{;;~,g~~:{i~~
,;'t,I,'lramn1uz.Av 5757 •Summer 1997 .~~~~~l~oreign $4.50 •VOL XXX/NO. 5-6 ~!~\:,\ff P, -f{
\·:'.!·:n>y ..7 's!ft!~, as,k~tfon ofcomments by Rabbi iy;r~'f'1'.'?.IJ."'!t Pqm,!Rabbi Elya Svei, Rabbi V'/;'!."fW.P: PCf"knv (Novominsker Rebbe) and ?•·~bi !flllkOP Weinberg H~. was well as · •'!r.i.lffdotesfrom the lives of!Rabbi TMkov ·· ~J!'!'}er.i.~f.zky and Rabbi Shimon Schwab ~~=
IMPBtI B[YONO DUH tOMMUHllY RABBI.LEVI YITZCHOK HOROWITZ RABBI YlSROEL MILLER DR. AARON TwERSKI
lBOKmG INWRHO 10 sumrn .RABBI NOACH ORLOWEK RABBI Nos.ION SCHERMAN Vl&mHi Of RGUOHTH ISRmi rnml RABBI SHMUEL BWOM RABBI JOSEPH ELIAS CHAIM Dovm ZWIEBEL ?~iu~~iu 1~ ~fi~l~~i;im~ 'N\1~ ouor ihe Second ~ressyo~ jlnnualfisifa Jlakaras]Iato~! Wed. eve -.ftugust 27th/24,fi" and best wishe~ yeshiva fuibbi Chaim 1lerlin 1605 Coney Island.fi~e. • cflklyn. to your
Rav Kehilas Tshechned1ov ~ Ramot to Arms Rosli Yrsliivas ChHg Cftasain SojCr ·se~"nefor·l1blat 63 or, today at . 718·258· 7760 PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT COMMERCIAL QUALITY • INSTITUTIONAL & RESIDENTIAL
•WOOD • STEEL • PLASTIC • SWINGS • SLIDES • PICNIC TABLES • SCHOOL & CAMP EQUIPMENT • BASKETBALL SYSTEMS • RUBBER FLOORING • ETC.
• Equipment meets or exceeds all ASTM and CPSC safety guidelines CURRENT INSTAL.l..ATIONS • Site planning and design services CAMP MUNK - Ferndale with state-of-the-art Auto CAD HEBREW ACADEMY FOR SPECIAL CHILDREN - Canarsie • Stainless steel fabrication for HEBREW ACADEMY OF NASSAU COUNTY - Uniondale ultimate rust resistance MOUNT SINAI HOSPITAL - NYC WALTON HS - Bronx • MAXWELL HS - Greenpoint CAMP BAIS YITZCHOK - Woodridge SKOPPS COLONY - Woodridge NYACK COMM. HOUSING - Nyack CLEARWATER ESTATES - Hur/eyvif/e
better 5302 New Utrecht Avenue • Brooklyn, NY 11219 health Phone: 718-436-480 l
Tammuz-Av 5757 • Summer 1997 U.S.A.$3.50/Foreign $4.50 •VOL XXX/NO. 5
THE JEWISH OBSERVER (ISSN) 0021~6615 is published monthly except July and August by the Agudath Israel of America, 84 William Street, New York, N.Y. 10038. Second class postage paid in New York, N.Y. Subscription $24.00 per year; two years, $44.00; three yeais, $60.00. OU!side of !tie United Slates (US funds drawn on a US bank only) $12.00surcharge per year. Single copy $3.50; foreign $4.50. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: The Jewish Observe<, 84 Wlliam Street, N.Y., NY 10038. Tel:212-797-9000, Fax: 6 212-269-2843. The Crisis is Now - II Printed in the U.S.A. Rabbi Aaron Brafman
RABBI NISSON WOLPIN, EDITOR
EDITORIAL BOARD 10 DR. ERNST L. BODENHEIMER Of Integrity and Kiddush Sheim Shamayim Chalfman a selection of comments by Rabbi Avrohom Pam, Rabbi Elya Svei, Rabbi Yaakov Perlow RABBI JOSEPH ELIAS (Novominsker Rebbe) and Rabbi Yaakov Weinberg w""'1!>, as well as anecdotes from the JOSEPH FRIEDENSON RABBI NOSSON SCHERMAN lives of Rabbi Yaakov Kamenetzky and Rabbi Shimon Schwab ;i:n:i?cn-01, culled from the pages ofThe Jewish Observer MANAGEMENT BOARD AVIFISHOF NAFTOLI HIRSCH ISAAC KIRZNER 23 RABBI SHLOMO LESIN It Happened on Shavuos, REPORT FROM THE KOSEL NACHUM STEIN Yonason Rosenblum RABBI YOSEF C. GOLDING Buslnesti Manager 16 Published by BOOKS IN REVIEW Agudath Israel of America RABBI MOSHE SHERER YosHEIV OHEL PRESIDENT reviewed by Rabbi Eliyahu Glucksman
U.S. TRADE DISTRIBUTOR ISRAELI DISTRIBUTOR Feldhelm Publishers Netbemia Rosenberg 200 Airport Executive Park Kiryat Telshe Stone, 108A 27 Spring Valley, N.Y. 10977 D.N. Harei Yehuda, ISRAEL POSTSCRIPT
tUROPEAN REPRESENTATIVE AUSffiALIAN DISTRIBUTOR Toras Emes and the Nine Days' Siyum:AnotherView M.T. Bibelman Gold's Book & Gift Co. Rabbi Yisroel Reisman Grosvenor Works 36 William Street Mount Pleasant Hill Balaclava 3183, Vic., London ES 9NE, ENGLAND AUSTRALIA 28 THE JEWISH OBSERVER does not LETTERS TO THE EDITOR assume responsibility for the Kashrus of any product, publication, or service advertised in its pages JI ©Copyright 1997 IN A SEPARATE SECTION: 75th Anniversary of the Founding of Agudath Israel of America - JUNE 1997 VOLUME XXX/NO. 5·6 A Symposium on the Priorities For Years Ahead Rabbi Aaron Brafinan The Crisis is Now II
I. THE SPATE OF SUFFERING will only result in an he pointed to Shmiras Shabbos and increase in their suffering." adherence to family laws, which he here isn't a frum community in We are not Nevi'im found suffering neglect, as need our metropolitan area that is not ba'alei ru'ach hakodesh ing attention. His call for intro- Treeling from tragic deaths of (prophets or spection aimed at self-improve young and middle-aged people, which spiritual men t is no less relevant are occurring with terrible frequency. visionar today.... Ultimately, of course, The Tehillim and "Mi sheberach"lists for ies) to we submit to the will of cholim just keep on getting longer and know for Hashem, knowing that there longer, with the numbers of seriously ill sure why is a just reason for all that frumme Yidden far out of proportion to certain things Hashem does - a reason the general population. The story has occur. We also that we cannot fathom. circulated several times that a health care have no right I once heard from an worker in one of the major New York to tell anyone old Chassidic Jew that hospitals said, "G-d must be angry at who is in pain the Kotzker Rebbe was your people because so many of you are that he is suffer once asked Why? in a sick." ing for his own tragic situation, to Part of our mesora and emuna as sins (based on the which he respond- Torah Jews is based on hundreds of Gemora in Perek ed: "Shain volt der sources, starting in the Torah when Hazahav and based Ribbono Shel Yosef's brothers exclaimed "Ma zos assa on recent writings Olam oisgekukt Elokim lanu! - What is this that G-d and discussions I've ven Ich Menachem has done to us!'; through the pages of had with Gedolei Yis Mendel ken Im Nach and Talmud, as well as in all Sifrei roe[). In fact, the possi farshtein!" (Loosely trans Mussar and Chassidus, that nothing that bility is there that a lated: "How would G-d look if I, Men happens to us is mere coincidence or the righteous person suffers as achem Mendel, could understand His results of natural forces at work. a means of kappora (atonement) for the ways!") It is therefore incumbent upon us to entire community. Nevertheless, we as a tzibbur must discover why the Middas Hadin - the There are many other possibilities of respond to all of the tragedies we expe Divine attribute of justice - is so strong. why different people suffer and this is rience, so they can serve as a wake-up The Rambam at the very beginning dealt with in numerous sefarim. The call to spur us to teshuva. This is always of Hilchos Ta'anis states that the Chofetz Chaim, for example, has writ painful, because it necessitates a truth response to tragedy, as well as to all types ten a number of letters and published ful, critical self-analysis. It is a call to cor of tzaros, is teshuva and tefilla (repen more than one Kol Koreh (public procla rect our behavior even if it cannot be tance and prayer) - which includes mation) that takes note of tra&ic occur directly linked to specific instances of fasting. This will cause the suffering or rences and natural catastrophes, such as suffering and loss. difficulty to be alleviated. The Rambam devastating floods, earthquakes and We must also differentiate between then goes on to say, "And if they will not pogroms. (See Published Writings of the battling for the authenticity of Torah, cry out [in teshuva] and merely say, it Chafetz Chaim, Letters 10, 11, 12 and which necessitates our focusing on the is just a normal occurrence or happen 40.) While he clearly declares that it is deviationist behavior of others (i.e. Con stance, such a reaction is the way of cru beyond us to determine why G-d has servative and Reform), and teshuva, elty, and will only cause them [the peo brought such calamities on mankind, he which requires us to focus inwardly. (See ple J to continue in their evil ways, which also reads these events as unmistaken sidebar.) calls for teshuva. Rather than seek some --·------·-· ------·------Rabbi Brafman is menahel of Yeshiva Derech direct linkage between sin and punish As a tzibbur - as a united, cohesive Ayson of Far Rockaway. The author expresses ment, he calls for people to examine community- we must examine our sit appreciation to Rabbi Shmuel Kamenetzky N~, Rosh Hayeshiva of the Yeshiva of Philadel their private and communal affairs for uation and seek to correct what may be phia, for reviewing this article and making some areas that need correction. In his time, our flaws at this juncture. We live at a
6 The Jewish Observer, Summer 1997 time, on the one hand, of unprecedented Losachmod-Do not be envious (as the Sh()rtly after tile bf oodyriots of Torah learning, certainly in the numbers. Gra in Evven Shlomo: 3, says: "Kol 5689 (I 929), the torwefs~tron at a of people learning full time, the num ha'aveiros vechata'im ba'im mechemmed gathering i~. Reb [YosefJ Chaim ber of baalei battim learning, and the -kemo she'amru 'Lo sachmod' kolel kol {Sonnenfeld]'s home tul')'led to the breadth of the Torah being studied. The ha'aveiros v'chol haTorah; v'histapkus, question of why (;.cf had brought meticulous observance of mitzvas is shehu hahefech, hu yesod shel kol this tragedy upon the land. One of much greater than ever in recent times. ha Torah . ... All sins and transgressions those. pr.esent offe~ed his opinion There is an amazing amount of chessed stem from envy- as they said, 'Do not that it. was in punishment for the being done, both individually and covet' includes all transgressions and the socx¢r games that were being held through·communal organizations such entire Torah. [By contrast,) content on $habbos. Reb Chaim stood up as Hatzola, bikkur cholim groups and ment, which is the polar opposite of an.d protested vigorously. "I do not Tomchei Shabbos. envy, is the founqation of Torah [life J ." share your opinion;' he s~id. "The On the other hand, aside from the The Gemora in Taanis I 2b teaches majority ofthese .people were tragedies befalling our communities, (and the Ram barn codifies this opinion drafted i.nto the Russian.army dur there is a growing spate of headlines that as halacha) regarding the order of a fast ing the [First] World War. where are being mechallel Shem Shamayim; day: "From early in the morning until they . were. forced to eat non though these incidents are painful, noon we analyze the activities of the kosher food and .violate the. Shaf>. they can no longer be ignored. The cri city;' which Rashi explains: "We thor bos and other laws, as well. \IVhen sis of the frum family, also, is no longer oughly examine the activities of the city they were released from the army, a minor problem. Neither is its spinoff, to see if th ere is any gezel or chamas many returned home .and saw their the growing teenage dropout rate from going on:' This was the duty of the parents and. famiUes massacred ·jn yeshivas. community leaders on a day of fasting pogroms. Do you .really. think the sin. and teshuva. of people Who abandoned Torah II. A PATTERN NOTED IN THE PAST While striving to live in material under sµch condition" is so hel!'i)' excess was always a problem - the that G-d would punish the. entire n a 1982 article for The Jewish Chovas Halevavos writes in Sha' ar nation because of them! lfanyone's Observer entitled The Crisis Is Now, Hap'rishus- G-d exhorts us to live in sins are to blame for this tragedy I I voiced some of the potential dan modesty and refrain from excess. His perhaps It ls ours. We were fortu· gers developing, which unfortunately description of the self-destruction that nate enough to live here in have now proven to become part of our comes from the pursuit of luxury and Jerusalem~ a plate where no one reality. The analysis in that article was wealth, reads as ifhe were reporting the was.fon:edto violate the ways of the based on the Meshech Chochma's com contemporary scene. He then says in Torah, where we were spared the mentary in Parshas Bechukosi. There, the Chapter II: "And because this yeitzer sight of families .being murdered, Ohr Somayach analyzes an underlying (drive) has infected a majority of the where we were constantly in the sociological pattern and process of Torah people, we must stand up against presence of great talmidei change in our long history. He describes it with a special emphasis on p'rishus diacham.im. from whom we• could the continuous cycle of expulsion, to abstinence - until we bring the people learn. Having been granted all this, resettlement and rebuilding, to decline back to the proper path [of modesty J ." we.are much m.ore to blame. Per and to expulsion again. He offers an This was written by the Chovas Hal haps. that is what G·d .is .tailing us explanation for the spiritual, psycho evavos in 11th century Spain. to account for:' logical and social reasons in this cycle. Today, the situation is much more FROM GrJAflDWI "!"JERl)SALEM, l3Y He points out how precisely at the apex complex and difficult, because the abil '.RAflBt SHI.OMO. ZilLMAN SoNNENFELb of cycle, when Yiddishkeit is thriving, ity to achieve wealth is available to all. AND RABBI HILLEL DANZIGER, danger and decline set in. It is part of the American dream. It is MtSCROLL HrSTORY .SERIES, ro. 198. What might the sin of our day be? the thrust of all the messages emanat What could be the underlying cause of ing from Madison Avenue: To arouse businessman or any of the battei din, our suffering? And more, is there any within you a desire to possess what you and I guarantee that you will be thing that can be done to remedy the sit neither have nor need. This pressure has astounded by their response. Can we just uation? trapped a great part of our tzibbur, caus shrug our shoulders and go on? I submit that the new sins to be con ing some to stoop to geneiva. Rashi at the beginning of Noach cerned about are those of geneiva and I'm not referring to the stories that quotes the Ghazal: "Lo nechtam gezar gezeila (thievery and robbery) - dis make the headlines, but to the increas dinam ella al hagezel - The decree of honesty in monetary dealings. And the ing number of white collar crimes that the Flood was sealed because of thiev underlying cause is that we transgress are too embarrassing to describe in a ery." Whatever explanation one gives one of the Asseres Hadibros - that of public forum. Ask any doctor, retailer, (and there are many), the fact remains
The Jewish Observer, Summer 1997 7 fact - gezel is a very serious transgres learned and somewhat G-d-fearing affairs. sion. people are simply not as careful as they Choshen Mishpat, which is usually The Gemora (Baba Basra 88b and should be with regard to the issurim relegated to the province of dayanim or Yevamos 21 a) says: "Kasheh onshan sh el of gezeila, even though Yim Kippur or used as a springboard for studying Ket middos yoseir me' onshan shel arayos - even death cannot bring forgiveness to zos and Nesivos (two classical lomdishe The punishment for dishonest weights the perpetrator [-one needs the for sefarim studied in yeshivas), has to be and measures is more severe than for giveness of the injured party]:' brought into our everyday world. immoral conduct:' The using of false Reb Yisroel was decrying this ten Just as many of the recent sefarim and measures is also a cause foi the rise of dency at a time when perhaps one could books written on a variety of halachic Amaleik, the arch-enemy of the Jewish justify the lack of concern over fiscal subjects have brought new knowledge People, Rashi points out in Parshas Ki honesty because Jews were living inter to a wide variety of people, we need Seitzei. rible conditions. In Russia, Poland- in young talmidei chachamim to publish on This too is not a new phenomenon. most of Eastern Europe, for that mat Choshen Mishpat. More public shiurim Rabbi Yisroel Salanter in his seminal ter - poverty was rampant, the gov should be given on this subject matter. lggeres Hamussar (Letter on Ethics) ernments were extremely oppressive to Just as the campaign to increase writes, Jews, and there was very little opportu awareness of the issue of lashon hara has "In our communities, thank G-d, nity to earn an honest living. created a sensitivity and concern for the the issurim of Kashrus are deeply This cannot be said today. In this topic among masses of Yidden, perhaps embedded in the Jewish soul, to such country, which has given us all the a campaign about this as well should be an extent that it is not even a struggle avenues of opportunity, the rational launched. to stay away from prohibited foods. It izations do not hold water! would not even enter anyone's mind In the Ways of the Chofetz Chaim not to ask a shei'ela of his Rav if he lll. WHAT CAN BE DONE! were concerned about the slightest here are dozens of stories about question of treifos. eb Yisroel in his letter suggests an the Chafetz Chaim and his exem "Tragically, however, when it comes answer that should be of help to Tplary concern about other peo to business and monetary dealings, the Rus as well, in at least working on ple's money. There are several stories of opposite is true. Most people seem so curing the symptoms. Reh Yisroel sug his scrupulousness, when traveling, to beset with desire for money, that they gests the in-depth studying of Choshen pay duty on his packages, rather than seem indifferent to the issurof gezeila Mishpat - that section of Shulchan avoid paying such taxes to the govern or any of the other transgressions Aruch that deals with laws of business ment. Or buying stamps and ripping relating to money.... and other financial issues, This will slow them up when he would send his pack "But in the Torah's view, they are ly have an impact on people, and ages with someone rather than the gov all the san\e. [He proceeds to demon heighten their awareness and sensitivi ernment mail service. His son, Reb Leib, strate with several examples.] Even ty to sins connected with monetary writes (quoted in the biography about his father, and in the Chafetz Chaim on Chumash) of the many· hours the Chafetz Chaim, who never wasted a minute, spent looking over the pages of If3raphkt:xnreu his sefarim to ascertain that there were I no errors, which would result in defrauding the buyers. GRAPHICS AND TEXT English CoMPOsmDN AND PRODUCTION When Reb Leib had moved to War Hebrew saw, the Chofetz Chaim entrusted him Russian CAMERA-READY COPY with the assignment of looking over a Yiddish * * * SMALLER JOBS CAN BE PRINTED ON-SITE certain volume ofthe Mishna Berurah that was on press. Several weeks later, Invitations • Announcements • Awards the Chofetz Chaim received a letter of Manuscript Preparation: English • Hebrew • Russian complaint stating that the correspon Flyers • Posters • Handbills dent had received a sefer with mis Newsletters • Bulletins • Educational printed pages. The Chofetz Chaim Articles and Technical Writing • Editorial Assistance wrote to his son, "What did you do to me, my son! All my life I've worried I 718-438-8273 (Mornings)• E-mail: [email protected] about how to avoid avak gezel (a Rab ,, binic or minor form of the transgres-
8 The Jewish Observer, Summer 1997 sion). It never entered my 1nind that I or managing with less. The stature and II would be ensnared, as I now was, in spirit of the Orthodox community had actual gezel." to be lifted and raised. Now that we have, t is incumbent upon us He instructed his son to have the Baruch Hashem, created communities pages reprinted and to place ads in the where the norm is an upper-middle Ito discover why the papers informing any customers that class lifestyle - perhaps the time has they can get replacements of the mis come to say "Enough!" If we do not Middas Hadin - the printed pages. arrest the pursuit of materialism, it Divine attr'1bute of justice There was a time when he had might 1·n devour us. engaged salesmen to sell his sefarim for he Chafetz Chaim writes about is so strong. him. He recalled one of them when he the awesome responsibility of heard that he was selling the sefarim in TRabbanirn to speak out and to try II a small town before Yorn Tov. Before Yorn and correct the generation's problems, Tov, when people have so many expens referring an incident he had witnessed you - the Rav - are at fault! Because es, explained the Chofetz Chaim, it is for ( Chofetz Chaim on Torah, p. 125): I'm sure you knew what was going on. bidden to bother them about buying "I was passing through a small Why didn't you stop me? Why didn't sefarim. town and saw a large crowd gathered you warn me and tell me that one day There are many hundreds of stories in the market place surrounding a pris they will catch me and send me away? about other Gedolim, as well, whose care oner, who was in chains being sent to It's the Rav's responsibility to warn his in fiscal matters have to be brought to Siberia for forging 1noney. The prison people about their evil ways. And since the consciousness of our people. er asked that the Rav of the town be you didn't warn me, I fell further and Man's yearning for spirituality and called, as he had something important further into the trap. - It's your the desire to come closer to Hashem to tell him. His guards agreed and the fault!" seem easier to achieve when one is Rav came out. The prisoner called out The Chafetz Chaim drew a power involved in activities or acts that are to him and said, "You should know that ful lesson from this incident. So should clearly religious and spiritual in nature, I am about to be sent to Siberia, and we. II as opposed to areas of bein adam l'chaveiro - interpersonal affairs. But listen to Rabbeinu Yona, regarding the r.------~ Mishna at the beginning of Avos, where I I the Anshei Knesses Hagedola are quot ARE You Mov1~G? ed as saying "Hevei mesunim badin - I I be deliberate in judgment:' He says, I IS VOURNAMEANO ADDRESS PRINTED I "The reason for this warning to be I INCORRECTLY ON THE JO MAILING LAB.EL? I deliberate in money matters, as We need your help to ensure proper dellvery of the Jewish Observer to your home. opposed to other areas of psak, is I Please attach current mailing label in the space below, or print clearly your address and I because they [dinim] are a major fac I computer processing numbers that are printed above your name on the address label. I tor in knowing Hashem the Creator. As .. Yirmiyahu Hanavi writes: Haskeil I I veyadua osi ki ani Hashem oseh I Affix old label here I chessed u'mishpat u'tzeddaka ba'aretz. I I - Give thought and know Me, for I am G-d who does kindness, and jus I I tice and charitable deeds on Earth:' I I Thus Choshen Mishpat is not just a I I means for society to function, but a pro New Address .,------~------c---- gram to reach spiritual heights and come I City, I closer to Hashem. I I I State, ------,----Zip I Cutting Back I Date Effective------~-- Send address changes to: The Jewish Observer Change of Address I hen most Jews were living 1 84 William Street, New York, NY 10038 I with the daily struggles to put I Please aUow 4~6 we-eks for all ch<1nges to be refleCted on your malllng label. We wilf nOt be I W food on their table, it was not -respunsib!e for b'ack ,issues mh;sed unless _you notify us 6 weE>ks prior to you_r mov_e._ ..J the propitous time to talk about p'rishus L ------The Jewish Observer, Summer 1997 9 DI Integrity and Kiddush Shem Shamayim ft selection of messages of instruction and inspiration excerpted from essays adapted from the words of leading l(oslzei Yes!ziva, as well as anecdotes from two extraordinary Torah personalities, culled from pages of 77ze Jewish Observe1:
Torah study comes first. The reason? The To which Reb Yisroel said: "Do you real ?nl10NJ nnl1 nN~ cause of a person's misconduct in busi ly think that that's preferable? As a shochet ness is a lack of proper knowledge of you have one responsibility - people
he Chofetz Chaim declared that a G-d-fearing man entering the The Chofetz Chaim cites a few examples of Tfield of commerce is obliged to halachos that are of extreme import to An essay by Rabbi Avraham Pam study carefully the second section of those engaged in business. N"""'11 Rosh Yeshiva of Mesivta Torah Choshen Mishpat (the section of the Vodaath, member of the Moetzes Gedolei Codes dealing with monetary matters), Defects in Sales especially those halachos dealing with HaTorah of Agudath Israel of America, cheating, and the possibility of an error hen selling an item, a person prepared for publication by in sales (3: 227-238). Just as a shochetis must be very careful that it Rabbi Matis Blum. obligated to learn the laws of ritual W does not have any flaw in it, slaughter, and a sofer must be an expert or that it be lacking in any way. And THE QUESTIONS in the field of Torah script, so, too, must should it be flawed, he must notify the a merchant be equally proficient in the would-be purchaser in advance, for ifhe fter a person has lived his years halachos pertinent to his profession. It does not, the sale may be invalid. If it is on earth, he must appear before would be wonderful if just as ordination a defect that would cause the person to Athe Beis Din Shel Ma' alo (Heav is granted to Rabbis to permit them to reconsider the purchase, not informing enly Tribunal) and answer among other enter the rabbinate, so, too, would some the purchaser would be deemed decep questions: "nn=nnnl'NIW1 -Did you form of semicha in npo nt:i?n tion. This consideration applies whether conduct your business affairs with faith. uor.n (Laws of Commerce) be institut the purchaser is a Jew or a Gentile, for (usually taken to mean "with integrity"), ed for people entering the business field. one may not take their money under a "mui':> O'l'1l' m>:li? - Did you establish A shochet once told Reb Yisroel Salanter, false pretext - gezel akum is forbidden. set times for studying Torah?" (Shabbos "I'm giving up my position because I find (The Chofetz Chaim cites various 3la). Interestingly, another source in the the responsibility of slaughtering properly sources; the Rambam - Hilchos Genei Talmud (Kiddushin 40b, Sanhedrin 7a) too much for my conscience to bear. If I va 7:8, among others.) Should a person says that a person is first judged in regard make but one mistake, imagine how many have made this kind of invalid sale, he to Torah, which as Tosafos points out, is people would be eating unkosher meat must return the money. an apparent contradiction. Tosafos then because of me!" Similarly, a person is not permitted to explains that while in judgment, busi Asked Reb Yisroel: "What will you do for cheat anybody- Jew and non-Jew alike ness conduct takes precedence over a living?" - in any manner, in keeping with the Torah study, retribution is in a different Replied the man, ''I'll open up a small passage: <'Do not commit an injustice in sequence: punishment for neglecting business." measures, weights, or volume" ( Vayikra
------10 The Jewish Observer, Summer 1997 19:38). You must make an exact account The Extra Measure of Caution man has actually fulfilled his obligation ing with the person who buys. "Com to his fullest. Perhaps this is what King mitting such an injustice is an abomi n 1872, when Reb Yisroel Meir Solomon had in mind when he said: nation before G-d" (Devarim 25:15). HaKohein was ready to print the sefer "There is no fully righteous man on I bearing the name by which he even earth, who has done right and not Defected Merchandise tually became known, Chafetz Chaim, he sinned" - meaning that even though traveled to various communities neigh a man has done only good it is impos he Chofetz Chaim also cites boring his own Radin for advance sible that he should not have "sinned" examples dealing with the pur orders. Normally, people make some in somehow falling short of having his Tchaser: When a person who has payment, but he refused to accept any actions understood by others. discovered that an item he purchased has money. When his son, Reb Leib, asked a defect, and uses it anyway, he may not him why he had so refused, the Chofetz A PEACEFUL HEREAFTER bring it back for a refund, for use implies Chaim explained: "Perhaps some of these acceptance ( Choshen Mishpat 232:3 ). Of people will move, or even die by the time he Chofetz Chaim points out that course, if the defect is discovered after the sefer is finished. How will I be able when Yisro advised Moshe in the item is used, it is a different matter, to trace their heirs, or find them if they're T regard to setting up a judiciary and a refund is in order. But the pur alive in other cities? It is better that I take system, he concluded his words with: "If chaser must be certain that he did not orders without money." you follow this approach, then you will cause the flaw. So his son asked: "Then tell me, why be able to withstand the pressures. All Reb Avrohom Horowitz7"Yr, a truetzad do you go to the trouble of getting these people will return to their place dik, ran a bedding supplies store in the East orders altogether? Print the sefarim b'shalom - in peace" (Shemos 18,23). New York section ofBrooklyn. When some and then travel around and sell them:· It is strange that Yisro spoke of the peo one would ask: "Do you have a nice mat His father replied, "I have to borrow ple returning "in peace" when this is a tress?': he would say: "Nice? I don't know. from others to finance this undertaking. terminology usually reserved for the ulti Maybe others have better merchandise. I can What right do I have to ask others to mate peace wished to a person when he only show you what I have." lend me money on a risk, unless I have dies (as opposed to /'shalom - Berachos If he was in the back room of the store, some idea of how many sefarim I am 64a). and he overheard his wife showing a par going to sell?" The Chofetz Chaim explains that ticular mattress to a purchaser, he called out when somebody is guilty of some type to her: "Did you show the customer the A Two-Fold Obligation of cheating and dies without returning damage on that? Please show her." the money to its original owner, he has He was always wary of defrauding the The Chasam Sofer?"YI (Rabbi Moshe no rest in the World-to-Come until customer or misleading him in any way. Schreiber) writes (Collected Responsa 59 ): somehow the monies are restored to the (Offering a person advice that is to his dis All my days I was in anguish over the original owners or their heirs. Thus, advantage is a transgression of the Torah passage: '~nd you shall be clean in the Yisro assured Moshe that if he sets up command, "Do not place a stumbling eyes ofG-d and Israel" These two oblig a proper judiciary system, justice will block before a blind person ... " (Vayikra ations are like two millstones weighing prevail. Then when the people ultimately 19:14). on my neck It is possible to absolve one die, they will find eternal rest and not If someone asks a salesman for an self of the first- that is, to be clean in be troubled by unfulfilled financial item, specifying a desired color or fab the eyes of G-d - much more easily obligations. ric, and that particular item is not in than it is to satisfy people, for they stock, the salesman may not say: "They imagine bizarre plots; and the punish PLEASING TO THE EYE ... stopped making those. But I can show ment for failing to satisfy others is far ACCEPTABLE TO THE HEART you something else that's much better:' more severe than for not satisfying G-d l"n. Indeed, theGemora (end ofYoma) omeone who studied in a yeshiva THE DEEP-SEATED ATTRIBUTES tells us that there is no atonement for and has absorbed the light of the Chillul Hashem - desecration of G STorah within himself and radiates n the Chut Hameshulash, the chil d's name (which results from misrep a special beauty of his own. It is this dren of the K'sav Sofer (Rabbi resenting the high standards demand beauty that he should preserve with the I Shmuel Binyomin Schreiber ?"~) ed by the Torah.) Unfortunately, too utmost care. Even a small stain can mar recorded how their father was so cau often we hear people say: "Imagine that it. Especially in our times, when people tious in regard to other people's moriey, a Torah scholar such as he be guilty of are so quick to find fault with the Torah he would not rely on seventy reasons for such-and-such!" even though it is pure and its students, bnei yeshiva must hetter (permission) against one reason speculation that leads them to judge endeavor all the more to present the for issur (prohibition). him so. I often wonder whether any beauty of the Torah in all its aspects.
The Jewish Observer, Summer 1997 11 Thus, it is sufficient to simply meet applies to misconduct in human rela appreciation for G-d' people will say, the requirements of din (Torah law), but tions and general unethical behavior. "How graceful are the ways, how per one must strive for ever higher levels in Upon completion of the Mishkan, fect are the acts of so-and-so who has faith, until one can respond positively Moshe blessed the people ( Shemos studied Torah!" (Yoma 86a). to the query: "Did you conduct your 39:43 ); according to Rashi, he said, "May THE JEWISH OBSERVER, MAY '78 business affairs with faith?" in all its pos it be the will of G-d that the Shechina sible implications ... Were you among the (Divine Presence) rest on all your activ faithful of the earth upon whom "the eyes ities;' implying that the Shechina not be The Yeshiva 2}raduate s of G-d gaze'? Thus, the judgment of the limited to the sanctuary but be found Obligation rabbis, that a scholar with a stain on his everywhere, in all their endeavors. This garment is among those who "cause dis fulfills the command: "And you shall love Excerpted from an essay by enchantment with religion" (Shabbos G-d;' which refers to being so exemplary Rabbi Avraham Pam prepared for l 14a; Rambam De'os 5:9) certainly in conduct that it inspires love and publication by Yonah Blumenfrucht and Matis Blum. l§i'U§illiiiiptf.Jiilt§... --- KIDDUSH HASHEM Finally ... An Album with he Sefer Yere'im states that Authentic Jewish Warmth although the mitzva of Kiddush THashem is incumbent on every Jew, there is a very special obligation on lomdei Torah (Torah scholars) to be cog nizant of this obligation. He writes: ,,v:in 1r.:1 lO~ "TIO'V'W ~ rrnn m17 N'li1 CN'l l?nr.:nmv.n "One who studies Torah must take care to avoid any manner of repul sive behavior, and refrain from any action that bears any resemblance to it:' The ben Torah is expected to per sonify the teachings of the Torah itself. He can, on the one hand, be a living example of the beauty and sanctity of the Torah way of life, lending honor and glory to Judaism, and conveying Kiddush Hashem to Jews and non-Jews alike. The Prophet Yishayahu in his vision of the Children of Israel in the days-to-come, depicts them in these words: "And their children will be distinguished amongst the nations and their offspring amongst the peoples of the world, and all who .7l ·-----·--·- ----··-----·------·---·------·------·-·------12 The Jewish Observer, Summer 1997 We are witness today to an alarming sary for me to fulfill my purpose in life. "keeps watch and sees to the very end decline in morality, both in the indi Poverty is what my soul needs, and I of all generations" (Mussaf of Rosh vidual and in society. The continuous have been granted this need in full mea Hashana). We therefore ask that our breakdown of age-old concepts of sure!" requests be fulfilled, but only in a decency is shocking and causes us to The impoverished man's philosophy manner that will truly be for our good. wonder: What next? Where is the world is actually a fundamental Torah prin Acceptance of one's lot in life does headed? ciple and the key to a life of content not mean that one may not endeavor to There are the cynics and pessimists ment. G-d's decrees emanate from a improve his situation. Surely a person who say N>n "P o"1v "111 muo This is the vantage that embraces not only the pre afflicted with suffering can - and way of the world. Man's character is sent) but extends from creation to the should - pray to G-d to ease his bur inherently corrupt and immoral; strife, End of Days: only He can know what den and allow him to fulfill his purpose greed, and lust are inevitable. That's the is ultimately in our best interest. under more comfortable circumstances; way it always has been, and fhat's fhe way Assuming this perspective, we can nothing is beyond the power of tefilla. it will always be. We Jews, however, come to accept our lot, regardless of In addition, one should also engage in believe fhat the Torah can mold fhe indi how severe it may seem. acts of chessed toward this end, for G-d vidual into a magnificent personality, We ask for "a life in which G-d ful rewards people measure for measure - instilling within him integrity, nobility, fills our heartfelt requests for the good," whoever extends kindness to others will courtesy and dignity. We are persuad in our blessing in advance of every new surely be dealt with similarly from ed that Torah can and will in the days month. It would seem that the phrase Above. to come create a righteous society that "for the good" is superfluous; certain This may sound selfish, but freeing will reflect fhe glory of G-d. ly a person would not request that which oneself from tribulation is a worthy, jus But if lomdei Torah are found want is bad for him! This, however, is precisely tifiable goal. On the first night of Rosh ing in fheir personal ethics, they give rise the point. We can never be sure that Hashana, we customarily ask G-d to to the beliefs that Torah does not have what we desire is to our ultimate ben grant us "a good and sweet year." Now, fhe capability of improving mankind and efit; this is known only to G-d, Who a "good year" does not preclude the bit- cannot cure the ills of society. !rnr.i"1T.lm1m "T1:r>1"t:l l'71'N There can be FULL SER.VICE BR.OK.ER. no greater defamation of Torah fhan this. TuE JEWIS11 OBSERVER, MAY-JUNE '79, Adam Z. Rice PP. 9-10 TRIPP & CO., INC. •Specialists - Tax Free .. Bonds 71w The Jewish Observer, Summer 1997 13 terness of suffering, for Divinely Before planting the grapevine, Noach nations that bear responsibility- pas ordained suffering can be for one's good. should have paused to consider the caus sively if not actively- for the death of When we ask that the year be "sweet" as es for the terrible decree that brought the Six Million now serve as role-mod well, we pray that the coming year's total destruction to the world: ''And the els for family life and for our attitudes goodness be easily perceived as such. earth was full of corruption," which toward the value of life, for us and our TuE JEWISH OBSERVER. JAN. '86. P. 5 refers to both robbery and immorality. children - what would they say? ... If As the Talmud says (in regard to the they would call on us in our business sotah - the woman suspected of infi dealings and examine them in terms of .fl~er the CSliurban: 'Being delity), wine leads to moral decay. Hav integrity- would they find us clean? judged by the vrlartyrs ing personally witnessed the mabul Would they find us learning from the and survived it, having known firsthand blood-soaked past, avoiding the basic that wine was a crucial element in the causes of hatred of the Jews, or would hedonistic culture that brought it on, they find us focusing our efforts on the Noach should have avoided it, or at least very activities that brought destruction given it a low place on his list of prior upon our people ... repeating Noach's ities. But he did not. He planted the blunder, which called forth thirteen vay's grapevine first, and the Torah cried upon his head? "vay" thirteen times. THE JEWISH 0B..5ERVER We, too, during this age of recon FEB. '85. PP. 13-14 Based on an address' by struction, must be certain that we arc Rabbi Elya Svei N'"0"1?1. not guilty of replanting the seeds of the 7he 1Ylandate to Vromote Rosh Yeshiva, Philadelphia, member very weakness that precipitated the of the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah of previous generation's destruction. Kzddush Shezrn Shama_tjlin Agudath Israel of America WHAT WOULD THE "KEDOSHIM" SAY! Based on an address' by Rabbi Elya Svei fter a vast destruction, the first ask on hand is to rebuild. Deci he purpose of reviewing history is OF OVER-CONFIDENCE AND SETBACKS ions must be made regarding to learn from it: Can we, in our day, what takes priority, and what is of sec Tpass the same tests that previous very unusual, seemingly inexplic ondary importance. We can find some generations faced? In terms of the tests of able occurrence that befalls Kial guidelines from that most sweeping of this past half century, who could judge us EYisroel, Ghazal say, must have disasters to befall mankind, the mabul better than the kedoshim - the millions some sort of initial cause, with a lesson - the deluge of Noach's time. Noach's who suffered martyrdom at the hands of to teach us. Thus, the violation of Dena first act after stepping out of the ark was the Nazis V""? Let us imagine for a by Shechem (see Bereishis, Chap. 24), so to plant a vineyard. The Talmud finds moment that they - the kedoshim contrary to the values and conduct of fault with this, and notes that the themselves - would pay us a visit, and Yaakov Avinu's family, must have come Torah's narrative of Noach's vineyard, evaluate how we are dealing with the very from some earlier weakness. Indeed the beginning with the word: ro?rn vayochel challenges that had confronted our pre Midrash points out that the misfortune Noach ... and Noach debased himself" decessors. To be sure, they would be that befell Yaakov because he had trans (Bereishis 9,20). This episode contains impressed with much of what they gressed the principle: inr.ioun':>'mnn'>N thirteen words with the prefix "vay" - would see - our sons immersed in Torah - "Do not be sure of yourself in regard thirteen vay5, expressing cries of despair study, our daughters committed to a life to the morrow" (Mishlei 27,1). for Noach's downfall! reflecting Torah values and permeated When Yaakov had arranged the terms What, one may wonder, was wrong with personal modesty, our flourishing for his tending Lavan's sheep, he set up with planting a vineyard? After all, its institutions dedicated to Torah scholar a number of safeguards to protect fruit - grapes and wine - certainly ship and philanthropy. They surely would Lavan's property from embezzlement, have their place in the scheme of a world feel that their martyrdom was not in vain. adding, "My integrity will answer for me restored: the wine is used for libation in But should they drop into our homes on the morrow" (Bereishis 30,33). the sacrificial order; it is used for kos she/ and observe our lifestyle, what would According to Rabbi Yehuda ben Rav Shi bracha, on which countless blessings are they think? ... the way we lavish money mon, G-d responded: 'You are so assured pronounced; and as a beverage, wine on our homes and furnishings ... the alien of your integrity on the morrow. On the "brings joy to man's heart" (Tehillim culture, the secular values, the moral morrow your daughter will be violated:' 105 ). Nonetheless, the critique is obvi denigration that inundates our homes This may seem difficult. After all, as ously well-founded. through periodicals and other chan long as Yaakov was in Lavan's employ, 1 delivered at a national convention of Agudath Israel nels .... If they would see how the very 2 delivered at a national convention of Agudath Israel 14 The Jewish Observer, Summer 1997 his devotion and integrity were so ship will sink. studies, and helps bnei Torah maintain exemplary that Yaakov emerged as the Our present-day situation is no dif their course of Torah study. We must paradigm of Emes, to be eternally iden ferent. We are being tossed about in be grateful [to this nation] and pray tified with this attribute. Yet Yaakov was stormy seas, and a problem in one com for its welfare and for the well-being still faulted. His self-assurance somehow partment can sink the entire ship. of its leaders. At the same time, we implied a relaxing of his guard against Some may rationalize that the pro must be aware that G-d in His Torah a lack of adherence to principle. As a ceeds are marked for support of Torah commands us to take heed not to take result, his family ultimately suffered a institutions. But take note of a letter more than the officially prescribed major breach in its integrity. from Rabbi Moshe Feinstein, 7"ll't, writ amounts, even if loopholes exist for ten 17 years ago: evading the rules .... And quite apart Like Passengers Aboard a Sinking Ship We must be grateful to G-d that from thievery, such acts are forbidden after the Churban [of World War!!], as deception, misrepresentation and his past year we have endured a He brought us to a benevolent coun - worst of all - Chillul Hashem. In Chillul Hashem of major pro try that supports students in their addition, they constitute a bizayon Tportions that reflect unfavorably on our Torah institutions. Unfortu nately, we cannot proudly declare: "My integrity will answer me" on this Subscribe or gi,ve a gi,ft of morrow. Reading the report on the Nunn The Jewish Observer Commission in the misappropriation of government funds by certain educa tional institutions, we cannot shrug off and $ave! the smear against us by saying, "It was that institution ... their actions.'' Chillul WHY NOT GIVE OR GET A PRESENT Hashem must be borne by all of us, for THAT WILL LAST AN ENTIRE YEAR? the status of all Torah students has fall en. This affects us all. Subscribe, or give a gift at these reduced prices As Targum Yonasan ben Uziel says in regard to the command, "Do not steal": and The Jewish Observer- filled with the views "Do not be friends or partners with of leading Torah thinkers on current issues- will be thieves." It is thus the responsibility of delivered each month, directly to your door. the entire Kial Yisroel that there be no The longer you subscribe for. the larger your savings. thieves amongst us. Historically, our shtadlonim, those Of course, this offer is unconditionally guaranteed; who advocated and lobbied with officials you may cancel at any time and receive a refund for on behalf of the Jewish People, were an undelivered copies. invariably Gedolei Torah (such as Reb ltzel So order today, and the very next issue will be on Volozhin in his time, the Chofetz Chaim its way to you as soon as possible. and Reb Meir Shapiro in their times). By contrast, today the situation is such that .J .0. S ll RSC RI t•TI 0 N SA.VIN GS t: 1: R 1' I Fl CA1' t: any young upstart that has some kind of 0 YES, I want to take advantage of this nioney saving offer! Enter my order as follows: connection in the nation's capital will 0 NE\V SUBSCIUPflON 0 RENEW'AL 0 GIFT Namt> ______employ unacceptable tactics, and we are l'SA O~H prepared to become his partners. Address ______CJ:) years Cover Prier $105 Your cost $60 1% The Chazafs parable for this situa City ______0 2 year~ Cover Pricf" $70 Your cost $44 $68 tion is well known. State _____ Zip 0 I year Cover Price $.35 Your t'Osl $24 $36 A passenger aboard a ship drills a hole 0 Send gif! card from: ______in the floor of his compartment, and all ~&\'Rllficl!u the passengers are in uproar: "You're 0 l::nclosed: $ ---- UBSERVER Charge my. 0 MaMerCard 0 VISA endangering our lives!" Suitr 1200. 84 William S1reet. Nt"w York. NY 10038 T!w Jeu-i. ------The Jewish Observer, Summer 1997 15 which besmirches the 'forah and its sefaritn (sacred books) are printed (Devarim 6,5): [This implies] that the scholars. There is no way in the world with funds borrowed on ribbis Name of Heaven should be more in which this can be permitted. Just as (usury), which is forbidden, the chil loved through your actions. You G-d despises a korban olah brought dren are destined to forget the Torah should study and serve talmidei from stolen funds, so too does He they will learn from these books.... chachamim, your business dealings despise Torah support that comes TuE JEWISH OBSERVER. should be performed with honesty, from illicit sources. JAN. '94, PP. 4-6. your speech should be in a pleasant The letter is clear and needs no elab tone. And if one conducts himself in oration. this manner, what will people say When Shimi ben Geira cursed David Tliei Slieim Shamayim about him? "Fortunate is his father, Hamelech, David said, "The curse does Vi1isaheiv al Yadecl1a who taught him Torah! Woe to those not come from Shimi, it comes from who do not learn Torah! He who G-d:' We, too, must view the critique of learned Torah, how pleasant are his our comm unity as not emanating from ways, how refined are his actions!" the Nunn Commission, but from About him the Navi says, ( Yishayahu Hashem Himself for our falling short of 49,3) "And He said to me, You are my our calling as Torah Jews: to sanctify the servant Yisroel, in whom I am glori Sheim Shamayim through our actions. fies" (Yoma 86a). The Vilna Gaon declared that n assessing our image as a Torah Torah cannot thrive on the basis of community, I would suggest that we fraudulently gained funds. He refers to Based on an address' by I see a mixed, imperfect picture; a pic the well-known incident of how Rabbi Rabbi Yaakov Perlow, ture with a great deal of light but also Chiya saved Torah from being for the Novominsker Rebbe N"V'"'1, containing dark shadows. gotten by personally instructing chil member of the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah First, it is a healthy sign of a mature dren (Babba Metzia 85b ). The account of Agudath Israel of America, person and a mature community to begins with Rabbi Chiya planting prepared for publication by engage in self- criticism. But before we flax to harvest linen for the purpose criticize, we must first appreciate the Rabbi Zvi Boruch Hollander of fashioning nets; these he used to background that puts that criticism into trap deer, whose hides he cured for proper context. If, indeed, we would not parchment, on which he wrote Torah TAKING STOCK OF OUR STRENGTHS have grown into a community that is so scrolls. Rabbi Chiya personally exe involved in Torah study and service of cuted all of these preparatory labors, We learned in a Braissa: "V'ahav Torah scholars, we could not engage in to ensure that no ill-begotten funds be ta es Hashem Elokecha - and you introspection, assessing ourselves used for teaching Torah to children. shall love Hashem your G-d" whether we have perhaps not fulfilled The Gaon goes on to say that if 3 delivered at a national convention of Agudath Israel our obligations regarding t'hei Sheim Shamayim misaheiv al yadecha. Indeed, the critique would be that much deep You can! Just call er, that much worse, that much more serious. Rather, it is specifically because The Yitti Leibel of our growth that our responsibility is Helpline. that much greater. It is a result of our success as a Torah community that we HOURS: can demand from ourselves that the Monday-Friday ...... 8am -12pm Monday-Thursday ...... 8pm -11 pm Name of Heaven should be all the more Sunday ...... 9am -12pm, 9pm-llpm deeply and profoundly loved through 718-HELP-NOW out the world by our actions. (718)435-7669 WRITING A SEFER TORAH Chicago (800)HELP-023 WITH ONE'S LIFE Lakewood (908)363-1010 [. Cleveland (888)209-8079 n Toras Kohanim, Ben Azzai is quot For addiction problems call our addiction ' ed as stating that the verse "Zeh sefer therapist, Wednesdays 11 :30pm to 1:30am I to/dos Adam" (Bereishis 5, 1) reflects For dedications call an even more fundamental rule than 718-692-1578 "Love your neighbor.... " Perhaps Ben ------···-· ------····------·------··------16 The Jewish Observer, Summer 1997 Azzai is telling us that it is in the Torah Shamayim misaheiv al yadecha:' Torah, how revolting are his actions!" that we can find toldos Adam, the In the laws concerning the writing of Our community's greatest challenge is reflection of human existence in all its the sefer Torah, the halacha states that to guard ourselves from this type of complexity. one is not allowed to write any letter, no chillul Hashem. But Ben Azzai also saw in these words matter how well-formed and beautifully THE JEWISH OBSERVER, an implicit obligation: just as the Torah inscribed, without first making a guide FEB. '93, pp, 5-7 reflects our life, so must we live a life that line in the parchment, a sirtut, to facil reflects the Torah. A Torah consists of itate the smooth writing of the entire Zealous 1?.epresentation parchment with letters; the days and line. Only after etching the line, can one years of our lives form the parchment begin to write a sefer Torah. This law Within 1-lalachic of our sefer Torah, while the mitzvos and requiring a previous guideline is a the ma'asim tovim that we do, each halacha /'Moshe m'Sinai, a statute pre llarameters according to his own capabilities, are the sented to Moshe at Sinai, and our sages letters and words written on the parch cite a supporting verse from Kohel/es ment of our lives. (12,10): "kasuv yosher divrei emes - When one lives an entire life, he has words of truth written with straightness, completed his "sefer Torah:' The story of with righteousness." his life, his "to/dos Adam," is either a As it is with a sefer Torah, whose kosher sefer Torah, or G-d forbid, one words of emes must be written with unfit for use. If he has fulfilled mitzvos straightness, so too, the words of our and ma'asim tovim, he has written sefer Torah the actions of our lives, must kosher letters with all the laws of hid be endowed with a straightness, with a Based on an address' by Rabbi Yaakov dur, of scribal beauty; but if he lived a righteousness, and not be «krum," Weinberg N"P''nl. Rosh Hayeshiva of life far from Torah, it is as if he erased crooked. Our acts "for Heaven's sake'' Ner Israel, Baltimore some of the Divine names in his Torah. need also be endowed with righteous orking as attorneys within the This is the" k/aF of Ben Azzai: the story ness and purity, with truth and upright American legal system of one's life must be a sefer Torah. ness. We dare not see Jewish names or W imposes two obligations This, then, is the question that names of Jewish institutions associated upon all who are so involved. First: it is every individual must ask himself, if he with falsehood, thievery, or fraud, nor essential that one become knowledge- is to properly analyze whether "the with chil/ul Hashem. How shameful it is Name of Heaven is being more loved to hear from others - whether they be 4 delivered at a Conference of Orthodox Lawyers on through his actions": What kind of a Jews or non-Jews - "How corrupt are "The Legal Profession Today: A Torah Perpective," sponsored by Torah Projects Division of Agudath sefer Torah am I writing with my life? the deeds of so-and-so who studied Israel of America, in conjunction with the Confer For when one leaves this world, the ence of Rabbonim of Agudath Israel Branches Gemora tells us (Avoda Zara I 7b) "gevillin nisrafim - the parchment is burned, [hut still] osios porchos b'avir LS TYPE OF CAR OR SIMILAR 1 MAY 97 ... - the letters remain to arise skyward:' 30 JUN 97 These letters represent the eternity of .. !~ our neshamos, our souls. All the letters A FIAT PUNTO 3 DR 147 _._ __ ------and words and verses in our own sefer A' F~T-~UN!O_ 3.DR~C- __ 175 !ti ------·- Torah, which, as the Ramban teaches us, B_ PEUGEOT 2051 Ol'EL_CORSA 19~ t:) are all combinations of the Names of c ------MAZDA 121 P.S ±38 II. 0 c·• P!IJG.EOT_306_1M~DA_323 _2~C> :) :) Hashem, all these Divine Names should _g:~ - POLO 1.6 P.S 294 ------.------·-- ,, __ Ill~ permeate the atmosphere, illuminating M MINIBU_S FORD 10 SEATL c.:J~ not only our life, but society's status as N KIA BESTA 8 SEATS 490 z~ well .... The klal gadol of Ben Azzai is • USA&CANADA ll_ SUZUKY SWIFT 2~_ 2· nothing other than recognition that all ------···------Toll Free: (1 l 800·938·5000 E MgDA ~15 people, all space, and all humanity is - 3231·6-P·~-- ~~ Tel in N'f: 212·629·6090 L ' NISSAN ALMERA 35Q_ meant to give testimony to the truth of 'FORD MONDEO _1.8 ___ Ill~ http:/ /www.eldan.co.il/ G -"~'I_ the eternal oneness of G-d as pro _!(_ 'G_MC ~NQURA_1_0SEATS _ ,.3_~ claimed by His unique people, Israel. lL '._CHevR()Ler_CAVALIER 49:1'_ i~ To the extent that our lives are an exam XL 'MAZDA 626 ____ 581 i"' SX 'CHEVROLET LUMINA 658 ple of k'vod Shamayim, to that extent * POWER STEERING & ELECTRIC WINDOWS have we passed the test of "t'hei Sheim The Jewish Observer, Summer 1997 17 able, understanding, and even expert in approach, we should ask ourselves: the halachos that deal with one's par What do we desire to be, successful ticular area of practice. This means that attorneys or good human beings? Who one must ask a she' eila of a reliable poseik are we, attorneys doing what we can to whenever a problem arises, so as to be make a bundle of money, or ovdei consistent with halacha in one's practice. Hashem, who provide a needed service For instance, is it halachically acceptable for our fellow men, and make a decent to badger a witness to the point that he living while we're at it? If it is the sec or she loses credibility? May one with ond, then the halachos of the Torah are hold crucial information to protect a not strictures, but guidelines ... guidelines &Jlimpses into the C?haracter client's interest? It is proper to coach a that enable us to practice law and carry of 'Rabbi Yaakov witness in advance of testifying? out our functions as attorneys while To be aware that a question has maintaining the integrity and self Kameneb:ky n:ro? i?'~ "Di, arisen, an attorney must familiarize him respect that alone makes us human the late Rosh Yeshiva of Mesivta Torah self thoroughly with the basic halachos beings, and certainly are essential to Vodaath, member of Moetzes Gedolei that deal with the specific aspects of his making us ovdei Hashem. professional life. That calls for devoting No matter what one does to earn a HaTorah of Agudath Israel of America an appreciable amount of time to Torah livelihood, one should never lose sight (excerpts) study. One of the most difficult prob of the fact that making a living is but a lems that attorneys face is finding the means to an end: the end itself must by Nissan Wolpin time to learn sufficiently to become surely be to live properly - to live as a familiar with relevant halachos. And one human being, to live as a Jew. And if the INTEGRITY must find the time, even if one must lose goal and the end-purpose of life is to billings as result. climb on the spiritual ladder, not the onesty- in word, deed, and Secondly, perhaps even more com corporate ladder, then the relevant financial matters - was a hall pellingly, as a halachic Jew one must rec halachos enable us to avoid the shoals H mark of Reb Yaakov's life. It is ognize that we operate on a basic premise that would drown us, that would take well known that he refrained from eat - that "Adam nifal lafi pe'ulosav - a away the integrity which alone enables ing gebrochts (matzah that had contact person is influenced by his activities:' us to function properly in living ... not with liquid) on Pesach- a custom not What we become in outlook, in sen only in making a living. We must avoid usually followed in his native Lithuania. timent, in reactions, in feelings, is deter the destructive cycle that traps so many One Pesach during his youth, he was vis mined by the activities we engage in. If of our best: They go to work to make a iting a family with standards in Kashrus we are involved in an endeavor or an living so that they can eat and sleep and that were somewhat lower than his own. enterprise that is essentially amoral or to be strong so that they can go to work When invited to join them for supper, immoral, it is inevitable that our personal and make a living .. .It is a horror. We he declined, and not wanting to offend outlook and approach, our reactions and must preserve our perspective on life: we his host, he said that his minhagwas to our feelings, will become tainted by this go to work and make a living so that we refrain from eating gebrochts. So as not absence of moral underpinnings. Ulti can live properly, and function optimally to be guilty of an untruth, he then and mately, we will lose our essential con as ovdei Hashem. there accepted that restriction upon nection to the inherent feelings of a believ 7HE JEWISH OBSERVER, himself and kept it for the rest of his life. ing Jew-because we become involved in JAN. '91, PP. 4-6 advocacy, and tend to lose sight of the human dimension of a situation. ·• .. /~'' 1.i.·~.·n:iw.~::1> When interviewed by a draft board in . ~~:iu::i~~~ Czarist Russia, Reb Yaakov produced OF RESTRICTIONS AND GUIDELINES documents for a medical deferment. The ·~ p?Mrm 1l.)1'r.l ~ interviewer scoffed. "Forget it! Papers like he "strictures" that some find so ti.,~ '11 ~'::i.~im .. these can be bought for two Kopecks!" intimidating are not strictures at ·~ ·r.nn ?"1::1-r;v "But these are genuine;' protested Tall. So, too, are there no "restric ~~ n'noi min>"n"ltl1 Reb Yaakov. "I want you to know that tions" within our Torah that bind a per I've never said a false word in my life:' $J9.gs son, but rather guidelines that direct him •To ortll!r please send toi The officer looked into the face of the - just as traffic signs are not strictures, Rabbi Eri Blum · earnest young man, and accepted his papers. but serve as guideposts to enable the 4910. 15th Avenue #SF Brooklyn, NY· .1121!> traveler to find his way. (718) 436-38.50 If we have difficulty with this , Reb Yaakov often told of how, as Rav 18 The Jewish Observer, Summer 1997 of Tzitavyan, the postmaster consistently gregation Bikur Cholim in Seattle, gave him too much change for his pur which Reb Yaakov accepted for the fol chase of postage, which he always lowing six months. returned... and how years later the postmaster helped Jews escape the THE THREAD OF HONESTY destruction of World War II. IN HIS SHMUESSEN eb Yaakov's Monday afternoon One of Reb Yaakov's first stops on his shmuessen in the Mesivta Torah 'Ihe Ish Ha'emes: fund-raising mission in America, in RVodaath Beis Midrash often 1937, was the Manhattan office of a focused on what struck some bachurim 'Ihe lYlan of Impeachable manufacturer. Reb Yaakov produced a as trivia of life or details of the Shulchan copy of the receipt for the previous year's Aruch-the gazeila (dishonesty) of tak Integrity donation, and then took a seat in the ing a place in line in front of others, using waiting room. After an unusually long someone else's transfer to board a bus, 'Rabbi Shimon Schwab delay, the manufacturer returned with the bor birshus harabbim (an obstacle in i1:JL17 i"~ i::ir (excerpts) a check made out for a smaller amount a public place) of a nailhead protruding than the receipt had recorded for the from a shtender in the beis hamidrash (did by Eliyahu Meir Klugman previous year. you ever catch your jacket on one?) - "It's really the same as last year's con like so many of the fine points of being tribution;' explained the manufacturer. a Shulchan Aruch Yid, with all of its ram A KINGDOM OF PRIESTS "But the receipt is for a larger ifications, twenty-four hours a day that amount." he discussed. ("There are places where he Jewish People, Rabbi Schwab "Yes, I know. It was purposely done that one may not even think words of Torah, never tired of declaring, must be way by your office in hope that I may dupli yet one must be guided by them, even Ta Mamleches Kohanim Vegoy cate that amount this year, but I knew that there, since we do have Hilchos Beis Haki Kadosh, a nation of priests and a holy I had given less, so I checked my records. sei - Laws of Proper Conduct in the Lava nation. A kohein, he explained is one The amount on the check is correct:' tory!') But he taught and demonstrated who by the word and example spreads Reb Yaakov was shocked. "I will not with his every motion that integrity is not the knowledge of the Almighty. The work for an institution that runs a dis just a matter of dramatic gestures, or kohein imperative of the Jew, which he honest office:' avoiding grand larceny, but one of minu epitomized, was the constant theme in As he got up to leave, the contribu tiae, honoring the hairsbreadth that his life. tor stopped him. "Here take the check separates Eden from Gehinnom. Living in Golus America, a Malchus in the meantime." THE JEWISH OBSERVER, she/ Chessed, only strengthened this "No, I am no longer the yeshiva's MAY '86, PP. 21-22 obligation. Every form of Chillul meshulach, as I resigned a minute ago. I am not authorized to accept monies on its behalf:' TAKE TH E RI G HT ·Tl!EspJlcIALroRM!EDUCAhONl'ltOGRAM The manufacturer was dumbstruck. • Isa uniqu.e full-ti1111,Yeshiva.yrogrillll for "Don't you have a family to support?" learning dls;lbled ·c!Jildren.of.alllevels, he asked. ages 7 and IIµ, "Yes, a wife and six children:' • Helps to pennanen6y cottect!eani\l'lg "Then take this;' he said, whipping disabilities an.a i~ symptumHincl?dlng out $200 from his wallet. behavior) thmngl! the hlgl!!yacclaimed Reb Yaakov shrank back. "I don't Specialized J.eaming Therapy.. .• • \+ accept gifts!' i\'(_, \f••• •• Has a high1y personal tou~h with anindivid, "It's a loan. Until you get another job!' THI SPECIAL TORAH IDUCAllON PROGRAM Wilittrl tber~py program f~r•aoh child. "Thank you kindly, but G-d will pro • Combines Torah Hasbkofa and.curriculum vide. I do not need a loan." TO HELP W}tlr the ~west anq #st~ni,vative Reb Yaakov returned his portfolio Special Educatio~ ll)'ttiO The Jewish Observer, Summer 1997 19 Hashem, he taught, lowers the awareness subway, the boy found fifty cents on the audit, as they could not believe that a of the Divine presence in this world. If floor in front of the change booth, which man with such modest income could the perpetrator is a supposedly obser he intended to pocket, thinking that give so much charity. He sent an vant Jew - or worse, a so-called Torah there was no obligation to return it. accountant, a member of the kehilla, to scholar - then the offense is even "Give it to the attendant;' his father represent him. At the conclusion, the IRS greater. The Chillul Hashem strengthens insisted, "and I will stick my beard in his agent declared that never, in all his years the hand of the non-observer, gives window so that he sees that religious as an auditor, had he met anyone who ammunition to the scoffers, and fosters Jews do not want other people's money:' was so forthcoming and meticulous in yet more rejection of religion; and it is There is an old Ashkenazi custom to call reporting income and in documenting responsible, directly or indirectly, for the out "Emes" in the Aleynu prayer recited all contributions. He followed that with increase in frivolity, heresy and licen during the Chazaras Hashatz ofMussaf a letter to Rabbi Schwab saying that the tiousness in the world. How can one on the Yomim Naora'im. He retained this latter's scrupulous honesty "had who cheated his neighbor or defraud custom even in America where others had restored my faith in humanity:' ed the government, he asked, have the ceased to observe it. His last words to a dis Someone once undertook to publish audacity to stand in front of the con ciple were, "Remember, you must always the writings of a certain Torah luminary gregation and recite Kaddish, a prayer tell the em es. I have many failings," he con of a previous generation. Knowing that for sanctifying G-d's Name in the tinued, "but one thing I never did was the editor of the work was having diffi world? There can be no whitewashing, chanfa (flatter) people." culty raising the necessary funds to cover no condoning, and no apologizing on the publication costs, the Rav called him behalf of the desecrator. It must be made INJUSTICE WAS NOT ON HIS LIPS on his own initiative and offered him a clear that he who besmirches the Divine loan of$ I 0,000 to cover the initial cost. Name has defected from our ranks and e was scrupulous to a fault in Several weeks later, he notified the edi joined our opponents. And the more financial matters. He hated tor that since the publisher of the work prominent a person is, the more scrupu H even a suggestion of crooked had been sending him books from time lous and painstaking he must be in his dealings. "I don't want to be a bedi' eved to time, he was afraid that those com business dealings to avoid even the Yid;' he would say. "I want to be a plementary books might be construed slightest hint of a Chillul Hashem. lechat' chi/a Yid."He often wondered as rib bis (interest). He thus decided to When the Rav was asked to assist in why people who were so stringent in give the entire sum, which constituted efforts to secure the release of a "reli regard to yeish omrim (alternative opin a good portion of his life savings, as a gift, gious" Jew who was incarcerated for ion) in Orach Chaim and Yoreh De' ah so that there would be no hint of a fraud, he refused. "Help him be (ritual halacha) simply ignore the yeish she'eila even though halachically there released? He's the rodeif of Kial Yisroel. omrim in Choshen Mishpat that pro was no problem whatsoever. Because of him, frumme Yidden will suf hibits gezel akum: His tax form was Kashru~ he always stressed, refers not fer. Let him sit!" exact, recording even gifts from friends. only to food but to money as well. Traveling once with his son on the He was once called by the IRS for an u While those who resort to cheating, trickery, dishonesty and fraud may at times have the outward appearance of being G-d-fearing fews, they are, in fact, Jurnpstart Early Intervention irreligious. They may well be strict in their a division of Women's League Community Residences, inc. observances of certain mitzvos, but in their business dealings they reveal that free Home &ued fnluallon and Theraple$ they are kofrim (infidels) in regard to Hashgacha prattis, Divine Providence. for lnlanl$ and Toddler$ wllh Delay& Since they certainly do not believe that 01cwbom - 3 ,... aid !lmohbn .... d• .i.} G-d wants them to take what is not right In ~ hi!iM - r.I ~ convenience fully theirs, they are conducting their busi 5er'llcn lndude1 ness as though He does not exist." Glatt OT. PT ...d Speed lhrlpy. Special [doe&l1on, knpfo. IMrillon. ..d fo\15k Smkn, yosher, as Rabbi Breuer once wrote, is no ud Smko Coordln&llon lor ••dlc&I o.. rs ..l &ccns of 1111 ..clll ..1111ni..ts. less important than glatt kosher. coaprn""'''" odoe&llon ..d rocro&llon plus. TuE JEWISH OBSERVER. JUNE '95 • l'touo ClO lo find Oii wk&! lllkes oa fll09'&a IAlqH< Call 1-800-KIRUV-84 Sh.Indy liorwb (718) 853-0900 (1-800-547-8884) (718) 438-9293 (b"""!S ud Wuhnd>} To contacl Agudalh Israel ol Amenca's lnlormalmn Ho! lme 20 The Jewish Observer, Summer 1997 t ti '~b.L.L;;,1. and special care. At the Jewish Hospice of Greater New York, understanding of the sanctity of Torah values. people are important-both patients who Patients may direct their own level of care must cope with a terminal illness and families based on their individual beliefs and needs. that must cope with the situation. Our skilled And when issues arise that require consulta professionals place a special emphasis on tion with a trustworthy posek, our halachic making patients more comfortable and advisor, Rav Meyer Scheinberg, is on call improving their quality of life, all with an to assist with any questions that may arise. The Jewish Hospice of Greater New York offers: • Physician and nurse visits • Nutritional counseling • Physical, occupational and speech therapy • Medication and medical equipment • Pain management • Bereavement services For a FREE guide to The Jewish Hospice of Greater New York, call (718) 921-7900. 'f.l-IE JEWISH HOSPICE OF GREATER NEW YORK 6323 Seventh Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11220-4711 The Jewish Hospice of Greater New York is a program of The Brooklyn Hospice, a participating program of Metropolitan Jewish Health System. Announcing the perfect sized airline. At Tower, we've been growing carefully Tower4ir Our 17-plane fleet consists exclusively of widebody Boeing 74 7 s, the aircraft considered safest in the industry. Maintaining the fleet are 500 ground support personnel, perhaps our only excess (although were sure you won't see it that way). We have our own terminal at JFK, for a level of service and security unmatched with shared gates. And our CEO is at the airport every day; in fact, he has his Paris office there. Tel Aviv San Juan When you 're the perfect sized airline, nothing is overlooked. Miami That's control. Los Angeles San Francisco Athens (Service will commence June 75) Always the lowest unrestricted fares in the industry. Call your travel agent or Tower Air at 718-553-8500 Yonason Rosenblum his past Shavuos, tens of approximately ten policeman, thousands of Jews - from and began singing and dancing Tyoung children to octoge to protest the presence of a narians in wheel chairs - wend minyan of this sort in close prox ed their way to the Kosel for the imity to the Kosel'. early morning davening. If any- Matters would likely have thing, the crowd this year - remained at the level of demon between forty and fifty thousand - stration and counter-demonstra was even larger than in recent years. tion had the head of the police Most of those making their way It Happene~ unit not begun pushing the yeshi to the Kosel had stayed up all night va bachurim away. When one of learning, as had many times their the bachurim protested, the numbers in packed shuls and batei policeman began kicking him midrash throughout Jerusalem hard. That caused his companions and the rest of Eretz Yisroel. The to start shouting, which attract intensity of that Torah learning was on ~havuos ed attention. Soon a group of two best captured, for me, by three ten hundred or so had gathered year-old boys, engaged in enthu around the group of forty or fifty siastic Talmudic debates, whom I Conservative and Reform Jews. saw standing all night for fear of Re~ort from the Kosel Among those who had rushed falling asleep if they sat dowu. to the scene (a group which Unfortunately, nothing of this vision minyan1 is no easy matter. There is no included both American and Israeli 1 of Shavuos in Jerusalem reached Jews evidence that anyone was injured, which yeshiva bachurim), there were those who in Israel or around the world this year. belies the claim that stones - which are, spit at the Conservative and Reform Jews in any event, in short supply on the Kosel and some who shouted "Nazi" at them. I.THE EVENTS, AS THEY UNFOLDED Plaza - were thrown. Andrew Sacks, Those spitting or shouting "Nazi" were one of the Conservative leaders, also a small percentage of the group that had or weeks after Shavuos, the Jewish quickly backed down from the charge gathered - certainly not the attacking media was absorbed in the con that excrement had been thrown. But it horde of Chareidim portrayed by the Ffrontation Shavuos morning hardly mattered. The claim had already media. The sight of two hundred angry between religious Jews who had come been accepted as fact in the minds of Chareidim, however, was surely a terri to daven at the Kosel and an egalitarian Jews around the world, and was the sub fying one for those surrounded, and "minyan" of Conservative and Reform ject of obsessive discussion for weeks could well have caused them to overes Jews. According to the next day's Israeli afterwards. No reporter seemed to con timate the danger they were in when papers, the small group of Conservative sider the inherent implausibility of subsequently recounting the events. and Reform Jews was attacked by hun religious Jews carrying bags of excre A number of Chareidim also came dreds of Chareidim, who threw stones ment with them to prayer before filing forward to wipe the spittle off the vic and spit at them, and called them his initial report.i tims and to admonish the crowd not to Nazis. The country's two leading dailies The confrontation began when a use such emotionally charged epithets. headlined the charge that the Chareidim group of 15 to 20 young yeshiva had also pelted their victims with bags bachurim, on their way down the steps II. OUR OWN WORST ENEMIES filled with excrement. from the Old City to the Kosel Plaza, Separating fact and fiction in this noticed a mixed group praying within hough those who spit and used account, based almost exclusively on the twenty-five yards of the gate to the Kosel abusive language were few in testimony of those in the egalitarian Plaza'. The bachurim encircled the egal Tnumber, the damage they did to ---- ~--_, ______,,__ ---- Yonason Rosenblum, who lives in Jerusalem, is a itarian minyan, which was protected by 2 Our report is based on the eyewitness account regular contributor to The Jewish Observer, 1 of Michael Kaufman, a resident of the Old City, including his recent article on the Israeli Supreme Chareidi1n were also accused in early press who was returning home from the daybreak Court, "He \i\lho Judges 1bo Much Judges Not at reports of having smashed Arab cars on their way vasikin minyan as the events described unfolded. All," (Nov. '96). He is the translator and author of to the Kosel through the Damascus Gate,despite many works, including a biography of Reh Shra there being not one shred of evidence to support 3 The singing of nearby minyanim is something this claim. The broken car windows later turned ga Feivel Mendlowitz ;.~, which is soon to be with which every minyan at the Kosel has to con released by ArtScroll. out to be the work of Kach activists. tend Shavuos morning. The Jewish Observer, Summer 1997 23 him damage, were displayed in Charei of us is an ambassador for Torah at all • di neighborhoods around Jerusalem;, times. Ghazal repeatedly stressed the nowing that the Reform But somehow the message is not get supreme importance of avoiding chillul ting through, or at least it is not getting Hashem: "Whether the desecration of the and Conservative K through to everyone in our communi Name is intentional or unintentionali movements are devoting ty. Stone throwers on Bar Ilan Street and both are [punished]" (Pirkei Avos 4:5). those who spit at other Jews on Shavu As ambassadors for Torah, we have immense efforts to os morning- like Achan when he plun to constantly ask ourselves: What will be provoking us does not dered gold from the cheirem on Jericho the likely effect of our actions on the way - do not fear that they will be com that the Torah is viewed in the world? mean that we have to be pletely ostracized by our community for A moment's such reflection would have idiots and fall into their trap. their actions. Otherwise they would alerted those who engaged in acts of vio would act differently. lence Shavuos morning that their The sight of yeshiva bachurim acting actions were not only wrong in them • as a mob is also deeply troubling. The selves, but would dramatically lower the the cause of Torah was immense. Their striving of every ben Torah is to make esteem of the Torah in the world'. But actions force us to address the question his baser impulses and passions com those are precisely the types of calcula of why we, as a community, manage to pletely subservient to his G-d-given tions that are too frequently not made. shoot ourselves in the foot with such fre intelligence. A mob, however, acts out The education that we provide our quencyt. According to a recent poll by of inflamed passion; it is by its very children of necessity devotes much Israel's senior pollster Minna Tzemach, nature mindless. The middle of a mob energy to negating the surrounding soci published in Yediot Achronot, seventeen is the worst possible venue for a person ety and all that is antithetical to Torah percent of Israelis say that they have to weigh complicated halachic issues. in it. In the process, however, our chil drawn closer to religion in the past five Yet the issues presented by the pres dren can come to forget that secular years. But of this 17%, only 1% consists ence of a "minyan" in open violation of society is composed of people with feel of those from minimal backgrounds who the halacha were complicated: What ings like us. The challenge to parents and now identify themselves fully as Charei form of macha'a (protest) is appropri educators is to teach our children to fil di, and 3% of those who formerly iden ate to ensure that one does not become ter out all that is treife around them tified themselves as religious and now desensitized to the abrogation of the while not losing sight of the presence of consider themselves Chareidi. In a recent Torah and the desecration of the Kosel? those who have not yet experienced the editorial in Yated Ne' eman, Yitzchak Roth What is the proper form of tochacha truth of Torah. That is obviously a task pointed out that there is a message to the (reproof) in situations like that pre fraught with great difficulty, and from Chareidi world in these numbers, and it sented at the Kosel? We who pride our the evidence around us, one that we are is not a favorable one. Rightly, he did not selves in the fact that we look to gedolei only imperfectly discharging. cast the entire blame on a hostile press. Torah for guidance on all issues must not The leaders of the Chareidi world allow our decision-making to be turned III. THE FIRST MITZVA: have consistently emphasized that vio over to those acting in the heat of anger. DON'T BE A FOOL lence against others is totally illegitimate. Above all, the events of Shavuos Just recently, in the context of the morning reflect our failure to instill a ne of the hallmarks of wisdom, demonstrations against Shabbos traffic consciousness that each and every one our Sages teach, is to foresee the on Bar Ilan Street, posters signed by the consequences of one's actions. 5 The lead editorial of the Jerusalem Post in the 0 leading poskim, including Rabbi Yosef wake of the Shavuos confrontation charged that 6 Among those participating in the non-tradi Shalom Elyashiv, decrying violence and there was a resounding silence from the leaders tional minyan were undoubtedly a number for reiterating the prohibition against phys of the Chareidi world. If those leaders did not whom the decision to stay up all night learning ically harming another Jew or causing publicly condemn the violence, the editorial con and to pray at the Kosel was the outgrowth of tinued, the public would be entitled to infer that some spiritual stirring. Who knows how many 4 Objectively, the situation of the Chareidi com they condoned it. Yet condemnation by the lead of these will now be prevented from exploring munity in both Israel and America is growing ing Chareidi figures of all violence is a matter of their Judaism further! If there is one common stronger. The Chareidi population is an ever public record over many years and has been reit denominator among all the thousands of baalei growing percentage of the total Israeli popula erated countless times. The call for a public apol teshuva in recent decades, it is that each of them tion. In addition, the total failure of heterodox ogy by those who had shown little previous inter was exposed somewhere along the way to peo movements to answer any spiritual needs of the est in the opinions of gedolei Yisroel on any other ple in the Torah community of a qualitatively Jewish people is no longer something about topic rings a trifle hollow. In effect, the secular higher level than any they had ever met before. which there can be serious debate. Those move media is saying that they will grant the Charei They were drawn by the moral seriousness, the ments resemble the Soviet Union on the eve of dim a channel on the cable spectrum, but only intellectual depth, the self-sacrifice, the joy, and its disintegration. The only problem the Charei for the purpose of broadcasting apologies. Not the generosity they found in the religious com di population faces {in the words of a prominent surprisingly, that generous offer has not been munity. No one ever became religious because talmid chacham) is ourselves. eagerly seized upon. they were spit on or called a Nazi. 24 The Jewish Observer, Summer 1997 Such foresight was totally lacking among denied them in Israel. The Shavuos con more innocent than someone who those who lost control of themselves at frontation allowed them to distract the burns an American flag at a convention the Kosel on Shavuos morning. By their debate from their unbroken record of of the Veterans of Foreign Warsrn. actions, they greatly assisted the Reform failure in America and the rapid disap Nor are the attempts to provoke like and Conservative movemer,~.c:. in their pearance of American Jewry under ly to end soon. Millions of dollars have battle for greater recognition ir. Israel and their leadership. Those who seek to raise been raised by Yitzchak Greenberg's provided ammunition to all those whose the question of whether we wish to CLAL organization and the heterodox stock-in-trade is denigration of the import failures of this magnitude to movements to bring over students to Chareidi population'. In short, they for Israel are now easily silenced with the Israel this summer for a non-Orthodox got Rabbi Yisroel Salanter's dictum: question: Haven't we had enough of "yeshiva." An Orthodox woman seated The first rnitzva is not to be a fool. your senseless hatred, of which we saw on a recent flight to Israel next to a young Prime Minister Netanyahu was already such a clear example on Shavuos? PhD. from Michigan asked her seatmate under enormous pressure from main The events of Shavuos will also what she was going to be doing in Israel. stream Jewish leaders to drop the so-called increase pressure to grant the heterodox The younger woman told her that she Conversion Bill to which he had com movements official recognition at the was going to a yeshiva for men and mitted himself in coalition agreements Kose~ and to move their "rninyanirn" women and that she would be going to with the religious parties'. Since Shavu from the back of the Kosel Plaza to the the Western Wall to put on a shrnatte (old os, it has become clear that the govern Kosel itself. Conservative and Reform rag). When she saw the puzzled look that ment has no intention of going through leaders clearly recognized the tactical greeted her answer, she continued, "You with a second and third reading of the advantage to their cause of a con know one of those shmattes;· and tried Conversion Bill in the Knesset. frontation at the Kosel, and courted it. to describe with her hands a prayer shawl Instead, the Prime Minister has Women were chosen to lain, despite the worn around the neck. appointed a committee, made up of fact that neither movement has yet ruled The young woman knew nothing Reform, Conservative, and Orthodox that faining by a man is invalid, and all about the Kosel other than it had once representatives, to come to some form the women were bedecked in tallitot. belonged to Jordan and now belongs to of compromise. In addition, the two Hillel Halkin, writing in the Forward, put Israel, and she could not even recall the Chief Rabbis recently met in their offi the matter nicely: word for tallis, but she had been primed cial capacity with Conservative and '(Where exactly does it say in Con for the excitement of causing Orthodox Reform rabbis under the aegis of the servative and Reform Judaism that it Jews to gnash their teeth. When the Jewish Agency to discuss means to is a religious commandment for Orthodox woman tried to speak to her promote Jewish unity. women to don prayer shawls at the of the sensitivities of religious Jews, she Thus the Conservative and Reform Western Wall? Were they to come to the was told curtly, "Oh, you're Orthodox. movements have succeeded in obtain Wall without prayer shawls, as a sim I was told that it is impossible to have ing a level of legitimacy previously ple gesture of respect for the traditions any dialogue with the Orthodox:' of the place, against what. sacred prin Knowing that the Reform and Con 7 Yossi Sarid,leader of the left-wing Meretz party, immediately issued a call for a special police force ciples of their faith would they be sin servative movements are devoting to protect the secular public from what he called ning? Are there no other places to prac immense efforts to provoking us does the" Chareidi intifada." Even for Sarid, this was tice Jewish feminism in the world, in not mean, however, that we have to be a new level of hypocrisy. His only response to the Israel or even in Jerusalem, that they idiots and into their trap. murder of hundreds of Jews since the signing of fall the Oslo Accords has been to urge further con must do it at the one site where it infu cessions to Arafat, and yet he calls for a tougher riates large numbers of other Jews? IV. THE KOSEL AS HYDE PARK CORNER police response to Chareidi violence! Needless to Would it be quibbling to point out that say, when a Chareidi boy was kidnapped from the until 20 years ago, Conservative Zichron ?>.1oshe neighborhood of Jerusalem, he attempts to establish non-tra stuffed into a car.and dumped without head cov women did not even wear prayer ditional prayer groups at the Kose4 ering on the Jerusalem-Tel Aviv highway in the shawls in their own synagogues, and Tof course, are not solely designed middle of the night, and when another Charei that not so much longer ago than that, to provoke. Those participating also feel di boy was jumped by a group of secular youths, the week of the notorious "Stop the even Reform men did not wear prayer that the Kosel will somehow confer Chareidim" campaign, Sarid did not call for an shawls in their synagogues?"~ legitimacy on their rites as Jewish. Final- investigation of the "secular intifada." Like the Bundists of old, who used to 9 Would it be quibbling to point out that the 8 The bill would formalize the long-existing reli eat pork outside of shuls on Yorn Kip prayer shawls worn by both Conservative men gious status quo, under which conversions by pur, the heterodox leaders knew the and women today are precisely that - shawls Reform and Conservative rabbis in Israel are not power of the symbols they were choos worn around the neck - and do not conform recognized. Though there are few such rabbis in to any halachic requirements for a tallis? Israel, if their conversions were recognized, the ing and the intense feelings of religious floodgates would be open to tens of thousands Jews for the sanctity of the Kosel, and 10 This is not to question the sincerity of any par ticular Jew who joined the egalitarian minyan on of conversions by gentiles from the former Sovi they played upon that. They were no et Union and elsewhere. Shavuos morning. The Jewish Observer, Summer 1997 25 Rabbi Eliyahu Glucksman ly, the Kosel has proven to be an excel The cost of politicizing the Kosel is Yosheiv Ohel, lent bulletin board for those who wish very great. What makes the Kosel the Rabbi Avrohom Ort to make a dramatic political statement. most emotionally resonant site in the BOOKS It is by no means coincidental that the Jewish world today is that it is the last abbi Avrohom IN• : i first attempt by the Women at the Wall link with that which once stood on the Ort, a member REVWEW to read from the Torah at the Kosel, near Temple Mount above. Standing before Rof the Kolle! ly a decade ago, was in conjunction with the Kosel, one is brought face to face with ofYeshivah Tifereth Jerusalem, recent an international feminist conference in nearly 3,000 years of Jewish history, since ly published a sefer, Yosheiv Ohe/, which Jerusalem. King David laid the foundations for the is a compendium of the halachos rele Photographers and journalists, all First Temple. vant to when one experiences difficul carefl\lly alerted in advance, were almost Mixed minyanim, women in tallitot, ty when traveling on Erev Shabbos. His as numerous as those making up the and the like are attempts to establish a sefer has two parts. One, written in Eng prayer group. If there was a religious new rite at variance with the millennia lish, consists of all possible cases that can statement being made by those present old practice from the time of the Tem occur on Erev Shabbos or on Shabbos - including many for whom this was ple. Such rites destroy the very sense of while en route, and offers advice based certainly their first prayer service of any continuity that gives the Kosel its hold on the Shulchan Aruch and its com kind in years - it was a purely nega on the Jewish imagination. mentaries on how to deal with them. tive one: To the extent that Judaism fails A spiritually healthy people, in touch The author advises strongly to do to treat men and women as identical, we with its history, would reject those everything in one's power to avoid these declare Judaism invalid. threats to continuity, but many Jews today occurrences by leaving one's house That same impulse to make a femi value much more highly their self early on Erev Shabbos. nist statement exists today. Without vio expression than their connection to the This sefer is highly recommended for lating any of their own religious prin historical People of Israel. The most every Jew, as it is written in clear lan ciples-certainly not any of more than lapsed Italian Catholic would be outraged guage, and everything is fully explained. twenty years standing - the egalitari if a group of Protestant tourists were to an minyan at the Kosel could have done come into St Peters Square and attempt The second part of the sefer is writ much, as Halkin pointed out, to reduce to conduct a revival meeting. Yet today, ten in Hebrew and deals with the the affront to the sensibilities of tens of we Jews are opening up the door for halachic problems in depth, leading to thousands of religious Jews nearby. It everyone, including Jews for J, to conduct the decisions in the first part. Rabbi was not religious principles, but femi their own public worship at our most Dovid Feinstein wrote a letter of appro nist ones, that determined the form of sacred site. To prevent the Kosel from bation in which he acquaints the read heterodox prayer. being robbed of all its power in this way er with both the author and his sefer. Similarly, the importing of large will require much wisdom. It is not a job groups to put on "shmatte5' at the Kosel for hotheads, but for those who are right Rabbi Glucksman is Dayan of K'hal Adath Jeshu run and Rav of Beth Hamedrash Beth Joseph in is a political statement, not some state fully called the eyes of the nation. • the Washington Heights section of Manhattan. ment about Judaism, about which the shmatte-wearers know nothing. Almost a decade ago, I met with two leaders of the Women at the Wall. Their parting remark was: "We will not be Special Education ignored:' It struck me then that this assertion of self was yet another polit Fall 1997 ical proclamation. That same assertive ness was present this past Rosh Chodesh when a group of about ten women stood Full Time Classroom Teacher for students with Down's Syndrome leaning over the chain behind the men's and other disabilities. Children are integrated into the Joan Dachs section of the Kosel singing words not Bais Yaakov and Yeshiva T!feris Tzvi in Chicago, Illinois. even found in the daveningat the top of their lungs11. They knew, of course, that Salary is commensurate with experience. Benefit package is they were disturbing every single man included. To become a part of a state of the art organization at the Kosel, but that was just the point: We will not be ignored. please fax resume to Keshet at: 1l A minyan of Karliner Chassidim standing in front of me found the appropriate response. They (847) 205-1530 or call (847) 205-0274. davened so loudly that the women were eventu ally drowned out. 26 The Jewish Observer, Summer 1997 ,_,_~i~z,:v8\{IB!)1------R·a·b·b·i·Y:-is.r.o.e.zR_ei.·s.m_a_n The Nine Days' Siyum: Another View rience with the Siyum HaShas of Daf Yomi, we have seen that someone with To the Editor: a goal such as a siyum will study more When my father, Rabbi Yaakov deliberately and will be more persistent Teitelbaum ';>"lit; permitted the serv in his effort. This is certainly so for a ing of meat at a siyum mesechta in teenager, where his ('prize" is the chance Camp Agudah during .the Nine to make a siyum before his friends and Days when he was Manhig Ruchani n article bunkmates, in front of a few hundred there, it was in accordance with the in The Jewish people. I know - during my years as a explicit p'sak of Hagaon Harav.Meir A Observer ("Taras Emes," staff member in ca1np, I was in this posi Arik ""lit, a reknowned halachic May'97) strongly protested the practice tion. The fact that I was planning a authority. When I questioned my of making siyumim during the Nine siyum for the Nine Days helped moti father (a ta/mid .muvhak of the Days so as to allow meat to be served. vate me to spend time learning, where gaon) tofirtd out if this .was just a This custom is especially prevalent in camp distractions may otherwise have hora'as sha'ah issued under specific summer camps, where it was sanctioned pulled me from the Beis Hamedrash. conditions, or could be relied upon by Rabbi Moshe Feinstein ?·~r (see under all circumstances, he dearly Rabbi Eider's Halachos of the Three s far as the chinuch of our indicated that his Rebbiencouraged Weeks) and the long-time manhig campers is concerned, indeed, the it even when health was not a factor.. ruchani of Camp Agudah, Rabbi Yaakov A"spirit" of the Nine Days is RABBI ELJ TEITELBAUM Teitelbaum ?"'1!. (See letter.) Given the muted when fleishigs is served in the Brooklyn, NY fact that this practice was instituted by normal manner. It is difficult to weigh . Gedolim (who, incidentally, made no whether the benefit of the mesayem's This question is a halachic one and mention of the fear of malnutrition as learning outweighs this. In defense of the has nothing to do with the camp setting. the basis for doing so), it should be dif siyum, however, a few points can be Jn fact, there is no halachic obligation ficult to condemn it so strongly with made. First, my recollections (from my to eat meat at a siyum - or at a bar out pointing out a second side to the camper years) of a dining room which mitzva meal, for that matter. Why does issue. A response is therefore in order. is hushed while a teenager solemnly the halacha permit this during the Granted, the anonymous author completes his mesechta is a powerful Nine Days? I once heard a beautiful does raise many legitimate concerns. In one. I can safely assume that the impres explanation of this practice: fact, I too question whether these sions made by a milchig meal (especially The aveilus of Bein Hametzarim poskim permitted a "guest siyum" (made a delicious meal of latkes or fried fish) (the Three Weeks) is not over the loss by someone who arrives just to make a would not be as strong. Second, as a of the Beis Hamikdash of wood and siyum and then disappears into the sun matter of halacha, the original prohibi stone. We cry over something far set), or an "express siyum" (made by tion on meat consumption, as quoted greater: ':>N'w'> m~n )'1K C>r.l"1r.l mm - someone who races through a mesec/1- by Rambam, applies during "sh'vua "The glory of the Jewish People has fall ta because he was told that the camp shechal bo" -the week of Tisha B'Av. en:' Our loss is one of spiritual build needs a siyum). These abuses notwith Our custom extends this abstinence back ing blocks, not physical ones. standing, however, much can be said in to Rosh Chodesh. It certainly seems At a siyum (or bar mitzva), the glory defense of a true seudas siyum. As worthwhile to allow a siyum during this of the Am Hanivchar is present, it shines mechanchim will testify, a siyum is a less-stringent period, just as siyumim are proudly. On such an occasion, there is strong motivator and a powerful tool for universally scheduled on Erev Pesach to no place for aveilus at all. Chazal encouraging limud ha Torah. From allow bechorim to eat on a day of fast allowed meat to be served, not because Abaye's statement to this effect (Shab ing for them. of an obligation to do so, but because bos 119) through our present-day expe- One last point: the author points out the reason to refrain from meat is tem that siyumim that are made outside of porarily overshadowed by the glory of Rabbi Reisman serves as Rav of Agudath Israel of Madison in the Flatbush sction of Brooklyn, the Nine Days do not usually carry a the m'sayim haMesechta. and says a shiur in the beis midrash of Mesivta fleishig menu. Why, then, allow fleishigs When the siyum is a proper one, it does Torah Vodaath. to be served at a siyum during these days? radiate glory and Kavod Ha Torah. • The Jewish Observer, Summer 1997 27 launch special programs and to fund them, which has been the mission of Chinuch Atzmai since it was established by the Gedolim in 1953. This is how Chinuch Atzmai's enrollment has grown from 14,000 to the present 63,800. There is a great need for more schools, but not for another school system. There is so much to be done. The more of us involved, the more will be accomplished. Let us continue to raise the level of Torah in Bretz Yisroelforthe NEW SCHOOLS IN ISRAEL FOR ing on the model of the Chinuch Atz future of Kial Yisroel . CHILDREN OF BAALEI TESHUv,t - mai school in Raanana, for example, RABBI HENACH COHEN WITHIN THE EXISTING SYSTEM which sponsors a night- and Friday-kol EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, CHINUCH lel aimed at raising the educational stan ATZMAI-TORAH SCHOOLS FOR ISRAEL To the Editor: dards of the parents, or the Chinuch Atz New York City/Jerusalem Rabbi Adam Winston's "A New Jew mai school in Ramie, which provided ish School Network in Israel;' (May '97) returning families with matzos for Clarification: was written with welcome passion and Pesach. These and similar projects are dedication. Its sense of mission, however, underwritten by funds raised from the In Rabbi Adam Winston's article, "A would be better served if all the facts general public earmarked for special New Jewish School Network in Israel" were taken into account. programs beyond Chinuch Atzmai's reg (May'97), reference was made to a let Yes, there is a spirit of teshuva stir ular budget. ter signed by prominent Rabbonim and ring in Israel. And yes, there is a grow Shuvu does serve as the exemplar for Roshei Yeshiva calling for the creation of ing need to provide schooling for the how to focus on newly emerging prob additional Torah schools in Israel. Sev children of baalei teshuva. And, further, lems in the Israeli chinuch scene and eral signatories on the letter asked The as the article stated, Shuvu serves as an then go about solving them. Shuvu has Jewish Observer to clarify the function instructive model for the kind of activ no schools of its own. It canvasses par and format of these projected new ity being called for. But additional facts ents and encourages them to show "the schools. must be taken into account before willingness to send their children to As the letter stated, there is indeed a framing the agenda for the future. Torah schools." The Torah schools for growing need to create both schools and Unfortunately, Rabbi Winston's pic Russians founded by Shuvu do become special classes to accommodate children ture of the instant success of a Chinuch part of the Chinuch Atzmai network. of baal teshuva parents, as well as oth Atzmai education is not reflected in real In the same way, Chinuch Atzmai ers who come from backgrounds that ity. Not all children enrolled in the 239 would be eager to work together with have not provided them with the nec elementary schools and 410 kinder Rabbi Winston, or any other askan essary skills, experience, or support sys gartens in communities from Kiryat (community activist) or mechanech tem to enter a conventional Chinuch Shmoneh to Yerucham are Chareidi. (educator), to open Torah schools for Atzmai-Torah School. Such special Enrolling in a Chinuch Atzmai school the children of returnees anywhere in schools and classes are, of course, does not create an instant transforma Israel. As with Shuvu - as also with Lev meant to become integrated into the tion. At best, it means that a child is part L' Achim, which enrolled children in existing Chinuch Atzmai Torah School of an ongoing process which is initiat Nesher on the Carmel and in the Network, alongside similar schools and ed anew every school year, as more chil Jerusalem suburb of Kiryat Menachem, programs that already exist. dren from irreligious homes and newly for whom Chinuch Atzmai created religious homes enter Chinuch Atzmai schools - it means organizing an THE GERER REBBE '1'n ON "EVIL EYE" Torah Schools. enrollment campaign. Chinuch Atzmai AND MALIGNANCIES Moreover, many of the other initia is ready to step in and provide the tives called for in Rabbi Winston's arti schooling - the curriculum, the To the Editor: cle are already on the map - for exam administration and faculty tailor-made The article in your September '96 ple, his summons for schools to also for the specific educational and spiritual issue highlighting the life of the Gerer "serve as educational centers for the profile of the student body- as it has Rebbe ?":it was most inspiring. The fol whole community, with special lectures, been doing in the past. lowing sentence, though, puzzled me: seminars, programs and classes for Yes, funds are sorely needed to found "... The plague of cancer is a physical parents will help ... :' This means build- kindergartens and new schools, to representation of the spiritual and psy- 28 The Jewish Observer, Summer 1997 chological malady of encroaching onto the disrespect shown by the habit of CONTESTING THE STATE OF other people's good fortune with an talking during davening. [The special AMERICAN ORTHODOXY envious eye:' That sentence could be prayer he composed as a result can be read to mean that the individual to found in many Siddurim.] Obviously, he To the Editor: whom Hashem has sent the nisayon did not mean to imply that the tzad In a letter to the editor, Dr. Helmre (challenge) of this dreaded disease is a dikim and great Torah leaders who were ich wrote (April '97) about the failure person who encroaches onto other massacred during that period were of Orthodox Jewry, constituting just 5% people's good fortune with an evil eye. themselves lacking in this area. Rather of the Jewish population in America. Is this the meaning the author meant to the behavior of the masses caused the The numbers tell us a different story. convey? We all know selfless people, middas hadin to be unleashed, and, as There are less than 5 million Jews present devoted to the Klal, who were or are the Rebbe 7"~! quoted in his letter, not ly in America with more than 500,000 of afflicted with this disease and who were only do the forces of destruction not dis them Orthodox - that's more than I 0%. or are far from envious of other people's tinguish between the righteous and the When looking into the future, the picture good fortune. wicked, they begin with the righteous for Orthodoxy is even more promising. Of Perhaps the author meant that the (Bava Kama 60b ). the 80,000 Jewish children born yearly in devastation of encroaching onto other Chazal tell us that the way Hashem America, 20,000 are being raised in the people)s good fortune with an envious deals with the world mirrors our behav Orthodox mesora-a full 25% of the next eye could be compared with the plague ior - bemida she'adam modeid generation showing the way back to Torah of cancer. modedin lo. The Chafetz Chaim quotes Judaism, and the percentage is growing. Please clarify this. a Zohar to the effect that our lash on hara M. BERGER REGINA R.APSTEIN arouses the prosecuting angels to speak Monsey.NY New York City evil of Klal Yisroel and cause suffering Corrections and misfortune in the world. Envy and In David N. Golding's account of the The author responds: prying eyes are referred to by Chazal as transformation of Camp Monroe.trig ayin hara (the evil eye), which can also gered in part through music ("Putting We were greatly disturbed to hear have a devastating effect on other peo the 'Music' into Jewish Music" - May that some readers understood that by ple's lives. '97) omitted several important details. this statement, the Rebbe 'n meant a The Rebbe's intent was indeed as the When Stanley Felsinger, the owner of the personal condemnation of the many, writer suggested, that the particular camp, consulted Rabbi Aaron Schechter fine upright individuals suffering from pathology of the development of this ill !'<..,,,.,.,,, as to what approach to use to this devastating disease. ness can help us focus on the specific bring the children under his jurisdiction Hardly a day passed that the Rebbe area in which we need to improve. Per closer to Torah and Judaism, he had was not consulted concerning yet haps the sentence should have been already been a practicing Orthodox Jew another victim of this affliction. [When phrased: "The plague of cancer that for a number of years. In response to his his Rebbetzin commented one evening afflicts our generation is a physical rep request for guidance, the Rosh Hayeshi that he appeared less burdened than resentation, etc ... :'The void created by va (Mesivta Rabbi Chaim Berlin) sug usual, he replied that no case of cancer the loss of so many dedicated, selfless gested the following: had come to him that day! J The Rebbe people is meant to further jar us to real The Torah expresses the command viewed the widespread prevalence of ize the emptiness of our selfish behav regarding Shabbos: "Remember the day of cancer in our generation,... , as a Heav ior compared to their generous mitzva the Sabbath Jekadsho - to make it holy." enly sign to be understood on the pub filled lives. Hashem should help us Demonstrate for all to see that you are mak lic level. The above observation was a develop a generous eye, that will be a ing the day holy by dressing in your Shab conclusion he reached after much source of blessing and good fortune for bos finery on Friday afternoon. Verbalize thought and contemplation as to what us all. your excitement in anticipation of the day's the message might be. We apologize for any misunder arrival - "It's almost Shabbos. ''. .. "Here it The fact that some of our finest and standing on this issue. is, Shabbosl Good Shabbos to you!" most righteous have succumbed to this Also, an incident reported on page 12 Pursuing a course ofgradualism, intro malady has always been understood in of the article (col. 2, par. 2) should have duce your campers and staff members to the terms of "the righteous suffer to atone read to describe "a young man [who] ... beauty of the day, until they are ready for for their generation:' Perhaps a paral as a student acted with extreme disre "a real Shabbos in all its glory." lel can be drawn to that what was spect'' instead of "a young man [who] As part of Mr. Felsinger's strategy to revealed to the Tosfos Yom Tov (Rabbi as a student... led a rebellion ... :' generate excitement around Shabbos, he Yorn Tov Lipman Heller) that the mas RABBI AVRAHAM CHAIM CARMELL often played an audio tape of Mordechai sacres of the Chmelnitzki uprising Jerusalem Ben David singing"Just One Shabbos ... :' (1648-49) were heavenly retribution for The rest of the story follows as described. The Jewish Observer, Summer 7997 29 i"t> Be Part of History Change the ace of Israel turning point. Israeli youth are becoming increasingly involved with cults, drugs and vio Send your contribution to: lence in the schools. Parents are scared, THE NEW JEWISH A but don't know what to do. On the other hand, SCHOOL NETWORK more and more Israelis are returning to a life of mitzvah IN ISRAEL observance. Two opposing directions. If we can answer their In North America: 1375 Coney Island Ave., Suite 216 need for Judaism - we can prevent them from becoming Brooklyn NY, 11230 increasingly secularized - and even anti-religious. In Israel: The experience of the Kiruv (outreach) organizations PO BOX 27312 is that many parents are prepared to send their children JERUSALEM 91272 ISRAEL to authentic Torah schools. Yet there are few Torah TELEPHONE: 972-2-656-5391 schools able to take children from secular homes. FACSIMILE 972-2-.656-4434 Our aim is to provide every Jewish child in Israel the chance to have a real Torah education. The initial goal is NORTH AMERICAN RABBINIC BOARD to establish a school for boys and a school for girls in 50 (Jn. formation): cities throughout Israel. Rabbi Levi Yitzchak HaLevi Horowitz, These schools will be attractive, have a high The Bostoner Rebbe academic level and serve as educational centers for the Rabbi Shmuel Kamenetzky, whole community. Rosh Yeshiva - Talmudical Yeshiva of Now is the time to really make a difference. Philadelphia Rabbi Shmuel Yaakov Weinberg, "We call upon all those who are able to help to give generously. Rosh Yeshiva - Ner Israel Rabbinical Now is the crucial moment". College - From an endorsement by: HaRav Hagaon Shalom Yosef Eliyashiv, Rabbis Shmuel Aurbach, Michael Yehuda Lefkovitz, Chaim Pincus Sheinberg, Aharon Leib Shteiman. 1~th Anniversary of the Founding of ~ ~YMPOSIUM OH THf his year marks the 75th Anniversary of Agudath Israel of America. This milestone may well be a time for looking ~RIORITltS fOR ~rnRS ~Hrna back and takingstock of three quarters .of a century of growth WHAT HA[ TH[ SPlCIHl AfSPOHSrnlllTl[S lo WHAT O[GR[[ CRH W[ [XPHNO OUR srnsr for American Orthodoxy. After al/, the Torah community has ANO OPPORTUNtms Of TH[ lORRH COMMUNITY Of COMMUNITY WITHOUT SACAlflCIHG now reached a degree of IN TH[ HAAS HHrnn! OUR IOfHTITY AS A!OAAH COMMUNITY! influence and strength that was undreamed of years ago. This in ••• ••• tum, however, charges us with WHm no wr 6AH Wf lOOK fOAWRRO TO INCRfRSIHG OUR the responsibility to do more PlRC[ OUR PAIOAITlfSr IHHRHCTIOH WITH THf WORlO AROUND US. than simply perpetuate our achievements, but to accomplish ••• OR IS INSUlRRITY OUR OHlY HOP[ yet more. fOA SUAVIVHl ! ~ow no W[ AfSPONO TO TH[ WANING srnrnGTH Forthe readers of The Jewish Of NON-~ATHOOOX COMMUNlms ••• Observer, then, this milestone !H[IR IMPfHOING O[CliN[ ANO THArnrrnrn ~O[S ~GUORTH ISAA[l HHVf APHRTICUlHR should be a timefor looking ahead. With all the OISHPPfRHAHCf THROUGH ASSIMllRTION HOU TO PlAY IN OUR HGfNOH fOR accomplishments of the last three ANO INHRMHRRIRGfr TH[ fUTURfr generations, so much remains to be done. We therefore approached a number of prominent Rabbanim and Q n the pages that follow, the readers will find a whole range of teachers, thinkers and writers to responses, some addressing one or two - or all six - of the questions, candidly express their own views others addressing points of their own, some expressing points of view on the following points: outside the usual JO perspective. We trust that you will find them interesting, inspiring, challenging and food for thought. The Jewish Observer, Summer 1997 31 Write Your "L'Shana Tova" Message ·~---i_n_th_e_B_o_xo_f_Y_o_u_rC_h_o_o_si_ng_. ____, I I I I I I I lflilltlll_...... ,..1 I ••• THE0ISH I BSERVER I I continue to bringjewish I L(.:_A_:):__$_l_0_0______, 1 news & views from a Torah 1------~ perspective to tens of thou- I sands ofreaders each month. Just write your "L'Shana (B) $50 Tova" greeting in the box of your choosing (price indi cated in lower left-hand corner), detach form across (C) $36 L..---======: dotted line, and mail the form with your check today. (D) $25 '------' Please enclose payment with your insertion, and mail co: Your friends will see your The Jewish Observer I 84 William Street greeting in our next issue, New York, New York 10038 I am pleased to learn that my "Shana Tova" wishes in our Rosh Hashonah edition your colum.ns will help The Jewish Observer greet the New Year with a reduced deficit . • . . and you will derive satis Name ______faction that you helped us in Add1ess•------1 City, Srate, Zip ______our effort to bring the Torah I Payment Enclo ~~rnmw ~~~ IM~~6l ~[~~~~ ~~~ 6~MM~~IH 34 60 Rabbi Moshe Sherer: "An Ideology ofAaivism" Rabbi LeviYitzchok Horowitz (the ~ -Articulating a Torah philosophy through pro Bostoner Rebbe): "Making the Most of Our ductive deeds, Blessings" - Using our strengths to act decisive ly in our responsibilities toward those not yet within the ranks of Torah Jewry. ~f IM~bf ~~~ fM~~~~I~ ~YMPOSIUM 62 36 Rabbi Yisroel Miller: "Reaching Out Over Barri Rabbi Chaim Dov Keller: 'The Best ofTimes, The ers" - Creating new print media to explain a Worst ofTimes" - Media exposure, both a trap and Torah perspective on life to those outside our an unprecedented opportunity, presenting us with ranks. ON THf need for caution, yet new frontiers for expansion. 64 42 Dr. Aaron Twerski: "Surviving in the Media: The Rabbi Berel Wein: "Priorities for the Uncertain Next Quarter Century" - The message, the Future" - Care in public pronouncements, flexi spokesmen, the media - all potential factors in ~RIORITlf S bility and accommodation in the day school sys positive growth and effective outreach. tem, the centrality of the Rabbinate in communi ty growth. w~~rnb rnw~~~ rn ~~Lm~ fOR m~rnm6 mm~~ 6~~~bf~ rn rn6~~ 66 ~fARS Rabbi Noach Orlowek: "An Agenda For Reach 44 ing Out With Inner Strength" - Strengthening the Mrs. Judith Bleich: "Greater Resources, Greater Agudist/Yeshiva/Chassidic community as a pre Accountability" - Orthodoxy's enhanced requisite for winning others to our ranks. numbers and deeper commitment, enlarging its ~Hrna accountability in life-style issues and responsibili 69 ty for others. Rabbi Nosson Scherman: "Challenges For a Favored Generation" - The goal - k'vod 48 Shamayim, as always~ its definition, and the choice Rabbi Hillel Goldberg: "Taking Stock and Look of paths to reach it - elusive. ing Ahead" - Added strength, allowing for diver sified efforts - promoting interaction, while permitting, even fostering, insularity. ~1~m~~ ~f ~b~~~rn 1~~~H~ rnrnm so 71 Nathan Lewin: "A Seventy-Five Year Road to a Rabbi Shmuel Bloom: "Back to the Basics" - Reversal of Extremes" - Our community's newly Areas of emphasis during the pioneering days of realized strengths now calling for added emphasis Agudath Israel - the supremacy of the Torah, on practicality, receptivity, and admirable conduct. inclusivity in membership, concern for the spiri tual and material welfare of our poeple - still S3 relevant, in spite of changed circumstances. Rabbi Yitzchok Sorotzkin: "A Torah Nation" - Evolution of an agenda, from emphasis on reach 74 ing outward to a focus on strengthening and Rabbi Joseph Elias: "Agudath Israel's Future: Can serving the core constituency. There Be One Without an Ideology?" - The vision conceived in Kattowitz as a guide for unity and ~~~Jf611~b 6~MM~~m b~~wrn further growth. 77 SS Chaim Dovid Zwiebel: "Arguing in the Alterna Rabbi J. David Bleich: "Today's Dreams Far tive" - Defining our community's parameters so Tomorrow's Fulflllment" - The Kehilla Kedosha as as to achieve optimum expansion without ideo a structure for communal function and -control. logicaf cOmprOmise. S8 Return" - Dealing w'", while addressing the I PRIORITIES FOR THE 'YEARS AHEAD/ A JO SYMPOSIUM Rabbi Moshe Sherer An Ideology of Activism One might suggest instead that the Midrash is instructing a would-be leader that he must demonstrate that he is in touch with his community's station in life and knows their fundamental needs, and also that he has the ability to act upon that knowledge and address Hf COMMRHO those needs. If the intended chief of state .fEHHIHCHTH merely declares his intentions to his l potential subjects, and stops there, it RNO would have the limited impact of pub 8/0HHCHHP- lishing an election platform - long on TREADING IN THE YOU SHRll GO rn rhetoric, but short on relevance. Or if FOOTPRINTS OF THE DIVINE he shows himself to be out-of-touch b-o's WRYS HOT with the community by implementing Why are the Asseres Hadibros (Ten programs that have little impact on their Commandments) not written at the ONlY [NJOINS INOIVIOURl Jrns TO lives, he will never gain their alle very beginning of the Torah? [MUlAH b·o's CONDUCT IH THUR OWN giance. Proper understanding, and then This is comparable to a king who effective action, are the prerequisites to descends upon a kingdom aud tells the INHRPfRSOHRl ornllHGS. BUT fllSO true leadership. This, the Midrash indi people: "I will reign over you!" To cates, was Hashem Yisbarach's plan in which the people respond: "Have you ROVISfS RMOVfMfHT SUCH RS ~bUORTH first bestowing His bounty of blessings ever bestowed anything good upon us, on Kial Yisroel, precisely according to that you should rule over us?" ISRRH TO 00 THf SAML their needs, and only then expressing the So the king built a protective wall full range of His commands. round their region, brought in water The wise leader will learn from this for their use, and fought their battles. ••• Divine model, and discern how to Then when he said, "I will rule over plan of action to further the goals of our interact with his community. In the you!", they replied, "Yes! Yes!" historic mission. For the command same manner, we of Agudath Israel can Similarly, G-d took the Jews out of "Vehalachta bidrachav- and you shall learn how a movement should relate to Egypt, split the Sea for them, provid go in G- d's ways" not only enjoins indi its constituency in order to build the ed then with manna, quail, and water vidual Jews to emulate G-d's conduct in ko'ach harabbirn, the huge mass of from the well, and battled Amaleik. their own interpersonal dealings, but Torah Jews that our sacred founders Then He said, "I will rule over you!" also advises a movement such as Agu envisioned when they established the And they replied: "Yes! Yes!" dath Israel to do the same. Thus the Agudath Israel World Organization 85 Y AlRVT SHIMONI, YISRO Midrash is instructing the community's years ago, to safeguard the nesharna of leader: Service your people's needs, and Kial Yisroel. he Midrash quoted above is not then offer to lead them. cited as a homiletic springboard. One should not be misled, though. THE AGENDA FOR SPIRITUALIZING TIn this 75th anniversary year of At first glance, the Midrash seems to be OUR PEOPLE: LIVING THE IDEOLOGY Agudath Israel of America, as we pause providing an effective scenario for how for a moment of introspective cheshbon to win the allegiance of an indifferent afeguarding the nesharna of Kial hanefesh, this Midrash actually provides populace by showering them with pub Yisroel: How does one go about us with a road map of how to create a lic projects. But that would be more in Ssuch a spiritual task? With fiery --~~------~"'"'" line with practical political strategy than orations? Inspiring essays? These sure Rabbi Moshe Sherer is president of Agudath Israel of America, and chairman of the World with Divine guidance in responsible ly have their place, but - as the Agudah Organization. leadership. Midrash cited above instructs us - peo- 34 The Jewish Observer, Summer 1997 pie become more attuned to accepting THE INHERENT IMPORTANCE OF AN on behalf of the yeshivas before all lev challenging concepts when their effica AGENDA OF ACTIVISM els of government has been resulting in cy has already been demonstrated to millions of dollars in benefits to quali them, and they witness their uplifting, ne more level of understanding fying schools, year after year. healing powers. An ideology is best com an "ideology of activism)>: not • For generations, the Jewish heart had prehended when its multifaceted 0 as a lure to win adherents to the ached for the tragic estrangement of mil insights and their applications are cause, nor merely as a demonstration of lions of Jews in the Soviet Union from known first-hand. the essence of the ideology, but because their scared heritage. The approach of The instructive model of "Vehalach the ideology of Agudath Israel inherently Gedolei Yisroel had always been a care ta bidrachav" can in this way serve as a calls for an agenda of activism. "110?"1-n ful blend of caution and concern. This compelling guide to a Torah communi i"TVl'D ,,.,7 w:io TJo?i°n?J i1-rtn "Great is meant true Jewish activism: a public call ty: The Creator kaveyachol demonstrates Torah study for it brings one to action" for prayer in the early 70's, clandestine that while His perspective emanates from ( Babba Kama l 7a) applies to a Torah airlifts of teachers of Torah and the spheres beyond an ordinary mortal's movement as well to its study; its great secret dissemination of literature in the grasp, He nonetheless relates to human ness is more fully realized when 80's, the spiritual absorption of Russian needs, and identifies with the yearnings expressed in the world of tangible immigrants in Israel from the mid-70's and simple necessities of ordinary folk. deeds. V'TI"t11Nl- to expound eloquently through today, and more recently, aid His people then come to recognize that - may be impressive, but it is not com ing in the founding of Kehillos, Torah His is not only a weltanschauung and a plete as a hashkafa until it is fully schools, and summer camps and sem philosophical guide for living, but He is expounded with the demonstrative inars in the former USSR .... intimately involved in their pains and actions of C''i'r.! nt-U - following joys, and He knows their days of mourn through effectively. To cite but a few • Many people take a caring, compas ing and seasons of celebration. When a examples: sionate look at the unemployed, the movement that follows in His path underemployed, and the "downsized;' • Calling for hatzala is noble, but not applies this approach to its conduct of and then quote the Rambam on striv to follow the call with life-saving acts communal affairs, its followers unhesi ing for the highest rung of the Chessed renders the summons hollow.... tatingly respond to the call for allegiance ladder by getting them jobs. This makes with a hearty "Yes! Yes!" • Arguing for a reevaluation of the for a stirring call for living up to the There are those within the Agudah height of the constitutional wall of sep demands of a Torah-based humanism. family who feel strongly that the major aration between church and state is an But it is not fulfilled as a hashkafa until emphasis should be placed on clarify exhilirating exercise in academics, but its proponents actually roll up their ing the Agudath Israel ideology, and how not more, unless it is brought to the sleeves and find jobs for those in need. it defines the myriad issues that confront attention of opinion formers and deci • More significant: Agudath Israel was us in Bretz Yisroel as well as throughout sion makers - and ideally, to the desks founded on the principle that all prob the Gola. This approach has a strong his of the justices of the Supreme Court, in lems facing Kial Yisroel have their res toric precedent, primarily in terms of the form of amicus curiae briefs. That's olution in Torah sources: "ro1£1iili01!li1 dialogue within the movement. But as what it took to remove remedial and spe m~-Delveinto [the Torah] ... and a means of attracting adherents to the cial education teachers from makeshift, continue to delve into it, for everything hashkafa of Agudath Israel, discussion denegrating trailers in New York City and is in it" (Avos 5:26). And, as the flip side of that hashkafa is most effective only elsewhere, and putting them into yeshi of the coin implies, pursuing a course as a follow-up to an active program of va classrooms where they belong .... that draws from non-Torah sources - service, after the organization has • Including DafYomi as a daily entry on and, especially, from anti-Torah sources already demonstrated that its ideology a popular calendar is a timely reminder - can only meet with frustration and, is not just an abstract ivory-tower phi for the interested individual, but it pales ultimately, failure. Explaining this doc losophy, but relates to the everyday con in comparison to alerting the world to the trine should be a major part of our agen cerns of klal and prat. The movement's 10th Siyum HaShas and then filling pub da, as a key aspect of continuing to safe programs and the distinctive Torah lic stadia with masses of Jews from all guard the neshama of Kial Yisroel. But manner in which they are conducted not walks of life. This in turn serves as a pow the impact of all statements of this ide only reflect its ideology; they also erful catalyst for expansion of Limud ology pale in comparison to the pro attract people to its ideology. Verbal elu Ha Torah on a massive scale, and an inspir found message imparted by a dynamic cidations - which I subscribe to with ing expression of Kiddush Shem Shamay organization actually functioning in fullest conviction - no matter how im of extraordinary proportions .... accordance with Torah guidelines as articulate, cannot match the persuasive interpreted by Torah sages - employ powers of a clearly declared ideology • Beyond encouraging the growth of ing Torah as its compass, with Gedolei embodied in facts on the ground. institutions of Torah study, advocating Torah interpreting the signals. The Jewish Observer, Summer 1997 35 Matching the call with deeds is what ing for ourselves, not depending on a immediate impact of the act itself. A makes an ideology meaningful and "hired Kaddish" to articulate our needs, wondrous act of chessed performed by complete. so must we - wherever plausible and a chessed organization is just that: an act necessary - act on our own behalf. of chessed, but no more. When the same FUNCTIONING AS AN INDEPENDENT Every accomplishment of Agudath act is discharged by an organization that ORTHODOXY Israel - in statements of hashkafa, in embodies a sacred trust, this expression acts of chessed, in programs of chinuch of kindness and concern is elevated to he relationship between hashkafa and enhancement of k'vod haTorah - a higher plateau: it is a legacy of the and ma'aseh in Agudath Israel is is a brick in the ideological edifice of sacred trust that conceived it. Thus, the Tone of interdependence - and Agudath Israel. Every individual helped hand that extends in an act of chessed that is what enables Agudath Israel to in finding gainful employment, in com sponsored by Agudath Israel is simul be a voice of independence, as free as ing closer to Torah, in benefiting from taneously holding the tip of a pen that possible from reliance on non-Torah government entitlements, offers living is writing history, through its battle to sources for hand-outs and representa testimony to the vibrancy of Agudath preserve Kial Yisroel as an Am Hashem. tion. Proudly proclaiming the theme of Israel as a movement representing an This combination of ideology with Orthodox independence without independent Orthodoxy. responsible Torah activism is the evolv implementing this ideal with mean And every act of service of Agudath ing record of seventy five years of ingful acts renders such a claim to be Israel, performed with the organization's struggle and achievement by Agudath nothing more than a high-sounding but unswerving adherence to Daas Torah as Israel of America, and it is the road map ineffectual slogan. articulated by the Moetzes Gedolei charting our course n"rv::i for the years As we have made a point of speak- HaTorah, elevates the deed beyond the ahead. There's no other way. • PRIORITIES FOR THE ThARS AHEAD/ A JO SYMPOSIUM Rabbi Chaim Dov Keller The Best of Times, The Worst of Times A LONG LOOK BACKWARD, A LONG could have expected ten or fifteen years its cries of"Triumphalism," as if the jus LOOK FORWARD ago. That in the year rwn Agudath Israel tified pride we have in the growth of should even be speaking about a Siyum Torah is nothing more than crowing o borrow a phrase: It is the best Hashaswith 70,000 participants nation over the failure of the other so-called of times and it is the worst of wide, staggers belief. c'branches'' of Judaism. We seem insen Ttimes. In the half century since On the other hand, we are confronted sitive to the losses of Kial Yisroel. the end of Churban Europe, the world with statistics of a spiritual Holocaust of Torah and the ranks of lomdei Torah that boggle the mind. Rampant inter PUBLICITY: A TWO-EDGED SWORD and shomrei Torah have grown beyond marriage, assimilation and shmad ?"1 our fondest dreams. The numbers of seem to be increasing in awesome ut there are more subtle, perhaps talmidim and talmidos in the yeshivas dimensions and at a frightening pace. more profound, dangers in this and Bais Yaakovs are growing in a geo We are winning and losing at the Bsituation. Publicity can be a two metric progression. The influence of same time. We - the Torah tzibbur edged sword. It would seem obvious that those who have come to be called are winning; but we - Kial Yisroel as a Reform, Haskala, and Zioinism achieved Chareidim is being felt, respected and, whole - are losing. And this presents their goals, to a great degree, by aggres lately, even feared much more than we us with a dilemma: In order to build fur sive use of propaganda; by taking over ther on our successes, we feel we must the communications media of their day Rabbi Keller is Rosh Hayeshiva in Yeshivas Telshe publicize them; we must present an opti - newspapers, publications and pub of Chicago. mistic and upbeat profile. Yet this elic- lic forums of all sorts; by the clever and 36 The Jewish observer, Summer 1997 effective manipulation of public opin heard a penetrating insight from Moses ion with slogans of enlightenment and Feuerstein, who himself was an active ••• national self-determination; by carica participant in the renaissance of Torah turization of Torah-faithful Jews as chinuch in America. He said that the day UI [ SHDUla Har CDHfUS[ GDDD ~l mordei or-"benighted reactionaries" school movement was successful - and sonei Tzion- "haters of Zion." because it didn't employ P.R. Had it Jl WITH ltDDUSH HHSHEMRHD BRD ~l A small minority of agitators and publicized itself, he said, the Reform and WITH CH!lf Uf HHSHEM W[ crnrnlHlY politically astute movers and shakers secular Jewish establishment would ~UT succeeded in taking over the reins of have smashed it. SHDUlD HDT GD lDDKIHG fDR BRD ~l. leadership in communities all over But that period is over. The day Europe and later in Eretz Yisroel, school movement has become so suc WHICH DBVIDUSlY DRIV[S PfDPU RWRY although at the outset, the rov minyan cessful that the Conservative and v'rov binyan - the preponderant Reform movements have made their fRDM fDRAH majority of Kial Yisroel- were faithful own day schools - even "kollelim'1 Jews with allegiance to the Gedolei Yis Agudath Israel of America has cer roel. tainly learned the art of public relations, ••• The tzibbur of yerei'im ushleimim, and has done an outstanding job pro thunder and lightning of Mattan Torah with its innate sense of tzenius, and per moting daas Torah and letting the were necessary to proclaim the grandeur haps from a refusal to adapt "modern" world know of the accomplishments of of Torah and the majesty of Hakadosh ways, was caught off guard and failed to Torah Jews. It has effectively employed Baruch Hu - but nonetheless con effectively use the publicist tactics of sophisticated political expertise to tributed indirectly to the breaking of the their spiritual opponents. advance the cause of Torah and protect Luchos. If we become excited by great Later, with the founding of Agudath the rights of religious Jews. spectacles, the Satan can later produce Israel, this was remedied to a degree; but The main work of hafotzas Torah a counter-spectacle of darkness and con it was obviously too little and too late veyiras Shamayim - dissemination of fusion, and make it appear as if Moshe to stem the tide of assimilation and kefi Torah and fear of G-d - is being done Rabbeinu has died. (See Rashi, Shemos ra that had been unleashed - with the in the yeshivas hakedoshos and in the 32,1.) result that those faithful to Hashem and chinuch institutions, in the individual So we must draw a fine line - pro His Torah found themselves in the shuls and batei midrashim. But Agudath claiming loudly the greatness of Hashem minority. Israel serves as the binding force which and His Torah, and demonstrating that The history of Kial Yisroel in Amer brings together the great multitude of those who keep His Torah are not only ica is the reverse of that of European Chareidim in a coalition whose voice is surviving but thriving; yet, at the same Jewry. America never was a bastion of heard loud and clear in the offices of time, not breaching the wall of tzenius Torah, nor were Chareidim ever the government. It has by effective use of with hype, which can disturb the inner, majority. The mass waves of immigra communications made the world and true essence of Torah Yiddishkeit. tion from Eastern Europe at the turn of frum Yidden themselves aware of their In the battle for supremacy of Torah the century found the organized Jewish powerful potential. in the public arena, we must make clear community in the hands of Reform and statements of Daas Torah. But at a time assimilated Jews - and were themselves THE DOWNSIDE OF P.R. when our success is becoming more and soon "Americanized" in the great melt more obvious and thus more and more ing pot. he American Agudah has defi feared by other segments of the Jewish Orthodox Jews were a minority nitely not repeated the mistakes people, we must be extremely careful within a minority. Whatever success they Tof the past. But the other edge of how we use P.R. had in maintaining their numbers and the P.R. sword is what Chazal tell us: As the representatives of Toras Emes, subsequently expanding was due main Since the first Luchos (Tablets of Law) we have a responsibility and an unprece ly to the work of a dedicated few who, were given in an open and conspicuous dented opportunity to project an with extreme self-sacrifice, built day manner - with great noise and before authentic and appealing image of Torah schools, yeshivos and Bais Yaakovs. multitudes of people, they were affect and Torah Yiddishkeit. When the She'eiris Hapleita, including ed by the ayin hara and were subse If there are times when it is absolute the Gedolei Yisroel whom Hashgacha quently broken. The second Luchos, ly essential that we make public state had saved, came to these shores after which were given betzina- quietly and ments in order to prevent the falsifica World War II, they found an infra in a modest manner - remained. tion of Torah-those statements must structure that they greatly enhanced and Nothing is more beautiful than tzenius be carefully weighed. Once the state expanded. But all of this was accom - modesty and privacy. (Tanchuma Ki ments are made in responsible fashion, plished without great fanfare. I once Sisa 31; also see Rashi, Shemos 34,3.) The we need not become overwhelmed or The Jewish Observer, Summer 1997 37 \~~;;;~o,,s =-- lenm:e ~ panic over adverse publicity. 1'""",;tS =:::; """"-""-:::.:::: I!' Js.,~'f A&:.:" INSULARITY: A TORAH But when it is not absolutely ___,..,-----1)1.t\\le~,,, Tolerancevs.~~-~~,;. ~~ SJo "11111 JMPERJTAVE I C"' ~-~ --····· ··==· .~ql'1>J, :0 necessary to make statements, \ _. ~f~ji'P f.\he b~~ ,_: ~:: s Te,.·· h ~u1,,_ ~ ~...... ,it.o .. :.:·.::...... JI "'s lead . the better part of valor is ',?',.. 'S::!" -· ondemn lf; ers for the quest10n of .~·· ·~~ 11 j AJ silence. The war will not be won "":~~ ~ Haredim attack ·~-;; ;!.".~~, a ta~~ greater interaction with by gratuitous press releases If~ non-Orthodox at(WlllTbeRealOrthodox ~ he world around us as and news conferences. This ~~ Western Wall Please~dll'!!__ ~. opposed to insularity being our has recently been quite clearly ·!';?~;-:;_:_-;::~-=:::':S, T;;!':f::: !Cl===~--. --~/ only hope: the rank and file of ,, ... ~\'(!:!~ ------.A'·-,;;.:.-=--~-~-.....:~~ demonstrated in the unfortu- ..-~ --;;. .. ., __ ·.:::::_::::._:~~ ~~:§_ Orthodox Jews are not really nate public controversy over the ·~ insularized. They are very much statement of the Agudath Harabanim (according to one opinion in the Mechil involved in the world of business and concerning the Conservative and ta, one in 500!). The rest died during professions. They live in Jewish neigh Reform movements, which was picked makas choshech - darkness, the penul borhoods by and large out of choice, not up and distorted by the media. The timate plague. Even after eight unprece out of fear. We should, however, pursue statement, although technically correct, dented miracles, they still refused to see cultural insularity and social insularity served no real purpose and thus was cer the light and died in darkness. Nonethe - not as our only hope, but as Torah tainly not worth the adverse and harm less, Kial Yisroel was redeemed from imperatives. Hashem Himself tells us in ful publicity it caused. Egypt and went on to receive the Torah. the Torah: "I have separated you from We should not confuse good P.R. Similarly, during the time of Eliyahu the nations to be Mine" ( Vayikra with Kiddush Hashem and bad P.R. with Iianavi, there were only 7000 Jews who 20,26), which Rashi explains: Ifyou are Chillul Hashem. But we certainly should did not worship Baal (Melachim I separated from them, you belong to Me. not go looking for bad P.R., which obvi 19,18), yet we still survived as a nation. And if not, you belong to Nevuchadnet ously drives people away from Torah. The Chazon !sh is reported to have zar and his cohorts, and you will be exiled said: We need not worry that the secu from the Holy Land. WE, THEY, AND THE WAVE lar Jews are in the majority. We just have The role that Agudath Israel has cho OF THE FUTURE to marry and have children. Rabbi sen for itself seems to have been emi Shach "''"""""' ("'"Tt>:l') continually stress nently successful. To unite shomrei n the coming years, we must learn es: Our task is strengthen Torah, build Torah u'mitzvos under the banner of how to handle our successes, and not another yeshiva, another cheder, anoth Gedolei Yisroel, to advance Torah and I let them go to our heads so that we er Bais Yaakov. Our main statements are chessed and to battle against the falsifi will really be guilty of Triumphalism. We to be made with actions, not words. cation of Torah. cannot fall into the trap of dividing Kial If we follow the advice of these The bilbul hamochos - the confused Yisroel into two camps - "We" and Gedolim, we could in four or five thinking - and warped hashkafa that "They:' We must not forget that "They" decades easily become the majority and is being passed off as Torah, and even are part of "Us:' be in a position to take over the orga Orthodox Judaism, depress and infuri One of the great phenomena of our nized Jewish community. This could ate at the same time. One does not know time - unique in the history of the last bring about a completely new situation, whether to cry out or just to cry. two millennia - has been the bur- presenting exciting new opportunities I believe that in the coming years we geoning Teshuva movement. We must and totally new challenges and prob have to follow the advice of Shlomo continue to reach out and expand our lems. At this time, it is quite impossible Hamelech: "It is good that you seize this, efforts in this area. Yet, we cannot delude for us to plan our agenda for then. but do not let your hand loose from ourselves with the unrealistic notion that Hopefully, we will merit Bi'as Moshiach this" (Kohel/es 7, 18; see Rashi there). if we will really do our utmost to be Tzidkeinu much before then, which will We have to "seize" - to place the mekarev all Jews, regardless of their render the question moot. As for the emphasis- on strengthening Torah, on backgrounds and affiliations, that we present, I see no need to expand our helping Jews and bringing them togeth will bring them all back to Torah Yid sense of community; I believe that frum er. We have to de-emphasize polemics. dishkeit, and as long as that has not hap Yidden have a real sense of communi That should not be our major thrust. pened we are failing. We must do our ty. We feel that all Jews, no matter their But neither should we let go of that best, but not fall into depression because level of observance, are united as the important function of opposing those of statistics. people that accepted Torah and mitzvos movements that defy Torah and expos There was no greater demonstration at Sinai. If expanding our sense of com ing those which falsify Torah. of the omnipotence of Hashem and His munity means recognizing and coop I believe that the historic stand Hashgacha than the ten miraculous erating with those movements which taken by Agudath Israel against Con plagues in Egypt. Yet 'mi1>.n'l~ PvtJ'YJ1T.ln would deny that type of unity, then of servatism and Reform has been a D'1Yr.l 1'1J'ttl. Only one in five left Egypt what purpose is that community? great factor in stemming the tide of 38 The Jewish Observer, Summer 1997 desertion to these movements. But probable candidate for Moshiach, to tion). When we take the long look back there is no longer a pressing need for being "bechezkas" Moshiach, to being ward and the long look forward, we can a great effort in this area. With the Melech HaMoshiach, to being a dead not ignore the dire lesson ofJewish his Reform making a special "seder" for the Moshiach who has not died, to being tory so many times repeated, so Dalai Lama concluding with "Next year "omniscient," "omnipotent" and being succinctly stated in the Torah 1'l>:!'1Jrnn in Lhasa" (the capitol of Tibet), and the "the Essence and Being [of G-d] JlW'1 (Devarim 32,15). When the peo Conservatives having to count women enclothed in a body"!• ple of Israel wax fat, they kick off the to a minyan, they are not the great More recently, a full-page ad featured restraints that the Ribbono Shel Olam threat that they were three and four in The New York Times advised readers: gave us in the Torah. decades ago. "The Rebbe, no longer bound by phys We cannot look away and ignore the Agudath Israel must, however, con ical limitations, is accessible to all of us, overriding pursuit of wealth, comfort, tinue to take a stand (again, not as its everywhere and at any time. His bless and ostenation that are becoming so top priority) against the Conservative ings are to be found everywhere. Any evident in the world of Orthodox Jews and Reform tendencies that go under the one, however great or humble, can turn - in our world - as manifest in our name of Orthodoxy: Orthodox plural to him with their innermost thoughts lifestyles, in our simchos, in the ads in ism, Orthodox feminism, Orthodox and deepest prayers. There are no bar our publications - in the special halachic innovations, intolerable toler riers. There is no need to make a pil Orthodox publications, where the ation of "gay''. clubs on Orthodox uni grimage or stand on line to receive his heroes are the stars of the latest music versity campuses. We should not alien blessing:" tapes and the ads show the latest gold ate the modern Orthodox as a group. The Orthodox world looks for guid plumbing fixtures. There are many very fine Jews who call ance; the non-Orthodox world impugns The Me'iri in his Chibbur Hateshu themselves "modern" and are Orthodox, us with guilt by association; those in va (Essay on Repentance) writes that he who sincerely seek Torah guidance, Lubavitch who are opposed to all this who sets his goals to enjoy both worlds and take great exception to the gener look for support. And only recently has - Olam Hazeh and Olam Habba ..,--- is alizations that seem to question their the silence in our camp been broken by like a person trying to catch two deer in religiosity. Rabbi Elya Svei 1<""""'1 at an Agudah the course of one run. We should, however, point out - Shabbos of Chizuk in Los Angeles. Our generation, following the great wherever necessary - departures Agudath Israel must continue with its est Churban the Jewish people has suf from Daas Torah by "Centrist" and extremely impressive array of programs fered since Churban Bayis Sheini, has pluralist ideologists, and not worry too for chizuk HaTorah and chessed as top witnessed the greatest ha' aras panim. We much that these people have lately priority. But we cannot shrink from the have been showered with the greatest made it a point of questioning the very role ofleadership in this area of speak Divine chessed - both materially and concept of Daas Torah. Again, how ing out for the clarity and purity of spiritually. We, who have withstood the ever, we should tone down the Torah as given us to understand by test of suffering, must be able to with rhetoric. Our primary thrust should Gedolei Yisroel throughout the genera stand the test of prosperity. be on raising generations of Bnei Torah tions. It is the best of times and it is the and Bnos Yisroel k'sheiros who will as worst of times. But then that has been a matter of course be models of THE NEED TO TURN INWARD the story of the Jewish people since its Torah living and continue to inspire inception. the "swing to the Right;' so loudly fter having said all this, our first And we are the people of Hashem, bemoaned in those circles. nd foremost call for tikkun Who has not forsaken us - and Who There is another movement that has ust be turned inward. We must will not forsake us.We are the perennial enjoyed a cloak of relative silence that focus on the areas in our own circles that optimists who see the best of all times requires us to speak out. That is active require improvement. And this has in the future when we shall be zocheh to messianism, which has lately taken a also been a hallmark of Agudath Israel ll'tr.ll:ltl'? = 71 rn ;nrr l'"ll<11 rnbr.n- the frightening turn toward avoda zara. We of America at all its conventions and its earth will be full of knowledge of have seen a highly respected Chassidic public Yemei Iyun (Days of Introspec- Hashem, as the water covers the sea. movement, with great accomplishments lm':J i'Tli"1m Ujir.i Ti'W nN"::D. • 1 These are direct quotes (including the words for Torah and Yiddishkeit to its credit, in brackets) from "The Rebbe's Answer: A torn apart by a machlokes that touches Dream Come True;' by Aryeh A. Gotfryd, Beis ikrei emuna- the fundamentals of our Moshiach, Elul 5756. faith. i The advertisement, entitled "The Third of Tam~ muz is Not the Rebbe's Yahrzeit," sponsored by The Rebbe has progressed in the eyes Shofar Association of America Inc, 820 Eastern of one faction within the movement Parkway, Brooklyn, appeared in the Times on July from being a navi to being the most 8, '97. The Jewish Observer, Summer 1997 39 In .English: 37 pages ofco)'.lcise instruction - Halacha L'Maaseh - for the traveller experiencing difficulties both for Erev Shabbos and on Shabbos. A detail of the options and solutions according to Halachic preference, including many areas of Halacha not well known by the layman. The Sefer etv• Ohel By Rabbi Avrohom Ort of Lakewood, NJ iiNiiil'l iiiin? ??i:iii 'i:lM~ with the m:icii of N"t:i'?W rt:iwl~!l ,,, i"iiii~ tiNJii ~ii C'?Wii' MiN!lM NM~'M~1 ~"i riiiip~~~~~~: 112 pages presentifl.g an in-depth discussion of all the M,~i'O and M'tl:lC on which th~,aB~ve Ha1achos are based, and serving als~fras a toip~r, of the man~,~,bipo ilN"'lO in c~pci~i C"W to assist the i1N;i1 liiio in beingr'"'T:lo the i"'l~r,;i hims~lf. I PRIORITIES FOR THE YEARS AHEAD/ A JO SYMPOSIUM Rabbi Berel Wein .~· = The Uncertain Future FIGHTING basis of their own VANQUISHED FOES actions and deci sions. Curses, bans, am reluctant to news-conferences, step into an area declarations, reso I where only rabbis lutions, and even and angels never fear legislation, will not to tread. It is materially affect extremely difficult to their future. These be somewhat certain only serve to make about the past. It is the task of preserv almost impossible to ing the Jewish peo view the future with ple as a Torah com any sense of certainty. The Jewish world Jewish life are struggling to remain munity more difficult. of today bears almost no resemblance, afloat, and in spite of their apparent physically, socially, or spiritually, to the wealth of numbers and money, they will BUFFING THE TARNISHED IMAGE Jewish society of seventy-five years ago. fall or survive because of what they alone Who can therefore realistically claim the do to right their sinking ships. If they here are three areas that need our ability to predict the state of the Jewish reintroduce Torah observance) mitzvos) attention. The first is our public world seventy-five years hence? I do have tradition and respect for heritage into T image - how do we appear to opinions about the current trends and their lives, it is possible that they may others? It should be apparent to all of agendas in today's Orthodox Jewish yet be around seventy-five years hence. us that our public persona is very neg world, however, and it is these ideas that If they continue on their present suici ative. The rabbis taught us that people I take the liberty of sharing with the dal course of encouraging intermarriage, who are despised by others are unlike readers of The Jewish Observer. counting non-Jews as Jews, destroying ly to incur G-dly favor. We are viewed The opportunities for the strength every vestige of halachic authority in as constantly frowning, uncaring of oth ening of Orthodox Jewry in America their lives, and denying the existence of ers, uninterested in humanity general have never been as numerous as they are a personal G-d as being a basic tenet of ly, scandalous in monetary matters and today. Yet, the Orthodox community, Judaism, then they are doomed to politically corrupt. None of this is true, riven, as it unfortunately is, with strife destruction. The ash heap of Jewish his but perception is often more dangerous and narrowness of perspective, does not tory contains many movements that than reality. We are thought to be anti seem to realize the opportunity pre were numerous and powerful, even for technology, opposed to every advance in sented to it. The battles of the Jewish long centuries, that could not stand the the fields of education, communications world of the past century have already test of eternal time. In the absence of a and information. We are demeaned as been won or lost. There is no purpose truly halachic Shabbos-observing com a society of"kooks" - messianists, stone served in continuing to fight them still, munity, without devotion to Torah throwers, nationalist fanatics, com when we are faced with other enemies knowledge and study, and a powerful pletely out of touch with the current and far different social and technolog sense of true-Jewish identity, no orga world and its realities. ical circumstances. The Conservative nizational movement of Jews) no mat We must repair this image, not only and Reform movements in American ter how apparently numerous and polit to have an opportunity for meaningful ically powerful it appears to be, will be outreach work in the Jewish community, R.abb.CB~r;i""Wein,-~fIVf~USef-~iY, is d~~;~ Shaarei Torah of Rockland County and the Bas able to stay the course oflsrael's destiny. but in order to retain and inspire our Torah Academy, as well as Rav of the Congrega Therefore, Orthodox's efforts and own children and students. Before we tion Bais Torah in the same community. A pop priorities should not be expended on say things, issue proclamations, criticize ular lecturer and writer, his Herald of Destiny and yesterday's war with Reform and Con Triumph of Survival are histories of the Jews - others and marginalize other observant in the Middle Ages and in the Modern era, respec servative Jewish organizations. They will Jews, we should think of the image of tively. stand or fall, most likely the latter, on the us that such behavior creates, and what 42 The Jewish Observer, Summer 1997 that image does for or against the name different response, tailored to its par THE CENTRALITY OF THE SYNAGOGUE, of Torah and Heaven in the eyes of the ticular interests and its own capacity to AUTHORITY OF THE RABBI world. We are not engaged in a popu grow. There is no one formula for all day larity contest, but there is no reason to schools in America. No one would be so inally we are at risk of losing the appear as being mean-spirited, negative foolish, for example, as to expect to clone Orthodox synagogue and its rab and unresponsive to changing human the schools of Borough Park or Lake Fbinate as an integral institution of circumstances and societal needs. wood to teach the kids of Mid-Ameri Orthodox Jewish life. The demise of the ca. Too many battles for the integrity of centrality of the synagogue and the DIVERSIFYING OUR SCHOOLS specific schools have been lost for one authority of the rabbi contributed reason or another. One of the consid greatly to the initial triumph of the he second area of concentrated erations should be that outreach efforts haskala movement in nineteenth-cen effort should be the Orthodox to adults are useless, if we have no tury Eastern Europe. Only a strong, Teducational system. Torah Ume schools that can accommodate their kehilla-centered, rabbinic-led, move sorah has succeeded in establishing children in a successful and meaning ment such as Hirsch's Frankfurt, suc Hebrew Day Schools across the coun ful manner. cessively overcame the secularist Jewish try, to the point where there are now The method of financing Jewish onslaught. we have fragmented our over 500 from coast to coast. On the one education through onerous tuition fees communities, dissipated our talents hand, there has been a concentrated is counter-productive to attracting and and closed off the field of Jewish lead effort to upgrade many of the schools. maintaining a total parent and student ership - the rabbinate - to many of On the other hand, some schools have body. Teacher training programs need our brightest young scholars, by empha been challenged by a "community to be expanded and intensified. There sizing minute points of difference and school" trend, which aims to cater to the is a shortage of qualified educators and ignoring the general good of the com ideologies of all factions of the com administrators in the Orthodox Jewish munity. We should pay heed to the munity- including its secular elements world. Our commitment to the cause of words of the rabbis in Avos: "Establish - in the schools' policies and curricu Torah education must be strengthened many students; do not separate yourself lum. Between the two, we have quite a by deed and money and personnel, not from the community; love peace, pur spectrum. Each community requires a merely words and speeches. sue peace and bring other Jews closer to "~~~~~--~~~~~~~ The Jewish Observer, Summer 1997 43 ~~ ..._. I ______PRIORITIES FoR THE YEARS AHEAD/ AJO______SYMPOSIUM ....Judith __ Bleich __ Greater Resources, Greater Accountability "It was the season of Light, it hidden places my soul cries was the season of Darkness, it was out. the spring of hope, it was the win ter of despair ...." Beyond the Confines of Orthodoxy A PARADOXICAL DUALITY his paradoxical duality erphaps I have reached an is mirrored beyond the age at which sentimental Tconfines of the Ortho P ity may be condoned. I dox community. The num confess that when I attend a wed bers lost to intermarriage are ding and observe the garb and com Times, a staid bastion of the establish devastating. Jews with no ties whatso portment of the assembled friends of ment, sits up and grudgingly takes front ever to either the religion or peoplehood bride and groom, when I arrive at class page notice. And if these phenomena oflsrael abound. For ever larger num a bit early and come upon students dav do indeed come at the cost of a few bers, Judaism is hardly more than a culi ening Shacharis, when I note the seri stringencies perceived as unnecessary by nary experience with little impact upon ousness and frequency with which some, the benefits seem well worth the attitudes, values or beliefs, and none at young people call our house night after price. all upon religious practice. night until the wee hours to ask she' ei But ... I turn the pages of the news Yet, at the same time, there are los, when I enter a lecture hall filled with papers and read of scandal after scan many who express a genuine thirst for a capacity audience gathered to listen to dal in which identifiably Orthodox knowledge and manifest an avid intel a shiur, I find myself moved beyond individuals and institutions are impli lectual interest in virtually every facet of words, to tears, at the transformations cated. I note the high statistics of fam Jewish history, philosophy, theology, rit that have taken place in our communi ily breakdown in our community, the ual and custom. The Anglo-Jewish press ty. instances of abuse and dysfunction, and is more focused and sophisticated than As I call to mind similar weddings the staggering number of older singles- heretofore. Herbraica and Judaica pub some thirty years ago, the questionable surely one of the saddest social maladies lications flourish. In the world at large, kashrus standards of those years, the lax of our times. I attend conferences and newspapers, radio, television and the ity of observance, the ubiquitous igno dinners sponsored by venerable Ortho cinema resonate with Jewish themes. rance, and then read the words of indi dox organizations--and even yeshiva~ There is a new resilience and vibrancy viduals who express concern at the "shift and no longer wonder why far too many in the most unexpected of quarters. to the right;' I am simply astounded at of those who seek spiritual satisfaction Rabbi Avraham I. Kook, in his essay what appears to be a severe case of turn to new-age philosophies or to the "Ha-Dor," depicts his own time as a amnesia. Can anyone really advocate a charismatic allure of pseudo-Kabbalah. wondrous age in which light and dark return to the "good old days"? Yes, now Few of our own organizational and con ness mingle in confusion. Our gener sefarim stores are teeming with cus gregational events serve as sources of ation is no less reflective of that phe tomers, chol ha-mo'ed throngs reclaim either inspiration or edification. I nomenon. the Yorn Tov spirit, and despite the tens search in vain for consistent expression of thousands that can be accommodat in the public arena of Jewish values and I. OF WEALTH, GENEROSITY AND ed in Madison Square Garden, the integrity as befits a people who are yirei MATERIALISM forthcoming siyum haShas is already Hashem striving to sanctify the mun oversubscribed. Even The New York dane and to be mekadesh shem Shamay 'thin the Torah community Mrs. Bleich is a professor of Judaic Studies in im. I take a hard look at our commu tself, there has evolved across Touro College, New York. nity and benistarim tivkeh nafshi, in its W:the United Sates and Canada 44 The Jewish Observer, Summer 1997 a network of exemplary organizations, talmid chacham and yichus atzma are II. OUR MANDATE TO SAVE formal and informal, dedicated to a wide disregarded unless accompanied by the JEWISH SOULS variety of charitable activities, includ requisite financial package. Our soci ing hachnassas kalla, bikkur cholim, ety has strayed far from the concept of he concerns of a Torah society tomchei Shabbos and others. Operat pas bamelach tochal. must encompass the needs of the ing without fanfare or publicity, these It is related that the founder of the Tentire Jewish community. Pre groups and their volunteers exemplify Novaradok Yeshiva, Reb Yoizel Hurwitz, sumably, any hesitation in articulating the highest standards and the noblest succeeded in obtaining an extremely those concerns is born of a fear of ero teachings of Judaism. generous sum of money for his yeshiva sion in the quality or intensity of prac Nevertheless, it is undeniable that, at from a former student who had become tice in the observance of mitzvos with the other end of the spectrum, a gal a business magnate. The same busi in the sector of the committed. But life loping materialism has engulfed signif nessman gave only a paltry sum to the is fraught with risk. When perception icant sectors of the Orthodox commu head of another yeshiva, which he had of risk is magnified, the result is paral nity. This is evident not only in dress, also attended in his youth. When ques ysis. The ideal of mesiras nefesh includes home decoration and overly ostenta tioned why the Alter of Novardok was many types of sacrificial devotion, and tious private celebrations, but has spilled given so lavish a contribution while the surely acceptance of minimal spiritual over into organizational and institu other Rosh Yeshiva received so little, the risk is among them. tional events as well. In the worst man businessman explained: "When Reh During the fateful years ofWorld War ifestation of materialism, it is the need Yoizel visited my home to solicit funds II, Rabbi Michael Dov Weissmandl to procure the wherewithal to support for the yeshiva, he paid no attention wrote impassioned letters to America such lavish lifestyles that is at least par whatsoever to his surroundings. He was imploring his fellow Jews: "Now we ask: tially to blame for the erosion of pro oblivious to the elegant furnishings How are you able to eat, how are you bity and the emergence of various and valuable paintings, but was con able to sleep, how are you able to live ... ? forms of financial chicanery. cerned totally and completely with the A holy and awesome responsibility But greed and materialistic compet needs ofthe yeshiva. It was evident that devolves upon you. Blessed are you if itiveness cannot in themselves serve to my wealth and possessions were unim you understand and fulfill it, woe unto explain behavior that crosses the line portant to Reh Yoizel. I realized that to you, if the reverse ... " (Min Hametzar, from the socially offensive to the uneth him my money was only of instrumen pp. 189-190). Do we not now face a ical, illegal and even criminal. Of par tal value, of significance only in terms threat to the spiritual survival of vast ticular concern is the fact that crass ofthe good it could do. When the other numbers of Jews? Are we not con materialism has found its way into the Rosh Yeshiva visited my home, howev fronted by a matter of pikuach nefesh- inner sanctum of Orthodoxy as well er, it was obvious that he was extreme literally saving the souls-of fellow into the upper echelons of yeshivas and ly impressed by its grandeur and Jews? How can we equivocate with kollelim. There must be some terrible deferred to my wealth with great regard to the need for a response? flaw in our communal/social/educa respect. If my money was endowed with An acquaintance, a Jew born and bred tional institutions. We extol the para such intrinsic importance, how could I in a European shtetl, used to recount an mount value of limmud haTorah. Yet give it away?" experience that had stood him in good families whose entire existence is pat The message that we are imparting stead as wise counsel throughout his life. terned around sacrifice for limmud is loud and clear: Material possessions Once, as a child in a small town in haTorah discover that their daughters are of great value, and riches are to be Poland, his father gave him a few are disenfranchised in the matrimoni both honored and courted. If riches are groschen and dispatched him to purchase al sweepstakes because the family is not viewed as an intrinsic good, little won a loaf of bread for the evening meal. As able to promise lavish support for a suf der that there are those who are prepared a result of a series of misadventures, ficiently prolonged period of time. to resort to any means, ethical or which occurred through no fault of his The Noda Biyehudah questioned the unethical, permissible or impermissible, own, he returned home empty-handed value system of people of his time who in order to attain wealth. and proceeded to deliver himself of a full were reluctant to enter into a marriage Countering this perversion of values account of the incidents that thwarted because of similarity in the names of a is no simple matter. There has been a his mission. His father accepted his prospective groom and father-in-law for serious failure in internalizing funda excuses, but admonished him to remem fear of trespassing the strictures of the mental teachings that constitute the very ber that" Tzum teretz ken men zich nisht testament of Rabbi Yehuda Hachassid, core of Judaism. Perhaps a renewed vaschen -with the excuse one cannot but were not concerned with seeking a emphasis on idealism and communal wash [one's hands for bread]:' Yes, we talmid chacham as a son-in-law. One responsibility would also serve as an aid have good and sufficient excuses for fail wonders what he would have made of in reestablishing a proper sense of pri ure and nonfeasance. But what benefit a society in which the qualities of bas orities and values. do they bring us? The Jewish Observer, Summer 1997 45 Perhaps a personal experience will ••• serve as a graphic illustration. Several years ago, a member of our congregation rn1rn TO PlAC[ TWO AOOllSClNT BOYS Of ~UKHARIRN ORIGIN WHO lXPRlSSfO A became acquainted with two adolescent boys of Bukharian origin who expressed WllllNGNlSS TO RTHNO AYlSHIVA HIGH SCHOOL MY lffORTS WlRl TO NO AVAIL. a willingness to attend a yeshiva high school. I tried to place these youngsters THl PUBllC SCHOOl SYSHM UNHlSITATINGlY ACClPHO THOSl CHllORlN. WHY! ~lCAUSl in a suitable school. I spent hours tele phoning yeshivas and solicited the help UNIVlRSRl fOUCATION IS ITS MANOAH. IS OURS ANY OlfHAlNTr of both local and national organizations. I pleaded, cajoled and even presumed upon personal relationships. I thought ••• I knew the identities of the movers and III. RAISING THE LEVEL OF OUR unseemly and counterproductive. shakers in our community as well as a COMMUNICATION Chazal understood the importance of little bit about pulling strings. Never imparting Torah teachings in a manner theless, my efforts were to no avail. The he battles of fifty and seventy-five that attracts and does not alienate-" Ko following year I tried again, and was years ago are not those of the pre somar Iebeis Ya'akov:' In a generation in finally able to place one youngster (by Tsent. At its inception, Agudath which the level of women's education, then, the second had found other inter Israel was a unifying force bringing both Jewish and general, is high, it is ests) in a school whose existence was together the disparate sectors of Ortho unfortunate that much current Ortho somewhat precarious. (Was that why its doxy: Lithuanian yeshivas, Chassidim dox programming for women remains principal was receptive? Or, to be fair and adherents of the philosophy of simplistic and patronizing. and more appreciative, was the school's Torah im Derech Eretz. Our times Someone once remarked to Rabbi precarious financial situation at least par demand a new coalition for Torah, one Meir Schapiro that he had been unable tially attributable to its receptivity and that is non-political and non-partisan. to understand the speech of an adam openness?) In a different, less politicized sociolog gado~ one of the leaders of the Aguda The educational background of these ical context, it behooves Agudath Israel movement, because that Sage,s delivery two boys was minimal, family support to utilize its resources, its highly effec had been" tzu shtil--too quiet:' The Yid was non-existent; their academic per tive staff and its powerful media and dish" hoich)) can mean either "loud" or formance was poor and their behavior communications skills to project a "high." In a play on words, Rabbi Meir could hardly be described as exemplary. voice of conscience, nationally and Schapiro quipped, "Nisht tzu shtil -tzu Indeed, there were good reasons for each internationally. hoich. Not too quiet-too elevated:' of the schools that I had approached not It is distressing that the term Charei The Torah community's publications, to welcome such youngsters as students. di has all too often come to be under conventions and programs in these But, "Tzum teretz ken men zich nisht stood as synonymous with narrow times of crisis and opportunity must vaschen." These were Jewish children - mindedness or know-nothingism. In give expression to the moral conscience and even somewhat interested in learn recent years, there has been a welcome ing Torah. In point of fact, the one who proliferation of juvenile literature, of was admitted to a Jewish school did popular writings and of translations of ;·.~~~~i~im.;·; \; .(gr···· profit from the experience. More to the Torah classics. There remains a dearth ~9rd~lt~i Bel\Dl(ijd1•·. bottom line, the public school system of serious works suitable for an intel ··· an.dother t'~f".~Iti:n~~I unhesitatingly accepted those children. lectual or academic readership. If the · Jeft!islt.~1tl¢ffililt~ ' Why? Because universal education is its Torah tzibbur is to have impact upon areavailabl~• mandate. Is ours any different? the community at large, it is essential · · · • We do have specialized yeshivas that it address the concerns and inter to visit ..... <•·. designed to meet the needs of children ests of an intellectually oriented and sec ··seriously.ill with weak Jewish backgrounds but far ularly educated society. childtel\ ·.·.. too many fall between the cracks. And Many of the salutary changes that lhahklW° tuition is still a hassle in virtually every have occurred on these shores may be rim·~······• institution. Pikuach nefesh in its literal attributed to success in the religious edu ~~.~~~ sense demands that tuition-free chin cation of women in this country. At a AChis!!d jltojtlt!Uoby nuch for any Jewish child who wishes to time when feminist issues are the focus ;\jW!adi - ol Alteil# J~·eotljiit1'ctkm With.:· avail himself or herself thereof must of attention, our stance should be SW. Ii lihf( """"itliiM. become the first priority for the entire responsive and responsible. Derision :::: t~~tup ~n liJ!Po.tnltrtt~~··iail; ;.(2,llJ797·9000. Ext:11; • M:F,: 'fas American Jewish community. and negativism are inappropriate, 46 The Jewish Observer, Summer 1997 of Orthodoxy. We must strive to be nei ther quiet and ineffective nor loud and PINCHAS M:ANDEL shrill, but elevated and uplifting. Over 45 years experience 1n Kvura in Eretz Y1srael Personal responsibility throughout service - NO AFFILIATES IV.ORDERING OUR PRIORITIES Originator of the present method - BEWARE OF IMPOSTERS Highly recommended by Gedolai Hader- Here and in Eretz Yisrael part from chinnuch, how do we 1569-47th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11219 order other priorities? How do Day & Night: phone: (718) 851-8925 we choose among the welter of A ~r.:lITT!lr.lNj7 ))l''i' - pi:i 1Nl l11r.r:l)) >U!l competing needs? Where do we start? Chesed Shel EMES with Mesiras Nefesh ... as understood and practiced Well-known is the response ofReb Yis by one active in the industry for more than half a century. roel Salanter to the query: If an indi - TAHARAS HANLITAR SHOULD NEVER BE COMMERClAUZED - vidual has but one half-hour of time should he study Chumash, Mishna, Gemora, or Halachdl. Answered Reb Yis roel Salanter: Let him study mussar and he will discover that he has much more than a half-hour a day for ]earning. How should we order our priorities? If our own community would turn aside from smug self-satisfaction to genuine soul searching, from conspicuous con sumption, headline hunting and obses sion with P.R. long enough to imbibe a healthy dose of mussar, we would dis cover that we are blessed with the resources, the talents-and even the funds-to address all our priorities. We would succeed in tapping the reservoirs of learning, chessed and spirituality of Kial Yisroel, and, harnessing them, turn our abundant energies toward hasten ing the promised time when "The earth will be filled with the knowledge of G- • Conveniently located between Yerushalayim & Bnai Brak • U.S. dollar mortgage available - up to 70% •New olim are eligible for a grant of up to $19,000 plus special loans • I, 2, 3, bedroom apartments & luxurious semi-detached homes + 35% of the residents are English speaking • The present strong U.S. doliar has kept prices down + Apartments in the construction stage cost less by I0-15% Some 2,000 families have moved to Kiryat Sefer during the past 3 years ) Don't let this opportunity pass you by! l fo1 fu1tller i11/on11irffor1 u1//: N.Y. area, Tel. 914-~25-3354, F.n. 91~-352-7229, Lakc11ood lei/Fa' 908-370-2472 In ls1 ,1eJ: Jcr usalc-111 972-2~5375-l-SX, I\ Ir\ at 'iefer 972-8-tJ7..i03 l 3. Bnl'I B1 .1k 972-3-~792328 The Jewish Observer, Summer 7997 47 11------~ PRIORITIES FoR THE YEARS AHEAD/ A JO SYMPOSIUM Rabbi Hillel Goldberg Taking Stock and Looking Ahead DIVERSIFYING, NOT PRIORITIZING sive vision that few individuals, by dint suited for interaction with the larger of neshama perspective and the need for community who face risks. The risk of shall address all six questions from specialization, can? sacrificing the identity of the Torah tzib the perspective of the fifth: Which This is where Agudath Israel of bur comes not just through "expanding I is it, interaction or insularity? Out America comes in. Can Agudah articu our sense of community;' i.e., welcom reach or inreach? Saving the community late the importance of both interaction ing individuals utterly removed from or saving ourselves? Getting involved in and insularity? Can Agudah retain the and thereby suspect of introducing the unholy waters of a Jewish commu loyalty, an 48 The Jewish Observer, Summer 1997 Jewish Community Council of ANOTHER LEVEL OF TENSION Montreal (MK) AND RESOLUTION ••• has opening for Executive Director nteraction and insularity are neces UI [ 00 NOT NHO ARANKING Of must have administrative sary on another level, too. PRIORlmS. BUT AOIVlRSITY Of experience and knowledge I fl of Kashrus APPROACHlS. ~UR SPlCIAl • Interaction: Certain gaps within the Please reply to: Orthodox Jewish community are nar RlSPONSIBllllY IS BO!H lO OURSHVlS SEARCH COMMITTEE rowing in light of the demise of the Syn I 085 St. Alexandre, Suite 400 agogue Council of America in the US, ANO lO ornrns. BU! vrnv HW PlOPl[ Montreal, QC and the abandonment of Zionist values CANADA H2Z 1P4 in Israel. It's true that feminism has CAN 00 BO!H WHl ~P[CIRlllAllOH IS infiltrated segments of the Orthodox H[Cf SSARY community. Nonetheless, rarely in the past I 00 years has there been a closer xecutive link between more modern and more ••• traditional segments of Orthodox Jew lenges from the non-Orthodox Jewish irector ish ideology on certain issues. Among community gradually diminish, we anted for large Aish HaTorah Orthodox Jews who have long advo must ensure that we do not become our ch to replace Executive cated formal cooperation with the own worst enemy. ector moving to Jerusalem. non-Orthodox, never has the disen For reasons that should be obvious, quires extensive fundraising chantment been greater. As the non the most serious challenge to our perience. Branch has success Orthodox in the US radicalize, and as integrity is abuse of the beis din process. the Zionists in Israel give up on the land Obversely, a major correction here fundraising program with of Israel, the unprecedented potential would have the most ramified and salu .oad-based community support. for bridging ideological gaps in the tary influence. Perhaps the time has utgoing, idealistic, organized Orthodox community has never been come for an Agudath Israel of America e key traits. Significant salary greater. This is a rare historic moment. Beis Din, meeting the highest halachic ed on experience. Our leadership must find ways to for standards and comprised of the broad resume to 905-764-1606. malize an intra-Orthodox dialogue in est Orthodox representation sociolog order to institutionalize the potential for ically; either that, or a major Agudah intra-Orthodox unity that recent his effort to coordinate standards and sen tory has unveiled. sibilities among existing batei din. Our larger, more diversified halachic com • Insularity: The growth of the Torah munity needs a reliable, influential and community has incubated the growth of authoritative "final say" for all parties to internal problems. It was easier to sus halachic dispute • tain the idealism and cohesiveness of the Individual, smaller Torah community of 50 years ago than the larger and more ramified Marital and one of today. Thank G-d for the growth! Family Counseling But everything from excessive materi Experienced with members of alism to family instability to abuse of the the Chassidishe and beis din process has also grown. "Insu Yeshivishe lation" today must include not only"sur communities. me'ra," separation from the corroded 1537 SOth Street, Fluent in Yiddish & Hebrew. larger community, but "asei tov," atten Brooklyn, NV 11219 tiveness to the integrity of the Torah (718) 854-2911 community itself. As external cha!- (917) 851-5653 ----···------··------· The Jewish Observer, Summer 1997 49 .,ati!------PRIORITIES FOR THE YEARs AHEAD/ AJO SYMPOSIUM Nathan Lewin A Seventy-Five Year Road to a Reversal of Extremes eventy-five years ago the American expense. Many would lead happier Jewish community had too little ••• and more fulfilling lives - with equal STorah. Today it has too little derech personal adherence to Torah values - eretz. Seventy-five years ago America's OST GlNTllf ~MfRICRNS AR[ in the role of Zevulun, rather than Yis observant Jewish community was too sachar. And many are more suited to the deferential to the secular Jewish estab MSINCfRHY RfSPfCTf Ul TOOAY Of worlds of business, law, medicine and lishment. Today it is too aggressive. Sev academia than to a life of exclusive enty-five years ago, the Torah commu HONfST RHIGIOUS CONVICTION. ANO Torah study. nity was exceedingly respectful of PARTICUlAAlY Of JlWISH OBSfRVANC[S The American Torah community American civil authority. Today it occa must, I believe, make it a priority to sionally ignores or flouts secular law. ~UT JUDAISM HAS Bf COM[ APART Of develop an economically viable Ortho America is the greatest malchus she/ dox Jewish laity. Exulting in the triumph chessed in the history of the Jewish peo ~MfRICAN CUlTURL ANO AUTHlNTIC of Torah over the secular mores that ple. Many claim that the United States once threatened to strangle the Amer was transformed from a Torah wasteland JUDAISM IS TH[ RfRl THING ican observant community will not pay to a flowering garden only because it our grandchildren's grocery bills. Nor became refuge to those who fled or sur ••• will it develop the spokesmen and vived the Shoah. As one whose imme statesmen needed for lay-leadership diate family came here under these cir 1. Be Practical - The principal respon positions in the American Jewish com cumstances and who suffered the sibility of America's Torah communi munity in the decades ahead. murder in Europe of three grandparents ty to itselfis to correct the current imbal And we ignore more than half our - including the great Reisher Rav who ance between Torah and derech eretz. population - our women. Our daugh was a dominant figure in the formation American Jewish great-grandparents ters are more educated than our moth of Agudath Israel and in pre-war Jewish were too concerned with earning a liv ers were, and the Torah community Poland - I might be expected to join ing and with providing economic and should direct their ambition and learn this chorus. No one should minimize the educational opportunities for succeed ing to productive use within the exist extraordinary contributions of the ing generations. Jews born into Ortho ing framework of halacha. She'eiris Hapleita to the development of dox families in the forties and fifties - American Torah institutions. Nonethe including children of Holocaust sur 2. Be Receptive - There was a time in less, my own experience in America per vivors - reaped the happy harvest of recent American Jewish history when suades me that over the past half-cen professional and economic success. the Torah-true community was ignored tury this country would have become a The next generation has turned over by the Jewish establishment or was center of Torah life even if the yeshivos whelmingly, to the pride and joy of their viewed as a nuisance - a relic of a of pre-war Europe were still flourishing parents, to Torah study. But honest toil, soon-to-be-forgotten era. Assertive and the Six Million had not been sacri professional accomplishment and, most ness was the only appropriate response. ficed. America has outgrown xenopho important of all, the practical necessi We had to drive home the message - bia, and tolerance has turned to respect ty of feeding families have been jetti to secular Jews as well as to the con for idiosyncratic lifestyles and for sincere soned in the process. The American sciousness of America - that the expressions of conscience. Torah community must continue to Orthodox perspective did not always Nathan Lewin, a partner in Washington D.C. law nurture rabbe'im, rabbanim, and coincide with what non-observant Jew firm Miller, Cassidy, Larroca & Lewin, has rep talmidei chachamim. But not every ish spokesmen declared to be "the resented Orthodox Jewish causes in scores of legal young man who learns in a yeshiva is Jewish position." We are more devoted precedings. Among other communal responsi bilities, Mr. Lewin chairs Agudath Israel of Amer entitled to spend his life in the Beis to freedom for religion than to freedom ica's Washington Office Advisory Council. Midrash at community or family from religion, and we have had to bat- 50 The Jewish Observer, Summer 1997 tle America's Jews along with America's integrity of the community is under Rabbi Moshe Feinstein, '>"~t, condemn gentile secularists, to stake out that posi mined, communal requests and com ing dishonesty in dealing with govern tion. We are against any compromise in munal needs are rejected. I have per ment, and public expressions of despair Torah principles, and for many years the sonally witnessed this effect at the level by leading rabbanim over chillul only tone in which that message could of the Supreme Court of the United Hashem appears to have had little cog be conveyed was combatively. States, and I have seen it at lower levels nizable impact. We must reorient the But the early battles have now been of government and in the courts. values taught in the home and the pri won. The Torah perspective is given The American Torah community orities communicated by peers of our grudging respect, even if not reverence. owes a responsibility to itself and to the youth so that the observant Jewish The time has come to wrap the iron fist United States to counter the laxity over American becomes, as he or she should in a velvet glove. Our non-Orthodox government regulation that permits be, a subject of admiration, rather than brothers and sisters in America discov these lapses. Publication of teshuvos by suspicion. • er, to their chagrin, that their children are turning to authentic Judaism. We do not accelerate this process and bring more Jews to Torah by demeaning the MozesonfMalinowski Advertising (201)801·0101 non-observant parents or the Judaism that they believe was adequate. The responsibility of the Torah community is to adjust its tone vis-a-vis the non Orthodox from militant to peaceful, from combative to receptive. 3. Be Admirable - Most gentile Amer icans are sincerely respectful today of honest religious conviction, and par ticularly of Jewish observances. They may be suspicious of new religions and new cults, and of faiths that they have never encountered. But Judaism has become a part of American culture, and authentic Judaism is the "real thing." • Banal proof of this shift of attitude in middle America from suspicion of our mystifying practices to acceptance is the sheer number of food labels in American supermarkets today that bear kosher symbols or the puzzling word "pareve.'' There was a time - par ticularly when the "U" in a circle was conceived - that America's Jews feared conspicuousness. Today's young men are not reluctant, as we were in our youth, to wear black hats and velvet kip pas and to display their tzitzis on pub lic streets and in the most dignified The Shalom Task Force public buildings. ;: Abuse Hotline is endorsed by - The good will of non-Jewish society .... - leading Orthodox Rabbonim. ?.,. .., is erased, however, when flaunting 'it.f-. FO~C.. turns to flouting - when laws and reg ulations that apply to everyone else in Confidential Hotline 7 1 8 3 3 7 3 7 0 0 the United States are disobeyed by Collect calls accepted. identifiable members of the observant Do it for yourself. community. The result is not just chillul Do it for your children. Hashem, bad as that may be. Because the The Jewish Observer, Summer 1997 51 Our nurses :understand what Kashrus means to you. MJGC Home Care begins with the community in mind. We train our nurses quality care that you would expect and other health care professionals to be from Metropolitan Jewish Health responsive to the halachic needs of the System. With that comes a tradition people we serve. of caring with the needs of the frum MJGC Home Care offers: • Skilled nursing • Maternal and child care • Infusion therapy • Nutritional counseling • Physical, occupational • Home health aide and speech therapy • Medical equipment and supplies Call the LinkLine, (718) 921-8800, for your free guide to MJG MJGC HOME CARE 6323 Seventh Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11220-4711 MJGC Home Care is a certified Medicare/Medicaid provider for the borough of Brooklyn. It is a program of Shorefront Jewish Geriatric C?nter, a participating agency of Metropolitan Jewish Health System. a PRIORITIES FOR THE YEARS AHEAD/ A JO SYMPOSIUM Rabbi Yitzchok Sorotzkin ~------rating elements of the host cannot hope to win." culture with their Yid The Chafetz Chaim commented dishkeit, eventually ignoring that we too must know how to adjust the old, even if it be the to changing conditions. We must define Torah. our time within the Torah's guidelines The Torah (Bamidbar and then apply the Torah's directives so 25,3) recounts that Israel that we may reach out to people and became attracted to Baal Pe' or guide them, in accordance with their even though, as the commen- specific needs. taries note, Baal Pe'orwas a repulsive The Chofetz Chaim remarked that in A Torah form of idol worship, involving the era immediately prior to the Geula, human excrement. What did Kial Yis there will be tremendous amounts of roelfi.nd so fascinating with so revolt his' chadshus and creativity in the world. Nation ing a practice? The Gemora (Sanhedrin Indeed, on a daily basis we are witness 64) relates that after Sabtah ben Alias, to this. What was new yesterday is a Jew, worshiped Baal Pe' or, those min deemed old today. By the same token, THE THIRST FOR CHIDDUSH istering the idol expressed admiration Ghazal (Kiddushin 30b) teach us that in that no one had ever served the idol every day the yeitzer hara renews his tac eh Meir Sim cha of Dvinsk, in his with the devotion he had achieved. tics, trying to lure us in innovative ways. monumental work Meshech Apparently, worshiping Baal Pe'or The only way to be impervious to this RChachma (Parshas Bechukosi), was not restricted to any set manner. is by finding our own his'chadshus and observes a phenomenon that has It was left to each worshiper to be as creativity within the framework of recurred throughout Kial Yisroefs his innovative as he could. It was this sense Torah itself. tory. Segments of Kial Yisroel would be of constant his'chadshus and creativ exiled from a temporary shelter and ity that the Israelites of the Dor EXTENDING THE TORAH move on to a new country. After a few Hamidbar found so attractive. RENAISSANCE hundred years, they would begin to stray For the last seventy-five years, Amer from Torah and follow the ways of their ican Orthodox Jewry has been growing, ecent years have seen the emer gentile neighbors, until Hashem would together with Agudath Israel. When we gence and growth of the baal cause them to be expelled from this reach such a milestone, it is in place to Rteshuva movement. One of the country, as well. The Meshech Chachma take stock of where we stand and main reasons for this is that years ago, explains that when Kial Yisroel would ensure that we do not loose our sense people viewed Torah as old and out settle in a country, they would imme of his'chadshus - our feelings of cre dated, so they abandoned their parents' diately begin to establish Yiddishkeit. ativity - and risk going astray in search ways and values in search of the novel, They built schools, yeshivas, shuls, mos of foreign avenues to give expression to finding momentary bliss in new, secu dos of chessed, and all else a Torah soci these qualities. lar ideals. Today, however, the children ety requires to function, putting great The Mirrer Rosh Hayeshiva Rabbi of that generation view these secular effort in recapturing the glory that they Shmuel Birnbaum 1<"1""'1 relates an ideals as obscurant and superficial. associate with the past. After several gen instructive story told by the Chofetz They find Torah new and meaningful, erations of growth, however, they reach Chaim: and it is incumbent on us to strength a peak from where they can no longer Russia was preparing for war and en these feelings. grow. For in spite of all their effort, each called upon an old retired general who Across the land, a number of cities successive generation must lose some had won many a battle in the past to have been blessed with community spiritual ground, in the constant descent lead the armed forces again. He con kollelim, institutions where bnei Torah of the generations as they become sented, led them into battle, and suf make their Torah knowledge and more distant from Sinai. Feeling a lack fered a great defeat. The general later insights available to the broader public. of his'chadshus- a dearth of creativ expressed his surprise over having lost: With the support and encouragement ity and "freshness" - in their labors, «1 used the exact same strategies and of baalei battim, they have succeeded in they begin to look to new areas where techniques that won me so many bat reviving the spirit and injecting new life they can experience novelty. The only tles in the past." into the communities that they have fertile field for his'chadshus is incorpo- One ofthose hearing this explained, joined. Many cities, however, lack such -~~-~~-c--~·---- "Why are you so amazed? As time goes institutions. Communities where twen Rabbi Sorotzkin is a Rosh Hayeshiva in Telshe, Wickliffe, Ohio. The author expresses gratitude on, the enemy develops new tech ty years ago attempts to start a kollel may to Ephraim Lever for his assistance in preparing niques and strategies. If one will go to have failed, might succeed in hosting one this essay for publication. war using old, outdated strategies, one today. Perhaps Agudath Israel, as part of ------·----- The Jewish Observer, Summer 7997 53 its overall campaign of harbotzas ••• The late Vizhnitzer Rebbe?"Yr once haTorah, could establish a department inquired of a newly married man specifically for assisting in the building 0GUOATH ISRAH WAS fOUNOto IO whether he sets aside time to learn. "No, of such kollelim - both financially and Rebbe," he replied, "I learn when I can, through utilizing its other wide 11 SANcmv Hnsuois ~A Ml IN THIS but I am unable to make set times." resources. Existing kollelim have been "Do you daven daily?" asked the built primarily outside of the greater WORlO. AS THl ACTIVl ARM Of Rebbe. New York area, but the need for com ORGRNIHO lORAH JlWRY lHIS GOAl Will "Of course!" exclaimed the young munity kollelim is a must for the Tri man, quite flabbergasted. "Does the State area to grow and flourish. RlMAIN ClNTRAl. AS IT AlWAYS HAS. Rebbe think I am a sheigetz?" Another point: We have a limited rn. Questioned the Rebbe, "Why do you number of Roshei Yeshiva and bnei Torah Wl MUST lNSURl THAT OUR fOUNOATIONS differentiate between prayers and who are capable of reaching out to the Torah study? Why is only one who fails masses. Yet, there remains an untapped IN lOAAH ARl OHP lHOUGH TO lNABll US to set time to daven considered a reservoir of bnei Torah who spent years sheigetz?" in yeshivas and kollelim, and who are TO BUllO ON THlM Agudath Israel was founded to sanc now baalei battim. They too are capa tify Hashem's Name in this world, as the ble of reaching out to the masses - ••• active arm of organized Torah Jewry. organizing groups and giving shiurim. dah of yesterday." This goal will remain central, as it always They must realize their potential and be Yes, the Agudah has changed, for Agu has. Yet, we must ensure that our foun encouraged to join the ranks of those dath Israel has always borne in mind that dations in Torah are deep enough to already disseminating Torah. we must confront the times - we can enable us to build on them. not go forth into battle using old tech Over the past seventy-five years, we EXPANDING INWARD niques. The Shinover Rav, son of the have instituted much that has been uti Divrei Chaim, was once asked why he lized in broadening the horizons of gadol was once asked why he is does not continue in the same derech as Torah Jewry. The yearly convention, not an Agudist when his father his illustrious father. "But I am going in which attracts thousands, The Jewish A was one of the founders of the the footsteps of my father;' he respond Observer and Coalition, received by Agudah. He replied, "I am an Agudist! ed. "Just as my father did not conform over 50,000 people, are but a few of Agu But the Agudah of today is not the Agu- to exactly what his father did, so too am dath Israel's wonderful innovations of I not doing exactly what my father did!" these past decades. .,.,.,,~ This was, and is, the task of Agudath Israel After seventy-five years of building CLINICALPSYCHOLO.G!ST - to respond to the changing needs of and extending ourselves outward, let us the times whilst remaining within the utilize these very resources for building .1J)R~·Bt:N.&lON guidelines of our father's footsteps. within. Perhaps the primacy of Torah SOROTZKIN For the past seventy five years, Agu study, kiyum hamitzvos, taharas hamish l\jy, State Licensed dath Israel has been focusing outwards, pacha, shemiras Shabbos and other basic building the Torah community. But now, fundamentals could be stressed and as the community has grown tremen dealt with in a greater fashion at the dously, let us direct more of our atten annual conventions. As with other Agu (718) 377~6408 tion inward, especially towards our dah publications, Coalition should print (91 7) 2 I 9~3867 bnei Torah - to enhance the quality and ma'amorim and hashkafos from gedolim, to fortify that which we have achieved past and present. And perhaps more bnei through Hashem's chessed. Torah could be brought into the offices Torah study is the lifeblood of our of the Agudah, to achieve a twofold nation. Only through devotion to Torah effect: that we better relate to the needs r;:){~:t&~N. and adherence to its teachings has our of our bnei Torah, and that bnei Torah \VfSmNG•NEW•YORK?7 nation survived the trials and tribula should feel they have a part within the geaUtifUI tOC)tnS; Witf'l ~itcherr tions of the ages. Torah study is not Agudah itself. \acilitles, in ~art ofBC>ro f'arl< merely a supplementary option within This is our goal for the present; and by.~·.pr•week,·Neari.Shl)ls, Yiddishkeit. It is a primary, basic aspect as it always has done, I am confident tal 54 The Jewish Observer, Summer 1997 ·-P·Rl-O·RI·TI-ES_F.oR_TH_E_YE_ARS_·_AH_EAD__v_A_J_o_s_r._M_P_O_SI_U_M ______R_ab_b_i_· 1_._v_a_v_i_d_B_z_e.ic_h Today's Dreams For Tomorrow's Fulfillment Projecting a Structure For Communal Function and Control he accomplishments of the l, Chinnuch: There are far too many beis din. The named dayanim must, of American Jewish community reports of educational institutions refus- course, be willing to serve with each Tduring the course of the five ing to accept students because of parents' other. The result is often both a crass decades that have elapsed since the post refusal - and even inability - to pay form of forum shopping and procras- Holocaust immigration of a significant the stipulated fees. Students are routinely tination. portion of the she' eiris hapleita to these expelled for educational and behavioral Worse yet, there have been far too shores are phenomenal. In the years deficiencies without provision for alter- many instances in which the losing party prior to World War II, anyone who native chinnuch. We do not as a matter has simply refused to accept the decision would have predicted the sheer numbers of course provide for the educa- of the beis din. Since, as is the of students presently enrolled in yeshiv tion of children with special ~ ~ case with all forms of arbi- os and kollelim, the level of commitment needs. The school that sees as tration, the only effective to observance of mitzvos, the widespread its sacred mission the means of compelling per- phenomenon even within the observant education of every Jew- ~ formance is by having the community of children far more knowl ish child is the excep- K judgment of the beis din edgeable and far more intense with tion, not the rule. Why? ~ confirmed by a secular court regard to shemiras hamitzvos than their The short answer is that, of competent jurisdic- parents, and even their grandparents, all too often, schools * tion, the recalcitrant would have been dismissed with deri are entrepreneurial li;\U party engages in a frantic sion as a dreamer rather than acclaimed or, at best, coopera- ~ ® legal battle to have the as a visionary. tive parental ventures K court set aside the decision of the arbi- But, if things are so good, why are they designed to serve the perceived trators. Since, in actuality, there is sel- so bad? Certainly, as a growing and interest of a particular clientele. As The Jewish Observer, Summer 1997 55 by means of a binding decision on the rulings become widely disseminated in kashrus been easier than today. Modern part of the beis din hagadol. In later a virtually instantaneous manner. technology and an open non-Jewish years, differences in matters of practice Unfortunately, there is no forum for market enable, at least in theory, estab certainly arose. But, until recent times, a personal exchange of views between lishment of the highest common those variations were usually local or Torah scholars. The halachic process denominator as the norm with regard regional in nature with a high degree of would benefit immeasurably from a to all food products purveyed to the normative uniformity within a given framework that would encourage kosher consumer. Unfortunately, not geographic area. detailed analysis of sources and argu every kashrus supervisor or superviso In the post-Holocaust era, given the ments leading to a particular conclusion, ry agent adheres to such standards. At fact that communities have been dis coupled with opportunity for rebuttal, times, the problem is ignorance; at persed and that every new Jewish pop reconsideration and reformulation. Fre times, the problem is failure to exercise ulation center is a haven of refuge for quently, conflicting positions are based proper diligence; in rare instances, the immigrants hailing from widely separate upon incorrect or incomplete assess problem is more egregious. Most sig areas, diversity in matters of religious ment of factual information. Indeed, nificantly, the consumer is entitled to full practice is to be assumed. But need such there are issues that never receive prop and willing disclosure of what form of diversity be assumed as a matter of er analysis and result in a state of unre supervision is exercised, the halachic course even within a particular locale solved doubt that can only be described standards relied upon, and any other with regard to question that did not arise as halachic agnosticism simply because information pertinent to a halachical - and could not have arisen - prior factual information is not readily avail ly informed purchasing decision. to such immigration? In days gone by, able. Again, individuals functioning as 1'his is no less for tefillin, mezuzos and every locale had a designated rabbinic individuals lack the resources, intellec sifrei Torah The kashrus of those sacred authority who served as arbiter in all tual and technical as well as financial, items depends upon halachic determi matters of doubt and controversy. to pursue the avenues from which such nations of matters concerning which the Today, rare is the community in which information may be gleaned. typical user is totally unaware. Sofrim such an office exists. Moreover, in an age (scribes) and retailers should be of rapid communication, disagree 4. Kashrus: Never in Jewish history has required to provide specific information ments, conflicting positions and variant maintenance of the highest standards of with regard to standards and procedures In add:ition to fiis cfassk commentaries on Cfiumasfi, Volume 1: The Jewi1h Year: Hi11an·Av Tefii£lim, mu( tfte Taryag Mitzvos, Ra.66i S.R. Hirscfi Volume 2: The Jewish Year: Elul·Adar autftom( fiurufretfs of stimulating artkCe.s aealing witfi a Volume 3: Jewi1h lymboli1m wide range of]ewisfi coru:epts, issues, personalities, Volume 4: ltudiei in Isaiah mu( events. and E11ay1 on P!alm1 Tfie essay fonnat alfowro Hirscfi to Juffy expfore Volume 5: Origin of the Oral Law iifros ... in ways un.suitro to any other [iterary Volume b: Jewi1h Communal Life form.at. Volume 7: Jewi1h Education Aruf now tfiis weaftfi of in.sigfit mu( inspiration is Volume 8: Memch·Yiiroel: avaifa.6Ce in a ftaruisome, new 8-vofume, compact roition. Tfiis 6eautifuf, sfipcasro-set is a won cferfu£ gift ilfea - for any occasion - for your © self, or someone you know. 56 The Jewish Observer, Summer 1997 to which they adhere. tions offer counsel and issue statements, to develop. It has the halachic right and Execution of gittin presents a simi but they do so in an individual or orga obligation to levy taxes, and even an indi lar concern, but one that has received nizational capacity, not as the voice of vidual has the right to demand that his virtually no scrutiny. There was a time the community. or her legitimate needs be met. It can - not too long ago when there was a well and must - establish a beis din whose founded concern that, with the passing THE CRITICAL ROLE OF jurisdiction must be acknowledged by all. of the generation of European rabban THE KEHILLA KEDOSHA It should and would exercise oversight im, there would be a dearth of individ in all areas of religious concern, and its uals qualified to supervise the writing he remedies for these problems voice would perforce be recognized as of a get. The situation has changed dra "are not in heaven nor across the that of the official organ of the organized matically over the course of a relative Tocean." In the main, these prob observant community. ly brief period of time. Thank G-d, there lems are uniquely American. They did No existing organization can fill this have been no reports of outright scan not exist in days of yore for a very sim role since, by their very nature, those dalous behavior among the new cadre ple reason: Heretofore, Jews, in all the organizations serve particular con of mesadrei gittin. Unlike earlier periods lands of their dispersion, organized stituents for particular purposes. The in American Jewish history, no one themselves in a kehilla structure. The kehilla kedosha must include all sections attempts to pass off a patently invalid kehilla was autonomous and self-gov of the so-called Chareidi community. Of instrument as a get. Nevertheless, there erning. As the organizational unit of the course, there will be individuals and even is no assurance that all of those who entire city, the kehilla appointed rab identifiable groups who will refuse to have declared themselves to be proficient banim, established a beis din, founded affiliate themselves with a kehilla kedosha. in these matters are fully competent to and supervised communal institutions, Such individuals are censured by Chaz rule upon the myriad questions that and imposed financial levies to fund al as persons who "separate themselves arise with regard to ordinary matters those institutions. And because in estab from the ways of the community:' Estab such as determination of proper spelling lishing a kehilla a community assured its lishment of a kehilla kedosha would per of names in a get, much less with regard continuing sanctity, it was known as a force serve to force a choice between iden to out-of-the-ordinary problems that kehilla kedosha. tification with the agenda and goals of a can aiJd do arise. American Jewry has not organized kehilla kedosha and status as separatists. In each of these areas, some form of itself in a kehilla structure. The reasons, That may or may not be wholly benefi communal oversight and licensure is historical and sociological in nature, are cial, but it would go a long way in elim imperative. beyond the scope of this discussion. The inating ambivalence and equivocation crucial point is that most, if not all, of the within the larger community. 5. Finally, there are policy issues that problems plaguing the observant com Is the goal utopian? Of course! Is the deeply affect the observant communi munity in this country can be traced goal impossible? Certainly not. At pre ty and which require a unequivocal directly to the absence of a kehilla. To the sent, individual reach exceeds the com response but, alas, there is no forum for extent that some groups, particularly var munal grasp, but the deed requires either arriving at a consensus or for giv ious Chassidic groups, have organized thought as its progenitor. Dreams, ing coherent expression to such a themselves into kehillos, they have large when they persist, have a way of becom response. Individuals and organiza- ly avoided these problems in their own ing reality. The dreams of yesteryear have relatively insular communities. indeed become the reality of today. Who A kehilla that assumes responsibility knows on which morrow today's -~- for its institutions cannot allow lacunae dreams will be fulfilled? • Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, CSW Psychotherapist ~·~ • Structural Family i~ct}J~~~~~ll Therapy .cl~ •. !hf!"S~ifltl!!.ch seryice • Marital Counseling ~.··•fo.r.ol(Jer.singles • Child/School K.p~j(let<>f;N,''$h~!~;u~a~lsl'a~) Behavior Problems :wit11Agudlilb,l'Si'._t11>tAA•ri~~·· Inquire about short-term single-visit prescriptive psychotherapy 61i19+3ihAv.,;,rie;B~kI1n;'Nfi,ii~i9·.. fe1.(f1~).#~:.1$!si~ ~itt.{ii$J?~~7~~ Offices located in Queens and Manhattan (212) 598·6543 • Voice Mail (718) 595·0524 The Jewish Observer, Summer 1997 57 I PRIORITIES FOR THE YEARS AHEAD/ A JO SYMPOSIUM Rabbi Yaakov Feitman And the ... Shall Fourth Return THE GENERATIONAL ADVANTAGE Council is 100% Jewish, the specter of Jewish anti-Orthodoxy has reared its here is a tradition from the Vilna ugly head. The recent declarations by a Gaon that all devastation (kilku[) er. Not because we are wiser, frumer or Rabbinic organization concerning the Tcomes from Time and all reme more capable. But because we have been invalid nature of Conservative and dies (tikunim) come from Mani. At the perched so high by the mesiras nefesh Reform Judaism, a local decision not to Eris Bein HaBesarim - the Covenant and sacrifices of these three generations. allow the non-Orthodox rabbinate to Between the Parts - the exile and suf What indeed should we - must we use the proposed new mikva on the fering were defined by years ("they will - do? I would like to suggest three areas property for their conversions, and a few oppress them four hundred years"), but that the Torah world needs to prioritize choice articles in The Cleveland Jewish the redemption was calculated in terms over the next few years. News critical of Reform Judaism have, of generations ("and the fourth gener thus far, caused our rejection by the city. ation shall return ...") 2• So for a moment, I. BY-PASSING NON-ORTHODOX The angry accusations that "you people let's not talk about seventy-five years. LEADERS TO REACH THE PEOPLE don't even think we're Jewish .... You hate Let's reflect upon three extraordinary us, so who needs you here? .... You walk generations and the incalculable poten hese past three generations may in the street on Shabbos and don't let us tial of the fourth. be defined on one level as the drive ..." permeated the petitions, lob And what generations they have TTorah world flexing its muscles. bying and phone calls to City Council, been! Years of tragedy and triumph, The Torah tzibbur needed to prove its which resulted in our being unani incredible growth, challenges unimag numbers and influence, its sophistica mously rejected. inable by earlier eras, new-found tion and strength, its media-savvy and Our story, surely a microcosm of strengths and professionalism, success ability to deal with all facets of the mod communities around the country, on the highest level of shtadlanus and ern world. This has to be done and we reflects the venom injected into the political clout. To properly attempt a dare not lose the ground we have lifeblood of non-Orthodox Jews by "where-do-we-go-from- here?" transi gained nor the tenacity we have fought Schorsches, Yoffies and other non tion, an ancient metaphor would be so hard to develop. But the focus now Orthodox leaders in their paranoia helpful. should be on the most precious and del over Orthodoxy's growing strength and The Rishonim-' use the term i'll' l"V 1'll icate muscle of all, the heart. vibrancy. - "a midget atop a giant" - to explain The spiritual churban that faces The Torah world's mandate at this the phenomenon of later generations American Jewry is beyond ominous and point in history is to reach out to the accomplishing things that eluded their frightening. It is a palpable noose tight world of the non-Orthodox, bypass their forbearers. Reb Tzaddok HaKohein of ening around the neck of Kial Yisroel, leaders and rabbis, and talk to them Lublin elaborates that "although it is well with millions of our brethren virtually directly. I believe that this charge must known that the generations are dimin disappearing before our eyes. It is, of go beyond kiruv professionals and cer ishing in greatness, holiness is becom course, for the Gedolei Yisroel to set the tainly beyond rabbis, who are always sus ing increasingly revealed because all that tone, direction and guidelines for our pect and set off internal alarms in the was spiritually attained in earlier gen nation's journey toward Moshiach. But minds of the average non-Orthodox Jew. erations remains, and the new genera it may be productive for those of us on Every single knowledgeable yeshiva tions need but build upon those the front lines in the hinterlands (not the bachur home for a few days, every Bais achievements.4" oxymoron it seems to be) to describe a Yaakov girl, must know that their We are in a position to do things that bit of the landscape. demeanor, actions, casual words to a could not even be contemplated earli- Case in point: My shu~ the Young neighbor can have a profound effect on Israel of Beachwood, has been under that particular Jewish neshama's image ------·-- ---·-··--·------Rabbi Feitman is the Rav of the Young Israel of going a zoning battle with the city to of Torah Jews and Judaism. Beechwood (Cleveland), Ohio. He is a frequent allow us to build a modest building. In My recommendation would be that contributor to these pages, most recently with "Learning to Yearn, the Hidden Lesson of the a city (Beachwood is a suburb of Cleve we go even further, if the Gedolei Yisroel Three Weeks," June '95 land) that is 95% Jewish and whose City approve. There are certain questions and 58 The Jewish Observer, Summer 1997 our own nation! There is no question fit the prototype they have been taught ••• about the determination and fierce to seek? Will young men who plan opposition we face from the Reform and decades in Kolle/ therefore seek only H[S[ PAS! mm GrnrnRllONS MAY B[ Conservative leadership. We have an daughters of the wealthy? Should grand OHINrn ON ON[ UVfl RS !H[ ]ORRH obligation to articulate the truth when megafunds be set aside to allow all who 1 it is misrepresented. Yet, at the same wish to study indefinitely in ko/lel to be WORlO flHING llS MUSCl[S. ~Ul !H[ time, we must exercise caution not to able to do so? Will the system n1 go bust push our ignorant, misled brethren into before Social Security does? Again, only fOCUS SHOUlO 8[ ON TH[ MOS! PR[CIOUS a corner, because then they have no Agudah can address these concerns. choice but to react frantically and close Whatever the answer is - even if it is a ANO DHICRH MUSCl[ Of All. !Hf HfARl whatever lines of communication are renewal of our full trust in the Creator still available. If we truly believe that we that if we do the right thing, He will pro have made tremendous progress in the vide - the answer must be stated and ••• past three generations, perhaps it is time taught in clear and unequivocal terms. issues that always come up with what we that we open our hearts a bit more, even hope are the"non-yet-Orthodox:' Agu with the danger of infection such an 3. THEMESHULACHOVERLOAD dath Israel could prepare sample ques aperture might invite. tion-and-answer guidebooks so that The time is ripe, it is crucial, for an veryone on the" Meshulach route" every Torah Jew has at least a rudi all-out attack on ignorance and misin knows it. The numbers of collec mentary knowledge of the issues rou formation amongst our falling and Etors has been growing exponen tinely bothering their non-Orthodox fallen brethren. It must be compas tially in the past decade. This is not the neighbors and even relatives. There is a sionate, personal, articulate and without place to analyze this phenomenon, but great world out there where not every a hint of condescension. Gedolim have noticed the diminishing one on the block is frum and not every Of course, in the name of outreach, funds available even for the most main one is insulated from Jews who never some organizations and individuals stream Torah institutions. In my opin have access to the emes. have gone too far in blind validation of ion, only Agudath Israel has the pro various forms of heresy and empty dis fessionalism, knowledge and commands A Calculated Risk tortions of Yiddishkeit. The leadership the respect to set up an international of Agudath Israel will make sure that this tzeddaka registry. Many cities now use s there a danger in exposing our will never happen with its own kiruv. their own systems, and there is little selves to compromising influences a But Agudah must - and perhaps only coordination or joint effort. The result I bit more than we have in the past? Agudah can - mobilize Kial Yisroel for is often further loss to an already over Certainly. But perhaps with the proper the vital work ahead. stretched and strained system. Torah direction, we are now strong Perhaps seventy five is a good way to enough to reach further out to those in 2. THE FINANCIAL FACTOR IN put it after all. As Rabbi Hutner shows,' the quagmire. It is less dangerous when SHIDDUCHIM after the giving of the Torah, even Time one is firmly anchored, and for that we can be conquered and made to work for have to thank the pioneers of the past n order to accomplish this critical kedusha. Maze! Tov, Rabbi Sherer and three generations. V\rork, and for intrinsic reasons as Agudath Israel for an amazing Kiddush There is an interesting halacha con I well, the fiber and fabric of the com Shem Shamayim for the past 75 years cerning the laws of war. Some Rishon munity of Bnei Torah must be guaran and go .,,n .,,. .,,no for the next 75. im list as one of the 613 command teed to be healthy and vibrant, spiritu , .. ~:;) NHD ~ T"l~'Vr.:l ~:ti)) • ments, the mitzva to leave the fourth ally as well as materially. The shidduch • See Pachad Yitzchak, Pesach: Maamar 27, 2 and direction open when pursuing an situation in the world of Torah must be commentary of Raavad to Ediyos 2,9. enemy and not to surround him entire addressed forthrightly and coura ' Bereishis 15,13 and 16. ly. The Rambans explains that in addi geously, and only the Agudah leadership ' See Introduction Mahari deLeon on Sefer tion to the consideration of compassion can do it. A generation of wonderful and Megillas Esther (commentary on Ran1ba1n's Sefer even toward our enemies, this tactic is idealistic young people has been raised Hamitzvos), quoting Shvilei Haleket and helpful to our own army because one under the tutelage of our Gedolim, who Rabbeinu Yishaya miTrani. who has his back against the wall will have set as their primary goal the living • See Tzidkm; Hatzaddik23B, page 116, Resisei Leila fight even harder than ifhe thinks he can of a Torah life. 13, 14 and Pri Tzaddik end of Parshas Va' eschanan. escape. As everyone in the Torah world is ' Additions to Sefer HaMitzvos L'HaRamban, If we can apply this to our adversaries aware, there is a growing uneasiness Mitzva 5; see, also, Rambam Hile hos Melachim 6:7, from without, how much more so about the future. Will daughters of aver who gives no reason for this law. should we apply this halacha to those of age and poor homes find husbands who 0 Pachad Yitzchak ibid. The Jewish Observer; Summer 1997 59 I PRIORITIES FOR THE YEARS AHEAD/ A JO SYMPOSIUM Rabbi Levi Yitzchok Horowitz, the Bostoner Rebbe WITNESSES TO A WORLD IN DECAY poverty, quaking in fear of the ruling governments of pre-war Europe? Not he future offers a vast potential Making likely. For reasons known to the Ribbono for increased opportunities and Shel Olam, He has given us the oppor Tincreased responsibilities. At the tunity to participate in what we might same time, society at large is breaking the Most call a "bounty" phase of Jewish history. down. Immoral conduct is being legit We must consciously be aware of the imated by legislation, and people have great chessed we are experiencing, and lost their sense of right and wrong. They of Our pray that we make proper use of it. wander aimlessly - searching for How then should shall we make the meaning in a social environment where best of the wonderful (for the most part) meaning has become passe. Blessings situation in which we now find our The non-observant Jewish world is selves? also crumbling. Philosophies ignoring • Organization - We must enhance the the truths of Torah have not produced their benefit? Or will we simply say level of our organizational preparedness. the results their proponents had hoped "Shalom alay nafshi," and indulge our Lay boards of businessmen and profes for. As they search for effective solutions selves in self-centered preoccupation? sionals can be a prolific resource for car to the crises of intermarriage and rying out the mandates set by the assimilation·, they inevitably come to RESPONDING WITH GRACE Gedolei Yisroel. Baalei teshuva often realize that only a Torah approach will AND GENEROSITY come from the top echelons of profes preserve the Jewish people. One would sional accomplishment. Their enthusi hope that these stumbling, lost Jews will or plans and undertakings to real asm combined with their talents can come to feel that they will receive a ize appreciable achievements, they offer a potent force in advancing the warm, friendly welcome from us. Fshould be based on gratitude, cause of Torah Judaism. Lest we become smug as we witness and we indeed have much to be grate the decay of the non-observant com ful for. The Ribbono Shel Olam has • Kiddush Hashem - A frum Jew is munity, along with that of general brought about tremendous changes in viewed by many as G-d's representative society, we must remember that histo His world in recent years, much of it in here on earth. Therefore, our behavior ry has demonstrated that living in a our favor. The Torah world arose from must be impeccable. This is not easy, and decadent society dangerously affects the flames of a Churban (destruction) merits careful preparation. We cannot Torah Jews. In addition, as others con that consumed one third of our people, be a source of Kiddush Hashem if we front the agony of a meaningless exis including many of our best and bright are oblivious of the rules of ettiquette tence, they may look at us - our sta est. A few survivors were dispatched by and ethical conduct. Middos need to be ble families and our sense of meaning Hakadosh Baruch Hu, carrying seeds of worked on. Halachos pertaining to in life-with envy and hostility, a vari Torah from Europe to North America activities in the public eye must be ation of sorts of the scapegoat phe and Israel. These seeds sprouted and learned and mastered. What are per nomenon. From a more positive per flourished with miraculous hatzlacha. missible business practices? Will our spective, we have been given a role in this Today we see beautiful Torah commu pursuit of a few (or many) extra dollars world by the Ribbono Shel Olam to serve nities throughout the world, boasting cause us to make a Chillul Hashem? Even as a "light unto the nations:' We are great Chassidic courts, magnificent Kol the way we drive, or deal with clerks and meant to demonstrate to the world, Jew lelei Avreichim, dedicated baal habattim, store-owners are of consequence. Will ish and non-Jewish, the effectiveness of nashim tzidkanios and precious children they say dismissingly: "So that's how reli the Creator's instructions for leading a of all ages. Our economic successes have gious Jews act!,,? life of purpose and fulfillment. been equally remarkable. Our relation Agudath Israel has reaped some sig Clearly, then, our Jewish brethren ship with the governments of our host nificant accomplishments in this area depend on us for role models; moreover, countries is blessedly benign, and often with its professional conferences for we are crucial to them as sources of warm. We have also been zocheh to wit lawyers, doctors, accountants, etc, active outreach and guidance. They are ness the fall of the atheistic Communist wherein laws pertaining to situations lost, unknowing, vulnerable. Will we use regime, which had smothered the Jew faced in these professions are discussed the resources, talents and abilities that ish spark in millions of our co-religioists. by halachic experts. the Ribbono Shel Olam has given us for Are our tremendous merits the rea Perhaps we should also convene son that we have been privileged to The Bostoner Rebbe, Rabbi Levi Yitzchak conferences for secular Jewish profes Horowitz, divides his year between Boston and experience such Divine kindness? Are we sionals. A non-Orthodox Jewish physi Har Nof, Jerusalem. He is a member of the Moet so much smarter than our great-grand cian also faces life-and-death ques zes Gedolei HaTorah of Agudath Israel of Bretz parents who had lived in wretched tions. Where will he turn for guidance Yisroel. 60 The Jewish Observer, Summer 1997 viduals who have seen and the experience will leave an indelible done everything are turn impression on their minds and ing to Torah when pre neshamos.) sented with the opportu Those who have had the good for nity. The message to the tune to host a "new comer" at their fam on troubling issues of medical ethics? By potential dropout, which should be ily's Shabbos table, or to spend one night giving him an ethical framework, not made explicit, is: "What are you chas a week learning with a novice, can attest only do we improve the quality of his ing? He/she has been there and now has to how much chizuk and inspiration medical care, but we also bring him chosen to be shomer mitzvos!" The aver they and their family have gained from closer to Torah in the process. age frum teacher cannot convey his mes the experience. Kiruv organizations are • Shalom Bayis - Is that really on the sage because the teacher has not "been a vital community resource that can screen among the goals we pursue? The there." coordinate a wide range of activities and entire society enveloping us is incessantly In addition, it would be advisable to provide professional advice, but there is - intentionally or not - working to have baalei teshuva on the staff of every no substitute for our personal touch, destroy our Shalom Bayis. Divorce in educational institutions to make this interacting as one Jew to another. secular society has become routine. message continuously visible to the stu As a community, we should also pro Moreover, many couples no longer dents. vide opportunities for the non-obser even bother getting married in the first vant to be exposed to a Torah way oflife. place. Visual evidence of immorality • Outreach/ Kiruv - The neshamos of Educational institutions (yeshivas, Bais confronts us everywhere. No, we are not our secular brethren are literally starved Yaakovs, even shuls) can join in publi impervious to our environment. for genuine Torah Judaism. They have cizing periodic "open houses" for non The Jewish home is the foundation become spiritually malnourished. If observant members of the community, of the Jewish people. A healthy Jewish we saw a relative, or even an acquain so they can attend special classes and home provides a nurturing environ tance, begging on the street corner for possibly spend some time learning ment where children, and parents, can a morsel of bread, would we hesitate to b'chavrusa. grow. Isolated individualism, and give it to them? Certainly not. Our Festive events, such as a hachnosas homes that have a high level of strife, brethren are turning to us for spiritual Sefer Torah, Lag B)Omer, Purim, and are prime breeding grounds for emo sustenance. A little time from us, a lit Chanuka celebrations, should also be tional depression and a decline in the tle money to support outreach work, can occasions to invite the entire commu level of ruchnius (spirituality). If we find make all the difference. Will they live or nity. Even if not all will come, at least ourselves with an inordinate level of die as Jews? It seems the Ribbono Shel they will know that we consider them familial discord, we should check to see Olam has placed the answer to this ques to be "members of the family." if the societal values of self-centeredness tion in our hands. A pachad (fright) if In Israel, studies have found that 72% or materialism have infiltrated our we fail; on the other hand - what an of Israeli Jews fast on Yorn Kippur and homes. The real villain is not our opportunity! We see how tens, if not 70% will not bring chometz into their spouse, but the secular values that con hundreds of thousands could be homes during Pesach. Outreach workers taminate the sacred environment of the brought back to full observance. are finding that the demand for instruc Jewish home. Families must join forces The «return" on our investment in tion in how to keep the mitzvos far to oust this poisonous influence. building baalei teshuva is unparalleled. exceeds the supply of resources. The por Indeed, we must constantly fortify Improvements in kashrus, prolifera trayal of the "anti-religious Israeli" is ourselves internally, so we will not fal tion of shiurim, etc. made by the exist apparently a fantasy conjured up by the ter in the external battles that the Rib ingfrum community are of inestimable anti-religious media. Only some 6% clas bono Shel Olam requires us to fight. importance, but when a baa[ teshuva sify themselves as anti-religious. Our gen begins to keep mitzvos, it is an event that eration seems to have been given the • Dropouts - We are facing a tragic literally changes the world. chance to help a large portion of the Jew problem of dropouts - small in num At your next wedding or bris, con ish people return to Torah. We must ber, but growing. This problem is uni sider allocating a portion of your invi insure that Israeli kiruv organizations versal - not only Monsey, Flatbush and tations to non-observant acquaintances, receive all the financial support they need. Boro Park, but Bnei Brak, Me' ah people you might not otherwise invite. She'arim and Gateshead are also suf Witnessing the beauty and excitement fering losses. The dropouts themselves he opportunities that the future of a simcha can have a tremendous holds for us are tremendous. are prime kiruv targets. Baalei teshuva impact on non-observant Jews, and be can be very effective resource people in TMay the Ribbono Shel Olam grant a catalyst in drawing them closer to us the Siyata D'Shmaya to make the this task. In their personal teshuva Torah. (Invite your secular friends to the process, they demonstrated that indi- most from all that He has so generous up-coming Siyum Hashas. The power of ly granted us. • The Jewish Observer, Summer 1997 61 -··~ PRIORITIES FOR THE YEARS AHEAD/ A JO SYMPOSIUM Rabbi Yisroel Miller ~ ...... Reaching Out Over Barriers CREATING A PRINT MEDIUM ture or shiur. There are thousands of rible divide within Kial Yisroel that other American Jews, sincere shomrei remains. We cannot solve every problem; here are tens of thousands of mitzvos, who view themselves as "Mod but there is one step we could take which American Jews whose identity is ern Orthodox,""Centrist" or simply"not is not that difficult, which could have a Timportant to them, who seek black-hatters," who feel the yeshiva major impact in the long run, and for more for themselves and their children, world has nothing constructive to say to which I fear Heaven will hold us but who for one reason or another will them, or to Jewish society as a whole. accountable for not having yet taken. neither enter an Orthodox synagogue The first group is being lost to Kial That step is to create a monthly maga nor attend an identifiably Orthodox lee- Yisroel, while the second portends a ter- zine suited to the needs of the mass of American Jews. Jews who feel shy, threatened or estranged will not come to a shiur, but they will pick up a magazine with an appealing cover story, and then scan the rest of it as well. The tone and much of the content of JO articles are too much for them to handle, but there is no rea son why the authentic message of Torah cannot be published in a forum suited to the non-Orthodox reader. Agudath Israel is fortunate that it already possesses the necessary talent to create such a forum. Writing in the Agu R' BENZION HALBERSTAM, dah newsletter Coalition, Rabbis Avi his son, R'Shloimele - leaders Shafran, Abba Cohen and David of thousands of chassidim - Zwiebel regularly share Torah ideas in will they survive a ruthless a manner attractive to the general pub war? Follow the illustrious lic, without compromise but with sen Halberstam family along their sitivity to the needs of the reader. What is needed is an attractive monthly in a harrowing journey ... as they format similar to Moment Magazine scaled tall mountains, as they [ lehavdil]: columnists, contemporary slipped through barbed wire, issues, holidays, halacha accompanied by they remained ever faithful to photographs and a dash of humor. the Almighty, always Case in point: In the recent brouha remembering - ha over an Orthodox rabbinical orga nization's press release that Conserva " ... the Guardian of Israel tive and Reform are not Judaism, and neither slumbers nor sleeps ... the sun will not harm you by day, the subsequent media-fueled furor, many statements in the Orthodox press Nor the Moon by Night .. "' amounted to either shameless pander ing to Conservative and Reform, or the To preview this and other selected Feldheim books visit www.thejewishworld.com/books production of more oil to pour on the fire. A welcome exception and a breath Available at all Jewish bookstores or direct from of fresh air was Rabbi Shafran's piece in Coalition, which was also sent to a num FELDHEIM J5 PUBLISHERS ber ofjewish newspapers. But how many Torah Literature of Quality Rabbi Miller, author of Search of the Jewish 200 Airporl Execulive Park, Nanuet, NY 10954 •Tel (914) 356-2282 •Fax {914) 425-1908 •E-mail [email protected] Woman, among other works, serves as Rav of Toll Free: 800-237-7149 • Ask for our catalog. Congregation Polae Zedeck in Pittsburgh. 62 The Jewish Obsetver, Summer 1997 they differed sharply from ours, e.g. Sat ••• mar, or the Eida Hachareidis. We see them as devoted Torah loyalists, even [OR ~GUORTH ISRAH TO INITIAH OPrn when they attack us and our leadership. "01AlOGU( WITH ornrn But to our "left;' Mizrachi and Yeshiva I ~Rrnooox University circles have generally been ORGANIZAIIONS MAY NOT Bf HASIBU viewed with utter disdain, as compro misers or opportunists hardly worth NOR MAY IT Bf TH[ WI Sf ST COURSf f vrn criticizing. There were (and unfortunately still If IT IS HASIBlL ~UT fOITORS Of AN are) some valid arguments underlying such attitudes, and critique of "Ortho ~GUOAH-SPONSORrn ~MfRICAN JtwlSH dox Modernism" has graced the pages MONTHlY COUlO SHK OUT ANO ATTRACT of JO since its founding. At the same time, however, we should not ignore AUTHORS fROM Bf YONO ITS OWN RANKS Modern Orthodoxy's own "move to the right" (to the center, actually), and the TO TRlK TO Jtws NOT YH RHIGIOUS. benefits of building bridges to the many sincere shomrei mitzvos and lomdei Torah whose yarmulkes may be ••• of a different color and fabric than our more readers might it have reached, and own. with how much more impact, had the For Agudath Israel to initiate open piece also been published in a month ('dialogue" with ly magazine with a broad-based read other Orthodox ership? A special "Jewish Pluralism vs. organizations Jewish Integrity" issue could may not be have sold tens of feasible nor thou- may it be the wisest course even if it is fea- sible. But edi tors of an Agudah-spon sored American Jewish monthly could sands seek out and attract authors from of copies, distrib beyond its own ranks to talk to Jews uted by Rabbis and kiruv pro not yet religious; and then, by not fessionals worldwide, with a commen being afraid to address them in terms surately greater impact. familiar and friendly to them (even if Agudath Israel could create such a it means identifying authors of arti magazine, and Jews from across the cles as Jonathan instead ofYonason, as Orthodox spectrum would bless us for Jack instead ofYankel) ... it actually can it. This in turn could bring us one step whittle away the barriers that separate Ad Copy closer to the attainment of another, us. There already exists much quiet more controversial goal: a more sym intra-Orthodox cooperation in the pathetic relationship with those Torah fields of kashrus and kiruv rechokim. Jews who do not share the philosophy This would open up yet another of Agudath Israel. avenue of"Oz nidberu yirei Hashem ish el reyeihu (Then will the G-d-fearing 0 P!c~se have the office write the ad for me. RELATING TO NON-AGUDISTS speak with one another)" - and who I am a 0 Ta!mid, 0 Alumnus, 0 Mispalle! of knows what infinite blessing will fol here have always been groups to low from the resulting "vayakshev our ((right" whose views we have Hashem vayishma (And G-d will hear Ttreated with respect even when ken and listen)"! • The Jewish Observer, Summer 1997 63 •••• ~ PRIORITIES FOR THE YEARS AHEAD/ A JO SYMPOSIUM Aaron Twerski fjj ••• .~ We share with other minority groups the problem of suffering embarrassment due to inept representation, with one notable exception: We - unlike the others - are enjoined to avoid Chillul Hashem. Surviving in the Media: The Next Quarter Century WHO SPEAKS FOR THE TORAH ••• most part, we are portrayed as "ultra" COMMUNITY? or <'extremist." Analogies to funda 0UT If THl WIS[ AR[ lNJOINta TO Bl mentalist Christians and to radical he Torah community in this Muslim fanatics are commonplace. It country is confronted with a LI CRRHUl. TH[ fOOlS AR[ ClRTAIHlY is in this kind of atmosphere that T dilemma that has no ready solu yeshiva graduates and members of tion. Perhaps it is unwise to address lNJOIHta TO Bl SlllNT lHAl MUST Chassidic groups must seek employ problems that are unresolvable. But, COM[ fROM RlSPOHSIBll llAOlRSHIP ment in the marketplace or to build on the chance that my words will give business relationships with a populace someone pause in the future, I write WllHIH lVlRY GROUP. If ll OOlS HO! whose minds have been poisoned by this article. relentless negative imaging. No one can Kial Yisroel has a long tradition COML !H[ CORPORAH BOOY Of fORRH prove that discrimination exists. It is regarding communication with the non next to impossible to establish patterns Jewish world. History records debates COMMl!HO Jrns Will of discrimination as is the case with between the Shtadlanim and Rishonim COHllHUl lO Bl WOUHOta ORY blacks. Our numbers are not suf - Baal Haikrim, Rabbeinu Yechiel ficiently great to allow for a direct miParis, for example - and hostile AfHR ORY. assault on this more subtle form Christian and Muslim leaders. Repre of discrimination. sentatives for our people were the likes Worse yet. Our ability to of the Ramban and Abarbanel. In a later ••• communicate Torah effec era, personages as illustrious as the lead tively and to reach ers of the Vaad L'arba Aratzos, Mahar Amshinover Rebbe ?··yr uncommitted Jews is al, Rabbi Yonasan Eibeshutz and Rabbi and Rabbi Avraham ~lo seriously compro- Al 64 The Jewish Observer, Summer 1997 CHEVRA OSEH CHESED OF AGUDATH ISRAEL from self-proclaimed spokesmen who the world at large. The mere fact that a BURIAL PLOTS IN often have no credentials other than that reporter shoves a microphone under they have big mouths and easy access to someone's nose does not mean that ERETZYISROEL a microphone. We hear them on the live unrehearsed and instant commentary Interment in a ShomffShabbos Beis media and in the press. Often they are should be proferred. Olam near Beis Shemesh a dead embarrassment*. They have nei Please phoneot write to: ther the knowledge, the finesse nor the THE AGUDATH ISRAEL MODE Chevra Oseh Chesed .of Ag1ldath Israel 84William Street, New York, NY 10038 skills to present a controversial issue with . (212) 797-9000 sophistication. They reinforce every have witnessed negative image that the press over the years the seeks to foster. They thrive on ! care taken by Agu confrontation and sensation dath Israel in its pub HAT PLUS alism; and if Kial Yisroel has lic pronouncements. to suffer, so be it. It is rare that any pub HATS • SHIRTS • TIES • ACCESSORIES' Let me be clear. We often lic statement is made Your#1Stop must take hard and without exhaustive con For uncompromising posi sultation with Gedolei Quality Hats tions. We may have to Yisroel. And when it is defend unpopular finally delivered, it is WE AlSO DRY CLEAN LARGEST SELECTION & RESHAPE HATS OF CHOSONIM TlES people and unpopular through voices, who rAll llClr~ O >t\r on P•P '""') IN BROOKLYN views from unjust over long years, 1368 Coney Island Avenue attack. But that man have mastered the art of (718) 377-5050 dates that the utmost communication with media. Major credit cards accepted - We ship UPS of discretion be exer Recently, after a long spate of negative cised as to how the articles dealing with Orthodox Jew~, The PROFtSS!ONAL message is delivered. I New York Times featured a front-page could cite chapter and verse from media story dealing with the Orthodox right. OFFICE SPAC £ stories over the past decade to support One cannot expect the Times to turn my thesis. I will refrain from doing so. colors overnight. They don't like us. FOR RENT This article is not about gossip mon But, the truth be told, the article had 2,000 Square Feet, Beautifully decorated, gering, it is about a problem that we all considerable balance and set forth the Ample office space for four professionals, know well to be true. Let me also make view that the Orthodox right was a indudes desks, partitions, etc. it clear that the issue is not whether I or dynamic, sophisticated movement. Beautlful large oval conference room, with sink, fridge, ke machine .. <:enttaRy any other member of the Torah com There was little of Kouhmaniism in the located .in NYC aj.33rd Street.and Fifth munity agrees with the position of any picture. This was no accident. It was Avenue. Pleas~ contact Morris Gindi at particular group. As long as a segment clear that a considerable amount of (212) 779-8090 x446 for more details. of our community represents a position background was provided by Agudath that has legitimate origin within Torah Israel, and done so through those who Yisroel Sabba, it may be called upon to have been tutored over decades by NOTICE TO THOSE WHO articulate it to the media and has the Gedolei Yisroel as to how we are to com HAVE PREVIOUSLY right to do so. But this does not pro municate with a hostile world. RESPONDED TO THIS AD: vide know-nothings the license to spout In a world where a word travels in idiocies to the media and turn us all into megaseconds around the globe, the Due to a technical snafu, photie messages caricatures. That must stop. injunction of Chachamim hizharu left at original phone number were not able We cannot stop the press from seek bedivreichem ("Wise men - take heed lo be retrieved. Our new number is ing out the buffoons. They have a vest with your words!") has taken on new (71.8) 692-S924. ed interest in doing so. Buffoonery sells meaning. But if the wise are enjoined 0rlhodoxJeWish Social Service Agency newspapers and makes the live media to be careful, the fools are certainly is searching for Shidduchim on behalf of interesting and sensationalist. Each com enjoined to be silent. That must come highly eapable,Jrum young men in munity, however, can make sure that its from responsible leadership within their 30's, These young men have mild spokesmen consult with their rabbinic every group. If it does not come, the learning disabilities, are stable and in leadership before confronting the media, corporate body of Torah-committed long'.tenn. employment If you know of to make certain that both the substance Jews will continue to be wounded day suitable young women, and tone of their statements reflect that after day. It is a pain that we cannot please call (718)6~~·5924. which they wish to communicate with long endure. • Information Will be kept in sl!ict C ---·--··----· The Jewish Observer, Summer 1997 65 -... PRIORITIES FOR THE YEARS AHEAD/ A JO SYMPOSIUM Rabbi Noach Orlowek I!:S "'" w:.z:: ------ An Agenda For Reaching Out With Inner Strength ( ( nnN 7v l\IO:Pni j7117:r.n N:r. - REACHING OUTWARD AND PATIENCE, TORAH, AND PROTECTION Chavakuk came and predicated REACHING INWARD them [the rules for a successful y Rebbe, Rabbi Simcha Wasser life] on one [principle]:'' As the gen bbi Eliyahu Eliezer Dessler 7"Yr man 7"Yr, put the same idea in erations deterioratedZ, the teachers of was critical of those who moved Ma different way: At the time of the Jewish people sought to distill their lliom Torah-true communities to the return to Eretz Yisroel from the Bay lessons for life into successively fewer life engage in outreach3. I merited, for lonian Exile, the Anshei Knesses Hagedola principles. I will attempt to follow this almost twenty years, to enjoy a person were charged with the task of reaching principle in presenting what I feel is the al relationship with Rabbi Chaim Fried large groups of Jews who had strayed basic, underlying obligation of the lander 7"Yr,Mashgiach of Ponevez and from their heritage. My Rebbe [Reb Sim Torah-guided community in the com Yeshivas HaNegev. Reb Chaim was one cha] 7"Yr postulated from their teachings ing years. of Rav Dessler's closest talmidim and the guidelines4 for someone who wants We, the Torah community, have the had a major role in preparing Michtav to reach out to Kial Yisroel: obligation to protect our children (and Me'Eliyahu for publication. I once First, the Anshei Knesses Hagedola ourselves) from a dominant society, asked him how Rabbi Dessler could be said, T>T.lrr>l'II'10't'li1- "Be patient; do not which is becoming increasingly hedo so opposed to going to communities judge others quickly." Those who lead nistic and immoral. On the other where Torah was weak; wasn't he, as a a life void of Torah are not to be judged hand, we are obligated to reach out to result, condemning a huge portion of harshly or quickly. We must feel love our sisters and brothers who have not Kial Yisroel to spiritual annihilation? and compassion towards them, as we been exposed to Torah, and demonstrate Reb Chaim's response was immediate would toward any brother or sister how a Jew who is true to Torah values and clear: whom we wish to bring back to Torah. can function in a modern society. In the Rabbi Dessler was opposed to indi Secondly, n:im D'Tto?n li'OVil - following paragraphs, I would hope to viduals going out to communities "Teach a vast amount of Torah:' My present how this dual responsibility can where Torah ideals were weak. If ten Rebbe [Reb Simcha], who was perhaps be met. bnei Torah would go together, howev a founding pioneer of the Teshuva I would first like to present why er, then the situation would be differ~ Movement, used to say that Torah is reaching out to others must stem from ent. But there is an important condi comparable to power-steering in a car. a position of inner strength, and then tion. That these ten not be ten The mechanism does the job, not the attempt to offer some suggestions as to individuals, but ten who form a single person turning the wheel. So too did he how that inner strength can be achieved. unit. (In effect, they generate their own bring people to keep Shabbos by learn protective environment, which allows ing "HaMafkid"s with them, for Torah I Makkos 24a them to reach out to others without the does the job by itself'. In short, as we 2 It has been taught that the word for genera risk of becoming adversely effected by devote energy to teaching much Torah, tion, dor, is a derivative of the word "lTii7 - to roll downward. It is an integral part of the course the values of the hedonistic society that the Torah itself will do the "driving:' of history that the generations are in spiritual envelops them and their children.) Thirdly, rrnn? l'Pl'W - "Make a fence descent. Why this is so and how this descent is I would suggest that an important around the Torah:' If you are going to expressed is a vital subject, but outside of the principle emerges from this: be involved in a society that could scope of this article. While we have a primary responsi adversely affect you, you must set up bility to reach all of our brothers and sis Rabbi Noach Orlowek serves as Mashgiach in sev ters in Kial Yisroel, this must be done 3 See Michtav Me'Eliyahuvol. 2 p. 169, where he eral yeshivas in Yerushalayim. A published author contrasts Lot's going to Sodom to teach with from a position of inner strength and - My Disciple, My Child and My Child, My Dis Avrohom's remaining in the mountain, in his own ciple (Feldheirn Publishers) - several of his essays conviction, which can then allow us to environment, and teaching those who came to have been featured in these pages, most recent offer the care, love and patience that are him. See also ibid, p. 216. ly, ''Accepting Reproof With Grace: A Formula For Growth" (Dec. '95). necessary to any kiruv effort. 4 See Avos I:L 66 The Jewish Observer, Summer 1997 "fences" for yourself, extra safeguards to dren, is therefore vital if we wish to are living in an environment that is hos ensure that you retain your Torah per retain a core of Torah-loyal people who tile to the credo of the school, is to give spective and outlook, safeguards that can then be inspired to share what they the student a sense of closeness to the may not have been necessary in a dif have with others. school, which children can carry with ferent time and place. them when they are in the dominant Again, the same principle. We must THE FAMILY - THE CHARIOT OF THE society. Teacher training needs to focus reach out to others, but only when we DIVINE PRESENCE more on how a teacher can build such ourselves are secure and connected to a relationship. the ideals that we espouse. bbi Shlomo Wolbe N""V'?\il quotes • Young parents, as a matter of course, In the beginning of Avos, Shimon passage in the Gemora (Kid need guidance in understanding the HaTzaddik (who was the last of the lliushin ?Ob) to support his state problems they face when bringing up Anshei Knesses Hagedola) says that the ment that the family is the bearer of the children, especially when the family world stands on three pillars: Torah, Divine Presence in the Jewish people'. grows, and they must decide how much avoda, and gemillus chassadim. Rabbi Yitzchok Hutner ?"lit, 20 years to protect their children from the dom There is significance in the order in ago this past Chanuka, quoted the inant culture and how much to expose which Shimon HaTzaddik presents his Ramban (Bamidbar 5,20) that whereas them. Many couples are fortunate to list: First, people's inner world and their we are normally enjoined not to rely on have parents whom they can turn to, but relationship with Hashem must be a miracle, there is an exception when it this cannot be a matter of assumption. secure.' Only then can they embark on comes to the purity of family descent, Schools should implement parenting a career of true kindliness, both in the which relates to the resting of the Divine workshops, especially for those parents material and the spiritual sense. Presence; in this regard we do enlist who are enrolling their first child in Where does this sense of self begin, supernatural forces (the Sota drinks the school. this sense of self-worth and security in bitter waters to test her fidelity). This is what we stand for? I would suggest that because the family is the bearer of the • The syllabus of yeshivas, high schools it is rooted in the family, in domestic Shechina, which is eternal, hence tran and seminaries should include courses tranquility, in the ability of parents to scending what we call "nature.')9 on learning to get along with others, provide a secure basis forthe values that with Hashem, and with themselves. The they stand for. In the decades that I have OUR FIRST -AND MOST IMPORTANT classes must be carefully designed and worked with youth, I have rarely -LINE OF DEFENSE should be given by teachers who teach encountered someone born in a frurn as much by example as through Torah family who had trouble with G-d who would therefore humbly propose sources. did not have trouble with parents. that we exert great effort to help • Our yeshivas suffer from a lack of true Schools can often compound the prob ! identify and relieve those "allergens" rebbe-talmid relationships. In part, this lems of such children, but schools do not that have penetrated our camp, which is symptomatic of a system where, in generally create them. The scope of this are wreaking havoc in our families. This high school, a student has a different article does not allow for elaboration, effort could be expressed in several ways. teacher every year, and then, one or two but I believe that anyone working with To offer a few suggestions: years after high school, goes to Eretz Yis aliented frum youth will support this. •Elementary schools should see them roel for two years, to return to the USA Domestic tranquility, both among the selves more as an extension of the home, and begin the shidduch process. Those parents and between parents and chi!- and not primarily interested in teach that remain in the USA and prepare to 5 The third chapter of Bava Metzia, where no ing information, as vital as that isio. The pursue a profession also often fail to mention is made of Shabbos. first function of a school whose students develop a rebbe-talmid relationship that 6 This is providing that it is authentic Torah, Torah will see them through the difficult ··------·--- meant to be lived. A person could assimilate such 8 7NiUt~ ilJ':IV N\!1l)j'J N'il N'il i"lil!l\mil ':I ,1N:ll:l A lei environment of the academic world. An Torah into his/her life. He therefore opposed teach Shur, vol. l, page 255. ongoing rebbe-talmid relationship must ing the laws of Shabbos to someone who was not 9 He tied this to the fact that the Western Can going to keep Shabbos, since such Torah was not be consciously fostered. A home where to be likened to power-steering, since it was not dle of the Menora, which was a sign that the the husband has had the opportunity to Divine Presence rested in Klal Yisroel (Shabbos C""T"ITrnT'I, Torah of life, Torah learned with intent form a true rebbe-talmid relationship, to be followed. 22b), burned the longest, without need for extra oil. Since the Menora is the sign of Divine Pres and where that source of guidance is 7 Both the Maharal, in his introduction to Avos ence, we do honor this even in exile, for the applied to the new family, has a far (and on the above Mishna), and the Gra,in Aderes Divine Presence is just as real (to use his words, lWl.l'7 greater likelihood of developing as a Eliyahu (Devari111 32,5), refer to Torah as c+t\?Jrr!o 'nt-Cl~ as it was C'UOO 'TlN~~) in exile as DiN p:i, between man and himself, the perfection it was in the Mikdash. Lighting the Menora is healthy, thriving home. of his inner world. This is why, I think, good therefore the only part of the Service in the Mik character must precede success in Torah. dash that we emulate, every Chanuka, even in to Rabbi Hutner, 'r~r, said that a teacher is a exile. P1'NPO'!pl:J:J a substitute father. The Jewish Observer, Summer 1997 67 ••• I believe that Agudath Israel of Orthodox Beth Jacob, on Olympic Boule America, which during the past seven vard. He had missed Mincha, but arrived ty-five years has earned the admiration during the break before Maariv. There he N!Hl OlCAOlS !HAT \ HAVl and, above all, the trust of Torah-true heard someone learning Torah with a Jewry, has a most significant role to play. sweet, haunting melody. At that tnon1ent, IWORKlO WllH YOU!H. \ HflVl The direction and unity of our Gedolim the man decided that here was something was never more needed to spearhead that he had to look into, resulting in the RARHY lHCOUNHRlO SOMlONl BORN what could truly be a historic return to eventual reshaping of his life. 10rah values. No communal force in Rochel Imeinu (the Matriarch Rachel) IN AFRUM f AMllY WHO HAO TROUBll modern Jewish history has been equal was told ( Yirmiyahu 31) that not only to that of Agudath Israel, where Gedolei would Kial Yisroel return to Eretz Yisroel WITH b-O WHO OIO NOT HAVl TROUBlf Yisroel have been able to, and continue "from the land of the enemy" (because to, give Kial Yisroel direction. of antisemitic persecution), but ligvu WITH PAHNTS. ~CHOOlS CAN OfHN lam, as children returning to their nat A HISTORIC TIME, A HISTORIC ural borders. There would come a time COMPOUND THl PROBlfMS Of SUCH CHALLENGE when teshuva would not be spurred by terrible persecution, but by a genuine CHllORlH. BUT SCHOOlS 00 NOT ori VeRabbi, Rabbi Simcha search for Torah. Wasserman ?'':it!, said that There is no doubt that we must instill GlNlRAllY CRlATl !HlM. M our generation is different in our people a deep and immediate from all others in that we see a return commitment to reach the masses of Jews to Torah even when there is no blatant who have not been fortunate enough to ••• antisemitic persecution. He would taste the happiness that Torah living can • We must also strive to establish often cite the following incident, to illus offer them. We need to take steps now shalom bayis on a national scale, so that trate his belief that our times are truly to devote our resources to this cause. we come to accept, and work with, those the era immediately preceding the We will see very limited success in our of the Torah C-Ommunity who do not see coming of Moshiach: efforts, however, if this work is done only things exactly as we do. As Rabbi Shlo A man had promised his mother, by a cadre of outreach "professionals;' mo Brevda N"V''7v once commented, shortly before her death in Rochester, N. Y., as dedicated and gifted as they may be, "We live in a generation where if you are that he would say Kaddish for her accord and as noble as their cause is. Each and I% against me, I am 100% against you.'' ing to the Reform "minhag" - for one every one of us must reflect the happi Although it is true that if you even month. Upon his return to his home in Los ness that we possess, and then, as Mori deduct the smallest part of truth - the Angeles, he went directly to the Reform Tem VeRabbi [Reb Simcha] said, the Torah N of ml><- you have rn, death, this does ple on Wilshire Boulevard, only to find the will provide the power-steering to bring not imply that any deviation from my doors locked, since it was the middle of the back Kial Yisroe~ that we may all joyously particular approach to truth is sacrilege. week. From there he proceeded to the greet Moshiach Tzidkeinu. • Not just a cheese, a tradition ... Haolam, the most trusted name in Cholov Yisroel Kosher Cheese. A reputation earned through 25 years of scrupulous devotion to quality and kashruth. With 12 delicious varieties. Haolam, a tradition you'll enjoy keeping. Al! tlaolam Cheese products are made in the U.S.A under the strict rabbinical supervision of: Tiie ICabbl..- of lf'hll Adath Je.shanut Cholov Yisroel WIUhl- lfet.d.ts, f'fY WORLDCHEESECO.IHC. BROON..YN, NY l 12~2 Haolam • ------···-----·---·----··---·- - ~------· 68 The Jewish Observer, Summer 7997 1·-P·'R·IO·R·I·T·TE·s·F-'o·R-T·'H·E·YE-'A·R·S·A-H·E·A-D/._A.. 1.,o_s_r_M_P_o.s1.u_M ______R_a_b_b_i .N.o.s.so.n_s_c_h_e.rm_a_n • CHALLENGES FOR A FAVORED GENERATION Choosing Among Shifting Paths to the Elusive Goal of Generating K'vod Shamayim unless there were yeshiv can Agudah was born as an incubator as and kollels where baby with uncertain prospects, and a Torah study was generation later when the ashes of the exclusive pur Auschwitz cooled, the battle for the sur suit. Wise and vival of 10rah Judaism meant the sophisticated rebirth of Torah study and the creation people were of Torah institutions. 1"his was accom ~1e l950's, the Satmar Rav':>"~! was amused; they plished beyond the imagination of even I asked why he did not follow Rabbi "knew" that East its most optimistic warriors. A simple Aharon Kotler's example of establishing European style and telling statistic: in the middle a kollel and graduate yeshiva as his first Torah could not l 950's, there were less than fifty kollel priority. He answered, "Reb Aharon and flourish in the New fellows in all of the United States. I have the same goal, but different World.When the Ponevezher Rav broke Those were the days when the doors philosophies on how to reach it. He feels ground on his hill in Bnai Brak, many of elementary yeshivas and girls' schools that when there is a thriving yeshiva of his peers insisted that Palestine was were open to everyone and tuition was gedola and kollel, it will spawn strong not Lithuania, and that the old brand of a secondary consideration, because Torah communities. I feel that when yeshiva could not exist in the New there was a conviction on the part of there are strong comn1unities, they will Yishuv. Both gedalim were impervious Torah educators and administrators establish great yeshivas and kallels:' to the critics, and today's Lakewood and that every Jewish child was precious. Both proved correct, of course, but the Camp Agudah actively solicited children Rav's comment is illuminating. Indeed, ••• from unobservant homes and its coun there is n1ore than one way to achieve a selors visited parents during and after goal. The proper choice must depend on UH GOAl IS AlWAYS KPOD SHHMHY!M the summer trying to convince them to the human and material resources of the n enroll their children in yeshivas. The individuals embarking on the quest, on uBUI l!S omm10N CAN Bf HUSIH ANO yeshivas welcomed such children despite the challenges they must overcome, and their limited Jewish background and on the historical circu1nstances in which SO CAN !Hf tHOICf Of PAIHS lO RfACH II. shaky state of observance. More than a they function. Granted, our goal is few of today's shining lights of the Torah always k'vad Shamayim but its definition world are the products of such efforts . can be elusive and so can the choice of ••• Times have changed. The law of supply paths to reach it. Bnai Brak, with their international rip and demand, as well as new standards Clearly, in the aftermath of the ple effects, are testimony to their pre of acceptability have closed many doors Holocaust the Jewish people had to science. Similarly, when the almost to such prospects. One wonders reestablish its confidence and emuna, moribund state of Orthodoxy and Jew whether it is for the better. and build the foundations of strong ish education in America was such that Torah con1munities for the future. devout Jews said sadly of their shuts and TODAY'S ROADMAP TO When Rabbi Kotler was in the United shtiebels, "For us it's enough; our chil K'VOD SHAMAYIM States in the l 930's, he said that Ortho dren won't need it," Rabbi Shraga Feiv doxy would not survive in America el Mendlowitz tilted against the wind hat should the agenda be mills of apathy and cut them down. today? Or, better said, what is Rabbi Scherman, noted author and lecturer, is We cannot, and should not, project W today's road map to k'vod general editor of ArtScroll/Mesorah publications, for the next seventy-five years, but we Shamayim in a world of heightened edits O/on1einu (Torah U'mcsorah 1nagazine for children), and serves on the Editorial Board of should certainly think seriously about assimilation, lessened Jewish identity on The Jewish Observer. the next five or ten. When the Ameri- the part of most Western Jews, and The Jewish Observer, Summer 1997 69 frightening rates of intermarriage? of that price is that we may tend to pro survival of Torah as the centrality of Jew Simultaneous with this discouraging ject our worst face to multitudes of peo ish life. Then, there was hardly a full picture are encouraging opportunities ple who would otherwise be receptive time beis midrash student or kollel fel that beckon to us and call for our ener to the Torah's message. low whose choice had not led to a battle getic and imaginative efforts. It is not We should ingrain into everyone that royal with his family. Today, the ques insignificant that the head of the the SMaG wrote: tion is not "What does your son do?': but Reform movement calls for "Torah, "I have preached to the diaspora of "Where does he learn?'' It is time to turn Torah, Torah," and that he says that the Israel that those who lie to gentiles or our attention to new questions and new Jewish future will be determined by the cheat them are in the category of des battlefields: "What will you do with your topic of conversation at meetings of ecrator of Hashem's Name. They cause Torah knowledge? What will you do for Jewish adolescents from Milwaukee gentiles to say 'Jews have no Torah' - Kial Yisroel? Are you ready to prepare and Manchester - will it be Torah or yet the prophet says, 'The remnant of yourself for chinuch or adult outreach? MacDonalds? Israel will not commit corruption, they How will you develop the confidence, We should not snicker. There is a will not speak falsehood, and a deceit the poise, the communications skills to growing recognition that more Torah ful tongue will not be found in their become a voice of Torah? Are you still content must be funneled into Jewish mouth' (Zephania 3,13)." growing in the beis midrash, or will life, and in many, many non-observant accomplish more for yourself and oth quarters there is genuine interest in what A BATTLE PLAN FOR ers by joining the community as a rabbi, unadulterated Torah has to say and WINNING NESHAMOS teacher or involved layman? teach. That makes it more important ((And if your talents and inclinations than ever for us to examine how we t is understandable that Agudath are geared to business or the professions, should react to the challenge. Israel is proud of its successful are you aware that you will be looked at First of all, we should recognize that I efforts to increase Torah study, espe as the living representation of Rabbi our personal conduct - on the high cially among laymen, as highlighted by Akiva, the Rambam, Rashi, the Besht, the ways, in business, in the shopping mall, the phenomenal growth of Daf Yomi, Gaon- and if your conduct is not more at the red light - projects the message the Agudah's crown jewel. To this writer, ethical, honest, and friendly than that of of what the Torah says and whether it however, the Agudah's most remarkable your non-Jewish and non-Orthodox is worth accepting. achievement has been to serve as a colleagues, it is not you whom they will Historically, Orthodox Jews were model of integrity, probity and credi reject, but Hashem and the Torah?" terrified of perpetrating chillul Hashem. bility. One shudders to think what the Chovas Halevavos states that while And they were always conscious that we image of our community would be Torah knowledge is the prerequisite to were in galus, either among gentiles or without Agudath Israel as its standard a fruitful life, there is another, even more among non-observant Jews, and that bearer. important factor. A Jew must perfect crude behavior could hurt us, in this When Rabbi Yaakov Kamenetzky himself as a total human being mold world and certainly in the next. In the made his first visit to America, he asked ed by the will of Hashem. There are areas United State, however, there is less his old comrade Rabbi David Lebowitz in life that are not specifically regulat awareness of galus, because we have whether he should bring his family to ed by the Torah - and it is in those unprecedented rights, freedom, and America. Reb David said, "If you want areas where a person's spiritual devel prosperity, and because most of the Olam Hazeh, you should go back to Sla opment must come to the fore. The Torah community is concentrated in bodka. But if you want Olam Habba, troubling lapses in our community are neighborhoods or towns where we are you should come to America and spread manifestations of a failure of many peo a majority. That causes careless behav Torah!" ple to take this second step in their ior, and we often pay a heavy price. Part It is distressing that not enough of growth. As it has been put by both the our accomplished b'nei Torah are ready Kotzker and Reb Yisroel Salanter, "You Rabbi Aryeh Schechter to join the large numbers of their fel have learned much Torah, but what have lows who are involved in chinuch and you learned from the Torah?" SOFER S''TAM outreach in communities and states that The last seventy-five years are proof are outside the constricted borders of that our potential to achieve k'vod 155841stSt. our most vibrant Torah centers. The Shamayim is enormous. More recent Brooklyn, NY 11218 phenomenal successes of those who have years prove that our conduct is under We make "homec•lls." made the plunge should be at least an uncomfortable close scrutiny. By active (718) 972-4003 incentive for more and more people to involvement, or even by being faithful follow their example, and make the trip in deed to what the Torah teaches us, we IP. n-,-,11( .. that leads to Olam Habba. can become magnets for our fellow Jews / • - -,b;:,!P Fifty years ago, the war was for the and magnify k'vod Shamayim. • 70 The Jewish Observer, Summer 1997 ltlil~ PRIORITIES FOR THE YEARS AHEAD/ A ]0 SYMPOSIUM Rabbi Shmuel Bloom MEETING THE CHALLENGES OF A THE NEED FOR CHIDDUSH SWIFTLY CHANGING AGENDA Back to n preparation for this symposium, rying to predict the needs of the I tried to analyze this phenomenon Jewish community is pretty I to see if it perhaps contained some Tmuch an impossible task. The Basics message from which we might learn Jewish world's needs and priorities something for the future. change so quickly that today's well-laid Even before that crisis had been resolved, Rabbi Eliyahu Dessler 7"l11 in Mich plans can easily become tomorrow's we were informed that a baal teshuva 1nove tav MeEliyahu explains that every indi ancient history. ment had appeared in, of all places, vidual was created by Hakadosh Baruch I think back over the 22 years that I have Moscow, and that teachers and role n1od Hu as a unique being. No two people been zocheh to serve on the staff of Agu els were urgently needed to clandestinely since the beginning of time have been dath Israel of America. I 1vas invited to teach Torah behind the Iron Curtain. A new exactly the same - not in physical come from St. Louis because, in the throes opportunity-front had opened. And at the appearance, not in intellectual capaci ofa particularly serious economic downturn same time that the Iron Curtain fell, the ty, not in character, not in their envi in the New York Metropolitan economy ronment. Even twins have their unique Area, Agudath Israel had applied turned bad nesses. He goes on to explain that the for and received a grant to organize again and reason Hakadosh Baruch Hu went to the a training program to provide experienced "bother" to create each one of us dif vocational education to members of middle man- ferently was so that every one of us can our comn1u- use his or her life to serve Hakadosh nity. I accept Baruch Hu in a way different from ed the chal that of any other individual, from lenge but the days of Adam until the end of found that time. even as we The idea of fresh began to ness - chiddush - address the ees, many is something that is econon1ic problems, we found ourselves faced of them heads of families, indelibly marked on with a much larger, unanticipated problem: were displaced by downsizing, all of creation. Tens of thousands of Russian Jeivs were and new progra1ns had to be I once heard arriving on our shores tvho needed not only organized. Rabbi Shmaryahu vocational training, but spiritual training You get the idea. The pri Karelitz N"'1"71v offer - no less. orities of the Jewish com an explanation as to We retooled our operations and helped munity were - and are - why Moshe Rabbeinu organize new schools to provide for the edu continually in flux. Today, issues like the was admonished for not speaking to cational needs of the immigrant children, problem of the image of the Orthodox the rock. Hakadosh Baruch Hu says to at the sa1ne time that we provided jobs for Jewish communites in the press, our him their parents. community's shidduchim problem, the 'l:l 'l'l'7 'W'"T;m'; ':l crnr.JNn mWI'< 1l" - As we surveyed the fruits of our efforts needs of our special children, the secu ~you are being punished because with relief, the Shah of fran fell and tens of rity of Eretz Yisroel, and so many other you didn't trust in Me to sanctify Me thousands of our Iranian brethren found major problems, overlap on our radar before the eyes of the Children of then1selves suddenly locked in a distinctly screen. We deal with one set of chal Israel." Moshe had not accomplished inhospitable jail. The Iranian Rescue Com lenges, but other blips appear without his task of sanctifying G-d's Name by mittee was Agudath Israel's response. Thou warning, and must be addressed as well. performing the miracle of talking to the sands of Iranians were brought to Ameri Complicating things further is the rock to produce water. «Isn't hitting a ca - hundreds of whom were enrolled in unfortunate fact that we seem to bore rock to produce water also a miracle yeshivas and Bais Yaakovs. easily. The needs of Russian immigrants that sanctifies the Name of G-d?" asks used to be the "in thing;' then kiruv Rabbi Karelitz. He explains that Bnei Rabbi Bloom is executive vice-president of rechokim, jobs, shidduchim. Each takes Yisroel had already seen a rock that Agudath Israel of America. He has contributed the spotlight for a short period of time, gushed with water when it was hit. That articles in The Jewish ()bserveron issues as diverse as the needs of Russian Jewish immigrants in the but then is left for follow-up to a few was no longer a chiddush-something United States (Dec. '89), the keeping of Shn1itta determined diehards, while the rest of new. Not being fresh, it could not in Eretz Yisrocl (Oct. '93), and the demise of the us fix our gaze elsewhere. impress the hearts and minds of Bnei Synagogue Council of America (Feb. '95). YisroeL Been there. Done that. Kial The Jewish Observer, Summer 1997 71 Yisroel needed a new and greater mir to create a structure for Klal Yisroel that These basic principles allowed indi acle to be able to impress them - hence could meet the challenges that the vidual Jewish communities to define the importance of the commandment vicissitudes lying ahead for the Jewish their own needs and adjust their struc to speak to the rock. community would beget. tures and priorities to the changing, Not only do we appreciate freshness, It required a structure that would challenging times. it seems from Michtav MeEliyahu that both be faithful to the Jewish past and Hakadosh Baruch Hu Himself, .,,,,,,J:>, has yet possess the ability to adapt to the ADDRESSING THE AMERICAN SCENE an appreciation for freshness. He wants needs of the Jewish future. The guide us to serve Him in ways that were never lines they formulated were clear, basic evenly-five years ago on the Lower utilized before. and few: East Side, a group of young men If such is true for individuals, perhaps took stock of their surroundings I. The organization and its membership S it is also true of communities. No two and were deeply pained. Their Ameri must acknowledge the supremacy of communities are alike, nor are the can vista was one of spiritual desolation, Torah in all aspects of communal and challenges with which Hakadosh Baruch chillul Shabbos and a new generation of individual concerns. Hu presents them. He seems to contin Jews becoming estranged from the tra ually give Kial Yisroel new challenges - 2. The ultimate leadership of the orga ditions of their forefathers. new and unique opportunities to serve nization should be a Moetzes Gedolei So they took a cue from the timeless Him. Each new set of circumstances has HaTorah, composed of renowned Torah recipe that had been prepared for them to be perceived as a new opportunity to leaders who would steer the national across the ocean, and began to search for solve a problem that has never been ship of state and ensure that it not stray Torah leadership. When a European faced before. And as we come closer to from its time-honored course. Gadol would visit these shores, they were the days of Moshiach (as the Chafetz 3. The membership should be inclusive, at his side, ready to show him honor and Chaim indicates in his sefer Tzipisa open to any Jew willing to accept the respect, to learn from him and to Liyeshua), the process is accelerated, and Torah as the ultimate guide to his own absorb his hashkafa. as the challenges are met, the zechusim and the community's practice. The They also brought together like are compounded. movement would be a coalition that minded young people, creating an oasis would represent the cream of Kial of Torah in the spiritual desert of AS THE RABBIS SAW IT Yisroel and forge it into an effective America. Pesach Dovid Schonteld recalls c~:i1i1 ro. how as a youth, on a Shabbos in 1924, he Gedolim of 85 years ago-the he was walking on Columbia Street on 4. Concern for the physical and spiritual Chafetz Chaim, Rabbi Chaim Manhattan's Lower East Side with his welfare of every Jew, especially those in Ozer Grodzensky, and the Gerer parents, to a shul with no mispallelim T Bretz Yisroel, should be paramount. Rebbe, among others - would have had younger than 50. En route, they heard to have been Nevi'im to be able to pre • Rabbi Meir Shapiro added another young voices coming from a building. dict in 1912, in Kattowitz, Poland, what point at the first Knessia Gedo/ah in Vien Pesach Dovid told his parents that he lay ahead for European Jewry: the years na, in 1923. He said that the movement's was going in to investigate. When he of dislocation and destruction, the suf machinery must be set in the cement of entered, he was confronted by some fering and tragedy, and the exile of sur Limud Ha Torah. The Daf HaYomi pro thing he hadn't thought existed in vivors to other continents. But these gram he introduced was intended not America: young men sitting together Gedolim certainly noted the signs of only to disseminate Torah -to increase learning Torah. He came out and told rapid acceleration of change in their its study worldwide - but to serve as a his parents that he had found his place. society. They, therefore, felt it essential unique means of uniting Jews. It was Zeirei Agudath Israel in Ameri- If you are thinking of moving for Jewish Growth Opportunities ... Full Service Community BEGIN THINKING MILWAUKEE! Total Torah Community • Healthy Job Market The Torah Community Cheder • • Affordable Housing of Bais Yakov • • A Nurturing Community Rabbi Michel Twerski invites your interest Yeshiva Gedola • • Learning Opportunities Sherman Park Jewish Initiative Kolle! • • Community Activities 1-800-226-3129 Mikveh • BEGIN THINKING MILWAUKEE BEGIN THINKING MILWAUKEE BEGIN THINKING MILWAUKEE BEGIN THINKING IJILWAUKEE ---~·-···-·· ------··~------·------·------72 The Jewish Observer, Summer 1997 ••• obvious - that solutions to any prob erational links to our Mesorah. lems we may face lie in the Torah, and Yes, we must continue to be con UI f MUS! RlSO DRAW IH!O OUR MIDS! THf that Torah leaders are the ones to con stantly "at the ready" to express our con sult for Torah solutions - may strike cern for all Jews throughout the world, f1 BRR/El TESHUVRRMOHG US 1HfS! the reader as an exercise in mouthing and especially in Eretz Yisroel - their IHClUOf OU!S!RHOIHG IHOIVIOURlS WHO truisms. After all, these concepts have physical as well as spiritual needs. We been central to Judaism since Sinai, and dare not be deaf to the unvoiced pleas HRVf fXP!RlfHCfS RHO !RlfHlS THRl CRH are major planks in Agudath Israel ide of the singles, the impoverished, and the ology since Kattowitz, 1912. disenfranchised in our midst. ROD RH HCl!IHG HfMfHl Of CHIOOUSH!O Nonetheless, these axioms are con In addition, we should continue to OUR WORK THfY SHOUlO Bf fUllY stantly being challenged and even promote - with even greater effort - ridiculed in some circles, and we are not the unifying essence of Kial Yisroel. We IHHGRRHO IH!O lH! fRBRIC Of OUR immune to the affects of such dismiss shouldn't stop at having 70,000 partic COMMUHl!Y SO !HR! Wf CRH BfHHIT fROM ing attitudes. It is incumbent on us, then, ipants at a Siyum, but do everything we to reinforce our allegiance to Daas Torah can to ensure that tens of thousands of lH!IR SPfCIRl RBlllllfS. RS lHH GROW as our way of life, and to emphasize our others become participants in the fROM HPOSUR! lO OUR GrnrnRTIOHRl acceptance of the transmitters of Torah eleventh cycle of the Daf Yomi. Nor as the bearers of the message of Hashem. should we stop with potential Dafpar llHKS lO OUR #ESORRH Such trust may seem naive in our ticipants. We must reach out and teach jaded times. Rabbi Ruderman ?·:11, Torah to those who have not yet had the however, often cautioned me against privilege to learn. Kiruv is not just the ••• assuming that Torah leaders are infal concern of professionals. ca - a place where he could join oth lible. "Gedolim are human;' he would These are the basic elements for ers in strengthening their avodas say, "but through the prism of the Torah preparing Kial Yisroel for the challenges Hashem. They did it by being inclusive, that they have absorbed, they have a spe of the Jewish future. It's been said bringing into their group all who were cial insight into the wishes of Hashem:' before. Adhering to this agenda in the willing to live by these ideals. And they And when they convene as the Moetzes past has made all the difference. And now, did it by showing concern for all Jews. Gedo lei Ha Torah, they have an enhanced ifwe truly concentrate on these elements, But they did it, in the end, primarily siyata d'Shmaya, which enables them to we may be confident that we will have the through Torah. By learning Torah direct us properly. ability to meet our every need and, il"'N:, together, they forged a bond that was When we speak about being as inclu be successful in our ultimate goals. • strong enough to help them withstand sive as possible in our membership, we corrosive outside influences and ulti must reinforce our welcome to specific mately see their children, grandchildren elements within the broad circle of our and great-grandchildren follow in the existing community- amongst Chas footsteps of their forefathers. sidim and yeshiva-leit, Ashkenazim and Sephardim. We must also draw into our THE BASICS FOR CREATING midst the baalei teshuva among us. These OUR AGENDA include outstanding individuals who have experiences and talents that can add eventy five years have passed since an exciting element of chiddush to our Agudath Israel of America's incep work; they should be fully integrated into Stion. Just as the stormy events of the fabric of our community so that we the years since then could not have been can benefit from their special abilities, anticipated, so too are we without a clue as they grow from exposure to our gen- as to what lies ahead. How, then, do we prepare for crises yet to come, for new, developing opportunities and chal Considering a move lenges that Hakadosh Baruch Hu has in store for us? toMOIVSEY? My proposal is simple: that we go back to the basics. Let us refocus on the For careful attention to your fundamentals of our holy mission. indl!Jldual needs, call us today! That would be our best preparation for whatever may lie ahead. To restate the (914) 354-8445 The Jewish Observer, Summer 1997 73 1-P·RJ·O·Rl-TI·E·S·F·O·R·TH-E·YE-A·R·S·AH-EAD-·v·A-}·0-SY.·M·PO-S.IU·M------R·a·b·b·i·J,·o·se·p·h·E-li-as-- Agudath Israel's Future: Is There One Without an Ideology? he invitation the task of every Jew, to participate individually and in his Tin this sym community, was Torah posium is daunting. study and mitzva Taken at face value, it observance, as a prepa would certainly ration for Israel's challenge us to redemption, and thus examine and com in their view there was ment on every facet no need for an Agu of our present-day dath Yisroel. The lead situation. Since this ers of the age, such as symposium is occa the Chafetz Chaim Second Knessia Gedo/ah ofAgudath Israel, Vienna, 1928 sioned by the 75th and the Gerer Rebbe, Anniversary of Agudath Israel of Amer none of them - nor all of them togeth however, felt that there was now a need ica, however, and the invitation specif er - are the essence of Agudath Israel. - and a possibility - to further ically asks what role Agudath Israel has In brief, it was to be < 74 The Jewish Observer, Summer 1997 A NEW URGENCY FOR AN OLD AGENDA The subsequent rise of Sh as proved the IDENTIFYING WITH THE GRAND correctness of his analysis. DESIGN OF KATTOWITZ he years since Kattowitz have Everybody recognizes that the public brought cataclysmic changes in relations efforts of the Chareidim in Eretz et us turn to the second question: Tthe situation of Kial Yisroel. The Yisroel have been far from effective. We Are we ourselves moved by the tragic loss of so much of our people, on produce a cacophony of utterances when Lgrand design of Kattowitz? Per the one hand, and the rise of new cen only a united voice will be heard. Should haps as a consequence of the situation ters of Jewish life - notably the estab it not be a primary, vital objective of Agu in Bretz Yisroel, there has been a ten lishment of Medinas Yisroel and the dath Israel of America, its leadership, and dency in America to concentrate - emergence of Torah Jewry in America its many eloquent and informed per with great success - on the manifold - on the other, have confronted us with sonalities to help bring about a drastic practical issues in this country (as is new challenges, which have made the change? There were some efforts, but cer rather obvious from the yearly con vision of Kattowitz more relevant and tainly not that mobilization of all our vention programs). There is also a great urgent than ever. resources, which is what is needed. deal done for overseas needs (Russian But where do we stand? Faced with this question, we cannot look at Agudath Israel of America and its achievements in isolation from the overall goal and tasks of the worldwide Agudah. Seen from this angle, we certainly cannot be satisfied, great as our attainments may be. Agudath Israel of America is the strongest, most unified, and most Pros perous part of the Agudist movement. Are we doing our utmost to bring about the implementation of the goals of the founders of Agudath Israel - of the Chofetz Chaim, Reb Chaim Ozer, the Gerer Rebbe, and all other Gedolim? The Kiddush Hashem that they envisioned through a worldwide union of all Jews loyal to Torah has obviously not been attained. We must face two questions, as a result. Have we done enough towards the realization of their vision? And are we even making an effort to keep this vision alive? As for the first question, let us look at the tragic situation that exists in Eretz Yisroel. The concept of the Am Hatorah is represented by splintered groups whose problems are welcome fodder for the gossip mills of the secular press. The entire system of the siyot (party factions) that in effect freezes out any "outsider" from playing a role in Agudath Israel - to the point where there has been no possibility for years to have membership elections - has been criticized in pub lic forums since before the last Knessia Gedo/ah. Thus Rabbi Yaakov Kamenet zky 'nn, in his opening remarks on the first evening of that event, gave clear if guarded expression to his insightful fear that we are turning the Sefardim away. The Jewish Observer, Summer 1997 75 and what this demands of us. For in all of those issues mentioned above? ••• example, the buzz-word today is achdus, True, the statements issued by the at any price; are we reaching out to the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah and the pub 0Rl Wl OOING OUR UTMOST TO BRING community at large to make them lications of Agudath Israel - Dos Yid understand what achdus really means - dishe Vort, The Jewish Observer and 11 RBOUT TH[ IMPllMlNTRTION Of TH[ ironTIW))?"'1"N1mlNdm'!W'l {"May they Coalition - provide a Torah response all form a single unit to fulfill Your wilr')? to the varied problems and pressures GORlS Of THl fOUNOlRS Of ~GUORTH After all, achdus must be predicated that American Jewry has to face. But do ISRRH 1 on unbending commitment to the we have a coherent, consistent and sus authority of Torah - Torah com tained educational efforts at inculcating mands, Torah values, and their appli the next generation with these concepts ••• cation to all questions that may arise. in our youth groups and camps? Agu Achdus can cross many communal, dath Israel has published some valuable Jews, cemetery preservation, restitution sub-ethnic, and even ideological lines, books, but these have either been col work, intervention for Jews in danger but not the one defining us uncom lections of biographies or essays on spe .,.,,etc.)! But is there enough done to promisingly as a Torah people. That is cific themes (Holocaust, festivals, make the slogan of the World Agudah sacrosanct. women's issues) that had appeared in 11rwiTTUNc?tll1!ll"1 ("May they all form Similarly, love for Bretz Yisroel - The Jewish Observer, or - like the a single unit") a concrete reality? G-d's holy land, meant for the Jewish recently released Against All Odds - In this context, tribute must be paid people to live a Torah life there- is cen stressed quite legitimately admirable to all who have labored to nurture the tral to our hashkafa. So is the welfare of achievements of Agudath Israel. But we DafYomi and to make the forthcoming those who live there. But Bretz Yisroel do not have a single book that focuses Siyum HaShas an overwhelming and its people cannot be secured by dis on the ideas for which we stand. demonstration of the loyalty to Torah regard of the Torah's demands. Secu Let us remember that we are con that unites so many Jews of the most larism and pluralism indeed pose the stantly involved in controversies over a diverse backgrounds. It is indeed a glo greatest threat to the security of Bretz large variety of issues, from the validi rious expression of the theme of Agu Yisroel. Global strategies, civil rights and ty of the concept of daas Torah to the dath Israel. However, is there not much social needs must be approached from idol of pluralism and the charge of"reli more that must be done in this respect a Torah perspective, not yielding to the gious coercion:' If we effectively gave on a continuing basis? illusory solutions of the world around voice to our central principles - the There are many who admire the prac us. We may be a minority unable to meaning of Jewish national existence tical undertakings of Agudath Israel (and achieve this goal - but at least we must and all that it entails - it would great happily enjoy their benefits) - but view be clear about it, propagate it, and work ly help us obtain at least some under Agudath Israel itself as a political party for it to the very best of our ability. standing for the various positions we organization. We live in a country and And finally, acceptance of the concept espouse. an age that puts a premium on concrete of daas Torah as the Divine-guided and Moreover, focusing on the divine task achievements, and disdains ideology. Yet -inspired thinking of human beings who assigned to the Jewish people as a whole we should not let ourselves be intimi are so thoroughly steeped in Torah, and is crucial for the Torah community itself. dated. There is an immense need to spell whose thinking and sensitivities are so Ultimately, it will help us look beyond out - and proclaim from the rooftops completely imbued with Torah, that the confines of our shtiebel, congrega - our overall understanding of what their thoughts and guidance are expres tion, or grouping, to see ourselves as pil Torah Jewry stands for: the concept of sions of Torah thoughts and Torah sen lars of G-d's people, united in one sacred an Am Hanivchar and its role in world sitivities. endeavor. When we implore Hakadosh history, the reason why it has to march Where is the source book that Baruch Hu on the Shabbos on which we to a different tune than the world at large, explains this ideology and instructs us recite Birchas Hachodesh, that "He should redeem us speedily and gather our dispersed ones from the four cor ners of the earth;' we add 'mw> '>:> D'1:1n, "all Israel are comrades:' Just as the giv Specializing in Competitive Pricing and Superior Service ing of the Torah required the unity of Personal & Commercial • Life • Group Health • Auto the Jewish people (Shavuos 19), so too Home • Property & Casualty • Liability does the Messianic redemption - in 112-07 75th Avenue, Forest Hills, NY 11375 that we will jointly proclaim that 718-575-0312 • 212-228-4900 • Fax 212-228-2075 Hashem echad uSh'mo echad. R 76 The Jewish Observer, Summer 1997 ~ PRIORITIES FOR THE YEARs AHEAD/ A ]0 SYMPOSIUM Chaim David Zwiebel Bil~ Arguing in the Alternative ((Foolish consistency;' Ralph as an ideological movement that even its sanctification, through certain Waldo Emerson once stands for a specific set of principles expressions of the philosophy of" Torah admonished, "is the hobgob and hashkafos; and, on the other Umadda"; laxities in certain areas of lin of small minds." Lawyers may be hand, Agudath Israel's goal to mobi halachic practice and observance that many things, but small-minded they are lize as many segments of Orthodoxy were all but elevated into ideology not; hence the defense attorney's time as possible under its organizational under the banner of"Modern (or Cen honored practice of "arguing in the banner. Unity is typically achieved by trist) Orthodoxy"; militancy and phys alternative": "My client is not guilty emphasizing the lowest common ical violence as expressed in the philos because: (I) he was in China when the denominator - but when the ophy of the Jewish Defense League's murder took place; (2) he acted in self denominator becomes too low, there "Never Again" and a number of mod defense; and (3) the victim died of a is a danger that basic principle may be ern-day Jewish nationalist movements; heart attack three days before my client sacrificed. If our goal is to create a rejection of daas Torah as the bottom line pulled the trigger:' ko'ach harabbim, how far can we reach controlling authority on Jewish com With aspirations of Emersonian out to make the rabbim even greater munal affairs. The gedolei Yisroel who large-mindedness, and in the finest tra without breaching our ideological have stood at the helm of the American dition of my Cochranian co-profes roots?" Agudah movement have spoken out sionists, 1 offer JO readers on this 75th clearly and unequivocally on these issues anniversary of Agudath Israel of Amer NO ROOM UNDER THE UMBRELLA - guiding and teaching, but at the same ica the following argument in the time demarcating and dividing. alternative: he "inherent tension" of which An emerging trend on the contem (I) Agudath Israel was formed to cre Rabbi Sherer writes has been a porary Orthodox Jewish scene that ate a ko'ach harabbim. Its strength, there Tfeature of the Agudath Israel may warrant yet additional line-draw fore, is in its numbers, in its ability to movement since its very inception. ing relates to a variety of issues that may unify many diverse factions of the Torah The movement was founded for the spe be classified under the broad heading of community under one organizational cific purpose of bringing together the "Feminism:' This is a particularly sen umbrella. Its most pressing priority in many different Torah communities of sitive area because several of the prob the years ahead is to consolidate its broad European Jewry. Yet its founding was lems "Orthodox Feminists" seek to coalition and expand it further still. also in part a response to the growing address are undeniably very real prob (2) Agudath Israel was formed as an inroads of political Zionism within those lems that do deserve priority attention arm of the gedolei Yisroel. Its strength, communities. There was room under - most notably the unspeakably trag therefore, is in its allegiance to daas the Agudah umbrella, the illustrious ic aguna problem, which has occupied Torah, in its unambiguous articulation gedolim who created the movement some of the finest halachic minds in the of unadulterated Torah values. Its most decided, for Chassidim and Misnagdim, Torah world, yet defies simple or com pressing priority in the years ahead is to Hirschians and Hungarians, ba' alei prehensive halachic resolution. In serve as a spokesman for and a teacher mussar and ba'alei mis' char- but not addition, many who promote such of true Torah values in an era of ram for "Religious Zionists;' for their ideol innovations as "minyanim" or formal pant Jewish confusion. ogy was deemed a threat to certain foun Gemora study for women and girls sure That this is indeed an argument in dation principles that could never be ly do so with nobility of intention and the alternative was made clear five compromised. purity of heart, with a sincere yearning years ago by no less an authority on Agu Here in America, too, issues have for spiritual growth. Indeed, precisely dath Israel than Rabbi Moshe Sherer. arisen over the years within the Ortho because there is such great human Writing in these pages upon the 70th dox world that have affected the diam appeal to the heartfelt cries emanating anniversary of Agudath Israel of Amer eter of Agudath Israel's umbrella: the de from our sisters and their vociferous ica, Rabbi Sherer made this observation: facto legitimization of non-Orthodox champions, there exists a correspond "We must recognize that there movements through membership in ingly great danger that our efforts to exists an inherent tension between, on "Jewish inter-denominational" religious respond to those cries compassionate the one hand, Agudath Israel's status organizations like the Synagogue Coun ly and constructively may lead us astray cil of America (may it rest in peace) and from and a corre Chaim Dovid Zwiebel is director of government mesores avoseinu, affairs and genera1 counsel for Agudath Israel of the New York Board of Rabbis; the glo spondingly great urgency for a daas America. rification of secular culture, or perhaps Torah movement like Agudath Israel to The Jewish Observer, Summer 1997 71 addressing the growing needs of our ••• growing institutions and growing fam ilies, restoring the tarnished image of US ~GUOATH ISHAH HfHCH[S OUT rn NlW CIHCHS. If Al SO NHOS TO HlOOUBU ITS Torah Jewry and thereby promoting kid 11 monrs AMONG ITS COHf coNsmurnrns - TH[ uHE! !unnHAND tnnss1u1snE dush Hashem rather than its opposite - if we are to rise to these challenges, pur CIHCllS THAT HAY[ AlWAYS fOHMlO fH[ BACKBON[ Of fH[ MOV[M[Nf. suing greater unity within our ranks is no mere luxury; it is a necessity. ••• STRENGTHENING THE CORE clarify not only the boundaries of strict hold great promise. halacha but also the extra-halachic • There is great potential for expand s Agudath Israel reaches out to gidrei tzenius (fences of modesty) that ing the network of committed "Agudah new circles, it also needs to have preserved us as an am kadosh redouble its efforts among its niks" well beyond the strongholds of A through the millennia. The fact that such large Chareidi communities in Brook core constituencies - the b'nei Torah clarification may alienate some in the lyn, Monsey and a handful of other and Chassidishe circles that have always Orthodox community is unfortunate, formed the backbone of the movement. North American cities. It is often pre but unavoidable. cisely in the "out-of-town" settings that We must do a better job of developing shomrei Torah u'mitzvos feel the urgency true "Agudist'en": chareidim l'dvar OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXPANSION of being connected to a larger Torah Hashem from all backgrounds who understand that the raison d'etre of Agu community - hence the great popu ut while contemporary realities larity and success of programs like Agu dath Israel, as envisioned by the gedolei may occasionally require Agudath dath Israel's "National Yorn I'yun" and olam who have led the movement all Israel to exercise the prerogative through the years, is not merely to ser B "National Leadership Mission to Wash of"s'mol docheh" (rejecting with the left ington:' We are indeed a national move vice the Torah community but to hand), they also afford promising ment, and in the years ahead we should embody the Torah community; "to revive;' in the words of Moreinu Yaakov opportunities for the Agudah to engage place even greater emphasis on culti in (embracing with the Rosenheim at the Kattowitz conference "y'min mekarev" vating ''the hinterlands:' right hand) : at which the movement was founded, • There has been a discernible "move to "the traditional concept of Kial Yisroel • Over the past two decades or so, the the right" in certain "Modern Orthodox" - Israel's collective body, animated and Sephardic community in the United settings - greater punctiliousness in sustained by its Torah as the organizing States has grown dramatically - not halachic observance, greater emphasis soul:' just in numbers but also in quality of on the primacy of Torah. This has been On second thought, Agudath Torah learning and commitment. This cause for public hand-wringing by sev Israel's need simultaneously to unify development has already begun to eral prominent old-line stalwarts of the diverse factions of the Torah commu make its presence felt in the American Modern camp; it should be cause for nity and to take occasionally divisive Agudah, as anyone who has attended the public hand-extending hy Agudath stands on Torah principle is not an organization's recent annual dinners and Israel. Jews who subscribe to the ideals "argument in the alternative" after all. conventions can readily attest. The addi of Agudath Israel belong within Agudath The defense attorney cited in the tion of Chareidi Jews from the Eidot Israel, no matter the size, color or mate opening paragraph of this essay need Hamizrach into the broad ko'ach harab rial of their head covering, no matter the not prove each and every point in his bim force of Agudas Yisroel (excuse me, shuls or yeshivas with which they are exculpatory argument; if he persuades Agudat Yisrael!) is a historic develop affiliated. the jury of even one of his claims, he ment of enormous magnitude, and must The climate is ripe, I believe, to fur wins. But if Agudath Israel neglects continue to be nurtured. ther the reach of Agudath Israel among either of its missions - if it stops • Recent years have also witnessed the each of these constituencies. Indeed, if enunciating and acting upon daas miraculous "return" of numerous we hope to rise to the extraordinary Torah in controversial settings, or if it ba'alei teshuva, whose sincerity, vitality, challenges of our time - mobilizing our fails to broaden its reach throughout and creativity are already making a forces to rescue our estranged brothers the Orthodox world - it loses. In fact, major mark on the broader communi and sisters who are assimilating into Jew it no longer is Agudath Israel. ty. Efforts directed at attracting such ish oblivion, resisting the Reform and May the gedolei Yisroel who direct the individuals not only to personal Torah Conservative movements' dangerous Agudath Israel movement continue to observance but also to communal Torah and increasingly militant campaign for steer us on a path of glorious inconsis identification through Agudath Israel "religious pluralism" in Bretz Yisroel, tency for many years to come. • 78 The Jewish Observer, Summer 1997 The Growth of an American Orthodox 51GAINST ALL ODDS)) Jewish Movement The Gruwth ofan American Orthodox Jewish Movement Graphically compelling vintage photographs and his torical documents, portraying how a frail - but uncompromising-American Orthodoxy of75 years ago developed into the farce it has become today. With a tenacity that defied critics, and a pride that ignored the counselors ofconcession, Torah Orthodoxy, under the leadership of the Gedolei Yisroel and the banner of Agudath Israel prevailed, and is flourishing. It's all in the Book! THIS HARDCOVER 400-PACE COFFEE-TABLE SIZED ALBUM FEATURES: • A 75 Year Tlmellne of significant events, trends and milestones In world events which places s~4te ¥~;~i'5~=~:=~ fj]YJ/11~'·'· · and to besieged settlers In Eretz YisroeL • Representatton In tbe halls of government, submitting legal AnniversBry briefs to the Supreme Court ••• engaging In personal contact wtth mayors, Di.nner of governors, cabinet members, ambassadors and Presidents ••. Agudath Israel ofAmerica, • Seeking guidance and decisions from Cedolel Torah on Issues of spiritual growth, AGAINST ALL defense, hatzalah and cbessed ..• ODDS will bring the march of the Presented on a canvas that stretches across the decades, embracing events in pre·war Europe, past 75 years as ckise as your book+ the world under Nazi threat and destruction, behind the Iron Curtain, in the struggling shelf, and as State ofIsrael, in Hungary, Iran, and post·Communist Russia. immediate as the 75 years ofhistory comes alive in your hands through photos, letters, and documents. other side of the page. Please send me_ copy/copies of this commemorative album with over 2,000 documents and photographs at the reduced rate of $29 .95. Home - $29.95 1,:1: Postage ond hondling~ $4.50 Total Due $__ S1111e 0 Charge 1ny 0 Visa 0 MC $ l,: Moil this form lodoy wilh check jXl)'Oble !oAgudath Israel of Americo la: "''~ "AGAINST ALL ODDS" '" I I I I I I I I I I I do Agudolh hroel of Ameriro, 84 William Street, N'( NY 10038 Expiration date; '.I, • or call 212-797-9000 ext. 41 L.:s'.:';g:::":'d'.======-J ------] ac ;,§;·,··· ...... ·.···.·· ... i;i,fi~· .. >.·.. .. ''!:'\, ''•i~!',,J1J.~{',•;~J!,;r··· Wherever you celebrate the Siyum Hashas .r~~(~~ij~~t~~~~l!~~~~ir~ ~llj~ih Madison Square Garden, Nassau Coliseum, or one by sat~lliteinth~+tutgivenbyRavMechel of the 33 other locations across North America - Silber ~·~=whosetapedDafYomi shi~ you'll enjoy and be inspired by an exhilarating mix urim are hea.tdbythous~nds daily,.... from of live, and on-screen, presentations. the already-sold-out Madison Square Garden. When you're at the Nassau Coliseum, you'll be for And you'll join with all 70,000 of those present tunate enough to see and hear the 1'"v.1 n?rnm at all the locations-in one mighty ~ ).))W. from the Rosh Yeshiva of Torah Vodaas, Rav So, make your reservations today. Tickets are still Avraham Pam ~"""'1ll, in person, while it is shared available for the Nassau Coliseum- and for com with all the other locations munities throughout Nortl by satellite llassau America. I Coliseum hook-up. You may not actually be. Additional major parts in two places at once, of the program will but it's certainly going 1 originate live from the feel lihe it. Coliseum, too, RavAvraham Pam~ Rav Mechel Silber N~ NassiJ,u~9!1$tumis~~StJtSH0RT DRIVE from major metropolitan areas; E... '... H.·.·,·,·szit/MNSPOR7f:AT.IONwi.l.l:be \•,,•!,\ .. ,,., .. ·,,,.';,,'\'',"•,•··,··.·,,(,•, ·,·,,· ,\ .•. ,·' available, at a nominal cost. 1 ' ''·1-il~ff~i~I~~~~((';~~EBRATION OF THE ~~~~j'~ASHAS OF D AF YOMI ~~~·?~\f"'c'~·~1.,,v3'11 1'"\!111 Dl'1' ~G'i'i{):00;f'~r• SEPTEMBER 28, 1997 • t"l'tln (Jnn,.,tl 'N) .,,.,N l":> <·· ·{':·i·i;: :,>;:;:;,,> ,>.;:-;·:: $~~i~~pMI COMMISSION, AGUDATH ISRAEL OF AMERICA . '':. TEL. (212) 797-9000 • FAX (212) 269-2843