TISHREI, 5738 I SEPT., 1977 VOLUME XII, NUMBER 7 SEVENTY FIVE CENTS

Jewish Diplomacy critique of a Without Torah public statement Jewish People Without a History

Reb Eliahu Meir Bloch "":IT a life of Simchas Torah

Jerusalem in Time of Antiquity a review article

Kosher Consumerism second looks The Law of Return & the Conservatives A "Jewish Hall of Fame"?

Novardok In Right From Confrontation ' 7T Too Many Yeshivos? in this issue

Jewish Diplomacy Without Torah, Jewish People Without History, fzriel Toshavi...... 3

Reh Eliahu Meir Bloch, '"YI Chaim Dov Keffer ...... 6

Succa Sparks, adapted from the writing of Rabbi Eliahu Eliezer Dess/er, 7"YT ...... 14

A Glimpse at Jerusalem of Antiquity, a review article ...... 18 Digging Up Jerusalem Legends of Jersualem THE JEWISH OBSERVER is publis,hed monthly, except July and August, Israel's Temple Mount by the Agudath Israel of America, 5 Beekman St, New York, N.Y. Second Looks at the Jewish Scene 10038. Second class postage paid at New York, N.Y. Subscription: The Law of Return and the Future of $7.50 per year; Two years, $13.00; Three years. $18.00; outside of the Conservative Judaism ...... 21 United States $8.50 per year. Kosher Consumerism and the Mezuza Law ...... 24 Single copy seventy-five cents. Printed in the U.S.A. A "Jewish Hall of Fame" ...... 26 Letters to the Editor ...... 28 RABBI N1ssoN WoLP!N Editor Subscribe ------Clip,andsave------Editorial Board The Jewish Observer DR ERNST l. BODENHEIMER Chairman Renew 5 Beekman Street/ New York, N.Y. 10038 RABBI NATHAN BULMAN D One Year $750 D Two Years $13.00 RABBI JOSEPH ELIAS or Give D Three Years only $18.00 }OSEPH FRIEDENSON Send Magozine to: RABBI MOSHE SHERER Now Name ...... Address ...... THE JEWISH OBSERVER does not and assume responsibility for the City ...... State/Zip ...... Kashrus of any product or ser­ SAVE From: vice advertised in its pages. Name ...... Address ...... SEPTEMBER, 1977 VOL. XII, No. 7 City...... State/Zip ...... _ Typography by Compu~Scribe • D ______Enclose gift card 0 Bill me: $ ... -..... 0 Enclosed: $...... at ArtScroll Studios, Ltd. Ezriel Toshavi

Jewish Diplomacy Without Torah, Jewish People Without a History

The Jew who elects to live outside of Torah has a lot but at least perceptibly. He might have found that the of explaining to do. First, he must loudly rationalize his people of the Diaspora are finding their concept of a personal conduct persistently enough to drown out that Jewish State not as severely violated as it has been these inner Voice that tells him that he is deviating from the past thirty years. Instead, Mr. Eban noted" a change so Jewish norm - or at least, he must distort the meaning drastic ... that there is bound to be an initial shock of the Voice's message. reaction. This is not confined to Israel alone. Diaspora Similarly, he must cover over a number of voices that Jews had grown accustomed to certain faces and voices testify to Torah as the central force in Jewish viability. that expressed the common Jewish destiny. The in­ Among these is the voice of Jewish history, for - as timacy became weaker in 1974, when the new incum­ Rabbi Yaakov of Emden put it - Jewish survival bents in the major cabinet posts did not give their through millennia of golus testifies to G-d's existence Jewish vocation the central place that it occupied in the with a clarity and eloquence that rivals the miracles of time and thought of their predecessors. the Exodus from Egypt. Thus, all fine details and broad "Since Israel cannot levy compulsory taxes on the trends in history have within them a latent Torah force, Jewish Diaspora or exercise any coercive influence, its which becomes clearly revealed upon closer scrutiny. In only power lies in the ability to galvanize Jewish addition, the unity of Kial Yisroel reflects the unity of energies by a coherent expression of common hopes. Torah, and even the supreme unity of G-d Himself, for Without a special power of communication, the (as the Zohar tells us) Israel, Torah, and G-d are One. electricity simply does not flow." Torah denial, then, must give rise to the denial - or, at Thus, according to Eban, the State does have a least, the gross misrepresentation - of other Jewish es­ burden of responsibility to the Diaspora - to project a sentials, all the way from "when did we begin" to the certain concept of Jewishness for others to emulate and nature of Jewish destiny. As a result, the stirring pan­ an image of leadership for others to follow. The Torah orama of Jewish history is truncated, shrunk, and flat­ Jew might well object to the usurpation of stage center tened; and a secular interpretation of the past fifty or of Jewish consciousness by the secular state, but there one hundred years becomes the touchstone for in­ is no sense arguing against the facts: to many Jews in terpreting all events - past, present, and future. the Diaspora, the State does provide the primary source of Jewish identity. One cannot help but use this opportunity to fault the The Eban Perspective leadership of the State of these past three decades for not recognizing the grave responsibility that was theirs. The tortured short-sightedness of the fragmented They should have weighed their every policy, every act, secular world-view was keenly betrayed in a statement every program - not only in terms of its immediate ef­ by Abba Eban, recently published in the Jerusalem Post fects of the 3,000,000 inhabitants of the State, but also (June 28, 1977). Mr. Eban is understandably deeply up­ in terms of the image of Jewishness it projects to the set by the outcome of the recent elections in Israel that world's other 11 million Jews: How could they tolerate trounced the Labor government, and left him outside and even promote the emergence of a sub-human the arena of power. One might hope that Mr. Eban, as a Dizengoff culture, a machismo "Exodus" heroism, historian (My People - 1968) and diplomat of no mean shilichim (emissaries to the Gola) that publicly violate reputation, should at least see some hint at the State Shabbos and Kashrus, laws and policies that have correcting its anti-Torah course - minimally, perhaps, denuded Israel of much. of its tzuras Yisroel (Jewish image)? EZRIEL TOSHA VI comments on the Israeli scene for readers of The Jewish Observer. But these do not enter the Eban scheme of things.

The Jewish Observer I September, 1977 3 The results of the elections of May '77 represent the tense Arabism that characterizes a large part of the land only appreciable split between Israel and the Gola, ac­ between the river and the sea. cording to his view. "All this was established doctrine for Jews across the "Methods and Personalities Alone"? world until a few weeks ago. The question is whether they now wish to make themselves inconsistent by sud­ Mr. Eban does recognize a moderate wayward drift denly ceasing to defend the principle of territorial com­ between Israel and Gola of the past three years, but in promise that they were assiduously praising so recent­ his contention, it "was confined to methods and per­ ly. Diaspora Jews have not held an election in which sonalities alone." Otherwise, his Labor Party has they decided to change their consensus. always ruled the State, and thus - in his view - was " ... Do we have the right to control their view of endowed with an entitlement to call the plays, and he what the 'Jewishness' of our state demands or implies? finds them without fault. Now that a new party has ... In the world of ideas, would it not be our common stepped in, new "methods and personalities" may as­ sume stage center; but, to his understanding, they have interest to see the Jews of the Diaspora as partners no right to project an image of Jewishness of their own, rather than satellites?" since it does not fall in line with the Chaim Weizman­ Again, Mr. Eban touches some significant points in David Ben Gurion-Golda Meir-Yitzchak Rabin tradi­ warning against pursuing policies that will result in an tion. For whatever has transpired under their rule has Arab majority ruling a greater Israel. But when did this become canonized. Any deviation is a departure from consideration become Jewish "doctrine"? He speaks Jewish destiny .... At least such is Mr. Eban's conten­ with certainty regarding the views of world Jewry, sud­ tion. As a prime example, he points out: "Jn general, denly claiming to having considered their alleged Zionism has never abandoned the partition logic which preferences when formulating national policy .... Did it first adopted in 1938, and which it confirmed in the he ever poll world Jewry - ten years ago, thirty years fullest contractual sense from 1948 onward. Everything ago, or fifty years ago, and determine the exact nature in Eretz Yisroel - territory, sovereignty, economic of their expectations and their hopes for the Holy Land 1 resources - had to be shared, not monopolized. There Hasn't it always been obvious that it was the good for­ could be argument about the scope and nature of the tune and perhaps deliberate cunning of the Labor sharing; not about the principle itself." Zionists to capitalize on the Jewish yearning for return We are not here debating the advisability of a parti­ to its ancestral home, and to make this yearning captive of their own narrow interpretation of that dream; cap­ tion policy in its day, or the practicality of applying it to the present-day situation. Solid arguments can be ad­ turing it in a word ("tikva"), presenting it in a song, vanced for having consented to it 40 years ago and for and launching it in a movement that is supposed to adhering to it today. In fact, Mr. Eban does make note fulfill the Jewish hope and making it an obscenity in that "the members of Agudath Israel have never been many circles, for betraying the essence of that hope? fanatical ... (in their reluctance) to share sovereignity And now, Eban calls any deviation from his very and territory west of the Jordan in a peace agreement." limited version of the dream a sell-out of Jewishness! But we do challenge the purported "Jewishness" of this We will leave it to Likud to defend the efficacy of its policy, which would make Begin's more intransigent policies. Our concern is with the usurping of the approach inherently "non-Jewish"! Because partition description "Jewish" - which brings us to the heart of was negotiated by the Labor party and its fore-runners, Eban's distortions. is it the one and only Jewish approach? "Can't Argue With History" The Narrow Time-Frame Most important in the central matter of religion, he Eban's mastery of the eloquent turn of word does not distorts the voice of religion - Jewish history - and fail him in defense of his arguments. But his sense of writes: "History can be regretted but it cannot usefully history most obviously does, for his historical time­ be argued with. Whether Jewish Orthodoxy likes it or frame encompasses all of 30 to SO years, and no more. not, the dominant theme in Jewish religious history to­ And his philosophical frame of reference is scarcely day is pluralism, not uniformity. The tradition of wall-to-wall Ma'arach, bearing no tolerance whatsoever schism and diversity goes deeper in our history than for so-called right-wing Zionism, and absolutely noun­ our rabbinical establishment would like to admit. derstanding of Torah Judaism, leaving one no doubts as Judaism has never tolerated the pontifical idea, and a to his definition of Kial Yisroel and its basis. Thus he 'Council of (Torah) Sages' (referring to Agudath writes: "Can a state be Jewish if it is not saturated with Israel's Moetzes Gedolei Ha Torah- E.T.) is too close to Jewish memories, if its decisions are not dependent on the notion of a College of Cardinals for me to absorb it its Jewish consensus, if the determinant balance is without discomfort; especially when its enactments go potentially in the hands of a large Arab voting bloc? beyond halachic interpretation and deal with such Very persuasive. But read on: "The central question secularities as whether or not to accept portfolios or for Israelis is whether we acknowledge or ignore the in- deputy ministries. All honour and affection to the

4 The Jewish Observer I September, 1977 venerability and learning of the sages, but their par­ and Mekubolim of all sorts have paraded across the ticipation in coalition-making should send a tremor into panorama of Jewish history since time immemorial. But many Jewish hearts." the predecessors of Reform and Conservative Judaism are not part of this continuum of diversity. Their Having invoked history as a criterion for determin­ antecedents can be found under the heading of ing Jewishness, he suddenly flies in the face of the record of millennia of rabbinical leadership and cites his "deviationists" - embracing groups such as the Sad­ own Weitzman-through-Rabin bracketed reference; ducees, Karaites, Shabtai, Zvi's followers and others of summarily ignoring 3,000 years of Jewish experience, their ilk that surfaced from time to time, only to fall by wherein Torah was the sole criterion of Jewish the wayside. Outside of Torah norms, denying the peoplehood, and its scholars were perforce Jewry's divine source of the Torah, they are not part of leaders in all matters - spiritual and temporal .... pluralism within authentic Judaism. As movements, Forgetting that Moses the Redeemer is universally they are no longer extant. The children of their known as "Moshe Rabbeinu - Our Teacher," Giver of adherents are no longer Jews : ... This is the lot of the Torah; and that his stature as Jewry's supreme deviationism in Jewish life, and the Conservatives and prophet goes hand-in-glove with his role as Law Giver Reformers conform to the pattern. ls this what Eban and leader. seeks to legitimize?

Rabbi Judah the Prince is familiar to all students of Venturing further from his home base of the last Talmud as "Rabbeinu Hakadosh - Our Sacred fifty years, Eban errs once again. He describes Sinaitic Teacher," compiler of the Mishna: sourcebook of the (or Orthodox) Judaism as "essentially East European Talmud and the Oral Law. His princely role refers to his interpretation of ... (Jewish) forms and symbols." Good royal standing - recognized by the Roman Emperor - heavens! Has Mr. Eban never heard of the Gaonim of as leader of Jewry; but this stems from his accomplish­ Babylon (Iraq), Rabbi Isaac Alfasi (of Fez, North ment as a melamed Torah .... And Maimonides is Africa), the Rishonim (Rashi, the Tosofists, the Rosh, "Rambam - Rabbeinu Moshe," not just the Sultan's Ramban .... ) of Spain, Italy, France, Germany; the vizier or the King's physician. His word is revered codifiers and Kabbalists of Turkey, Palestine .... 1 because his is the authentic voice of Moshe Rabbeinu Torah and its traditional interpretation, surmounted for his own troubled time .... All their political ac­ geographic hurdles, coercive pressures, and all sorts of complishments emanate from their preeminence in trends toward "modernization," all over the globe. Torah, their leadership from their teachership. And to­ True, during this past century it was more staunchly d<1y, the mantle of leadership graces the shoulders of preserved in East Europe than elsewhere; but the seat of their spiritual heirs, not those of the disciples of Metter­ loyalty is not to be confused with a source of this in­ nich!, Disraeli, or Churchill? terpretation - unless you are fighting to drown out a persistent voice that says; "Torah is the authentic word of G-d, and history is its witness." Pluralism or Deviationism If Eban is disturbed by recognition withheld from Another element of distortion surfaces in Eban's in­ "halachic" conversions perpetrated by Conservative ability to accept Torah as the basic foundation of clergymen, it is because he refuses to look beyond Jewish peoplehood: political ramifications to see the obvious: Conservative halacha is not Torah "halacha." A process that can "The trend towards pluralism in Jewish religious ex­ abrogate Torah laws - such as those that prohibit driv­ pression does not belong to the Diaspora alone. The rise ing a car on the Sabbath, or forbid a Kohein to marry a of Conservative and Reform Judaism abroad is accom­ divorcee - is not halacha. And a Conservative conver­ panied by a ferment amongst Israeli youth seeking to sion thus cannot be a halachic conversion. Eastern retain the truths of prophetic Judaism without an es­ Europe, North America, South Africa - wherever - sentially East European interpretation of its forms and halacha is not malleable or flexible or resilient. symbols. If the coalition agreement means that cer­ tification of conversion by Conservative rabbis is not to A pity that Eban's stirring eloquence is put to such be recognized, even when it accords with halacha, then shameful short-sighted, narrow-perspective, self­ this is a political decision, born out of a power struggle, serving purposes - fighting an illusory tug-of-war, and it has no spiritual authority at all ... Religious based solely on a secular concept of Jewish peoplehood. pluralism is a part of the Jewish reality, and it has come Perhaps now that he has retired from the front line of to stay." diplomatic service he will find opportunity to listen to the authentic voice of Jewish history and discover for He is correct: "pluralism" has always existed in himself the genuine commond bond that unites all Jewish life. Chassidim and Misnagdim'. Mussar'niks Jewry - as the Torah Nation. lT.

The Jewish Observer I September, 1977 5 Reb Eliahu Meir BlcJch i1:Ji:l? j?",Y i:JT Born on Simchas Torah, his entire life was a saga of Sime has Torah.

I did not realize it, but it was to be the last time I would see my beloved Rebbi, Hagaon Reb Eliahu Meir Bloch, the late Telzer Rosh Ha Yeshiva 7"Yl. Over twenty years have passed since, but the scene remains vivid in my memory. When we came to the Rosh HaYeshiva's room in the hospital he was not there. After a while he entered, dragging his slippered feet, leaning heavily on his late stepson, Mordechai Glicksman 11")1. Perspiration beaded his forehead and he had considerable trouble breathing. I winced at the sight. Reb Elya Meir, who had greeted all with seiver panim yafos, a genuine warmth - could not gather the strength to say "Sholom Aleichem," not even nod. He merely acknowledged our presence with his eyes. With great difficulty he was helped to an arm chair and sat there breathing heavily. After a few moments, he said two words: "A schvere mishpat" (literally "a hard judgment" - a painful punishment). This was the only time I had ever heard the Rosh Yeshiva utter a personal com­ plaint. After he had caught his breath he managed a weak smile and extended his frail hand with a "Sholom Aleichem." Then, he explained, "It's a hard judgment. It's not the pain, but from the time that I came to my full senses, I've never known what it means to sit idle. I would be learning myself or with others, or writing or speaking, or reading or even fixing something around the house . . . . But to just lie in bed and do nothing - this is a terrible punishment."

Thus did Reb Elya Meir see himself just before he sit idle. There was too much to be done. He was not passed away. And thus do his thousands of talmidim limited. He was an m71~1!1Kl1 l!l'K, possessing a host of and admirers remember him. Reb Ely a Meir could never talents: He was a Rosh Yeshiva and Rebbi whose RABBI KELLER, Rosh Yeshiva of the Telshe Yeshiva in Chicago, shiurim were masterpieces of profundity. He had gifts draws upon his years in Telshe, Cleveland, when he was extremely of oratory and writing, which in themselves dis­ ciose with Reb Elya Meir, S."YT. for much of the material in this arti­ tinguished him from others. His energy was boundless. cle. His interest in his own family, his talmictim, the

6 The Jewish Observer I September, 1977 Yeshiva, the city of Cleveland, Agudath Israel, Kial vVith All the Instruments of Your Soul'' Yisroel were phenomenal. Each of these had its own specific place in his great mind and heart. Above all, Reb Elya Meir spoke in the mechina building after there was an inner calm which came from an un­ the evacuatiort of the Yeshiva _building on "yesuritn believable self-discipline, .and a seder - an all pervasive shel ahava" - suffering because of G-d's love: for a order - which allowed him to accomplish in his 60 pers_on'to _attain "shleitnus" - to be complete - every aspect of his personality - even those emotions years what others could not accomplish in many brought out by suffering - must be developed. Thus, lifetimes. And at the center of all of this was Torah, for Rava said (Brachos sa) th.at if a person sees suffering Torah was the essence of his life. coming upon him, he should examine his deeds. If he has not found any transgression _to warra_nt his 'stiffef .. From Telshe, Lithuania, to Telshe, Ohio ingr then surely he is undergoing ''yesurim_shel ahava" Reb Elya Meir was born in the small Lithuanian city - suffering of Jove, as it_ is _said in Mishleh "G .. d chastises those. He loves" (3,2). Why should G•d of Telshe, in the year 5655 (1894). Born on Simchas punish precisely those He loves, if they have no Torah, his whole life - despite the tragedy and the suf­ transgression? So that those aspects of hiS personality fering he endured - was one long saga of Simchas that can only be brought out by hardship should also Torah: joy in learning and in building Torah. His cotne -to their fullest development. father, Hagaon Reb Yosef Leib, was the Rav and Rosh He explained the final chapter of Tehillim.: '>'>< i>'>n Yeshiva of Telshe, having assumed the helm of the ,.,,~ .:.i:. 1»n nnrn:.•~. i'>>rr m11 l1•vi:. 1rn'>>n 1111i;>:. yeshiva from his father-in-law, the great gaon, Rabbi "Praise G.. d in His sanctity" - that is, with the realiza .. Eliezer Gordon, the founder of the Yeshiva. Reb Yosef tion of HiS ComPiete and utter separation from us;-but Leib' s unique approach to ha lac ha and agada was the "pi-aise G-d in the firmainent of His strength'' - praise basis for what is commonly called the "Telzer Derech." him with His -power which is manifeSt in creation. Reb Yosef Leib was an extraordinarily gifted pedagogue upraise him in His' might" - in His 0 m-idas hadin" 0 and put great effort into training his own three sons, which- metes Out punishment and sufferin-g, praise -him according lo his manifold greatness" - the "inidaS Reb Zalman (who was Menahel of the Yeshiva), Reb horachamim" with which He shows kindness. to His Avrohom Yitzchok (who became Rosh Hayeshiva), and creatures. Reb Elya Meir. _These are contrasting aspects of Divine Prov_iden_Ce. In 5719, Reb Elya Meir married the daughter of Reb Man must find within himself the powers lo serve Him Avrohom Moshe Kaplan, a talmid chacham and in all situations and under' all Conditions - which are, merchant who was a pillar of th• Torah community of after all, only manifestations of the Divine Will. Just as Memel. He spent eight years in Memel, maintaining a symphony orchestra has many different types of i.n­ regular sedorim of Torah study and giving a shiur for struments, each - eliciting and expressing a different baalei batim (laymen). Then his tather, Reb Yosef Leib, mood, so too does the- human_ sOul possess numerous summoned him back to the yeshiva in Telshe. For strengths and emotions. Thus Dovid continues this Psalm, "Praise Him with the sounding of the Shofar twelve years - until the outbreak of World War II - (which arouses fear and trembling), praise Him with the Reb Elya Meir served as a Rosh Yeshiva, learning harp and the lyre (whose melody brings soothing Torah with the many students who came under his sweetness). Praise Him with the tamborine and the tutelage. He also wrote in various Torah journals and dance (which arouse joy and gladness), praise Him with was active in Agudath Israel and in work for Torah the flute and the pipes (which call upon the emotiohs of education. After Reb Yosef Leib's passing, the sadness and mourning)." Why all of these different in­ leadership of the Yeshiva fell to his oldest son, Hagaon struments· of the soul? Because 0 The whole human soul Hakadosh, Reb Avrohom Yitzchok. must praise G-d. 11 Just as th.? orchestra lacking one in .. strument _is incomplete, so too, is the human soul in­ When the Russians occupied Lithuania in 1940, they complete if any. of these natural feelings is. missing. began a relentless persecution campaign against the Every emotion must be kept alive and react to all cir­ Yeshiva. In TamuZ, they ordered the main building of cumstances of human existence, no aspect of the the Yeshiva vacated, for use as a military hospital. The human soul suppressed or left to atrophy. He who last night there was a mishmar in the Yeshiva until :Serves G".'d only with joy; and never experiences :Vain or dawn. In the morning the Communist soldiers came to sadness, is incomplete. And he who _is_ in perpetual hurry the bachurim from the Yeshiva, but they were anguish over the "galus" of the Shechina, over the lack not quite ready. They read the Sefer Torah in the great of truth in the world, _or in penitence over his sinsi bais midrash of the Telshe Yeshiva for the last time, never exp'eriencing joy - also lacks the comp1eteries5 and returned it to the Aron Kodesh. that is the goal of human existence. The greatest gerieratiOn of talmidei chachomim was After the davening, Reb Elya Meir approached the the one that. suffered the most, as the Sages said of the Aron Kodesh to remove the Sifrei Torah. The bachurim generation of Reh Yehuda b'Reb Elae, when six broke out in tears. Reb Elya Meir lifted his hands talmiditn were Jotced to share orie cloak, _and yet towards heaven and called out with a choking voice, engaged in the study of Torah. "Ribbono Shel Olam, this is the third time that it has

The Jewish Observer I September, 1977 7 fallen to my lot to remove the Sifrei Torah from the At a small meeting of dose friends and T elshe Yeshiva - once during the lifetime of my grandfather, alumni, which had gathered to greet them on their ar­ Reb Leizer, during the fire which destroyed the city; rival in New York, Reh Elya Meir spoke: When again, in the First World War; and this, the third time. I Yonasan arranged to signal Dovid that he was in pray that just as You helped me return the Seforim to danger, he told him, "If I tell the boy the arrows are the Aron Hakodesh of the Yeshiva before, grant me the beyond you - go, for Hashem has sent you." zechus to return the Torah to its resting place a third He should have told him: "Flee!" not "Go." time.'' When one recognizes G-d's "hashgacha" (provi­ That tefilla was answered, but not as he had meant it. dence) in all that occurs, he realizes that when people Two years later, Reb Elya Meir placed the Sifrei Torah are impelled to leave a place because of impending into the Aron Kodesh in the Telshe Yeshiva ... in a danger, this is not flight but a signal of a mission on which they are being dispatched. We are not refugees! private home in Cleveland, Ohio. We were sent by the Almighty to replant the Yeshiva of The period from the Russian invasion of Lithuania T elshe in America! until the subsequent Nazi onslaught in 1941 was a time of great anxiety and fear for the future not only of the Telshe Yeshiva but for all Lithuanian Jewry. The Roshei Yeshiva expended great effort to strengthen the That was over 35 years ago. Telshe Yeshiva in bachurim to inspire them to apply themselves to Torah Cleveland is today one of the world's great Torah more fully than ever, and to be prepared for all even­ centers and stands as a living monument to the dedica­ tualities. tion and vision of Reb Elya Meir and Reb Mattel. Reb Elya Meir did not comfort his talmidim by as­ suaging their fears, but gave them an understanding of The Difficult Years Kiddush Hashem (sanctifying G-d's name, with the The early years were not easy. Reb Elya Meir and ultimate sacrifice if need be). He taught them that they Reb Mottel lived in the Yeshiva, ate their meals with the were privileged to experience that which other genera­ bachurim, learned with them, dealt with their in­ tions had not: To learn Torah in the face of great suf­ dividual problems. fering. For Reb Elya Meir these were not mere words. The original student body consisted of a few This was the way he lived his whole life. talmidim that had escaped from Europe and some American boys dispatched by Rabbi Yehuda Davis Time to Leave from Baltimore. The Americans had no idea of what When it became clear that the Yeshiva could not Telshe signified. They were even novices in the learn­ continue under the Communists, the administration ing of Gemora and the two Roshei Hayeshiva had to sent Reb Elya Meir and his brother-in-law, the late literally introduce them to advanced Torah study. Rosh Yeshiva, Hagaon Reb Chaim Mordechai Katz on The Roshei Hayeshiva applied themselves to a mission to the United States, to raise the funds neces­ building the Yeshiva with exuberance and enthusiasm, sary to move the Yeshiva to either America or Eretz even under the cloud of uncertainty and fear for the Yisroel. fate of their own families and the Yeshiva in Europe. The Yeshiva was opened in Cleveland in the house of After a trying journey through Siberia, Japan, and Mr. Yitzchok Feigenbaum on 20 Cheshvan 5702 across the Pacific, they learned of the Nazi invasion and (1941). Five months later, on Rosh Chodesh lyar, an of­ realized that it would be impossible to bring the ficial chanukas habayis (dedication) was held. Those Yeshiva over from Europe. They would have to start present who had known the glory of Telshe in Europe T anew, re-creating elshe in America. openly wept when they saw the modest building in From that time on, they acted as men possessed. which the yeshiva was housed. Reb Elya Meir, who had Although they had no idea of the fate of their own personally experienced the awesome tragedy, had to families (Reb Elya Meir's wife and four children; Reb comfort the others. Mottel's wife and ten children), their working hours Reb Elya Meir's words of wisdom invariably found were devoted exclusively to reestablishing the yeshiva. full expression in his life's actions. It was he who would At a meeting of Rabbonim, Reb Elya Meir an­ break out in a rikud (dance) on Yorn Tov, sing zemiros nounced that Telshe would relocate in a Jewish com­ and nigunim at Shalash Seudos ... trade grammen with munity which needed strengthening, and which would the bachurim and sing his inimitable versions of Yid­ better suit the spirit of the yeshiva than metropolitan dish songs on Purim. New York. When Reb Elya Meir told the assembly that On Shavuos, a bachur initiated the rikud in the Beis they had chosen Cleveland, one of those present said, Midrash after davening. Later Reb Elya Meir thanked "Rabbi Bloch, you'll be back in New York within six him in private: "Usually no one else will start to dance months." if I don't, and I just wasn't feeling up to it."

8 The Jewish Observer I September, 1977 One daughter, Chasya, survived. She is married to Joy in face of Disaster Rabbi Eliezer Sorotzkin and resides in Kiryat Telshe Hist

The Jewish Observer I September, 1977 9 have the courage to close a Yeshiva when it teachings were dedicated to spreading truth. His Torah departs from its goals has no right to open one in interpretations and chiddushim were formulated with the first place. It was better, he said, to destroy it extreme effort. He would never say drush (homiletical now - than to let it continue, for a Yeshiva projections). If at times he would want to use a fanciful without a foundation would ultimately crumble turn of thought or a poetic interpretation in a pasuk or on its own. At the end of the three hours he a saying of the sages, he would preface it by saying shouted at us, "Take the keys and close the "one might say b'derech melitza (in a poetic vein)." Yeshiva! Tomorrow you will go home!" Although a gifted orator and writer, he was careful to We were stunned. The next day we didn't state things simply, forthrightly, and truthfully, never know what to do, so we followed the regular using words to mislead or convey a false impression. schedule and went down to the shiur room. There In one of his many shi'urei daas on the subject of sat the two Roshei Yeshiva - Reb Elya Meir and truth, he told of an incident on a trip to Eretz Yisroel: Reb Motte/. Reb Elya Meir said, "If you think I On the shores of Yam Kineret he had the urge didn't mean what I said last night, you're mis­ to be tovel - to immerse himself in the sea. On a taken. You can all pack up and leave for home." stony deserted stretch, Reb Elya Meir removed his We did not move. He looked around and then clothing and began to walk barefoot over the broke the dreadful silence: "There is only one sharp stones toward the water. condition under which we will let the Yeshiva stay "What are you doing?" asked his startled com­ open. If each of you will give us a tekias kaf - panion. your hand and your solemn word that you will go no place where you have the slightest doubt we "I want to be able to say that I bathed in the may disapprove, we will continue the Yeshiva. If Kineret." not, you can all leave today." The man looked at him incredulously: "But He then turned to each of us. It took a bit of why go to all the trouble? Who's to stop you from agonizing, but each of us finally gave our word - saying it?" which was never broken. That was when we first Reb Elya Meir was astonished by the question began to understand "Telshe." "It used to be said, If you can tell the truth why tell a lie? Now people say, If you can tell a lie, why The Battle Ground bother with the truth?" Any departure from strict standards of honesty were Reb Elya Meir used all of the instruments in that inexcusable - he was outraged at the Chilul Hashem great symphony of his soul to train his talmidim and in­ (desecration of G-d's name). teract with them. In shiur, he was like a warrior in bat­ At alumni conventions, many former talmidim tle. If a talmid ventured a s'vora (line of reasoning) that came together in anticipation of an uplifting the Rebbi held to be illogical and the boy refused to be spiritual regeneration. The Rosh Yeshiva corrected, he could attack him with a ferocity that made customarily delivered a profound and inspiring one cringe. The bachur might feel that the Rebbi was shmuess. On one occasion he sharply departed his worst enemy and would never talk to him again. Yet from his normal custom. He started out: "Men tor after the shiur he would smile and wrap his arm around nisht zein a ganov (One is not allowed to be a him as if they were the best of friends. thief)." Very agitated, he told the assembled that In a specific shiur, I asked a kushya (question). He on a recent trip to another city he had been short explained again, and I maintained my position.· After of cash, so he asked a businessman whom he a spirited exchange, he reddened with anger and knew quite well to loan him a hundred dollars un­ "honored" me with a few choice expressions. til the next day, when he could cash a check. He I felt I had overstepped the bounds of derech eretz, detected some hesitancy on the man's part, and and after the shiur I asked his forgiveness. He smiled, reassured him that he would bring him the money put his arm around me, and assured me that I had no the very next day. The man was still reluctant, so need to apologize. "Such is the way of Torah. You must the Rosh Yeshiva said incredulously, "I said I will ask, and not pay attention to my anger. I enjoy your bring you the money tomorrow. Don't you trust questions." Thus our chachamim taught us: Jm nK me?" ;rn10J- In a Torah discussion a Rebbi and a talmid The man, embarrassed, said, "It's not that I become like enemies in the gateway, but at the end their don't trust you, Rabbi. It's just that I've had a bad love for each other prevails. experience." Man of Truth When the full impact of his words hit Reb Elya Meir, he was beside himself. Apparently another Above all, Reb Elya Meir was a man of truth. All of talmid chacham had borrowed money from him his thought was aimed at arriving at the truth, and his and had not repaid the debt.

IO The Jewish Observer/ September, 1977 He raised his voice is anger and distress to the lion of his lessons. He always said that a Rebbi for Kial talmidim: "Do you understand what matters have Yisroel can only be a mislamed - one who is con­ come to ? A balabos does not trust a Rosh Yeshiva tinuously learning: with a hundred dollars till the next day because of Moshe was bidden by the Al-mighty to show a 'bad experience'! You came here expecting to two signs to the Jews that he was to lead them: hear some deep thoughts. You may go back home His staff turned into a serpent and his hand and say that you came to Cleveland to hear the became leprous when he removed it from his Telshe Rosh Yeshiva say 'Men tor nisht zein a bosom. Rashi explains that the snake indicated ganovt" that he had slandered the Jews (like the serpent of Reb Elya Meir's temimus (sincerity) went hand in old) by saying they would not believe him, and hand with his kano'us (zeal). He would not budge from that the leprosy was a punishment for having what he saw as the truth, nor hesitate to express his opi­ suspected innocent people. nion openly. He never was afraid to speak out against "Look! I've suspected you wrongly and have falsehood and wrong-doing. He gave mussar to his own spoken lashon hara against you." What kind of talmidim, to ba'alei battim in the city, and to the world claim to leadership was this declaration? Reh Elya at large. He did not shirk from expressing unpopular Meir explained that Moshe demonstrated that he positions. had indeed made mistakes, but he was ready to He spoke strongly against late Sunday morning learn: "I can teach you, because I myself can breakfast minyanim, then the vogue in some Orthodox learn." shuls. He viewed them as a form of avoda zara, since they made a special day of Sunday and were attended Reb Elya Meir never asked anything of his talmidim by many who did not attend shul on Shabbos .... He that he did not ask of himself. His shmuessen and was among the first to warn of the dangers of television words of Torah were formulations of how he lived his and to declare it forbidden, quoting the pasuk: "You own life. Thus Chazal said: "It is not necessary to erect shall not bring an abomination into your home." ... monuments for tzaddikim. Their words are their When it was none too popular (nor profitable for the memorial." Yeshiva) to belong to Agudath Israel, Reh Elya Meir proudly flaunted his allegiance to Agudah. He Reb Elya Meir made a point of demanding kavod organized the yeshiva bachurim into Agudah youth +iaTorah from his talmidim, but actually his very groups as a preparation for activism in later life, presence commanded respect. He was characterized by regardless of parental opposition .... He used every op­ many as a prince of Torah. His immaculate personal ap­ portunity to speak against yeshiva bachurim attending pearance, his warm and engaging personality, his sen­ college, in spite of the effect on yeshiva enrollment .... sitivity, his wit and wisdom, left an indelible impression At the annual banquet of the Yeshiva, which was aimed on all who met him. Yet with all his sophistication, he at gaining communal support for the Yeshiva, he would possessed great simplicity and candor. He saw it as his deliver a lengthy address discussing problems of the duty to teach his talmidim how to act towards a Rebbi. city and of the world, never considering that his out­ He once told them, "Don't you think that I realize that I spoken advocacy of Daas Torah on controversial sub­ make myself foolish in your eyes when I insist that you jects might alienate some. On one occasion he spoke stand up for me? But what shall I do? That is the close to an hour chastising the local Jewish community halacha, and I must teach you the halacha." for not having participated in a memorial gathering for Reb Elya Meir was completely the talmid of his great the Chazon !sh ?"YI. father, Reb Yosef Leib - in Torah knowledge, in In the early years on I05th Street, when the Yeshiva philosophy, in the way he conducted himself - referr­ was in the center of the Jewish neighborhood, many ing to him as "Der Rebbi" and "Der Fatter" in­ outsiders would attend the seuda after the Yeshiva's terchangeably. He had a deep commitment to transmit hakofos, Simchas Torah night. Even Conservative and Reb Yosef Leib's whole thought system to others, but Reform rabbis would be present. They were never the listener did not feel as if he were simply listening to treated inhospitably, but Reb Elya Meir would in­ a repetition of an old shiur. One witnessed the words of evitably speak out against the Reform and Conser­ Torah emanating from the mind and heart of a manful­ vative Movements. As a man of truth, he found no oc­ ly convinced of their truth - explaining, enhancing, casion inappropriate for speaking truth, and no and expanding upon that which he had learned from audience too sensitive to hear it spoken. his father, but might very well have said himself. His shiurim were original masterpieces of profound The Peerless "Mechanech" analysis - yet invariably based on a yesod (principle) of one of his father's shiurim, and his derech As a mechanech (pedagogue), Reb Elya Meir was (methodology) in learning was purely Reb Yosef Leib's. peerless. Not because he employed ingenious teaching In bot_h halacha and agada, it was difficult to tell where methods, but because his whole being was an illustra- Reb Yosef Leib left off and where Reb Elya Meir began.

The Jewish Observer I September, 1977 11 Both privately and publicly he constantly spoke of responsibility to Klal Yisroel. He urged his talmidim to prepare themselves in the Yeshiva with a maximum of Torah and Yiras Shomayim (fear of G-d) and en­ couraged them to enter the field of chinuch and hafotzas Torah. The leading role he played in building Agudath Israel is well known, and typically he saw this as a natural ex­ tension of his work of building Torah. His sense of mis­ sion was all-encompassing; he would speak of the role of the manhig (leader) as min hahar el ha'am "from the mountain (communion with G-d, receiving His Torah directly from Him) to the people" - there was no stop­ The Yeshiva building erected by Reb Eliezer Gordon in Lithuania ping off in between to find out how things were at The "Shiur Daas" The shiur daas in Telshe, which is a philosophical discourse elaborating on a Torah principle, taking the place of the Mussar shmuess in other yeshivas, was a unique experience. There was a sense of anticipation in the air before a shiur daas. All the benches in the yeshiva would be turned toward the platform of the southern end of the Beis Midrash and the bachurim would vie for the best seats. The shiur was officially scheduled for an hour, but Reb Elya Meir rarely finished in the allotted time. During Elul and the Yomim Noraim he would speak for as much as two hours. Those who listened were transported to different worlds - the o!amos ho'elyonim of which he spoke so The Feigenbaum home in Cleveland, where Reh Elya Meir and often - higher worlds of wisdom and spirituality. New Reh Mattel re-established Telshe in 1941, with thirteen talmidim horizons opened as we thought thoughts of Kiddush Hashem, of tikun ha'olam, of the spread of Truth and home .... At times Reb Elya Meir would return from a G-d's word in this world - of the secrets of Torah, and trying trip or a convention, and head directly for his the profundity of Torah. He spoke of responsibility for study to spend the entire night preparing his shiur, Klal, seder; the of discipline and of of toiling in Torah then to the Yeshiva; only after delivering the shiur and of the greatness of Chazal. Amkus and pashtus - would he rest. Profundity and simplicity went hand in hand. Profun­ dity was not obscurity and simplicity was not super­ The Gaon Reb Aharon Kotler 7":<1 in his hesped on ficiality. Reb Elya Meir described him as a ,,,,J ,,n, (unique in There was always a practical mussar and exhortation his generation) in his approach to working for the Klal. for improvement on the level of the talmidim. When Reb Aharon, who had worked closely with Reh Elya some attempted to guess for whom certain words were Meir in Agudath Israel and in many other Klal matters, intended, overlooking the ideas presented, Reb Elya related that he had a definite opinion on matters and Meir compared it to those who pick out and nibble the would fight for his position. Yet, when the majority of raisins, leaving over the whole chala. the Gedolei Torah had decided otherwise, he would submit to the majority and was just as strong as before Besides his shiurim and the individual attention he in carrying out their position - which had now become devoted to bachurim who spoke with him in learning or his position. about their personal matters, Reb Elya Meir conducted mussar vaadim - study sessions with small groups of Reb Ely a Meir was staunch in his convictions, yet he selected talmidim. Officially there was always a sefer had the gift of being able to hear another viewpoint. He that was studied in these vaadim. But the sefer was only could live in harmony with those whose ideas he so a springboard for open discussions in Torah hashkafa tenaciously fought, and would treat them with the ut­ or current Jewish topics, recollections of old Telshe - most courtesy. A militant Agudist who constantly bat­ anything that the Rosh Yeshiva felt could develop the tled against Mizrachi hashkafos, he organized a talmidim's thinking, broaden their perspectives and council of all Orthodox organizations of Cleveland and convey to them Daas Torah on all facets of life. cooperated with the Mizrachi leaders on matters of

12 The Jewish Observer I September, 1977 common interest. He was held in great esteem and af­ fection by them. Strict Sedorim With all the pressures and commitments, which took so much of his time and energy, he maintained strict sedorim for his own learning, which could not be violated except for emergencies. There was one kaballa he had - to learn at least an hour a day, which even an emergency could not disturb. There are many who tell extraordinary stories of the Artists rendering of the Bais Midrash building on the Wickliffe, unusual efforts he expended to keep this kaballa under Ohio, campus, where Telshe has been located for fifteen years. the most trying circumstances. felt that it would endanger his life). But I will not permit myself to forego learning unless you pasken for me that I may." Their psak was, of course, self-understood. I realized his boundless love of Torah from my last visit with him, mentioned at the outset of this article: My last impression of my Rebbi was not of the helpless, terminally ill man I encountered. After some conversation, I mentioned a he'ora - an observation I had made - on a passage in the Ketzos Hachoshen. As soon as l mentioned the Ketzos, the Rosh Yeshiva underwent a remarkable change. His eyes lit up, his face evinced its old warmth, a smile crossed his face, and his voice became strong and clear - as if the old Reb Elya Meir had been revived. "/ made the same observation in one of my shiurim," he said, and proceeded to discuss the Ketzos with a The second Cleveland home of the Telshe Yeshiva on 105 St. lebedigkeit which so entranced me that, to my I stayed with him the second night after his last everlasting regret, I could not concentrate on his major operation. He was critically ill, with tubes words. attached to various parts of his body. He could not move and he could hardly talk. After a while, This is what our sages meant when they said, "When he said one word: "Lemen (Learning)." one takes leave of his friend, he should only do so in the midst of a discussion of halacha, for in that way he will I took a Chumash and learned with him the remember him." That is the way I remember Reb Elya parsha with Rashi. From time to time his eyes Meir, who passed away two days later - enthusiastic would turn to the clock on the wall. When a half and alive. I do not remember the halacha that he taught hour had gone by, he said: "Genug (Enough)." me then with his words. But I do remember the halacha Extremely fatigued, he closed his eyes. Some time that he taught me with his actions: "Rabbi Yochanan later, he looked at the clock, and again said said a man should never keep himself from the Beis "Lemen." I learned aloud another half hour. Hamidrash and from words of Torah even at the time When the time was up, he said "Genug,'' with a of death, as it says 'When a man dies in a tent' - even at smile of satisfaction. He had finished his hour of the time of death one should engage in the study of learning. Torah." Reb Mattel Katz and (yibodel lechaim) the pre­ He passed away on Shabbos morning, Kislev 28, sent Rosh Yeshiva, Rabbi Mordechai Gifter, once 5715 at the age of 60, after making Kiddush for the visited him in the hospital. He turned to them and Rebbetzin, who was with him in the hospital. said "'n)I; 7ll '•t.ill Cl't.l - From the time that I ar­ mvi;p:i inr.iwi n1

The Jewish Observer I September, 1977 13 Sue ca The temporary shelter of the Succos Sparks holiday illuminates man's role as a tenant on earth with a lease of limited duration. (Based on the writings of Rabbi A full understanding of this ephemeral Eliyahu Eliezer state can bring him peace, holiness, Dessler, ?"'.:.'T - in and joy. Michtav MeElihayu II) "You extend Your hand to sinners and Your right hand is out­ stretched to receive repenters" (Yorn Kippur, Ne'ila Service). G-d Teaches, As an initial step in pulling man out of his torpor of alienation from Man Internalizes the divine, G-d extends to him an intellectual awareness of His presence; His "hand" prompts the sinner to acknowledge G-d. Ideally, man will internalize the message and integrate it into his emotional make-up. This change is significant: Before, he had understood that G-d makes demands of him, but now he will feel the urgency of these demands. As the Talmud describes it, the apathy that encrusts his heart has been pierced - perhaps with only a "pin-prick" of regret and concern; but it is no longer insulated from his intellectual musings. In response to man's initial step, G-d widens the tiny aperture in his heart to the dimensions of "an opening of a great hall," and his com­ mitment becomes intensified further. His "right hand" draws the peni­ tent Jew close to Him. First, G-d's hand shakes the indifferent Jew out of his slumbering indifference . . . ultimately embracing him fully, and his knowledge becomes part of his personality. This experience is not limited to Yorn Kippur. Daily life is full of such lessons, instructing man in, regard to G-d's presence in the world, prompting him to conduct himself in accordance with G-d' s will. In fact, we thank G-d in our daily prayers for "Your daily miracles that are with us, Your constant wonders and acts of kindness ... " (Modim). At the outset, this instruction - the never-ending display of G-d's miracles in nature and the super-natural - is perceived on an intellec­ tual level. But once man ponders the lesson and takes it to heart, his awareness becomes heightened and intensified, with G-d's intervening instruction - His "right hand."

View From the Succa Every evening (in the Hashkiveinu prayer), we implore G-d to "spread over us Your succa of peace ... and grant us good counsel." The soundest advice G-d can grant us is to prompt us to take note of our place on earth, our assigned role in life - and somehow, it seems, this is best conveyed to us from within the succa. How does the succa accomplish this? On Succos man is instructed to "leave your permanent home, and take shelter in your temporary dwelling." Living in a succa is an in­ struction in the transitory nature of all of life's mundane experiences - a negation of the material (bitul hayesh). For when the Jew in the succa

14 The Jewish Observer I September, 1977 ponders life in this thrown-together hut, he realizes that nothing is of permanence in this world. The joys and comforts of the home are inac­ cessible. And even the modest creature comforts of the succa are only of short duration .... And such is life itself: Striving for material pos­ sessions, for fulfillment of passions, desires, and petty pleasures becomes revealed as a hollow pursuit. Designs to secure a place for one's self and for future generations are mere fantasy; after all, whatever gains are realized are of little duration and of no intrinsic value. - Position? - power? - possessions? they all are of no sub­ stance. If man is to strive for anything of worth, it must be for spiritual attainment, because only in the realm of the spirit do gains have any permanence. Only a spiritual existence can give a man authentic pleasure and lasting satisfaction .... This is the lesson of the succa.

The Succa Test The prophet foretells that in the end of days, when it becomes ob­ vious that only the Torah way of life is of value, many strangers will clamor for a place among the People of the Torah. "Had You but given us Torah and mitzvos," they will argue, "we too would have kept them. Why should we be deprived of a place amidst the Torah Nation?" G-d will offer them the mitzva of succa, which they will readily accept. But then the sun will burn hot, and the pretenders will abandon the discomfort of the succa, hastily slamming the door behind them .... Of all 613 mitzvos, why will the mitzva of succa be selected to test their loyalty to G-d and His commandments? In truth, the lessons implicit in the succa are central to a Torah life. On the surface, they appear to be within everyone's grasp. Who can pretend that fleeting sensual pleasures and makeshift material security endow a life with meaning or purpose? And since it is so, what does one lose by demonstrating this conviction by moving into a succa? But the actual test of this commitment can be much more taxing than simp­ ly voicing agreement to it in principle, for it involves exposure to dis­ comfort and, at times, even pain. The person who has truly negated the material aspects of existence can successfully withstand these chal­ lenges. But he who merely voices verbal acquiescence cannot; his move to the succa will culminate in a hasty escape, slamming the door behind him.

The Succa and • The succa commemorates the ananei hakavod - the Clouds of the Clouds of Glory Glory that accompanied the Jewish people on their forty year trek through the wilderness. • The Clouds' constant presence was attributed to the merit of Aaron. • The succa is also referred to as succas shalom - the dwelling of peace. •Aaron was celebrated as a man of peace: he "loved peace and pur­ sued it" (Avos I, 16). Thus, the members of this constellation - succa - Clouds of Glory - Aaron - peace - seem to be involved in an enriching in­ terdependence .... But there is more to this relationship:

The Jewish O'bserver I September, 1977 15 The Zahar (Emor, 103) points out that the letters of" Aaron" (]i;tK) are identical with those of "appear" (;tKil), as in the passage, "Eye to eye did You, 0 G-d, appear to us, Your cloud standing above them" (Bamidbar 14, 14). This is meant to imply that the Clouds of Glory were a medium for conveying to Jewry the clarity of knowledge of G-d that they enjoyed in the wilderness. This, too, was in Aaron's merit, and his role as Man of Peace was instrumental in bringing this about .... Let us see how. The essential ingredient in the pursuit of peace and its attainment is bitul hayesh - a negation of the material aspects of life. For, in the final analysis, what prompts rivalry and arguments, envy and wars, among people? Only the illusion that material possessions have value. That my car, my home, my artifacts, my prestige bring me joy .... That increased happiness lies in winning away from others their precious at­ tainments, that seem to give them special status. Materialism in its more extreme forms, then, would find in the gains of others a nagging source of discontent; at times, someone else's very existence can bring despair to the self-centered materialist .... Thus do arguments and wars break out. By contrast, he who puts his sights on spiritual growth, ignoring the material attractions of life, can only find delight in the similar growth of others. In the realms of the spirit, there is no need for exclusivity, no place for rivalry, no pressure implicit in the gains of another. On the contrary, one person's gains can serve to elevate his entire community, bringing joy and spiritual riches to all who share his environment. Peace - the attribute for which Aaron is praised - is an outgrowth of spirituality, and at its peak it results in "eye-to-eye" contact with G-d (so to speak). The succa - the temporary dwelling - offers a primary means for achieving bitul hayesh. Once one has fully absorbed the succa's mes­ sage of negation of the material, he can come to perceive with an un­ rivaled clarity that the world is G-d's - His demands assume new dimensions of meaning, and throb with ever greater immediacy. The succa, then, can rightfully be described as tzilsa demehimnusa - the protective shade of faith. Beneath its sheltering roof, the blinding at­ tractions of falsehood disappear .... * The Jew in its shelter becomes liberated from the shackles of conventional thought and dares aspire for more, reaching for greater spiritual growth. He becomes the "free man, committed to Torah" (Avos VI, 3), governed by an inner peace, spreading light through all his actions.

Succa, Galus, "Why do we build a succa after Yorn Kippur? ... Perhaps on Yorn and Unity Kippur it will be decreed upon Israel to go into exile .... They will build succos and enter them, leaving behind their homes - and it will be con­ sidered before G-d as though they were exiled to Babylonia." - Yalkut, Emor 653

*This is also symbolized by the progressively diminishing numbers of daily sacrifices, which total" seventy oxen of the Succos Festival" offered during the holiday week. These represent the materialistic ideologies of the Seventy Nations of the world. As Succos advances, their number and the illusory significance of their beliefs dis­ sipates.

16 The Jewish Observer I September, 1977 To know G-d is to be aware of His all-pervasive unity. To be es­ tranged from Him - to become enmeshed in idolatry• - is to splinter the various aspects of His presence, His numerous acts and deeds, into separate components and give them each a credence of its own. Doing so can bring a decree of galus on Jewry. To love one's fellow is to identify with him and experience a sense of unity with him, to share his aspirations and to feel the pinch of his needs. Self-centeredness and the urge to enhance one's own material status give way to distance, cleavage, and rivalry. This estrangement between Jews and their fellows can also earn a punishment of galus. Indeed the Talmud records that the Jews suffered galus (exile) 1900 years ago because of unjustified hatred - sinas chinom. They had veered away from concern for others, and thought of themselves. This urge to achieve material betterment and to add to one's possessions stems from the illusion that happiness is an outgrowth of having more - the same materialism that sees a personal threat in another's ad­ vancement. Their punishment - gal us - also has the makings of the cure. For in man's incessant wandering, material gains are short-lived, and one who takes the galus experience to heart loses taste for further acquisi­ tion. Focus shifts to spiritual realms, and the galus lesson sinks in even deeper. - The result? The wandering Jew feels closer to his fellow. The Jew in the succa who comprehends the message of his tem­ porary dwelling, who internalizes its implications of bitul hayesh, can experience a flow of love toward his brother unbroken by the barriers of materialism that may have prevented him from even being aware of others. Close to home as he is, he reaps the benefits of enduring a full­ fledged galus ... in Babylonia, if need be.

Jews Another mitzva associated with the Succos festival is the "four and Four Species species" - the lulav, esrog, et al - that the Jew is enjoined to bind together, hold in his hand, and wave. A well-known Yalkut associates - Bound Together each of these species with a different type of Jew, building on the characteristics of fragrance and flavor that each has or lacks in varying combinations. These, we are told, symbolize the nature and degree of observance and scholarship present among different types of Jews. Thus G-d says: "It is impossible to destroy them, so let them form one group and these will bring forgiveness on those." Through their con­ cern and sense of association with others, those endowed with Torah (flavor) and good deeds (fragrance) will lend merit to those who are lacking in both. And the spiritually poor, in turn, will bring merit to the more virtuous by serving as a medium for their mentors' concern. As a result, they too are of vital importance to their more enriched brethren. Thus, when Succos comes, and all segments of Jewry are bound together, like the four species, they will achieve a unity that overcomes all barriers of time, place, and self-centeredness, enhancing the entire community's standing before G-d. And the succa's message will have made its point. ~T.

*Hebrew for idolatry is avoda zara - which literally means "estranged service.

The Jewish Observer I September, 1977 17 A Glimpse at Jerusalem of Antiquity a review article

Digging Up Jerusalem, by Kathleen M. Kenyon (Prager traditions in favor of the historical hypotheses put Publishers, New York City, 1974). forward by secular scholarship. (The author speaks of a gap of about 140 years after the end of the Babylonian Legends of Jerus,1lem, by Zev Vi/nay (Jewish Publica­ exile, for which no archaeological finds are available; it tion Society, Philadelphia, 1973). is noteworthy that no such gap exists if we follow lsr.iel's Temple Mount, by Saul Schaffer, (published by traditional Jewish chronology.) the author, Jerusalem 1975). A related area of interest in the Holy Land is that of stories passed down through the ages about various ARCHAEOLOGY is a popular subject among Israelis, and personalities and sites. This interest is catered to by Zev there are many reasons for that. On the one hand, there Vilnay's Legends of Jerusalem. This volume is the first are few places in the world where the ground yields in a series of three volumes dealing with all parts of such riches at the mere touch of a shovel. On the other Eretz Yisroel, and contains over 300 stories about dif­ hand, the Israeli is eager to look for his "roots" - par­ ferent sites in and around Jerusalem. (The entire series ticularly if he is a Sabra who feels uncomfortable with is actually a translation of Vilnay's Hebrew work, the golus history of the Jew. Finally, tourism provides a Legends of the Holy Land, which has become powerful impetus for uncovering and identifying something of a classic, passing through many editions.) historical sites; after all, the past represents a crucial part of the attraction that Israel exercises on its visitors NEWS ITEM: Menachem Porush, Knesset from all corners of the earth. member of Agudath Israel, has refused to turn For the Jew committed to Torah the mekomos over an archaeological notebook because it is hakedoshim (sacred places) of course stand in the very center of his attachment to Eretz Yisroel. He does not full of evidence that archaeologists have ex­ want them disturbed or desecrated (the excavation of cavated human bones, rather than animal the catacombs of Beth Shearim have been a source of bones as they had claimed. The notebook was heartache to us for many years). Moreover, their sanc­ turned over to Rabbi Porush by an Agudah tity and their emotional impact upon him are in no way member who found it on the site of the ancient dependent upon the uncovering of this or that par­ ticular ancient structure or object. tombs. The Agudah MK has demanded that criminal charges be pressed on the Yet, at the same time, his loving attachment to the sacred sites does stimulate his desire to know more archaeologists for desecrating ancient graves. about them - and so he, too, will find interest in much of what has been discovered and published by Unfortunately, Vilnay was not concerned with gather­ archaeologists. ing authentic Jewish traditions but assembling all and It should be noted that, generally, archaeological any folktales that he could find recounted about his works are by and large in basic accord with the Biblical subject - and he included the Christian scriptures and accounts. The trouble with them is that they provide es­ writings of the church fathers as well as Moslem sentially secular and naturalistic interpretations on sources. As a result, his book is of limited value to us these accounts. Thus, the uniqueness of our historical and can only be used with great caution. experience is glossed over, as parallels of thought for In total contrast to the works mentioned are the ever facet in other ancient civilations. writings of Rabbi Saul Schaffer, notably Israel's Tem­ A recent volume of Kathleen M. Kenyon, Digging up ple Mount (1975). Rabbi Schaffer is well known as the Jerusalem, offers an account that ties in with the author of a number of volumes dedicated to the historical framework provided by Tanach, and she in­ Mishkan (the sanctuary erected in the desert) and the deed presents the archaeological findings within this Temple; the book on the Temple Mount is the first of framework. Her book offers pictures of Jebusite for­ his works translated into English, and it presents the tifications, antedating the Jewish conquest, as well as of reader with a treatment of its subject that accurately the destruction of the city by the Babylonians and reflects the spirit and the teachings of authentic Romans. However, the exact chronological dating as Judaism. well as details in the interpretation of the archaeological The author begins by presenting a translation of the finds are, of course, unsatisfactory as they ignore our Mishnayos Middos - that part of the Mishna describ-

18 The Jewish Observer I September, 1977 ing the Temple and its Mount in detail. He then discus­ ses the first and second Temples, their erection, history, and destruction, and gives a full description of the pre­ Photography sent state of the Temple Mount, including all archaeological findings. Special chapters are devoted to the Western Wall (and the legal controversies over Jewish prayer there during the British Mandate). Final­ ly, a chapter is given to tales about the Temple Mount. A large number of fascinating photographs, illustra­ U.S.A./Israe1 623 Cortelyou Road (off Ocean Parkway) tions and drawings, a bibliography, index, and a large • Brooklyn. N.Y. 11218 • (212) 941~5500 photographic fold-out map, are included. As the author says in his introduction, "If we cannot yet see our Sanc­ tuary built, let us learn about it and atone for it in the spirit of the Prophet " Rabbi Schaffer' s work is indeed of great value and interest to anybody concerned with the Be is Hamikdash fr and of particular value for students young and old. At 1 1 the same time, one may hope that it will to some degree IJH.· aano ~wn .111Jl.itrtllMJ.n. 11.. lM i, counteract the work of popular writers (such as Joan 1 Comay, in The Temple of Jerusalem) who give us ex­ Yerusho~~:::.=t: pensively reproduced volumes that are utterly offensive Help us build Jerusalem. With the bricks and indeed blasphemous - whether in their Bible­ critical rni~interpretations of Jewish history and belief, of generosity and the mortar of brotherly or through their insensitive illustrations, largely drawn concern. from Christian sources. Rabbi Schaffer's volume provides a most welcome antedote and deserves the Hundreds of .families are actually hungering from widest circulation. !..T. lack of food and suffering from insufficient clothing - spiraling inflation has put basic staples out of their reach, L'maan Yerusho/ayim ("For the sake of Agudath Israel takes pride in Jerusalem") meets their needs In a dignified man· announcing publication of ner: A Portfolio of 34 studio-quality portraits • an anonymous delivery service • milk,. eggs, vegetables, meat and clothing ..., .free of the following Gedolei Yisroel: of charge R' Samson Raphael Hirsch/ R' Eliezer Gordon/ R' Yitzchok Isaac Halevy 0 (Rabinowitz)/ R' Chaim Soloveitchik / R' Meier Shapiro/ R' Joseph * a cut-rate "store Chaim Sonnenfeld /Chafetz Chaim/ Czortkover Rebbe / R' Chayim • run by volunteers Ozer Grodzenski / R' Bore uh Ber Leibov.:itz /R' Elcho non Wasserman / R' • supervised by committee of esteemed rabbis Menachem Ziemba / Belzer Rebbe J Amshenover Rebbe J Chazon !sh/ R' !sser Zalmon Meltzer /R' Eliyahu Meir Bloch/ R' Reuven Your. generous contribution will help mend the Grozowsky / Gerer Rebbe {R' Avrohom Mordechai) / R' Yitzchok Z'ev Soloveitchik / Sadigerer Rebbe / R' Aharon Kotler/ R' Chaim Mordechai ruins of broken-spirited families - L'maan Katz/ R' Dov Berish Weidenfe!d / R' Eliezer Yehuda Finke!/ R' Za!man Yerusholayim. Sorotzkin/ Kapitshnitzer Rebbe / R' Akiva Schreiber/ R' Yosef Shlomo Kaheneman I R' Yecheskel Sama J Boyaner Rebbe J Wishnitzer Rebbe / Make out your check - L'maan Yerusholayirn. Novominsker Rebbe / Gerer Rebbe (R' Yisroel) Rabbinical Sponsors: Each printed on 8" x 10" matte suitable for framing Rabb\ Yaakov Yltzchok Rildem\an, Yeshwas Ner Israel, an auspicious addition for every Jewish home Balffmore I· Rabbi Josef Grunwald, Kehilath Yakov (Puppa), only $7.50 per complete set Brooklyn I Rabbi Gedalya Schorr, Yeshivas Torah Vodaofh, for immediate delivery use the handy coupon below: Brooklyn I Rabbi Leizet Levin, DetroJt / Rabbi Zvi.Feldman 21"1, Yeshivas Mir, Brooklyn ...... , ...... , ...... Agudath Israel of America/5 Beekman St/N.Y.C.10038 L'maan Yerusholayim Gentlemen: Enclosed please find . ... for ...... sets. 407 Yeshiva Lane, Apt. lB, Balfimore, Md. 21208 Enclosed please find my contribution of $...... L'maan NAME Yerusholayim. ADDRESS NAME ...... , ...... , ...... CfrY.STATE.Z!P ADDRESS ...... , ...... , ...... , ...... , ...... , ...... CITY, STATE, ZIP .... .,., ...... •..... " ......

The Jewish Observer/ September, 1977 19 ------;i?i?1 OtJ1' 1:J ni1;i1------~ Tragedy Strikes .- A Thitd Time DID YOU STUDY TORAH TODAY? A . young mother of nine. children, from a highly There are a thousand reasons \1.-'hy· it"s difficult. but not one respected family, who in recent years lost her husband reason why· it"s impossible and a young son, now has passed away, leaving behind Let us help you (fret> of charge) 1.Nith unmanied children, who now have neither father nor D a study group in YOUR home or neighhorhood mother for financial and emotional support: D learning·v..,hat YOU want to learn The following GedoleiYisroel, upohhearing of this im· 0 and when it"s convenient for YOU mense tragedy; have issued an urgent call to you, i:i•ir.irri Or arrange: o•ll:IM"l. •i::> . to contribute or pledge, as generously as D /:.., personal "'chavrusa"' for ~/OU possible to help this family in their time of need. D A telephone "chavrusa All levels of study! Horav Yaakov Y'tsroel Kanievsky !leis .Din Tzedek-Eida Hachareidis, Call us at (212) 964-1620. or tuntf' (the Stiipler) Jerusalem TORAH EDUCATION NETWORK Horav Yosef. Sholom Elyashuv -HoraV YaakoV I:klet or call Sandy Beach HACH 800-327-8165 •Oceanfront FREEi FLORIDA AREA coDE Synagogue ISRAEL ' (305) 831-0081 FREE Parking Burials and American Disinterments 1~~1~1K:i' ~ti~~ annou'1\es n-1at RIVEF~S![)E ;:::n:;r:-,,es tc be tre only :1censed funerril dirp; \or 1n tre US able to efle:::t Transfer to Israel \vithin the same day

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20 The Jewish Observer/ September, 1977 second looks at the jewish scene The Law of Return and the Conservative Future I Desperate Mission immersion in a mikva and (for whom I have spoken says that the males) circumcision. But it is far typical American oleh is an A top-level delegation of more than that. It is primarily the Orthodox Jew with young children Conservative and Reform rabbis initiation of a non-Jew into the concerned about assimilation in the Diaspora," Schnitzer reports. The recently journeyed to Israel to dis­ Jewish religion, based on the suade Prime Minister Menachem novice's whole-hearted acceptance number of actual Conservative and Begin from supporting a change in of Judaism. Is it conceivable that Reform "converts" who would be the Law of Return. As their pieces­ such an. initiation can take place un­ adversely affected by the amend­ d e - resistance, the group der the direction of deviationist ment to include the word proposedthe formation of a joint clergymen who personally do not "Kehalacha" in the definition of Beit Din (court of religious law) of accept this religion? Obviously, conversion is miniscule. Orthodox, Conservative and such a conversion process is a For Schnitzer, the moment of Reform rabbis, thus delivering a charade at best. truth came when one of the visiting basis for "halachic conversions" So, while the offer by the rabbis cried out on Israeli television: that should please the Orthodox Conservative-Reform delegation "We are Jews, not Christians or and not exclude "liberal" converts made waves in public relation Moslems." Says Schnitzer, "For a from special benefits as Jews spheres, it caused not a ripple of brief moment, their true concern "Returning Home." On the face of positive response in the world of was revealed, their lack of self­ it, the proposal might strike the un­ halacha-respecting Jewry. Yet, the confidence in their Judaism. Sud­ lettered bystander as an appealing emotion and concern exhibited by denly they (the Americans) became compromise. After all, groups that this delegation betrayed a motive the poor relatives and we (the have avoided the strictures of behind their mission that runs Israelis) the rich cousins. The truth halacha are now expressing a wil­ deeper than simply winning sym­ was revealed. More than we take lingness to accept them. Moreover, pathy from the unsophisticated. from these American Jews, we give they're even ready to work with Indeed, the intensity of their rally in return. We provide them with Orthodox rabbis. Why can't the was the subject of a penetrating identity, pride, purpose, and Orthodox meet them halfway? analysis by columnist Shmuel legitimacy." Schnitzer in the August .19 (Erev Of course, beyond the mere sur­ Shabbat) edition of Maariv. He continues that it is not really f ace appeal, the proposal is ab­ possible to compare the internal solutely absurd. How can a conver­ The Schnitzer Critique composition of Israeli Jewry with sion be considered "halachic" if the For the non-dati Israeli, says the "pluralism" of the American rabbinical court that is entrusted Schnitzer, this trip to lobby against Jewish community. "We dwell here with validating it consists of men a change in the Law governing - secular versus religious - in who do not accept halacha as bin­ citizenship requirements for a various degrees of confrontation ding? Reform Judaism defies sovereign state raises questions. and unceasing debate. But it does halacha as a matter of doctrine. "What importance does the Law not appear that a split in our people Conservatism bends religious law have to someone with no intentions is imminent so long as Israel beyond recognition to suit its of settling in Israel?" he asks. Aliya adheres to its social contract where­ whims, even if it persists in calling from the U.S.A. is down to 200 by certain essentials of Judaism it halacha. How can a religious act souls a month. Although the such as circumcision, Bar Mitzva, be conducted by men who do not Conservatives and Reform claim to fasting on Yom Kippur, and subscribe to the religion? be the majority of American Jews, halachic control of marriage and Another point: geirus is not a they do not represent the majority divorce rules are maintained." ritual. It includes ritual acts, such as of Olim. "Every shaliach with For the first time in 29 years an

The Jewish Observer/ September, 1977 21 overt effort is being made to in­ Quite clearly then, notes Schitz­ fluence Israeli legislation by zer, for the government to legislate Conservative and Reform rabbis, it halacha as the only basis for con­ must be understood in terms of the version to Judaism is tantamount to desperate need these rabbis have for stating that only Orthodox rabbis a "hechsher" for their ideology are legitimate rabbis, denying the from Israel. In Schnitzer' s opinion, legitimacy of Reform and Conser­ "They have failed to stem the tide vative Judaism by way of disallow­ of intermarriage. Jewish knowledge ing their conversions. - And this as taught in the afternoon schools is from their prime source of Jewish pitiful. 2Vz million Jews are totally identity: the State of Israel, no less! Adopt A Special Child unaffiliated. The State of Israel is in What are they left with? Jewish children with handi· reality the source of their Judaism." caps need warm, loving Orth­ odox homes to give them a fair chance in life. Can you provide a permanent home IL The Conservative Dodge breach than in the observance .... Quite frankly, Jewish law is in­ for such a child? The Reform and Conservatives terpreted with such leniency and For further inform.ition call: are not responding identically to the such wide variance within the (212) 851-6300 "halacha" crisis, and their splitting of their ways sheds an interesting Conservative movement that it light on Conservatism's special becomes practically impossible to set down guidelines and standards knack for deviousness. While that one can expect to be observed Reform Judaism is unabashedly in the Conservative movement as a non-halachic, the Conserv~tives whole. It used to be said that one pretend to adhere to some objective could search in vain for a way in rules of conduct. Thus, this across­ the-board joining of liberal forces in which a Reform rabbi could violate the American delegation proved the Sabbath according to the rules 4907·16th Ave. embarrassing to some Conser­ of his movement. One wonders to­ Brooklyn, N.Y. 11204 vatives. For example, Rabbi Stanley day what are the ways in which Conservative rabbis can be said to (212) 851-6300 Rabinowitz, the head of the violate ha lac ha?" "The only professional (Conservative) Rabbinical As­ child care agenc.v uwder sembly of America issued a state­ Conservatism's Doubtful Orthodox f ewish Auspices ment to the effect that Conservative Tomorrow 11 • rabbis do not reject halacha and in the U,S.A. It may be worth pausing for a thus the general refusal to grant moment to review just what their conversions recognition is a brought Conservatism to its gratuitious slap in the face. "GRUNWALD" SHAS desperate straits. It is well known The Jewish Observer on several that the abandonment of halacha by Attention All Chasanim! occasions exposed the hollowness the Conservatives was aimed at A Shas You Buy Once in a Lifetime of this claim. For a change, we'll winning adherents from those who This is your opportunity to acquaint quote a Conservative rabbi and al­ failed to appreciate the strictness of yourself with the most beautiful edition of low him to do the job for us. Orthodox ways. The self-defeat of a full size shas. The paper and binding are Writing in the magazine Conser­ "Give 'em less, and get more of the finest and strongest in the perfect vative Judaism (Summer 1973), 'em" was thoroughly documented dimensions 16V4 x 11Y4. Robert A. Hammer bemoans the lot by sociologist Marshal Sklare in his AT THE MOST REASONABLE PRICE EYER of the Conservative rabbi who is book: Conservative Judaism: An OFFERED somewhat loyal to halacha: American Jewish Movement (as dis­ ASIC YOUR DEALER FOR THE "GRUNWALD" SHAS "Although we take for granted that cussed in "An Epitaph for Conser­ vative Judaism," in JO, May, 1972). Also just arrived the 15 volume the Conservative movement main­ encyclopedia Talmudic price $8.25 per tains certain standards with regard In spite of all the obituaries for vdlume. to Jewish traditional observance Orthodoxy twenty years ago, M. S. SPIEGEL with regard to laws of the Sabbath, Orthodoxy is now Jewry's most 90 Eldridge Street, N. Y.C. 226-4331 funeral practices, circumcision, vibrant group. The Conservatives dietary laws and the like, these stan­ have never been able to staff their dards are honored more in the own schools without Orthodox

22 The Jewish Observer I September, 1977 teachers, and today their "com­ Ramah-route more often than not Little wonder, then, that the munity day schools" and Solomon continue to advance to a full­ Conservatives, in desperation, are Shechter Day Schools could never blooded Torah Judaism, leaving joining their fellow non-halacha­ function without Orthodox faculty Conservatism behind as just ists in a nervous alliance, ever sen­ members. Their power and their another rung on a ladder toward a sitive to the winds of rejection money have not produced a young worthwhile goal. blowing from Israel. generation: It seems that when a Conservative rabbi is really succes­ sful with a young person, he leaves to become Orthodox. To them this is the "unkindest cut of all." Orthodox yeshiva students who join JTS, do so out of opportunism rather than idealism. As for at­ tracting the uncommitted young Jew, "baa! teshuva" yeshivos and A special Chassidic groups seem to attract them in much far greater numbers Rosh Hashanah greeting than do any Conservative groups. to all our friends And those who do come to Judaism through the (Conservative) Camp from all of us at ... One of WORLD'S LARGEST CAMERA STORES

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The Jewish Observer I September, 1977 23 Kosher Consumerism and the Mezuza Law I was waiting my next in an East The woman gasped, and the man Unfortunately, these anecdotes Side Manhattan Hebrew raised his eyebrows. "Just wanted are not part of a scare campaign but Booksstore-Gift Shop. I couldn't 1 to show you what you're paying are authentic (only the names are help overhear the negotiations tak­ for," smiled the salesman. ing place in front of me. fictitious) tragically representative Both accepted the reassurance of the situation in parts of the "This is the finest tefillin set you and continued with much more sacred scrolls market: Much of the can get in the less-than-fifty dollar confidence than before: " ... and we purchasing public is unsuspecting, price range. They were written in want our Sherwin to have the best/" and unwittingly buys invalid, Israel and packed here in the " ... forty-two, forty-three, forty­ printed parchment scrolls. Even States." five. There!" those who are aware of the exacting The elderly couple looked at one Except that Sherwin's grand­ demands of kashrus of parchments another questioningly, as if to say: parents were not even looking at the for mezuzos and tefillin - that the "So much? ... But then again, what most sensitive part of Sherwin's parchments must be specially do we know about these items?" tefillin - the scrolls contained prepared, and written according to The grey-haired woman broke within the blackened leather cubes. stringent requirements by a G-d the silence. "We'll take it. You see, And even if they were, they would fearing Jew - even those who know our grandson Sherwin's Bar Mitzva not know how to evaluate them. better, do not realize that many of is in just one month, and .... '' They'll never know that the $45 the scrolls commonly available are The gentleman took out his wal­ paid for the tefillin may have been sloppily written, lacking basic re­ let and began counting out forty wasted, the brachos Sherwin will quirements of kashrus. And they five dollars in bills, when quite pronounce over the tefillin may be may not discover this until some abruptly both stopped short: recited in vain, and that until he future examination (required twice Instead of "wrapping up" the new­ gets another valid pair of tefillin, he every seven years for mezuzos ). ly purchased tefillin set, the might be considered "a sinner with This problem was discussed at salesman unzipped the velvet bag, his body," for never having worn length in Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan's pulled out one, then another tightly genuine tefillin." "Kutzo Shel Yud - The Point of a wound tefillin bundle, let the The young bearded man peered Yud," featured in JO two years ago leather straps cascade onto the anxiously over the shoulder of the (Sept. 75). His article was reprinted counter, and plucking off the sofer (scribe) as he carefully wrap­ and widely distributed by a group protective cardboard caps, dis­ ped each of the seven mezuza of sofrim (scribes) who subsequent­ played two shiny black cubes. scrolls in waxed paper, inserting ly organized the Vaad LeMishmeres each into its own olive wood case Stam.* This is a commission with Corn!fiunity NaflqnafBank .... Tonight was his first anniver­ wide rabbinical backing that aims to and T111st Company sary - one month since he and education the public regarding the of Ne1¥ York Rivka were married, and he wanted pitfalls of blind purchasing of 1'he community ml.nded bank to affix the mezuzos on the sacred scrolls, through the media of extends Its beSt wlspes for a doorways of their apartment, with audio-visual presentations and lec­ happy, healthy. !Ind prOsperous New the appropriate bracha, beginning tures. It is also attempting- to Vear their life as the "Braunstein family" regulate the sale of such parchment with all due reverence, mitzva­ items by introducing a "Vaad" seal 1"!).e Bank's Bl)ro Par~ Offiel! involvement, and protection of the on those that have been examined 'f~ted' at-SOO!i 13thAv'~,.~roc>ld9f\, "?1<11!1' m11?1 1t.l11!1 - Guardian of by a trustworthy safer and found to .. ·· ..· .. · < ·.•.. N.Y. ·. the Doorways of Israel." be kosher . Will._ be (;los¢d to (;O!J'lrnemqrat!l -Except that Yechiel Braunstein This is a significant step toward !he Jewish.• H()lldays lncll!dlng: is unaware that his eight dollar guaranteeing that the purchaser of \jt~es'8t \Wd:p ~ptember 27-28 mezuzos were written hastily and religious articles is indeed getting :}:u~. 8t w~ct - ~qt:qlier 4 - 5 suffer from omission of a few what he pays for. But since this de­ · Tq !"1lllde ;1ddltl9nal ~tvl® crucial strokes here and there, pends on the cooperation of tc:l'.fo/, . . ffilii '~~liW!U.h¢. rendering most of them pasul-unfit. Hebrew bookstore owners and the awareness of the purchaser it :PJ!/!l;M t~2:~.~.M:· The brachos he intends to recite that 1 afternoon will be pronounced in makes the fullest benefits of this vain, his doorways will be un­ step rather uncertain. adorned by mezuzos, and his home *Stam - an acronym for Sefer Torah, Tefil~ will be unprotected. !in, and Mezuzos. 24 The Jewish Observer I September, 1977 Another important step, taken on dinary paper. Nathan Lewin, a Just Published the political level, can have even prominent Washington attorney, further reaching implications in the aided in drafting the bill. Once the JEWTiilNKA Gui<(n11 ~eal State of New York, where a bill was new law goes into effect, the Com­ ~daism.fot:~v1~Z~t~~»In~•r'~u~l passed last July in the state capital. mission on Legislation and Civic The new law, drafted at the in­ Action will carefully monitor stores .,\•. ·~o-npnsen~e.• telIi~ of•l'ea1¥.id• itiative of the Commission on throughout New York State to ,djshk~if ~~ Jt is,·. ~nd .• ~ar;d.hHfing Legislation and Civic Action of make certain that it is fully )l~bunking.l)f ps~tido"Ju)la1s111·it1 all Agudath Israel of America, requires observed. The organization will also Hs formsrwrltten 1>¥. a )'(lUng.talmid c~achalit f9r llis cQnt~l1\J?Or.a.ries, Re.­ that mezuzos or tefillin not con­ seek, through its local chapters, to quire)! · reaqing · f<)r al'lwl).fj~•Whl)•• forming with Orthodox Jewish have similar legislation passed in e111una.h is·waV'!til'Jll'·r'!rt:~l1111l~!ly religious law be clearly labelled other states. This tighter, state­ r~ad~l:>le styl~ fie •!'{el!~ tO!ft •.·.· 'l'Vhat "non-kosher." regulated control should go far in J>Jdaism is · reaUy aU aboRt( (The removing the bogus machine­ Manufacturers or importers of Jewish ()bseroer) ·.··.• •.i) printed "parchments" from the 96 :pages; paper s::~.!)S mezuzos or tefillin, beginning two market. It is hardly likely that any months from now, will have to affix dealer would sell mezuzos that are ~A1'\r0.TH£ upon the packaging of these two labeled "non-kosher.'; But this \t;!Fcjj'~. religious articles the name and ad­ legislation will not obviate the need •..... ·· .. · ... . !~ .···· c dress of the "manufacturer, for the extra-vigilance that could and.•• •. /.i • i• fabricator or importer." Violators of THE Ii!GFJEs:r cQJ;)l{l\JlN ti!E have spared Yechiel Braunstein the ·····c1tY:•OF:tHESA.Nttu.AR.Y this law, including merchants who heartache of relying on pasul sell these articles, will be subjected mezuzos. Personal consumer b~ Rqpbj~f. tJ~/J.lfl,;~'Qf&~nrt . to the provisions of the consumer vigilance still has its place. The law, TJ¥o .\litl'l?J\~!J.fchls,tl:)~il:~~'A'l>.i!!fi)ical fraud practices section of the however, will back up Yechiel, and essays Jir l>li~~iti~J><¥ qtthi)il<>~i Je~ in State. This authorizes the Attorney G~~l11•l\Y•.• t~an:~l•.ted. ii,tl\l :~njlli~h by General to obtain an injunction Using our vast resources of Dr. ;J>~ul Fo,rqhll~il1\er•. ; ;i •. • against the firm conducting such public education and political 21~. p~ge,s, liJi~ary l:>(ndipg.. i.···.•. IittJitecl unlawful activities, requires restitu­ awareness, there is truly no reason • ·. c •.•l!dl!ion•$1z.llo • tion including all court costs, with why members of our affluent the right to sue for civil penalties society should be duped when SHEl'kQUAR'fE~tr i Jo~rrta! of for each violation. purchasing religious commodities Je>YishTh~u\lht .. j'!"Vi~ s;~~.Pf Jel"l~h. tradi• tained affidavits from purchasers of post well-guarded with genuine ·~~11;~!\-!!~!li¢.C().!t!1t\!! ~~demp­ tipn .. ~JJd \,!}¢ "Yli · · ~s .r~El~~redx .~ · ·N~v~fi\,••~f f!\tf>reta!iP!>"......

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The Jewish Observer I September, 1977 25 18 AVENUE A "Jewish Hall of Fame" SEFORIM & GIFT CENTER 5001 - 18 Avenue People need heroes to admire and later. Perhaps a more formal Brooklyn, N. Y. 11204 emulate. What can be better for memorial would be of some value (212) 633-9225 quick reference and easy adulation for their sake - not with a grandeur than a Hall of Fame for enshrining of Olympic proportions, similar to the NYU format, but a livelier more • Large selection of .1:1•i!l'O heroes? Indeed, New York Univer­ accessible kind of hall, where and English Books sity is the home of the American Hall of Fame, and Cooperstown, graphic illustrations and descriptive •.We sell exclusively all N.Y., has the celebrated Baseball tape recordings could bring these lecture tapes of Hall of Fame. men and their ideas closer to Rabbi Avigdor Miller l<"U•'>w We Jews have never formalized a children of the 70's (and their • Wonderful story tapes for parthenon in which to worship our parents). children (in Yiddish) great leaders. Rather, the sefarim A highly publicized plan is now by Rabbi L Weinstock schrank (bookcase) has been the underway to create just such a (from Monsey) medium for immortalizing Jewry's multi-media Jewish Hall of Fame, to leading teachers and codifiers. pay homage to Jews of "historic dis­ Every Jew of even modest scholarly tinction and enduring worth." (This accomplishment knows at fingertip project is under the sponsorship of Enjoy ••• names of Rabbis of the Tannaic and the publishers of Who's Who in Amoraic eras of the Talmud (Hillel, World Jewry.) The brochure that Shamai, Rabbi Akiva; Rav and describes the undertaking presents Shmuel, Ravva and Abbaya), all the a "partial list" of several hundred way through the more recent Rabbi names. One has to search through Yosef Caro and Rabbi Moshe ls­ the Eddie Cantor's, Felix Mendels­ serlis to Rabbi Akiva Eiger, the sohn's, and Maurice Schwartz's; Chasam Sofer and the Chofetz the Karl Marx's, Chaim Weitz­ Chaim. What greater tribute to mann's, and Benedict Spinoza's (!), these giants of the spirit than the to find the rare observant Jew constant reference made to their (Mayer Amschel Rothschild) and ponderings and writings in the daily even more rare spiritual giants thoughts and deliberations of Jews (Gaon of Vilna - under "G", the world over? PREFERRED WORLD-WIDE somewhere between Sigmund Freud True, there have been those and Nelson Gleuck !). (This writer whose teachings were not formally found a total of fifteen out of the recorded (the Baal Shem T ov and 200-plus names in the partial list.) It J)hlil the Alter of Slobodka, to name would almost appear that the major ~i'; two); others whose area of activity requirement for making the "partial ~ was in political leadership and list" was an aspiration to greatness .K"lllnl .KIV'ii' rri:in shtadlonus; and still others who outside of Judaism - preferably in Chevra Kadisha were scarcely known outside their opposition to Torah. Har Hamenuchot • ~·-far Hazeisim province, and were thus hardly Eret: Hachaim remembered a generation or two For a better understanding of this proposed Hall of Fame, one should Burial in Jerusalem examine the program's descriptive And All Cemeteries In Israel brochure more closely. The honorary advisory board of thirty­ maal1n BakoD€sh• five does sport token Orthodox per­ SOCl€ty sonalities: Chief Rabbi Immanuel 26 CANAL ST. Jakobovits of Great Britain, and NEW YORK CITY 10002 Herman Wouk. But after perusing the remaining names, one wonders Day & Nite Phone what impact the Orthodox members 233-7878 could possibly have on the total In C.,nada: Montr•al Tel.: 273·3211 project, for how much Torah input should one anticipate from the

26 The Jewish Observer I September, 1977 others: intermarried assimilationists others define themselves. "Great contributions to mankind"? or "to such as Saul Bellow, Leonard Bern­ Jews" are men of accomplishment perceive the image of the Jew in stein, Yehudi Menuhin, and Arthur who happen to be Jewish. Judaism world history, his continuous strug­ Miller; or Abba Eban, Moshe Kol, and Jewishness per se hardly enter gle for a brighter future"? There's and Golda Meir, for that matter? the question. (As one wag put it, the still only one way to seize hold of The program description itself entire list is an exercise in "Mihu this fiery vision. Yes, it is through really gives it all away: Yehudi - Who Is a Jew?" in the ab­ immortalizing the giants of the past surd. All that's required for "mak­ - the way the Talmud prescribes; The Jews, more than any other ing it" is a Jewish mother .... ) as it testifies, "When a departed people on earth, have always been sage is quoted, his lips move along involved in the histories of other * * * * in the grave." The method, then, is nations. Looking for a Hall of Fame to obviou.s: Let us repair once more to Monuments, shrines and "learn about Jewry's magnificent the trusty old seforim schrank! research compendia, in many countries, claim famous Jews as their own. Thus, East Germany proclaims the IOOth anniversary of Come To Albert Einstein, Sigmund Freud is known as Austrian, Franz Kafka is Czech, Sarah Bernhardt is French, George Gershwin is American, Ben­ jamin Disraeli is British, Amadeo ~r£~~t1y Modigliani is Italian, Serge Einstein Formerly Kosher King is Russian. With the passage of time, the 1501 Surf Ave . Coney Island Jewish contribution to world Whitehead Hall Brooklyn College progress diminishes to the point of oblivion. In the most profound historic TRADITION PERSONNEL - HCUC sense, THE JEWISH HALL OF "At Your Serv!Ce With All Your Employment Needs" FAME will be a unique educational Need A Shomer Shabbos Job, and inspirational institution, which Loo>..1ng For A Shomer Shabbos Person? will surpass the mere expression of For Fast, Efficient and Courteous Service pride in Jewish achievements. It will 18 W. 45th St., New York, N. Y, 10036 · 563·3994 fill a long-felt need to present the Great Jews in all fields of human endeavor .... Obviously the "Jewish heritage" '.I CATALOGUE referred to here is the universal heritage bequeathed the world-at­ ' of . large by Jews - but by no means ATTENTION MECHANCHIM does it focus on values that are ir1- HEBREW ACADEMY herently Jewish. These few lines, Hebrew Academy of Cleveland like the list of names, betray a con­ OF CLEVELAND Publication Department offers ception of Judaism that does not 50 educational items for even consist of how others define us PUBLICATIONS Hebrew Day Schools - rather, it reflects a wish for self­ * Curricular manuals, guides, definition based totally on how Workbooks

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Oaf Yomi Calendar for 5738 ' n'l; wn Catalogue sent upon request A day-by-day schedule for participants in the Send .50 for handling to: Dcif Yomi program. for your ftee copy1 serid HEBREW ACADEMY a Stam'ped 1 self·addressecrenvelcipe 'to: DafYomi PUBLICATIONS DEPT. Agudalh Israel of America 1860 South Taylor Rd. S Beekman St. I N.V.C. 10038 Cleveland Heights, Ohio 44118

The Jewish Observer I September, 1977 27 Letters to the Editor Cost-Cutting in Yeshivos: Source of Shame, Not Pride

To the Editor: Your June issue was certainly a rewarding experience to read. Your comparing the variety of yeshivos in Brooklyn to an art form is well-taken. As a resident of the "Too Many Yeshivas" prevailing in Boro Park and I have Boro Park - Flatbush area, this - Not in Boro Park-Flatbush never authorized any stateinent per­ summer I enjoyed the "cross­ taining to conditions in any par­ pollenization" of having my sons To the Editor: ticular community. attend a day camp not affiliated I was dismayed by your state­ I want to reassure you that the with their year-round yeshiva, ments contained in the article, "Too Rabbinical Council of America is thereby sampling Yiddishkeit with Many Yeshivos?" in your Tamuz an organization which has stood in a slightly different flavor. 5737 issue in which you criticize me the forefront of the struggle to ad­ However, your commendation of for statements attributed to me but vance Torah through yeshivoth our yeshivas for being able to which certainly completely distort education. We are grateful for what educate our children at a more my views. I must confess that it is has been accomplished in tran­ reasonable rate than do the public not the first time I experienced this sforming the community of Boro schools is not a compliment to our anguish of noticing reports that I Park into a bastion of Torah and community. Much of the cost­ had criticized the duplication of piety. cutting is accomplished by grossly yeshivoth in Boro Park. In underpaying Rebbis and teachers. retrospect, I deeply regret that I did RABBI WALTERS. WURZBURGER This is a grave injustice to them and not at that time immediately take President to their families. Why can't our the necessary steps to correct the Rabbinical Council of America community, which is truly false impression. New York City prosperous, properly compensate But, because of my deep respect them for their time and effort? for your publication, I find it neces­ Editorial Reply: Perhaps the cost of education ought sary at this late stage to correct the to be borne by the entire com­ record. While I deplored in my We are pleased to serve as the munity - as are our public schools statement the wasteful duplication medium for setting the record through taxation - rather than by straight for Rabbi Wurzburger. and spiritual egotism that has parents alone. (The archaic system However, the statement specifying prevented the realization of many of establishing tuition rates leaves Boro Park-Flatbush by name was of the more important objectives in much to be desired anyway.) In quoted from a Rabbinical Council the field of Torah education, I am European kehillos, shechita and of America press release cited in a not familiar at all with conditions chinuch were community func­ news story published in the New tions. Thus the purchase of meat York Times (May s; 1977), where supported the yeshivas. we read it. It would only be fair to Has Judaism anything to say on correct this misquote for the A bad deed seems wrong only the first time. The second time it ac­ the sterilization of men or women 2,163,000 readers of the Times. It quires the force of habit and may not be too late. for Therapeutic, Eugenic, or Fami­ thereafter becomes a good and vir­ ly Planning reasons? Further, Rabbi Wurzburger's let­ tuous act in one's eyes. That is what A full discussion of the whole ter may clear Boro Park-Flatbush of such gloating over low-cost chinuch question in Ezrat Nashim Vol. 3 any intended criticism on his part, has become. pp. 300-316 but he still leaves the reader unin­ formed as to his intentions. Exactly In the articles on baalei teshuva, I The Agunah Problem Present Day found the attitude of both Rabbi Marriage & Divorce Problems by where does "wasteful duplication and spiritual egotism" plague the and Rebetzin Weinberg (in separate Rabbi Meir Meiri 3 Vols. 15 Dol­ Jewish community - Williams­ interviews) toward children most lars p.&p. burg? - Monsey? - Baltimore? Is refreshing and inspiring. Our com­ Mach.on Torah Meirah: 17 the New York Times the proper munity could benefit from more of this in future articles. Tewkesbury Drive forum for airing this type of Prestwich Manchester, England criticism? ROCHEL SUSSWEIN N.W. Brooklyn, New York

28 The Jewish Observer I September, 1977 all adhering to a special M ussar into a camp and did save the in­ Corrections on "Novardok" Article view and program; defining dividual Shapiro alludes to, but not themselves as a separate entity from in the circumstances described in To the Editor: all other yeshivas. More important the Shapiro account. I would like to commend Chaim yet: building yeshivas, to As for Rabbi Libman's current Shapiro on another of his fine arti­ Novaradok, was an act of supreme accomplishments, it is sad that the cles, "Novardok," in the Nissan is­ Avodas Hashem (divine service) Torah community in America is for sue of The Jewish Observer. At the and therefore was carried out with the most part unaware of them, for same time I must point out that his an unbelievable degree of mesiras they are truly noteworthy. He has work is by no means an authorita­ nefesh. Novaradok built yeshivas succeeded in building in France two tive treatment of the Novaradok in places and under conditions complete school systems, from M ussar apoproach and also con­ where no others would dare - at kindergarten through Kole!, for tains minor historical mistakes. Our their greatest expansion, their men and women, where today many Gedolim have always been most network contained eighty-four hundreds of young people and careful in the exactness of even the yeshivas with many thousands of families are living in an environ­ smallest details of the stories they talmidim. This mesiras nefesh made ment of authentic Novaradok Mus­ told. all things possible, from the risk of sar and practice. Whether To begin with, the correct Yid­ founding a short-lived Yeshiva in Novaradok can be revived in dish name of the city was not Moscow to the founding of a Beth America is an intriguing question, Novardok but rather Novaradok, Joseph Yeshiva in tranquil but un­ as Shapiro does indeed put it; but in with the second syllable accented. likely Gateshead, England. France, Novaradok has remained in Most cities and towns of Eastern Shapiro also errs in ascribing the all its uniqueness and commitment, Europe had Yiddish names distinct border crossing to Reb Yoisel, '>"YT. and still blossoms. and often dissimilar from their non Reb Yoisel died in Kiev while caring (Rabbi) JECHIEL I. PERR for his talmidim during the cholera Jewish names. The non-Jewish Rosh Yeshiva, name in this case was epidemic of 1920. The border cross­ Yeshiva Derech Ayson Novogrudock. ing - a glorious Torah.tale yet to be Far Rockaway, New York told - took place during the sum­ Furthermore, "1Y1!:>i1" is not used in the Talmud as a motto for mer of 1922. The decision was made spreading Torah, and never served by Reb Avrohom Jofen upon con­ Rabbi Shapiro Replies: as a guiding principle of sultation with the Chofetz Chaim, I write my articles with one pur­ n:i,:i':> Cll,:1! . Novaradok. "1Y1!:>i1" originates in pose in mind, namely "lelamed" - Mish lei 5 :16 and was popularized Logically, past experiences with to teach. The target: people who do as a motto in certain Chassidic cir­ the Bolshevics should lie behind the not read or seldom read in any cles by its use in the Baal Shem move to Vilna in 1939. Actually, language other than English. Tov's letter to his brother-in-law, however, when Germany and Rus­ Regardless of intended targets, not Rabbi Gershon Kittever. Here the sia divided Poland between them, all readers are alike and eventually phrase has implications of Mes­ Russia restored Vilna to Lithuania one runs into a perfectionist. sianic imperatives, outside the as a means of giving legitimacy to Perfectionism, however, Can reach framework of the Mussar dis­ its grab of Poland. lteb Chaim Ozer the point of ridiculous. cipline. then issued a call to all yeshivas in Most American readers are in­ Nor was the work of building Poland to move at once to Vilna, terested in what happened and how yeshivas and Kiruv Rechokim as which they did. Not long after, - not if it took place in Shnip­ unique to Novaradok as Shapiro Vilna was also overrun by the Rus­ pishok, or Novardok or Boyberick. implies. Reb Yisroel Salanter sians, and its Polish citizens were - much less how the place is spelled devoted the last twenty-five years deported to Siberia. or pronounced. (Incidentally, if Rabbi Perr can come up with five of his life to what should be termed Near the end of his article, Chaim Kiruv Rechokim. His disciple Reb Shapiro mentions some stories ltzel Peterburger was responsible in regarding Reb Gershon Libman, HELP WANTED founding a large number of 1<"0'':>1!1, currently in France. Rabbi Reputable citywide Orthodox social yeshivas, and Reb Notte Hirsh, Libman asked me to protest them as service organization seeks capable in­ founder of the Slabodka Yeshiva, fabrications and a public embarras­ dividuals for administrative and various was also responsible for founding sment to him. I, personally, have staff positions. Good salary plus full tens of other yehsivos. been told by an unimpeachable fringe benefits. All applicants con­ What was different about source (someone who was with sidered with resume only. Please reply Novaradok was that the yeshivas it Rabbi Libman during that period) to The Jewish Observer, Box 186, 5 founded were part of one network, that he indeed did smuggle tefillin Beekman Street, NYC 10038.

29 The Jewish Observer I September, 1977 tides in The Jewish Observer of December, 1970, November, 1971, Ii H' ....r.g;1 and May, 1973. LETTERS CONTINUED I have a life-long friend who now 15 lives in New York City. He per­ AVROHOM BEN AVROHOM: by Selig sonally lived through all the terrible Schachnowitz: The long-known story of the sufferings, from the Vilna Ghetto Gair T zeddek of Vi!na. incomparably retold Jews from Poland or Lithuania who until liberation, together with Reb by a master writer and translated into pronounce the name the way he Gershon. To me he is more trusted English for the first time. claims, I shall give $100 to Ezras and reliable than someone else's In these pages the reader meets the Torah Torah, bli neder .... Also, if Rabbi "unimpeachable source." giants of that generation. in mid 18th cen­ Perr copied the non-Jewish name of tury Europe. revered to this day by Je\.Vish the city from a Russian book, he Before the war, over 12,000 Jews the world over, especially the Gaon of made two mistakes; if from a Polish lived in my hometown of Lomza. Vilna. book, he made three.*) Right after the war, I began to count Adapted into English by Yoshua Leiman The "Aruch Hashulchan" (Rabbi the survivors and I came up with and illustrated by Bat-Sheva Frankel. Yechiel Michel Epstein) who was eleven. How happy I was when I 224 pages $5.95 Rav in Novardok, spelled the name visited the DP Camp of Bergen­ We just reprinted again our famous of the city in two different ways in Belsen in 1946 and came across n:nu nii'~l the very same letter p1<1,m11 ,ptl'l). However, first question: How did he come out li,) n?i::i;n Wlip 'J', O.Y ,;i',,::i.n .,,01 he wrote it j71ii'T11KJ in a get, where alive from the Gehinom? His reply, ro1iK nl::li:l ;(K0''7r.l :Jpyi ·;7 C"ni1 one must be precise and perfect .. Reb Gershon Kovler!" It is cer­ .,,o :1:Ji1 ll'i!:ll ,;i?in n•i:i ,,o .pxit.v'J1 <1 .. 0 ·o J'D'l m~':>n 1n':>wn 11,JI). tainly possible that, being .nJliMl"t ;i:i1:i1 l1Tnn n:i1::i overwhelmed with gratitude to New-revised edition. Now to the point: neither Rabbi Rabbi Libman for saving his life, he Available in two different multi-colored Perr nor anyone else knows what exaggerated the circumstances a bit. plastic covers. route the slogan "Veyofutzu" took To my shame, I have not main­ 56 pages $1.00 to reach Novardok, but any time a tained contact with that man quantity discount for institutions. Novardoker would embark on a throughout the years, but I do 1mon n::i,::i ,,,, Torah mission, he was charged with know that he settled in Petach .. Let your wells spring outward!" With Translation and Commentary Tikva. The facts as he presented by Samson Raphael Hirsch The Alter of Slabodka had been them, however, are forever impres­ 16 pages $0.50 active in a previous generation. In sed in my mind .... How can one my generation, only Novardok was forget something of that kind 1 engaged in founding new yeshivos. The number 70 (Novardok As for Reb Gershon' s "embarras­ yeshivos) did not pop out of my sment" and "protest" - embarrass­ magic hat. It was listed in an article ment and protest should really OAF YOMI EDITIONS OF in a post-war edition of Hapardes. come from the Orthodox com­ MESECHTA YEVAMOS If Rabbi Perr counted 84, my munity. The Novardoker Yeshiva NOW AVAILABLE apology. miraculously crossed the border M esec h ta Y evamos, the If Rabbi Perr wants to know from Bolshevic Russia into· Poland in 1922. Fifty-five years have pas­ fourth volume in a special series about Vilna, Poles, Lithuania, and the Russians, he should read my ar- sed, and no one has bothered to tell of unigue travel-size (SVi'' x 8") this .. glorious Torah tale!" The Se­ Gemoras, is now available for cond World War ended May 5, the convenience of Daf Yomi ~In Polish, an 0 should follow the R, for in 1945. For thirty-two years since, did participants in their daily study. POlish an 0 with a dot on the top is called "O anyone bother to tell about kreskowane" and is pronounced like "00" "Gershon Kovler" and his Kiddush Available at the cost price of in food. There is no C before the K, for a C in Hashem? What do people propose Polish is like a Hebrew "Tzaddik." As for the we wait for? - When there will be $2.SO - by advance payment "V" - it does not exist in Polish; a W is used only. Sole distribution from the instead. If he copied the spelling from a Rus­ no one around to tell or to publisher: sian dictionary, an 0 should follow the R, remember? llaf Yomi Conunission and is read like a Hebrew Komatz. Also, no C CHAIM SHAPIRO Agudath Israel of America before the K; a C in Russian is like a S Be£kman St., N.Y. 10038 "Samach" in Hebrew. Baltimore, Maryland

30 The Jewish Observer/ September, 1977 I have discussed this matter with Parents, Children - and Schools teachers, principals, psychologists and parents. Practically all of them •i&h·Uli.;.g~1 To the Editor: agree that something is wrong and I derived great inspiration and in­ calls for reform. Resignation is the fl sight from "The Crises Between general reaction instead of positive New in1portant public~1tion: Parents and Children" written by action. Perhaps, if this matter and Aaron Brafman. It was beautifully its ramifications would be clearly 7"t tl"~l:l~riC, ri:rnun m~C,ri expressed, very well coordinated, indicated through your magazine rtunon .,, w,,,b 'Oll' and enlightening from many and other channels at your disposal, IVD,lll', I can truly attest to Machon Torah Meirah .111;i 'J11'o U'n1Ji nx)J n1r.i.::io0 Dll the fact that the schools greatly 17, Tewkesbury Drive $5.00 overburden our precious children, Prestwich Manchester overwhelming them with a highly England. competitive scholastic standard in Chumasch Torah Meirah: 3 which the "average" student is Lapidus Bras. Gemilath Chesed doomed and the bright student vols. 12 dollars p.p. The first barely makes it. These children who comprehensive commentary Ass'n of the Crown Hts. are our future parents face life in a of each word & sentence in the Agudath Israel, Inc. wrecked state at its onset. Unfor­ Torah, specially recommended For Applications: tunately, they are victims of the Call RABBI JOSHUA SILBERMINTZ various schools competing, who for Rabbis, Ministers & Teachers, written in concise & at: WO 4-1620 or write: overlook the well being of the stu­ c/o AcUDATH lsRAEL dents and are only concerned with lucid Hebrew. S Beekman St .• New York 10038 their own image.

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The Jewish Observer I September, 1977 31 Begin Meets with Torah Sages JEP Hits Back at Missionaries; Agudath Israel Camps

Prime Minister Menachem Begin came to Volunteers of the Joseph and Faye Complete Successful Season the home of Rabbi Moshe Feinstein, Tanenbaum Jewish Education Program Camp Agudah for boys and Camp Bnos chairman of the Council of T 0rah Sages (JEP), organized by Zeirei Agudath Israel of for girls completed their 35th successful (Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah) of Agudath America, concluded a busy summer fighting season last month with a record enrollment Israel, to meet with a group of the Tor ah missionary attempts to make inroads with of more than 1,000 campers who benefited scholars. Besides Rabbi Feinstein, the Jewish youth. A large number of vacationing from the camps' educational and recreational Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah delegation con­ yeshiva students were mobilized by the program. The American Agudah summer sisted of Rabbi Yaakov Kamenetzky, Rosh Zeirei Agudath Israel Reach-Out Division to camps featured many physical improve­ Yeshiva of Mesivta Torah Vodaath, and work in the grassroots communities. ments this year and were once again host to a Rabbi Yitzchok Hutner, Rosh Yeshiva of More than 2,000 specially prepared fliers large number of campers from poor Jewish Mesivta Rabbi Chaim Berlin, accompanied were distributed to Jewish parents and homes and from South America. The opera­ by Rabbi Moshe Sherer, executive president youngsters in many sections of the tions of the camps were under the direc­ of Agudath Israel of America. Begin was ac­ Metropolitan area as well as in Rockland torship of Rabbi Meir Frischman; the companied by a group of advisors and the County. In addition, JEP was involved in chairman of the camp committee of Agudath Counsul General of New York. many discreet activities to win back un­ Israel, Mr. Alan Rosenberg; and the ex­ During the meeting, which lasted dose to suspecting victims of the missionaries. The ecutive director of Agudath Israel of an hour, the Council of Torah Sages leaders special flier urged parents to safeguard the America, Rabbi Baruch Borchadt. discussed with the new Prime Minister the spiritual and moral welfare of their children The success of the American Agudah broad range of issues on Israel's agenda and by registering them in yeshivos, offering free camps followed in the footsteps of an un­ Begin's mission in the U.S.A. Throughout tuition scholarships to many. precedented number of 9,000 children who the meeting, the Prime Minister displayed In a second summer program, JEP participated in 31 summer camps operated in great reverence for the venerable Tor ah volunteers provided tutoring for youngsters various parts of the world under th ... auspices scholars. in advance of the coming school year. JEP of the international Agudath Israel move­ Although the American Agudah had not volunteers also visited non-Orthodox sum­ ment. The vacation retreats, most of which publicized the meeting in advance, the news mer camps to introduce the youngsters to bear the name Camp Agudah for boys or of Begin's visit with the famous Torah sages aspects of authentic Torah Judaism, Camp Bnos for girls, are located in Canada, at Rabbi Feinstein's home spread like lightn­ preliminary to developing a relationship dur­ Argentina, England, Israel, Belgium, ing throughout the neighborhood on the ing the coming school year. Switzerland and Italy. Israel's camping lower East Side, and over a thousand Jews as­ JEP is also preparing to launch a new after operations consist of nearly 16 camps, the sembled behind police barricades to witness school program for Russian immigrant largest of which is Chazon Yechezkiel. the scene. children in Brighton Beach-Coney Island In addition to its American operations, Agudath Israel of America also co-sponsors two summer projects in Israel for campers Agudath Israel Joins Group Calling from every part of the world: Camp S'dei for Ban on Reverse Discrimination Chemed International in Rishon LeTzion for boys, and the Beth Jacob "Live and Learn" Representatives of Agudath Israel of quotas and preferential treatment. program for girls in Jerusalem. For the fourth America and six other national Jewish The seven agencies represented at the June consecutive year, a large number of newly organizations have called on the Carter Ad­ 7th meeting were Agudath Israel of America, arrived Russian imigrant children in Israel ministration to ban reverse discrimina'tion in American Jewish Committee, American received special scholarship grants to sum­ college student admissions and faculty Jewish Congress, Anti-Defamation League mer camps from the Russian Immigrant employment by issuing government prohibi­ of Bnai Brith, Jewish Labor Committee, Rescue Fund. tions against quotas and quota equivalents. Jewish War Veterans, and the National Yeshivos to Benefit From In a Washington, D.C. meeting with Council of Jewish Women. They urged that $250,000 Book Gift Joseph Califano, Secretary of Health, Educa­ special admissions programs should be A new law which will provide yeshiva tion and Welfare, the Jewish leaders cited the "based on criteria of disadvantagement students in New York State with over Bakke case now pending before the U.S. rather than on criteria of race in order to give $250,000 in supplementary secular textbook Supreme Court as a major example of dis­ all disadvantaged applicants an opportunity loans annually, was praised by the Commis­ crimination resulting from quotas. The case, to compete for educational opportunities." sion on Legislation of Agudath Israel of on appeal by the University of California, in­ The Jewish groups deplored government America. Dr. Bernard Fryshman, chairman volves a qualified white applicant who was regulations which mandate surveys through of the Commission, declared that the per­ barred because of his race from its medical which individuals are identified by race, sonal concern of Governor Hugh L. Carey school at Davis by an admissions policy ethnic background and frequently by was the major factor in putting to an end the guaranteeing 16 seats for minority can­ religion. "Such surveys constitute invasions efforts of most school districts to deny these didates. of privacy, promulgate quotas and lead to additional textbooks to the non-public school The appeal was filed after the California discrimination against or in favor of the in­ students. He also reported that Agudath Supreme Court ruled it was unconstitutional dividuals identified." Agudath Israel was Israel played a major role in helping develop for the University to exclude Allan Bakke represented by Rabbi Sherer, executive presi­ this measure from its inception through its solely because he is white. The outcome of dent, and Dr. Bernard Fryshman, chairman ultimate signing into law. New York yeshiva the U.S. Supreme Court appeal will affect all of the organization's Commission on Legisla­ students will now receive $750,000 in text­ special college admissions programs based on tion and Civic Action. book aid this year.

JZ The Jewish Observer I September, 1977 Cope Vocational Institute A Division ofAgudath Israel of America "The ultimate in clerical training" ANNOUNCES courses in typewriting stenography secretarial bookkeeping English secretarial procedures job orientation legal secretary medical secretary bookkeeping

CETA Scholarships available for eligible participants through Project C.O.P.E.

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The Jewish Observer I September, 1977 33 Zeirei Agudath Israel Annual N'shei Agudath Israel Attacks ports to represent. One must wonder Melave Malke in Camp Agudah N.Y. State Women's Conference whether Orthodox Jewish women were not somehow purposely excluded from con­ A crowd of dose to 600 b'nei Torah heard Resolutions backing the Equal Rights ference participation because of their differ­ prominent Gedolei Torah call for "a signifi­ Amendment and liberalized abortion laws ing views on such major issues as the Equal cant increase in Torah activism" at the an­ adopted by the New York State Women's Rights Amendment and abortion nual Melave Malke rally sponsored by Zeirei Meeting, which took place July 8-10 in legislation." Agudath Israel of America at Camp Agudah Albany, was criticized by Mrs. Josephine in Ferndale, New York on August 6. The Reiche! and Mrs. Daniella Buxbaum, ssth National Convention to Look speakers at the largest gathering of b'nei national co-chairmen of N'shei (Agudah Torah during the summer months, pointed to Women of America). They also charged that At International Developments the extraordinary times that we live in as the the Orthodox women were purposely ex­ The SS th national convention of Agudath background for the thousands of Jews that cluded because of their previous position on Israel of America will take place on are searching for ways to return to Tor ah. key issues affecting women. Mrs. Reichel November 24th through November 27th at The two main speakers at the Melave pointed to the meeting's main session on the Sheraton-Deauville Hotel in Atlantic Malke were Rabbi Gedalia Schorr, Rosh Shabbos as an example of the attempts of the City. The convention theme is "Torah on the Yeshiva of Mesivta Torah Vodaath; and conference to exclude women with different Threshhold of a New Era - Are We Rabbi Yaakov Perlow, Novominsker Rebbe ideas. Prepared?" Sessions will deal with the broad and Rosh Yeshiva of Beth Medrash The Agudah leaders continued, "The gamut of topics affecting Torah Jews in this Yeshurun (R'SRH). The Melave Malke was process of electing delegates and forming country, but emphasis also will be placed on chaired by its executive director, Rabbi positions on the major issues affecting the implications of events in Israel in recent Yaakov Bender. women is further in doubt when it did not months, as the result of Agudath Israel's represent the views of all the women in pur- Knesset coalition agreement. Canadian readers are advised As in the past the ronvf'ntion is expected to be a huge demonstration for Torah, at­ either to subscribe at the tracting as many as 3,000 guests and overseas rate of $1 additional i1'?'.:li1 e~1~ delegates, headed by foremost Roshei per year, or to indicate on their EV 7-1750 Yeshivas, Rabbohim, and other Torah leaders. Agudath Israel will again publish a i,mic iiotc checks that the $7.50 payment souvenir yearbook in conjunction with the is to be made in U.S. funds. i?JWTi"'C 1'!tc 'C:~•tvti•1'ir.~· annual report which is released at the con­ vention.

"Man eats the fruits of the following deeds in This World, while the principle remains until the World-to-Come: Pincus Mandel charitable acts ... hospitality .•. 11isiting the sick ... coming to the aid of a needy bride and groom .•." Renowned Expert - over 25 years A chronicle of pain and sorrow - with so many experience in fruitful opportunities for us to be helpful: Kvura on all cemeteries in Eretz Yisrael Mother of 11, widow of a famed Ta/mid With all Hidurim - as done only by Shomrei Chacham for seven years •.. underwent open­ Torah Umitzvos heart surgery, recently in U.S. for treatment of a malignant condition ll"7 Therapy, travel ex­ Responsible for current system - speedily ex­ penses, costs of return to Israel have amounted to pedited - at Airport in 4 to 5 hours. over $50,000 •.•• With more than 45 years of cemetery ex­ Thank G-d, this valiant woman is also looking perience, constantly dedicated to the allevia­ forward to joyous occasions as she prepares her tion of the inyan of Chesed Shel Emes - not to children for their weddings. Needless to say, all Mesaken the inyan of Monetary Gain ... contributions to this needy family are of greatest Recommended by Most Prominent Rabbanim urgency. and Admorim (signed) Horav Shmuel Binyomin Ehrenfeld Pincus Mandel (Mattersdorfer Rav) 175 Lee Avenue, Brooklyn, New York 11211 Horav Yaakov Kamenetzky Day and Night Phone (212) 855-5121 (Mesifta Torah Vodaath) Horav Shneur Kotler, (Lakewood, N.}.) All bills rendered on actual "Costs-Plus" Basis. Send your contributions to: No hidden or 'padded' charges Meir Kotler/600 Forest Ave./Lakewood, N.J. 08701 Agudah Member - 50 years. Make checks payable to BMC Tzeddaka fund.

34 The Jewish Observer/ September, 1977 il'ni::>i::ii il)W ',nn n"',wn 5738: A year of new opportunities for CHINUCH ATZMAI - TORAH SCHOOLS FOR ISRAEL new because even those far removed from Torah recognize that a opportunities religious education is a must for Israel's children. new because of the new government's positive attitude toward opportunities religious schools. new for expanding the Torah School network and intensifying opportunities its special programs. projected budget for 5738: 150 million IL Including Chinuch Atzmai's supplementary budget, covering costs of an expanding list of unique programs, and its development budget for opening new schools and Kindergartens, and acquiring temporary quarters to solve pressing housing problems. Supplementary budget for: •Additional hours of Torah study • Maintaining Kindergarten network •Supplemental enrichment activities •Running Day Care Centers •Evening Yeshivas for boys' schools • Subsidies for mesivtos, junior high schools and regional • After"hours dubs in girls' schools dormitories • Urban and inter"city transportation •And Chinuch Atzmai's share of its day-to-day • Teachers training courses maintenance budget, beyond government support - •Head-start programs so vital to preserving the Torah Schools' indepen· • Teachers' salary differentials dence and traditional character.

Development budget for: School buildings presently under construction in N'vei Yaakov. Kiryat Shmuel, Jerusalem, and Oimona (in the Negev). Chinuch Atzmai - Torah Schools for Israel Founded by Gedolei Yisroel. Directed by Gedolei Yisroel. Fulfilling the vision of Gedolei Yisroel on behalf of Klal Yisroel.

Your one • 175 Kindergartens • 59 Youth Clubs • 200 Yeshiva-and Bais Yaakov-Elementary • 178 Day Camps contribution schools • Extended School Year Summer Sessions helps • 24 Mesivtos and Junior High Schools • Free lunch and dinner for needy students maintain: • 2 Accredited Teachers Colleges • Staff of 3,000 • 26 Yeshivas Erev • Educating 40,000 students

TORAH SCHOOLS FOR ISRAEL-=- - --1 WHAT YOU CAN DO: CHINUCH ATZMAI J L WRITE A LEGACY - include the 40,000 children of 167 Madison Avenue I New York, N.Y. 10016 Chinuch Atzmai Torah Schools in your will. 12121 889"0606 2. DEDICATE - a school complex I a kindergarten I a Gentlemen dining room / a chapel I a classroom. l hereby pledge ti-? st1m of as my contnbut1on 3. Become a MEMBER I sponsor a CHILD. 111 answer to the call of the Gedolim

i _] Amount enclosed U Kindly mail statement Join This Historic Effort Now! , ! Please send me your 1977-78 pocket appointment calendar $1000-Nassi Layom. Join the President's Club of e!ite members in Chinuch Atzmai. Name $360-Provide Milk for a class of needy childfen for Address the school year. $180-Sponsor a Child with al! her educational needs. City $100-Join the Membership of Chinuch Atzmai. State/Zip $54 -Buy a set of seforim for an entire dass of Torah Contributions are tax-exempt - Tax ref BK.f.0-60·46 School children. Have you received our 1977-1978 Pocket Appointment Calendar? Tehillim I The Book of Psalms Moses gave Israel the Five Books of the Torah; David gave Israel the Five Books of Tehillim (Midrash).

Said the Holy One, blessed be He, ro T hr praises of Man are that n¥v~ i?tt xS I iWI:< ili'Kt'f-,.,w~ K he walked not m the counsel of the wicked, :rwin::l1 il):V K"7O'l<\'t'!1"1"1::11 O'YlVi :l'K David, 'One day of your Torah And stood not in the path of the sinful, il1iP n1in:i CK •:i ::iw; K? o•:::r7 means more to me than a thousand and sat not in thr session of scoH1ers.

wi<-hd b0t•m• they •nJ<>Y •dmmg •nd 1, '"1"'1:' - Th'l"a'"' "mJI" '" !hr d""",; """ •ulot"m per>u.Jmg <>the" '" 1uin •n t"h<-'f •vii the ,hlf ~'Inn. rror,,, or ,..~,'>'>-~. p'""' C d Ra,ho •nd M'/rndQ• ITh.- 1ul< Jn'"''" lh., •h• lo>! ,..,,\.,.,. ,.,f m•"" "'"" , 1ustt(oc• <>n< P"'Y •o •n<>lher, >o th• "d«ultr bring to My altar (Shabbos 30b; Mac­ !wn fur th•1r l"·k <>f rtghl•oU<<>"'' wh<> «nd., ·~"'" ... rlu,.1 n<>un tun.O• "'•" wh" »ng' C J' r"''"' " '""'"''" th• '""" of on• m•n 10 m••nrng 'p•a»<>' In tht> R4~ o,.,/., worn. •s•mM ,...,k,ng •nolher on <>rder 10 sh•me h•m H•" 1he ,,,.,,,,/1 '°'" '""lly •mmn J•mr•n h., oot> f hl< bu"y•nt >P""' H" l"Y " '""'""' ftum nW•I !I " impo<.,b!. for th• n«ghl>ot h•m "'""hy of P"'" u>ntmu•ng undrm•n.,h•d from b i-, '•camn', and •• •n //.,sch m•mt.,n. th•1 \h< "'"' of ·wa"e""'"hy ,. {th, man) · venum onto "'Y d•«n.,ion Th• S•g<> ~r'm, '• po/,.h,d ph'"" · Th• m•n '"''I:' " 'l1V/!(_ ~ """ /o•wa•d Th, Radak" •nd M,,,, poml out th., ohe WKked l•!UY th plurol fo>lV< "'tune wrlh 1h< hme< ThI mu.I rl he to uke tlw word• <>I ndi,ul• m finse who dm~ tu fouh The r .. lm"t wufd' <)f 1he wi<·k.,J to heor" phro.,.. rn•n worthy of ptot« Only •h•• m•n" 1 :~~ht~~u~":,rt~•: i[o,':: ~;::.:~: beseeching, the Jew reached for. his Th• h•ughty m•M•l;ty of the r'> " l•ud<>t•nt :J ""'¥ .0 O'r<;>'J T'~J\ - And ••ood not'" •ummed up in th• two le!t•« which and conrni.n! m ..ningful J•v•k>pmenl the path of the ,;nfu/_ 'happy·, rnmpoo• h" Mm<,'>. lamtd-1"1>;1'? = IM•nY tran•!.1• 1h,. wo•d .. Tehtllim ..In it he found every emo· fl">l•fl. '$, tU1dJ1k, {?'"1¥ = righl-con•imself m•n par <>f'llMco, brimmong w"h the K"1'1 .• •mful Th• WKkod VIV; support lo lhi< v< •nd •"int_ He look• y<>uth. vJ!•l;oy •nd d<>ife Yet h• rnn. del,b<,.tely ,oun.,.1> l•wl'"""' •nd down upon oth<« ., h" inferior< Molb1m expl•in, th< J,ffn trnb •ll of h" mclm•tion• •nd •vo'd' h•n«. ho fe h<' hos hcen" to fidicul• \,.rw,..n ~VII. ond "t'?>'·~· n!'!'rr;:r rder> every vicissitude. It was swollen with h<>..,ever. "" uninler\Mnally IKun to •uc<«•ful in lhr ,.mpt.1"on to <0var Nuhrnod) !it•olly me•n• 'lo '"'" th• ma•k1 Rombam (l-f1!choo T«m'a• Tto.a',,,; m•t.,,.J •nd w»•ldly rulm ~w11. his tears .of gladness and pain, and Nevorthel<>s. h, 1()0 " lo spiritual •llaon· 1~ IOI '11'" nrn 1'?~ t<'> '"'" - !A") That b.<-•u« of hos ftivokm• •nd light· mhar< he wo/k,J "at in th< co1tl of r/i, he0 Th•y b •II the fi"I lwo ch•P1«• of Psalm• are gothtring m t•vetn<. exch•nging idl• " ud on tonnecloon ""'h the wo to provent m;,. go••lion counted •• on•. Wh•n • «>mpo•ibon •• k .. ..•• p.-.rloculor!y de•r to D•vid, h• ~:~:~,tl~·l\t~:;e:~' :~,;·:::~.~hJ lo scorning th• 1ight.ou•, •nd 'who sated the Creator with songs lurn, Of"'ned il with ·~it!<. •nd 'Y> Jllll"J' -A~d >at nor·~ •h• from th•r< >! dr«•nds to denoun~•' ><'> ''l""C' 'j V)l>. fo, rli< wu-ktd ""io" of 1ht >Corn•" the •uthorny of th< proph"' Uhomato­ and praise' (Berachos lOa). /b,, Ett• deriwo 1h• wor- ly th•y come to d•ny G,d HtmS<'ll. To Hf bth '"1'11:' "" lih Iii< /.a,,blt·lo,.,J ""· whtch '1"K;:< •nd conduded wrth ~ ·~'11:' cannol b, •!ill(/.,.,,,/, 57 20~ I R•Ol>• Ch;n,n•h bm Tmdyon "Y' Wh.,,.-<•lly th< dm ,.,..,i by 1m. T""I~• Y""' re,, l•~,J J """'tho•'"' M"hn•h d"" no• "Y th>i mh md.vklu•i '"' .Oly i• not confined <>du<1vlion I w"h""' ""Jy,ng To,.h R.th«. O• ,... .., V""' lo •mph•m• 1h'1 th«•" no t>el.angt of '~"'~· It •pp!;., to •ny psalm wh•« lh• R<1dok •dd• 1h•t th< "'"'d ·"tll presents the newest offering in T"i;h •hou1r/, " porH,u!.. ly •ui1.,J to 1he l>uo "obhvoou• k> h" ""'&ht.or Why do«n ! mh ont P'U" for• mom•nl to"" h" "'""°"' •Q•"'""" m to ,i,,,. •"""ul•hng ohuygh•' Th;• m.J~•tt• 1h" """on• mh" """ !M<•,. """' f/,, "'""' fer ''"'Y ump! '" !h• (o,,.mtn!"'Y /rd• !>.tn doc""""''" the ArtScroll Tanach Series: m.v J,..m '"'h •n <>«•ue h, '"""'IY ""'"'•ht "hol"'" •P'""d' W"'"'"'• l/,.,...tloM'"" '""'"d" '"'"'"'"'or t>p1"••m Although ohty """not ont ,,.1 wo.-4 •nd """no!•'"""""' from To"h '•""""'"'""! "uJ1-_ th ..t '"" snob. '«•YO< th•'1 pt0..0 hm" "' • S•l•Wo•• •"nb•t•d to ll.d•k '" 1h" vol•nt< "" "~'" f•om "" """b"d~•• '""'"''"'"'~ Tehllllm I Psalms I ,.,u.,oeJ ,.,th >

In the broad scope of its commentary, the illuminating depth of its Overview, the poetic faithfulness of its translation, the striking esthetics ofits graphics - the new volume is a worthy addition to the series that has. broken new ground and created new horizons in English-language Torah literature. The ArtScroll Tehillim will be welcQmed and treasured by Teh1ll1m everyone whose heart has become David's harp, by everyone who longs to understand it as the Sages did, by everyone who Overviews and Commentaries .by wish@ tQ make David's universal psalms a part of himself. RABBI AVROHOM FEUER

Published by Distributed ·b~ ....,MESORAH PUBLICATIONS, Ltd . ZIONTALIS/Book Divisio~ VOLUME ONE: ZIONTAUS/Book Division I 48 Eldridge Street/ New York, N.Y. 10002 /(212) 925-8558 I PSALMS 1•30 I Please ship :...... copies ol the AttScroll 1'anach Series' 95 95 l LlBRARYEDffiON S1UDEN1"S EDIDON 1'EHIWM/PSAlMS Vol. I at y<>ur special pre·Pllblication di..,.,unt I 10 7 o! 10% 611 regular price. (Postage paid by Ziontalis/Book Division). I SPECIAL PRE•PUBUCATION DISCOUNT OF 10% Enclosed is my check In the amount of $ ...... I FOR JEWISH OBSERVER READERS 0 U8RARY El>moN: $10" 0 ·STUDENT'S EDmON: $7" I (Offer expires November 15, 1977) Pri!-Publlcation priw $9" Pri!·Publication price: $7" I N.Y.S. Residents add applicable sales ttlX I O I am alr