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,· ...... · THE JEWISH QBSERVER
in this issue ...
TERROR TACTICS IN ISRAEL, Ezriel Toshavi ...... 3
THE RosHEI YEsmvos SPEAK:
THEMES FROM HORAV MOSHE FEINSTEIN, adapted by A vrohom Fishelis ...... 9
THE JEWISH OBSERVER is published monthly, except July and August, HORAV Y AAKOV KAMENETSKY: GROUNDWORK FOR by the Agudath Israel of America, SURVIVAL ..... ,...... 11 5 Beekman Street, New York, New York 10038. Second class postage paid at New York, N. Y. Subscription: $5.00 per year; Two YESHIVA EDUCATION: RECLAIMING THE years, $8.50; Three years, $12.00; SECULAR DEPARTMENT, S. M. Breslauer ...... 13 outside of the United States, $6.00 per year. Single copy, fifty cents. Printed in the U.S.A. A RosH YESHIVA IN BARANOVITCH, Chaim Shapiro 19 RABBI NISSON WOLPIN Editor SECOND LOOKS AT THE JEWISH SCENE: Editorial Board DR. ERNEST L. BODENHElMER THE RELIGION OF RELEVANCE ...... 25 Chairman RABBI NATHAN BULMAN RABBI JOSEPH ELIAS D1scovER YOUR JEWISH IDENTITY-in Kfar Silver ...... 26 JOSEPH FRIEDENSON RABBI YAAKOV JACOBS COMMON MARKET AND THE BRITISH JEW ...... 28 RABBI MOSHE SHERER
RABBI GOREN, RABBI KooK, AND RABBI GOREN ...... 29 'fHB JEWISH OBSERVER does not assume responsibility for the Kashrus of any product or service advertised in its pages. LETTERS TO THE EDITOR ...... 30
]AN. 1973 VoL. VIII, No. 10
-~@ PICTURE CREDITS: Page 16, courtesy Rabbi Eli Teitelbaum......
G'oren's home p_rotetled ~· .,,. Will past terror be
9y Rci'tSTOJil ALL.EN ~C Jfl Tf'I Aww Cot~H POfldtn1 )
Ezriel Toshavi Terror Tactics in -Israel Are religious problems in the Holy Land being '~olved" through coercive measures? Religious ·Presence: An Asset and a Indeed, while the ruling coalition .ha s had many Stumbling Block shifts in its composition, it has always included the Mafdal (Mizrachi) - the National Religious Party. THE ATTITUDE OF MEMBERS of the Israeli government toward religion ranges from extreme support to luke Part of the price the coalition has paid for this partici warm indifference to vehement hostility. Yet this has pation (in spite of Mafdal's endless string of com- not prevented the leadership from pursuing a policy of promises) is something of a religious character in the accepting--even fostering to some extent-a religious -State, which is also a decided asset. Yet the government presence in Israel. often seems to be quashing religious interests. There are many. explanations for this paradoxical support The details of the so-called "Status-quo" agreement attack attitude. They range from the pragmatic to the -which is in existence since before the founding of the sincerely religious, and all of them have a degree of State-have been discussed several times in these pages. validity. Shabbos is the national day of rest, kashrus is officially adhered to, the rabbinate is in control of matters of • The State needs an official religious presence as a personal status (marriage, divorce, etc.), and religious Jiving testimony to its Biblical claim to the Land. This education has official recognition and partial support. . is essential from a legal criterion, as well as for the simple purpose of maintaining sympathy from Christian
EZRIEL TOSHAVI observes tire scene in Jsrae[ for readers of THE n ations who associate the People of the Bible with JEWISH OBSERVER. the Land of the Bible. This equation was known to
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The Jewish Observer/ January, 1973 3
..- have figured prominently in the sentiments of both Thus the position of Shabbos as the logical day of Winston Churchill and Harry Truman. rest is secure, but work permits are granted when • World Jewry, whose moral and financial support "warranted," whether because of considerations of is critic;al to Israel's very existence, could not accept a security, economy, tourism, or recreation... , Yeshiva totally secular state. As is, the non-observant visitor students must be granted draft exemption (as they are from Omaha is taken aback by the Sabbath desecration in virtually every Western democracy as well as the he encounters in Israel, and is shocked at the sandwich Soviet Union), but they must never, never become a stands that offer "white-steak" (ham). The religious viable political or social force. And as Mrs. Meir character of Israel is a key factor in the go/a-Jew's recently intoned: "Let us not confuse Talmudic study bond with the State. with national security. We simply do not wish to • The Israelis themselves nee
GOLDA MEIR TALKS ABOUT YESHIVA STUDENTS ALLEGED TRAITORS "Why should these young men be free so that they "My heart is full of pain and shame at the acts of can intimidate Chief Rabbi Goren? I hope this be these young men. I am acquainted with the grand haviour will stop. But if the hooliganism continues, we father of one of them and join him in his grief. But shall have to discuss the question lof Army exemp we must bear in mind that this case is an exception tions) particularly in those yeshivos whose students and it is a crime to cast shame on the Hashomer will be found to have participated in this behaviour." Hatzair movement because one of its sons has been implicated."
4 The Jewish Observer/ January, 1973 -· - -secution, but never bcf~re was an effort made totamper -religious leadership .against undue pressure .fro~ the · with the essence of the Jewish heritage. secular establishment is of itself a type of intimidation! So the reUgious yishuv is crying out in protest, and This phenomenon could be described in suitable in response to this distressing voice of dissent the tones of irony and dismissed at that. But these accusa ' ...· government has embarked on a calculated campaign tions of iyum and tiror are being used as a smoke to silence the voke. screen to divert attention from a very real and highly calculated campaign by the govcrnent to preserve its ·Terror and Counter-Terror own sense of balance between the sacred and the PERHAPS AMERICANS ARE ACCUSTOMED to press-release secular. Further, the cries of "tiror" that emanate wars, where organizations fight out their paper battles in from government sources are volleys being fired at newspaper columns. Thus, they may not fully fathom . the religious yishuv in a very earnest battle to force it to retreat to a position of malleability, dependence, .the implications of repeated Israeli newspaper reports ··· .. . replete with accusations and innuendoes. One word and silence. appears with unusual frequency, and that word is The . Campaign: "iyum"---0r "tiror"-and it means terror. It is appear ·' ing as a description of the tactics that so-called kitzo The Outspoken Yeshiva Community ni'im (religious extremists) are allegedly using to show DURING A THREE WEEK SPAN, two high level cabinet . .· " their displeasure with those who are more liberal than meetings dealt exclusively with one topic. One might they are in their religious outlook. search the myriad problems fadng the State and with Some of the accusations of acts of terror may be little difficulty select any one of the many which would .·· - based on facts-albeit isolated in frequency and non merit such top-level treatment: the rash of crippling representative in scope: such as the fire-bombing of · labor srikes . .. Syrian border problems ... effective the Eros shop in Tel Aviv last summer, and the nasty use of the U.N. as a forum ... internal security vis-a-vis words hurled at Rabbi Goren by three yeshiva students the Matzpim spy ring . . . relations with African na- several months ago. Other allegations are very suspect tions ... Mrs. Meir's projected European trip. But in their basis, such as the letter-bomb Rabbi Goren none of these rated the agenda of the two cabinet claims to have received; and while it was never estab conferences. The topic: Yeshiva . population "hooli- lished from where it )Vas dispatched, he used the ganism," and the possibility of conscription of yeshiva - .-· opportunity to dramatize the great lengths the kitzoni'im students as a punitive measure. As an impetus fo r are pursuing to terrorize him into submission. To this evaluation, the Cabinet trotted out the same old whatever extent these acts of violence do exist, they are tired incidents: the Eros Shop incident of August, the only aberrations, and do not represent the general insults hurled at Rabbi Goren in November and approach of pained restrai nt that the religious yishuv nothing else. ' has been exercising. In fact, yeshiva heads and rabbis The threat of conscription was definitely meant as are repeatedly admonishing their charges to keep their a reminder to the yeshiva students that they are at the . . •"' level of activity on a low key. Nonetheless these events mercy of the government; but to actually carry out the dominate the pronouncements of political headline threat as a form of punishment would be a double makers as being typical of their wild-eyed opposition. barrelled insult-both to those who serve the army · ..· . The religious leadership is also being accused of with a sense of devotion and not as an act of expiation .. ·-· ,. another type of "terror"- an activity which is con for sins against the State, and to those who study sidered an inherent right in every democracy-that of Torah and are entitled to do so without interruption. voicing dissent. These are the protests it ha<> been A more viable threat is to transfer the authority issuing against Rabbi Goren's approach to halacha, his - to defer students from the Vaad Hayeshivos, composed methods of psak (rendering halachic decisions), and of the R oshei Yeshivos, to the Chief Rabbinate, headed ····· , his cozy relationship with the ruling coalition. Rabbis, · by Rabbi Goren, and this possibility has been hinted - . -··· dayanim (rabbinical judges), and Roshei Yeshivos at by Mrs. Meir. have been joining voices in condemning the irrespon It is worth noting that Rabbi Goren is none too sibility of his actions as well as his dubious motives. well disposed toward the bnei yeshiva w'ho, as men Latest in expressing objection has been the Moetzes tioned, have expressed disenchantment bordering on . Gedolei HaTorah of Eretz Yisroel (see boxes on fol disgust in regard to his handling of the Langer affair. lowing pages). Jn addition, Rabbi Goren has personally been actively . ; -.. In describing the situation, the headlines scream: involved in army life. He chose to serve his country in ... , ... "Roshei Yeshivas Terrorize Chief Rabbi" and "Ex ·zahal as Chief Chaplain-a post in which he gained tremists Intimidate Religious Judges," as if pained notoriety ;, his own daughter served in the Chain, the outcry against violence done to halacha is of itself ..·. Women's 'branch of the Israeli anny, in spite of the .. ·an act of violence, and as if unity of purpose ()f the ·psak issued by the Torah leadership that every Jew:tsh
The Jewislz Observer/ January, 1973 5
..·. .. -· -· girl should avoid army service at all cost. . . . It is Yet no secular MK saw the incongruity of Sapir's unlikely that Rabbi Goren would deal with yeshiva remarks. , •." exemptions with much deference. Ultimately, Mr. Margolit finds the Sapir statement As is, the shelter of the yeshiva exemption occupies most appropriate-perhaps not to the intrinsic merit secondary status in comparison with the conditions of of the yeshivas being threatened, bnt to the govern the general student exemption: University students ment's goals for a submissive clergy. In Mr. Margalit's may hold jobs on the side, but a yeshiva student or assessment, the yeshiva community will feel compelled kolel member may not even teach children or otherwise to cease in its outburst of disapproval of Rabbi Goren's augment his chaluka-stipend without exposing himself policies. To fail to do so could be most costly, and to military conscription. not worth the risks. Would it be too much then to hope that a Chief But a submissive yeshiva leadership and a muzzled Rabbi who "speaks the tongue of the people" would student population does not complete the ideal picture, communicate to these people the singular role of Torah Mr. Margo!it continues, adding: "The Prime Minister study in the total picture of national security?-ln view also looks forward to a change in relationship with of Rabbi Goren's track record, this ideal seems very dayanim and rabbis. She anticipates being able to distant indeed, and his hand wielding the power of report to her party that Rabbi Goren and the dayanim exemption seems a formidable prospect. have won over the hearts of the general population . ... And that the Independent Liberals will no longer The Power of the Purse threaten to bring up their bill to recognize certain civil Minister of the Treasury, Pinchas Sapir, also made marriages . ... But the present situation does not allow known his discontent with the open dissatisfaction of her to do so . ... Hence her stirrin!i up old stormy the yeshiva leadership with Rabbi Goren, and he issues of religion and secularism and asserting pressure questioned whether their schools are deserving of con on so many different fronts." tinued government financial support. This prompted So another area that is being subjected to pressures Dan Margalit of Haaretz (Dec. 1 J) to wonder: "If is the rabbinate. the yeshivas deserve financial support from the govern1nent, then the extremism of several Roshei An Independent Rabbinate Yeshivas should not reduce that merit; and if the As one recalls, Rabbi Goren refused to divulge the yeshivas do not deserve help, then the most cooperative names of the eight rabbis who joined him in freeing group of yeshiva heads should not change the picture. the Langers from their mamzeirut "to protect them
RESOLUTIONS OF MOETZES GEDOLEI HATORAH A meeting of the Moetzes Gedolei Hatorah attended by the infamous decision on non-marriageabJes arrived by the Rebbes of Ger, Vizhnitz, Mecnovke, Modzits, at by devious methods in contradietion of the Halacha Slonim and Strikov as well as Rabbi E. Shach (Pone and declares that decision-null and void and that no vez), Rabbi B. S. Schneersohn (Tchebin), Rabbi Y. reliance whatever may he made on decisions and di Sofer (Erlau), Rabbi I\foshe Chevroni (Chevron), Rab rections of the author of that "decision." bi Sholom Eliashiv, Rabbi Michel Feinstein, Rabbi 3. We appeal to all holding Rabbinic positions in Pinchas M. Alter (Sfas Emes), Rabbi Moshe Shapiro the Holy Land not to give in to pressure from any (Be'er Yaacov), Rabbi S. Z. Auerbach (Kol Torah), source whatever under any circumstances not to deviate Rabbi S. N. Barzoviiiki (Yeshivas Slonim), passed the even as the tip of a Yud from the Word of llashem following resolutions: that is, Halacha. Stand firm as flint rocks, fear no 1. The Council is !'hocked by the inclination and threats and pressures. Know that Torah-true Jewry the activities of secular public bodies and public figures to world over and their leaders stand firmly behind you attack the most ho]y pillar of our people upon which and n1ay Hashem he with you-and those from whom the whole House of Israel rests by opening the gate for this stumbling block emanates may they pluck courage those who are prohibited to come into the congregation to retract and sanctify the Name of Hashem. by marriage and by the acceptance likewise of proselytes 4. The Council expresses its pain and deep anguish who have not been proselytised in accordance with at the organized agitation against Torah Leaders and Halaeha, and calls to all in whose power it be to stand their disciples, and at the same time appeals to all not in the breach and negate this vicious plan which would to give certain quarters an excuse to lay accusations of split the House of Israel. their own imagination on us. Brothers do no evil! The Jewish people has experi 5. Our eyes are lifted heavenwards in prayer to enced many vicissitudes and yet it has repented from bring back the hearts of the children to Hashem, to its errant acts and been healed. Let there not he done teach understanding to those who have strayed to do in our generation something which is irrevocably wrong. His Will with complete heart, and speedily may the 2. The Council is deeply pained and views very Almighty bring our Righteous Moshiach in mercy, severely indeed the awesome breach in the Torah front 0111ein. 8 Teves, 5733 (December 13, 1972).
6 The Jewish Observer/ January, 1973 from the terror of reprisal from extremists" who may · . Rabbi Goren's ·psak have been targetted forindividual not favor their psak. Terror and intimidation do exist, pressure of a much more ominous nature. One noted ..... ·· but the traffic appears to be moving primarily in the rav and rosh yeshiva received a threatening letter from opposite direction. the Vaad Lehagonas Kvod Harabbanut (Committee for The Minister of Religions, Dr. Zorach Warhaftig, Protection of the Respect of the Rabbinate), chal · is apparently angered by the outspoken condemnation lenging his "right to attack the Gaon Rabbi Shlomo of Rabbi Goren by leading rabbinical figures. He has Goren-a man without peer in the world of the rab since let it be known that he was considering various binate .... You are not an elected rabbi ... yet you types of "sanctions" that might be employed against .. express your opinion on matters that do not pertain ·five leading rabbonim of Bnai Brak who signed con to you ... leading in a style of extremism that perhaps demning statements: Rabbis Yaakov Landau, Nosson had its place in go/us-Hungary. .. . You are advised Friedman, Avrohom Zvi Weiss, Moshe Blau, and · to refrain from pursuing such a course. If you do not Shmuel Wosner. refrain from signing and encouraging others to sign in such an unacceptable manner . . . we will endeavor The implication, spelled out since then with .little with all our might to limit the growth possibilities of subtlety, was that if these rabbis do no recognize the your yeshiva, resorting to every possible measure, both authority of the Chief Rabbinate, then they will lose legal and illegal. (signed) The Committee for Protec recognition for the weddings they conduct, which by tion of Respect-for-the-Rabbinate-Under-the-Leader governent law is theirs only by grace of the Chief ship of Rabbi Shlomo Goren" (photo of Jetter on Rabbinate. This may sound logical, but it is truly page 8). ludicrous when one takes into account the stature of .. the parties being threatened, the credentials they Pressure From the Chief Rabbi possess, and the fact that the special arrangement by THE CHIEF RABBI has been unusually explicidn his own' _which they have been conducting weddings has not offensive against those who took exception to his . been challenged until now. manner of psak. From press conferences to lecture Some rabbis who signed proclamations against platforms-most recently at the Engineers' Club in
,,,n.,; tJ'i'li'l l»rn ,,,,n,n; tJ'tltlm, C'!l'lN!l 'Tlll 3-r.i n;yr.i? iwr.iJw i}.7 l,,, iil::l"v nii.n;; ,,,,:1 mt'Sir.i .rl)l'Q ,,!l, '1)1 )!)!l t:l'tl'll ,;;p::m~Nr.i ,f'J'T''' :·mr.i C"'iir.iiNii p":; mc.n.nwill .niy'IV · · · 1'1!1'\ fl'\r.nn:i MHl'\l Jili'ltl)I '1!lNl!> J1 11 rl)~)IHl .!l 11V CMJl::l .,n7?N '::l, : C'l'N~m ,:nv'.,UO ,C'li?o ,f'' liir.i ,,, ,,, n'1'0)1)YJ """ .nllln!l nN'\UM rllll'\.DM '1N .M::l'lV' WNi liOiiN'lW l''Sl::lW iii::i ':li /l:l'lic .M:l'lV' tVNi . .~ .. c,,.,,:i Mllltllfl'tl ,,,,,n '''".o 'l'lV:i ,,,,,n i'".Dn cil;!w rioi' 'l1 ,,,;,y .Ml'tv"' l.VN"') icio Jl"1' ,:i, ,l':l''l '' Jit'\!>tll ,n:>;nn ''''' ,.,,,, ;,; 'fU'l!l "''"''"'V /'ii,,ii' ll':J,, ;i,,, WN1 l"OlVl"!J ?~'l::l l;!N'M' ':l1 ,:l'W'l;!N ''i'i7.D '' ;v ''' 1''3"' l'Ml '"':itli '":i m 'P".D N1'CiV .w mvr.i '::11 .1ii::m .nl'W' wNi 'lii:in mvr.i :ii .mn i''O.Dn ;v:i '" ,,,,,H.,,m l'll'1V' tvNi i.n?N OMll::l 0MJ£) 'li /'lv:r-~:i,, 11l'1V' 1VN1 Ulll'\K!l p'Ttl ;)I C'!1Y1"1'l t:J'.)!1'\fl ;,:,; C'll.D UM ,) ?ip" l'll'iV' wNi i:ii'iN 1r.il;!r nr.i?w 'li /'n~N-n!:lut",, . Cl'll!l NlM'll C'\l) Ml'l(tl b'llln;; l)l)!)t N,YI ,n'Ol'Ti'l'1 ,,,,, .C'Jil;!o l'll'tv' ivNi 'vo:iiri::i m ci?iv 'lii /';;iin l1tl)I .n:>;n lt 'M '\!11'3 1l' ;YJ llllli'!> llYlt N;l 1l!UK ·'lii:in ii'!V~ 'l1 JiN~ii i1'ii iil'IV'ii O'lll'Mtl i1n.on ;N ,.,,lll Yl'n;n, c:>n.,n'lln ?v .· ... lllll'\n "''')tl ,,.,nim '1YIV.,> '1"1'1l'Tl .nlll)IHl ;,:i ,,,,.,nn niin'm n.,,,,fl ,,,,) '" ,,,,, ,t:J'llln;i .x c,,,,,,n tJ".,l!l'lll ot.om tJ''D'X 'flllll tJ''OVt.ltn l)Ml .tJ!>tl)I MM' ,,,, ,c:>,.,nK lJ1'M C'1tllV o;wn l"lt.>lMl"I ;'Q b'Yl'fi'M 'tl'Jli'!l l"n )ll).D; D'llll'\M OYI 't11i", n:> l'\lM K)M ,C1' nn'1tl 1'11'(lll' fl)Yl:>tln'D '1'!1 ):> ))'YI> tH'lt?)I - 11lYl'M1'1 "f"I 11N >ivVi';l ! o:>:i l'\tni 0''3'0 tJ'il'OK?l ,,,,,n C''\V'll nn,,,.o '1' ;x.,'O' ... M'1'0t1n ))I i'lt>)I !UC" ''Vlll · M)l'!ltl rllll)lltlM +'T '''".o; ;v 11N.,lj,, M!),t1!) l'\"lnl N)YI C''\)) l!>l 'fl ;;,p:i N!l) int .an'1'n;,,, :iiin ,,,,) 1)l nm:>>.>n '1l)'\UOln 1 ;M; Ot'D)l 9<'\.D!l "flt.l)I) l'Tt!l ,,;l!>t;,YI ti:) ;,; ' Ctll'\l), ,,,,, N)YI ,,.,,,, ,.,,,,'O ,,, b'll.D mn flt tJ)I 1 ,N"l'O' 11'!l '1N '\n!ln "IYIX llH M'!>'\1 .tJ!i)!l l1!l'O Ct'\:11 U!l J1l)'1) ;i;t)I t:l'llYIM Tl'''" ,ll ,,,,,m '(l'\.D,,l .t:n)YI ,,,,,,,_,,,, )!>l t:l)ll) '!>"l'T .'fl "'!! C.,!>!l !1'lll'\.D . C'>!l :i; !!''tin; n;.o,,:i Ol'\!l) !nKlYI> U'>'V .n bt:iin ,,,n.,i1:i i,,N.,YI' ·cv ! l)I.,,, ;M atnM N>N mlll'\ 11lYl)I, tll'!i t)t)ll'1 1n;;, C'tl'O!lYI U'!SN' 2'<.D.,, :i+o N"n ·wm ;:>:ii ,,,,.,,.,,, ,,,,,)1 n:i.,n v·h l>'f'1lll f"l'Yltl 11K'!i!l '1"'Yll"I imn.,, 1'1'\Mtll O)'tl !l!l,!l •lli''1; '"' N) !m)lll NlMYI '\!l"f U'\l'T!l MYJ)lt ;N ,i; •lllM ,;!)!:) t:l'.Di"l>l 1"Uln)ll !lllltl!l Ct"flll)I UK'Q ti)l'O!l "'\.!>!l
The Jewish Observer I Januar)' , 1973 7
.... physician in Egypt, Abravanel while serving as royal treasurer in Spain . . . the Vilner Gaon was never a rabbi in Vilna nor elsewhere ... Rabbi Akiva Eiger was a world-respected authority of halacha while leading the small town of Posen . . . the Chofetz Chaim was a Rosh Y cshiva, not a Rabbi, and his town of Radun _.,,,,,,,""'"' did not even appear on the maps ... Reh Chaim Ozer ...... "no«»w•, ·~~'>_:::_""-'.'.... = Grodzenski was not the elected Rabbi of Vilna ... the Brisker Rav and the Chazon Ish never ran for office r,,,.,,.," u'''"°" con>oo ;'!iln;i 1100 1''1'~ ,,~~ ~ni'C' N10 'o;" '''°'" ,y,o • '"'' ,·;i1pn "'C·O 'H """' n,,l'On> I; >1 >'1'1' i>iinv 10>'n'1 1r.l< '1) not were they ever elected. . . . The exalted positions ""''" ,.,,,,., •"O»<' ;
8 The Jewish Observer /January, 1973 .· .-·· .·· .The ·ROshei Y eshivos Speak
The f ollmving thoughts are based on an The "Nishma" Imperative: "We Shall Listen" address delivered by HAGAON HORAv HEN THE JEWS were offered the Torah, they responded proclaiming: "All that Hashem will -MOSHE FEINSTEIN R"~"7tV at the recent ··W · say we shall do." Later they said: "We shall 50th Anniversary Convention of do and we shall listen," and in regard to this latter response the Talmud (Shabbos 88a) remarks that at Ag'itdath Israel of America, as recorded that moment . a heavenly voice asked, "Who revealed this great secret to My children?" Their second declara tion was apparently valued more than the first. Yet by Avrohom Fishelis the former statement seemed to express greater faith
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(Continued from previous page) The Common Thread signing the marriage certificate of Chanoch Lan THE ENTIRE CHAIN OF EVENTS documented here cannot ger. . . . Rabbi Yosef was reportedly infuriated be dismissed as isolated incidents, each with an Friday when a newspaper published a photcopy of explanation of its own: crank letters, fits of temper, the marriage certificate on which his signature was the difficulties of adjusting from a military type of clearly visible. Rabbi Yosef, in a statement issued command to a religious bureaucracy, Mrs. Meir's today, claimed that the certificate had somehow ·penchant for protective retaliation, and so on. been slipped among the scores of marriage certi The historical and political context of these events ficates he signs each week and that he signed it clearly mark them as part of a well-calculated campaign unknowingly. He hinted that Rabbi Goren's hand to keep every aspect of religion an integral part of was behind the alleged subterfuge and demanded the Israeli scene- but only as a kept-religion, which a commission of inquiry to find out how the does not rock the boat with independence from secu certificate came to his desk and who passed it on larist pressures and subjugation to daas Torah. . to the press. This campaign is being waged against every phase Rabbi Y osef reportedly tore the certificate to of religious life-the rabbinate, the network of dayanim, · · shreds in a fit of anger yesterday when it was the Roshei Yeshivas, and the yeshiva students. So far, brought to him by Pinchas Sheinman, chairman the Chief Rabbinate has succumbed. The others are of the Tel Aviv Religious Council. still struggling. D
COMMENTS ON RELIGIOUS TERROR .· ... By RABBI SHAUL YISRAELI By RABBI SHLOMO GOREN Member of Supreme Rabbinical Court, Jerusalem At a Conference in the Engineer's Club in Tel at the Mizrachi Convention (January 11, 1973): Aviv (December 20, '72): "The Roshei Yeshivos are "In its effort to unite the people, the Mizrachi out to impose unwarranted hardships (chumrosi. Poalei Mizrachi must still guard halacha from distor and they are terrorizing the rabbinical judges to fall tion. There are no differences between a rabbi who in line .... They have threatened arson and terror, is moderate and one who is extreme. Nothing com and they have carried out these threats more than pells a rabbi to be consistently lenient or stringent. once. "Claims are heard in secular circles that rabbis "These same Roshei Yeshivos have not disguised - are terrorizing those who do not agree with them. their hatred for Israel and openly confess to praying The terror is in the reverse-against' rabbis who issue for its destruction every day. decisions that do not please them and are then called kitzon!'im (extremists). As for the appelation "As for Rabbi Shach (Rosh Yeshiva of Ponovezh, .·· · 'House of Shamai'--4hat is a badge of honor. Shamai in Bnei Brak )-Mi Samcha le'posaik;J Who made you had no less love for Israel than did Hillel." an authority of halacha? Who elected you?"
The Jewish Observer I January, 1973 9
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. . . ~' ...... for it declared willingness to perform without even saying, "Yitzchok learned more than I did, for I recog listening to what was demanded. nized Hashem at a later age in life than my son did." In actuality, the second statement was the more Yitzchok in tnrn will send them to Yaakov saying, submissive to Hashem's will. It does not suffice to say, "Yaakov served Torah sages longer than I did, since "We will do," for then each person would be free to he studied under Eiver for fourteen years-with inter interpret the Torah as he sees fit and to act accordingly. ruption for sleep!" Yaakov will send the Jews to This would only lead to a breakdown of Torah values, Moshe Rabbeinu who learned from Hashem Himself. for when each person becomes his own personal inter We see here the great significance attached to not preter of the Torah, he will inevitably misconstrue the relying on one's own learning, but rather seeking out Torah's intent and arrive at incorrect decisions. those who served under greater teachers. Today, as ever, a willingness to act must be har nessed to a commitment to listen. We must listen to s A RULE, one is not liable for causing damage or the words of the Torah sages of each generation who loss to sacred property. Yet the Talmud says devote all of their effort to understanding the Torah, A that if one steals an article that is used in the and who carry on the chain of tradition; for only Bais Hamikdash he must suffer the death penalty (San they are capable of giving a learned and objective hedrin 81 b). The unusual stringency here applies to a clarification of the Torah's demands. This was implicit case when a person steals this object to be able to in the second declaration "We shall do and we shall boast that he is associated with G-dly endeavors. By listen" -meaning action based on the words we absorb from the Torah sages. Evil Cloaked in Respectability Those who deny the oral tradition and assume the right to interpret Torah as they see fit, tread the path cloaking himself in raiments of sanctity, he deceives of the Saducees. Eliezer ben Puiroh is described in the those people who are incapable of divining his evil Talmud as being one of their number for having incited intentions. King Yanai to kill all the Torah sages (Kidushin 66a). Throughout our history, we have seen many deviant He advised Yanai not to fear that the Torah would be groups arise. Those with no traditional basis whatso forgotten; the Scroll of the Law would be well pre ever were quickly washed away in the tide of events, served in its corner. whereas those who found support in religious teach Now, it was never recorded that Eliezer ben Puiroh ings were much harder to destroy. We must constantly denied the validity of the Oral Law, which is the hall be on guard not to be deluded by groups or individuals mark of the Saducees' belief. But as long as he elimi who masquerade with Torah slogans and ideals. This nated the contemporary rabbinate as a source of vigilance can only be achieved through strengthening Torah interpretation and was content with a well and increasing our own Torah stndy and strengthening preserved scroll as the final authority, he was indeed our allegiance to Gedolei Torah. a Saducee. Today, even when much of the oral Torah has been N PARSHAS VAYEITZEI, Yaakov refers to Hashem as recorded, were one to say that Yeshivas and Torah I "G-d of Avraham and the Fear of Yitzchok." Gen sages are not needed, but rather an exhaustive library erally, Hashem does not confer his name upon be established containing all the written works ex the righteous during their lifetime. In regard to Yitz pounding on the oral law which could be consulted by chok, however, Hashem did; yet Yaakov refrained all; he, too, would be guilty of being a Saducee. One from referring to Him as "the G-d of Yitzchok." One cannot learn merely from what is written, for erring explanation for this may be that Yaakov intended to would still be an overwhelming possibility. One must extol Yitzchok for a righteousness that was not ex rather consult with Torah sages and hear what they clusively the result of being raised in the house of say. Even the wisest of men must not rely solely on his own judgment, but must also consult with con Vigilance to the End temporary Torah scholars on all important matters. He who acts unilaterally without consulting others is Avraham, where G-dliness was ever pervasive; for also a Saducee. Yitzchok had succeeded in establishing his own basis This obligation to feel dependent on others is exem for service to Hashem, built on his overpowering fear plified in a Midrash Rabba on Shmos that relates how of the L-rd. Yaakov's change of expression was a way in the world-to-come the Jews will ask Avraham to of honoring his father. teach them Torah. He will refer them to Yitzchok There is yet another explanation here. When Hashem conferred His name upon Yitzchok in speaking to RABBI FISHELIS, a rebbe in the Yeshiva Tiffereth Jerusalem, has Yaakov, He implied His approval of all of Yitzchok's compiled and published KOL ROM, based on comments and deeds and the spiritual heights that he had attained, expositions on Chumash and the festivals by Hagaon f{orav Moshe Feinstein. even to the level of offering himself as a sacrifice for
10 The Jewish Obsl'1Ter / January, 1973 .. ' ,~ . . ::f~ ~;~iJ-~~: · .··· .
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Hashem. We find further expression of this where wealthy, he had "all"-all his ireeds were folly met, the Torah, speaking of Yitzchok's death, writes that - and nothing was extra, for there were many sacred "he was gathered to his people, old and full of days"; : endeavors to be accomplished with his material wealth. whereas before, in reporting A vraham's death, it By contrast Eisav had credited himself for the describes 11im as being "old and full of days, and he wealth he had amassed and felt free to use it for - was gathered to his people." The difference in order personal indulgence. Since he did not view it as pre can be attributed to Yitzchok having reach his spiritual . destined for any sacred purpose, he had "plenty"- goal much earlier in life, at the Akeidah, thus being .. ··.-- worthy of being "gathered to his people," whereas Excess and Discipline Avraham had to attain old age to be worthy of being "gathered to his people." Even though Yitzchok was - more than was necessary. A multi-millionaire has no aware of this declaration from Hashem, he still was benefit whatsoever from his second million, for his never content with the level of his personal deeds, and first million can provide him with all possible earthly his overpowering fear of sin drove him to constantly .·pleasures. One who realizes that life has purposes examine his actions and strive to attain still greater other than experiencing pleasure and is involved in heights. We must seek to emulate him, constantly im ·performing charitable deeds, never feels that he has proving our level of service. more than enough money. Our charitable endeavors also need strengthening. In the same vein, Yaakov told Eisav: "/ have ox Yeshivos are presently suffering from terrible lack of and donkey." Rashi comments that it is proper etiquette funds; Roshei Yeshivas are forced to devote a major to say "ox" in reference to many oxen, rather than part of their time to fundraising. Our most vital Ortho glorifying oneself with one's great wealth. Once one . dox institutions are also suffering: Agudath Israel needs realizes that all his possessions have been granted to support and Chinuch Atzmai is hard-pressed for him by Hashem, he is obligated to thank Him for money. We must be of assistance not only when we are each individual ox he has. Even when one is extremely called upon, but we must voluntarily approach them. prosperous, he must still thank Hashem for the smallest Growth in vigilance must include all mitzvos-and of things-he still must recite Birchas Hamazon support of Torah should be foremost. · (Grace) after eating a piece of bread the size of an olive, regardless of its lack of monetary worth to him. -A TTHE ENCOUNTER between Yaakov and Eisav, Every morsel is a blessing. Every cent is bestowed - Yaakov said: "/ have all," whereas Eisav said: upon us by Hashem Yisborach for a sacred purpose. "I have plenty." Yaakov understood that all he One need only pick up his eyes to find that there is no possessed was granted to him by Hashem to be used shortage of sacred causes to which these pennies and for divine purposes. Although he was extremely dollars can be devoted. D
The following essay is based on an address that is currently unfolding has its roots deep in the American past. Agudath Israel's anniversary of fifty delivered by HAGAON HORAv YAAKOV years in golus-America is an opportune time to take KAMENETSKY ~"ti'7tv at the Convention. stock of this early groundwork. Maase avos simon levonim-the deeds of the-elders are the seeds of the events that befall the children, and these branch out in many ways. The prototype golus was the sojourn of Bnei Yisroel in Egypt. Every golus since then reflects in some way the Jewish survival- ..·Groundwork For struggle of that particular time and place. Survival Egypt, the Prototype Golus This serves to heighten our interest in every passage that deals with golus Mitzrayim. As a result, we are Ht YOUNG BUILD ON THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS of all the more puzzled by the detailed account of the previous generations. This groundwork is not various ordinances enacted by Yoseif Hatzaddik as T always appreciated. Nor is it so easily apparent Regent of Egypt. They seem unrelated to Jewish to the untrained eye. The past accomplishments of survival. Torah Jewry in America and the vibrant productivity Specifically, Yoseif appropriated all privatety held
The Jewish Observer I January, 1973 ,. 11
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, -·· lands in Egypt for the government in exchange for HE SURVNAL STRATEGY PREPARED BY YOSEIF has food. . . . He reassigned all Egyptians to different even insured the vibrancy of Judaism in America locales. . . . He levied a heavy tax on all produce T today. The high levels of kashrus and observance raised .... And the priestly class was exempted from of mitzvos, the great devotion to Torah study in our paying any tax. yeshivos, the flourishing Chassidic life in New York Yoseif's administrative acts and decrees were all and other population centers, as well as in some un designed to guarantee the emergence of the Children expected corners of our country-all of this could never of Israel as a distinctive national group, even after the have existed if not for the ancient precedent established 210 years they were destined to suffer under Egyptian by Y oseif H atzaddik guaranteeing undisturbed immer subjugation. sion in Torah for yeshiva st11dents, an exemption One of the greatest pressures toward assimilation is respected in all countries and cultures. Even this guar the feeling of being different that every stranger finds antee would be meaningless had not our predecessors a burden and endeavors to lose. But in Egypt, no to these shores-typified by the pioneering founders man was a native of his current locale. Even Egyptians of Zeirei Agudath Israel fifty years ago-seen fit to were strangers wherever they dwelt because of Yoseif's emulate Y ehuda's pioneering creativity, establishing reassignment policy. For that matter there was no institutions, organizations and spheres of activity that landed aristocracy, for all lands belong to Pharaoh. As were uncompromising in their adherence to Torah and a result, the distinctiveness of the Jew was not a their loyalty to Torah leaders. unique burden, but a peculiarity that was in one degree or another common to all Egyptians. The American Counterpart
N ADDITION, THE SUBSTANCE of the Jewish heritage was kept very much alive throughout the Egypt Undoubtedly they saw their deeds--establishing ye I years. Yehuda had preceded his father Yaakov, shivos, studying on their own, organizing under the his brothers, and their families as a vanguard-"to set aegis of Torah leaders-as being of a confined scale up houses of study," Rashi explains-to ascertain that in design, and primarily self-preserving in scope. Yet no time would be lost from Torah study in the transi as a result, when others in later years arrived in Amer tion from Canaan to Egypt, nor in the subsequent years ica and sought to retain their Old World-styled Yid spent there. Eventually, the Jews were conscripted into dishkeit, they found a climate far more receptive than forced labor, as a type of taxation. The Tribe of Levi, the hostile atmosphere that greeted earlier arrivals. however, was exempt from this tax as the Jewish Their struggles would have been far more difficult and priestly caste-no different from the exemption from much less fruitful without the spade work of the taxation enjoyed by the Egyptian priests. foundation setters.
The Creation of a Priestly Caste Roots That Reach Beyond America
The fruits of the Tribe of Levi's two hundred and ten Perhaps it is worth noting that the uprootedness years of uninterrupted immersion in Torah study, common to all Egyptians that Yoseif had created is sheltered from Egyptian ideological and physical do more closely duplicated in America than in any other minion, were manifest later at a time of crisis. At the country. Wherever else Jews may dwell, they are under incident of the Golden Calf, Moshe cried out "Mi some pressure--overt or subtle-to conform to the La'shem Alai-Whoever is to G-d: Come to me!" True. host culture. While there are groups that do dominate only 3,000 Jews had been involved in the worship of in America, no single group has been here more than the Golden Calf-not even half a percent of the just a few hundred years, and to some degree they adult male population, and even these were undoubtedly must share the mantle of leadership with all others who from the airev rav-the Mixed Multitude that trailed have since joined them. In America, one may be as after Israel at the Exodus. Yet no Jews were sufficiently Jewish as he chooses and still be welcome, and even appalled at the Golden Calf desecration to rally to be counted as a contributor to the host culture. Moshe Rabbeinu's call to arms--except the Tribe of Levi. They had remained untainted in the purity of Thus the opportunities for growth of an independent their devotion to Hashem Yisborach, and they, like vibrant Torah community are beyond anything we have Moshe, could not tolerate idolatry in their midst. The yet realized. Our debt to our predecessors is a great Tribe of Levi's function as a national treasury of one, and so is our obligation to continue to build and living Judaism was prepared by Yehuda and guaranteed intensify Yiddishkeit on the foundation they prepared. by Yoseif. D
12 The Jewish Observer / January, !973 "". , · .
YESHIVA EDUCATION ·- . . - . / . Reclaiming the Secular Departnients S · M Breslauer oOR YESHIVOS have long been criticized for treating -and may not-by any means spell an interruption the secular departments as step-children of our Torah in the day of a Torah student. The student must not education system, allowing them to suffer from benign even feel: "For three hours a day I engage in a goyish neglect. At worst their programs challenge our students' pursuit." All subjects should be considered as prepara loyalty to Torah. At best, they perform an important tion for or an intrinsic part of some sort of mitz11ah, function-academic preparation for adulthood-but such as: earning a living at a job or profession, making under sterile conditions. Yet they possess a potential sensible plans and educated decisions for a family, for serving as living laboratories for applying Torah participating in community projects, influencing the principles to daily life, and using every day situations ··return of those who have strayed from Yiddishkeit, to reinforce Torah concepts-a potential that is rarely civic involvement-both in terms of shtadlonus and realized. Books could be written on a subject-by "Seek the peace of the city"-and, certainly not least, subject, grade-by-grade analysis of the implementation · gaining an intimate insight into Hashem's creation and of this ideal. The scope and intent of this article is to His control over human events throughout history. present the broad philosophy of this approach and The general studies would thus be presented as de some examples of its application. serving the care of and respect of any mitzvah-centered The keystone to a successful reclamation of the activity, subordinate, of course, to the primary lifetime secular department is beyond question the yeshiva pursuit of Torah study. Expression of attitudes that faculty. The supervisor and the teachers must be bnei conflict with Torah teachings is carefully avoided. ··Torah in the fullest sense, properly trained and posi Whatever is commendable during hours of religious tively oriented toward their goals. The greater the instruction is considered equally so in the secular .number of such teachers, the more classes benefit from department, and whatever must be criticized or such a program. But even one or two such teachers in discredited is so treated in both. By promoting such a a school, assigned to the more crucial subjects, and balanced approach, sources of inner conflict or frustra working under a sympathetic supervisor, can bring tion are avoided. Never will the student have to choose about radical improvement. Where there are no such · between loyalty to his Rebbi and his afternoon teacher. staff members, countless pitfalls abound. (This was discussed at length in "Torah Education's Neglected The Flavor of Judaism .. . . Frontier," in the December 1972 Jewish Observer The class vocabulary should include words ·standard Editor). in normal Jewish conversation and their use is to be . Manner and depth .of application of the· program · . encouraged. Although students should know how to would, of course, depend upon the specific grade level, refer to these items in English, the nom1 should but the broad objectives would apply to both the be Motzaei Shabbos- not Saturday night, daven elementary and secondary school curricula. These not pray, bentsch-not recite Grace After Meals, general goals would be the creation of a Torah-oriented Yorn Tov- not holiday.... Respect should be ac milieu, a highlighting of the positive, and eliminating corded to the ideal of sheim shomayim shogur beficho of any negative influences. "the name of G-d habitually on your lips" (as exempli fied in Bereishis 24: 7, 27 :21, 39: 3): im yirtze Hashem, I. Creating a Torah-Oriented Milieu boruch Hashem, be'ezras Hashem, Ribono Shel Olom should be encouraged along with such other standard THROUGH RANDOM COMMENTS and remarks the teacher Jewish exclamations as nifldos haBorei (wonders of can make students aware that their secular studies are the Creator), gam zu letovah (this is also for the .. compatible with the aims of Torah chinuch and do not better), and b'li neder (without promising) whenever they apply. s. M. BRESLAUER has been teaching General Studies in. yeshivas Recitation of brachos should receive the same em in the New York City area for over fifteen years. His "Torah Education's Neglected Frontier" appeared in the December '72 phasis as they do during the Hebrew studies. This in . ... ~ edition of THE J EWISH OBSERVER. cludes birchos ha'nehenin (such as "Mezonos" and
~· .. · _,. The Jewish Observer/ January, 1973 · 13
, . . •' "Shehakol") for recess snacks, birchos hashevach in In truth, the suggestions deal with essentials and are response to an afternoon thunderstor1n or rainbow, far more than cosmetic changes; yet more radical im and of course the periodic "Asher Yotzar" whose call provements could be effected by utilizing countless is not restricted to the morning session. aspects of the secular syllabus to further Torah ideals The authority of the Shulchan Aruch is absolute and and concepts. The opportunities for such a synthesis unquestioned. For instance: Chol Han1oed restrictions arc abundant, and the sciences and social studies are and Friday afternoon time for Shabbos preparation is particularly rich with possibilities of such Torah orien to be respected, class conversation is limited by the tation. Not only the subject matter, but also the fine laws governing las hon hara (defamation) and letzanus photographs and eye-catching illustrations in modern (ridicule), and athletics are no excuse for neglecting textbooks and related materials facilitate opportunities yar1nulka or tzitzis, nor a justification for compro1nising for a better understanding of Torah and a more faithful tznius (personal modesty). When the teacher assigns pcrforinance of mitzvos. Literature selections, when homework, he would conclude with a reminder about the moral or setting so lends itself, can also be har "Krias Sh'ma Al Hamitoh," and (for boys), "Don't nessed for this purpose. forget to study Torah before going to sleep!" The The lesson should be based on the conviction that teacher will want to encourage reading in many ways, an intimate familiarity with Hashern's creation is a duty, and relaxed reading at bedtime is one of them " ... but and when coupled with Torah, leads to love and fear of not till you fall asleep. You must stop reading to G-d. This is not an approach born out of modern day say Hamapil while still awake." pressures to give scientific progress its due, but a Arithmetic cxan1ples and sentences to accompany cornerstone of thought expressed by Jewish philoso dictation in spelling tests can refer to situations such phers and codifiers of Law over the centuries. As as Shabbos preparations, succah construction, or the Maimonides said in his Mishnah Torah: Parsh as H a'shovua. These serve the basic purpose just When a person contemplates His acts and as \Vcll as passages fron1 Robin Hood or such minor creations and the great wonders of the lvorld, and gems as "Tommy and the Big Green Garbage Truck." sees in theni His infinite wisdom, he is inunedi ately moved to love and praise (Him) and to Individual subjects should be taught against a experience an overpo1-vering desire to know Ha background of Jewish learning and living whenever shem Yisborach-as David the Kin11 said: "My possible. Compositions and reports, for instance, can soul thirsts for the livin11 G-d." include specific Jewish topics as well as general topics, When a person thinks about these very matters and in such cases writing with the interpolation of he immediately trembles ... with the knowledge Hebrew words would be encouraged. This allows the that he is but a dark and lowly creature. of limited student to express himself in the manner in which he and insignificant intellect before the Ultimate In thinks-or, perhaps. learn to think in the same manner telligence: "When I gaze upon Your heavens and in \Vhich he is encouraged to express himself. Literature the handiwork of Your fingers; what is Man that selections should include readings from suitable Anglo Yau should remember him?" . . . (Hilchos Ye Judaic literature) giving ahavas Yisroel-Iove of the sodei HaTorah 2:2). Jewish People, bitachon-trust in Hashein, has1noda -diligence in Torah study. and mesiras nefesh- ulti The syllabus in the natural sciences should be geared n1ate devotion to Torah and n1itzvos equal ti1ne with towards this end, pointing out gad/us, choch1nas, and such generally accepted virtues as heroism and patriot gevuras Hashem-the glory, wisdom and might of G-d isn1. Spice can be added to arithn1etic lessons with -and promoting a feeling of gratitude that "Hashem occasional use of gen1atria (numerical values of I-Ie made all this for me," since it is for Torah and Yisroel brew letters). or J cwish chronology for mastery of that the universe was created and continues to exist. basic skills. The porei hachag offer an example of the Various halachos, and passages from Torah, the associative Jaw of addition; the construction of the Midrash, and Tefillah can serve as the focal point for Mishkan, a Tnikvah and a succah offer vivid examples lessons in the sciences. For instance: "Asher Yotzar" for practice in area and volume. the digestive system; "Hachodesh hazeh /ochem" ("This month is the first for you ..." Shemos 12:2) 1'hese and a host of other similar innovations and lunar and solar cycles and the calendars; "Mashiv applications can do much to make the entire day spent horu' ach umorid hagoshem "-the water cycle; chamiro in yeshiva of one fabric-Jewish in thought, speech, sakanto mei'isura-(llalachic rulings concerning health and deed. precautions are more stringent than other Torah Laws) II. Seeking Out and Empl1asizing the Positive -health and safety; Hilchos Treifos and Hi/chos Kor FOSTERING AN ATMOSPHERE during the general studies banos-( Sacrificial Laws, and Laws of Kashrus as that reflects the attitudes and convictions of the Torah related to defects in animals )-animal anatomy. studies may seetn to be a strategy in superficialities. In the applied sciences (such as medicine and en-
14 The Jewish Obserrer / January, 1973 gineering) . and all phases of human . accornplishment Kial Yisroel, not deserving _Hastiem's speci<;I (government, the arts) the teacher should of course . intervention, also fell victim to their might. But · acknowledge human intelligence-with special em according to the interpretation of Chazal it should . phasis on such virtues as persistency, devotion, and rather be said that these nations ascended to initiative in pursuing a quest-but primary credit greatness only to carry out Hashem's design, and should be directed toward Hashem, Who provides in these cases they most likely served as regal mankind with the wisdom, skill and ingenuity to . whips and goads in the hand of Hashem for the analyze, discover, invent, and achieve. This is well purpose of chastising His beloved Yisroel, re within the spirit of the beracha, ". . . Shecholak mei' . directing it to the path of its destiny! And when chochmaso le'vosor vodom-Blessed are You G-d ... the end of these nations' usefulness for this role Who allocated of His wisdom to flesh and blood." or any other role-arrived, the decline of their .· Such statements as Nature has provided . .. , Medi- ·prowess began . cine has licked ... , Science has solved ... , Tech- The time span for this process is .not .of the .nology has harnessed .. . will as a matter of course be essence. An eclipse of Egypt's greatness followed modified to: Hashem has granted us the where-with-all directly on the heels of the Exodus .... One can to come to grips with. ... detect a gradual decline of Spain after 1492 when The teaching of history should build on the principle the Jews were expelled. Despite the abrupt growth ·that the record of human events-in times ancient, of her colonial empire-which also has a discern medieval, and modern-is a chronicle of Hashgochas ible purpose in Jewish history-Spain ceased to Haborei (Divine Supervision) as Hashem manipulates be the sovereign of the seas in 15 88, when its nations and people through the pathways of time to famed Armada was defeated. The general waning promote His specific goals-the most salient of which of Spain as a major European power in the years is the destiny of Kial Yisroel. 'that followed is common knowledge. The teacher should be prepared with appropriate • Or consider the year 1492-a bitter year quotations from Chazal, which can serve as guideposts in the golus history of Kial Yisroel. When the for understanding history in this perspective. To list treacherous expulsion and ensuing hardships of a few: relocation befell Jews of Southern Europe, and • Hashem punishes mida k'neged mida-tbat is, many turned to Northern Europe as a refuge from the nature and manner of the punishment matches their miseries, the hand of the Divine Guidance that of the sin (Commentaries on Shemos 18: 11 ; already projected westward to prepare the ground Talmud Sotah Sb). for a future golus haven. Columbus, outfitted by none other than the royal house of Spain, set • Hashem deprives no creature of its just re sail for America. _ward (Bava Kamah 38b). • When the Chofetz ·Chaim was told of the • Nations destined to afflict Yisroel first rise fo catastrophic earthquake in Japan of 1923 and the prominence, to spare Jewry the embarrassment of flooding of the Mississippi in 1927, he warned: · faJling into the hands of an insignificant nation "Yidden, tuts teshuvah!" (Fellow Jews-We must (Chagiga 13b, Gittin 56b). repent!) It was obvious to him that any catas • The hearts of kings are in the hand of trophe that befell mankind must have had some Hashem (Mishlei 21 : 1 ) . implications for Jewry. • Hashem prepares the cure before the affliction Furthermore the study of history, geography and . (Megillah 13b). current events offers many an opportunity for Torah .·For one to be able to pinpoint how the outcome of relatcd lessons, such as: background material for better ·this war, the rise or fall of that nation, or the fate of comprehension of Jewish history, elucidation of some , •' .· the victims of a specific catastrophe fits into Hashem's , passage, Law, or Midrash; or as a springboard towards master scheme, or how they are intertwined with the an important point in hashkofoh (outlook on life). history of Kial Yisroel, is a matter of such complexity For example: that it would demand the credentials of a prophet. • Egypt, a country with practically no precipi Yet the students can be impressed with such a hash tation, depends entirely on the annual flooding of gocho-centered approach by suggesting some related the Nile for the success of its agriculture-based generalizations that might be valid: economy. Otherwise, it would be as barren as the • The nations which subjugated Kial Yisroel neighboring Sahara. The textbooks deal with in its various periods of golus were all world this at length. No wonder, then, the ancient powers: Egypt, Persia, Greece, Rome, Spain etc. Egyptian worshipped the Nile as a deity, and it The common assumption is that since these were was the object of the first of the Ten Plagues. great powers, many nations fell in their wake, and And no wonder that the most fitting blessing that : ~· . ~-- .... The Jewish Observer I January, 1973 15
. ' .-· -· : ...... Jacob could bestow upon Pharaoh was that "the Nile should rise at his feet" (Bereishis 4 7: 10). • Geography textbooks illustrate the irrigation canals and storage pits then in use-<:ertainly an opportune point of reference to Rashi's comment at the beginning of Mikeitz, in which he described the canal system of the Nile. • Many a popular social studies textbook in troduces the students to the Tigris-Euphrates Valley by "flying them into the area," accom panied by their teacher. Suddenly one of the students points out a long brown snake in the desert and the teacher explains that it is the famous Euphrates River which carries tremen dous amounts of silt and soil to its estuary in the Persian Gulf. There follows a discussion of • The chapters dealing with the Crusades, In the great civilization which sprang up along this quisitions, and Nazi Germany must be supple waterway. mented with "our side of the story," for it is For the yeshiva students, though, this muddy shamefully glossed over or totally ignored in river should recall a sad chapter in the history popular text books. of Kial Yisroel. "By the rivers of Babylonia there we sat, also we wept ...." Says Rabbi Yochanan: • The spirit of Liberty, Equality and Fraternity "The Euphrates killed more Jews than did Nebu which dominated 18th and 19th century Euro chadnezar the wicked" (Yalkut, Tehillim: 137). pean philosophy, as opposed to the rigidity of The Jews, accustomed to the rain-fed streams and the monarchies by divine right, can serve as an eye-opener towards comprehending the pitfalls clear mountain springs of Eretz Yisroel, arrived of emancipation for the Jew vis-a-vis the blessing at the Euphrates totally spent and parched. After being driven mercilessly, they were now unbear in disguise of life in the ghetto and its attendant ably thirsty, and in desperation drank from these mentality. mucky waters. But, a1as, possessing the sensitivity • A prime objective would be to point out the of nobility, they could not tolerate its repulsive unique national character of Kial Yisroel when ever the definition of nationhood in the secular fluids, and they died. sense arises. "Let us be like other nations," iS • Familiarization with the rich culture of An a popular and tempting ambition, but unequivo cient Greece offers insight into its seductive cally wrong, contrary to our destiny, and an attractions to the Hellenists of old. ugly blemish on what should be. our historical • The guild system dominating the crafts during pride. The "chosen nation" attribute .is too often the Rennaissance should bring mention of the played down or misunderstood in an environment restrictions placed on Jews, and their far-reaching that emphasizes equality, and must therefpre be consequences as to available ways of earning a stressed and reinforced in the perspective of re living. sponsibility and destiny. We are to be, no less • Units dealing with the walled cities of medie in go/us than during our historical prime, an am val Europe picture the unsanitary conditions of hanivchor characterized exclusively by allegiance their streets, strewn with garbage and flowing to Hashem and His Torah. with raw sewage. Surely an opportune time to • In the class's travels through history via maps mention a few halachos connected with "filthy and travelogues, focusing on the cities and land streets" (Drach Chaim 85:1, 43:20 Mishna marks that are primary to the subject matter, note B'ruro). should also be made of those cities which were • Whenever text books explain or illustrate seats of Torah study and exemplary communal life simple methods of agriculture, textile manufacture, in their respective eras. 'fhus Salonika springs to food preparation, and construction, this offers an life alongside Athens, Worms assumes· an emi opportunity to illustrate the thirty nine melachos nence of its own alongside Paris, the Rhineland (prohibited labors) of Shabbos, as well as the as the well"spring of ultra-courageous Kehilla-life host of passages in the Torah that refer to these · outshines its agricultural and industrial import, activities. (How does one winnow, make a brick, and Vilna and Berditchev become capitals of or thread a loom? Have you ever seen a millstone, Torah and ahavas Yisroel, as the young yeshiva :i yoke, or a plow?) student forms a mental image of his world.
16 The Jewish Observer I January, 1973 .· ......
the world, the beginnings· of the . sol~t' syste~, the The teacher who is fully dedicated to .. evolution of the species, pre-historic man on the road ·: making the General Studies an auxiliary · to civilization, and so on, cannot pass without com ment or correction. Neither will the teacher miss an · ·of the Tor ah Studies faces a battle that .. opportunity to show how often scientific theories have · -he must win, for the sake of the purity · been challenged, changed, modified, or corrected. of the souls of our charges. Science has proven to be a Golden Calf that has been been toppled from its pedestal many a time. Although the Torah allows for a variety of inter In summary: As the last Mishna in Avos states, pretations (sometimes even conflicting ones) the "All that Hakadosh Baruch Hu created in His world, teacher will not, in deference to a scientific theory or He created only for His honor." It should be our scholarly hypothesis, modify an accepted interpretation determined ambition that all that is taught in our of a passage. For no matter how appealing, erudite, or yeshivos' secular departments should express this deductively sound a hypothesis may seem to be, it is noblest of purposes. no more than a product of the human mind and does The theme throughout, then, is to exemplify how the not warrant amendment of a passage from Chazal. general studies can serve and enhance Torah knowl On the other hand, natural phenomena (accurately . edge, but not by any means to exploit Torah for the · observed) and the Torah must always be in agreement, sake of broadening one's grasp of worldly matters. since both are the products of One Creator. Should they seem to contradict one another, there are times when III. Eliminate the Negative a prudent modification of the intent of the statement Clear-Up Misconceptions of Chazal is justified. This should not be attempted by the amateur. After all, since Chazal were endowed with .THE TEACHER. WHO 1s FULLY DEDICATED to making the · an extraordinary capacity for insight based on sod . general studies an auxiliary of the Torah studies is sod Hashem l'yereiov (G-d's secrets are made apparent painfully aware of the adverse influences which flourish to those who fear Him), it would be arrogant on our generally and indeed abound within the standard part to slight their statements. That Western science is secular studies program. He realizes that he faces a not the master of all empirical knowledge has been defensive battle into which go/us circumstances have demonstrated time and again-most recently by the ·· ·· thrust him-a battle which, for the sake of the purity reassessed attitudes toward acupuncture. of the souls of our charges, he must win. One battle ground is the instructional material. Text- . Fun a kashye shtarbt men nisht (no one ever died . books and related teaching materials are replete with from an unanswered question) should therefore be the hazards and pitfalls, as are the ideas and attitudes that initial dictum. Then, source material for method and are being disseminated by the mass-media. These direction should be found in the writings of undisputed are written by secularists who reflect trends of thought Torah authorities, or guidance should be solicited from that are currently fashionable. They are unqualified contemporary Torah leaders. as educators of the Jewish mind; their works offer References to the Bible or comments on Jewish ~ _, · . scant basis for the teacher to project his educational religion, customs, law, lore or history should be philosophy, for they build on concepts far from ·. · -viewed with suspicion. With a little prompting, the Torah truths, and all too often inject material which students will pick out errors and misrepresentations contradicts them. which the "scholar'' so profoundly postulates. The teacher must also brave a community ·attitude Good sodal studies and literature programs do not which is convinced that ". . . secular knowledge, un simply teach facts, but also attempt to instill a sense tampered with and unmodified, as popularly available, of values (love for ... , pride in ... , approval of ... , is essential for the development of the well rounded, · identification with . . . ) by labelling the "actors" in open minded student . ..." history as either hero or villain, aggressor or persecuted; · As a result, the teacher must not hesitate td deal presenting the guiding principles of people as either with such topics as those that touch on cosmic, biolo noble or ignoble; portraying human accomplishments gical, or historical evolution. Despite their hypothetical as either praiseworthy or despicable. Occasionally these nature these views have become dogma to the non judgments may be in agreement with a Torah outlook, believer. These approaches stand diametrically opposed but all too often they are not. Yet, they are so subtly to the Torah's view of Creation, and it is the task of · and effectively presented to our students that they the teacher to tenaciously advocate the Torah's position unwittingly swallow them. The teacher must therefore - which makes as sound "a theory" as any, provided be ever alert to head off development of false concepts one believes in a Creator. References . to the age of by constantly questioning. For instance:
· The Jewish Observer/ January, 1973 'l 7 • The texts objectively discuss the idolatries Teach a Critical Attitude of various civilizations with great tolerance. May The teacher realizes that the authority of the we be tolerant of idol worship? printed word stems primarily from the fact that it is • The Greeks are praised for their devotion to printed, and what is heard on the air waves "must the aesthetic beauty of the human form and for be so" simply because it is broadcast. This delusion conducting nude athletic activity. Can we join besets old and young alike, and makes an otherwise voice in this praise when Chazal say that nothing intelligent person gullible. The teacher must therefore is more repulsive before Hashem than those who develop a tactful critical attitude in his students which appear unclothed in public? (Yevomos 63b). will help to keep them unwaveringly on course. • Democracy is presented as the ideal form of The teacher must also impress upon the students government. Does that 1nean that a republic is that although we come to school to learn and to be preferable to the Heavenly-sanctioned 1nonarchy receptive to whoever and whatever instructs us, we of King David and his descendants? must not be as submissive toward secular authority as we are to Torah. We are expected to have unflinching • Personal freedom and liberty are extolled as confidence in the veracity of Torah, even beyond the the supreme goals of human aspirations. Don't bounds of reason. By all means, we may and should the restrictions of Torah stand in opposition to question every seeming contradiction or discrepancy giving free rein to every personal whiln? A re we in the process of learning, for that is the only way to not told "There is no free man other than he who learn Torah thoroughly. The answer, however, may is occupied with Torah"? never be that Torah is wrong. Rather it is we who must • We accept "All men are created equal'' as revise our own views to coincide with the 1'orah's; or, axiomatic. How does this affect our concept of if we cannot, we must conclude that we do not under chosen-ness. Is this inconsistent with the heredi stand Torah thoroughly enough to be able to resolve tary prestige of a Kohain? the difficulty. • Woman's struggle for equality has advanced This humility before Torah, basic to our belief in steadily from passage of the 19th Amendment its Divine origin, extends also to the Gedolei HaTorah until now. How much of this is long overdue and from the post-Talmudic era to our own times. Whereas, to what extent does this struggle challenge the theoretically, it may be possible under very limited traditional "Aishes Chayil" (woman of valor) and circumstances to differ with them without being con the concept of "kol k'vudo bas melech penimo" sidered a kofer baTorah (heretic), we approach them (woman's ideal actualization away from the public with the highest regard and awe before their greatness. arena)? realizing that when there is a dispute among true G-d • Slavery is an uncontestable evil, as any student fearing talmidei chachomim none of them need be of the Civil War knows. How is it that the Torah wrong, even when the psak halacha is according to one ("Her ways are ways of pleasantness") sanctions and not the other. two types of slavery? ls it clear to the students It would be catastrophic, however, to extend this that the Torah imposes stringent obligations on attitude to include the product of human wisdom, to the master toward his slave?-and according to swear by the opinions of the press, authoritative books, the Talmud: Whoever buys a slave sets up a or the experts in any given field. We must realize that master over himself? secular writers are very human-that they have emo • "Capital punishment is barbaric," says world tions that they do not always control-that they are, opinion. Do the students realize that-rather than for a variety of reasons, prone to err, and to make an expression of society's revenge-Chazal con definitive statements on topics of which they know sider the death penalty, when enacted in accord little, or are often misinformed, or totally ignorant ance with Din Torah, an act of mercy-or at especially in matters that touch on Torah and funda least of benefit to the executed? (Sanhedrin mentals of Jewish belief. Even when these men may 43b, 71 b) .-And that it is an obligation of be considered "great," they arc very far fron1 infallible, Noachide Courts to exact death penalties? for they do not enjoy the unique siyato dishmayo bestowed upon our Torah leaders. • Does love excuse sin? Hence, while statements such as, " ... the Pasuk • Does might make right? or Mishnah is wrong," or " ... Rashi or Rabbi Akiva • Does the end justify the means? Eiger are mistaken," would never be tolerated in a This type of searching, anticipating, and explaining yeshiva classroom, the teacher would encourage the through the interpretation of Chazal will hopefully nip students wherever and whenever prudently applicable incipient confusion in the bud before it becomes an to say " ... the papers are wrong," '' ... this statement intrinsic part of the students' weltanschauung. is false," " ... that expert is misinformed," H • •• this
18 The Jewish Obse1Ter /January, 1973 .... ·· · _,. . .
article is misleading,"" ... this 'fact' is -unproven." _ Such an attitude, once acquired, will help our children Chaim Shapz·ro . ..· .· .· stave off falsehoods and deviations from Torah even beyond their school years, when they are no longer under the guidance and influence of a Torah-permeated environment. Censor Untenable Material A .·Rosh Yeshiva ·· . The discussion up to this point has been -dealing with material that ideally should never be taught or shown to our youngsters. Realistically speaking, how ever, the average yeshiva student can not succcssful y be shielded from such material. He would inevitably in Barano·vitch: be exposed to it through the printed word or the air waves and from common adult conversation, without the benefit of the yeshiva teacher's comment, correction, or modification. Hence, it does stand to reason that just as medically Reh David a controlled dose of an infectuous virus can promote a measure of resistance, so too can a controlled expo sure to heretical ideas effect an immunity of sorts. equipping our youngsters to combat the lethal influences Rappaport · of golus life, enabling tbem to differentiate between ...... theory and fact, accept the true and right, and reject the false and wrong. There is, however, some material to which this argu .m ent can never be extended, and no matter how inevitable the fulfillment of "they'll see it anyway," it . .m ay not be assigned, recommended, or even tolerated The "Tzemach Dovid" under yeshiva auspicies; for no amount of explanation, .. ·· logic, or rationalization can mitigate its sinful ·· effect. This would include any number of currently : ... · .· popular readings, in light of the prevalent permissive attitude towards sensuality and eroticism, and stories which, through their artful presentation, appeal to the :·T HERE;was a special mag~eiism ab o~t - the . Y cshiva emotions and generate sympathetic interest for activities Ohel Torah of Baranovitch to the young yeshiva and ideas which we must find despicable. bachur. In addition to the Rosh Yeshiva Reb E lchonon IN CONCLUSION it is hoped that these lines will . . . W asserman, and the Mashgiach Rcb Yisroel Yaakov • move other like-minded members of the secular (Jewish Observer, June 1970) , there was Reb Dovid teaching profession and yeshiva day school community Rappaport. to express themselves publicly on the issues aired here 1n preparing me for Baranovitch my father told and constructively seek to promote a total, rather than me: "One must be prepared to hear a shiyur (lecture partial, Torah education; . on Talmud) from the 'Tzemach Dovid.' " ( In yeshiva • motivate aspirants for a chinuch career to explore circles, Reb David was referred to by the name of the possibility of fulfilling their potential and realizing his first sefer on Kod'shim. Reb Boruch Ber, the their goals in these areas in addition to the Torah Rosh Yeshiva in Kaminetz, once remarked, " A studies; s efe r like the 'T zemach Dovid' could only have been · • encourage those prominent educators, who are in written with ruach hakodesh (divine inspiration)." · ·a position to innovate changes and who have heretofore As a kohain, R eb Dovid concentrated on Kod'shim, been in the vanguard in implementing other revolu which deals with sacrificial laws, as did his second ti onary and novel ideas, to face the problems outlined sefer "Mikdash Dovid." Also ready for publication here and to accept the challenge of solving them; at that time were his sforim on Eiruvin and Chulin, ancJ J o chart a course that will eventually bring the day many more.) : when only Torah-loyal personnel will be entrusted with . informing the minds and conditioning the hearts of our CHAIM SHA.PIRO, a regular contributer to these pages, ah1·a)\1· -children; when only Torah and pro-Torah teachings will deliRhts the readers witl1 his evocative pieces on life in Eastern · • emanate from our yeshivas. 0 Europe. He now lives in Baltimore, Maryland.
The Jewfrfl Observer I January, 1973 19
. . ~· . .·· -··· Once I arrived in Baranovitch, I was eager to hear his shiyur. Reb Dovid was a tall, erect figure and made a most impressive entry into the long, crowded Every yeshiva bachur dreamed of Beis Hamidrash. Without uttering a word to anyone, he walked up to his seat on the left of the aron spending a few years in Baranovitch, hakodesh. Immediately all noise ceased and a heavy silence permeated the building. He stood there for under Reb Elchonon and Reb David. a while-motionless, eyes closed, head tilted downwards, his small beard-which was turning gray on the edges-jutting upwards. Beneath his tall square yarmulke, a set of penetrating veins seemed to reveal, by their motions, the action taking his efforts to defending these two Torah giants from any place within his head. challenges and questions. Thus, by knowing in advance When he finally began his shiyur, I had the greatest the subject he would be discussing, and then shock of my life: Reb Dovid was a stutterer-and consulting Rabbi Akiva Eiger's comments on the a heavy one at that! I glanced around quickly and subject, one would be prepared for the shiyur. I could sense that all the newcomers were sharing The main life-saver of the shiyur to the novices, my sense of shock. Public speaking, teaching, however, was the "waiters," who would review and lecturing-these are usually shunned by people so clarify the shiyur with groups of boys right after handicapped. Yet here was Reb David lecturing, arresting the full attention of the students-some Reb Dovid's delivery. The "waiters" were not labeled taking notes, some nodding their heads in full with some borrowed name; they actually served the meals in the dining hall. We used to call them by agreement with his words, aU concentrating so as the Hebrew term mechalkim, or by the singular not to miss a word. As for me, I could not mechalek. They had a special status in the Yeshiva, comprehend a thing .... True, he was a great man, for they were selected from the very best among us a gaon of the old school-but how did Reh Elchonon by the Mashgiach, Reb Yisroel Yaakov, as part of ever select him as a Rosh Yeshiva? I later learned the facts. Reb Elchonon would his unique educational approach. Since the Talmud likens the dining table of Torah scholars to the say a blatt Gemora for over two hours every day. altar in the Bais Hamikdosh, it follows that those But he also was involved in communal affairs; he was extremely active in Agudath Israel; and, on top of who serve a meal to talmidei chachomim are in the this, he was the sole fund-raiser for the Yeshiva. category of serving at the altar. This activity also At times the multiple load he was carrying would develops the attributes of chessed and hatova show its mark. And so Reb Elchonon felt the need kindness and benevolence-so the Mashgiach selected for another Rosh Yeshiva. the most scholarly, disciplined men to wait on the Reb Elchonon was impressed with the sefer tables. Whenever I chance across one of the Baranovitch mechalkim today, they are almost "Tzemach David," and invited its author, Reb David, to visit the Yeshiva. Upon discovering his handicap, invariably men who have attained recognition for Reb Elchonon had every moral right to deny him their scholarship, and many head yeshivas of their own. As an added stress on this theme of shulchan the position, but Reh Elchonon was not an ordinary domeh lemizbe'ach (the table-altar comparison), man and neither was Reb David. To contemplate engaging Reb David was of itself an obligation to Reb Yisroel Yaacov himself would stay in the Reb Elchonon. dining hall throughout every meal. Since the hall could not accommodate all the students at one sitting, we would eat in two shifts-and he would stay IN TRUTH, Reb David's handicap was a thinly for both. If for any reason he could not, Reb Hirsh, disguised blessing. Even though it was difficult for his second-in-command, would fill in for him. the newcomers to comprehend him for the first few A druggist from Makov, Poland, had brought his months, they eventually became accustomed to his son to the Yeshiva and stayed for dinner. He later speech. And because of his difficulty in speaking, he told us, "I can't describe the kiddush Hashem and would talk very slowly, thus allowing time for nachas I witnessed today! Two hundred boys eating, the bachurim to hear, to understand, and to digest and all one could hear was the forks and spoons his thoughts. Reb David's family lineage also proved hitting the metal plates!" to be a boon to us novices, who would find it a And so the "waiters" who would repeat the struggle to fully understand his shiyurim. Reb David shiyur-explaining, discussing with the group encircling was a direct descendant of both the Vilner Gaon each of them-would also endow the meal-times and Rabbi Akiva Eiger, and he would usually dedicate with their own gifts of spirituality.
20 The Jewish Observer I January, 1973 ,.··
..· ·Suddenly Reb Yeruchom jumped to his feet, shouting: ·"Do you realize who just came to the wedding? The grandfathers of the chossan! The Vilner Gaon and . Rabbi Akiva Eiger! How can you simply sit there?" · He then grabbed the chossan, Reb Dovid, lifting him up single-handedly, and whirled into a dance . . The crowd joined in with ecstasy. In retrospect, no one could account for how . :· . .• Reb Yeruchom-who was old and frail--<:ould have picked up and carried a heavy-set man like Reb Dovid.
novm was ·bo rri in the town of Minsk. His· father was a recognized talmid chochom who had ·MY sl'ANZYE (room) was in .the .fourth house .. ..~ been one of the wealthiest Jews in all White Russia. from Reb Dovid's. When I passed his house in the After the Bolshevik Revolution, his father managed morning, I would see him standing in the window, to escape with his family to Danzig, on the Baltic staring into the distance. The first few times I said, Sea. He was penniless and, as a source of income, · "Good morning," and received no reply. Finally I accepted an appointment as dayan of Danzig. . 'inquired and was told that Reb Dovid ranks among · the most absent-minded men on earth. He was Reb Dovid studied in the Slobodke Yeshiva and then in the Kolel of Kovno. It was there that he . childless, yet his wife wa.c; constantly busy watching · over him. He loved to take walks-formulating his acquired his habit of marching for long hours on shiyur while marching through the street, deeply end, reviewing Shas (the Talmud) by heart. Winter evenings he would return to his quarters in Kovno immersed in his thoughts. He would walk into a utility frozen, icicles dangling from his beard, tired from pole, say "excuse me," and continue on his way. the many hours of walking through the snow-but The particular sound his cane would produce when excited and happy, for new pages were born to hitting the wooden sidewalk told the observer that he his forthcoming sefer "Tzemach Dovid." had come upon an excellent svora (explanation for a In the Russian city of Krcmenchuk there lived a ..halacha or argument). When he would begin to ialmid chochom-ba'al habos (scholar-layman) by twirl his cane like a wind-mill, we knew that he had the name of Chaim Dov Haleivi Gringaz. During :succeeded in explaining a difficult Rambam; and the First World War, when the Russian authorities when the cane increased in its velocity, he had surely forced many rabbis and yeshivos to evacuate their · proved Rabbi Akiva Eiger to be correct. The towns homes, they found refuge in that city. Reb Chaim Dov people already knew to avoid Reb Dovid's cane, supported forty rabbis-among them Reb Boruch · but a dog once had the misfortune of passing Ber Lebovi.tz, who later headed the Yeshiva in within its range. The poor thing was hit and began · Kaminetz. Reb Chaim Dov took deep pride in this to bark in a most frightening way. Reb Dovid did charity and support of talmidei chachomim, and he not seem to hear a thing, and he continued his march would claim that it was in this merit that he had .. as if the injured beast were barking at the moon. ' , ..... · acquired four outstanding scholars as husbands for Rcb Mendel Goldberg who was a talmid (disciple) .his four daughters. Before he had the opportunity to ···of the Chofetz Chaim and literally knew the entire
arrange the marriage of his fifth daughter, however, Mishna B'rura by heart, owned the largest liquor ; he died. But he was not finished. He came to his. store in Baranovitch, which was located on the town's -· . daughter in a dream, and told her: "I failed to arrange ···main thoroughfare. One market day, when Polish your marriage while alive. I want to accomplish and White Russian peasants were crowding the this now. You must help me in this quest and marry . streets, Reb Mendel looked out of his store window Reb Dovid Rappaport." and became terrified. Reb Dovid was marching in the Among the many notable guests at the wedding midst of the market day crowd. His cane was was the famed Reb Yeruchom Levovitz, the Mashgiach ··· .. hanging from his neck, his right hand gripped on ·· of Mir. He was one of the greatest ba'alei mussar of ·· the cane, while the left hand was going through the his time and also an almost hypnotic orator. At the digging motions of working through a passage from wedding, Reb Yeruchom spoke about the ushpizin the Rambam. Reb Mendel knew that if Reb Dovid .-the ancestors of a bridal couple who are present would hit upon a correct explanation, the cane in spirit at the nuptials. Quoting sources from the would start a-twirling, crowd or no crowd. He rushed .·Talmud, the Midrash and the Zobar, he made their out to Reb Dovid and cried, "Rebbe, please! You're . presence a reality: the ushpizin literally do come! among all these people!"
The Jewish Observer I January, 1973 21 Reh David looked over the crowd of peasants for The Yeshiva was in the midst of reading the Torah. a moment and, after a rather non-ega1itarian comment, The reader was saying: "For they are wholly given altered his route. to Me from among the children of Israel; instead of all that openeth the womb, even the first-born of all the children of Israel, I have taken them unto me" SHAvuos, WE WOULD STAY UP the entire night to (Bamidbar 8:16) .... Indeed it was"/ have taken learn, as is the custom. To my surprise, Reb Dovid them unto me," for almost all of these boys remained went home at twelve. I was certain that he must have alive, saved from Nazi annihilation. been feeling ill. We davened behashkomo (at dawn), A police officer burst into the Reis Hamidrash and then the Chassidic boys went to the Slonimer shouting "You are all under arrest!" Reb David, Rebbe. The dynasty was originally from Slonim, but knowing the Bolsheviks from the days of the the Rebbe lived in Baranovitch, where he headed a Revolution, jumped out the window. Some boys large and impressive yeshiva. Although I was a standing next to the open windows also jumped. misnaged from generations back, I joined the group, Then shots were fired and the entire Yeshiva was for I had never seen a Chassidic Rebbe. Eventually, petrified in fear for Reb David's life. After a moment, the Chassidic boys labelled me "a misnagid mit a everyone was at the windows. Terrified, they saw Chassidishe neshoma ( ... with a Chassidic soul)." the cordon of police armed with guns encircling the The singing from the Slonimer Shtiebel could be building. With the help of the boys, Reb Dovid got heard from blocks around, and its sweet melodics up from the ground, raised his hands in face of with the particular Slonimer twist were especially all the bayonets, and the boys all followed suit. alluring to us younger boys. The Slonimer Chassidim 'fhe entire Yeshiva was rnarched off to the militia had a peculiar manner of singing-holding the right station, later to be joined by the families. Jn the palm at the right ear, supporting the right elbow with evening, they were loaded into box cars and transferred the left hand. After many Jong hours of singing (which to Vilayka. There a selection was made, for not all I joined, shedding my misnagdische inhibitions) arc equal under the Soviet law.* the davening ended. The Rebbe then pravet tisch, Jn the Soviet judicial system every one arrested again with much singing. When he said his Chassidishe is labeled "enemy of the people." However there Torah, I was amazed, for old gray Chassidim are degrees in that dreadful title. If one is an enemy listened with great humility to the Rebbe who was simply because he is rich, he need only to be relieved still in his twenties. of his wealth, then be shipped out to a remote village When I finally returned home, it was late afternoon for hard work, and thus become "adjusted to Soviet and Reb David was standing in his doorway. I said reality." "Gut Yam Tov," to which he responded. I then inquired after his health, for he had left so early Clerics and scholars are considered more dangerous the night before. He replied that he did not believe to the regime. They need stronger and longer arrest in learning all night. Astonished I asked "What periods to educate them to the dialectics of Socialism. about the Tikun Layl Shavuos?" In other words, they must be incarcerated in prisons He replied: "That was meant for ba'alei batim for Jonger sentences, working and starving so that (laymen). Bnei Torah would do better to sleep at when they are finally released, they are living corpses night and study all day, as they usually do." and are no longer "enemies of the people." Beyond these groups are the incurables-the most dangerous of all "enemies of the people." These IN SEPTEMBER, 1939, the Russians entered include politicians, Socialists, and spies. They are Baranovitch. The Yeshiva fled to Lithuania. (The shot at once, or sent to special camps for life, Yeshiva building remained intact, and the Russians where they work on starvation diets until they die set up a shoe factory in it.) or commit suicide. At first the Lithuanian authorities permitted the Yeshiva to resettle in Troki; later they moved the * 'J'o the American ear it may sound unbelievable, but such Yeshiva to Semillishok. are the ways of Soviet "justice": One is arrested and is sent Reb Elchonon and two of his sons were in Vilna, off to a prison camp. Months, sometimes even years later, the prisoner is summoned to the office of the prison command while Reb Yisroel Yaakov, the Mashgiach, was in ant, where he is informed that the Troyka in Moscow (an Slobodke to deliver a mussar shmues. There was infamous committee of three high officials of the N.K.V.D.) only one administration member with us--Reb Dovid, conden1ned him to ten, fifteen, or twenty-five years in prison~ or even a life term. This verdict is pronounced on the basis when the Soviet and Lithuanian Communist Police of a report submitted to the "froyka by the local NKVD. The encircled the Yeshiva. accused has never been -in a court room, has never faced a judge nor a prosecutor, and has never had the benefit of a It was on Shabbos, a week before the dreadful defense. Thus the Russian saying: "May G-d grant us health; June 22, 1941, the day the Germans attacked Russia. Stalin will give us years."
22 The Jewish Obst'rver /January, 1973 : . however, did not apply to a· "spy" Jike Reb Dovid: THE YESHm. MYS and t~e women and cbildr~n One of the soldiers who was driving the unfortunate were sent to the Altay region (Altayski Kray) of the ·prisoners across the Siberian taiga was a Jewish boy. Soviet to work on farms near the town of Rodino. Although he was born after the Revolution, and Among them was Rebbitzen Rappaport. he had never seen the inside of a shul, he knew how .. Reb Dovid had three strikes against him :~He was Jews davened. He tried to treat all prisoners humanely, the son of a wealthy capitalist who had escaped from helping in whatever way he could, but when he the Revolution. Even though twenty years had since noticed one prisoner standing under a tree and passed, the Soviets have faultless memories, and davening, he knew .he was someone special. He then · once a capitalist always a capitalist.-Reb Dovid noticed that when the other prisoners would cut was a cleric, a writer of books, and a lecturer. This down trees and make fires to warm up, that prisoner ·made him the most dangerous of all "enemies." would find himself a tree trunk and sit on it, talking 'He came from Danzig, and was thus also accused to himself, motioning with his hands. A most of spying for Germany. It was of no use explaining unusual person! to the Russians that a Jew could never have spied The soldier made a practice of dropping scraps for Nazi Germany. He was sent with other "enemies of bread near that prisoner, and once dropped a of the regime" to a camp near Leningrad. As soon hhmket so he could keep himself covered. Soon the . , as the Germans attacked Russia, and Leningrad other guards took notice of the relationship between became vulnerable by way of Finland, the camp the soldier and the prisoners, and particularly to the was moved further north by foot to Archangelsk. old Jew. His superior officer warned him, "If you The situation was not to remain static. Acting can't be one of us, you'll be one of them!" on the advice of Roosevelt and Churchill, the Prime When he did not stop his acts of concern, ·· he ·· Minister of the Polish Government-in-Exile in London, ·· · was summoned before his superior officer. Once General Wladyslaw Sikorski, renewed diplomatic more, the commandant spelled it out to him: "If relations with the Soviet Union. He was soon you can't fight the enemy within our grasp, you . invited to Moscow where he signed a treaty of shall fight the enemy from without"-and with this friendship with the USSR, and Stalin proclaimed an · · he was transferred to a fighting unit defending amnesty for all Polish prisoners. All bnei Torah Leningrad. Thus did Reb Dovid lose his patron. and the Rebhitzen Rappaport. were soon freed. The cold and harsh climate took its toll on Jn their longing for wanner climate they traveled Reb Dovid's delicate and fragile body. The combination south and settled in Dzhambul in Kazakhstan, near of starvation, marching, and hard labor finally the Kirgiz Republic. The amnesty that freed them, killed him. . •,. .. ISRAEL Burials and American Disinterments CONTRIBUTE TO SPIRITUALLY SAVE ..- - , 1:inn 1nN't:' ri~;~ THE RUSSIAN IMMIGRANTS is privileged to announce that RIVERSIDE is the only IN ISRAEL licensed funeral director in the U.S. able to effect Transfer to Israel within 24 hours thru the RIVERSIDE also is available as the RUSSIAN IMMIGRANT RESCUE FUND Sole agent for Sanhadrea Cemetery . HAR HAZEITIM • HAR HAMENUCHOT the major Orthodox: rescue agency sponsored AND ALL CEMETERIES TN ISRAEL and directed by the nation's foremost .- · RIVERSIDE only can offer tl1is service: Torah scholars and volunteer laymen. Enroute to Israel within 24 hours I -;U~S~N- l~M-;-G;A~T RE~~E ~U-~D-- -· ------i . • Strict adherence to Halacha and Minhaidm. • Arranj!ements made d11ring lifetime with no ohligation; 5 Beekman Street, New York City 10038 · 1 • Chnpcl secured in any community. Enclosed pl ease find my donation of $ ....._ ... , ...... Jo this historic undertaking to spiritually save our Russian RIVERSIDE brothers in Israel.
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The Jewish Observer /January, 1973 23 ~ : ,
. : -no, not a Rav, but a Rosh Yeshiva . ... He had IN CHAMBU, Rebbitzen Rappaport was supporting died of starvation. Normally, prisoners are not buried, herself by selling piroshki (small potato cakes). for the ground is frozen and it's simply impossible There were always hungry people particularly in to dig a grave, so the bodies are simply left for the front of the railway station where passengers would consumption of the wild beasts. But he was a Rosh eagerly buy her merchandise. She wrote time and Yeshiva, so they warmed the ground with fires all again to the Soviet authorities and to the Polish night, dug a grave and buried him.-His name? ... Embassy, asking for her husband's release, or at Rappaport.-Yes, David Rappaport." least to be notified where be was imprisoned-but The poor sales-woman passed out and fell to the to no avail. As a result, whenever she met Jews, she ground, her piroshki tumbling out of her basket. would ask them where they had eome from, if they The two were wondering what had happened. They had met any rabbonim or Roshei Yeshivas, hoping for were accustomed to seeing people collapse from some news from her husband or her many starvation in the streets-it was a daily occurrence brothers-in-law. all over Russia. But this woman with the basket of On Fridays she would close her "basket-store" piroshki was surely not starving. earlier, rushing borne to prepare for Shabbos. One Someone passed by, and gasped "Oy, Gottenyu! Friday, as she was about to close shop, two Jewish Rebbitzen Rappaport fainted!" It was then that the men approached her. They had just disembarked two had realized why she had passed out, and the from the train, and they were famished. She sold importance of their testimony. They later added their them a few piroshki and then added a few extra free own astonishing experience to what had obviously of charge /ekavod Shabbos. She then began to ask occurred. They had been released in the far north her standard questi0ns, and they replied between western corner of Russia and traveled to the bites: They had been in a camp in the Archange/sk south-eastern republic of Kazakhstan. district . ... Yes, there had been a Rav with them They had passed literally hundreds of towns, cities, and stations, yet they did not disembark. Some mysterious hand was leading them to Dzhambul, for some special mission. They also recalled for the Rebbitzen that Reb Dovid had died with his thumb pointing upward. No doubt, he had been in the midst of clarifying a difficult Rambam or Rabbi Akiva Eiger. May his memory be a blessing. D
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24 The len1ish Obserrcr / January, 1973 . ··: , .. -· . ~ - . . . - .· . . . ·
· ghastly bombing, no matter how difficult the path toward peace." Following the tree-planting cere : ~- .-second :looks .,,, .· mony, a specially created religious service was held at the Society for the Advancement of Judaism ...... Yet another new page has been ~ at the jewish -scene .. -. added to the Shulchan Aruch of Relevance by the noted halachic ··authority, Harry ("Only In Amer ica") Golden. According to labor The Religion of Relevance organizer Cesar Chavez, the Cali- fornia lettuce crop is harvested at While we may have our opinions Rosh Hashana,· and as · a result a· great cost to the social and eco regarding the American bombing of ·group of Jews who have no com nomic well-being of the migratory Vietnam, we are strongly guided punctions about not honoring the _farm worker, and to effect a change by the conviction that speaking out Yorn Kippur fast decided to abstain in this deplorable situation, the cur- on either side of the issue can have from food-to protest American in- . rent crop should be boycotted. much further-reaching ramifications .· volvement in Vietnam. . . . There may well be merit in Mr. to the Jewish community that it can And now we come to the 15th of Chavez's demand. But that is not ·· to the course of the war. Our com Shevat-a day when we customarily · the end of it. Therefore, says Mr. ments have therefore been limited sharpen our teeth on a carob stick, Golden in his January 19 syndi to urging others among us to as taste a shehechiyanu fruit, dream of cated column, "Lettuce is Treife" sume as low a profile as possible. living in the Holy Land with fidelity echoing similar exhortations by .· Distorting the meaning of Jewish to the Laws of the Land, and pray Reform and Conservative rabbinical festivals and fast days as symbols . for a perfect esrog. The American groups. of the Peace Movement is some · Jewish Congress has discovered For so many years, the .theolo- thing else. We are then certainly this day, too, and Rabbi Arthur . gians of relevance twisted the Shul- · compelled to beg-and demand Hertzberg, its president, led a tree chan Aruch, in an effort to make these self-annointed spokesmen to planting ceremony in Manhattan's the halacha relevant. Now there is a :stick to the issues and to leave · ·Central Park. new tack: making the relevant Judaism alone. · _ "Now, as an end nears to the halacha. To them we plead: it is Fading from memory are the Sli devastation of the land and the more than enough that you take chos days of fasting declared by a people of Vietnam," he said, "it is yourselves where you do not belong. group of Reform rabbis. One of time for contrition and for planting. Please have the decency to leave them stumbled across the custom of "As we plant, we demand a final the sacred alone. D _fasting during the days prior to halt to the killing, a final end to the ENJOY OUR COUNTRY FRESH PRODUCTS RABBI JOZEF KATZ AND MARK LOVrNGER 83 Division A venue Brooklyn, N. Y. 11211 .•COTTAGE CHEESE • CHEESESPREAD .OF •SOUR CREAM • 99% FAT FREE MILK • BUTTERMILK . • FARMER CHEESE ALL LEADING HOTELS BANQUET HALLS Under the Strict Supervision of AND J EWISH CENTERS AVAILABLE RABBI L. I. GREENWALD Txeilemer Rav itv:> ~}3?:i.
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.The Jewish Observer I January, 1973 25 Discover Your Jewish Identity ADM - in Kfar Silver
Irreligious neighbors or errant aware of the negative attitude to cousin's kid. . . . Not exactly a wards Jewish tradition before send highi yeshiva bachur, and yet you would ing their children to your school. 1ikc to see him in a more Jewish I certainly would urge a traditional type of environment. Then some family to consider the matter well one mentions the Zionist-sponsored before so deciding. Although the flavor. .. American-style high schools in Is ZOA does not claim to be a "reli rael-a description in the official gious" organization (it does_ serve) ZOA brochure reads: "all" groups both religious and non " ... The Mollie Goodman Aca religious. demic High School (near Ashkelon) An example . . . the ceremony . . . provides a balanced and com MIGIUU. commemorating Yorn Hazikaron for prehensive acaden1ic program con forming to the curricula of U.S. fallen soldiers of Zahal: six are KOSHER honored by a monument across from high schools. . . In addition, it PARVE o.ffers courses in Hebrew and Judaic the Synagogue. No l
26 The Je1rish Observer/ January, 1973 ...... • .. •' ~ ....- · ~ . introduced .·the singing of Shalom . · are many things fo Kfar Silver which · Aleichem (at first I sang alone; now make me feel I am in "galut," as a all join it) . Then . . . the traditional minority among Jews, but I overlook .. Assured .· ; .. ~· parent's blessing of the children ... them as I know the Kfar does not then the Kiddush. Havdalah-once claim to be "religious": such as I made rt to the full dining room. selling ice-cream at the kiosk after a KASH RUTH ~ The students dribbled in by one and meat meal. ... The kitchen is mop two. The madrich asked those out ped up with a "sponga" on Shab side to wait until after the prayer. bat just as on a weekday (hardly a QUALITY Later in the week, the Chairman of Shabbat atmosphere). The gas is the Student Council, Giora, came turned on during Shabbat to reheat . to me and said that "many" (?) of food .. . the madrichim smoke in the VARIETY .the boys outside had to be re Dining Hall on Shabbat. I can over- when you ask for strained by force because they said . look this as the Kfar is not religious, they wanted to come in and prevent although I wonder if the ZOA ap- me by force from making the Hav .. proves of it in America . . . and if dalah prayer. Is this Israel, and a the parents in the U.S. know and Jewish school-not Russia? . .. When approve of it. In the United States, · Mr. Danieli visited here he said that even Jews who are not overly ob- it was alright to hold Friday night . serving in their homes expect the Glatt Kosher and Sabbath morning services, but Law to be kept in public .... Here "havdalah was a guzmah ...." in Kfar Silver where a few hundred Jews live there is a Synagogue in a ·Airline Meals . ·With such a negative attitude wherever you travel by air on from the administration how could building which may be one of the major national and international most beautiful in the country .... airlines. INSIST ON SCH REI BER'S ·more students become interested? · and be SURE . .. . o·e licious .'. They all want to "be like the Is Never in Jewish history have ten STRICTLY KOSHER Breakfasts, raelis." To them, this means not Jews lived without making a minyan. Lunches, Dinners, Snacks. being religious at all. All is neidected and unhonored. The question is: How far can a . I would appreciate bringing t'his ·· P" .11: r .. P•f (IUJoj?l( J1: .. •llHPIC H@ non-religious Kfar go away from report to the attention of parents in " ." S lJ l'f •H '; S lOll flt H I ( \J ,.10flt u . ; 01 0 11 u1ovo1 co.. :o -rc"10 '"' religious Judaism, and still be con ·· the U.S. who send or contemplate 11 '· "on1u:1i1 t1n 11•1'1'. ctro. sidered a "traditional" school en Schreiber ·· sending their children here. ,.. ,•'. trusted with the education of the Airline Caterers, Inc., Rabbi Ralph Ben-Zion (Weisberger) 9024 Foster Ave .. Bkl y n .. N. Y. 11236 future Jewish youth of Israel? There (Phone) (212) 272·9184 0
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The Jewish Observer/ January, 1973 27
..· -·· MEHL FAMILY Common Market and the Britisb Jew Rarely can one label any single comments editorially (December 29, occurrence as being totally, uncom 1972): The immediate effect of promisingly good or evil, without the entry will be felt on the Kashrus any reservations in the opposite di front, as most of the restrictions on rection. This confusing admixture is the importation of foodstuffs are invariably compounded in the go/us being lifted and there will be a situation where the Jew is so often free flow of meat and other products not master of his fate, or over the among the European countries, circumstances that can modify it. including Britain. Typical is the recent entry of One of the proposed innovations Britain into the Common Market. -and it is quoted here merely as an After so many centuries of isola example-is that, according to the tion, it appears as though the Eng new European standard of hygiene, lish Channel is finally being bridged poultry will in future no longer be and the British are joining the opened at the point of sale, but at Continent-a plus in international the point of Shechita. This will re relations. Yet this historic step is quire a complete reorganisation of staffing and supervision at our meat Announce that they are now the exclusive not without its negative implications Glatt Kosher Caterers, available under to the Jewish citizens of England. establishments. supervision of Rabbi Or. Joseph Breuer, As the London Jewish Tribune Generally speaking, it is an ac maintaining their own Glatt Kosher Kitchen cepted fact that Shechita and Kash AT rus in Britain-at all levels and in Z •.4.1. SPONSORS WEEKLY most communities-are on a much SHIUR ON HILCHOS SHABBOS higher level than . . . in Europe. \Ve are proud to announce that our The Rabbinates co-operate with ,~!~~!~~~~~~!~~"' popular by-weekly Shiur on Hilchos each other wherever possible, and Your own special occasion, catered to Shabhos is now a WEEKLY. perfection, in the most dramatic setting, ingredients of products are closely offering spectacular panoramic views of The e:tciting Shiur i~ given by marked so as to establish their the entire City of New York. RABBI SHIMON EIDER Kashrus or otherwise. Moreover, in • Author, Ililchos Shabbos (English) Memher, Kolel Beth Medrash Govoha Britain, Hechsherim are issued only ACCOMMODATIONS FOR by recognized Rabbinates whereas 100 to 1000 GUESTS Every Sunday at 9:00 P.M. (beginning Feb. 4) in parts of Europe, the American With Parking & Open Chupah at the AcnIEZER CONGREGATION system of Hechsherim by individual Also stiff available at all 1885 Ocean Parkway (near Ave. S) leading Hotels and Temples. Rabbis is taking root. There seems to be a need for the Call (212) BO 3-1070 or 592-5000 Don't miss it! for choice Weekend or Weekday dates. ZEIREI AGUDATH ISRAEL closest possible consultations among • OF AMERICA Britain's Kashrus Authorities in 5 Beekman Street, N.Y.C. 10038 order to consider and forestall any 111 St. at 52 Ave., Flushing, Queens problems . . . due to the new cir cumstances that are about to arise. Spring/Summer in Jerusalem D with Join the hundreds of O'i:tM who AGUDATH ISRAEL TOURS now enjoy an extra spiri:tual dimen .. A WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE!!! sion in life by actuall:r 'learning' • Round trip air transportation every day. You will h1~lp yourself • Strictly kosher hotels gain more respect and love from • Full sightseeing program with expert your family and inspire your Orthodox, licensed guides friends. Ask for your free Mishna • All transfers, guide and entrance fees and Halacha f_,uach, from Ask for Aliza ,VOW at: AGUDATH JSRAEL TRAVEL DEPT. MISHNA YOMIT and 5 Beekman Street, New York City 10038 HALACHA YOM!IT Phone: 964·1620 or 258·0709 United States Office, 16. Tobey Rd. All fndividuaf and Group Travel Needs Israel· Europe • United Sfafes Bloomfield, Conn. 06002
28 The Jewish Observer I January, 1973 . ~ ..
:.:: ·RabbiGoren, Rabbi Kook, a·na · R.abb~ GorCii* .. .- ·As successor to Rabbi Avrohom riage, by questioning the validity of - back to his. old religion does not Kook's office-the Chief Rabbinate .. the conversion of her first husband, . change his status as a Jew . .. . · A vrohom Borokowski. What would .. .. , -Rabbi Goren also presents him "Rav Kook told of an incident . self as heir to the convictions be - Rav Kook have done? in Egypt that came before him: , cherished: ahavas Yisroel (love for · "In his "Ezras Kohain" (Chap fellow Jews); and to the abuses he ... regarding a convert to Judaism. ters 13-14), .he wrote: suffered. . The rabbis had hoped to release his .The differences are· obvious and "Even though there are no wit wife from her igun (to permit her · there is really little need to chronicle nesses testifying that he (a ger) to remarry) by invalidating his first them. Of immediate interest, how converted, we must deal with him conversion on the basis of his return ever, is Rabbi Kook's recorded ap .as though he were indeed a sincere to his former faith. I refused to be a proach in halacha. Rabbi Y. S. Pe .convert and we cannot release his . party to their action." O rach of Haifa writes in HAMODIA wife from their marriage. And the . (January 4, '73): "I reviewed 365 fact that he has since converted _* yibodel le'chaim responsa in the seforim of Horav Kook ' " ~T. He was most stringent in his halachic judgments. I did not 'fi nd one lenient ruling in all of these , ...... responsa. "It is well-known that Rabbi One of World's Largest 9 ~~C~a~m~e~r~a=S~t~o~r~e~s~~ Goren based his release of the .. Langer brother and sister from their mamzeirut on the doubts he has at tached to Mrs. Langer's first mar- 1/f://.5/tee/ C(f;me.m ~c£an?e Ag•dath Israel of America is in need of a n11mber of SIFREI Complete Line of Cameras and Photo Supplies TORAH for its branches. We are .· approaching all communities who 82 WALL STREET NEW YORK, N. Y. have spare SIFRE! TORAH and .· Telephone: WH 4-0001 would appreciate it very much if they could either lend them or donate them to our branches. Wholesale- • Mail Order • · Retail ... , · Write: S Beekman St./ NYC 10038 Special Redudiolis fo all Readers of "The Jewish Observer" or cal~ (2121 964-1620
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·The Jewish Observer /January, 1973 29
.- .· . Letters to the Editor
UNITED Chevra Kadisha D'chasidim Har Hamnuchot • Eretz Hachaim Founded 1856 BURIAL IN JERUSALEM I would appreciate if you would AND ALL CEMETERIES IN ISRAEL Genuine Orthodoxy Outside of define the phrase "genuine Ortho New York City • doxy" and then judge if you have it in New York City. To the Editor: maal1n sako0€sh NAME WITHHELD BY REQUEST In your report of the 50th Na Chicago, Illinois 50Cl€ty tional Convention of Agudath Israel, 44 CANAL ST. I was puzzled to read the title of NEW YORK CITY 10002 your third plenary session; "Is th~re Response: Nr. E. Broadway Sta. "F" Train hope for genuine Orthodoxy outside of New York City?" The implication that New York City is the only repository of genu Day & Nite Phone What is genuine Orthodoxy? Is 925·2277. 8 ine Orthodoxy was meant to stimu it walking down 13th Avenue with late discussion, which it succeeded your baby in an English coach? Is in doing (witness the above letter). In Canada: it eating cholov Y isroel cheese Chevra Kadisha To be sure, there is much that the of United Jewish Con9re9ations cake? Or maybe it is marrying off Jews of New York can learn from Montreal Tel.: 273~3211 your daughter with a smorgasbord other Jewish commnnities - both and seven-course dinner? If that is those that are major popnlation genuine Orthodoxy, then you have !' centers and those that are in smaller Weddings·Bar·Mitzvahs it only in New York City. towns, and this reminder should be U.S.A. / Israel But if a Chevra Kaddisha (burial taken to heart. sociefy) of young men and women Nonetheless, a word of defense twenty to forty years of age will must be expressed for the New leave their children any night of the York brand of Orthodoxy. Judaism week without pay to perform a New York style is, thankfully, not tehara, if families invite people to the sum total of the many excesses sleep at their homes three or four referred to in the above letter. To PHOT:~;fZELMAN!i1 STUDIOS ''''"'" at a time, because there is a wed be sure, there is a vast amount of 623 CORT El YOU ROAD ding in town, or invite guests for (Off OCEAN PKWY) chessed being carried out in New BROOKLYN. N.Y 11218 meals or Shabbos because there is York neighborhoods, expressed in no kosher restaurant-if that is the countless individual acts of loving genuine Orthodoxy of our patri care and personal sacrifice. There C212J633·5500 archs, then we have it out of New is beyond doubt a vast amount of York City. devotion to Torah study and fidelity to Torah principles in New York TRADITION PERSONNEL AGENCY City, on institutional as well as "At Your Service With All Your Employment Nee'as" individual levels. It is unfortunate that the glare of what is shallow and Need A Shomer Shabbos Job? Looking For A Shomer Shabbos Person? ostentatious strikes the eye before that which is being acted out in For Fast, Efficient and Courteous Service accordance with the principles of 18 W. 45th St., New York, N. Y. 10036 • 563·3994 modesty and ve' hatzne' a /eches. Open Monday night by appointment only N.W.
30 The Jewish (Jbserver I January, 1973 .-· '
I have ofteh though( that they have ·· . proviso that our ultimate ·purpose Yeshivos' Secular Education :been cheated by uninvolved, unap limits us in some areas and compels Re-evaluation preciative administrations and staff. · us to reach beyond their program I just want you to know there are in others." To the Editor: many thousands of us all over the This worthy goal presupposes a The two lead articles in the Teves country-many in the hinterland, uniformity of purpose among yeshi /December issue regarding secular who have been thinking along these va parents-an assumption which is education in yeshivos aroused great lines, but sadly enough, not think open to challenge. Granted that all excitement in our household. Usual ing well enough or deeply enough. parents would earnestly desire a ly when I am bothered by some- Good luck to you both and G-d "Torah-true" education, would there . thing I know that if I wait someone .. ·prosper your efforts. be agreement on the modifications will write or do what I'd like to BONNIE FELDBJ,UM of the secular curriculum that would · do, as happened wi.th Rabbi Scher Newark, New Jersey · engender this? Would there be man's excellent article on the serious reservation and even an problems of moving. tagonism among many parents who But to get back to Rabbi Bres Breslauer's Plan Utopian lauer and Rabbi Wolpin: For tens of ·· years we have talked about the ..·To the Editor: wasted time, about the need to I read with interest the perceptive tailor the English department to the · article written by S. M. Bresiauer needs of our children-not to leave . (Torah Education's Neglected Fron .·· them ignorant, but to reinforce the tier-the Yeshiva's English Depart MIG ·· limudei kodesh. Unfortunately we ment). While the thesis of the article only discussed, but we took no ~that the yeshiva's secular depart practical steps to implement the ment should be more closely related KOSHER ideas. to the goals of the yeshiva-is . Thank G-d, Rabbi Breslauer has manifestly true, some of the points CHEESES a program! Please ca11 conferences, in the article require further inform the parents and teachers, discussion. and let us get the ball rolling. The · Rabbi Breslauer outlines some of sooner this program is started, the the dangers germane to the current sooner we'll see results. It is heart · situation. He conceded that his as breaking how many children we . sessment may be exaggerated-a have lost because the rebbes and ·concession with which many, includ- teachers either would not or could ing this writer, will concur-but he not answer the many extracurricular suggests, with justice, that any prob
questions that plague and have al . lem which exists requires remedi PASTCVAll(O pqocns ways plagued young people. . ation. Included in Rabbi Bres t Htcs£ rooo . The parents can not be blamed. lauer's proposed remedies would be NET WT . 6 ozQ ,..._,., .....~ Most of them are not learned; they · a redefinition of the goals and pur perform their duty by sending the poses of the Yeshiva Secular De Cheese lovers, have you been children to what they hope is the partment, and the creation of " ... a looking for a reliably kosher Colby or Cheddar, a Baby Gouda or right school. In most cases they do program that parallels the public Hickory Smoked Cheese? You'll this at a great financial sacrifice and .. school curriculum, with the clear find it under the MIGDAL brand quality cheeses under strictest Rabbinic supervision of K'hall Adath . Jeshurun, (Rabbi Dr. Joseph Breuer). WHAT'S R·EALLY HAPPENING IN ISRAEL? New York, N.Y. • SLICEO AMERICAN • SllCED SWISS •SLICED MUEllSTEft Get day-by-day, first-hand report delivered to you by air-mail • SllCED COLBY a •IAIY &DUDA • IABY MUENSTER •CHEDDAR STICKS •HICKORY SMOKED "HAMODIA" ~ y~ii~~ IAI The Agudath Israel daily, published in Jerusalem
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The Jewish Observer I January, 1973 31
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.. ·· •' ral" (referring, of course, ,only to vagaries of split sessions. Moreover, Orthodox yeshivas) yeshiva be sa even the best teacher comes to us tisfactory to its "right-of-center" exhausted after his public school counterpart? day, eager, but perhaps no longer LETTERS CONTINUED Perhaps the deficiencies inherent physically able, to do his best. in the curriculum, per se, are over Some day schools obviate this would be concerned with the effect stated. There is actually not an problem by hiring their own full such modifications would have on abundance of objectionable material time staffs and providing their own their children's abilities to perform in the courses of study themselves. in-service training, as Mr. Breslauer well on such examinations as the Rather, as Mr. Breslauer suggests, suggests. Presumably the salaries SAT and Regent Scholarship? I it is that the material, in the hands and other benefits offered by these do not necessarily suggest that such of "non-frum" teachers, may be schools are reasonably attractive. performance should be the summum rendered ideologically unpalatable. Perhaps the answer, in fact, does lie bonum of a yeshiva student's edu Which leads us to two additional in an intensive education program. cation. In fact Rabbi Wolpin, in suggestions adduced in the article: The menahalim of the yeshivas must the same issue, argues that perhaps "Imp1ement a program geared to be convinced that a more enhanced the time has come for a general these goa1sn; and, "Impress upon secular program, under the tutelage reevaluation of our attitudes toward young men and women committed of bnei Torah, more clearly allied competence in the secular areas. to Torah the nobility of such a to the limudei kodesh (and, pre Perhaps it has. In the interim, how 'Chinuch' calling." sumab1y, more attractive and ap ever, I suggest that Breslauer's pro The author is aware, and indi pealing to the student body), is posal to amend the curriculum may cates in the article, that it is impos desirable, and the parent body must be a bit visionary. sible, in the present market, to ob be convinced that it is achievable. tain a sufficient number of bnei and AARON FRIED1VfAN Further, such an undertaking, bnos Torah to staff our schools. Brooklyn, Neiv York massive in scope and purpose, could And, while the vision of such talent not be lightly undertaken by a single becoming "committed" to this no yeshiva or a small group of yesbivos. bility in the foreseeable future is a Reply: Not as Utopian as it Secin8 Rather. the cooperation and parti consummation devoutly to be wish cipation of a significant group would ed, practical considerations do I welcome the points of discus be essential. How would the diver obtrude. sion submitted by Mr. Friedman gence of philosophies affect this Nevertheless, Mr. Breslauer is not only for the insight they offer program? Would the modifications basically correct. So long as we "im into the realities connected to the that are acceptable to a more "libe- port'' teachers, even those commit issue, but also because I strongly ted to our purposes, from the public feel that a constructive dialogue schools, we are at the mercies of with representation from all inter public school scheduling and the ested quarters is essential and long overdue. While basically in agreement with my thesis, he asks some pointed A limited number of copies 0£ questions as to the feasibility of a THE .JEWISH POCKET BOOKS SERVICES ARRANGED IN now available at YOUR COMMUNITY only 39¢ each The Most Trusted Name Entire set of 12 only $3.95 Norman L. Jeffer in Kosher Poultry (attractive bookstand free) Write for descriptive brochure~ COMMUNITY CHAPELS, CLEANED or send check or money order to: SOAKED and SAL TED Inc. READY-TO-COOK and COOKED Traditional Educational 47th Street & Ft. Hamilton Parkway Association Brooklyn Phone UL 3-4000 '" 11 West 42nd Street EMPIRE KOSHER POULTRY, Inc. Mikvah under Supervision of MIFFLIN TOWN, PA. 17059 New York, N. Y. 10036 BJkur Cholim of Soro Park
32 The Je1vish Ohscn•er /January, 1973 practical implementation, on which ·Esrei; in which we pray for success the' institution of a specialized I wish to comment. ful crop yields, now takes on a t raining program and an eventual in First of all I do not believe that ·· · new dimension. crease in the ranks of such teachers. my proposals would compromise Such tidbits would not curtail The more such teachers are avail our students' proficiency in their the information and skills the stu able the less will our children be · required subjects in any manner. dents must absorb from the accept · exposed to instructors with ques As Mr. Friedman points out, I do ed curriculum, nor would it infringe tionable ideological competence, ·not go so far as Rabbi Wolpin in unduly on the time allotment. There and the attendant spiritual dangers suggesting a thorough revamping of is always some time for short {even if they are infrequent) will the curriculum, though this, too, extra curricular discussions, at .least be diminished. demands serious study and action. once a week. Nor do I feel that s. M. BRESLAUER My proposals are basically a matter restrictions, which would be manda- .. .• ~ . of direction and emphasis, not .. tory in certain reading selections, THE WORLD FAMOUS revision. would affect the over all quality of DIGR.ST OF MEFOR.SlllM yeshiva secular education. Permit me to demonstrate: '~1i'1t i!'l:l '~1i'1? Accordingly, it should not be • A 5th grader learns the accepted · ?"lr .,):~?~ ?~1~tv ,., ~"ii"i:i~ necessary to solicit a "parent refer · form of a friendly letter. For a Ye Available af endum" to adopt this approach. It .· shiva student, adding ~"'N? or the LEKUTEI INC . . like after the greeting should be a should be in the hands of the mena .· c/o I. Rosenberg required component of the form. hel (principal) and Vaad Hachi 10 West 47th Street, Room 702 nuch (Board of Education) of the New York, N. Y. 10036 • A 7th grade group spends a . Hebrew Departments to render this 20 Volumes on Torah, Perek, week studying lightning and thun decision. They are the ones who Medrash, Megilas and Talmud. der. The teacher would begin the must pass judgment on the goals Proceeds of sales distributer! among lesson with the appropriate brachos, Y eshivos and used for reprinfing and suitability of material for the of volumes ouf-of-prinf · .' .··. · and as a closing statement might limudei kodesh curriculum, and the PRICE $4.00 PER VOLUME add, "Hashem could have created same criteria must be used for the all these natural forces without the afternoon session. . . . Are we not frightening sound of the thunder · The Jewish Observer/ January, 1973 33 ~ .. . ...· CONFERENCE OF PUBLIC AND NON-PUBLIC SCHOOL LEADERS DISCUSSED GOVERNMENT AID TO PRIVATE SCHOOLS Washington D.C,-A prediction that a two-day conference (January 10 and Secretary for Education of the Depart the Nixon Administration will increase 11) sponsored by the U.S. Office of ment of Health Education and Welfare its efforts to provide constitutional finan Education. They were the only Jewish Dr. Sidney Marland, as well as con cial assistance to non-public schools was representatives invited by the govern gressional and White House Officials. D made jointly by Rabbi Moshe Sherer, ment to participate in a special confer executive president of Agudath Israel of ence of public and non-public school JEWISH EDUCATION PROGRAM America and Rabbi Bernard Golden superintendents of major cities. The OF ZE!REI AGUDATH ISRAEL berg, associate director of Torah conference, in which a combined total EXTENDS REACH OUT PROGRAM Umesorah, National Society of Hebrew of one hundred leaders of both sectors TO PUBLIC SCHOOLS Day Schools, at the conclusion of participated, was addressed by Assistant The newly launched Jewish Education Program (JEP) of Zeirei Agudath Israel NEW YORK YESHIVA PARENTS BACHUREI AGUDATH JSRAEL of America, set up as part of a new TO RECEIVE STATE TAX BENEFITS A NEW DIVISION OF PIRCHEI ambitious project to draw alienated non FOR 1972 JS LAUNCHED religious Jewish youth closer to Yiddish Parents of children attending elemen keit, has recently expanded its program Bachurei Agudath Israel, the newly to include work in public schools. Volun tary and secondary Yeshivos throughout created Senior Division of Pirchei Agu New York State will be able to receive teers of JEP conduct the once-a-month dath Israel of America, is in the midst release hour in a number of public immediate benefits, in the form of tax of a dynamic program to involve all exclusions, on the 1972 State Income schools in which they open new Jines of Mesifta students between the ages of communication with the Jewish students Tax Return which they are now filing, 13-18, according to Shmuel Yosef Hirsch, it was announced by the Commission on attending public schools. The students the National Coordinator. New branches are taught to pray, told stories on Torah, Legislation and Civic Action of Agudath have already been organized in Flatbush Israel of America. Rabbi Menachem and become generally exposed to and Kew Garden Hills. Shayovich, chairman of the Commission, Y iddishkeit. pointed out that, since the regional Some of the plans have already been Leaders of the Zeirei Agudath Israel federal court upheld the constitutionality translated into action. The Kiruv Re reach-out program have expressed hope of the tax benefit clause of the 1972 chokim program, geared to imbue to eventually extend into the communi Omnihus Education Aid Law, the State children from· irreligious backgrounds ties where these children live in order Income Tax Bureau has included this with Torah-true Yiddishkeit, is now a to influence the entire household to cling benefit on the 1972 returns. regularly functioning activity. Many ye to the precious lifeline of Torah, JEP In its statement, Agudath Israel's shiva and Talmud Torah students spent has already brought a significant number Legislative Commission alerted Yeshiva Shabbosos with our post Bar-Mitzvah of non-religious children into Yeshivos parents to take full benefit of this tax groups and experienced living Yiddish so that they could taste the flavor of exclusion which appears as Point 5 on keit. llashkofo Seminars were organized authentic Torah Judaism. Current plans the 1972 State Income Tax Return. This to acquaint the teenagers with the Da'as call for the opening of offices in com state tax exclusion benefits every non Torah of the Gedolim on vital issues. munities throughout the country to public school parent whose child is Interbranch activities are already part develop on-going contacts with the local enrolled in grades 1-12, who has paid at and parcel of the program. community, The first such office was least $50 tuition for each child. The The first national official activity of opened in the Flatbush section of exclusion, up to three children per Bachurei Agudath Israel will be the Brooklyn and is headed by Rabbi Eli family, is deducted from the adjusted First National Conference which is yohu Bergstein. The JEP local and na gross income. scheduled to be held on February 10. tional offices also devote much of their For example, a family whose adjusted 1973, at the Agudath Israel Center of time to acting on individual cases of gross income is less than $9,000, the Boro Park. "fhe First National Confer counselling and instructing spiritually income tax exclusion per child is $1,000, ence will be a two-part affair. The first disadvantaged youngsters. with an estimated net benefit to the part will be a fulJy-catered banquet at The Jewish Education Program of family of $50 per child, up to a maxi which prominent speakers will address Zeirei Agudath Israel of Amvreica was mum of $150 for three children. This the Conference. The second part will be Jaunched at the 50th National Conven amount is gradual1y reduced as the a symposium, which will serve as a tion of Agudath Israel of America in income increases, and a parent whose Seminar-Forum to air the different views Atlantic City in November 1972. "fhe adjusted gross income is $23,999, has an regarding the organization. The panel conclave heard Agudath Israel assume approximate net benefit of $12 per year. will consist of Agudah leaders, askonini the financial expense of the new project. 'fhe Commission on Legislation and and n1echanchini. The bulk of this sym JEP is supervised and guided hy some Civic Action of Agudath Israel of posium will be a "Question and Answer'' of the prominent Roshei Yeshivos in America is the major Jewish agency period, offering each one an opportunity this country. Motty Katz heads the large battling for government assistance to to question the members of the panel corps of volunteer workers who are parents of children attending Torah about future activities and aspirations. dedicated toward spiritually saving institutions. Its headquarters are at 5 The National Director is Rabbi Joshua thousands of Jewish children for a Beekman Street, New York City. D Silbermintz. D meaningful Jewish future. O 34 The Jewish Observer/ January, 1973 ~··· ,. •' , ·· .· .. · AG(JDATHISRAEL CHARGES AJC .. NATIONWIDE DRIVE RENEWED ORTHODOX LAUNCH BATILE Tb ·. ACTION ON HUMANE SLAUGH FOR NON-PUBLIC SCHOOL DEFEAT FEDERAL AND STATE TERING ACT "FRIVOLOUS, TAX CREDITS YEAR ROUND COUNTER-PRODUCTIVE" A nationwide campaign to mobillre DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME The American Jewish Congress was Orthodox Jews throughout the United A massive effort to defeat pending condemned for "lending credence to States for the second round in the federal and state legislative proposals crackpot lawsuits against Jewish ritual . efforts to pass legislation granting federal calling for the institution of year round _slaughter (Shechita) through premature income tax credits to non-public school · daylight saving time was launched this and inflated press releases." This charge parents was launched this week by the week by the Commission on Legislation was leveled by the Commission Legisla Commission on Legislation and Civic of Agudath Israel of America, it was tion of Agudath Israel of America, refer- Action of Agudath Israel of America. · announced by Rabbi Moshe Sherer, ring to a recent pronouncement by Dr. . This intensive effort to push through executive president of the organization. Leo Pfeffer, special counsel for the AJC . the bill granting $200 tax credits for .According to the Orthodox Jewish move Qn the lawsuit filed early in January in .each non-public school student, which ment, such bills have been introduced the Federal District Court by a group of _is estimated to benefit Yeshiva parents . in Washington by Rep. Craig Hosmer eight taxpayers against the constitution with $15-million annually, will be spear . (Cal.) and Rep. Norman Lent (N.Y.), ality of the 1958 Humane Slaughtering headed by the state coordinatorn of and in the New York State Legislature Act. The Agudath Israel commission ·Agudath Israel's Legislative Commission. in Albany by Assemblyman Clark stated that "Dr. Pfeffer's focusing such The tax credit bill for non-public _Wemple. ..undue importance on the activities of ·school parents was approved by the inconsequential pests is counter-produc In a memorandum to federal atid House Ways and Means Committee, by tive, especially since experience of the state legislators, the Legislative Com- . an 18-7 majority, too late in last year's past year has shown that this type of . mission of Agudath Israel points out that session to come for a vote before the attack on Shechita always fizzles out." expanding daylight saving to the entire House and the Senate. Encouraged by . ~ .. He pointed to the immediate and effec year would "severely infringe upon the commitments from President Nixon and tive action taken last year by government freedom of religious practice" of ob _Republican and Democratic congres- authorities to thwart these legal forays servant Jews. "Since the earliest time . sional leaders, the non-public school against the Kosher laws, as indications when morning prayers can commence is advocates, united in the C.R.ED.l.T. of the fact that "the government's at · one hour before sunrise, year round (Citizens Relief for Education by Income torneys, on the federal and state levels, daylight saving time would mean that . Tax) coalition, are determined to win can be relied upon to nullify these un- during certain weeks of the year mom- passage of this bill in the early months . substantive effo;ts by 'nudniks' through . fog prayers could not begin before of the new session. legal procedural methods, as these · 7:20 A.M., which would create an plaintiffs have no standing before the Rabbi Moshe Sherer, the national anomalous situation for the large num courts." chairman of the C.R.ED.l.T. coalition bers of religious Jews whose employment Agudath Israel cited two previous · ·representing five million non-public requires their presence prior to 8:00 or attempts this past year: The suit institu school children, will address a series of 8:30 A.M.," the Agudah statement ted in January 1972 by Henry Mark six regional conferences organized by decla;es. C.R.ED.I.T. to devise strategy for this Holzer was withdrawn "with prejudice" Rabbi Menachem · Shayovich, chair by the plaintiff after it became abun campaign. The conferences will take place in Miami on January 25, San man of Agudath Israel's Legislative dantly evident to him, because of the Commission, emphasized that the or legal activities by the U.S. Attorney and Francisco-February 5, Denver-Febru- . ary 8, Chicago-February 12, Dallas ganization has become concerned over by the Attorney General of New York, . the growing sponsorship of such mea that the courts would anyway throw out February 15, and New York-February 26. D sures in the federal and state legislatures, the case on technical legal grounds. A . and therefore decided to step up its similar attempt a half year ago by a activities. Although Agudath Israel was Mr. Walzer to challenge the Kosher tainly the defense of Shechita, when successful in killing year round day ...... Jaws is awaiting formal dismissal by ··necessary, can only be entrusted to those light saving bills in New York arid the court, after the plaintiff did not even organizations which actually observe this 1llinois in recent years, the present ac respond to the Attorney General's -Jewish practice. When the American celerated efforts of its sponsors calJ for "defense. Jewish Congress and its special counsel increased activity on the part of the The Legislative Commission of Agu Dr. Leo Pfeffer don the mantle of 'de Orthodox Jewish community, he noted. dath Israel declared: ... ' ~ fenders of Shechita,' especially when D "At any point where it would become their mshing to its defense is unwarrant necessary for the religious Jewish com ed, it must be viewed as a transparent ,·· .. munity to defend its method of ritually effort by the AJC and Dr. Pfeffer to "lnstead of rushing to the defense slaughtering animals, one can rely on . curry favor with the Orthodox Jewish of· permitting animals to be slaughtered . the National Jewish Commission on Law · community which it has betrayed by as kosher, it would do the AJC better and Public Affairs (COLPA), which its obdurate struggle against any and not to damage Torah institutions which has faithfully served as a legal arm for every government aid to Yeshivos and teach children to live as kosher Jews," the Orthodox Jewish community. Cer- Yeshiva parents." the statement concludes. O Tlie Jewish Observer I January, 1973 35 .·: . ~ .. ' ..... : ~ - FREE! 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