COMING TO GRIPS WITH TRAGEDY CHURBAN EUROPE: 50 YEARS LATER DOWN SYNDROME - REFLECTIONS OF A PAIIBN't TAMUZ 5750 Dear Friend, ~/lH11'
No day passes without us receiving some form of request for help; a family in need ... a sick mother ... five kinderlach ... but there are special cases where Gedolei Hader sign their names to a special and unusual situation.
A family well known in Eretz Yisroel for their popular and unique chesed organization, suddenly finds itself in the U.S. battling despair and fighting illness.
If it was anyone else, their chesed organization would have long been neglected. Instead, in their exile, through their pain, they work even harder to keep their organization alive. From America they continue to help others in distress.
Two years ago the mother of this wonderful family of five children fell seriously ill, and has been undergoing treatment in New York. We must orovide the family with funds to cover their exorbitant medical bills, as well as their living expenses.
Please help us stand behind this wonderful family and help them with their needs. Please open your heart to a family whose heart is always open.
In addition to your Tefillos for a Refuah Shleimah, we desperately need your generous support, a genuine act of Hatzolas Nefoshos.
In the merit of your warm and generous response, may Hashem bless you and yours with good health and livelihood together with all of Klal Yisroel.
ENDORSED BY THE FOLLOWING RABBONIM
p,t;v;O',)~
HARAV DOVID SCHUSTAL HARAV AVROHOM YAAKOV PAM HARAV YAAKOV PERLOW ROSH YESHIVA ROSH YESHIVA NOVOMINSKER REBBE BAIS MEDRASH GEVOHA TORAH VODAAS
YOUR TAX DEDUCTIBLE CONTRIBUTIONS CAN BE MAILED TO: HATZOLAS NEFOSHOS FUND c/o YISROEL HARTMAN 12 JAY COURT MONSEY, N.Y. 10952 (914)362-1670 ER
4 THE JEWISH OBSERVER (ISSN) 0021-6615 A Time to be Still: Coming to Grips With Tragedy is published monthly except July and August by Ben Tzion Kokis the Agudath Israel of Amerlca, 84 William Street, I New York, N.Y. 10038. Second class postage 18 paid in New York, N.Y. Subscription $22.00 per year; two years, $36.00; Reflections of a Parent three years, $48.00. Outside of the United States Ephraim Milch (US funds drawn on a US bank only) $10.00 surcharge per year. Single copy $3.00; foreign 12 $4.00. Send address changes to The Jewish Poetry: My Children's Brother, Malka Schaps Observer, 84 William Street, N.Y., N.Y. 10038. Tel: (212) 797-9000. ' 13 Printed in the U.S.A. I Fifty Years After the Churban
RABBI NISSON WOLPIN, EOITOR Rabbi Levi Yitzchok Horowitz
EDITORIAL BOARD 18 DR. ERNEST BODENHEIMER Chairman Dark Shadows in the Kitchen:
RABBI JOSEPH ELIAS A Housewife Views the Holocaust JOSEPH FAIEDENSON Sarah Shapiro RABBI NOSSON SCHERMAN 24 MANAGEMENT BOARD NAFTOLI HIRSCH Challenge and Response: ISAAC KIRZNER Bringing the Torah Message to the Secular Israeli RABBI SHLOMO LESIN NACHUM STEIN Rabbi Emanuel Feldl11lln
RABBI YOSEF C. GOLDING '28 Business Manager I Reh Chaim Ozer Grodzensky ?":Jr Published by Fifty Years Since His Passing Agudath Israel of America Rabbi Shimon Finkelman RABBI MOSHE SHERER PRESJOENT 39 I P.S. "The Russians Are Here. What Can We Do?" THE JEWISH OBSERVER does not assume responsibility for the Kashrus of 45 any product, publication, or service advertised in its pages Poetry: Different or Similar, Blimie Friedman
© Copyright 1990 46 Second Looks JUNE 1990 Do Ultra-Orthodox Jews Exist? VOLUME XXJI! I NO.S 47 Poetry: Wonder Woman, Bracha Drnss Goetz Rabbi Ben Tzion Kokis
A TIME To BE STILL: COMING TO GRIPS WITH TRAGEDY
SEARCHING FOR MEANING sense, to the anguished questions loss. This tragedy occurred, after which spring from the heart of the all, on the day that for all Jews, and e live in an age when trag bereaved. It would be presumptu for Aharon most of all, was an occa edy seems to have become ous for anyone not blessed with sion for intense and profound re W ommonplace. Heart-rend ruach hakodesh to interpret specific joicing. The residue of the sin of the ing events punctuate the lives of our occurrences. and lend meaning on eigel (golden calO was finally forgot communities, and, for some of us, an individual scale to personal suf ten, and, as Rashipoints out, it was our very families. Young men and fering. What will be discussed is the only at this time that Aharon felt women. fathers and mothers. and general panorama, the broad con cleansed from guilt for his own role most painfully- sweet. innocent, text in which such events occur. in that episode. And this simcha children, are tom from our midst Perhaps the insights which our sages was interrupted by an event that with what appears to be unfamiliar have provided can lend a measure of would be devastating for any father frequency. We can't help but won comprehension. and, ultimately. on any day .... der: Are these illnesses and acci comfort. to the troubled heart. Yet, when Moshe Rabbeinu ex dents truly occurring more often? pressed to Aharon, 'This was what Or have we become insulated by the AHARON'S UNIQUE SILENCE Hashem had said- 'I will be sancti relative comfort in which we live, so fied by those who are close to Me,"' that these tragedies jar our senses irst, a preliminary thought: Aharon's response is described in with shocking intensity? The Torah describes the two brief words: "vayidomAharon It is difficult to answer this ques F dedication of the Mishkan/ and Aharon was still." What is the tion; ultimately. it doesn't really tabernacle, when the presence of meaning of this simple. but power matter. What IS significant is the Hashem came to rest amidst the ful, statement? very fact that the Hashgacha has Jewish nation. This is the day that It is important to note that the brought this compelling reality upon is referred to in Shir HaShirimas "yom Torah does not use the more com our generation, and it must be dealt simchas libo," the day on which the mon verb, "vehecherish- and he was with. heart of the Creator Himself rejoiced. quiet." What is being expressed is How. then, do we come to grips Yet. the simcha that accompanied not just that Aharon didn't talk: with the starkness of personal these events was abruptly shattered "stillness-d'mama" implies much tragedy? by the sudden death of Nadav and more. Inanimate objects are termed What follows is not an attempt to Avihu. the elder sons of Aharon "domem" for they are "still." in the provide "answers," in the simple HaCohen, as punishment for their absolute sense: utterly incapable of improper offering. comprehension. By the Torah's Rabbi Kokis, a talmid of Yehivas Be'er Yaakov and Beis Medrash Gevoha of Lakewood. is the We would tend to imagine that on choice of verbs. we learn the real mashgiach ruchani ofYeshivas Ohr Somayach of a personal level. Aharon would be meaning of Aharon's reaction. He Monsey. thrown into intense turmoil over his sensed that what had transpired
4 The Jewish Obseroer. June 1990 was an expression of a totally differ Before G-d's absolute control over outside in. Rather, the process must ent dimension of Hashgacha, dis events will be revealed to the world begin from within our own hearts. tinct from the patterns to which we for that, after all, is the essence of We must develop a clear emuna in become accustomed. This sublime the redemption- there will be ape G-d's total Oneness, a clarity rein level of judgment creates different riod in which the opposite seems to forced by having been forged in a standards, and makes us aware of reign. The flow of events appears to time of darkness, when that One how distant we really are from com reflect a pervasive randomness, ness was concealed. Those who prehending the ways ofG-d. We are, making it more difficult than at any succeed in this challenge will truly as it were, inanimate, in relation to previous time to perceive the under be able, and worthy, to recognize the the awe inspiring depth ofjudgment lying order and purpose of the revelation of the ge'ula, for although which has been revealed. The ap Hashgachos. witnessing the apparent random propriate reaction can only be What is the reason for such a ness of "ikvesa de'meshicha, they "vayidam-and he was still." period? Why does the Hashgacha remain anchored firmly in their Subsequent to this event, we find deliberately allow a situation to arise emuna. They can come to appreciate that G-d addresses Aharon in a way which would seem to weaken our the significance and scope of the which appears no other place in the emuna? Oneness of G-d as no others could; entire Torah: "And G-d spoke to Ramchal explains at length that thus will the "generation of Aharon saying.... " Rashi comments this is, in fact, the last test which we Moshiach" be formed. on this, "He was rewarded for his mustconfrontasapreludeforge'ula. silence .. .in that the prophetic mes The Redemption will usher in a world OUR TASK sage came specifically to him." Ap in which the Oneness ofG-d is abso- IN PERPLEXING TIMES parently. the strength to remain "still" in a time of hat, then, is the personal crisis connects task before us? a person to a level of Pe';h~p~m'th~ l~l;h;; tcltfch ~::i;~ If this is the final closeness to G-d which challenge before the was previously beyond sages have provided can lend a ge'ula, and our success his reach. measure of comprehension, in meeting this challenge will make the crucial dif DARKNESS AS and, ultimately, comfort, ference, what should our A PRELUDE response be to the tur- TO LIGHT to the troubled heart. moil in which we live? l1llJ J~l&IJllUILldlll!Ailltllll\1111111111111111111111 Ramchal applies in ewould expect this context the words of that this kind of challenge lutely, purely evident. There will no the prophet: ''Therefore, the wise Wwould be reserved for gi- longer be any vagueness or confu- will be still (ytdom) at the time, for it ants like Aharon. He indeed could sion, neither concerning G-d's con- is a time of evil" (Amos 5). summon the inner strength to sub- trol over events, nor the goodness Stillness! That most difficult of mit to the judgment of the and fairness from which they ema- responses, for which Aharon Hashgacha, tn spite of the pain which nate. But, just as light is only appre- HaCohen was deemed to merit he certainly must have felt on a ciated in contrast to the darkness prophecy, is expected of us, a personal level. Certainly, it would that preceded it, so too, the full generation which seems so far seem, only tzaddikim of prophetic awareness of that Oneness must removed from such formidable stature will be subjected to such flow out of a stark contrast: a period challenges. Yet it seems that as the tests. in which the opposite seems, on the Hashgacha operates in a higher, Yet, RabbiMosheChaimLuzzatto surface, to be true. ge'ula-focused mode, we can draw (RamchaO tells us that such will be Thus, Ramchal says, at this time upon a reservoir of strength from the challenge that confronts the the normative "mode" of the deep within the Jewish soul. generation before Moshiach. In his Hashgacha will be hidden, and a Granted: our minds grope to find a classicpresentationofemuna.Da'as pattern will prevail that seems to reason for tragedy. and our hearts Tevunos (sections 160-1 70), contradict Divine Justice. The clas- ache at the loss; but at the same Ramchal writes that a unique pat- sic test of "tzaddik ve'ra lo. rasha time, on a deeper level, there is a tern of Hashgacha will be in effectin ve'tov lo" (the suffering of the right- sense that somehow, beyond the the period leading up to the redemp- eous and prospering of the wicked) threshold of our understanding, tion. Our success in responding to will confront mankind in its most there is a purpose for our pain. This the Hashgacha will be a crucial fac- extreme form. firmness of emuna, in spite of the tor in bringing about thege'ulaitself. It seems that Ramchalis teaching apparent darkness in which we are What defines this pattern, he says, us that the ge'ula will not be thrust engulfed, is the "stillness" that the is the special character of the times. upon the world, as it were, from the Hashgacha is awaiting.
The Jewish Observer, June 1990 5 How can we develop this inner strength? Perhaps a clue lies in the above The strength to remain "still"·- pasuk quoted by Ramchat "And the in a time of personal crisis WISE will be still...... It is the wis dom about the ways of the connects a person to a level Hashgacha. and the confidence in G-d·s underlying goodness that un of closeness to G-d which derstanding encourages. that en was previously beyond able one to truly be "still." The Chazon !sh. , .. ~, once ex his reach. pressed a penetrating insight into the healing process of those indi viduals who had suffered terrible We live in a society of litigation; century. Rav Hai relates a parable losses during World War II. "To those when something damaging or pain from an earlier source, and exclaims who have emuna." he said, "there ful occurs, it is considered normal to that there are many mussar lessons are no questions. To those who blame others. and, if at all possible. to be derived from it: don't have emuna, there are no an to sue them. The attitude seems to A lion once threatened to eat up a swers .... " be that we DESERVE to lead a fox. The fox said to him, "/ can•tever The emuna to which the Chazon storybook-perfect life. In the gen satisfy your hunger! Let me show !sh referred is not a blind. unthink eral culture, this is often carried to you a corpulent man, whom you can ing. faith. but rather the inner ridicl1lous extremes. But. in more attack and really be satiated. " security that emanates from a grasp subtle ways, our own attitudes have (He showed him) a deep pit. be of the deeper themes of Jewish ex also been affected by this spirit. On hind which a man sat. When the lion istence. The more sensitive a per the one hand. obviously. when saw this, he said, 'Tm concerned son is to the rhythm of Klal Yisroefs someone is damaged or injured there that the man's prayers will make me history. in which galus leads to ul is nothing wrong with demanding fall into the pit." timate ge'ula, the more capable he is one's halachic rights. Yesh din "Don't worry," the fox said. "the of absorbing the impact of tragedy. b'Yisroel! But we tend to lose sight punishment will come to your grand whether on a collective or an indi of another. equally real. dimension. child. So eat him now, and it will be vidual scale. The awareness that he Whatever harm someone wishes to a long time until your grandchild·s is involved in the process that will perpetrate against us can only suc punishment." bring the final comfort for all pain ceed if so was willed by the The lion was persuaded. tried to and suffering helps tap into the Hashgacha. The instinctive reac jump over the pit, and jell right in. strength that lies at the bedrock of tion to place blame on others tends The fox came and gazed into the pit, the Jewish soul. to distract us from the private reck and the lion said to him. "Didn't you Ultimately. it will be revealed to oning which we must make between tell me that the calamity wouldn't us how every event, every challenge, ourselves and Hashem. come to me. but to my grandchild?" fits into the all-embracing pattern of What is true in interactions with The fox replied. "But it is for the the Hashgacha and the fairness of our fellow man is equally true when sin of YOUR grandfather that you G-d's judgment will be clearly and the Divine will intervenes in our have been caught." vividly demonstrated. But until that lives. through suffering or tragedy. Whereupon the lion exclaimed. happens. the responsibility is ours Submitting to the fairness of the ''The fathers eat unripe grapes, and to deepen the foundations of our Hashgacha often creates a conflict, the sons' teeth will ache?!" (In other emuna, so that even amid the confu for we must concede that "fairness" words, where is the justice in my sion of the times, an internal clarity is defined from Hashems vantage being punished for my grandjather·s can shine forth. point. in His terms, and not in ours. sins?) The fox responded, "Why didn't FROM THE CONCEPTUAL TO We are compelled to acknowledge youthinkojthat before?" (Chochma THE PERSONAL that the hopeful scenarios we envi sioned for ourselves and our loved U'mussar Vol. /, sec. 112) f course, it is one thing to ones were not meant to be. This is It is amazing how little has speak in abstract terms about a difficult concession to make; deep changed over the centuries! We can the value of this quality of inside. we often resist by harboring easily identify with the lion·s pre "stillness"; to live with that aware an unspoken feeling that this blow dicament: when we get what we ness on a day-to-day basis is some wasn't justified .... want, we don·t bother to think if it's thing else again. One must be will The Alter from Kelm. Rav Simcha justified. But when events don't ing to confront an intense struggle Zissel Ziv, , .. ~, quotes a remarkable work out as we would wish, the within his own heart before being passage from the responsa of Rav agonizing question plagues us: able to reach that goal. Hai Gaon. who lived in the tenth Where is justice?
6 The Jewish Observer, June 1990 IN AN AGE OF GREATER Are we responding adequately to CONFUSION Submitting to the the demands of the remarkable times in which we live? This is the ques his struggle has never been fairness of the tion which we must all ask our an easy one; but in ikvisa selves in a straight-forward, honest de'meshicha, when the Hashgacha often manner. workings of the Hashgacha are so creates a coriflict, AFTER SILENCE•.. SONG concealed, the tendency to see im balance in the "system," rather than for we must concede fter deselibing the unique na in our own expectations. is all the ture of the age preceding more pronounced. that ':fairness" is Moshiach, Ramchal offers a In a personal conversation with message of encouragement to those this wJiter, Rabbi Shlomo Wolbe, defined from who will actually expelience it. When 1't"t>•?v of Yerushalayim, related an Hashem 's vantage the Ba'al HaNechamos-the Source incisive comment of his Mashgiach, of all Comfort- will heal the wounds RavYerucham Levovitz, ?"~l of Mir. point, in His terms, of His nation, their reward will be When the children of Job died, he doubly great, since the suffering said, "Hashem gave, and Hashem and not in ours. which they endured served as a took away." Observed Reh Yeru vehicle for the ge'ula. So do not be cham, this passage is not significant dismayed, he wlites, because the as a simple statement of fact. but as shemiras halashon, and chessed. simcha of the redemption will com an expression of an attitude. We Thousands upon thousands of pensate for the travail which pre must learn to accept Hashem's women the world over have attended ceded it. taking away in the same way that we gatherings, to be inspired eollee When this occurs, the valiant accept His giving: without ques tively toward these goals. Asked hearts which had mastered the ex tioning. Rabbi Wolbe, "Why don't we see a quisitely difficult task of stillness, Rabbi Wolbe, in tum, commented corresponding awakening among the will finally be able to burst out in how apropos this lesson is for own men of our communities?" song.... • age, when the midas hadin (Hashem's attribute of justice) is placing severe demands on our gen eration. How great is our obligation Yeshiva Gedolah of Midwood to reinforce our emuna, so that we have the strength to remain stead /s now open for registration for the Bais Medrash fast even in the face of these chal lenges! program for the coming Z'man. Our Bais Medrash serves In this context, Rabbi Wolbe both those bachurim seeking a more advanced shiur in added, we see a perplexing phenom Rishonim and Acharonim, as well as those bachurim who enon. We have witnessed recently a surge of enthusiasm among large wish to develop their learning abilities and raise them numbers of women to strengthen selves to a higher level . the "basics": yiras Shomayim,
Emphasis is placed on individual interaction with Rebbeim on all levels. For information and registration please contact the Yeshiva office or the Hanhala.
Yeshiva Gedolah Rabbi Mendel Y. Belsky Rosh Hayeshiva ofMidwood 71&854-07 42 Rabbi Shlomo Dewick 490 E. 4th St. 201-363-3519 Brooklyn, NY 11 21 8 Rabbi Dovld Weissman (718) 853-2400 718-376-7650 (718) 436-3898
The Jewish Obseroer, June 1990 7 Ephraim Milch
REFLECTIONS Of A PARENT
EUPHORIA AND JOY order to cope with the higher inci child should be born with this spe INTERRUPTED dence ofear infections, eating disor cific handicap and G-d decided that ders and often life-threatening heart our family is where this child is he week of parshas Vayetze~ defects. These concerns and diffi destined to be. The child comes to 1987, my wife gave birth to culties deflect the parents' attention this world with its own soul and its T Sheryl, a little sister to our from other less apparent problems own mission for reasons we do not 15-month-old son. Excitement, eu the low muscle tone, late physical know. At the same time, G-d surely phoria, happiness and joy- the development and mental retarda has complex plans, which often call miracle of birth. Yet, those feelings tion. There is pain in knowing our for creating specific familial and were suddenly interrupted (I use child will always struggle and still community relationships. in order that word purposely) with the never attain what most people take to test, purify and bless each of us. doctor's statement that our precious for granted. But the pain is more We lack clarity of vision, a proph daughter had Down syndrome and intense when our child lies at the ecy that can inform us what G-d has possibly a severe congenital heart Akeida of an operating room or in in mind and what path we are to defect. tensive care unit and we wait for G-d follow to best serve Him. Instead, Indeed, as a parent of a child with to say: "Do not stretch out your G-d sends us the directions by way Down syndrome, the struggles and hand to the child," so to speak, to of life's "tum of events" which, with challenges, fears and frustrations, grant her sui"vival. the help of the interpretation and center around the physical infirmi guidance of our Torah leaders, can ties that our child must overcome or GROPING FOR lead us to our eventual goal- a goal learn to live with before she can even UNDERSTANDING we do not fully recognize until the attempt to reach the classroom or trip is over. Our family portrait playground. Perseverance. com own syndrome (trtsomy 21) obviously required a child with Down mitment and a unique temperament is a genetic accident; indeed, syndrome. If that child is removed are critical to parent and child, in D medical science cannot iden from the picture, then the entire tify a cause or reason why any spe picture and all those in it cannot Ephraim Milch. a talmid of Yeshiva Ner Israel, cific child is born with Down syn accurately reflect what G-d had in Baltimore, lives in Pittsburgh. where he practices law with the law firm of Campbell and Levine. drome. Accordingly more than other tended. I am a different person as is The author acknowledges the contribution of a disorders, it is one of those rare each person who had been touched number of people to the formulation of this situations that point directly to by a child with Down syndrome. essay. most notably, Maier Kutoff of Minneapo Hashgacha. G-d decided that this That is what G-d intended. There lis. Minn.
8 The Jewish Observer, June 1990 could be no otherway. As the Chwnn we previously deluded ourselves that !sh wrote in Emuna UBiJachon. emuna life presents such situations only to is the trust and realization that every others. Perhaps we refuse to accept thing that happens is detennined by imperfections or human limitations. Hashgaclia-decided by a loving Fa To a great extent, family mem ther. Thereisnofateorchance. BiJachon bers take their lead from the parents is living with this reali7.ation. of the handicapped child. When the A couple in their early twenties grandparent sees strength and sta does not give much thought to an bility in the parents, he, too, devel event like this occurring to them; ops the courage and guidance nec accordingly. one cannot be prepared essary in such a situation. with any answers. Yet. G-d provides There are also moments, particu the strength. He does not guarantee larly early on, when the pain is so that we will be successful in raising great that we lose self-control and such a child. He does guarantee dare ask, "Why me?" G-d is surely that we could be successful. by pro aware of our belief and trust despite G-d. decided that viding us with the potential to the confrontation. this child should properly manage the situation. We face challenges and, ofcourse, our reactions are human. G-d does be born with this not demand a uniform response. NEGOTIATING We are tested because we are hu specific handicap THE ROUGH SPOTS man. Because we are human. we and G-d decided react individually. Some people n attaining the achievements, grapple alone with the pain, ques that our family is we pass through a series of tions and fears. and find meaning where this child is I rough spots; and strength on their own. Others Can I love this child or grandchild find comfort, encouragement and destined to be. as I do the others? The question it answers by opening themselves and self presents fear and pain. The sharing with others .... Some will cry The child comes to answer lies in seeing and holding longer. Others will question harder. this world with its the child. Loveofparentto child and child lo parent quickly replaces the BETTER THAN REUVAIN? ... own soul and its feelings of doubt and aspects of re OR WORSE? jection. Human love transcends the own missionfor experience and allows us to develop reasons we do an all-encompassing bond with this hy me?" Am I worse than child. as with any child, a bond that Reuvain, that G-d has de not know. cannot be severed, despite moments Wcided to punish me in this of difficulty. To hold and to care for; world? Am I better than Reuvain positive emotions surface and con that G-d is sending me direct pun- SEEING THE BEAUTY tinue to assert control. ishment in this world, and treating IN THE TEST We stand outside the operating me lo something better in the world room of Children's Hospital. our to come? If a child with Down ur struggle to deal with our daughter undergoing open heart syndrome is G-d's way of pointing child is our private Akeida, surgery, and we realize through the out the failure of the "me" genera 0 and we continue to refer to heart-throbbing tears and desper tion to properly give as parents, the original incident to better un ate prayers that the love is forever have I been a parentlong enough to derstand what is expected of us: present and that the parent-child have failed in that area that G-d Avraham awoke early in the attachment cannot be severed nor must punish me? lf G-d is not morning. G-d had called, and he described. Through a most trying punishing, but looking for "special" was ready to respond. Yet, obviously experience, G-d has reassured us of parents, have 1 been a parent long he harbored doubts, or it would not the love and commitment that He enough and acquired the maturity, have been a test. Who accompanied knew we had and we, as human extra sensitivity and special caring, Avraham and Yitzchak to the beings. needed to recognize. to deserve and properly deal with Akeida? Ghazal tell us: Eliezer, This cannot be happening to me. such a child? lf we are being chal Avraham's chosen servant, who later or my child, or my grandchild. Par lenged, to question is normal. To was trusted to select a wife for ents and grandparents awake to feel the pain is normal. It is our Yitzchak, studied with Avraham and, gether to face G-d's complex world task to come up with the respon indeed, walked up to his neck in as never before experienced. Perhaps sive action. water in order to travel to the Akeida.
The Jewish Observer, June 1990 9 Yishmael, as well- the son of Avraham. who underwent circum cision at thirteen. and now traveled Our struggle to deal with our the same course to the Akeida as Eliezer. At that point. say Chazal. child is our private Akeida, Avraham compares them to a don key. The greatness of Avraham and and we continue to refer Yitzchak that distinguished them from Eliezer and Yishmael was their to the original incident to ability to see the cloud of Glory hoveling over the mountain, while better understand what is the others saw only a hill. Eliezer and Yishmael recognized that this expected of us. mission was a calling from G-d. They trusted and believed. But they failed to see the potential in the perhaps not completely answered, Israel at the age of twelve and will event ahead. no longer seem so pressing. assume all the obligations of an The key to transcending mortal adult. Having a handicap does not shortcomings is not to dwell on the ADVANCING TOWARD diminish a person's human status. questions of "Why?" and "How THE FUTURE To the contrary. each neshama is come?". and instead to pray to G-d placed on this earth to perfect itself: for the strength to ask "What can we person with Down syndrome a neshama placed in a guf with do?": to see the mountain and the is a complete Jew and is limited faculties obviously has fewer enormous potential that this child obligated as all people to weaknesses requiring perfection. has to serve G-d- as does any child. serve G-d to his or her full potential. The Chazon !sh would stand before in its way. Once again, emuna and We have the responsibility to educate those children with limited mental bitachon slowly reassure us and her in Torah and mitzvos, and be capacity and note that they are par human love helps provide the needed cause she is no different than you or ticularly holy and pure. strength. The questions, although l, she will enter the community of Through it all, one continues to
THE MESIVTAOF YESHIVA OF BROOKLYN is now accepting a limited number of applications for grades 9-12 and first year Beis Medrash for Elul 5750 I September '90 at which time we plan n''>mv:i to move into our beautiful and spacious new building. • Our eighteenth successful year • Shiurim in Mussar and Halachah Praised by Gedolei Yisroel • Warm and friendly ruach Outstanding and experienced Rabbayim Talmidim & Kolle! Yungeleit learn Dormitory facilities and three meals daily b'chavrusa Bus transportation • Individualized attention • Emphasis on both Iyun and Bekius We are also accepting applications for our afternoon and/or evening Kolle!. 1206 Ocean Parkway • Brooklyn, NY 11230 (718) 376-3775 r,v111m 0 111 IO The Jewish Observer, June 1990 live with dichotomies. Tears ema We seek answers, to explain the carry on your hopes after you have nate from the pain and frustration; past; G-d continues to provide solu passed on. The joy is in the achieve tears emanate from joy and happi tions for the future. A world of ment, the communication- at what ness. Tears flow from being over sophisticated medicine and special ever level- of each child as himselfor whelmed by the moment; tears flow education continually affirms the herself. The greatest proof of our from the love and concern of others. Hand of G-d and His greatness on humanity is in the non-comparing Helping hands of family and friends earth. and we benefit from the self love we can show for our children and at a difficult time are so important less dedication showered on indi for each other. At the same time. she their just being there .... suffering in viduals- indeed. our daughter- who provides abundant love in all direc our difficult moments and rejoicing but a few years ago society ignored. tions. She showers us with more in our happiness. dreams and Sheryl provides us with a con satisfaction, more love and more hopes ... friends who not only pre tinuous lesson in true parenting. It personal growth than we could ever sented a shoulder to cry on but who is difficult, as a parent, to live vicari hope to instill in her. As David cried themselves .... And some tears ously through a child with Down Hamelechwrotein TehilLim. 'The stone are shed in intense moments of syndrome. to dream that she will which the builder rejected has become prayer- alone, man and G-d. live out your unfulfilled dreams and the chief cornerstone." • The Commuter's Chovrusoh Learn Bomidbor with Robbi Yissocher Frond, Magid Shiur, Ner Israel Yeshiva Turn your commute time into learning time. You'll explore fascinating Halachic issues in the latest series of tapes from Robbi Frond's popular weekly shiur at Baltimore's Agudath ~rael. Join him in the bais med rash as he examines the p-ogression of Holacho from the Chumosh through poskim to current responso. Each tape concludes with Hoshkolo and ethical applications related to that Porsha. Starting with series III, every full sefer ordered comes in a convenient olbum. h's a fine gift for a friend, relative or yourseff. Bamidbar/Series III O No. 101 Bamidbar--Teaching Torah to Women O No. 102 Shavuos--Yom Tov Candle lighting O No. 103 Nasso--Birchas Kohanim O No. 104 Beha'aloscha--The Seven-Branched Menorah O No. 105 Sh' loch--Tallis: Does It Cover Only Married Men? '° !!""'""'" fiD'""i O No. 106 Koroch--The Temple Mount Today-Obligations and Restrictions O No. 107 Chukas/Balak--Rabbonim and Roshei Yeshiva-Do Sons Inherit? 0 No. 108 Matos/Ma'sei--Toiveling Dishes TO ORDER, send $7 per tape (indudes shipping and hondling). OR send $45 for the entire Bomidbor/Series III, o $56 value. Acolalogue listing oll of Rabbi Frond's tapes will be included with each order. Make che ALSO AVAllABl~ for SI perlape, family Series O No. 100 The Orthodox Jewish Woman in the Workplace--lf, when, how? Special Interest O No. 99 The Agunah and Other Women's lssues--Can Halacha be more responsive? Hame ______~Address ______Cily _____ Stole_Zip_ (AlSOAVAll.ABlE AT EICHlER'S AND OTHER FINE BOOKSTORES) Yad Yed!iel in qualified R01-p The Jewish Observer. June 1990 11 Malka Schap_j My Children's Brother Once again. when trouble falls. My foster children's mother calls. All 1 can give is sympathy. But worry cuts through my empathy. "Where is Meir? Where will he go?" "I don't know." she cries. "I don't know." My children's mother is on the phone. Will we take him or leave him alone? G-d sent me down a different path. My hu~band learns- I do math. How dear to me those hours at work. The last of tasks I want to shirk! "They called to say they've started out. They'll be here in an hour-about." The social worker is on the phone. Will we keep him or leave him alone? His brother and sister beam with joy And change him to a different boy. Long pants, long sleeves. four tzitzis show. The clippers shear. leave peyos below. We cannot put him in cheder yet. First we teach him the Aleph· Bet. Their father's mother is on the phone. Will we keep him or leave him alone? Fusses, tantrums. winning smiles, New clothes. parks. we must walk miles! Dentists. doctors. loom ahead. When he's asleep I fall in bed. Fierce bursts of sibling rivalry "Is there another family?" Yad Le'Achim called today. Will.we keep him or send him away? Our own children and his siblings too- Now they don't want him and now they do. After a hundred and twenty years. Which are the hours that pay the arrears? Those beloved hours of abstract thought. Or the painful ones when I do as I ought? My husband's doubts are like my own: "Will we keep him or leave him alone?" Ambitions asks. "What could 1 do If instead of one hand l could use two?" Our Rav relieves the dreariness: "You can't belittle a woman's weariness." Am I tired or just short-sighted? You want us to keep him. I know you do. Would you feel the same if they asked you? Dr. $chaps. a professor ofn1athc1n;:iiics. l!ves in Bnei Brak. I kr artit·if'. "Tlw Mainland and thf" Island: London Then and Now.'· appeared in ,JO "82. 12 The Jewish Observer. June 1990 Rabbi Levi Yitzchok Horowitz 50 YEARS AFTER THE CHURBAN: Our Responsibility NOT GOOD AT MOURNING scription of Divine punishment in until the very last moment before the Torah, the reason for it is stated; the day of Tisha B'Av itself. a people. we never were very "For your not having served G-d The day arrives. We sit low and good at mourning. your G-d in happiness ... " (Devarim. say kinos. We fast. we pray, and we A The Jewish nation, even 28;47). cry. But even here. onthedayitself, as our history was only beginning, Avrohom's people have learned there seems to be a limit. When the seems to have innately come to from his example. and from the afternoon arrives, it finds us permit recognize that it is possible- and Torah's exhortation. While we have ted to sit on regular furniture, even self-defeating- to mourn too much. had much to mourn over in our donning our te.fillin, the "beauty" we At our very outset, when we find history, we are careful to always were denied the first half of the day. our forefather Avrohom weeping for honor the necessary limits to tears. There cannot be, it seems, even a Sarah, the Hebrew word for "and to When we regard the terrible cata full day of national mourning- even cry for her" has one of its letters clysm offifty years ago. we can do no for the paramount tribulation of written small. implying limitation. less. We can do no better than to Jewish history His recognition of his wife's great model our response after the re But more. In the dark humus of ness was diminished not a whit sponse to the quintessential Jewish Tisha B'Av is the day on which and neither are any letters of the tragedy, the destruction of the Holy Moshiach is born. The Munkacser word for "to eulogize her" - for such Temple. Rav. the MinchasElazar. would write recognition can never be excessive: Each.year the sad commemora personal letters on Tisha B'Av af it is a positive experience. Crying, tion of that catastrophe, as man ternoon. and would date them "the though, is a negative one; one can dated by halacha. begins with the day of Moshiach's birth." indeed cry too much. with no ben arrival of the month of Av. "When Av THE LIMITS TO EXPRESSION eficial result at all. enters," the ShulchanAruchcodifies. OF DESPAIR The Torah impresses us elsewhere "we lessen our happiness" (Orach with the absolute necessity of pre Chaim. 551: !). Tellingly, though. we elling. too. is how Rabbi serving happiness. Strangely. un are exhorted to "lessen," not to dis Yehoshua felt the Jew might expectedly. almost shockingly. in continue. T most effectively mourn the the midst of the most horrible de- The actua1 week containing the 1~empJe's destruction. Destruction's anniversary arrives, There were a group of Jews. after and we intensify our awareness of the Second Temple's destruction. Rabbi Levi Yitchok Horowitz is the Bostoner Rebbe of Boston and Har Nof, Jen1salem. This the sad events. But we still push off who refrained from eating meat and article is based on his address at lhe most recent the actual signs of mourning like drinking wine. The Talmud, inBabba National Convention ofAgudath Israel ofAn1ertca. sitting low and eating eggs with ashes Basra (60b). relates their rationale The Jewish Obseroer, June 1990 13 as they explained it to Rabbi human being can-will-destroy TWO POINTS FOR Yehoshua: himself by mourning too much. COMMEMORATION "Can we really eat meat, like that While the tragedy might theoreti which was brought on the altar, now cally require a limitless expression ndeed, we find two distinct destroyed? Can we drink wine like that of grief, our Creator has made us in means of remembrance insti which was poured on the altar.,,?" such a way that we would perish I tuted by the rabbis of the Tal "But then we should not eat bread with out limits on our tears. mud: zecher l'Churban and zecher either," Rabbi Yehoshua told them, And by creating us so, He has l'Mikdash. The former recalls the "as the flour-offerings are no more!" revealed His will that we recognize destruction of the Temple. It is the "We can survive on fruit." they those limits. sad remembrance, and is usually responded. observed passively. The emphasis "But we should not eat fruit ei of zecher l'Churban is Jess on forms ther, since the first-fruit offering The sad of active mourning, than on keeping exists no morel" commemoration of unbridled happiness in check, "We can eat other fruits [than decorating one's home, preparing a those species brought as the catastrophe, of meal, self-beautifica first -fruits!." tion, weddings .... "Well, then, we should the Churban .. as The second means, drink no water, as the mandated by though, zecher l'Mik water-offering [on dash, recalls the Beis SukkosJ has been abol halacha, begi~ Hamikdosh itself to the ished tool" Jew, and recalls it as They were silent. U)i~h. 14 The Jewish Observer, June 1990 Hillel ate it in the time of the Temple. Temple times, when they likewise Matzah and Marror are not the only abounded. providing the people with things wrapped together at the seder, willow branches for the holiday. One our joy and our remembrance are of the four .. special Shabbosos.. re intertwined too. not only in korech, but calls the annual collection of the in the roasted egg and shankbone on half-shekalim for the needs of the the seder-plate and in the afikoman Temple. The very taking of the arba as well, all commemorations of what minim each of the days of Sukkos is we had in the Beis Hamikdosh that is zecl1er l' Mikdash, a remembrance of no longer standing. the Temple. as are the circuits we And our happiness is not less~ make around the bima, which we ened for our remembrance. Despite visualize as the altar. our recalling of the times of old, our All those emphatic, active re tears are not allowed entrance to the membrances do not recall the seder. That is zecher l'Mikdash. We Temple's destruction, but its func remember, most certainly, but in a tioning. and therein lies the impor positive, constructive way. tant lesson for us. To constantly, Jews in Upper Hungary, the actively focus on the loss itself Oberland, had the custom of wear would be counterproductive and ing ragged. tom clothing on Shabbos unhealthful for a human. That was Our people has come to deal with its need to mourn in an unusual. almost paradoxical way. We not only cry. in remembrance of the Temple; we dance. too. Chazon, the Sabbath before Tisha Rabbi Yehoshua's point to the ab BiAv. They empathized with the stainers. The proper approach to Destruction in a special way. But hallowing the past is not only to the same Jews, when Yorn Kippur properly mourn it at specific times. arrived, felt themselves (as do all but to honor it in a positive, deter Jews) actually in the Beis mined way the rest of the time. Hamikdosh, as they fell to the floor during the reading of the ancient THE REAL WAY TO REMEMBER Temple service. The past was still excitingly, happily alive. n truth. this approach is more When we think of it, our year is than merely healthful. more virtually filled with positive. even I than simply necessary. It is, in joyous, reminders of what we could the final analysis, the most real way easily be mourning in tears. Our of remembering. tradition, though. mandates that For it is interesting that no word our active emphasis be put on the for remembrance is appended to first way. Yitzchok'sname. as it is toAvrohom's We place the Chanukah menora and Yaakov's. in the pasuko in shul in such a way that it reflects "And I will remember My covenant with the menora's placement in the Ya'akov. m1d also My covenm1t with Temple. We re-enact the chibbui Yitzchok, and also My covenant with arava ceremony on Hashana Avrohom will I remember. and the land Rabbah. and hoshana-sellers pro will I remember.·· -Vayikr The Jewish Observer, June 1990 15 Just as G-d needs no "memorial" for Yitzchok, so too is there no need for memorial institutions when the "ashes of Yitzchok" are right before our very eyes. "remember" Yitzchok, for "the ashes ness to die for G-d represent de gized him?" they ask. And then they of Yitzchok are [always] before Me, structions that almost were, but proceed to perpetuate their sense of piled upon the altar," a reference to never happened. Not so the third; it loss, with memolials of stone and that forefather's readiness to be of refers to a sacrifice that was real. In barbed wire, with special days of fered as a sacrifice. our generation we have both ex commemoration of what they think The commentaries ask: amples before us. is no more. "Ashes?- But Yitzchok was saved, Six million souls, sadly, were our We, though, have not become the order for his death rescinded!" own"generationofdestruction." But eternal mourners- it was only with The answer some offer is that Rashis we have the survivors too, those who difficulty. and years later, that we reference is to all those who, in later exist today in spite of the evil that came to compose a special kinah for times, demonstrated Yitzchok's aspired to destroy us all. And the Churban Europe. For we remember willingness to die for G-d, and indeed message of the survivors, the mes in a more meaningful way: we re lost their lives for their convictior1s sage they brought us from the de memberwith things other than tears. to all the saclifices of all the future stroyed generation, is that we who Our interest is not in burying the generations of Jew. follow must not so much mourn as past- even with the most lavish fu That thought speaks to us loudly. continue. neral- but in salvaging, continuing. Just as G-d needs no "memolial" for In the Gemora Taanis (5b), Rabbi it. Yitzchok, so too is there no need for Yochanan asserts that our forefa memorial institutions when the ther Yaakov never really died. CELEBRATING SURVIVAL "ashes of Yitzchok" are right before Others present retorted: "Was it our very eyes. The true Jew remem then for naught that the eulogizers Something I remember is my bers almost without effort. for every eulogized him, the embalmers em uncle's small stone. It was be thing is right there before him! What balmed him and the gravediggers fore there was Jewish control over we are doing when we re-enact the buiied him?" the Kosel He had a small stone that service and practices of the Beis Rabbi Yochanan responded: he had found near the Wall, which Hamikdosh is not memolializing, "I am !simply] analyzing a pasuk. he kept in a box in his small home in but connecting with an aspect of the It says (in Yirmiyahu, 30): Me'ah Sh'earim. Hashem had past still very immediate to us. 'And you, fear not. My servant "poured His wrath upon the wood The MidrashRabbacomments on Yaakov, says G-d, and tremble not. and stones," yet the stones of the the phrase re'ach nicho'ach, "a Yisroel. for behold I am your savior Wall had still managed to survive. pleasant fragrance," which the To from afar and !that of] your descen My uncle found solace in that bit of rah uses to refer to Noach's sacrifice dants from the land of captivity.' - stone. It was not a gravestone to after the fiood: "... the fragrance of The pasuk compares him IYaakov] him, and not a monument. but a our father Avrohom as he emerged to his descendants. So, just as his survivor. Yaakov, he knew, had not from the fiery furnace [into which descendants are alive, so is he." died. To him, his small stone was a Nimrod had cast him] ... the fragrance There are always those who insist reminder that Jews would once again of Chananiah, Mishael and Azariah that "Yaakov has not died.'' We are daven at the Kosel- and they do. as they emerged from the fiery fur those people. Other Jews, though, And to him it meant that the Beis nace [into which Nevuchadnezzar witnessing the terrible destruction Hamikdosh would once again had cast them] ... the fragrance of the our people has undergone, cannot stand- and it will. generation of destruction .... " fathom our attitude. "Was it then Our solace no less must be in the The first two examples of willing- for naught that the eulogizers eulo- surviving wood and stone, the wood 16 The Jewish Observer, June 1990 and stone that are the walls of the with his new tzitzis on, in his lick of referring to milk from Eretz Yisrael/ batei midrash of our own times, that the honey his elders placed on the lt didn't look good then; we might which survived the terrible Churban page of Chumash for him, just as have given up and just built a of fitly years ago into our day. Real was done in Budapest of old. Our monument to the memory of chalav izing that Yaakov has not died. we memorial is the kittel, not enclosed Yisrael. But il is rather heller "re pick up the broken pieces of stone in some glass case in a museum, but membered" today by existing, by and, with them, build anew. worn, just as it was in Poland, by being widely available throughout Our "Holocaust memorials" are living, determined Jews today. the country. As is glatt koshermeat, the Dq.[YomL the Beis Yaakovs, the I remember when I first suggested and concern for shaatnez. 'rhey are reconstructed yeshivas of Poland, the idea of obtaining chalav Yisrael not obscure, ancient things; they Lithuania, and Hungary in other for the Boston community, years exist. .. As do kashketlach on the places, the replanted gardens of the ago. Some people were worried, heads of young chassidL5he boys. Chassidic courts of the past. The they told me, that the milk couldn't just as in Europe, before its churban. most meaningful remembrance of possibly stay fresh so long. "So long?" After tragedy struck. our re the European world of our parents I wondered and asked them to ex sponse was not merely lo eulogize lies not in its epitaph but in its plain what they meant. or to construct a museum, but a continuance, in the modem sight of "Well," they went on, "won't the continued Jewish life, a Jewish the little three-year-old boy's payos, milk spoil on the long voyage over future. an insistence that Yaakov in his first procession to the cheder seas?" They had assumed that I was had not died. B The JewL5h Observer. June J 990 17 Sarah Shapiro !J -~ ~] Dark Shadows in the Kitchen A HOUSEWIFE VIEWS THE HOLOCAUST IS SIX MILLION this man's statement. Every few G-d's kindness in evidence. since EASIER THAN ONE? years I go through one of my Holo even amidst the relative ease in which caust periods: for a month or two I our generation is presently living, ome weeks ago I happened to read nothing but histories, first-hand maintaining our emuna isn't easy? read the first few paragraphs accounts, analytical studies. Is my It's obvious that we're all being S of an article about a baal interest in the Holocaust an obses tested, day in and day out, from one teshuva movie producer in America. sion that I should curb? ls it a minute to the next. Each person I The interviewer had asked him if he substitute fora higher level ofJewish know has his or her own personal was interested in doing any films awareness? Though 1 would cer share of suffering and there is no about the Holocaust. "No," said the tainly come under the movie shortage of tragedy. Yet while we producer. "Why not?" asked the producer's list of Jews who do iden may find ourselves inwardly com journalist. "Because it's much easier tify themselves properly with Juda plaining that our difficulties seem for people to identify with the six ism (after all, look at the scarf on my undeserved, the suffering is usually million," he replied. "than it is for head, and the Badatz hechsher's on meted out on such a scale that we them toidentifywithJudaism. They my kitchen shell], it could be that are still capable of discerning the get a sense of their Jewishness much the time I devote to reading about reasonable and kind Hand that's easier that way, yet they're escaping the Holocaust is time that could be administering it. We can look for its their true responsibility." better spent brushing up on the meaning. We can conceive of the I turned the page, furrowing my halachos of Shabbos, attending possibility that our pains are as way through all the advertisements shiurim or getting the laundry done precisely calculated to heal what for sheitels and completely re-styled by Thursday. ails us as are the pains we get in the kitchens, on to the end of the maga dentist chair. zine. The magazine has gotten lost WHAT AM I WOKING FOR? now somewhere among the piles of OUR WORST EXPERIENCES, crayoned pictures and bathing caps hat am I looking for? What LESS THAN THEIR ROUNTINE and all the odds and ends that sum diives me on from one Hol mer vacation produces. but that Wocaust volume to the next? ere I am, thank G-d, in my comment has been on my mind ever When I ask myself what it is that daily life, where the worst since, presenting itself to me first captivates me, I find I'm seeking H thing that has befallen me from one angle and then from an something that can illuminate my this week was to be insulted by a other, now in this light, now in that own daily affairs- the truth that lies friend on the same day that one of one. There's something so true about beneath the surface oflife. How are my children had an ear infection we, really, underneath it all? What and another one wouldn't go to bed Sarah Shapiro lives in Arzei HaBira. Jerusalem. is revealed when a11 the props are at eight. My telephone has just Her book. Growing With My Children·- A ,]e!l'ish torn away? What would remain of gotten turned off because I didn't Mothpr'sDiary. was published recentlybyTarp;urn Press. our emuna were virtually no sign of pay the bill on time: now there's a 18 The Jewish Observer, June 1990 · legitimate problem for you ... Yes terday was Tisha B"Av. I managed somehow lo get all the kids out of the house. sank into the couch with Slingshot of Hell, by Rav Yehezkel Subscribe now to Harfanes, Marlin Gilbert's histori ca] volume. The Holocaust, and The Jewish Observer Responsa From the Holocausl. by Rabbi Ephraim Oshrey. First I found the place where I'd left off in and$AVE Slingshot q[ Hell a few days earlier. Like millions of other Jews of that era, Rav Harfanes lost almost the Become a monthly subscriber entire family to Germany's perpe to The Jewish Observer and tration of the Final Solution. In lhe save up to 47% off the single· now familiar scenario, his wife and children were sent lo the left. while copy price (a savings of over he and one of his sons were sent to $40.). The longer you sub· the right. scribe for, the more you save. "We threw kisses in the air and promised one another that we And this introductory offer is fully guaranteed. You have but to ask and you will receive would be reunited before long." a pron1pt refund on any undelivered issues shou!d you decide to cancel at any time, After the war. he writes, "when I for any reason. returned lo my home. l felt the Each month, The Jewish Observer v.1il! be delivered directly to your door. filled walls of my house lo be lhe silent with the views of leading Torah thinkers on current issues ... comments on the witnesses of the tragedy I had strengths and foibles within the Jewish coinrnunity ... analysis of contemporary expertenced. They were stripped Jewish events. . inside reporting, interpretive commentary, inspiring biographies, of all plaster. thanks to the scav infuriating letters and l!lurninating responses-a!! \'\lithin the covers of one magazine, enging of treasure-seekers. They The Jewish Observer. were windowless and doorless. a So don't delay. Check the money-saving terms below and send in your order right veritable shambles. This devas away. We'!! try to get your order filled in time for our very next issue. tating sight reminded me of the destruction of my dear family. I regarded myself as a severed en :------· SUBSCRIPTION SAVINGS CERTIFICATE : tity. an amputated limb. I was so depressed that for a Jong time I : ~H Suite 1200 • 84 William St•eet : I OBSERVER New Yo•k, N.Y. 10038 slept on the floor. not even sens 1 ing the lack of a proper bed. My I I I 0 YES! Please enter my subscription for: USA 'OUTSIDE I spirit was altogether crushed. I ONLY USA I felt as if my deceased ones were D 3 years-at 47% off the cover price $48 0 $78 deposited right before me." D 2 year5-at 40% off the cover price $36 c $56 l] l yecn -- at 2 7"/o off the cover price $22 0 $32 *Price reflects $10 extra per year to defray air shipping costs. Foreign " ...NOT MADE ME A SLAVE" p 20 'The Jewish Observer, June 1990 put the lejlllin on his rtght arm, assembled repeated each verse in penitence. At 7 a.m. they brought he would be fulfilling the mitzva. depressed tones. Then I contin us coffee and bread. Some of the He rejoiced at the ruling and, as ued: 'Praised be the name and the men from !zbica drank up all the he walked out in good spirits, splendor of his realm forever and coffee. The others got very an remarked, 'The accursed Ger ever.' which the others repeated noyed and said we were already mans did not succeed in robbing after me three times .... [Afewdays facing death and had to behave me of the mitzva of teflllin. "' later] after the morning prayer, with dignity. It was decided to we again talked about ourselves, share out a little coffee to every I flipped some pages. politics and G-d. Our over one in future." whelming worry was the fate of "After the Germans carried out the Jewish people. All would Passing quickly through the the mass murder of Jewish chil gladly have forfeited their own 1940-s, something caught my eye dren on 3 and 4 Nissan 5 704, by lives if only the Jewish nation from June of '44: butchering some 1.200 children could survive .... Monday, the 12th and infants whom they tore from of January, at 5 a.m. six people "One of those executed at their mothers' bosoms and shot got up and recited the Psalms Birkenau was the former Elder of and burned, I was asked by the amid crying and wailing. Some of theTheresienstadt ghetto, Jacoh unfortunate parents whether they the others made fun of us because Edelstein. An eye-witness, Yossi had the obligation to recite of our piety. This consolation Rosensaft, was present during Kaddish for their children and if struck them as youthful foolish Edelstein's last moments: 'It was there was any distinction to be ness. We replied that our life was about nine a.m. and he was say made between infants and older in the hands ofG-d. If all this was ing his morning prayers, wrapped children. Response: I instructed His will, then we accepted it with in his prayer shawl. Suddenly the the unfortunate parents to recite love, all the moreso as the days of door burst open and S.S. Lieu Kaddish for their beloved chil the Messiah were approaching. tenant Haessler strutted in. He dren, but only for those who were After the morning prayer and called out Jacob's name. Jacob 30 days old or more." Kaddish, we recited the prayer of did not rnove. Iioessler screamed: YAKOV GROJANOWSKI'S DIARY y stomach was rumbling uncomfortably and my M throat yearned for orange juice. I switched to Gilbert's his tory, opening to the fourteen-day diary of a young Jew named Yakov Grojanowskl, who was assigned to a special work detail in a gravedigger squad: " ... The S.S. leader, ordered the work detail to open the doors. A strong smell ofgas prevailed. Five minutes later he shouted, 'Hey, Jews, go and layTefillim (i.e. throw out the corpses)!' Meanwhile the gendarme ordered us to sing. At firstwedisobeyed. Howeverwhen he threatened to shoot, Meir and Jehuda begged me to stand up and sing. I myself don't know from where I drew the strength to get up. I addressed my comrades in a feeble voice: 'Friends and honorable people, get up and sing after me; first we will cover our A Available at all Jewish bookstores or direct from heads.' They stood up. I began to V FELDHEIM PUBLISHERS V«a & M"t"'C"d accepted sing 'Hear! 0 Israel, the Lord is ~ 200 Airport Executive Park Spring Valley, NY 10977 Send 101 your free copy oi our G-d, the Lord is one.' Those ~J Tt•\ 1914) 356-2282/ToU free 600-237-7149 our new Jubtlee catalog The Jewish Observer, June 1990 21 Real Estate in West Bank, Israel "I am waiting for you, hurry up." Vz Dunam. Gush Etzyone area. The Holocaust actually Negotiable. Jacob turned round very slowly, Joseph Singer (212) 864-3900 happened.... Is my most Please leave message on rnar/1in1· faced Haessler and if nobody is in. said quietly: "Of profound response only to pray the last moments on this earth. al that I and my loved ones should lotted to me by the somehow squeak through life SINGLE & DOUBLE Almighty. I am the BREASTED MEN'S SUITS master, not you." without being similarly tested? Whereupon he turned back lo face SILBIGER'S the wall and fin- ished his prayers. He then folded the drama of these Jew's ordeals? his prayer shawl unhurriedly. Was I getting a false sense ofJewish • Slaclls • All Wool Coats handed it to one of the inmates identity that could be better discov • Rainwear • Sports Jacl:>ets and said to Haessler: "I am now ered by forcing myself. in spite of ready." Haessler stood there all the fast. to go see what my children SALE RACKS the while without uttering a word, were up to? After all. the Jews of FOR and marched out when Edelstein the camps and the ghettos had to was ready. Edelstein followed continue functioning without BIG BARGAINS him. We have never seen Jacob nourishment for days and weeks 1769 51 St. Brooklyn. NY Edelstein again."' and months on end.,,shouldn't I (718) 854-1196 make a gesture of emulating at Daily n:oo A.M.-9:00 P.M. ENTERTAINED ON THE DRAMA least this? Gilbert's volume in itself OF THE ORDEALS OF OTHERS? is, let's see, eight hundred and or by appointment twenty eight pages long, filled with ying on t.. he couch, rivetted to seemingly endless, similar ac Silbiger Suits You Best each page. a queer self-doubt counts. I'd spent four hours with L welled up within me. Was I this book alone and had only entertaining myself, G-d forbid. with scratched the surface. HOTLINE I@IDI@ I SHABBOS TO JERUSALEM /, , I In time of illness, surgery or crisis, special prayers will be MALOHN Rabbi Yitzchak recited at the Western Wall and Berkowitz at our Yeshiva in Jerusalem. MIFAL CALL 24 HOURS VISITING NEW YORK?? rr'lie 3 9 Afe{acfios 1 (800) 545-PRAY All new beautiful rooms, with In 'Your :J{ome A FREE PUBLIC SERVICE OF kitchen facilities. in heart of The American Rabbi Meir From the prominent speaker of the Baal Haness Charity Boro Park for day or week. Shmiras Haloshon KOLEL AMERICA Near Shuls, take-out foods. etc. Telephone Shiur Profits to Mifal Torah Vodaas. A 3-tape series of the Shabbos KADDISH Help Sfardishe youth return halachos that come up every week Mishriayoth, .Yizkor & Yortzeit to Yiddishkeit through Torah observed with a minyon in our education in Yerushalayim and 3 Tape Set $18.00 Yeshiva Heichal Rabbi Meir Tveria. Baal Haness in Jerusalem. Call ~~'\;~Ha1brah Ii'\. ~ CALL Audio Center ~\.~~ (718) 871-4111 (718) 851-2969 900 Forest Ave. Dept.Bl Jerusalem Lakewood NJ 08701 132 Nassau St., N.Y., N.Y. 10038 22 The Jewish Obsemer, June 1990 escape from stories of morning blessings without Lieuten those awful times than I ant Hoessler looking over my shoul can escape into them. der! How happy I should be to be At this moment, as I able to let other Jews partake of type. my four year old whatever's most precious to me .... has just awakened from "To share out a little coffee to every his afternoon nap. I one in future." The shadow can re chafe at the interrup mind me that much of what 1 suffer tion and wish I could from need hardly bring me grief at slay submerged in my all, and can teach me to bear the own thoughts, but alas, legitimate sorrows nobly. he climbs up on my The greatest sign of respect I can chair, taps me on the accord those who underwent un shoulder, smiles for my imaginable tortures is not necessar At last the fast ended and my attention. As I go now to give my ily lo lose sleep reading about the husband and I gladly reentered the baby boy his lunch, shall I file the Holocaust and be too tired to wake world. put the children to bed early subject away in my mind somehow, up on time for my children the next and retired at nine. At 1 a.m. I bolted under Q, perhaps, for questions, or morning. It would be to appreciate suddenly awake. U for unanswerable? It seems the as fully as possible my opportunity What was it I'd been dreaming? onlythingtodo is let the Holocaust's to serve HaKadosh Baruch Hu with Of mothers being separated from vast shadow- the small fragment of joy. To recognize, as did Yakov their children? I think so. it, that is, which I perceive- follow Grojanowski, that we are already Lying awake in the darkness. it me into my kitchen: its darkness facing death and must behave with struck me, as it has on other rare can accentuate all the light in my life dignity. occasions in the past but as if for the that now surrounds me. How lucky To rejoice in the gift of life, for as first time: The Holocaust actually I am to sweep my own kitchen floor! a people in possession of Torah we happened. It happened a few brief How grateful I have to be to recite the are spiritually free. • years before I was born. These things were experienced. It hap pened to them. my brethren, be cause they were Jews. like me. Why NEW! Chidushim of Harav Yosef Breuer zt"l was I spared? ls my most profound response only to pray that I and my on Sugios HaShas loved ones should somehow squeak through life without being similarly tested? iititi, N~~ Ml'iV Mt It was getting light before my con ______,go science let me go back to sleep again. -~01" .. JS THIS ALL I HAVE TO OFFER? ,:I, C"tv;i l'Wl1C ')) :TI1l"I '11'11'n o. Is this all I have to offer the J"IN() Jews of the Holocaust: that S meager. three-or-four-hour ~"~t iv~~i~ t']Oi~ ~i;, jU~~;, span of guilty sleeplessness? When I finish this book, I'll start another 00"~ p0.UWN11 ,p11tlr Mill '~p p"pi 1"~N soon enough, perhaps on some other Nl"ll"lllt)tv •wiin ;i~~ •i:i 1''!1 cicm topic, and the keen knife of aware ness that cut open my sleep last l"IN() ;itvin N111;'1() night will be misplaced along with the old magazines and children's ~"~t iv~~~ i~~t ;i~~w ~,;, drawings and bathing caps, and I'll think of other things. The movie producer was right. of course: My identity as a Jew cannot be found A Avru18bte at: all Jewish bo:okstores or direct trom.: through the emotions to which sto V FELDHEIN/PUHLISHERS Vfaa & MaStereatd iiccep_taj ries of the Holocaust give me such r.:;!J. 200 Aitpl>rt Executiv¢ Park, Spring Valley, N.Y. l 0977 -Send tor your free c_opy of easy access. But I can no more t'.I Tel. (9!4)356,2282/'l'ollfree: WJ0.237·7149 tllir new Jubl:lee catalog. The Jewish Observer. June I 990 23 Sometimes, utterances are turned down out of hand because they contradict the listeners' basic ideological orientation. A pity, because they should instead demand their re thinking offundamental issues. This was the case with the recent highly-publicized statement of the Ponovezher Rosh Yeshiva, Rabbi Elazar M. Schach--very similar, in cidentally, to ideas expressed in like terms by the Vizhnitzer Rebbe, Rabbi Moshe Hager (see Hamodia, 9 Iyar, 5790). They enun ciated basic beliefs by which the Jewish people have always lived, and the enormous dangers and disastrous consequences offorsaking CHALLENGE AND RESPONSE BRINGING THE TORAH MESSAGE TO THE SECULAR ISRAELI these beliefs. The challenge was felt by the media and political figures that spoke for the Left. and they reacted violently--in the stereotypical manner that could be expected, with a relentless bashing of the Cha redi community, almost unprecedented in recent times. Yet. among the rank and file, ranging from university professors and Knesset members down to Kibbutzniks, there were many indeed who did respond with sincere heart searching. To further this process of introspection, Rabbi Emanuel Feldman wrote the following article, which was published in The Jerusalem Post: Rabbi Emanuel Feldman WHO ARE THE REAL LOVERS In fact, yerida from Israel is pri Admittedly, the charedim make OF ZION? marily a secular phenomenon, while many Israelis uncomfortable. The aliya to Israel from the West- the reality of their numbers, discipline ne does not have to identify little that there is- is primarily Or and strength, as evidenced in Yad with the ways of the ultra thodox, with a large proportion of Eliyahu* engenders anger and fear. 0 Orthodox to feel that the charedim among them. At the very least, it is difficult to secular Jewish community can profit This is the most painful wound of identify with black hats, kapottes by listening carefully to what all. Those supposedly raised on a and long beards, and with attitudes charedim, particularly Rabbi Eliezer pure Zionist diet abandon Israel for that seem unaccommodating to Schach, are saying these days. 'the lure of the West, while those Western ways. The reactions to Rav Schach's raised on Torah and mitzvos find it But if Israelis- religious or secu recent comments in Tel Aviv indi easy to leave behind the luxurious lar- are as tolerant and as open as cate, however, thatinstead oflisten life of the West for a Jess comfortable they claim to be, they will stop the ing, many Jews are falling into the existence in Israel. The charedim name-calling, and look at the temptation of dismissing the ask a troubling question: Who are *The soccer stadiun1 where Rav Schach spoke for charedim as a lunatic fringe blindly the real lovers of Zion? an overflow crowd of I 0,000. following an aged leader who is out of tune with contemporary reality. Why might it be worthwhile to listen? Summer vacation For one thing, the charedim have produced something which secular will mean that Israelis and their vaunted secular kibbutz movement have failed to much more ••• produce: a committed younger gen eration ready to carry on. Rabbi ALL BECAUSE OF RAIZY! Schach's disciples are proud of their ability to replicate the ways of their fathers and grandfathers; in the teachings of their forebears they find truth, feality, meaning, ideals by which to live and for which to die. But the new secular generation find in the ideals and theories of their kibbutz progenitors little meaning for their own lives. Zion Take two inquisitive teen-age ism per se is dismissed as pie-in girls; add one dose of inspiration the-sky idealism, and secular named Raizy; then thoroughly mix in the youngsters abandon the kibbutz in droves- physically and spiritually storytelling skills of Miriam Elias- for the less austere city life, and and you have this Summer's Young Readers delight. .. ultimately for the greater comforts ALL BECAUSE OF RAIZY! and material opportunities of H.C. $10.95, P.B. $8.95 Canada and the U.S. A.·.< Ava1fable .at all Jewish .b<:>okstores ''" direct frorn; Rabbi Emanuel Feldman is Rav of Congregation .V FElDHEIM .PUBLISHERS Visa & MasterCard :accepted Beth Jacob of Atlanta. Georgia, and serves as the ~r;.· _200 Airport ~~e<:utive ·par_k_;.SptJng·y~Uey~ N•Y •. 10977 Send for !our free copy_ of O\Jf new Jubilee catalog, editor of Tradition magazine. .J".J ri!i,(914)3~"'2282/foll free. eoo,237·1149 · · The Jewish Observer, June 1990 25 charedim with a clear and ness to others) and their giving of Assistant principal wanted - with re unjaundiced eye and ask: What are charity is quite selfless. Study and sponsibilities for curriculum. Should they doing right, and is there any books are their status symbols. and possess administrative skills. Send thing we can learn from them? they produce top rabbinic scholars. resume to Beth Jacob of Toronto/ 410 They may not be au courantwith the Lawrence Ave. West I 'foronto, THEY TAKE THEIR modern world; they may not know Ontario MSMI C2 or call Rabbi JEWISHNESS SERIOUSLY music or appreciate painting or read Stefansky, principal 416-787-4949 current novels or frequent the the ertain facts cannot be dis ater- or even read The Jerusalem puted. Post; but they are in many ways an C It goes without saying that exemplary group ofJews who should there is little crime among the not be dismissed out of hand. charedim. and hardly any drug And what they are doing right is problem (other than smoking, an this: they take their Jewishness se endemic problem in Israel). Their riously. not casually. families are much more stable than They have a sense of Jewish his the norm, their divorce rate infinitely tory, they respect their past, and lower than any other group. they are very proud of who they are. They have large families, which They have deep faith in G-d. Torah may horrify their sophisticated Is and the ability of the Jewish people Haimisha Yeshiva Gedola raeli brethren (who fashionably have not only to survive and persevere, one of the civilized world's lowest but to triumph. They do not find it Seeking Executive Director, birthrates): but they are the only necessary to accommodate them ones matching the Arab population selves to prevailing fashions, be they Send resume to explosion, which threatens to en material or intellectual. The Jewish Observer gulf Israel within a generation. They have a healthy, who-cares Box 268 - 84 William Street One does not wish to romanticize attitude to what others, Jews or N.Y.C. 10038 them, but they engage in remark non-Jews, think of them: they are . able acts of general chessed (kind- secure in themselves, self-confident, '--~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 1"0J ....,,,.,, ... ______nr.i7v nN1!>1? ??!>:nn?1 ;10?? Nl "MY CLIENTS ARE AMAZEO "l?>n "l)l:l AT THE SERVICE ANO SAVINBS ON TNEIR •"> ~ni ,,,,, 12 n-nn• ~11u:ii INSURANCE-BUSINESS INSURANCE o•r.i1i1 •r.ini r1::11i1 OR PERSONAJ." (914} 425-1985 /RV/NB SAFRIN (914} 425-0238 Not ju~t.a cheese, a trad1t1on... p Haolam, the most trusted name in Cholov Yisroel Kosher Cheese. A reputdtion earned through 25 years of scrupulous devotion to quality and kashruth. With 12 delicious varieties. Haolam, a tradition you'll ' enjoy keeping. lill ttaolom Chene product•ar• under th• •t NEW:~~~~~~~~ECO.>NC YORK. N.Y. Haolam • 26 The Jewish Obseroer. June 1990 serene. They are inter1se about their Jewishness. They have remarkable leaders of amazing piety. learning and integrity who are not afraid to lead by example and deed. Certainly they are imperfect. like everyone else, and have human weaknesses. Nol everything they stand for is necessarily acceptable or feasible for all Jews: and there can be What the Chariedim are " honest differences of opinion about doing right is this: they attitudes towards the outside world and the Jewish slate. for example. take their Jewishness But their message is worth- if not of seriously, not casually. """1 ' L -· acceptance, at least attention. They have a sense of Jewish history, TO SHIFT FROM THE EMOTIONAL they respect their past, and they are TO THE INTELLECTUAL very proud of who they are. he angry and pained reac tion lo Rabbi Schach's T speech demonstrates that he touched a raw nerve. But he said who have shed blood for the Land: do not have staying power is evi nothing different from what many but he did say that an ideology dent lo anyone who views today's Israeli thoughtful Jews. religious and not based on land alone. without spirit society objectively. It is therefore religious. concerned with the future and without G-d. will collapse ofits time to opt for a way which has been of Am Yisroel and Medinat Yisroel, own weight. clearly effective in maintaining our have been saying for a long lime. The debate needs to be shifted people. He simply said that Jews must from the emotional to the intellec This does not mean that one can not cut themselves off from Jewish tual level. A challenge has been nolloveeveryinchofErelzYisroel. It roots. He did not say. or imply. that issued: neither the Jewish people does not mean that all Israelis must secularJewsarenotJews. Hernerely nor the Jewish state can long en don black hats and wear peyot or stated the obvious: to raise a gen dure without a spiritual component. that we all must cast everything eration which knows neither Yorn The spiritual component of the overboard and enter a kollel. But it Kippur nor the Shema is to guaran Jew is centered in 'forah. Modern does suggest a serious re-evalua tee national suicide. He did not deal substitutes have been shown to be tion of our spiritual standard of with the undeniable heroism of bankrupt. That the sincere but living. • secular Jews- and religious ones- secular ideals of the early Zionists Jen1sakn1 Post. April 24, 1990 IMPORTANT NOTICE DIGEST OF MEFORSHIM TO OUR CANADIAN MON.-WED. 4-6 PM. ,t,,p', 1n:i i1J1p', TUES.-THURS. 7-9 PM. AND OVERSEAS SUBSCRIBERS! ?"YT 'lJJt:>?x ?xmw l"'1"1'1~ A1Bilable at AGUDATH ISRAEL LEKUTEI The simplest way to pay for HALACHA INQUIRY - c/o Yitzchok Rosenberg TELEPHONE LINE your subscription is through 10 \Vest 47th Street, Room 50:1 VISA or MasterCard. They Nev.' York, NY 10036 (212) 719·171; (212) 363-8133 change your payment into USA 20 Volumes on Turah, Perek, currency without any sur SPONSORED BY THE CONFERENCE OF Med rash, Megilos and Tulmud. AGUDATH ISRAEL BRANCH RABBONIM charge. We cannot accept for Proceeds of sales distributed FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL eign checks (even Canadian The Jewish Observer, June 1990 27 Rabbi Shimon Finkelman 50 YEARS Since His Passing - 5 Av 5750 Reh Chaim Ozer Grodzensky,.,''~l CAN WE RELATE cepts scattered throughout its TOAGADOL? pages. He had obviously di gested all its contents. ver the past few years, much has been written HOW CAN WE MERE 0 in The Jewish Observer MORTALS RELATE TO regarding the literary and THIS? educational value of the ever growing volume of Torah lit he answer to this ques erature in English. In discuss tion can be found in the ing books on gedolei Yisroel one T first chapter to Mesilas writer contended that all the Yesharim: biographies sound the same: Man is placed in the thick of a All gedolim seem to be born raging battle: all matters of this geniuses and are launched al world, bothjor bad andjor good, most from birth on a meteoric are actually tests. On the one rise to greatness. How can we hand there is poverty, on the other relate to such people? there is wealth, as Shlomo Nowhere does this argument (HaMelech] said, "Lest I become seem more pronounced than satiated and deny. andsay, 'Who with regard to the life of Rabbi is Hashem?'; and lest I become Chaim Ozer Grodzensky, leg impoverished and then steal. .. " endary head of the beis din of (Mishlei 30:9). On the one hand Vilna and acclaimed giant of his Nochum 'Zev (currently ofCleveland), there is tranquility, while on the other generation. Reb Chaim Ozer was that he had seen Reb Chaim Ozer there is suffering- the battle, then, is the genius among geniuses, a man writing with both hands at the same on all sides. whose breadth and depth of knowl time! He had also seen him write a Reb Chaim Ozer was born an intel edge seemed limitless, whose com halachic responsum, compute lectual billionaire. Physically, he was prehension was characterized as charity amounts and discuss Torah quite poor, a frail, sick individual. He indescribable by his nephew Rabbi with someone simultaneously. diedquitewealthy- spiritually; but this Eliyahu Eliezer Dessler, and who Another nephew of Reb Chaim he earned, by overcoming, time and possessed the ability to pursue three Ozer, Rabbi Yehuda Leib Kagan, again, the tests that Providence sent his or four unrelated trains of thoughts was present when Reb Chaim Ozer way. Let us look at some of those tests simultaneously, without losing track received the newly published vol andseehowthisgaonand tzaddikdealt or confusing any of them. Rabbi ume one of Shaarei Yosher, a 320 with them. Dessler related to his son, Reb page analytical work on Talmudic themesbyRabbiShimonShkop. He THE PITFALLS OF WEALTH Rabbi Finkelman is author of a number of vol began leafing through the sejer umes in the ArtScroll History series, including a biography of Reh Chaim Ozer. A biographical during breakfast and continued to ong with mental genius come appreciation of Reb Chaim Ozer by Rabbi Chailn do so for about an hour-and-a-half three possible pitfalls: the Shapiro appeared in JO. June'75, and subse after his meal. Then he closed the ~ dangers of arrogance, or at quently was included in The Torah World. an work and immediately proceeded to least some degree of pride; laziness, anthology of biographical essays. analyze and discuss various con- since scholastic achievement comes 28 The Jewish Obseroer, June I 990 so easily to the genius: and an in Reb Chaim Ozer's brother-in-law, vilify the young Rav, whom they ability to properly relate to the vast Reb Elchonon Wasserman*, once viewed as a threat to their own ac majmity of people whose thinking is asked him how he had fasted on tivities. Placards were posted ridi· on a different plane entirely. Yorn Kippur. Reb Chaim Ozer re culing the activities of Reb Chaim Rabbi Dessler saw Reb Chaim plied, "The physical strain does not Ozer, who was referred to as "the Ozer as the epitome of humility, a particularly affect me, but from new general of the black army." rare portrait of self-effacement. To· where do I draw the spiritual Reb Chaim Ozer responded with ward the very end ofhislife. when he strength to bear the distress of con total silence. He forbade anyone was deathly ill, Reb Chaim Ozer was fessing my sins?" from voicing any protests or de unable to read the scores of letters True humility is manifested in fense. He said simply, "Theirarrows that anived at his door each day; it one's savlanus (tolerance) of the in have missed their mark." was necessary to have his mail read iquities done him. His confidants In 1928, by which time Reb Chaim to him. One particular letter opened would say that no one ever saw him Ozer had long been acclaimed as with an array of sublime descrip· exhibit even a trace of anger. His poseik hador and a leader of world tions of Reb Chaim Ozer's great savlanus became apparent early on Jewry, the modem element in Vilna's ness. By the time the reader had his career. He became av beis din of Jewish community challenged his completed relating the salutation, Vilna when still in his twenties. Only leadership of their city. They at Reb Chaim Ozerwas laughing aloud. nine years later, with the passing of tempted to curtail Reb Chaim Ozer's He explained, "Jn the days of the the Kovno Rav Rabbi Yitzchok incredible accomplishments and ef Russian revolution, the value of Elchonon Spector, Reb Chaim Ozer's fectiveness as leader by having one currency plummeted and it became address became the center for all of of their own become the govern· virtually worihless; for a dollar, one Lithuanian Jewry. At that time. ment-recognized Rav of Vilna. The could get a million rubles. A poor, some maskillim in Vilna began to Torah community, most notably the downtrodden fellow had no diffi· Chafetz Chaim and the Chazon lsh culty becoming a millionaire. Judg *In the mid- l 920's, after his first Rebbetzindied. (who then resided in Vilna). reacted Heb Chailn Ozer married a Widow. Yacha Kahana. ing from this letter. it seems that our She wcts a daughter of the famed Rav of Shav!i, swiftly to this challenge to the honor spiritual world is experiencing this Rabbi Meir Atlas. and a sister to the wife of Reb of Torah, which Reb Chaim Ozer kind of gross inflation!" Ekhonon. embodied. Outrage was heard also ,N,~' 1~l'!)r1'~' l.~o Yad Eliezer has already made ~weddings for desperately poor couples - entirely because of you. AWedding Sponsorship is 8500 'The Gitty Perko,vski Sirneha Fund of Yad Eliezer Rabbi and Mrs. Yaakov Weisel Mr. and Mrs. Zolly Tropper Kiryat Sanz, Jerusalem 1102 E. 26th St. Tel. 812060 Brooklyn, N.Y. 11210 [718) 258-1580 Please send wedding sponsorship to: Yad Eliezer Rabbi and Mrs. Zevi Trenk 1102 E. 26th St. 1586 E. 9th St. Brooklyn, N.Y. 11210 Brooklyn, N.Y. 11230 [718) 258-1580 Rabbi and Mrs. Yehudah Rupp The Jewish Observer, June 1990 29 from as far away as Eretz Yisroel, se(fto his company and went inside.for taken by Vilna's Torah community where Rabbi Yosef Chaim a moment to wish the Rav "Gut without his approval. No shtadlan Sonnenfeld and other notables is Shabbos." That Reb Chaim Ozer har· (intercessor) representing a Torah sued their own letter ofprotest. Only bored no ill .feelings could not have constituency in Lithuania - and to Reb Chaim Ozer's serenity was not been more obvious.** a certain degree, anywhere in the shattered. Not once did he attempt world - ever embarked upon an to defend himself or expose the true ANTITHESIS OF LETHARGY important mission without first se intent of his attackers. Moreover. he curing Reb Chaim Ozer's approval went to great lengths to demonstrate eb Ch. ailn Ozer utilized his and receiving his guidance. He was that the dispute was one of principle G-d-given mental abilities consulted on virtually every major and was not personal. R to the fullest as he guided rabbinic appointment - even in A Shabbos afternoon walk took Reb arid advised upon an incredible ar Jerusalem and Constantinople. He Chaim Ozer past the home of hL5 chal· ray of public and private endeavors. was involved in the founding of ev lenger. Reb Chaim Ozer excused him, · Nothing of significance was under- ery new Lithuanian Torah institu tion and in the functioning of those already in existence. He headed the Va'adHaYeshivos, the organization Thousands of avid subscribers oil over the world ore raving that helped sustain the great Torah about~ - the new periodical for the entire family. centers between the wars. He was Here's Why: among the founders of Agudath Is Each inspiring tale rael and served as chairman of its in~,,_isan original Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah original gem (Council of Torah Sages). written by the king Rabbi Moshe Blau, leader of of storytellers, Agudath Israel in Eretz Yisroel until Hanoch Teller, 1946, commented, "If Agudath Is whose stories hove rael is defined as a union of a sig thrilled and nificant portion of Kial Yisroel. then uplifted Jewish Reh Chaim Ozer is its unifying force." audiences for over The Chafetz Chaim put it more suc a decade. cinctly: "Reb Chaim Ozer is Klal Attractively designed and produced on high-quality paper, Yisroel." each issue contains a timely story about the holiday it heralds. He was the acclaimed poseik Acclaimed by parents and educators alike, every issue of hador. The Chazon !sh referred to him as Rabbeinu (our teacher). In ~- includes: a feature length story annotated with a vocabulary-expanding glossary, a biography of a tzoddik or discussing the opinions of a number tzaddekes for teenagers, an easy-to-read tale for beginners, of gedolei Torah regarding a given a cartoon episode of "Velvel the Wagon Driver," a parents' matter, Reb Aharon Kotler referred only to Reb Chaim Ozer as "gaon and teachers' guide for effective use of all the material, and ha'amiti (the quintessential gaon). much more. meor hagola (light of the Diaspora)." ~-subscribers con take advantage of spectacular To his door, sacks of mail anived savings on backs and cassettes not available elsewhere.• each week, containing letters from all Join the ~- sensation and receive a delightful across the globe. Who knows how "story-letter" three times a year: Rosh Hashana, Chanukah, many thousands ofhalachic queries and Purim. It's entertaining, intriguing, informative, and educational. You'll cherish every word. Subscribe today - **Those who knew Reb Chainl Ozer's challenger don't be left out! relate that he was in fact a decent man and a scholar. but he allowed hin1self to be misled by those whose true intent was to wrest authority ·~ is ol'lly available through subscriptlol'I. away from Reb Chaim Ozer and oppose the ideals Complete this form and send, along with your check or money order for $5, to: that he represented. On the day that Reb Chaim Storylines Ozer died. this Rav requested pe1mission to enter r------, the room where the body lay and beg forgiveness 37West 37th St., 4th Fl. I NAME I of the deceased. Reb Chaim Ozer's confidants New York, N.Y.10018 I ADDRESS I discussed the request. One of them said. "Reb 3 Ptlnee Charlet Dr., Toronto¥ Ont. M6A2Hl I I Chaim Ozer would not be pleased if sonJeone 117Wood•toekAve.,LondonNW119RL I CITY/STATE/ZIP I sought to beg forgiveness and his request was 46/i Arzei Hahira, Jerusalem 97 761 I I d<."nied. "'The Rav then entered the room and. with his head bowt>d submissively. wept before Reb §i{tCa.d<•W upon "q""J. L ______:J Chain1 Ozer"s lifeless body and asked that he be forgiven. 30 The Jewish Observer. June 1990 Reb Chaim Ozer with Reb Shimon Shkop. in Drnskenik came before Reb Chaim Ozer during his more than fifty-year tenure as head of Vilna's beis din! When traveling to a sumn1er re sort, he never took along more than a handful of seforim. Thus he writes in one responsum (Achiezer 1:32- 33), "l have no seforimwith me," and then goes on to cite numerous sources, from Tosafos to Nesivos HaMishpat (nineteenth-century Acharon). One se.fer that always accompanied him was Mesilas Yesharim, the classic ethical work by Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzatlo. GREAT ACCOMPLISHMENTS t is said that there is a fifth section of Shulchan An1ch. in I addition to the standard four that of insight and sensitivity; to decide matters of halacha one must be as proficient in this area as in the actual Shulchan Aruch. Reb Chaim Ozer's fluency in this fifth section was on a par with his incredible command of the other four. Now, There Is A Yeshiva That Will Teach e&, lnDruskenik, therelivedanoldman You As Much As You Want To Learn! with no family. One of hL5 ways of keeping busy wa..."> to arrange a private minyan of his own, though the town Call Rabbi R. Biala c·~·p:iil n:i•iv• had no need for it. Reb Chaim Ozer never once refused the man ·s invita 914-426-1546 Full Time or Part-Time tion that he join the minyan .for Program From 17 Ycars & Up davening. Some wondered about this, as there were minyanim closer to Reb Chaim Ozer's lodging that were cer Also, inquire about our one or two-month tainly more to his liking. Reb Chaim Master-A-Masechta Summer Programs Ozer explained, "Davening with a The Jewish Observer, June 1990 31 minyan is a Rabbinic obligation; per forming chessed for another Jew is mandated by the Torah. " As Reh Chaim Ozer's halachic proficiency in expertise grew from his Torah, so did his sense of pri orities. In a conversation with Rabbi Mendel Zaks, late son-in-law of the Chafetz Chaim, he said, "When I was young, I learned that it was a great accomplishment to propound an original Torah thought. Now I see that it is also a great accomplishment to make an elderly woman happy." In this regard, his compassion and sense of purpose were complemented by rare insight. ~ RebChaimOzer'sdiningroomwas EVEN IF YOU ARE NOT FLI:ENT IN YIDDISH, crowded with petitioners. In a comer YOV WILL TREASURE Tms HISTORIC stood a tvidow, a Vilna resident. lier husband had been a man of wealth . ,,'.'!:~ PHOTO-PACKED COMMEMORATIVE ISSUE OF and a supporter of the local Rameilles Yeshiva. When he died, his business ~".:. ij·, Dos Y1001sHE VoKT collapsed and his family was cast into r.•~> ~~ ' J published on t11c occasion of poverty. Ever since then, his widow was too ashamed to cross the thresh THE NINTH SIYUM HASHAS OF DAf" YO~H ol 32 The Jewish Observer. June 1990 The woman took leave ofReb Chaim nature. Reb Chaim Ozer would make Ozer with an immense burden lifted his company feel so at ease and NEW WATCH from her broken heart. comfortable that it was difficult to perceive that this man was actually Goldtone - Quartz His genuine love of his fellow Jew head and shoulders above his gen with was almost tangible, and it had the eration in virtually every respect. power to brtng those distant closer '6 CONSTANT MITZVOS' Certain episodes, however, brought to Torah. on dial. to light some of his exceptional Educational, Inspirational and n., \Vhen rescue efforts for European qualities. elegant gift. Jewry began with the outbreak q{Wortd ,., He and his wife had an only child, Send $18 to, War II, Rabbi Eliezer Silver decided to Yeshiva Fund Malka. She was a modest, gentle, and send an emissary from America to Box 82 Staten Island, NY 10309 Vilna, which Reb Chaim Ozer had *Of the Chafetz Chain1, the converse was said: turned into the rescue center for the His incredible piety overshadowed his genius in yeshivos of war-tom Poland. For this Torah. role, Rabbi Silver chose Doctor Samuel Schmidt. who had been an ardent secular Zionist·Socialist. At the time of his journey to Vilna, Dr. Schmidt had 1270 48..,t:>TR€fl already gained an appreciation for fUZOOkLYn, n.Y 1121~ (71S) P3J·J005 Torah and had adopted certain reli (1'1SJ43s-1332 gious practices. F-Iis visit to Reb Chaim Ozer trans_fonned him into a complete ba'al teshuva. As Dr. Schmidt related, he and Reb Chaim Ozer had a very .friendly, lengthy discussion during their first meeting. "... Then, Reb Chaim Ozer, the ge· YARCHEI nius among geniuses, asked me some very personal questions about myself. He listened with rapt attention. and KALLAH~~- then, with a look of true .ftiendship, Capital Hotel, Lakewood, New Jersey said, 'Allow me, Dr. Schmidt, to ad· dress you in a familiar manner, by Cmeand Speakers: your first name - Reb Shmuel.· "His words touched my heart and participate in the Harav Ezriel Tauber N"IJ'Jl!I my tearsjlowedjreely. 'I am not wor program that Harav Shimshon Pinens N"IJ'Jl!I thy of this!' I protested. He replied, hundreds of Harav Yisroel Rakovsky N"IJ'Jl!I 'Heavenforfend! ForaJew living in the Heimishe 18.mi- security of America, to undertake a dangerous mission and travel under Jies have chosen in the last 25 Yarchei Kallah Seminars. wartime conditions to ajar- away land The topics discussed cater to YOU. to helping you and in order to assist his _fellow Jews and encouraging you to build and construct a better tomorrow. rescue the yeshivas - this is proqf of his worth.' "He continued to offer me encour WHEN: July 26-29, :::iN on)~ ,,_,, ,1nn n:::i\!J agement. 'The next morning. I donned WHERE: 'll.e Capitol Hotel, tallis and tefillinfor thejirst time... and became observant in Torah and mitzvos 325 7th St., Lakewood, N.J. in all their fine details." The Capit.ol Hotel offers special features and convenience. STRENGTH AMID SUFFERING You71 relax in the spacious beauti!UJ surroundings, while evezy derail is taken care by the gra.cious hosts. he Chafetz Chaim once said that Reb Chaim Ozer's ge To Register Call: 718-435-1041 718-438-7332 T nius overshadowed his great 718-438-0851 1-914-356-3515 tzidkus (rtghteousness). • His sub 718-633-3005 lime attributes were likewise hidden SHALHEVET, 1270 48th ST, OFFICE HOURS: 12-4 WEEKDAYS by his very congenial, down-to-earth The Jewish Observer. June 1990 33 good-hearted girl. the apple of her possible matchfor his daughter. Then, Ozer tried desperately but fruitlessly father's eye. It is related that Reb Chaim in 1907, whenju...<;t sixteen years old, to locate a doctor that could cure her. Ozer considered Reb Chaim she was stricken with a debilitating Throughout this trying period. Reb Soloveitchik's son Reb Yitzchok Zev disease. Her illness was to last four Chaim Ozer' s activities - both on the nater famous as the Brisker Rav) as a years, dwing which time Reb Chaim communal and individual level - did not wane. He continued to commit his chiddushei Torah to writing. He at THE YI'I"I'Y LEIBEL tended and presided over mqjor con ferences of Torah leaders. When. in the winter of I 911, his HELP-LINE daughter's end drew near, Reb Chaim Ozer hastened to answer all correspon A Free Service of the Yitty Leibel Chesed Fund dence and halachic inquiries that were • Marital problems? • Fear of break-down? of a pressing nature- he would not be • Overpowering stress? • Parent-child friction? pennitted to engage in such activities during the week ofshiva- writing eighty Do you have problems like these and are afraid or ashamed to talk to halachic responsadwing the week prior anyone? ... Do you want a trained. wise, warm professional who will to his daughter's death! talk to you on the phone? Reb Chaim Ozer was deeply grieved Some of the Torah community's highly skilled psychologists, social by his daughter's passing. but he would workers, and therapists are ready to help. Your consultation will be not allow his spirit to be broken. He treated with the utmost discretion. You may remain anonymous if you once told his brother-in-law, Rabbi prefer. They understand. They're trained. They have Ahavas Yisrael. Yitzchok Kosowsky, that his incessant efforts on behalf of others did much to H 0 u R s quell any despondent thoughts. Sunday through Friday 8:00-12:00 Noon Sunday, Monday, Tuesday 9:00-11:00 PM THE SOURCE OF IT ALL Wednesday, Thursday 8:00-11:00 PM abbi Yerucham Levovitz, the Dial (718) HELP-NOW (435-7669) legendary Mirrer Mashgiach, once traveled to the mineral This project has been approved by leading Torah authorities. R baths in Martenbad, where he found After PESACH, we have AN URGENT REMINDER FOUR FROM business related QUESTIONS CHEVRA DOR YESHORIM that pertain all year-round Why does a businessman have to be YOUNG PEOPLE OF MARRIAGEABLE AGE MUST BE TESTED 1 alert to the interest that accumulates in order to prevent the scourge of Tay-Sachs disease from striking the next in his business deals? generation, in accordance with the directives of the Gedolei Hadar. Why is it essential to understand the 2concept and mechanics of a Heter SCHOOLS and YESHIVOS: /skcf! Please call 718-384-2332 if you are What are 4 ways to avoid "Ribit" in interested in having testing done for students. 3Real Estate dealings? Genetic counseling is also available. What great blessings does the Torah 4award to those who avoid forbidden Call for an appointment: interest? (718) 384-6060 or (914) 783-1370 The new booklet: Confidentiality assured. "Avoiding Interest, In o World Invested with Interest'', answers these FOUR QUESTIONS CHEVRA DOR YESHORIM, INC. and many more. For your copy, ask at your local book store 160 Wilson Street, 1-B, Brooklyn, NY 11211 or send $4.00 to Yeshiva Fund. Box 82, S.I .. N.Y. 10309 (other topics also available) 34 The Jewish Observer. June 1990 In his later years, Reb Chaim Ozer was forced to undergo delicate surgery without the aid of anesthe sia. Before the surgery was to begin, Reb Chaim Ozer requested a certain sefer. Throughout the surgery, he remained immersed in study, seem ingly oblivious to the pain. As his Rebbetzin later related to Rabbi Shimon Schwab (currently Rav of K'hal Adath Jeshurun, New York), the doctors could not believe that such power of concentration was humanly possible. They could not Outside ofReb Chim Ozer's apartment ---·------.--.. ----··----- at 17 Zavalna, con1er Pohulanka himself in the company of an assimi latedJewL<>h professor. Reb Yerucham YESHIVA Gt:DOLAH tried to convince the fellow to return to the ways ofhisforefathers. The profes Of BAYONNE, sor, however, rvas: unimpressed. He challenged Reb Yerucham, 'Tell me, Rabbi, have you ever studied the NEW JERSEY works of Kant or other renoi.vned phi 735 AVENUE C. BAYONNE, NJ 07002 losophers?" Reb Yerucham replied lhnt he had not "If so," the man went on, "how can The Out-of-Town Yeshiva you be certain that your way is the with the correct one? Perhaps had you studied these works you would become con In-Town Convenience vinced of their philosophies - which my way of life embodies!" Reb Yerucham replied, "I know one • l'lt:Sl\ITA • RAIS l'IEDRASH • KOLLEL thing: The Torah way of life has pro duced such men as the Chafetz Chaim We are proud to announce that and Reb Chaim Ozer Grodzensky. not RABBI YISROf:L EHRLICH, N"IJ'71!1 to mention the giants of previous gen~ 11r.i7nn n>:i n:i>l!l>r.i erations. They are veritable angels. formerly ,l.UVJ i'ln in Does your camp boast such men? No, it Yeshiva of Staten Island does not. That is s1.![fkient proof for has joined our staff as a Rosh Yeshiva me." in the Bais /lfedrash. To Reb Chaim Ozer, Torah study was not an exercise in dry, cold, Bochurim who are interested please contact: mental gymnastics. It was life. It Rabbi Dovid Plagid, ROSH YESHIVA Rabbi Yisroel t:hrlich, ROSH YESHIVA permeated his being, it flowed (201) 367-9194 (718) 256-7915 through his veins. It was in recogni tion of this fact that the Chazon !sh once declared with certainty that Reb Chaim Ozer never ceased from Lll'llTf:D SPACE AVAILABLE pondering Torah thoughts. IN OUR 9TH GRADE Some would note the appearance High standard of Limudim • Strict supeTVision of red streaks on Reb Chaim Ozer's English department under the direction • full dormitory and kitchen facilities forehead as he prayed the Shemoneh of Rabbi Shmuel Horowitz, Principal Esrei... thought to result from his intense mental strain to banish from for further information contact his mind all thoughts other than Rabbi Y. Licht, MENA11EL those directed toward his Maker. (201) 364-5753 The Jewish Observer. June 1990 35 know that the source of Reh Chaim mine the foundations of Torah ... the Ozer's concentration was his being sanctuary of Hashem is ablaze, the bound up firmly and eternally with flames are consuming the Aron the Torah and its Giver. HaKodesh, theTabletsandparchments are afire - and you occupy yourself MORE THAN A GENIUS with adornments?!" ------1 learly, Reh Chaim Ozer was iil far more than a genius. And c C though he left behind no chil dren. his legacy is a glorious one, as he played a major role in the survival ofTorah during the post-World War I years, as well as in the escape of hundreds of yeshiva students dur n=m: rn111:iip::i -io::: ;mit:i·. ;wr,;:i :w·re •i111: ro:wro n~c> ing the early period of World War II. . En'1' •;•;y:1 jli).l "1'W: '?~ R. Chaim Ozer as a young man The thriving Torah world that we are witness to today may justly be con sidered Reb Chaim Ozer's legacy. FAMOUS His other legacy is the written ~Wfi~i) inl: i:'i""i word, his classic collection of ·"'''1' halachic responsa. Achiezer. The """PW':.,~ :"lt:n:i-'~ ,.,,.._,_,.,,.,..,._a ~,,m~ ,,, ,.., r•" '"' ,,..,, I first volume of Achiezer was pub lished soon after the end of the First World War, a time when Reh Chaim ______,,.. .. \?!!!'II,.; II Ozer was leading the rebuilding of I ___ -- -·------Torah life in a decimated Lithuania Title page offirst volume ofAchiezer and guiding efforts on behalf of the However. this is the power of an millions of Jews trapped within cient Israel in every generation and Communist Russia. His preface to Cholov Yisroel • Shomer Shabbos epoch... .Even when the sword wa...<; at that volume is highly instructive: Under the Supervision of his neck, the Torah was the Jew's K'hal Adath Jeshurun ,._ Turbulent thoughts pound within delight all through the day. Even dur one's heart - Is this dire hour appro ing the destruction of the Second Beis Open for Breakfast priate for publishing seforim? Will not HaMikdash, when the nation's very Luncheon and Dinner people wonder: 'The nation ofIsrael is existence was threatened and the Catering • Parties • Meetings drowning in a sea of tears and you are heretics were gaining strength, the 222 West 72nd Street singing shira? Our enemies.from within faithful never diverted their mindsfor a (212) 595-8487 and without are attempting to under- moment from Torah .... From the day Uncle Moishy and other If you learn in a Top-Of-The Line Yeshiva Gedolah DON'T Jewish Entertainers Beis Medrash DELAY! are available to visit or Kolle! Seriously Ill Children Now is the i and are not yet receiving time to ioin the In The Hospital The Jewish Observer thanks to •. 'IITT1!l' mu~_':>:\11 ll1' •'mu mln at a substantial discount, U\AgtldistBenewlent Society. Inc. n1n nnr.:iv call (212) 797-7394 • full Burial Benef,1~ fur r~e Forr1tly to arrange for a f(h1!dren up lo lhf ogr of 20 yPars A New Chessed Project Run By • Blood Bonk BenC'trr, !or rhe Frwuiy Agudath Israel of America group subscription in conjunction with Minimum order is 10 subscriptions. (718) 436-1458 Suki & Ding Productions Magazines are shipped in bulk dlrec!iy Orwrore10 To set up an appointment, call: Agudist Benevolent Society to the Yeshiva. Coordinator Is entitled to 84 William Street (212) 797-9000 ext. #57, M-F, 9-5 a free subscription. Call Today!!! N- York, NT 10038 36 The Jewish Obseroer, June 1990 thatlsrael was exiled.from its land, the everlasting and unbroken chain of Gaonim, Rishonim, and Acharonim was never broken - and so. the ancient edifice ofToras Yisroel was preserved through them.... To those that merited it, the study of Torah was always a potion oflife. The spreading ofTorah study is a shield in theface ofretribution. a defense against those who stray and cause others to stray. The Torah and the light within her will eventually return them to the good path and it is Torah that has stood by us to this day, strengthening us so that we do not become lost among the nations. 'P0lYti¥il itw C"n ,Nl?•n .)_"'f/l 'l' ' 1~1\:ib~ ~J'"/\ )l~ -;i'1~ Pttf . ~~ ·11J'1c") C"~\ ""' '"""" I . ;.,of, K~'.J .,.,~J• '\t( I I ~~Ii"' l______J Note from Reb Chaim Ozer to the trustees ojTzedakah Gedolah on behalf of a needy woman This commemorative set has been produced by popular request as a public service, and is available for an $18 contribution for each set (plus $2 postage and handling. A excellent gift item. Order extra sets for friend<> and family! AGUDATH ISRAEL PUBLICATIONS DEPAR1MENT 84 William Street, NYC 10038 Enclosed please find my contribution of$ for sets ($18 per set) of the 9th Siyum Hashas of the DafYomi recording. I am including $2 additional for postage and handling. Address•------ City, State, Zip•------ Check or money order must accompany this coupon. Please allow 4 weeks for delivety. Proceeds will be utilized to further the study of Daf Yomi throughout the nation. The Jewish Obseroer, June 1990 37 Yesharim and the like; and to make a spiritual accounting every day. Rabbi Yitzchok Kosowsky com mented: !his resolution came as a complete surprise to many of those close to him, for no one ever saw him studying works of mussar.... We thought that this was not his way, but we were obviously mistaken. Though he was so preoccupied, he set aside time for this and made the study of mussar a statute not to be ignored. "In essence, his spiritual ac counting was revealed to all, for his 4916 13th Ave., B'klyn, N.Y 11219 Rabbi Yi/2.chak Kosowsky entire day was one continuous flow (718) 854-2911 of mighty deeds and acts of benevo POSTSCRJPT lence. His was a life of Torah, and assistance to everyone who appeared fter Reb Chaim Ozer's death at his door." in 1940, a list often personal In commenting on another reso '1"0) resolution was found among lution, Rabbi Kosowsky wrote how CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST his possessions, dated Erev Yorn the flourishing of Torah before the Kippur 5694 ( 1934). The resolutions war and its subsequent survival is DR. BENZION reveal much about the man. The his doing: second resolution reads: "He worked for the strengthening SOROfZKIN To spend at least a short time and support ofTorah study until his NY. STATE LICENSED each day studying mussar works, very last breath, literally." ADULTS such as Sha'arei Teshuva, Mesilas 111~ 11~1 Nn> • AND CHILDREN (718) 266-7151 - ~!@1::11@1 TORAH '· ,\ CASSETTES Choose From Over 600 Titles Topics Include: Chumash - Mussar Halachah - Holidays - Discovery - Kiruv - Parenting - Current Issues - Speakers include: Rabbi Noah Weinberg, Rabbi Yaacov Weinberg, Rabbi Yitzchak Berkowitz, Rabbi Mouy Berger, Rabbi Zelig Pliskin, Rbtzn. Ruchoma Shain, Rbtzn. T. Heller, Rbtzn. Y. Samet Special Cassette Library Section SendForcatalogto: ~ Aish HaTorah ilCeS Audio Center from 900 Forest Ave. Dept.82 )erusalem LakewoodNJ08701 38 The Jewish Observer, Jtme 1990 as the Biblical Exodus was culmi PPORTUNITY KNOCKS. nated by the Giving of the Torah, so too must this exodus be crowned with their reunion with Torah. "Seventy years of oppression and spiritual persecution seem to be coming to an end, yet we cannot claim any measure of satisfaction until an appreciable number of the Soviet Jews are shomrei Torah umitzvos." 2 THE TRANSmON FROM JEWS "The Russians Are Here. TO RUSSIANS TO AMERICANS Mrs. Lora Finkelman is a Rus sian native who underwent both the What Can We Do?" immigration and the teshuva pro cess. She draws on her experience in kiruv activity among Russian immigrants in Israel on behalf of the Under this title, Rabbi Shmuel As a community of limited re ShvutAmi CenterandArachim, and Bloom addressed the problems and sources, we would do well to exam her current involvement as Outreach opportunities presented by the cur ine the existing programs, to ap Director with the Torah Academy of rent influx of tens of thousands of preciate what is being accomplished Queens: Soviet Jews to these shores, and and where more effort should be "Paradoxically, when Soviet Jews explored some of the ways in which invested. arrive in the U.S .. the threat of their the general public can be involved assimilation increases. In the So (JO, Dec. '89). Several professionals viet Union they were Jews, and their in outreach to Soviet Jews and the 1 internal passports said as much, no Torah education of their children THE HISTORICAL SCOPE matter how they would have pre were invited to react to Rabbi Bloom's ferred to hide it. This could well be article. In addition, a number of To underscore the historical the only apparent explanation for letters were received regarding the scope of the current situation, Rabbi the minimal preservation of the issue, many times offering differing Moshe Boudolovksy, educational Jewish nation in Russia, until now. approaches to solving problems. director of Shoroshim notes: In the U.S., they are no longer In the meantime, the flow of Jews "One might draw some parallels marked as Jews: they are called from the Soviet Union has in between the contemporary situation Russians and dream of becoming creased- most of them going to Eretz and the Biblical Exodus from Egypt. Americans. The frame for keeping Yisroel, a goodly number coming to Just as the ancient Egyptian empire them away from assimilation is gone. America, where many individuals, suffered to permit our forefathers to This adds a sense of urgency to and their families, are reaching out leave bondage, so, too, is the Com outreach efforts. We must act to the new immigrants. Existing munist system currently crumbling quickly." programs have been expanded, and to allow hundreds of thousands of some new ones have been launch Jews to leave. Let us not confuse ed- notably some highly successful cause and effect. and think that the 3 Shabbatonim. These have exposed present-day exodus is happening APPROACHING THE TASK a hundred or more Russian families because of the end of an era. at a time to a total Shabbos experi "Furthermore, it is insufficient to In the words of Rabbi Arye ence- in Queens. in Monsey, and in welcome the emergence of the mas Katzin: "Russian Jews are products Lakewood- having meals in a re sive body of Soviet Jewry, without Rabbi Aiye Katzin. founder and principal of laxed atmosphere with individual their souls ever being restored. Just Sinai Academy-High School for Russian boys. families, and a series of lectures, broadcasts the Jewish segment of the Voice of tefillos, and other mitzvaexperiences Rabbi Boudolovsky. formerly a student of Orient.o'11 America to the USSR. He was born and brought languages in Unlversity of Leningrad. learned in up in Moscow. where he joined the underground over a two-day period. But our efforts Yeshiva Dvar Yerushalayirn in Jerusalem, and then Torah-study group led by Eliyahu Essas. and have been little more than the pro in Brisk. Shoroshim is Agudath Israel of Americ.a's later, in Eretz YisroeL continued his studies on verbial drop in the bucket. full-range outreach effort to SoViet Jews. an advanced level in YeshivaAteres Yerushalayim. The Jewish Observer, June 1990 39 of a totally different culture than front line of kiruv. At an informal understanding of the Russian men Americans, with a unique view of planning session for a symposium tality as it applies to our kiruv ac theworld. Asaresult, the education on this topic at Agudath Israel of tivities, whileAmerican mechanchim of Russian children, for example, America's recent National Conven can contribute their educational ex cannot proceed by taking a page out tion, the participants exchanged pertise. of a guide for the Torah chinuch of impressions and ideas. This pre American children, and applying it convention meeting was surprisingly Work With The Entire Family with minor modifications. Every step stimulating and enlightening. Simi needs careful planning, and could lar think-tank sessions should be "Working with the entire family, benefit from the pooling of experi convened with regularity. I and other instead of with children in isolation ence and insights of those in the Russian Jews can contribute our of their parents, is the only way in which a Russian child can be reached (as Rabbi Bloom stressed). If a child Looking for a is advised to ignore parental wishes or concerns, he will simply ignore the advice. Coming from a country ROSHKOLLEL where neighbors and friends are often informers, they tend to trust Needs to be a 'lamdan' and a personable individual to only family. This siege mentality is lead a very serious group of avreichim (ages 25-30) in an already established Kolle! outside the USA. Ideal candidate should be in the range of 45-65 years of age. Excellent renumeration-excellent living conditions. ALL APPLICATIONS WILL BE HELD IN STRICTEST CONFIDENCE. Please reply to: THE JEWISH OBSERVER POB JOO, 84 William Street, NYC 10038 A Torah Celebration of Sinai Parents reinforced in the American context. where they are all strangers in an alien land, and only have each other. ARE YOU MOVING? Thus, it is policy in Sinai Academy to only accept students with the avowed IS YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS PRINTED involvement of parents. We do not INCORRECTLY ON THE JO MAILING LABEL? accept children that are merely de We need your help to ensure proper delivery of the JO to your home. Please posited in the school for the parents' attach current mailing label in the space below, or print clearly your address convenience, or out of fear of the and computer processing numbers that are printed above your name on the worse elements in the public school scene. In addition, we have designed address label. programs specifically targeted at the ADDRESS CHANGE FORM parents." (Affix label here) 4 WHAT KIND OF A SCHOOL? Understandably, people tend to address problems in line with in Name ______~ sights gained from their experiences. Address ______Differences are thus inevitable - and enriching. City, State, Zip------ Discussion of how newly-arlived Russian children would fare in con Date Effective------ventional yeshivos would be aca Please allow 6~8 weeks for all changes 10 be reflected on your mailing label. WE WILL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR BACK ISSUES MISSED unless you notify us 8 weeks prior to your rnO\R. demic in communities like New York, where there is a premium on space 40 The Jewish Obseroer, June 1990 even for children from conventional odology, expanded remedial classes, homes in mainstream yeshivas, let special programs and extra tutoring alone for children of such special for the newcomers within an exist circumstances. So what should we ing framework. A warm, caring en do? Rabbi Tzvi Sourkes. head vironment is created by teachers master of the Torah Academy of sincerely concerned with the spiri Queens, writes: tual and educational needs of each "If the challenge is to be addressed child regardless of previous religious honesily in communities with a large and cultural background. influx of newcomers, a new school "The yeshiva staJT is augmented or a branch of an existing yeshiva by on-going linkages with various Piel.yon Haben for Russian Boys must be created. (In a smaller com other kiruvagencies which help with munity. absorption within the ex extracurricular activities, parent isting structure is perhaps the only education. hemshech (matricula 5 answer.) With a homogeneous stu tion), and social services. The pro GOALS: LONG AND SHORT dent population, where children are fessionals are further assisted by TERM admitted because they are immi veteran Torah-oriented students and grants, and notin spite of it, we can alumni who can serve as role mod Mrs. Finkelman writes further: think of success. Emigres want to els for these new immigrants." "Jn the past, the goal of American be American, yet at the same time they are very much tied to the con cept of community, as Rabbi Bloom pointed out in his article. Being together with people of the same INSURANCE BROKERS & CONSULTANTS background and culture is a source Commercial, Industrial, Residential, Life & Health of security. There is plenty of time later to focus on mainstreaming and integration into the regular ye shiva classes." A Different Approach 60 I 0 · 15th Avenue/Brooklyn, N. Y. I 1219 Rabbi Moshe Stahler, dean of the Hebrew-Academy of West Queens, • PROFESSIONAL SERVICE • suggests an alternative to "special • QUALITY INSURANCE CA.RRIERS • ized educational institutions deal • COMPETITIVE PREMIUMS • ing exclusively with Soviet immi grants. Despite the wonderful work being done by such schools. their BARBARA GOLDGRABEl'l/HESHY SCHWEBEL/EZRA HES structure excludes Torah-educated children from more advantaged re ligious backgrounds who can po tentially serve as positive peer role models to the Russian students. Instead, a non-Torah lifestyle is re inforced by friends handicapped by their similar lack of prior experience in shmiras hamitzvos .... "There is another approach: Es tablished outreach yeshivas, which ·..... in have effectively dealt with the not yetfrum for many years. They have f·Lakewood! T..J\$W~~~i.~~~!· ; toc~(etf~nM1r11idn.Aviln!Jf;lJ11t11iit~f both the ideological commitment and practical experience necessary to 1 successfully integrate large num ,~;~e·ixpl!~~"'~i~;tb~rA~~W/fil! i bers of immigrant children into the fJA~~~4~$~'S~fr'~~~~~~($~~~··• mainstream yeshiva movement. 'These American kiruv yeshivos, .·. f~tljtt'.f.l~!ll«~'·· among them the Hebrew Academy .. 'tJ.lffY.i.~~f!IJ!lf!.ff.S.•liJl.lf! of West Queens, have proven meth- The Jewish Observer. June 1990 41 outreach efforts was: Let's make the what to teach- at least, at the out few months. In the words of Rabbi Russians frum, right now! The dif set. For example, the starting point Yosef Grossman, Menahel of the ferences in orientation between So of learning should be Jewish iden school, and Rabbi Yisroel viet and American Jews cause a tity, not basic emuna. Speaking Greenberg, its Executive Director: strong cultural and social shock about Hashem Yisborach in early "Who interviews these children and when Russian immigrants first en sessions can be an irreversible turn their parents to determine that they counter the American scene, and off. Similarly, introducing Chumush are indeed halachically Jewish? Who result in their well-known negative or Siddur at the start can also be arranges for the boys to receive a attitude toward Judaism and Jew meaningless, even dangerous. bris mila and for the girls to light ish life. Not becomingfrum and not "Instead, one should begin at neiros Shabbos in their homes? Who blending into the American Ortho Ground Zero, presenting being Jew helps mainstream these children to dox community, they meanwhile ish as a source of pride. Then, every blend together with their American develop a resistance to any attempts opportunity should be used to re counterparts? to bring them into Torah life. inforce Jewish identity with special "Enter a native of Kiev who emi "Picture, if you will, a driver experiences (Shabbos seudos, vari grated to Eretz Yisroel fifteen years bringing his car to an automechanic ous songs and nigunim-involving ago, found Torah and Yiddishkeit at for repairs. 'You'll have it tomor the parent generation along with the Yeshivas Nesivot Olam in Bnei Brak, row,' says the mechanic, 'ready to children) and introductory studies: came to America and headed the get you to Chicago.' 'Are you Jewish? Then you must K.l.R.U.V. (Kiruv oflmmigrant Rus " 'Chicago? I'm going south,· says know more about Torah .... ' For this sian Unaffiliated Victims) Program the owner. reason, I put a strong emphasis on at Beth Jacob-Beth Miriam this '"Oh, no,' argues the mechanic. extra-curricular activities. In the current school year. Tm fixing It so you can go West.' informal, fun-filled, dose-contact 'The results? Typical is the 4 1 /2 "Needless to say, the owner will setting of a summer day camp- and year old in Pre-School who refuses refuse, saying, 'Your job is to fix the after-school recreational and social to eat lobster. She tells her parents, car. I'll decide where to go. Do a programs, as well-Jewish identity 'I cannot eat lobster. There are no good job, and I'll even send you can be nurtured to the point of scales and fins. lt is not Kosher. The other customers.' motivating children to want to at Rabbi said so!'" "The analogy is clear: We must tend a yeshiva; where a child will Most programs draw on the small equip our Russian brothers to func reason: 'I am Jewish, so of course I pool of Russian Jews that are here. tion well as Americans-and as Jews. should wear a yarmulke'; and 'I can't For example, both the children's But we cannot press them to change eat at McDonald's .. .' or 'I can't watch and the adult segments ofShoroshim their customs and life-style to be 1V on Shabbos 'cause I'm Jewish!'" are run by former Russian baalei come frum" teshuvawith academic backgrounds and experience in Jewish educa 7 tion, and additional staff members 6 AND WHO WILL DO THE have been recruited from amongst DESIGNING A CURRICULUM TEACHING? Russian Jews in Israel. for other programs (see end of article). How does one translate this in This question is not simply a sight into a curriculum for the chil matter of teaching Alef Beis. Take, Another Way of Doing it dren of Soviet immigrants? Rabbi for example, the Beth Jacob-Beth Katzin sees it this way: Miriam School in the Bronx, which Rabbi Moshe Warman, the "More attention should be focused has enrolled close to I 00 children menahelofBe'er Hagolah Institutes, on what not to teach rather than on from various Soviet cities these last the pioneering school for Soviet Rabbi Aryeh Schechter FOR BURIAL PLOTS INERE.TZ YlSROEL SOFER S''TAM BIG CONTACT CHEVRA 1235 49th St. APPLE Brooklyn, NY 112 t 9 COPY & PRINTING CENTER OSEHCHESED e make "housecalls." of Agudath.lsrael (718) 972-4003 87 NASSAU ST NEW YORK, NY 10038 84 William.Street IP. :i-~.,~ .. (212) 962-4282 New York, NV 100:18 / • - -ib::itv . (212) 267-9478 Phone (212~ 797~9000 Ext. 37 42 The Jewish Observer, June 1990 Jewish childreninAmetica, stresses Amelicanize- and they become To A Kehilla Grows in Brooklyn a different approach to the issue: rah Jews in the process." .. Common wisdom in some kinl.v Rabbi Chaim Waldman, execu circles has it that the spiritual and tive director of Shoroshim, reports educational needs of the Russian 8 on the development of Kha! immigrant community are best Shoroshim, in Brooklyn, which al A VIABLE RUSSIAN served by Russian mechanchim. ready includes 40 members who COMMUNITY Therefore. the limited community resources should be focused on de veloping a cadre of trained Russian All the correspondents reiterated Growing Mesivta-Beis Medrash mechanchim to cater to the ever a point made by Rabbi Bloom: one increasing number of Russians cannot deal with the children in in Brooklyn coming to these shores. isolation of parents. What, then, are Looking for Administrator .. While this notion of cultural af the overall goals for the adults? Mrs. Application with resume should be finity as a requirement for commu Finkelman says: "'To keep Russian sent to: The Jewish Observer nication may have melit in regard to Jews from total assimilation, we Box 42 - 84 William Street Russian adults, experience with must interface their needs with our Russian children has shown a stlik purposes. Like all immigrant N.Y.C. I 0038 ingly different picture. Russian groups-Japanese, Persians, Puerto adults are Russians and will re Ricans- they feel strange here and main, for all intents and purposes. seek to stay together. We should Russians. even as they become help them to consolidate their own truly committed and observantJews. community. Children, however, easily shed such "Orthodox Jewry should take the native baggage and rush headlong lead to establish the frame- work for to adapt to the ways of their new such communities, wherever Rus surroundings until they are soon sian Jews Jive in appreciable num indistinguishable from their indig bers. enous counterparts. This is espe "It is generally accepted that the cially true of immigrant children in spilitual leadership of the Russian Amelica, who invaliably view all community should be in the hands things Amelican as glitter and gold. of native Russians. who know the "It was this deep-seated, frantic Russian psychology and understand urge to Amelicanize that wreaked the Russian background, who can such havoc on the first generations be understood and are trusted. In of East European immigrants to this time, these people would be replaced country in the early part of this by new leaders, who will emerge century .... But American Torah Ju from within the ranks of Russian daism has come of age. The 1990-s Amelican Jewry. are witness to a vibrant Torah life "While the Russian communities INVESTMENT that floutishes in its Ametican set will definitely have a 'Russian' char ting. The Russian child has a chance acter, they should not be autono MANAGEMENT to see 1~orah as an indigenous part mous. Rather, if possible, they of his new Amelican world. Let's should be affiliated with existing face it. He idolizes Ametica and is Orthodox congregations, encourag infatuated by all things Amelican. ing the 'matching' of Russian fami We can tap that infatuation by pro lies with their Ameiican counter Fee Only. viding him with teachers who are parts. No sales or commissions. American bnei Torah. Real bat "In a matter of years, this com swinging. ball-dlibbling. Amelican munity would probably dissolve it rebbeim. whom the child yearns to self. but not before its members (914) 352-1919 emulate- in the BelsMedrashas well approach Amelican standards in as on the ballfield. terms of knowledge and Jewish ex ''The students are genuinely ea pelience. Of course. the implemen ger to be with their Amelican rebb~ tation of these goals will involve and listen intently to what he overcoming many difficulties, in Feivel Kirshenbaum. Ph.D. teaches. He may not speak their cluding lack of financial backing, Registered Investment Adviser language. but they very quickly learn manpower. coordination, location. to speak his! Yes, these children But we must start." The Jewish Observer, June 1990 43 have joined since its establishment Considering a move in mid-May. The Kehilla is led by Rabbi Avrohom Binsky. a native toMOJVSEY? RussianJewwho had immigrated to Israel in the 70's. where he discov for careful attention to your ered his Torah heritage. The KehiUa plans to build itself slowly but individual needs, call us today! steadily so that it can develop a cohesive social structure and pro (914) 354-8445 gram to accommodate the needs of its members faithfully. Besides a Kollel Erev for adults. a mechina program for Russian immigrant children designed to mainstream them in yeshivos (with 96 children YOUR CAR II ISRAE£ currently enrolled), the Kehilla has beginners· minyanim. classes and TYPE OF CAR lectures. a Russian-language Torah .. periodical with a worldwide reader 0 AUTOBIANCHI ship of over 10.000. and a bris mila A FIATUNO program that arranges up to 50 B FIAT UN0-45 circumcisions a week. They are C FRO ESCRT 1.3 Ai working on a package of members' benefits that will include discounts on Kosher foods at local markets. a Gemach (revolving free loan fund). borrowing privileges at a well stocked Russian-language Torah li brary. and access to a network of medical services offered at reduced fees. This nascent Kehilla, along with similar strides being made in Queens and other communities. may indeed be our last chance to make up for lost opportunities, to recapture the legacy lost from earlier generation. 9 Joel H. Paul & Associates, Inc. EXTENDING THE WELCOME Executive Search & Recruitment Specialists MAT The views and insights of the professionals in the field are mostly is pleased to announce addressed to educational and orga the expansion and relocation of their nizational efforts. Of course, there Administrative offices to are implications for the individual layman and his family. as well. Mrs. Sui1e 500 Finkelman's advice to avoid rushing 241 West 30th Street too quickly toward "making them New York, New York 10001-2801 fruni' can certainly be applied on Telephone (212) 564-6500 the personal level. Nochum Dick. a Facsimile (212) 643-1545 CPA by profession. whose involve ment in communal affairs has serving Jewish organizations and firms brought him to the presidency of recruiting professional personnel Sinai Academy. draws on personal experience and observations in re gard to outreach to individuals: 44 The Jewish Observer. June 1990 Blimie Friedman questions, and came back the next week for more. He had never heard of Chanuka, did not know the meaning of Mazal Tov; and a bris was the furthest thing from his mind. Beyond doubt, the warm welcome he receives from my family week after week makes him feel wanted, so of course Sasha keeps coming. In the seven months since, Sasha had a bris (which influenced his brother and a friend to follow suit), began coming to our shul every Shabbos, learned to read Hebrew, and is spending intersession breaks from Shoroshim Brooklyn College at a yeshiva in 3 Monsey .... A long, long way from 'The 90's are different from ten our first hello seven months ago ! fifteen years ago, and there has been "And then there's Anatoly some very positive response to out Borenstein, a ninth-grader at Sinai, reach efforts. Sure enough. many whose family knew (and cared) · >:.: ::~... :::>·':'::~;:>~x::>:}x/-f:;:~·.··\\0< people burned their hands in deal nothing about Shabbos or Kashrus. 6~~,~~~~x· ing with Russians a decade ago, but He is a regular weekend guest at the today some of these very same people L's, who invited Anatoly's entire •·•~;;;::iii •r ·~~~~i@~z;.;~;1g: are among the first to point out that family for the first days of Pesach. things have changed. The Russian "'But I must go to work on Pesach,' Jews have given up on the Marxist protested Mr. Borenstein, 'so I system, as a god that failed, and are couldn't be your house guest.' therefore more open to emuna. And, '"Your work schedule is some as a community, we have matured, thing over which I have no say,' and are willing to reach out to our explained Mr. L. 'I just want you at Soviet brothers without expecting my Seder table, and I can't have you instant results- or any results. for drive to us. So be our guest.' that matter- and they feel less pres 'They came. and learned more sured. Don't think you can change than they had imagined possible, everybody- after all, look where they and- because they got to know and came from. But nothing that we do trust the L's- they are willing to gets lost. enroll Anatoly in Yeshiva Ner Israel. "In any case. these immigrants are They are now giving serious thought• in desperate need ofa helping hand to moving to Flatbush, to live in a in getting a job, in finding housing, in religious community. learning their way around in our lbe Borensteins are not unusual. 'strange· society, and in discovering They were just fortunate enough to their Jewish identity. We must make meet the L's. place for them in our schedules, in ''The L's are not exceptional. our shuls, and at our Shabbos They're Just warm, caring people, tables- if only to listen to them. like most people out there. Unfortu "I have witnessed some remark nately, though, they are rare in what able changes in several young men they did- and they shouldn't be. and their families in periods of The rest of us have the same talents months. I will mention two examples: and the same concerns. Only the L's Sasha returned an English Chumash acted on them. lfmoreofusdo, then that I had lent him- unused. He the Russian experience in the USA accepted my invitation to come and of the 90's can yet be a chapter that study together- and then accepted we will all take pride in.'' • an invitation for a Shabbos meal. To 3 At this writing (June 13. 1990, 5 p.tn.} Sasha my pleasant surprise. he came. He called me: he is canceling his plan to go to listened to our standard table talk sun1mer school. lnstead, he"ll be in Ohr Somayach Bllmie Friedman lives in the Boro Park section on the sedra, asked a few hesitant in Monsey for the entire summer. of Brooklyn. This is her first appearance in JO. The Jewish Observer, June 1990 45 Kalman Packouz ...... Second Looks at the Jewish Scene . . · . . . .. -:. · ...... · . . . Rather than analyze or discuss the situation or problem, they will at Do Ultra-Orthodox tack it instead. Next time you read the headline, substitute "Jewish" for "ultra-Or Jews Exist? thodox" and what you see is anti semitism raising its ugly head. It is We have all read the headlines: army." He hesitantly took one step as bigoted, blind, and disgusting as "Ultra-Orthodox Jews Burn Bus towards me and said, ''Then you anything put out in Germany. But Shelters," "Ultra-Orthodox Jews can't be ultra-Orthodox!" now itis the secular Jews doing it to Throw Stones," "Ultra-Orthodox "Why not?" I said. "I try to observe the observant Jews. Jews Demand More Funding" (read: the best I can. To insinuate that Do they want to say that there are Equity), The problem is that no one someone who does not serve in the some anti-Zionist Orthodox Jews I know- and probably no-one you army is more Orthodox (or less Or who are not supportive of the State know- has ever met an ultra-Or thodox) is insulting to our heritage of Israel? Then they should say so. thodox Jew. There is a good reason and to every Jew." There are also anti-Zionist. Conser and I'm going to let the cat out of the Then I told my friend that many vative, Reform and Secular Jews bag: There is no such thing as an Orthodox Jews believe it's a Torah who do not support the State, but ultra-Orthodox Jew! obligation to go in the Israeli army everyone appreciates that it is bla Want proof? Ask the next person (appreciating that the Torah grants tantly rtdiculous to call them ultra who uses the term "ultra-Orthodox" certain exceptions from conscrtp conservative, ultra-Reform. or ul what it means. I did. I asked an tion). In fact, some of the national tra-Secular. Israeli Orthodox friend. Do you want istic Orthodox Jews would say that Perhaps the one thing we can all to know the answer I got? "You those who do not go into the army agree upon is that it's ultra-harmful know what I mean- everyone knows are less Orthodox, not nwre or to continue this ultra-poisonous what is meant by ultra- Orthodox!" "Ultra-Orthodox." labeling.• I told my friend I didn't know Often, people who have their own what he meant. After all, every Or political, religious or personal agenda thodoxJew agrees that G-d gave the use the term "ultra-Orthodox" as a Torah and we are obligated to keep subterfuge to denigrate Orthodox all of the commandments. Ifa person people, while trying to exclude, of isn't as observant as his neighbor, course, the Orthodox people they he's not "sub-Orthodox." He's less personally know. You have probably observant. And if a person fulfills heard them say, "After all, some of more commandments, he's not my best friends are Orthodox." The "ultra-Orthodox," he's just doing "ultra-Orthodox" then become the what he's supposed to do. No-one, acceptable scapegoats- the conve not even Moses, ever kept every nient demon that no one has ever commandment perfectly. met. but everyone loves to hate. My friend then said, "You know. There is another use of the term he wears a black hat and he doesn't "ultra-Orthodox" and that is in line go into the Israeli army." I told him, with the age-old adage that every " I wear a black hat, does that make Jew believes he is the perfect Jew: me ultra-Orthodox?" He paled in Anybody more religious than he is, fear and took one step away from is a fanatic (read: ultra-Orthodox), me. "But," 1 continued, "I serve the and anybody less religious is a heretic. Oftentimes, people feel Rabbi Kalman Packouz is Senior Vice-Presi threatened, scared or embarrassed dent of Aish Hatorah, an international Jewish education network headquarted in Jerusalem. by that which is different from them. 46 The Jewish Observer, Jtme 1990 Bracha Druss Goetz I worked hard just ro make them all so proud pre-med grind-way back to spelling tests. I worked hard just ro make them all so proud Then they"d know-it would show-I was best So why"d it always happen I could not convince myself? Awards just made a hollow sound when placed upon the shelf. And why"d it always happen that the praises stopped sofast? lsn"t there a goal ro reach where my glory will last? Then one day I got tired qf this game Wondergiri though you"ve won, what's it worth? Then one day I got tired qf this game. Craving more, is itfound here on earth? Well it has not been easy putttng old wishes aside. While washing piles qf dishes, my hands bum with swallowed pride. No, it has not been easy putttng old wishes aside. Though I'm called a mother now, the old dreams never died. This qftemoon it was raining very hard My little ones were getttng bored-nowhere ro go. This ajtemoon it was raining very hard I decided to put on a puppet show. Lining up their kiddie chairs, they sat there in a row. I peeked out at them a moment and theirfaces were aglow. Lining up their kiddie chairs, they sat there in a row. Their eyes werefull qf wonder as they watched my puppet show. My whole life I've been waitingfor applause. Well it came-and it's true-it was great My whole life I've waitedfor this applause. Their little hands-clappingforjoy-were worth the wait if I could only realize that here within these walls I did something much greater than in all the lecture halls. if I could only realize that this glory does not leave-- Why are elusive tapestries the hardest to unweave? Mrs Goetz lives In Baltimore. Her poem "A Hellenist Left Standing" appeared in JO Dec. '89. The Jewish Observer, June 1990 47 @- • 1 (()~r f VVtO 1 lti' Jt ~((»~rrs LATE SHADOWS ON TWO FRONTS Yirmeyahu Bindman Moshe Holczler PROMISE ME HARDCOVER ONLY.19.95 THEY CALLED ME HARDCOVER ONLY. 11.95 FRAU ANNA TOMMOROW Chana Marcus Banet Sarah Birnhack THE HARDCOVER ONLY, 16.95 H/C 12.95 S/C 9.95 LOST CHILDR.~.N MY OF TARSHIS/' BQOTHEQ0 KEEPEQ Vol. l Umd st"~"":;,.,,)""' Rabbi Nalloli Gotllieb THE LOST CHILDREN MY BROTHER'S KEEPER OF TARSHISH VOL. I/II VOL. 1/11 Tokatly & Klitsner WILDFLOWER GROWING WITH Rabbi Naftoli Gottleib HIC 11.95 SIC 8.95 Rachel Pomerantz MY CHILDREN H/C 12.95 SIC 9.95 HARDCOVER ONLY. 18.95 Sarah Shapiro HARDCOVER ONLY, 17.95 ------and------P·U·B·L· I·S·H·E·R·S DJSTRJBUTORS 180 Park Avenue• Lakewood, NJ 08701 • (201) 905-3000 •Fax: (201) 367-6666 U.K. and Europe: 1 Palm Court, Queen Elizabeth Walk, London, Nl 6 England Israel: Rechov Mishkalov 18/6, Har Nof, Jerusalem Please send for our free Book List