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5 THE JEWISH OBSERVER (ISSN) Quarrels of a Secularized Jew 0021-6615 is published monthly ex­ Siegmund Forst ceptJulyand August, by the Agudath Israel of America, 84 William Street. 8 New York, NY 10038. Second class postage paid at New York, NY Subscrip­ Portrait of a Rebbe, Rabbi Nochum Partzovitz '"~n tion $18.00peryear; two years, $30.00; Rabbi Eliyahu Meir Klugman three years. $40.00. Outside of the United States (US funds only)$ IO sur­ 17 charge per year. Single copy: $2.50; foreign: $3.00. Send address changes Chanuka: A Victory of lliumination to The Jewish Observer, 84 William St., Rabbi Shaul Kagan N.Y., N.Y. 10038. 'Jel., (212) 797-9000. Printed in the U.S.A. 22 RABBI NISSON WOLPIN, Editor A Chessed Shel Emes Rabbi Moshe Heinemann Editorial Board DR. ERNST BODENHEIMER Chairman 27 The Nature of a Torah Psychology RABBI JOSEPH ELIAS Rabbi Mosheh Ychiail Friedman JOSEPH FRIEDENSON RABBINOSSONSCHERMAN RABBI MOSHE SHERER 32 Yossel the Violin Player Management Board GaliaBeny NAFTOLI HIRSCH ISAAC KIRZNER RABBI SHWMO LESIN 33 NACHUMSTEJN Books in Review: Evolution: A Theoiy In Crisis RABBI YOSEF C. GOLDING Business Manager Torah and Science

THE JEWISH OBSERVER does not 26 assume responsibility for the Kashrus of any product or service advertised in Two Poems by Chaim Feinberg its pages. Creation/ Saying of the Rabbi from Kotzk ©Copyright 1987 35 " •.." (with and without comment) "Dear Rabbi Gordis" DEC. '87 VOLUME XX. NO. 9 37 Letters to the Editor \11 i I, @ .•. '. ••••••••••••• I l .... BAKIBNURA A KEDEM SELECTION

IMPORTED BY K.EDEM Wll"!ECO .. NEW YORK, l'l.Y. Siegmund Forst

Dr. Jacob Neusner, a leading Conservative scholar, exam­ ines the Torah and "the authentic Orthodox community,'' which lives by the word of Torah-and dismisses both as "irrelevant." A noted artist, thinker and writer, Siegmund Forst, responds by analyzing those forces by which the modern world guides its destiny, and that Dr. Neusner identifies with, and finds them leading mankind on a course to self-destruction. You may want to read this article several times, to catch every nuance of Siegmund Forst's analysis of QUARRELS ofa SECULARIZED JEW

CONFRONTATION AGAIN Speaking with a serene malice, at Brown University in Providence. Prof. Neusner is passing final judg­ Rhode Island. he must certainly rofessor Jacob Neusner does ment on a Torah which in his en­ know what he is talking about. not like the Haredim, as one lightened view has nothing to say The confrontational stance be­ P can readily see in his article about the "three critical matters of tween Torah and the trends of the in the Jerusalem Post of August 22. contemporary life: politics, econom­ modern world is nothing new. In ! 987. And since the Haredim, in his ics and science." fact. it has already been taken by the opinion "represent the Torah-oral Moreover, he argues, "How can a 19th century Reformers in their var­ and written- precisely as the re­ people, utterly ignorant of econom­ ious manifestations. What lends that ceived, classical sources portray it," ics. pretend to govern a modern state confrontation a heightened signifi­ a Torah which "offers no meaningful or lead the Jewish community over­ cance today is the existence ofa Jew­ option to Jews in the world today," seas?" And since the Haredim, who ish State whose affairs are being world Jewry has no choice but "to "can quote chapter and verse in conducted on the basis of present­ reject them and their authentic support of their position on all mat­ day concepts. Within the context of Torah." ters," actually represent the Torah contemporary values. not only the which has nothing to say on the Mr. Forst is a free-lance artist and writer.Articles legislation of the Torah seem prag­ by him that were featured in JO include: 'Who's urgentissues of the day, they are not matically unfeasible, but the Torah's Afraid-Me?" (April '65). a biographical study of relevant and-ipsofacto-neither is inner content of spirituality is com­ Rabbi Michael Ber Weissmandl (June '65), and "Questions ... Questions ... And No Answers" their authentic Torah. And since pletelyoutof tunewith the temperof (Jan '70). Prof. NeusnerdirectsJudaic Studies our times. It follows, according to

The Jewish Observer. December 1987 5 Prof. Neusner, that the criteria to be thentic nation. applied to the validity of the Torah in The survival techniques activated our days-indeed, the entire com­ by the present Jewish State are tem­ plex of what is called authentic Jud­ poral and transitory, stipulated by, aism, which bases itself on Torah and depending upon the prevailing and Talmud-depends upon its ap­ political and social constellations­ plicability to a modern state-in our In essence, not different from those case. the state of Israel. that moved Jewish existence during the entire Galus. A PROFOUND INSENSITIVITY The Jewish secularist does not grant the Jewish people an excep­ he trouble with Prof. Neusner tional status among the peoples of is that he suffers from an the world, therefore the conditions T insensitivity to the unique­ and mechanics for its preservation ness of the Jewish historical ex­ must perforce be the same as those perience-indeed, a spiritual opac­ of the other peoples of the world. And ity vis-a-vis the transcendence of the energies that are directed to religious values beyond the concepts guarantee Jewish survival also must of modern,"practical" industrious­ be the same as those of all other ness. So he takes the reality and Jew­ nations. ish authenticity of the State for Even the Holocaust-surely the granted, and he measures the valid­ most monstrous event that can pos­ ity of the Torah on the basis of sibly befall a people. lifting it out of whether or notit "can serve the 2 fst shook our assimilationists' cravings. the normal historical context, century." And Prof. Neusner thinks This, however, was followed by the wrenching its destiny out of the it cannot. emergence of the State of Israel, framework of the conventional fate Prof. Neusner does not recognize which provides a new vehicle for the of nations-even such an unprece­ that to be meaningful. economics old cravings. Before, there was the dented tragedy could not move the must have an ethical framework. individual's impulse to escape into liberal-progressive secularist one Military excellence is only a reflec­ the world, and blend in with the oth­ inch, to cast even a shadow of a tion of how inspired the army is, and ers.And now. it has become the urge doubt on the values promoted by this can only transpire when its to submerge into the world of na­ secularism. In truth. it calls for a leaders are guided by a vision trans­ tions, and again be like others... The phenomenal spiritual narrowness cendent enough to inspire men to same old assimilationist yearnings. and historical numbness of pheno­ lay down their lives. Industrializa­ only waving a new flag. menal proportions to overlook the tion is only as significant as the exceptional position of the Jewish purpose of production. Ethics, vi­ A MODUS VIVENDI, people, which stands out so undeni­ sions, goals-they only have per­ NOT A RAISON D'ETRE ably throughout history. This com­ manence if they have a Divine bination of inertia and passionate source-for us, the Torah which Prof. n the eyesofauthenticJudaism, evasion offers an insight into the Neusner finds so expendable. the Jewish State is but a modus fundamental concept that lies at the Would Prof. Neusner have lived, let I vivendi for Jewish existence. In base of our secularist's mind: He us say, in Berlin circa 1830, he most its present form, its Jewish signifi­ does not want to know about mys­ probably would have applied the cance lies in the fact that it provides tery and does not even tolerate the yardstick of "Atifklaerung" to de­ a home for almost three million Jews idea of a mystery of Jewish exist­ termine the validity of traditional whose welfare and security cause us ence, obvious as it is. Our secularist Judaism in terms of the prevailing anxiety and worry. To be sure we would undoubtedly turn a deaf ear modes of the 19th century. and he have no choice but to accept this to any confirmation of the meta­ would have opted for "Reform": He structure for survival which has historical character of Jewish na­ would simply have become an as­ taken on a political form and has tionhood cited from authentic Jew­ similationist buying that idea lock, become an instrument for the phys­ ish sources, so permit me instead to stock and barrel, bequeathing to the ical security for a great number of quote Maritain, an eminent Catholic future a legacy only too well known our brothers. That structure. politi­ thinker who intoned: 'The Jews are today. in retrospect. cal by nature and secular in its cul­ a metaphysical people." The cocoon of delusions spun by tural content, in no way whatsoever Indeed, there is a much greater the Reform was not to be forever, for reflects the presuppositions of the possibility for the inexplicable exist­ something happened within the life­ Torah for the existence of a Jewish ence of the Jews to be acknowledged time of our Neusners-the Holo­ State and-indeed-for the contin­ by a serious non-Jew than by the caust-a violent collapse that deeply uity of the Jewish people as an au- unflinching mind of our Jewish

6 The Jewish Observer, December 1987 Before, there was the individual's impulse to escape into the world, and blend in with the others. And now, it has become the urge to submerge into the world of nations, and again be like others.... secularist! Berdiaev once wrote that to a concept of "normalization" and one believes that scientific demon­ "the survival of the Jews points to a an unyielding allegiance to Demo­ strability carries its own moral particular and mysterious founda­ cracy, Capitalism and Science as the justification. tion of their heritage." The escapist saviors of mankind-at a time when The face-off between Jewish exist­ Jewish mind has frantically attemp­ an enormous question mark is hov­ ence and modernity is not so much a ted to immunize itself against that ering over these very concepts. confrontation with modernity as a mystery and to fanatically deny it Nowadays, "technological prog­ confrontation with the crisis of because recognizing it would dan­ ress" is following its own dynamics, modernity. Never before in history gerously upset his secular outlook which drift towards destruction. has a plethora of symptoms so indi­ and confront him with a challenge of edging mankind toward an abyss. cated a syndrome pointing unequi­ EITHER-OR. There is an inner awareness that the vocally to a dead end. forces that man has set into motion The Jewish State is a fait-ac­ A MYSTICAL BELIEF IN are beyond control and determine compli. It cannot extricate itself from PRAGMATISM his fate, which cannot anymore be the entanglements in which the pre­ regulated by mechanical or political vailing world-scene has enmeshed here is no more fervent be­ action. But this situation unto itself it. But do not expect the "authentic" liever in Democracy and is no less than a mystery. The belief Jews-call them Haredim if you T Technology as the ultimate and trust in science, which Prof. wish-to believe in political strate­ salvation of mankind-including the Neusner so sorely misses in the gies, Economics, Science and Demo­ survival of the Jews-than the Haredim's mind set, appear today as cracy as The Solution. Israel's situa­ American (or Israeli) Jew who has an absurdity: not withstanding for­ tion mirrors that of mankind in toto, lost his roots. He is compulsively midable achievements in medicine which finds itself perplexed and denying, even distorting, the image and in the conveniences of life, all of helpless in the face of an ominous of his people, whose raison d'etre is these achievements pale in view of tomorrow. Camus once wrote: "Don't concern with the meaning and des­ the all-encompassing threat to exist­ wait for the LastJudgment-it takes tiny of human existence-a concern ence of mankind that these very place every day." which, by its very nature, can not same forces have unleashed. I can see the ironic smile-if not successfully conforms to an order All the highminded and ingenious one of malicious cynicism-of our against which it must protest. scientists who had a share in dis­ secular Jew, if he were to be told to If the existence of the Jewish peo­ covering, releasing and harnessing pray to G-d for the salvation oflsrael ple is of a metaphysical nature, so is nuclear fission must have since and that of mankind. But unpopu­ also the secularist's prejudicial turned around in horror after realiz­ lar, even absurd, as that may sound, opacity which makes him still cling ing the effect of their work-unless it is our genuine and last resort.• Not just a cheese, a tradition ...

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The Jewish Observer. December 1987 7 Maran Hagaon Rabbi Nochum Partzovitz n:r1'.1? P'1~ 1:>t

ir, Poland, 1938 ... The 1967.... The yeshiva is situated he wouldn't be alone. MirrerYeshiva Beis Hamid­ barely 100 yards from the Jordanian MirrerYeshiva, 1975-1980.... His M rash packed to capacity by border. The war is on and Jerusalem body emaciated by disease and hundreds of the finest scholars of is being bombarded by bombs and racked with pain, Reb Nochum slow­ the yeshiva world, some in their thir­ artillery shells. The tall yeshiva ly and tortuously drags himself up ties. Generally, a young bachurwould building is a convenient target. The the stairs in the yeshiva after a be too overawed to even speak to the entire yeshiva is living in the closest shiur. His feet useless, only his hands elder students and kollel fellows. He thing to a bomb shelter-the yeshi­ support his body by clutching with was expected to work his way into va's dining room. The noise, dust their entire strength to the handrail. the upper echelons by years of dili­ and reverberations are constant. But But his face shows no sign of pain. gent toil in Torah. But there stands a there in the comer, bent over a And all the while, as he makes his 16-year-old boy arguing vehemently makeshift shtender sits Reb No­ way up the stairs, unassisted, he is with Reb M., one of the pillars of the chum, now Mirrer Rosh Yeshiva, speaking in learning with his tal­ yeshiva. The young lad is quite force­ learning Torah with not a care in the midim, answertng their questions, ful and Reb M. concedes that he is world, apparently oblivious to his explaining, clarifying, enlightening. indeed correct. Nochum Trokker has surroundings. The scene, and it is unforgettable, arrived in Mir. An old man enters the shelter. repeats itself daily. Mirrer Yeshiva-Jerusalem, June Alone in the world, he makes his way Such was Mirrer Rosh Yeshiva to the closest "'bomb shelter" in the Maran Hagaon Rabbi Nochum Par­ area. No one takes any notice of tzovitz '""·Such was his life and as Rabbi Klugman is a me1nber of the Kolle! of the him-except Reb Nochum, who sets such he will be remembered. One Mirrt>r Yeshiva in Jerusalem. His biographical articles on Rabbi Chaim Shmuelevitz':!":::11 and the aside his learning and speaks with who toiled unsparingly and unceas­ Steipler'.?"'.:11 were featured in the Jewish Observer. the man about all and sundry so that ingly in Torah. One who had time for

8 The Jewish Observer, December 1987 Rabbi Eliyahu Meir Klugman

and parents, adding, ''These are only in this world and Rebbi is in this world and in the world-to-come." These then are the cardinal at­ tributes of the rebbi. The greater the rebbi, the closer he hews to these definitions in all their facets, dimen­ sions and details. The more we study the life of Reb Nochum, the more insight and understanding we will gain into this description of ChazaL

... And the Man

Reb Nochum was born in 5683 ( 1923) to Reb Arye Tzvi Partzovi tz and his wife, Kisha. Reb Arye Tzvi, grandson of the famed Cheshek Shlomo, was Rav of Troki, a small town in Lithuania. At the age of five he knew the entire Chumash by heart, when eight he had mastered Tanach as well. At ten he went to study in the famous Ramailes Yeshiva in Vilna. Two years later he was studying in Reb El­ chonon Wasserman's Yeshiva in Baranovich, where he developed a special closeness with Reb Elchonon. It was said ofReb Nochum there that he would be the Reb Akiva Eiger of the next generation. By the time he was 14 he was in Kamenitz sitting at the feet of Reb Baruch Ber Lebovitz. These two giants of the previous generation molded the young Nochum Trokker, and it was a rare sugya in which he did not quote one of them-some­ times verbatim, for ten minutes or longer, with the last sentence, "All this I heard fun Rebben." His recall­ ing a rebbe's exact words twenty or thirty years later can only be ex­ plained by a fierce love for Torah, whose every word was kept alive. and who listened to everyone, whe­ Rabbi Eliezer with drops of rain, indelibly inscribed in his soul. As ther it be learning or a personal Rabbi Yehoshua said that Rabbi someone put it, he was not quoting problem. But one to whom this world Eliezer was more beneficial to Israel his rebbe, he was reliving the shiur. contained one reality. Leaming than the orb of the sun, Rabbi Elazar In 1938 he joined the Mirrer Ye­ Torah. Reb Nochum '"'" Rosh ben Azaryah said that the master shiva, where he spent the rest of his Yeshiva, Rebbi, and omel baTorah was more important than one's life. learning and teaching. In 1940, par excellence of this generation. father and mother. Rabbi Akiva along with the rest of the yeshiva, he spoke up last. "Chelished are affiic­ underwent six torturous years of The Metaphors ... tions." exile-in Vilna, then Kaydan, on the Each of these great sages defined Trans-Siberian railroad, in Kobe, When Rabbi Eliezer fell ill, four the Rebbi by using as a metaphor Japan, and the 5 112 years in Shanghai. sages visited him. Each described something indispensable for the The student body of the yeshiva their rebbi. Rabbi Tarfon compared world as we know it. Rain, the sun stayed together for the entire peliod,

The Jewish Obseroer, December 1987 9 the life of each of those 300 or so talmidim powerfully affected by the experience of being a "Shankhaier." In 1946 Reb Nochum emigrated to the United States along with the bulk of the yeshiva where he stayed for three years, then joining the Mirrer Yeshiva in Jerusalem. where he married Ettel. the daughter of the Rosh Yeshiva, Rabbi Chaim Shmuel­ evitz. During the years of exile, hunger and privation he nevercomplained­ except once, when he was stranded alone in Toronto en route to the Uni­ ted States from Shanghai. His com­ plaint-"How can I learn Mesechta Kiddushin without the yeshiva?" Rabbi Yaakov Kamenetzky?"'1 told of Reb Nochum missing his ap­ pointment with the American con­ sul in Toronto, to secure the pre­ cious entry visa to the United States: "Er hut zich farlemt" He was so engrossed in learning that he simply forgot. MirrerYeshiva in Poland.

"GREATER THAN plumbing the depths of the sugya not, so we must have erred in our A DROP OF RAINWATER" until he was satisfied that he under­ pshat" stood it as it was meant. Every line of When asked to explain his derech reater than a drop of rain­ Rashi and the Rishonim (earlier halimud, he at first denied having water. ... Torah is compared commentartes) had to be examined one. Then, when pressed, he said, "I G to water-refreshing. nour­ until each word, each phrase came have before me two criteria. The ishing, life-sustaining. Reb No­ alive with meaning. Torah vi ess shtayt(as it is written) chum's Tonih and personality re­ He was described as a gaon in and seichel hayashar (logic). When freshed, nourished and sustained pshat-a genius in explaining the the pshat contains both these ele­ his talmidim so that they would meaning of the text-with the ability ments, it is acceptable; if not, then bud, blossom, grow and flourish as and penchant to deliver a shiurthat tzorich tyun-further study is re­ bnei Torah and talmidei chacha­ dealt with nothing but the Rashi quired." mim. and Tosqfos: "S'iz nishto aza zach," The Torah compares Yissochor, he once told someone, "az Rashi iz the paradigm of the Torah scholar, Whoever Toils in Torah lav davka." ("There is no imprecise to chamor gorem-a donkey strain­ word in Rashi.") ing under its load. ''To speak in "Just as water nourishes plant He would not tolerate a pshat bril­ learning, to ask a few questions," life, so Torah-studied with proper liant and profound as it might be, Reb Nochum would say, "does not intensity-nourishes whoever toils that did not fit the words of the call for being like a donkey. Torah in it" (Shir Hashirim Rabba 1 ). Gemara or Rishon exactly. study must be more than just that.'' Reb Nochum's yegia, ameilusand He once labored long and hard to hurevanya-his releniless toiling in explain a particularly difficult Tosa­ Not Ashamed To Ask Tonih-were indescribable. During fos, constructing a wonderful edifice his healthy years he would sleep lit­ to explain its difficult parts. He then "Like water: just as a grown man is tle, the three nights before the weekly dismissed the entire pshat "This not embarrassed to request a drink shiur, almost not at all. He would cannot be the explanation. Tosafos from a child, so it is with words of labor through each sugya, thinking are never so convoluted that their Tonih. An adult is not ashamed to through each detail again and again, true intention cannot be seen direct­ request a child to teach him" (Mtd­ never satisfied with the superficial ly in their words. If Tosafos had rash ibid.}. or easy way out. He would be bent meant to say that, they could have Reb Nochum had an unquench­ over a shtenderthinking each parti­ added but one word which would able thirst for Torah, and was willing cle through again, and yet again, have indicated this clearly. They did to learn from everyone. If someone

10 The Jewish Observer. December 1987 A bachur asked a kushya during a chabura. "One moment," he said, "... You're right" And he closed the Gemora. No rationalizing, no attempt to defend a much worked-on shiur ... "You're right" ... would cite yet another Rishon in the tzaei Shabbos to the entire yeshiva, lines in it, which made it difficult for sugya-as one more in a list of usually of three-hour duration. "One him to study the Mesechta as if he Rishonim holding a particular opin­ moment," he said, 'just a moment. had never studied it before. ion-he would rejoice in his find. . .. You're right." And he closed the His father-in-law. Reb Chaim, once Gemora. No rationalizing, no ex­ Humility attended an engagement party where plaining away, no attempt to defend the groom delivered a Torah dis­ a well-reasoned, much worked-on "Just as water does not endure in course. The next day, Reb Nochum shiur.... 'You're right." ... vessels of silver and gold but rather sought out the chassan and asked in the lowliest ofcontainers, so Torah him to repeat his discourse for him. Ever Anew does not endure except by him who The groom was flabbergasted. 'Why makes himself as an earthenware would it possibly interest you?" Rabbi Tarfon compared his rebbi container" (Midrash ibid.I "I heard from my father-in-law, not merely to water, but to rain­ Reb Nochum seemed to live only that you made some significant drops-condensed into a cloud, un­ for others, seeing himself as a simple comments yesterday. I would very dergoing a new reformation. "Torah melamed-always in the comer, much like to hear them:· The groom should be ever anew in your eyes" without claims to importance. A col­ refused, but Reb Nochum persisted. (Devorim VI,6). Reb Nochum. too, league of his remembers how as a "Please, I beg of you! My father-in­ learned the Gemora from scratch bachur he was always the leader of law recommended that I hear it.And each time, with a freshness and the chabura but "we felt it, henever besides, I myself want very much to vigor, not relying on the way he had manifested it in anyway. Dos iz ani­ know what you said.'' learned the sugya during the pre­ vus oich nisht geven. ·· At a bris he met a talmid of the vious cycle in the Yeshiva. Mesechta It never ceased to be a source of Brisker Rav. who related a difficult Yebamos. he once said, was most wonder to this writer, who had the kushya he had heard from his rebbi. difficult for him to learn because he opportunity to study in Mirrer Ye­ During the entire duration of the had established many important shiva at a time when both Reb No­ meal Reb Nochum's face was fur­ concepts and fundamental guide- chum and his father-in-law, Reb rowed in concentration, reflecting his strenuous efforts to resolve it. Mirrer Yeshiva in Eretz Ytsroel. Months later he met his friend again. and before the latter had the oppor­ tunity to even say hello. Reb Nochum started. "About that difficulty you mentioned last time... :· . . . Not embarrassed to request waterfrom even a child. ... IfTorah is water, the source of life, then it must be pure, clean and untainted. Reb Nochum displayed no sense of ego and would not defend something on which he had expended great effort. He had no sense of embar­ rassment when asked a kushya. and would not hesitate to set aside a pshat or even a complete shiur, if he felt that it was not I 00% perfect. As Rabbi YechezkelAbramskYonceput it, "Reb Nochum iz erlich in Lemen." A bachuronce asked a kushya dur­ ing a chabura-a preparation for the shiur that he delivered on Mo-

The Jewish Observer. December 1987 11 He was not quoting his rebbe twenty or thirty years later, he was reliving the shiur.

Chaim, were actively saying shiurim, Warming Everyone chaburos, and shmuessen. Both dominated this great yeshiva like Like the sun, he warmed everyone, colossi, yet each was totally self-ef­ making no distinction between facing and saw nothing special about young and old, talmid chacham or himself, neither asking for nor ignoramus, young yeshiva bachur showing any inclination to the usual or venerable rosh yeshiva, many of trappings of honor or position ... whom would discuss their shiurim like two powerful dynamos whose with him before they would deliver awesome power was matched only them. He spoke to each of them with by the exceeding quietness of opera­ the same extraordinary respect. def­ tion. erence and total attentiveness. His Rebbetzin's grandfather, the When speaking with others, he Rosh Yeshiva Reb Lazer Yudel Fin­ would never hint that he had no kel, had to force him to begin saying time, or was preparing his shiur. a shiur klalli (lecture on a theme) in They invariably felt as ifReb Nochum the yeshiva, something which any­ had all the time in the world and had one else would have agreed to with nothing more important to do at alacrity. that moment than to speak to that He would never ask anyone to do person, who had come to discuss something that he could do himself. with him any topic in Shas, any pub­ If a bachur received a phone call in lic or private matter, or simplywant­ the downstairs apartment of Reb ed a comforting shoulder and a Chaim, he, the Rosh Yeshiva, Reb sympathetic ear. Nochum, would personally notify the They came because he was the bachur. If he had money for a yun­ on the entirety ofa sugya-itslength, model of clarity on any topic they german (kollel fellow) who was not breadth and depth. would discuss. They discoursed with in the yeshiva that Friday, he, the The sun also warms and promotes him on any sugya in Shas and they Rosh Yeshiva, personally delivered it growth. Reb Nochum was unique in found that he was clear on its every to the yungerman's house, some­ his ability to listen to anyone's Torah detail, its every nuance. times quite far away, and would thoughts, and then expand and clar­ Afriend of this writer was talking neither ask someone else to take ify, deepen and crystallize the in learning with Reb Nochum in the care of it nor wait until Sunday. thoughts of talmid and colleague front of the beis hamidraslL The He often expressed bewilderment alike. He would often give a long and bachurwas aware that Reb Nochum that his shiurwas so well-attended, detailed explanation of a half-baked noticed something out of the comer and that bnei Torah came from all phrase ofa talmid, adding, "Dos hott of his eye. Unbeknown to this bachur, over to hear him. In his later years he ehrgemaynt tzu zogen-this is what an old friend of Reb Nochum, from once added,"! suppose it is because he meant to say," and repeat this Mir and Shanghai, had just arrived it is interesting to see a sick and explanation in a shiurin the name of from the United States, after many broken man sitting and learning." the talmid, years of separation. This friend had Just as water will always seek its When Reb Lazer Yudel was alive, made a special trip in hope of con­ lowest level, so too Torah endures each kollel member was required to vincing Reb Nochum to come to the only by a person that is humble "speak in learning" with him once a United States for medical treatment (Taanis 7a}. month. But what if one had no orig­ for his recently discovered illness. inal thought to offer that month? No But the young bachur knew none of problem. One would tell Reb Nochum this and had not yet finished the " ... MORE BENEFICIAL ... a kushya and the faintest trace of a discussion with his rebbe. One more THAN THE SUN." vague answer. Reb Nochum would kushya, and after that, another one he light of the sun is bright develop a Torah discourse on the ... for another fifteen minutes.As he and illuminating. Reb No­ theme until the kollel member had told this writer, "At no time did I feel T chum's brilliance was of ex­ more than enough for a lengthy dis­ for a moment that Reb Nochum was ceptional clarity. His shiurshed light cussion with Reb Lazer Yudel. in the slightest rush to conclude our

12 The Jewish Observer, December 1987 discussion." Only when the bachur it would undergo close examination, When the air raid sirens sounded was finished did Reb Nochum and and ifReb Nochum felt that the idea during the Six Day War. Reb Nochum his old friend embrace and cry with was carelessly thought out or just was in the middle of the shiur. The unrestrained emotion. expressed "abigezogt"-that talmid yeshiva descended to the shelter, A woman who collected tzeddaka would be apprised of it in no uncer­ and Reb Nochum continued the once entered in the middle ofa shiur t.ain terms. ''Ai! Vos kumt ihr tzum shiur from the very point he had to request a donation. She would shiur az ihr hott nisht gelemt di stopped at. not even repeating the come often. and harangue him with Gemora." was a frequent comment. previous sentence. And the next her worries and the problems con­ A chiddush had to be exact and well­ week-after six days in the bomb nected with herwork He would listen grounded. not vague and approxi­ shelter-there was a new shiur klalli patiently and give her handsomely. mate. That which was not emeswas prepared from the chiddushim of But now a shiur is in progress!-No not tolerated. Period. His shiurim that very dangerous. nerve-wracking, matter. He invites her in and listens were lessons in how to learn. how to hectic week. to her carefully. He meticulously searches his pockets until he as­ Mirrer Beis Midrash in Eretz Yisroel. sembles a sizable amount and gives it to her gently. with an apology that he doesn't have more at the moment. Then he continues the shiur.

Bright and Uncompromising

As the sun shines brightly and uncompromisingly. so did Reb No­ chum illuminate any dvar Torah expressed by his talmidim, subject­ ing it to close scrutiny. Those who spoke up in shiur quickly learned that they had better think their comment through very carefully for

When one of.his students reached the age to consider marriage. he went to his Rebbe for advice. Reb Nochum told him: "The world thinks that when it comes time to look for a wife, this occupation is paramount. But since one cannot do this the entire day, one.should learn when be medayek (infer from) a Rashi, "Hefker" not involved in a shidduch. In a sim­ and at least as important. what is ila.r manner, during engagements, not a diyuk (implication). The sun is ownerless and shines people say: My purpose now is to prepare for the wedding, and to learn its life-giving rays on everyone-it the rest of the time .... This line of A Constant Light belongs to every one and to no one. thinking often continues for the rest "Any chiddush of mine," Reb No­ of. one's life-During the first year In the universe, which is divinely chum would say, "is hefker-anyone there is a mitzva of bringing happi­ sustained, the sun is a constant. can useiteven without attribution." ness .to one's wife, alterthat it's rais­ always there. Reb Nochum's has­ A close friend of his published a ing and educating children. During mada-his diligence and constan­ sefer of the chiddushim (Torah all this time, however, one will still cy-was legend. novellae) of a Torah giant of the pre­ find time to learn. I tell you," Reb When he was in his health, he vious generation-with many anno­ Nochum declared, "that the exact would not retire for the night until tations. Except for one or two of opposite is correct. One's tafkid the last bachur had left the beis them, they were all Reb Nochum's. (mission) and one's obligation at all hamidrash. His door was open His name. though.appeared nowhere times and through every part of his bachurim life is to learn and learn and learn. around the clock. and in the sejer, all credit given to the However. during learning, which one would come to speak to him in learn­ alleged author-with Reb Nochum's must be occupied with at all times, ing from early morning until two at complete acquiescence. one will find time a/so to take care of night. It was not uncommon to enter His Torah was freely available for the important things in life:· his house at 1:00 AM to "talk in all. like the yeshiva in which he learning" with him. taught-which by design had no

The Jewish Observer. December 1987 13 doors at the entrance.• Anyone can come and learn. And like the sun, his influence is eveiywhere. His Torah has spread to the majoryeshivos in the world, even though no sefer of his has been published.

" ... THAN FATHER OR MOTHER ..." ike a father and mother, he was completely devoted to his L talmidim, and as a result there existed a unique relationship of an overpowering, reverent love between his talmidim and him. The hallmark of parents as par­ ents is that they give their every strength and resource so that their Wtth hisfather-in-law, Rabbi Chaim Shmuelevitz, at a slmcha. children will grow and prosper, without wanting or expecting praise Eliezer. cult. "Perhaps you should finish the or honor for their efforts. He would personally visit a Yun­ meal?" his family would suggest. Reb Nochum lived only for others, german to bring him something. "I don't understand," he would without any expectation or desire 'Why?" "So that your wife should see say. "I can't let him wait." for honor or appreciation for his how much I respect you." work. He once told this writer that he And like parents, he always had " ... AFFLICTIONS" delayed beginning to say a shiur time for his talmidim. Often they klalli in the yeshiva for two years so would come to his house (in the abbi Akiva spoke up last: that he could finish writing and yeshiva building) to speak in learn­ "Cherished are affiictions." publishing Reh Lazer Yudel's Divrei ing when he would be in the middle R Rabbi Chaim Shmuelevitz of a meal. He would immediately asked: the first three sages, who *until forced to put on doors by a municipal ordi­ arise and go to his visitor, even in nance which, for security reasons, required doors compared the rebbi to the sun, rain on all public buildings. later years when walking was diffi- and parents, were obviously describ­ ing qualities of Rabbi Eliezer, dem­ onstrating how important he was to the Jewish people-thus praying to Hashem to spare his life. How does AN URGENT REMINDER Rabbi Akiva' s statement accomplish FROM this? How is it connected in anyway to the statements of his colleagues? Reb Chaim answered that Rabbi CHEVRA DOR YESHORIM Akiva was declaring that suffering and affliction are so important, so YOUNG PEOPLE OF MARRIAGEABLE AGE MUST BE TESTEO beneficial, that it is necessary to in order to prevent the scourge of Tay-Sachs disease from striking the next have a rebbi to teach the sufferer generation, in accordance with the directives of the Gedolei Hadar. how to properly benefit from the experience. And ofall the things that SCHOOLS and YESHIVOS: talmidim learn from a rebbi, the Please call 718-384-2332 if you are most important, Rabbi Akiva felt. is interested in having testing done for students. the nature and value of suffering. Genetic counseling is also available. In this, Reb Nochum was unique, Call for an appointment: and an irreplaceable source of in­ (718) 384-6060, (914) 783-1370, (914) 425-4466 struction: how he ignored, fought. Confidentiality assured. and lived with fifteen pain-filled years of indescribable suffering from a degenerative, debilitating disease. CHEVRA DOR YESHORIM, INC. At the start, he concealed his ill­ 33 Spencer Street, Brooklyn, NY 11205 ness from all but his family: even his chavrusa was unaware of it. He bat-

14 The Jewish Observer, December 1987 "D J.' or every breath-even if one has only one breath left to say a shiur, it is reason enough to praise Hashem." tied the disease at eveiy stage. never Once, and only once, did he break and drinking. Only by him who will giving in until it was physically im­ the barrier of silence about his suf­ sacrifice himself over them and con­ possible to continue. When he ulti­ fering.A beloved young talmid came tinuously let his body suffer, and mately stopped saying shiurim. it to tell him about his own excruciat­ who will not give sleep to his eyes nor was not because it was difficult. it ing pain from a debilitating illness. permit slumber to his eyelids. The was because it was impossible. Reb Nochum cried together with sages said byway ofallusion, Thts ts He refused assistance from any­ him. and then told him. "Look at me, the Torah. if a man should die in a one. This writer remembers speak­ look how difficult it is for me to con­ tent (Bamidbar 19,14). The Torah ing in learning, and Reb Nochum tend with so much pain, how un­ will not endure except by him who getting up-a long, painful task­ bearable each movement is. But the kills himself in the dwelling of sages.' and going over to the bookcase to get main thing is that we are living, that And so did King Solomon declare in a sefer, rejecting any help. we are able to learn Torah." He ex­ his wisdom. 'If you are faint in the On another occasion, he left the pressed his pain only to offer com­ day of adversity your strength is room for a few minutes during a dis­ fort to someone else. small.' And Solomon also said, '. .. cussion with the writer, although At an intimate family gathering he the wisdom which I learned in pain getting up from his seat took quite once referred to the verse i1r.J\!/li1 ?:>" that has endured by me.' " some time and was obviously diffi­ np ::>::>nn-Let eveiy breath of life Those who knew him, those who cult. I later learned that someone praise the L-rd" (Tehillim 150,6), studied under him, and those of all had come to see him, and rather which Chazal interpret. "Praise G-d yeshivas who study his Torah, are thanask the writer-a young bachur for each and eveiy breath." Said Reb now lacking that caring parent, that at the time-to leave the room for a Nochum, "For every breath-even if warm and brilliant orb of the illumi­ few minutes, he did so himself. one has only one breath left to say a nating sun. that nourishing rain The only thing that sustained him shiur, it is reason enough to praise which helped young shoots sprout through the difficult years was Hashem.'' and mature, which brought tall trees learning Torah and saying the shiur. On 18 Mar Cheshvan 5746 his and mighty oaks to grow even taller. His family always noticed a clear and great heart stopped and he ascended But. in fact, he is with us. The definite degeneration of his condi­ to teach Torah where the body does Mirrer Yeshiva. where his influence tion during the bein hazmanim in­ not hamper or hinder the soul. Per­ is profoundly felt even seven years tersession. haps the best summing up of such a after he said his last shiur, where He was the living embodiment of life is to be found in the words of the amidst the thunder of almost a the statement of Chazal. "The Torah Rambam in the third chapter of thousand voices learning Torah one will not endure except by him who Hilchos Talmud Torah: can still hear the echo of his voice kills himself for it"-literally, with­ "The words of Torah will not en­ directing and demanding a yet out embellishment or metaphor. dure by him who is casual in their deeper and closer look at the sugya, Like his namesake, the Tanna study, nor by those who learn in an that yeshiva is a vibrant continua­ Nochum Jsh Gamzu. his body was atmosphere of comfort and eating tion of his great and noble life.• totally diseased, disabled and in un­ bearable pain-and yet through the fifteen years of his illness he never complained, nor did he show the PINCHAS MANDEL pain that he suffered. He explained Over 35 Years Experience in Kvura in Eretz Yisrael this by way of a statement of the Lomza Rosh Yeshiva Reb Yechiel •Dedicated to Kavod Haniftar with personal Mordechai Gordon 7">1 (a native of responsibility throughout service Troki) that a person's face is a •Highly recommended by Gedolai Hadar "reshus harabbim. "a public domain, -Here and in Eretz Yisrael - and one is prohibited from being a 1569 - 47th Street, Brooklyn, New York 11219 mazik bireshus harabbim. inflict­ ing damage in a public domain. Day & Night Phone (718) 855-5121 He did, however. mention his great Honesty - Integrity - Reliability mental anguish that his condition CHES ED SHEL EMES .as understood and practiced by one active in the industry )llOre than half cl century. made it more difficult for him to Taharas Haniflar Should Never Be Commercialized learn Torah.

The Jewish Observer, December 1987 15 Home Attendants

needed for housekeeping and personal care for the disabled and homebound good pay and benefits Boro Park, Bensonhurst and flatbush Area full-time live in positions only Project OHR Inc. (Office for Homecare Referral) 1308-40th Street Brooklyn, NY 11218 (718) 853-2700 Rabbi Shaul Kagan

CIIANU A Victory of Illumination

''What is Chanuka?" asks tion the military victory in our tefil­ the Talmud in its in­ los. the mitzva of the day focuses on troduction to a discus­ the latter, with our kindling of the sion of the holiday (Shabbos 2lb), menora, and it is to the symbol of the and then responds with a retelling of menora that we will devote our pri­ the Miracle of the Lights: 'When the mary attention. Maccabeans entered the Temple, they found one cruse of oil, etc.'' THE HISTORICAL CONTEXT The holiday and its miracle are surely known to us. In fact, before o appreciate the miracles of posing the question 'What is Cha­ Chanuka, one must begin nuka?", the Talmud completes a T with Alexander the Great of discussion of some of the laws of Macedonia, who ascended the throne Chanuka. Clearly, as Rashi indi­ in the year 336 B.C.E. ln a short span cates, the question refers to the sig­ of time, he wrested power from the nificance of Chanuka, its purpose Persian Empire, and conquered most and relevance for all times: What is of the then-known world, including the significance Qf Chanuka? the Land of Israel. Indeed, many miraculous events The Persian Empire was essen­ occurred during the history of our holidays. They are consigned to the tially a political-economic one, not people. In fact, during the era in history books, where one can surely unlike the Brttish Empire of modem which the Chanukaevents unfolded, learn something from them, but they times. Except for Haman's attempt a number of other miracles were are not particularly relevant to our to physically destroy the Jewish recorded. Yet most miraculous events lives today. Chanuka is. people, it had no designs to change do not merit special commemorative In truth, we commemorate two the face of its occupied countries. By miracles on Chanuka: the victory contrast. Alexander's empire was Rabbi Shaul Kagan, who heads the Kolle! Bais over the Greek Empire-the most political, ideological, not unlike the Yilzchok in Pittsburgh, authored a biographical ofRabbiAharon Kotler'.:"'~t.whichappeared in The powerful nation of its time, and the Soviet sphere of influence today. Jewish Obseroer. May 73. miracle of the lights. While we men- Alexander's goal was no less than to

The Jewish Observer, December 1987 17 ena is the ancient name for Greece) The struggle between Greek culture and throughout the Mediterranean Judaism has its roots in the very creation of Basin. His empire broke up into separate, this world, as is alluded to in the Torah's warring factions, each trying to out­ description of the primeval "darkness on do the other in spreading their ideals (Bereishis 1,2). and religion. The Seleucid Kingdom, the face of the abyss." centered in Syria, was ruled by Anti­ ochus Epiphanes, who was battling with the Ptolmalc Kingdom of Egypt unite the entire world under his quests, and In many ways, paved the over control of central Judea. The rule, and to establish a universal cul· way for the subsequent ascendancy events of Chanuka unfolded primar­ ture and religion based on that of of Rome; however, Alexander died ily during the Syrian Greek con· Ancient Greece, with allowances for young, in 323 B.C.E., and did not live quests of Judea. only minor sub-cultures and religi· to see the fulfillment of his dream of ous sub-cults. imposing a universal world order. A PRIMEVAL STRUGGLE Alexander began the process of But he did leave an important cultural imperialism with his con· legacy: The spread of Hellenism (Hel· he struggle between Greek culture and Judaism has it T roots in the vezy creation of this world, as is alluded to in the Torah's description of the primeval MONSEY SEMINARY FOR TEACHERS "darkness on the face of the abyss" (Bereishis 1,2). The darkness, say Maplewood Lane, P.O.B. 107, Monsey, N.Y. 10952 the Sages, refers to the Greek tyranny over Israel. And the subsequent Under the direction of Horav S.M. Breslauer l<"U'""' Divine command of"Yehi Ohr-Let there be light," which dispelled the darkness, is an allusion to the vie· is pleased to announce the tozy of Chanuka. Indeed, the word "yehi" is numerically equal to 25, a OPENING OF REGISTRATION reference to the 25th day of Kislev, when Chanuka begins. for the coming year ('88-'89) The "Yehi Ohr'' of the Torah is speaking of the original spiritual light of Creation, since hidden until the time of the Moshiach, yet sym· bolized by the miraculous lights of One year intensive progTam Chanuka. But the asclibing of dark· * ness to Greece and Greek culture is * Culminating in Teaching Certificate surprising. After all, does not Greece * nii'r.l:n nill',"T"':l .nil7"'t:i ;n::i?tu:i represent wisdom, science, philo­ Supervised Dormitory facilities sophy-evezy form of enlighten­ * ment? It may well be evil In its * Outstanding Mechanchim excesses-but darkness? * Unique rural Torah communiry In the final analysis, however, Tuition assistance available Greek culture is a celebration of the * material world. It focuses on exter· nal beauty and the arts, on sports Call NOW for :your information/application package and physical prowess; it is obsessed with science and the immutable laws REBBETZIN NOA FLAM """ of nature by which the universe operates. Intellectually involved with Menaheles surface and function, It has beauty of form-and it has a supportive mythology populated by humanoid (914) 356-5089 (Seminary office) gods that reflect man at his most (914) 356-9472 (Sundays & evenings) capricious. But it lacks soul. In short, Greek culture represents

18 The Jewish Obseroer, December 1987 denial of the Divine spark in the The Torah's approach, then, consti­ a table to others. After all. many Gen­ guidance of human affairs-a con­ tutes a threat so fundamental to Hel­ tile nations and religions have cealment of G-d's presence, blanket­ lenism that Antiochus could not ig­ claimed "the Bible" as their own. ing His domain with a secular dark­ nore it. Not so the Oral Law. Given to ness. Moshe by G-d at Sinai, preserved In his time, Alexander did not and expounded by the Sages attempt to force Greek ways upon THE WAR AGAINST THE RABBIS throughout the generations, the Oral Judea. This was due exclusively to Law not only contains the halachic the personality of Shimon HaTzad­ his brings us to another dis­ specifics of Jewish life. without dik, the High Priest and leader of the tinctive element in the Greek which the Written Law cannot stand, Jews who met Alexander and deeply T oppression. The Hellenists it also contains the philosophic and impressed him. made a particular effort to destroy mystical underpinnings of the To­ Antiochus, for his part, was ge­ the Sages, the Torah scholars who rah, and makes it vibrant. alive. The nerallytolerant of the religions of his were the transmitters of the Oral Oral Law, the Talmud, embodies the various vassal states.As often as not, Law from Sinai. quintessential Torah wisdom that he absorbed them into the domi­ The written Torah-the Chu­ quickens the spirit of our people and nant religion. But he made an excep­ mash-is ambiguous and can be defines for it the sphitual core of tion with Judaism. in his attempt to misconstrued sufficiently to be pal- reality. totally suppress it. Apparently. he could deal with a shallow, pagan religion, seeing little significant dif­ ferences between one idol and the other; for that matter, he would have welcomed the Jewish G-d, as it were, to to join the club. if that were possible. But Jewish moral and ethical values were inimicable with Greek culture, RABBI YISROEL GELBWACHS for Torah represents an ideology that DEAN Antiochus could not live with. The conflict actually goes much deeper. Greece has a special affinity and with Judaism. The beauty of Yefes (Greece) is fulfilled, Chazal tell us, YESHIVA TIFERETH TORAH when it is found in the Tents of LAKEWOOD TORAH ACADEMY Shem. This affinity even has an ap­ plication in halacha-Jewish law­ in that the Torah may be written in Greek and still retain some sanctity. unlike any other language. The core of this kinship lies in Greek wisdom in apposition with the wisdom of Judaism-Rambam himself quotes Greek scholars quite copiously-but this very affinity creates a greater enmity. when the point of parting is upon reached. For Greek wisdom, dealing with externals as it does, rejected the wisdom of Judaism, which focuses THE "OPENING" OF YOUR on the spiritual core of existence, BRAND NEW SCHOOL BUILDING linking everything to its ultimate Divine source. 75 East End Avenue• Lakewood, New Jersey• 08701 G-d is concealed behind the laws of nature, giving man the possibility of free will. while the primeval light reveals G-d's presence in creation. It is here that Torah wisdom departs from the wisdom of Greece, which is content with a surface understand­ ing, and even denies the spiritual.

The Jewish Observer. December I 987 19 spark in nature. This, then, is the Greek wisdom, dealing with externals as it crux of the contention between does, rejected the wisdom of Judaism, which Greece and Israel. The Hellenists­ enamored with the externals of na­ focuses on the spiritual core of existence, link­ ture, seeking to deny any Divine ing everything to its ultimate Divine source. presence, attempting to impose a general world order of their own on mankind-were pitted politically. ideologically and metaphysically The Oral Law, in short, is the soul symbolically but as an objective real­ against the concept of the Jewish of the Written Torah. Like the ne· ity. This is a special spiritual quality mission-be it even moral or reli­ shama of a person, it is the critical that serves as its source of energy, gious. They were opposed to a unique life-giving element hidden within the that binds the individuals into a Covenant between G·d and Israel. Written Torah, which is comparable single unit, and defines its identity. and especially to the idea of a people to the body. It may be said that the collective chosen to carry the Divine message. The Oral Law and the Sages who neshama ofKlal Yisroel is embodied This mission challenged all they expounded it stand in clear chal­ in the Torah, but specifically, the stood for and undermined all their lenge to Hellenist philosophy, and soul oflsrael is the unique bond, the aspirations, whether indulgence in was thus seen as a direct threat to special relationship that exists be­ their hedonistic desires, or engaging their culture. The Hellenist oppres­ tween Israel and G-d. In short, the in world conquest. sors and their Jewish sympathizers Covenant. The Covenant supersedes If one wants to separate Jews from thus promulgated harsh decrees race, accepting converts of all hues, their G-d, he can achieve this by des­ against studying the Oral Law and and even includes the non-observ­ troying the Jews, as Amalek has persecuted its teachers. ant. Jewishness, in fact, can be de· attempted throughout history and fined simply as the state of embrac­ almost succeeded under Haman; or THE SOUL OF CONTENTION ing a unique Covenant with G-d, one can take G-d away from the which the Jew is either born into, or Jews, suppressing and even attempt­ here is one more element-in enters into freely. This Covenant ing to usurp the Covenant, in the some ways the most relevant expresses itself in a mission-not to mannerofYavan(Greece). (Interest­ T one-in the Greek oppression. rule or dominate others, but to carry ingly, the Maharal says that prior to As an individual has a neshama, the Shechina, the Divine Presence, the advent of Moshiach. the Jews so does a nation. This is not meant in the world and to reveal the Divine will suffer oppression from both Amalekand Yavan, facing the threat of physical and spiritual annihila· tion v•n.) The Hellenists enacted spe­ THE YI'I"I'Y LEIBEL HELP-LINE cific decrees against the Jews. sup­ A Free Service of the pressing Torah scholarship-parti­ cularly the Oral Law-and banning Yitty Leibel Chesed Fund Sabbath observance, circumcision and the celebration of Rosh Cho­ • Marital problems? • Fear of break-down? desh, by which the dates of the festi· • Overpowering stress? • Parent-child friction? vals are fixed. These all are either covenantal in nature, or are uniquely Do you have problems like these and are afraid or ashamed to talk to tied to the interpretation of the Oral anyone? ... Do you want a trained, wise, warm professional who will talk to Law by the Sanhedrin. you on the phone? . . The Greeks also promoted im­ Some of the Torah community's highly skilled psycholog1sts, social workers, morality and intermarriage among and therapists are ready to help. Yo!Jr consultation will be treated with the the Jews, aimed at violating the utmost discretion. You may remain anonymous if you prefer. They under­ sanctity of Jewish life. They even stand. They're trained. They have Ahavas Yisrael. forced the Jews to write on the horns of their oxen, 'We have no share in Hours: the G-d oflsrael"-not simply "G-d," Monday through Friday 8:00-12:00 a.m. but "the G·d of Israel,'' attacking the Sunday through Thursday 9:00-11 :00 p.m. special covenantal relationship. Sunday morning 9:00-12:00 noon When Israel ultimately prevailed over Greece, it was not the people Dial (718) HELP-NOW (435-7669) that were saved from destruction, This project has been approved by leading Torah authorities. For information only call (718) 435· 7706. nor even our religious practice as such. but our very soul.

20 The Jewish Observer, December 1987 THE SPIRITUAL ANATOMY mud tells us that there was a con­ Mai Chanuka?What is Chanuka? stant miracle with the menora in Chanuka was established to com­ ach of the 613 mitzvos, we the Temple, because the western­ memorate the miracle of the lights are taught, corresponds to a most light of the menora always ... because the miracle of the lights E different component of the burned longer than its supply of oil expresses the purpose and the es­ human anatomy-each mitzva, as it warranted. All seven lamps of the sence of the victoiy of the Jews over were, sanctifying and elevating a menora contained equal amounts of the Greek empire. specific element of man's makeup­ oil, and even though the western­ The mitzva of the Chanuka lights physical, emotional, and spiritual. most lamp was lit first, all went out reinforces our Covenant with G-d, There are two basic mitzvos of rab­ at the same moment. Those extra strengthening our sense of Jewish binic origin-Purim and Chanuka­ moments of fire constituted a mira­ identity, and making us all more and one should logically surmise cle. Its purpose? The Gemora says, aware of our unique mission, so that that they, too, play a role in enhanc­ "That the Shechina-the Divine indeed that Shechina, the Divine ing some aspect of the Jew. One Presence-reside in Israel.'' Presence, will rest upon Israel.• might suggest that the mitzva of Chanuka, which concerns us here, is meant to enhance and elevate the neshama itself, for Chanuka is the celebration of the Jewish soul. Cha­ nuka is alluded to in the Torah in several places in a hidden, almost THE DRAWING BOARD imperceptible manner, like the ne­ shama. It celebrates an event that AN INVITATION reinforces how we define our pur­ pose as a people, and it nurtures our 1b Set The Tune For Your Affair individual and collective soul, even as the soul defines and nurtures the Stock or Custom invitations by RKA body. For Weddings and all Occasions Moreover, we commemorate Cha­ nuka with the menora that glows on R•S•V•P Kislev's 25th day-the Yehi of "Yehi For An Appointment Ohr-Let there be light"-that pri­ meval light whose purpose is to il­ Rachael Krawiec Associates luminate the Divine in nature, which (718) 376·233'7 Without any obligation is the spiritual core that sustains all ofcreation.As the Ramban explains, that original light glows in the mira­ culous light of Chanuka. demon­ For the Yeshiva Student and Businessman strating that nature is a tool in the hands of G-d, to bend and control as the cecnstcl~ He wishes. To engage in this par­ suma nisa, in the propagation of the FOR YOUNG MEN ... AND MEN NOT SO YOUNG awareness of G-d's animating pres­ ence. is the essence of our unique THE BE-All AND END All IN MALE OUTERWEAR mission in the world. So our ne­ SPORTSWEAR, DRESSWEAR, AND EVEN UNDERWEAR shama rejoices with this mitzva. PREPPY SIZE 21 TO MEN'S HARD-TO-FIND SIZES THE MENORA, THE MIRACLE AND THE SHECHINA LET OUR TRADEMARK PERSONAL SERVICE he menora is an obvious GUIDE -BUT NEVER PUSH- YOU choice for the medium for the 1314 Ave. P (side door) miracle of the victoiy of Cha­ SUN. TUES. WED. THURS. 11-5 T Municipal Parking around the corner FRI. 12-4 nuka. Beyond the simple equation of 71B-627-sn4 EVES. MON. & WED. 7:30·10 the menora with light, the menora is representative of Torah, in keep­ ft's worth a trip from anywhere for our Open Motzaei Shabbos, Legal Holidays ing with 'Whoever seeks wisdom TRADITIONAL and UPDATED collections & Erev Yorn Tov should go southward"-the menora of coats, sufts, sweaters, shirts, slacks and Appointments Welcome was positioned in the southern half much more. We Ship UPS of the Mikdash. Moreover, the Tal-

The Jewish Observer, December 1987 21 which Jew does not rush forward to help a fellow in distress? Compensation-even gratitude-does not even enter into the pic­ ture. Such acts of kindness have a special name: Chessed Shel Emes, true generosity, usually associated with burying the dead, who of course cannot reciprocate in any way. Rabbi Moshe Heinemann, Rav of Agudath Israel of Baltimore, gives this term a new, unexpected application. The way you conduct your lifestyle in general, your family simcha, in particular, can actually be ... ACHESSED SHELEMES

THE LOCAL ANGUISH INSTITUTION

ave you ever stepped on someone's toe? Prob­ ably-but not intentionally, of course. Have you H ever bumped into someone? Sure-but never on purpose. Heavenforbid Have you ever knocked someone out? Never! These things just don't happen in our cir­ cles. We are a peace-loving people. With the Torah as our guide, we endeavor to act only in love and kindness with one another. The Torah teaches us to honor and respect the human beings with whom we live.-lf you saw some­ one in trouble, wouldn"tyou go out of your way to help?­ If someone needs assistance, wouldn't you be there to do what you could? Yes, we are a people of chessedsocieties-organizers of hachnosas kalla activities, Gemach enterprises, tzed­ daka associations, bikur cholim groups; we are practi­ tioners of benevolence in all its facets. Our organizations will help you geta doctor. a job, a shidduch. a loan, health care, and hatzala. No stone is ever left unturned to help people with their needs. Would you believe, then, for even a moment that there could be an institution within thefrum community that - causes people anguish and worry, depression and heart attacks, separation, divorce, and hunger; an institution

22 The Jewish Observer, December 1987 Rabbi Moshe Heinemann that causes poverty and hatred; that inspires jealousy home? The loan on the car? When there is no money to and envy; that turns the descendants of Cham and Yefes pay the butcher and the grocer?-No problem. There are against us Semites?-You protest: an institution backed many charity organizations which provide Shabbos by devout Orthodox Torah Jews that can bring about all meals, which provide money for the destitute. We are a these anti-Torah consequences? Completely unthinka­ nation of chessed. ble! Absolutely impossible! Some people are too proud to take charity, and the As impossible as it sounds, though, there is indeed financial pressures may put a strain on their marriage. such an institution amongst us, and as a matter of fact, This is especially true if the marriage was shaky to begin we are all participating members of that institution. Peer with. She says he should find work in his spare time. He pressure has created this "society institution." Klal Yis­ says they must both work and let the baby sitter bring up roel has blossomed forth from the ashes of Auschwitz, the family. They may both work and see very little of each and today Torah flourishes in numerous cities through­ other. The bills pile up, and with them come anger, rab­ out the world. Together with the renaissance of Torah, bonim, marriage counsellors, psychiatrists, separation, Klal Yisroel has, 0"l, also regained a favorable position in and divorce. No problem: we'll find you another shid­ the financial field. Indeed, there is a growing number of duclL We are a nation of chessed! well-to-do bnei Torah and shomrei mitzvos. Some parents spend weeks and months wonying

Would you believe that there could be an institution within thefrum community that causes people anguish and worry, depression and heart attacks, separation, divorce, and hunger; an institution that causes poverty and hatred'?

The popular trend of thought is that if one has money, about the price tag on a wedding or a bar mitzva. How there is little purpose to stash it away. The only value can they afford it? How much heartache have they gone money has is in spending it.-On what? On luxurious through, trying to procure the necessaiy funds? ... Per­ homes in the upscale section of town. on the latest model haps the heart attack suffered by the father of the bride state-of-the-art cars, on attire of the latest fashion, on two weeks before the wedding was not an unfortunate frivolously elegant weddings, ostentatious bar mitzvas, coincidence. No problem: we got him to the hospital, in and elaborate kiddushim. record time. We provided him with the best doctors, arranged for visitors, and got him a wheelchair to be able to attend the chupa-we are a nation of chessed! ... But NO PROBLEM! is this chessed shel emes? If you rob a person of all his belongings and then give ow many of us realize that even if we can afford him charity-would you call that tzeddaka? Ifyou take a lavish living, there are many who cannot? In our knife and plunge it into some poor fellow's chest. and H circles, you just don't make a wedding with fifty afterwards call hatzala. and visit him in the hospital, do guests, because It would not be socially acceptable. Our you call that bikur cholim? If you instigate separation "society institution" says a wedding must be graced by at and divorce, and then find the former partners other least two hundred dinner guests, out of a total of four shidduchim, is that hachnosas kalla? hundred people in attendance, or else it Is not really a After our Jewish "society institution" has caused a wedding. You don'twant to be labeled a kabtson (pauper), host of problems, we have other institutions to patch up because then your next child may suffer when it comes the holes. But is it sensible to create the problems, even if time for his or her shidduclL So if you simply cannot we try to fix them later with patch work? ls it defensible afford it, you borrow money, just so long as you can make to bring about human suffering and despair, agony and a wedding in style. There are plenty of Gemachs around. humiliation. even if not intended? More specifically, is it Then comes the second child's tum. You can't give the important to have a band at a bar mitzva celebration? second child any less of a wedding than the first. More How many flowers do you need at a wedding? Think ofall children means more loans. And the debt load becomes the benchers that end up in the garbage ... why are staggering! What should be done when you reach the benchers needed at a wedding or a bar mitzva more than point where there is no money to pay the mortgage on the at a bris? How do we justify a sit-down, waiter-served

The Jewish Obseroer, December 1987 23 Change must start with the well-to-do. They started it and we are trying to live up to them. They can set the style by stopping it. smorgasbord at a wedding, when it is followed by a full­ extending the highest form of charity! This Is chessed course meal an hour later? The institution of the smor­ shelemes! gasbord was designed to accommodate those guests only What can we do about this "society institution"? In the attending the chupa. If all the guests are Invited to the first place let us not encourage it. Did you tell the fellow meal, couldn't one say that the smorgasbord is com­ who remodeled his home along palatial lines how impos­ pletely superfluous? ing it looks? Did you comment to the couple that made a luxurious wedding on what a stunning affair it was? Did you compliment the fellow on his rakish-looking, cus­ DOWN THE DRAIN tom-made sports car? ... Isn't it a bit like telling a pirate what a breathtaking ship he has? Such comments only erallythousands ofdollars go down the drain in a tend to encourage the perpetrators-and ourselves-to atterofhqursat many of our celebrations. It took do it again. Llmuch work, time, effort, and energy to make those Why don't we think about making smaller weddings, dollars. Time and money that could have been put to simpler weddings in humbler places, without the unne­ constmctive use instead ofwasting It to put on a display, cessary paraphernalia? How many people come to our or to keep up with the Joneses and, in tum, forcing weddings in need of yarmulkes? How many need a others to keep up with what we are doing. How does one bencher? Who needs a stx-or-more piece band and elabo­ expect others to feel when a woman has a different dress rate floral centerpieces? Who needs a four-man crew to for every social and charity event, and strikingly fashion­ take pictures? Who needs teams of flower girls and the able ones at that? What should the less fortunate do?­ various assortment of people marching down the aisle Steal?-Be humiliated?-Accept charity? ... Let us think (besides the chassanand kalla,and theirparents),each about them for a change. with a special suit or gown that may never be worn Isn't one of the highest forms ofcharity, givingwithout again? Who needs velvet tablecloths that cannot be knowing the recipient, and without the recipient know­ washed or cleaned and will be thrown out after the bar ing his benefactor, so no one is embarrassed?Wouldn't it mitzva celebration? And who invented the ideaofa band be an even higher form of charity to spare a person the to make the bar mitzva boy happy? ... experience offeeling need? ... If those on a tight budget For that matter, was something wrong wt th last year's would not even feel the need to make an elaborate kid­ car? And what is the purpose of that ostentatious dush, because you didn't? ... If they would not even feel chandelier? Is there someone, somewhere. who really the need to live in a luxurious home, because you don't? appreciates an invitation card that costs more than a ... If they would not be ashamed to parade the streets watch? with a minimum of jewelry, because you did the same? You could save these people embarrassment and money. WRITE YOUR OWN EPITAPH and it would not cost you one cent. On the contrary, you'd gain money.... Money you could use to improve the n the end, the truth does emerge.A lot can be learned Torah education of your children, or to set them up in from the wording on a gravestone, where one in­ business.... Money you could use to support your chil­ I scribes only the highlights ofa person's life.And that dren in Kolle!. Wonder of wonders, you save money while inscription is usually the design of how others perceived

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24 The Jewish Observer, December 1987 the essence of the deceased. Never does it say that the deceased lived in an elegant home or that she always wore exquisite jewehy or expensive outfits. Never does It say that he had a late model car or spent a fortune mak­ ing a wedding. Why not? Because when everything is over and we look back objectively, none of these things are meaningful. What, in fact, do we find on a tombstone? The deceased was a charitable person, a religious person, an honest person, a Torah scholar, one who cared for others, one who was scrupulous in the fulfillment of the mitzvos, a humble person, and one who practiced ches­ sed with his fellow man. These are the things that count. This Is something to be remembered for. I can hear the defense: Okay, we agree with the concept, •Analyzes. •Reports. we understand the ill that is caused by living in luxury, •Evaluates •Reviews. especially when it hurts others. But consider the alterna­ tive. How can I insult my friends by not inviting them to •Comments. •Reflects. my simcha? How can I not invite the fellow who invited •Inspires. •Projects. me to his party? I have business associates whom I must invite. !fl don't invite my family, they will never look at me again-and 1 have over one hundred married relatives THE (up to third cousins). How can I skimp on the meal and insult my guests? What will my business associates think of me if I make the bar mitzva celebration in a JEWISH chintzy hall? Let us suppose for a minute that you are making a bris on the morning of Erev Pesach. How many friends will OBSERVER you invite? You know the problem. How can you Impose on them on such a busy morning? It is not even nice to invite them, only the closest of the close. Just a minyan Wedo more and you'll be happy. What happens to all your business associates and your family? What happens to your thanjust observe. friends and to the ones who invited you to their bris?The pressure of Erev Pesach takes care of all the problems. ·········•······••·····••······•••······••·····•······•••···· And what kind of meal will you serve, a five-course dinner? Will you have a bar and a smorgasbord? Will you Subscribe, Renew or Give have a band and flowers? Will you remember to call the The Jewish Observer photographer? Erev Pesach is just not the time to think now and save. about these things. If the pressures of Erev Pesa ch are sufficient to answer all these questions, surely the pressure of knowing that U.S.A. ONLY OUTSIDE U.S.A. you are hurting those who can ill afford luxurious and OOne Year/$18.00 (for ten issues) 0$28 elaborate celebrations, the pressures of knowing that OTwo Years/$30.00 (a $50 value) 0$50 you are putting people into agony and sometimes ill OThree Years/$40.00 (a $75 value) 0$70 health should be reason enough to stop these irrespon­ sible customs because, after all. we really don't want to U.S. FUNDS-DRAWN ON A U.S. BANK ONLY hurt each other. Suite 1200, 84 William Street, New York, NY 10038 This change must start with the well-to-do. They Send magazine to: staried it and we are trying to live up to them. They can Name set the style by stopping it. When living modestly becomes the "in" thing to do, there Is hope that others may well Address ______follow suit. City ______State. ____ Zip ____ • • • []Enclose gift card OMasterCard OVisa Acct No. [_L1 [ . JI]::J._LIL_Q]_::o Have your ever stepped on someone's toe? Probably­ but not intentionally, of course! Have you ever bumped Expiration date DD (month) DD (year) DD into someone? Sure-but never on purpose, Heavenfor­ Signature bid! Have you ever knocked someone out? Most likely, but I won't do it again!• The Jewish Observer, December 1987 25 STATEMENT OF OWNERSHIP, MANAGEMENT AND CIRCULATION (Act of October 23. 1962. Section 4369. Title 39. United States Code)

{Act of (k'!ober 23. 1962. Section 4369. T!Ue 39. United States Code) CREATION !A TIU!" of Pvblicatlon: The Jewish Observer B. !SSN-0221-6615 2. Date ofF!lmgSept. 29. 1987 1 3. Frequ1:ncy of Issue. Monthly. except July and August. A No. of !ssu!"s published annual!y--T!"n. B. Annual Sub­ "The Torah's words scription Prlrt'--··818.00 are blackfire on whitefire," 4. Location of Known Office of Publkatlon: 84 William Street.NewYork.N.Y.10038 the Talmud states. 6. Names and Add res.<; of Publisher. &!!tor. and Managing Editor: Publlshn·-Agudath Israel of America: Chr. !'..d!tor­ The blackfire sprouted, !a! Board-Dr. Ernst L. Bodenheimer. 84 William St .. letters flew

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26 Rabbi Mosheh Y'chiail Friedman

THE NATURE OFATO PSYCHOLOGY

A NEWLY WON ACCEPTABILITY moral and spiritual dilemmas seem naturally drawn to a discipline that deals with the intricacies of human be­ he attitude of the Orthodox Jewish community havior, and are intrigued by a study that analyzes man's toward psychology has altered substantially dur­ mind and seeks to alleviate the conflicts and anxieties T ing the past two decades. Before that, there had that besiege it. The subsequent Influx of Orthodox Jew­ been considerable hostility to both the field and Its prac­ ish professionals into school psychology, clinical psy­ titioners. This antagonism was due in great measure to chology, guidance and scial work inevitably had the effect the fact that the preeminent figure In psychiatric psy­ of reducing the Torah observant community's animosity chology, Sigmund Freud, was a virulent foe to all reli­ to the field. Furthermore. in spite of all that a religious gious beliefs. Freud had been totally captivated by Dar­ person would find deplorable in psychological theory, win's theory ofevolution. and he viewed man as signifying psychology has undeniably produced a number of valid nothing more than another stage In mammalian devel­ formulations concerning human development and be­ opment. Ceriainlyman had no soul, Freud professed, and havior, which can be profitably used in relieving mental no free will. His behavior was motivated by instinctual anguish. desires, constrained by external factors In the environ­ Another factor responsible for the lessening of ten­ ment. On the basis of this model of man's fundamental sions was the growing incidence (or recognition of cases) nature, Freud developed elaborate techniques for dealing of mental disorders within the Orthodox community. To with mental aberrations and pathological states. It is no be sure, the cultural climate of a society that bases its way wonder that a community that possesses an idealistic of life on a Torah value system will succeed in averting concept of man as a creature made in the image of G-d the worst influences prevailing in the environment at and endowed with freedom to choose between good and large: nonetheless, there has been a growing number of evil should reject Freud and his science! cases ofdistress requiring professional treatment.Agen­ Today's more conciliatory attitude toward psychology cies not staffed by Orthodox Jewish professionals are has several sources. In spite of the shadow that Freud's still generally shunned, but there is an increasing wil­ specter had cast over psychology, significant numbers of lingness to accept counseling and therapy from a quali­ Orthodox Jewish college youth were drawn to this fied professional who is a devout Jew. Even the most science. Young people trained to grapple with man·s insulated groups within the Orthodox Jewish commu­ nity are now beginning to recognize the need to resort to mental health services to treat personal problems that Rabbi Friedman is director of the Torah Umesorah Counter-Force Program are beyond the competence of rabbis or others they usu­ which provides counseling and therapeutic services to Yeshiva students and their families ln New York City. His articles have appeared in The Jewish ally turn to for guidance. Observer as well as in other publications. A third consideration is Freud's fall from dominance in

The Jewish Observer, December 1987 27 the world of psychology. While It would be naive to claim 8NOT CHAYIL SEMINARY FOR WOMEN that Freudian theoiy has become passe, there are a in BAYIT VEGAN, number of alternative conceptual schemata that account for the dynamics of human behavior and variant ap­ JERUSALEM, ISRAEL proaches to psychological treatment. Although these Offers: new theories also fail to acknowledge the existence of • Intensive Limudei Kodesh Program man's soul or of a Creator, they lack the abrasiveness of • Emphasis on Middot & Character Freudian thought. Thus the task of overcoming the • Personal & Warm Atmosphere resistance of the Orthodox Jewish community becomes • Teachers Training Program much less formidable than in the past. • In-Depth Study of Eretz Yisrael • Relive Tanach With On Spot Tours DEALING WITH THE CONTRADICTIONS • College Accreditation • Fall and Spring Semesters urning from the Orthodox Jewish community in • Community Chesed Programs general to the Orthodox professionals in psychol­ Rabbi Yehoshua Freilich, Dean T ogy and related fields, one wonders-how do they For Additional Information deal with the inherent contradictions between particular call (718) 441-9495 or 846-4695 psychological orientations and the Torah perspective? or write P.O.B. 16406, Jerusalem, Israel 02-431483. One can suggest three different attitudes: Many of these mental health workers apparenily live in two divergent ideological worlds. During the working day, they func­ tion in accordance with the techniques they learned at the university or in professional agencies, ignoring that NOW AVAILABLE the philosophical foundations of these techniques are diametrically opposed to Torah. Jn their personal lives, TO however, they are strictly observant. They do not seem to suffer any anxieties because of the inconsistencies be­ AGUDATH ISRAEL MEMBERS tween their professional and personal lives. More sensitive than the members of this first group are those professionals who are acutely aware of the disson­ Comprehensive Major Medical ance found between particular psychological premises and teachings of the Torah, and they feel induced to Health Insurance Program bring about a rapprochement between the two. They achieve harmony primarily by focusing on valid psycho­ For Information Call: logical principles that are in agreement with the Torah and by asserting that successful clinical techniques may 212-797-7388 be adopted on a pragmatic basis, even though they emanate from faliacious philosophical foundations. This Between 9:30 and 12:30 PM position is supported by the observation that many adults and youngsters receive therapeutic assistance from mental health workers without having their piety adversely affected. In fact, many clients may find that at the termination of therapy, their attitude toward reli­ gious observance is much more wholesome than it was Established Yeshiva Gedolah before personal conflicts were resolved. There exists, too, a third position on this issue that seeks fund raiser-pleasant . takes a more rigorous view with respect to the relation­ ship between psychology and Torah. Rather than seek­ working conditions-salary ing areas of compatiblli ty between the two systems, this commensurate with experience. school of thought attempts to construct of a theoretical framework based wholly on Torah principles. Pursuit of Administrator's position also this goal calls for culling from the vast literature of the Torah basic concepts concerning the nature of the available. human personality. Then, from these foundations, the theoreticians must formulate techniques for therapists (718) 846-1940 to use for treatment of the whole catalogue of mental disorders. Even from this standpoint, the contributions of secular psychology need not be completely ignored; its influence, however, is greatly circumscribed.

28 The Jewish Observer, December 1987 True, Torah possesses marvelous powers that can heal any unhealthy state, physical or mental. These powers, however, can be utilized only by those who are specially endowed by G-d because of their extraordinary virtue.

A SUBSCRIBER TO THE THIRD SCHOOL There are major differences between the two systems set forth in the preceding paragraphs. These come to his writer subscribes to the third of the aforemen­ bear differently in each of psychology's two aspects, the tioned schools of thought: that a methodical theoretical and the practical. In practical areas, the secu­ T exploration of the Torah literature should yield lar field is bound to have a larger field of operation. Just both the conceptual systems and the working tech­ as we know that the Torah is not a handbook of medicine niques for a comprehensive psychological system which or hygiene, so too do we assume that in regard to mental could, in due time, supplant a substantial portion of the disorders there are psychopathological states that are principles and practices of secular origin. In recent years, too morbid or simply too exceptional to be dealt with efforts have been made to establish a psychology based from a perspective fashioned from Torah sources. After on Torah foundations, and pioneers in this field have all,ashoteh-an idiot-is exempt from all the mitzvosin made important contributions to its advancement. In the Torah. Moreover, by identifying specific behaviors the opinion of this writer, however, past efforts did not that classify a person as a shoteh, the Talmud recognized proceed along a logically constructed path. Absent from that such individuals are beyond the pale of the Torah this early literature is the formulation at the most fun­ law. Similarly, one could project from these cases that damental level of a theoretical model of the human other examples of extreme disordered behavior, such as psyche to serve as framework for understandingpsycho­ psychoses, would also render a person unaccountable for dynamic relationships. his observance of mitzvos. In addition, the Torah views the hat rack 5416 16th Avenue, Brooklyn, N .Y. (718) 871-2278

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The Jewish Observer, December 1987 29 In a Torah psychology, the divine nature of the soul, its origin, and its specific characteristics are of central importance to the study of human behavior.

the faculty of speech, and the thinking process which is this be true, then one would not seek the wisdom of dependent upon it, as signifying the very essence of man. Torah for remedies for this condition. Consequently, a person who has retreated from the real As an extension of this last point, one ought not expect world, whose mind is shut off from normal communica· that a Torah psychology will provide a cure for severe tion with others, or is incapable of coherent thought. disorders that are caused by biological defect. Dysfunc· cannot be treated by a methodology that has its origins tional behavior resulting from conditions such as neuro­ in a body of learning that regards language as the sine logical impairment, genetic defect. or hormonal imbal· qua non of genuine human experience. ance should be treated by medication, nutrition, or One might also contend that severe neuroses may be where warranted, electroconvulsive therapy, and not by regarded in a similar light. One of the distinguishing any methodology inherent in the Torah. Now, one may characteristics of neurosis is loss of control: the aftlicted argue that this limitation is fallacious. inasmuch as individual is incapable of regulating his behavior. Since Torah possesses marvelous powers that can heal any conscious control over one's actions is an essential unhealthy state, physical or mental. This, of course, is underpinning for mitzva performance in accordance true. These powers, however, cannot be utilized by ordi· with one's free will, loss of this competence may signify nary individuals, but only by those who are specially the absence of responsibility for those mitzvos that a endowed by G·d because of their extraordinary virtue. person cannot carryout because of neurotic inhibition. If TORAH, THE THERAPIST, AND THE HUMAN PERSONALITY

ARE YOU MOVING? here are. then, limitations to a Torah psychology, IS YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS but these strictures do not imply that a Torah PRINTED INCORRECTLY ON THE T orientation can be of no assistance at all in dealing with the excluded population-the shoteh, the psychotic, JO MAILING LABEL? and the biologically impaired. Regardless of the metho· dology that is employed, the personality of the therapist We need your help to ensure proper delivery of must figure as a crucial element in the treatment pro· the/0 to your home. Please attach current mailing cess. Torah precepts certainly make an essential contri· label in the space below, or print clearly your bution in this field. Honesty, integrity, compassion, address and computer processing numbers that are judgment, and discretion are vital in dealing with a suf· printed above your name on the address label. fering human being, no matter how serious the nature of his affliction. It surely follows that the Torah, which is ADDRESS CHANGE FORM incomparably the outstanding medium in its power to (affix label here) imbue a person with these qualities, has much to teach concerning the character, conduct, and moral code of the individual who seeks to effect a cure. If, on the one hand. Torah psychology is less extensive in terms of the kinds of disorders it is capable of treating, it assuredly exceeds the secular system with respect to Print correct (or new) name and address below: the dimensions of human personality that it addresses. Bear in mind that at one time psychology was considered Name ------~ a branch of philosophy. During that stage, it concerned Address------itself with man's transcendental qualities as well as his City, State, Zip ______more mundane characteristics. As it evolved from its original status, however, psychology virtually divorced Date Effective ------itself from the spiritual aspects of man'sexistence. Prom· Please allow 6-8 weeks for all changes to be reflected on your mailing inent psychological theorists then regarded belief in the label. WE WILL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR BACK ISSUES MISSED unless human soul as a form of primitive animism, which had you notify us 8 weeks prior to your move. no place in the scientific examination of the human mind. As a corollary to this point of view, dealing with

30 The Jewish Obseroer, December 1987 human conduct in a relationship with a supernatural being-whether it be G-d, or, in contrast, some object of superstitious adoration-was analyzed and reduced to psychological components. Furthermore, if the founder Famous of a school of psychology or an individual in the field should ever acknowledge that man does indeed possess a The Dairy Restaurant soul, this idea of soul differed considerably from the one 222 West 72nd Street C212) 595-8487 found in the Torah with regard to its nature. its attrib­ utes. and its origin. Cholov Yisroel • Shomer Shobbos In a Torah psychology, on the other hand, the divine Under the Supervision of K'hal Adath Jeshurun nature of the soul, its origin, and its specific characteris­ tics are of central importance to the study of human Open for Breakfast, Luncheon and Dinner behavior. It is man's neshama-his heavenly soul-that Catering • Parties • Meetings acts as a pervasive force in actuating his life processes and constantiy energizing his behavior. Even if one should view the function of the soul in a way that would limit its efficacy in a particular sphere of man's ex­ perience, its presence is still a fundamental element in all of his conduct. The idea of neshama, with all of its rami­ fications, is crucial to understanding the difference between a secular and a Torah psychology. Further, because of the inclusion of the neshama in its system, Torah psychology encompasses realms of the human mind that secular psychology can only reach peripherally. It has the capacity to examine through the lens of transcendentalism such areas as ethical conduct, moral judgment. and religious conflict, as opposed to secular psychology, which can at best approach them from a phenomenological standpoint. Because of the rad­ ical distinction that separates the two systems. their SINGLE DotJBLE BREASTED proper domains as applied to human behavior differ & fundamentally, as well. * MENS' SUITS *

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n summary. the intent of this article is to propose an * Sla{_'k.-> * Rain\Vl'ar analytic system of human function based upon * All \,Von! Coats * Sports Jackets I Torah principles. which will enable an individual to control his temperament, modify his attitudes, and dis­ lT11h£'lirvnhlc Pr·iccs cipline his conduct. As a concomitant, one ought to be 17FiD ?>l St.. Brooklyn, J\P{ (71B) H54-119G able to infer from this conceptual structure therapeutic J)aily 4:00 p.111.-~):00 p.111.; Sund;1y 1\Jl Day techniques that can be applied to a sizable range of Silbiger Suits You Best human disorders. Implicit in this undertaking is the belief that attempts to introduce piecemeal or patchwork adjustment into already existing psychological systems in the hope of bringing them into alignment with the ideology of Torah can only meet with frustration, since FEIVEL KIRSHENBAUM. PH.D. the fundamental axioms of secular psychologies are Registered Investment Adviser essentially contradictory to Torah doctrines; no amount of manipulation can bring about a complete escape from . the false conclusions derived from them. One must Money Management begin. rather, at the bedrock of Jewish belief, with an investigation of the fundamental nature of man as and Financial Advising depicted in our sacred literature. Once this task has been accomplished, it is possible to proceed to an understand­ ing of human personality, its constituent elements and Fee only. No sales or commissions. the dynamics whereby they interact, and the methods which may be utilized for the full development of an (914) 352-1919 individual's character.• . .

The Jewish Obseroer. December 1987 31 GaliaBeny

Yossel the Violin Player

The ladies in the maternity ward enjoyed Yossel's music and were only too happy to reimburse himfor his trouble.

very woman who has given !em.'' The ladies are plainly shocked, birth in Jerusalem knows and some begin to eye the basket of E Yossel the Violin Player. food Yossel has collected while mak­ Should one visit the maternltywards ing "the rounds.'' As if reading their of Bikur Cholim, Shaarei Zedek, Ha­ thoughts. Yossel the violin player/ dassah and Misgav Ladach hospi­ attorney interjects, "No, no my dear tals, one may encounter Yossel play­ ladies! The food is not for me, chas ing his violin to the ladies who re­ ve Shalom!" His eyes to the floor, he cently delivered. Sometimes he plays continues. "I wanted to help the poor classical European concertos; other families of Jerusalem in my own times Klezmer tunes. but always way. I find my music so relaxing, but Yossel plays with great feeling, bor­ what with my work I have little time dering on kitsch. Eyes closed, brow to practice. So what better way to furrowed. shoulders hunched, he fulfill the mitzva of bikur cholim! I shuckles as he plays. as though deep noticed that you ladies on the in prayer. Suddenly, the performance maternity ward seem to get plenty of is over. He perks up a bit, and with Ii ttle parcels, so much of which goes great enthusiasm, says to the ladies. uneaten! I began thinking. Yossel, "Maze! tov, maze! tov! Uh ... would far be it from you to take food away you mind if! took that apple?" Spy­ Yossel the violin player dresses in from a sick person, but those new ing a chocolate baron another lady's the simplest of clothes. though they mothers, maybe they have a bit hospital night table: 'You need that are always clean and presentable. He extra... .' Every Erev Shabbos I chocolate?" and so it goes. until Yos­ is probably in his late 30's, but no deliver little baskets of food to the sel the violin player has collected all one knows who he really is or where needy in Jerusalem. Perhaps it of the "extra" fruits. nuts and can­ he lives-just another Yerushalmi. makes their Shabbos a little dies that the ladies have received Until. ... sweeter.... " from their visitors and well-wishers. As he plays with heart and soul to Needless to say, that day Yossel left The ladies are only too pleased to a maternity patient. one of the vis­ the hospital, his arms overflowing comply. They have enjoyed Yossel's itors rushes up to him and greets with "extra" food from the new music and wish to reimburse him him warmly. 'Yosef. Yosef. how long mothers of Jerusalem. He begged for his trouble. Others find givingan has it been?" The visitor grins, "How those who heard his story to allow apple an easy outlet for tzeddaka; a is your practice coming along? Send him to remain anonymous, just few ladies simply tolerate the eccen­ any officials to jail yet?" 'Yossel the violin player.'' And so he tric Yossel the violin player with a Yossel frowns. perturbed at hav­ continues to gladden the hearts of halfhearted laugh. ing been "discovered.'' The ladies the hospital wards and the poor want to know more about theirYos­ alleyways of Jerusalem: Yossel, just Galla Berry is an American olah who lives in sel. and demand that he tell all. one more story of the countless Khyat Telz-Stone, in the outskirts of Jerusalem. This Is her first appearance in The Jewish Ob­ 'Well .. .:· he begins. "actually I am examples of chessed in Eretz Hak­ server. a practicing attorney here in Jerusa- dosha.•

32 The Jewish Observer, December 1987 i/

Is really no hard scientific evidence, can come to fashion Evolution: A Theory in Crisis, by Michael Denton (Bin­ the thinking of a whole society.... IBtimately the Darwin­ nett Books. London, 1986. $19.95). ian theory of evolution is no more nor less than the great cosmogenic myth of the twentieth century ... it satisfies This is a volume that should be of major concern to our the deep psychological need for an all-embracing expla­ readers. While the standard high school texts still project nation of the origin of theworld"-which, one might add, the theory of evolution in the traditional manner. as the relieves man of the obligation to face the existence ofG-d accepted explanation of the origin of life and of the var­ and his responsibility to Him. iety of mammal species and man-and the courts have ruled that schools do not have to present alternative Torah and Science, by Leo Levi (Feldheim Publishers, explanations based on the concept of creation-even the Jerusalem-New York. 1983. $8.95). readers of popular magazines must be aware that all is not well with evolutionary theory. The advances of science in such fields as molecular This volume. published in conjunction with the Associa­ biology. as well as in the application of computers to the tion of Orthodox Jewish Scientists. is slight in size but statistical problems involved. have shown the "tradi­ covers an extraordinarily wide-and Important-area. It tional" evolutionary approach to be totally unsatisfac­ begins by stressing the difference between "science" (the tory. Reformulations have been published which seek to study of the laws of nature and their application to prac­ account for the problems encountered, but they are woe­ tical life) and "scientism" (a faith that science is compe­ fully short on both factual evidence and scientific com­ tent to deal with all facets of life, notably validation of pleteness. Dr. Denton, a British researcher. In this bril­ moral standards, etc). Scientism is a pseudo-religion try­ liant volume carefully reviews the entire subject and "by ing to take the place of faith in G-d as the Creator and presenting a systematic critique of the current Darwin­ Master of the world. Science, in contrast, is a legitimate ian model. ranging from paleontology to molecular biol­ human field of endeavor and. within its own area of ogy, [tries I to show ... that the problems are too severe competence. is an important tool to be used by man in and intractable to offer any hope ofresolution in terms of carrying out his Divine task of molding the world accord­ the orthodox Darwinian framework"; he concludes. on ing to G-d's will. Scientific knowledge not only helps him purely scientific grounds. that it is crucial to distinguish in his practical pursuits but is essential in many areas of between "micro-evolution" and "macro-evolution.'' The mitzva observance (e.g. calendar design or techumim). former. which deals with minor changes (such as the Moreover, a deeper understanding of the miracles of coloration of bird plumage), is clearly a fact; but the latter. nature will increase a person's awe before the majesty of which is concerned with the chance evolution of new the Creator. At the same time, the author stresses that species, and ofliving systems in general, is a speculative the pursuit of scientific knowledge must always be myth. "The influence of evolutionary theory on fields far secondary to one's efforts in Torah-and in practical removed from biology !such as social, religious. and application. the acquisition of comprehensive scientific moral issues] is one of the most spectacular examples in knowledge must be subordinated to the demands of per­ history of how a highly speculative idea, for which there fection in Torah, which it is so difficult to achieve in our

The Jewish Observer. December 1987 33 age. While the author's conclusions as to the importance of scientific study (solidly grounded as they are in Rabbi S. R Hirsch· s teachings) inevitably emerge as a matter of <9hel debate, he most impressively shows how much science and Torah observance interact. In this connection the author demonstrates, in particular, how much science @hildren's :HOme has to gain from the guidance provided by Torah teach­ ings, both philosophicaliy and practicaliy. The last part of the book is devoted to the areas of overlap and confiict. Notably. the author draws the out­ qamily&~eroias line of a Torah view of human nature, comparing it to current psychological thinking; another chapter deals with the crucial areas of evolution and scientific deter­ minism. While brief, these chapters will be veiy helpful to 18th Annual Dinner anybody grappling with these issues. A concluding epi­ logue on the study of humanities provides a wide range of Sheraton Centre Hotel references on this subject, and tries to draw some basic conclusions from them as to what is and is not per­ 5 Shevat 5748 mitted-here too, however, the complexities of the sub­ Saturday Evening, January 23, 1988 ject in its halachic as well as in its practical educational implications will leave it a matter of controversy. Reservations: $360. per couple This much, though, should be stressed: irrespective of any such controversy over practical vocational goals, the ft)r information contact: author has made it clear how veiy deeply eveiy aspect of our life-from the medical to the environmental and Ohel,4423 16th Ave. Brooklyn, N.Y 11204 beyond-is tied up with scientific developments, it is Tel. (718) 851-6300 crucial that we be aware of them and, as members of the Torah people, relate to them in a Torah way.•

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Thefollowing letterwrttten by Rabbi Michael Katz, Rav Q[Beth BIG Sholom Congregation, Chattanooga, Tennessee, was sent to Dr. Robert Gordis, a well-known Conservative rabbi and editor ef APPLE JUDAISM. We believe it to beef interest to our readers. COPY & PRINTING CENTER

February 1, '87 different emphasis on Rabbi Fein­ 87 NASSAU ST 2nd Shevat, 5747 stein's ruling which is perhaps not NEW YORK, NY 10038 very serious. But why. my inquisitive (212) %2·4282 Dr. Robert Gordis (212) 267-9478 JUDAISM mind insists, did Dr. Gordis not 15 East 84th Street check and quote the primary source New York, NY 10028 as referenced by Robinson: lgrot Moshe, Orach Chayim, Vol. 1 No. 44. Dear Dr. Gordis: ... What secrets, I dare ask, will l I was most disappointed (perhaps uncover if I open my copy of Igrot disillusioned is a better term) to note Moshe to the relevant page? a measure of intellectual laziness Now this becomes really interest­ and even dishonesty creeping into ing. Rabbi Feinstein is being con­ your article on seating in the syna­ sulted by a synagogue in Dayton, gogue (JUDAISM 36:1). Ohio, which maintains separate You quote Rabbi Moshe Feinstein seating without a mechitza. A fac­ as having ruled that in the absence tion in the congregation put forward of a mechitza between the sexes, separate sections on the same level may be maintained. l immediately Everything for your floor ... At your door. wonder why such a radical p'sak was not adopted as a solution for beleaguered Orthodox Synagogues SHIMON'S, INC. everywhere. I cannot help but sus­ pect that something is not quite CARPET• TILE •LINOLEUM light with this quotation. Bedrooms, Kitchens, Dining I then note that your reference is rooms, Stairs, Living rooms. etc. Ira Robinson's article in an earlier OVER 38 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE edition of JUDAISM. I then ask why Residential - Commercial Dr. Gordis, who shows himself in an earlier footnote (no. 10) as being What a PLEASURE! Stay at home and enjoy quality quite capable of research into pri­ by professionals, at sweet prices. mary sources, chooses a secondazy Night and Sunday appointments source for the opinions and rulings available of Rabbi Feinstein. I wonder: Is Dr. Gordis hiding something? An examination of Robinson's ar­ ticle presents an important clue. Robinson puts somewhat of a differ­ ent color on Rabbi Feinstein's words. CALL SHIMON'S, AND ENJOY! Here we see Rabbi Feinstein very reluctantly urging at least separate 718-376-7343 seating if a mechitza is not possible. HAPPINESS • .. a by Shimon's. Very well, I say, Robinson puts a is floor

The Jewish Observer. December 1987 35 the argument that since the syna­ gogue is not conforming to the ha­ since 1928 lacha anyway, they may as well go all FREEDA® the way and introduce mixed seat­ ing. Rabbi Feinstein is asked to rule on the merit of this argument. Rabbi Feinstein vei:y clearly rejects the ar­ VITAMINS gument. pointing out that although THE BEST IN THE VITAMIN WORLD separate seating sans a mechitza is forbidden. the prohibition is less Over 250 Vitamins, Minerals and Amino Acids to cover all your vitamin needs. Our vitamins are made on the severe than that of mixed seating. If premises under strict pharmaceutical and kashrus stand­ one sins at a lower level, it does not ards. Freeda Vitamins are parve and vegetarian and are follow that one may, for the same, sin under the Rabbinical Supervision of The Orthodox Union at a more severe level. In no way does and Rabbi Mordechai Kohn from New Square, N.Y. Rabbi Feinstein condone, accept or •no sugar • no sulfates • no coal tar dyes • no starch • no salt filler • no animal stearates allow the maintenance of separate seating sans a mechitza. Pleast> write for our brochure and complimentary article on, "How To Get Enough Calcium". Do we now understand why Dr. Gordis chose a secondruy source and ignored the primruy one?Can it Send for free brochure be because the secondruy source on the importance of FREEDA VITAMINS had already misinterpreted the pri­ VITAMIN C in your diet. 36 E. 41st St. mruy source and thus allowed scho­ New York, NY 10011 lars to focus on a supposed breach in (Z12) 685-4980 the fortifications of the sectarian camp? Or, perhaps, it was to allow synagogues which so desire greater flexibility in surrendering the Ortho­ dox norm? What must really concern all those of intellectual integrity is the ease with which a tremendously mislead­ We monitor for you ing reference can be created. Robin­ • Mislabeled Products • Pareve I Dairy son misreads Rabbi Feinstein for • Unauthorized Symbols whatever reason and Gordis mis­ • Supervision Changes reads Robinson's incorrect quota­ • New Products tion. Where does it end? Thus are created the "sources" for justifying 6Problems deviation from the halacha. 1. Do you know when a product bears an unauthorized symbol? I would be most grateful for your 2. Who will tell you when a product is mislabeled? response to this detective's efforts 3. When supervision changes or is removed will you be notified? and analysis. 4. Do you know which kosher products contain dairy ingredients and are not Yours sincerely. listed as dairy? MICHAEL KATZ 5. Would you like to know which products are kosher without symbols? Rabbi 6. How can you keep your kosher kitchen up-to-date when the status of kosher As of this writing, Rabbi Katz has products and establishments constantly changes? not yet received a reply from Dr. Gordis.

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36 The Jewish Observer, December 1987 friend proposes a shidduch between your daughter and "this terrific baa! teshuva." You agree to consider it. Letters As soon as you hang up, the phone rings again. "Bubby and Zeidy" are @@®ifil@@\0@@0@ to the suggesting a shidduch between your O&®'lfli@etet®eee @@4'1&@@@>@@@0' daughter and their grandson, whom you know to be a good boy. Would Editor you reject Bubby and Zeidy's shid­ duch and opt for the baal teshuva, simply because baalei teshuva have

DIFFERENCES MAKE A BEGINNER, BUT JUST LIKE . DIGEST OF MEFORSHIM A DIFFERENCE THE REST OF US ,t:,,pr, ,n:l 't>ipr, To the Editor: To the Editor: r, .. ~r iyu?x ?xir.iw l"l't1l'tl:I I am a B.T. and I would like to Eliezer Gillig spoke of shidduchim Available at answer some of the negative points problems, and the resistance that a LEKUTEI in Eliezer Gillig's article, "There are baa! teshuva faces from the F.F.B. Some Ways You Can Help [the Baal community while in pursuit of a c/o Yitzchok Rosenberg 10 West 47th Street, Room 503 Teshuva]," in the May 1987 issue. It mate. Let me present the following New York, NY 10036 makes no sense pretending that all situation to Mr. Gillig: You men­ (212) 719·1717 things are or should be equal. tioned in your article, that a Has­ When I look at my five year old who sidic family had "adopted" you when 20 Volumes on ~rah, Perek, speaks Yiddish, I can see the head were single, and continues to pro­ Medrash, Megilos and Tulmud. start he has over me. On the one vide your children with a surrogate Proceeds of sales distributed hand, Rabbi Akiva could not become Bubby and Zeidy, now that you've among Yeshivas -and used for the Nassi (Prince) because he des­ been married for ten years. In ano­ reprinting of volumes dut~of~print cended from geirtm Yet, on the other, ther ten years, your own children PRICE: $8.00 PER VOLUME he still was Rabbi Akiva, and who will be in the shidduch field. An old . could compare to him? When I was seventeen (in 1964), I walked into the MirrerYeshiva and HOTLINE You're Readyto Leave told the principal, "I want to go to TO JERUSALEM Yeshiva." I knew some Chumash NewYorkCity ... Bur ... In time of illness, surgery or and could daven, but nothing more. crisis, special prayers will be You want to continue to have a ... The next year I was in a special choice of schools which offer a high class for beginners in the Mir. recited at the Western Wall and quality of Orthodox and secular Evezy Pesach when I had to find a at our Yeshiva in Jerusalem. education ... place to stay, I used to watch with CALL 24 HOURS You want your family to experience a envy howjmm families came home (718) 871-4111 close knit, warn1 con1munity dedi­ together. But I didn't remain an out­ cated to Torah,Avodah and Gemillus sider. I was greatly helped by a "Lit­ A FREE PUBLIC SERVICE OF Chassodim. vish" family in Baro Park, and I am The American Rabbi Meir You want to be clo..o:;;e to your job or like a member of their family. There Baal Haness Charity business in Midtown or lower Man­ are many groups helping B.T.s in KOLEL AMERICA hattan .. Baro Park. I know of at least eight You want excellent hon1e value with different classes where Gemom Is the lowest real estate taxes in Bergen taught in English with many baalei KADDISH County ... teshuva in attendance. Mishnayolh, Yizkor & Yortzeit THEN ••• Just like Polish Jews prefer to observed with a minyon in our K'halAdathjeshunm of'Paramus, marzy others ofsimilar background, Yeshiva Heichal Rabbi Meir and not Hungarians or Sefardim­ under the leadership ofRabbi Yechez­ Baal Haness in Jerusalem. kel Zweig, may be a solution you and vice versa-baalei teshuva may CALL should consider. be most comfortable with their own. (718) 871-4111 call (201) 262-0797 YOSEF HALEVI ZORKIN or (201) 265-6721 Brooklyn, NY 132 Nassau St., N.Y., N.Y. 10038

The Jewish Observer, December 1987 37 difficulty in making shidduchim ful in attaining the kind of social with children from religious fami­ success that Gillig seems to plead lies? for. People who live there frequently When looking for a shidduch, you had left theirown families behind In try to find the very best one possible, Brooklyn and would graciously take and a religious, supportive family is care ofyour four children while your definitely a plus factor. wife is away in the hospital having I had a B.T. roommate in yeshiva your fifth, because you'll return the 4916 13th Ave., B'klyn, N.Y. 11219 whose father and older brother were favor when they have theirs. (718) 854-2911 doctors. His family was deeply upset In many ways, baalei teshuva re­ with his decision to become reli­ semble new immigrants. They don't speak the language, don't know the intn gious, quit college and go off to some yeshiva. There was a high level of customs and have left family and CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST tension throughout his bachurdays, friends behind. Did our parents and even though he made it his business grandparents, who came to these DR. BENZION to go home often and try, as best he shores as new immigrants, bemoan could, to explain to his parents what their fate and status? No, they per­ SOROTZKIN he was doing. When he married (to severed, so that the doors that were N.Y. STATE LICENSED an F.F.B.), his father emphatically closed to them would be open to ADULTS commented, "I'll attend, but I am not their children. Immigrating to Israel going to dance with a man!" But the awards the "oleh cha dash" a host of AND joy and the true simcha those es­ privileges-but only for three years, CHILDREN tranged Jewish parents experienced not forever. Then he's on his own. (718) 266-7151 . at their son's wedding gave them an Rabbi Shlomo Freifeld, "'""''~· insight into what had attracted their Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshiva Sho'r Ya­ son, and what it meant to be a reli­ shuv in Far Rockaway, once told me, gious Jew. That wedding brought "I don't look at baalei teshuva as the family back together again To­ baalei teshuva, perse. I accept them day my former roommate Is a sho­ into the yeshiva as beginners, and I FROM FACTORY mer Shabbos doctor, and it was his expect them to conform and bring REPRESENTAT/VE SAVE!!! non-F.F.B. parents who put him themselves up to the yeshiva's M:::nu iniw through medical school. standards in a very short time." Do I have a suggestion for the baa! The B.T. can feel confident that he teshuva who feels less than fulfilled has what to offer to the F.F.B., if only In Brooklyn? Yes, get out of New a smiling face and a warm "hello." He York. Baltimore, Chicago, Cleveland, too should avoid "second-guessing," and Detroit, among others, have and consider that maybe his im­ ZAVE beautiful Torah communities with pressions or opinions are distorted good chinuch and affordable hous­ and based on non-kosher former SHER UN ing (less than half the price for the experiences. A ger tzeddek learning equivalent in Boro Park-Flatbush). in the yeshiva once approached ORCHESTRA They are communities where the Rabbi Freifeld with the following (718) 434-3540 baa! teshuva will be more success- dilemma: He was dating a girl who had converted and was afraid that Also Available As One Man Band should they marry, people would say PROFESSIONAL PHOTOS that he was still running after the OF "shiksas"! Rabbi Freifeld put his 1'1..,':lN '1:1~1'1 arm around the fellow and said, ''Yisha~ you have to realize one LOST & FOUND GEDOLIM thing: that she's a yid just like the LARGEST SELECTION rest of us." To announce an object found 3Yi" x 5" for your collection ELCHONON NAKDIMEN Please Call: (718) 436-4999 5" x 7" up to 16" x 20" for display Monsey.NY To find out if your object was found Please Call: 718 438--0592 A Public Service ol Torah Communlcatlon1 5321 13th Avenue Letters to the Editor must be signed. Producers of Dial-A-Dal Brooklyn, NY 11219 to be considered for publication. Dlal-A-Shlur, Mlshnah-Dn-The-Phone (n8l as1-0600 Requests that the name of writer be & Sponsors ol Chevra Mlshnayo1 Bal-Peh withheld will be honored.

38 The Jewish Observer. December 1987 Yes! You can dance /6.$)1<6 I<' /6p /6N at two weddings! l .nljl.nn •11.5 f.11<

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