is in the study of Torah, the importance of sup­ major poskim (decisors and commen­ spirit of "Kad-Kod: Lehava kedein porting bnei Torah in their advancement, tators) of were totally v'kedein- let it be like both." Similar to the concept of Kollel, all associated with the Litvishe mosdos; and the latter, in turn, have learned from their Chassidishe counterparts to put stress on growth in areas of kedusha and tahara. They have both worked together and have com­ For careful attention to your plemented one another. This siman individual needs, call us today! beracha, this remarkable amelioration and mutual enrichment that we see in (914) 354-8445 our generation, should serve to uplift all of Kial Yisroel.

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22 The Jewish Observer, September 1998 AN HISTORIC EVENT Avraham Biderman

Rabbi Steinman with Rabbi Avrohom Pam and the author.

Hosting a Gadol BeYisroel Nine Days With Rabbi Aharon Leib Steinman N"V~'nl

SPECIAL PREPARATIONS FOR A Special preparations were needed in all, how can one go on a long trip with­ SPECIAL GUEST advance of the Rosh Yeshiva's arrival. He out taking along one's chavrusa? is makpid (fastidious) in regard to the had the rare zechus to be the host* laws of giluy (uncovered liquids) and THE DAILY REGIMEN to Rabbi Aharon Leib Steinman only drinks milk taken directly from a I N"V"n> on his recent trip to the Unit­ cow by an observant Jew. That milk is n Monday, May 18, the Rosh ed States, when he came together with then covered immediately and cooked Yeshiva arrived at my home the Gerrer Rebbe to help raise funds for in a covered pot. In Bora Park today, Odirectly from the levaya of Torah chinuch in Bretz Yisroel. I am cer­ most every chumra (stringency) can be Rabbi Moshe Sherer '>"YT. I had been tainly in no position to describe his accommodated with ease. Here, too, warned that I would be losing control extraordinary greatness in Torah and with only minimal inquiry, I was of my house once he arrived, but noth­ avoda (service to Hashem). Having a referred to a Skverer Chassid who milks ing prepared me for the onslaught of bird's eye view of the Rosh Yeshiva for a cow every day for the Skverer Rebbe humanity that ensued. over a week, however, gave me an and who was only too happy to accom­ The Rosh Yeshiva davens vasikin unusual insight, not only into the daily modate the Rosh Yeshiva. A perfect (starting Shemoneh Esrei with sunrise) conduct of a man of such stature, but example of Achdus! every day, including Shabbos. In June, also into the extraordinary response When learning, the Rosh Yeshiva sits that means starting Shacharis at five such a personality elicits from the only on an unpadded bench with no A.M. I had asked a few neighbors to join American Torah world, which is so eager back - not that popular an item in Bora us in my basement, which had been con­ to hear dvar Hashem. Park; but a piano bench fit that need verted to a Beis Haknesses for the week, perfectly. Accompanying the Rosh Yeshi­ to ensure that we had minyan. My fears Avraham Biderman, a n1usmach of Mesivta Torah va as guests in our home were not only were unfounded. By word of mouth, Vodaath, was the New York City Finance Co1n- 1nissioner in the Koch administration. He is active his son Rabbi Moshe Steinman N"P''>W with no advance publicity, yeshiva in communal affairs, including the lay leadership and his Gabbai, Rabbi Rosengarten bachurim began to gather at my home of Beis Medrash Govoha, Agudath Israel of An1er­ N"V>'>w, but his chavrusa as well. After every morning at 4:15. By 4:30, some ica, and SHUVU, an organization dedicated to fifty boys were waiting anxiously out­ the Torah education of Russian children in Israel. *Along with Rabbi Mechel Gruss of Lakewood, He is author of several articles that appeared in for a day, and Mr. Shimon Glick of Monsey, for side our home, and by 5 A.M. the crowd The Jewish Observer. a Shabbos. had swelled to 150 persons, and con-

The Jewish Observer, September 1998 23 tinued to grow every day. People davened his special milk to form a thick gruel - Sephardi minyan. You can imagine the in my base1nent, up the staircase, and which also constituted his menu at sup­ surprise and excitement of the boys in finally in the kitchen and living room, perti1ne. Yeshiva Ateret Torah when Rabbi connected to the proceedings through The Rosh Yeshiva, who had never pre­ Aharon Leib Steinman entered in the our intercom system. When davening viously left Bretz Yisroel since he had middle of davening. Within minutes, ended, it took an hour to clear the house, arrived there over fifty years ago, was word of his appearance had spread as yeshiva bachurim, baalebattim, as well anxious not to n1iss Birchas Kohanim throughout the yeshiva, and hundreds as other Roshei Yeshiva waited anxious­ recited by Kohanim - a staple of every of boys streamed in came to see the Rosh ly to see the Rosh Yeshiva, if only for a minyan in Yerushalayim, but a rarity in Yeshiva, kiss his hand, and ask for his moment or two. the United States. The minhag of the beracha. This scene repeated itself every Once the crowd finally left, the Rosh Sephardim, however, is to hear the day in a different location. Yeshiva ate his meager breakfast - two Kohanim say it every day, so each By 8:00 A.M. the Rosh Hayeshiva had ounces of crushed challah mixed with morning we would seek out another already greeted hundreds of people. His day did not end until after 1:00 A.M., when the door finally closed to all who came to seek his advice. By 4 A.M. he was already dressed, sitting and learning. Indeed, the Rosh Yeshiva slept a maxi­ mum of three hours each day. Yet he was warm and friendly to all who came to \II W& him throughout his 21-hour days. Q: Which Great Food 7// THE ITINERARY uring the course of his stay, the HasEvervone ~ Rosh Yeshiva, accompanied at all Dtimes by the Gerrer Rebbe, vis­ ited almost every major yeshiva in the Talklngil ~ New York Metropolitan area, as well as major Torah institutions in Lakewood, ~ Philadelphia, Monsey and New Square. He visited leading Rebbe'im and Roshei Yeshivas, including Rabbi Avrohom A: Pam, Rabbi Binyomin Paler, Rabbi Elya If you enjoy the marvelous selection of delicious Gefen™ foods Svei, and Rabbi Menashe Klein, as well at your favorite supermarket. then you'll love gettting one hour as the Rebbe'im ofSatmar, Klausenberg, of FREE LONG DISTANCE from Gefen1M this Rosh Hashanah. , Rochomstrivsk, Novominsk, and Skulen. He also saw thousands of per­ sons who came to see him - first at the Bais Yaakov of Baro Park, as part of a massive reception, and then individu­ ally at our home. All kinds of persons came to see him: Older bachurim look­ 1r------.:,...------, To recel'Je your Frn Geftln One Haut Long Distanc11 Ca/ling Card, send 50 UP C's from any Gelen product to: ing for shidduchim, persons with every / IName: ______...:Address: ______imaginable type of illness from cancer / "~City' "Gelen Long Dislante" to blindness, and Roshei Yeshiva and t/o KENOVER Marketing I State:------i~p: ______~ 100 Mortan Avenue their talmidim who came to talk in Brooklyn, NY 11237 /'.'.: 1Fa\/Orite Gefen Product:------learning with the mechaber of the renowned "lnw.1 n7'N '1£10. : ::~.~~~~a::~~r~r before December 3t. 1998 Oomast1c ratas may vary With international rates Calling card \,_ L~~!!~::..·~~=!'~.:"!'.!"!~:!'!!-"~'-wh.:::.•:'.':":'.::!. ______.. \ The Rosh Yeshiva maintained his J practice of delivering a daily shiur at 3:00 P.M., right after Mincha. 1 Amazingly, baalebattim left their offices f/f//!/1 r P1 I"\\~\"\\\ in early afternoon to join bnei Yeshiva in plumbing the depths of Torah. By the

24 The Jewish Observer, September 1998 Lakewood Roshei Yeshiva and cheder children greeting Rabbi Steinman

Bobover Shu/ on Monday, in the mas­ trast, however, he repeated again and sive, central gathering organized by again how deeply moved he was by the Agudath Israel of America, dozens earnest tefillos of the bachurim in the more still came to seek his counsel after Philadelphia Yeshiva, whom he joined 11:00 P.M. at home. for Mincha and Seder Yorn Kippur Kat­ The Rosh Yeshiva had never been to tan on Erev Rosh Chodesh Sivan - the United States before, but the won­ which took a full hour and a half. drous Manhattan skyline, unlike any­ Wherever he went, excited throngs third day, nearly one hundred people thing he had ever seen, was of no inter­ pushed forward to see him. Tens of came to hear him illuminate p'shat in est to him; he did not even glance at it thousands saw him in Bora Park and many difficult Rashis, drawing on ma'a­ when we drove along the Brooklyn­ Williamsburg. In Spring Valley, New marei Ghazal spread throughout Shas. Queens Expressway on our way to the Square, and Lakewood, his arrival drew When the Rosh Yeshiva completed his Satmar Rebbe in Williamsburg. By con- the largest assemblies those communi- visits on Thursday, the return visits began. First to come was the Skulener Mozeson/Malinowsk1 Advertising (201) 801-0101 Rebbe. When the Rosh Yeshiva and the Gerer Rebbe had been at the Skulener Rebbe's, he had served them some grapes. Rabbi Steinman now explained It h that even though there were grapes on the table, he could not offer the Skulener Rebbe any, since he was only a guest in someone else's home. When the Satmar Rebbe came to visit, he handed out shirayim to the Chassidim who crowded our home to join him. st1c Rabbi Steinman, who likely had never experienced shirayim, cheerfully helped pass out the portions of cake to each of perhaps 200 persons present -- both Chassidim and . Rabbi Shmuel Birnbaum arrived with some bachurim to learn p'shat in • a difficult sugya (topic) in n11Vl1"N. We were assured that only five bachurim would accompany the Mirrer Rosh Yeshiva. The five quickly swelled to near­ ly one hundred. Those who could not fit in through the door were only too willing to climb in through the windows, until those entrances too were totally blocked. INSPIRING CROWDS, ANGUISHED no INDMDUALS

he Rosh Yeshiva never lost his The Shalom Task Force equanimity. Even after seeing -4 ~ T12,000 persons filing in one at a Abuse Hotline is endorsed by ..,.lJs Cc, time to give him and the Gerrer Rebbe leading Orthodox Rabbonim. "'-1-.,ot-~ Shalom in the Bais Yaakov of Bora Park, he still received scores of individuals, Confidential Hotline 718 337 3700 pouring out their hearts to him, once he Collect calls accepted. Do it for yourself. returned to our home. And even after addressing a crowd of over 7,000 in the Do it for your children.

The Jewish Observer, September 7998 25 Rabbi Kotler addressing the Lev L'achiin gatlwring in Lakewood

leading Rebbeirn, Roshei Yeshiva and ing to conscription of yeshiva bachurim. baalebattirn at a reception in the home The Rosh Yeshiva advised Rabbi Ravitz of the Novominsker Rebbe; then in the how to proceed, and then sought coun­ yeshivas that he visited; at the giant sel himself with David Melech Yisroel, gathering in the Bobover Beis Midrash; reciting Tehillirn fervently, as the criti­ culn1inating in a major shiur in cal resolution was debated on the Knes­ ties had ever witnessed. Thousands of Halacha and Aggada that he delivered set floor. bachurirn, chavrei kollel and cheder chil­ for thousands of listeners in Beth On Thursday, May 28, the Rosh dren visited him in Lakewood, and large Medrash Govoha. Never did he repeat Yeshiva and the Gerrer Rebbe returned crowds of children lined up on Brook­ a thought, or need to rely on written to Bretz Yisroel, having left an indelible lyn's avenues as he visited yeshiva after notes. And after every derasha, he was mark on the lives of thousands with yeshiva. He rarely looked outside his back to hearing the anguished pleas of whom they ca1ne in direct contact, and daled arnos (immediate surroundings), the individuals who came to meet him. the hundreds of thousands more who and he never tired of displaying his smil­ The impact of the large crowds never followed their every move. ing visage to the yeshiva bachurim for diminished the concern he exhibited For n1y family and me, it was an whom he had such affection. for every individual. unforgettable experience, witnessing Over the course of a week, he deliv­ how someone who lived under the most ered dozens of derashos, first to the STAYING IN TOUCH WITH modest circumstances imaginable in his BRETZ YISROEL two-room apart1nent in Bnei Brak, who had avoided any public attention uring his stay, numerous calls his entire adult life, never leaving the came from Bretz Yisroel for confines of the beis rnidrash, was able Dcounsel on issues of the day. through his power of Torah to have such Rabbi Avraham Ravitz, head of the a profound impact on hundreds of Knesset Finance Committee, \Vas a fre­ thousands of people on these shores. quent caller, seeking guidance on how The reverberations of the visit will be to approach a Knesset resolution relat- with us for years to come. •

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26 The Jewish Observer, September 1998 Words From the Rosh Ha Yeshiva N"V''i't'

The Wondrous Kohein Gado/; and then, only on Yorn of that era also put effort into rais­ Reach of Achdus Kippur, after extraordinary prepara­ ing their children to serve Hashem. The Gemora in Berachos (30a) tions. Yet every Jew can have the But that apparently paled in com­ instructs us to say Shemoneh Esrei fac­ yearnings of his heart gain entry to parison to whatAvrahamAvinu invest­ ing Eretz Yisroe/. If we are within Eretz this inner sanctuary, when he is joined ed in being mechanech (instructing) Yisroel, we should face Yerushalayim. with other Jews davening together, in his son in his striving for perfection. Those within unity, to That is how the incomparable Yerushalayim should Hashem. Yitzchak emerged.And by the same face the Temple WeJews­ token, only in such a manner did Mount.. .. And those in Eretz Yisroel, in Yitzchak succeed in raising Yaakov; and within the walls of America, all Yaakov, in turn, in fathering Kla/Yisroe/. the Temple should over the world Thus did Hashem single out this fam­ face the Kodesh - should sure­ ily to be the instrument for fulfilling Hakadashim, the ly join together, the purpose of creation. Holy of Holies. One to become It is surely clear to us, then, that who is to the west Rabbi Steinman with a delegation from Agudath Israel Echad in our Torah chinuch - educating our of Yerushalayim, of America. shared aspira­ young - is the future of our nation, faces east. Someone standing in the tions to raise K'vod Shamayim. and the mainstay of creation. Our east faces west. RABBI AHARON LEIB STEINMAN N,.\7>?l?J people's tragic failure to transmit our If a person is blind, or simply AT A GATHERING OF ROSHEI YESHNA, sacred heritage ofTorah knowledge unaware of the directions, he should RABBEIM AND ADMORIM. and values to subsequent generations then direct his thoughts to our Heav­ "Because He Commands these past two hundred years is only enly Father. His Children and His too evident. Two centuries ago, the The question arises: If a person Household After Him .. .'' overwhelming majority of our peo­ can harness his powers of concen­ ple were shomrei Torah umitzvos, and We are aware of Avraham Avinu's tration to address Hashem directly, special standing as the first of the today, sadly, only a small minority are. why bother facing in any particular Avos, the founder of Hashem's nation. Now, more than ever, is it incumbent direction at all? Just focus one's on us to see to it that we endeavor There are other personalities men­ thoughts on Hashem! to go in the ways of Avraham Avinu tioned in Chumash Bereishis who were It would seem, however, that as and "command Jewish children ... that also outstanding tzaddikim - excep­ effective as mental concentration may they keep the ways of Hashem:' We tionally rightous men, such as Noach, be, there is an advantage in joining Shem and Ever. must reverse the masses of other Jews, and physical­ trend wherever ly positioning oneself toward &etz Yis­ There are Jewish children roe/ ... toward the Kodesh Hakadashim; certainly a num­ live, including for then one has joined hearts with ber of reasons here in America, fellow Jews in facing our Creator. This why Avraham and especially in is surely superior to any other was singled out Eretz Yisroe/, from approach! The advantage of being to be progeni­ where Torah is part of a multitude of Jews who are tor of Am Yisroel destined to directing their tefillos together. as one, - some rea- Rabbi Aharon Leib Steinnwn addressing Bais Medrash come forth. toward one central, sacred location, sons known to Govoha, Lakewood. couRTt:sY TRAINER sru01os If only people from where they ascend to the us, such as his strength in withstand- realized how precious their efforts Shamayim - this is incomparable! ing severe tests; some known only to on behalf of chinuch are in the eyes Imagine! A Jew in America has the the Ribbono Shel O/am Himself. In Par- of Hakadosh Baruch Hu, they would privilege of expressing tefil/os that shasVayeira, however, He mentions one surely increase their concern, enlarge reach the Kodesh Hakadashim, from specific reason: "I have loved him, their efforts and expand their where they rise Heavenward along because he commands his children and achievements to meet this most with the tefillos of thousands of other his household after him that they keep urgent need. Jews! Remember: no one can enter the way of Hashem ..." (Bereishis I0, 19). RABBI AHARON LEIB STEINMAN N"\7>?l?J the Kodesh Hakadashim, except the Most likely, the other great men AT A GATHERING OF LAY LEADERS.

The Jewish Observer, September 1998 27 AN HISTORIC EVENT Yisroel Leizerson An Opportunity to See and to Learn

The Gerrer Rebbe, addressing Bais Medrash Govoha, Lakewood. Gerrer Rebbe addressing the gath­ ering at the Bobover Beis Mid rash.

A MISSION OF EXTRAORDINARY may Hashem bless us together as one," MESIRAS NEFESH expressing the central role of Achdus. This tefilla culminates all the supplica­ everal months have passed since tions of the Shemoneh Esrei, the many the joint visit of the two Gedolei would not leave America without meet­ requests we make of Hashem, and pro­ SBretz YisroeltoAmerica. The reac­ ing every single person who sought his vides the means for our prayers to rise tions evoked by their presence and the counsel. to Heaven. lessons to be learned from them were as To better comprehend their mesiras The implications are clear: We daven nu1nerous and diverse as the thousands nefesh (self-sacrifice), particnlarly on the daily for relief from tronbles and diffi­ of Jews who joined them in the various spiritual plane, one must realize that culties that have befallen Kial Yisroel in gatherings. And there were equally prior to this visit, both of these gedolim general, as well as for our individual important inessages to us as a coinmu­ had consistently shunned the public eye, needs in health, livelihood, and so on. nity. devoting their lives to serving Hashem, Indeed, no one in our community is To be sure, Gerrer Chassidim expe­ betznius - quietly, without pomp and unaffected or unmoved by the many rienced an extraordinary rejuvenation ceremony. Yet, when the Kial needed strange, tragic deaths, sudden terminal in Torah and Yiras Shamayim, as did the them, they accepted a mission that illnesses, and difficulties with parnassa entire Torah community. Let us reflect included front-page stories in every reli­ that beset ns. We pray constantly for the on the spoken and - even 1nore - the gious Jewish newspaper, with their Ge'ula Sheleima, the Final Redemption. unspoken lessons that we can learn, and names on almost every tongue in the The Rebbe explained that the atte1npt to internalize their message. Torah community. Since assuming the Chachamim who composed and We most likely do not fully appreci­ leadership of Gerrer Chassidim just over arranged the Shemoneh Esrei conclud­ ate the difficulties endured by these two two years ago, the Rebbe, N"V"7\:> has only ed it with the blessing for Shalom to leaders, who left their communities, once spoken publicly - at the massive underscore its overwhelming impor­ responsibilities, and families to journey DafYomi Siyum in Eretz Yisroel last Sep­ tance, to show us that Shalom is the key to the other side of the world, under­ tember. Despite his aversion to public to the gates of Rachmei Shamayim, taking schedules that allowed them no appearances (and microphones, in par­ Divine Mercy. With Shalom, all of the opportunity for respite. In the course of ticnlar), he came forward to deliver an preceding requests will be answered. a single week, they visited many diverse urgent call for Achdus and Shalom, unity Torah institutions in the New York area, and peace among all Jews. A DISPLAY OF EXEMPLARY encouraging and inspiring whon1ever MUTUAL RESPECT they met. In addition, they seemed to THE MESSAGE have spent every available moment he exemplary respect that the receiving an apparently endless stream ddressing his American audience, leaders showed to one another - of individuals, each seeking their advice he asked why the Shemoneh Esrei Tin particnlar, the Gerrer Rebbe's and blessings. The Rebbe stated that he oncludes with "Birkas Hash­ constant care for Rabbi Steinman's alom," the blessing of peace. He point­ honor and welfare - was in itself an Yisroel Leizerson is a 1ne1nber of the Kolle! of Beth Medrash Govoha, Lakewood, NJ. where he ed out that the beracha includes:" Bor­ outstanding lesson. As Rabbi Steinman is affiliated with the Gerrer Shteibel of Lakewood. chainuAvinu kulanu ke'echad yachad- remarked to his son) "I can understand

------28 The Jewish Observer, September 1998 that the Rebbe shows me respect in pub­ ican. The same applies to relationships importance of studying Torah liShma, lic, since I am twenty years his senior, \Vithin our own circles of family, friends for its own sake. Expounding on the but he also defers to me completely in and acquaintances; we must feel and injunction" Bechol derachecha de'eihu­ 'tiefere zachen' (deeper matters), and that express respect, love and concern for the Know Hashem in all your ways;' he cited I cannot comprehend:' values and feelings of others. the Shulchan Aruch's call ( Orach Chaim The Rebbe's concern to spare Rabbi We can only expect to develop true 231) to dedicate one's every action - Steinman any undue stress or physical Achdus and Shalom if, rather than dis­ spiritual or physical...whether eating, strain was remarkable, The Rebbe always cuss what we view as the negative sleeping, working or talking-to serv­ insisted that Rav Steinman aspects of oth­ ing Hashem better!, thus raising daily, precede him. Indeed, it was ers, or ridicule mundane acts to a higher spiritual plane an unforgettable lesson in other groups, - a key element in Chassidus. middos (ethical behavior) to we endeavor see the Rebbe help Rabbi to develop an he ostensible purpose of the Steinman into a car, and appreciation American visit of the two then rush to enter through of the unique, T Gedolim was to strengthen the opposite car door, to positive quali­ Torah education for Jewish children in spare the Rosh Yeshiva the ties that each Eretz Yisroel. In fact, their call for us need to move over to has to offer. to develop and strengthen unity with­ accommodate him! Such in our ranks also struck a deep chord, actions throughout the week conveyed A MESSAGE TO BNEI YESHIVA giving us enormous encouragement the Rebbe's most forceful message: the and incentive, as well as models to supreme importance of Ahavas Yisroel, n the course of his visit, the Rebbe emulate. • the love, care and respect that one Jew joined Rabbi Steinman in address­ must have for another, regardless of his I ing words of encouragement and The Sfas E1nes on Avos notes that it is very rare particular path within the broad spec­ guidance to the students of Beth that one can achieve a total dedication of l'shem Shar11ayi111, but there are select moments during trum of)udaism. Torah Judaism is not Medrash Govoha, Lakewood. The the performance of a 1nitzva when one can reach monolithic in its expression. There are Rebbe's message - brief, yet com­ a "reine kavana" (be purely n1otivated). shivim panim leTorah- a large variety pelling - underscored the supreme of Torah paths, each with inherent value. These two Gedolim, representing different groups, have worked together, closely and harmoniously, demonstrat­ ing that the timeless words "K'ish echad b'lev echad - As one n1an with one heart," are not n1ere abstractions, but express an achievable goal. In order to quality tor family care reimbursement This lesson should be internalized on for information on obtaining cemetery plots in applicants must be New York residents. two levels, the communal and the per­ Please call sonal, as each of us strives to foster Eretz Hachoim Beth Shemesh Achdus and respect between the various Hor Menuchoth - Hor Hazeisim 718-692-6920 All calls will be kept strictly confidential. segments of Kial Yisroel, be they 011-972-2-641-1923 Lithuanian, Chassidic, Sefardic or Amer- Thanks!

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o many of the 200,000 (from right to left) R' Shabsi Atun, R' Ben Sion, R' Aiuall'm; at the llilr Jews who, with deep mirzva of Ben Sio11 At1111. Trespect and a profound source of loss, accompanied All photographs in this article are from him to his final rest in the collection of R' Ephraim Levi. Jerusalem, his very name "Hacham Ben Sion" signaled the Bucharian Quarter. For the answer to any problem. His fifty years he raised money for titles and positions changed the shul and tended to its from hour to hour, from day to needs. As he aged, his sons Rav day. From nine every morning Ben Sion and Rav Yaacov till one P.M., he was Rosh Yeshi­ became the Rav and the chaz­ va to the bachurim ofYeshivat zan-and-badl koreh, respec­ Porat Yosef, guiding them tively. through the tractates of Nashim and \Nhen Ben Sion was an infant, pover­ Nezikin. In the afternoon, he taught laws • ty was rampant. Once, when his moth­ of Choshen Mishpat and Evven Ha'ezer en Sion entered the er had no food for him, he became very to dayanim (rabbinical judges). On ill, but they could not afford a doctor. Friday, he gave shiurim in Seder Zeraim. BYeshiva Porat Yosef at the She fell asleep crying and dreamed that On Friday nights, he studied Kabala. On a man approached her and asked why Shabbat, he was the Rav for decades in age of eleven, and never she was crying. She told him her prob­ the Ohel Rachel shul in the Bucharian lems, and he responded, "Do not fear. Quarter of Jerusalem. When he was at left. He started under Rav Your child will become a great talmid home or walking the streets of his neigh­ chacham and his birth has brought you borhood, in person or on the telephone, Yehuda Sadka, who was good fortune. Here is a silver coin. Let and recently with his sefarim "Ohr only 21 at the time, later your husband buy goods with it." L'Sion," he was the poseik halacha to She awoke, and when her husband thousands. As his son said in his hesped: becoming one of the Roshei returned from shu~ she asked him if had Today in Torah there are specialists. any money. He laughed and said, "I just Some people specialize in the laws of Yeshiva! of Porat Yosef. came from shul. From where should I Nidda, some in the laws of , and have money?" She told him to check his others in the laws of Eretz Yisrael. Rav pockets, which he did, finding a silver Ben Sion was a specialist in every field. • coin. He bought merchandise to sell, and To his brothers and sisters, he was the A rebbi, a gadol, a leader: it is instruc­ their situation turned around. oldest boy of sixteen children; to his tive to see the man as a whole-his mid­ Rav Eliyahu, Ben Sian's father, was a Rabanit, a caring husband; to his fam­ dos, his mode of thinking, his day-to-day shoemaker by trade who worked hard ily, a loving father and grandfather. And response to the art of living. On these during the day, and learned and served to thousands of people, he was the pages, we will try to capture the essence his Creator the rest of the time. Rav source of advice and the address for any of that Adam Gadol in his many facets. once asked problem, the one who would pray for Rav Eliyahu Abba Shaul (son of all and everyone of Kial Yisrael. EARLY YEARS Hacham Ben Sion, named after his grandfather) what his grandfather did. Rabbi Sutton, who serves as a Rav in the Syrian community of the New York-New Jersey area, e was born to Eliyahu and Rav Eliyahu answered, "He was a sim­ spent thirteen years studying Torah in Jerusalem, Binaya in Yerushalayim in the ple Jew who worked for a living." Rav where he established a dose relationship with H year 1924. His father, who had Shlomo Zalman answered, "He defi­ Hacham Ben Sion Abba Shaul. In deference to emigrated from Persia as a young boy, nitely was not a simple Jew. Simple Jews the subject of this article, Sephardic pronunci­ ation was followed in the transliteration of served as gabbai of Ohel Rachel, a shul don't raise such children. I just wanted Hebrew terms. established by Persian immigrants in to know what his business was."

The Jewish Observer, September 1998 31 Rav Ezra Attia delivering a shiur in Porat Yosef To his right: Rav Yosef Adas, Rav Ben Sion Abba Shaul.

Reb Shlomo Zalman was correct; he was not a simple man. Rav Ben Sion was a product of a spe­ cial home - one of those families from "Yerushalayim Shel Maala;' a family that made hon1e-made erev Pesach masa as a family project. They would go to the fields to buy the wheat, grind it them­ selves, and require the Arab women who handled the wheat to wear masks to assure its purity. The family still main­ tains these customs. The entire house was white-washed before Pesach, a tra­ ditional practice, but they were black again on erev Pesach from baking the masa. His father followed the rulings and customs of Rav Sadka Husin, a talmid chacham who had come to Yerushalay­ im from Baghdad in the early 1900s. He had opened a shul and raised his con­ gregants to great levels of Hasidut. They often quoted the Ari father: 11•::1':> i1N has davened every morning with the sunrise, zal that one who is the same numerical and learned afterwards for several careful about hamets value as 71!'W N:JN hours. He taught them halachot and on Pesach will be 1i1"7N:. minhagim, many of them extremely guaranteed not to sin. As the family stringent. Rav Ben Sion kept those cus­ Describing his struggled during toms for himself too, although he did mother, he would say, the war years, Rav not teach them to others. The entire "She was extremely Ben Sion felt a Pesach he used no processed foods, not 1nodest, exacting in responsibility to his even sugar, as was his father's custom. n1isvot, and \Vas Rav Ezra Attia younger siblings During Elul (the grape harvest), they happy with very little. and often gave his kashered the kitchen and cooked grapes She put all her efforts into raising her bread rations to them. until they became a thick syrup, which family as Torah, and G-d-fearing Jews:' Even at the elementary school level, was their sweetener for Pesach. He His honor for his mother was extra­ he had a strong love for Torah. (One day, ordinary. He said in a halacha shiurthat at age 6, on the way to Talmud Torah, he it is improper for a child to ask his noticed that the milkman's barrel mother to scramble an egg for him: a mounted on his donkey was dripping Post Graduate mother is not your servant. If she asks milk from a small crack. He could not you and it gives her pleasure, then it is find the owner, so using his ingenuity, he Training Program in permissible. He would not even ask his took off the cover to catch tl1e dripping Family Therapy for mother to pass the salt. milk. When it was full, he poured it back His father built a home on Rechov into the barrel. He did this for a half hour the Orthodox Jewish Shmuel Hanabi, next door to the Yeshi­ until the owner returned. That was the va of Rav Dushinski, with whom he one day he came late to Talmud Torah.) Therapist developed a close relationship. Eventu­ ally, Rav Ben Sion, as a bachur, learned RAV BEN SION AND RAV EZRA ATTIA A comprehensive post-graduate training program for therapists working with individuals, with Rav Dushinski as a chavruta, from couples and families in tile Frum community midnight till the sunrise minyan. He en Sion entered the Yeshiva Porat would sleep but four hours a night. Yosef at the age of eleven, and For further information contact In the introduction to ((Ohr L'sion" Bnever left. He started under Rav Orthodox Training Program in Family Therapy· Vol.!, Rav Ben Sion writes of his father's Yehuda Sadka (who was only 21 at the White Plains, New York piety; for the last fifteen years of his life time), later becoming one of the Roshei Mailing address: he learned Kabala with the kabalists of Yeshivot of Porat Yosef. His class, a small 11 Judith Lane, Monsey, NY 10952 the Yeshiva L'mekubalim Emet V'shalom. group of ten boys, learned the entire Phone: 914-354·4288 In naming his sefer, he hinted to his mesechet Erubin that first year.

32 The Jewish Observer, September 1998 He later advanced to the shiur of Rav not want to show off. ... His teachers taught him that Torah Ezra Attia, the Rosh Yeshiva of Porat Rav Ezra later said that Rav Ben Sion and nzisvot are to be kept in a private Yosef (see The Jewish Observer Sept:85). himself was worth all the efforts put into manner. There was a time when Rav Fellow students tell of the special close­ the Yeshiva Porat Yosef. Yehuda Sadka taught him and a small ness of the two and of their similarity His Rebbe's opinion was the final say group of bachurirn in a small shul that in derech (approach to learning). Rav on any matter. Upon being shown a was not frequented during the day; Rav Ben Sion \Vas once asked to describe Rav booklet arguing that Sephardim should Sadka told them, "Let this be our Torah Ezra's derech. He answered, "Deep, very wear their sisit out, he said,"I don't need learning in secret." deep, yet very straight:' the booklet, I know what Rav Ezra held." As a youngster, Ben Sion asked Rav The Chazon Ish, on one of his few vis­ When a bachur at Porat Yosef decided Ezra if he should keep Shabbat until 72 its to Yerushalayim, stopped at Porat to wear his sisit out, Rav Ezra told him, 1ninutes after sunset. Rav Ezra advised Yosef after davening at the Ko tel. He met "Put them inside your clothing. You are him to do so only in private; otherwise, Rav Ezra there, and after talking with casting aspersions on the previous gen­ it is mechzi k'yuhara (appearing arro­ him, the Chazon Ish said, "He has the erations." gant). Rav Ben Sion took this lesson in svarot (logic) of a Rishon (early scholar)." One ofReb Ezra's students, Hacham Baruch Ben-Haim, currently Rabbi of What does Shaare Zion in Brooklyn, added that he and another student of Reb Ezra went to the Chazon Ish on a shlichut. After your organization accomplishing their mission, they sat to learn in the same Beyt Midrash as the have to show for itself? Chazon Ish. Soon students began to gather around and listen to them learn. You can say all you want. .. but the best way to get people When asked, "What is so interesting?" involved is to SHOW them! they answered, "The Chazon !sh told us you are the students of a Rishon and that No other communications technique has the ability to involve we should listen to every word." Rav Ben Sion emulated this direct­ its audience as videos and slide shows - and no other studio in ness of thinking and depth, imbuing his New York is as involved in videos and slide shows as Zelman. students with it as well. When he had to Zelman Studios can handle the en ti reproduction from creative make a difficult decision in halacha, he concept thru writing and photography. would try to envision how his Rebbe, Rav Ezra, would have approached it. For portable presentations Zelman Studios can prepare a Rav Ben Sion was his Rebbe's pride completely self-circulating, self-contained projection unit that and joy. A wealthy American once can literally tell your story, by itself, anywhere. came to Eretz Yisrael with Rabbi Eliez­ er Silver to examine the boys before he contributed to various yeshivas. Rav Ezra So call today, for a free brochure and 6-minute demonstration, seemed worried, for rumor had it that and let us SHOW you. in a previous school, only one boy could A video production team answer a certain question, and only after will be in Israel, during June. 20 minutes. When Rabbi Silver came, he asked Rav Ben Sion a difficult question in Mesechet Taharot, and the young man answered it on the spot. Rabbi Silver told Rav Ezra that he had asked this question ii:Lrn.in .)i:Ui>IO.) to Rav Meir Simcha of Dvinsk, the Ohr Same' ach, and he gave the same answer. Rav Silver returned to America singing the praises of the Yeshiva Porat Yosef and specifically of a boy named Ben Sion. USA/Israel 623 Cortelyou Rd. Brooklyn, New York 11218· Later Ben Sion told Rav Ezra another Est. 1966 ph. [718) 941-5500 · tax (718) 282-8913 answer, as well. When asked why he only offered one reply, he replied that he did

The Jewish Observer, September 7 998 33 seniut (modesty) seriously. He kept His wife had great love and respect for born), even though his birth followed many chumrot (stringencies) in private. his learning. She never missed his Shab­ a number of miscarriages. He always blew a second set of tekeyot bat shiur, even in later years, when she His son related that when he was on Rosh Hashana to fulfill a variant had to be transported by wheelchair. The young, his father would say Kabalat opinion on the requiren1ents - in his Shabbat shiur was given far from their Shabbat in the fields, as is mentioned by house, not in shul. home in Matersdorf, so she would first the Ari zal. On these peaceful walks, Rav His son remembered that he studied make her preparations and move every­ Ben Sion would give his son words of Kabala on Friday nights, but when thing to a tiny apartment on Shmuel rnussar, always stressing to him the so1neone would enter the roo1n, he Hanabi. It was a mini-galut for her, yet importance of respecting his mother. would slip the sefer on to the shelf with she maintained this practice for many Rav Ben Sion taught by example; his the binding concealed. years, even when in extreme pain. honor for his wife was remarkable. Forty years ago, he saw that the She would bring a heavy tape Indeed, his wife used to say, "Only G-d knowledge of Kabala was diminishing. recorder to yeshiva to tape his shiur klal­ and I know how great Rav Ben Sion real­ Not everyone studying Kabala was li, and many of his written works today ly is." knowledgeable in other disciplines, and come from those tapes. Their home was open to all. Many was thns not learning Kabala properly. They lived in a small apartment with odd individuals who had no place to go He gathered some older Mekubalim and one bedroom and a small living room. would spend time there. When they founded the Yeshiva Emet V'shalom for She would confine herself to the bed­ would leave, the Rabanit would give learning Kabala at night. Once a year, on room to avoid disturbing her hus­ them packages of food. If gnests hesi­ the Yahrzeitof the Rashash, he would join band's learning. tated to eat, she would peel a fruit, and them and allow them a glimpse of his They were married for many years when they refused it, she would say, knowledge in that esoteric area of Torah. without children. After ten miscar­ "Should it go to waste? I peeled it riages, he went to the Chazon !sh and the already:' ENTERING THE FAMILY OF Belzer Rebbe, refusing to leave until each The neighbors related that the chil­ HACHAM SHAHARBANI gave him a beracha for a child. They dren in the building would play a game merited to have their only son, Eliyahu. to see who could greet Hacham Ben Sion n 1948, he married his Rabanit Years later, they sent him to learn in before he greeted them. They always lost. Hadasah, the daughter of Rav Yosef Ponevizh, and again they \Vere alone in Once when entering his apartment, he I Shaharbani. He studied bechavrnta the house. saw a neighbor with her family locked with his father-in-law and always spoke During the first 13 years of his son's out of their house. He said, "I'm just of his hatmada. His father-in-law's life, Rav Ben Sion stayed up all night picking up something. You can use my great desire for Torah came from his after bedikat hametz to complete apart1nent until your husband returns.)' own father, Reb Yehoshua Shaharbani, Mesechet Pesachim and make an erev The lady's husband returned a few hours a great sadikwho was a talmid of the Ben Pesach siyum, on the possibility that the later. In the meantime, he waited on the !sh Hai. (See JO, Dec. '76.) boy was considered a bechor (first stoop outside.

HIS LEARNING HABITS

is hatmada knew no bounds. He spent days and nights learning by H and reviewing each subject tens RabM~Plotrdk of times, until he knew most of Shas and Cong. Adas B'nei Yisroel • Chicago, Illinois poskim by heart. After a rare Yerusha­ layim snow storm, he asked the boys in #ELS - Concrete preparations for Y'mei Radin his class what they did in their free time. Dedicated by the Rajchenbach Family as a z'chus for Sarah bas Dinah Rav Ben Sion then said, "I reviewed thir­ #ELS-Fresh Insights into Teshuva ty daf" Dedicated by Danny and Margie Shabat A yeshiva boy asked him how many in memory ofYisroel Kozminsky, Zev Velvel Lefkovich and Saul Taragin times one should review a Gemora, he #ELIO-Our Role in Hashem's 13 Middos of Mercy said, "Thirty times." When the boy Dedicated by Ronnie and Faith Shabat in memory of Saul Taragin expressed surprise, he said, '(Well then, 20 times:' When he was younger, he $5·00 per tape plus $1 ·00 shipping and handling each would sit for ten consecutive hours and Send all orders to: Rabbi H. Plotnik • 6256 N. Troy • Chicago, IL 60659 review forty daf Or Call: 773/262-3698 Regarding Bein Hazmanim (inter-

34 The Jewish Observer, September 1998 session), he commented, "I don't Not only did he know the concepts with but a five-minute break. After his understand the concept. The words of Shas, he maintained a mental "file" stroke, he cut it down to two hours. After don't even n1ake sense: There is no 'time of the Tannaim. He met Rav Chaim delivering a shiur, his clothing was wet in between time.' If you find time in Kreisworth in Antwerp and upon being from perspiration; he often lacked the between tin1e, that is when you can take introduced as "Rav Abba Shaul.'' they strength to get out of his seat. ... When off from learning." had a discussion on the origin of the Rav David Soloveitchick finished look­ Speaking on utilizing time, he name, spending twenty minutes trading ing through the first volume of Ohr explained how even small time slots quotes where the Tanna "Abba Shaul" L'sion, he commented, "The amelut could be used productively. "For exam­ is mentioned in Shas. (effort) is recognizable in every piece.'' ple;' he said, "if you are sitting at the din­ His vast effort and toil in teaching ... Rav Ben Sion once commented to his ner table waiting for the meal to be Torah was also remarkable. Originally students," I spent eight hours with Rav served, say the first pasuk of Kriyat he gave shiur every day for four hours, Ezra to figure out p'shatin this Tosafot." Shema until the food comes. You can thus turn that short interval into a chizuk in e1nuna." His first apartment was on Rechov ~~ Invei Elkana, next door to his colleague Harav Obadia Yosef. They would walk ;r~"c Hagefen together to the , and review a ~(fer daf each way. While they sat in bomb ~~(., ( The Shidduch service Beautiful rooms, with kitchen facilities, in shelters during the Yorn Kippur War, b..l for older singles the heart of Boro Park, by day or week. Near Shuls, take out foods, etc. Profits to they also learnt by heart together. (Rav C.. A project of N'shei Mital Torah Vodaas. Ben Sion and Rav Obadia Yosef could Agudath Israel with discuss a topic in halacha at length - Agudath Israel of America Call (718) 851-2969 Rav Ben Sion would fine-tune a svara 6619 13th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11219 No T.V.'s (concept), and Rav Obadia would find Tel. (718) 256-7525 • Fax (718) 256· 7578 a source for it in Talmudic literature.) When he was in bed after his stroke, he continued to learn, with his wife by his side, writing his notes. ARE You Mov1Nc? When he would arrive early to the Ohel Rachel Shu/ on Friday, and it was IS YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS PRINTED locked, he would go to the Novaradhok INCORRECTLY ON THE JO MAILING LABEL? Yeshiva next door and immerse himself We need your help to ensure proper delivery of the Jewish Observer to your home. in a Gemora. People would stream by Please attach current mailing label in the space below, or print clearly your address and him, yet his eyes remained glued to the computer processing numbers that are printed above your name on the address label. Gemora, never lifting his head. This constant learning and review was apparent in his vast knowledge. After his stroke, when his vision was fail­ ing, he had bachurim read the Gemora to him. One of those boys recalled being l-----~-A-ft-·ix_o_l_d__ l_ab_e_l_h_e_re--~---~ corrected on a Rashi in Mesechet Nazir, another on a Tosafot in Gittin. His son Name_~~~~------related that he used to correct him while NewAddress ______he read Rambam to him. I once sat with him for a half hour, City, asking him questions in Hilchot Nidda, State, ------~Zip and he responded quoting Shulchan Aruch by heart. A government official Date Effective ______met him at a mourner's home and took Send address changes to: The Jewish. Observer Change of Address advantage of the opportunity to ask 84 William Street, New York, NY 10038 questions about uncommon laws of ave­ Please allow 4-6 weeks for all changes to be reflected on your maiffng label. We will hot be lut for missing soldiers. He answered, cit­ responsible for back issues missed unless you notify us 6 weeks prior to your move. ing the Shulchan Aruch almost verbatim.

The Jewish Observer, September 1998 35 Yeshivat Porat Yosef Class of 570711947: Front row, Hachmn Obadia Yosefin center; Row two (2nd left), R' YosefHarari­ Raful; Row three (extreme left), R' Ben Sion Abba Shaul .

... Rav Yehuda Ades in his eulogy said, "More than the purification process of his constant pain and suffering was his purification through toil in Torah."

DEDICATION TO HIS TALMIDIM

is love for all his students was boundless. When he saw that H the avreichiln could not n1anage on the Kollel stipend, he started a spe­ cial Koll el for Fridays (a free day in Israeli cation all across Eretz Yisrael and he When he saw his son listening intent­ yeshivot). He made a special trip to established an organization for found­ ly to someone telling over a mofet (mir­ America, weak from ill health, to raise ing and overseeing a network of these acle) from Rav Ben Sion, he comment­ funds for this project, which was sole­ schools. He made it known that should ed, "You are also a >rui - a fool who ly his responsibility. (He had to stop in anyone start a Talmud Torah in a city believes whatever he hears." Europe for a few days because he was not that did not have one, he would finance He trimmed his beard just like his up to the long flight.) the first year. He told a student that his Rebbe, Rav Ezra - not to achieve a dis­ He tried to see to it that all his actions were based on a Ramban1 that tinguished look, but because he held that talmidim married. His Rabanit would says: "One should assign teachers for chil­ using a shaver was prohibited. help, choosing from the many girls who dren in each province, in each region, His first person-to-person encounter volunteered to assist her with her and in each town." He believed the rea­ with Rabbi Elyashiv was to confirm his household chores. On her deathbed, she son so many Katyushas fell in Kiryat She­ halachic opinion regarding a man who, gave her son an envelope of bills and told moneh was because they lacked a Tal­ due to a medical problem, might be him, "One of the girls that helps me is mud Torah; should they start one, no forced to divorce his wife. Rav Elyashiv an orphan. If I do not live to be at her more Katyushas would fall. He cautioned told him, ('You are a posek on your own wedding, please give her this money." that before closing a Talmud Torah, even merit, and you don't need my agree­ Within the year of her passing, the girl for a day, much thought was needed, as ment:' Even so, on difficult questions he became engaged and married. Imagine it was a matter of life-and-death. would refer people to Reb Elyashiv. her emotions when she received the gift While on a vacation in Ashdod, he When he visited America for the first from the Rabanit! heard of a man who passed away time, he met with Rabbi Moshe Fein­ Once while giving shiur, he noticed young. He went to visit the family, and stein, with whom he discussed Torah a few boys were missing. He said,"! feel asked one of the sons what he was learn­ topics. From that one n1eeting, he con­ that something is wrong. Let us stop ing. They made up to learn a little every sidered Reb Moshe one of the gedolei and say Tehillim." It was later discov­ day till the end of his stay. Afterwards, hador, and tore kriya at Reb Moshe's ered that those boys had cut class to to he kept up with the boy on the phone funeral in Eretz Yisrael, as the Shulchan go on a trip. At that very moment, their and even went to his wedding. The boy Aruch requires for one's Rav muvhak. He car had flipped over and, miraculous­ is currently a Maggid Shiur (teaching in instructed his students to do the same. ly, they survived. an advanced yeshiva). When a family 1nen1ber was reminisc­ One summer day, he ended his shiur ing about that special meeting, he twenty minutes ear1y, and everyone left. PERSONAL PRACTICES remarked that Reb Moshe's respect for A few minutes later, the large steel air Rav Ben Sion was evident when he conditioning shafts came crashing is humility was extraordinary. walked him to the car. Rav Ben Sion said, down. When asked why he had ended He had no airs and did not 'Tm sure he would do that for anybody early, he said, "I had nothing else to say." H demand kavod. Where ever he visiting from Eretz Yisrael." A wealthy American visiting Porat went, people would bow their heads and • He always walked visitors to the ele­ Yosef noticed that Hacham Ben Sion was kiss his hand. On Friday nights, all the vator to fulfill levaya (accompanying the sitting on a wooden bench while giving children in shul would line up, to kiss departing guest) - even when walking his shiur. Infuriated, he complained to his hand. At first he objected to people was difficult for him. the financial administrator, who replied, kissing his hand. Then he reconsidered: • A doctor was once examining his "Hacham Ben Sion refuses to sit on any­ if they think that he is a hacham, why feet in Rav Ben Sian's home. When the thing different than his students:' should he deprive them of an oppor­ doctor finished, he took advantage of the His concern was not limited to his tunity of Kavod Hatorah? Nonetheless, opportunity to leave quickly, before Rav own students. He saw the need for Tal­ he never allowed kollel men or talmidei Ben Sion could put on his shoes and mud Torah (elementary yeshiva) edu- hachamim to kiss his hand. socks. Rav Ben Sion accompanied the

36 The Jewish Observer, September 1998 doctor to the elevator, barefoot. so1neone asked, "When I say the 'l'shem Shavuot and not say"Tikun for the Night • He had emuna chushit-he expe­ Yichud' should I say'Misva D'orayta' or of Shavuot" because he thought it was rienced his faith. He was convinced that 'D'rabanan'?" He answered, '~sk again a waste of time; he said, "Don't be his eye sight would become better in the when you become a Mekubal." He was smarter than your grandparents." merit of printing his sefer, which he in effect telling the young man that he During a shiur on the laws of giluy named "Ohr L'sion," meaning ''A Light was not up to dikdukim (details) in [the prohibition against drinking liquids for Sion" (a reference to his name). He L'shem Yichud. left uncovered overnight in areas where based this thought on the Pnei When asked about doing Birchat snakes are prevalent], he said that Yehoshua's introduction to his chid­ Ha'ilanot (blessing on budding trees) on according to some opinions Yerusha­ dushim on Shas: He was buried in a Shabbat, which some Kabalists compare layim is frequented by snakes. A man caved-in building, and was saved mirac­ to borer, because of the separation of the from the crowd called out that it is not ulously after vowing to print his chid­ "sparks of kedusha" from the tree, he so; snakes are no longer prevalent in dushei Torah if he survived. answered in jest, "Who told you it's sep­ Yerushalayim. That night the man • In a halacha shiur before Pesach, he arating bad from good? Maybe it is sep­ found a snake in his bathtub. He rushed mentioned the words of the holy Zahar arating good from good." to Rav Ben Sion to ask his forgiveness. that Hashem and His angels come to lis­ When asked if shaving with a shaver ten to the Seder. He asked, with tears was permissible he said, "It depends. If FASTIDIOUS IN MISVA PERFORMANCE streaming down his cheeks, "How can you are shaving with a razor, then s\vitch anyone speak idle talk at a meal where to a shaver. If you are using a shaver, e shunned money that came Hashem's presence can be felt?!" don't shave at all." from questionable sources. He • Early one Shavuot morning, he "\Vas When asked what the proper pro­ H also refused payment for per­ walking to shul (after his stroke, he nunciation of the beracha is" Borei P'd' forming a mila. A person once bought stayed up until midnight and slept till or"Borei F'ri" he answered, "1'he n1ain him two sefarim in appreciation for per­ sunrise) on Shmuel Hanabi while hun­ thing is that the fruit is tasty." (Of course forming his son's mila. Rav Ben Sion dreds if not thousands streamed there is a difference, but he was teach­ said, "I'll accept it as a loan." Fifteen years towards the Kotel for Shacharit. He ing those who were present what should later, when he could hardly speak, he saw sighed, "Imagine how it looked when the concern them: Is the question on your the man and told him, "I have two books Beyt Hamikdash was standing" level or just external stringencies? He of yours." ... adding, with tears in his eyes: himself was very exacting in dikduk. He He told his son, "In the past forty "Whether one does more or less, the would correct the baal koreh on a miss­ years, I never said anything that was not main thing is to direct one's thoughts ing dagesh, even when he could no absolutely true." toward Heaven." longer follow the reading from the Chu­ He was of the opinion that mash.) Sephardim should not use wine from QUESTIONS, ANSWERS­ A Yeshiva bachur told him that he Shemitta even if processed by Otzar Beit AND THEN SOME. wants to learn Gemara on the night of Din. He received home-made wine in a

he highlight of the week was his halacha shiurin Bet Knesset Ohel TRachel one hour before Shabbat Mincha. People walked from all over Yerushalayim to hear him. One had to come an hour before the shiur to get a seat; some brought their own stools. FREE Every shiur had a chiddush (creative insight), many of which can be found COMPUTER in his sefer Ohr L'Sion vol.2. He once said, "I don't want to write a Kitzur COURSE Shulchan Aruch for beginners. I want to For Women Coping On H1eir Own write a sefer were every halacha has a chiddush." (Widowed, Divorced, Separated) In addition to the halachot present­ ed at the shiur, one also learned from 30 Hou re of lnetruction - Day Claaaea observing the master educator answer For More Information or To Register, questions from the crowd. After a shiur on Sefirat Ha' omer,

The Jewish Observer, September 1998 37 bottle that was originally used for wine Sephardi Gedolei Yisrael concerning a He was always b'simcha and inspired of Otzar Beit Din. He told his grandson rabbi who had expressed improper his people to happiness despite his and to take the bottle out of the house imme­ hashkafot. He said, "I had nothing to his Rabanit's problems. diately, so that no one should see it and gain and perhaps much to lose by •His sister found a nest of birds and assume that such wine is permitted. adding those lines. I did it anyway. I told him about the opportunity to ful­ He endeavored to perform his mis­ know that it was l'shem Shamayim." fill the misva of shiluach haken. He put vot free from any self-serving interest. In his late fifties, he suffered a major on a new suit and said" Shehechiyanu." He once told a student that he did three stroke that paralyzed half his body and After fulfilling the misva, he could not things in his life that he knows will bring caused his speech to slur. Over the next sleep fron1 excitement, and remained up him to Gan Eden; that is, he had had no fifteen years, he had a series of mini­ that entire night learning. personal benefit from them and his strokes which eventually confined him • During the sheep-shearing season, motive was totally l'shem Shamayim. to a wheelchair. He never con1plained, he would fulfill the misva of reshit hagez, One of the three was adding several and with tremendous effort, tried to giving the the first shearings of strong sentences to a letter written by maintain his regular schedule. sheeps' wool. First, he would deliver a public shiur on the intricacies of the halacha - how to buy the sheep, how C.R.1.8. EFRAT much wool to cut, etc. In search of a Committee for the Rescue of Israel's Babies International Organization for Saving Jewish Babies kohen (of established lineage), 1612 57th St., Brooklyn, N.Y. 11204-1832, USA a IO Ha'iluy St., P.0.8. 6325,Jerusalem 91062, Israel he found a Yeminite kohen whose ances­ www.efrat.org.i! E-mail: [email protected] ------try was traced to earlier centuries. • In a shiur on the laws of Shabbat, he mentioned the halacha that if a house could There be aBleeer Merit is burning down one may not desecrate on the Day of Judeement the Shabbat to save it. Someone from the crowd said, "What? Just sit and watch than your house burn down?" He replied, "I Savin~ aJewish Childl didn't say you should sit and watch. You should sing and dance for the oppor­ tunity to fulfill the misva of loving A Heartfelt Appeal to a Holy Nation Hashem 'with all your money."' The highly acclaimed EFRAT organization has taken upon itself the lofty duty of saving the lives ofunborn Jewish children, saving many hundreds fom abortion by A TORAH PERSPECTIVE providing information together with financial support for families in distress. EFRAT's endeavors to prevent this horrendous decree of murder to unborn children av Ben Sion was a living Sefer involve extensive expenses which are primarily used for actual financial assistance Torah and saw everything from a ofthose families. RTorah perspective. During a shiur We therefore stand by them to assist them in their praiseworthy endeavors, each on Hilchot Shabbat, be taught that one according to his means and Heaven will bless all those who come to their aid in may kill lice on Shabbat because they every way, with children, life and prosperity, health and supreme light. don't reproduce. A doctor from the crowd protested that science under­ stands that they do reproduce. He answered, "Torah is the mesiut- real­ ity-and we must explain science based on Torah, and not explain Torah based on science." He was always aware of halachic implications of a situation. Walking by a building site with partially built walls and beams, he would apply laws of eru­ We need your tax deductible donation urgently. bin to that situation. When visiting Deal, N.J., his hosts U.S.A. C.R.I.B. clo A. Teitelbaum, 1612 57th St., Brooklyn, NY 11204-1832 were planning a trip to Hershey Park, in N6B 2Nl Canada C.R.I.B. cfo Rabbi R. Sofer, 156 Shelborne Ave., , Ont. neighboring Pennsylvania. Surprisingly, C.R.I.B. c/o Chani Reichmann, 98 Prue Ave., Toronto, Ont. M6B IRS C.R.I.B. c/o Chya Gestetner, 275 Bloomfield; H2V3R6 he went along with them. Later they understood why. He watched the choco-

38 The Jewish Observer, September 1998 (from right to left) R' i'vfanso11r Ben Shimon, Rm' Ezra, R' Ben Sion, R' Y(ll1kov Adas

late-making process twice to determine him, you must stand up for him; and the proper beracha for eating chocolate. if he dies, you have to tear your Similarly, he sa\v in every situation clothing; plus a few other circum­ the possibility of fulfilling the halacha. stances. None of them apply to you, During Seuda Shelishit, noting that the so there is no reason to discuss the sun was setting, he said, "Let us say Bir­ matter any further." cat Hamazon now:' When asked what When asked if one gadol was the rush is, he replied, "There is an opin­ greater than the other, he said, "One can beracha and guarantee it." ion that one should say Bircat Hamazon only answer that if he is greater than In another case, the doctors wanted before sunset, to avoid saying 'Retzay' both of them, and I am not!" to abort a baby after reading the sono­ after sunset. Although we don't follow People thronged to him for berachot, gram. They claimed it was deformed - that opinion, since we finished eating, and there were many stories of miracles, it had three legs. The woman consult­ we might as well honor it:' On one occasion, a woman who had had ed Rav Ben Sion, \vho said, ''Don't worry. When some students visited hin1 in three Caesarean sections \Vas told that You have four legs in your womb. You the Suka were over-extending their her next child would have to be Cae­ are expecting twins." She gave birth to stay, he quoted a Gemara that says a per­ sarean as well. She went to Rav Ben Sion a healthy set of twins. son must visit his Rebbeon the regel (fes­ and said) ''I won't leave until the Rav When asked by his shamash why his tival). "Why is the term 'regef used? And guarantees me I'll have a natural birth," berachot are always fulfilled, he replied, why the singular usage? Regel also and he agreed. After the woman had left, "If you love everyone in Kial Yisrael, you translates as 'foot.' When you visit your his brother asked him, "How can you can do it, too." Rebbe, it should be on one foot ...." guarantee that?" To another person he explained, He had no political affiliation. He fol­ He answered, "I can't guarantee any­ "Hashem told Avraham Avinu 'I will lowed the opinion of one of his thing, but what should I do? She would­ bless those who bless you: When peo­ Rabbe'im, Rabbi Dovid Jungreis, Rav Av n't leave!" ple come to me, they kiss my hand. They Beis Din of the Eda Hachareidis, who Sure enough, the lady had a natural are blessing me. If someone blesses a Jew, held that voting in Israeli elections is birth. When the husband came to shul they are blessed in return." comparable to establishing secular to announce the {(miracle," Rav Ben Sion courts, which is prohibited by Torah law. commented, "They are making me into he renowned Mussarpersonality, During an election campaign, he was dis­ an Admur (Rebbe)!" Rabbi Shlomo Wolbe l'f"1:»7w turbed at the animosity in the religious Yet, Rav Sasson Mizrachi, a great Ttold the family during his shiva camp, and he took the opportunity to Kabalist who passed away recently, was visit that it is apparent that Reb Ben Sion address this at the Siyum Hashas in Bretz asked by a couple to guarantee that they had learnt Torah lishma because all of Yisrael, stressing that a siyum symbolizes would have a child. He said, "If yon want the qualities bestowed upon one who achdut (unity): Even those who didn't a guarantee, go to Rav Ben Sion. In the studies Torah for Torah's sake were learn, partake in the siyum. The Ari zal merit of all his suffering, he can give a apparent in him. tells us that no one Jew can fulfill all 613 • commandments. Certain laws are only for Kohanim, some for certain situations; certainly not everyone experiences yibum and chalitza. Through achdut, we all share in each other's misvot He men­ 325 Seventh Street, Lakewood, NJ 08701 • (732) 363-5000 tioned that Sephardim and those who ,,,-rnr.i':; 7N,"I!>' ::i':;n ,"\!>:J VN7) @) daven Nusach Ari accept upon them­ selves before davening the misva of Spend the Yomim Tovim in a heimishe atmosphere with "V'ahavta lerei'acha kamocha - Love a Shu! and Sukkah on-premises. your neighbor as yourself." He suggest­ Reserve now For the High Holidays ed that during the voting season, even S11ccos people who don't follow Nusach Ari Rosh Hashana 'fomlUJ>pUr • should adopt this practice. $300 per person* $100 per person* $750 pet. per$on (dlscoullfs- tor ta'rge_fatrfilies) Trying to get his opinion on com­ munal matters rarely succeeded. When For reservations and inforn1ation call asked who the gadol hador is today, he said that the concept of gadol hador is 1-800-CAPITOL (227-4865) rare in halacha: "If he comes to your Catering under Rabbinical Supervision of the Vaad Hakashruth of Lakewood, NJ Pesach Seder, you can't recline. If you see '"AU rates are based on double occupancy and do not include 6% NJ Sales Tax and Gratuity

The Jewish Observer, September 1998 39 ------· )•,•~u... ------A·k·iv·a·D-av.i.·d.se-n From Station To Station ... Re-visited You remember rne. ing out your radio COULD become or, "Tziniyus 10 !."That innocent look­ Of course you remember rne, I'm the guy habit forming too!" (ibid.) My predic­ ing radio, in nearly every roo1n in your you laughed at aln1ost tlvo years ago. J'n1 tion can1e true ... at least for ine. I'n1 cur­ home, is wreaking potential peril to the guy you called "a fanatic." "J'1n sure he rently holding at twenty-two montl1s and every pair of ears in your mikdash me' at. means well," you said about nie, "but he's still counting. No, I did not enter this Code red has arrived. taken an accelerated move to the right. He's crusade thinking it would last a year and I am, of course, referring to the gone just a bit too far!" a half or longer. But I have enjoyed it. recent allegations of depravity of our I'm the guy who stopped listening to the Immensely, I might add. And like so Commander-in-Chief. Never before, radio. And I asked you to do the same. Or many new DafYomi recruits, I just take even here in the n1ost permissive of all at least to try it (see The ]eivish Observer one day at a time and ingest the purity. cultures, has such open indecency Feb. '97). been bandied about and broadcast the time of my last writing, I Things Have Changed without so inuch as a second glance or ad been three months into my hesitation. Indeed, the past couple of Af edia abstinence and reported o why do I visit you again now? months have been witness to yet a ne\v no withdrawal pains, or identifiably Simply to apprise you of my underside in media indulgence. injurious side effects. (I counted an ele­ Sprogress? To restate my petition for Graphic and unfiltered, libidinous vation of kedusha as something rather you to join the media-free association? accusations have become daily fare for positive.) And the responses I received Hardly. My purpose for this return call "responsible reporting" to the now varied from those of you who admired is to advise you of a significant change anesthetized American public. "Impro­ n1y determination, to those who in status of my "call to action." An priety in the White House!" And all in mocked 1ny excessive isolation, to those "upgrade," if you will. Fro1n "code the guise of"news." Whether it is truly who were flat-out confused. blue" to "code red." "... fit to print (or listen to)" or not. It Well, what started out as an experi­ At the time my initial article was pub­ no longer matters. "The truth must be ment in self-control has become (at least lished, this proposal could have been uncovered," and "the show must go thus far) a treasured gestalt of the filed under the heading, "Betterment of on;' have suddenly become synony­ everyday life of this golus Jew. To quote Self;' or perhaps "Middas Chassidus." mous. No matter what the damage to myself, "One final note of caution: Tun- But, my friends, nineteen months is a whatever remnants of decency we

·~~~--·------·-- long time. A very long time. And much may possibly have left. Akiva Davidsen is a professional who lives and has changed. File this very same proposal I have, in recent weeks, found it dif­ works in New York City. His last article appeared in 111e Jewish Ohserve1; Feb. '97, "Fro1n Station today under, "DANGER AHEAD!'', or, ficult to mask my anonymity when, on to Station." "Not Suitable for Children (or adults);' more than one occasion, friends have innocently commented on the sordid exposure with, "It's gotten so you can You can! Just call hardly even listen to the radio anymore!" ''I wish I could The Yit:t:i Leibel And, "My kids were in the car and I real­ Helpline. ized that I better shut the radio. And I HOURS: was only listening to the news!" speak to a Monday-Friday ...... 8am -12pn1 Mind you, my original outcry against lvlonday-Thursday ...... 8pn1 -11 pn1 Marconi's legacy had very little to do Sunday ...... 9a1n -12prn, 9pm -llpn1 with the dangers of tuning in to the all frum therapist 718-HELP-NOW too prevalent vulgarities and wanton (718)435-7669 innuendo that permeate the dial. Pro­ gramming of that ilk was, not too long Chicago ...... (800) HELP-023 on the phone ago, easily identifiable and therefore Lakewood ...... (732) 363-1010 quite avoidable. Rather, it was the Cleveland ...... (888) 209-8079 addictive quality of needing to stay total­ Baltimore ...... ( without giving ' 410) 578-1111 ly "informed" that presented the true Morris, Union, Essex & Middlesex danger to our neshomas. Radio absti­ counties in NJ ...... (877) 4-LEIBEL nence thus became a viable vehicle to my name.'' For addiction problen1s call our addiction help in our struggle to defeat the evils therapist, Wednesdays 11:30pm to 1:30am of hergel (oblivious regularity).

40 The Jewish Observer, September 1998 A Heavenly Reminder Senator Joseph I. Lieberman, Democrat of Connecticut, commenting on the President's status, adding that the accusations of an affair had besmirched the ut the stakes have been raised. The public discourse. enemy is now camouflaged in the heav­ "This episode is sorry, and it is sordid, and it has brought down not only our Ben of the headlines and our vulnera­ Government and the head of our Government, but the whole country," Sena­ bility is enormous. A classic reminder of tor Lieberman said .... Yaakov Avinu's supplication, "Hatzileinu nah "I mean, the very fact that I have not been able to automatically let my young me'yad ach~ me'yad Eisav--Save me from the daughter sit with me and watch the news anymore tells you what has happened hands of my brother, from the hands of Eisml' here;' he added. "And, honestly, we don't know yet whether we - about this (Bereishis 32:12). Many commentators note degradation of our process and our culture to some extent - we should blame that Yaakov Avinu is giving fair warning for the President, Ms. Lewinsky, Ms. Tripp, Judge Starr, or the media, or all of them all generations that the dangers of evil can be to some extent. But the fact is, it's had an effect, and it's not a good one."

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The Jewish Observer, September 1998 41 ;:;~t;' Gedolei Haposkim in Eretz Yisroel America have unanimously approved the Schacli Kaynus Mat!

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Of Truth and Peace Commenting that the differing thereby protected from compromising schools of Jewish legal thought "were their scholarly conviction that Sham­ ( ( Love, truth, and peace:' A deep able to model tolerance for their own rnai's school was wrong. truth lies in the prophet generation and for generations to Thus, the lesson here is hardly the Zacharia's ordering of his come," Professor Hauptman concludes existence of"multiple models of truth;' words: As much as we must love peace, that, in the eyes of the Talmud, "there but rather the need for proponents of it cannot be based on falsehood. are multiple models of truth." The more lenient halachic views to go to A seemingly strong argument for implications for the contemporary Jew­ great lengths to accommodate those of what goes by the name of"Jewish reli­ ish world are left unspoken but obvious. more stringent ones. gious pluralism" is the contention that And wrong. The Hillel-hoax misrepresentation, the Talmud itself endorses a variety of however, is considerably more serious versions of"Jewish religious tradition:' The Text as a Source, Not a Target than even that. Anyone who has stud­ The repository of traditional Jewish law ied even one tractate of Talmud - pre­ and lore, the argument goes, presents hat the Professor tellingly sumably, including Professor Hauptman radically differing interpretations of neglects to mention is that the - knows that all Talmudic disputes are halacha, or Jewish law - even about W Talmud itself proceeds to limited in their essence to one thing: the issues of personal status, like those at the explain quite clearly just how it was that intent of the sacred texts and oral tradi­ crux of the conversion controversy in the schools of Hillel and Shammai could tions. The disputing scholars were never Israel today. marry each other's members without motivated by what they themselves Take, we are told, the schools of Hil­ jettisoning their principles. The lenient may have wished those texts and tradi­ lel and Shammai, who argued about school (in this case, Shammai's), the Tal­ tions had said. many matters, including some with mud relates, informed the stricter one By contrast, the contemporary non­ serious "personal status" ramifications. (here, Hillel's) of precisely which of the Orthodox movements unabashedly base Though they disagreed, they never­ families in their communities had been their positions vis-a-vis Jewish religious theless accepted each other's approach­ affected by their lenient ruling. That way, law on what the movements' leaders es as valid. Hillel's followers were able to avoid mar­ themselves feel is right and proper, not The argument was recently made in rying into those families and were on what they honestly judge to be the the pages of the Jewish Theological Sem­ inary's magazine, Masoret, by )TS Asso­ ciate Professor of Talmud Judith Haupt­ man. In an article entitled "Through the Eyes of the Other;' Professor Hauptman takes her readers through the intricacies of a Talmudic disagreement regarding a certain case of levirate marriage. Yet, she informs us, the authoritative Baby­ lonian Talmud relates that "neither • Personal Counseling • Medical Referral camp hesitated to marry members of the • Crisis Intervention • Emergency other:' This, despite the fact that the chil­ • Advice and Segulohs o·n!:ruv> Medical Funds dren of certain marriages sanctioned by •Prayer Hotline to Jerusalem the school of Shammai were rendered forbidden in marriage to most Jews by the Hillel camp.

Rabbi Avi Shafran, director of Public Affairs of Agudath Israel of America, is a frequent con­ 1469 42nd Street, Brooklyn, N.Y. 11219 tributor to these pages. The above article ·-- Tel. (718) 436.()666 • Fax. (718) 972-2787 appeared in several Anglo-Jewish weeklies.

The Jewish Observer, September 1998 43 intent of the texts at the heart of the Jew­ That is how, for example, the Reform acceptable an intimate act the Torah ish religious heritage. movement has rendered Jewishly describes as "an abomination," and how the Conservative movement has effectively erased from the Torah the verse that prohibits a member of the Jewish people's Kohein-class from mar­ rying a divorcee.

Not a Victimless Crime

e simply cannot consider our­ selves "lovers of truth" if we W allow words like "Torah" and "halacha" to be used - whether through ignorance or cynicism - in ways that would have scandalized the rabbis of the Talmud. The "Hillel Hoax," unfortunately, is not a victitnless crime. Countless sincere and caring Jews have been led by rabbis and academics to perceive radical depar­ • POWER STEERING & ELECTRIC WINDOWS http://www.eldan.co.il/ tures from the Jewish religious past as benign "branches" of the Jewish tree. That is more than regrettable; it is tragic. To help harness the enormous spirit No one can prevent contemporary Jew­ reverberating throughout the Americas ish scholars or clergy from promoting their in the wake of the historic Tenth Siyum personal visions of Jewish practice. HaShas of the Oaf Yomi, Agudath Israel of America's Oaf Yomi Commission No one can keep then1 fron1 seeing

reminds the public that. .. themselves as restructurers 1 not inter­ • If you require assistance in the forma­ preters, of Jewish tradition. tion of a new Oaf Yomi group and/or But if they do so and simultaneous­ are in need of a qualified maggid shiur, ly claim to be following in the footsteps the Oaf Yomi Commission can help. of Hillel or Shammai, it must be under­ • For a laminated book-mark with a 16- stood that they thereby do violence to month Oaf Yomi calendar, free of charge, our office can be written or the memory of those Talmudic giants - faxed. A 32-page seven-year calendar not to mention to the very concept of is also available, for a handling charge truth, the foundation of true peace. • of $2.00 each. • If you are aware of a new Oaf Yomi sh/ur, please contact us for a Shiur Registration Form, so that it can be included in the new edition of the North American Directory of Oaf Yomi Shiurim presently under preparation. • In the meantime, copies of the 1996 Directory - though it does not list the myriad new groups established since the Siyum - are still available. • You can also send for a free Directory of Oaf Yomi Services, outlining the var­ ious programs and assistance avail­ able to participants in limud Oaf Yomi.

Just write, fax or phone: DAF YOMI COMMISSION' AGUDATH ISRAEL OF AMERICA 1537 50th Street, 84 Wiiiiam Street, New York, NY 10038 Brooklyn, NY 11219 (212) 797-9000 ext. 56 FAX (212)269-2843 (718) 854-2911

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Professional Management New York Office Benjamin Babad, Director iI_·11· I Te( (718)436-1900 • Fax: (718)436-1934 & Employment Services New Jersey Office Arye Kranz, Director A Division of Agudath Israel of America Tel: (732) 3674178 • Fax: (732) 3674768 recent issue of The Jewish Observer offers a "Pay up front and save 2% per :\\\R3~ month" discount. As a simple busi­ nessman, I am aware that when a com­ . . ··. . ~... ·o·.·······- . pany offers a discount for prepayment, " . ·~ there are possible ribbis ramifications. I recognize that there may be a hetter for ~·fg\'\~ the company to charge in this manner. If there is, my comments are out of KASHRUS OF FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS order. If not, that particular promotion OF ADVERTISED SERVICES may be out of place in The Jewish Observer. To the Editor: While I understand that you have a MEHL CATERERS An ad for a leasing company in a disclaimer on the kashrus of advertised Is Pleased To Announce Subscribe or gi,ve a gi,ft of That We Are The Jewish Observer Accepting Bookings For Your Simchas and $ave! #-:===== WHY NOT GIVE OR GET A PRESENT Terrace On The Park THAT WILL LAST AN ENTIRE YEAR? Mehl Caterers Subserihe, or give a gift at the8e redueed prices and The Jewish Observer- filled with the views New Award Wmning Che/1 Featuring Nouvelle Cuisint of leading TtJrah thinkers on current issues- v01ill be With Traditional Tastei delivered each n1onth, directly to your door. Now Avallabl& With Largest Dance Floor N.Y .C. In 1~he longer you subscribe for, the larger your savings. Chltk our 25th AnniverlQJ)' Sp

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46 The Jewish Observer, September 1998 products, this is slightly different. I don't offers prepayment discounts (as long as Call 1-800-KIRUV-84 think that you'd accept an advertisement it is a corporation), since they inay rely that promotes a beef-and-cheese recipe. on Igros Moshe. ( 1-800-547-8884) Furthermore, since these halachos are RABBI YISROEL REISMAN To contact Agudath Israel ot America's not known by many, there is greater like­ Brooklyn, NY · lnlormation Hot Line lihood of people taking up their offer beshogeg (unwittingly), and if editing the ads could help, it would be of service to the readership. HAT PLUS ZOLLY TH.OPPER Brooklyn, 1VY Your # 1 Stop For: Editorial Response: • Borsalino We referred the above letter to Rabbi Yis­ •Classic roel Reisman, Maggid Shiur in Mesivta Torah Vodaath, Rav of Agudath Israel of •Pinelli Madison (Flatbush), and author of The •Stetson Laws of Ribb is, published by ArtScroll. The following is his response: The issue of prepayment discounts is We Also Dry Clean & Reshape Hats indeed a halachic problem. When the (All work done on premises) discount is offered by a corporation, Please note our new address: however, this would be permitted ' VISA I ' UPS ,-----·-··____ _ ~ 1368 Coney Island Avenue according to the opinion of Rabbi '--',,, , as long as Jewish (718) 377-5050 owners of the corporation carry no per­ sonal liability for company debt. This ruling, in Igros Moshe YD 2:63, appears to have an earlier source, in Rivash 305 and 308. There are poskim who disagree with this leniency (Minchas Yitzchok 4:16, 17 and Chelkas Yaakov3:190). They would concede, however, that at most this is only an issur d'rabbanan. One who relies on the Igros Moshe certainly cannot be faulted; still, it would be preferable to use a heter iska to cover all opinions. Otzar Ha-Halachah features a revolutionary subject The Jewish Observer certainly would index to the Mishnah Beruroh, Shulchon Aruch, and Tur, that makes it easy to locate relevant material easily and not need to object to an advertiser who quickly. Imagine-no longer must you painstakingly search by 'key words' in these Halachic works! This program includes all the features youlf expea in a quality CD-ROM, induding browsin& copying and pastin& printin& and fiJ/1-text key word search. Otzor contains a wide variety af addruona/ Halachic wo the very Prst time. Here's what's included: • Halachic Works -, Tur, Shu/ch an Aruch, S Chai, Kitzur Shulchan Aruch Anyone wishing to buy tapes (whether • Commentaries on Shulchan Aruch-Boer Hetev, Shoarei one tape or many) can order from Hatziyun, PischeiTeshuvah, Minchos Pitim 1324 48th Street • Minhagim-Ukutei Mahariyach, Minhagei Chasam Sofe S. Y.K., • Other Ha/achicWorks- Ketzos HaChoshen, Kuntras H Brooklyn, NY 11219 Machazeh Avroham at $2.60 per tape Please make check payable to S Y.K. If you wish to obtain a list of the tapes please send a self-addressed envelope to the above address.

The Jewish Observer, September l 998 47 -====J'"'#DTCI• Un I 1::1..ffl ll~/:84 (/;;,. The WilliamNational Street/NYC Headquarters 10038!~::::~======of Agudath Israel of America Agudath Israel Executive Leadership Named ith the tragic petira of Rabbi important efforts, organizing the rescue public Schools, and co-chairs the Com­ Moshe Sherer, president of of Jews in Iran and behind the Iron Cur­ mittee of New York City Nonpublic School W Agudath Israel of America, an tain during the Soviet era, creating Agu­ Officials. executive staff committee has been dath Israel employment projects and orig­ Rabbi Gertzulin joined Agudath Israel appointed to assume operational con­ inating timely initiatives like Project Y.E.S., in 1980, and worked hand in hand with trol of the Orthodox Jewish organiza­ which services "out of yeshiva" Jewish Rabbi Sherer over the years to firmly tion. youth. establish Agudath Israel's broadly The appointment has received the sup­ Mr. Zwiebel, widely recognized as an acknowledged reputation for fiscal port and bracha of the Moetzes Gedolei expert in the areas of church-state rela­ probity and responsibility, and to fos­ HaTorah,Agudath Israel's Nesius and the tions, civil rights, private education and ter the organization's budgetary organization's National Officers. medical ethics, has effectively promot­ growth from $5 million annually in the The executive staff committee con­ ed Agudath Israel's positions on a host early 1980s to in excess of $15 million sists of three of the organization's top of contemporary issues in the nation's today. His administrative skills have officials: executive vice president courtrooms and legislative halls since he played a principal role, as well, in the Rabbi Shmuel Bloom, director of joined Agudath Israel in 1984. He organization and execution of major governn1ent affairs general counsel served on the prestigious National Agudath Israel events like the Siyum Chaim Dovid Zwiebel, and vice pres­ Commission on Children, is a member HaShas celebrations, as well as the orga­ ident and comptroller Rabbi Shlomo of the New York State Commissioner of nization's annual conventions and Gertzulin. Rabbi Bloom will serve as Education's Advisory Council for Non- dinners. con1mittee chairman. The committee will work closely with Blessings and Words of Encouragement From the the two veteran Agudath Israel leaders Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah Rabbi Boruch Borchardt, executive Agudath Israel of America, which was established by the great Torah leaders of our peo· director and secretary, and Joseph Reb pie has lost its crowning glory with the loss of its venerable leader, Rabbi Moshe Sherer Friedenson, general secretary and edi­ n=>"tl? u1i:it who had accomplished so much as an emissary for KIO/ Yisroel on behalf of K'vod tor of Dos Yiddishe Vort, as well as with Shamayim, K'vod Ha Torah, and K'vod Yisroel for over a half-century. the rest of the organization's executive It is thus incumbent on us all to galvanize ourselves and one another to encourage Agu­ staff, in whom Agudath Israel's rabbinic dath Israel Jn all its efforts and endeavors, to strengthen one another, and to perpetuate and and lay leadership expressed full confi­ further expand the movement's important activities and achievements. dence. In addition, the committee will At this writing, we also wish to strengthen the triumverate that Rabbi Sherer appointed be working closely with key officers of to the helm of the administration ofAgudath Israel of America when he was ill .... Rabbis Shmuel Agudath Israel, who will be assuming a Bloom, Chaim David Zwiebel, and Shloffio Gertzulin, who will continue to work in consulta­ n1ore active role in the administration tion, with the veteran members of Agudath Israel's administration, Reb Yoseif Friedenson and Rabbi Boruch Borchardt. of the Orthodox Jewish movement. May lt be :Hashem's will that the [organization's] entire dedicated and trustworthy admin­ A spokesman for the National Offi­ istration merit the blessings of Heaven to spread holiness in all they do. cers recalled how Rabbi Sherer often spoke 2 Sivan 5758 of the leadership qualities and qualifi­ cations of the appointees. In fact, Agu­ A Letter of Blessings From the Nesius (Presidium) of dath Israel's President for more than 30 Agudath Israel of America years had himself appointed the three With the passing of the president of Agudath Israel of Amerlca, and its prime spokesman, to assume temporary operational con­ who brought honor to Shem Shamayim and enhanced the respect ;;i.ccorded to Torah with his trol of the organization during his remarkably noteworthy achievements, Rabbi Moshe Sherer ?n:lll, we, the members of the periods of absence or incapacity in the Presidium of Agudah, wish to express encouragement to those who_ have accepted upon them­ months before his passing. selves the responsiblities of our Torah community: Rabbi Shmuel Bloom N""'7\?.I, as chairman, Rabbi Bloom - whose involvement along with Reb Chaim Dovid Zwiebel 1<""""1 and Rabbi Shlomo Gertzulin 1<""""1, with the in Agudath Israel activism goes back to experienced counsel of the long-standing executive staff members, Reb Yoseif Frieden son N~ his youth in Crown Heights and, later, and Rabbi Soruch Borchardt N"~. May they continue to succeed In their efforts on behalf his yeshiva years in Baltimore, when he of the leadership and activities of Agudath Israel of America. in keeping with its sacred tradi­ organized and led Agudath Israel youth tions, Jn accordance with the directives of the Moetzes G_edolei Yisroel. May their efforts on behalf of KlalYisroef enjoy Hashem's blessings, bringing sanctification of groups - has been on the organization's K'vod Shamayim and enhancement of K'vod Ha Torah. staff since 1975, and was elected exec­ We pray that the entire administration, who labors for the Kial with supreme devotion, utive vice president in 1986. He was instru­ enjoy Hashem's cholsest blessings, meriting to greet Moshiach spee_dily in our days. mental in, among a number of other 9 Sivan 5758

48 The Jewish Observer, September 1998 n:nv i1l'l?J7 To my good.friends Mr. & Mrs. Berish Fuchs Rabbi and Mrs. Nisson Wolpin and Mr. & Mrs. Moshe Fuchs and Rabbi and Mrs. Bomch Borchardt wish all of their friends and relatives: ~ ~ 11n:i ~:i1v cim w:i 1r.inn111:in:i1w 11::ri lil' '1"1111i1 11'm cni:iN c11n 7"~t )NVON:ll:l 11l:liN l:l"ii11l:l )::l Best Wishes for a n:nv i1t.l'nni n::iin:> ir.innni i::in:>n n::iiv nl'IV? Mordechai and Rechi Friedman Best wishes to all our friends and Shmuel B. & Simi Friedman relatives for a happy, healthy and Cheskel and Meita G. Heimlich prosperous New Year YosefSholom & Esther Wertheimer Moshe Yaakov & Leah Friedman Mordechai and Ruchi Semp Phyllis and Chaim Shroot Better Health Fitness & Recreation 5302 New Utrecht Avenue Brooklyn, N. Y. Brooklyn, NY 11219 (718) 436- 4693

Best wishes to all myfiiends. relatives and Kial Israel for Mr. & Mrs. William W. Wealcatch a Happy, Healthy and wish all their friends & relatives Prosperous New Year. a Ksiva Vachasima Tova Dorothy Liebman ir.innni i::in:>n n::iiv nl'IV? ir.innni i::in:>n n::iiv nl'IV? Best Wishes to all our friends and relatives for a Best Wishes to all ourfriends and relatives for a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year Mr. & Mrs. Chaim H. Leshkowitz Mr- & Mrs. Alan Jay Rosenberg & Family Mr- & Mrs. Yossie Leshkowitz Kew Gardens, N. Y.

i1:J1P i10'nm i1:l'ro il:nv i10'nm il::iin.::i Best Wishes for a year of Mr. & Mrs. Israel Mr. & Mrs. Yossi Stern joy, prosperity Dembitzer and family i1l'l'IV'1 i1711'U wish Klal Yisroel a Edison/Highland Park, New Jersey for all ofKlal Yrsroel n:i1v nr.:i1nn1 n:iim Mr. & Mrs. Willy Wiesner

1onnrn 1::iron n::i1v i1l"IV7 n:m.? nr.iinni il:l>n:i n:i'tl We wish all our ::Jl'l!lli1 1i1w1 nir.ivmn ni\!17 friends and relatives 7:11 :Jl\:) nm~n nm ni~ r::t.:>1:i 11!11"1" a Happy and Healthy New Year ". c'.:>1!I ::i::i':>::i iii::n nwv':> l"11:J1 C'l'1!171.::>tl"1 Mr. Morris Eichenthal Levi & Davida Reisman 1n'V11 Ni71.0 1'Nl:l :J1i1 Brooklyn, New York

The Jewish Observer, September 1998 49 Wishing all our dear friends Ari's Judaica Treasures and relatives a Shana Tova, a year of 4514 New Utrecht Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11219 health and happiness wishes all their esteemed and loyal customers a Mr. & Mrs. Louis Glueck n:n" nr.i,nn1 il:t'n:J Ari Sputz, proprietor

1r.innn11:in:Jn n:i1" n~ Best wishes ID all our friends and relatives for a happy, healthy and To all our family prosperous New Year and.friends and to all of Klal Yisroel The Goldmark Group Mr. & Mrs. Yonah Blumenfrucht Mr. & Mrs. Nutti Goldbrenner Mr. & Mrs. Yisroel Blumellfrucht Mr. & Mrs. Shiya Markowitz

We wish our family &friends n::m' i1lJ'nrn i1:l'n::> roi::i::i and all of?~ ??:::i i1:l1P i1lJ'11T11 i1:l'TO Yaakov Hoffman n::m' nr.i,nrn n:i'n:::i Mr. & Mrs. Menachem M. andsta.ff 1n:::iT.11 cn?w rn'l:I Shayovich Tti-State Surgical Mr. & Mrs. Benjamin Katz &Family 409 Hoyt Street, Brooklyn, NY 11231 &Family

n:i11' nr.i,nrn n:im:::i i1:l'l1' illl?'? i1:Jl1' nr.imrn n:::im:::i n:i11' nr.i,nrn n:i,n:::i from Avi & Renee Herskowitz Mr. & Mrs. Norman Freedman Yaakov & Bryna Bender Mr. &Mrs. Gitty, Chaya, Yitzcholc and Boise David H. Turkel andfamily and Family Kew Gardens Hills, NY Boston, MA

71'rnl' 7'r.b n:in:> mw? Mr. & Mrs. Chaim L'Shana Tova 17" 'i'i'? iTWr.l roi::n Banker L'Shana Tovah to all irn1 ~·l N!lT1 :rrmro ummvr.n wish one and all a Dr. Robert M. ITT'71, 1'j70' ,,,, Knepper and Family Peter Benenfeld i1:l1P i1lJ'ntil il:l'n:J 'l!rol!l l'nr.l

i1:Jl1' ilr.l'i1n1 ill'n::J The Shmuel Oelbaums romrn lJl'Cn n:i1v nw'7 1onnrn 1Jl1:ln ill11' nw? Miriam & Mendy Profesorske Mr & Mrs. Lawrence wish.friends To our relatives and.friends s. Sora, Yossi.e, Ari, Bootin & Family and relatives Rabbi & Mrs. Labish Esti, Nissan, Elly & Rivky wish one & all a happy & i1j?mlJ1 i1:l1P l'1W Becker and Family Staten Island, N. Y. healthy. sweet new year

50 The Jewish Observer, September 1998 To all. our friends and clients: May prosperity and joy be a permanentjixture in your home. Best Wishes to all ourfriends, relatives Best wishes for a happy and and clients for a Happy, Healthy healthy New Year. and Prosperous New Year i Mr. & Mrs. Yitzchok Oberlander • .. '-. ~ .... ~ t//ll,1 lsMC Obetlendcr&Co. RC. 1554 Coney Island Avenue, ''~ 11 ' Certified Publ"ic Accountants Brooklyn, NY 11230 • (718)258-8228 . .

. Alan and Lisa Avrohom Yaakov, Rachel Bracha & Sarah Rifka . Stern of , CaUfomia to all relatives and.friends Wish all of their.friends andfamily in Los Angeles, New York, London, Dr. & Mrs. Sheldon Zinn Milwaukee and Israel Plwentx, Arizona ionnni i:iron n:i1v nw?

A Happy and Healthy New Year I . . . lr.lnMl l:!l"l:ln ;i:nv m'l!I? We wish all ourfriends, relatives, and Jews everywhere to all of our dear.friends and relatives and to all ofKial Yisroel il:llV illJ'TlMl il:l'Tl:>

Avi and Zisi Fishof Mr. & Mrs. Max Berg . . .

n:nv i'lr.l>nrn ;u•n:i Leshana Tova Greetings, ionnni 1:iron n:i1v roW:i to our family and with good health and happiness. ilV'W'l i1'7!~ Tll'\?.I to all ofKial Yisroel :llV 7:31 , i1n7Trt Alex & Sally Lebwohl Mr. & Mrs. Abish Brodt Akiva & Chava Last and family and family . r.:ircn ;i:nv m'l!I? Mr. & Mrs. Charles n:ll'P m1!l7 Richter To all our relatives and.friends to al.I our.friends . ;i:nv m1!l7 Mr. & Mrs. Michael wish all a Mr. &Mrs. Mr. and Mrs. Jacobovits Joseph Sittner Simon Hexter 50 Overlook Terrace# JE West Lawrence, NY. . New York. NY 10033 . '>nr.:r1:n i1lv 7nn May the blessings ofgood With Best Wishes for a L'Shana Tova and Shalom heal.th, peace, and happiness Happy, Healthy, and for Klal Yisroel Mr. & Mrs. Leibish .fill your home Prosperous New Year Rapaport at thts new year and always. · Mr. & Mrs. Henry P. Dr. Leonard Unger Cohn and Family Brooklyn, New York Bassman Family and Family Baltimore, Maryland . . .

The Jewish Observer, September 1998 51 5759 · 5lstAnniversary of the State of Israel· mil:ir.:n n:i1v n:w May it evolve into an We tlwnk YOU for choosing US as your# lBROKER Eretz Yisrael al pi Torat Yisrael! DEERA HOMES & LAND May the whole world merit the Messianic era/ where lwnesty & integrity come .first! Henry Kreisel Mrs. Sarah Schwab Licensed Real Estate Broker • Monsey, N.Y. • (914) 425-7484 cnnrn ::in:in n:n" nl'IV? ionnni i::in:in n::ii" i1l'IV? Alejandra, Michael & Tova To Rabbi Yosef C. Golding Abramson and Rabbi Nisson Wolpin Los Angeles, California Yisroel & Rochel Golding and Family

n:iw no>nrn n:i>n:i L'Shana Tova To all our relatives andftiends Moishe & Felge Friederwltzer of Staten Island and Har Nof to all our people Meehl & Duv Fendel &family of S'derot Pnina & Yitzchok Wilk &family ofRanaana Sara & Miriam Perez Menachem & Lea Friederwitzer &family of Har Nof o'T.lTTl:i l'l~ -pw:i 1l'IJ'V m>rnm

1n:i1v mw? n::ii" no>nrn m>ro Best wishes to all our friends and Klal Yisroel to all our relatives and.friends Sholom and Rabbi & Mrs. Josef Loebenstein Leah Mark Vineland, New Jersey

Reisman Brothers Bakery Wishing all of Klal Yisroel a happy and healthy New Year wishes a year of sweetness.joy and Mr. & Mrs. Stanley Treitel prosperity to all of Klal Yisroel &Family 718-331-1975 Los Angeles, California n:i1v nr.i>nrn n:i>m Beged Yad ,LeYad Jerusalem n:i1" nlW, Used Clothing Centers ELLEN LEBOWICZ, CSW in conjunction with Yad Eliezer Tracy& Working with Individuals & Families u;tshes its devoted friends from coast-to-coast: Children-Adolescents, Adults California thru N. Y. and Canada thru Texas, and Larry Loigman continent-to-continent: Australia, S. Africa, Europe School-Related Problems. Substance Abuse A hearty Kesiva Vachasima Tova Joshua & Daniel 718-253-5535 Best Wishes for a We extend to all of Klal Yisroel n::ii" no>nni n::i>n:i our sincerest wishes for a n:n" no>nrn n::i>n:i To all our clients, jiiends n::ii" no>nni n::i>ro to our .friends, relnti.ves, and relatives and Kial Yisroel Mr. & Mrs. Naftoli Hirsch Mr. & Mrs. N. Be,Yamin Perlman, Mr. & Mrs. Harry Fried andfamily & C.P.A. Son Los Angeles, Calif n:i,v nr.:i'nn, n::i'n:J ionnni i::iron n::i1" i1l'IV? Leshanah Tova T'kosevufrom from Mrs. Yetta Lenchitz Mr. &Mrs. Ephraim & Chaya Rochel Isaac Kirzner Nierenberg and Family Brooklyn, NY Brooklyn, New York

52 The Jewish Observer, September 1998 i"ti:J n:i1,,, ilr.>'nrn il:J'n::J Greetings from THE WEISS-RYESKY FAMILY & A YEAR FULL OF SIMCHAS EUTE CATERERS ofEast Northport, NY THE KATZ FAMILY Kenneth H. Ryesky, Esq. Under the Exclusive Supervision of Dr. Tamara E. Weiss K'HALADA1H JESHURUN Hayim Ryesky 718-337-6600 516-371-6600

Torah Alliance of Families of Kids with To ourftiends, family, and n:i1" i1?J'nrn n:i,n:> Disabilities wishes all a fiiends-to-be in Kial Yisroel • nrn1 rn~'~ rul!> Aharon and Shayna Subar j7'1lj7 Oi11:JN 11N?J TAF.KlD and family 111n!l~?J1 1210 Ave. N. • Bklyn N. Y. 11230 718:998-7333

L'Shana Tova May we be "zoche" to i1":t a year ofpeace and i1:JW i11J>nrn i1:J'l1:> i1Jl1' ilW7 from the 7N'11?." .,.,:b npmr.n good health to our family and .friends . Menachem and Heigh Family, (ie: ?NW> 'n:> 'l'll'U) Mrs. Belle Young Judith Rottenberg Cincinnati, OH &Family Feivel & Helen Muller . ;i::i1v ;ir.i,nrn ;i::i~ro L'shana Tova.from Rabbi Dr. & Mrs. Yosef Integrated Marketing Rosenshein & Family 225 West 34th Street, Suite I3i 7 Mr. & Mrs. Gil m::n" m'\!17 wish all ofIsrael New York, NY 10122 Wiedermann Maury Deutsch L'shana Tova Menachem Lubinsky, President Dallas, Texas

Wishing you all a Sweet Year. rn::n1' nl'\!17 1:iron n:i11' ill1" May you all be written and To help achieve that see the new Michael and Alison sealed for a good year. Mr. & Mrs. Reuben "Gems from Mishlei" nana, Dahlia, Avi & Bayla Sage The Weinbergs Y. Rosenberg page 125. Targum/Feldheim Passaic/Clifton, NJ qfDayton, Ohio . Best wishes for i1::11V i1l'lh Shana Tova! mi" m'lh a Shana Tova Mr. and Mrs. to all our friends andfwnily Rabbi H.M. Felder Norman Parnass Avi & Devorah and all ofK:lal Ylsrael Dienstag & Family and Family and Family Salel Family

. "L'Shana Tova" 7N'11?." 7:>71 ii? :imn n:i11' ill1/h Mr. and Mrs. i1::11V i1l1!1? nr.:i'l!ll T.»7 Moshe Adler from Akiva and Judy "'::VZ tr.ruN 1:::1 nr.:i'nl" Michael Schiff wish all our Friends Hirth and Family nn• ITlN.!ln mm Tlr.:i?n ,., Teaneck, NJ and Chaverim ofA.I. a Passaic, New Jersey Menachem & Toby n:iw nr.:i•nrn il:J'rt:l Feldman & Family.

. The Jewish Observer, September T998 53 'IY'Wn

'lr.lnnn1 i::nun n::n" ill1" 1J1N'l 1rn ?:>::i U'1'1' 7:>7 Best wishes il:l'l1' i1D'nn1 il:l'n:> to all our friends and relatives tl'ji'1~ ?'\?J 11!11' 1m::i 'C''Tl? 111~7 for a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year c'7rno '1'7Nt '\?J'i).i.l :l11 Avrohom Schonberger and Family ~l1n'lrn

Greetings from Our very best wishes for a Jewish Community Council of Shana Tova to Greater Coney Island, Inc. Rabbi and Rebbetzin 3001 West 37th Street, Brooklyn, Nisson Wolpin New York 11224-1479 • 718-449-5000 and the staff ofThe Jewish Observer Providing Supportive Services to the Frail Elderly, Vocationally Disadvantaged Poor, Refugees and from the Jewish Resource Center Educationally At-Risk Youth of New York City Isaac Bacon, Ph.D. Rabbi Moshe Wiener Arnold and Rita Weiss President Executive Director 410 Main Street • Buffalo, NY 14202

Moshe M. Friedman, P.E. n::n" i"1W7 L'shana Tova Architectural Engineering Dr. Michael and Etta (718) 382-1702 Korenman and Family Hugh Hoffman (914) 356-3999 Fort Worth, Texas

To All of Our n::n'P no,nn1 n::i'l"O illW i10mnl ill'n:J Best wishes to all our clients for a happy, Family, Friends, and Kial Yisroel to all our relatives, healthy and prosperous new year .friends, and~ 77:J ir.innni i:imn n:iiv nll!'? ASB Insurance Brokerage Avrohom & Hindy Rabbi and Mrs. Yosef Moshe Aaron S. Buchler Rand and Family Passaic, NJ Augenbraun Toronto, Canada 201-779-3311 • 212-244-0325

Best wishes to all ourfriends Rabbi & Rebbitzen Wolpin and relatives for a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year May Hashem grant you the good "L'Shana Tova" health to continue your good deeds Moshe Katz Yehoshua Rosebery Lawrence, L.I. Dr. & Mrs. Lawrence Slater

Much nrrnm to We would like to wish ,'m'w> ?:h n:n" nr.i':nrn il:l'.rt:l David Meir Greenberg all of Klal Yisroel a Shana tr.W rnr.i1pr.i 'r.l:i In all his future Torah Tova U'mesuka Osher & Ruth Lehmann endeavors! Peretz Chaim & Zahava Flatbush, New York Uncle Eliezer Levin & Family

54 The Jewish Observer, September 1998 n:t1 il~' n1 il:t'n:J n;,1 Wishing You AHappy &Healthy New Year

As our seventy shochtim, mashgichim, rabbonei machshirim, and the entire staff of Empire Kosher Poultry prepare for another year of superior kashrus and quality, they wish your entire family health, happiness and nn'7Yn in all your endeavors. NATIONAt fiONVENTION

Now is the Learn first-hand about the major issues Time to confronting the Orthodox Jewish community. Come, Participate in challenging, thought-provoking sessions with a coalition of Jews from diverse Hear, backgrounds. Think, Bask in an inspiring spiritual atmosphere. Debate, and ... Discuss meaningful, practical topics in exciting workshops. I •

Thursday through Sunday

Nov. 26-29, I 99B - 1:nwm7P~ ''-'! For reservation information, please call (212) 797-9000, ask for convention desk