THE THE Adar II 5763 • March 2003 JJewishewish U.S.A. $3.50/Foreign $4.50 • VOL XXXVI/NO. 3 OOBSERBSERVERVER

RepRepairingairing Hashem’sHashem’s FFamilyamily MMAKINGAKING ’SISRAEL’S PAINPAIN OUROUR OWNOWN

Also: Purim Reflections

CLICK HERE FOR TABLE OF CONTENTS THEJJewishewish Adar II 5763 • March 2003 OOBSERBSERVERVER U.S.A.$3.50/Foreign $4.50 • VOL XXXVI/NO. 3

THE JEWISH OBSERVER (ISSN) 0021-6615 is published monthly except July and August by the Agudath Israel This is the full Table of Contents of the print edition of the of America, 42 Broadway, , NY10004. Periodicals postage paid in New Jewish Observer. The web edition contains only a selection of Yo r k, NY.Subscription $24.00 per year; articles (indicated in color). Click on the title to go to the two years, $44.00; three years, $60.00. Outside of the (US funds beginning of that article. Navigate using your browser’s menu drawn on a US bank only) $12.00 sur- charge per year. Single copy $3.50; for- and other options. eign $4.50. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: The Jewish Observer, 42 Broadway, NY., NY. 10004. Tel: 212-797-9000, Fax: 646-254-1600.Printed in the U.S.A. 6 Repairing Hashem’s Family, Yaakov Salomon NISSON WOLPIN, EDITOR

EDITORIAL BOARD RABBI JOSEPH ELIAS Chairman PURIM REFLECTIONS

RABBI ABBA BRUDNY JOSEPH FRIEDENSON 12 Unmasking the Megilla, Rabbi Yosef Levinson RABBI YISROEL MEIR KIRZNER RABBI NOSSON SCHERMAN PROF. AARON TWERSKI 17 Shoshanas Yaakov, a poem by Ploni Almoni

DR. ERNST L. BODENHEIMER Z”L 19 “Gather in the Children,” Dovid Freund RABBI MOSHE SHERER Z”L Founders

MANAGEMENT BOARD AVI FISHOF, NAFTOLI HIRSCH 26 Conversation at a Bar Mitzva, Sara Shapiro ISAAC KIRZNER, RABBI SHLOMO LESIN NACHUM STEIN 33 “Ivri Anochi” – I am a Jew,” Rabbi Aryeh Z. Ginzberg

RABBI YOSEF C. GOLDING Managing Editor

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March 2003 VOLUME XXXVI/NO. 3 SUBSCRIBE TO THE JEWISH OBSERVER. CLICK HERE. Over the past several months, The Jewish Observer has been featuring articles that explored ways in which the readers could identify with our brothers and sisters in Eretz Yisroel and share their pain, as well as attempt to alleviate their crises on all levels – national, communal, and individual. Among the suggestions offered were: Deny yourself some comfort or luxury in empathy1; at least cry for them or write to them2; improve and enhance our tefillos3; arrange for American communities and shuls to adopt a family of sur- vivors in Israel4. We could – and probably will – continue with more explorations and suggestions, but at this juncture we might ask ourselves: Why isn’t this kind of empathy and level of response automatic? Why must we be prodded to feel, think and react? At the recent National Convention of Agudath Israel of America, Yaakov Salomon offered some valuable insights on the topic. The following article is based on that presentation. REPAIRING HASHEM’S FAMILY Making Israel’s Pain Our Own

ome years ago, Rabbi Chaim The bachur was all too willing to ful- davening Ma’ariv at Rabbi Landau’s Mintz, of the fill the simple mission. famous Beis Midrash in Flatbush. SYeshiva of Staten Island, was rush- Upon his return, the bachur ques- On my way out, a note, posted on the ing to another location and had inad- tioned his Rebbe.“Excuse me for pry- lobby wall, caught my eye. It read: vertently left his wristwatch behind. ing,” he said, “but I couldn’t help “Shmuel G. is sitting shiva at Uncharacteristically, he asked a bachur noticing that the Rebbe’s watch has the ______. His wife was the only Amer- if he wouldn’t mind retrieving it for incorrect time even though it seems to ican fatality in the S’barro’s bombing in him. “I wouldn’t trouble you if I was- be working. Shall I correct it?” Yerushalayim.” n’t so short on time,” he explained. “No, no,”replied Rabbi Mintz.“You My friend, Shimon, read the note Yaakov Salomon, CSW, is a psychotherapist in see, the time on my watch is actually along with me. Neither of us recognized private practice in . He is a frequent con- precisely seven hours ahead of New York the name. Both of us exited in tributor to these pages, most recently with “Time City time. I always keep it set to Israeli silence…. How tragic. to Move On” (June ’01). time so I can keep a constant reminder I joined Shimon for the short ride 1 “Reflections on Guidelines for Weddings,” by for myself about the matzav (situation) home. As I bid him good-night, he Dr. Aaron Twerski, June ’02, and “Terrorism, Sugar Cubes and Filet Mignon,”by Rabbi Aryeh in Eretz Yisroel.” asked me, “So, when shall I pick you Z. Ginzberg, June ’02 Years before, there had been a ter- up?” 2 Rabbi Ginzberg’s above article, as well as “The rorist attack in Yerushalayim.Many lives “Pick me up for what?” I respond- Fifth Item on the List,”by Rabbi Boruch Leff, and were lost and Rabbi Mintz wanted to be ed. (I was unaware of any previously “Breaking Down the Walls,”by Debbie Shapiro, certain that he never forgot it. made plans.) Jan. ’03 3 “Tefilla and Teshuva in Response to Today’s No.Keeping them in mind is not “Well, for the shiva visit, of course,” Troubled Times,”by Rabbi Heshy Kleinman, April necessarily automatic. came the reply. ’02; Be a Better Baal Tefilla,” by Rabbi Pinchos “The shiva?” I pondered innocently. Jung, Nov. ’02; Bringing our Prayers to a High- A Personal Story…. “I don’t really know the fellow er Level,”by Rabbi Heshy Kleinman, Dec. ’02; and “A Modest Proposal,”by Rabbi Avi Shafran, Jan. and hadn’t planned to go. Do you know ’03 t happened about a year and a half him?” 4 “PostScript: A Call to Arms,” by Rabbi Aryeh ago. It was about 10 PM on a Tues- “No,” he said, “but how can we not Z. Ginzberg, Oct. ’02 Iday night, and I had just finished go?”

6 The Jewish Observer, March 2003 Never had a lump appeared so quickly in my larynx. It was the lump of shame. The contrast was oh, so clear… and painful. To Shimon, visit- ouldn’t the simple manifestation of our ing and consoling this grieving survivor Cgenuine concern be the precise was instinctively mandatory and thor- oughly obvious – his unfamiliarity unwritten prescription to cure this ghastly notwithstanding. To me, it was never even a consideration. Why would I visit decree? someone I don’t know? But the story does not end there. Les- son learned, I asked Shimon to pick me up at 9 A.M. the next morning. He did. We arrived at the bais avel and awk- may just be the solution as well? Could- painfully obvious. So the proposals pre- wardly ventured in. In a feeble attempt n’t the simple manifestation of our gen- sented here have a decidedly spiritual at teshuva,I led the way. To my surprise, uine concern be the precise unwritten bent – with an inclination toward the the avel greeted me immediately. prescription to cure this ghastly decree? concept that truly feeling their pain, “Yaakov Salomon, so nice of you to come.” Sadly, our current predicament is and showing it, may be a road to res- I recognized Shmuel immediately as hardly unfamiliar to us. Our storied his- olution – not just to compassion. a Shabbos guest of the past, who had tory is sated with tribulations that seem The exhortation by the Moetzes graced our table several times. His name to always threaten our very existence. Gedolei HaTorah to recite chapters of had eluded my failing memory. Shmuel “Zechor yemos olam,” the Torah Tehillim daily – particularly 83,130, and then turned his attention to Shimon, implores. We must keep our eyes on our 142 – should, of course, be a given for our hero, and asked, “And who are you?” history. There is much to learn. Guid- every caring Jew. Tehillim has, is, and We sat down – me, with my over- ance may be lurking in those yellowed always will be our first mode of action sized lump; Shimon, with studied com- pages. in times of crisis. passion. People trickled in. And as each Rabbi Elchanan Wasserman d”yh,in one arrived, he was greeted by Shmuel his classic Kovetz Ma’amarim,pro- But What Else Can We Do? with the same refrain, “And who are you? vides some of that guidance. He clas- Did you know my wife?” sifies the perils that we have constant- o enhance our sensitivity and Within ten minutes or so, we were ly confronted into two categories – strengthen our identification joined by about a dozen people. In a dis- threats to our physical existence (such Twith our family members in play of startling irony, the only person as the Purim saga) and threats to our Eretz Yisroel,we must begin somewhere. that Shmuel knew in that room was me! spiritual existence (as in the Chanuka We need something as a daily The rest were, like Shimon, just won- era). And our responses to those dan- reminder, besides the demoralizing derful compassionate – demon- gers must serve as guideposts for all of news reports and accompanying gris- strating their kinship and concern. Mi time. ly photos. And what better daily ki’amcha Yisroel. “Threats to our spiritual survival,” reminder than our daily tefilla? Con- So, perhaps many of us DO feel their writes Reb Elchanan, “are best met by sider, if you will, the following little- pain, but many of us… I included…. our willingness to take military action. known opinion in halacha. seem to be lacking. This is best exemplified by our battles, The Rama (Orach Chaim 113:1) and improbable ensuing victories explains that we are not free to bow We Are Not Helpless… against the Yevanim (Syrian-Greeks). down wherever we desire in Shemoneh And the frightening specters of physi- Esrei.Bowing is only permissible in the ome may argue that “remember- cal annihilation must be answered by specific places decreed by the ing” their travails and their pain clarion calls of teshuva, tefilla, and Chachamim.But the Mishneh Berura Sdoesn’t accomplish very much. tzedakka.Nowhere in Megillas Esther is quotes a Maharil who opines that we “They don’t need us to cry for them,” the notion of a military campaign should bow down at the beginning or goes the refrain, “They need the mad- against Haman suggested. the end of the beracha of “V’leyerusha- ness – the terror, the funerals, the grief And so, I humbly offer the sugges- layim ircha,” when we entreat Hashem – to STOP.” tions that follow. With over 700 to rebuild Jerusalem. And the Magen But might that not exactly be the neshamos gone and many thousands Avraham adds that perhaps a slight def- point? Is it so farfetched to posit that more crippled and injured – both phys- erential bowing would be appropriate. the crying we do for them, and the ically and emotionally – the illogic of We do not pasken like the Maharil. resulting tefillos that are sure to emerge, a military solution should, by now, be Fine. We need not follow the Magen

The Jewish Observer, March 2003 7 Avraham.Well enough. But here we But let us not stop there. Why not terror has become an overwhelming have a highly respected halacha author- make a beginning attempt at the fine feature of everyday life. ity,“suggesting” that we bow down dur- plan that was outlined in these pages* You understand that it is not only ing the beracha of “V’leyerushalayim by Rabbi Aryeh Zev Ginzberg. Rabbi important and proper and a chiyuv ircha”! None of the other 12 berachos Ginzberg has spearheaded a marvelous (obligation) to make their pain your of the bakasha section (where we and most compassionate movement to pain, but you have an inkling…a con- make requests) of Shemoneh Esrei get every shul in America to “adopt” an viction, that feeling their anguish and appears to qualify for that special con- Israeli family who has suffered a recent their grief could actually be a signifi- sideration. Doesn’t that mean some- loss in the reign of terror. cant ingredient in the formula for help- thing? Shouldn’t that propel us to have Besides the tremendous s’char ing it vanish. You have grown tired of at least a bit extra kavana (concentra- (Divine reward) involved, I can guar- listening to the news, and weary of tion) during that beracha? Prostration? antee, psychologically, that adopting a worn-out and hackneyed military, Maybe not. But concentration? Defi- grieving family as part of your own is political, or strategic solutions that have nitely! This is our chance to connect nothing short of a magical formula for never worked and never will. You our own thoughts with a genuine setting your life’s priorities in proper don’t doubt that, painful as it is to yearning for “v’chisei David meheira order. And the message it communi- admit, the Ribbono Shel Olam is send- l’socha tachin – may You speedily cates to your children is one that ing all of us a harsh, horrific and glar- establish the throne of Your servant could never be taught in a classroom ing message that something is very David within it.” At the very least, it or communicated from a book. Can wrong in our camp. And that His very guarantees that we think of them you think of a more important goal? I specially selected family needs a major three times a day.“Baruch atta Hashem can’t. spiritual overhaul. Bonei Yerushalayim – Blessed are You, The above mentioned strategies Needless to say, I am certainly not Hashem, the Builder of Jerusalem.” A may not be necessary for those read- privy to the incomprehensible workings perfect start for everyone searching for ers who possess a true appreciation and of the Ribbono Shel Olam.But one an opening of awareness in his or her deep respect for the hundreds of thou- observation, if you will allow. heart. sands of families for whom everyday * Oct. ’02, as mentioned in the Introduction.

Letters of approbation and blessing from My dear brothers leading rabbinical personalities: Hagaon Rabbi Moshe Halberstam a”jyls, Rosh and sisters, Hayeshiva Divrei Chaim, Jerusalem: “It is well known that many wonderful people were helped by Rabbi Malov’s blessings and tefillos.” h”i passed away. I was fortunate This page is stained by the tears of my orphaned son, his orphaned sister, Hagaon Rabbi Yosef Shalom Elyashiv a”jyls: to anticipate. chupa “I join Rabbi Halberstam in his endorsement of Rabbi and the tears of their weeping father – which flow fromsimchos my eyes. Malov’s cause. All who respond to this plea should It is now twelve years since their mother be blessed with all of the best!” to remarry; my second wife had three children of her own, since joined by two Hagaon Rabbi Yosef Moshe Schneerson a”jyls more of our ours. More children to care for, more Rosh Chebin/Jerusalem: “My late father l”xz I succeeded in bringing two of my children and one stepdaughter to thev”u . never issued letters of approbation. A notable without resorting to appeals such as this. Then one more son married last year, part- exception was the four letters that Rabbi Zvi ly on money raised from an appeal in these pages, partly from borrowed money.yesomim Malov merited to receive from him.” One engaged daughter and a another in the wings are afraid that their chupa of their own will remain an unrealized dream hopes for a The following affiliated with The anticipated financial load is in the six figures and I have absolutely no Gur in Jerusalem also affixed their signatures to this letter: means for covering these expenses. Those who come to the aid of bringing – orphaned children – to their moment of joy will surely be blessed by the Father Rabbi Meir Zilberstein a”jyls, a”jyls of Orphans, who delights in seeing those who are more fortunate reaching out Rabbi Chaim Bunim Shatz , Rabbi Chanoch Kaminer a”jyls, to take care of His special children. Is it too much to expect three thousand warm-hearted Jews to each extend Rabbi Dov Landau a”jyls, ) will put your contribution to Rabbi Moshe Mendelson a”jyls $50 (or more) for this sacredCong. purpose?Ohavei Torah – Kallah Fund (tax deductible) Checks made out to Charity B.F.O.O.B. Also Rabbi Naftoli Nussbaum a”jyls – Chaye Moshe, Jerusalem (for checks in Br. £, write: To be mailed to: Rosh Av Bs.Din, B.D. Tz. Ahavas Sholom, Jslm. immediate use,s and choicest bring happiness blessings and to you. security to orphanedRabbi children Nisson in Jerusalem, Wolpin Rabbi A. Pollak Zvi Malov Hashem’ and 305 Avenue F 2 Parkside Avenue 33 Sorotzkin With deep appreciation Brooklyn, NY 11218 Salford M7 4HB Jerusalem, USA Lancs, England Israel Zvi Malov Tel: 44-161-740-5645 Tel: (02) 538-6217 FOR CHECKS IN US$ FOR CHECKS IN BR.£

8 The Jewish Observer, March 2003 The At-Risk Connection… Modeh Ani), have never shaken a lulav, than that would be too painful for us). have never braided a challa,and have How would one of us actually feel if nine ur communities, here and never even heard of the Chofetz Chaim! out of ten of our children, Hashem yish- abroad, have, for the past years, Let the numbers startle you! Nine out mereinu, knew nothing about Yahadus? Obeen suffering with another of ten of His children are lost to apathy, Would we just choose to focus on the overwhelmingly excruciating crisis. It is ignorance, intermarriage and assimila- positive? the one that has been termed “Kids at tion…and the numbers grow as you “Oh, at least I have one child who Risk” – the shocking and agonizing read this. is shomer Shabbos, learns a little, mar- process of watching some of our most Be honest. Do we feel His pain? And ried Jewish – Baruch Hashem for that. talented and engaging youngsters aban- could the agony and anguish that we The other nine? Well, what can you do? don the derech Yisroel sabba (sacred tra- experience with our at-risk kids be a At least we tried. I guess you can’t win ditions of our forebears) for the scourge message to us to feel His pain? them all. Pass the pretzels, please.” of aberrant behaviors. And while much Imagine for just a moment (more Or, more than likely, would we total- is being done to attempt to ameliorate the situation, the battle rages on. It is still very,very painful. And we wonder, and maybe we Simcha Guidelines always will wonder, why do kids leave the derech ha’emmes – the tried and true THE VORT • The menu for the seuda is limited to 3 path? Why do they veer from a life that • The Vort celebration is to be courses followed by a regular dessert. can bring them enormous satisfaction? discontinued. The L’chaim (held at Why do great kids from great, loving • No Viennese table and no bar. the time that the engagement is families reject nearly everything they are THE MUSIC taught? And why do we suffer from this announced) should also not turn into a devastating plague, more than any pre- Vort. • A band may consist of a maximum of vious generation? THE WEDDING 5 musicians (one of the musicians may act as a vocalist) or four musicians and one Perhaps… just maybe… Hashem • Only 400 invited guests may be wants us to feel His pain, kaveyachol (so additional vocalist. seated at the chassuna seuda. to speak). Let us for a moment compare • A one-man band is recommended. His family with our families – in the “at- • The kabbolas panim smorgasbord risk” category. should be limited to basic cakes, fruit plat- FLOWERS & CHUPA DECOR No one can minimize the heart- ters, a modest buffet, and the caterer’s • The total cost of these items for the entire breaking and tragic pain of watching, standard chicken or meat hot dishes. wedding should not exceed $1,800. or living with, a youngster on the fringe. Each and every neshama is so very dear FOR THE FULL VERSION OF THE SIMCHA GUIDELINES and cherished. But despite the dis- AND THE ACCOMPANYING KOL KOREH, heartening at-risk numbers, it is some- please email [email protected] or call 212-612-2300 how rare that more than one child per family suffers this terrible malady. The We the rabbinical signatories — barring familial obligations — and unusual and collective family pain of having even extraordinary circumstances — will not participate in or attend a wedding celebration that one such child seems almost too much disregards these guidelines. (Rabbinical Listing in formation) to bear. It does happen, but it is Rabbi Shmuel Birnbaum Rabbi Eli Simcha Schustal Rabbi Elya Ber Wachtfogel uncommon. Rosh Hayeshiva, Mirer Yeshiva Rosh Hayeshiva, Bais Binyomin, Stamford Rosh HaYeshiva, Yeshiva Gedolah of South Fallsburg But Hakadosh Baruch Hu also has a Rabbi Rabbi Yisroel Rokowsky Rosh Hayeshiva, Yeshiva Gedola of Philadelphia Rabbi Yisroel Simcha Schorr Rabbi Chaim Boruch Wolpin family. He is Avinu Malkeinu, our Rosh Hayeshiva, Yeshiva Karlin Stolin Rabbi Shmuel Kaminetzky Roshei HaYeshiva, Yeshiva Ohr Somayach Father; we are His children, bannim Rosh Hayeshiva, Yeshiva Gedola of Philadelphia Rabbi Aryeh Malkiel Kotler Rabbi Zecharia Gelley Rav, Khal Adas Jeshurun attem laShem Elokeichem.Let us look at Rabbi Yaakov Perlow Rosh Hayeshiva, Beth Medrash Govoha, Lakewood His family. How are they doing? Not Novominsker Rebbe Rabbi Yisroel Tzvi Neuman Rabbi Lipa Margulies Rosh Hayeshiva, Yeshiva & Mesifta Torah Temimah nearly as well as our families. You see, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Feigelstock Rosh Hayeshiva, Beth Medrash Govoha, Lakewood Rosh Hayeshiva, Yeshiva of Long Beach Rabbi Dovid Kviat in His family, it’s not one child who is Rabbi Dovid Tzvi Schustal Rabbi Moshe Wolfson Chairman, Conference of Synagogue Rabbonim Rosh Hayeshiva, Beth Medrash Govoha, Lakewood off the derech.He doesn’t have two chil- Mashgiach, Yeshiva Torah Vodaas of Agudath Israel dren who are at-risk. In Hakadosh Rabbi Aron Moshe Schechter Rabbi Yeruchem Olshin Rabbi Shlomo Mandel Baruch Hu’s family – known as Knesses Rosh Hayeshiva, Yeshiva Chaim Berlin Rosh Hayeshiva, Beth Medrash Govoha, Lakewood Rosh Hayeshiva, Yeshiva of Brooklyn Yisroel – nine out of ten of his children Rabbi Yosef Rosenblum Rabbi Mattisyahu Salamon Rabbi Ephraim Wachsman do not know how to say Kriyas Shma (or Rosh Hayeshiva, Yeshiva Shaarei Yosher Mashgiach, Beth Medrash Govoha, Lakewood Rosh Hayeshiva, Meor Yitzchok

The Jewish Observer, March 2003 9 ly fall apart from grief and heartbreak waiting for? I don’t know. No one It’s about using your valuable learn- and never sleep well again? knows. But if 90% of your family had ing time to learn with others – through Maybe, only maybe, Hashem feels drifted away, what would you want to Partners in Torah or Aish Hatorah or that we need to experience at least a frac- see? other programs. tion of that heartbreak. And according to the Chasam Sofer It’s about seeking out your neighbor But if that is so, or even if it’s only (Toras Moshe, Vayikra 19), performing – on the block, at work, on a plane or partially true, then the kiruv efforts of acts of kiruv rechokim is actually the wherever, and befriending him – invit- this advanced group can be a resound- essence of the great mitzva of ve’ahav- ing him for Shabbos or just to shmooze. ing message to our Father that we do ta l’rei’acha kamocha – love your neigh- It’s about telling them about a class care about the family, after all. And that bor as yourself. The din of chayecha kod- or a seminar or a fabulous weekend and it is not acceptable to us that 90% of our min – your own life takes precedence then going with them! family members never said a beracha in over another’s – says the Chasam Sofer, It’s about giving them a book or a their entire lives, and define their Jew- only applies to inyonei olam hazeh, mate- tape or a website… or a hug or a smile. ishness by opposing prayer in public rial or physical pursuits. It’s about overcoming your fears of schools and voting (or not voting) for “However, in matters of spiritual- rejection and exposure, and demon- Joe Lieberman. ity, meaning Torah study, we are obli- strating to the Ribbono Shel Olam that And similarly, when we experience gated to learn with others even at the we can no longer bear to watch the fam- over 29 months of constant terror, and expense of forgoing our own learn- ily….His family….our family…go from we know that our response must be a ing!… which is why Rabbi Akiva “at-risk” to disintegration. spiritual one, then the kiruv efforts of describes this mitzva as a ‘Klal gadol That’s what Jews who are sensitive, this group can announce to the Borei baTorah.’ Specifically ‘in Torah,’ we who care, and who respond can do. Olam that there IS arvus (unity) in must love our neighbor as we do our- That’s what all of us can do to help Klal Yisroel.And yes we truly do care selves.” put an end to the tragedies and devas- about every single Yid – even those When it comes to limud Torah, that tation. We can demonstrate real ahavas that seem so different from us, or so is when teaching your brother or sister Yisroel,genuine care and love. far from us. comes first. Ve’ahavta l’rei’acha kamocha. He is Is that really what Hashem is truly That’s what kiruv is all about. waiting. ■

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10 The Jewish Observer, March 2003 Sarah Shapiro

s one of the Arab waiters removes them in the cattle car had brought along crushed up against my mother who kept our dinner plates, the bar mitz- a kerosene primus and was trying to get pushing against her, saying she had to Ava boy’s aristocratic-looking and it lit when it got knocked over and have more room. She was pushing elegant grandmother, seated to my exploded in her mother’s face. “My against her with her feet, so I told my right, makes some comment under her mother was on fire – her face, her hair, mother I’d move over and sit on the suit- breath about not throwing food away. everything. It was like a nightmare. cases – everyone’s baggage was piled up This poignantly evokes for me a mem- Somebody threw a blanket on her — high in the corner of the car. My moth- ory of my mother, which elicits a mem- that probably saved her life. And after er said ‘No, you stay here,’ but I crawled ory of her mother, a question, an a while somebody moved over and let over and climbed up on top. I don’t know answer, then another question, which her sit where there was some air com- how long I was there – I fell asleep – when leads to the cattle car in which she had ing in. From one of those openings. You all of a sudden, boom!” She touches her been deported to Siberia. know what cattle cars look like.” nose. “A heavy suitcase – it must have I ask, tentatively, how long she was “No, not really.” been a trunk – it slipped and fell down in a cattle car. She says six weeks. She and “Well, those cars were made for ani- on me. I think I still have the scar.” her mother and brother had been sent mals, you know, and there were these lit- “So did you go back and sit next to to a Russian labor camp. tle openings on top, so she sat like this your mother?” “How old were you?” —” Mrs. S. tips back her head and clos- “No, no.” “Oh…in 1941. I was ten. Eleven.” es her eyes. “To get the air. She was in “Did you tell her what happened?” “So you didn’t have to work, too, did torment. It was horrendous. She told us “No, no.” She gives a dismissive lit- you?” the air helped. For some reason she had tle wave of her hand.“We were so hard- “Ofcourse, I did,”she says, shrugging. brought along a little bottle of oil in her ened already. We had never experienced “My brother, too. The Russians took us suitcase and she said ‘Hurry, get me the such things…never imagined…. People even though we were underage. That oil,’and she kept applying it to the burns. were so terrified. We had no idea where was the only way we could get a food She said it helped.” they were taking us. Can you imagine?” ration.”I ask why, and she explains that She pauses and peers at me suddenly. their mother wasn’t eligible because she “Can you imagine that? Not knowing was too weak to cut down trees; there’d ne question after another…. My where you’re going?” been an accident on board the train, and curiosity feels akin to greed. I’m momentarily taken aback. She in the camp she fell ill in one of the OShe says forty-five or forty-six really seems to be asking me, and of typhus epidemics. strangers were crowded together in the course I can’t. I can imagine none of it. “What accident?” dark. “There was such confusion. Such “My mother thought we were being She says the woman sitting next to chaos, I can’t tell you. Everyone was so sent to England, because that’s where she Mrs. Shapiro of Jerusalem is a frequent con- terrified. So bewildered. There was one had told the Russian authorities we tributor to these pages, most recently with “That bucket for everybody. Somebody tried to wanted to go. But it turned out that I Can Survive” (Oct. ’02). Her most recent book hang up something for privacy. It was everyone in the car had been told is A Gift Passed Along:A Woman Looks at the World Around Her – ArtScroll. horrendous. There was one woman something different. Some thought we

26 The Jewish Observer, March 2003 were going to Palestine. Some to Amer- strips of burning bark before their eyes. a maid for a gentile family. The wife was ica… Canada…. Wherever people had “I can’t describe the cold in Siberia; any- German, the husband Russian. They said they wanted to go, the Russians said, thing that was exposed – even one hair were very good to me.” ‘Get on board, we’re sending you there — it turned instantly to ice. My eyelids now.’” were always with ice. The mouth would ask if her mother ever recovered “Why did your mother say ‘Eng- be frozen, the fingers. You cannot imag- from her burns.“Recover? Look, I’ll land’?” ine how freezing cold it was.” Itell you. My mother was a beautiful “Look, in the summer of 1939, there How long were they there? Two and woman. Very beautiful. After the acci- were rumors of war. The same way they a half years. “I thought we would be dent she prayed always to the Abershter, are talking now of war with Iraq, they there forever, but when the Russians ‘Please, Hashem, that I should be the were talking then of war with Germany. made an amnesty with the West, we sud- same as before, for when I am reunited My brother – he was seventeen then — denly became semi-free to travel. The with my husband.’And it was like a mir- was due back in September at his Russians didn’t want the prisoners to acle, by the end of the war, when we were boarding school in London, but on find their way out of Siberia. It was hard reunited with my father, almost all the account of all the rumors, and because for them to give up the free labor. There scars were gone. And after a few years, of all the anti-Semitism that was going was a goy with a horse and buggy and she did heal, completely. It was amaz- on, my mother was afraid to let him he was taking people to the river, but you ing. Almost as if it had never happened. travel alone. So on August 30th,my father had to give him something for it, and But her beauty was inside and out. She left with him for England. On Septem- we had nothing. Nothing at all. We had was good to everyone, Jew and non-Jew. ber 1st, war broke out and all the bor- nothing in Siberia except two things: my She used to say,‘If someone comes and ders were closed. We didn’t see them grandfather’s pocket watch and my holds out his hand, he doesn’t do it for again for seven years. brother’s fountain pen. pleasure. He needs it. You should always “Every once in a while on the train, “That watch was the only thing she help.’ my mother got a glimpse outside and had of her father and she couldn’t part After the war, when we had no could see that we were going deeper and with it. She couldn’t, but she did. The money, my mother got an idea. She pro- deeper into a forest. After a long time pocket watch got us as far as the river, posed to various people who had some she started seeing signs in Russian, but and from there we took a raft to the train money that they should provide her until the last stop of the train, we did- station. It saved our lives. with ingredients for baking and she n’t know where we were going. When “My brother’s fountain pen got us would bake them beautiful cakes. In they let us out, that was when we found from the last train station in Siberia to return, they would give her their good out we were prisoners in a labor camp.” Uzbekistan. From there – this was 1943 used clothing, and cover the cost of — we went by boat across the Caspian postage, and she would send the clothes urely she’d have a better time at her Sea to Teheran. We had one sack with to Jews in Palestine. For years she was grandson’s bar mitzva if I would- our belongings. People were on top of sending those packages. I once asked her, Sn’t ask now what it was like there. people, we were packed together like sar- ‘How do you know how to make such “What was it like?” dines, and everybody was sick with cakes?’ and she told me her cooks had “The days were very short in Siberia, dysentery. After all those years of being taught her. and there was very little daylight. How deprived, the minute we got a little food, “Before the war, the Jewish beggars many people got lost in that forest! If peoples’ bodies couldn’t take it. People used to go from door to door in the you tried to find blueberries, or some of were dying left and right. They would wealthy neighborhoods. Many of them those cones with those little nuts in them wrap the body in a blanket and throw were women with children, and some – what were they called —” it overboard. Oh, it was horrendous. would be carrying their babies. Now, “Pine nuts?” There was a doctor among us — among it wasn’t as if my parents didn’t give the “Yes, yes, pine nuts.”She smiles.“They the people there was always a doctor, beggars money, they always gave – they were delicious. We’d look in the forest always somebody trying to help some- were so generous, to individuals, all for something to eat but always made body else – and he was trying to get kinds of people, and to organizations sure never to step one foot too far. Peo- through everybody to somebody who – but when she saw the children being ple would always say, ‘Don’t take one was dying. He said ‘Move your sack!’ But schlepped around like that, she’d say, step into the forest without seeing light where was I supposed to put it? So ‘Look, why not leave the children here through the trees, otherwise you are lost.’ somebody threw it overboard.” and when you finish you can come back And we would peel off little strips of I give a little gasp. for them.’She’d tell the maids to bathe pine bark and inside the hut we would “No, no. You think we mourned for the children and give them something light them and hold them in our hands, it? What was he supposed to do? It was- to eat, and she’d give them clean to have a little light. Like this.” She n’t malicious. He was trying to get to clothes. The children would be in the demonstrates how they held up the somebody dying. In Teheran, I became house with us though the day. Some of

The Jewish Observer, March 2003 27 the neighbors, and even some of her said, ‘Just wait, she’ll be back,’ and mountains – and my grandfather was a friends, they used to say,‘Are you crazy? sure enough, late at night, when distinguished talmid chacham, and was How can you take such children into everybo—” extremely successful in business. We your home? How do you even know always had maids, and a nanny for the those children are really theirs? Maybe ne of her other grandsons, children, and lived in a big house sur- it’s a fake.’ They’d say things like, ‘It’s around seven, appears at Mrs. rounded by gardens. So, my brother not just that they’re poor — it’s that OS.’s side with a toothsome could not accept what had happened to some of them don’t have a conscience.’ inquiry as to whether she wants dessert, us. Conditions had changed. Our lives But my mother didn’t care, she stood and her face blooms in smiles. Taking changed. That’s life.” her ground. She loved the children. My his face in her hands, she asks, “What “The two of you cut down trees?” father used to say,‘Watch out, one day do they have?” whereupon he runs off “Yes, and it was our job to cut up the one of those women is going to leave in a flash. logs and put them into cubic meters. We a child behind and then what will you “Such a wonderful boy.” She shakes weren’t so tall, so we were cutting like do? You’ll be stuck.’ But my mother her head, marveling. “Such a wonder- this.”She leans her head back, and reach- refused to believe such a thing. It went ful boy. I am so blessed.” ing upwards with both arms held against her instincts. She refused to “The mother came back?” straight and parallel, demonstrates a believe any mother would abandon her “Oh, yes.” Mrs. S. sits silently a back-and-forth sawing motion. “I’ll child. One time a mother didn’t come moment or two, thinking, then she says: tell you something.”She leans toward me back when she said she would. It got “My brother was thirteen when the Ger- slightly and gives a confidential little dark. Still she didn’t come. So my mans invaded, and he was very bitter. smirk. “If I had to support myself with mother sat the child down to eat with Very angry. You see, before the war, we logging today, I could make a very nice us. It got later and later and still the had a very nice, comfortable life. My living. I was so good with an ax, it got mother didn’t come. So my mother father was a lamdan, and a successful so I could cut the wood exactly. You put the child to bed. My father was businessman, and my mother came know, you can’t cut through the knot. muttering, ‘You see! I told you so!’ from a very wealthy family in Silesia – I learned how to cut exactly around the but my mother stuck to her guns, and the town was surrounded by beautiful knot. And we knew how to cut off the branches. We made good logs together, my brother and I. But my mother was too delicate. The very first time she ARE YOU MOVING? swung an ax, she got a double hernia. IS YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS PRINTED It’s as if you took a princess and set her down in the forest and gave her an ax INCORRECTLY ON THE JO MAILING LABEL? and commanded her, ‘Cut down this We need your help to ensure proper delivery of the Jewish Observer to your home. tree!’ Would she be able to? She was too Please attach current mailing label in the space below, or print clearly your address and delicate for logging and the Russians computer processing numbers that are printed above your name on the address label. knew it. I remember one time, one of the overseers saw her working and he pointed to a tree stump and he said,‘You sit down, Mrs. B.’ Affix old label here “She did other work in the camp, believe me, she did everything she could to help us. In the summer – in the summer it was bright at night – she Name ______raised vegetables in back of our hut. The New Address ______soil was black and wonderful in Siberia. We grew peas and carrots, all kinds of City, ______vegetables. We had a rose garden. State, ______Zip ______I thought we would be there forev- Date Effective ______Send address The Jewish Observer KARKA IN ERETZ YISROEL changes to: Change of Address Call Rabbi Gavriel Beer for information 42 Broadway, 14th Floor, New York, NY 10004 on obtaining cemetery plots in Beth Shemesh and other locations in Israel. Please allow 4-6 weeks for all changes to be reflected on your mailing label. We will not be responsible for back issues missed unless you notify us 6 weeks prior to your move. 011-972-2-656-9427

28 The Jewish Observer, March 2003 er. When we left Siberia, we left it all– butcher said to her, ‘Mrs. B., I killed it, down into – I don’t know how to all the vegetables, all my mother’s you don’t have to worry.’ And she said, begin…how to describe it. I remember, roses — to the Russians. But it was a ‘You’re a butcher, not a shochet.’ He after the war, saying to someone, ‘I am pleasure. insisted he knew how to do it, but she so happy to be human again.’In Siberia “My mother washed, she scrubbed. wouldn’t eat it.” he and I used to lie on the bed – it was She made our hut as livable as possible. “Did she let you and your brother eat a board covered with straw – with our We lived in a one-room log cabin – of it?” mother lying sick between us, she was- wood there was always enough – and we “We wouldn’t have stood for it if she n’t able to walk anymore, and we’d had a wood stove. We shared the hut hadn’t.” watch the rats running back and forth with another family. Their bed was on across our feet. It was like an enter- one side of the hut, ours on the other. ou were saying, about your tainment for us. We used to joke. “All our clothes were always crawling brother being bi—” At this ‘There goes the father! Look, the moth- with lice. There were lice in the seams. “Ymoment the sound of an er! Here come the kids!’ My mother would take all the clothes ambulance appears, swells, and shrieks “He was always saying to my moth- out behind the hut and scrub until they past in a flash. Will this be followed at er, ‘It’s not fair! They have no right to were completely clean. We’d put them once by another? do this to us!’ And she would press a fin- on and an hour later they’d be crawling I sense Mrs. S. watching me.“It does- ger to her lips, like this, and say, ‘Sindig with lice again. And the walls of the hut n’t have to be terrorism,” she says. “It nischt! Sindig nischt! Don’t sin! Don’t sin! were always covered with bed bugs, could be something normal. Somebody Thank G-d for what is! And just pray teeming with bed bugs. They were sick, may they have a refua shleima. that it shouldn’t be worse!’ So he’d say, polka-dot walls, winter and summer.” Maybe a mother giving birth.” ‘Yeah, sure, and how could it be worse? The grandson reappears, grinning. I’m mentally bolting through the How?’ and she’d say, ‘Shhhhush! It He reports that there’s green jell-o and checklist of the various members of my could be worse! It shouldn’t be worse! yellow jell-o. Chocolate mousse, pink family. Where are they all? Don’t test G-d to punish us. Hashem ice-cream, white cake with whipped Thirty or so seconds pass without shouldn’t test us, G-d forbid! Be happy cream, fruit cup, and pears colored red. any sirens. I ask about her brother being for what is!’ That’s what she was always “I’ll have the ice-cream,”says Mrs. S., bitter. saying, to be grateful for what is and to whereupon he vanishes. “But of course, it was understand- Mrs. S. takes a slice of bread and lays able. Before the Germans invaded VISITING NY? it upon the hotel’s white tablecloth, Poland, he had been enjoying his life. between our water glasses.“Each day the His school, his friends. And my moth- MIDWOOD Russians gave us each a piece of bread, er and father were wonderful parents. GUEST SUITES like this.”She takes her knife and cuts the Just wonderful. He liked everything Ave. J, Brooklyn bread in half, then examines it and trims about his life, and all of a sudden, to be 718-253-9535 it again, into a somewhat smaller rec- pulled out of his life like that and set tangle. “Like that. That was the food ration. My mother used to say to my brother and me, ‘Here, here’s another Considering a move piece for you,’and I used to say,‘Where’s to MONSEY? yours?’ and she’d say,‘It’s in my mouth! See?’ and she’d smile and go like this.” For careful attention to your Mrs. S. makes big, distinct chewing individual needs, call us today! movements and smiles smugly as if she’s eating something utterly delightful. (845) 354-8445 “Until today, I cannot throw away bread. I’ll make it into crumbs. I’ll toast it when it gets old. But I just can’t bring [email protected] myself to throw it away. www.apply4amortgage.com “There was a kosher butcher among the people there, and one time he got hold of a calf and killed it. Everyone was Registered Mortgage Brokers so excited, it was like a holiday. Every- NYS Dept. of Banking 800 Manor Road, Suite #1 body got a piece and put it under the Staten Island, New York 10314 roof of the house to keep it frozen. But Dovid Winiarz, President “We make you feel at home” Phone 718-983-9272 • 914-MORTGAGE my mother wouldn’t take any. So the $ Loans arranged through 3rd party providers The Jewish Observer, March 2003 29 pray it shouldn’t be worse, but I was that my father would come to get us. he grandson enthusiastically praying for HaKadosh Baruch Hu to And in the end, he did. They spent the plops a bright pink dessert down please, please take us out of our lives next thirty-five years together. My Tbefore her, along with a dish hold- sooner rather than later. I was just a mother always had a lot of faith and ing two pears tinted red and a piece of child, but I felt sure we were all going that’s why I have a lot of faith. That layer cake topped with whipped-cream. to die – people were dying left and right whatever is, is not of my doing. It has She again takes his face in her hands, – so I’d pray,‘Please, please let us die fast, to do with Hashem. thanking him profusely. Radiant, shin- so we don’t have to suffer so much.’Dur- Miracles happen all the time. ing, he disappears. ing one period when there was nothing “You know, at one point in the camp, “What a wonderful boy. Just won- at all to eat, Yom Kippur came and I I got malaria and died.” derful. Such a wonderful boy.” She remember saying,‘At least I’m fasting for My face must register my surprise. takes a small taste of the pink stuff. a reason.’ “Yes. Nowadays they call it being clin- She pauses, sets down the spoon, dis- “But my mother – she never lost ically dead. I saw my body from up concerted.“What is this?” she murmurs. hope, never. She always had faith. She above, lying on the bed, and saw the peo- “It’s not ice cream.” never let us fall. She used to say,‘All this ple standing around me. Then all of a She makes a half-gesture as if to push will pass. We will all be together again,’ sudden I was being pulled away to away the dish, but her hand stops, and,‘Baruch Hashem, Baruch Hashem’, another world. It was like a big magnet returning uncomfortably to her lap. and ‘Just wait, everything’s going to be drawing me, drawing me. My grandfa- Then she brightens.“Would you like to all right, don’t worry, you’ll see. This ther was coming towards me. I was on have this, maybe?” won’t last forever.’ She always tried to my way to join him. I was so happy. It I decline, saying I think I’ll go get keep up our spirits. She always had hope was so beautiful. So beautiful there, I some chocolate mousse, then find cannot tell you. It felt so good. Then all myself inexplicably possessed by a sud- of a sudden, it hit me: ‘No! I can’t leave den childish zeal…like the grand- FREE SAMPLE my mother!’ and the next thing I knew, son’s…to be the one to serve her. if you teach Mesechtas Makkos I was back in myself. When I opened my “Would you like some, too?” We have available eyes, it was a great shock for the people “Well, maybe some tea.” She rises there. They thought it was techiyas from her chair. “GEMS FROM hameisim (revival of the dead). They She’s tall, statuesque. I wouldn’t DAF YOMI”. told me later I had had no heartbeat. My mind having higher heels at a time like on this mesechta. breathing had stopped entirely. this. Off we set across the dining hall, Or if you just learned it with Daf “From then on, I was no longer towards the big, happy, noisy crowd sur- Yomi and are eager to review. scared of death. I saw that death is some- rounding the buffet. Please write to thing wonderful. Until today, I’m not Yeshiva Fund scared of dying. Not at all. I know some- * * * Box 82 • Staten Island, NY 10309 thing good is waiting for me.” ack at the table, I finish my mousse, and Mrs. S is looking You can! Just call Baround now with a pleasant I wish I could The Yitti Leibel expression, hands folded on her lap. She “ Helpline. says, “Here I am now at this wonderful H OURS: simcha.Thank G-d. Look, I am here with speak to a Monday-Friday...... 8am -12pm all my loved ones. Monday-Thursday ...... 8pm -11pm “I went today to their graves on Har Sunday...... 9am -12pm, 9pm -11pm Hazeisim – my mother and my father. frum therapist 718-HELP-NOW I invited them to come here to the bar (718) 435-7669 mitzva. “I hope they came. Chicago...... (800) HELP-023 “When my husband and I were in on the phone Lakewood...... (732) 363-1010 Cleveland...... (888) 209-8079 New York after the war – this was about ...... (410) 578-1111 thirty-five years ago — we had without giving Detroit...... (877) 435-7611 Jonathan’s bar mitzva and my parents San Diego...... (866) 385-0348 came from London for the simcha.All kgkuh ban, jh'v suxht c, r' anutk crul uuhkvgko g"v uuhkvgko crul anutk r' c, suxht jh'v ban, kgkuh )bpyrv h"t thhr ,ak"v( thhr h"t )bpyrv the time I kept pinching myself and r' hagh'v ci r' nav sus crtui g"v crtui sus nav r' ci hagh'v r' my name. ,ak"v( xhui c' )bpyr pinching myself – I am here with my ” Dedicated by Mr. & Mrs. Shmuel Boruch Wilhelm parents and my husband and my chil-

30 The Jewish Observer, March 2003 dren! I kept going all the time back and but when the Jews came to pray, He life. And when I didn’t do something forth in my mind, back and forth. I should give them what’s good for them.” right it was just because I didn’t know could not believe it. It was like a dream. She shakes her head, smiling. “Isn’t that better. For example, the way I forced my Can you understand that? We never something? That I should hear that? The children to eat! Oh, I really tortured thought we would ever come out of the woman who was talking kept repeating them about food. Years later when I camp, and I have the zechus to be with to the other one,‘It’s written. It’s written.’ looked back, I realized I had been out my parents and my husband and chil- “I’m so grateful to have the zechus to of my mind, forcing them like that to dren at our son’s bar mitzva? I was all be here with my family, I can’t begin to eat, and I asked their forgiveness.” the time pinching, pinching, pinching tell you. It’s such a special, special, spe- She tips back her head and laughs myself. Is it true or am I dreaming? Is cial zechus. heartily. “And when I said I was sorry, it true or am I dreaming?” “It’s amazing what you can go Jonathan said to me,‘What are you talk- Her cheeks are all at once shining through, and that you can accept it and ing about? You didn’t force me to eat.’ with tears. She takes a napkin and wipes go on. I don’t have any hard feelings. I “I am so grateful. I am overwhelmed. her eyes. can die very peacefully. I have a very clear G-d is so good to me. My birthday is “It was such a zechus to experience conscience. I did everything I could in every day.” ■ this wonderful thing – to have a fami- ly. I lived to have children. “I had a very happy childhood. I am so grateful, I cannot tell you – so grate- ful – that I had such good parents. “It wasn’t easy in Siberia. Many, many suffered. Many died. If it is meant for you to die, you die. Whatever happens is min haShamayim. Hashem does QUALITY SERVICES things the way He thinks it should be Since 1966 and we cannot argue. FOR “Things changed. Nothing lasts for- THE FINEST ever. It’s like circles going around. 623 CORTELYOU ROAD Nothing stays the same in life. Nothing. IN (Off ) All things in life pass. The bad things, PHOTOGRAPHY BROOKLYN NY 11218 and unfortunately, the good things, too. AND VIDEO “I’m a very fortunate person. I had a wonderful youth. It was a wonderful (718) 941-5500 life. Even though I went through a lot and there were a lot of obstacles, I am very grateful for every day because Hashem has always been so good to me. Bad things happen. Life is life. Do you think it’s supposed to be smooth sailing all along? “We thought that being sent to Siberia was our biggest misfortune, that nothing worse could happen. But it turned out to be our luck. Our good for- tune. We were the ones who were bet- ter off. We weren’t sent to concentration camps. “After I arrived here from New York on Monday, I went to the Kotel.I was sit- ting there outside the Kotel and I heard two women talking in . One of them was telling the other that when Shlomo HaMelech was building the Tem- ple, he prayed that when the goyim came to pray, He should grant them their wish,

The Jewish Observer, March 2003 31 Rabbi Aryeh Z. Ginzberg

A Lesson To Be Learnt

“OURS IS NOT TO REASON…” called me back asking incredulously why occupation?” and he replied, “I am a – OR IS IT? I declined his request, only to accept a lawyer.” The Brisker Rav criticized his request from another school for the very response, and explained, “In Sefer t was Sunday morning, the day after same time slot. Yona, as the ship is about to capsize and the tragedy of the loss of the Colum- My response was simple: “It’s all in Yona steps forward, he is asked ‘Ma Ibia, that I received a phone call from the title.” I explained my decision with melachtecha – (What is your profes- the principal of one of the local ele- an insight of Rabbi Samson Raphael sion)?’ Yona responds ‘Ivri anochi, mentary schools. He requested that I Hirsch, l”xz,on the passuk in Tehillim va’es Elokei haShamayim ani yorei address the student body on Monday “Keili, Keili lama azavatni” (My G-d, – I am a Jew, and I fear G-d in heav- morning at a special assembly. When I Why did You forsake me)? He said,“Don’t en.’ asked him what the theme of the read it Lama (Why),but rather ‘L’ma’ “What kind of response is that to the assembly was, he responded, “Under- (For what purpose) did You forsake me?” question that was asked? After all, he standing the Why of Tragedies.”I polite- We have neither the ability nor the right was asked to state his profession.” The ly declined. to attempt to answer the “Why” of the Brisker Rav explained, “Yona was not Later that evening, I received a tragedy; however, the ability and the asked how he makes parnassa, he was phone call from a different principal of responsibility to ask “For what purpose asked his profession, meaning ‘Define another yeshiva in the community and (for what message) and/or what can we who you are, define your essence.’ was asked the very same request, learn from it?” is our obligation. The Yona’s essence was that he was a Jew. “Would you be available to address the topic of his assembly was “Why,” and I That was his definition; everything else students at an assembly on Monday am not an authority on why Hashem was secondary. You,” the Brisker Rav morning?” Again, I asked what the does things. The title of the second continued, “are a Jew, and that is theme of the assembly was, and he assembly was “The Lessons to be what defines you; being a lawyer is sim- responded,“Lessons to be Learnt From Learnt,” and I felt that I could humbly ply how you make your living.” Tragedies.” I readily accepted. share some thoughts that I had heard The inevitable third call came late from my great Rebbe’im over the years. THE ASTRONAUT’S SELF-DEFINITION Monday night when the first principal Allow me to share briefly some of Rabbi Ginzberg,founding Rav of our Ohr Moshe those thoughts. lan Ramon was not an observant Torah, Institute in Hillcrest, NY,is currently Rav The Brisker Rav, l”xz, once greeted Jew. He did not keep Shabbos nor of the Chofetz Chaim Torah Center of an American visitor who had come to Kashrus; and in his four years in Cedarhurst (Long Island), New York. He is a fre- I quent contributor to JO, most recently with “A speak with him at his home in Yerusha- Houston, he did not even send his chil- Call to Arms” (Oct. ’02). layim. He asked him, “What is your dren to a Jewish Day School. Yet for the

The Jewish Observer, March 2003 33 entire world, he defined himself in his something called Mezuza for the first things are Hakadosh Baruch Hu’s last sixteen days on earth – and above time in their lives? And how many domain, and His alone. What is our it – as a Jew first,“Ivri Anochi”; being an Tommy Lapid’s in Eretz Yisroel spent a domain, is: What we can learn from this astronaut was just his line of work. How sleepless night after reading on the front tragedy? One answer, I would suggest, is many millions of people around the page of Maariv that the “modern day the kind of impact that can be made by world who have never heard of Shabbos, hero” of Jewish recited “Shema Yisroel” proclaiming out loud for the whole now understand that it is something at the sight of the majestic holy city of world to hear, “Ivri Anochi!” very special? And millions more, who Yerushalayim while deep in space! have buried the memories of the six mil- For those who can’t get past his not RESPONSES GREAT AND SMALL lion kedoshim of were being a Shomer Torah and mitzvos;or awakened to the need to keep the that he was supposed to return on Shab- ne synagogue in Manhattan memories alive, through the Sefer Torah bos day, violating the holy day; or that had the largest attendance on he took along. How many Jews through- a sefer Torah was brought into space Othat Shabbos afternoon for Min- out this country may have learnt about improperly, is missing the point. These cha services since Yom Kippur, by the many who came to identify with their own personal “Ivri Anochi.”… The Shinui party cancelled a public victory concert for their supporters that very Shabbos day, sparing a tremendous chillul Shabbos for the expected tens of thousands of people. When Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky a”jyls,a person who counts his every word carefully, was asked if these pub- lic expressions of Shabbos and of Klal Yisroel could be considered “ Hashem,”he responded with great con- viction, “Bevadai, bevadai, bevadai” (three times “Surely”). We have no real understanding of the eternal reward of an act of Kiddush Hashem by any Jew at any time. The Gemora (Gittin 57a) comments on how the offspring of Haman Harasha taught Torah in B’nei Brak. What merit did Haman have to reap such zechusim? Yes, he was the epitome of evil, but through his evil decrees, B’nei Yisroel were inspired to do teshuva, and as a result of that teshuva, the miracle of Purim took place. Since indirectly he was the cause of this Kiddush Hashem in the eyes of the entire world, he merited to have his offspring teach Torah in B’nei Brak. Can anyone even begin to imagine what the reward is for someone who is the direct cause of Kiddush Hashem in the world? No,we cannot. The late Rosh Hayeshiva,Rabbi l”xz,entered a taxi in Yer ushalayim with a student. Rabbi Hutner observed how the completely secular Israeli driver was glancing repeatedly at his passenger through the rear view mirror. He obviously noted

34 The Jewish Observer, March 2003 that he had a very special Rabbi sitting of the shul for direction. Having no burial, and instructed them to bury him behind him. After several minutes, he alternative, he motioned for everyone right next to the plot that was reserved reached over to the seat next to him for to do as they were told, with tears rolling for him in the Rabbonim Section. He his baseball cap and gently placed it onto down his aged cheeks. And the town folk explained, “What an honor it would be his head. After exiting the taxicab, Rabbi began to dance on the sifrei Torah. for me to eternally rest next to some- Hutner, commented to his student, One man was frozen in his tracks. one who died Al Kiddush Hashem!” “Who knows how much nitzchius (eter- It was Yossele, known in Krakow as a Why this tragedy happened, or how nal reward) that secular driver earned thief, a corrupt individual who was he is viewed in the Olam Ha’emes are the by placing a cap on his head in honor shunned by everyone. He just stood wrong questions to ask. What is right, of the old rabbi in the seat behind him!” frozen. A Nazi soldier spotted him not though, is to learn from his example of In the same vein, who knows what joining in the desecration of the sifrei what a great impact a Jew can have by special nitzchius (eternal reward) awaits Torah, and ordered him to start danc- proclaiming for all the world to hear this individual, who in his last days on ing. He just continued to stand frozen. “Ivri Anochi!” ■ earth proclaimed to the world “Ivri The Nazi raised his gun to Yossele’s Anochi”? The words of Chazal,“Yesh heart and said, “Dance, or I will kill you koneh olamo be’shaa achas – One can right now where you stand!” AdmiralWeaverInn acquire eternal life in a single moment,” Yossele ripped open his shirt with his NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND has become ever more vivid. two hands, exposing his heart, and said The Only Kosher Bed & Breakfast One final story: in a controlled rage: “Shies da, aber oif 28 Weaver Avenue, Newport, RI 02840 When the Nazis entered the city of mein G-tt’s Torah vell Ich nicht tret- Tel.: (401) 849-0051 • Fax: (401) 847-5902 Krakow, one of their first acts was to ten (Shoot here, but I will not trample www.kosherbedandbreakfast.com

gather together the men of the city in upon my G-d’s Torah).” Enjoy the freedom and convenience of a front of the big shul.They took out the Yossele became the newest addition kosher guesthouse, located only minutes away from sifrei Torah and unrolled them on the to a long list of Krakow’s Jews who gave the Touro Synagogue, ground. They then ordered at gunpoint up their lives Al Kiddush Hashem. the oldest synagogue all the Jews to dance on top of the sifrei The elderly Rav delegated the in North America Group discount available for Simchos and Shabbos Torah.All eyes were on the elderly Rav Chevra Kadisha to prepare his body for For reservations call: 1-888-465-0051 ‰ÂˆÈ‡ ÓÚ·„Â˙ ÏÁ¯Â˙ ˘Ï‡ ‡Á„ ·Ï·„ ÚÓ„ ÚÏÈ ÚÓ„ ·Ï·„ ‡Á„ ˘Ï‡ ÏÁ¯Â˙ ÓÚ·„Â˙ ‰ÂˆÈ‡Â

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The Jewish Observer, March 2003 35 Yosef Gesser Communication… A Rising Or Receding Art?

oday’s advanced able innovation, enables us to be con- technology offers us nected with each other better than ever. Tso many alternatives But were you ever having an interest- by which to communicate ing conversation with someone when almost anywhere in the his cell phone rang and suddenly you world, and receive just became invisible in deference to a about any type of informa- person perhaps hundreds of miles tion more quickly and effi- away? In an engaging anecdote ciently than ever – cellular related by Reb Avi Shulman, an iso- phones, e-mail, Internet, fax lated farmer installed a telephone machines. in his farmhouse. One day, as he sat The Torah world has also and talked with a visitor, the profited; lessons and messages phone rang but the farmer of inspiration of Torah have ignored it. His friend incredu- reached places far removed lously suggested that he take the from Orthodox Jewish life. The call. The farmer replied, “I put in that CD-Rom offers Torah texts in a teller in the bank. phone for my convenience. Right now, very convenient form. The Inter- The writer of these lines is admittedly it ain’t convenient!” net and E-mail are sources for Torah the owner of a cell phone, utilizes e-mail, Cell phones are a mixed blessing in articles and halachic inquiry. and, at times, uses a telephone answer- other ways. The availability of a phone Yet, the benefits notwithstanding, one ing machine. Yes, there are monetary in every conceivable setting has wonders to what extent these advances and time-saving advantages both for removed the sense of privacy that the have improved the overall quality of our commerce and the individual. Yet, upon telephone used to offer when it was con- communication. A few examples will reflection, hasn’t the widespread use of fined to the home and office. And this illustrate. Phone a large company and this technology somehow created a is not to mention the vulnerability of various menus are provided to connect tear in the social fabric of life? speaking on the phone while driving, a you with the desired individual or The cellular phone, truly a remark- practice which studies show seriously department. But sometimes you can’t help feeling that you reached your party more rapidly and with less frustration in the old days when a secretary answered and simply connected you with the appropriate extension. E-mail and voice mail allow for entire conversations to take place with- out speaking with anyone. Even a routine task such as making a bank deposit using the convenient ATM machine saves you the “bother” of a friendly Good morning to the

Rabbi Gesser presently resides in Mexico City, where he learns part-time in a kollel.A writer whose articles have appeared in various publi- cations, he has assisted in the production of many published Torah works in English. His article, “From Slavery to Freedom… From Darkness to Great Light,” was featured in JO March ’01.

The Jewish Observer, March 2003 37 impair one’s driving ability. (Some often this is not done. And the invasive makes it clear that often this is not the states have passed laws requiring a ring is still jarring. case. Is it critical that one’s neighbor in hands-free device for communicating to Certainly, communication plays a shul know that his wife could use some address this problem.) vital role in Torah living. Enhancing per- onion buns and cheese danish picked And who hasn’t been taken aback by sonal relationships, presumably an up on the way home? The modern mir- phones incongruously ringing and objective of better communication, is a acles of communication truly consti- being answered during davening, in the priority, affording openings for ahavas tute a blessing, but they are also a midst of a shiur,during a chupa,or dur- Yisroel and chessed. responsibility. ing, G-d forbid, a levaya? A partial – and Rabbi Moshe Feinstein, l”xz was once belated – solution is for cell phone users leaving his yeshiva when he was n areas of life outside the realm of to leave the room in order to talk, but approached by a needy individual for a formal mitzva involvement, where- contribution. Although he was on his way Iin the Torah or Chazal don’t com- Rabbi Aryeh Schechter to an important meeting, he not only gave ment openly, common sense and derech this man some coins but also spent a few eretz dictate how we should act – the SOFERRabbi S’’TAM minutes speaking with him. Afterwards, widely known, seldom consulted the he explained to his talmidim that the “Fifth Volume of the Shulchan Aruch.” Schechter1558 41st 2" Street Brooklyn NY 11218 words of friendship and encouragement The modern-day miracles of the meant as much to the man as the money. ‘’communication revolution” should We make “housecalls” Of course, a different standard be viewed not merely as an end unto (718) 972-4003 applies for individuals who need to be themselves, but rather as a means to an kdvb • btvc reached at a moment’s notice for end – to better the quality of our lives, hrvt yrpo tvzvzmv Nylypt urgent matters (such as Hatzola vol- and to bring us closer together. The key unteers). But listening to many of these words – “quality” and “closer together” cell-phone conversations (often not should not be lost in shuffle… or over- Specializing in small batim for a perfect fit. through any choice of our own!) ruled by the buzz. ■

38 The Jewish Observer, March 2003 MASTER DAF • 4-5 blatt per tape • Each Daf is read, translated, and explained slowly and clearly in just 20 minutes • $4 per tape (plus S&H) • Subscription rate: $3 per tape (plus S&H) he world is rich with messages to proved to be a carrier. The illness 1-718-435-5438 • 1-800-966-6026 us. The miracles of nature, which would probably manifest itself in her late A project of the Slabodka Yeshiva Twe so take for granted, testifying 40’s or her 50’s. to G-d’s unrivaled creativity; the crises The author reports: – personal, communal and national – I asked the patient how she looked back HAT PLUS which prod us to pray, as though we now on her decision to be tested. mean it; little blips on the screen that “It’s the best thing I ever did,” she Hats • Shirts • Ties • Accessories nudge us in the ribs and tell us to open replied. Slowly she smiled. “Because I have our eyes, our ears, and hearts. That tell tools to make my life better,” she said. “I Your #1 Stop us to wake up. now enjoy my life to the fullest.” for When I flip through the pages of a Instead of living her life scot-free, she Quality Hats newspaper or scan a science article, I try lived each day to the fullest. After all, to learn what’s happening or take note how many years did she have left? WE ALSO DRY CLEAN LARGEST SELECTION & RESHAPE HATS OF CHOSONIM TIES IN of a matter of interest. Scan, spot, focus, Focus and analyze: (All work done on premises) BROOKLYN analyze the find, and occasionally try to Don’t Chazal 3 exhort us to “do teshu- apply a lesson learned to my own life. va”even on the day before we pass away? 1368 Coney Island Avenue Under the title “Questions That Can one really know when ∆that day is? (718) 377-5050 Have No Answers” 1 – a sure eye-catch- So many people leave the world sud- Major credit cards accepted • We ship UPS er that said, Hey, stop and see what you denly, without a day’s advance warning. can focus on – Dr. Robert Klitzman tells What are they to do? And those who are of a patient who had tested positive for ailing and can guess that they are on the Huntington’s disease. She was the eve of that “last day” – how convincing daughter of a woman who is their resolve to change? Can one test had died of the disease, developing psy- the commitment of a deathly ill person chosis and slowly losing her bodily con- to lead a life faithful to Torah, graced by trol and mind. And because of Hunting- devotion, integrity and compassion? The ton’s hereditary nature, the daughter had battle is over before it really starts. a 50 percent chance of carrying the gene But, as Dr. Klitzman’s patient realized, 1537 50th Street, herself.2 “My days are numbered. I’ll lead them as Brooklyn, NY 11219 The author agonizes with the patient: productively as possible. I’ll spend qual- (718) 854-2911 “Will we want to know?” And if we do ity time with my children… and enjoy my find out, whom will we tell and from life to the fullest.” who will we keep the secret? And how “Productively… to the fullest.”What powerful will the secret be to maintain?” a way to live!… Come to think of it, is Ultimately, the patient decided: “It there any other way to live? GittyGitty was harder to live with the uncertainty of Does one need a medical test, having this disease hang over my head. with positive results (v”u) to see the If I had it, I could plan my life accordingly: wisdom in such focusing and pur- PinterPinter spend more time with my kids, so they get poseful living? ■ Experienced Shadchan to know me before I die. If I didn’t have 1 for all age groups it, I could live scot-free. I wouldn’t have Science Times section of , for the Orthodox Jewish community. to worry about it.” Jan. 21, p. F5 2 All italicized sections are direct quotations from Rabbinical references available The uncertainty was harder than the the Times article. Home: (718) 338-1765 knowledge of her fate. 3 Rabbi Eliezer, in Avos II, 1,5 So she took the test at age 42, and Pager: (917) 486-5655

The Jewish Observer, March 2003 41