,,,_,, VOL l No: 7 APRIL 1964 / IYAR 5724 FIFTY CENTS THE EWISH BSERVERJ J '{j '',j i

WHO SHALL GUARD · '~ OUR VINEY ARDS? • ISRAEL'S SOME CONCERNS OF CHIEF RABBINATE A TORAHLESS JEWRY • THE FIFTH THE AMERICAN K'NESSIA GEDOLA RABBINATE - A Rebuttal CHARACTERISTICS •

OF TORAH SECOND LOOKS AT: The Washington Conference Israel's Mission Trials "L'Affaire Jacobs" THE JEWISH BBSERVER

contents

THE JEWISH OBSERVER i"' published monthly, except July and August. by the Agudath Israel of America, 5 Beekman Street, New York 38. N. Y. Second Class postage paid at New York, N. Y. articles Subscription: $5.00 per year; single copy: 50¢. Printed in the U.S.A. ISRAEL'S CHIEF RABBINATE ...... 3 Editorial Board DR. ERNST L. BODENHEIMER WHO SHALL GUARD OUR VINEYADs?, Chaim D. Keller ...... 7 Chairman RABBI NATHAN BULMAN THE FIFTH K'NESSIA GEOOLA, Joseph Friedenson ...... 10 RABBI JOSEPH ELIAS JOSEPH FRIEDENSON RABBI MORRIS SHERER CONCERNS OF A TORAHLESS JEWRY, Yaakov Jacobs...... 14 Art Editor BERNARD MERLING Advertising Manager RABBI SYSHE HESCHEL features Managing Editor RABBI YAAKOV JACOBS THE CHARACTERISTICS OF TORAH ...... 19 THE JEWISH OBSERVER doei:. not assume responsibility ror the Kashruth of any product adver­ A GRAPHIC HISTORY OF THE JEWISH PEOPLE I A REVIEW 21 I tised in its pages. SECOND LOOKS AT THE JEWISH SCENE, Ben Meir ...... 23 • APRU, 1964.,,..,@! VOL. I No. 7 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR...... 27 Israel's Chief Rabbinate Reflections on the election and some bistorir,al background

PERIOD of more than five years has elapsed officer of .the State. A rabbinate linked up with A since the post of Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi became a State cannot he completely free. I admire the vacant in the State of Israel upon the demise rabbis in Israel for their conrage in standing up of Rav Herzog ?"~r. Elections for a new Chief Rabbi for the problems there and displaying almost have finally taken place. superhuman heroism. However, the mere fact that, In the elections for the post of Sephardi Chief Rabbi, from time to time, Halachic problems are dis­ the incumbent, Rabbi Nissim, was reelected with a cussed as political issues at Cabinet meetings is decisive majority, despite considerable government op­ an infringement of the sovereignty of the rah· position to his candidacy. On the other hand, in the hinate.'' elections for an Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi, Rabbi Unter­ In the light of the above, it should be of interest to man received 60 electoral votes, while Rabbi Shlomo review the origins of the Chief Rabbinate, alld some Goren, who was heavily supported by the non-religious of the crucial events in its history, which shed light o1l government circles, received 57 electoral votes. Rabbi its present situation-and which might provide some Unterman thus won the elections by a slender three necessary insights for the thinking of Torah-true Jews vote plurality. on the future of Torah in the State of Israel. When one reflects that the five year delay in the recent election, was brought about by the persistent Some Little Known Historical Facts. efforts of Mapai to wrest exclusive control and influence Shortly after the first World War, .the world Zionist of the Chief Rabbinate from Mizrachi, and by the leader, and later the first President of the State of latter's resistance to these effGrts, the three vote plural­ Israel, Dr. Chaim Weitzman came to Jerusalem .in ity by which the Mizrachi supported candidate, Rabbi the interests of "organizing the Yishuv." He held a Unterman, finally was elected, must be seen as fraught conference with the Rabbonim of Jerusalem, at which with tragic implications for the entire institution of the he addressed a number of demands to the assembled Chief Rabbinate. Rabbonim, who till then were the acknowledged .and Those implications are especially tragic when viewed authoritative leadership of Jerusalem Jewry. He wanted against the backg10und of the Israeli government's recent certain "minor" changes in the education of the young. efforts to curtail the freedom and authority of the Chief A little modernization perhaps ....The funds .raised Rabbinate in areas which had been acknowledged to in America were henceforth to be channeled through be in the latter's exclusive domain since that body's the Zionist movement to whom the Balfour Declaration inception. The effort to browbeat .the Chief Rabbinate had been addressed, and which had thereby become into giving a hechsher to the Shalom, and, more recent­ "representative" of World Jewry in the implementation ly, into acknowledging the legitimacy of Conservative of the Mandate. divorces, are two outstanding examples. Therefore, Dr. Weitzman informed the Rabbonim, The crisis in which the Chief Rabbinate finds itself in the event that the latter would accept his requests, was still more sharply .underscored in a recent interview he would promise an uninterrupted flow of American given to the London Jewish Chronicle (April 3, 1964) Jewish dollars to help maintain Jerusalem's religious by Rabbi Joseph B. So!oveitcbik of Boston. institutions. Otherwise, Dr.. Weitzman asserted, those Among other things, Rabbi Soloveitchik said: institutions would henceforth be viewed as "objects "One of the reasons why I did not accept the of charity" rather than as legitimate religious, social or post of Chief Rabbi-and the o:ffer was made to educational agencies. The response of the Rahbonim me several times--was that I was afraid to he an was in the negative.

APRIL 1964 - 3 Dr. Weitzman had another request. He wanted an utilize the authority of the Chief Rabbinate, to help "official Rabbinic address." Knowing as he did the gain acceptability for itself in the religious world. In opposition of the vast majority of the Rabbonim time Zionist propaganda succeeded in creating an image throughout the world, as well as in Eretz Yisroel, to of the Chief Rabbinate as that of a central World the aspirations of the Zionist Organization for hegem­ Rabbinate-a kind of, /'havdil, Jewish "Vatican." All ony over the social and cultural life of Eretz Yisroel, this was done with the express intention of offsetting as well as World Jewry, Dr. Weitzman understandably the influence of almost all the Gedolai Yisroel in the viwed it as necessary that a Zionist-controlled, or at world-including Reb Chaim Ozer and the Chofetz least influenced Rabbinate be established in Eretz Chaim '"llT, and almost all the Chassidic Rebbes Yisroel, under the aegis of a Zionist controlled Kehilla throughout Eastern Europe-who were resolutely op­ apparatus. For this purpose the Knesses Yisroel and posed to secular Zionism. a Rabbanut Harashit (a Chief Rabbinate) were to be organized; the latter to serve as the authoritative reli­ URING THE PERIOD of the Mandate, the Chief gious body of the entire Yishuv. D Rabbinate functioned more or Jess normally. But Now, the Rabbonim reacted with apprehension to­ the shadow of its dependence remained hanging. As wards the idea of a Chief Rabbinate with institutional long as the Chief Rabbinate limited its concerns to authority over all the individual Rabbonim throughout kashrus, marriage and divorce etc., the support of the the country. In Jewish history there was little pre­ Vaad Leumi (the governing body of the Knesset cedent for such a concept. But another matter made Yisroe/) was forthcoming. The moment the former the Rabbonim even more apprehensive. Would the ventured out of its prescribed confines, it was imme­ authority of the new Rabbinate extend to every phase diately made clear that the Rabbinate's proper area of the activities of the new Kehilla? Would the new of concern was Hreligion," i. e. chupos, voluntary Din country-wide Kehilla be governed by Torah law? Who Toros and the like-that "non-religious" matters were would elect the new Chief Rabbinate? outside its jurisdiction. The Rabbonim were informed that "some of the An illustration of this attitude was given-with tragic electors would be representatives of the non-religious import-by the Teheran episode. In J 944, there arrived segment of the community." The authority of the in Tehera•.i, a sizeable group of children who had been Rabbinate would be limited to "ritual" and "religious" rescued and brought out of the Nazi-occupied areas. maters. In the functioning of the Kehilla "some" areas The Youth Aliyah of the Jewish Agency was given would not be subject to Torah law. supervision over the children-most of whom came from religion>: homes. Shortly thereafter, information The great majority of the Rabbonim again said: began to arrive in Eretz Yisroel, that Madrichim from "No!'" the anti-religious Hashomer Hatzair were uprooting A minority, however, acquiesced. Some of the Rab­ the children's religiosity. The children were "worked bonim-among them individuals whose personal great­ on" to discard their tephillin, to stop praying. Reports ness was widely acknowledged-felt that by joining arrived that children were forced to eat on Yorn the new Kehilla and Rabbinate in its first stages of Kippur. development, they would succeed in placing a Torah In the name of the Chief Rabbinate, Rav Herzog imprint on the new, emergent Yishuv in Eretz Yisroel. '"llT, protested sharply, and warned that if such terror Mizrachi supported the Chief Rabbinate, which would not cease he would call upon World Jewry to hopefully was to serve as its Rabbinic authority­ boycott Zionist fund raising. When the matter became something which had proviously been lacking, since public, a storm ensued. How dare rabbis involve them­ the decisive majority of all the Rabbinates of Europe selves in such matters? A famed leader of Mizrachi were opposed to its ideology. The new institution could went so far as to warn the late Chief Rabbi, that the also possibly '.'open a wedge" into the Orthodox world. latter's persistance in his course would jeopardize his hitherto largely hostile to Zionism. re-election to his post upon the forthcoming end of Similarly did the World Zionist Organization­ his five-year term of office. though expressly secularist and oftimes anti-religious­ During the first year after the Medina was established take pride in the Chief Rabbinate. Though it is true there was a period of relative harmony-which lasted the Chief Rabbinate never identified itself with the until the Chief Rabbinate became 'troublesome." Dur­ Zionist Organization, the latter always knew how to ing those first years the Chief Rabbinate was repeatedly

4 - THE JEWISH OBSERVER cowed into silence even when there were authenticated government was again formed with Mizrachi, it was reports Of extensive antiCreJigiOUS coercion in the im­ understood that the election procedure would finally migrant camps. be expedited. Again delays. Mapai wanted to play a When the government decided to institute military leading role in the elections . . . The elections finally service for girls, the entire rabbinic world protested took place and the Mapai supported candidate lost sharply and prohibited such service. The Chief Rab­ by three votes . . . binate was not free to register its protest. The above, in brief, clarifies the reason for Agudath A time came when the government forbade the Chief Israel's not having recognized the Chief Rabbinate of Rabbinate to issue a call to Jewish parents to send Israel as the. highest Rabbinic body of the land or of their children to a religious school. Such a call Was World Jewry-despite the fact that amongst the leader­ deemed "political", and therefore was "improper for ship and .ranks of the Chief Rabbinate there were and the Rabbinate. Again the Chief Rabbinate was forced are a number of Gedolai Torah who were and are to- remain silent. respected in all circles. Several years ago, when Rabbi Nissim dared to Agudath Israel saw clearly, that this institution wonld prohibit the use of paper for the printing of sacred always be subservient, in crucial matters to outside books, which came from a mill which operated on pressures and would not be free to act purely in accord Shabbos, a storm broke. In the Knesset the I ssur was with Daas Torah. For this stand Agudath Israel was called an act of Chutzpah. an "overstepping" of the often villified and denounced. Perhaps now, that Rabbi proper bounds of Rabbinic rights. Since then, Mapai Soloveitchik has expressed similar sentiments, the has done everything in its power to make certain that Aguda's position will receive a more sympathetic hear­ the next Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi, who would succeed ing in non-Agudah circles. Rav Herzog, would be "trustworthy" and would not As for the future, whatever their views on the Chief be "tioub1esome.-" Rabbinate are, Orthodox Jews the world over, must It is for this reason that it took five years since necessarily share one hope-that the Chief Rabbinate the death of the late Chief Rabbi to elect his succes­ may never become an instrument in the hands of a sor. Mapai has been willing to allow such an election secularist Israeli government majority for the purpose only on its terms. Committee has followed committee. of forcing the Torah into a Sodomite bed of adjustment The wagon somehow did not move. After a coalition to its policies or interests.

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HE CLEAR and present dangers which threaten What has brought these forces into open conflict T to engulf Torah Yiddishkeit as we know it, have with Torah Jewry in recent years is the growing or­ lately become all too obvious to require much ganized strength of the Torah camp here and in .Bretz elaboration. The violent anti-religious tirades here and Y isroel-a strength which has all too clearly demon­ in Israel and the vicious campaign against Orthodoxy strated to the opposition that Torah Jews are not pre­ which is ,being mounted under the guise of an appeal pared to conveniently curl up and become historical for religious tolerance by the combined forces of curi@s. And as the conflict progresses and the true secularism, Reform and Conservativism, have in recent strength of Orthodoxy unfolds, we see emerging. into months, all too clearly spelled out the perils which ever sharper focus, the central position of the yeshivos lie ahead. in the life struggle for Yiddishkeit. Not so apparent, but nevertheless to be discerned Although ostensibly the Orthodox rabbinic and lay by the intelligent observer, are the underlying currents organizations are taking the forefront in the battle, one which have brought matters to their present state. Also who reads past the headlines will note that the initi­ to be noted are indications of strength and potential ative (and in many cases the actual work) for the weaknesses which must serve as guide lines in -plotting campaign has come from the yeshivos. The Roshai the future course for faithful Jewry. Yeshivas have assumed the role of generals in the new­ Running the risk of oversimplification, we might sum ly solidified Orthodox front and it was the courageous up the convictions of the opposition in the words of wotk of yeshivos students which brought at least one a well-known Yiddish-daily columnist who accused of the current issues to the fore. And Jet us face the Orthodoxy of trying to force a "static Torah on a facts-the majority of the rank and file of Orthodox dynamic society" and advised us that we must adapt balle-batim who can be counted on in the future to to the times or face extinction. For a truly under­ follow the leadership of the Gedolim are those who standing Jew, this is so much nonsense, for the Torah have been exposed to the chinuch of the yeshivos and is not static nor is society anymore "dynamic" today who retain the emunas chachomim and respect for the than it has ever been. Living and pulsating Torah has Roshai Yeshivas without which all p'sakim and issurim outlived many "dynamic" societies-none of which was are worthless. any less diametrically opposed to Torah values and In the final analysis the true strength of Orthodoxy Torah laws than our own. lies not in the fanfare and trappings commen to all American Jewish organizations~but in the number of ROM THE MOMENT TORAH was revealed to homes which are permeated with the sanctity of Torah the world on Mt. Sinai-when the Egyptian fel­ F and which are guided by the Shulchan Aruch. Each low-travelers induced Jews to make the Golden individual whose personal life is dedicated to the prin­ Calf-until the present day, people of Torah have been ciples of Torah and who establishes the miniature sanc­ faced with circumstances and movements which have tuary that is the Jewish home, has done more for the tended to drag them into the mire of materialism and survival of Orthodoxy than ten conventions and a idolatry in one form or another. hundred press releases. And these individuals will be, Present day Reform and secularism are nothing more than the modern counterparts of the Sadducees Rabbi Chain1 D. Keller is a Rosh Yeshiva at the Chicago and the Helenists. branch of the- Te/she Yeshh•a. • APRIL 1964 - 7 in the forseeable future (almost exclusively) drawn into the study of Chumash," somewhere ;;•· from the Yeshiva World. the "one who emerges to leadership" has . . •'.~st. But this new force which has begun so hopefully to To deal with all phases of the problem ~i:>~l~•ffquire appear must have leaders it can turn to for guidance more space than is available in the framewor~;of one and direction. The leaders to whom observant Jewry article. To dwell on just one aspect: Wh~r~s there has begun more and more to turn are these same Roshai is a growing attitude of respect for the Oy.fgevaksenet Yeshiva (may G-d strengthen and protect them) who Godol-the finished product-very little.cappreciation have been instrumental in the rebirth of Torah on this is shown for the fledgling-that odd fellow who re­ continent. Their word is becoming increasingly ac­ nounces all secular pursuits to devote his life to Torah cepted in the struggle against the forces which threaten study and to the cultivation of piety and .fear of G-d. the very existence of Yiddishkeit. Parents, themselves observant and G-d fearing, drag Bui a few men are nol enough lo satisfy the their sons away from the gemorah, at times by force growing demand for Torah guidance of the first to send them off to college for fear that if they continue order; and what of lhe fulure? their learning they will become pushke collectors (to The Nazi holocaust which destroyed the great use the actual words I heard from an Orthodox father) . European strongholds of Torah learning and piety, Yeshivos which encourage their students to spend their paradoxically brought some measure of comfort full time and energies in Torah study are regarded through the handful of spiritual greats who have suc­ with apprehension by parents who are afraid that their ceeded in the past twenty-five years in changing the sons will become "ruined' and will lose the desire and Jewish map of the United States. But all too soon the ability to earn a livelihood. They send them there­ have many been taken from us. European Jewry is fore to institutions whose standards of Torah and Yiras no more. We .can expect no Gedolim from Eretz Shamayim are lower, confident that their sons will not Yisroel to migrate to these shores. be "brainwashed" into wanting to '"sit and learn." Where.then, shall American Jewry look for the Torah Granted that not all yeshiva talmidim have the leadership which will be so sorely needed in the trying ability, nor indeed the desire, to devote themselves years to come? completely and unreservedly to advanced Torah studies Our Chachomim, on a similar question, expressed and to develop into luminaries in Israel. But can there themselves: C'1Zl"M 11Zll7l C"1l "the kids have become be no encouragement, no appreciation for those who goats." The tender young saplings must grow into the do have the ability and the desire? Must they be solid oaks. We must produce our own Gedolim--or squelched by over-protective parents and depriciated face the bitter alternative of groping in the dark. And by a status-conscious society? Granted that there is by Gedolim we do not mean those who occupy the a need for an intelligent and well informed Orthodox highest positions of Torah leadership. We do not laity and that successful Orthodox professionals and mean only the Roshai Yeshiva, the Geonim, the Ge­ business men raise the prestige of Torah. But have dolai H ador; for in order to produce a normal, we become blind lo the obvious: that in this highly healthy, Torah-directed society on these shores there specialized society we must have Torah specialists'! must be a broad-based pyramid of Torah leadership. Is there no room in our increasingly materialistic Every community must possess the Talmidai Cha­ scheme of things for the young American T almid chomim without whose direction Judaism and Jewish Chocham, whose prime interest is Torah? Must the affairs are bound to wander off course. From the budding Talmudist be forced to lower his eyes and ranks of the Talmidai Chachomim there emerge, those answer in an embarrassed undertone that "what he select, G-d enlightened few-the Gedolai Hador. does, is learning"? And must he receive a half­ pitying-half-questioning "oh" as a response? A long HERE WE COME TO the crux of the problem. time ago a wise man said "that which is honored is With the phenomenal growth of day-schools, cultivated." Must our would-be Gedolim be frightened mesivtas and Y eshivos Gedolos, we should feel quite off by the prospect of being regarded as social in­ secure in our contemplation of the future-and yet, congruities who can find nothing better to do than to such is not the case. In fact there is cause for great study Torah? concern. For between the Yeshiva student of today In former years, when bread was harder to come by and the Godo/ Batorah of tomorrow, there lies a great than in bountiful America, a Jewish woman would and seemingly unbridgeable gap. Whereas here in rock her son to sleep with the lullaby-wish that the America we can be proud of the "thousand who enter tiny boy would one day be a Ta/mid Chochom. Nowa-

8 -- THE JEWISH OBSERVER days the religious mother's dream is that her son should well-meaning Orthodox mother should say to me, be an Orthodox scientist or a Shomer Shabbos lawyer. "how many doctors and engineers has your Yeshi­ The old slogan "I don't want my son to be a rabbi" va produced?'' that kept the cream of our youth in the public schools, With absolutely no intention of deprecating these has now been supplemented by the "My son will never wonderful and dedicated people, can we not honestly be a Rosh Yeshiva" that drives them off, still wet ask: Is this to be the ultimate goal of the Yeshiva behind the ears to the corroding amorality and gnawing Movement-to produce doctors and engineers who un• agnosticism of the college campus. derstand a blatt Gemora! Is this to be the criterion There. they may retain their observance of mitz­ of greatness of the Kingdom of Priests and the Holy vos; they may even devote time to learning, hut Nation? Practical people that we are, let us ask our­ there is very little hope they will ever attain Torah selves: Who shall pass on the .torch of Torah to poster­ greatness; for the Talmid Cliochom is the product ity? Who shall chart the course of faithful Jewry of long years of profound and uninterrupted toil through the dark and turbulent waters of ignorance in the study of Torah. and assimilation which lie ahead? The call goes out. To look at the problem more subtly: certain basic from on high: "Whom shall I send and who shall go Jewish values are being undermined in this state of forth for us? and each respo-nds, "not I.,,-"not 1ny affairs. The z'ch us with which our fathers left Egypt son." and which has made possible the very existence of the Actually it is these very businessmen and professional Jewish people throughout the long night of Golus has people, themselves products of yeshivos, who are the been emunah and bitachon-faith in the Almighty and most insistent in their cry for true Torah leadership trust in Him under the most adverse circumstances. and who will be the first to reject anything short of But paradoxically it would seem that here, in this greatness itself in their leaders. land of plenty, these essential Jewish qualities are being Very few generations have been afforded the oppor­ discarded. Do we indeed have faith in the Almighty tunity for greatness that is ours here in America and and believe that it is He and He alone who provides yet we may be witnessing the tragic prophecy of Amos our sustenance? Or have we been so blinded by the come true. driving compulsions of gross materialism that we have "And I raised of your sous for prophets set up criteria for success and social acceptance that and or yo11r young men to ])e nazarites~ is are draining off the finest minds and the most eager this not so children of Israel, says the L-d? of the youthful talents of the Jewish people into strange But you gave your nazarftes wine to drink reservoirs? What has happened to the unswerving and you commanded the prophets saying, do trust in the Eternal that made us a nation of seers and not prophesy." prophets flying throughout the generations in the face Rashi explains the term ''nazarites" here to refer io of a 'dismal "rea1ity"? those who have withdrawn from worldly pursuits to "They have made me the guardian of the vineyards study and teach Torah to the people of Israel. But -·but my own vineyard have I not watched." (Song they gave them wine to drink which made them unfit of Songs, 1 :6). to teach. Science, literature, the professions, the world of We have set out to intoxicate our youth with tlte business and of industry have all been enriched by the wine of materialis.in and the consequences are all too choicest of Jewish brains and talents, but our own painfully evident in the ever-growing lack of Torah vineyards-the vineyard of Torah which is ours, and visionaries. ours alone, has been left unattended. There is yet hope for a great future. But American Every mo,'ement of any significance has been Jewry must do some serious soul-searching if the hope forged by dreamers and been built hy people who is to become, with G-d's help, a reality. have heen willing to overlook their personal con­ venience for the advancement of their ideals. Is it not then a sad commentary on observant Je,vry IN OUR NEXT ISSUE: that so few of such men have been found to ad­ vance our cause and -that they should he limited A plan for checking Yeshiva drop-outs on further hy the apathy and indeed the cli•parage- the pre-school and high school levels 1nent of those who should lift them on· high? Is by Rabbi Nisson Wolpin it not a sorrowfol state of affairs wl1en a typical • APRIL 1964 - 9 Joseph Friedenson The Fifth K'nessia Gedola The forthcoming World Congress in the light of the past

N THE COMING twelfth of Av, July 22, the What was it that brought these Gedolim together? Fifth K'nessis Gedola of Agudath Israel will open What motivated them to undertake what was then for 0 in Jerusalem. Since the first historic session in many a trying and arduous journey? The Chafetz Kattowitz, even the words "Knessia 6edola" alone have Chaim himself then in his eighties, spoke for all of had an electrifying effect on Torah Jews: the accom­ them when he summed up the purposes of the K'nessia plishments have been felt in every area of contemporary in this simple yet masterful manner: Torah life. Speaking to one who was present at a Around the bed of a man critically ill, stood past Knessia Gedola, certainly the First and Second, the various doctors who were attending him. Each one has the feeling that here is someone who partici­ of them took careful note of the organ or limb pated in the making of history. of the body which was his medical specialty, and The Jewish present and future can be understood proposed various theraputic measures. Suddenly only in the framework of the past, for Jewry is a time­ one of the physicians approached the patient and less nation. So too with the forthcoming K'nessia: listened to the beat of his heart. "Hold off," he We can best understand its goals and potential by said to his colleagues, "listen to his heart: the beat looking back at past K'nessios. is very weak. Let's get his heart beating normally again, and we can then turn to other matters." There have been only four K'nessios in this century, and each of them have brought in their wake major My dear brothers, the heartbeat of Klall Yisroel changes in the strength and structure of Torah Jewry. is the Holy Torah and the tempo of its beat is Each K'nessia dealt with its own unique problems, but slowing. We have come here to save the heart all had this common purpose: To strengthen Torah of the Jewish People. and Torah life; to create a collective force which alone The Jewish heart, which had for generations success­ could stand against the trials and confusions of the fully withstood adversity, was now taking severe abuse time; and above all to insure that Torah would be the from the onslaughts of the new spirit of the times. measure of all things in Jewish life. Intoxicated with freedom and emancipation, large num­ bers of Jews switched their Torah loyalty to the false­ The First K'nessia Gedola gods of secular materialism and socialism. It was this The First K'nessia Gedo!a took place in Vienna, ap­ challenge to the continuity of Jewish life that faced the propriately, in the early days of Elul, in the year 1923. K'nessia Gedolo. The gathering of the greatest Torah luminaries of the Together with the Gedolim-the K'nessia was not time was not only a testament to the importance of the a leadership gathering alone-there assembled thou­ K'nessia, it was by itself a historic event of great mo­ sands of Jews from all parts of the world who sought ment. Among those present were: the Chafetz Chaim, to pool their efforts and their love of G-d and His the Gerer Rebbe, the Chortkover Rebbe, R. Chaim Torah, to resist the blows against the centrality of Ozer Grodzenski, the Sokolover Rebbe, R. Mair Don Torah in Jewish life. Plotzky, the Lubliner Rav-R. Mair Shapiro, the The K'nessia was a study in contrasts: Present were Kishinever Rav-R. Zirelson, the Telzer Rav-R. Chassidim and Misnagdim, Polish Rebbes and Litvishe Yosef Laib Bloch, the Raisher Rav-R. Ahron Levin, Roshai Yeshiva, B'nai Torah from Lithuania, Hungary R. Moshe Mordchai Epstein of Slobodka, R. Jsar Zal­ and Roumania and professors and scholars from West­ man Meltzer of Slutsk, R. Meir Atlas of Shave!, R. ern Europe. The differences which divided many of Abron Katz of Nitra, R. Shlome Breuer of Frankfort, these Jews, often apparent even in their physical ap­ to mention only a few of the great Rabbonim and pearance, were dispelled as if by a charm, as they I Rebbes who attended. listened with baited breath to their revered teachers

10 - THE JEWISH OBSERVER studied Torah in the Agudah schools organized as a result of the spiritual impact of the K'nessia.

The heartbeat ·of Turning its eyes toward Eretz Yisroel r,nd tln need Klafl Yisroel is for building the land in the spirit of Torah, the. K'ncssia the Holy Torah . ... established the Keren Hayishuv, which was the spring­ We have come here board for the establishment of many important com­ to save the heart munal institutions in the Holy Land. of the Jewrsh people •.. .• T THE OUTSET, THE K'NESSIA was .the A object of ridicule by the opponents of Torah; Cflofefz Chaim they could not believe that a rabble of Orthodox Jews at tire Firsf · could effectively organize themselves as a force in K'nessla Gedola Jewish life. They described the K'nessia as a Shtray­ mel Congress, but the new winds which came out of and leaders. The eternity of the Jewish people which the sessions made them quickly sit up and take notice. obliterates the barriers separating past, present and Torah Jewry was suffering from a downward trend .. future, was able to make to naught, the less powerful Thousands of young people were enticed by the temp­ barriers of geographic and cultural lines of demarca­ tations of modernity and Jewish nationalism. Jewish tion. One. of the major lessons of the K"nessia, ever workers fell prey to the "pie-in-the sky" offered to more apparent today, is the ability of the Jewish people them by the socialist movement. The Torah force to set aside differences when the centrality of Torah h generated by the K'nessia began to reverse this process. upheld by all. So long as Torah unites us, nothing Young men went back to the Bais H amedrash with can divide us. their heads high, and Jewish workers, realizing that the The K'nessia did not content itself with the pageantry solution to their problems could more readily be found and color of the gathering, exciting though it is to in Torah, organized themselves in the Poalei Agudath contemplate even today. The collective force of the Israel. Gedolim and their thousands of loyal followers, forged Torah youth rallied to the Zeirei Agudath Israel the superstructure of the Agudath Israel World Move­ and Orthodox women banded together in the N'shei ment, which brought together the varied elements of and B'nos Agudath Israel. The therapy prescribed by Torah Jewry which had previously stood apart. No the Chofetz Chaim proved to be most effective; by longer would a single community have to face alone turning to Torah for solutions to Jewish problems, the the onslaughts of assimilation and "nationalization" of heartbeat of K'lal Yisroel responded to the treatment Jewry. There was created a world-wide force which and began to beat normally. would take up the struggle wherever the battle flared. The new spirit created by K'nessia, soon manifested Even those few groups in Orthodox life who chose not itself in the structure of communal life. Leadership to participate in the K'nessia benefitted by the spirit of Jewish communities in Europe was recaptured from of Torah which poured over from the gathering into the assimilated and nationalistic "Jewish" leaders. all areas of Jewish life. Orthodoxy found a voice in governmental matters by The Daf Yomi, which to this day unites Jews. sending their representatives to various parliaments in throughout the world in the study of Torah, became Europe. In Eretz Yisroel, where leadership had been a reality at this K'nessia through the initiative. of the snatched by the secular Zionists, Orthodox Jews re­ Lubliner Rav R. Mair Shapiro. The yeshivas in East­ newed the struggle for the primacy of Torah in the ern Europe which had been suffering under unbearable Holy Land. financial burdens, were placed on a firmer footing Perhaps least touched by the First K'nessia Gedola through the Keren Hatorah, another of the practical was American Jewry. Only a handful of representa­ results of the First K'nessia. tives were present, which was symptomatic of the. weak The K'nessia also concretized the.Beth Jacob move­ state of American Orthodoxy in those years. But ment whose schools for Jewish daughters become a ultimately, the influence of the K'nessia made itself mighty force in strengthening the positions of Torah felt, and gave rise to the establishment of Agudath Jewry. Hundreds of thousands of Jewish children Israel of America. t

APRIL 1964 - II This ran contrary to the interests of the Zionists who wanted to make certain that the Land would carry the stamp of their own secular ideology. The Jewish Agency rejected Agudath Israel's proposal that the Agency confine itself to colonization and economic affairs, where there would have been common ground. When the Agency chose to play a role in the cultural life of the emerging Yishuv, the inevitability of constant friction make the independent approach the only obvious way. The Second K'nessia hammered out the independent approach of Agudath Israel to work in the Land, which laid the groundwork for the now flourishing Torah R. Mair Shapiro R. Chaim Ozer Grodzenski Yishuv in Israel today.

The Second K'nessia Gedola The Third K'nessia In contrast to the first session, the Second K'nessia The delegates who journeyed to Marienbad to attend Gedola, convened in 1929, found world Orthodoxy in the Third K'nessia Gedola in Elul of 1937, represented a much stronger position. Again, the K'nessia brought a gigantic network of loyal Jews and Torah institutions. together Gedolai Torah from all parts of the world. While death had claimed the Chafetz Chaim, the Chort­ Dramatizing the importance of the K'nessia, was the kover Rebbe, the Lubliner Rav, and other Gedolim, presence of the Gaon R. Chaim Ozer Grodzenski, (their absence was keenly felt), still there was an whose poor health made it impossible for him to speak outpouring of Gedolai Torah, which was the hallmark until the final session-and then only, as he put it, to of previous K'nessios. Among those present were: the bring to the K'nessia the blessings of the Chafetz Rebbes of Ger, Alexander, Sochochov and Sokolov; Chaim. R. Elchanan Wasserman of Baranowitz; R. Menachem While the First K'nessia was in a sense a holding Zemba of Warsaw; the Raisher Rav, Harav Levin; action, preparing the defenses for Torah positions, the Harav Dushinsky of Jerusalem; Harav Zirelsohn of Sec0rtd K'nessia mounted the counter-offensive. Head­ Kishinev; Harav Sofer of Pressbourg; the Nailer Rav; ing the agenda were the problems of Torah education; the Telzer Rav and many others. obser'vance"of Shabbos; the status of Jews in the Soviet The Third K'nessia was no less festive than the Unfon; the economic hardships of Eastern Jewry and othtrs, though a shadow of fear hovered over the the dangers of anti-shechita legislation and calendar sessions. Hitler's power was growing and Jews were reform. trying to escape the powder-box of Europe, only to Delegates to the K'nessia were not always in agree­ be met by closed doors. Of necessity the K'nessia laid ment in their approach to these problems, which were more emphasis on the problems of rescue. It was at sharply debated, but when the Moetzes Gedolai Ha­ torah spoke on these matters, previous differences dissolved and the various groups closed ranks behind their Torah leaders. They willingly committed them­ selves to the Da' as Torah expounded by the Gedolai Torah.

A Torah Program for Eretz Yisroel Until the outset of the Second K'nessia, Agudath Israel still held hopes for a unified program for re­ building Eretz Yisroel. While Agudath Israel took a negative approach to Zionism from the very beginning, the movement took a positive approach to the rebuild­ ing of the land, and was ready to work with all other Jewish groups. C1ortkover Rebbe Gerer Rebbe

12 - THE1 JEWisit OnsERVER The Presidium +able at' the Third K'nessia Gedola in Marlenbad. Pictured on the right, _iii a discussion following a K•nesiicl GedolCi session, are R. Elchunan Wasserman, R. Ahron Kotler and R. Moshe Blau ""~r. this time that the groundwork was laid for the vast good deal of the strength the holeeaust had drawn h a t z a I a operation which Agudath Israel manned off. through and following the war years. The aspirations of the Fourth K'nessia were best The Agudah movements in America and in Eretz expressed by the sainted Reh Abron Kotler who by Yisroel emerged at this K'nessia as important sections virtue of his role as leader of Torah Jewry was the of the movement and the impact of this K'nessia is leading spokesman at the K'nessia. still pa~ticularly felt in those areas. On the brink of "We have come together from all parts of the the destruction of European Jewry, a program emerged world to this K'nessia in order to strengthen the too, which was to make possible the rebuilding of Faith and Torah Life on the commnnal and Torah centers after the war. personal level. The Gedolai Torah of previons generations have already delineated the nrgent The Fourth K'nessia Gedola need for Agndath Israel. (Events of) recent years, The European holecaust left Torah Jewry limp. It and particularly the estahlishment Of Medinas took. many years before the Fourth K'nessia Gedola Yisroel demonstrate how nrgently we need a could be convened, and still the scars and the empty nnion of all .Jews loyal to Torah. This K'nessia places were most evident. Many of the Gedolim who meets in a state where the theory has heen es· had graced past K'nessios, bad perished Al Kiddush poused that it is necessary to adjnst the Torah to Hashem together with their followers. The fears of the needs of the State. In other lands the position those who questioned the wisdom of convening a of those who propose that the Torah mnst he K'nessia, were, however quieted when close to 30,000 adjnsted to the new times and to the new needs Jews came to the city of Jerusalem to be counted among of men, is growing stronger. We have therefore the loyal supporters of Torah. Nevertheless, there hov­ gathered here to proclaim our Belief: The Torah ered over the K'nessia a mood of mourning as veteran i• Eternal and is a Torah of Life; the State must K'nessia participants recalled the glory that was past. how to the Torah; Jewish life, communal and THE MAJOR PRE-OCCUPATION of the Fourth K'nessia personal must adjust itself to the. Torah, and not, Gedola was the strengthening of the new concentrations Chas V'sholom, the reverse. Our purpose is to of Torah Jewry which had supplanted the European hring this recognition into the hearts and minds centers. Agudah leaders drew inspiration from the of all Jews." presence of most of the leaders of European Jewry The Fourth K'nessia did much to fulfill the spirit who had survived, for it was a manifestation of their of Reb Ahron's words, contributing to the phenomenal faith in Agudath Israel as the unifying force .in Torah growth of the Torah Yishuv in Eretz Yisroel in recent life. The Fourth K'nessia helped Aguda to recoup a years, and strengthening the positions of Torah Jewry

APRIL 1964 - 13 in the Holy Land and in the United States. While this K'nessia did not bring together all forces in Torah life, as in the past the impact of the K'nessia was felt in all areas of Torah life throughout the world. Ten years have passed since the last K'nessia Gedola, but the struggle which Reb Abron outlined as the basic challenge to Torah Jewry rages on. Whether it be the struggle by Torah Jewry in Eretz Yisroel against attempts to subvert the role of Torah, or the continued efforts by the non-Orthodox groups in this country to adjust the Torah to the times, the basic question re­ volves around the acceptance of the authority of the Gedolai Torah. While the struggle manifests itself in varying forms, the Fifth K'nessia Gedola faces the same basic problems that the previous K'nessios contended .. TORAH 15 ETERNAL" R. Ahron Kotler '"T, addressing the with, which can only be solved by mobilizing into a Fourth K'nessia. To his right, the late H. A. Goodman ·'"T 1 single force all Torah Jews. Dr. Isaac Lewin, and Moreinu Jae.ob Rosenheim.

Yaakov Jacobs Concerns of a Torahless Jewry Jews are asking the wrong questions and getting the wrong answers

OMPUTERS HAVE BEEN developed which are they know that if they have any problem with their capable of making calculations in seconds that Hebrew homework, they are not to ask us, because C would occupy the human mind for months and we don't know any Hebrew. And what is more, we even years. Nevertheless these computers have a most don't want to know any. severe limitation: If the information fed to the comput­ Three couples in a discussion group of "young er is incorrect, the results will be incorrect and the mass marrieds" say they are troubled by the fact that of wire and electronic devices will have strained in vain. because they live in almost completely Jewish neigh­ In the vast outpouring of print produced by national borhoods, their children never have the opportunity and local Jewish groups throughout the United States, to play with children from other groups. But they there appears a constant stream of articles and reports chose to move into this neighborhood and are re­ of public addresses outlining so-called problems and maining. dilemmas of Jewish life today. The recording of a A mother answering questions in a survey says problem brings in its wake proposed solutions to the she would prefer to have her grade-school child in problems. The proposed solutions are attacked as being a Boy Scout troop which includes both Jewish and inadequate and what appears to be constructive dial­ non-Jewish children. Later, in the same interview, ogue ensues. she says she would prefer it if her teen-age youngster An excellent illustration of this process is contained never dated a non-Jewish teen-ager. in an article by Manheim Shapiro, Director of Jewish A father is angry at the rabbi of his congregation Communal Affairs for tbe American Jewish Committee. because his child after returning from Sunday School The article which appeared in Council Woman, pub­ and comparing what the rabbi said "Jews do" with lished by the National Council of Jewish Women, opens what actually happens in his home, announces. "the with a barrage of problems. A young Jewish mother rabbi says we're not Jews." states: Who would not sympathize with these people and We send our children to a religious school, but their many Jewish brethern who share their confusion:

]4 - THE JEWJSH OBSERVER the parents who send their children to ''religious" school . "they've su:IJered ••• for five years" and shudder at the thought of the children actually practicing religion; the mother who wants her children While waiting in a temple parking lot to pick to mingle with non-Jewish children, but not to date up my son from the (Sunday) school from which them; the angry father who is told by his child "we're he was about to graduate, I was chatting with the not Jews." But-'-where do these dilemmas come from mother of one of his classmates. When I com· and how can they be resolved? mented about the number of events that' were . scheduled for these children, her response was, One of the eamarks of American Judaism is to turn "Well, they deserve some parties. After all they've for guidance, not to the Torah, the Prophets and the suffered through this for five years." Sages of the past, but to the sociologists and psycho­ M. Shapiro in Council Woman logists who are currently in vogue. Mr. Shapiro, in attempting to find solace for the confused parents and a solution to their problems, follows this approach in abhorence at the thought of their children intermar­ the grand style. "These dilemmas of American Jewish rying. While th~y wanted their pre-school and primary parentJ," he writes, "are the products of a social and school children to have contact with non-Jewish chil­ historical process associated with the changes produced dren, they prefered that their teen-agers have little by emancipation from the ghettoes, immigration to or no contact with non-Jewish youngsters. Most of America and adjustment to the American environ­ them said they would "disapprove their teen-agers ment." dating non-Jews regularly and would approve these No doubt, the radical changes Mr. Shapiro enumer­ youngsters never dating a non-Jew/' ates have contributed to the dilemmas of the American What happens to the sophistication of the Jewish Jewish parent, but Shapiro and most other students of parents who want their children to mix with non-Jewish Jewish life in this country are themselves confused by children (often au excuse for not sending a child to their one-dimensional approach to Jewish life. The a day-school) when the child grows up and the pos· Jewish people, many times in their history have ex­ sibility of marriage looms on the horizon. Which is perienced the process of being uprooted from their the true expression of their Jewish feelings, the desire homes and forced to resettle in unfriendly societies. that their children mix with non-Jews, or their abhor­ They have even managed to taste of freedom and rence at the thought that their children will marry emancipation and yet retain their integrity and identity non-Jews? The answer to this question will lead us as Jews. Yet, they did not face the kind of problems to a deeper understanding of the dilemmas and prob­ and dilemmas which confront the average American lems, or better, to the realization that they ate pseduo· Jew today. It is the uniqueness of these problems that problems based on false assumptions. Like the com· most Jews refuse to come to grips with, that offers a puter that will fail to give correct answers when not clue to their solution. properly programmed, these pseudo-questions can offer Making the case that most American Jews want their only pseudo-solutions. children to be Jews, Shapiro cites "the most extensive study of American Jewish education, conducted in N THE HEART OF EVERY JEW burns dos pintele 1958" which reveals that well over 80% of Jewish I Yid,. the divine spark that drives him to overcome children "receive some Jewish schooling at some time all obstacles to his Jewishness, even to the extent of during school age." "SOme" schooling at "some" time relinquishing life itself as an alternative to renouncing -here again is a key to the problem which students his faith. Why have so many American Jews (and of American Jewish life sweep under the carpet. The others) failed to overcome the obstacles of emancipation shallowness of this "Jewish schooling" and its brief and pseudo-sophistication? Perhaps here the sociolog· span-as indicated in the words "at some time"­ ists can be of some assistance, but human behavior starkly manifest the failure of parents and "educators" has not changed through the centuries, nor has the to take Jewish education seriously and to relate "Jewish validity of the insights of our Sages in this area. schooling" to Jewish living. A similar question was asked by the Rabbis. Looking In a final instance, Shapiro leads us to the water, back at the periods in Jewish history when Jews prac· but refuses to let us drink. In surveys which he has ticed idolatry they found it difficult to fathom how our conducted for the American Jewish Committee, Shapiro people could sink to such nonsensical practices. They tells us, "Jewish parents consistently expressed their concluded that the idolatry was simply a mask to cover

APRIL 1964 - 15 their inability to resist the passions of material desire cases achieved this status as a result of an inner struggle, and physical lust. followed by a rejection of the distractions which threat­ N'iM Cl"1~l7 11Jl7 N'ii TV~~ ,J l'NlV ci"i~llJ 'iMilV' rn l'll,,' ened to tear him away from Torah. Too often he (:10 r11i110) ••• ni,is cin'i ,,nn'i concludes that the struggle is over and that the rest Jews knew that idolatry had no substance; they of the way will be an easy one. Torah teaches the very practiced idolatry only for license .to immorality ... opposite, that inner struggle is an eternal process and (Sanhedrin 63b). that when one relaxes his guard, he may find himselt While the Torah made strenuous demands of them, suddenly and devastatingly defeated. the idols of stone and wood were most generous in not If we can better appreciate the problem of being a interfering with their personal lives. Yet, their failure loyal Jew from the depths of our own experience, we to overrule their passions did not entirely overwhelm will be fortified in our efforts to share our understanding ·dos pintele Yid, and so the idolatry was cast in a of the primacy of Torah with our brethren. Jewish frame. Shapiro ends bis analysis of Jewish dilemmas with Similarly, American life offers so many distractions, the words, "depth and realism will have to be sub­ so many magnetic forces tug at the soul of the Jew. stituted for surfaces and mere form," to which we add He is unable to overcome the magnitude of the pres­ that in the depths of Torah and the realism of com­ sures-but he wants to remain a Jew and abhorrs the mittment to Torah lies the resolution of all of our thought of his own flesh and blood marrying out of problems and dilemmas. his people. This makes him easy prey to the purveyors of twentieth century idolatry served up with Jewish PAID POLITICAL ADVERTISEME"T trimmings and the emotional appeal of pseduo-Judaism. In a word-the Jew ean not live without Torah; To All Registered Democrats in the when he attempts to do so all sorts of problems 19th CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT present themselves and with problems come "solu­ Make Sure to Vote On tions." But ••• the solutions won't work because they ignore the essence of the problem and there· PRIMARY DAY by create ever more insoluble problems. JUNE 2, 1964 - for The proponents of Ahavas Yisroel will protest that we can not win Jews back to Torah by preaching Cong. LEONARD FARBSTEIN at them and calling them "idolators." Was this not the method of the Prophets, who cut through the morass of deception and rationalization to tell people what they were really doing, and did the Prophets keep score of their successes as a test of the validity of their efforts? There is yet another point to be considered. The Jew who is committed to Torah and Mitzvohs in many 1-----SIFREI TORAH are urgently needed for I. new Y ishuvim in Eretz Y isroel

Requests keep pouring in from Eretz Yisroel, Over thirty years of legislative experience in Washington some telling of settlements using a Chumash and Albany for Krias Hatorah, due to the lack of a Co-author of legislation creating International Peace Sefer Torah. Corps Watchdog on Foreign Affairs Committee in protecting If rights of Americans and interests of lsrael ·against Arab you know of any Sefer Torah available for discrimination and boycotts such a holy purpose, please write or phone: Strong supporter of "Medicare" Program AGUDATH ISRAEL OF AMERICA Fighter for increased middle and low income housing Active in community and philanthropic organizations 5 Beekman Street New York City WO 4-1620 F<1rbstein for Congress Campoign Committee

16 - THE JEWISH OBSERVER The American Rabbinate - a Rebuttal to shame by the students of the local Talmud Torah In onr March issne, Rabbi Berl Wein of Chicago or day-school. Alas, no such documentation was put weighed the American Rabbinate and found it wanting. Rabbi Jacob Tranh of. the Congregation into print and we cannot but conclude that Rabbi Adas Israel in Duluth, Minuesota, here takes sharp Wein has recorded only his own opinions and sup­ issue with some of Rabbi Wein'• findings. positions. We welcome our reader\~ comments. It fa a well-known fact, and has been so for a long Rabbi· Traub, a native of New London, Con· time, that much of the talent that passes through yeshiva neticut, is a inusmach of Mesivta Torah Vodaath. portals does not pass on to the rabbinate. But this does not mean that "there is a paucity of talent" in HEN I was a child there was a popular taunt the American rabbinate. The rabbinate of today is W that was held iureserve to be hurled mercilessly deeply devoted to scholarship; as devoted as any at any one of our peers who crossed the line of generation since the emergence of an American rab­ propriety and especially annoyed or outraged us. Of binate of consequence. Perhaps the error that Rabbi course, it wasn't a very nice thing to say, but then Wein makes is in confusing scholaship with tumult. again, it was a relatively innocent jibe and a way of The rabbinate today is made up largely of men who ridding ourselves of those terrible traumas that we prize scholarship for .its own sake, and here Rabbi worry so much about. It went: As an outsider, what Wein has not scratched beyond the surface in his article. do you think of the' human race? But, remember, we . Too often, the scholarship is remarkably academic, were only children. with no attempt made to impart this wisdom to others. I had been casting ·about in my mind for the least severe thing to say about Rabbi Berel Wein's article There is no lack of erudition today in the ranks of in THE JEWISH OBSERVER (March, 1964), "The the Orthodox rabbinate, and Rabbi Wein has no American Rabbinate." After reading his piece I might justification for ·the alarming statements he makes. have been more deeply distressed about his observ­ What does not exist-and this is fodeed cause for ations, and indeed more impassioned in disagreement, alarm-is a bridge connecting the learning of the .rabbis had not the editors providentialy provided a three line and the bulk of their ·followers. There is a genuine biographical sketch introducing Rabbi Wein as a desire to delve into the meaning of Yiddishkeit, into musmach of the Chicago Yeshiva, holder of a Law the intricacies of Jewish law and lore. There exists a degree, and currently associated with Grant Industries profound and deep-rooted thirst among the Orthodox in Chicago. -and non-Orthodox as well-to drink deeply of the mysteries locked up in the rabbi's bookcase. But how Digesting that tidbit of information his article can ~oes the cat cross the water? This can only be accomp­ now be seen in a new light, as an answer to the redoing hshed by a living scholarship wherein the knowledge of that old, boyhood taunt: As an outsider, what do amassed in the yeshiva is made available to the eager you think of the American rabbinate? in a language they can understand, the vernacular, the Rabbi Wein informs us that "The rabbinate is in­ English language. fested with mediocrity,"; "Scholars do not enter the rabbinate," and "The men of sincerity and ingenuity The Shaylos and T' shuvos for example, the questions are not now entering the rabbinate, while the less and answers of a people, that uniquely rejuvenating scholarly students will become the rabbis of tomorrow." spirit of the halacha that brings each generation and Those rather harsh allegations could cause a great the Torah face-to-face with each other, need not be deal of harm and be most detrimental to the noble the sole possession of the rabbis, a mystic code devised goals many are attempting to achieve in the American to keep the uninitiated out of earshot. We must prevent Rabbinate. I searched carefully in Rabbi Wein's article the teachings of the Torah from reaching the state for evidence to support his accusations. I read on with where they can be compared to a doctor scribbling a bated breath, expecting at any moment to meet up cryptic note,only intelligible to the pharmacist, and with tales of merchants of mediocrity meting out mealy carried blandly between them. halacha to their unsuspecting followers. I expected to Eventually, perhaps, the people, from whom the encounter accounts of sham, unscholarly rabbis put shaylos emenate, will read and study the answers and

APRIL 1964 - 17 be instructed by t'shuvos in the language they. under­ Many young men with the sincerity and ability to stand. become successful rabbis (and even the desire) fear For the American rabbi to be effective, he must the effects of "out-of-town" away from the mother lode. communicate; that is axiomatic. And to communicate, They would sincerely like to utilize the talents honed especially on a scholarly level, he must be completely to so sharp an edge during the golden yeshiva years understood. for something other than hallowing the mundane, but No, Rabbi Wein, there is no Jack of scholarship. they lack the respect, not for the rabbinate, but for There is however a need for an eloquent, graceful their own ability to act upon and to influence others. approach to realistic problems, and I have faith in There is an unhealthy feeling that if one stays close the: ability of today's rabbi to solve this problem. Till to home everything will work out well, even if it is now there has been a lack of effectiveness in this area, necessary to teach in a .Conservative Talmud Torah. and that makes for a feeling of "paucity of talent" No, the gears that drive the American rabbinate of and profundity. I recall a rebbe, once telling me that today are not greased by kovod. The average rabbi I did not sufficiently understand a particular Rashbo's (if there is such a person) usually has his fill of kovod question unless I could explain it to someone else and in his home community so does not feel compromised make him understand it. Perhaps the time has come to if the entire Bais Medrash of his yeshiva does not stand put ourselves to the test. for him when he enters. He does not search for it any After discussing the unfortunate state of affairs of more than does the ben Torah use it as a yardstick in the American rabbinate of today, Rabbi Wein offers choosing a career. some suggestions for alleviating the situation. I hesitate It is this aspect of respect that must be instilled in to discuss all of his solutions, such as his proposal that the budding rabbi, the respect for himself and his the already beleagered yeshivos subsidize young rabbis, capablities, no matter how far "out-of-town" he may (it's a wonderful idea, and may the day come when it have to travel to test them. The young rabbi must becomes more feasible), but one particular suggestion make his choice along these lines for it is here that cries out for comment. the battle is fought. Without this self-respect the rabbi I cannot take seriously his proposed solution to the had better use his sincerity, ingenuity, scholarship and problem by seducing bnei Torah into the rabbinate by talents in a field other than the rabbinate. way of building up respect for the position at the It is most difficult to simulate objectivity about the yeshiva level. It is hoped, according to Rabbi Wein, American rabbinate. One cannot stand off to the side, that the /fen Torah will throw away his physics books as Rabbi Wein does, and comment that "the battle is and turn off his bunson burner when it is demonstrated going badly." The rabbinate of today is a constantly that the rabbinate is a respectable profession. It has changing, ever fluctuating battleground with unexplored been my experience that the true ben Torah respects and unknown terrain being stumbled upon daily. Of and reveres another ben Torah, be he a lawyer, engi­ course it has its problems; Rabbi Wein's mention of neer, doctor--or even a rabbi. And they realize, more­ a Jack of new recruits is one. A greater problem and over, that one cannot separate the concept of rabbi and a more dangerous state of affairs is the other side from rabbinate. The two are inextricably interwoven of the coin. Capable and devoted men are leaving the and each acts upon the other. It is not possible to rabbinate for scores of personal reasons. I leave that schizophrenically hold one in high esteem and be dis­ disturbing thought for discussion at another time. dainful of the other. The hen Torah realizes, that there exists both chaf and brilliance in the rabbinate, as in There is a Chassidic tale that relates the following: all fields of human endeavor. There is the sham and when the Satan learned that the Berdichever Rebbe the real, the sincere individual and the opportunist; was about to be born he came before G-d with the aspects deserving of respect and otherwise. But this argument that the Berdichever would tum all Jews into does not shake his confidence in the rabbinate as a tzaddikim, leaving nothing for the Satan to occupy whole. himself with. G-d told the Satan not to worry; that the What Rabbi Wein hit upon, is the problem of "lack Berdichever would become a rabbi, and have no time, of respect" and its importance in the decision made with all of his communal duties, to tum Jews into by the potential rabbi. It is not the Jack of respect for tzaddikim. the rabbinate that so often is a factor in that decision, The tale notwithstanding, and Rabbi Berel Wein but rather a lack of respect for one's own abilities and notwithstanding, Lo Almon Yisroel, Israel need not oneself. mourn.

18 - THE JEWISH OBSERVER Eliyahu Meir Bloch ;":.:r Characteristics of Torah

Translated by Nathan Bulman hearts of its students; exalts their souls, causes them ORAH! A WORD that is untranslatable into to cleave to the Creator and to Israel's saints. This any other language. A concept whose like is spirit of holiness envelopes not only those who con­ T unknown among the nations of the world. They stantly study Torah; whoever so much as enters the do not understand it, just as they do not understand Torah's dwelling-place and draws near to its atmos­ the secret of our People's existence. Nevertheless the phere, is affected by the influence of this spirit, and world does know it to be the decisive factor in the inwardly senses that he stands at .the gate of Heaven. essential characteristic of the life of the People of HERE ARE MANY who perceive some aspect of Israel. T the excellence and the preciousness of Torah, and It was not only the great of our People and its lead­ in accord with their insights they ascribe necessity and ers who understood that Torah is our very life; who significance to the study of Torah, both for our People in times of catastrophe utilized every possible means as a whole, as well as for each individual. But since to sustain Torah, in order to save Israel from destruc­ they have never experienced the taste of the study of tion i"n. Our enemies and adversaries too, have Torah and never recognized the breadth of its dimen" always understood, that Torah is the life force of the sions, they are incapable of understanding its true People of Israel, which they therefore tried to "cut off" merit even partially; for all the aspects of Torah are from us, knowing as they did that success in this effort interdependent and balance each other. could alone make it possible for them to execute their He who studies Torah for its own sake, that is, destructive designs against us 1"M. through correct understanding of its essence, achieves Despite all this, even among us, the concept, Torah, great understanding. But if he understands its treasures remains not clearly defined. only in a fragmented sense, he finds that "his hand In the Torah we discern three precious chan1cter­ had brought up nothing more than soil." A ray of istics: light which is saturated by the light of Torah, shines eternally and imparts bliss and eternal life. I. TORAH AS CULTURE: - great and endless wisdom, which gives to Man exalted insights on faith Man needs not only to study Torah. He must find in G-d; on the foundations of justice, between men himself in the world of Torah. He must breathe the and between nations; on the natural laws which are air of Torah, and must sustain the spirit of his life by inherent in Creation. It sharpens man's rational the spirit of Torah. The Torah is to be the core of faculty, and develops his power of thought. It teaches his life and every bit of knowledge he derives from it him to recognize his spiritual powers and his minutest is to be a matter on which his very life depends. sensibilities. It refines his soul through purification of It is for this reason that there is such wondrous, character. The synthesis of all these virtues leads one, glowing enthusiasm among students of Torah; that after sustained dedication in the pursuit of such a life there is so much worry and anguish in the presence of to become a person of all embracing wisdom and rich an unresolved probleln, and so much rejoicing and glee culture. when a particular problem is clarified. People stand on the sidelines and wonder; they do not know or II. TORAH AS A GUIDE FOR LIFE: - from understand why it is such a tragedy for a question to which we learn the way on which we are to go, and the remain unanswered; what great rejoicing thue is in deeds we are to carry out. For thbrough acquisition having found an answer for the question! Since they of this knowledge, long and strenuous effort is likewise do not live in the exalted world of Torah, they do not necessary; though with reference to specific matters experience the desire for Torah (Behold 1 have desired and events, it may suffice to refer questions for resolu­ Your commandments-Tehillim l19:40). They do tion by the scholar. not sense the love which students of Torah feel for its III. TORAH AS SPIRIT OF HOLINESS: - the knowledge. They fail therefore to understand the re­ Torah engenders a spirit of holiness and purily in the joicing over Torah which one feels whose entire being

APRIL 1964 - 19 is filled with Torah, and whose soul draws therefrom comes part of the human organism; until its every sustenance for life. detail becomes--a chapter and a limb of life; every Our Sages have commented on the verse. "And they question, every law-a matter on which life depends; stood at the bottom of the mountain": "We are taught the knowledge of any part of Torah-a matter of exis­ here that the Holy One, Blessed Is He, arched the tence; but at the same time, also a chapter of song­ mountain over them like a huge vessel and said to of anp:elic song, which is entwined in the human soul. them: 'If you accept the Torah-good, but if not, Were we not to have seen with our own eyes the there your grave will be found.' " ( Shabbos 88: 1 ) . sanctified dwelling places of Torah, whic!1 bear witness Not only did the People of Israel understand that the to all that was here said, the matter would be con­ Torah was important and that they needed it. Rather, sidered in our eyes as some kind of fantasy, totally they all stood "at the bottom of the mocntain," under removed from reality. But if any one doubts it, Jet the total influence of the spirit of Sinai. They no him enter a yeshiva, a place where the youths of our longer had any other feeling than that of the spirit of People, filled with life, breathe the air of Torah, and Torah. They lost all freedom of choice, because they a flow of rejoicing breaks forth from their hearts. And no longer felt the possibility of any form 1of life with­ when this flow touches a congealed soul its effect is out Torah. They felt only one of two ~ssibilities­ that of the dew of life; and the person touched thereby, either Torah or destruction. senses the Torah to be the source of the life of our Israel did not need this experience in order that they People! should not refuse to accept the Torah but rather be­ And even a Jew who has become estranged from cause the Torah cannot be accepted in any other this sonrce of life, should he search for the secret of manner. For when the Torah is accepted in any other our existence, if he but has a sensitive heart, let him manner, it cannot be enduringly possessed, sensed, and turn his glance towards the Bais Medrash. If only a understood. single fragment from this content-filled life will reach his broken soul, his question would be answered, and It is not possible to understand the Torah, and cer­ the secret of Jewish eternity would be revealed to him. tainly not to grasp the light of Torah, to extract the "wine" of Torah, if it is approached only for the acqui­ A new service from the sition of rational wisdom. Rather must the Torah be Agudist Benevolent Society studied at the bottom of the mountain, in the keen awareness that every bit of knowledge it imparts, im­ a parts life; that the slightest lack in its knowledge, diminishes life. Free Loan Fund is now available to all members of w HEN WE WONDER AND REFLECT on the Agudath Israel of America history of our people, which is written in the .. blood and fire of the souls of our martyrs and saints, For further information write or eafl: who offered their lives in behalf of our Torah, and AGUDIST BENEVOLENT SOCIETY who withstood the harshest and most terrible tests with Gemilat Chesed Fund feelings of joy, pride and strength-we perceive that 5 Beekman Street New York 38, N. Y. they drew this wondrous strength not only from the WOrth.. 4-1620 Torah's teachings and perspectives, but also from the Endowments for the FREE LOAN FUND are invited very study of Torah. It was through the study of Torah that the Divine Voice from Sinai found an echc Have you seen the interesting Orthodox in their hearts. "If yon accept the Torah good, and English-Yiddish bi-weekly published in London? if not, there your grave will be found." Either Torah SUBSCRIBE NOW TO THE or death. There is no alternative way. "JEWISH TRIBUNE" But the Torah did not only enable us to pass through news ~nd views from the world of Orthodox Jewry conflagrations of fire and rivers of blood; it gave us .. Annual Subscripfion: not only the strength to offer our throats to slaughter, $5 surfac:e mail; $8 airmail but also-Life~ Happiness and strength, pride and .. hope for good, were also found by us in the Torah! Write for free sample eopy to: It was nourishment for our spirits; Bread of G-d, which Jewish Tribune only a Jewish soul is capable of digesting until it be- 55 Amhurst Park London N. 16, England

20 - THE JEWISH OBSERVER by general historians, and offered suggestions for re­ solving the problem. However, a completely satis­ BOOK REVIEW factory solution is yet to be found. Jn response to this situation, our author's tables and GRAPHIC HISTORY OF THE JEWISH HERITAGE. charts give the traditional dates-according to the Edited by Pinchas Wollman· Tsamir, (New York Seder Olam-as well as two other sets of dates, reflect­ 1963, Shengold Publishers, $15) ing the opinions of general history and more recent UNIQUE encyclopedic presentation with illus­ revisions of these opinions. However. he is not con· trations, charts, vignettes and tables," the work sistent. as he himself point out. Some of his tables A before us sets out to trace the history of the list the tnlditional figures together with the long-ac­ Written and Oral Law in its .descent through the ages. cepted dates of general history, while others use the The present volume covers the biblical period, while revised dates in conjunction with the traditional figures. a master. chart included with it traces the outline of As a result, these tables are in glaring and unrelieved the entire gigantic undertaking to which the author conflict with .some of the rabbinic statements quoted has devoted decades of his life. by the antho1· in the biographical sections. There, for It is hard to describe the wealth of data included in example,Mordechai as well as Malachi (identified with this first volume. The books of the Tanach are outlined, Esra) are described as receiving the tradition from with their authors, listed in their proper order. Each Boruch, the disciple of Jeremiah; while the time charts of the weekly portions of the Chumash appear, and a show them as separated by several generations. synopsis is given of the main events, ideas, and laws contained in each. In the same way the contents of TURNING ASIDE FROM the difficult field of each of the Prophets and Writings is ably summarized. chronology, we find the author presenting a num­ There follow charts of the fifteen Judges and the ber of other opinions that can hardly be said to take main events of their lives; and of the Kings of Judah the Torah view. His repeated statement that the Book and Jsrael, indicating the length of their reign and the of Ruth was composed by Hezekiah and his circle prophets and high priests that lived during their rule; (rather than by Samuel) may be a mere slip; but about separate charts show the prophets (both according to the Book of Psalms he writes that the assertion of the Rashi's view and that of the Gaon of Vilna), and the Sages, "is the source for the tradition that King David high priests (with a listing of the specific duties of the himself composed the Book of Psalms . ... Apparently, priesthood). Each of these charts is followed by the Book of Psalms consists of several separate com­ biographies of the personalities who appear on the piliations ..... Undoubtedly (Psalm 72) marks the charts, complete with scriptural sources and a good conclusioi: of one collection of psalms; later another many references to Rabbinic literature. collection of psalms was discovered and added." (p. The best part of the book is devoted to genealogical 66) The author repeatedly speaks of the Book of tables tracing the generations from Adam to Moses; Psalms as "auribwed to David" and declares: "The chronological tables listing major events from Adam Sages include David among the prophets on the basis to the end of King Solomon's reign; and synchronized of the psalms and prayers ascribed to him." (chart tables from the division of King Solomon's empire un­ following p. 127) til Nehemiah. Appendices list the major prophetic He quotes Jerome's interpretation that Joash was messages and prayers recounted in the T'nach. the crowned with tefillin, (p. 111) even though this is in miracles of Elijah and Elishah, the Davidic dynasty, conflict .with, and probably based on a misunderstand­ and the queen mothers in Jewish history. ing of the Talmudic view. He states that the authors With the paucity of reference materials available to of the Book of Rings and of Chronicles differed as us, an undertaking of such scope (which incidentally to the character of King Abijah (p. 108) and points also boasts an excellent index) can be a lasting con­ out a contradiction between these two sources as to tribution. At the same time, a work of this nature Jehoiachim's age at his coronation (p. 116), even is bound to encounter colossal problems; foremost though both these points are readily explained by the among them the problem of chronology. The studies commentaries. Likewise, his view that "Daniel is not of Dr. Philip ·Biberfeld (Universal Jewish History) to be confused with the Daniel mentioned in Ezekiel" and Rabbi Simon Schwab (in the Rabbi Breuer Jubilee (p. 71) whom he considers to have been a non-Jew. Volume) have expertly analyzed the discrepancy be­ is in conflict with the Rabbinic view. · tween our traditional sources and the dates suggested "The Rabbis believed ...", "The Rabbis attributed

APRIL 1964 - 21 ..."-recurrent expressions such as these, together easily achieved. One result is that occasional state­ with the examples previously cited, create the feeling ments appear that seem to echo the misinterpretations that there is here a lack of the complete identification of non-Jewish biblical "scholarship." "Samuel ex­ with the Rabbinic interpretation that is so funda­ pressed the vie1v that ... good actions are n1ore int­ mental to us. The author, in a most praisworthy and portant than ritual worship in the service of G-d." truly encyclopedic fashion, quotes a wealth of Talmudic (p. 138); "Isaiah was the first prophet to declare that observations; but we have to digest these and make idolatry and evil would one day cease to exist, as the them our own. Quite often they appear contradictory result of a l'eformation on the part of the people'' in their appraisal of certain events or personalities­ (p. 147). this being due to the fact that their authors emphasized To sum up, the volume before us is a significant different aspects of the historical moment. It is our undertaking of broad scope and of great usefulness in task to crystallize from their utterances a cohesive and many respects. Ho\vever, it fa1ls short in its treatment authoritative picture of our past. of Jewish chonology and, beyond that, in not .following THIS IS THE ONLY VIEW of historv that is the guidance of the Torah Shebe'al Peh in the in­ possible for us-drawn from the Written Torah stances quoted. However. we trust that the volumes in the light of the Oral Torah. Somehow the author to follow, which will deal with the much less complex has fallen short of this goal, which, admittedly. is not post-biblical period, will be free of such shortcomings . • I ------I I CHOOSE-A-TOUR I Cut along dotted lines and save this handy reference I I to wldest selection of Group Flights and Tours to ISRAEL & EUROPE I GROUP FLIGHTS TO ISRAEL Group Flights with European Stopovers I Round Trip $535 N.Y. To Days in Tel Aviv - Tel Aviv Europe To N.Y. I Guaranteed Departure Oates May 9 3 in Paris June 3 I LEAVE RETURN LEAVE RETURN June 21 14 in Amster. July 28 June 27 15 Paris-Rome Aug. 25 ADr. May 21 July I 4 i 28 Aug. June 28 41 days-Spel. Aug. 23 I May June 7 July 5 Aug. 9 3 June 29 9 Rome·P1tris Aug. 25 May June July Sept. 10 14 5 3 July I 4 in Paris July 26 May 11 June July Aug. I 9 6 2 July 4 4 in Rome July 30 I May June July 7 17 21 Aug. 23 July 5 8 in Paris-Lon. Sept. I May 24 June July 8 28 Aug. 6 July 6 7 in Paris Aug. 10 May 31 July July 12 Aug. 18 I 5 July 9 14 in Rome-Paris Sept. 3 I June July July 19 Aug. 3 I 6 July 3 in Paris Aug. July 15 23 June 7 July 9 19 Aug. 23 July 19 7 in Amster. Aug. 27 June July 9 July 20 Aug. 9 I 14 Aug. I 8 in Paris-Rome Aug. 3 I June 14 July 19 July 26 Oct. I Aug. 2 9 in Rome-Paris Sept. I June 14 Aug. 26 Aug. 2 Sept. 10 I June 17 July 15 Aug. 9 Sept. 10 LEO JUNG Similarly, after a spontaneons ities only when such autonomy does • outburst of "international" Jewish This best.selling book has been out not open up floodgates of commu­ of print for several years 1nd has feeling which caused thousands of nication with the outside, capitalist just been republished. Moscow Jews to fill the streets in Contains , 24 biographies of 9reat world. Such communication is seen front of the Great Synagogue of spiritua I leaders ~f this time. -as evidenced by the utter disre­ Moscow on a recent Rosh Hasho­ 576 pages $6.00 gard of world-wide protest over the nah in a demonstration of welcome • wall dividing East from West Berlin A New American for Golda Meir, the Russian author­ -'-to imperil the entire dictatorial Jewish ities cracked down mercilessly. A Classic . control over the Russian population, . wave of Synagogue closings ensued. upon which the Soviet system stands Those who know, relate that thou­ ETHICS FROM SINAI or falls. However sensitive to world sands of Moscow Jews paid a ter­ by IRVINC M. BUNIM public opinion the Soviet authorities rible price then. The little bit of might be during the present thaw This book has been enthusiastically freedom of development for the received and is full to overflowing in the cold war, they are not about with illustrations, parables, anecdotes fledgling Moscow Yeshiva was to jeopardize their most vital in­ and aphorisms of the sages. A gem sealed off. of Jewish literature. terests for favorable publicity in the 384 pages $6.50 world capitalist press. Paradoxical • Since the last war, Jews have • though it is, for all their anti-re­ come out ... but only when there Philipp Feldheim, Inc:. ligious doctrines, the very limited was no fanfare and no publicity. The House of the Jewish Book freedom which they did give to rep­ After a period during which emigra­ 96 EAST BROADWAY resentatives of the Russian Ortho­ tion restrictions from an Eastern New York 2, N. Y. dox Church to meet with church European country were eased, the • leaders in the capitalist world, was publicity urge got the better of cer­ - 1939 - contained within a purely religious tain American Jewish organizations. TWENTY-FIVE YEARS OF SERYICE context. The extent to which the The press relelases started flowing 1964 -

APRIL 1964 - 23 under immediate surveillance, and had perpetuated. Does any one care standard of behavior. When does is in danger.... How dreadfully lo apologize? western man celebrate the Sabbath? naive is the editor of a California When - and how - does Western Anglo-American weekly-and he is Hats off •.• on? Man celebrate the New Year? not atypical-when he writes in "I am not opposed to emulating Without a humorous twinkle The an editorial that "the Rabbi of Gentiles when it will intensify re­ National Jewish Monthly of B'nai Moscow ought to resi~n in protest." ligious life. Our modern synagogues B'ritb recently published an article have organs because we learned • For Jews who search in the under the following beading: Torah for the meaning of contem­ that Gentiles got inspiring music out To wear porary events, and who are not of them and this music brings us or not blinded by false pride, the words closer to the living God. But what to wear a of our Sages on the archetypal ex­ progress does a Jew make on his YARMULKE perience of our father Jacob ought journey toward the Master of the to be recalled and re-experienced: · Survey shows Reform rabbis universe when he takes off his Jacob prepared himself for three not oppo8ed, in principle. cap?" things-for the giving of gifts, for In the survey, we thought that Several paragraphs later we are prayer and for war. Through all two paragraphs were particularly told in large bold type that: of our history these words served choice. "ONE OUT OF EVERY as a blueprint of response to the "There is, of course, the argu­ THREE REFORM R A B B l S recurrent Esaus we have faced. We ment that 'western man' removes WEAR HEAD COVERINGS AT have never relied on any one of his hat as a sign of respect. l P RA YE R REGARDLESS OF these three alone. But we have not shudder to think of the effect upon WHAT ANYONE ELSE MAY DO Quixotically waved the sword where Judaism if conformity with the eti­ AT THAT PARTICULAR SERV­ we had no sword, or waved it in quette of 'western man' became our IC~E." disregard of the other two Jewish weapons. . . . With reference to what is being done directly-a sense A Unique Experience with Chassidic Music of responsibility for Jewish lives, bids ns be silent at this time. . . . 'SONGS OF THE BOSTONER REBBE' 15 Nigunim composed by The Mission Trials Grand Rabbi MOSHE HOROWITZ The entire Israeli press reported Sung by on Erev Pesach at the conclusion of the trial against the anti-mission Rabbi AVRAHAM HOROWITZ demonstrators, that the cour! had A SUPERB RECORDING WITH CHORUS AND ORCHESTRA found conclusively that the demon­ Conducted by RAPHAEL ADLER strators had not harmed property MUSIC ARRANGED BY during the demonstrations, had not RICHARD J. NEUMANN and RAPHAEL ADLER harmed priests or nuns, had not disobeyed police orders when the Pro

24 - THE JEWISH OBSERVER In the presence of such courage he rapped his shiny new gavel and Today, "L'Affaire Jacobs" is and bravery one stands perplexed. shouted: once again in the news. The New How to respond? To remove one's ''Darn it -· . . we're trying to West End Synagogue in Bayswater cap as a mark of respect for the build a schul; why do you feJ. has decided to re-engage Dr. Jacobs new bravery of one third of the lows insist on mixing religion as their spiritual leader. As a con­ Reform rabbinate, or, should one into it . ..." stituent of the United Synagogue, rather say, to put it on? In London, England, several the Synagogue must submit to the years ago, Dr. Louis Jacobs left his Chief Rabbi for approval, the can­ "L'Affaire Jacobs" pnlpit in the New West End Syna­ didacy of a rabbi who wishes to gogue and became a tutor at Jew's serve as their spiritual leader. Rabbi HE CITY OF ST. LOUIS, College, which trains young men Brodie has vetoed this appoint­ situated on the west bank of T for the Orthodox rabbinate. Two ment. Jam es Feron, London cor­ the Mississippi River in Mis­ years ago, the post of principal at respondent of The New York Times souri, is far removed from the staid Jews College became vacant and reports the objection to Dr. Jacobs city of London, capital of the Brit­ Dr. Jacobs became a candidate for in these words: ish Empire. Yet, attitudes toward the principalship, insisting that it Dr. Jacobs, an Orthodox Jew, Torah tend to cross oceans and con­ had been promised to him. Britain's has challenged the view that the tinents and achieve a sameness, Chief Rabbi, Dr. Israel Brodie, five books were dictated by G-d which is sometimes alarming. passed over Dr. Jacobs' candidacy to Moses, that the text has been In St. Louis, a number of years on the grounds that in public dis­ presented unchanged through the ago, one of the old Orthodox con­ cussion and in his published works, ages, and that consequently all gregations took note of the exodus Dr. Jacobs had veered from the tra­ the rules of the Jewish faith can of their membership to the suburbs ditional belief in Torah MiSinai. be obtained from an infallible and decided to follow after them. Rabbi Brodie ruled that one who text. The schul building was sold and has compromised himself by ques­ He has urged that modern temporary quarters were set up in a tioning the Divine origin of even the research in the Bible, the Talmud remodeled residence. It was decided most minute aspect of Torah, is not and other classical sources of that through the interim period the eligible to serve as the head of an mechitza, separating the men from institution which trains future Or­ the women, would be done without. thodox rabbis. When the architect submitted his The furor which greeted the KEY plans for the new structure, the mat­ Chief Rabbi's firm stand, rocked ter of mechitza came to a head. A British Jewry and was widely re­ TO THE small, but vocal minority insisted ported by the British press and in BIBLE that the mechitza should be re­ newspapers throughout the world. tained. The newer members, smit­ The London Jewish Chronicle, ten with the modernity of suburbia, which had traditionally supported The Graphic: History strongly opposed the inclusion of a the unquestioned authority of the of the Jewish Herita9e mechitza on the grounds that a tra­ Chief Rabbinate, unleashed a vici­ Edited by P. Wollman-Tsamir ditional schul without separate seat­ ous attack on Rabbi Brodie and Shengold Publishers ing would attract more of the accused him of being a prisoner of A unique "visual" aid for the study younger set in. the new area. of the Biblical period - through the the extremists in British Jewry. use of eharts, tables and text. Con­ The president of the congrega­ Rabbi Brodie stood firm and there densed but thorouejh.- Ideal quick tion, who by no coincidence was the matter rested with only occa­ references for rabbi and layman. Simplifies Bible study for students. also a major contributor to the sional flare-ups, with extensive cov­ Ideal Bar Mib.vah gift. $15.00 building fund, sagely decided that erage in the Jewish Chronicle, when (special discount in quantity). a meeting of the entire membership Dr. Jacobs repeated his un-Ortho­ Wtife lor o 10-dav free trial would be called to resolve the mat­ dox views. Jecobs became the rally­ (Free literature available on request) ter. When both sides had spoken ing point for those who desired to The Graphic History their minds, a heated argument de­ undermine the discipline of British of the Jewish Heritage veloped and the flustered president Jewry and the authority of the Chief 27 WILLIAM STREET lost control of the meeting. Angrily Rabbi. New York, N. Y. 10006

APRIL 1964 - 25 Judaism has made it necessary to reinterpret this view. While The New York Times has proven itself to be less than i>t­ ~~ fallible, in this case they have World's Largest ~ Camera Store accurately reported the current views of Dr. Jacobs. This being the case, he has, of his own free will, rejected the belief which makes one a belleving Jew, and he has certainly disqualified himself from Complete Line of Cameras and Photo Supplies being the rabbi and .teacher of a 120 WALL STREET NEW YORK, N. Y. congregation of Orthodox Jews. Telephone: WH 4-0001 Yet, and here we come to the shades 6lf St. Louis, Missouri, Wholesale • Mail Order • Retail members of the congregation have Special Reductions to al/ Readers of "The Jewish Ohserver" chosen to challenge, and perhaps to defy, the ruling of the Chief Rabbi. What they are saying in essence, Good News! though no doubt in more sophisti­ Kosher-Parve cated verbiage and tone, is this: TAAM TOY We want Dr. Jacobs as our MARGARINE leader. He is a talented speaker, Unsalted, produced from 100% a most literate writer, and is PURE CORN OIL Available a.t quite effective in winning young your grocer. The Only Kosher­ Parve IOOi'o Corn-oil Marga­ people to Judaism. Why does rine produced under constant the Chief Rabbi insist on mixing supervision from the initial to the final stage of production. religion into the matter? Phone: PR 4-5100 POST SCRIPT: The New York Times of Sunday April 19, 1964, reports that the congregation has engaged Dr. Jacobs in defiance of .;:.. : .. :...: .. : .. : .. :..: .. :..: .. :..: .. :+:..e .. :+: ...... : .. : .. :+:.-++ '-• i• the Chief Rabbi's ruling. A more ~: Interment In The Holy Land :r. detailed mzalysis of this matter will HOTEL ISRAEL Woodridge, New York j; Possible Within 24 Hours appear in our next issue. * Phone WDRC 223 J. PINCUS MANDEL :1: Modern Hotel Without Comment Rooms Heated with Bath ,.,' Cemetery Consultant •,•y The Anglo-Jewish press recently Glat Kosher ~A • ?y cited remarks made by Mr. Abba Sabbath Strictly Observed :~: Representing Chevra Kadisha =£ Synagogue Haraishis ' 7'Hak1alis Perushim ~f Eban, the Deputy Prime Minister Private Lake :i: ,. .:. Ashkenazim D'Jerusalem •r. of the State of Israel at a press con­ A T y Children's Playgrouncl J. ~· ference prior to his return to Israel Open for Shevuoth Over 35 years experience in ·,· ·l·y y after a stay of several months in •• all cemetery matters. Recom- ~· the United States and Canada. Said 1''1''Vi"I l''V :l: mended by prominent Orthodox ·l: •'- Rabbis. All arran~ements per- .,. Mr. Eban: The Son9 of Son9s A ~ y •'- formed in strictly Orthodox •:• ''There is no religious coercion TRANS LA TED and EXPLAINED A y and .:. Traditions. •:• A T Y in Israel. If I cannot have butter SELECTED ESSAYS A y with my nieat dinner at a restau­ Available from the author 5: Pincus Mandel ::: rant in Israel, this is a small and RABBI W. WOLF · :l: 111 PENN STREET ::: infinitesimal sacrifice that we 4 Blauvelt Rd., ,. Monsey, N. Y. ~: Brooklyn, New York 11211 ::: can make for the unity of Is· :i; Day & Nrite Phones: UL 5-5121 ::: 167 pages / price $2.75 •• y rat-I." ._\.:.. :..: .. : .. : .. : .. : .. : .. : .. : .. : .. : .. : .. : .. : .. : .. : .. : .. :..: .. : .. : .. :..: ... ~

26 - THE JEWISH OBSERVER dressed to Prime Minister Eshkol on this matter. The American document states: "We have resolved To every family man who Lettue4. not fo rest nor to remairi silent, until the Holy Land is cleansed of has ever wondered • • , the abomination of the missions." The British document states that "British Jewry would not be able tot'e under any circumstances to make peace" with the idea of missionary activity in an independent Jewish State. Eettto't For an ordinary layman like my­ llow much self it seems that Orthodoxy in the United States and in Great Britain life insurance is "resting,; and ''making peace" wlth this shameful situation, be­ is enough? cause I have not heal"i:l of any fol, Enough life insurance de~ pends on how much monthly low-up activity since these declara­ income your family would tions of several months ago. If the need if you weren't support­ Orthodox groups are doing some­ ing them ... and how much income you want at retire­ thing to follow up such strong dec­ ment if you live. larations, then it would be the duty See me for details. of your magazine to keep us in­ formed. BENNO ZIMMET M. I. GROSS Los Angeles, Calif. SPECIAL <€j]!9 AGENT An Editorial Note New York life In the article, "The Lines Are lnsuranc:e Company 152 WEST 42nd STREET Drawn" which appeared in our ·New York 36, N. Y. Have we forgotten about March issue, reference was made to LO 4·9170 o• HY 3-1326 Missionaries in Israel? the Orthodox organizations which signed the cable to the Prime Min­ To the Editor: ister of Israel, urging legislation to ica, Union of Orthodox Jewish Con­ Bravo for keeping the issue of ban missionary activity in Israel. gregations of America, Metropolitan the missionary activity in Israel Board of Rabbis of New York, alive before the public. I dread the Several organizations called to our attention the absence of their Agudath Israel of America, Religi­ results ten years from now when ous Zionists of America, Poale the fruit of this misisonary activity names. A careful reading of the sentence woulcfmake it clear that Agudath Israel, Rabbinical Alliance begins to spread over Jewish com­ of America, National Council of only a sampling of names were munities throughout the world, and Young Israel. will begin to infect innocent Jewish listed. Nevertheless, so that the record may be clear, we herewith minds. However, although you as Praise ... and Censure a magazine are doing a good job, list each signator to the historic I sometimes wonder whether Or­ statement in the order in which To the Editor: thodoxy as such is doing all that it they appear following the text of Congratulations to Yaakov Ja­ should. In your last issue (March, the cable. cobs for exposing the Jewish Tele­ 1964) you quote various docu· Agudas Harabbonim, Agudas graphic Agency .... ments signed by all Orthodox Ha'admorim, Hisachdus Harab­ However, Rabbi Jacobs' final groups and religious leaders, ad- bonim, Rabbinical Council of Amer- paragraph where he meekly threat-

APRIL 1964 - 27 ens that unless the JTA reforms, matters vis-a-vis the non-Jewish of the prophets of Baal and can "an angry Orthodoxy will muster its community." lead only to the destruction of all own resources" and establish a Furthermore, now that all Re­ that is meaningful in our lives--our news agency that will present an form and Conservative rabbinic and Jewishness. In the learning of our accurate news picture, weakens the synagogue groups joined in the children is our redemption - our effect of the entire article. "seven organization" declaration en­ whole salvation. It seems to me that when the couraging missionary activity, and As a former Catholic whose Orthodox Jew is being maligned even stoopped to mesirah (as your familiarity and study of the Torah and bloodied, when the concept of lead article The Lines Are Drawn was achieved in Jerome's Vulgate "a nation by virtue of its Torah" relates)-there can no longer be Latin, I cannot overstress the neces­ is supplanted by a mythical nation­ any thought of continued Orthodox sity of learning the Hebrew text. alism which supercedes Torah . . . participation with those elements (English translations are almost as an Orthodox news agency is an who are destroying Yiddishkeit in evil as the first Greek translations imperative. the name of Judaism. which rightly are mourned on Every Orthodox organization be HERMAN ADLER ~·' it lay or rabbinic must contribute Brooklyn, N. Y. a portion of its public relations budget toward the establishment Former Catholic and maintenance of an Orthodox news agency so that the record can Likes Observer be set straight as to what is a Jew, To the Editor: who are his leaders and what is be­ I hope it is not too late to take ing done to perpetuate Judaism in advantage of your charter subscrip­ its traditional form. tion price. Someone kindly sent me AVRAHAM Y. GREENHAUS the first five issues of THE JEWISH Brooklyn, N. Y. OBSERVER and to say that I am im­ * • * pressed is an understatement. To the Editor: Please begin my subscription with The dialogue in your last issue the March-Nisan issue - I don't (March, 1964) between Rabbi want to miss a word. Bulman and Rabbi Kaplan of Col­ In your magazine I have heard chester on "Separatism" is a master­ again the voice of truth that com­ II Only piece and should be reprinted and manded me to come and bring my I widely distributed in a special four children to stand at Sinai and I $89.50 pamphlet. accept the Torah. There are now I Value s55oo Many rabbis and laymen who two more entrusted by the Al­ Impeccably Tailored still advocate a continuation of Or­ mighty to my care. Oh, if I could Fine Hand Detail thodox participation in the Syna­ only write everything which is in gogue Council of America and the my heart (but if I did, I could never No Charge for

New York Board of Rabbis are get ready for Pesach) . Please keep 111. CUSTOM ALTERATIONS simply unaware of the true nature crying in the wilderness of Golus PARKING - SHATNES TEST of these organizations, and cannot for the necessity of Torah-true edu­ 1 understand why the Roshai Y eshi­ cation-so that none may ever be 11 llEN'S t.ND BOY'S SUITS COATa. vos issued such an emphatic ban persuaded to forsake this pure goal against these "mixed-groups." Rabbi for our children for the so-called I ':CHATHAM Bulman's reply gives a logical ex­ "necessities" of American life. . 'CLOTHES planation of the true nature of My three eldest are in day-schools I these "mixed-groups" and repre­ and who can understand what this I 52 EAST BROADWAY N.Y.C •. CA 6·4055 sents a devastating refutation of all means until they have almost lost . CLOSE? SHABOS OPEN SUNDAY ' claims that the Synagogue Council it? The so-plausible arguments I ~,, FREE PARKING against the day-schools are insidi­ FREE SHATNES TEST J and the New York Board of Rabbis . MUllRAY wt:RIER SOL DEUTSCH . ous ... but they are the arguments I limit their activities to "external b=.~=c=.==c=~=.c--. t

28 - THE JEWISH OBSERVER were only the Hebrew text given unless we accept it and live it­ dath Israel of America as a public on Sinai-it would have remained and we cannot live it unless we service. With over two decades of experience in Orthodox camping, a purely Jewish tradition because learn it-not once or twice a week but every moment-when we lie they have accomplished wonders for the Christian interpretations do not children from the ages of six to four­ exist in the original. In my own down, even to dream of it-when teen during the crucial summer va­ study of Hebrew I discovered this we rise up, to stand for it, in our cation months. and there remained no alternative hearts and before the whole world. A highly trained and experienced to acceptance of the true Torah SARAH ROSENZWEIG staff of counselors will conduct the given to Moshe. Chicago, Ill. unique program of the camps. Due My road to Sinia has not been to the fact that the campers hail easy. I feel that only the miraculous AGUDAH CAMP from every part of the United States, REGISTRATION on the recommendation of local rab­ intervention of a Mighty Hand from bis and educators, only a limited Heaven has made it possible. But The eight-week season of Camp number of vacancies are still open. most of the anguish and sorrow Agudah, for boys, and Camp Bnos, Registration is taking place daily at which I have experienced has been for girls, will open on Wednesday, the city office of the camps at 5 due to my failure to live up to that July !st. A broad renovation and Beekman Street, New York City. A commitment made on Yorn Kippur expansion program is already in full free illustrated brochure is available afternoon, 5721, and ratified before swing at both camps in preparation on request. for the opening of the new season, the Bais Din after Pesach of the which will be divided into two trips same year. And I believe that my of four weeks each. failures are the result of lack of in­ Camp Agudah, located in Fern­ 12 VARIETIES OF tensity in my studies which I dale, New York, and Camp Bnos - hope to continue to remedy. in Liberty, New York - are non­ The Torah remains in heaven profit projects sponsored by Agu- KOSHER FROZEN

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APRIL l 964 - 29 42nd Anniversary Dinner Calls for Torah Mobilization

TELZER ROSH YESHIVA HONORED: Harov Chaim Mordecai Katz, Rosh Yeshiva of +he Telshe Yeshiva in Wickliffe, addressing the 42nd Anniversary Dinner of Agudath Israel of America. Seated to his right are Rabbi Yaakov Ruderman, Rabbi Moshe Feinstein, Bostoner Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Porush and Rabbi Moshe Sherer. On the right, Rabbi Yaakov Kaminetsky.

An overflow audience at the 42nd ner, which was marked by its enthu­ Sherer, Executive Vice-President of Annual Dinner of Agudath Israel siasm and warm Agudist spirit. the organization, reported on the of America heard an impassioned Harav Moshe Horowitz, Bostoner marked progress made by Agudath plea to American Orthodoxy to mo­ Rebbe, a Presidium member and Israel during the past year in all bilize all its resources for a strong Chairman of the Executive of Agu­ its local and international activities. counter-offensive against the anti­ dath Israel, extended greetings in A fitting musical program was re!igious forces which have recently behalf of the American Agudath rendered by Cantor David Werdyger united in unprecedented fashion. Israel organization. Rabbi Moshe of "Gerer records" fame. This plea was the central theme of the various addresses heard at the K'NESSIA REGISTRATION special offer is limited to those who event, whose speakers declared that Registration for the 5th Knessiah register without dela.v. the leaders of Agudath Israel long Gedolah, the International Congress At the same time, an intensive na­ ago foresaw these developments and of Orthodox Jewry sponsored by tional campaign has been launched worked for five decades towards the Agudath Israel World Organi­ to sell the Sela, a one dollar ticket uniting Torah Jews from every part zation, has already begun and is symbolizing the identification of the of the world for this all-out struggle. proceeding at a rapid pace. Fifteen purchaser with the Torah ideals of The dinner, which took place on low-priced official Knessiah Gedolah the Knessiah Gedolah. Purchasers of the Sela are antomatically privi­ March 15th in the grand ballroom group flights have been organized of the Hotel New Yorker, honored for this historic gathering, providing leged to a chance for a free round­ the world-renowned Rosh Yeshiva a wide selection of arrival and de­ trip bonus flight to Eretz Yisroel of Telshe, Harav Chaim Mordechai parture dates. with one of the Knegsiah Gedolah groups. (See Back Cover) Katz, for his pioneering Torah work. The Knessiah Gedolah will open Harav Yaakov Kaminetzky, Rosh in Jerusalem on Wednesday, July PHONES: 3U~~~3 '--~·~./ Yeshiva of Torah Vodaath extended 22nd. and will last for ten days, It ""'Ml""O ~--..;I~ r.:J; CUTT KO~HElt greetings in behalf of all the Roshai will be attended by Torah-Jews from -:{iii.*'~- Yeshivos present. The distinguished every part of the globe, including roster of Roshai Yeshivos who par­ the foremost Torah-authorities of l\C ticipated included H arav Moshe this generation. t od ,.·~ Feinstein of Tifereth Jerusalem, Those who register for the official Harav Yaakov I. Ruderman of Ner t\.NEW JERSEY enjoy a variety of special benefits, The Ultimate in Clatt Kotler of Beth Medrosh Govoha, including the chance for two free KOSHER CUISINE Lakewood. H arav Boruch Sorotz­ round-trip bonuses, free admission kin, Rosh Yeshiva at Telshe, headed cards to the Knessiah Gedolah, low­ • Facilities for Indoor a delegation from Cleveland. Swmming & lee Skating cost housing in Jerusalem, free a Catering to Bar Mitzvahs William K. Friedman, prominent housing for Y cshiva students, a free and Conventions Agudah activitist, chaired the Din- tour of holy places, and more. This OPEN FOR SHAYUOTH

30 - THE JEWISH OBSERVER DDDDDDDDDL:IOL:IDDDDDDtl.DDDDODDDDDD

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