COME CELEBRAll: 75 Yl:AK::, OF TZEDAKAH.
EZRAS TORAH
CORDIALLY INVITES YOU TO ATTEND ITS
75th ANNIVERSARY DINNER IN TRIBUTE TO HARAV DOVJD LIFSHITZ, K"U•7tv
HARAV SHOLOM SCHWADRON MR. AV/ SHULMAN GUEST SPEAKERS
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 9, 1990 K"Jtvn i7o:::i l"::J THE SHERATON CENTRE SEVENTH AVENUE AT FIFTY-THIRD STREET NEW YORK CITY Couvert: $250 per couple
DISTINGUISHED RABBINIC LEADERSHIP AWARD RABBINICAL STEER/NC COMMITTEE Rabbi Pinchas Teitz Rabbi Dovid Feinstein Rabbi Mordecai Gifter THE /LUY NESHAMA MEMORIAL AWARD Rabbi Naphtoli Halberstam Rabbi Levi Yitzchok Horowitz Emanuel and Bluma Feder Rabbi Avrohom Pam of Blessed Memory Rabbi Yaakov Perlow Rabbi Aaron Schechter RABBINIC SERVICE AWARDS Rabbi Shimon Schwab Rabbi Avrohom Blumenkrantz Rabbi Elye Svei Rabbi Shmuel Orenstein DINNER CHAIRMEN COM EL CHESED AWARDS Dr. Julian Ungar-Sargon Haham and Mrs. Joseph Hamaoui Brooklyn Dr. Yaakov Ebin Mr. and Mrs. Moshe Neiss Riverdale Mr. and Mrs. Sam Nussbaum Monsey Rabbi and Mrs. Osher Rand Brooklyn Rabbi and Mrs. Yitzchak Rosenbaum Teaneck
SEVENTY-FIFTH IEZIRAS llOIRA\HI ANNIVERSARY
THE HUMAN SIDE OF TORAH PHILANTHROPY DINNER OFFICE 25 Broadway, New York, NY 10004 Tele: 363-1000 Fax: 363-1147 April 26, 1990/Madison Square Garden/New York Oty: 20,000 celebran1s at the 9th Siyum HaShas of Oaf Yomi, sponsored by Agudath Israel of America. ust a few short decades ago, Millions of dollars in aid But there is still so much JTorah Judaism's demise was have been won for yeshiva more to do. taken as a given. Its principles students. Laws have been Assaults on Torah's integrity were ridiculed. Its spokesmen passed protecting Sabbath grow more acute each day. were shunned. And how many observers, kosher consumers, Changes in the social fabric people had even heard of Daf and others with religious needs. pose new challenges to our Yomi? And tens of thousands of Jews religious freedoms. Millions of have made Torah-learning part But some had the courage American Jews - and Soviet of their daily routine. to dream, to work, to do. And, immigrants, too - need to Since 1922, Agudath Israel uniting under the banner of hear Torah's message. of America has been at the Torah, they persevered. forefront of this vision and And we need you to help. Today, there is a new pride agenda, uniting Orthodox Jews By becoming a member in in Torah, a strong voice from all walks of life towards Agudath Israel of America, you articulating its outlook, a the kind of meaningful, real, make us that much stronger. confident forcefulness accomplishment that can only For in numbers there is strength. exposing the scandalous be achieved through a And with this strength, just distortions of Judaism foisted coalition of sincere Jews think how much further our on an uneducated public. working together. dreams could take us ... Join us and help turn today's dreams into tomorrow's reality. Become a member of Agudath Israel of America, today!
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on the 6th of Teves, 5751 December 23, 1990 at the New York Hilton Avenue of the Americas at 53rd Street New York City
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Your ad in the Joumal and attendance at the Dinner will help the Yeshiva immensely during these difilcult times.
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THE JEWISH OBSERVER (ISSN) 0021- 6615 is published monthly except July and August by the Agudath Israel of America, 84 4 William Street, New York, N.Y. 10038. From Kiev, With Hope Second class postage paid in New York, N.Y. Yehoshua Weber Subscription $22.00 per year; two years, $36.00; three years, $48.00. Outside of the 11 United States (US funds drawn on a US bank " ... "with and without comment only) $10.00 surcharge per year. Single copy The Hundred Thousandth Immigrant $3.00; foreign $4.00. Send address changes Shmuel Shnitzer to The Jewish Observer, 84 William Street, N.Y., N.Y. 10038. Tel: (212) 797-9000. 13 Printed in the U.S.A. Rabbi Steinsaltz's Approach to the
RABBI NISSON WOLPIN, EDITOR Oral Tradition-Revisited A Letter and A Response: Rabbi Malis Greenblatt/ Rabbi Joseph Elias EDITORIAL BOARD OR. ERNEST BODENHEIMER 27 "'"'-" Good Grief: Conventional Guidelines RABBI JOSEPH ELIAS For Unconventional Situations JOSEPH FRIEOENSON RABBI NOSSON SCHERMAN Dr. Meir Wikler
MANAGEMENT BOARD 33 NAFTOLI HIRSCH Measure for Measure ISAAC KIRZNER Hanoch Teller RABBI SHLOMO LESIN NACHUM STEIN 38 RABBI VOSEF C. GOLDING Statement from the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah Business Manager 39 Published by Books in Review: Agudath Israel of America Stories-Insight Into a Nation's Soul AROUND THE MAGG ID'S TABLE/THE LIGHT FROM DVINSK/REB RABBI MOSHE SHERER PRESIDENT ARYEH/THE MAGGID OF MEZERITCH/PEOPLE FROM THE LANDS OF THE LIVJNG/THE BOSTONER/SILENCE IS THY PRAISE/I LIFT MY THE JEWISH OBSERVER does not EYES/REB CHAIM GELB, A LIFE OF CHESED/THE WAY IT assume responsibility for the Kashrus of WAS/PICHIFKES/ any product, publication, or service advertised in its pages 43 From the Archives: ©Copyright 1990 Rabbi Aharon Kotler's Anival in Amertca NOVEMBER 1990 44 VOLUME XXlll / N0.8 Letters to the Editor Yehoshua Weber
FROM KIEV, WITH HOPE
Among the many items crowd
asnost is affording the West a tng our agenda is our responsi b!e Christian or Moslem literature. learer understanding of life bllity to reach out to those who The resulting religious views can be Gbehind the corroding Iron are alienatedfrom Judaism: a witches' brew of Socialist human Curtain. Jewish visitors to the ism, with snippets from Sholom Soviet Union are stunned by the potential baalei teshuva Aleichem and a variety of non ignorance of Judaism and seeming AmericanJews. Russian immi Jewish theological writings liberaliy apathy towards it they encounter sprinkled in. there. The frequent reaction, espe grants in America, and those Yet. on the other hand, years of cialiy among assimilated Jews. is to still in the Soviet UnioTL insidious anti-semitism have nur casually dismiss all hope of a reli tured the belief that simply being gious future for practicaliy ali Soviet Yehoshua Weber, a talmid in Jewish profoundly affects the course Jews. Yet certain underlying Yeshivas Rabbi Chaim Berlin of one's life. The identity card every strengths characterize Soviet Jews Soviet citizen must carry spells out vis-a-vis their American counter Kollel Gur Aryeh., has been the bearer's religious identity for the parts. My experiences in the involved in kinw in communities entire world to see. 111is latter-day U.S.S.R. have led me to believe that version of the yellow star facilitates Soviet Jewry could very well be at the in various parts ofAmerica as harassment at school, on the job, threshhold of a religious renaissance. well as. recently, in the Soviet and even in the market: In the UnioTL He draws on his obser Socialist Utopia. an identity card must be presented for the right to vations in these setttngs and wait in line for shoddy merchandise. has some swpristng comments Discrimination is especialiy perplex ing in a society where few Jews on the sttuatioTL practice their "divisive religion." More than anything, people want to A LEGACY understanding of their religion. decipher the causes and find a OF "Torah," "mitzva," "matzah," and value system that can help them SPIRITUAL "Chanuka" are meaningless terms deal with the consequences of this DENIAL for most of them. I- their teacher pervasive hatred. I often used the was repeatedly asked if I have any discussions generated by this quest ecades of qualms about marrying a non.Jew. as an intellectual springboard for atheistic Reliable seforim in any language explorations into Yiddishkeit at inculcation are simply not to be found. People large. have robbed try to alieviate their spiritual poverty 111is is simply not the case in the Soviet Jews of even an elementary by poring over more readily accessi- prosperous, multi-ethnic American
6 The Jewish Obseroer, November, 1990 of the many Marxist notions that respect the Bleichs are revolutionar he average Soviets are discardtng, with a more ies par excellence. Their cramped Soviet Jew's postive attitude towards religion two-room apartment serves as a T very much tn vogue. halfway house for Soviets seeking religious views can Moreover, the hundreds of thou their Yiddishkeit, and as a hotel for be a witches' brew of sands of Soviet Jews who plan on the Westerners who help them find emigrating are living Socialist humanism, in a social twilight with snippets from zone of sorts. Jobs are unimportant; the Sholom Aleichem rubles they would and a variety of non earn have no value elsewhere. Minds that Jewish theological had been consumed writings liberally by careertsm are more open and thus more sprinkled in. receptive to new ideas. The overwhelming materialism of Western society, which tends to suffo cate spiritual crav ings, simply does not exist in the U.S.S.R. Soviet Jews are thus more open to a reli gious awakening. Finally, people are more or less steeled for soul-wrenching cultural, social and economic changes. society where overt anti-semitism With the proper guid has waned considerably, and most ance. these changes Jews have never been forced to could be extended to acknowledge that their Yiddishkeit the religious sphere as really matters. well. it. On the Friday night that I spent Focusing on the emerging vitality at the Bleichs', I found six people, of one community, Kiev, might help Reb Yanke! among them, sleeping bring the religious potential of Soviet cheek by jowl on the floor of his tiny Jewry into clearer perspective. Nine living room. One lucky guest had months ago- through the efforts of the kitchen's ten square feet all to the Committee for Furtherance of himself, while yet another folded Jewish Education in the U.S.S.R., himself into the foyer space. Reb directed by the noted askanim Reb Yankel had coaxed a visiting couple FAREWELL Mordechal Neustadt of Agudath into accepting his bedroom for the TOAN Israel's Vaad L'Hatzolas Nidchei night. IDEOWGICAL Yisroel, Rabbi Shmuel Dishon of the Under the Bleichs' tutelage, PACKAGE Karlin-Stalin Chassidic Community, remarkably successful day- and and Rabbi Shlomo Noach Mandel of sleepaway-camps, staffed by ener here is another Toronto-Rabbi Yaakov Bleich, a getic young Americans. were orga factor at work young American, was appotnted the nized. for both boys and girls. Three in the Soviet official Rav of Kiev. In the short hundred wide-eyed children were Union. The period of time since then, he and his treated to four weeks of fun and workers' paradise is crumbling and tndefatigable Rebbetzin have spear sports, which included potent expo so are the doctrines created to sup headed a quiet revolution among a sure to tejillin, davening, zemiros port it. In every sphere, archetypes numberofKiev's 100,000Jews. and kashrus. About fifty of these are being sought to replace those Revolutionaries are frequently children have been miraculously that have vanished. Atheism is one prone to self-sacrifice, and in that transformed into truly religious
Tiie Jewish Obseroer, November, 1990 7 Yiddishe Kinderlach Many of them sciousness that a religious educa have prodded thetr parents. as only tion offers ....Adults cried like chil children can, into incorporating FRUIT OF dren, sealing these daunting large segments of Yiddishkeit into THE promises with an intensity I have thetr family life. GRAPEVINE never witnessed elsewhere. Hundreds of parents, remember ing how the camps could accommo he melamdim date only a fraction of those wishtng mohelim and to enroll, hastened to register thetr shochtim who came to Kiev under the aegis of Agudath Israel's Vaad this past summer were over THE whelmed by the immense demands AMERICAN made on thetr time. The temporary DIFFERENCE operating room set up by two American mohe1im, Rabbi Yitzchok he classes I Fisher and Rabbi David Weinberger, had given in was deluged by an unexpectedly the U.S., in large number of requests for cluding those brissim The grapevine, always the geared specifically for Soviet immi most trustworthy institution in a grants, were never taken as serious truth-starved society, has begun ly nor attended as consistently as spreading the illuminating news: those l gave in Kiev. Most Yiddishkeit is both viable and acces Americans do not really believe in sible once again. Word of mouth the importance of thetr Yiddishkeit. children in Kiev's brand new has increased- and will i'l"'N further "Sure Judaism is interesting, but Talmud Torah, and Bais Yaakov, increase- exponentially the number I'm awfully busy now; maybe next under the directorship of Shea and of those seeking exposure to a gen year some time" is a standard Brocha Weinberger, of Brooklyn. uine Jewish experience. refrain. This is especially noteworthy, for I had the zechus to teach groups Soviet immigrants in the U.S. are one of the few aspects of their quick of adults in Kiev for a period of just as sporadic in both class atten ly fading society that Soviets still three weeks this past summer. A dance and attentiveness. Long find desirable is the comprehensive hundred to one-hundred-fifty peo accustomed to the greyness of secular education that the state ple religiously attended daily class Communist life. they are blinded by school system provides. A child's es, many of them sitting through the bright lights of Western con education is a matter of extraordi three consecutive two-hour lec sumerism. They quickly adapt to nary importance in a society that tures! They took copious notes, and the prevailing materialistic attitude, offers little else. Yet the parents of a once an idea was mentioned, the and soon endow the struggle for the hundred children have somehow listeners incorporated it into their suburban American dream with a gathered the courage to withdraw lives; personal ethics, goals, even quasi-spirituality. thetr children from the state school marriages were literally re-evaluat Most of those who emigrate to system and have entrusted the reli ed. After the tzitzis class, for exam Israel are exposed to a dash of secu gious and secular educations of ple, most men without further ado lar Zionist indoctrination in the thetr children to the vicissitudes of picked up pairs of tzitzis and began absorption process. Western con an incipient, non-registered Talmud wearing them. At the parting lec sumerism and secular Zionism can Torah. These parents are quietly ture, more than a hundred people and frequently do become religions affirming their belief in Torah rose in unison to promise to try a unto themselves. As a result, the Yiddishkeit. mikva lifestyle and to provide their new immigrants have neither the In addition. two-hundred-and children with the expanded con- energy nor the "need" for fifty other children are enrolled in a Yiddishkeit; they have perceived Sunday Torah program, while alternatives. another fifty attend a more intensive We have the potential to reaeh a daily after-school program. To catch practically unlimited number of lost a glimpse of the future rabbonim and Jews. Cities throughout the Soviet teachers that Soviet Jews need so Union are clamoring for their own desperately, one need not look far. Jewish educators. We must help Twenty budding talmidei chachmnim these people now- in the future, spend their entire day learning in an they may no longer wish to be advanced all-day yeshiva. helped. •
8 'The Jewish Observer, November, 1990 STATUS REPORT Total ofSifrei Torah examined until i1"i)J 5751 ...... , .... , .... 3,219 ...... Total of SifreiTora~. found free of textual errors , ...... , ...... 924 (28.7%) ,,.. Total of.Sifrei Torah.found with textual errors ...... 2,295 (71.3%) .
* P"~J u>p?N n11JitJ mN>i'LI 1i>pl n)~ n"1Y .•"t>J We have already expressed, with the support of leading Torah authorities including the Beth Din Tzedek of Yerushalaim, the extreme importance of rechecking our Sifrei Torah for errors. Unfortunately, the Sifrei Torah written since World War 11 have had their "Chezkath Kashruth" weakened, as discovered by the results of examinations performed by the innovative computer scanning process devised by Vaad Mishmereth STaM. Over 3,000 Seforim were checked and the overwhelming majority of them had textual errors-missing, extra or substituted letters. 2/3 of all the Selorim, (new and old) and 900/o of post-war Selorim were found to have errors. Accordingly, it appears that we have to suspect, that in our times, in the majority of cases, the mitzvah of writing a Sefer Torah, is not being performed. In addition the mitzvah of Keriath Hatorah is not being performed properly. There might even be-according to most Poskim a problem of TJJIJJJ TJ~lJ vvn. It is very painful to contemplate that such a vital and holy issue is treated with an attitude of apathy and neglect by some Shu! Officials and Gabboim. They don't hesitate to expend large sums on buildings and interior decorations while scrimping and stinting on the item of highest Halachic priority-the Kashruth of the Sifrei Torah in the Shu!. Besides the fact. that halachically even one error prevents a scroll from attaining the kedusha of a Sefer Torah. There are other serious considerations as well. The Zahar (Vayechi Pg. 225) states that difficult times will come, people will search for help and the only source of relief will be found in a place where there are people who toil in the study of Torah and, their Seier Torah contains no textual errors. When such a Seier Torah will be taken out, it will awaken the powers of mercy both above and below. It is also revealing to cite another Zahar (Achrei Pg. 71) which relates how the pleas of souls of Tzadikim were rebuffed in the Heavenly Academy because of a Seier Torah that contained one extra letter. (l"' )'J1l'Y wnm N"\'JlTJtl1 n"TJY nn>n~J )"Jtll )"Y) Keeping this in mind, it is incumbent upon us to suspect that the many problems, tragedies and economic shortages lacing Jewish communities and individuals could have been prevented by the protection provided by Kosher Sifrei Torah. Therefore, we must make every effort to have our Seforim rechecked and cleaned of all errors by The most effective methods available to us--the STaM Computer Scanning System. (Since it is almost impossible to find such Maggihim any more who are known for certain not to overtook any errors).
In the me8.(1time. itis iml?¢ttant for.all communities to be aware otttie following: 1) lfonfyor;e Sefer Torah.inShulwas Che.eked by the computer, onlythatoneshould be used torKriath Hatorah. 2) When two/Setorim are fleede Everyone is urged to be mindful of the great difference between a kosher and a posul Seier which is the difference between the sanctity of a Seier Torah and a Chumash. People must be aware of the tremendous protective powers of kosher Sifrei Torah. In our times, we need 211 the protection we can get. HAVE YOUR SIFREI TORAH CHECKED WITHOUT DELAY May Hashem's chesed surround us forever ~ v C,( ~ . . !,co ;o/i5 0,/? 1 ff·.V ;,.,,, ~)p r»oek NIP /""'c ~ ry-r:Fiis<'(~Y< I /q~.~~\1 HaGaon HaRav V -~ f v,I YEHUDA Z SEGAL Shlita HaGaon HaRav HaGaon HaR o'-:n\'.ln D'i~10 '"l! 1ill1'11 i::in:iil'.! u"..'\'.! n"o {llJ N"' ·pn1}l ,.-rron;i Ol')J D"no n * This 1s a condensed translation of the Hebrew text proclaimed by the world renowned Gaon Harav SHMUEL HALEVI WO SNER Shi/la of Bna/ Brak. In addition, the BETH DIN TZEDEK of Yeroshalaim recently issued their own similar proclamation as did Hagaon Harav NISSIM KAREL/TZ Shi/ta, after reviewing the recent statistics. These. as well as other previous proclamations from POSKEI HADOR, are available in the offices of Vaad Mishmereth STaM. For r!"lore ihtotmatiori to have your own, oryour Shul's Sitrei Torah examined:. . · Cl!ll (718) 435-.5435 or 438-4963 Va.ad Mish.mereth STaM, 4902 16th Ave., B'klyn, N.Y. 11204 Space tot this public notice donated by friends of Vaad Mlshmereth STaM. Empire Kosher Roasting Chicken For 1hanksgiving There is a difference with Empire! Stringent adherence to the kosher laws Discover the exceptional flavor of an governing cleanliness produces a Empire Roaster that comes from extra superior quality time and care, not from artificial roasting chicken, ingredients or growth stimulants. Every with old-fashioned single Empire flavor and texture. Kosher Roasting A golden brown, chicken is raised juicy roasting slowly and naturally, chicken is the and specially perfect choice for hand-processed in today's smaller cold water under the strictest inspection households - and it's a succulent system in the industry. alternative that everyone will enjoy! Empire Kosher is available at finer supermarkets and kosher l1utchers coast to coast. For the very best poultry', specify all-natural Empire Kosher at yow·favorite delicatessen, lmtcher or frozen foods department. The Most Trusted Name in Kosher Poultry and Foods 1-800-EMPJRE-4 10 The Jewish Obseroer, November, 1990 Shrrulel Slmiizer r e Israelis are a society of intelligent. rational people. W Everything happening around us, no matter how unusual, can and must be explained scien tifically and logically. Nothing is miraculous, not even the fact that the tally of immigrants to Israel so far this year recently hit 100.000. How did it hap· pen? Nol in any one of the past thirty-nine years has immigra tion lo Israel been so high. In fact. in 1986 and 1987, annual immigration barely reached 10,000, while over 20,000 Israelis left the country. To Israel's ene mies there was hope that the blos soming Zionist ideal was beginning e Isra£lis are a society of intelligent, to wither. But by the end of 1989, rational people. Everything happening there were signs of a massive emi W gration from the Soviet Uruon. around us, no matter how unusual, can and We ignored the predictions, and alloted a reasonable government must be explained scientifically and logically.•. budget to cover the absorption of Behold the natural order of things in our Holy 40,000 immigrants in 1990, no more. Land-it almost seems miraculous. We underestimated. But there were Jogical explanations for the ovenvhelrr1ing immigration. Firstly, lion. Then the American govern Reprinted fronl Israel's popular daily. Maariv. Soviet "Perestroika" caused an entire ment, because of its large budgetary Translated by Mrs. Leah Vo!olpin. revolution in the politics of emigra- deficit, decided to limit the number The Jewish Obseroer, November, 1990 11 of Soviet Jews it would allow lo er country would accept them- even number of immigrants and their enter. At the same lime, Soviet anti Israel. needs for apartments and jobs, we Semitism. with its ominous threats. Of course all that makes perfect are now faced with a serious hous was on the rise- causing Jews to sense. Miracles just don't happen ing shortage and escalating unem· doubt their future security in nowadays. ployment. Russia. The depressed Soviet econo We knew, of course, that the peo hat happened next? my, as the country freed itself from ple who came weren't Zionists. And Potential immigrants the fetters of Communism. also did the society of their country did not W knew of the housing and its share. For all these reasons, even encourage an emigration of historic economic problems. These non Jews who were not raised on Zionist proportions. Zionist Jews. with little Jewish iden ideals- many knew next to nothing We also knew that these people tity, should logically have opted to at about Israel and Judaism- decided were seeking food and shelter, not least wait until things would that if they were finally being allowed the realization of ideals. But improve in Israel. to emigrate, they would, to whichev- because we l1nderestimated the But they did not wait. They came. Pamyat's threats never matertal ized. The scheduled dates for pogroms quietly passed. Jews in Russia were given increased religious .•.•.•. ..•....•..•. ....•.•.•. •..·•.•··•····.·.· .•..•. •...•. •.. •.. ...•..•.•...•..•. •.· ·.·.·•·•··· ·.·········.•···.·.· ·.·•·.·.·.·.••••··.·.· ...•.·.·•.·.··.·.· ...•. .•...•..•. ·•·...•. •·······.··············. freedom. communication with the •••· ·•. ·-.··· ..· •.·.• ·•. ••• _ •.·•·· •.·.· ·..· ·•.·.· ·•.·•· · ··.•. .. •..·... ·••. ..••• .. •.·.... ·_·•. •• ·•·.· ·•.·..• ·.··.•.·• .•· •••.•. ·..••• •.· ..•.... ·..• · .•. ·.··.·.·.····••··•····•····.··.·•··•······· ••• • •• Jewish world and visas to visit Israel. ;H~TJ'1t;~,;;r,i~tt.Satvlval ..... l.Dgically, with this new freedom, people might not bother leaving. But 1 1 they did. In fact, monthly immigra 1)~~-p,~~~:~~ij'jt/~~t a/n' "Ni11ltf;·~- tion swelled from a few thousand to over ten thousand. Then came the Gulf Crtsis. Aside from trampling Kuwait. Hussein directed strong open threats toward Israel. The immigrant's land of des tination became a potential war zone. A rational person might think twice before deciding to settle there. DEEP IN THE A Zionist. who believes that only in Israel is one's future safe. would RUSSIAN NIGHT stand undaunted in the face of Aaron Chazan threats. But for someone with no nationalistic motivation-why go to Deep in the Russian Night is the a place which some crazed dictator story of an indomitable Jewish hero seeks to blow off the map with his missiles and chemical weapons? who survived fifty years of oppres In August, the month in which sion under Communist rule with his the Gulf Crisis erupted, 19,000 faith intact. An important record ofJewish life in Russia from immigrants arrived at Ben-Gurton the time of the Revolution until the rise of the baal teshuva Airport- more than in any single movement during the sixties. Harrowing and inspiring. A work month in the past forty years. Now take a look at some other of living history. (h/c SI 5.95 s/c $12.95) "natural" consequences of recent Available from your local bookseller or directly from the publisher events. @\. Our worst enemy, in one fatal blunder, takes hold of another country. turning half the world ©'~~ against him. P·U · B · L" I·S·H · E·R·S The PLO, which has hitherto 180 Park Avenue • Lakewood, NJ 08701 • ( 201 ) 905-3000 · Fax• ( 201) 367 -6666 basked in the glow of positive world U.K.: 1 Palm Court, Queen Elizabeth Walk· London, N16 England• 01-809-3723 opinion, lost its favor in one blow by Israel: Rechov Mishkalov 18/6· Har Nof,Jerusalem• 02-538-935 allying with Iraq. Direct order: add 51.95 plus .50 each additional book Behold the natural order of Please send for our free Book List things in our Holy Land- it almost seems miraculous. • 12 The Jewish Obseroer, November, 1990 Rabbi Steinsaltz's App1uach to the Oral Tr~tiort - Revisited A LETTER CONCERNING TIIE ARTICLE BY RABBI ELIAS (JO, JAN. 1990), AND HIS RESFDNSE'IO IT. ~iff0 ""'"'''"'fWl""'l~O<>l""otl,.lll!r«i.niBoo1~tM'116n ..1"""' ...... ~lo-" Ra'i>bl $,!!, H1...:ll t><>trtlod n;,,,.._~,J1fall01yl!«l To the Editor: includes Gedolim of the calibre of SOME SPECIFIC POINTS: efore discussing the sub Rabbi Yisrael Yaakov Fisher. stance of Rabbi Elias's article Similarly, the tzaddik of Bnai Brak. After citing the crucial nature B it is important to recognize Rabbi Binyamin Silber, as well as of lhe Oral Law, Rabbi Elias that the purpose of the article was Rabbi Yochanan Schreiber {Erlauer 1• states: "While the actual kal not to examine both sides of a high Rav). have clearly stated that in vachomer may have been enumerat ly significant controversy but rather their opinion the Steinsaltz Talmud ed by a Talmudic sage, the method to give the best possible defense for may be studied. used was taught al Sinai and pro one side of the controversy by mar At the outset it should be stated duced conclusions already part of shalling all evidence that supports that Rabbi Steinsaltz undoubtedly the Sinaitic legislation." Presumably. that side and playing down or omit made some mistakes in some of his the "method used" refers to "Kal ting mention of facts or evidence presentations. At the same time, it Vachomer" and the conclusion that indicate that there is another should be noted that the lwo or which was "part of the Sinaitic legis side. '!bus, Rabbi Elias neglected lo three books which have drawn most lation," means that the specific law mention that, the greatest posek of of the criticism were aimed at the derived was previously known. our time, Rabbi Moshe Feinstein non-religious and the anti-religious However, in the introduction to his 7"llt, gave the Steinsaltz Talmud a segments of the Israeli community. Commentary on the Mishna, warm approbation. He also failed to Obviously. one's approach lo such a Maimonides writes as follows:" ... and mention that in contrast to those unique audience differs vastly fron1 what was not heard from the Gedolim mentioned by Rabbi Elias. that of a committed. believing audi prophet [Moshe) .. .is subject to dis the Beis Din of the Eida Hacharedis. ence. Rabbi Steinsallz has been cussion and is derived by analysis after meeting with Rabbi Steinsaltz. compared to an individual continu utilizing the thirteen midas given to refused to condemn or prohibit his ally in the midst of a busy intersec him [Moshe) al Sinai.. .. " Maimon edition of the Talmud. The BeL5 Din tion. The probabilities of such an ides appears to be saying that laws individual eventually getting hit are so derived were not necessarily We regret that, for technical reasons. this ex" far greater than one resting comfort known at Sinai. {Also see his second change is published soniewhat belatedly. ably at home. shoresh in the Sefer I-lamitzvos.) The Jewish Observer. November, 1990 13 Thus, the formulation of the law shava is problematic. (See Margalit lion of the basis for the differences concerning defensive warfare in the Hayam ad loc. who points out that between Shammai and Hillel as time of Matisyahu could very well the older versions of the text refer to dertving from their different intellec have been first established at that one who denies the general validity tual conceptions. which in turn time. TI1is does not mean that it was of the midas, rather than a spectfic determined their different modes of not inherent in the Torah. A' Rabbi case, of which there are numerous conduct. Rabbi Elias c!iticizes Rabbi Elias himself quotes Rabbi examples of disputes.) Steinsaltz's treatment of Chazal for Steinsaltz, their formulation was portraying them as reflecting differ "supported by the Biblical text." Rabbi Elias discusses the ent personality traits and proclivities. Incidentally, the text in San sensitive area of how to Certainly one must approach hediin 99a quoted by Rabbi Elias to 2 e approach the difference in Chazal as Kedoshei Elyon But it is the effect that a person denying nature of Chaza! by citing Reb important to underscore that Reb even one kal vachomer or gezeira Yisroel Salanter's famous interpreta- Yisroel' s approach is not universally accepted. The Kabbalistic and Chassidic worlds do interpret Chazal as reflecting different midas in shoresh nishmasan. Thus, Shammai represents din, Hillel chessed, and so on. This is not to say that one must defend or agree with everything Rabbi Steinsaltz says about Chazal. But it does TO BECOME ONE discusses the Torah blunt the force of Rabbi Elias's crtti outlook on marriage and relationships: cism, which assumes iliat the posi What is the purpose of marriage? How do tion he presents is the only one. I find fulfillment in marriage? Do opposites really attract? Perhaps the most serious crtticism is the imputation to I SHALL NOT WANT discusses the Torah 3 e Rabbi Steinsaltz of the view outlook on working for a living: Can I that Chazat were creators rather change my lot in life? What does it than bearers of the tradition. Rabbi mean to rely Elias opens his article with a dra on G-d? In matic fiou!ish, by seeming to com what way can pare Rabbi Steinsaltz to Heinrich the Torah Graetz and Zecharta Frankel. and citing Rabbi Hirsch's attack on help me -St!1n- them. implying that the same c!iti· with work l·__ --~-l~ cism applies to Rabbi Steinsaltz. related An example cited is Rabbi stress? Jft/''''···. :!ff··--- Steinsaltz's statement that the \, ____ ,j iJ ... Biblical prohibition against cooking a kid in its mother's milk was Tranquility At Home - understood to apply to all animal ~fo1~ flesh at least since the middle of the And At Work: (~fled; It Starts With The !Ill~~,,,.~ ~ Second Temple pertod. This would Rfl imply that such interpretation does Right Attitude ••• not go back to Sinai. If we realize that Rabbi Steinsaltz was address • written in the form of an engaging dialogue ing an anti-religious audience • full of inspiring stories and personal anecdotes s.c. $? brought up to believe that dietary • examines in depth such concepts as emunah, bitachon, hishtadlus, and laws were a medieval, Galut innova free will • offers practical guidelines you can make immediate use of tion foisted upon the Jewish people, we can understand that Rabbi • Thousands of lives have been changed through Steinsaltz was saying that based on , Rabbi Ezriel Tauber's lectures and seminars worldwide. ,~t/, I • solid histo!ical evidence, not faith. ~ To order direct, make checks pay. able to Shalheves (adding $2 for all he can demonstrate otherwise. ~,.r;'"~l~ " shipping and handling). Visa & MasterCard accepted. Storekeepers d and wholesalers, ask about our special discounts. Similar proofs are regularly used by the Israeli teshuva movement. SHALHEVES~P.0.B. 361, Monsey, N.Y. 10952 • (914) 356-3515 Rabbi Elias neglects to mention 14 The Jewish Observer, November. 1990 the following passage on page 264 of The Essential Talmud: 'The solitary scholar who makes his own discoveries will very often find that his own views have already Subscribe now to been recorded by the scholars of pre vious generations. But, unlike other The Jewish Observer spheres of knowledge, 'falmudic study does not insist that interpreta tions be original and innovative. To a certain extent every scholar tries to and$AVE prove that his own revelations are not totally new but are implied in the remarks of his predecessors. 1bere is Become a monthly subscriber no greater glory for a scholar than to to The Jewish Observer and find that the thought he has devel oped independently has already been save up to 47% off the single· formulated by others before him. copy price (a savings of over since this constitutes sound proof $40.). The longer you sub· that his methods of study have not exceeded the bounds of true knowl scribe for, the more you save. edge and are a continuation of 1'almudic thought itself. The And this introductory offer is fully guaranteed. You have but to ask and you will receive Talmudic saying. 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Check the money-saving terms below and send in your order right seeking new facts, but rather unveil~ away. We'!! try to get your order filled in time for our very next issue. ing existing reality. 'Ibis is also true of the Taln1udic scholar who strives to I uncover. develop and emphasize ------I SUBSCRIPTION SAVINGS CERTIFICATE aspects already present in the I Talmud .... " I TllE~H Suite 1200 • 84 William Street I OBSERVER New York, N.Y. 10038 I believe this statement goes a I long way to clarifying Rabbi I 0 YES! Please enter my subscription for: ~~~Y 'OUTSIDE Steinsaltz·s true position. I USA I O 3 years-at 47°;,, off the cover price $48 0 $78 I Rabbi Steinsaltz is crtticized I 0 2 years-at 40°/,, off the cover price $36 0 $56 for not emphasizing Yiras I 0 1 year - at 27% off the cover price $22 0 $32 4 • Shomayim and emuna as "'Price reflects $10 extra per year to defray air shipping costs. Foreign prerequisites for true Torah scholar· payment must be made in U.S. dollars, either by check drawn on a bank ship. ls Rabbi Elias certain that in the U.S.A. or by Visa or MasterCard. such emphasis is the most effective NAME (Please printl'------method of attracting non-religious ADDRESS ______Jews to learn Torah? Don't we believe that the Ma'orShebbo, the CITY, STATE------ZIP ____ light of Torah truth. has the power to brtng a Jew back to the proper 0 Enclosed: $ 0 Charge my 0 MasterCard 0 VISA path? Chazal tell us that G·d pro· . r·1··11-rT-rr··[·r-r-·[ rrJ··-1-1 claims. "Would that they forsook Me ~~dl .... _,_LLJ___ t_L ___ __L_ _ _ but observed My Torah." Surely this [ r· I'] includes learning Torah. Expiration date: ."'._l_ .. J(month) L __ _J_,__ (year) And, if one peruses Rabbi Signature'------·------Steinsaltz's The Long Shorter Way, which was obViously intended for ------· The Jewish Obseroer. November, 1990 15 the more initiated, he will find three ed that there is no "conceptual gap" full chapters on Yiras Shomayim between himself and those who Rabbi Elias cites some strident have censured him. Those who have voices who spoke out against those opposed Rabbi Steinsaltz have who attacked Rabbi Steinsaltz. As mainly based their evidence on his previously indicated, he neglected to wrttings and to my knowledge have mention the voices of moderation not met with him to discuss the who acknowledged that he had questions they have about his wrtt n1ade some errors, but recognizing ings. One cannot escape the feeling 4916 Uth Ave , B'klyn, N.Y 11219 the magnificent work he is doing for that greater appreciation of the spe (718) 854·2911 our estranged brethren. have cial audience he was addressing refused to condemn or attack him might have avoided some of the or advocate wholesale prohibition of problems. On the other hand, it his works. should be acknowledged that some If the discussion stays clear of of the ambiguous passages in his name-calling and both sides respect wrttings could be misunderstood. As INVESTMENT each other. there is still hope for a Rabbi Steinsaltz has gained a wider satisfactory resolution. The fact audience (at the same time that he MANAGEMENT remains that Rabbi Steinsaltz has has lost some as the result of the the ability to reach those who were censure). one would expect that his previously unreachable. Paradox future writings will reflect greater ically. the very fact that his back sensitivity to those in his audience Fee Only. ground was secular. enables him to who are already committed. better understand and reach those No sales or commissions. MATIS GREENBLATf Jews for whom little hope was previ (!he wri1er is li1erary editor q{ Jewish Action, the ously maintained. quarterly magazine of the Union of Orthodox (914) 352~1919 Rabbi Steinsaltz himself has stat- Jewish Congregations ofAmerica.) Feivel Kirshenbaum, Pho. Rabbi Elias' Response: Registered Investment Adviser he great majority of crttical but I also did not mention that responses to my article had Rabbi Kamenetzky 7"llT refused to T little or no comment on the approve it. The explanation is siin SINGLE & DOUBLE serious issues I raised, indulging ple. These facts were irrelevant instead in rather violent ad because these Gednlim were asked BREASTED MEN'S SUITS hominem criticism (I will later return to pass on the Talmud project (at an to this phenomenon). Hence I am early stage. in fact). but never saw particularly grateful to Rabbi the books in which Rabbi Steinsaltz SILBIGER'S Greenblatt for his thoughtful letter. presented his interpretations of While responding to the issues Biblical figures or his account of • Slacl 16 The Jewish Obseroer. November, 1990 condemnation by Gedolei Yisroel of The Essentfal Talmud and its pre sentation of Torah Shebe'al Peh. The differences between them concerning the Steinsaltz Talmud are not at all relevant to this issue. Very simply, because of the undoubted service rendered by this Talmud to so many users. the authorities mentioned by Rabbi Greenblatt did not want to prohibit its use- whilst the others either were concerned that approval of the Talmud would imply approval of Rabbi Stetnsaltz's general approach to the Oral Law. as set out in The Essential Talmud, or were afraid abelling those LTorah authorities who "only" condemned The Essential Talmud as "voices of modera t1IL ;afliIJate of tion," which implies Jlais Yaa:kovAcademy that those who also condemned the Talmud were immoderate G A full year sefuinaryfor se:iiol.is Bais -Y-mi.Kov s~u~ents . ·.. ·· .. ····...... • •. h • .h . \\ ·. ·. (eureme? fanntical? G At!ya.ncaj aC11demic,pr<>gram with diploma ·· ... unreasonable?} and accreditation appears to me quite G Dedicated, experienced staff of ~he~, inappropriate, to say h()11semothers, an,d indiVidual griida.nce the least. counselors G 1n.-tensiveteacfie1'~nhrg program t;ii~~"(:ed and gu.i~ed,hy noted educator that his flawed approach would at some point spill over into the Mrs-~·JHe The Jewish Observer. November, 1990 17 with the position of the Gemora and Poskim that the Torah itself n the cowse oftime, many ofthese ordained that the months should be sanctified by visual obseivation (see I det.ails were related by the Sages to Rosh Hashana 20a, Rashi there, and Rambam Pernsh Hamishnayos, Biblical passages, but such Dmsh Rosh Hashana II. ~fer Hamitzvos #153 and KiddushHachodesh5.2). was not the ':father" ofthe law It should be obvious, then, that the issue of objecting to the Talmud but its offspring. is not a question of "moderation." Labelling those Torah authorities who "only" condemned The warfare on Shabbos may be such a article, he surely does not want to be Essential Talmud as ''voices of mod law. considered a Graetz or a Frankel eration," which implies that those (this phrase appears to have been who also condemned the Talmud do not believe that the quotation overlooked by many of my irate crtt :.Were immoderate (extreme? fanati from Rabbi Steinsaltz, brought ics)-but somehow his wrtttngs echo cal? unreasonable?) appears to me I by Rabbi Greenblatt in his third some of their most dangerous con quite inapproprtate, to say the least. section, throws any light on whether cepts. and at the same time fail to Let us now turn to the points the author holds that laws stated by spell out clearly the concepts most raised by Rabbi Greenblatt. later scholars were explicitly given at fundamental to us. To clartfy this (1) Rabbi Steinsaltz does not Sinai or were innovations seen as point requires looking at the entire hold- like Graetz and Frankel- that inherent or implied in the Torah passage from the Rambam of which the sages were the creators of tracli~ itself. However, important is not Rabbi Greenblatt quotes a part in tion, rather than its carrters. As for what Rabbi Steinsaltz believes but his first section. the laws newly established by them, In this passage the Rambam lists the Rambam himself makes the point the impression that his readers get that the sages derived laws, by from what he wrttes- and what he the vartous parts of the Oral Law: means of interpretation, that were does not wrtte. And therein lies the 'The first part consists of the expla not known from Sinai. Defensive problem. As I stated clearly in my nations received from Moshe, and HACHAI BOOKS ••• They captivate True Identity 18 The Jewish Obseroer, November. 1990 they are alluded to in the written of the law but its offspring.• [n all took the same four species that [Torah] and it is possible to delive short, the Jews were given at Sinai we take, and blew the same shofar them [from it] by way of reasoning," not just the kind of accompanying that we blow.... " through plinciples of interpretation explanations that "any written code But what about the third group given at Sinai (Midas ShehaTorah needs, to preserve the meaning of listed by the Rambam-apparently Nidreshes Bohen). The second part words" but a complete and specific laws not given to Moshe and dertved are the laws that were also given to law code regulating all aspects of by the Sages by means of rules of Moshe at Sinai, but are not alluded the life of the Jew. Thus Rabbi interpretation mentioned above? to in the Torah's text. The third Yaakov Kamenetzky concisely states This is an issue that has been part, finally, are the laws referred to (Emes LeYaakov, Noshim Unezikin 2) extensively discussed in Rabbinical in the quote given by Rabbi that "it is accepted by every believer literature (cf. Neubauer, Rambam Al Greenblatt. Now the Rambam in the plinciples of our faith that the Daas Sofrim for a listtng of the basic makes it very clear that the over Torah presently in our hands was approaches). There are those whelming bulk of the Oral Law given to our teacher Moshe and it is notably Ohr Hachayim (Vayikra belongs to the first part: only laws clear to everyone that Moshe, Ezra, 13:37) and, in his footsteps, Daros belonging to it are counted in the Hillel, the Rambam, and the Remoh Harishonim-who hold that essen 613 Mitzvos, and each of them was tially all halachos were given to given With all its essential details. J. Hence we have Taln1udlc disagreements Moshe; "they, the men of the Great For example, he says, the Jews were about how to unde-rstand Biblical statements Assembly, had been given the Law not only commanded to dwell in about this or that law- whilst, in reality, the law of G-d, in its entirety, through an Sukkos but they were told what was was perfectly well known from Sinaitic tradition. unbroken chain of oral tradition A classic case is the argument about slaughter necessary in the way of size, walls, ing the Pesach sacrifice on Shabbos (Pesachim going back to Moses. They did not covering, and who was obliged to sit 66a); after this argument was settled, there have to 'create' interpretations or in them (cf., in contrast, the very dif remained the question of how to bring the knife elaborations of the Law" (Rabbi S. ferent presentation in 1he Essential to the Temple- and the sages resolved it by see R. Hirsch, Collected Writings 11). The Talmud, p.12). In the course of time, ing what the people were actually doing in prac tice. It should be emphasized that even Malbtm main role of the Sages was to find many of these details were related who sees [)rash as the prin1ary canier of Torah Biblical sources for the received by the Sages to Biblical passages, Shebe.al Peh. stresses that its content was clearly laws, to clarify details in which but such Drash was not the "father" defined al Sinai. uncertainties had arisen, and to Available at your local - while they educate. 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ToR.A.1I.A.tA.DEM¥FoR GtRLS But even those who hold that Moshe received all basic hnlachos "The Bais Yaak1.>y High sdi~1.>I pf Ll>ng Island" but not all their details, and that .4# ~~ch 6th Street these were left to the Sages to fix, .F~r Rockaway, N~\\" Yprk agree that these were limited and Plll>n whole chapter. What I took exception to was that the meaning and significance of his work as Sof certainly not- and specifically the Hora'a was not properly explained. Others l do not want to review again the objected to my putting a crucial quote fron1 the permissibility of defensive warfare on other passages which l quoted and Reference Guide about revelation into a mere Shabbos could not have been inno which speak for themselves (there footnote-yet l made it clear in this very footnote vated by the Sages or tntroduced at was one, however, that I should not why I considered it insufficient as a corrective. the time of the Maccabees: the {Quite apart from the fact that the Reference have included: on rereading the Guide also contains other passages, quoted by Rambam Kifidush Hashem counts English and Hebrew texts, I believe me. that are by no means unambiguous.) among the 613 Mitzvos-all of which that the remarks about Mikva dealt Other points that I 1nade were passed over in were given at Sinai with all their with evolution of terminology rather silence by all the critics. Rabbi Greenblatt makes details- and put into its very center a point that older versions of the Talmudic text than law; but on the other hand, only take aim at one who denies the general the prtnciple that we may transgress there were others omitted that all but three prohibitions to save our validity of ihe Rules of Interpretation as canting deserved to be cited.) froni Sinai. It so happens that the Rambam con lives (Yesodei Hatorah 5, I). The l have been charged with nitpick sltently quotes our version-but even if we accept Talmud itself takes it for granted tng and taking phrases out of con the other version, that does not explain how Rabbi Steinsaltz could write that the Scribes that King David was fully familiar text: but the issue is really not this with this prtnciple (see Eruvin 45a, evolved the basic methods of detiVing halacha or that quotation, with critics trytng from the Biblical text. This point is particularly Bava Kamma 60,b and Responsa to explain away the potnts l made3 important because the Rambam emphasizes that Binyan Tzion #163). As for the pas the halachos tn group three (according to Rabbi sage in the Book of Maccabees, it Greenblatt, the basis of Rabbi Steinsaltz's has long been "exploited" by secular 3. Indeed, many of my critics pounced on approach) were obtained by means of the Sinaitic one or the other point 'Without really seeing what rules of interpretation; yet Rabbi Stetnsaltz pre historians but actually allows for I was saying. They criticized me for overlooking sents these rules as developed by ihe Rabbis. In various alternative interpretations that Rav Ashi was credited with the final edittng my article I showed how ambiguously this matter that accord to halacha of the Talmud- as if I could have overlooked a is treated in tJ1e Reference Guide. Not ju~t.a cheese, a trad1t1on... c,.., 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·11 enjoy keeping. All lla1>lam C:l!use products art und~t the strict R NEW:~~~~~~~~ECOINC YORK. N.Y. Haolam. 1he Jewish Observer, November, 1990 21 Frankel introduced into Jewish his describes Hillel and Shammai in critics challenged my statement that tortography4. very human terms- they fail to real Rabbi Steinsaltz related the person Perhaps the best proof that I did ize that these terms have to be al traits of the Sages to their legal not misread the book comes from understood in a very special way decisions. 1 would just refer them to one of its fervent admirers. Rabbi when applied to such men. (When his observation (p.25) that "the Menachem Fruman, who wrote in G-d charged Moshe and Aharon halachic disputes between !the Emdah (an Israeli organ for with not having believed in Him, did schools of Hillel and Shammai] con Religious Zionism) that the national that connote the lack of belief that tinued; to a certain extent. they religious public does not see any we today see all around us? And, reflected the personalities of their thing wrong in a description of the speaking of Tannaim, let us note founders"; Hillel's disciples were Oral Law as "a developing national how the Talmud interpreted the crit "more liberal," Shammai's "ascerbic undertaking"; on the contrary, he icism of Rabbi Elazar ben Azarlah, and tending toward severity in judg expressed the hope for the creation Shabbos 54b.) This is what Rabbi ment." of a new Judaism that unites reli Israel Salanter pointed out- and did gion and freedom. I do not ascribe (3) Undoubtedly Rabbi Steinsaltz Kabba1a and Chassidus disagree made some mistakes in some of his these opinions to Rabbi Steinsaltz with him, and see them in a "more presentations. However, he wrote for but he must take responsibility for human light," giving credence to non- and anti-religious readers who the fact that they can be based on need a different approach than a his book. committed audience. If this had been (2) Certainly we must approach et us remember appreciated he would not have Chazal as Kedoshei Elyon. but Rabbi received the kind of criticism he Israel Salanter's interpretation of Lthat these men received. their actions as being solely motivat ed by their spiritual insights is not were chosen by Gd to here were a good many writ universally accepted. Kabbala and play a key role in ers who tried to explain the Chassidus have a different approach. T passages to which I took find it difficult to understand history, to pass on and objection (one wrote that "the new this comment. In the first place, organiu the Torah reign of the Oral Law" really meant I what is meant by viewing them "a new era of understanding for the as Kedoshei Elyon? ls that compati legacy upon which the hitherto ignorant masses"). In a ble with ascribing to them proclivi existence ofour people manner rather offensive to Rabbi ties such as eccentricity, irascibility. Steinsaltz one correspondent derid acerbic severity? Let us remember and, indeed, of the ed me for objecting to ambiguous that these men were chosen by G-d world depends. They statements, because "the need for to play a key role in history, to pass clarity supersedes word precision. on and organize the Torah legacy were surely ofa stature Very few individuals have the ability upon which the existence of our that cannot be reduced to combine these two." Rabbi people and, indeed, of the world toourleveL Greenblatt rightly does not offer depends. They were surely of a such explanations. Instead he stature that cannot be reduced to ascrtbes Rabbi Steinsaltz's approach our level. Some of my critics have Rabbi Steinsaltz's description? On to his desire to reach an uncommit argued that the Talmud itself the contrary, they described them in ted audience. This point was also an even more exalted manner, as made by other correspondents; as 4. Some of my critics have argued that the embodiments of the Divine princi one wrote: "One may question ambiguities and mistakes are the result of poor ples of mercy (Hillel) and justice translation. {I myself drew attention to the trans whether it is better to write for secu lator's irresponsibility in rendering alomos as "vir (Shammai), and pointed out that in lar Jews in unambiguous terms or gins," thereby lending credence to Christological the World-to-Come the law will fol in a manner that will make them interpretations- incomprehensibly, a critic low Shammaa Nothing there about more likely to open a Gemora." thought I was charging Rabbi Steinsaltz with popularity, on one hand, and irasci However, can such considerations deliberately abetting such interpretations). In some instances they are right (e.g. the Hebrew bility, on the other! We are well justify his approach? There are text does not say that the Oral Law is .. almost as advised to remember the statement three serious issues that must old~ as the Written Law): but there are just as of ChazaL as commonly understood, determine our answer to this ques many instances where the Hebrew text is worse that, "if the early Sages are !seen by tion: than the English one (e.g. it states that "the com us as] angels, we are humans; if pletion of the Bible marked the beginning of the (a) Shortly before his passing I reign of the Oral Law and of its developmenf - they are !seen by us as] humans, we had the privilege to ask the Brisker the words in italics are omitted in the English are donkeys." Rav ?"lit about an educational mat text). Overall, the impression created by the book Reducing Chaza1 to our level is, ter that involved the same issue. is the same in both versions- and. in any case, of course, particularly wrong if, on His answer was emphatic: "One Rabbi Steinsaltz has stated that he takes full responsibility for PVerything published under his the other hand, we present them as does not have to teach everything name. the shapers of our Mesora. Some but that which one teaches must be 22 The Jewish Obseroer, November, 1990 uncompromisingly correct." This form. After all, we are not just inter to the truth. If a person studies was a succinct restatement of what ested in getting people to "open a Torah in its true meaning, even if he has always been the halachic posi Gemora," but in bringing them is motivated by material gain or tion and practice. The Torah itself under the wings of Torah. If. in their prestige, its light will bring him in enjoins us (as interpreted by search for true Judaism, they have the end to the right way (see H. Chazal): "Al Tegamgem Vetomer difileulty coping with the coneept of Teshuva IO. 5)-but if what he pur Lo'' - do not prevaricate when teach Torah min haShomayim, we may sues is a diluted version or a secu- ing your child (or student). It is our duty to teach Torah; that means teaching the truth, unvarnished and unadulterated, for otherwise it would not be Torah. We can only count on Divine assistance in our efforts if they are truthful- and if truthfulness stands in the way of easy success, we must accept that, too, as G-d's will. There has never been a different opinion on this t is our duty to t.each Torah; that means teaching issue-and it has always. historical I the truth, unvarnished and unadulterat.ed.for ly, been the way we have been be teaching Torah, even where there otherwise it would not Torah. were unbelievers and skeptics to deal with. When the Rambam came advise them to continue their stud larized approach to Torah, it will do to Egypt, hotbed of the Karaism, ies and taekle this issue later and, nothing for him. For proof, we need he- like Rabbi Saadiah Gaon before one hopes, suecessfully. In such only look at the learned professors him- did not try to win over the cases we can look to the Ma'or of Talmud and Judaic Studies in the Karaites by being evasive about the Shebbo, the Light of Torah, to help universities who are totally hard issues at stake; nor did Rabbi them (see on this point Rabbi S.R. estranged from Torah. S. R. Hirsch try to attract the waver Hirsch Nineteen Letters. Letter 2). ing and skeptical young people of But giving them a wrong picture of This does not mean that special his time by being ambiguous about our Torah legacy, is not going to approaehes and arguments are not the teaching of the Reform leaders. bring them to the desired goal, even needed in outreach work. The (b) In actual fact, even from a if we were permitted to do so. Most Teshuva movement has indeed purely praetical perspective, it does likely it will just confuse them. always used historteal. philosophi not make sense to present Torah in The sad fact is that "opening a cal, or scientific arguments-but not a distorted or even watered-down Gemom" does not necessarily lead in the way The Essential Talmud Uncle Moishy, IMPORTANT NOTICE MATANA Mordechai Ben David, TO OUR CANADIAN GALLERY and other Top-Of-The-Line AND OVERSEAS SUBSCRIBERS! I 4906 18th Ave .. Brooklyn. NY Jewish Entertainers (718) 851-4448 are available to visit )ewisfi books. Ta/leisim. Mezuzos. Seriously Ill Children The simplest- way to pay for personalized Tallis baqs. thanks to your subscription is through Tefillin bags. Yarmulkas and VISA or MasterCard. They Cfialafi covers. cassettes. lucite. ;nn nnnv sterling silver. )udaica and iewelry. change your payment into USA currency without any sur ALLATSUPER A New Chessed Project Run By DISCOUNT PRICES! Agudath Israel of America charge. We cannot accept for eign checks (even Canadian GRAND OPENING in conjunction with Suki & Ding Productions of new store at 1917 Ave M checks in $U.S.), only checks 1 Between E 19th St. & Ocean Ave. To set up an appointment, call: 718-692-3661 (212) 797-9000 ext. #57, M-F, 9-5 .__d_r_aw~n~o-n~a-b_a_n_k_i_n_t_h_e_u_._s_.A_...... ~ The Jewish Obseroer, November, 1990 23 does. What is wrong in saying, e.g., that "we know that our laws come Considering a move from Sinai; whilst we, of course, toMOIVSEY? have no direct archaeological or his toric proofs going back to that time, we can trace them back to as early for careful attention to your as ... "? This is not how Rabbi individual needs, call us today! Steinsaltz writes about the prohibi tion of milk and meat-and certain (914) 354·8445 ly he was not understood in this way by the correspondent who wrote me to argue that it is legiti mate to ascribe this prohibition to the rabbis.s In actual fact, the PINCHAS MANDEL Rambam explicitly states (Mamrim Over 35 Years Experience in Kvura in Eretz Yisrael 2,9, and MorehNevuchimIII.41) that anybody denytng that the biblical •Dedicated to KavodHaniftar With personal prohibition includes all animal meat responsibility throughout service (other than birds) is violating anoth •Highly recommended by Cedolai Hador er Biblical prohibition - Lo tigra (do -Here and in. Eretz Yisrael- not take away from the Torah). 1569 • 47th Street, Brooklyn, New York 11219 Rabbi Steinsaltz, a brilliant and Day &Night Phone (718) 855-5121 dedicated man, as eveiybody agrees, Honesty - Integrity~ Reliability has had extraordinary success in communicating with the estranged CHESfb SHEi. E1Vii:S, , , as under~to,od add practi.ced by.one active in the industry mo~e thdn ha\! a cenlli\'y, lahar 24 1he Jewish Observer, November. 1990 ere are books that have reached tens of H thousands qfreaders with misleading teachings. Does the author owe an eq>lanation. to me, or to the public that he has reached? on everybody undertaking to pre what did he achieve, except person sent Torah to the public to be par al satisfaction, and what would l ticularly clear and explicit in his have achieved, except possibly the words. Even if studied ambiguities same personal satisfaction? Here would help us draw closer estranged are books that have reached tens of Jews, are we pennitted in this man thousands of readers with mislead ner to help confuse the public about ing teachings. Does the author owe what is kosher and what is treifd? an explanation to me, or to X or Y, or to the public that he has (4) So, why are these matters not Urgent Message! discussed with Rabbi Steinsaltz? reached? Will this public be helped A widowed mother of three After all, he himself says that there is by my knowing Rabbi Steinsaltz's no conceptual gap between him and response? Is it my duty to enlighten became religious two years ago. his crttics. them, or the author's? To her great distress, one child Of course, I am aware that, when n the first place, as I pointed out is learning disabled. The the matter did become public, he mother lacks the funds to fulfill in my article, he was approached admitted that there were some mis her deep desire to educate her I before the whole matter erupted takes in some books and that he publicly. It only became a public was withdrawing them. But let us child in the roots of her Jewish issue because Gedolei Yisroel were consider this. The books are still in heritage. not satisfied with his response6 circulation, and this is probably Secondly, he has been spoken to Please sen/ you lax dedudihle conlribu/ion lo: something that Rabbi Steinsaltz since. One of my learned critics, could not help (I do not know who UMUDEI HASHEM after berating me for tendentious controls the copyrtght). But did he Mr. & Mrs. Kops and out-of-context quotations, in a ever find it necessary to inform the HCR 148 surprising but apparently uncon public as to which mistakes these Fallsbu.-gh. N. Y. 12733 scious tum-around, admitted that books contain? If a kosher food even he was bothered: "Jn order to manufacturer discovers that one of clarify ambiguous statements about his products is not kosher, he will, of DIGEST OF MEFORSHIM the Oral Law, l directly confronted course, immediately inform the Rabbi Steinsaltz and received expla world which product must be dis 'tnp? in::i 'tnp? nations for the problematic portions carded; should a teacher of Torah do and an unequivocal commitment to ""YI i:vtl':>K ':>x1b1!J Vi1inr.i less? The fact is that nobody knows Available at both Written and Oral Law being what mistakes Rabbi Steinsaltz from Sinai." He expressed his shock admits. Instead, the Jewish Review LEKUTEI that l did not likewise attempt to (March 1990) quotes him as saying clo Yitzchok Rosenberg contact Rabbi Steinsaltz. (Many that "he could defend himself but it 10 West 47th Street, Room 503 others made the same point.) I ask: would ca use a Chillul Hashem" New York, NY 10036 (whatever that may mean- I myself (212) 719-1717 6. 'lb(' question has been raised why sud do not know). Small wonder, then, 20 Volumes on Torah, Perek, denly so much attention is paid to a book that that one of his ardent admirers, Medrash, Megilos and Tulmud, had been on the market for years; and sinister Rabbi Emanuel Rackman, does not political (and other) motives were read into it Proceeds of sales distributed The real answer is much sin1pler. When Rabbi accept at all that he really admitted amongYeshivos and used for Steinsaltz's work and organiz.:.1.tion expanded, the to errors or mistakes, and claims reprinting of volumes out-of·prinl books for the first time came to the attention of that Rabbi Steinsaltz pleaded guilty PRICE: $8.00 PER VOLUME people who saw the problems they raised, and when he was attacked because he consulted Gedolimabout thf'm. did not want to argue with his critics 1he Jewish Observer, November, 1990 25 (N.Y. Jewish Week). What are the that some clear public statement on facts? I do not know- nor does the his part is called for. public, which has a right and a duty And that brings me to the closing to know. remarks of Rabbi Greenblatt's letter. This is, indeed, the reason why I With all due respect to him, I believe felt obliged to write it, albeit reluc that they miss the point. This is not tantly and unhappily, and why I a case of a controversy between two have been so distressed by the antagonists, which calls for mutual almost irrational violence and abuse understanding, appreciation, and that it generated. Of course I am respect. and greater sensitivity to saddened by the epithets hurled at the opponents. Rabbi Greenblat, as me in letters and phone calls, since some other defenders of Rabbi they were really directed at the Steinsaltz. concedes that he made teachings of Gedolim which I med to mistakes in his books. That not convey (though most correspon only justifies a full discussion of the dents resolutely ignored that fact). issues. as I have med to do, but also But it is especially sad that appar requires correcting these mistakes; ently it is impossible to rationally it is not enough to avoid such errors discuss a serious issue that con in the future. It is not greater "sen cerns the whole Jewish public with sitivity to the committed" that out becoming the butt of sarcasm Gedolei YL5roe1 demand, but truth. and vituperation. This present arti At this point, it is up to Rabbi cle is an effort both to clarify the Steinsaltz to respond. After all, he issue in question, and to show why together with all of us- prays each the ideas propounded by Rabbi day that we should not err, or cause Steinsaltz are unacceptable and others to err. J.E. • '~5~/f,'i&,.q:r~t-1 ltiOMO#ON~l C.AMPAIGN Ii . CONSIDER a. c.ustbM PESJGNED ·· i.~)4ci:'f; ..<>r-· 01')4RY- GY l 8> 8s1;-.1.3 l4. DISCREET c:oNFIIJENTlAL Rabbi Aryeh Schechter 'T"OJ. CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST RABBIAVROHOM GOLDBERG, M.S., M.Ed. SOFER S''TAM UNIVERSITY CERTIFIED FAlvllLY COPNSELOR DR. BENZION Counseling: 1235 49th St. SOROTZKIN D Maniage D Individual Brooklyn, NY 11219 N.Y. STATE LICENSED D Family D Child e make "housec.alls." ADULTS D Pre~Marital (718) 972-4003 AND (Help yourself make a decision CHILDREN and commitment) l.P. :i-·.,~- For an appointJnent call: (718) 338-2170 / • - .,b::>lt>- (718) 266-7151 EMPATHETIC CARING ~------ 26 Tl1e Jewish Obseroer. November, 1990 Dr. Meir Wilder en Bag Bag used to say: "Go mourning. from antnus, through the UNCONVENTIONAL SITUATIONS over (Torah) and go over it levaya (funeral), kevura (burial), and B (again] because everything throughout the rest of the week of Consider the following actual (can be found) in it" (Avos 5:22) shiva, to the end of sheloshim case examples: There are no situations in life (month) and even the year of • A nine-year-old boy became that fall beyond the pale of Torah. aveUus. (Yoreh Deah 340-403) sick over the weekend. He was From the moment we wake up in The extended family and friends, brought to a specialist on Monday the morning until we fall asleep at however, receive comparatively little who misdiagnosed the illness. Two night, our day's activities are pre in the way of direction from the days later, the boy was niftar. His scribed by the Torah. From the Shulchan Amch. They are instruct parents and siblings, of course, sat moment of birth until the final rest, ed in the proper manner tn which to shiva. But what about the boy's our lives are directed by the Torah. offer comfort and consolation classmates? They were agitated, In many cases the guidelines of through nichum aveUim (Yoreh De'ah wound-up and unable to learn. The Torah are explicit and tncontrovert 376) but nothing more. Certainly Rebbe of the class sought guidance ible. In other cases, the Torah the Jaws of nichum aveUim need to from the menaheL He received the guidelines are only implicit and be properly understood to be prop followtng advice: 'Whatever you do, therefore subject to speculation. erly fulfilled. (See "The Psycho don't discuss the petira (death) with When someone is niftar 7"1 (dies), dynamics of Grief and Moumtng: A the class. They are small children for example, the entire corpus of Layman's Guide to Making a Shiva and will forget about it In a day or Hilchos AveUus guides the bereaved Visit," The Jewish Observer, Jan. two." By the end of the week, the members of the niftars immediate '85.) class was even more uncontrollable family. The Shulchan Amch, then, Generally. then, extended family than ever. clearly spells out what is expected of and friends use the mitzva of • The counselor of a bunk of the aveilim at every step of their nichum aveilim to help themselves eight-year-old boys was killed in a cope with their own feelings of grief traffic accident during the summer. Dr. Wlkler, a psychotherapist and family counselor in and mourning. In some unusual That Sunday was parents' visiting ptivate practice In Brooklyn NY, is a frequent contrtbu~ tor to thest;> pages. He is the author of, "The First Seven situations, when children are day at the camp. One of the boys in Days: A Practical Guide to tht' Traditional Jewish tnvolved, additional measures may the n!flm's bunk related the tncident Observance of Shiva for Mourners their Families and be called for. to his parents. He then pleaded Friends~ {New York: United Hebrew Conununity. 1987). The Jewish Observer, November, 1990 27 with his parents, "Don't let anyone "CHILDREN DON'T Perhaps some of the best indica know I mentioned this to you. We REALLY UNDERSTAND tions that children do not forget so were forbidden to talk about this DEATH, SO THEY quickly are the behavioral changes with our parents so please don't try DON'T REALLY TlllNK that are evident following the petira to discuss it with me." ABOUT IT." of some significant personality in • Over a weekend, a kinder their lives. Children can become garten teacher was killed in an acci Yes, it is true that the children, aggressive, hyperactive, anxious, dental fire in her home. On Mon especially young children, have a and inattentive; or, withdrawn, day, all of the staff and adminlstra difficult time grasping the concept of sullen and moody. They may also tors walked around with long faces death. But that difficulty does not exhibit any combination of these but nothing was said to the children cause them to think less about it. symptoms, which should alert the about their teacher other than she In fact. it causes them to think even adults around to the difficulties "would not be in school today." more about it, as they struggle to these children are having coping When questioned about this policy, understand what it all means. If with the sad news. The fact that the director of the pre-school pro you give a young child the slightest these behavioral changes can last gram explained, "These girls are opportunity, he or she will Iiddle for days and even weeks indicates only four- and-five-year-olds. They you with an avalanche of questions, that the children have certainly not don't really understand these all indicating how very much the forgotten the tragedy. things. Most of them do not know subject is on the mind of any child about the tragedy and those who do touched by death. "IF YOU BRING UP THE are probably not thinking about it SUBJECT, THE CHllr now. So what purpose would be "CHILDRENREALLY DREN WILL GET MORE served by bringing it up and upset FORGET ABOUT UPSET. THE BEST ting them?" UNPLEASANT THINGS THING FOR CHILDREN VERY QUICKLY. LOOK IS NOT TO TALK WIDESPREAD MYTHS HOW SOON AFTER ABOUT IT." 0 HEARING SUCH NEWS hese are not isolated excep A CHILD RETURNS TO Nothing could be further from the tions or examples drawn from PLAY. DOESN'T THAT truth! Chazal (Rabbis of the T irreligious schools and PROVE HOW QUICKLY Talmud) do not instruct us to dis camps. In all three cases, the insti CHILDREN FORGET?" tract aveilim from their grtef. On the tutions concerned were mainstream contrary, we are encouraged to help Torah-based camps and schools. No, not at all. Children will turn the aveilim face the reality of their Where do these attitudes and to play very quickly after hearing loss. So children also need to be assumptions come from? They upsetting news, but not because allowed and encouraged to face the come from some very basic miscon they have forgotten it. Play can often reality of their loss, just like the ceptions about intellectual and emo serve the same purpose to a child adults. It is the non-Jewish world tional development of children. that a heart-to-heart conversation that emphasizes denial of death Here are some common, wide serves to an adult. Play can soothe through Iituals and practices that spread myths about children's atti and comfort a child who has just treat the deceased as if he or she tudes toward death and bereavement. been traumatized by upsetting news. were still alive. YOUNG PEOPLE OF MARRIAGEABLE AGE MUST BE TESTED in order to prevent the scourge of Tay-Sachs disease from striking the next AN URGENT generation, in accordance with the directives of the Gedo lei Hador. SCHOOLS and YESHIVOS: REMINDER Please call 718-384-2332 if you are interested in having testing done for students. Genetic counseling is also available. FROM Call for an appointment: (718) 384-6060 or (914) 783-1370 CHEVRA DOR Confidentiality assured. CHEVRA DOR YESHORIM, INC. YESHORIM 160 Wilson Street, 1-B, Brooklyn, NY 11211 28 'The Jewish Observer, November, 1990 The Shulchan.Aruch, then, clearly spells out what is expected Qf the aveilim at every step Qf their mourning,... The extendedfamily andfriends, however, receive compamtively little in the way Qf direction fi'0111 the Shulchan Aruch. "BUT YOU NEVER and indulge themselves in the very death that Chaza~ in their infinite HEAR CHILDREN outlet that they deny the children. wisdom, laid out for us in the TALKING ABOUT THE Grief is a natural human emotion, Shu/chan Aruch. .PETIRAAMONGST which is appropriate for children to 1. Do not deny the death. Any THEMSELVES OR feel after the petira of someone attempt to do so is misleading and WITH ADULTS. important to them. When grief is counterproductive. Just as aveilim DOESN'T THAT INDI suppressed it can be harmful. attend the levaya and kevura, CATE THAT THEY When it is expressed and shared it which drive home the reality of a DON.TWANTTO can be good grief. petira. so too no effort should be THINK ABOUT IT, made to "shield" children from the THAT IT WOUW BE WHAT SHOULD BE DONE? truth. Children do not have to be TOO UPSETTING FOR exposed to all of the gory details, but THEM TO TALK hen death touches the the basic facts are necessary for ABOUT?" lives of children who do them. W not become aveilim, the 2. Give them an opportunity to adults around them need to follow talk about the petira the nytar and o. all it indicates is that they the same guidelines for dealing with their feelings. Just as aveilim are have picked up the non-ver N bal message from the adults around them that the adults are too ARE YOU MOVING? uncomfortable to talk about it. As disconcerting as the whole subject IS YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS PRINTED is, it is even more uncomfortable to INCORRECTLY ON THE JO MAILING LABEL? tiy to discuss death with children. We need your help to ensure proper delivery of the 10 to your home. Please For that reason. perhaps. many oth erwise intelligent, knowledgeable attach current mailing label in the space below, or print clearly your address and sensitive adults look for excus and computer processing numbers that are printed above your name on the es and rationalizations to justify address label. their avoidance of the issue. ADDRESS CHANGE FORM Children generally take their cues (Affix !abel here) from adults. especially when it comes to unfamiliar matters. so when the adults remain silent about the petira of someone close, the children follow the example and suppress their own thoughts, questions and feelings. Name ______The silence of the adults, howev er, is misleading. The adults are only silent on the subject of a petira Address------around children. When they get City, State, Zip------together with other adults, these Date Effective ______same people will talk of little else besides the recent petira. In do!ng Please aHow 6--8 weeks for a!! changes to be reflected on your mailing labeL WE WILL NOT BE so. they will reach for the support RESPONSIBLE FOR BACK ISSUES MISSED unless you notify us 8 weeks prior to your move. Tile Jewish Observer, November, 1990 29 afforded ample opportunity to venti that we will be reunited with all nif 1b Relive the Unforgettable late through the shiva visits of their tmim when techias hameisim [the Moments ofa Historic Event: friends. relatives and neighbors, chil resurrection of the dead) takes dren also need similar opportunities place, which children mistakenly to raise their questions, quiet their assume will coincide with the fears and express their feelings. As advent of Moshiach. We are very mentioned earlier, children take well emotionally prepared for the their cues from adults. If discussion prospect that techias hameisim is not initiated by adults, it may not and the awaited reunion-may be take place at all- certainly not in the long in coming. But when children supportive, constructive atmosphere are told that "Moshinch could come in which it should be conducted. tomorrow," and he doesn't anive, Therefore, adults need to let children they suffer more disappointment Whether you were part of know that it's perfectly acceptable to than adults can imagine. And this this unique demonstration of Kiddush talk about the petim and the niftnr disappointment is compounded Sheim Shomayim and Kavod Haforah, or by setting the proper example. daily, forcing the children to wonder were unable to be there, you will want to Generally, once the subject is raised why this reunion is being post have a copy of the official recording of by adults, children jump at the poned- in some cases. even blam the entire proceedings, to hear every chance to unburden themselves. ing themselves for the delay. inspiring word spoken, every stirring 3. Help the children validate their 4. Finally. after questions have note sung, every "Omein Yehei Shmay feelings. When adults are sitting been raised and feelings shared. Rabba" proclaimed. shiva and they express feelings of help the children to concretize their sadness, loss or pain, those who feelings through actions. Just as Get your copy now of your come to comfort are admonished the avea is given concrete actions to COMMEMORATIVE TWO-CASSETTE SET not tell the aveiL "What can you do? perform such as kriah, shiva, encased in an attractive customized You can't change things, anyway" Kaddish. and so on, so too do chil- binder, including a copy of the Souvenir Program that was distributed at the hese are not isolated exceptions or occasion. Only a limited number of sets examples drawn.from irreligious schools available. Submit your order while the T supply still lasts. You will treasure this and camps. In all three cases, the institutions commemorative set for years to come! concerned were mainstream Torah-based camps Jhis commemorative se"i has and schools. ' been produced by popular request as a public service, and is available for an $18 contribution for each set (plus $2 [Yoreh De'ah 376:2). While this is dren need to be able to express their postage/handling). meant to avoid sounding as though feelings through concrete actions. one is criticizing G-d's actions, it One of the best opportunities to An excellent glft item. Order indirectly also also serves to pennit channel children's feelings into extra sets for friends and family! the mourners to give vent to their action is to prepare them for and feelings of loss. accompany them on a shiva visit. If Similarly, adults must help chil that is not appropriate, they can AGUDAm ISRAEL PIJBw:ATIONS DEPARTMENT dren to accept their own feelings. write letters to the niftars family. 84 Wllllams Street, NYC 100~8 Thls is done by healing the children Another option would be to plan and Enclosed please find my contribution of out and then letting them know that execute a suitable memorial, such I for_ sets (118 per set) of the 9th they are not alone, that others feel as a tzeddaka campaign. special Siyum Hashas of the Daf Yomi recording. I am the same way. In addition, children learning program, or chessed pro including S2 additional for postage and handling, have many questions about petira ject. All of this need not be planned that may frighten and upset them. on a grand scale, but rather on a These questions need to be practical level, realistic for the num answered with sympathy, honesty ber of children involved and for their and respect for their intelligence. age level. The important point here City, State, Zip: ------·I Efforts to give false reassurance by is not how much money is raised Check or money order must accompany this coupon. feeding into their tendency for magi but rather that the children be given Please allow 4 weeks fur delivery. cal thinking will only backfire. an opportunity to channel their feel Proceeds wlll be ulillztd ID farl/M tbe study ofDaf One extremely common example ings into actions. [See Sclei Margolis lbml tbrougbout tbe lllllWn. of such misguided efforts to comfort on Tanna Dvei Eliyahu, Parshas should be noted here. We know Terumn, Shemos 25:2.) 30 The Jewish Observer, November. 1990 WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO ... ? consulted a therapist who was offering them A short-term guidance regarding a behav- o as not to be accused of end ioral problem of one of their other VJ ing with a cliff-hanger. let's children. S return to the three case Th e therapist expressed /1-~ examples presented earlier. How considerable shock when he l / did they work out and what was the heard the camp's approach. ~\'(1 ~ result in each case? He then went on to outline .._ £,;:V"'"""l.:...._ The Jewish Observer, November, 1990 31 the director and consultant entered hamJ (Rabbis qf the the kindergarten. The teacher of the class knew both visitors well and C Talmud) do not instruct us invited them to join in the circle that was being formed for story time. to distract aveilimfium their The director and the consultant smiled to the children and sat down grief. On the contrary, we are in the circle quietly while the teach encouraged er went to the bookshelf to select a to help the aveilim story. face the reality qftheir loss. Before the teacher came back to the circle one little girl apparently read the minds of the adults and blurted out, "Morah 'Esther' died." parents to discuss the entire matter Another girl added, "She's in with the camp administration first, Shomayimnow." After all, their son may have misun A thtrd girl across the room piped MALOHN derstood or distorted the camp posi up, "But we Will all see her when tion. But if their son had, in fact, Moshiach comes." MIFAL reported it accurately, they should The director tmmediately lefi the VISITING NEW YORK77 encourage the camp administration room, feeling somewhat humiliated Beautiful rooms, with kitchen to contact the therapist. by the spontaneous disproof of her facilities, in heart of Boro Park The parents did follow through, argument. During an informal by day or week. Near Shuls, but the camp administration did meeting later that day, she was not. The parents, however, were take-out foods, etc Profits to helped to recognize the kindergarten able to discuss the episode with Mifal Torah Vodaas. children's need to express their own their son who was, at first, most grief at the petira of their beloved anxious about violating the code of Call f718J 851·Z969 teacher. To her credit, she was able silence imposed by the camp. When to acknowledge her error and she he finally came home, however, he explored with the consultant appro was visibly relieved to be able to talk priate ways to lead a discussion of freely with his parents about the the petira with the class and to episode. include them in the memorial plans Finally, what happened with the the school was already making. nursery school class whose teacher was killed over the weekend? In FOREWARNED IS FOREARMED spite of the Widespread discussion Consider the Impact a of the incident in the corridors opefully, the guidelines pre amongst the staff and faculty, the sented here will never be Torah ~sette liln~ director of the program was con- can have on your H needed for practical applica- Neighborhood hen grief it be With. so rymch ··on•the-g()' Ustenlng is suppressed can tlme available today, a ~tteUbrary Is W hannful. When it is expressed and an Ideal. way to. supplement your. own Tor ah study, as wen your nelgllb<>rs\ shared it can be good grief. We f'eature many of the ftnesteduca tors speaking on awlde range of topics, and show you how to provld~ this ser vice In an. easy and organized manner " vinced that the children had been tion. Nevertheless, by reviewing with savings to all_, successfully shielded from the tragic them now before they are needed, Send for details of our.S ready-to-use news. She was so convinced, in parents, mechanchim, and camp library packages.today, fact, that she suggested to the ther administrators will be properly pre apist who served as a part-time con pared if, 7"1, a tragedy should strike sultant to the pre-school program and a petira touches the lives of that they sit in on the class, unan young children. Like the fire extin 1~~:~~~~:~. nounced, to observe. guisher on the wall, we hope we _900 Forest Ave."'~'·"' Jerusalem The girls were busy playing with never need it; but just in case, it's LakewOOd, NJ 08701 blocks, dolls and old clothes when nice to know it's there. • 32 The Jewish Observer, November, 1990 HWlOCh Teller MEAsURE FOR MEAsURE The last days ofChedva Silberfarb n ")): SHE DEDICA1ED HER EVERY BREATii TO HELPING OTHERS UVE BETTER. ''It was a tempestuous secure enough to proceed. With "During childbirth, in hard times, storm .... " This is how Chedva each precarious step. the storm on the Yamim Noraim, we too feel as Silberfarb often began her began to subside, until it dissipated though we are crossing a narrow, shiur. It was not uncommon for her into a gentle breeze. teetering bridge, and we will pledge to seem to be talking to herself as "Instead of relief, however. the anything in return for safe passage. much as to her audience. "... and the woman was oveiwhelmed with con "Inevitably, however, once the dif wind howled, heaving the flimsy sternation. 'How could l have made ficult times are over, we swiftly for bridge to and fro. High above the such foolish commitments?' she get every one of our commitments. churning waters stood a terrified reproached herself. 'Everyone Is this woman not you? l know in woman, clutching the rail for dear engages in lashon hora. How can l my heari of hearis that she is me." life. All she wanted was to traverse be expected to contain my anger 'My friends, you all know the narrow bridge to her home. But when so many things upset me? It me, my story is no now, as the storm's fury peaked and is unrealistic for me to devote my secret." Chedva was the wind's velocity increased, the energy to others when l do not have addressing her former classmates frightened woman realiZed beyond enough time for myself. And if l had several years after they had gradu all hope that in seconds, nature enough time, I would pray, but ated from Bais Yaakov Seminary. would have its way and she would surely not with such concentration.' Ostensibly, they had gathered to plunge to her death in the raging, "Jn a few brief seconds, the hear a shiur from their illustrious icy waters below. Jn desperation she woman had released herself from colleague, but in truth they longed began to offer every spiritual com every obligation. At that very to hear what Chedva wanted from mitment imaginable. 'I shall refrain moment, however, the storm began them, to fmd out what they could do from laslwn hora!' she vowed. 'I will to rear its ugly head yet again and a to help their dying fiiend. never get angry again, l shall extend mighty gust heaved her against the "I grew up with you and we myself for chessed, l will pray with ralling of the bridge. Quivering with attended school together. I was a fervor ... .' fear and trembling with remorse, student like everyone else, and "After pledging lo pursue a life of she turned her face heavenward afterwards a dormitory counselor, piety and spiritual endeavor, she felt and declared, 'My G-d, l was only just as some of you were. I got mar joking! I take my pledges seriously. I ried- most of you were at my wed Hanoch Teller, author of a nu1nber of popular will even increase my commitments! ding- and I had three children and books of inspiring stories, lives in Jerusale1n. This article, based on information offered by 0 L-rd, let me just return home a good job, thank G-d: I was lacking Rebitzens Sarah Angel and Rivka Plitnick, is safely!' nothing, nothing at all. Everything excerptt.-d from a chapter in a forihcommg book. "We often find ourselves in situa was fine. fley Taxi!. tions like this," Chedva explained. "Then, three months after my The Jewish Obseroer, November, 1990 33 ~~-~~,_;·~~------~______, third child was born, I started feel ing ill and a terrible weakness over ''Everyone of us was created to came me. I didn't know what could possible be wrong. After all. many seroe the L-rd whether in women with many more children manage without feeling so exhaust sickness or in health. My job is to ed. My arms began to ache, but 1 concluded that since 1 spent most of seroe in sickness. Pray that you will the day carrying the baby, it was only natural. I was also coughing a never be in my place. '' lot, but it was winter so I didn't pay much attention to that, either. That is, until one Friday. After a brief examination, the doctor Tel Hashomer Hospital. "I had completed all my Shabbos said that I needed a blood transfu "After the first three, however, l preparations in advance so that I sion and had to be hospitalized once again felt ill and my lungs filled could see a doctor Friday morning. immediately. I began to weep; 1 just with water. I ran to my doctor, only With no intention of undergoing a couldn't control myself. 'l don't want to discover that he was doing checkup, I figured I would merely to go to the hospital!' I sobbed. Reserve Duty, so I called my doctor ask my physician to prescribe some "I didn't know what was happen in America, but he was on vacation. vitamins. At most, I thought, she'll ing to me, what they wanted from "Depressed and frustrated beyond suspect anemia and recommend a me. 'I have three babies in Israel.' I description, I felt myself bracing for blood test. But instead she became whimpered. crying like a baby support on that narrow bridge in the concerned over my constant cough myself, 'and I want to return to grip of the storm. 'Master of the uni ing and ordered a chest X -ray. them.' The doctor urged me to verse,' I called out, 'You are the "No sooner had I taken the X-ray regain my composure. Doctor of all humanity and You are than the technician ran to her "Nothing could be done, he always here! It does not matter to supervisor as if her life were in dan explained, without my being admit You if we suffer from a slight ailment ger. 'Are you crazy?' she sputtered ted to a hospital, and I should pre or a major disease, You can heal all!' uncontrollably. 'What are you doing pare myself for a painful and pro And of course, G-d helped." walking around? You belong in a tracted treatment. ''The week before Rosh hospital- now!' "Of course he couldn't help," Hashana, I was racked ''I went to America for radiation Chedva editorialized. "Only the with pain again and deliri treatments," Chedva contin Healer of All Flesh could, and did. 1 ous with fever. I trembled at the ued. "It was Shabbos underwent two chemotherapy treat thought of being confined to bed on Purim- for them, that is. For me it ments in America and I was to Yam Hadin. but thank G-d, my con was torture; I could barely speak. undergo another eight in Israel at dition improved. FAMOUS YOUR CAR II ISRAE£ TYPE OF CAR .. Cholov Yisroel • Shomer Shabbos Under the Supervision of K'hal Adath Jeshurun Open for Breakfast Luncheon and Dinner Catering • Parties • Meetings 222 West 72nd Street (212) 595-8487 34 The Jewish Obseruer, November, 1990 .-·~All/.\ R'fB.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~-. ~.t!)/------~ "I managed to finish all the cook lrritaled, and time was running out. Israel, going from school to school, ing and even to invite guests, just as Not knowing where to turn I opened auditortum to auditorium, shul to I had eve!)' other year, but I felt ter my Tehillim, and the answer practi shul, and house lo house. Chedva Iibly unprepared for the holiday sea cally jumped off the well-worn page: delivered 75 talks per month, with son. I was aching lo attend a shiur, 'Come, children, listen to me,' pro two or three eve!)' day. a shmuess-anything that would clalms King David, and are we not er schedule was staggering put me in the proper mood. G-d's children? 'I will teach you how taxing enough to thoroughly "Fortunately, a talk was being to revere t11e I.. rd. Who is the man H exhaust a healthy individual, given not far from my home. I hob that desires life, and loves a long life but she claimed lhal il gave her bled in at the Ve!)' end, just as the of happiness? Guard your tongue strength, Night after night, Chedva speaker was relating a personal stol)' from evil, and your lips from speak would stand up before a group of about his tzoros. Old,frail and vel)' ill, ing falsehood.' women, look them in the eye and he had gone to see the Sleipler 7":it "ll was so obvious! Advice that pronounce, "Refralning from lashan for a blessing. But instead of a bless required neither strength, nor time, hara requires no financial outlay, tng, or even a few words of compas nor money, and involved the most and no expenditure of time or ener sion, the Sleipler had bellowed, 'You important of all attributes: fear of gy. On the contrary, my vel)' pres need a zechus!'- meaning that noth Heaven. A guarantee of life in this ence here tonight attests to the fact ing else would help. world and the next, all for just that such a commitment adds "I was unable to sleep that night, guarding your tongue!" strength and lengthens your lifo for his wise words kept ringing in From that moment on, every time. And 1 assure you, the rewards my ears. I, too, needed salvation but ounce of Chedva's dwindling energy are not only in this world." had no zechus. As never before, I was devoted lo promoting shemiras Her friends and relatives, seeing realized the truth of the Talmudic halashon. Not a single day passed how wan and weak she had become, dictum that one should be careful to without Chedva addressing al least tried to curtail her busy lecture pray before one becomes ill, for once one group of avid listeners regarding schedule but their efforts were in one's health is failing one must pro the perils of lashan hara. vide a zechus. My plight conformed hen she returned home ~ !.f~!.f~ precisely to the one descrtbed in the from America after Gemora. 1 was like the man who W exhibiting some initial was sentenced to death and my only signs of improvement, she found her hope lay in fmding advocates power house bedecked with flowers and ful enough to stay the execution." stocked with cakes. The garden ~ AUTHORS & t\RTISTS ~ erhaps others would have bakel)' atmosphere, however, did failed to see the analogy, but not bring her cheer. As appreciaHve not Chedva. She refused to as she wds, she should not be dis P authors and artists to submit ignore what she had heard and tracted from her mission. "I don't manuscripts and artwork for gratefully and graciously accepted need :llowers or cakes." she evaluation. We seek manu· the challenge Providence had placed announced. "I need a lashan hara scripts in all areas of Judaica in her path. "Just as a healthy per free environment!" From the day she publishing with originality, son has his particular duty," landed, her phone rang off the hook creativity and high literary Chedva often said, "an unhealthy with fliends, relatives, teachers, and standard. Our editors develop person has his ... assorted well-wishers asking what and highlight the individuality "From then on, I felt the narrow they could do to help. Her response ofthe author and our graphics brtdge pitch violently and the tem to one and all: "Simply refraln from department gives each book pestuous waters below chum men speaking lashan hara" t its own identity. acingly. I was certain that 1 had lo Unfortunately her homecoming f~ We welcome the opportu· I• immediately create a zechus before was unexpectedly brief. Only days nity to work with you. it was too late." after she returned, her doctor "Practical considerations. howev informed her that her condition was @ er, foiled my eve!)' idea. With no vel)' grave and she had to go back to energy, I found that even the sim New York to resume treatments plest chores were major hurdles for immediately. "Abba," me. Significant chessed projects With renewed falth in her No.~, u..J,,, ·.Jmualem., also seemed out of the question, for Chedva left once again for New my first pliority was my own family, York. Before, durtng, and after her 180 Parl< Avenue• Lakewood NJ 08701 who had been neglected ever since treatments. she pursued her mis In UK 01-809-3723 the onset of my illness. sion singlemindedly. She travelled 6,: In lsr11el 02 53&935 "Without stamina and certainly across Jewish America and Canada • without money, I was baffled and and the length and breadth of ~,;:~,;: ~ 1he Jewish Obseroer, November, 1990 35 /~ii/~ ~~~9------vain. ""Believe me."' Chedva told helps out,"' she assured them, and time was limlted and every moment them. "Tm doing it for myself. sure enough she arrived on time. with her children was precious. She If the merit of what I am accomplish Even more miraculously, fifty min had to refuse. ing will help me. then it is surely bet utes after radiation she delivered a Her Divine Travel Agent, however, ter than rest. and if it won "t help me talk as powerful. as impressive and was not content that her zechus be now, then it is tzeida laderech...... as searing as any of her others. That confined to North America and As improbable as it sounds, morning in Brooklyn, like every Israel. He therefore arranged a Chedva somehow managed to other time she spoke, she had little major aliyah !'regeL resulting in no squeeze her chemotherapy in difficulty injecting the personal ele available flight except via London. between talks. Radiation exposure ments: "For my sake, for my health, At 7:00 P.M., even as her plane is not exactly a good preparation for please don't speak lashon hara! was to depart from Kennedy Airport, air travel. but regardless, Chedva Make a commitment to abstain from Chedva was still being examined by would head directly from the hospi lashon hara for one hour each day. her physician. Needless to say, the tal to the airport. Just one hour! Increase my number flight was delayed and Chedva One day Chedva's chemotherapy of celestial advocates!"' arrived in time to deliver four talks was scheduled for 9:00 A.M. and Who could refuse? Who could on Shabbos in London (at four dif two hours later she was to lecture in refuse a sick young woman fighting ferent venues, all of which she Brooklyn. Her attendants had long for her life and asking that you con walked to unaided). since learned not to challenge the tribute only an hour a day of spiri ack in Israel, a quiet revolu wisdom of Chedva's running around tual bliss that would ensure a better tion was underway. Every without allowing herself lime to life both in this world and in the B Friday evening after candle recuperate: they also gave up on World-to-Come? lighting, as the holiness and bless persuading her to postpone a talk hedva's devotees were given ing of Shabbos filled their homes, when she was suffering excruciating an opportunity to challenge elementary school girls were attend pain. But this time, sheer practicali C their mentor's "good cause" ing shemiras halashan groups ty mandated that an 11:00 speaking theory on erev Shavuas, when she designed to protect this aura from engagement was simply out of the was given a brief leave of absence being squandered on frivolous chat question. After all, one never knew from the hospital. Naturally she was ter. There may still be a few isolated how long the wait for treatment anxious to fly home to spend the girls who do not attend "Shomrot" would be nor how long the session holiday with her family in Bnei every Friday night. but you can be would last. And even if everything Brak. sure those who do, won't talk about went smoothly, the trip from the As soon as word got out that them. hospital in Manhattan to the Bora Chedva would be leaving the States, A woman who attended one of Park section of Brooklyn, was an London was on the line, asking if her talks had claimed that she was hour's journey at best. she could stop over to deliver a talk unable to survive even one hour But Chedva was incorrigible. But even with her unshakable sense without lashon hara. "Gossip is my "'When there's a good cause, G-d of mission, Chedva knew that her life!" she pleaded in self-defense. Just one day later, this woman called Chedva to relate that she had Beis Soroh Schenierer Seminary resolved to go the entire day without uttering Lashon hara. Chedva was MANCHESTER, ENGLAND both ecstatic and incredulous. MENAHEL: RABBI Y. MARMORSTEIN "What happened?" she asked. "You contaminated the entire The Seminary offers the opportunity to combine an intensive neighborhood; that's what hap 2-year programme of 1imp >11r.i? with vocational courses. pened!" the woman countered. "No - Emphasis on Mussar, Hasbkofob and character development one wants to speak to me. - Dedicated and experienced staff Whenever I phone someone, she - Full dormitory 18.cilities invariably tells me that she has just begun her lashan hara-free hour - Teac11er-tra111ing programme for second year students and hangs up. And whenever some - Seven other courses available one calls me, she is as brief as pos - Modem, well-equipped building sible and a second later the line - Carefully selected intake goes dead! "I simply have no one to talk to. FOR ADDITIONAL BSSSeminru:y Telephone.01144617927770 INFORMATION 474BuryNewRd Fax •01144617951500 Look what you've done! WRITE OR CALL: Salford M7 ONU "But I'll you the truth, there's a Manchester, England bright side to all this: I never I had so much time before. My husband 36 The Jewish Observer, November, 1990 (i1~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ t1)<------~ blesses you just for the housework longevity awarded to those who worldwide movement. Chedva that I have managed to accomplish refrain from guile and slander: 120. Silbcrfarb crossed the bridge and in ali my newfound free time .... " Just twenty-seven years old, U1e left the world a more beautiful place ''Pray that you will never suf- mother of three children and a than she had entered it. II fer. that you will be able to reach sublime levels of service to G-d in good health and without pain. Have the foresight to prepare the cure before the ailment. To Schools and Organized Groups and fulfJII the mission the A-mighty Planning Trips to Washington has entrusted to you."' Chedva pleaded. Add this newest "must" stop on any "Everyone of us was created to Orthodox tour of the nation's capital: serve the L-rd whether in sickness or in health. My job is to serve in sickness. Pray that you will never be THE WASHINGTON OFFICE OF in my place."' AGUDATH ISRAEL OF AMERICA If ever anyone clung to the privi (just a few short blocks from the White House). lege of living. it was Chedva Silberfarb. She fought for every Be briefed on the most important current activities in Agudath moment. yet she was remarkably Israel's advocacy for Orthodox Jewish rights and interests. unafraid to die. She publicly Visits must be arranged in advance. For information, write or call: thanked G-d for giving her opporiu Agudath Israel of America Washington Office nity to prepare for her own demise. Suite 411, 1730 Rhode Island Avenue N.W., Washington, D.C. 20036 '"As long as there is still breath left (202) 835<•414 within me."' she said. paraphrasing the liturgy. ""I shall gratefully thank the L-rd and take advantage of every moment oflife." This is precisely what Chedva did throughout her twenty-seven short years. Most of what the public knows about Chedva is culled from her last two years. but for family and intimates. those twenty-four months were but the ineluctable culmination of an exceedingly full THE ETERNAL LINK life. It was as if she had always had a prescient awareness that her time Rabbi Pinchas Winston on this earth would be ali too fleet The story of Tanach comes to ing and she must not waste a single precious moment of it. life in a brief, chronological, and hedva Silberfarl>"s name. just fast-paced account. Historical like the Chafetz Chaim's has perspective is provided through C become synonymous with the concept of guarding one's tongue. full-color foldouti:imelines. Also Indeed, as her husband pointed out included is a brief synopsis of the Books of Tanach. at the funeral, the sum of the Chofetz (hardcover, 128 pages, $12.95) Chaim's long life span of 93 plus Chedva's short one of 27 together Available from your local bookseller or directly from the publisher added up to the very symbol of © ©U$ P·U·B·L'I·S·H·E·R·S 180 Park Avenue· Lakewood, NJ 08701 · (201 )905-3000 • Faxc (201) 367-6666 U.K.: l Palm Court, Queen Elizabeth ~'alk· London, N16 England· 01·809·3723 Israel: Rechov Mishkalov 18/6· Har Nof,Jerusalem• 02-538·935 The Jewish Observer, November, 1990 37 Who says 'You can't As we prepared to go to press, the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah take it with you'? (Council ofTorah Sages) of Agudath Israel of America, expressing its grave concern for the Jews of Eretz Y1S1Del and in other countries 'Pocket' Tor ah Classics during this time of world tensions and pressures on Israel, issued say 'You can'! its urgent appeal to Jews everywhere to pray for the welfare of our brethren, to recite Tehillim every place where Jews gather, and to improve with Teshuva and good deeds. It called upon bnei yeshiw. to strengthen their Torah learning, as basis for Divine protection and peace in the world. l"INO MrJini :iN•ip .::p:ii~~ mir1:i .,,,, .M~:in,io • Now available separately, or together-in a new, slip-cased gift edition. • English translation in each volume appears opposite every page of vowelized Hebrew text. • Ideal for learning-while you travel, or while you wait. • The perfect Yorn Tov, Bar Mitzvah, or graduation gift! • Each volume is a handy 41A"x6V2" in size. H.C. 3 volume slip-cased set $21.95 200 Airport Executive Park • Spring Valley, N.Y. 109n Tel. (914) 356-2282/Toll free: 800-237-7149 Visa & MasterCard accepted Send for your free copy of our 6'1i>age Jubilee catalog. The Jewish Obseroer, November, 1990 BOOKS IN REvmw STORIES- INSIGHT INTO A NATION'S SOUL Stories of the past are the new volume is a worthy successor. Chofetz Chayim. The author, in pre lifeblood of a nation. To assess the The stories not only deal with men senting the issues that arose in Reb health of a person we test his blood. of prominence. but with people who Meir Simcha's life, draws on letters 'fo assess a would call themselves ordinary of his as well as quoting from his nation's condi Jews- but they all will inspire the writings. This is not only a most tion. we may reader and leave him with a lesson interesting volume but a real contri look at the to ponder. bution to the understanding of mod stories it tells. The Light from Dvinsk. by em Jewish history. Who are its Yaakov M. Rapoport (Targum/ Reb Aryeh, The Portrait of the heroes? Is it Feldheim. 1990, $12.95), is devoted Jerusalem Tzaddik. Reb Aryeh Levin concerned to Rabbi Meir Simcha Hakohein, the (Feldheim, 1989. $11.95.) was writ with violence. Rav of Dvinsk. His works are spread ten by his granddaughter, Tzira with escap throughout the Torah world- this Karlenstein. Rather than a formal ism. or wild book deals biography, it offers a collection of adventure? Or with their stories. out of the thousands that are its themes author not are told about him. The author human perfection and higher aspi only as a explains that she has chosen stories rations? We know, of course, who Torah scholar that teach a lesson and impart "love our heroes are. and we tell and retell but a father of of Torah, fear of Heaven. and proper the stories that reflect their great his communi character traits." In the process. ness. Rabbi Paysach J. Krohn has ty and a lead however. she also draws a remark followed up his first book (The er speaking able portrait of a man who embod Maggid Speaks} with a new collec out on the ied rare perfection and thereby tion of stories. Around the issues facing made a profound and lasting Maggid's Table (Mesorah Pub!., world Jewry. impression on his people. 1989,h.e. $16.95 .p.b. $12.95). We e::...-~·'ill" Many gedolim The Maggid of Mezeritch, by had previously expressed our admi of his time appear in these pages, Yitzchak Doifman (Targum, 1989, ration for his first book, and this such as the Beis Halevi and the $11.95) is a biography of the sue- The Jewish Observer, November, 1990 39 cessor of the Baal Shem as leader of lessons about trust in G-d and His developments outside the closer cir the Chassidic movement and an Providence, about caring about cle of the family, some details are account of the conflicts and issues one's fellow man, and about Torah open to question (e.g., the begin that beset its rise. The Maggid did observance. At the same time, they nings of Chinuch AtzmaQ; but her not exercise his leadership through throw a vivid portrayal of the great Torah person seforim but through his livtng influ light on the alities who appear in this book, their ence, and to recount his life and wise and car wives and children, and their inter work requires ing manner in action, is inspired and inspiring. gathering the which the She shows what it means when lore that has Rebbe relates Torah is lived in the fullest sense been passed to all that and, at a time of aggressive femi down through come in touch nism, she demonstrates the noble the genera with him. It and crucial role of the women in tions about must be this Torah life. him. The sto stressed, I Uft My Eyes, by Yes hara ries, sayings, however, that Gold (Targum/Feldheim, 1990. and teachings this is a book $12.95) is dedicated to women who collected in about stories that happened; thus, underwent trying, indeed tragic, this book it does not explore the world of experiences and found in Torah the from many thought of Bostoner Chassidus and, strength to overcome these experi sources do indeed provide a remark specifically, the Rebbe's philosophy ences. The fourteen true stories able insight into the world of of Avodas Hashem, of outreach, and gathered in this volume cover a wide Chassidus, this great leader, and of the proper relationship to the range of trials his time. world we live in- subjects that the and tribula People From the Lands of the thoughtful reader would surely want tions that Living, by Yedael Meltzer (Arzey to hear about. unfortunately Hachen, 1989, $11.95). The author, are encoun a granddaughter of Rabbi Isser Silence ls Thy Praise, by Esther tered all too Zalman Meltzer '?"YT, has collected Austern, (Mesorah Publ., 1990, often. They in this book (translated by J.D. $13.95), is the biography ofRebetzin not only are a Gershonowitz) fifteen stories and Batya Karelitz, sister of the Chazon tribute to parables from the lives and wrttings Ish. However, this book conveys their heroism. of past and present. Some are well much more. Speaking of the ances but an effort known (such as the story of Rabbi tral Karelitz home in Europe, the to show how Amnon) or have been told elsewhere author notes that "life within the personal sor in greater detail (such as "The Karelitz household was not different rows can be used to attain spiritual Dance of the Tormented," in Sparks in outlook from that of other Torah depth and maturity. Of course, of Glory); but they all are, as o b servant every person's way of coping must described by the author, "guide Jewish homes be his very own, and the author posts to wisdom and ethics," and at that time does not suggest that one can blind many of them, notably those dealing in Eastern ly follow the way in which problems with her own family, are told here Europe." In are resolved by the women here for the first time. This is an unpre outlook per described. Yet, as we follow them tentious but truly movtng labor of haps, but in through their experiences- and, love and Yims Shamayim practice. cer yes, their suffering-we can draw The Bostoner, by Hanoch Teller tainly not. strength from their courage and for (Feldheim, 1990, $11.95), offers This book's titude. In truth, it is not only the "stories and recollections from the uniqueness stories of the great, the famous, and colorful Chassidic Court of the lies in grant the outstanding public figures that Bostoner Rebbe," both the present tng the reader deserve to be told- we can and Rebbe and onn'? '?i:i> his father '?"YT. an intimate insight into the life of a should find inspiration all around Rabbi Teller has long established family where the ultimate ideals of us in our community. himself as a master story-teller, and Torah were taken as literal guide Reb Chaim Gelb, A Life of he fully lives up to this reputation in posts, whether it be unrelenting Chessed by Rabbi David Fisher the present volume. It recounts inci Torah study, utter tznius, or a care (Mesorah Pub]., 1989,$11.95 h.c., dents from the founding of the fulness of speech that questioned $8.95 p.b.), is devoted to the "the Bostoner Chassidus to the present every unnecessary word (an attitude Williamsburg baker who became a day; as the Rebbe stresses in his reflected in the title). When the one-man chessed institution." foreword, they contain universal author discusses happenings and Anybody who lived in Williamsburg 40 The Jewish Obseruer, November, 1990 during the middle of this century Washington D.C., and Middletown, Machzorim) is the Machzor Zichron knew Reb Chaim Gelb- but even Iowa- and other names could be Lipa (h.c. $14.95, pb 12.95). a those who encountered him daily, in added, such pocket edition of the Rosh Yeshiva Torah Vodaath or at a wed as Detroit, or Hashanah Machzor, small enough ding, will find this book a revelation. Minneapolis. to be held in one hand, yet contain What is so remarkable is not just Her stories ing the full text of the large edition the scope of Reb Chaim's activities will make the and printed clearly enough not to Shmiras Shab reader smile; cause any eyestrain. It is sure to bos. tzeddnka, but one can gain wide popular acceptance. personal ches sense the Mesorah Publication during this sed - but the hardships and year also added to its series of expo fact that they even heart sitions on the liturgy and meaning all flowed from break that lies of the Yomim Tovim by publishing a a consistent behind them. revised edition of the volume on and deliberate There is a debt Sukkos, as well as a volume on Yom philosophy; of gratitude that we owe to the pio ~------~ Kippur, its here was a neers, as Torah Jewry flowers in a Significance, man who un way that they never dreamt of. We Laws and flinchingly should not forget them. Prayers (each merged his Pichifkes, by Hannch Teller (N.Y. volume h.c. whole life, without any reservation City Pub!., 1989, $11.95) is a collec $13.95). Every or holding back, into Torah and tion of stories that the author heard volume in this mitzvos. He worked at it, efficiently "on the road and by the way," stories series con and effectively. as others, obsessed that did not fit into the books he was tains an over with money, work at their careers; ~------~ working on, view, insights and as he gave and gave and gave, but deserve to on the various he touched indiViduals, families, be retold. The aspects of the and institutions. in a myriad of twin themes Yorn Tov, as ways reflected in the stories that identified by well as selected laws and prayers make up this book. If you want to the author are with explanations and comments. know the greatness of which a human kind The Sukkos volume features, in "plain Jew" is capable, read this ness, on the addition, Mishnayos Sukkah and book. one hand, and Koheles with commentaries The Way It Was, by Hindy Divine Prov abridged from the ArtScroll Mishnah (Edith) Krolm (Mesorah Pub!., 1989, idence, on the and Tanach series. $12.95 h.c., $9.95 p.b.); subtitled other. But, Several other valuable series saw "touching vignettes about growing perhaps, as additions duling the past year. In up Jewish in the Philadelphia of one goes through these stories the Moznaim series of the Rambam' s long ago," this book is a tribute to some short, some a little longer-he Mishneh Torah, of which we had those- all too few, tragically- who senses yet another theme; the inde reviewed earlier volumes, there were came to this country in the early s tru cti bili ty of the spark of added Hilchot Yesodey HaTorah part of this century, clung loyally to Jewishness, even in the most unlike (1989, $15.95), which also includes their Yiddishkeit and were able to ly circumstances. The reader will the Rambam's pass it on to their children. As one thoroughly ertjoy these stories. introduction reads this book, he is bound to won to the Mishneh der; How was it indeed possible? NEW WORKS IN EXISTING SERIES Torah, and Mrs. Krohn suggests that what was Hilchot Avodat necessary was to create one's own The Jewish New Year, with its Kochavim ghetto, a ghetto of the mtnd, within sequence of Yomim Tovim. offers a (1990,$15.95). the free American society. That standing invitation to authors and In both these required sacrifices, dedication, vigi publishers to facilitate and enrich volumes, lance, but it could be done-with our observance of the Holidays. The Rabbi Eliyahu the help of G-d and the encourage ArtScroll Machzorim have become a Touger, the ment and inspiration gained by the common sight in our synagogues, editor of the staunch stalwarts that G-d, in His valued in particular for their com series as well kindness, scattered through the mentary and summary of dinim A as the author of the translation and towns of America. The author pri fine newcomer to the series (which the commentary, has shown his marily describes Philadelphia, but during the past year saw the addi mastery of the material. He has also touches on Scranton, tion of the Sukkos and Pesach made full use of variant texts and of The Jewish Obseroer, November, 1990 41 the major comn1entaries on the presumably taken so as not to over earlier volume (J.O. June '88), we Rambam, and he has succeeded in whelm the reader- but a good case had occasion to descrtbe the goal of providing a concise commentary can be made for changing it. this series: to serve as a guide to the that explains the difficult philosoph We previously reviewed the first legal discussion of the Talmud, their ical and halachic issues raised by volume of the ArtScroll Vayikra, sequence as well as their halachic the test. and can now welcome the second significance, as explained by The ArtScroll Mishnah series volume which covers the remaining Rishomin and Achronlm The present added volumes on Bechoros, by sidros (1990, volume is devoted in the main to Rabbi A. Y. Rosenberg, edited by $ J9.95), trans Berachos and Rabbis Y. Salomon and Y. Danziger lated and with not only out (1989,$19.95) and on Peah, by commentary lines the se Rabbi M. Rabinovitch, edited by by Rabbis Her quence of the Rabbi H. Danziger (1990,.$19.95). shel Goldwwm Talmudic text They follow and Nosson but provides a the pattern of Schennan (who wealth of sup the earlier vol also wrote the plementary umes, provid introductory information on ing explana overview dedi the manifold tion in depth cated to the subjects of the matertal theme of holi- touched upon treated, with ness). The reader is bound to by the text, including the halachic introductions admire how much material has conclusions of the most recent and illustra been included in the concise com poskim. Moreover, it includes not tions wherever mentary and how clearly and sys only the text of the Babylonian trac needed. In a tematically it has been arranged. tate but also Tosefta and Yerushalmi different vein, Nechemiah is a further volume (all in Hebrew as well as English) the second volume of the ArtScroll in the Mesorah Tanach sertes, with and analyzes their interrelation. Youth Pirkei Avos completes the translation, commentary and Finally, the tractate Tamid is includ presentation of this tractate for the overview by Rabbi Yosef Rabinowitz ed and analyzed, because it has a young student (1990,$13.95 h.c., (1990,$16.95 h.c., $J2.95 p.b.). number of points of contact with $10.95 p.b.), with simplified transla Composing a commentary on this Berachos. In the introduction, Rabbi tion and commentary by Rabbi Avie biblical work is a difficult undertak- Cohen provides an aggadic interpre Golcl rtch illustrations by M. Horen, ing, for it tation of the structure of Berachos, and the masterful design that we entails tack and also draws on many aggadic have come to expect from Rabbi rice :t1e>rn1cxfi ling many his sources for the explanation of Shea Brander. torical prob Talmudic passages that invite such Moznaim's English edition of lems (e.g. the interpretation, (e.g., Rabbi S.R. Yalkut Me'am Loez, The Torah time of Hirsch on the parallel between Te.filla Anthology, has been enrtched by the Nechemiah's and Tamid). But simply on the legal first two volumes on Tehillim. cover aliyah) and level this volume will be of great help ing the first 61 psalms, translated halachic to those who are unable to explore and adapted from the Hebrew by Dr. issues (e.g. the depths of Talmudic scholarships Zvi Faier. The translation reads very whether King on their own- or want to review the smoothly and Solomon's matertal in systematic form. each volume sanctification In this connection, mention benefits from of Jerusalem was still in force). The should be made of another publica an index of author has succeeded in presenting tion, a modest pamphlet but of real topics and per all these issues to the student, and value to a Yeshiva youngster son al it i es thereby enabling him to gain an Makos Review, by Rabbi M. treated. There insight into one of the less accessi Goldberger (published by the is a wealth of ble parts of Tanach Yeshivah Fund, 1988,$5.95). It explanations Rabbi Nachman Cohen and the offers systematic review notes, with gathered in Torah Ushmah Institute (25 Clifton questions and answers. on tractate this work. Ave., Yonkers, N.Y., 10705) have Makos. Students will benefit from it, Unfortunately, given us a further volume in the but it also mertts the attention of ~------~ if the reader Master-A-Mesi kh ta-Series: their teachers, for it shows an effec wants to know from where they Tractates Berakhos and Tamid, tive way of presenting Talmudic come, he has to tum to the Hebrew Commentary and Study-Guide matertal for better comprehension edition. This editorial decision was (1989, $29.95). In our review of an and retention. • 42 'The Jewish Observer, November, 1990 responsibilities upon which it is imperative to act. even If it involves the threat of illness or possible physical danger- we cannot abro gate our duties. It is incumbent upon us to build new homes for Torah on these shores in the spirit of those that flourished in the Old World. which in time wi1l serve as a source of strength for all of Israel. As the salntly Rav Chaim of Volozhin, '::>"l1T ~\ said. 'Torah is destined to wander \ from place to place, and find ten dif ferent homes along the way prior to the arrival of the Moshiach. and the last stop along this journey will be America." We who live in relative tranquili ty. must relinquish some of our time and some of our comforts during this historic period. In truth, I am unworthy to speak words of rebuke to any man, let alone to leaders of Israel. yet when it involves danger to Jewish lives, I cannot be still. This is a call to all those to whom the existence of Torah and the Remaiks by RabbiAharon Kotler7··~r Jewish people is dear, especially to the leaders of Israel. Even those who upon arriving in San Francioco, are not present will certainly not, in October, 1940. G-d forbid, delay coming to the assistance of their beleaguered brothers, especially since that would To the Agudath HaRabbanim, the they stand undeterred, encouraged constitute a failure that can never Va'ad Hatzolah and other notable by hope for assistance and salva be rectified. Time is short-whoever individuals- greetings in the name tion. Financial support is impera acts with dispatch is to be praised; of Torah and its scholars! We are tive, as is the very saving of lives. those who delay are actually shed experiencing a massive destn.iction Separation is difficult, especially in ding blood. This undertaking tran of a magnitude not seen since the times such as this, where the scends any political afllllation, espe decimation of the Holy Temple. It Yeshiva assumes the role of home, cially now, and I am certain that has struck the individual, families, family, and means of escape. When everyone will rise to the challenge. whole communities, and the nation the Rav goes into exile, his Yeshiva in its entirety. We have grown does, too. Rabbi Aharon Kotler galvanized accustomed to outcries for assis Together with the anticipated sal the Orthodox community, and togeth tance. yet previous troubles pale vation, we look forward to renewed er with Rabbi Eliezer Silver 7'-:iT and before the present ones. Torah learning. If. G-d forbid, we are Rabbi Reuvain Grozovksy 7"YT, When the Torah states that unable to save and assist those in among others, led in rescue efforts "Jacob was left alone" before his peril, it will indeed be a terrible exile that saved thousands of lives from battle with the angel, our commen and source of despair for us all. the destruction of World War II. He tators note that Israel has nothing Yeshivos are invaluable for all of subsequently founded Beth Medrash on which to rely except for the Holy Israel, for the salvation of lives and Gavoha in Lakewood, N.J., which Torah. Its scholars remaln at their for the salvation of Judaism in its helped spearhead the current Torah posts with a renewed sense of dedi entirety. The guarantee of our con Renaissance in America; headed the cation amidst the fearful destruc tinued existence lies in the salvation Moetzes Gedolei HaTurah ofAgudath tion. under frightening circum of our Torah scholars, together with Israel of America, as well as the stances, hated, endangered, uproot their Torah. This land. the U.S .. ls Rabbinical Board of Torah ed from their homes. Despair is presently the only one that can help. Umesorah; and founded Chinuch rampant; the future, bleak; and yet The leaders of Israel face great Atzmai-Torah &hoolsfor IsraeL • 'The Jewish Obseroer, November, 1990 43 Jewish life in so comprehensive a manner does no less than thrust the reader into a dynamic con Letters frontation with history- analyzing to the the development of the issues that ••••••••••• effect his own life and well-being ••••••••••• and that of his family and commu Editor nity ... ultimately transcending the limitations of self and space to per ceive how meaningfully these issues effect all of Kial YisroeL Regarding the second part of the question, it would be best for the students if the most complex and Roshei Yeshiva and other respected THE JEWISH OBSERVER AND thinkers and leaders. It is wasteful sensitive topics are taught by rab THE YESHIVA CURRICULUM: that a resource of such vast propor bis, rebbaim and educators known INNOVATION FOR MEANINGFUL tion remain so under-utilized. And for their expertise in the various top ENGLISH EDUCATION yet, the sensitive and challenging ical areas. The topics can then be nature of many of the articles (the presented in a series of mini-cours es (flexibly scheduled to the needs of To the Editor: very factors that render them the resource they are) raises the follow the school and the presenter) The use of The Jewish Observer throughout the 11th and 12th grade as a meaningful addition to the cur ing question: How can the articles be utilized most effectively and by school years with the "instructor" riculum at the high school level is designated to teach the mini-course not a novel idea.In individual whom? In reply to the first part of the in several different institutions. Why Yeshivas and Bais Yaakovs, a teach should schools throughout the question, It is suggested that the er or administrator may bring into country not avail themselves of the classroom an article or set of articles be organized and published (or reproduced by a copier) topically, courses in any of the subject areas articles that interest him or her. The enumerated above by such "desig including student study guides with articles are well written, at times nated teachers"? Affiliation with one controversial. but always meaning questions and suggestions for research and extension activities. particular yeshiva or Bais Yaakov ful and useful, and authored by should not prevent him or her from responsible writers, including many Among the topics that were covered in the past year of publication teaching a mini-course in another institution. Many such individuals (1989). for example, are: Agudath Israel I Baal Teshuva I Conser are already well known within the HOTLINE communities and need only be vatives I Divorce I Festivals & approached, material in hand, and TO JERUSALEM Fastdays I Golus I Israel I Jews in given whatever classroom help is In time of illness. surgery or England I Jews in Europe / Jews in requested in terms of grading crisis. special prayers will be the USA I Kristallnacht I Marriage papers, record keeping, etc. Topical recited al the Western Wall and I Media I Modern Orthodoxy / areas that are less sensitive in at our Yeshiva in Jerusalem. Personalities I Poetry / Psychology nature can be taught by a member CALL 24 HOURS I Shabbos I Social Comment / Soviet Jewry I Spiritual Heroism / of the school staff who is knowledge 1 (8()0) 545-FRAY Torah Education / Torah Im Derech able or specifically prepared to teach the material. A FREE PUBLIC SERVICE OF Eretz I Women I World War II / The American Rabbi Meir Yiddish. I believe that this proposal is pragmatic and of great value to the Baal Haness Charity Again. this constitutes the topics Orthodox commuruty. I look forward of the past year alone; to realize the KOLEL AMERICA to the thoughts and comments of full scope of content and historical perspective that is ready to be your readers. Kauut~H tapped one need remember that the YITZCHOK KAsNErr, M.S. Mishnayoth. Yizkor & Yortzeit 25th Anniversary Edition of The The Center for Research in Applied Theories of Education (a non-profit center for the Jewish Obseroer observed with a minyon in our was only recently development of auriculum and textbooks cejlecting Yeshiva Heichal Rabbi Meir published. Thus, when the articles traditional Jewish values for use in the Yeshiva Baal Haness in Jerusalem. are organized by topic, the student English Departments) Managing Director; The Ocean Parkway Development Center (an early CALL is given the Torah perspective of over twenty five years. childhood and infant stimulation program), Prlndpal (718) 871-4111 The ability to relate to Orthodox Brooklyn. N. Y. 132 Nassau St., N.Y., N.Y. 10038 44 The Jewish Observer, November, 1990 "SHADOWS IN THE KITCHEN" ... ECHOES IN AMERICA "MY CLIENTS ARE AMAZED To the Editor: AT THE SERVICE ANO I was very moved by Sarah SAVINBS ON THEIR Shapiro's account of how she grap INSURANCE-BUSINESS pled with the issue of the Holocaust INSURANCE OR PERSONAL" One Blue Hill Plaza. Suite 102.4 one Tisha B'Av (JO Summer. '90). Peart Riller, NY 10965 Some years ago, I found myself fac IRVINB SAFRIN Tel• (914) 620-1BOO ing many of the same questions. though under different circum stances. At that time, Claude Lanzmann"s film Shoah which had been recently released, was going to be aired for the first time in Rochester a week or two before Pesach. Among the non-frum and rnE( ~TOL even among many of the jrum. the question of whether one was going to HOTEL + MOTEL spend two evenings watching the film somehow became a kind of lit mus test for one's desire to remem LAKEWOOD, NEW JERSEY ber the Holocaust and, by extension, located on Madison Avenue; Corner of 1th Street GLATT KOSHER for one's commitment to our people. CHOLOV YISROEL At that time I wrote a short piece "Come Experience a Touch of Home" in our local day school's newsletter BAR MITZVAHS I SHEVA BROCHOS I SHABBATONS I SEMINARS about my feelings on the subject, Under Srrict (201)363-5000 I (201)363-9603 Rabbinical and I offer those thoughts here to Supervision expand the focus of Mrs. Shapiro's tentative answers to the troubling Only 15 Minutes from Great Adventure questions she raises concerning our responsibility to remember and commemorate the Holocaust ... serv ing as an additional voice in the dis cussion "from the ltitchen.. that Mrs. ·····,';i:.""~t~~~1·1·r,ts1~~t Shapiro so eloquently opens: As the generation of Jews who . ·>·:;HIEP~LINE survived the Holocaust ages, there is real concern that we as a people risk forgetting the devastation that '~'fj~i~~.~~Trii~~.~tlfi~Ylttyt/.;i~~lClj(lslu/F;und occurred forty years ago. ; J··~lW~P~l~~?' ·.'!F$1.1't>fbrea1t-down1 Risk forgetting? Not likely, for me · · ,., ·· · g~r :• Parent•cldldfti¢tion? at least, a child of a survivor of ....•..•. , 1li~~.~~~~~~.a~af~a~d~f~6~riiedtotalkto Auschwitz. To forget, for me, is not ··ra.traif!eif,. .WIS!!iwatl'l!professional 11¥lro will as it is for many American Jews, to '?'>:;_;, :\,;',, ,-, /,,;-- __ ,, ,"\ ",-"/;",' '-,;, <-'',' tum away from my cultural heritage .. and history; for children of sur y~kill~~s~bolo~ists,.sodal ·1 •,)'.91w~~ns11ltati9n wiHbe vivors, to forget is to deny a part of cl'~ajni~llonmi<;>us1f.you one's own existence, something not merely immoral or even dangerous, 1r~·~r11i~~l4'Tll~Y.~i!Y~·Afil!va$·Yisrae1. but something essentially impossi u R s ble to do. 8:00-12:00 Noon What does it mean to be a child 9:00-11 :00 PM of a Holocaust survivor? To begin 8:00-11:00 PM with, it does not mean carrying a conscious burden of grief or anger or terror with you at all times. The realization that your parent once 'The Jewish Obseroer. November. 1990 45 lived behind the barbed Wlre of a but never before had l wanted so concentration camp. that your rela desperately to break the baniers. to REFLECTIONS OF A READER tives were tortured, that your grand shatter the glass case. to take home REGARDING SPECIAL parents were murdered, is not what to some would be a lovely art CHILDREN'S NEEDS always Wlth you- but it is never far object but what was. to me, a part of away. It can come upon you unex the grandfather whom I never knew. To the Editor: pectedly, when you are least aware My list could go on and on- and The JO as well as Ephraim Milch and ready for it. I remember the first in fact, all children of survivors deserve a Yasher Koach for the time I nursed my newborn son, a could make their own lists, their heartwarming and inspiring article moment I'd expected and planned to own personal journals of Holocaust "Reflections of a Parent" (Summer, be one of great happiness; suddenly. memortes and emotions. At the time '90).1be issues raised in the article for the first time. though, a new that 1 am writing this, I have not yet apply not only to parents of Down dimension to the pain my mother gone to see Shoah If I go, I'm sure it Syndrome children, but to the had suffered when the son whom wJll be an illuminating and perhaps increasing number of families facing she was nursing was taken away a profound expertence. But a neces challenges and hardships that from her hit me with an almost sary one? Not as long as there are range from mild learning disabilities physical force, and it was as if my things to remind me wherever 1 go, to. G-d forbid, critical illness. milk was turning to tears. Or there whatever I do. And however I may The author recommends that a was the time that I sat, half dozing, feel about them, these reminders parent make an effort to shifi from in a graduate classroom where the Wlll always be there, in a word, a asking 'Why me?" to 'What can we professor was lecturing about how picture, an incident, making me suf do?". Taking this point a step fur to ascertain the authenticity and fer, making me grow. and never. ther, it is worthwhile speculating value of rare books. He commented never allowing me lo forget. how we as a Klal can more effective that after class all the students ly address the needs of all special should go home and check their Postscript: I never did go to see children. This is a growing social attics for hidden treasures, and the film Shoah; it was aired two problem that is all-too-often not suddenly it was as if a wall had weeks before Pesach, and it seemed given the attention it deserves. On been built between the others and to me more appropriate to spend one hand, several organizations me. The old musty attic full of two evenings before the Chag in have indeed made outstanding con decrepit furniture, dusty old trunks, which we celebrate our physical and tributions, i.e. special programs at worn-out clothing, and generations spiritual freedom preparing for it as overnight camps, seminaries offer of memories had also been denied my mother prepares and as my ing special ed. training, and more me; everything my family possessed grandmother ;1").l had always pre programs Wlthin the yeshivas. Yet, dated from after the war. When 1 pared for it. There is much I can the ftum community has a long way visited 'The Precious Legacy" exhibit never forget: there is even more that to go towards providing for children this fall. I saw a tallis bag, safely 1 must always remember. wJth disabilities on a level that at placed behind glass. marked EMMY SrARK ZrITER least meets (if not exceeds) the stan "Hungary, early twentieth century." dard of the secular world. All too I have been to many excellent Mrs. Zitter. who turote a native New Yorker's vietv often parents must choose between of living in Rochester. N. Y. ('The Out ofTowners .. - exhibits and museums, I have seen JO, Oct. '85), is spending the current year with her keeping their child in a Torah envi many good and great works of art, husband and children in Har Nqf. Jerusalem. ronment versus offering them supe rior quality services in the public school. Perhaps it is time that -·····--·,,i~M6WAVAll.1A.BLE mechanchim. teachers, and commu nity leaders put this issue on a front i ;;.;: ••~'G.ti!~i'itiioiJA.r1-{isRAEL·MEMBERS burner so that children with all forms of disabilities can receive a first rate education in a JewJsh envi .··,~ltf ~~r~/~?~~~.~;~~~~tJJ{~Ftf:~SWE ronment. 1 Through our community assum ·;;;;i<;;~.:i·1>i\i.fi\1M'~OR•M:EDICAL ing more responsibility for address 0 '.\;zHEA'btHINSURANCEPROGRAM ing this issue, not only wJll the bur i Ayailll~le to: N<;!w Yo:rk State residents only den of individual parents be eased. 00 but the important message of "Kol .... ·~? ;,,. r·Fo~ Inforinatior1.Call: Yisroel areivim zeh lazeh" Wlll be -J.&s1.s.>0 ,\ .•; 2.-r1·~ ..,.9·• ~. "'a·. s·s· communicated to all our children as 1 well. ';·;··c; '\;•.·s·v~c~~•'. 46 711e Jewish Observer, November, 1990 ''SPELLBINDING'' "I FIND MYSELF SPELLBOUND AFTER EACH SHIUR. RABBI BERKOWITZ PRESENTS THE MATERIAL IN A VERY CLEAR AND PRECISE MANNER. IT IS INDEED A PRIVILEGE FOR ME TO LIVE IN AN ERA WHEN BY SIMPLY PUNCHING SOME NUMBERS ON A PHONE I CAN BE CONNECTED TO THE ILLUMINATING TEACHINGS OF THE CHOFETZ CHAIM." - Mrs. Sarah Berger Boro Park, Brooklyn "REMARKABLE" "EXCELLENT" "IT'S A LIFELINE, "THE SHIUR PROVIDES NOT A HOTLINE! A DAILY CHIZUK FOR THE SHIUR IS THE MY EFFORTS IN HIGHLIGHT OF MY MORNING. SHMIRAS HALOSHON. ALTHOUGH I'VE LEARNED IT'S AN EXCELLENT REVIEW. THE HALOCHOS BEFORE, THE FEW MINUTES EACH DAY IT IS ONLY NOW THAT SPENT LISTENING TO I HAVE A CLEARER THE SHIUR PROVIDE A UNDERSTANDING OF CONSTANT REMINDER. SHMIRAS HALOSHON AND RABBI BERKOWITZ'S WHAT IT INVOLVES. CLEAR AND CONCISE RABBI BERKOWITZ IS APPROACH, AND MANY EXCELLENT. HIS ABILITY PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS, TO EXPLAIN THE HALOCHOS ELUCIDATE THE IS REMARKABLE. FINEST POINTS. - Mr. Mordechai Zidell - Mr. Zev Kops Boro Park, Brooklyn Kew Garden Hills, Queens "OUTSTANDING" "WONDERFUE' "THE SHIUR IS "YOUR SHIUR IS OUTSTANDING. WONDERFUL! IT GIVES IT CLARIFIED MANY ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO CONCEPTS AND TWO MITZVAHS AT ONCE. HALOCHOS FOR ME. I HELP MY MOTHER WITH I FINALLY FEEL THAT "CHESHEK" (I LISTEN ON THE I AM BEGINNING TO SPEAKERPHONE WHILE I DO KNOW SOMETHING ABOUT THE DISHES) AND I REFRAIN SHMIRAS HALOSHON. FROM WSHON HORA. - Mrs. Yosefa Cohen -Chana Leah Friedman, Age 13 1/z Flatbush, Brooklyn Williamsburg, Brooklyn If you would like to bring The Shmiras Haloshon Telephone Shiurtoyourcity, call {718) 258-5441or(718)436-1975 Now ,for the first time ever, "SeferChofetz Chaim" is accessible to the English-speaking public on tape. Buy the complete "Shmiras Haloshon 'Ielephone Shiur" series conveniently organized on twelve 90 minute tapes for only $37.50 incl. shipping. Allow 4-6 weeks delivery. {Discounts available for students. schools or for those who can't afford the full price - cal! 718· 258-5441 ). Send your tax-deductible check tollalaeha Tape., Chafetz Chaim Heritage Foundation, Bo.:sJPQLl, 1301 Ave. I, B'klyn. NY 11230 Attention Teachers: lfyou would like to incorporate the SeferChofetz Chaim into your cuniculum, please call (718) 258-5441. D This is not a dry, literal trans lation; each phrase is ex plained so that the student understands the reasoning and flow O The question-answer sequence is introduced so that the 0 Separate notes that explain unfamiliar student will know where the ideas without interrupting the flow of O Introductions to the entire i:ractate and Gemara is taking him the Gemara to each topic, wherever necessary Who is this for? S,.nctio!'l~by a broad.spectromof Gedolei Torah in Eretz Yisrilt-land America, this.rendition .of the Gemara - a participant in a Oaf Yomi or other shfur, for makes the f>,1:5,hat completelyunderstandablfi!, so·that preparation or .. review the leamer,tango on to a deeperunderstandingand to - a father studying with his children a stu~ ofth~classic commentaries. - a beginner seeking to familiarize himself with a In this new rendition, ArtScroll teaches the Gemara blatt Gemara as a rebbe. would, to make tbe Gemara more '- someone grappling with unfamiliar material or accessible so that the student can better understand seeking a quick review. his rebbe a!'ld go on tolearr;i on his ()Wn. from the Approbations of Gedolei Torah ..• i:mo ll"l ,,,., ,.,,,l ... " ,,:i, nx m•,r.in pw':i:i l!l,!lr, onn,on ... " ml!lll':i nll ,., J'K •nll,r, ... " ':ill ,,,llm l:l ':ill on•,, ,wx:i ... O'K,1!'.lKm o•xmn ':iw O"n o•p':i-x n':inl mY!'.l1 ... nm ':inl ·n':i "O:imn•':iw mir.ixi ,,,,r.i':inn ell n!l ':ix n!l o•,:i,r.i onx " ... m ':ill!l!'.l:J l'IV!'.ln':i TRACTAT£<£RUVINf.1'i1~1v·· n:>'O)J< complete in t\\rO volumes (ea~ll:"olume $39.~5) Tractate Eruvin has been dedicate Also available TRACTAT£ MAKl<.OS r 2''11!1'2 h!:11''2 ~lbplete.. in one voluh'!e ($29.95) Available at your local Hebrew bookstore or dir.!ct from the publisher: Dedication opportunfti~s for future volumes are available ~~lit 4401 SECOND AVENUE /SROOKlYN, N.Y. 11232 / (718) 921·9000 /outof NYS 1.flllO.MESORAH f!"Al((718) 680·18/'.!i Direct mail: Please' add $1.95 per order for postage and handling; NYS r~sidents add aµpropriate sales tax.