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THE JEWISH OBSERVER does not 34 assume responsibility for the Kashrus of any product, publication, or service The Lucky Winner advertised in its pages Rabbi Mendel Weinbach ©Copyright 1993 35 JUNE 1993 VOLUME XXVI I NO. 5 Letters to the Editor Rabbi Yitzctwk Kirzner

A Message For the Three Weeks To Guide us in our Go/us Struggles

arious verses in YAAKOV'S DREAM Tanach,as well as V statements by Chazal, hazal teach that the refer to golus (exile) as a situa­ deeds of our forefa­ tion where mechitzos (barriers) C thers are a portent exist between the Jew and his for their descendants. The Creator, as well as between the happenings in the lives of Jew and his fellow. And we suf­ Avraham, Yitzchak and fer because of these mechitzos. Yaakov foretell the history of In fact, the Genwra states that the Jewish people. The golus our tefillos In golus are hin­ experience is alluded to in the dered by the mechitzos life ofYaakov AvinU. who fled hamavdilos-barriers that Eretz Yisroel to escape a separate-between ourselves bloodthirsty Elsav, spent and Heaven. twenty-two years in the A related term ls that of house of the wicked Lavan, hester panim. Divtne conceal­ and at the end of his life, de­ ment, which refers to the man­ scended to Egypt as the first ner in which G-d guides the golus began. It was during happenings of His people dur­ his flight from his father's ing their golus experience. He house that Yaakov spent a ls there as always, but His involve­ night at Mount Moriah, the site where ment is not easily perceived. As the Beis Hamikdash would one day Shlomo Hamelech phrases it: "He be built. There he was shown a pro­ (G-dj was standing behind our wall, Based on an address by phetic dream: "... and behold! A lad­ observing through the windows, Rabbi Yitzchok der was set earthward and its top reached heavenward, and behold! 'This essay is based on a speech given by the late Kirzner, 7''1; . Angels of G-d were ascending and de­ Rabbi Yltzchok KlrznerinJuly, 1992, atAgUdath scending on it" (Bereishis 28, 12). Israel's Torah Project DMsion's Summer of Torah prepared for publication by According to the Midrash (Vayeira Lecture Series in the Catsld.ll Mountains. He served Rabba29,2), Yaakovwas symbolically as Director of the Citywide Outreach Educational Rabbi Shimon Finkelman Program of the Jewish Renaissance Center, in New shown the Four Kingdoms, which York. and authored The Art ofJewish Prayer, pub­ would successively ascend to subju­ lished by Jason-Aronson. His article. "Chovos gate Israel but would ultimately de­ Halevavos: Beyond the Arena of Action,~ was fea­ peering through the lattices" (Shir scend and fall from power. Accord­ tured in JO, Nov. '92. Hashirim 2,9). "Our walls" are the ingly, Yaakov saw the angel of the Rabbi Shimon Finkelman, a rebbe in Yeshiva mechitzos hamavdilos, barriers Babylonian Empire ascend 70 rungs Darchei Torah, Far Rockaway, N.Y .. is a frequent contributor to these pages, most recently, With his which we ourselves create. and then descend; the angel of Med!a article, "Rabbi Elchonon Wasserman. ?;n: Teacher We will focus on three different fac­ 1"The Midrashcites the verse (Ovadiah 1,4}, ~'If you ofTorah PerspectiVe.~ in Nov. 91. He is the author tors that result in the formation of !Edom] will rise like an eagle, and if you will place of several biographies published by ArtScroll these barriers, the third of which may Mesorah Publications, as well as the recent book, your nest among the stars, from there l will bring you down,' says G-d." 'Shabbos-Its Essence and Significance. be somewhat of a revelation.

4 111e Jewish Observer. June 1993 ascend 52 rungs and then descend; wholesome, he becomes a slave to he becomes with his inner self and, and the angel of Greece ascend 180 those very pleasures. ultimately, with Hashem. For the rungs and then descend. Yaakovwas In elucidating this point. the neshama within ourselves is the then shown the angel of Edom (i.e. Maharal makes it clear that he means through which we stay in Rome) ascend the ladd

The Jewish Observer. Jime 1993 5 rooted in lust. Those who wallow in gc. ·civa vis-a-vis man and his fellow tred. Since ga'ava. as the source of lust will use any means--even mur­ needs no further elaboration. sina, was the root cause of the Sec­ der-to satisfy their perceived needs. Obviously, ga'avais also an enor­ ond Destruction, the kingdom that They will also develop false ideologies mous barrier between man and caused the Destruction and under to grant license to their wayward be­ Hashem It prevents man from rec­ whom the Jewish nation was subju­ havior. With the First Destruction. ognizing Hashem's involvement in gated, was Edom/Rome, which was the Jews were punished measure for his life and from submitting himself characterized by its arrogant impeli­ measure by being placed under the to Hashem's will as expressed in the alism. Because ga'ava is without rule of hedonistic cultures which Torah. It can biing one to deny that limit, Yaakov, in his vision, was not strove to inculcate them with their his matelial possessions are G-d­ shown when this golus would end. earthly pursuits and assimilate them given and to instead proclaim, "My But Hakadosh Baruch Hu assured into their societies. might and the strength of my hand Yaakov ofEdom's ultimate end: "Just But hedonism has its limits. Any has created for me this prospelity" as the others ascended and then de­ society that is rooted in matelialism (Devarim 8, 17). scended, so, too, will this one. And will ultimately destroy itself. The na­ There is a fundamental distinetion even if [his arrogance will reach a ture of the first three golus kingdoms between ga'ava and ta'ava. As men­ point where] he will Iise and seat him­ was such that their ultimate end was tioned above, ta'ava has its limlts. self next to Me, from there I will cast inevitable. Therefore. their duration Such is not the case with ga'ava. The him down." was revealed to Yaakov. arrogant person's ego can swell to a Thus far, we have seen that the ef­ To better understand this fects ofmatelialism and arro­ concept. witness what has gance are to isolate a person happened to Amelica over the from Hashem, from his fellow past few decades. The pli­ The effects of Jew and, essentially. from his mary problem in this country very self. Can there be a is not poverty or some other materialism and darker golus than this? debilitating phenomenon. Quite the contrary. The arrogance are to isolate THE THIRD BARRIER United States is coming apart at the seams because its a person from Hashem, oth the First and Sec­ people are steeped in pursu­ ond Destruction ing physical gratification. from his fellow Jew and, B were rooted in the People selfishly pursue their Sin of the Spies, who re­ desires and resort to any essentially, from his very turned to the Wilderness means to achieve their from their trek through Eretz warped goals. The barlier of self. Can there be a Yisroel with a slanderous re­ ta'avahasseparatedasociety port of the Land and a dismal from its Creator and its mem­ darker go/us than this? assessment of the Jews' abil­ bers from one another. ity to conquer it (Bamidbar Ch. 13-14). The people be­ MISDIRECTED lieved the report and wept on STRENGTH degree where he will view his own that night, the Ninth of Av. Hashem abilities and accomplishments as told them. "You wept in vain. I will es­ hava is complemented nothing short of superhuman. And tablish it for you as a time of weeping by the attlibute of yiro. awe. his lust to dominate and control can for all generations" (Ta'anis 28b). A Yun is manifest in self-control be limitless, as well. Thus did Tisha B'Av become a day of and self-discipline. In the wlitings of Shlomo Hamelech states very tragedy. kabbala, yirais referred to as gevum­ clearly how Hashem views those who The immediate ramifications of the strength-strength that is inwardly are ensnared in the net of ga'ava: Sin of the Spies was that the men of directed: "Who is strong? He who sub­ "Disgusting to Hashem are all who that generation would not enter the dues his inclination" (Avos 4:1). Of are arrogant of heart" (Mishlei 16,5). Land. Because the Spies' mlssion had course, gevura, too. can be misdi­ The Shechina mourns over one who lasted forty days, the Jews wandered rected. It can be used to control and is affiicted with arrogance; Hashem in the Wilderness for forty years, un­ manipulate, to dominate and take ad­ says of him, "He and I cannot dwell til the entire generation had died out. vantage ofothers. Gevumcan become together in this world" (Sota5a).3 The Torah makes clear that transformed into ga'ava, arrogance. A The generation at the time of the Moshe's and Aaron's being denied the person who cannot biing himself to Second Destruction suffered terlibly plivilege of enteling the Land was un­ consider another person's way of from this affiiction, which was mani­ related to this sin. Rather, they were thinking or to accept constructive fest in sinas chinam-baseless ha- not to enter because of the sin of Mei cliticism suffers from ga'ava, the 3The Gemora there devotes a page and a half to de­ Merilxl(WatersofStlife), when follow­ greatest malady of all. The barrter of scribing the depravity of ga 'ava. ing the death of Miriam, the miracu-

6 The Jewish Obseroer; June 1993 lous well. which had been the Jews' given this mission to me." THE KEY source of water stnce they had left Such self-confidence, says the Egypt. dried up. Hashem command­ Maharal, is manifest in the n Sefer Devarim, where the epi­ ed Moshe to speak to the rock and individual's temperament: "And with sode of the Spies is reviewed, the waterwould pour forth. Moshe hit the bitachon there is joy." Confidence in I Spies are quoted as saying: "Be­ rock instead. Hashem said. "Because oneself to cope with the rigors of life cause Hashem hated us He took us you did not believe in Me to sanctify is apparent in one's positive disposi­ out of Egypt, to deliver us into the Me before the eyes of Bnei Yisroe~ tion and obvious peace of mind. To hands of the Emori'im to annihilate therefore, you will not bring this con­ become upset when faced with a chal­ us" (Devarim 1,27). Sforno com­ gregation into the land that I have lenge and lose oneself indicates a lack ments: "Because Hashemhated u&­ given them" (Bamidbar20, 12). of such bitachon. The fact that Moshe, because we worshiped Egyptian The Ohr Hachaim offers a startling on his exalted level, referred to his gods." This can be explained with the comment: Had Moshe and Aaron car­ brethren as "rebellious people," or hit following parable: ried out their mission at Mei Meriva. the rock when he was told to speak A person is seriously ill. r·n. He is they would have undone the damage to it, pointed to a momentary weak­ seen by doctors who offer a very dis­ caused by the Sin of the Spies. Moshe ening of confidence in his ability to couraging prognosis. The man goes would have led the generation into fulfill the mission at hand. home and tells the report to his wife or rav, who tells him. "Have bitachon. Eretz Yisroe~ and the Jewish People But faith and confidence were Hashem can do anything." The man re­ would have forever maintained a precisely what Moshe and Aaron sponds with the following: "I have per- spiritual level that would fect faith in Hashem. I know have precluded the kind of that nothing is impossible. I be­ DiVine wrath that brought lieve with complete faith in the about the destruction of the To succeed in the Thirteen Principles of Faith, Beis Hamikdash and in every facet ofJewish out­ look as formulated in Sefer One wonders: What con­ spiritual realm, it is not Chovos Halevavos. But I have nection is there between the one problem. I don't believe Sin of the Spies and Mei sufficient to believe in that I am worthy of a miracle. I Meriva? A comment of the don't think that I have done Maharal sheds light on the Hashem in an abstract enough good with my life to matter: merit being the exception to The commentaries offer a sense. We have to feel medical statistics ... variety of explanations as to The Spies experienced a the exact nature of Moshe that He is with us, that slmilar feeling. They believed and Aaron's sin at Mei with complete faith in Meriva. The Maharal points He is our companion, Hashem's ability to lead out that Rashi appears to as it were. them into Eretz Ytsroel and contradict himself. In one perform great miracles in place (Bamidbar 20.12), overcoming the powerful Rashi writes that they were Canaanite nations. They did guilty of hitting the rock not believe. however, that when Hashem had instructed them were supposed to demonstrate at they and their brethren, who had to speak to it. Elsewhere (ibid. MeiMeriva. The purpose ofgathering worshiped idols in Egypt and had 11.22), Rashi indicates that Moshe Klal Y'isroel to witness the miracle of been guilty of the Stn of the Golden and Aaron sinned in referring to Klal water pouring forth could not have Calf soon after having received the Ytsroel as "rebellious people" (see been the miracle itself, for they had Torah. were worthy of such miracles. 20, 10). The Maharal explains that seen the miracle constantly for al­ The feeling of Moshe and Aaron at both errors were a result of a single most forty years! Moshe and Aaron Mei Meriva was of a similar nature. deficiency: a lack of bitachon (trust). were commanded: "And you shall They had no doubt that their speak­ The Maharal is speaking of self­ speak to the rock before their eyes" ing to the rock could bring forth wa­ trust. a confidence that one has the (Bamidbar 20,8). Hashem wanted ter, if such was Hasherris desire. But ability to cany out his Divinely or­ Klal Yisroel to see Moshe approach they were not fully confident in their dained mission. For whenever a per­ the rock with joy and serenity, a leadership ability to perform such a son sets out to fulfill that which symbol of perfect faith tn his ability miracle for a people who seemed un­ Heaven has sent his way. he must to cany out the will of G-d. Moshe worthy of it. For as the Torah relates, tell himself: did not fulfill this mission. when the well dried up after Miriam's "I believe with a complete faith that One wonders how Moshe death, the people. as they had done in the mission with which Hakadosh Rabbeinu. of all people, could have the past, complained: "And why did Baruch Hu has entrusted me, is within experienced such a lapse. To under­ you bring the congregation of Hashem my power to accomplishfor if not, then stand this, we must tum to the epi­ to this wilderness to die there, we and Hakadosh Baruch Hu would not have sode of the Spies. our livestock?" (Bamidbar20,4).

The Jewish Observer, June 1993 7 What should have been the atti­ son in emuna and biinclwn, and un­ atzmi-self-trust-without feeling tude of the Spies, or of Moshe and done the Sin of the Spies. that Hashem. in His compassion, is Aaron atMeiMeriva?' And what of the alongside of him, a person will feel to­ ill patient in our parable who consid­ STRIVING UPWARD tally lost. ers himself unworthy of Divine inter­ This is how the Spies felt, and after vention? His argument, after all, iving with belief in Hashem's hearing their report, the rest of the seems quite compelling, and could compassion is not as easy as it people shared this dark mood with easily trouble any one of us. For, ifwe L may seem. Should we believe them. Their lack of self-trust caused have any understanding of how that our abili1y to succeed is contin­ them to weep on the night of the Ninth much goodness Hashem has show­ gent on undeserved rachnmim, then of Av, and from that, go1us evolved. ered upon us through the course of we would feel forever indebted to the In fact, an earlier lack of self-trust our lifetimes, and how little we have Ribbono Shel Olam in a way that we foretold the future exiles. The Midrash done to deserve it, then we too should could never adequately repay. And a with which we began our discussion consider ourselves without concludes as follows: any particular merit. How, Hakadosh Baruch Hu then or­ then, can one go through life dered Yaakov: "You ascend {the with a biinclwn which, as the One of the beautiful truths ladder} as well" Maharal says, should infuse Yaakov grew .frightened and us with joy? of Judaism is that the very said: "Perhaps, G-d. forbiLL just The above question is an­ as these are destined to de­ swered by Clwvos Ha/evavos qualities that bond a Jew scend. so, too, am I?" who explains that one compo­ Hashem responded: "Do not nent of biinclwn is faith and to his Creator, bond him to be afraid. My seroant Yaakov. if trust in Hashem's infinite you wUl ascend, you wUl never compassion. This doe& not his fellow Jew. This descend." mean that a person can live He [Yaakov} did not believe, his life contrary to Torah and concept, that the unity of and so he did not ascend. /Radal rely on Hashem's abundant explains thnt Y aakov was appre­ goodness; certainly he can­ Klal Yisroel is intertwined hensive lest his eventual sins de­ not. One must strive to serve with each individual Jew's prive himojHashem's blessings Hashem as best as he can. and cause the foifeiture of His Having done his best, and re­ unity with Hashem, is promises. Thus, he feared thnt alizing that he has fallen short he would lack the merit that of earning sufficient merit, he indicative of our exalted would preclude his ever having must tell himself: "I believe to descend.} with a complete faith and I status as G-d's Chosen Hashem told Yaakov. "Had trust in Hashem's compas­ you believed and ascended. you sion, which Is without limit." Nation. would never have come down. The Spies may have been Now. however, yourdescendanJs correct in thinking that the are destined to be enslaved to the nation lacked sufficient Fbur Kingdnms in this world." merit, but they should have The true depth of Yaakov's had faith that Hashem's compassion person simply does not want to feel so prophetic dream is beyond us. Its would make conquest of the Land a deeply indebted. message, however, is crucial: if you reali1y. Moshe and Aaron may have Yet faith in His compassion is, as wUl ascend, you wUl never descend. If seen their brethren as unworthy of we have demonstrated, absolutely es­ a person goes through life with the miracle, but they were expected to sential. Lack ofsuch faith is probably biinchonin Hasherris infinite love and trust that Hashem's compassion the greatest barrier of all to spiritual compassion, biinclwnin a Jew's abil- would allow for the miracle to happen growth and is golus in Its darkest 11y to "pick up the pieces" and con­ nonetheless. Had Moshe and Aaron form, for if one feels that his unwor­ tinue upward despite failures and been firm in their trust and given ex­ thiness makes it impossible to over­ disappointments, then ultimately, in pression to it by approaching their come his personal trials, then every the scheme of life, he will not fail. He task with joy and sereni1y, they would challenge becomes insurmountable. may falter or even slip, but he will have taught the nation a classic !es- He may be struggling with ta'ava or never be thrown from the ladder. ga'ava and decide that his previous The Three Weeks are a time to fo­ 4 Obviously. the intent here is not to liken the Sin failures make him unworthy of ever cus on one's personal trials in life and of Mei Meriva to that of the Spies. The Sin of the wiping his slate clean. He may be con­ become strengthened with the knowl­ Spies was of a far more serious nature, as is evi­ dent from the manner in which they expressed fronted by adversi1y or suffering and edge that whatever the trial, one can themselves and in their having incited the people feel himself trapped by his situation continue on an upward path with to call for a return to Egypt {Bamidlxzr, Ch. 14). with no way out. Without bitachon Hashem at his side. •

8 711e Jewish Observer. June 1993 RECAPTURING THE PAST lftJ ______E_s_the_r_J_wig __ re-----,is

AND THE SILENT HOLOCAUST '

Tower of Faces, memorializing Einsatzgruppen victims

I. THE DEDICATION wrote a book stating that the Holo­ Israel. the nation that is the living me­ caust was an exaggeration. that the morial for the Six Million, the people rom New York to Miami to Los "principal characteristics of Jews are that rose from the ashes ofAuschwitz. Angeles-in almost every city selfishness, craftiness, unreliability. Today, half a century after the Holo­ F with a sizeable Jewish popula­ miserliness, underhandedness and caust. Jews in Israel still have to battle tion, a Holocaust Memorial has been secrecy." (The New York Times, Fri­ for their lives, and heroes of the spirit erected. Tilis interest should stgnal re­ day, Apr. 23, 1983) all over the globe still battle for the su­ newed Jewish commitment, but para­ Then came the invocation, com­ premacy of Torah in our lives. What doxically, we are witnessing further memorating our Six Million Martyrs, could be more appropriate on this oc­ decline and erosion in Jewish life. delivered by a Christian clergyman, casion than to speak out in praise of How can one explain this Bishop Krister Stendahl, former the heirs of the martyrs? anomaly? When I attended the Holo­ dean of the Harvard Divinity School, That was what I had hoped to hear caust Memorial Dedication in Wash­ and former bishop of the Church of from Elie Wiesel. Instead, however, ington. some of the reasons became Sweden. with fire and passion he turned to the apparent. The M.C. was Ted Koppel, a child President of the United States and The ceremony took place on of refugees from the Holocaust and raised his voice on behalf of Bosnia! Thursday morning, April 22. The popular ABC News anchorman. Mr. As tragic as the plight of the weather that day was uncharacteris­ Koppel married a non-Jew and has Bosnians may be, to compare it to the tically cold and rainy. The weather opted to raise his children as non­ Holocaust is to diminish and cheapen did not bother me, but as the pro­ Jews. While he spoke, today's silent the enormity of that unspeakable evil. gram unfolded. a sense of outrage spiritual Holocaust came to mind: In­ The Nazi battle against the Jews was rose in me. termarriage rates up to 52%, and in not a war, but. rather, the systematic The ceremony opened with the in­ some communities, more than 700/o. extermination of an entire people and troduction of Heads of State. Promi­ Add assimilation and alienation. and all that they stood for. Young and old. nent among them was President if (G-d forbid) the present trend con­ male and female, the healthy and the Franjo Tudjman of Croatia. who tinues. Hitler will have triumphed infirm-all were marked for annihila­ posthumously. tion. Never in the annals of mankind Rebbetzin Esther Jungreis is the founder and Elie Wiesel was now introduced, was such horror visited upon hu­ president of the international Hineni organization, a movement for teshuva. She is also a popular col­ and I was hoping he would say some­ manity. Six million Jews. two out of umnist and published author. thlng meaningful, to tell the story of every three, disappeared in the

The Jewish Obseroer, June 1993 9 flames. Every Jew who is alive today is a sUIVivor, for if Hitler had had his Today, half a century after the Holocaust, Jews in way, we would all be photographic exhibits in a museum. No, there can Israel still have to battle for their lives, and heroes of be no comparison. the spirit all over the globe still battle for the The Program: Continuation ... and Consternation supremacy of Torah in our lives. What could be more

s the program continued with appropriate on this occasion than to speak out in a musical interlude, I thought, A perhaps now we will hear a praise of the heirs of the martyrs? Jewish song, perhaps even "Ani Ma'amin," the song which the kedoshimsang on their way to the gas the program unfolded, my consterna­ long-lost friends. I couldn't help but chambers. The choir-from a yeshiva tion increased. hear the conversation. Taking out or day school? No. From the secular Mr. William J. Lowenberg, a sUIVi­ snapshots, they started to share Alice Deal Junior High School. And vor of Auschwitz and Dachau, and nochas: "Tuts is my son, a surgeon at the voice ofour own people, the songs vice-chairman of the United States __ Hospital. Thank G-d he doesvety of our martyrs, was not heard. Holocaust Memorial, expressed grati­ well. Tilis is his wife, and these are his Next, "A Story of Rescue and Sur­ tude to the U.S. army for having lib­ children. She isn't Jewish, but she's a vival," a magn.tficent tale of heroism, erated concentration camps. nice girl. and they are very happy." in which Stephanie Padgorska, a Pol­ How ironic to hear history betng re­ Their friends nodded their heads ish Catholic girl, defied the Nazis, and written in the nation's capital by its in agreement. "As long as they're at great danger to family, gave sanc­ very victims! Are we to allow the world happy, that's all that matters." tuary to a young Jewish man, Yosef to forget that during those days of Here was a living example of the Bruzminski and his twelve Jewish darkness, Amenca turned its back on anomaly that had I referred to earlier: comrades. our doomed people, insisting that the On one hand an increased interest in The story would have been most in­ American war effort could not be di­ Holocaust programs, and on the spirational, were it not for the fact that verted by a Jewish issue? If Amencan other, abandonment of Jewish com­ at war's end, Stephanie and Yosef were troops liberated the camps, it was not mitment. How does one explain this manied. And Yosefhimselfwas there as a prtority. It was not the lives of contradiction? The answer is appar­ to testify: "We are married. we have Jews that brought them to Germany ent. Holocaust programs make no children, and evetything is fine." and Poland. They were not even an demands. They allow Jews to assimi­ Now, we must express gratitude to asterisk in the Allied troops' battle to late while giving them an illusion of the righteous gentiles who risked victory in Europe. involvement their lives to save Jews. But couldn't To be sure, I appreciate the impor­ The rain had now stopped. but my the planning committee have chosen tance of educating all Americans cheeks were wet with tears. someone who was not a role model for about the Holocaust (especially since intermaniage? Isn't it our sacred re­ recent surveys have revealed that a II. A VISIT TO THE MUSEUM sponsibility, not only to memorialize large percentage of the population the Six Million, but to live for them? has no knowledge of it). But implicit n that day of the dedication, So it was that as each segment of in this is the responsibility to teach the museum itselfwas closed, the truth, for only thus can we hope Oand therefore, in the interest that history will not repeat itself. offairness, I felt duty bound to return to Washington. Having read all the The Flame... Without "Kaddish" laudatory reports in the media, I hoped to see something that would he ceremony came to its con­ counter the negative impression clusion with the kindling of an made at the dedication ceremony. T eternal flame. But here again, Interestingly, the day before my something was missing... the flame visit to Washington, an article entitled was a fire, devoid of the pintele Yid. .. "As a Jew" appeared in Tile New York there was no Kaddish, there was no Times Magazine section. Itwasafirst­ Moleh, person account of a father who had As I got up to leave, my attention was just celebrated his son's Bar Mitzva. drawn to an elderly couple seated in He, as well as his parents before him, front of me--0bviously survivors, as were totally assimilated, and in addi­ were most of those present. They tion, were victims of the American wam1ly exchanged greetings with some "dysfunctional family syndrome." The

IO Tile Jewish Obseroer. Jwie 1993 Bar Mitzva. the father admitted, had nation, its prophetic destiny, and its All There But The Spirit not been his idea. Rather, his son, unwavertng faith tn its Torah. While Nathan, had Initiated it. As the day of they will shudder at the sheer horror s a survivor of the Holocaust, I the celebration drew near, the only of it all, there will be nothtng to ktndle can relate dozens of such sto­ aspect of the event that evoked anxi­ the Jewish flame in their hearts. To a j\rtes from personal expertence, ety tn the father was how to success­ generation that has been fed a diet of and every Orthodox Jew who sur­ fully accommodate all the members 1V and cinematic violence. pictures vived the flames can do the same. of his fractured family that several alone will not suffice. But just one Such recollections are vital, not only generations of divorce had torn asun­ story of Jews who, under brutalizing for the sake of Jews, but for the non­ der. The father concluded this tragi­ conditions. tn the midst of starvation Jewish visitors as well. Precisely be­ comic narrative with a flicker of hope, and disease, sacrificed their last ounce cause they have no true understand­ suggesting that, for the sake of his of strength to pronounce a prayer, to tng of the Holocaust or tnkltng ofwhat boys, he was now prepared to explore study a passage from the Torah, to a Jew may be, the story must be his Judaism. And how, you might keep Shabbos and reach out in told-the story of our nation, which, ask, was he planntng to do this? By chessed, might have awakened the despite the most inhuman torture, taking his sons on a !lip to the Holo­ pintele Yid tn their hearts. did not lose its faith tn G-d. Alas, tn caust Museum. In Washington, with this story fresh tn my mtnd, I tried to envision As a i>uhlic service to the ('()tfltntmity how this father and his sons would react, and what inspiration they AGUDA1HISRAEL might gatn there. OF AMERICA What stands out most HAS L>\UNCHED AMAJOR strongly in my mind, VOTER REGISTRATION DRIVE however, is not what I IN NEW YORK CITY found in the museum, but rather that which I found missing there: the Jewish spirit.

Obviously, in the limited space available, I cannot possibly detail my impressions of the thousands of square feet of exhibits and how they might impact on Jews tn search of their roots. What stands out most strongly tn my mtnd, however, is not what I found in the museum, but WE NEED YOUR PARTICIPATION! rather that which I found missing YOU MUST REGISTER IN ORDER TO VOTE! there: the Jewish spirit. For Further lnfonnntion Indisputably, the museum is most plca.;;e<"llll impressive, and its designers are to be VOTF.R REGISTil.\110N C·\MPAJG~ Jl(fI1JNE credited for having documented the (718) 2!':>8- 2815 history of the Holocaust with veracity

and depth. Looking at the exhibits -\1.S(}. through the eyes of this father and his URGENILY NEEDED: sons, however, I realized that if they come here to discover the meantng of Part Thue :\eig-hLorhood/Hlock ( ~>ordinatori-; their Judaism, they will be left empty. Paid CanYassers Endless photographs of atrocities can­ not convey the tndomitable soul of our

The Jewish Obseroer, June 1993 11 Washington, that story is not related. tyrs who were "swifter than eagles Even in the room filled from floor to and stronger than lions to fulfill the LEARNING BIG LESSONS ceiling with photographs ofJews from will of G-d." and I trembled at the FROM LITitE a shtett who were all brutally mur­ thought that here, etched in stone, GIANTS dered, the story of the Torah nation was a denial of their faith, their behind the pictures does not emerge. Kiddush Hashem their sacrifice. Tape 1. Mishlei 6:6 - Go To Ants Admittedly. there is a mini amphi­ I thought of the father and his two Tape 2. BIG Lessons theater in which interviews are sons, and the millions of American screened, but while the first-person Jews who will be malting their pil­ Tape 3. The ANTidote for laziness accounts are very moving and at grimage to Washington in the hope of Tape 4. 11 Step Fommla times even riveting, not one of them connecting with their Jewishness. Tape 5. 'Emes' from Ants conveys the story of Jews who, de­ only to find a memorial to death, and spite their torment and suffering, af­ I couldn't help but wonder what could 5 tapes on how to ANTicipate and firmed their love of Torah and have been accomplished if the 167 prepare in this ANTeroom for the Hashem. True, there were those who million dollars designated for the Ho­ world to come, with notes. lost their faith, but countless did not. locaust Museum (and donated You have only to visit Boro Park, mostly by Jews) had been channeled Send $36.00 to: Williamsburg or any community in into the Torah education of our sons Yeshiva Fund, Box 82, S.I., N.Y. !0309 which survivors are to be found, and and daughters, for in the final analy-

The Yitti Leibel Couldn't the organizers of the HELPLINE museum have interviewed just one No Problem ls To Big .. No l>roblem Is too Smalt... survivor who retained that spark 0 Is there some terrible thing, happening in your fiufiilY Ihlit you :are afraid or asba.tned to tell

anyone? ' from Sinai? For in the end, it is only 0 Are you a teen'age 0t young adult having ptoblems that a.re _too difficult for you to that Divine spark that can evoke the Jewish spirit. handle?? 0 Are you single or-married, and experiencing personal or inter-personal conflicts?J Cl ,Are you simply confronted with a sitoation that , you will meet them. Couldn't the or­ sis, Torah is the only meaningful requites you to find an objective listener? ganizers of the museum have inter­ memory to a nation that throughout ' Some-of the Torah community's highly skilled history chose to enter the flames therapjsts are availab1e to talk to you on the viewed just one survivor who retained phone. With _tot.Ill anonymity. that spark from Sinai? For in the end, rather than deny its G-d. it is only that Divine spark that can H*O*U*R*S Monday-Friday (Day) 8:00 AM-12:00 Noon evoke the Jewish spirtt. n my trip back to New York, Monday-Thursday (Eve.) 8:00 PM-11:00 PM Even in the exhibits that focus on an old Hungarian folk tale Sunday 9:00 AM-12:00 Noon the outstanding Jewish personalities from my childhood came to 9:00 PM-11:00 PM O who made their way safely to the free mind. The story was about a little boy DIAL (718) HELP-NOW (435-7669) world, it is the Einsteins, the Bubers. from an impoverished home who h Chkagocall 1..SOO.HELP.o13 the Freuds, etc.. who are named, but dreamt of the day when he would be Ju Nnv Jersey, cal1 1·908-363-1010 not one Rebbe, not one Torah giant. so fortunate as to have a rocking n.;, ptOjecl W.. been approved And who, if not they, created the liv­ horse. That dream of a horse became by le\diftg Torah -anthorities ing memorials to the Jews who per­ the focal point of his life. Then. one ' ished in the Holocaust? day, his mother fell terminally ill and Ironically, the only reference to G-d died. A horse drawn carriage came to ,. .,,, in the museum is a quotation from the house to take the body away. The Night, by Elie Weisel. in which he little boy watched from the window, i1r.l':>l!I 11r.i':>':> NJ nN1~1':> ':>':>~nn':>l speaks of the flames that consumed tears streaming down his face. Sud­ i':>'i1 i)IJ his faith and murdered his G-d. His denly, he let out a heart-rending cry: words, engraved on a large wall, "Mother dear, that's not the horse I ?N1'll' O"n pierced my heart like a knife. I dreamtofl" n~?'ll thought of my Z.eide, HaRav HaGaon Having visited the Holocaust Mu­ )II) ,, HaTzaddik Rav Yisroel Halevi seum in Washington, and attended il1''ll )l Jungreis, ;">n, who was taken to the dedication ceremony, I feel bound Auschwitz with a sefer Torah in his to paraphrase the words of that little O'r.ll!I >r.in1 1'1::11!1 arms, and whose last words were the boy. 'That's not the memorial that l Shema. I thought of all the holy mar- had hoped for. •

12 The Jewish Observer. June 1993 Shmuel Rieder

On the occasion of the 50th Anniversary of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising and the dedication of the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum.

t is Apiil 22nd. the fiftieth anniver­ without first imbibing the heady splrit die. But I can also see the saintly fig­ sruy of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising. ofWarsaw's anned resistance? ure of Reb Menachem Ziemba invok­ I And as another speaker Invokes the ing the timeless words of the Seder memory of the Wdrsaw revolt in order also stood in the midst of a crowd I-Iagaddah that night... mr.ivii> N>m to dedicate the Holocaust Memortal of Amertcan Jews milling around "And it is this promise that has stood Museum in Washington D.C .. I cannot I the base of the Warsaw Ghetto Me­ by our fathers and us. For not only listen any longer. It is like watching a mortal, standing where the ghetto this one has rtsen up to annihilate us, frail, old Jew in synagogue after fighters once stood, looking up at the but in every generation they rise up prayers, on a cold morning, taking a powerful, muscular stone figure of the against us to annihilate us. But the shot of whiskey before he can tell you men and women who fought and died Holy One, blessed is He, rescues us about the aches and pains In his aging here. And I wondered: What do they from their hand." Rabbi Menachem body. As the warmth of the schnapps see, these uniquely American Ziemba, a sacred reminder of the begins to course through his veins, he Diaspora Jews? In their mind's eye. glory of Jewish Warsaw, also chose becomes brave enough to talk, and un­ what tmages of Warsaw move them? how he would die. burden himself so he can face the Only the scenes of how she died, and A generation later. I stand here, tough day ahead. Are we, Amertcan nothing of the beauty of how she lived? with all of you: AmertcanJews burst­ Jewry, so frail and anaemic. that we I can see more. It is Pesach. 1943, ing with the fullness of all the choices cannot face the pain of the Holocaust in the Warsaw Ghetto. I can see the of life which our society affords us. fire of the desperate battle: the an­ Are we to limit the lessons we learn Shmuel Ried.er of Brooklyn. NY., a talmid of Beth guish ofyoung men and women, who, from Warsaw only to how they died? Medrash Govoha, is involved in communlty aftrurs and is a national officer lnAgudath Israel ofAmerica robbed of the conventional choices of What do we learn from them about 1bls is his first appearance in these pages. life, have chosen atleast how they will how we should live?

Tiie JewL5h Observer, June 1993 13 l have a young son who studles in rest of the Jewish people. Therefore, to make: that when they dle, it be as a yeshiva. On the shelf in his room is we must repent now, right here at this faithful Jews ... or not. And over­ a thin volume entitled. "O"M rnN:lnJ1'' spot. The time remaining is short. whelmingly, they chose to die as they The Fort (where they were murdered} ('The Outcomes ofLlfe"J. It is a schol­ is near. had lived, with the simple faith of))r.l1?1 arly volume written by Rabbi Mena­ "We must keep in mind the and r= 'lN on their lips. chem Ziemba dealing with the laws of thought that we will be loftier sacri­ Sabbath observance. It is about how fices. If we truly repent, we will he lived. Half a century later and half thereby rescue our American broth­ a world away. my son is learning the ers and sisters. Let us go with pride. Let us not allow an improper motive lesson of the Warsaw Ghetto. to enter our minds, for that would, G-d forbid, invalidate our sacrifice. We are stand in the Hall ofWitness at the now fulfilling one of G-d's greatest recently-dedlcated Holocaust Me­ commandments .... 'In fire you de­ I morial Museum in our nation's stroyed us, and with fire you will re­ capital, among throngs of people build us!' hushed into silence the stark real­ "The flames that burn our bodies by are the very flames that will rebuild ity of the recreated red btick walls of the Jewish nation." Auschwitz and the grtm guard towers ofBirkenau. What do they hear, these oday, fifty years later, the voice uniquely American modern-day of Reb Elchonon resounds Jews? What voices ring in their T across the ocean with the clar­ mind's ear? ity of a prophet. He toured Ametica in l hear the voice of Reb Elchonon 1938-1939. He knew its spiritual Wasserman, ·pn, walking to his desolation. He had returned to Eu­ What do they see, these death outside of Kovno, as desctibed rope, to his certain death. to be with by Rabbi Ephraim Oshry, recorded in his beloved students and ftiends. uniquely American BaShaar (the newspaper of Poalei From there, he spoke to us, here, Agudath Israel-European Division, standlng at the blink of the spiritual Diaspora Jews? In their July JO, 1947): abyss which lies before assimilated Reb Elchonon spoke calmly and American Jewry. Reb Elchonon mind's eye, what images serenely as was his wont. Even the tone of his voice did not change. His spoke not only to his spiritual sons, of Warsaw move them? face displayed the same earnest sense of whom there are many, but to all of of purpose that it had all his life. He us-to his Ametican brothers and Only the scenes of how knew that these were his last words. sisters whom he knew well. He did not bid farewell privately to his Reb Elchonon's was a lofty sacri­ she died, and nothing of son Reb Naftoli. He spoke to all of us, fice, as was that of the rest of his gen­ to all of the Jewish nation standing at the edge of the gaping abyss before eration. Sttipped of all the outer lay­ the beauty of how she them: ers of confusion, self-deception and "In Heaven, they consider us to be denial with which this matertal world lived? righteous (tzaddikim), for they want is clothed, faced with the certainty of us to atone with our bodies for the death, they had only one stark choice

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14 'The Jewish Obsemer. Jwi.e 1993 tanding a generation later in Hitler's oratory and the almost ma­ the Holocaust Museum and niacal cry of his voice as he exhorts DR.ALAN S contemplating its accurate tens of thousands. And in the dark­ and unblinking depiction of the sac­ ened theater, the Torah's rhetorical TAJERSTEIN rifice of European Jewiy, I can hear question echoes in my head: "Can Podiatric Medicine & again the voice of Reb Elchonon and one man chase a thousand? Can two Surgery Foot Specialist the awesome responsibility it forces put ten thousand to flight?" • BUNIONS • CIRCULATION TESTING Can one man kill six million? "If •HAMMERTOES •ULCERATIONS upon us: "Let us not allow an im­ • INGROWN TOENAILS • X·RAY ON proper motive to enter our mtnds, for not that their Protector had surren­ PREMISES • SPORTS MEDICINE that would, G-d forbid, invalidate the dered them, and their G-d had deliv­ • PHYSICAL THERAPY saclifice." If American Jewiy's mas­ ered them up!" For those who are will­ •Custom Made Orthotics for All Types of sive commitment to dedicate this ing to see and hear, there is faith to Shoe Gear• Most Insurance Plans Accepted be found even in the darkened the­ museum serves only to expiate its col­ 5421 - 14th Avenue, Brooklyn, lective sense of guilt; if this building aters of the Holocaust Museum. New York 11219 • 718-972-5000 serves only as a memorial to the There is a green, wooden Torah Ark deaths of our parents and grandpar­ that survived a synagogue's destruc­ ents, while the assimilation of our tion on Kristallnacht, 1938. On its children and grandchildren makes a face, the German S.S. had tried with mockery of their lives, then we will their lmives and bayonets to obliter­ have failed Reb Elchonon's test. If ate the words "'Tl:ll)) nnN 'D >l!J';> ))'T­ even we, inourOrthodoxcircles, who Know before Whom you stand." The are still shocked by the blatant as­ words are still visible; the stab marks I'. I N .E .MEN.' S CLOT HI N G similation of non-Jewish spouses into in the wood seem urgent and hurried, Where each Custoiner,is treated, "their" lives, are still blinded by our as if the Germans. too, were desper­ os our only cvstomerJ own complacency to the more subtle ate to blot out the reality of "before assimilation of non-Jewish values Whom they stood." SALE RACKS and lifestyles into the fabric of our Next to the Ark are the fragments Suits $89.00-$145.00 lives ... if so, then even we will have of a sefer Torah. It. too, survived Single Breasted Blazers $35.00-55.00 failed Reb Elchonon's test. KristallnachL In fact, there are two To­ here are many things in this rah scrolls in the museum. One is in­ museum that are difficult to tact, and ifyou look carefully, you will AlSO T deal with emotionally. Among notice that it is scrolled open to the • Slacks • Roinwear the hardest are the flickering, black words, "jf7r.J)) 1' nw 'WN nN 'ltJT-Re­ and white moving images of Hitler as memberwhatAma!ek did to you!"The 1769 5J. S\.; llmoldyrt;NY he rises to power in pre-War Ger­ other scroll is torn, but its fragments (718) 854-1196 many. As he talks and walks across are readable. It is open to 1'1:1' TN, the Dolly 11 :00 AM-9:00 P.M. Fri. & MotzoetShobbot by opPt. the screen, there is an overwhelming triumphant Song of the Red Sea. feeling of helplessness: if only you The designers of the museum could somehow reach out and stop chose this spot because the sclipt here him, you could prevent the pain from is more aesthetic. Tue words are writ­ happening. But you cannot. Slowly, ten as the stanzas of a poem. The the realization grows that it is not the words are grouped in the midst of a man on the screen before you that white expanse of parehment, as ifthey you are struggling with. Blur the im­ were regiments crossing the ocean, Available Now! age, remove the absurd mustache marching towards the safety of the * Free Colored Cards and harrdo, and there before you is mass of words on the opposite shore. "Know Your Enemy": the face of Pharaoh, or of Haman, or While the purpose of the display might of any number of "human beings" be aesthetic, its words are prophetic. Seven names of the Yetzer Hora who have sworn to destroy (G-d for­ Standing on the far edge of the ocean bid) the Jewish people. Here, in hu­ it just crossed, having survived the Also: Booklet on the subject man form, is the embodiment of evil. death-throes of its exile, contemplat­ "How to Deal with our Greatest Here are photos of Jewish slaves ing the destruction of its oppressors, Enemy" carrying boulders up the infamous the Jewish nation triumphantly sang quarry steps ofMathausen. And sud­ this Song. They recognized theHand of Send $5.00 to: denly, brutally, your innocent child­ G-d in their deliverance and proclaimed, hood images of the Jews in Egypt "r.1lr.lr.l'TN >JN >p'm lmlNl '>';>p nt-This is Yeshiva Fund building Pharaoh's pyramids are my G-d, and I will glorify Him: the G-d Box82 shattered into a thousand ugly frag­ of my father, and I will exalt Him." ments of broken bones and bodies. Would that we, in America, were Staten Island, NY 10309 There is the harsh staccato sound of able to do the same. •

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.. ~~~~~t~1. i ~\~~~~~\\\\\1t.

a teenager, I would often fre­ The Rebbegrasped myyounghand ents, mother, father and children­ quent the Bora Park shtiebel and placed it into his white, cold palm. huddled around photographer Ro­ A: (small synagogue) of the late Peering directly into my eyes, he said man Vishniac's posthumously pub­ Bluzhever Rebbe, Grand Rabbi Israel affectionately in Yiddish, "Bochurel lished book, To Give ThemLight. Gaz­ Spira, 7"lll, whose remarkable war. (young man), your wanting a picture ing wide-eyed at the stunning pic­ time experiences are chronicled in with me most likely stems from a de­ tures of pre-Holocaust European Hasidic Tales ofthe Holocaust sire to have a photo of a remnant of a Jewish life, the younger generations For one who never had the privi­ vanished world. While it is indeed im­ were being instructed by the Bubbe lege to become acquainted with the portant to remember what Jewish life and Zeide about the daily trials and Rebbe, no description is adequate. was like before the Holocaust, it is far travails of the Old Country. Merely to have stood in the Rebbe's more important to realize that within I stood back a few feet and ob­ presence was to be overcome with you and your generation lies the abil­ served. awe and inspiration. To have spoken ity to guarantee its survival." In front of the grandfather was a with the nearly century-old, alert and It wasn't unW very recently that I portrait of two Uzhgorod cheder stu­ sharp-witted man (he died in 1990, began to fully appreciate the depth of dents learning Gemora The fact that less than a week short of his !OOth the Rebbe's statement-and his con­ the two boys shared the same volume birthday) was to have tapped into cerns. As a teenager, I was disap­ and wore over-sized, unblocked hats what appeared to be an infinite well­ pointed that the picture of the two of testified as much to the rampant level spring of wisdom. us was never taken; that my grand­ of poverty as did their frail bodies. One Chanuka evening, immedi­ children will never be able to fully "That could have been me," the ately after the menora-lighting, a share what I had experienced. But grandfather said with a noticeable number of the Rebbe s admirers gath­ now, I realize that on that night the touch of nostalgia as he turned the ered to receive his blessing. As my Rebbe had enabled me to acquire a page. tum approached, I handed a friend a far more valuable heirloom-one Then one of the grandchildren camera and asked him to capture the which I will do my best to pass on to caught the Zeide off guard. 'What's moment for posterity. But when I ap­ my progeny. that book they're studying all about?" proached the Rebbe, he motioned to he asked earnestly. Embarrassed, my friend to put the camera away. ile browsing through a lo­ the grandfather mumbled something Blnyam.ln L. Jolkovsky heads lhe Hyattsville, al Judaica shop recently, I about Jewish traditions and quickly Mruyland~based Jewish Heritage Foundation. Wnoticed a family-grandpar- changed the subject. The Jewish Obseroer. Jwie 1993 17 tually closed-and with it the multi­ 11 That was then," the generational family's glimpse into their shared past. family seemed to be "That was then," the family seemed to be saying of the quaint saying of the quaint world they had just visited, as they returned the tome to the shelf. "Now world they had just it is time to move on."

visited, as they t is the loose connection with the returned the tome to past implicit in such attitudes, l I believe, that alarmed the Rebbe. While pictures are indeed worth at the shelf. "Now it is least l,OOOwords, and lend perspec­ tive to the past, present and future, time to move on." they should not become an end in i"t>::l and of themselves. CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST A few pages later, the family patrt­ Nor should the Holocaust. arch came across a picture of the The phrase "the glory of pre-Holo­ DR.BENZION amud of the Lask, Poland, syna­ caust Europe" has become all but a SOROO'ZKIN gogue, with a Kabbalistic chart cliche. And for all too many, the Ho­ N.Y. STATE LJCENSED propped up behind the candelabra. locaust has become an ersatz religion ADULTS Now it was the father's turn to pose through whose lens Jewish identity is AND a question. "Why is that poster above viewed. Indeed, on college campuses CIDLDREN the altar there?" The 7.eide obliged nationwide, Yorn Hashoah remains with a laconic response: 'That's how the one date, besides Yorn Kippur, (718) 633-3248 they did it there, I suppose." And so it that mobilizes otherwise apathetic (718) 219-3867 went until the picture book was even- Jewish students. Whereas the celebration of the warmth and vitality of Judaism once nurtured one's Jewishness, today these vibrant experiences are in­ LOOKING FOR creasingly being replaced with a som­ ber substitute: the horrors of World YOUNG TALMIDEI CHACHOMIM War II. Post-Holocaust American Jewry has been taught to define itself who have or are presently studying for in terms of being a nation of victims rather than a nation entrusted with semicha, who are interested in a transmission of the Divine Word. Jewish living did not end with the destruction of European Jewry. Jews PROFESSIONAL RABBINIC lived in Eastern Europe for thou­ sands of years and contributed LFADERSHIP TRAINING COURSE heavily to their host nations. But Jewish life, in which Torah is the fo­ leading to service in Jewish communities. cal point, is not limited to any specific time or place. As a community, we must not let nostalgia-or tragedy­ FELLOWSHIPS AND POSITION PLACEMENT blur our sense of direction or plior­ WILL BE AVAILABLE • LIMITED ENROLLMENT ity. Within you and your generation lies the ability to guarantee Judaism's survivaL the Rebbe had said. Please fax your response to: Photographs and other forms of nostalgia, like everything neutral, can 718-438-1691 be used productively or can be abused. While photographs can in­ This is an independent program, privately endowed, fully funded and is deed capture the fascination of the formulated in consultation with the leading ni::iiwi ituxi and is not moment, we must be careful not to affiliated with any other organization or program. allow them to become a substitute for the actual source of fascination. •

18 The Jewish Observer. JW1£ 1993 ~EC4PTlm!NGTHEP~>--~~~~~~~--~~~~~~~~B_as~s_i_·B_u~rn_h_wn~ shiva, and just the city in general. showed the yeshiva, as it is now a car­ On his return to Cleveland he pentry shop with men working over Tels he showed the film in the yeshiva dining benches talking in a foreign tongue. room. The public was invited. Under her breath I heard her mum­ A letter and a poem To me, the city Telshe and the ye­ bling, 'The yeshiva, the yeshiva," with Dear Editor. shiva as it had been were always a sadness and pain. I went home that For sixteen years, I lived five min­ story-nothing I really could relate to. night feeling a true bond with utes away from Telshe Yeshiva, in Watching that film, I found myself Telshe-as it had been-and a sorrow Wickliffe, Ohio. My father learned picturing how things had been, com­ over what we had lost. there for seventeen years. It was the pared to what it became. Now, one year later. I have tried to only shull ever knew .... Last summer What made the most profound im· capture my feelings and impressions one of the ba'aleibattimfrom our com­ pression on me was the faces of the on paper. munity went to Europe. He filmed Rebbitzens. as they saw the ashes of BASSI BURNHAM Telshe-the site of the yeshiva, the their city. I clearly remember one formerly ofWickl!ffe, Ohio shul, the home ofone of the Roshei Ye- Rebbitzen's look of horror as they currently Q{Har Nof. Jemsalem, lsmel

I have returned to my hometown Tels io my shtetl th~,place where.J rewu11

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171e Jewish Observer, June 1993 19 R&>rnm= n~ PAIT [ft j====;:""'i.,;:i~~'..._:~:.....;~""'~""'jl...::... CC.:.:::.l:.:..:~~l:.tl,______-::_-::_.-_-_-_-::_-_-_-::_-::_-_-::_-_-::_-==:i~ based on first-person accounts of regarding any specifically spiritual heroism in the Gehinrwm of religious-Jewish overtones. World War IL Read such books as Thus, the Museum will be Moshe Prager's Sparks of Glory, or Powerful open on Rosh Hashana, selections from The Jewish Obseroer­ Yorn Kippur and Pesach, but will be J ud aiscope anthology, A Path closed on X-mas. Kashrus will not Through The Ashes (both published be observed in the cafeteiia. Too by ArtScroll). Better yet, spend forty I mag es ' much religion .... One, then, should minutes in the company of survivors who lived to tell of spiritual greatness in the shadows of the smokestacks of -1nglul ~~~':,?:c~~= death: watch the video of live inter­ Mean ~:~t~~;i~~ew~~~ views, Faith Amid The Flames, nar­ seum without rated by Rabbi Nosson Scherman some sort of preparation. Shmuel (available through Agudath Israel of Rieder, by way of contrast, entered Ameiica, Audio Visual Library). the halls of that Museum with the Fram es words of Rabbi Elchonon Wasser- man, T'Yi"1, echoing in his ears. w does one reach back over We would suggest that anyone ariiers of time and distance, contemplating such a visit-individu­ ffi other eras, to taste the ex­ ally or as part of a group-first estab­ peiiences of earlier generations, to lish his or her frame of reference share in the suffertng of the painful past, to draw inspiration from the greatness of days gone by? Photo­ graphs, exhibits, videos, museums-­ the projection of images, and the cre­ ation of the enviromnents that contain them-all work powerfully on the emotional level. Yet, as some of the wiiters of the previous articles point out, the visual and the visceral need direction. Rebbetzin Jungreis, in her article, ciies out in pain and protest for the lack of such a frame of reference for expeiiencing the National Holo­ caust Memoiial Museum in Washing-. ton. As"Jewish" as the Holocaust was, the Museum's administration seems to be honoring all sorts of constraints

20 aching back to the earlier ex­ cently published volume of his pho­ 160 years ago, was graced by the peliences of pre-War Europe tos, To Give Them Light (edited by leadership of the Chasam Sofer, .,..lit. R also requires a frame of refer­ Marion Wiesel preface by Elie Wiesel, In his narrative to the book, Wiesel ence. One would like to enter the por­ Simon and Schuster, New York. $40) informs us that, lbere were two dis­ tals of that world through the evoea­ is a revisit to some of the same teni­ tinct conununities in Bratislava... Re­ tive images captured by the cel­ tory explored in his classic A Van­ form (and) Orthodox. However, the ebrated photographer Roman ished World, published over twenty Orthodox remained dominant." Vishniac, in a visit to Eastern Europe years ago. While the earlier volume Thanks to the Chasam Sofer.(l) in the late 1930s. The pages of the re- had an elegiac air about it, this col­ Slmilarly, it helps to know that "the lection is of a different mix: one en­ Vtlner Rov Grodzenski," referred to in counters vibrancy and joy in the ur­ a eaption. was the revered Reb Chaim ban shots, pastoral beauty in some of Ozer-the better to appreciate the in­ the country scenes-here one sees formal shot of that manhig hadorwith intensity of Torah study, there evi­ "disciples at his summer residence dence of abject poverty. outside Vilna." (2) How does one gain inspiration Sometimes, the pictures say it all from the luminous images captured (3) (Munkatch. Lublin (a). Uzhgared in this volume? (b), Munkachero (c)J. Instead of being another toulist in Other times, Vishniac's own words an exotic locale, like the family in tell more than a thousand pictures: Binyamin Jolkowksy's vignette, one "What kind ofbeast.s ofbwden were should be fore-armed with informa­ these Jews of the Carpathians?" tion: one should know that the {Vishniac wondered.] "From the moun­ Bratislava ghetto scene, graced by tains to the 1Ysza River, the lumber in­ Jews wending their ways dust:Jy used Jews as woodcutters, log to shul, was the famous carriers, and rajtsmen. Their tools were city of Pressburg, which, as primitive as their argument.s were re­ .fined. As I shared a meal with the workers, I listened to one of the men comment upon the Merkava, themysticalconceptof the celestial chwiot. ... Another discussed Jewish gnosticism ... Later. an admirer of Rabbi Mendel ofKot.sk showed how to move a.five-hundred-pound log to the sawmill using wooden sticks.... " Before you tour pre-World War II Europe, know what you're looking for. Then, you'll find much of it in To Give Them Light. Plus many delightful surprtses, as well. N.W.

The Jewish Obseroer. June 1993 21 ince his childhood, my son FAMILY N afti has been eager to find S out more about our family's tragedy. Four years ago he decided to publish my father's writings. During REUNION the year and a half that he was in hid­ ing, my father kept a diary with his reports and philosophical views on the events and the war. He also com~ IN posed poems in Hebrew eulogizing his murdered parents and other members of our family, as well as his famous poem on his teacher. the DEMBOWIEC "T"'Tl. Ostrowzer Rebbe, We hope to publish the book in the near future, Felix (Feivel) Wolgelernter was born in Dzialoszyce, first in Yiddish and then in English. While researching for this project, Poland, during World War II, in 1941. He and his mother Nafti attended a meeting of survived the Nazi onslaught by. passing as Aryans in a Dzialoszyce Jews in Israel, where he was warmly welcomed as the great - small village near /.;()dz. His father; Reb Chaim Yitzchok grandson of Yachet Platkiewicz and Wolgelernter; his maternal grandmother; Yachet the grandson of Chaim Yitzchok 1 Wolgelernter. Nafti met with a Jewish Platkiewicz, along with other family members, and Beret partisan, Avrohom Fuhrman (Pelan), Jakubovicz, a Jewish partisan, had been hiding in the tiny who had often visited my family in their hiding place, and knew exactly village ofDembowiec, near /Jzialoszyce. In June 1944, where our family was buried. That Rosh Chodesh Tamuz 5704,lhey were murdered by Polish meant that we could finally bring our partisans. Reb Chaim Yitzchok's younger brother; David, marjyred elders to kever YisroeL Nafti contacted Moshe Spiegel from Bnei and his cousin Feivel were away.looking at a new hiding Brak, an expert in fmding niftorim in place, and survived. Fortunately, David had Reb Chaim Eastern Europe and transporting their remains to Israel. Moshe proved Yitzchok's writings withhim, which he presented to Felix to be the right man for the job-com­ on his wedding day. petent, fluent in Russian, with the right contacts, vezy sensitive. His as­ sistant, Baruch Goldberg (Har Zahav), has 25 years of experience in Who killed these Jews? Who buried them? Could their the Army Chevra KadL,ha. Moshe remains be recovered and brought to kever Yisroel-the. made the preliminary arrangements in Poland, got the necessary govern­ dignity ofa final resting place ment permits, and the expedition was amongst other Jews, ideally in under way. The following are our the Holy Land? ...... notes, recorded as we progressed. ONTHEROADTODEMBOWIEC

Felix Wolgelemter; who lives n Sunday, April 18, 1993, I in Zurich, Switzerland,.shares board the plane to Warsaw Owith my sons, Chaim Yi1:7,ehok with the 1•eaders ofThe Jewish and Nafti. In Warsaw, we visit the .Observer his struggle.to resolve huge cemetery, where a large crowd these questions. is gathered to mark the 50th anniver-

Feivel Wolgelemter, an electronics engineer. is a me1nber of the Board of the Judische Gemeinde Agudas Ac him. in ZUriC'h.

22 The Jewish Observer, June 1993 sary of the Warsaw Ghetto uprising. Adam arrive with the digging permit 1be cemetery is in very bad shape; the Gala leads us on the from the Mirustry of Agriculture in decaying tombstones and dense trees Miechow. A small blue bus from form a ghostlike atmosphere. We say beaten main earth road Kattowitz brings two strong workers Tehillim at the graves of tzaddikim as well as Marian (Mayer) Boruchwiez Later, in Ger, we say Tehillim at the to the end of the village, who is a cousin of Avrohom Fuhr­ graves of the Chiddushei HoRim and man. He was adopted during the War the Sefas Emes. then to the right, over a at the age of eleven by the Szczubials We return to Warsaw: nothing is left and is completely assimilated. of the Ghetto; all buildings are new. field and then through a We do not believe Gala, because Only a few street names remind us his spot is on too steep a slope. We that hundreds of thousands of Jews berry field to the top of a therefore begin to dig a little further once lived here. We then meet Moshe down where it is flatter. The workers Spiegel and Baruch Goldberg, and for­ u-formed depression full really go at it and soon get help from mulate plans for the days ahead. the powerful Stanislaw Wosnlak. Early the next morning, we drive of trees and shrubs. He More and more villagers gather to south towards Cracow. Moshe and look; it is the event of the decade for Boruch are in a grey Ford van of the says, "Here they lie; this them. A trench two meters long and Foreign Graves Government Office is the place where Biskup one-and-a-half meters deep is dug, with the likeable driver, Adam and a couple of trees are felled. We Neuschewski. They have a large and buried the eight people." find nothing. a small coffin, sheets and tools. A cru­ During the midday recess we go cifix hangs inside the van. Chaim, back into the village and have a look Nafti and 1 follow in a taxi with Rich­ a little senile and smiles mysteriously at Biskup's place. His step-sister, an ard Karpfinan, whose Jewish father all the time. He leads us on the beaten old crone, lives there. Our family hid was murdered in Treblinka. To my main earth road to the end of the vil­ there during the last few months in a surprise, my long-forgotten Polish lage, then to the right, over a field and small stone and wooden barn. Jn mother tongue comes back to me. then through a berry field to the top times of danger, they went under­ There is a light rain, the sky is over­ of a U-formed depression full of trees ground through a secret trap door. cast. The roads are good and very and shrubs. He says, "Here they lie; Otherwise, they lived upstairs in the straight; we drive along extensive this is the place where Biskup buried hay behind an artificial wall. The btrch forests. Many towns remind us the eight people." building is inhabited by chickens and of the country's Jewish past. We con­ The elderly man then leads us pigeons. We see everything as it was; tinue along to my birthplace, along the left edge of the "U." His face nothing has changed. To the right. in Dzialoszyce, and 5 kilometers further gets scratched by the bushes. After front of the barn, is the spot where to the tiny village ofDembowiec. about I 00 meters he points down a they were murdered. Marian thinks We soon find the Szczubials. He is four-meter, steep slope and says, Biskup did it. or at least he had some­ the 55-year-old son of the couple who "Another body was thrown down here thing to do with it. Fuhrman doesn't helped our family and other Jews and buried." We return to the first think so. All agree that Biskup was a during the war. I get a copy of thetr place. Gala, smiling faintly, insists it wicked person. What could his mo­ Yad Vashem Diploma. They take us to is the right place. Moshe, Baruch and tives have been? Greed? Antisem- their niece Alexandra Kopczynska (daughter of Wanda Janina Szczubial). Her husband is the mayor. Both come in from Radom; INSURANCE BROKERS & CONSULTANTS ten years ago, her late grandparents Commercial, Industrial, Residential, Life & Health asked them to take over thetr farm. Alexandra tells us that her grandfa­ ther loved Jews very much, especially our family. The homes have TVs, but are otherwise very primitive. 6010 · 15th Avenl1e/Brooklyn, N. Y. 11.219

A "GALA" TOUR OF THE GROUNDS •.PROFESSIONAL SERVJCE • • QUALi.TY ll'ISURANCE CARRIERS •. t Alexandra's we pick up 68- • COMPETITIVE PREMIUMS • year-old Bronek Gala, who at age 19 witnessed almost ev­ erything and supposedly knows BARBARA GOLDGRABEN/HESHY SCHWEBEL where the group is buried. He seems

1he Jewish Obseruer, June 1993 23 itism? My family had always been find a tiny bone, the skull of a small afraid of Biskup and was preparing to animal, and a cow's leg. More and more leave him. Was Biskup loathe to lose a It becomes clear to me that we source of income? Did he betray them have little chance of finding anything villagers gather to look; it to the partisans, or bandits? We will this way. Biskup surely didn't make probably never know. individual graves. Most likely he bur­ is the event of the decade ied them all together in one hole. We CHANGING THE VENUE face the enormous task of manually for them. A trench two digging up a surface of twenty times ftemoon. The elderly wife of twenty meters, and at least a meter meters long and one­ Scratch-face, and then the and a half deep. The village jester, Jan mother of the Wosniak broth­ Wosniak, begins cracking jokes. Ev­ and-a-half meters deep ers, who have not spoken unW now, erybody laughs. He mimics a bull­ start to insist loudly and convincingly dozer: "Da-da-da-da," and suggest we is dug, and a couple of that the grave is on the other side of rent a "mechanitzki" in Kazimierz. We the "U." Biskup supposedly dragged don't take him seriously. Moshe gives trees are felled. We find the bodies there and buried them Vodka to the diggers and offers a re­ when they became bloated. It sounds ward of $100 to the person who finds nothing. t:Iue. Both women make a more intel­ the grave. ligent impression than Gala and we Everybody works harder. Moshe start working there. About eight or gets the address ofa bulldozer owner. on to Cracow, and see a wonderful nine people are digging now, besides At 18:00we stop. I hand out five- and medieval city. We park in front of the Chaim and Nafti. In all, three ten-dollar bills to the diggers. We Remo synagogue, daven MaariJJ and trenches, two meters long and one drive to Kazimierz but the factory with say Tehillim and a half meters deep are dug. We the bulldozer is closed. We continue Tuesday, April 20, is sunny. Moshe and Baruch drive to arrange for a bulldozer in Kazimierz. We leave for my birthplace, Dzialoszyce. 8000 people lived there before the War, more than 6000 of them Jews. Now there are only 1700 non.Jews. Wear­ rive at 10:00 and go to the police. The young Chief, Adam Porebski, is REICH HOTEL, JERUSALEM friendly but suspicious. He takes us to the place in front of the former $39 cemetery where more than 2000 Bed & Breakfast per person Jews were shot by the Nazis. There is double occupancy* a new monument erected there by the Rosenek family. Then we go to the Glatt Kosher house where I was born. Other people Large family accommodations join us. An elderly man and 70-year­ International Cuisine old Maria Markevicz (nee Praszu) who lives opposite, remember the family TOLL FREE 1-800-552-0141 Platkiewicz well. We inspect the ruins of the formerly magnificent syna­ Banquet Facilities Available gogue. The roof with beautiful fres­ Valid till IS Nov. 93, excluding Jewish Holidays coes fell in fifteen years ago and the *(not incl. service charge) floor is full of grass and shrubs. Nearby, the yeshiva is in slightly bet­ ter condition, but unused. Across we see the former mikva We say goodbye.

BULLDOZER AT WORK

e arrive in Dembowiecjust efore noon. A huge bulldozer Ws digging up the "U." The two old women now admit that Gala might have been right. The hole is al­ ready about twenty by twenty meters

24 The Jewish Obseroer, Jzme 1993 large, and one and a half meters deep. eight skeletons-not more and not Many trees are uprooted and much less. They are difficult to separate; earth is heaped up all around. The everything is intertwined. The mur­ THE JEWISH bulldozer digs a twenty-centimeter­ dered were obviously not laid care­ OBSERVER deep strip of earth at each run, and fully into the grave, but thrown in at congratulates does in two minutes the work that random. The bones are sorted as well eight men do in half a day. The earth as possible, and laid on eight sheets. is light and sandy. It is not permitted to do more because Rabbi Hershel Work stops at 12: 15. I have almost of kavod hameis. given up; the Gala spot simply doesn't The shadows lengthen. We fetch Waldman make sense. It couldn't have been on the coffin: the van comes to the edge such a steep slope and so deep down. of the hole. The sheets are tied into of Brooklyn NY A half hour later, work is resumed. bundles. There is just enough space Moshe and Boruch peer closely at the in the large coffin for everything. as the winner of the shovel of the bulldozer. A bone is The "Harugim alKiddushHasherri' "JO Special Offer" found, then another-apparently the are: trip to Israel drawing. grave. The bulldozer drives up, gets Yachet Platkiewicz, born 1879, paid and drives away. More than two my mother's mother; and a half meters deep, exactly where Have a great trip! Gala pointed from the beginning, Tzena Erlich, born 1901, her old­ est daughter, my aunt; there is a grave. Thanks to the bull­ dozer, the site is open and easy to Mordecbai Tzvi Erlich, born work on. 1898, her husband, my uncle; Esther Erlich, born 1928, their BORUCH TAKES OVER second daughter, mr. cousin; Avrohom Reuven. Erlich, born oruch now takes over and 1930, their second son, my cousin; works matrtly with his hands. Beret Jakubovicz, born approxi­ ~ ::,~::,~ B Some of the villagers go away. mately in 1921, a Jewish lighter; I too must leave. It is certainly my Meir Wolgelernter, born 1919, my family. I tear kriya in mourning, and uncle; put on canvas shoes. Since I may not look, I call my sons up every few min­ Chaim Yltzchok Wolgelernter, utes and let them report what they born 1911, my father. ~ .4UTHDRS & ~RTISTS ~ see. It is exactly as we expected from I simply cannot keep away, and my father's Writing and according to· come down, but avoid looking directly all eyewitnesses. The skull of my at the remains. Although I am an authors and artists to submit grandmother Yachet Platk:iewicz is aveil until nightfall, a feeling of ex­ manuscripts and artwork for found. The toothless jaws have re­ treme happiness overcomes me. I evaluation We seek manu· ceded. Boruch thinks she was shot in cannot thank G-d enough that my ' scripts in all areas of Judaica r1 the head. There are two pairs of very family will now come to kever YisroeL fJ publishing with originality, I long thighs and leg bones: my father My dearest Nafti has accomplished all creativity and high literary and uncle Meir were over 1.8 meters this In exactly four weeks. May the standard, Our editors develop tall. The skeleton of an adolescent ap­ nijlorim be meliJzei yosherfor him and and highlight the individuality pears: Esther and Avrohom Reuven for our whole family. My son Chaim ofthe author and our graphics Erlich were fourteen and sixteen, and Yitzchok is also deeply moved. department gives each book small. One skull looks as if it was Gala, smiling slightly, requests ~ its own identity. smashed in. A root has grown payment for his damaged berry fields. We welcome the opportu· Ii through a vertebrae. A piece of a I give him twenty dollars. Mrs. nity to work with you. leather belt or suspenders is found. Szczubial also gets twenty dollars and ,,ff!. Chaim and Nafti work hard all the she thanks me profusely. I dispense ~ time. They do it with much love. five- and ten-dollar bills and thank­ I take my Tehillim. It opens on yous right and left. These are marvel­ Chapter 94: "rm:lj7l';j?-G-d is a G-d of ous people, much better than those Mn. Yori:· London ·Jmualmw I ' vengeance." of two generations ago. My mother ~ An hour passes and the work be­ and the other Polish Jews surely ex­ 180 Park Avenue• Lakewood NJ 08701 comes difficult. There are many small aggerate when they revile the Poles. I In UK 01809.3723 bones, fingers and toes. One villager decide to give a generous gift to the ._: In Israel 02 538-935 brings a sieve. There is no doubt village. Soon, however, I have reason • whatsoever; we find the expected to change my mind. ~,;:~,;: ~

The Jewish Obseroer. June 1993 25 APOUSH SEND-OFF

t 18:00wegetreadytodepart. Boruch now takes over and works mainly with his 1be coffin is carried up to the van. The vehlcles are turned hands. Some of the villagers go away. I too must around. Nafti wants to take some leave. It is certainly my family. I tear in more pictures at Biskup's. Chaim kriya and I go with Jan and Alexandra to mourning, and put on canvas shoes. say goodbye to the Szczubials. The cars due to pick us up don't come. Chaim and I go back and see a bar­ ricade of trees and a tractor closing off our people and cars. There are loud discussions, the old women shouting the loudest. Chaim goes back again to fetch Jan, the mayor. What the Frum &Yeshifishe Goaded by Mrs. and Mr. Scratch­ face and by Mrs. Wosniak, they will not let us go before we pay for the oyfem has been waiting for ... damage to the forest-at least twenty dollars per tree. for a total of $200. Moshe has already offered twenty A Luxurious dollars and I increase it to fifty. The mood gets uglier. We hear remarks summer like, "Twenty minutes from here they Vacation At used to burn you." Chaim arrives with Jan. He sug­ with a Torah & Heimische atmosphere! © gests we pay and take a receipt. The women are the worst. No wonder the Holocaust survivors say that in Po­ The Pruzansky Family of.Le Chateau Caterers land {and elsewhere) the rishu.s {evil) will be hostin1;1 a summer.experience at the is passed on with the mother's milk. We raise our offer to ninety dollars Brown's Hotelfrom July 5th to July 26th and after a short discussion they ac­ cept. We get into the cars and leave Featurinq: quickly. This lesson was worth much • 3 Glatt Kosher Gourmet Meals Daily, Cholov Yisroel only more than ninety dollars. • Strict observance ot Shabbos & l(ashruth loin~! !or Wednesday morning. April 21, we • 2swimming !fools ·separate swilllBlillg only fly back to Zurich. • Special programs & clllttlralactMties suitable for the Three Weells "CAMP On Thursday, Moshe Spiegel calls • During Shabbosim • Scholats·in,Residellce, Guest Lectures from Israel: he has arranged the Vl~ITING transport of the nifl:orim to Israel in and One~ Shabbosim. the form of personal overweight lug­ • Daily Daf Yo mi & Halacha Shiurim, Lectures and Cultural Activities WEEKEND" gage. The levaya must be the next • Ladies Simcha DancinV; Aerobic Exercises day, on Friday, 2 lyar, at 12:00. I barely make the plane to Tel Aviv. We •All Sports • lncludin~ Miniature Goll, Roller Slla~. etc. purchase three graves in the cem­ etexy of the Perushim on HarTamir in Special "Family Circle" discounts for 5 rooms or more. Jerusalem. The graves are altered to Let us cater your weekend Bar Mitzvahs. Sheva Brochos and any other occasions. accommodate four places, to be a "kever achim ·The worldly remains of Complete catering services in the inimitable style of 5f!i ~~ my father and of Uncle Meir are put to rest together at the far left. For Reservations or information, please call Mr. Pruzansky at · About sixty close friends and rela­ A (718) 339-ll2ll0 or Fax (718) 339·1918 tives come to the levaya Feivel Erlich ~~) Le Chateau Caterers, 431 Avenue P, Brooklyn, NY 11223 and I say Kaddish. Afew old Dzialoszy­ '•,,~ cer are here, among them, Avrohom ,.,.,,,,,,,,.,,,i':"ll<>-'nn~ ~-,,,.,,.,...,.,..,~.,,,~ Boo~in~s Fuhrman. Nafti says a fifteen minute \'''''""""r'~" Special Rates For Early hesped. Few eyes remain clxy. •

26 'The Jewish Obseroer, Jwie 1993 preparedfor publication by MirimnMargoshes

66 9 99 Tlhe N (())Ja B Yelhuda ~ On Tlhe Occasi(())n Of His 200tlh Yabzeif

A TOWERING FIGURE IN A So it is with a leacler. Rabbi Hutner Dubno, a pious and holy man who GENERATION OF GIANTS said. if he does not stand tall on a high fasted most oflns life and was totally place, every Jew will "set" him to his immersed in halacha. t was a generation of giants; in ev­ own liking .... When the Noda BYehuda was four ery shtetl dwelt Geonim; every So, too, the Noda BYehuda. Every­ years old, his father engaged a tutor I beis midrash had a core of one looked up to him, and no one for hlm: the charif(piercingly analyti­ ta1midei chachamim; and yet he stood could ever budge him from his com­ cal scholar), Rabbi Yltzchok Eisik of out: Rabbi Yechezkel Landau, known n1itment to truth. Ludmir, who taught the young by the name of his sefer, the Noda Yechezkel until his Bar Mitzva. B'Yehuda. His generation depended CHILDHOOD: In the Tz'lach, the Noda BYehuda on hlm as the arbiter ofits doubts and FROM APT TO BROD descrtbes how his father sent him, dilemmas, as the poseik hador. He while yet a child, to "talk in learning" proved, in addition, to be a poseik bbi Yechezkel Halevi Landau with the newly-arrived Rav of Apt. ledoros--a decisor for generations to was born in Apt, Poland, on Rabbi Moshe Yaakov. He quotes the come. as well. R 18 Cheshvan, 5474 (Nov. 17, entire pilpul that took place between In the words of his student, Rabbi 1713). He was a scion of Torah roy­ them on that Erev Shabbos, as well as Eliezer F1eckeles (in sefer Teshuva alty, of scholars and distinguished his father's reaction when he heard Me'ahova): "He was the tallest of his communal leaders, and traced his the report. The level of accomplish­ generation, head and shoulders descent back to RashL He was also ment in Torah that the Noda above the rest, as those who were descended from the famous "Rebbe BYehuda had reached at that early privileged to know him realized." Reb Heschel" of Cracow, who was cel­ age is truly noteworthy. Scholars Physically tall and imposing, he was ebrated for having brought Torah were already seeking him out for his also of soaring stature in the spiritual learning to Poland centurtes before. opinion at that time. (From the intro­ sense. In this vein, Rabbi Yitzchok His father, Reb Yehuda, a leading duction to Noda B'Yehuda) Huiner, ?"17, used to relate the follow­ figure in Apt, was a delegate to the In that era, a beis midrash in Brod ing parable: VaadArbaAratzos. A man of vast To­ known as the "Broder Kloiz" attracted In every shtetl, the town clock was rah knowledge and nobility of char­ an elite group of Torah scholars: over housed in a tall tower. The reason for its acter, his opinions are quoted fre­ several generations. world-class placement is simple: that the time could quently, with awe, in the Noda gedolim, poskim, and mekubalim be told easily. even from a distance. But B'Yehuda. Realizing his young son's were nurtured there, such as the there was a cleeper, Wlderlying reason, potential, Reb Yehuda provided him Rabbi Ephraim Zalman Margolios as well ifthe dock were accessible, any­ with special tutors and a rtgorous (the Shaarei Ephraim. whose father, one could reach up and move its hands program ofTorah study, and discour­ grandfather, and brothers also to synchronize it with his own watch .. it aged hlm from childish pastimes. Reb learned there), Rabbi Gershon could be ac!justed to suit one's personal Yechezkel named his sefer "Noda Kitover (brother-in-law of the Baal time. Since the clock was not within B'Yeh'1dd' in honor of his father. Shem Tov), Rabbi Meir Margolios (au­ reach, however. everyone was forced to His mother, Rebbetzin Chaya, a thor of Meir Nesivos and talmid of the set his watch by communal time. devout and pious woman. is immor­ Baal Shem Tov). and Rabbi taJi7,ed tn the Noda BYehuda's sefer Meshulam Igra, among many, many Mn. Miriam Margoshes, who lives in Brooklyn, is a teacher in the Beth Jacob High School. as well as of chiddushim (ortginal interpreta­ others. a free-Janee writer, translator and editor. 1his article tions on Talmud), which he called After his Bar Mitzva, the Noda is based in part on an essay by Habbi Moshe Yaakov Tzion L'Nefesh Chaya (Tz'lach). She BYehudajoined thatfamous Kloiz, to Kanner, which appeared in Dos Ytddishe Vort was the daughter of Rabbi Eliezer of immerse himself in every aspect of

The Jewish Observer, June 1993 27 Torah, including Kabbala, which he people, loved knowledge, was a studied with the world-famous gaon trusted counselor, wise in business TO: AUTHORS and mekubal Rabbi Chaim Sanzer practices and quick with numbers.... " (not to be confused with the Sanzer We invite you to submit Rav, the Divrei Chaim. who lived a THE YEARS INYAMPOLA generation later) in a special shtiebel manuscripts of pamphlet size near the Kloiz reserved for this pur­ n 5505, when the Noda BYehuda works for evaluation. We can pose. Rabbi Chaim said of the Noda was thirty years old, he was ap­ help you, B'ezras Hashem, BYehuda: ";o:rir.i;wvm':>N;?m'ru:cl"­ I pointed Rav in Yampola, a town in he was well-versed in the seforim of Vohlin (now part of Ukraine), not far develop and publish your work. the Ari Hakodosh and other Kabbala from Brod. His departure from Brod wrttings, as well as works of philoso­ was triggered by a dispute involving You can write for a free sample phy such as the MorehNevuchim But him and two of his colleagues. Reb of our work. the Noda BYehuda never discussed Meir Margolios and Reb Avrohom Kabbala. The hidden Torah remained Gershon !Gtover. These three Torah Yeshiva Fund hidden within him.... giants had demonstrated their Box82 At eighteen he was married in mesiras nefesh by speaking out against one of the most powerful Staten Island, NY 10309 leaders of the community, concern­ At twenty, the Noda ing issues related to the conduct of the gentleman's wife. It was a situa­ Rabbi Aryeh Schechter B'Yehuda was part of the tion which they were warned not to of Brod and was raise-yet they were prepared to suf­ SOFER S''TAM Beis Din fer the consequences of their actions. soon answering halachic As a result, all three were asked to 155841stSt. leave Brod. It is said that each one lkooldyn, NY 11218 queries that poured in earned a reputation of untarnished e make "housecalls.'' pulity and a revered position in Jew­ from other cities and ish life because they spoke out at that (718) 972-4003 time without giving thought to their t.P. :i-•.,~ .. countries. Indeed, he own seculity and future. In Yampola the Noda BYehuda / • - .,b::>tv . became "Noda opened a yeshiva and became a marbiiz (disseminator of) Torah on a NOW B'Yehuda"-famous in grand scale. For the remainder of his life, teaching was his first pliolity; in AVAILABLE the Torah world. his published responsa, he mentions TO AGUDATH ISRAEL the many and varied shiurim he would give regularly in Gemora, in MEMBERS Dubno, but his father-in-law soon Poskim (codes), in Chumash with COMPREHENSIVE moved the family to Brod where Reb Rashi. and so on. His yeshiva became Yechezkel re-joined the group at the famous in the region, with many of MAJOR MEDICAL "Kloiz,'' going home for Shabbos only. his students becoming Rabbonim HEALTH INSURANCE In his sefer, he praises his wife for ac­ themselves. cepting such a taxing lifestyle, gladly During his years in Yampola, the PROGRAM carrying the burdens of managing Noda BYehuda became an acknowl­ edged Gadol Hador, as is evident in Avaifable to New York State residents only home and children by herself, week after week. the role he played in the great For Information Call: At twenty, the Noda B'Yehuda kamaiyos controversy between Rabbi 212-797-7388 was part of the Beis Din of Brod and Yaakov Emden and Rabbi Yonasan was soon answering halachic que­ Eibeschutz (circa 5512/ I 752). He Between Iies that poured in from other cities toiled day and night to find an accept­ 9:30 AM and 12:30 PM and countlies. Indeed, he became able compromise and make peace be­ "Noda B'Yehuda"-famous in the tween the factions. He wrote glow­ Torah world. ingly of the Rebbe Reb Yonasan, at POSITION AVAILABLE. In the words of his son, Rabbi the same time urging that he with­ Seeking yeshivish, heimish manager for new Yakov'ka, he was "tall, well-formed, draw from circulation the amulets in setorim store in Washington Heights. Minimum well-spoken .... His bitachonand con­ question. His correspondence on this 2 years experience selling seforim a must. tentment with his matelial lot gave topic was published in Luchos Please call (212)928-6190 between 7-11 P.M. him a joyous disposition.... He liked Ha'Edus.

28 The Jewish Observer, June 1993 The pilpulim he delivered in 11 Yampola, which joined the breadth of The Gedolim know his knowledge with his charifas (acu­ ity), were later printed in Doresh the answers themselves; L'Tzion. His halachic responsa writ­ ten at that time, coveting the gamut they are just seeking my of Jewish life-especially those relat­ ing to clarifying the marital status of confirmation of their agunos (women whose husbands are missing and cannot be accounted opinions. But a lower­ for}-are most impressive. In his psakim he delved extensively into ranking Rav may not be sources in Gemora. even into the "Written Torah," to find the roots of sure of his ground, and if the halacha, similar in method to the Rishonim of hundreds ofyears earlier. I don't answer him Among his correspondents, as quickly, he might commit documented in the sefer "Noda B'Yehuda," are such luminaries as a mistake in halacha Rabbi Yeshaya Pick (Breslau). Rabbi Chaim Sanzer (Brod), Rabbi Elazar /'ma'aseh." Kalir (Or Chodosh), Rabbi Chaim HaKohein Rapaport (Lemberg), Rabbi Nesanel Weil (the Karban NesaneO, RAV OF PRAGUE Prague. Prague was a major center of among many others of such stature. Jewish life, and it was there that the The Noda BYehuda Writes, "I pub­ n 5515/1755, attheageof42, the Noda BYehuda reached his peak of lished my sefer so that my students Noda BYehuda succeeded Rabbi leadership and influence. Even those may learn from it, but I have nothing I David Oppenheim as Rav in who were opposed to him at first, to teach the Gedolei Hadar, for they are all greater than I.. .. " His son, Reb Yakov'ka, once asked him why he postponed answertng the queries of recognized Gedolim while YESHIVA ATERES YISROEL rushing to answer those of lower­ ranking Rabbonim. Wouldn't protocol -~--~"' .. -""-• . · THE YESHIVA, WAS_ ESTABL1$H.ED, BY PROMINENT' AABBONIM, dictate the opposite? Answered the ' " · ANDMECHANCHIMOFTHET()AONTOCOMMUNITYANDHASB>oH Noda BYehuda, 'The Gedolim know k . . J E1(PEAIENCEDFJVESUCCESSFUL YEAAS_OFHAAEIOTZOSTOAAH "& 5,.,..,,r AND HELPED MAlNStAEAM MANY TALMIOIM. the answers themselves; they are just seeking my confirmation of their . . opinions. But a lower-ranking Rav • Dedicated to the edue:"tion of Yeshiva high school age boys wflo require may not be sure of his ground, and if and benefit from special attention given to each individual student I don't answer him quickly, he might • ihe e:"Pable staff in the warm and caring atmosphere of 1h1rYesl\iva. commit a mistake in halacha motivates Iha bocti.ur to strive for 11nd re11ch his mlllcimum potentilll l'ma'aseh." • E;mphasis Is placed on .Mldos iovos as well as acquiring and r.eta.ining a lifelong commitment to. iorah and Mitzvos. • ihere is a lull Limudei Kodesh and Secular Program with room Md boa.rd available for out of town st.u.dents

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The Jewish Obseroer. June 1993 29 soon fell under his spell. nants of the followers ofShabbtai Tzvi In 5517 (1756), with the outbreak In Prague he again founded a ye­ still lingered, even while a new dan­ of the Seven Years' War (which shiva, which attracted top students ger was surfacing: the early winds of reached America as the French-Ca­ from far and wide. His religious and Haskala began to blow in Bohemia, nadian War), Prague came under civic obligations as Rav of the capital especially in Prague. The siege. Frederick the Great of Prussia and halachic authority to the world Noda BYehuda fought these and his French allies were storming at large, did not prevent him breaches like a lion and the gates of Prague, and the Austrian from giving his built up defenses against Empress Marta Theresa was trying to shiurim in the them, making Prague a bolster the defenses of the city. Who­ yeshiva. stronghold of truth and ever could escape the city did so, but He constancy. the Noda BYehuda categorically re­ taught In an interesting fused to flee. He stayed behind to as­ and in­ responsum, the sist his suffering flock and find them spired a Noda B'Yehuda some means of sustenance_ He even new gen­ writes that he was organized fire-fighting efforts in the eration of unable to delve Jewish quarter. geonimand with sufficient In war as in peacetime, the Noda poskim like depth into this BYehuda insisted on total loyalty to Rabbi Eliezer particular the Crown, which created a kiddush Fleckeles {later she'eila be­ Hashem and enhanced the status of Rosh Beis Din of cause his be­ the community in the eyes of the Em­ Prague), Rabbi loved son press. He ordered prayers for the suc­ Avraham Danzig was not cess of her war efforts, and when she (the Chayei Adam), feeling fell sick, he issued a proclamation Rabbi Bezalel well, and containing prayers and Tehillim, and Regensberg, and w a s ordering services and fasting to be of­ many others. His sons clinging fered for the Empress's recovery. He and his son-in-law, to his pres­ had it issued in German translation Rabbi Yoseph "Hatzad- ence, not letting and distributed in Prague to demon­ dik," also r----~---, him attend to his work. strate the devotion of the Jewish sub­ Invitation to ceremony for This could serve as a metaphor jects to their sovereign-neutralizing continued to restoration of Noda grow in stat­ B'Yehuda's tombstone. for his attachment to Prague: the the poison of the anti-Semites who ure in Prague. Noda BYehuda loved his people like had the Queen's ear. This period in Prague was a diffi­ his own children; they were beset by "My beloved son is rwt welL ... "The cult one, beset by war and instability: various social and personal ills, so war wreaked havoc with the kehilla of Sieges took their toll, causing fre­ they clung to him, and he responded Prague, and the Noda BYehuda un­ quent financial collapses and many a like a father and would not leave dertook to reorganize it. To curb the moral dilemma. In addition, rem- them.... luxurious lifestyles of the rich, and the standard they set, he drafted mi­ nutely detailed rules and regulations. This sage, to whom the entire world turned to solve its weightiest prob­ lems, did not consider it beneath him to ouiline what foods may be served at which simchas, when coffee may or may not be added, and when music would be permitted. In contrast to the Yampola days, when his lectures were tours de •Rates in U.S. dollars. • 7 Days advance booking requiered. force of pilpul and dazzling con­ • Rates include unlimited mileage. •Prepayment by credit card. structions of drush, in Prague the • Rates do not include insurance. • Cancellation or modification tees Noda B'Yehuda concentrated on • TL D. W - S6 per day - is mandatory may apply. if C.D.W. is not purchased. •High season supplement: Mussar, outlining the fundamentals 15 Ju!. 93 - 25 Aug. 93. • Based on 7 days Rental! 20 Dec. 93 - 5 Jan. 94. of faith and observance, guiding his 23 Mar. 94 - 31 Mar. 94. people through the minefields of U.S.A: 1-800-331-1084 OR 1-800-552-0141 CANADA: 1-800-879-2847 OR 1-800-526-5343 "modern" life. The focus of his drashos was on the sanctity of Shabbos and Yom-Tov, as well as AVISRENTACAR tzenius; the laws of interest, of for­ bidden foods, of giving charity, busi-

30 The Jewish Observer, June 1993 ness law, swearing falsely; and so he conveyed his view in mild tones, His psak permitting shaving on on. As fatherly as he was, he could which was his preferred way, but Clwl Hamoed under certain condi­ also be unyielding. then with increasing sharpness. He tions brought down another storm on His position in the case of the Get actually swore in front of over I 000 the Noda BYehuda, but he remained al korclw al yedei shaliach (a forced people that the get was valid. As the steadfast in his decision. divorce, delivered through an agent) Kotzker expressed it years later, In 5537, the Empress offered him is a case in point. A wealth of knowl­ "Heaven and earth may collapse, but the position of Chief Rabbi of Galicia, edge is revealed in his discussion one does not give an inch from the which he declined: "... I would have (published in Noda B'Yehuda) ex­ tn1th as one sees it." lfhe correspon­ liked to return to my homeland, yet plaining his position. His psak was dence generated by this case ap­ parting from here !Prague] would be diametrically opposed to that of his pears in the sefer Or Hayoslwr.) As a like pulling the skin off a live ani­ mechutan, Rabbi Yitzchok Horowitz, result of his stance, the Frankfurt mal"-so closely connected did he feel the Rav of Hamburg, and almost all KehUla resolved never to engage the to his people. His fatherly feelings for the geonim of the time. Yet he would Noda BYehuda or any of his descen­ an "ailing child who clung to him" not budge; when Rabbi Mordechai dants as Rav. came once again to the fore. This sage, to whom the entire world turned to solve its weightiest problems, did not consider it beneath him to outline what foods may be served at which simchas, when coffee may or may not be added, and when music would be permitted.

Zvi, the son of Rabbi ltzikel Ham­ istorically, Kia! Yisroel's worst enemy hos been chollenging and enriching series of shiurim an video, as burger, later attempted to defend his s!nos chinom and !oshon horo. lrs on enemy well as other educational materials, we focus on increas· father's position in the matter, the H so powerful, say Chazal, that it caused the ing Sholom in our lives and ~ YisrOO in our hearts. Chuiban. An enemy persistent enough to have stayed Noda BYehuda cut htm short, saying, among us for 2,000 years, pre.-enting !he rebuilding of Through Mochsom l'.fi, each of us con !eke on o miti:voh "The Gaon, your father, is already in the Bois Hamikdosh. Jhat the Chofetz Choim describes as a very powerful the next world where he himself rec­ ,"t"l"'~W (prolective inAuern:e), and rewords Jhat the Vi Ina As the summer appuoche$, shuis, comps and bungalow Goon sa'1d are "beyond the comprehension of angels." ognizes the truth." colonies nationwide ore mobilizing to do bottle. Far avrseives, Ollf children and avr communi~es. Jn 5527 (1767) there was another raging controversy; this one con­ By toking port in the Nine Days Madisom l'.fi, your com· Shuls, comps, bungalow colonies and individuals across munity con join Klal Yisroel and make the case clear and the country ore urged to ioin with us for this important cerned the case of the Get of Cleves, strong for the rebuilding of the Bois Hamikdosh and project. Call and help organize a progrom in your home wherein the divorcing husband was bringing the Shechinah back into our midst. Through a or community. temporarily insane, bringing ques­ tions on the validity of his actions. It pitted Rabbi Yisroel Lipschutz­ grandfather of the mechaber (author) of Tiferes Yisroel-who granted the divorce against the opinion of the sages of Frankfurt, among them Rabbi Abish'l, the Birkas Avrolwm, who declared it invalid. The Noda B'Yehuda concluded that the getwas valid after all. At frrst

The Jewish Observer, Jwie 1993 31 ms MAGNUM OPUS: ON THE published the first volume of the sejer are among the finest creations in their PAGES AND BETWEEN THE LINES Noda B'Yelwdn, which includes 276 field, not only revealing the sacred responsa covering ali four sections of truth of Torah, but the noble spirit of ver the years. while in both the Shulchnn A111ct1. It immediately their author, his treasure-trove of Yampola and Prague, the became the topic of the day among middos tovos, his wisdom and his ONoda B'Yehuda was so ab­ scholars, young and old, as his deci­ practical approach to life. His sorbed with his roles as Rav, Rosh sions were considered, discussed and responsa demonstrate how humility Yeshiva, and statesman, that he had debated. Publication of this first vol­ and unyielding firmness can co-exist little time to publish his halachic ume provoked a stream ofletters ask­ in wonderful harmony when the responsa. A fire in 5533 / I 773, which ing for clartfication or challenging kavana (motivation) is l'sheim destroyed most of his worldly posses­ many of his pi.skei halachos (deci­ Shamayim. sions including many of his letters sions), bringing further elucidation Between the lines of his responsa, and manuscripts. alerted him to the and promoting even greater interest the Noda B'Yehuda also reveals ex­ need for publishing his works. Thus, in his subsequent responses, pub­ tensive knowledge of many subjects in 1776 he set about the task of gath­ lished in Volume Two. and trades. To a query as to whether ering his responsa, and in 1777 he The two volumes of his responsa hunting is permissible, he responded The highest standards of Kashruth The two volumes of his for over a quarter of a century responsa are among the @ finest creations in their CATERERS .".::~:. field, not only revealing ~ offers the sacred truth of Torah, Glatt Kosher Catering but the noble spirit of at leading Synagogues, their author, his treasure­ Hotels & Country Clubs trove of middos tovos, his throughout the wisdom and his practical metropolitan area. approach to life. CALL RABBI MORRIS WOLOFSKY: (718) 849-8817 by decrying the cruel and vindictive streak of personality nurtured through pursuit of this "sport of Ntmrod." He also stated that he would not address such a subject at ali, had he not hoped to prevent the ques­ tioner and his family from besmirch­ ing their reputation. Another questioner requested that his query be printed in full in the sefer Noda B'Yehuda. The Rav answered that although this was both difficult and expensive, since it involved re­ setting a part of the seferthat was al­ ready printed, he would comply. to please the questioner. In yet another responsum, the Noda B'Yehuda demonstrates both worldly wisdom and concern for a fel­ low Jew's future. A rav queried him about a rabbinical position that was open-should he take it or not? An-

32 The Jewish Observer. Jtme 1993 swered the Noda BYehuda, "I advise Yet the Noda B'Yehuda was re­ Misnagdim and Chassidim alike. you against it; the previous Rav, be­ vered by the great Chassidic person­ Sages who rarely looked tnto seforim ing childless, had few expenses and alities of his time. The Baal Shem Tov of Acharonim (authorities after the never asked for a raise, so the towns­ said that a good part of the world 15th century) made an exception of people are not used to paying a living rested on the Noda BYehuda. and the Noda BYehuda. His seforim of wage to a family man. However. Ifyou described his shoresh neshama (the psak and drashos live on in batei still want the position, I will use my ethereal source of his soul) with awe. midrashtm, worldwide. • tnfluence there tn your favor." The Baal HaTanya Said that he was unique in hora'a and that he tnvart­ ms RELATIONSIUPWITHTHE ably arrived at the truth of a matter, for YOUR WORLD OF CHASSIDUS even when others disagreed. Rabbi FUNDRAISING or Boruch of Mezhibuzh commented PROMOTIONAL CAMPAIGN e Noda BYehuda was opposed similarly. CONSIDER a o Chassidus, and wrote a well­ The Sanzer Rav (the Divrei Chaim) CUSTOM DESIGNED T:known responsum against re­ once said that if in his generation LUACH or DIARY citing the "L'sheim Yichud," the there were Misnagdim of the Noda (7 1 8) 85 1 - 1 3 1 4 kabbalistic formulation said by B'Yehuda's caliber. he personally Chassidim before performing a would sit under their table; so great mftzva_ Towards the end of his life. was the Noda BYehuda's holiness however, he became close to the great and so pure his motives. DIGEST OF MEFORSHIM Chassidic leader, Rabbi Yaakov Once someone expressed himself Shimshon of Shpitorka, and this strongly against the Noda BYehuda's 'tiip? in::i 't11p? mitigated his opposition to some ex­ responsum concerning the "L'Sheim ?"YI ;yl:l?tc ?tcit.nu l"i11nr.i tent. His correspondents (in Tz'lach) Yichud" in the presence of Rabbi included Rabbi Zvi Yehoshua Charif Avrohom Levi Chechanower. The and his father, Rabbi Shmelke of Rebbe immediately put the speaker LEKU'I'EI Nicholsburg, as well as Rabbi Yosef of into cheirem until such time as he cJO Yituhok Rosenberg Yampola, a son of Rabbi Michel would present himself at the gravesite 10 .West 47th Street, Room 503 Zlotchover. Reb Yakov'ka writes that of the Noda BYehuda with a minyan New York. NY 10036 (212) 7f9Cij17 his father, the Noda BYehuda, used of ten men. to ask for forgiveness. to speak often of the Ba'alHajla'ah (a 20.Volumes on Turah, Perek, talmidofthe Mezhritzer Maggid) with eNodaBYehudawasnijluron Medrash, Megilosand.'Ialmud. a deep and abiding love. (Subse­ 7 Iyar 1793 (5593), and was Proceeds of sales distribtlled quently, a great-grandson of the Noda Ti uried the next day tn Prague. among Yeshivas a.nd used for· BYehuda, Reb Yudel Landau ofBrod, He was the acknowledged halachic reprinting of volumes out·of~print. became a Kotzker Chassid.J authority for Torah-true Jews. PRICE: $8.00 PllR .VOLUME Pirkel Avos 'available

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The Jewish Obseroer, June 1993 33 Rabbi Mendel Weinbach c:=·------···-·------.-·-=====:.. ____ ·· ·--·--··--·----~ used to keep when he wasn't rich!" What Will They Do With All That Money? "After all. they both own apartments. and one of them even has an automobile. So what are they going to do? Take a vacation to the United States? That's hardly their speed. Most likely, they're going to put the money away for marrying off their children. Al today's prices, they will each be able lo buy two four· room apartments in Jerusalem with the money left after having given ma ·aser. This leaves each of them with only about seven or eight re· "Overnight Millionaires!" an· cause deserves priority. It certainly is maining children to break their nounced tbe headline i11 the not easy to be rich!" heads over when the time comes Israeli press. A couple of Is That Whal They Really Needed? around to marry them off. just like heimishe Jews had actually won top "Do you think that all this money will their poorer neighbors. So what prizes in the weekly national lottery brtng them the happiness they seek? would have happened if they hadn't and had come into possession of over The rumor is that the one with a seri­ won the money for these two apart· a million shekel each. These nouveau ously ill child went to his Chassidishe ments? They would have come up ricl1C became the talk of the town in Rebbe and offered to give him all the with the same solution as they w!ll chareidi circles; the reactions to their money he'd won in exchange for a have to find for the others: apart­ good fortune offer an interesting so· brocha that his child would recover. ments in a cheaper area, a splitting ciological perspective of how the To· The other has an over-age daughter of responsibility with the other fami· ra11 comrnt1nity in Eretz Yisroel views with shidduchim problems that lies. and government-subsidized wealth. and life in general. n1oney can't solve. Bot11 of these Win·­ mortgages. Sure. it's nice not to have Following is a sampling of over· ners would much rather have had to rely on these solutions. but is that heard rernarks: these pressing personal problems re· all there is to being a millionaire?" How Can They Take The Pressure? moved fron1 their lives than to be­ Why Didn't It Happen To Me? "Did "Did you hear what happened at the come the owners of a million shekel." you hear all those people talking Shapiro wedding the other night? What Are They Doing Now? "Did about the pressures plaguing the new One of those new millionatres had lo you hear that each of them left his job millionaires, the 11nsolved problems. run out in the middle of it becat1se so for a year·s vacation? One of them is the excess time on their hands, and many charity collectors were after using his time well by putting in a full the futility of having the money? I him and he just couldn't satisfy them day of learning in his old ko11e1-this somehow suspect that what they are all. They say the other lottery winner time without laking a stipend. He was really saying is. Why didn't it happen moved out of his apartment and got able to get back into the swing of such to me?··· himself an unlisted telephone num· intensive learning because he had ber. No one doubts that these million· kept up a solid sederoflearning while erhaps all of us are involved in aires are going to give as much holding a job. The other fellow. who a sour-grapes symphony of tzeddaka as they should. but every had learned hardly a word since go· P compassion for the "unfortu­ gabbaiand kabztoniscerlain that hLs ing to work. is all messed up with so nate" lottery winners. If you really ----·-----··---- much time on his hands. 1-Ie davens think about it. we should be as happy Rabbi Weinbach. Rosh H(ll/eshin:::tofOhr Som

34 The Jewish Observer, JW1e 1993 ers." Reb Yaakov meant that a dedi­ cated rebbe can be up late at night dealing with a talmid's problem and, therefore, his occasional lateness must be overlooked. In other words, a rebbe is not just another "company employee." He is entrusted with a Divine mission, per­ haps the greatest of all. He should re­ Letterst~eEditor alize it, and those who are responsible for his financial well-being should re­ alize it as well. On the topic of educating the com­ munity, permit me to offer the follow­ ing study in contrasts. PARENTAL EDUCATION ON THE of a yeshiva board member saying, I once had a ta/mid in my class who YESlllVA SCENE "Plenty ofcompanies are cutting sala­ lived with his divorced mother. I knew rtes or not giving increases. Rebbe'im that the mother received no alimony have to bear the brunt as well." payments and that they truly could To the Editor: be classtfied as poor. When Chanuka The first letter to the editor in the Educating the Community came, the boy handed me an enve­ April '93 issue called for increased lope. Inside were a few dollars and a community support for yeshivos, so When a board member at Mesivta note written by the boy (obviously that rebbe'im and moms could receive Torah Vodaath wanted to install a upon his mother's instruction), ex­ higher salaries, have less of a need to time clock for the rebbe'Cm to punch pressing his thanks for everything (he work at second and third jobs, and, in when they arrtved at "work," Reb felt) I had done for him. as such, be able to give more to their Yaakov Kamenetsy, ';"lit, vetoed the That mother needs no education. students. idea, saying, "Rebbe'im are not press- Another year. I had a talmid I appreciate the letter, for I too am a rebbe. It seems to me that as a first step, we should educate the commu­ r- - nity. I am reminded of a comment thrown at me by a gentleman a few years ago. "You rebbe'im really have it good," he said half-seriously. "A whole summer off is not bad!" I merely smiled and replied that having Sundays off isn't bad either. I could have added that I also have a There is no better location to celebrate your son's Bar Mitzva second job during the year, and work than the luxurious Sheraton Jerusalem Plaza Hotel, located during my "summer vacation" (and in the heart of the capital, within easy reach never once took a week off to sun my­ of the Old City. Western Wall and Great Synagogue. self in the Bahamas), but I held my Our glatt kosher catering is tailored to your specifications tongue. and our luxurious facilities are designed to make your stay The above letter spoke of signifi­ as memorable as the occasion itself c.ant pay increases. It seems to me that the first concern should be to Unique family plan available only from ... keep yearly pay raises from being cut \--The Sheraton Jerusalem PlazO-­ due to the recession. During the past L__i:or the Celebration of a lifetime couple of years, some yeshivas have For further information please call given only limited increases while U.S.A.: l.H.R.C.: 1-800-5520141 others have given none at all. (When one considers the ever-rising cost of health insurance, a limited pay raise is really no pay raise, and "no pay Sheraton raise" amounts to a pay cut.) We all Jerusalem Plaza realize that yeshivas are being hit H 0 T E L very hard by the current economic PHONE: 972·2-259111 FAX: (02) 231667 TELEX: 26160 SHRJM IL situation, but it hurts when one hears __ J

The Jewish Observer. Jime 1993 35 whose parents were both profession­ als in high-paying fields. The boy, a very sweet child, would come to my desk at recess and tell me about his Subscribe now to parents' most recent vacation trips, that their home was being redeco­ rated, when the new sofa was com­ The Jewish Obsener ing, etc. The boy did very well, but I never heard a thing from the parents. Not a and$AVE gift, not a note, nothing. At P.T.A., the father came to inquire as to what out· Become a monthly subscriber of-class (paid) assistance he should to The Jewish Observer and seek for his son so that the boy could attain his full potential. save up to 47% off the single· I certainly do not consider such copy price (a savings of over parents to be bad individuals. And 1 $40.). The longer you sub­ certainly did not take their inaction scribe for, the more you save. personally. (And, after all, pamassa is decided on Rosh Hashana.) It may well be that they really wanted to And this introductory offer is fully guaranteed. You have but to ask and you will receive show me appreciation, and simply a prompt refund on any undelivered issues should you decide to cancel at any time, forgot. for any reason. But they should not have forgot­ Each month, The Jewish Observer will be delivered directly to your door, filled ten. People don't forget what they with the views of leading Torah thinkers on current issues ... comments on the consider priorities. strengths and foibles within the Jewish community ... analysis of contemporary Such parents need an education. Jewish events ... inside reporting, interpretive commentary, inspiring biographies, NAME WITHHELD UPON REQUEST infuriating letters and illuminating responses-all within the covers of one magazine, The Jewish Observer. KASHRUSAWARENESS: GOOD So don't delay. Check the money-saving terms below and send in your order right ARTICLE, WRONG TARGET away. We'll try to get your order fil!ed in time for our very next issue.

7he Jewish Obseroer's latest con­ ------SUBSCRIPTION SAVINGS CERTIFICATE tribution to Kashrus awareness, "The Malting ofan Educated Kashrus Con­ THI!~_!._- Sutte 1200 • 84 William Street sumer" (April '93) by Rabbi Yaakov U115~RVl::R New York, N.Y. 10038 Reisman of the Association for Reli­ D YES! Please enter my subscription for: USA 'OUTSIDE able Kashrns ("ARK"), should rather ONLY USA have been entitled 'Tue Malting of an 0 3 years-at 47°/n off the cover price $48 0 S84 Educated Rabbi in Kashrus Affairs," 0 2 years-at 40°/o off the cover price $36 0 S60 or, better yet, we need Rabbi Reisman 0 1 year - at 27°/o off the cover price $22 0 S34 to issue a sequel. *Price reflects $12 extra per year to defray air shipping costs. Foreign With our last "Kosher Supervision payment must be made in U.S. dollars, either by check drawn on a bank Guide" listing 131 kosher symbols in the U.S.A. or by Visa or MasterCard. and Kashrus agencies (Kashrus NAME {Please print)1 ______Magazine, Sept. '92) and our next guide to list over 150 symbols, it is ADDRESS ______~ impossible for the layman to devote CITY, STATE ______ZIP ____ his/her time to malting the weighty decisions about their Kashrus stan­ 0 Enclosed: $ 0 Ch;rrge my 0 MasterCard D VISA dards, as Rabbi Reisman advises. No Acct.! layman can determine by himself No. I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I whether the myriad of food products being sold are acceptable to his per· Expiration date:[]] {month)[]] {year) sonal standards-even if he knows Signature•------• just which standards he wishes to The Jewish Observer is published monthly except July and August Please allow 4-6 weeks for deliveiy, follow. Indeed, even with regard to end­ ------· users--caterers and restaurants-

36 7he Jewish Obseroer. Jwie 1993 monitoring the Kashrus standards of would have a hard time finding them does not use cholov YisroeL KIC will local establishments is not a job for if they tried. say so, and then it is up to the indi­ the layman. As Rabbi Reisman sets forth, our vidual rabbi to make his evaluation, Recently, in Flatbush. local Kashrus system suffers from one ma­ based on the standards of his rabbonim established the Kashrus jor flaw. When each restaurant and congregants. KIC will not inspect a Information Center ("KIC") to provide food producer is free to choose the place of business that is not shomer member rabbonim with information rabbinical supervisor of his prefer­ Shabbos. Nor will it inspect an estab­ about bakeries, caterers and restau­ ence, corruption and dishonesty are lishment that has no supervision at rants. Monitoring some 50 establish­ unavoidable. It's like the IRS alloWing all, because Kashrus is so complex ments is the full-time job of a paid each business to choose its own tax nowadays that even the best­ employee. Reports are sent to the examiner, or each restaurateur hiring intentioned proprietors cannot keep over-60-member-rabbis. While tre­ his own health inspector. up with all the latest developments. mendously successful, the KIC, due Only when people are members of It is supported by an annual $50 con­ to limited financial resources and a Kehilla, and that Kehilla provides a tribution per family-a small price to manpower, cannot issue extensive .free service to all stores, can one be pay for such a vital service. bulletins to the consumer, nor can it sure that there will be no compro­ Setting up the KIC was not easy. even provide the member rabbonim mises in Kashrus. I'm afraid that this After all. which businessman with Kashrus seminars to educate will have to wait for Moshiach. The wants another rabbi inspecting his them in the complex areas of Kashrus next best thing would be for the cholent pot? Can't his own standards. Unfortunately, too, only a rabbonim in each community to fol­ mashgiach be trusted? Yet, despite small percentage of the member low the example of the Flatbush KIC resistance and threats of non-coop­ rabbonim confer with the KIC moni­ (Kashrus Information Center). Their eration. the KIC was determined to tor to gain his insight into what objective is not to give any inspect the "cholent pot" and see stands behind the four-page reports hashgachos, but rather to look over what is inside. The rabbonim knew on the monitored establishments. the shoulder of those who do. They that the consumer's dollar speaks 1 agree with Rabbi Reisman that visit establishments and gather infor­ loudest, and that this would be a the consumer can make a difference, mation, which they tum over to the store's ultimate consideration­ but without a cadre of highly edu­ rabbis of the community. If a store therefore the community's support cated rabbonim, the consumer's en­ thusiasm may lead only to frustra­ tion. What is needed, 1 believe, is more Kashrus education of rabbonim !£ yl{J)11ll w &n t t([)) be b&seJ &t (and perhaps of yeshivalite as well) through seminars and yemai iyun the cent

NEED FOR MORE COMMUNITY CONTROLS ON KASHRUS

To the Editor: While Rabbi Reisman's article on Dormitory housing in the residential Willowbrook area of Kashrus was extremely informative, Staten Island with transportation from Brooklyn and it puts a great burden on the con­ Lakewood sumer. To get honest answers to all the questions Rabbi Reisman raises MORESHES BAIS YAAKOV SEMINARY would virtually require everyone to 240 Woodward Avenue. Staten Island, N.Y. 10314 open his own detective agency. Even Telephone (718)761-2506 or (908)370-4371; many rabbis don't know the answers Fax (718)698-5097 to some of the questions he poses and

1he Jewish Observer, June 1993 37 KiryaL Sefor: IJrael~ New Torah Cify. Finally~ the iJreani ii wuhin everyoned reach.

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QUALITY IN KASHRUS IN ISRAEL •Widest selection of quality luggage, business cases, trunks, travel accessories. To the Editor: • We service what we sell. Havtng worked as a mashgiach tn Israel, I have a profound interest tn Authorized repair department on premises. "Quali1y tn Kashrus." I am presently employed in Har Nof, Jerusalem, where I am responsible for tithes in fruit and vegetable stores. I also su­ pervise the meat department in our SuperSol L'Mehadrtn. I have labored diligently to brtng to the consumers' 4627 New Utrect Ave .. (Corner 47th St) attention that it is we who decide the Bora Park• (718)435-6330 standard of quali1y tn Kashrus. Out of state 1-800 Oial - 011 or 1-800 342-5011 In times past, people would say In Manhattan that kashrus of the food they ate was 420 Madison Ave. {Bet. 48th & 49th Sts.) the responsibility of the mashgiach, {212) 688·1944 425 5th Ave. (Bet. 38th & 39f/J Sts.) and if something were amiss, the {212) 686·6905-6 onus of informing the consumer was 708 3rd Ave. (Bet. 44th & 4Sth Sts_J on him. I have authored a number of (212) 867-5556 articles tn an effort to dissuade people 1113 6th Ave. (Bet. 42nd & 43rd Sts.) from believing this. They must find {212) 768-0097 26 Broadway (Entrance 3 Beaver St.} out on their own! Today, there is a {212) 344-0900·1 need for Kashrus organi?~tions, and 6 East 23rd St (Near "th Avenue) in Israel, every town has its own. {212) 228-0180·1 Thus, just as a factory draws on the 1193 3rd Ave. (Bet. 69th & 10th Sts.) residents of its community for its {212) 249-1866 2468 Broadway (Bet. 91st &92nd Sts.) work force, so too does it obtain its {212)787-6897 mashgiachfrom its home town. Even

The Jewish Observer, June 1993 39 room neat, is also destructive and can preciated it thoroughly. Baruch hour dry-cleaning. to mention a few­ produce a child who is injured, that Hashem. my parents are smart we have become used to things going even in the ninth or tenth grade he enough not to have traumatized us; fast When we want somethlng, we still has a very low self-esteem. they also respected each other's want it now, and can have it now. A husband who is criticized for rights, so I cannot call myself a child People have lost their patience to things that he tries to improve in but abused through divorce. But I do work slowly until achieving their can't, or for things that he thinks dif­ know many children who would ben­ aims. Not very long ago. if one wanted ferently about than Ws wife but she efit greatly if their parents would read a piece of chlcken, it entailed going to thinks he is stupid for disagreeing this article. the market, then to the shochet soak­ with her, can also become injured. He At the end of the article, Dr. Wlkler ing and salting, and only then cook­ can become tense and withdrawn at brings an important point: "Let us try ing it. People knew that things took home because of the fear of saying to eliminate the need for any couple to time to achleve. something or doing something for divorce." As a high-school teacher I A true relationship will never be whlch he will be crtticized. take the opportunity to talk to my stu­ instant. It takes time, months and 1write the above from personal ex­ dents about thls, hoping that they will years of working together, to get to perience. absorb it and fulfill it. I explain to them understand one another. Teenagers NAME WITHHELD UPON REQUEST that there are two aspects of techno­ must be told this time and again: logical advance that we have become "Rome was not built in a day." Stop. CAUTIONARY WORDS TO HELP accustomed to, whlch greatly affect Have patience. It won't go instantly. ELJMINATE DIVORCES our relationshlps with people in gen­ eral and our spouses in particular. 2. "Disposables." We are so used to throwing things away-clishes, To the Editor: I. "Instant." In thls world where food wrapping-that we do not value I must compliment your article, demands are fulfilled in a flash­ anything any more. Things are so ''Two Ex's and a Why?" (Mar. '93). Be­ ready-made foods, microwaves, pizza easy to obtain and so readily thrown ing a child of divorced parents I ap- shops, half-hour developing, one away. Couples who find that it's not going that easy. decide: just get a di­ vorce and try again. Together with material value, we have lost human value. We don't in­ vest time and effort in our relation­ shlps. We must step above thls tech­ nological world and get closer to the real world. Bnos Leah Seminary In every Yid is a "portion of G-d 1782 East 17th. Street from above" who can be, and wants to be, perfect. The neshama is cov­ Brooklyn, NY. 11229 ered with layers and layers of silt from (718) 376-7668 years of neglect. We have to dig and scrape, day by day. year by year, un­ til we get to our treasure. And what a Opportunity to acquire ~ a teacher's certificate beautiful treasure we own! The satis­ faction and happiness that come and a certificate in from a true loving relationshlp cannot Judaic Studies. be achieved through anythlng else. An intensive half Children flourish in a loving environ­ Affords girls an oppor- day program in ment. and the parents too can grow tunity to study with a spiritually and fulfill their tachlis of professional faculty 1n a ~11j? '11~? bringing the Shechina here into thls Torahd1k environment. world. Anyone working with teenagers Rabbi Leib Kelman can get these ideas across to them. Mrs. Rachel Gray It's never too early. Perhaps with • Credit transferal enough preliminary work we will be < • Job Opportunity in Afternoon able to eliminate the need for divorce. ;; • Trips to attend Agudah and Keep up your work! Tor ah Umesorah Conventions ifyou print my letter please do nnt print my name. I do not want my parents to have any hardfeelings.

40 'The Jewish Obseroer. June 1993 The author responds: The above letter is veiy much ap­ preciated. The writer said that while she was not "abused" by her parents' divorce, she knows "many children who would benefit greatly if thetr parents would read (my) article." Unfortu­ This year, B'ezras Hashem, we'll dance to music in the nately, many children have been streets of Yerushalayim on Tisha B' av with a rebuilt traumatized by the manner in which Bois Hamikdosh. But ... if chas v'sholom, Moshiach their parents handled their divorce. has not yet come, then let's make sure to mourn the At that point, reading my article has churban k'hilchoso. In order not to be m'siach daas, little chance of changing anything. spend the day listening to tapes. ~ Once a person is locked into an in­ tense. Irrational conflict, he (or she) is not easily persuaded to change his or SERIES 94 THE THREE WEEKS ~ her behavior by virtue of reading an article ... even one written by me. SPEAKER TAPE# TITLE My greatest hope in writing the ar­ Rabbi Mordechai Gitter 1 Before Maariv Tishah B' av ticle was to reach those members of Rabbi Moshe Einstadter 2 Tishah B'av - Eichah each "camp" who are somewhat less Rabbi Zev Leff 3 The Three Weeks and Us committed to the conflict and there­ Rabbi Henoch Plotnik 4 The Churban fore less likely to tum a deaf ear to ra­ Rabbi Yitzchok Schwarz 5 The Nine Days and Us tional arguments. Embattled ex­ Rabbi Zev Leff 6 Explanation of "Nachame' spouses, at times, enlist a cadre of Rabbis Einstadter / Feltman 7 The Nine Days supporters, which include not only Rabbi Yaakov Feltman 8 Introduction to Each Kinah ·,, fuends and relatives, but also profes­ Rabbi Ylsroel Brog 9 Kamtza U'Bar Kam1za sionals, and even communal leaders. Rabbi Nasson Sherman 10, 11 Kamtza U'Bar Kam1za These supporters often unwittingly matntain the destructive patterns of Rabbi Meir Feldbrand 12,13 Kamtza U'Bar Kam1za (Yiddish) conflict between the couple by en­ Rabbi Meir Feldbrand 14 Medrash Elcho (Yiddish) couraging their side to get tough, get Rabbi Fishel Shacter 15 Medrash Elcho (English) going, or get even. These accessories Rabbi Fishel Shacter 16 Tishah B'av Special to the protracted marital conflict are certainly easier to influence. It was in fir~ COST: $6.00 per tape if purchased Individually their hearts that I truly hoped to prick l!!....(~ $5.00 per tape If 5 or more tapes purchased a drop of compassion for the tragic plight of the children of divorce. Finally, her suggestions for pre­ paring young people for marriage SERIES 95 were eloquently articulated. I am de­ j.V =·~ lighted that they are being dissemi­ Year '§:t Speaker Year '§:t Speaker nated to thousands of other mechanchlm through these pages. 5737 3 Rabbi Avrohom Feuer 5746 3 Rabbi Aaron Levitanski DR. MEm WIKLER 5738 3 Rabbi Avrohom Feuer 5747 3 Rabbi Aaron Levitanski 5739 3 Rabbi Zev Leff 5748 4 Rabbi Aaron Levitanski "DEAR DIVORCED PARENTS ... " 5740 3 Rabbi Zev Leff 5749 4 Rabbi Aaron Levitanski 5741 3 Rabbi Zev Leff 5750 4 Rabbi Aaron Levitanski To the Editor: 5742 3 Rabbi Zev Leff 5751 4 Rabbi Aaron Levitanski As the Guidance Counselor at a lo­ 5743 2 Rabbi Aaron Levitanski 5752 3 r~abbi Aaron Levitanski cal yeshiva day school, I have been 5744 3 Rabbi Aaron Levitanski 5751 3 Rabbi Yisroel Brog leading a group for children of di­ 5745 3 Rabbi Aaron Levitanski 5752 2 Rabbi Yisroel Brog vorce, which has been meeting with me weekly to discuss the stresses of their parents' divorce on them, and COST: $18.00 per set regardless of number of tapes figure out ways to cope more appro­ priately. Our closing project was this To order tapes or for more information, please contact TCN at: group letter to parents which was Box 504 Wickliffe Ohio 44092 Tel (216) 585-0505 Fax (216) 944-6217 authored by the children as a group

The Jewish Obseroer. Jrme 1993 41 with the therapist acting only as a fa­ are sending you the children's sug­ sure that if you are angi:y at them it's cilitator. gestions. Please understand that they really because of what they've done. The children were veiy excited and are expressing themselves from their 4. Make a deal with yourself. perspective. and, of course. do not Whenever you feel like letting out proud to feel that their work might be fully understand their parents' prob· your anger on your children and you published in the JO and help other lems and stresses. restrain yourseH. give yourself a nice Jewish children in the world. Please 1. Please do not "pump" kids for treat. omit any reference to the geographi­ information about the other parent af­ 5. Be honest with your children cal location of the group (even their ter their visit. about your dating. i.e., don't tell them alias). Let their voices speak: 2. Please don't respond to a kid you are at a friend's house when you are really out on a date. DIVORCED KIDS FEDERATION who asks for money or an expensive item by asking him/her to go to the 6. Don't make fun of your ex­ Dear Parents: other parent and certainly don't tell spouse or fight with him/her in front The Divorced Kids Federation re­ of the children, even if you are angry. cently surveyed children of divorced them that your ex-spouse is not doing what he/she should re: child support. It makes the children feel torn apart. parents in our area to find out how 7. Ask your child's principal and they thought their parents could 3. Don't take your mistakes and teachers not to make speeches or talk make their lives better for them. We upset feelings out on your children. Be about divorce in public. All the kids stare at the children from divorced homes, and it hurts their feelings. 8. Don•t listen in on the children's Is your son a BRIGHT, UNMOTIVATED phone calls with the other parent or read the mail between them. Don't let siblings listen in and report to you. 8th OR 9th GRADER Please let children have a private re­ lationship with each parent. who needs MORE? . .. 9. If you have visitation, please keepyourappointmentstothebestof If the answer is YES, your ability. Please call your children as soon as you know you cannot then your son needs ... make an appointment. so they can do something else besides wait for you • andwony. - Mesivta High School Thank you for hearing us, THE KIDS' COMMIITEE of Bradley Beach Anywhere, USA T I \U\J'l ::i 1511::i '1 NnJ) .nn CORRECTION ON LEESER BIOGRAPHY '~ Vnique Approach to Abavas Hatorab." & To the Editor: ENDORSED BY LEADING RABBONIM RosHEI YESHIVA In your February, 1993 issue, you Stimulating Llmudei Kodesh program directed toward published an article on Isaac Leeser by acquiring practical skills, lifelong interest in Torah, and Lynn M. Berkowitz, in which there is Nurturing excitement and "Geshmak" in learning. a glaring error. On page 29, the Sun­ day School for which Leeser "settled" was called The Hebrew Sunday School I Creative Secular Studies with Vocational Training Society (not the Hebrew Education Society. as the article stated). It was I Professional, warm Rebbeim and staff founded in 1838 under the supervi­ I Personalized attention to each student sion of Rebecca Gratz with the assis­ tance of women fiiends, all members I Supervised dormitory facilities of the Female Hebrew Benevolent So­ ciety (founded 1819). an organization I 20 min. from Lakewood; 1 hour from Bklyn. working under the auspices of Con­ gregation Mikveh Israel. Isaac Leeser, We are currently accepting enrollment for the 93-94 K.K.M.I:s Minister, served as guide and mentor to the ladies. school year for 9th grade. Limited enrollment is still The Hebrew Education Society available for the coming 10th grad~. dates its origin to the year 1847, when Isaac Leeser endeavored "to Please contact Rah hi Yosef Posen at 908-776-6504, 905-0726 promote mental and physical cul­ Mailing Address: 402 10th Street, Lakewood, N.. I. 08701 ture" in the burgeoning Jewish com­ munity (see page 154 in Henry

42 The Jewish Obseroer; Jime 1993 Morais's The Jews of Philadelphia, published in 1894). There is excellent documentation of the histories of PINCHAS MANDEL both these institutions. I refer to the Wolf/Whiteman History ofthe Jews of Over 40 Years Experience in Kvura in Eretz Yisrael Phtladelphia (Jewish Publication So­ • Dedicated to Kavod Haniftar with personal ciety. 1957) and to the Herny Morais responsibility throughout service history referred to above. A chapter • Highly recommended by Gedolai Hador on 'The Legacy oflsaac Leeser" by the - Here and in Eretz Yisrael - scholar Maxwell Whiteman appears 1569 - 47th St., Brooklyn, NY 11219 • Day & Night Phone (718) 851-8925 as part of the volume Jewish Life In Honesty - Integrity - Reliability Philadelphia, edited by Murray Friedman and published by the Insti­ CHESED SHEL EMES as understood and practiced by one active in the industry tute for the Study of Human Issues more than half a century with mesiras nefesh. Taharas Haniftar Should Never Commercialized. {ISHI} in 1983. Be I trust you will bring the above in­ formation to the attention of Ms. YOUR. Berkowitz and correct the errata in your February issue. CAR. IN Rum B. SARNER-1..!BROS fLDAN Phfladelphia, PA RENT-A-CAR ISR.AEL The writer of the above letter pub­ lished a monograph on the Hebrew Sun­ TYPE OF CAR day School Society In commemoration of its 150th anniversary (1988). The Soci­ ety is operating as a viable educationnl A ~AT u_~.STING ..e P~UGEOT_ 205 AC 182 Institution today. The Hebrew Educalion C PEUGEOT 309 1.4 224 Society was merged with Gratz College c:;- APPi:AuSE 1i·---·------2aa ·- some years ago. 350 -c~.. ______-PE\iGEOT 4051:6 _, 280 385 llO'IJC~~<"'UOI M MINIBUS FORD 455 595 The author responds: ' . . lPIDfllf D CHARADE 1.3 231 336 I humbly acknowledge the error ------·· ------that the writer discovered in my ar­ E APPLAUSE______..,_1.6 294 399 ·ct1.1.'1!il/f:J{l/~'ft.Aste F APPLAUSE 1.6 P.S 322 420 f/J(JCHAltflE/f()ftfJR/j/J/IXi.) . - ticle, "A Preacher of the Word of G-d." ------··------G SIERRA 1.8 420 539 In describing the Hebrew Sunday --··------11.•Mll.VATION & 1'11.•l'AYM•NT L SUBARU------·------·- SW 420 550 School Soctety as the Hebrew Educa­ K GMC SAFARI PS 525 USA& CANADA ------·------·- 700 tional Society. These two organiza­ x PEUGEOT 405 1.9 / PONTIAC 455 581 800-938-!JOOO tions, although both under the guid­ XL VOLV07401940 511 644 IN NY: 212·629-6090 ance of Isaac Leeser, were two sepa­ rate societies, and Miss Rebecca Gratz was director of the Sunday School. I stand corrected. While writing the article on Isaac Leeser, I did consult all of the sources mentioned in the writer's letter. Cop­ ies of the article were sent to promi­ nent Jewish historians across the The Golden country. including Mr. Maxwell Sounds of the Whiteman, but no one else has pointed out this oversight. Original Pirchei LYNN M. BERKOWITZ and JEP records Editor's Note: have been re-released on Letters ID the editor must be signed ID quality cassette tapes! be considered for publicatton. Names can then be withheld upon request Now available at all Jewish

Photo Credit: The photograph on page 19 of the book and record stores May '93JO issue accompanying the article, MBr1dg­ individually or in reduced ing the Communication Gap in the Teshuva Pro­ cess," is the property of Ohr Somayach, and was price, 9 volume set. taken by its photographer, Yitzchok Fish.

The Jewish Observer, June 1993 43 Write Your HL'Shana Tova" Message in the Box of Your Choosing.

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Please enclose payment with your insertion, and mail to: Your friends will see your The Jewish Observer I 84 William Street greeting in our next issue, New York, New York 10038 I am pleased to learn that my "Shana Tova" wishes in our Rosh Hashonah edition your columns will help The Jewish Observer greet the New Year with a reduced deficit . . . . and you will derive satis­ Name ______faction that you helped us in Address. ______City, State Zip _____ our effort to bring the Torah 1 Paymrnr Endmd D $I 00 D $50 D $36 D $25 USA ONLY message to the English D Charge my credit card: 0 MasterCard D Visa speaking public.. . ~~~·ITT I I I I I I I I I I I I I I and ... Thanks! Expiration date: [I] (month) [I] (year) Signature'------Beis Soroh STOP TIIE pRESS! We have just been Schenierer successful, 1"tJJ., 1n. acquiring the. adjacent prem1s~s Seminary an d therefore still. have room for this of Manchester coming Elul.

Shiu rim: We Aim: •Wide ranging subjects including Torah study with commentaries, Jewish History, Psychology, Mussar. • To develop in our students emunah and • Stimulating and interesting approach. yiras shomayim-belief in the • Focus on development of middos. Vocadonal Training: fundamental principles of Judaism. • A variety of course options. • Courses offered include Teacher Training, Nursery Teacher Training, Keyboard Skills, Word-Processing, • To promote a high standard of ethical Computer Programming, Desktop Publishing, Book­ values, chessed, and tolerance for others. keeping, Dressmaking, Art • External examinations for recognised qualifications. • To equip our students with the skills they Qualified Staff: • Dedicated team of professionals with many years of will require in their future lives. experience in education. • Experienced resident matron. International Student Body: • Currently over 80 girls, aged 16-20 years. We Offer: • Around 25% UK, 25% Europe, 50% Israel, USA, An intensive two-year course combining advanced Canada, Australia. Jewish studies with Vocational Training. The Well Appointed Premises: • Modern, functional buildings. program includes Shabbos and Yorn Tov during the • Residential accommodations. semester and all our students live on the premises. • Ledure rooms, dormitories, computer room, library and other facilities conveniently on site. This Seminary is quite different from other similar Varied Program of Extra-Curricular institutions as it provides a much broader range of ActMties: subjects as you will see in our schedule. • Swimming and fitness • First aid course • Cooking course • Hairdressing course • Music and drama productions• In-house magazine• Outings and walking tours • Social events • Interaction with the To Apply: local community and its institutions; students help with young families, the elderly, the handicapped; Applications for the they participate in the SEED program, and are coming year are now being involved in charity work. New! Course in Desk Top Publishing processed. Applications 9100·9:56 11:50-1:00 2:40-J:Jtl 3:40-4:l\l 4:3(1-6:30 ' 6:30-i:JOl·,,,,~:J0~-.~:45~.-,,-~,~,.,~·' 1 S ·n 111 rn~" '~":'.l n~[.'\'.171 may now be submitted for I M the year 5754/55 (1994/95) _, as well: 474 Bury New Rd, 1~-'+,-,_ l~w Salford M7 ONU I Manchester, England Tel: 061-792-7770 Fax:061-708-9014 American Tel: 914-352-2586 ••.nt:l"f'CJ t1~C 84 William Street/NYC tOOJ8'•••1111111•11111_! ,_.1.,1,.-1 I f;;.IJ(! (/;;. The National Headquarters of Agudath Israel of America

HOUSE PASSAGE OF RELIGIOUS INCREASE AID TO IMMIGRANT places an enormous burden on the al­ FREEDOM Bll.L HAILED BY STUDENTS, HOUSE PANEL ready strained budgets of public and AGUDATH ISRAEL MEMBERS ARE URGED non-public schools alike," Agudath Is­ rael wrote the legiSlators. "This new gen­ WASHINGTON - By voice vote, the WASHINGTON - A measure that eration of Amelicans - many of whom U.S. House of Representatives this would substantially increase the actual come from countrtes where they have spring approved the Religious Freedom funding that yeshivos and other schools been oppressed, such as the former So­ Restoration Act, a bill seen by Jewish across the country receive to help edu­ viet Union and Syrta - wishes to enjoy groups and others as essential to pro­ cate immigrant students has been in­ the educational and economic opportu­ tect some of the basic underpinnings of troduced in Congress, and Agudath Is­ nities this muntry has to offer and be­ religious liberty in this country. rael of Amelica has been substantially come productive citizens ... Agudath Israel of Amelica, which involved in efforts to build support for has been involved in the fight for the its passage. FULFILLING KIBUD AVVOEM: measure since helping draft its oliginal A detailed memorandum on the sub­ THOUSANDS OF CHllDREN, AT 51 version three years ago, and which had ject making the case for a budget increase YESIDVOS, TEST THEMSELVES IN circulated a letter urging its passage was circulated by the Agudath Israel of PIRCHEIAGUDATH ISRAEL CONTEST among all 435 members of the House Amelica Washington Office to members on the eve of the vote, hailed the ap­ of the House and Senate Budget and Ap­ At 51 yeshivos from Atlanta to proval asa "major milestone in reaffirm­ proprtations Committees in late May. ing the religious lights once taken for Vancouver thousands of children in­ While the federal government is au­ deed trained their focus this sprtng on granted by all Amelicans." thorized under the Emergency Immi­ The U.S. Supreme Court had eroded the mltzva of Kibbud Av vo-Em (honor­ grant Education Act (EIEA) to contrtb­ ing and respecting parents), spurred on those lights in the celebrated "peyote" ute to the special educational needs of case of 1990, in which the State of Or­ by a contest conceived and sponsored new immigrant children in the nation's by Pirchei Agudath Israel of Amelica. egon invoked its anti-drug laws against schools, Congress is currently appro­ members of an Indian trtbe that used The culmination of the contest pliating less than one-tenth of the would see them take a rigorous final the hallucinogenic substance peyote in funds it may by law provide, explains its religious litual. The High Court exam testtng them on their knowledge Deborah Jacob, associate director for and understanding of the halachos and ruled at the time that an individual has education affairs for Agudath Israel. In no religious light to stand on when a the Torah-ethical prtnciples relating to fact, she points out, the appropliation '1le mitzva. To prepare, participants state law incidentally conflicts with his for funding under the act has actually or her religious obsetvance. studied from a booklet especially pub­ decreased by 22% since 1988. Mean­ lished by Pirchei Agudath Israel for the The Religious Freedom Restoration while, the need for aid has increased. project and appearing in two editions, Act is designed to restore legislatively "Meeting the needs of these children what the Court took away judicially. for English- and Yiddish-speaking ye­ shiva students. But it wasn't just book knowledge that the contest sought to impart. To qualify for the exam, the children had to fulfill an additional requirement. They needed to submit a letter from their parents attesting that they bad displayed a noticeable improvement in their personal fulfillment of the mitzva. Children at 35 yeshivos from would take the English version of the test, which was generally administered at each institution separately. The Yid­ dish version of the exam was admin.:is­ tered at a central location in Boro Park -where hundreds ofstudents filled the Bobover Bais Medrash - as well as in Monsey, Toronto and Williamsburg.

ASSURANCES FOR RELIGIOUS CITIZENS SOUGHT IN NEW NY ORGAN DONATION BILL AGUDATif ISRAEL WORLD EXECUI'IVE MEETS IN NETANYA. The Vaad HaPoel HaOlami {International Executive of the Agudath Israel World Organization convenedfor A new "anatomical gifts" bill now be­ a world wide coriference in Netanya, Israel shortly after Shovuos. At the opening fore the New York State Legislature in­ session: Rabbi Eliezer Schach, Ponevezher Rosh Yeshiva {speaking); the Vizhnitzer cludes several provisions that raise con­ Rebbe: the Gerer Rebbe; Rabbi Abba Shaul, Rosh Yeshivat Porat Yosl'!.f: Rabbi Tzvi cerns for obsetvant Jews. attorneys for Elimelech Halberstam, Moro d'Asra, Kiryat Sanz: Rabbi Moshe Sherer, chairmwl. Agudath Israel of Amelica have wrttten Agudath Israel World Organization.

46 The Jewish Observer. Jime 1993 ••rtD"!T:! _,LinI J;;,.U(!(J~C (J;: The 84WilliamStreetlNYC10038-:==~======National Headquarters of Agudath Israel of America

in a detailed memorandum to sponsors erence" toward the lights of citizens sions in the bill, if unamended, could of the legislation. But if specillc recom­ whose religious beliefs generally restlict inordtnately sway some individuals to mendations they have put forward are organ donation, according to David authortze organ donations without due incorporated in the bill, those concerns Zwiebel, general counsel for Agudath consideration of the implications, and could be substantially mitigated, they Israel of Amelica. might leave others, who casually or said. In seeking to refine the rules by mistakenly sign an authorization. In taking various steps over the which organ donations maybe made or Jocked in inescapably to such a com­ years to increase the availability of or­ accepted, however. the current pro­ mitment, he added. gans for post-mortem transplantations, posal - as drafted - contains certain For observant Jews, Zwiebel noted, New York lawmakers have .. commend­ ambiguities that could erode religious the issue of organ donation raises a se­ ably displayed great sensitivity and def- protections, said Zwiebel. Other provi- ries of complex questions of halacha (Jewish law), for which competent rab­ binic guidance must be sought. Agudath Israel has proposed specillc language to legislative sponsors of the new bill that would resolve the prob­ [iJ Jems.'93-'94

YESJDVAAGENDA (bPIIDL PLACED BEFORE NYS BOARD OF REGENTS HOTEL t MOTEL WEEKEND ALBANY - Increased textbook allo­ LAKEWOOD, NEW JERSEY BAR MITZVAHS cations, fire safety aid, improved health Madison Avenue; Corner of 7th Street services, and suitable placement for the handicapped were among the agenda SHEVA BROCHOS items for legislative action placed before SHABBATONS the New York State Board of Regents (201) 363-5000 this sprtng by Agudath Israel ofAmelica SEMINARS on behalf of the approximately 85,000 1-800 CAPITOL (227-4865} yeshiva children in the Empire State.

Catering under supervision of KCL Vaad HaKashrus of Lakewood Transportation services for pre­ schoolers and renewal of consideration for .. educational choice" programs were also among the issues taken up by Agudath Israel in testimony before the ·... ·~R.1160:• 1;M'6lifil&~l>'• Regents in the state capital. 1svou1NM\iA'.NluAuu~~i;e~1~iEn·•···•· INCORIU:CftYON•THJ:JClM~IU)'lf(l~BEU We need.yoprhelp 10 (!nsu~.pt~J)erdeJJ~ly~f th~!(;I toya;uf ~9rJ1~, #re~~ · .amich cyt1tmt maifing larnHjl).tf!!) >P~Cl\~1()\'\\g1pri~tj'.'.learl)t1'1CI •andS?l¥1Put;r.processing.numberS,tl\.atareprl_~ted·a~yourname'()mh!! TOO.... #Aft~DIM addre.ss l;ibeL · . ANDOVIRSIM ADDRl:SS(C'H1'l'J9t.FOR.M SUBSCRIBERS!. (Affix lallel he"'l Miiii'v:~111111!!11.. • •..·.··.·~ ..· .• .• The simplest w~y to pay for your subscrlptlon .. Is through VISA or Mastercard.. They • change Your payment ll!to USA Name=-,.,W~-""'""..... '"'-==---"...... ,-~~~.....,_,,-...... ,~ currency. Y1lthout ;any sur· Afii:ll'l!$s ...... ,-=~-=-=-~---~-.,....,...... ,...... ,...... ,....,..,.,.... chatge; We•c~nnoJ: ai;c~pt i

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